---

Conway Sophia’s Perspective

---

 

When I woke up, my arms were still hooked around Madoka-san. I thought she'd move and find her way back to the futon when I fell asleep, but she didn't. In front of me were her tiny nose and round cheeks.

“…”

I sat there silently. I didn't know why I pulled Madoka-san into me… Well, that might have been a lie. She was there, and I needed someone to comfort me, a person to tell me that it would be okay and make me feel warm. Because I felt like a monster with what I planned to do…

“Thanks… Madoka-san.”

She was still snoring, and clearly, she was knocked out. I wasn't sure what time she'd wake up by her internal clock. So, I looked around and made sure no ghost or divine was staring over me when I brought my lips in closer, giving her a peck on the forehead. She tasted like fruits, and it reminded me of a childish shampoo my mom gave me to wear. It… felt like Madoka-san for sure.

“You’re… too kind for your own good.”

It was times like these that I could easily express myself. When nobody was around, it was all just me and my feelings. However, today will be the day that I have to force my way through and show Linda how I genuinely feel. Even if that leads to her… being hurt.

“So-chan?”

 

 

Tenderly, out of her lips, my dumb nickname filtered in. Her eyes opened as she met mine. For a moment, we stared at one another, still embracing each other in our arms.

“Is… is it time to wake up?”

She asked, still half-asleep.

"No, we still have a few hours, Madoka-san."

I answered, a tad embarrassed.

"Hey… we're close enough…."

Out of the sleep drunk girl, she said casually.

“Why do you still use -san for me?”

“Oh, shut up.”

She giggled.

“So-chan… don’t worry about today. Everything… will work itself out, I’m sure.”

She closed her eyes and fell back asleep. Something told me she wouldn’t remember this interaction we had so, I whispered to her.

“Good night, Madoka…Madoka-chan.”

Gently, I fell asleep again.

I blinked my eyes, and when I woke up, Madoka-chan was out of bed. The sunlight filtered into the room, and I shot up, looking around.

“Oh?”

She walked into the room, dressed in her school uniform. In her hand was a plate of toast.

“Simpson-san asked me to drop this off for you. I wanted to let you rest because your date isn’t until 10AM.”

“Oh… thank you, Madoka-chan.”

“Madoka-chan?!”

Her eyes lit up like fireworks, and it made me feel uncomfortable. I shrugged it off and walked to my table.

“When did you start calling me -chan?!”

"Oh, shut up…."

I complained as I nibbled at my meal. Madoka-chan walked behind me and began fixing the stray hairs in my new locks. It was a bit hard to focus on my food as she did this, but it was excellent all the same.

“Remember about foundations before you put on your makeup. And don’t worry about your hair… it’s beautiful.”

She couched me as I spread the jam on my next piece.

“Show Linda that this date is perfect… then remind her of your feelings. You aren’t obligated to love her a certain way. Love is… different for everyone.”

"Right… I… I wanted to tell Linda that…."

I looked behind me.

"I want to tell her that I love her to death… and that I want to always go out and have fun, exchange gifts and the like…."

My heart dropped as I confessed.

“But that I can’t feel for her the same way she does for me.”

Suddenly, she stopped fixing my hair. A soft hand touched the top of my head as she slowly began to rub my it.

"It'll all be okay… And don't worry, I'm here to pick up Taylor-sensei's pieces, So-chan."

“…Thanks, Madoka-chan.”

After our chat, Madoka and Eleanor went to the door. She was going to take Madoka-chan to school for me.

"Bye-bye!”

Madoka-chan cried. She was the idiot I’ve known and grown to… love for sure. They both drove off, leaving me at the large empty home alone. So, I went back to my room and began fixing myself for the date in a few hours. I put on the lovely blue dress goody-good left to me, the legwear, shoes, bag and the like. When I checked the mirror, a new person looked there.

“Who are you?”

 

 

I questioned as I twirled. Madoka-chan had created a new animal, and I wasn't sure what to make of it. I imagined the date that was supposed to happen. Thankfully, Madoka-chan suggested I wear a long-sleeved shirt to combat the cold just in case. I could picture myself beside Linda, having fun.

Holding hands…

As sisters…

But for her….

Lovers.

“Calm down, Sophia!”

I screamed, trying to stop my racing mind. Enough was enough, and it had to be finished. This terrible curse I put on my sister will be broken today. The fairytale world she believed in was going to be shattered, but like Madoka-chan said, it’s for the best.

I lazed around for a while before the clock hit 9AM. Eleanor was running errands, and I had to make it to the train myself, where I planned to meet with Linda. So, I began walking. It was the best option. 

“It’s a bit warm today.”

For the winter months, it had to be in the higher temperatures. I took this as a good sign as I approached the train station. After a bit, the train arrived, and I found myself taking it to the shopping district. The place I planned to meet… her. There I rode the train, my ponytail danced in the motion of it. I… wasn’t at peace in the slightest. My nerves were screaming…

But in a way, it wasn't all fear.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a bit of excitement in my heart. Yes, I wanted Linda to stop chasing me… but to be dressed up for an event like this is every young girl's dream like Madoka-chan mentioned last night.

“I… hope we have fun.”

It was a hope that I didn't believe in… but hope nonetheless. Suddenly, the train stopped, and I realized that I was finally here.

“The shopping district.”

When the doors opened, my heart did too. Standing in the warm day was that golden-haired woman I've looked up to my entire life. She stood firm, looking away from the train. It seemed a bird caught her eye, and she was watching them. As I approached, I realized it wasn't just one but two. They were together, bouncing around in the tree above. I must have made too much noise with my crude stride because they scattered, causing Linda to wake up from her daydream.

“Oh?”

She looked surprised to see me in my outfit. I could feel her warm eyes dance along with me as she giggled with excitement. On her was something less girly and more mature. She wore a short red coat with a white skirt, black leggings, and cute boots. With a purse over her shoulder, Linda was surely going to be the person who spent all the money today.

 

 

“Sophia…”

Out of her lips, my name tenderly hit. I approached.

“Linda…”

"You look wonderful. Oh… I have never seen your hair in braids."

She stopped herself and tilted her head.

“Actually, no… when I first met you, mom put your hair in braids the following week.”

She was giggling as it caused me to be embarrassed.

“You look… amazing, Sophia.”

I couldn't deny that Linda looked the same. I put my hand on my hips, pushed out my chest, and gave the response that was in my heart.

“You do too, Linda. You… look amazing!”

Linda tilted her head to the side. I bet both our faces were bright red as she closed them and coughed.

“A-Are you ready?!”

“Ah… yeah.”

There she took my hand. I was initially reluctant, but Madoka-chan told me to… let my heart take the lead. Together, we made our way into the train once again.

"Ah… where to first, Linda?"

I asked as we sat down together on the train. Linda locked her arms in mine and looked me in the eyes. That stare was seductive, and it was throwing me off as she spoke.

“Somewhere we both are going to enjoy.”

Suddenly, she nuzzled her nose on mine. I remember she used to do this when we were young. It was a simple gesture between sisters… but this day, it had a more powerful, romantic meaning.

“Ehh… don’t do that!”

I complained, only earning a laugh from her. Why did everyone in my life love to tease me in obnoxious ways? Silently, I groaned as the ride on the train grew longer.

“Linda…”

I whispered to her. She pushed her body closer to me and answered with the same meek level.

“What’s up?”

"I said to you the other day… that I truly didn't feel for you romantically."

We stared into one another’s eyes.

"But… I told myself that I'd treat this as a real date… and give you my feelings at the end. Is… is that okay?"

My voice was squeaking by this point. With a slight nod, Linda agreed.

“Thank you… for giving me this chance to make you happy, Sophia.”

It was then I felt the level of Linda’s love. Something as simple as riding on the train together was a magnitude of different emotions for her. I had to remember that she moved to Japan to chase this fairytale today. This was the moment she fought for all that time… and I wanted to respect that.

“Let’s… have fun, Linda.”

She wrapped her arms in mine all the tighter.

“Yeah, let's have a lot of fun, Sophia.”

In arms locked together, we rode the train. Since we didn’t have our parents to worry about, this would be the first time we ventured across Hiroshima together.

“Hey… do you know about this sight?”

Linda asked. I turned to see a vast collection of maple trees surrounding a large pond. The spot looked remarkable, and it only showed that I rarely went out to see the sights of Japan. I always looked at this place as a punishment for doing horrible things… for confessing to Linda and breaking our family apart…

But today…

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

She said as she took my hand. Together, we got off the train and made our way through a beautiful park. Clearly, Linda had a goal as she made me walk with her. We approached a bridge, and we could see the maple trees in a symmetrical style. They were far above us, and the leaves were falling around us.

“Hiroshima is a beautiful place, Sophia.”

Linda said as she squeezed my hand.

 

 

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to share these sights with you…."

Linda gazed into my eyes. I… was taken aback by how honest and pure she was. It’s been a while since I was this close to her… without the presence of others. It warmed my heart as I confessed.

“This is nice, Linda."

I admitted as I was turning red. But I forced myself to confess what was in my heart.

“Linda… I hated it here in Hiroshima my first few months.”

I stood next to her as we gazed into each other’s eyes.

“I… I felt guilty for how things happened and… how mommy and daddy pushed us away. Everything about Hiroshima… I couldn’t stand for the longest time.”

With one hand on my heart, I confessed.

“Then… I made good friends… and now I’m able to be together with you. Linda… I… I like Hiroshima, Japan now.”

I faced up to her.

“Because I can be with you… and see sights like these… with my sister.”

The light in her eyes dimmed only a little. But then, she held me close.

"I felt the same, Sophia. But… one day I want to see these same sights as nothing less than lovers."

Linda wasn't going to back down so easily. We stayed at the scene for a while, chatting about the beautiful colors and just catching up. Linda told me that she's become addicted to watching online streams that talk about love and horoscopes… I confessed that I'm a video game junky and manga fan. I occasionally bully Madoka-chan’s little sister because she doesn't know as much as me.

I was a little proud about that as I put my hand on my hips.

“Are you ready to go to the next site?”

 

“Sure.”

I smiled… a genuine smile. For the longest, I've wanted to be with my sister, even if it isn't the way she wanted it to be. Slowly, I was beginning to appreciate all the beautiful things Hiroshima had to offer for a homesick girl like me. And what was making things all the more bearable was…

That I was with Linda, the sister I love… as a sister. I'm sure by the end of this, my feelings won't change, but as of today, I'll make sure we both enjoy the time we have… then maybe that will break Linda's fairytale.