Umaru and Mami walked through the halls of Arayada High School. Since it was break, there was nobody in the halls, but Umaru knew a few clubs were having activities. They were confined to their club rooms, however. For the most part, Mami and Umaru encountered nobody.
"So this is a Tokyo high school," Mami mused, looking around.
"It's not really anything special," Umaru said. "Just your standard prefectural high school."
"Maybe it seems mundane to you because you already attend here. For someone who's still in middle school, the experience is quite different."
"I can see that."
"By the way," Mami said. "Have your bad dreams persisted?"
"They haven't entirely gone away," Umaru said. "But I'm not having them every night, at least."
"Are you sleeping every night?"
"Almost all nights, yes."
"Are you being honest with me about that?"
"Yes Mami, I am," Umaru said.
"Good. Because I do worry about you."
"It's just…" Umaru trailed off, not certain how to continue.
"What's on your mind?"
"Well, you know, seeing Fuun's death was hard." Umaru hadn't wanted to talk about that at all. "I mean, we barely knew her, but it was still awful."
"It was. She didn't deserve the end she met. Are you still having nightmares about that?"
"Not exactly, but I wanted to ask: have you seen something like that before?"
"I've seen some bad things," Mami answered. Her voice was even and quiet. "And I've experienced a few myself. It's not easy."
"But you keep going," Umaru said. "You're a really strong person. I want to be like that too."
"Hmmm," Mami said. "I think you're already quite a strong person, Umaru. Say, can I see your classroom while we're here?"
"Sure!" Umaru led Mami to it. Mami seemed oddly fascinated by everything inside. She walked around the room, sat briefly at Umaru's desk, and thanked her for bringing her there. As always, she was the picture of politeness and propriety.
"You're welcome, Mami," Umaru said as they left the classroom. "I know I invited you here to see the school, but there's actually another reason we came here that I haven't told you yet."
"Oh?"
"I'm here to turn in some forms to the administrative office. I'm transferring out of this high school."
Mami blinked in surprise. "You are? Why? And to where?"
"Mitakihara High School." Umaru had done some research, and that seemed like best high school for her to attend in that city. She had gotten the forms and filled them out. The only thing left was to send them in. "My brother has accepted a position in our father's company and will be working in an office in Mitakihara."
Mami stopped walking and looked at Umaru with her mouth agape. Umaru had never seen her with that expression. Finally, she asked "Mitakihara? Really?"
"Yes. Our father gave him a choice of working in Tokyo or in a corporate office in another city. He liked Mitakihara when we visited there, so after some discussion, that's what he decided on," Umaru said. "And as for me, I don't want to live away from my brother, so I'm moving with him. You and I will be neighbors, Mami! Okay, not exactly, but we'll live in the same city at least."
Mami's entire face lit up. "That's…that's wonderful, Umaru! I know this might sound selfish, but it makes me so happy to hear that!"
"Huh? That doesn't sound selfish. Why would you think that?"
"Because…oh, never mind." She threw her arms around Umaru and hugged her. Pulling back, she took Umaru's hands into her own. "You're actually going to be living in Mitakihara! I'm so excited. We'll be able to fight together all the time! We'll be able to talk all the time! We'll be able to do everything!"
Mami didn't stop grinning for the entire visit. As they left the school, Umaru could have sworn she was humming to herself. She was still smiling when they sat down at a ramen restaurant for lunch.
"I haven't told my friends here about moving away yet," Umaru confessed. "That's going to be difficult."
"I'm sure," Mami said. "It's hard to leave people you care about behind. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I think I can handle it, but I'd still welcome any thoughts you have."
"I suppose my advice is, to be honest, invite them to come and visit you in Mitakihara, maybe prepare a special going-away present for each friend."
"Those are good ideas. Thank you, Mami."
"Of course, Umaru. Whatever you need, I'll always be here for you," Mami said. "You know, since you'll be in Mitakihara, we'll be able to work even harder with your training and magic."
"We…will?" Umaru suddenly felt a little wary. Training with Mami would make her a better, stronger magical girl, no question. But beneath her friendliness, Mami could also be very tough and strict. Umaru knew that from experience.
"Yes. I assume you've kept your magic practice outside of fighting witches?"
"I have."
"And again, you're being honest with me, right?" Mami smiled at her.
"I promise, Mami. I am." Umaru had managed to make her umbrella magically light up. Granted, they didn't go through many dark places, but the illumination also had a calming effect on her, which she figured was the true purpose of that magic. She wasn't yet sure if it would work on others. Maybe she'd try it out with Mami at some point.
"You should be able to perform at least some basic healing, you know," Mami said. "But if you work at it, I imagine it will be much more powerful."
"I should?" Umaru asked. She hadn't thought about that. She had wanted to perform the sort of flashy magic she had seen in games or the type that Mami did. Healing sounded useful, sure, but a little mundane.
"Yes," Mami said. "I say that based on what your wish was. But we can keep working on that when you're in Mitakihara. It will be important that you get a lot of experience and such before Walpurgisnacht comes. "
"Walpurgisnacht, the powerful witch that Fuun mentioned?"
"Yes. If Walpurgisnacht really is coming to Mitakihara, and I believe Fuun was correct in her prediction, then we need to be ready."
"Do you think we'll be able to beat this Walpurgisnacht thing?"
"I believe that, given enough time for you to train and practice fighting more witches, we'll have a good chance with the two of us working together."
"So, I'm in for lots of training and practicing, huh? Even outside of fighting witches?"
"Oh yes," Mami said. "And studying as well. You'll be quite busy, my friend."
"I…look forward to it." Apparently, being a magical girl had suddenly meant that she'd have a lot more work to do. It was probably a good thing she hadn't felt like playing games and watching anime so much. Soon, she'd have even less time for all that. And Mami's training regimen would undoubtedly be tough.
None of that seemed to bother Mami, however. She still hadn't stopped smiling.
The next day, Umaru prepared for Kirie, Ebina, and Sylphyn's visit. She had gotten pizza and cola (she could almost hear Mami's disapproval all the way from Mitakihara) and had laid it all out for her friends before they came over. For the news she was about to drop on them, she wanted the food to be good. She couldn't remember another time she'd had all three other girls at her apartment.
"I have something important to share with all of you," Umaru said after the others had arrived and they were all sitting around a table. Umaru was nervous but knew she had to do this. These were her friends, after all. Now that she had their attention, it was time to say what she needed to say.
"What is it, Umaru?" Sylphyn asked, drinking some cola.
"Well…" Umaru said. She steadied herself. "First, let me say that you've all been very good friends to me and that I'm so lucky to have met each of you."
"I feel the same way about you, Umaru," Ebina said.
"As do I!" Sylphyn said.
"And me," Kirie added quietly.
"Thank you. That's what makes this so difficult to say." Umaru took a deep breath and exhaled. "My brother and I are moving to Mitakihara. I'll be transferring schools."
The other girls just looked back at Umaru with none of them saying anything. Finally, Sylphyn broke the silence. "Umaru, that isn't funny."
"It isn't a joke. Onii-chan was offered a job with our father's corporation and will take up a position in their Mitakihara office. And I'll be transferring to Mitakihara High School." She looked down. "I'm sorry. This wasn't an easy decision. You have no idea how much I'll miss each of you."
She raised her head back up. Kirie and Ebina looked stricken. The usual catlike smile had fled Sylphyn's face. Umaru wished one of them would say something. She started to tear up.
"I…I can't believe it," Ebina said. She looked she was about to cry as well. "You and Taihei are moving away?"
"We are," Umaru said.
"So suddenly?" Sylphyn asked.
"Yes," Umaru said. "Onii-chan just got the job offer. And I don't want to live apart from him again."
"I…I can understand that," Sylphyn said. "Living far away from your brother can hard indeed."
Kirie said nothing but continued to stare miserably at Umaru. Finally, she said, "It…won't be quite the same without you around, Umaru."
"Kirie's right," Ebina said. "I don't know what to say, Umaru. You and your brother are both very important to me."
"And you're all important to me," Umaru said.
"Will we be able to spend time together again before your move?"
"Of course!" Umaru said. "There are still some things to be worked out. We're going to Mitakihara next weekend to find a place to live, but there's lots of time before then."
"That's good to hear."
The little party took on a happier tone. Even Kirie seemed to cheer up a little. Umaru made sure to commit every second of it to memory. She wanted to remember this day, just talking and laughing and eating pizza with her friends.
When it was over and everyone started to leave, Umaru realized that she had forgotten to give them their presents. She ran out the door of the apartment and called out to Sylphyn, who was at the bottom of the steps. "Sylphyn, wait! Since I'm moving, there is something I'd like you to have."
Sylphyn stopped, turned around, and walked back up the stairs. "What is it, Umaru?"
Umaru pulled a dark blue mask from her pocket and held it out. "Here. This is for you."
"Ooh!" Sylphyn said, looking at the mask in Umaru's hand. "That looks exactly like the sort of mask my friend UMR wears. Thank you, Umaru!"
"Sylphyn, this is her mask."
"Oh? Do you know UMR, Umaru?"
"Well, yes. Because I am her."
"Eh?" Sylphyn tilted her head at Umaru. "That doesn't make sense."
Umaru pulled her hair up with one hand and held the mask over her face with the other. "I am though. See?"
Sylphyn gasped. "You are UMR!"
"Yes. And now you know." She pressed the mask into Sylphyn's hands. "I want you to keep that. And I'm very sorry for deceiving you for so long. Please forgive me."
"I see," Sylphyn said sadly, looking at the mask. "And now I'm losing two friends aren't I?"
"Not losing," Umaru said, hugging Sylphyn. "You know, I always had so much fun when the two of us spent time together. And that doesn't have to end. I'll still come and visit you. Who else will go to game centers and candy shops with me? And you can come and visit me. There's a great arcade in Mitakihara that I'm sure you'd like."
"Okay, UMR-Umaru. I will indeed!"
"Just Umaru is fine, Sylphyn."
"Umaru, then. But why didn't you ever tell me?"
"I…could never find the right moment to do so." That didn't sound convincing at all to Umaru. She had dreaded telling Sylphyn this for so long and was glad that she didn't seem angry. It was good to tell the truth here.
"It makes you seem mysterious," Sylphyn said. "As though you're a superhero or a magical girl and Umaru is your secret identity!"
Umaru chuckled. "I guess it does, a little. But I need to stop pretending."
"Fear not, Umaru!" Sylphyn said, spinning around on one foot. "I will keep your secret to myself."
That hadn't worried Umaru so much as the potential of Sylphyn being angry at her. "Thank you, Sylphyn. I'm glad we're still friends."
"But of course!" Sylphyn replied. "Rivals always become friends in the end, do we not?"
"We do," Umaru said. "I'll see you later, Sylphyn."
"Good-bye UMR, I mean, Umaru!" Sylphyn yelled as she took off down the street.
So much for keeping things quiet. Umaru smiled to herself. She'd miss Sylphyn. When she went back inside in the apartment, Kirie was putting on her shoes and getting ready to leave. Umaru stopped her at the door.
"Wait, Kirie. Don't leave yet," Umaru said. "I still need to talk with you."
Kirie seemed slightly taken aback. "Y-Yes, Umaru?"
"Kirie," Umaru said. "Like I said before, I hope you'll come and visit us in Mitakihara."
"Of course!" Kirie said, looking flustered. "Will your little sister be living with you there? Or will it just be you and your brother?"
Umaru hesitated. This was the perfect time to tell the truth to Kirie, just as she had to Sylphyn. But she couldn't think of a way to say it. "Ah, no. She's going to be staying with relatives of ours from now on. It's a complicated family situation. I'm sorry."
Kirie looked devastated. "I…understand."
"I'm sure you'll be able to see her again. You're very important to her."
I'll figure out something. I don't know what, but something. Don't worry, Kirie. Maybe it was time to do a little more investigating into that matter once she was in Mitakihara. She could ask Kyubey. If she had to, she could even enlist Mami's help; Mami seemed to know everything about magical girls. Somehow, Umaru would get 'Komura' to show up for Kirie.
"She's important to me as well," Kirie said.
"You know, my sister said you're trying to become a storybook writer," Umaru said.
"Uh…that's true," Kirie said, scuffing one foot on the floor.
"I hope you keep working on your artwork and writing. And I have something for you related to that." Umaru smiled at Kirie. She retrieved a wrapped box from next to a shelf and handed it to her. "This is for you."
"F-for me?"
"Yes. Please open it."
Kirie removed the box's wrapping. It was a set of art supplies that Umaru had hoped would help her with her storybook creation. She gazed up at Umaru in gratefulness. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Umaru said. "I also hope you let me see some of your work sometime."
"Umaru," Kirie said. She looked down. "I…I…you…"
"What is it, Kirie?"
"I…will miss you." She sighed. It sounded like there was more she had wanted to say, but Umaru wouldn't press her.
"I'll miss you too, Kirie." Umaru hugged her. "Let's keep in touch, okay?"
"O-okay!" Kirie hugged her back tightly; it seemed as though she didn't want to let go of Umaru. The two of them stood like that for what felt like a few moments. Finally, she released her hold on Umaru.
"I'll see you later," she said quietly.
"I hope so, Kirie."
Umaru went back and chatted with Ebina some. She was upset at the Doma siblings moving away of course but seemed to be accepting it fairly well. Umaru thought that Ebina was a much stronger person than some would have given her credit for. She had come a long way to live by herself in Tokyo, after all. Umaru hoped she would remain close to Sylphyn and Kirie.
Ebina even liked the present Umaru had gotten her: the fancy dress Sylphyn had first shown her. She had protested it was too expensive at the time, but Umaru could tell she had liked it. While she was still chatting with Ebina, Taihei arrived home from work. Ebina immediately got up and faced him.
"Umaru told me about your move!" she said. "I'm going to miss both of you so darn much!"
"We're going to miss you too, Ebina," Taihei said. "By the way, there's something I need to give to you. I should have done this some time ago, so please forgive its lateness."
"It's okay…" Ebina turned red. "W-what is it?"
"It's this," Taihei said, handing her a card. "Here, this is for you. It's information on a restaurant in Hamamatsu."
"Ah, thank you! Is it good? T-that seems like a long way to go just for dinner at a restaurant."
"I met the head chef when I went there. His name was Kouichiro Ebina. Does that name-"
Ebina's face reddened even more. "M-my brother?!"
"I wondered about that," Taihei said. "If that's him, well, that's where you'll find him. You're still looking for him, aren't you?"
"Y-yes!" Ebina bowed deeply to Taihei. "Thank you! Thank you very much!"
"Maybe we can take a trip there together at some point," Taihei said.
"Oh, I'd love to go to Hamamatsu!" Umaru said.
"I'm sure you would," Taihei remarked dryly. Umaru smiled at him.
Ebina visited with them a little longer before leaving. She was enthused about Taihei's suggestion of the three of them making a trip to Hamamatsu together. Umaru had no idea Ebina had been searching for her own brother and felt a little bad she had never asked her about it. There were so many things she had missed by acting so self-centered much of the time. She resolved to try and keep doing better going forward.
"I hope you're still hungry," Taihei said after Ebina had left. "We've been invited out."
"Where are we going, Onii-chan?" Umaru asked as she threw away the pizza box and cola bottles.
"To a dinner party at Kanau's apartment," Taihei said.
"Your manager at work?"
"Yes, though not for much longer, of course." He paused. "You're helping clean up?"
"Of course, Onii-chan. I was the one who made the mess, after all."
"I see." He gave her an odd look but then smiled. "Well, thank you."
"You're very welcome!"
Umaru and Taihei stood in front of the door of an apartment in a high-rise. So this was where Kanau, Taihei's boss, lived. The building was certainly nice. She wondered what the inside of the apartment was like. Taihei rang the buzzer. Kanau's face appeared on the screen next to the door.
"Taihei!" she said, smiling. "You're finally here!"
"It's good to see you, Kanau," Taihei said. "Thank you for inviting us."
"Us? Oh! Yes, your sister is welcome also." Had she forgotten that she had invited Umaru as well? Well, that didn't matter. The door opened, and Kanau greeted them. "Please, come in!"
Umaru remembered the previous times she had met Kanau, on a trip and once at home. Now she was visiting Kanau's place. Of course, Hikari lived here too. As she stepped into the apartment with Taihei, she saw that Alex and Bomber were already there. Both of them waved at her, and she waved back. Hikari, standing by the window on the other side of the apartment, gave Umaru a strange look. Umaru waved at her as well and got a half-wave in return.
"We each got some food for your going-away party," Kanau said, leading them to the kitchen area. Several different boxes were on the counter. Umaru wondered what all they had gotten. She noticed a bowl of potato chips as well as other snacks. This would definitely be a good dinner party. "We wanted to make sure it was special and festive."
"You didn't have to do all that," Taihei said. "But thank you."
"I brought donuts!" Bomber declared, gesturing toward two of the boxes. "Let's see, there are six of us, and two dozen of them. That means we each get…uh…several!"
"Thank you, Bomber," Taihei said. "That's very thoughtful."
"I bought a traditional cake," Alex said. "The baker did a wonderful job decorating it. She added the eponymous protagonist of Lovely Kana-chan in red frosting."
"I…see," Taihei said. "Thank you, Alex. I'm sure it will be delicious."
"Wait, both of you brought desserts and nothing else?!" Kanau shot an annoyed look at Bomber and Alex. "Idiots."
"Not quite; I also brought beer," Bomber added.
"Nobody asked you to bring that!"
"I figured it was a given. This is for Taihei, after all. I'll need to drown my sorrows." He opened a can of beer and began drinking. "Ah, Mt. Fuji beer. It reminds me of something majestic and holy. I just can't think of what."
"We're supposed to be having dinner!" Kanau straightened up and raised her head. "Fortunately, I made curry. I hope you like it, Taihei. I bought some other snacks as well, as you can see."
"The curry is the only one thing she made that turned out okay," Hikari said, suddenly appearing at her sister's side. "Probably, anyway. There was also-"
"Ahem!" Kanau said, clearing her throat loudly. "Hikari, aren't you friends with Taihei's sister?"
"Well-"
Kanau shoved Hikari at Umaru and shooed them away from the four adults. "Now, you two girls visit while I talk with Tai-uh, I mean, while I get dinner sorted out!"
Kanau hurried back over to Taihei, Bomber, and Alex. Standing next to the large window of the apartment, Umaru was left alone with Hikari. Umaru smiled at her, but all she got in return was a frown.
"Hello, Hikari," Umaru said.
"You don't look like your usual self," Hikari said.
"Well, this is an important occasion. There won't be so many get-togethers once Onii-chan and I move to Mitakihara."
"Are you happy about that?" Hikari asked.
"Happy and sad. There are a lot of people here I'll miss seeing." She paused. "You included."
"Humph. Are you going to take advanced classes at your school in Mitakihara? Or just regular classes?"
"I don't know yet," Umaru said. "Probably just regular classes like at Arayada. I don't even really know what Mitakihara High School is like yet."
"Is that so?" Hikari peered at Umaru's hand. "I've never seen you wearing a ring before."
"Oh, this?" Umaru fiddled wither soul gem ring. When she wasn't doing any magical girl activities, she didn't really think about it being there, though Kyubey had told her it was important to keep it with her at all times. She didn't even take it off in the bath. "It's just…sort of a special good luck charm, I suppose."
"Where'd you get it? It looks expensive."
"It was a present."
"From a boyfriend?"
"No."
"Didn't think so," Hikari said, a smug look crossing her face.
Umaru felt a little annoyed. "It's just-"
"Wait, your brother didn't give it to you, did he?" Hikari narrowed her eyes.
"It's not from him either."
"Who, then?"
"A good friend."
"Who?" Hikari insisted. "Someone at our school?"
"No, he doesn't go to our school." How had she gotten roped into this ridiculous conversation? And how could she get out of it?
"He? So it is a present from a guy?" A sly grin crossed Hikari's face. "Does your brother know about that? Does this guy know you're moving away? Or does he already live in Mitakihara?"
Umaru decided that was quite enough. "It's something I got after Onii-chan's accident, and it's very important to me. Can we just stop discussing my ring, please? I don't pester you about things you wear."
Her words came out sharper than she intended. Hikari looked slightly upset.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Hikari said. "Um, say, Umaru?"
"What?"
"May I try it on?"
"No." Even though she felt bad for snapping at Hikari, there was no way she'd let her touch her soul gem.
Tears welled up in Hikari's eyes. Umaru sighed. "Hikari, please don't cry. This is a party for Onii-chan. What will he think if we argue?"
"O-okay," Hikari sniffed.
Umaru tried to think of something she could chat with Hikari about. "Say, will you come and visit us in Mitakihara? We could play games and eat snacks together, just like we did that one afternoon. Remember?"
"Yes." Hikari smiled at up her. "I'm sorry, Umaru."
"I'm sorry also. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"I will miss you. Really," Hikari looked up at her sadly.
"I'll miss you too. Why don't we go and see if the adults have decided on dinner yet?"
"Sounds good," Hikari said.
It turned out that the adults' discussion had lightened up as well. It looked as though they were working their way briskly through the beer Bomber had brought. At least, Kanau and Bomber were.
"Well, we don't have to have the curry," Kanau was saying. She took a long drink of beer. "I'm not sure if it came out right. We could just have snacks and cake."
"Good thinking, boss!" Bomber declared while raising his own can in a mock toast.
"That's my job: ideas," Kanau laughed. "And you implement them."
"Yes, I'm fantastic at implicating."
"Taihei," Kanau said, turning to him. "You'll come and see us now and then, right? Because if you didn't…I…"
"Of course," Taihei said. "I'll still need to travel to Tokyo on business on occasion. I'll be sure to come see all of you when I'm there. I'll miss seeing you every day at work."
Bomber opened another can of beer and took a big gulp. "Taihei can go drinking with us whenever he visits!"
"Exactly!" Kanau agreed, hiccupping. She opened another beer as well and took a long drink from it. "Do they even have bars in Mita…Mita…Mita-wherever?"
"I bet they don't!" Bomber said. He swayed a little. "Do they have anything in that city?"
"I bet nobody there has an afro," Kanau said, smirking.
"Isn't that a shame?" Bomber laughed drunkenly. "Someone needs to introduce a little culture to Mita-wherever."
"They're having a good time," Alex said to Taihei, smiling.
"Yes, it seems like that," Taihei said. He sounded uncertain though. "Hey, maybe you two should go easy on the alcohol. There are teenagers here with us, after all."
"It's fine, don't worry." Bomber put his arm around Kanau. "Taihei, when did your hair get so long? You need to get it cut."
"I'm not Taihei, fuzz head!" Kanau laughed. She pointed at Alex. "He's over there."
"I could have sworn Taihei wore glasses," Bomber remarked. He moved away from her and put his arm around Alex. "Your hair's gotten so light, Taihei. Did you dye it? That's the trend nowadays, isn't it?"
Alex chuckled. "Taihei might have a point about not drinking so much beer so quickly, Bomber."
"But it's a party, Taihei!" Bomber declared loudly. "What's a party without refreshments?"
"That would be like a boring party in Mita-wherever!" Kanau said, her words slurring.
"You said it, Alex!" Bomber said, downing the rest of his beer.
"Maybe we should go back over where we were," Hikari said quietly to Umaru while hiding behind her.
"I don't know," Umaru said, giggling. "This could be fun."
"Boss!" Bomber said to Umaru. "I think I'm going to be late to work tomorrow."
"Boss?" Umaru said.
Bomber scratched his head. "Chief?"
"Tomorrow isn't a work day though," Alex pointed out.
"Thank goodness!" Bomber said loudly. "I'd have forgotten were it not for you, Taihei."
"You'd forget your afro if it wasn't attached securely!" Kanau said. She was swaying as much as Bomber. How much had they had?
"Umaru," Hikari repeated, tugging on her sleeve. "Please?"
"Okay, Hikari." It probably wasn't the best idea to hang around her brother's drunken co-workers, as amusing as it was. Besides, it was clearly making Hikari uncomfortable. "Please excuse me, Bomber."
"See you later, boss!" Bomber called as Umaru and Hikari went back over to the far window, leaving a relatively sober Alex and Taihei to deal with the two drunks. Umaru hoped they were to the task.
"My sister shouldn't drink so much," Hikari sighed.
"I'm sure they'll be fine," Umaru said. "My brother and Alex are here."
"I wonder when we're actually going to eat."
"Well, there's the donuts Bomber brought. We could probably have some of those."
"That means going back over near the booze duo though," Hikari said.
Umaru giggled. "I'll go get them for us."
She made her way to the counter where Kanau and Bomber were now reenacting a television skit, both of them slurring their words badly. Alex was looking at them with bemusement, and Taihei rubbed his forehead in concern. She grabbed the box of donuts and made her way back to Hikari, who was sitting next to a large globe and looking out the window.
"Donuts are a bit like bread," Hikari commented. "Extremely sweet and sugary bread."
"I…guess," Umaru said, opening the box and offering it to her. "Here, you take what you want first."
Hikari took a chocolate donut and started eating it. Umaru followed suit.
"How has your summer been?" Umaru asked her.
"I've been reading and studying," Hikari said. "What have you been doing? Playing games and watching anime?"
"I've been tutoring a girl for high school entrance exams." Umaru would be glad when she could stop telling that lie. "I haven't had as much time as I'd like to play."
Hikari tilted her head. "That's not like you."
Umaru shrugged. "It's just how this summer's been."
"So, this girl you're tutoring, is she here in Tokyo?"
"No, she lives in Mitakihara."
"I see."
"If you come and visit Onii-chan and me in Mitakihara, you can meet her. She's very nice."
"I'd…like that," Hikari said.
Umaru suddenly felt ashamed she hadn't asked Hikari to do more things with her and Taihei. "Hikari, before we move, I'd love it if you came over for a day. Or even more than one."
"Really? I'd like too," Hikari said. "Can we have bread?"
Umaru giggled. "Yes. You should definitely come on bread day. In the meantime, I'll go see if I can procure us something other than donuts."
Back in the kitchen, Bomber was doing pretend Karaoke and badly singing a random pop song. Kanau was doubled over with laughter. Umaru piled some snacks onto a plate and took the bowl of potato chips. She and Hikari could have their own feast. As they ate together next to the window, Umaru found herself having a good time with Hikari.
Later, when things had calmed a little bit, her brother cut his going-away cake, as Kanau and Bomber were both far too inebriated to be trusted with a knife and Alex refused. So, Umaru's dinner turned out to be donuts, cake, and other snacks. Umaru decided that, when she told Mami about this party, she'd leave that detail out.
