Suite
Going Home
Ako was staring out her window, a frown fixed on her face. A knock on her head caused her to lift her head.
"Ako-chan," Ellen's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Come in," she replied.
"Are you okay?" Ellen asked, "you've been in here all day."
"I'm fine," Ako reassured her, "just..."
"Just what?"
"Oh nothing," Ako brushed her off.
"Liar," Ellen accused raising her eyebrow.
"Junior high starts in a few months" Ako started.
"I'm aware," Ellen informed her.
"I'm excited, but I think my parents are expecting me to come home soon," Ako confided.
"So you're torn on whether or not to go home,"
"I don't want to leave Souta or you guys," Ako explained, "but I also want to go back home… A girl in my grade mentioned that Jr high is when people start planning for their future and grow up, and…"
"I understand Princess," Ellen cut in, and sat next to her on her bed. Ako looked at her in surprise. Ellen hadn't called her Princess in forever. She knew how self-conscious she felt about her title, especially when it was used by her closest friends.
"I don't know what to do, I want to stay here with you and the others, but I know, I should really head back to Major Land, I'm their princess, I should be there." Ako continued.
"I'm sure everyone would understand if you wanted to move back to Major Land." Ellen reassured her, "or not, but… If I'm being honest I think you should move back to Major Land,"
"Why?" Ako asked.
"I'm sure your parents miss you," Ellen reasoned.
"They call every day," Ako responded.
"But it's not the same," Ellen said, "I wish I could've had more time with my mother, and like you said, you're Major Land's princess. You have a lot to learn don't you?"
"Yeah…" Ako admitted.
"Do you really want to stay here? Is that what your heart says?" Ellen asked, "If it is, then no one will stop you, we understand - "
"That's not it," Ako cut her off, "but I don't want to leave people behind, I left people when I left Major Land, but now that I'm here… I don't have many people back in Major Land for me anymore,"
"You know, I don't have too many people back in Major Land either," Ellen informed her. "No one really, but I miss it."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I'm not the same person I was as a child, but Major Land is still my home." Ellen paused, "and by extension your still my Princess,"
"Ellen," Ako warned flustered.
"If you want to stay here, I'll stay here," Ellen told her, ignoring Ako's embarrassment, "and if you want to go back to Major Land I'll go too."
"Thanks Ellen," Ako said appreciatively.
"Just one problem, I gave my house away," Ellen informed her, "And even if I hadn't, I don't think I'd be very comfortable there anymore,"
"I think we can work something out," Ako giggled.
A/N: So I believe Ako went back to Major Land right before Jr. High, or after her 1st year. At this point Hibiki, Kanade and Ellen would be entering or finishing their last year of high school. And Ellen and Hummy go where Ako goes, especially as Hibiki and Kanade seek out their own futures in their own world.