Does our future ever cross your mind? (1)

"Don't pretend like you care. You've been staring at me the entire ride."

...I can't sleep. No matter what I do, I just find myself tossing and turning in my blanketless bed, my mind replaying this afternoon's events-- How she blew up at all of us.

"You're all just preparing yourselves to cut me up into little pieces so I can't come back, right?"

Truth be told, maybe I was. Maybe we all were. Fue-chan said otherwise, but maybe she was trying to save face. You wouldn't want to admit to your closest friend that you were seriously considering putting out of her misery, right?

"'Maybe we should just cut the crap and kill her already!'"

Those last words hang in my head, like a scratched record skipping endlessly. We've killed many Anxi before, what's one more? That's what she was getting at. She's not mindless like the others we've slaughtered, but for how long? That's what's been on all of our minds, and the fact that's the case pisses her off.

Honestly, you know what pisses me off? The fact she singled me out. I was just trying to offer her kindness, reassure her that things will work out, yet she screamed at me? Fuck me in particular, I guess.

Though I guess that's nothing new. I'm usually the one who gets ignored or disregarded-- the weirdo, the oddball, the freak. The one who's into all the weird romance games and 40-year old American music. Always looked down upon, if anyone ever bothered to look at her in the first place. So maybe I shouldn't be surprised-

No, hang on-- what the fuck is wrong with me? My close friend is hurting, and here I am making it all about myself. I'm such a fucking asshole.

...

...

...I think I need to make things right with her.

Throwing on some pants and a tucked-in t-shirt, I slide up my window-- double-checking to make sure my door's closed and locked --before slipping out into the winter night. Thankfully, it's late enough that my parents are both asleep, so I don't need to worry about them coming into my room while I'm gone.

...Contrary to what you may think, I'm actually on good terms with both of my parents-- but, seeing as they're both on the overprotective side, I'd rather avoid the headache where I can. ...Not that I blame them for acting this way, with everything going on as of late.

In any case, I scale the nearest rooftop-- my own, and begin the trek.

Chii-chan and Fue-chan's apartment is a bit of a ways away from my house-- I'd drive, but with the talks of a city-wide curfew, I would prefer not to cause a scene for myself. At least, not... as myself.

I press a hand to my chest, engulfing myself in flames as I transform into my magical girl outfit. I'll still be as discreet as I can, but if I'm seen nobody can rat me out to my family.

And besides, hopping from building to building dressed as a magical plague doctor? Pretty kickass if you ask me. ...Heheheh. With the colors of my clothes, I bet there's some kids out there thinking that I'm scouting their houses for Santa Claus. I wouldn't mind working for Saint Nick honestly. It'd be nice to have a job that brings smiles to everyone's faces without having to constantly shed blood.

Ah, but enough idle thoughts. I've finally made it to their apartment. Slipping down into an alley, I switch back into my regular clothes, giving myself a brief moment to catch my breath before making my way up the stairs to their unit.

knock knock

"Chii-chan."

No response.

knock knock knock

"Chii-chan?"

No response...

knock knock knock knock knock knock knock

"Chiii-chaaaan...?"

Still no response...?

I guess it's fair, given how late it is at night, but I'll be real and say I expected them to be as unrestful as me. Well... I guess it can't be helped. I'll just have to try and patch things up tomorr-

click, click

As I start to turn away, I hear the sound of the lock being undone. Then, a light thud. After a few more moments of what sounds like light scrambling, I hear the door being turned open, revealing... Tora-- Fue-chan's tiger mascot. A rather depressed-looking chibi tiger with long, flowing black hair, standing on its hind legs.

"Hey there, Tora...?" I can't hide my confusion at the sight of a mascot up this late-- I know familiars are autonomous from their summoner, but I'd think Fue-chan would be the one opening the door unable to sleep, not her summon.

She stares at me, pathetically mewing as she lets me into the apartment. Out of respect for the effort it must've taken for her to even open the door, I move to close it after myself for her sake.

Chii-chan... isn't here. At least, she doesn't seem to be at first glance-- not that I'd be able to miss her. I tiptoe my way through the apartment, making my way to the bedroom, only to see that Fueko-chan isn't there, either. What in the world...?

"Tora, what's going on here? Where are the others...?"

More depressed mewing. Right... familiars can only communicate with their summoners. I wonder, though. I flick my finger, summoning Tori in a flash of fire.

"Hey, Tori. Can you talk to Tora for me?"

She shakes her head. "Unfortunately not, Asahi-sama. Our communication is through a telepathic bond, as you can recall."

Right. Maybe I'm a bit more tired than I gave myself credit for. "Well, I guess the two of you can watch TV, or something. I don't know. She seems lonely."

Besides that, how else can we communicate... Ah, right! I look around the apartment, trying to find something... hmm... ah, there we go. A pencil and paper. I place it down on the floor beside Tora. "There. Can you tell me where the others are?"

After a bit of time-- their small size impedes their ability to write, of course-- they scrawl something out.

Chisaki's missing. Fueko-sama's looking 4 her.

Blunt. I don't blame her, but I wish she put in at least some flowery language. Wait-- "So she's going without a weapon, then?!"

Wanted me 2 watch over. Tried convincing her, wouldn't listen.

I guess I can get her reasoning-- as faulty as it is. Still, that's... bad. That's really bad. "Any idea where she could've gone?"

...

...

A single word-- one I should've expected, given all I know about the Anxi at this point. But one that makes me furrow my brow nonetheless.

Home.