Miyuki and Konata sat in awkward silence. Here they were at the local ramen shop, waiting for their bowls. Aside from the cook and owner of the restaurant, the pair were the only ones present in the area. Kagami and Tsukasa had left after being called by their parents. So now it was just the two of them.
Ever since that day at the Washinomiya Shrine, she could never look at her blue-haired friend the same way she did once before. She always used to think that Konata was just an eccentric, but cheerful person who never let anything get her down. That perspective shattered when she saw a much more emotional side of her. A side that not even Kagami, Tsukasa, or any other of her friends have ever seen. That made Miyuki the first.
Today, the group had hung out together at the mall. Konata acted like she normally did when they were together. Making references to her anime shows and games while teasing Kagami from time to time. Just being her 'mask' as Konata had said previously. When the two left, Miyuki had planned on leaving too, but Konata had suddenly asked her if they she would come with her somewhere. Her other personality had revealed itself to her again for the second time. Miyuki obliged her request and now here they were.
"So, um..."
Miyuki looked at Konata who finally began to speak. She was nervous, that much was obvious.
"Ugh, I'm no good at this..." Konata shook her head and sighed. "Where do I begin?"
The question didn't seem like it was directed at her, but more at herself. Konata was in a conflict with herself, or so it seemed, and she was speaking it out loud to let Miyuki know it. Like she was prompting her to say something. So Miyuki did.
"Begin what, Izumi?" Miyuki asked.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...Still..." Konata rambled on, but eventually turned to her. "Uhh, well...I had something I wanted to talk to you about..."
She pulled out a key holder which had the shape of a cat on it. Konata extended it to her.
"I want you to have this..."
Miyuki took the small animal key chain and stared at it. What was this gift for?
"I buy a lot of things: Animes, manga, and games. But I was never attached to those things as much as this." Konata continued, smiling softly as she stared at the key holder.
So there's a significant value to this... Miyuki deducted, looking back at Konata, remaining quiet.
"Dad told me that this was what my mother wanted to give to me as a gift once I grew old enough..."
Miyuki widened her eyes a little. That meant she has been holding onto this since she was a child. This small little object has been with Konata for years! Why would she give something so valuable to her?
"I've been holding onto these for a long time. Every day, I hoped she would one day return. But then I realized something..."
Konata chuckled with little enthusiasm in it as she grimaced.
"I was holding onto the past. I refused to accept the fact that she was gone forever. But now after letting it out my secret to you, Miyuki, I feel like I can move on now..."
She smiled at Miyuki and she could feel the resolve in her eyes.
"I'm going to go see my mother's grave tomorrow...even if her body isn't there. I plan to make peace with myself and her."
Konata went silent for a minute, closing her eyes. Then she opened them, nodding her head as if coming to a conclusion.
"It's not going to be easy...Even now, I still sorta feel like a chicken...But if you hold onto those for me, It'll be like you got my back for it. That way, I can have the guts to see my mother off."
Miyuki noticed Konata's hands had been trembling the whole time. There was no doubt in her mind that it took Konata a lot of courage to tell her all this. Miyuki clasped the key chain in her hand.
"All right..." She simply said. What else could she say, really?
"Thanks." Konata nodded her head.
Another pause came before Konata scratched the back of her head.
"Hey, listen...If anything's bothering you, you can come talk to me too, all right?" Konata said. "You listened to me, so it's only fair I do the same."
Konata grinned, giving Miyuki a thumbs up.
"Don't forget that...Okay?"
"I won't."
Their bowls came before another moment of quietness set in. This time, it was comfortable. The tension in the air felt gone and Miyuki felt like she accomplished something great in helping her friend. Even if it had been only listening. But perhaps that was what Konata needed all along. An ear to listen and for that, she earned Konata's gratitude and loyalty.
"You know, I'm glad that happened." Konata stopped eating to speak again. "I feel like I can change for the better now and if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have that confidence, so...thanks."
She laughed nervously, and Miyuki saw another full blown blush on her blue haired friend's face.
"Geez...Listen to me, going on like that." She scratched the back of her head, looking away bashfully. "C'mon, let's eat! Don't worry about the cost, it's all on me, Miyuki!"
"Oh man, I am stuffed."
Miyuki giggled at Konata who laid her head on the counter.
"That's because you ate five bowls, Konata." She said.
Konata looked up at Miyuki.
"You called me by my first name again..." She pointed out, smiling at her.
"Oh? I guess I'll just have to get used to calling you Konata then." Miyuki answered, shrugging her arms while smiling back at the girl.
The sound of the door chimes made the two turn their heads.
"Welcome!" The shop owner greeted.
Standing at doorway was Yui Narumi accompanied by two other men.
"Cousin Yui!" Konata exclaimed, slightly shocked to see her. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, that's not important right now." Yui waved off the question. "I think these two know you, Konata."
The three walked over to Konata and Miyuki.
"Is that really you, Konata?" One of the men asked.
"Um, yeah I guess so...Who are you?" Konata asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Well, introductions first, I suppose, even though we are guild mates." The other man spoke in a calm, straightforward manner. "I am Sig Asgrimur and that's Kishor Draggarh. Do we ring a bell yet?"
Konata gasped in shock, staring at them in disbelief.
"No way!"
"Yes way!" Kishor retorted, pouting. "We fought that golden gargoyle in disguise and whooped its sorry butt to kingdom come! I thought for sure you would remember us!"
"Well, Kishor, it's not like you can blame her. We did say we lived far away..." Sig reasoned.
"What are you guys doing here? Did you guys come all this way to visit me?" Konata asked.
"Yes we did!" Kishor nodded his head. "Let's say we were given the opportunity and took it."
"And here we are." Sig finished for Kishor. "We know that you're graduating soon and we probably won't be able to visit you like this ever again. So, we brung a gift."
"Seriously? Sweet! Where is it?" Konata asked, standing up from her seat in a flash.
Sig and Kishor looked at each other and nodded their heads.
"Right outside!" Kishor shouted loudly.
The door opened. Walking in was her father...
But he wasn't alone.
...
...
...
...
"Mom?"
In those few moments, everything happened so fast. Kanata braced herself for the biggest hug and she returned it with just as much force. Tears were shed and Konata's muffled sobbing filled the room.
"You came back! It's really you!" Konata wailed through her sobbing. "You're really here!"
"Yes...I'm right where I belong...with you, Konata." Kanata whispered soothingly as she rubbed the back of her daughter's head for the first time in years.
"I think this calls for a picture to commemorate this moment!" Yui shouted, pulling out a camera. She turned to the owner of the restaurant who had been standing there with a smile on his face. "Sir, could you take a photo for us? We would appreciate it."
"Of course." The man simply answered, taking the camera. "It would be my honor."
"Great. Thanks."
Konata pulled back and smiled despite the tears that continued to flow down her cheeks. Everyone gathered around Kanata and her. Miyuki stood closest to her while Sig and Kishor stood at opposite ends with the whole family hunched in the middle. They turned to face the man holding the camera.
"Konata?" Miyuki spoke, still staring in the direction of the man who began counting down with his fingers before he shot the photo.
"Yeah?" Konata kept on looking forward.
Miyuki grinned and held out the key chain.
"Looks like you found your missing piece..."
Fin.
And so we conclude our journey. It's been a pleasure to see this through to the end. I'm sad to see it go, but all things must come to an end. But hey! You know what they say...
The end of one tale is the beginning of a whole new other!
Thank you all for taking the time to read this for what it's worth. I will see you all in another story!
Goodbye!