With the dog back home, we made our way to the store. I wasn’t sure where it was, so I just followed the two weirdos. I… couldn't help but smile as I realized how much they complement one another. Takade-san obviously admired Saya-san while the devil here would take all her words and skillfully make Takade-san even more excited and happy.

“You two… are so cute together.”

I whispered. However, it wasn't silent enough as Saya-san and Takade-san looked back at me.

 

 

“Oh? Well, you're cute too. One day I hope you get to bring my sister along with us as we walk about the city like this.”

Saya-san teased.

She skillfully brought up Saitou-san, and it made me blush.

“Ohh, you mean like a double date?! A double date would be amazing!”

The pigtailed screamed as she jumped around excitedly. As I mentioned before, they pinged off one another, and it made my chest warm up. It was then that I acknowledged that this new normal might not be as bad as I expected. I still had friends with me. Certainly, I wasn't as close with them as others, but that had the ability to change as I got to know them.

Together, with me on the right, Takade-san in the middle, and Saya-san on the left, we ventured down a pathway that went through an overpass. There were cars passing above, and it was lit up with bright lights. Honestly, it felt like we were going through a magical cave in order to reach our destination. This entire day was filled with new experiences that weren't all that new in reality. It was a strange feeling.

“So, how did your exams go, Madoka-san?”

Saya-san asked.

"Well, we haven't got the results back yet, but I'm sure I did well in everything. Nothing was too difficult… except English."

I complained.

My mortal enemy came to my mouth again. One day I swore to never deal with that messed up language again.

“Oh, you don’t like English? My sister has to go abroad all the time, so she speaks it fluently."

I recalled our date when Saitou-san took me to that restaurant. She did it in order to order for me. The Saitou-san’s were a force to be reckoned with. But that also brought back the fact that Mari-san was skilled in English due to her job. My mom was alright in English. I don't think she cared much about the language but could speak it and hold a conversation. As I thought about it more, I don't think mom went on many foreign trips like uncle and the rest.

“Well… I think I did alright across the board!”

Takade-san admitted as she rubbed the back of her head.

"I did very well in Japanese History, though! Senpai helped me study that!"

"Oh yes, we did study that, didn't we? I made a point to shoot out a date, and you would tell me what happened."

The pigtailed shook her head, causing them to dance.

“I’d remember anything if Saya-senpai told me about it!”

This girl's dedication to Saya-san was unwavering. It made me sad that she was cursed earlier and still hadn’t realized it. I… wondered what kind of curse she put on her in the first place. But not to dampen her mood, I opted to not tell her what that hug was truely for.

 

Finally, we reached a collection of small businesses. There was a bookstore, the one that I’m positive Hana-chan gets her comics from. And beside that place, there was an arts and crafts store called "Fujima’s," likely the owners.

“I love this place!”

Takade-san screamed as she raced inside. When we entered, there were two people behind the desk chatting. They seemed to be a married couple. It made me think that this establishment might be a family run one.

“Welcome!”

They both called out to us joyfully.

"Hello, Mrs. and Mr. Fujima.”

Saya-san said. It appeared as though she came here often. We all ended up splitting in different directions. I had nothing I wanted here, but to look around might be nice. There were adult coloring books, crafts, a lot of yarns, and the like. Materials that any artist would want.

“I wonder if Yuko-chan comes here often?”

It made me think that I could buy her a gift if I needed to at this place. Maybe a sketch pad or some colored pencils.

“Oh my god!”

I turned to see a younger girl, probably a bit older than Hana-chan, staring at me. She looked at me intensely before diving behind a shelf and rushing off. I was understandably confused. But instead of pursuing her… I made my way over to the next shelf. There was a bunch of yarn in all colors. It was a beautiful display and must have taken a lot of work to put it up.

“Ehhh…”

I heard the audible confusion from behind me. When I turned, I met eyes with her again. She had her dark hair in small pigtails that fell on both sides of her shoulders. Clearly, she was a worker here, but she had to be at most in middle school.

“Hello?”

I said, confused. After taking a deep breath, she clenched her fist and made her way up to me.

“Y-You look like the main character from an… otome horror romance game called Outlook!”

 

 

I was not expecting this, but she searched me up and down. As if a light came on in her head, she opened her mouth wide. Her voice sounded familiar, and she confirmed it.

“You’re Ha-chan’s Onee-chan, aren’t you?!”

“Oh… Fujimi Yui-san… The Fujimi Yui-san that called me on the phone that day. So, your family owns this shop?”

I could finally put a face to the name. When Hana-chan went over to her friend's place one afternoon, I got a call from her phone. It was Fujima-san asking if we could meet one day. She sounded so afraid but super adorable, and I told her sure. To think that this is how it would happen, though…

“It’s good to finally meet you, Fujima-san. Hana-chan talks about you a lot.”

 I said.

“Yes, we’ve known each other since elementary school.”

She rubbed her shoe on the carpet as she moved her body from left to right. Clearly, she was apprehensive as she continued stealing glances at me.

“So, I look like an otome heroine?”

I asked again.

The otome games were usually full of a collection of boys trying to get one girl. To think that I shared a similarity to a game like that. It was a little funny knowing that I was attracted to girls instead.

“Yes! Ha-chan and I even named her after you-“

She stopped herself, but it was too late. Behind my back, Hana-chan was using me as a surrogate in this game. I had to see this character.

“Ah, do you have a picture of this girl, Fujima-san?”

I asked. Fujima-san jumped and looked in her pocket.

“Y-Yes, I do Onee-san!”

She brought out her phone in the background with this character. She… looked nothing like me. She had a princess crown on that I liked most about her design, but her eyes, face, and everything else looked nothing like me!

 

 

“Eh… I don’t see it.”

I said. However, Fujima-san looked upset as she continued to press the issue.

"R-Really?! She shares your eyes, nose, ears, even the hairstyle. How can you not see that, Onee-san?!"

I shook my head.

“Nope, that looks nothing like me!”

“Oh, Fujima-chan. Hello.”

Saya-san entered our conversation. It looked like she was searching for something as she was still browsing the aisle as she came over. She stopped briefly and looked at the picture on her phone.

“Hm, Madoka-san, I didn’t know you cosplayed.”

"Eh?! Clearly, that isn't me. First off, that's a drawing, Saya-san.”

That woman looked nothing like me, and I'd take that to my grave. But instead of acknowledging my complaint, Saya-san smirked, gave me an evil smile then turned back to the working middle schooler.

"Sorry to bother you two, but I'm looking for the hot glue guns?"

"Oh… sorry, Saitou-san. We're ordering more, but we're out of stock right now. With the upcoming holidays, they've been sold out for some time."

The devil huffed.

“Dang… do you know when they will be in, Fujima-chan?”

Fujima-san looked at her parents and called out.

“Mommy, daddy! When will the hot glue guns be in?”

The mother tenderly called back.

"They should arrive tomorrow, sweetheart."

“Thank you, mommy.”

This interaction was beyond adorable. Hana-chan… had some cute friends. First Sora-chan and now Fujima-san! If I had an island, I would kidnap them all and relish in their cuteness!

“Tomorrow, hm? Well, could you hold one for me, Fujima-san? I'll be by tomorrow to buy it."

“Oh, okay.”

Saya-san turned to me.

“Are you ready to go, Madoka-san?”

“Y-Yeah, I wasn’t buying anything.”

From the other side of the small store, Takade-san cried out.

“I got what I was looking for!”

Even though she wasn't a part of the conversation, she made herself out to be anyway. I couldn't help but smile, slightly embarrassed that everyone in the store could hear her shout.

“Thank you for coming!”

We all waved at the family. Fujima-san rushed up to me before we exited the doors and put her hands to her chest.

“I’ll tell Hana-chan that I met you today, and you looked just like the main character of Outlook!"

“Eh? I look nothing like her!”

I complained.

But it was no use. She rushed back to the other aisle while giggling. If it made the girl happy, I guess it wasn't too bad to let her think that. Together, we three made our way back to the park. It was only around 12PM, and I had a while before work. I still planned to finish up decorating my room, though. The plan to buy snacks failed thanks to Mary-san’s delicious breakfast.

“Well, I’m heading home to continue the project. Are you coming over today, Saki-chan?”

Saya-san asked.

“I really want to, but mom is having me do some chores this evening. She'd get mad if I was at my girlfriend's house, you know Senpai?"

Suddenly, they were already labeling their relationship. However, that remark looked to have passed right over Saya-san’s head as she sighed and shrugged.

“That’s too bad. I’ll see you on Monday before school then.”

"Yep, bye-bye everyone!”

Takade-san rushed off. I wasn’t sure where Saya-san actually lived, but it appeared we were walking the same way.

“What about you, Madoka-san? Maybe you can roll around in my sister's bed and get your scent all over it for her. I think she’d like that.”

She teased, causing me to hit her on the shoulder.

“Shut up!”

I complained playfully as we both began walking.

“Well, my house isn’t too far from here.”

She pointed down another street. The houses were just as large as the one Mary-san lived in. With the amount Saitou-san made, that didn't surprise me in the least, though.

“Yeah, I’m living right over there now.”

I pointed towards my new street.

“Hehe, let’s walk to school together from now on. I look forward to my sister visiting you more often too.”

Playfully, she pushed me again then began rushing off towards her home. Saya-san was strange and shady, but… she was a really good person. I silently hoped that I would get closer to her from this.

“What a fun morning.”

I said with a smile. My mind was clearer, and all that former bitterness was slowly washing away. So, I made my way back to that large home. When I stepped inside, I heard noises from the kitchen.

“I’m… home.”

I called out.

“Oh, Madoka-san! I’m cooking lunch.”

Still a tad warily, I took off my shoes and made my way to the kitchen next door. The smells of the food had a sharp spice to it. I couldn’t grasp what she was making.

“Do you like the smell? It’s a cajun dish from America. I used to make it back home all the time and I think it’s something you’d enjoy. It’s called Jambalaya.”

The new experience reminded me of what Saya-san told me. I’m not a shadow of my mother… I’m my own person who needed to branch out and become that new person. Clearly, Mary-san was doing her best to make me feel at home.

“Hey… can I help you cook it?”

Surprised, she turned to me.

 

 

“Help? You… want to help?”

Calmly, she smiled.

“Sure… can you make the rice? I’ll show you how I made the sauce. We… can measure it all out together.”

In the afternoon, we began working together to make a delicious lunch. That was the first time that I let my feelings calm down as I slowly began to adjust to my new normal.