No longer concentrating on the game, Homura has her head bowed, eyes staring at her salad as she slowly picks out each and every piece of cranberry found inside.
A quick glance up, to where Mami is about to finish her roll for the 9th frame, before she continues with her task.
"Aw, come on!"
A loud crashing sound, following by another loud complaint from Kyouko: most likely another strike.
"Did I miss anything?"
Homura looks over to Madoka, watching as she retakes her seat next to that round bear. She's wiping her hands on her handkerchief, and when she finds Homura looking at her, she gives her a smile.
Homura points to the scoreboard with her fork. "You missed the Crimson Devil's valiant attempt at a comeback."
Madoka turns to the screen, eyes taking in the two dashes marking two continuous gutter balls.
"I heard that!" Kyouko yells in their direction.
"Homura-chan..." Slight disapproval in Madoka's voice, but Homura ignores it.
Instead, she gathers whatever cranberries already picked out onto her fork, and holds it towards Madoka.
"Madoka."
Madoka is already standing to take her turn. "Hm?"
Homura gestures to the fork. "Look, your favourite."
Her words earn her a small grin. Leaning down slightly, Madoka opens her mouth with a small 'ahh.'
Homura guides the small mound of cranberries into her mouth. "...They didn't even list this in their ingredients."
"Stop flirting already! Hurry up!" Kyouko shouts at them.
Mouth full, Madoka blushes as she straightens up.
"There's more when you come back..." Homura murmurs as she turns back to her salad.
"Mmhmm..." Madoka replies, chewing.
She moves over to the ball return, ignoring how Sayaka wolf whistles as she passes by.
Homura stops her nitpicking when she sees Madoka step up to the lane with a bowling ball in hand.
Two throws later, a spare is added to Madoka's score. As she walks to retrieve the ball for the last throw, her eyes automatically seek out lavender, and Homura gives her an encouraging smile that makes her blush.
To her embarrassment, she completely gutters the last attempt, and Kyouko's loud laughter does little to comfort.
She turns back, only to find Homura already out of her seat, walking to take her turn.
Homura intercepts her with a high five. "You did really well, Madoka."
Her words instantly makes her feel better.
Madoka smiles. "Thanks, Homura-chan. Good luck!"
Homura glances to the score: she's already passed 100. "Mm." She shrugs. "My salad is free, so I already consider this a win."
"Hurry up! I know grandmas that move faster than you!"
Homura rolls her eyes. "...but another strike, or equivalent wouldn't hurt."
Madoka reluctantly pulls away to take her seat as Homura moves to grab the brightly coloured bowling ball.
It definitely feels heavier in her hands, and though she won't admit it, she's glad that they're reaching the end of the game.
Once in front of the lane, she takes a moment to stare at the pins. Just as she's about to step forward, there's a loud shout.
She barely manages to keep the ball in her hands.
A whirl around, and she finds Kyouko smirking triumphantly; figures she would try the same trick again.
Homura merely shakes her head, and the sight of Mami moving to reprimand the redhead has her turning back around.
The first throw brings her one pin away from a spare, but she misses the last pin with her second throw.
A mocking whistle from behind, and she turns to find Kyouko grinning as she walks back to her seat. She merely points to screen, where her score is higher than Kyouko's; unless she manages two strikes, there's no way she can catch up.
The grin twists into a scowl, and Homura ignores those colourful words that spout from the Crimson Devil's mouth, instead focusing on not collapsing into her chair in front of Madoka.
Madoka holds out a hand, and she reaches over to meet her halfway with a soft clap.
"You did really well this game, Homura-chan!" Madoka tells her, obviously proud. "Even though I've been bowling a lot more times than you, I've never gotten a turkey before!"
"Mm..." Homura shrugs. She turns her attention back to the salad.
"So, what do you think of bowling?" Madoka asks, even as she watches Kyouko take her turn.
"...It's alright," Homura murmurs. "Madoka?"
"Hm?"
Another forkful of cranberries offered.
Once more, Madoka opens her mouth and lets Homura feed her.
Homura pulls the empty utensil away, frowning down at her salad. "I think that's most of it..."
Chewing, Madoka is eying the fork in Homura's hand as she slowly spears a few pieces of lettuce onto the plastic prongs. She follows her movements, watching as that same fork she had just eaten off of a few seconds ago connects with Homura's lips.
As if sensing her gaze, Homura looks up, blinking when she finds Madoka staring.
A tilt of her head, and Madoka quickly averts her eyes. "A-Ah...h-how's your salad, Homura-chan...?"
Done with her mouthful, Homura merely collects a few more pieces of lettuce, and once again, offers the fork to Madoka.
"The dressing is nice," she replies. "A little sweet, but not too much. Not sure what flavour it is though. Another thing not listed..."
A glance at Homura, before Madoka accepts the fork into her mouth.
"What do you think, Madoka?" Homura asks, already moving once more to fill her fork.
A small blush on her cheeks, Madoka concentrates on trying to figure out the taste. "Hmm." She brings up her hand to cover her mouth. "Might be some kind of sesame dressing?"
"Maybe we can try and find something like this at the market."
A finger is suddenly snapped in between them. Madoka jumps as Homura merely takes another bite of her salad.
"Hey lovebirds." Kyouko peers over them, wide smirk on her face. "We're about done here. Gonna finally get some grub."
"I still don't understand how you eat so much," Sayaka mutters from her chair; she's already taking off her bowling shoes.
Kyouko pats her stomach in response. "Fast metabolism is an amazing thing."
"...Not for those that has to deal with you and your insatiable hunger however," Mami cuts in.
Kyouko sticks out her tongue. "Whatever. I'm gonna go return this and go wash my hands."
Homura glances over to the scoreboard. "Don't forget, you're paying for my salad."
The only way Homura knows Kyouko heard her is that slight pause she sees in her steps as she's walking away.
Homura takes one more bite of her barely touched salad, before she slips the lid back on, placing the fork on top of that once she's done.
In the middle of taking off her shoes, Madoka hears the rustle of plastic and looks up. "You hardly ate any. You should've just waited until the restaurant."
Stooping over to untie her own laces, Homura frowns. "It was the cranberries..."
Madoka grins even as she turns her attention back to her shoes. "You know, you never did explain your strange aversion to anything that is a berry. For the longest time you wouldn't even eat strawberry flavoured things! And I know you're not allergic."
In the midst of slipping on her boots, Homura doesn't reply.
Madoka finishes changing into her sneakers. She wriggles her toes inside her socks, liking how nice it feels to be wearing her comfortable shoes again.
Done with her task, Homura finally sits up. She knows Madoka is still waiting for an answer.
"...Pass."
Madoka blinks. "W-What?"
Homura glances away. "Uhm. I pass. It's... not something I want to discuss at this moment. S-Sorry..."
"O-Oh!" Madoka quickly shakes her head. "N-No! It's... it's okay, Homura-chan! I'm sorry, I didn't... I didn't know..."
"No, that's alright," Homura murmurs, moving to stand. "We should wash our hands..." She looks around. "...as soon as one of them return."
"Y-Yeah." Madoka nods, standing to her feet.
She turns to Homura, only to find her watching the crowd, deliberately facing away.
It reminds Madoka that she still doesn't know much about her.
There's a huge urge to hold her hand, and she doesn't even need to think twice about it as she slips her hand over Homura's.
A few months ago, any physical contact would result in some type of knee-jerk reaction, maybe a jump, some kind of tension, or her pulling away. Now though, Madoka finds herself smiling when Homura merely turns to face her.
She doesn't know as much about her as she'd like, but she knows she eventually will.
Fingers now intertwined, Madoka is sure of this.
/
"So, where should we eat?" Kyouko asks, glancing around curiously.
Sayaka shrugs. "No idea. I don't exactly live here."
"Anything around here is mostly fast food," Kyouko comments, gesturing behind them to the large building they had exited from. "Not that I really care. But," she sticks out her thumb, pointing it to Mami, "Mami might."
Mami quickly steps in. "If possible, a sit down restaurant would be nice. We have been eating fast food almost everyday since we arrived here, and something else would be a nice change of pace."
Sayaka turns to Madoka. "Madoka? Got any suggestions?"
"Uhm." Madoka looks at Homura. They mostly ate meals at home, and going out usually meant going to the coffee shop.
Sayaka pokes Homura who has her attention toward the streets. "Homura? You live here. You know a place where we could go eat?"
A slow turn of her head. "...No. Why would you assume I would know, just because I live here? I hardly go out to eat."
Sayaka sighs in exasperation. "Seriously? Why are you so—"
Madoka holds out her hand. "Sayaka-chan."
"Whatever." Sayaka turns to Kyouko. "I think I saw a few restaurants on the way here. Let's just walk around until we find something?"
Kyouko shrugs. "That's fine by me. But you have 15 minutes, otherwise we're coming back here and grabbing a burger."
Mami hurriedly ushers them to the streets. "Let's not dawdle, shall we?"
\
Saturday night, and the streets are crowded as they search for a place to dine in.
Walking with Homura at her side, Madoka notices how she seems to be leaning on her more than usual.
A glance at her face, but the street lamps overhead cast a strange orange hue, and she's unable to tell if Homura seems a bit pale.
At least the night is almost over; dinner, and then back home.
A shout from Kyouko up ahead, and Sayaka tugs on Madoka's sleeve, guiding her through the crowd bunched around them.
She's pulled along, until they stop in front of a not so crowded family restaurant that Kyouko's sharp nose had found.
Mami enters to place her name on the waiting list, returning with news of a 15 minute wait.
Another group is called in, freeing the area besides the glass windows, and Kyouko immediately stakes out a claim in that spot. They join her side, and find that behind those windows, there's a large projection screen, displaying pictures of the meals served inside.
Kyouko is still drooling over the selection when they're finally called in.
Through the double glass doors, and the inside is a typical family restaurant. One side is lined with booths, large enough to accommodate at least 6, and the other is filled with tables for larger parties. The decor is coloured with shades of white, brown, and blue, broken up with random flowers placed at certain corners. Clean, with the usual clatter and clang of dishware, and a light murmur from meshing conversations heard within.
The waitress leads them to one of the empty booths, arm held out to the seats once they arrive.
"Just press the button when you are ready to order," the waitress tells them. A light bow right before she walks away.
Madoka enters one side first, with Homura taking the seat next to her.
Sayaka stands by the table, waiting to sit next to her, except Homura refuses to move.
"Hey, scoot over." Sayaka frowns down at her.
"Can't," Homura replies, placing her container of salad onto the table. She ignores Sayaka's glare and reaches for one of the menus.
"What do you mean you can't?" Sayaka demands, hands now on her hips.
Mami is already seated on the other side, and Kyouko merely grabs Sayaka and shoves her next to Mami. "Just sit. Obviously the lovebirds want to be together."
Madoka feels her face growing warm, but a look to Homura, and with the normal lighting found inside, she can tell that her complexion is a bit pale.
She leans in close. "Are you alright, Homura-chan?"
"I'm fine," Homura murmurs in response. "Let's just order something."
"Okay." Still worried, Madoka merely plants Homu-chan into Homura's lap.
Ignoring Homura's confused expression, she reaches for the menu as well.
They're mostly decided, and it only takes a few more minutes until they're finally ready.
Mami presses the button signaling for service, and shortly after, a different waitress with an electronic tablet in hand appears at their table.
They take turns rattling off their orders, and no one's at all surprised when Kyouko places two dishes for herself.
A repeat for confirmation, and the waitress bows once before she moves over to fulfill their drink order.
"I am not paying for you this time, Kyouko," Mami tells her firmly.
Kyouko mutters a few choice words under her breath, but she doesn't do it very quietly.
Judging by the frown on Mami's face, Sayaka realizes that she's sitting in between them to act as a buffer. It's not the first time she wonders what their relationship is.
Awkward silence around the table, interrupted when the waitress returns with cups of water and a soda for Kyouko.
A quick thank you mumbled by Madoka, before silence once again settles in.
Madoka takes a deep breath.
"Uhm." They all turn to Madoka who gives a nervous smile. "Y-You're really good at bowling, Mami-san. Do you bowl often?"
Blushing lightly at the compliment, Mami brushes her ponytail back, before she offers Madoka her own smile.
"Thank you, Kaname-san, but I'm not really that good. I bowl a little now and then, depending on my schedule."
Madoka shakes her head. "No, you're really good, Mami-san! I think that's the closest I've ever seen to anyone getting an almost perfect game. That kind of skill, you must be a part of a league or something?"
"Well—"
Kyouko scoffs.
Mami turns to her with a frown. "Is there something you'd like to say, Kyouko?"
Kyouko leans forward. "You know, if I had my own personal set of bowling balls, I'd be amazing as well."
Madoka tilts her head in confusion.
Kyouko smirks, and moves her hands in front of her chest, miming the action of something protruding out.
Sipping her water, Sayaka's eyes widen, right before she chokes as she tries to suppress a laugh.
Mami slouches forward, Kyouko's actions making her suddenly self-conscious.
Kyouko slaps Sayaka a few times on the back, even as the grin remains on her face.
"Uhm..." Madoka has no follow up, and she nervously glances around.
"...Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," Homura murmurs as she interrupts the awkward atmosphere. She hands Homu-chan to Madoka, before reaching into her pocket to pull out Amy. She places her on top of Homu-chan's head, patting it almost affectionately. "I'll be right back..."
Madoka watches her, eyes filled with worry as she follows after Homura as she makes her way across the restaurant.
"So..."
Madoka blinks, only to find Kyouko staring at her with an almost predatory gaze.
"Have you two kissed yet?" Kyouko asks, eyebrows waggling.
"U-Uhm..." Madoka turns to Sayaka for help.
Kyouko snaps her fingers, bringing her attention back. "No, seriously. I don't even know why you two are like, dancing around, or whatever. It's obvious you two like each other. So just, kiss, and get it over with."
Madoka hugs Homu-chan tightly. "I-It's not that easy..."
"Kyouko." Mami's stern voice interrupts. "That is none of your business."
Kyouko sighs. "Whatever. The longer you wait, the more time you're wasting, and the more regrets you'll have." She slams her hand on the table, ignoring how some of the water from the cups splashes out, and how some patrons nearby turn to her. "If you want something, you gotta take it now! You like her, so just take her! Just grab her, and make her see fireworks!"
Madoka bunches in her shoulders, trying to fight the blush as it warms her face up to her ears.
Luckily for her, one of the workers drop by with a polite smile.
"Excuse me... you're disturbing the other customers. Can you please keep it down?"
Sayaka grabs Kyouko and covers whatever retort she has ready by clapping her hand over that loud mouth. "Y-Yes! We're sorry about that! We'll be more quiet!"
Another polite smile, before the worker disappears.
Just as Sayaka is about to remove her hand, she quickly pulls it away.
"Ew! Did you just lick me?!"
A cackling laugh in response, but a sharp glare from the same worker has them lowering their heads as Madoka and Mami try and apologize on their behalf.
\\
Staring at her reflection, she knows it's not the bright fluorescent lights that's making her pallor seem washed out.
There's the beginnings of a small headache starting to pound away, and she briefly closes her eyes, a small respite against the harsh lighting.
Her eyes open when she hears the creak of the door, and she places her hands in the sink as an older woman walks in, a slightly curious expression on her face as she evaluates her appearance.
She ignores her, going through the motions as she washes her hands once more.
As soon as the woman disappears into one of the stalls, she moves her hands away from the sensor, and the sink automatically shuts off.
The only handkerchief she has is the one used at the bowling alley, and she's careful as she unwraps it, making sure to touch the side that didn't come into contact with the chairs.
Once her hands are dry, she pockets the purple cloth. One more glance at her reflection, and someone else enters as she makes her way to the door.
She slips in through the open gap, and the quiet hush from the bathroom immediately transforms into steady murmurs of a now crowded restaurant.
Her thoughts are on sleep and her soft futon waiting at home as she walks back to the table.
It's when she's halfway there, that she finally looks over—and she feels whatever fatigue collected from the day double.
She stops, and instead looks around.
If she's quick enough, she can probably sneak out without them noticing.
A brief debate, and it's only because Madoka is there that she continues on her way.
Madoka's the first to notice her arrival as everyone else is busy in conversation.
She throws her a nervous smile that is ignored as lavender burns into the new occupant sitting at the table.
Black hair, spiked up. Familiar annoying grin stretched across his face. Casual clothes that reminds her of those college guys that sometimes hit on her as she does mundane tasks, like shopping at the market.
"...Satoshi." There's obvious distaste in her voice.
He cuts himself off, grinning widely at Homura as she glares down at him. "Yo, Homu-chan! You're back!" He pats the seat next to him. "Here, have a seat!"
She unconsciously presses her hand into her leg. "...You're in my spot."
He leans back, obviously with no intention of moving. "It's okay. You can sit right next to me, Homu-chan." He pats the seat once more.
She's aware that a few people are staring: mainly Madoka. She decides she's too tired to deal with him, and merely sits down.
His mouth opens in surprise, but the grins reappears once more. He turns back to Mami. "As I was saying, culinary school really is interesting. On top of the dishes I get to learn in school, I get to implement them in the bar I'm working at. I'd say I'm at my ideal place at this moment. If you girls are in the neighborhood, you should totally drop by! I'll cook up a few of my signature dishes!"
Homura ignores him, placing her elbows onto the table as she rests her head in her hands. Just hearing his voice is making her more tired, and she really, really wants to go home.
Her phone beeps, and she blinks in response; the only person who ever messages her is Madoka, and Madoka is sitting right over there.
She lifts her head, eyes looking beyond Satoshi, only to find Madoka smiling at her and pointing to the phone held in her hand.
Understanding immediately, Homura slides out her phone from her jacket pocket.
'Are you okay, Homura-chan? I'm sorry about Satoshi-san joining us. He appeared out of nowhere, and kind of... invited himself over.'
She's slower with her response.
'I'm fine, just feeling a bit tired all of a sudden. And I know it's not your fault, Madoka. He's an idiot who has no sense of personal space.'
A small buzz on Madoka's side. Fingers flying over the keyboard, Madoka sends out her reply quickly.
Just as Homura's phone sounds once more, a hand reaches over and her phone is snatched out of her hands.
"What's this? Are you texting your boyfriend, Homu-chan?" Satoshi asks as he holds it curiously.
Patience wearing thin, Homura merely glares. "...You did not just take the phone out of my hands."
"Well, it's a bit rude for you to be texting while in company of other people, don't you think, Homu-chan?"
A slow count of 10 in her head as Homura grits her teeth. "Seriously, Satoshi. You're really on thin ice here."
He grins in response. "Come on, don't be like that, Homu-chan."
She doesn't reply, and merely moves out of her seat.
Whatever Satoshi is about to say is interrupted as she grabs his wrist, tugging him with her.
He doesn't budge, and she deliberately digs her fingernails into his skin.
He winces. "Ouch. Okay, okay. You should've just told me if you wanted to talk with me, little sis!"
"Homura-chan?" Madoka calls out in worry.
"We'll be right back," Homura replies, not even looking at Madoka as she drags Satoshi outside.
The table is left in silence, until Kyouko whistles softly. "That family is a bit weird, right?"
\\
As soon as they're clear from the restaurant doors, Homura lets go.
"...What is your problem?"
He stares at her, arms across his chest. "What? I didn't deliberately seek you out, if that's what you think! I came here to eat dinner, and I saw Madoka-chan. Her hair was practically calling to me! She really is a cutie, isn't she? Think she'd date me?"
Homura merely holds out her hand.
Satoshi sighs, and places her phone onto her waiting palm.
She slips it into her jacket pocket, before she faces him once more. "...Considering how large Tokyo is, and how I can avoid seeing you, or anyone that knows you, for three months, you expect me to believe that you somehow ran into us as you were going to dinner...? As far as I can remember, you tend to avoid family restaurants unless you're with a date. And I don't see another trophy girlfriend at your side, unless you left her back at your table as you went to flirt with another table full of girls..."
Satoshi grins. "For someone who claims she hates me, you know a lot about me, don't you?"
Homura gives him a humorless smile. "The same can be said of you."
He winces, his normal grin cracking at her words. "H-Hey, don't be like that, Homu-chan. I thought we were okay now, you know? At least, it seemed like it, when we talked last night...?"
He reaches for her and she smacks his hand away.
"I am too tired to deal with you right now. Just like I was too tired yesterday." She sighs, stepping back. "...Thank you though, for what you did at the game center."
He blinks. "W-What are you talking about?"
She quirks her eyebrow. "I spotted your urchin hair in the crowd. I know it was you who called the security guards over."
He laughs nervously, hand rubbing his neck. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Homu-chan!"
"...Fine. Then thank you, to whoever decided to help."
His hand drops back to this side as he grins. "You looked really close to punching him."
Homura ignores how he completely admits to his interference. "...I was close to breaking his nose."
"And we both know how that would've turned out. And that was a complete coincidence, by the way! I was at the game center to check out the dance contest! Who knew that you'd be taking Madoka-chan on a date there?"
She breathes out slowly. "Satoshi."
He's still grinning. "Homura."
"...Can't you just leave me alone?"
He frowns at her words. "Homu-chan—"
"Look. Yesterday... was not me reaching out to you. Whether it was you working, or Keiichi-san, it wouldn't have mattered. My fr—... someone I knew, was in a precarious situation, and Tetsuno is the safest place I know in that area. Thank you, for allowing her to stay, but please, can't we just leave things like that?"
"W-Wait, H-Homu—"
Once again she slaps his hand away.
"I'm doing fine. I have been doing fine. Listen, Satoshi. Sen-san is no longer here. You no longer have an obligation to 'take care' of me. No one's going to know if you broke your promise. No one cares. Good for you, if you really do like cooking, but, if you're doing this because of him, don't. I don't know what you're trying to accomplish by staying there, but..." she shakes her head, "stop trying to seek me out."
He grits his teeth. "Homura. You're my family—my baby sister! You can't expect me to just write you off—"
She glares at him. "Don't you dare play that card with me, Satoshi. You know as much as I do just how much family means to me."
His mouth snaps shut.
She sighs. "Satoshi, I don't... I don't hate you, alright? But... it doesn't mean I want you to be a part of my life. You, here," she gestures to him, "only reminds me of things I don't want to remember." She holds out a hand to stop his protest. "Because, as much as you'd like to deny it, those same people behind you, supporting you, are the same people that I don't want to remember."
"...They're your family too, Homura—"
She takes another step back. "No. They're not my family, and they made that pretty clear early on. Whatever money I owe your family, I will pay them back. It'll be slow—but I'll pay them back every cent. And, if I should die before then, hopefully my insurance will cover the rest."
"Homura!"
She ignores him, already turning away. "Just—leave me alone. I'm doing fine without you." She glances over her shoulder. "...Pretend... pretend that I died. You never had trouble doing that, before."
He can only stare as she walks back inside.
He bows his head. "Homu-chan..."
/
Walking slowly, she's trying her best to calm down before she reaches the table.
And for the most part, she succeeds.
"Welcome back, Homura-chan!"
Like always, Madoka is the first to notice her.
She pushes back whatever memories talking to Satoshi had conjured up, and instead concentrates on the now.
"Thank you, Madoka," she replies as she takes her seat.
"Where's your brother?" Kyouko asks curiously, looking around.
That word has Homura tensing, enough that it makes Madoka worried.
"He had to leave," Homura tells her, readjusting her jacket as she keeps her eyes down. "Had to cover someone's shift for work."
Madoka watches as she reaches behind her to fidget with her hair.
Kyouko sighs. "Seriously? Damn. I was going to try and see if he could pay for my meal, too."
Mami frowns. "Kyouko."
Kyouko shrugs. "What? I totally know his type. A few nice words here and there, and he'd be buying me dinner."
Rubbing her forehead, Homura sighs. "Unfortunately, that's exactly the kind of guy he is."
Kyouko smirks. "I'm pretty good at reading people." She leans forward, arm on the table as she looks at Homura. "So, what's up with you two?"
Hands returning to her lap, Homura stares.
"Come on. As soon as you saw him, I felt the temperature in the room drop like 10 degrees." Kyouko gestures with her hand. "You obviously hate his guts. What, was he a horrible big brother? Did he steal your stuff as a kid, and blame you for everything?"
Mami shakes her head. "Kyouko."
Madoka places a hand on Homura's, hoping to calm her.
Homura's glaring as Kyouko keeps her eyes on her, a challenge issued on that face. Payback for the salad, maybe.
"...Yes."
Kyouko blinks. "What?"
Homura leans back against her seat. "Yes, to all of those things."
"Huh."
Before she can ask to elaborate, a waitress with plates of food balanced on her arms approaches their table, and Kyouko immediately turns to her.
"Food!"
Homura feels whatever anger fade away, leaving only that usual empty feeling that sits in her chest whenever she's reminded of her 'family.'
Madoka once again leans in close. "...Homura-chan? Are you alright?"
Homura takes a moment to enjoy the warmth from Madoka's body heat against her. She turns her hand, so that her palm faces Madoka's.
"Yes," she says softly, "I'm fine."
Her expression says otherwise, and Madoka once more links their fingers together.
Homura squeezes her hand in response. "Thank you. I'll be fine."
Madoka eyes her briefly. She doesn't move away, and merely lets Homura lean against her as she turns to her food.
\
There's a bag with leftovers hanging from her wrist as they're gathered outside the restaurant; even though there's plenty of food at home, there's no way she's going to let Kyouko claim 'dibs.'
They're in the process of exchanging phone numbers, at least everyone is, except Homura, who doesn't even have Sayaka's number, and Kyouko, who hates being tied down by modern technology.
Homura stifles another yawn, the third one within a few minutes.
It's enough that Madoka notices, and she smiles at Mami. "It was really nice meeting you, Mami-san, Kyouko-chan! But we should head home now. It's getting late."
Mami nods, matching Madoka's smile with her own.
It's different though. Homura can tell that it's not as friendly—and more borderline polite.
"Perhaps," Homura can hear a bit of uncertainty in Mami's tone, "we could grab lunch, or tea sometime this week...? Kyouko and I will be in Tokyo for another week, until the circuit ends."
Madoka nods eagerly. "Sure! I wouldn't mind. And I'm sure Homura-chan doesn't either!"
Another yawn in response even as Homura tries to fight against it.
Mami claps once. "Splendid! We'll figure out our schedules and plan something." Her smile is friendlier this time. "It was really nice meeting you, Kaname-san, Akemi-san, Miki-san."
Madoka shakes her head. "Madoka is fine, Mami-san! And likewise!"
"Sayaka is fine as well," Sayaka adds in; she's been surprisingly quiet so far.
Homura's veiled attempt to hide another yawn succeeds in making Kyouko yawn.
"Alright, I'm beat," Kyouko says as she stretches her arms above her. "The more I see Sunshine over here yawning, the more I want to head to bed. Let's go already, Mami."
Mami nods. "Alright. I'll message you later, Kaname-san?"
"Sure!"
Mami bows lightly. "It was nice meeting you three. Good night!"
Kyouko waves. "Yeah. 'Night. I'll have Mami contact you about the competition for next week, Sayaka."
Sayaka gives her a thumbs up. "Sure."
"Good night!" Madoka waves as they walk away.
"Shall we go?" Sayaka asks as she turns to Madoka. "Homura looks like she's falling asleep on her feet already. Is the poor baby tired?"
Homura ignores her, tugging Madoka along as they head back home.
Sayaka follows after them quietly, watching as they walk side by side, leaning against each other.
She ignores that pang of jealousy, and instead increases her pace until she's right besides Madoka.
"So..."
Madoka turns to her.
"What'd you think of Kyouko?" Sayaka asks.
"Hmm..." Madoka hugs Homu-chan tighter, hugging Homura's arm tighter in the process. She's reminded of the conversation with Homura earlier, and she can't help but smile at the silly nicknames they made up.
Sayaka clears her throat, drawing Madoka out from her distracted thoughts.
"Uhm, she seems nice," she answers. She thinks to Kyouko's confrontation about her and Homura. "A bit forward, but... her heart seems to be in the right place."
Sayaka nods, feeling relieved that Madoka seems to approve of Kyouko, more or less.
She drops into silence, but her eyes keep shifting around, moving from Madoka, to the side, and then back to Madoka once more.
Homura sighs. "Whatever you want to ask, ask already."
Sayaka tries to look affronted, but another look from Homura has her dropping the act.
She clears her throat. "You think... Mami-san and Kyouko are together?"
Madoka blinks. "Together?"
Sayaka gestures. "You know. Together, as in, dating."
Homura leans forward. "...Aren't you technically still with your boyfriend?"
Sayaka scowls. "That has nothing to do with this!"
"Eh?" Madoka looks to Homura, before turning to Sayaka. "Why would..."
Homura leans over, whispering something into her ear.
Homura's breath against her tickles, and she fights down the urge to shiver.
Madoka concentrates on her words—and her eyes widen. "W-What?"
Sayaka coughs into her hand. "What? I'm just asking! It's a simple question!"
Homura pulls back, only to give Sayaka a smirk. "You've been tempted by the Devil."
Sayaka shoots her a glare. "Shut up! I'm not tempted by anyone."
"...The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
"Whatever," Sayaka grumbles.
They reach another corner just as the street light turns red.
Sayaka taps her foot impatiently as she waits for the signal to change.
"...So..." She turns Madoka. "You think Mami-san and Kyouko are together?"
"Uhm..." Madoka glances to Homura, who shrugs. She turns back to Sayaka. "I'm... not sure, but they do seem very close. M-Maybe they're related, somehow? It sounds like they live together, and that they have known each other for a while. And uhm, Mami-san is obviously here because of Kyouko-chan."
Sayaka's shoulders slump forward. "Yeah..." She tucks her hands into her hoodie pocket, looking undeniably rejected.
Her reaction has Madoka giving her a nervous look, but she feels Homura tug her forward as the light turns green.
Their conversation lapses once more into silence, and the only sounds around them are their footsteps, and the constant hum as people and cars pass them by.
AN: the power of editing! yeaaah! you know what, this story is soooo slow. All my stories are soooooo slow. *shakes self* sslooowww. Oh, and a little Homura background in this chapter. *pats Homura on the head*
oops! was so excited to update forgot:
Thank you, as always, for reading/reviewing :))) let's hope the next update won't take another month. Sighhh.
