you talk a lot of talk-- but like, don't you want it to stop? (1)

"Thank you, ma'am. Have a nice day."

I nod in acknowledgement as the deliveryperson leaves, not really wanting to talk to them any more than I have to. Having my medicine delivered to me is nice, especially with how often I would get distracted waiting for my prescriptions to be fulfilled, at the same time... It's a crapshoot if they even show up to deliver or not.

The fact that this was late is testament to that fact. God, I hope the others don't think I've flaked on them.

Well, at least it's over with. I sigh to myself, taking my daily dosage of pills over a glass of tap water before throwing on a coat and heading into my car.

...

...Where's my keys? Shit. Where... are my... oh, right. I'm holding them. Dumbass Fueko.

I sigh again, chuckling at my own ineptitude before turning on the ignition and setting the GPS. I don't really like to drive out at night, but today's important. Chisaki was right-- Mizuki's hurting, and she needs her friends with her.

I'm glad that Chisaki's starting to get along with the others, on that note. That was always my biggest worry-- that she'd always just feel like she didn't belong. Yet, here she is, trying to make everyone else feel better. I'm... honestly surprised.

...

Ah, but I hate the silence... The noises of the engine and the sounds of my tires riding along the ground always make my mind wander; is this what its supposed to sound like? What was that bumping, scraping sound? Is my car going to spontaneously explode? My tires? Me...?

...

I flick on the radio, cycling through channels to try and find something of interest. Between outdated hits of yesteryear and uninteresting hits of today, it's mainly just news reports on the curfew that's being instated in light of the Anxi epidemic. ...Maybe I do look up the news too much. Most of it's worthless anyway, just fearmongering on Witches and Anxi both. I think... I'll just put on a CD, instead.

Jamming out to some pop punk classics (...and nearly missing several turns in the process), I eventually make it to my destination. A worn-down house in a district of worn-down houses. Maybe I'll ask her if she wants to move in again-- I'm always worried that this thing's going to collapse on her.

I'll just make my way in-- I'm sure the others are already expecting me, anyway.

...

...Right?

"Hello...? Is anyone here?"

I look around, not seeing anyone in the main room. Maybe they moved into one of the other rooms?

No... not the bathroom. Bedroom, kitchen, other bedroom, same kitchen as before since I'm terrible with directions, nothing. Nobody's... here?

Strange. I pull out my phone, trying to see if I'd missed anything important. Maybe they saw how long I was taking and decided to head back to me?

No, wait. Asahi's car was a few houses away. I doubt they'd just walk the entire way there. And this definitely is Mizuki's house, given the various comics and such strewn throughout.

But I haven't received any messages from anyone. No messages in our group DM, no texts from Chisaki, nothing. Something's up here, I don't like this.

I tap my heart, gusts of wind erupting around me as I switch into my magical girl uniform. Then... I summon Tora.

"Mmmnngh.... Must I be summoned this late, Ri-sama?"

"We've only been awake for like, three hours, Tora."

"Five more minutes, I beg of you."

I pick her up, holding her in my arms and scratching the back of her ear. She's... just as depressed as me, but at least she's cute when she does it.

"What's going on, anyway...?"

"I can't find the others. I've looked all over, and... they're not here."

"Maybe they're hiding from you."

"Why would they do that?"

"Surprise party?"

"It's not my birthday, though."

"It will be, soon."

"Yeah, but..."

I sigh, flicking her forehead. She's cute... but she's not helpful. Well, not helpful for advice at least. It's at least nice to have someone else here, even if they're fundamentally useless.

...

......What do I do now, though?

!!

I jump, hearing a sudden, unexpected noise. It's... ah, it's my ringtone. One of the songs Asahi and Mizuki made.

...I don't recognize the number, though. You're not supposed to answer numbers you don't recognize.

But, I'm feeling desperate.

"Hello...?"

"Police box near the yakitori restaurant" A cold, misty voice whispers from the other end. "I'll be there-- you should, too."

"W-who is this...?!" I lurch forward, nearly dropping poor Tora in the process. "Wait... is this... is this-"

They hang up.

No... it couldn't be. How the hell would she know we were here...?

But, it's not like I have any other idea where the others are. I'm... I'm getting nervous. I should've gone with them, fuck my medication. God... dammit!

"You know you need your meds, Ri-sama."

"I know... but if I'd just gone with the girls, then maybe-"

"How long are you going to keep hanging onto maybes?"

...

"That's... surprisingly blunt of you, Tora."

"Yeah, well..." She huffs, pouting. "I can get tired of stagnation, too."

I linger on her words for a second. ...I'd be hurt by her bluntness if not for the fact that I've had her long enough that I know she has my best intentions in mind.

She's... she's right. I can't keep holding onto regret like this. Especially when the people I've hurt forgive me.

I kiss her on the forehead, giggling to myself as I see her typical frown creak into the slightest of smiles.

Setting the GPS for the police box, I begin heading-

"Freeze, witch!!"