My face scrunched up as I felt my body begging me to wake up, but I didn't want to. Not yet. Something warm and soft was embracing me, and I wanted to stay there just a little longer.
My hand, as if searching for something on its own, reached out and squeezed something soft—
"Hyanh~♡"
My eyes instantly jolted open. And there it was: my hand, proudly groping Himeno-nee's chest while she stared at me with a blushing face—pouting, tears forming at the corners of her eyes as if saying, "Please be gentle—"
My face turned bright red. I immediately yanked my hand away.
"I-I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
I covered my face with both hands, peeking through a gap between my fingers to look at Himeno-nee.
"Hmp, it's fine."
Himeno-nee sat up in the bed, and I followed suit. I looked at the window and noticed that the sun was already up.
"Oh gosh, I must've fallen asleep..."
My eyes widened at the realization, and I immediately skampered to get out of bed—only to feel something grab my hand.
"Wait, don't go yet."
I turned around and saw Himeno-nee's blue eyes reflecting my own face.
"Ah, sorry... I've gotten way ahead of myself."
Himeno-nee retracted her hand, her gaze drifting to the side.
I couldn't help but sit on her bed again.
"I-I'm sorry as well, I was just surprised that I had fallen asleep.. a-anyways... How's your fever? Is it gone?"
I asked while gently rubbing the back of my neck, a slight blush appearing on my face.
Thankfully, Himeno-nee looked at me, and a small smile erupted on her face.
"Mhm, all thanks to my number 1 fan."
Himeno-nee booped my nose.
"Actually, I had a fever for 3 days. It was only a matter of time before I recovered. You just expedited it, so thank you."
My eyes grew gentler as I watched Himeno-nee smile at me, tilting her head to the side.
"Ah, but look at the time, it's 8am. Come, let's eat breakfast. I'll cook a quick meal."
Himeno-nee hopped out of bed. Naturally, I followed her, helping tidy up her bed before leaving her room.
I looked back, staring at Himeno-nee's room for a moment before closing the door.
Both of us then made our way to the dining area.
"Stay here, I'll go cook something up."
Himeno-nee instructed me as she made her way to the kitchen. I kinda wanted to help, but Himeno-nee definitely looked like she wouldn't want any of that.
So I could only tilt my head left and right as I hummed an anime opening from Himeno-nee's anime.
"Can't believe you still remember that song."
I turned my head toward the kitchen where I heard Himeno-nee's voice.
"Of course, I wouldn't be a fan if I hadn't."
I crossed my arms.
"Well then, since my fan said so... here's breakfast."
Himeno-nee walked from the kitchen to the table with two plates in hand.
Immediately, I could tell from the smell—it's eggs.
The moment she put down the plate in front of me, my assumption was verified.
"Ta~dah! Omelets! Sorry, I couldn't think of anything else—oh, also, here."
Himeno-nee went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of tomato ketchup, and returned to the table.
"Since this is your first time eating my food, let's add something special."
Himeno-nee stood beside me and proceeded to draw a heart on my omelet with ketchup.
"Done! Enjoy!"
Himeno-nee sat in her own chair.
"Itadakimasu!"
I clasped my hands together.
"Itadakimasu~!"
Himeno-nee mirrored my gesture.
I took a spoonful of rice and omelet, and my eyes sparkled.
"Mhmm~! Delish!"
I placed a hand on my cheek, savoring the dish Himeno-nee cooked for me. The softness and creamy flavor was something else!
I can't believe I get to eat for free!
I looked at Himeno-nee and noticed she was staring straight at me—she hadn't eaten at all!
It made me feel a bit self-conscious.
However, Himeno-nee giggled softly, her voice tingling my ears.
"I'm really glad you came here, and even ate the food I made you."
Himeno-nee smiled at me.
"Oh no, don't worry, Himeno-nee, it's the least I could do."
I waved my hands, as if telling her not to look down on herself.
"Ah, right—why did you want to come see me? You weren't able to say it at all yesterday."
Right! I totally forgot about that. However… I'm still reluctant. Even though Himeno-nee acknowledges the path I took...
I'm still an evil magical girl who will soon destroy everything she and her girls built.
Seeing her blue eyes staring at me almost made me feel guilty.
"Is it something you can't tell me?"
Himeno-nee broke through the deafening silence.
"It's okay, Shizu. Like how you accepted me and idolized me… I have your back. You can tell me anything, and I won't be angry."
My eyes widened a bit, my black pupils shimmering as they reflected Himeno-nee's saint-like smile.
My lips opened, then closed, then opened again—
As if hesitating.
Then, after a few more seconds, a word finally escaped.
"I..."
Over the course of breakfast with Himeno-nee, I told her everything that happened.
From getting my first initial power from IXX, to moving to some unknown park where I got to experiment with my shadow powers, and then going to the youma headquarters.
To becoming their leader, dying, meeting God, and obtaining power that's almost second only to Him.
I didn't leave anything out. That's how much I trusted Himeno-nee—and as expected…
I watched Himeno-nee's face shift from intrigued, to shocked, to sad, to angry, to frightened, and finally… to relieved.
For a good 6 minutes, Himeno-nee stayed silent.
Then she suddenly erupted and lunged at me.
"You little rascal! What did I say? What did I say?
『Never get yourself hurt, okay? Physically, emotionally, spiritually. Promise me you won't falter, no matter what life throws at you.』
Yet you literally died! Arrgghh, how am I gonna discuss this with your mother?!"
"Eeeek! I'm s-sowwy Himeno-nee! I'm sowwy itsh hurst! Mahy cheek!!"
Tears started to spill down my face as my cheeks were pinched and pulled by Himeno-nee.