"One eighty-two, one eighty-two," Homura murmured, passing through the hallway. It was mostly empty, except for a few girls and a bike. The number 182 caught the brunette's eyes. "This should be Madoka's room."
And, just like the pinkette had said yesterday, a sign reading a very roughly-painted "Quarantine" was hung up on the door. A pair of painting masks hung from the handle, and Homura took one as a precaution.
I should find Madoka and Mami first, she thought to herself, But I don't know where Madoka is... I doubt she'd still be in her room. But let's see what we're up against...
Homura turned the handle, opening the door to the bubbly girl's room. A wall of paint fumes crashed into the grey-eyed girl's face, who shut her eyes and covered her head with her arm.
Jesus christ...
The curtains were already open, and an armless figure stood in the center of the room, gazing out of the window. As Homura let down her guard, the figure turned.
Madoka wore an immense smile, visible even under her own mask. "Hi Homura~" She giggled.
"Did-did you sleep in here?" The black haired girl asked.
The pinkette cocked her head, eyes confusedly studying her friend. "Where else was I supposed to sleep?"
It was a good question. But anywhere would've been better than here. It was obvious the fumes had gotten to her head a little, even wearing the paint mask all night.
Madoka swayed, swinging around as Homura shut the door. She chuckled drunkenly, grinning from ear to ear. "I could've slept with you, Homura-chu~!"
Does-does she means what I think she means? No, no of cou-
"We could've had lots of fun~"
Jesus christ she does.
It was about now that Homura realized that her friend was pantsless. Just leg and... hopefully panties under that oversized shirt.
"Whatcha looking at, Homu-Homu?"
"Ah! Uh, nothing Madoka!"
The girl standing in the center of the room giggled cutely. "You're wondering if I'm wearing panties or not, aren't you~!"
"Wh-wh-what! N-no! Why would I-"
"It's okay." Madoka's stare turned from bubbly to confused. "I'm wondering the same thing." She stuck her tongue out as she plopped down on the bed. "Wanna check with me?"
Homura could do nothing more than shake her head.
"Suit yourself." The pinkette swung around and the raven-haired girl averted her gaze as her friend spread her legs to check. "Yep, I am. I've been known to forget. Well, I know I forget. Which is weird, because if I had remembered earlier, I wouldn't've forgotten, but I remembered later, so I did."
Homura turned around as she heard Madoka once more plant her feet on the ground, the bed creaking a little as she stood.
"So uhm," The girl who had a second ago been blabbing about forgetting panties tilted her head, "What're you doing here again?" Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the ceiling, as if the answer was written somewhere up there.
"I, uhm-"
Before the confused brunette could answer, Madoka interrupted her, eyes going wide. "I remember! You wanted to talk to me and you were going to confess that you have a crush on me and-"
"WHAT! N-NO, THAT'S NOT."
"At least let me finish. Besides," Madoka took a few shaky steps forward, giving Homura a wink and lifting her own mask. The last step brought the two close, the pinkette's face only a few inches from her friend's. She lifted the grey-eyed girl's respirator, and with a grin said, "I already know~"
She tripped, or so Homura thought. Instead, as the raven-haired girl caught her high friend, the bubblegum girl brought her face close enough to kiss, and kiss she did. The brunette, confused, heart racing, took only a half second to react, melting into it. She awkwardly attempted to embrace her partner while still keeping her standing.
What. What. What. What. What. What. Was all that could go through Homura's mind. Simple, utter confusion.
Madoka slipped out of the kiss, continuing to fall into the timid girl's arms, giggling like a five-year old. The bubbly girl stumbled backwards, her smile turning to a tired face, laughter dropping off. Homura dashed forwards as the pinkette came crashing down, passing out in the pitch-haired girl's arms.
Uh… what? Was all Homura could think.
Homura's foot tapped against the floor anxiously. The nurse had been checking up on Madoka for almost a half hour now, and still hadn't come out.
The door to the nurse's room suddenly slid open. "Ah, Miss Akemi," He said with a grin. The nurse was close to being in his forties, and always had an oddly upbeat attitude.
"How is Miss Kaname? Is she going to be okay? She's not going to get lung cancer or some-" The nurse cut the brunette's worries off with a simple gesture.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. However, she's going to need to rest for a while, and we need to keep an eye on her."
"Oh, okay," Homura answered, a little unsure of what to think.
"There is something you could help me with, if you're free," He grinned.
"Yes, I'm free today! I was going to hang out with Miss Kaname, but..."
"If you wouldn't mind," The nurse began as her voice trailed off, "I'd like it if you could remove the paint and paintings from Miss Kaname's room. It would be nice if she could return to her room tonight, rather than having to stay here. Oh, and while you're at it, open a window."
"Yes sir!" The ravenette responded, turning and running off to complete her assigned task.
Homura reentered Madoka's room, slipping her mask back on. I might as well get started on this. She picked up a small stack of paintings, trying her best not to smudge any of them. She carried them out of the room and back towards the main building. As she entered the school building, she realized something.
Where the hell is the art room?
Luckily, as Homura began looking around, a red-headed woman in a multi-colored apron was walking down the stairs. Or no, those were paint stains. "Uh, uhm, ex-excuse me!" Homura called out, getting the woman's attention.
"Oh, hello," She said, stopping and looking at the first year now running towards her, "Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah, I'm, uh, I'm looking for the art room."
The redhead smiled a little, nodding. "This way," She said, turning and walking towards the stairwell. Homura rushed to follow, trying to be as careful as possible with the paintings. Usually one might expect a small conversation to be brought up, questions like "Are those yours?" or "Why are you going to the art room?" would usually be asked. Apparently not now. The teacher simply guided Homura on her way.
The art room was on the third floor, a fairly plain-looking door with no markings. Much like the library. "Here we are," The teacher said happily.
"Thank you," Homura responded, nodding and opening the door.
"Oh and tell Miss Kaname to come see me. I have some work she might be interested in doing," She informed Homura, "I take it you're a friend of hers?"
"Oh, uh, yeah," The raven-haired girl stammered, "How did you-"
"I'd recognise her work anywhere," The art teacher beamed, before turning and leaving.
The brunette set the art down on one of the large tables, careful that she didn't smudge the work at all. I'm sure the teacher will have a better idea where to put these, She thought to herself. Homura made her way back downstairs, crossing back across the lawn and to the dorms.
I guess I've gotta get a bit of exercise in somehow, she chuckled. A familiar shape stood awkwardly in the hallway, walking to and fro with uncertainty.
"Oh, hey Mami!" Homura called out, smiling at her friend.
"Ah, there you are Miss Akemi," The blonde sighed, "I presume you know where Miss Kaname's room is?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, it's right here," The black-haired girl said, "Here, take one of these masks."
"Dare I ask why?"
"I'm sure you'll get it when I open the door."
Mami cringed, putting on the air mask. The door opened, and her golden eyes popped open as the wall of paint fumes smacked her in the face.
"Yeah," Was all Homura said before getting back to business, "Grab a few of the paintings laying around, and I'll show you where we're putting them."
The pair carried their load back to the art room, depositing them on the desks. Then another load was taken, and another, at which point Madoka's room was clear of art. The two girls heaved heavy, relieved sighs as their work concluded.
"I'm sure Miss Kaname's friends will be happy when they hear what happened to her in your care," Mami teased.
"I'm trying to enjoy myself here, Mami."