Madoka

I was back to the beginning, fixing beyblades nonstop. But it wasn't too bad. The B-Pit was repaired and looking better than ever! It was up to date with all of the technological innovations. The only thing I was truly dwelling was Gingka's death. No matter how busy I was or how far back I pushed the memory in my mind to get away from it, it always found a way back. Tsubasa caught me in my work room with my face buried in my hands. I didn't even know he was there until he put his hand on my shoulder, making me jump out of my skin.

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" He asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

I looked deeply at the beyblades I was working on. They glistened even though they were dirty and scratched. "He was... He was...in my hand." I said shakily in between tears. "He squeezed it with his last bit of strength. And...I can't help but to think...I was responsible."

"You saved us."

I nodded slowly and sighed. "I loved him."

"It's been a long day. You need to unwind."

I shook my head, slowly but surely. "I can't. I can't go home."

"Then come with me." He held out his hand and I took it. But instead of following him immediately after, I hugged him. I hugged him tightly, probably squeezing the life out of him. But he ended up squeezing harder. "It's okay to miss him." He whispered to me. "And he loves you too. He also said that you are smart, beautiful, and we're lucky to know you."

I looked up and noticed that it wasn't true. That's not what Gingka would say; it was Tsubasa.

"You are really special to the team. I will be honored to have you in my home."

I rested my face into his chest for a while, but I let go. "Thank you so much, but I can't." I told him. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's fine."

"I'm sorry I got so emotional." I tried smiling it off. "Didn't you come here for something? What did you need?"

He smiled. "I wanted to show you your new candidate for your assistant job." Tsubasa walked towards the door.

"I don't know. Is Shou or Yuuko okay for this job?" I asked. But he didn't answer.

He opened the door to reveal a beautiful young woman, who was all dressed up with papers in hand. She looked nervously at me, but something about her just seemed familiar and right.

"Madoka, this is Maru." Tsubasa said as she stepped inside.

She held out her hand. "Ms. Amano, it is a pleasure to meet you."

I shook her hand. She had a firm grip. "No, the pleasure is all mine, Ms…"

"Please, call me Maru." She handed me the papers. "I have my résumé, my references, my letter of interest, and my letters of recommendation. And I'm sure this might not make a difference, but I must say that I admire your work. I have been following your progress since…well…forever! I am a fan."

I gave her another smile. There was something about her that really sparkled. It couldn't just have been her Aughties style shimmery lip gloss. Maybe it was just her ambition. Yes, she was nervous, but she didn't run.

"Maru, do you think you're right for this job?" I asked, remembering what happened to my last assistant.

She nodded. "I do."

I put a hand on her shoulder. "Congratulations. How early can you start?"

Her smile lit up the room. "I can start first thing Monday morning!"

"Great!" And it was pretty uplifting to see her so happy.

Having Maru around the shop was a lot more efficient than having Parker. But this was only because Maru knew what I was going through. She knew how close I was to Gingka because she watched a lot of TV, and I could tell her everything. It was probably because she was so young.

But something strange happened weeks later.

"Congratulations, Ms. Amano!" The doctor said. "You're expecting!"

"What?" I asked. "I am? But…"

"I'm sure your husband or boyfriend will be very surprised." He went on.

I shook my head. "I don't have a…" He gave me a weird look. I tried to think of something that sounded normal, but all I could think about was Gingka. After all, the tracks are covered. "I mean, he's no longer with me. He served in the war."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish you the best, Ms. Amano."

I nodded.

I started getting very sick for almost no reason at random parts of the day. It was more towards the morning with me throwing up whatever I had to offer and tapering off to passing out after dinner. I also started gaining weight, my feet started swelling, my mood changed more than normal, and then I…gave birth.

It was something no one could explain, but the baby boy had bright red hair and hazel eyes. When I was breastfeeding him for the first time, thinking of a name, I could've sworn I heard Gingka whisper something to me. It was his voice faintly saying "Thank you." That's when I realized that this child will serve a purpose in the future just like Chikara.

"Hoshi…" I whispered to myself. Tears immediately came to my eyes.

From there, it wasn't too hard to pick a name: Hoshi Amano.