A World Of Six Tatami Mats
Cast:
Cure Miracle, Asahina Mirai - age 13
Cure Magical, Izayoi Riko - age 13
May, 2016
There is no such thing as magic in this world. To the extent that this world could be called the No Magic World, there is no corresponding Magic World. For all that this world is great and terrific, there are no trains, portals, spaceships, or monsters that connect this world to any other. For all that this world is vast and terrible, it is the only one there is.
Riko has known this all along.
Every time that she told Mirai and Kotoha that she had magical powers. Every time she claimed to be a student of a school for witches and wizards. Every story she told of that enchanted other world and its fantastic inhabitants.
Beautiful as they were, all of those things were lies.
It has been nearly two months since she 'returned to the Magic World,' as a magical girl must do when her secret has been exposed. There are many stories like this. Most of her peers accept it as the natural conclusion of her fantasy story, and Riko has remained in that world ever since.
"Cure Magical, please come out."
Mirai's voice pierces the barrier between worlds. The barrier is four centimeters thick, coated in lavender paint, made of solid pine and locked from the inside.
"I know you're there. Please, just talk to me."
Riko does not respond. Eventually, she hears Mirai's footsteps as the other girl walks away. Up until now, she has always said goodbye. Riko hasn't answered her, but up until now, Mirai has always promised to return.
She tells herself that she is not disappointed. From the beginning, there was only ever one ending. If her vision has become blurry, it is only because she doesn't need to see clearly in her world of six tatami mats.
"Cure Up, Rapapa! Miracle, appear!"
Riko has not moved from the door in several minutes, yet she hears Mirai shouting from behind her. Riko smiles and wipes at her tears.
"Why can't you just give up on me? Even if you got them to let you into the next building over, that doesn't-"
~***WHAM***~! Riko's train of thought derails abruptly as a powerful jolt shakes the walls and floor.
"I won't let you ignore me, Cure Magical!"
Blonde hair. Violet irises. Breathing heavily as large beads of sweat drip down her face. It is none other than Cure Miracle, Asahina Mirai, who sinks to her knees having landed on Riko's balcony, which is several stories above the ground and separated by two meters from the apartment building opposite it. A wooden plank can be seen protruding over the edge of the neighbor's railing, a physical accessory to Mirai's feat.
"Miracle!" Riko has barely spoken above a whisper in weeks. She finds herself choking on her own voice as she slides open the glass balcony door and embraces the other girl. "Why, Miracle? You could have died!"
Mirai's response is half laugh, half sob. She sounds as if all of her energy and courage were spent in that single reckless act.
"It's because you're worth it."