I managed to keep awake the whole assembly and stood up from my pew to go find Yukina on the other side. My head was filled with hymns and scriptures, repeating itself over again. When I spotted Yukina, she was happily talking with her friends so I didn't bother to come get her right away.
"So you came, Suzuna." A man said from behind. I turned around and saw Frau.
"Oh Frau. Hey." I greeted.
"You've really changed haven't you?" Another voice commented. "It's been awhile Suzuna."
"Castor, it really has been awhile." I agreed. Though it's only been a month since I last saw them.
"Suzuna, how are you?" The shorter man asked, giving a warm smile. Despite his height, Labrador was still taller than me.
"I'm fine," I mumbled with my words. I had a soft spot for Labrador because of how he treated me. But he tends to treat everyone with the same kindness and I still couldn't accept that fact. "I missed hanging with you three."
I hugged Castor and Labrador after I spoke. Frau had his arms open for a hug too. I hesitated because I never could predict what he would do. I gave him a hug anyway. His hands traced my figure and went down to my lower back. My face gradually became red.
"You've grown very well Suzuna. Very." He whispered to me.
"Huh!?" I said pushing him away.
Castor pinched his ear. "I think that's enough Frau."
"Ow!" Frau instinctively grabbed his ear. He quickly shook it off when he heard Yukina's voice.
"Onee-san!" Yukina called out to me. Her group of friends dispersed once one of her friend's parents came to pick up their child. "I thought you were going to pick me up!"
"Eh? I did but you were talking to your friends, I didn't want to ruin your fun. Yukina-chan, remember these three?" I asked. She studied the three men before her.
"...Ah! Frau-kun!" She happily jumped in Frau's open arms. What a brave soul. She waved at the other two.
"Anyway. I have to get ready for bed and make dinner. Let's go Yukina-chan, what do you want tonight?" Frau let Yukina down and she obediently followed me, holding my hand. I walked off with Yukina. "See you around~"
The three guys waved their hands at Yukina and I. Yukina was chattier than usual today, not that I mind.
"...hey Onee-san! Are you listening?" She pouted. I was staring at the sidewalk ahead of us. "Onee-san. I want to go to the church assembly next time, can I?"
"Hm?" I looked at her. "If you really want to go, sure, do you want me to pick you up after?"
She smiled. "Of course!" She let go of my hand and skipped along the path. "I can't wait until next week, Onee-san!"
We made it to my house. It wasn't much, it wasn't small and cramped, but it was cosy enough. Yukina kicked off her shoes and ran to our cat, Shiro. He's the only male in the house. Though the name was as plain as Shiro's fur colour, white, Yukina insisted on the name. I gave up after her pleading.
"Shiro-kun! You're playing with me tomorrow with everyone!" She told Shiro. He seemed displeased at the plan and walked away from Yukina. "Shiro-kun!" She followed the cat around the house.
"Yukina-chan, what do you want me to make?" I yawned. "You better tell me now before I sleep."
"I want the usual! Soup!" She picked up Shiro and placed him on her lap. "Right Shiro-kun?"
Shiro purred. "I think Shiro will be fine with just milk."
I took the usual ingredients needed for the soup Yukina wanted. I also added some vegetables she didn't like so much, but they were for me. I quietly cooked in the kitchen while Yukina made herself busy, waiting for her dinner.
After staring at clock, occasional mixing, and adding ingredients, I finally finished cooking. I took a bowl and poured soup in it, adding the vegetables Yukina liked. I did the same for myself but took the vegetables she didn't like.
"Yukina-chan~" I called out to her as I placed her bowl on the table along with utensils. She came within seconds to eat.
"Ah! Smells good! Itadakimasu!" She clapped her hands together and made a small prayer. "Thanks Onee-san!"
"You're welcome." I placed my bowl on the table with utensils. Shiro was hanging on to my leg. "Oh right, your milk."
I left a small bowl of soup for Shiro and took his usual bowl and filled it with milk. I placed the two bowls near the table where Yukina and I were eating. I pointed to the small bowl with soup. "It's hot," I tapped Shiro's nose. "Wait for it to cool."
Shiro purred at me, hopefully understanding what I said. I went to my seat and made a small prayer before I ate. Everyone was full after having seconds, and I put the leftovers in the fridge. "Just leave the plates in the sink, I'll clean it tomorrow, I'm tired."
Yukina sluggishly walked with her bowl and utensils to the sink. "Thanks again for the meal, I'm so stuffed." She said.
I looked down to see how Shiro was doing. He laid on his side on the floor, his bowls both empty. I walked over to pick up his bowls. "Good work Shiro." He gave a half purr, if that was even possible. I left his bowl on the counter. I walked to the bedroom. There was only one bedroom in my house, but I managed to get another bed for Yukina from the bishops.
"Good night, Onee-san." Yukina crawled in the sheets.
"Hey. Change your clothes and brush your teeth." I pulled the blankets off her. She whined but did it anyway. I did the same. "Alright. Good night Yukina-chan."
She yawned and crawled into her bed again. "Good night." Shiro jumped on Yukina's bed, sleeping on the side she doesn't sleep on.
I turned all the lights off and went into my bed, closing my eyes.
I woke up to hear crying noises in the middle of the night. "Yukina-chan?" I sat up on my bed, and Yukina hugged me tightly, crying. "What's wrong?"
She was tired as well and didn't bother talking. "A nightmare?" She nodded in my chest. "Okay, you can sleep with me then. Bring Shiro here too." She let go of me, picking up the deep sleeping cat onto my bed.
I shifted myself to one side of the bed so Yukina can sleep in too. She placed Shiro on the end of the bed and tucked herself in the sheets. She slept facing me. I wiped her tears on one eye. "Good night."
Between the two of us, we both knew what a nightmare was. Yukina was dreaming of her past. The past she had before she met me. Before she was the cheery, carefree girl she is now.
I woke up to the sun rays hitting my eyelids from the window. "Ugh." I sat up to see Shiro sleeping in front of me. "Hey Shiro. It's morning." The cat meowed and turned on its other side. I got off the bed, letting the cat sleep.
There was a note on the table when I got out of the room. "Yukina must be out again." I looked at her letter anyway. "What an early riser."
Onee-san, I'm playing outside! You take too long to get up. I had cereal for breakfast. I'll meet you at your hotspot in case I need something. Tell Shiro that I'll pick him up later so he can play with everyone!
I fixed myself with some breakfast and changed into whatever I could find. I cleaned the plates in the sink and put some water and food in Shiro's bowl. I walked into the bedroom.
"Shiro. I left some things for you. Yukina-chan said she'll pick you up." The cat opened its eyes and closed them again. I sighed. I left the house, leaving Shiro behind.
I headed to my usual spot: The flower garden. I walked to where my favourite spot was, where the sky and clouds looked dreamy, the sun kept me warm, and the smell of all the flowers traveled with the wind. It was the most open spot in the garden. I laid down and placed my hands under my head as a pillow.
"It's so nice here." I inhaled the flower's scent and smiled, closing my eyes.
"Who's that?" Castor pointed at the sleeping figure in the garden.
"Ah it's Suzuna." Labrador had a warm smile on his face. He decided to walk towards her. Castor raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Labrador?" He continued walking, ignoring Castor. "A rebel who transformed into a young woman. Interesting." He smiled and walked off.
"What is?" Frau met Castor from another hall.
"Nothing." He replied back.