Maybe A Brighter Tomorrow

"Still no underwear, huh…"

The entire bag of new clothes has been turned inside out and its contents have been sorted. Edward lazes on the couch on his phone while Mira is flipping through the variety of folded clothes on the floor. This much is easily enough for Mira to survive an entire week or even longer with reuse. However, the important issue of undergarments has not been resolved.

"What did you expect, man? I do want to go home without disturbed looks from my family."

"I guess it can't be helped…"

It must be quite the challenge to justify removing underwear from your sister's drawers. I wouldn't know, I don't have siblings to test on. Even if his sister was willing to part with something like her bras, there is a good chance that they wouldn't fit Mira anyways. The panties at least would have been nice.

Edward shrugs at my disappointment.

"The supermarket has some basic stuff, so just run over there if you need to. Though, I don't know why Mira's parents wouldn't have sent her with any."

"Good question…"

The universe decided that it absolutely had to make my life as difficult as possible as a reward for helping out a little rabbit. I'm concerned enough with our finances already, but at least this is a one time purchase. Choosing underwear can be a complicated process for young girls and I would like somebody other than me to get Mira sorted out. For now, she has to deal with the cheap stuff.

I pull out a small memo and write underwear along with the other necessary items Mira requires for basic living. As I fold it back into my pocket, Edward stands up from his spot on the couch.

"I guess I should be going."

"Already? You could always stick around for lunch."

I follow him to the door and he looks back at Mira after putting on his shoes.

"She still isn't thrilled to have me around yet. Besides, you were probably going to make me treat you guys."

"Dang it, you found out!"

"You piece of crap!"

We laugh as Edward punches me on the shoulder. I follow him out into the apartment hallway where sunlight is perfectly blocked by the floor above us. I lean against the rails overlooking the parking lot as he finishes putting on his black leather jacket.

"Seriously Ed, thanks for the clothes. You're a lifesaver."

"Don't worry about it. It was all going to be donated eventually anyways."

Edward pulls up next to me and leans over the rails. His gaze reaches out towards the forest and the city behind it.

"Mira is really cute, isn't she?"

"You're telling me. I doubt anybody at school could compete."

"So you do like younger girls."

He elbows me playfully, receiving a glare in return. I don't want to hear this from the guy who specifically aims for girls older than us.

"Just don't do anything crazy to her."

"Of course not! I could never face my parents if something happened!"

"Assuming they even know."

"Huh?"

His words cause a gasp to escape my mouth. I can feel my blood running wildly in my body, attempting to burst from my veins along with the truth of the rabbit I'm caring for. My parents are the massive unknown variable constantly looming over my head. All it takes is one impromptu visit from them to leave me in a position that I can't even predict the outcome of. How would they respond to Mira's existence? What will they think of my choice to keep her here? Where would Mira go if they decided that she couldn't stay?

In the best case, Mira will be allowed to stay and I'll be properly supplied to support her. Of course, that option is just as much of a fantasy as the idea of a rabbit transforming into a girl. Lightning isn't going to strike the same place twice. Another option, and the most likely, is that my parents take Mira into custody and oversee her transition into human society at home. They aren't the type of people to leave a girl with nowhere to return to in the rain, so she'll find a home with friends or relatives one way or another. Unfortunately, there is a nonzero possibility that they find supporting an absolute stranger out of their jurisdiction. The responsible thing to do would be to turn her into the authorities and let them handle everything. All of these possibilities and more spin rapidly in my head.

"Hahaha!"

A large hand slams against my back, threatening to throw me face first into the concrete. When I rebalance, Edward is already walking away.

"Good luck with her, Noa! I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Y-Yeah…"

Nonchalant as ever, that guy. But I do have to admit that his energy managed to get me out of my endless spiral of 'what ifs'. Concerning myself with all of these scenarios will ultimately get me nowhere. I already decided that Mira is staying, so I have to accept the consequences no matter what they may be. This secret will be maintained for as long as I can hold it. What happens when we're found out is a future me problem, one whose result I will have little to no influence on regardless.

I wave back to my friend as he turns to look back. The determination I'm feeling now is hopefully showing on my face as I match his lively grin.

"See you tomorrow!"

My friend soon disappears as he reaches the stairs. We'll see each other again tomorrow, because tomorrow is coming for us whether we like it or not. All of my concerns are just going to make tomorrow feel darker, so I'll dwell on my potential mistakes after they've blown up in my face.

I take one last look at the view before heading back into the apartment.

"Mira, let's get ready to go."

We have a lot of errands that need to be covered today. We have to make our furthest stop at the supermarket to get her a lot of supplies we won't find at the local grocery store. We still have to make a stop there anyways, since dragging our food for the week that distance will be basically impossible. Before we can even worry about all of that, I have to get this rabbit fed.

"Noa, look! Clothes are so fun!"

If I had water in my mouth, it would have been fired as a projectile across the room. Mira spins around by the bed with an absolute mess of cloth around her body. Her hands have become small blobs due to the long socks completely covering her arms. A skirt normally wrapped around your waist is instead wrapped around her neck like some kind of mantle. Around her waist instead is a pair of pyjama pants whose legs have been tied together. The most ridiculous of them all has to be the shorts that are currently donned on top of her head.

Mira looks ecstatic at her fashion creation, constantly admiring the different components used in her masterpiece.

"What the heck am I looking at…"

"I didn't know there were so many things I could wear! It's all so colourful too!"

Her smile is so bright that part of me doesn't want to stop her. Listening to her laughter as she frolics amongst her new outfits makes all of my uncertainty disappear. Having Mira around will shine a light on all of the potentially grim days ahead. If she always looks this happy, all of this extra work will be worth it.

"Alright, take it all off. We have to go."

"What!? Why!?"

"You want to eat, don't you?

Mira's eyes lighten up at the mention of food, but she looks conflicted at the pile of clothes in front of her. After a difficult decision, she trots over to where I'm waiting by the door.

"Can I go out like this?"

"Absolutely not! You aren't wearing any of that properly!"

I pull the pair of shorts off of her head, leaving her hair a tangled mess. Mira attempts to climb up my body to reclaim the item, but I hold it just out of her reach.

"Hey, give it back!"

"This is for your own good!"

"Noa you meanie!"

After several minutes of wrestling, I manage to remove the rogue articles of clothing from a now dejected rabbit.