I woke up to a fiery-haired girl snoring in front of me. I wasn't sure what time it was, but I knew we couldn't relax in bed all morning like this. So, I poked her on the cheek.

“Sora-chan, we need to wake up.”

I teased.

“Nnngg… not now.”

She complained and rolled on her back. Drool was coming from her mouth, and she appeared to be in pure bliss. I wanted to let her sleep, probably watch her for a bit too, as I admired how defenseless she looked, but the angel inside me knew I couldn't bully and tease her. We had to get up for our party today.

"Come on, let's get up and eat breakfast."

I moved her shoulder, stirring her awake.

“Oh?! W-Where am I?!”

The middle schooler jumped up and rolled on the ground. Sora-chan looked about like a spy on a covert mission, trying to gather her bearing on what was happening. I… burst into laughter and tried my best to gather my composure. But it was too late. I was rolling on my bed.

“Sora-chan, you’re so adorable!”

I said in between laughs. Sora-chan rubbed the back of her fiery hair and pushed the hair from her lips.

“Eh? Oh… that’s right. I slept in bed with you, Madoka Onee-san.”

I put on my glasses and got off the bed.

“Madoka Onee-san, are you calling me that from now on?”

Sora-chan shrugged.

“I never had an Onee-san. I think you fit the part too.”

I sighed.

“Just as long as Hana-chan approves, I don't want her upset like last time."

We both got dressed and made our way down the steps. In the kitchen, Mary-san was baking something that smelled delicious. Sora-chan leaped in the air. I was afraid she might hit the ceiling doing that.

“I smell hotcakes! I never have hotcakes at home!”

Mary-san poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Oh, good morning. Take a seat, and I'll treat you, Hino-san. And Madoka-san, Mari-san is coming to drop off Hana-chan."

Mary-san explained and went back to the kitchen. Strangely, I was curious about what Hana-chan would think. I didn’t think Sora-chan told her she was staying the night. When I searched for the fiery-haired teen, she wasn't in the kitchen.

“Madoka Onee-san, shhh.”

I turned to see her hiding behind a couch.

“What are you doing?”

I asked.

“If Hana-chan is coming, I gonna jump out and scare her! It's only what a best friend would do, you know?"

I scratched my head. The way she was hiding was like a wolf stalking her next victim… which would be my little Hana-chan. I wanted to stop her, but the bell rang before I could.

“Madoka-san, can you get the door?”

Mary-san asked sweetly. My stomach twisted, and in defeat, I walked to the door.

“Onee-chan!”

Hana-san hugged me tightly. Mari-san was right behind her and gave me a gentle wave.

“I’ll be going. I’m going to have a chat with Ayumi today, Madoka-san. So you two have fun and tell Risa-bucho that I hope she has a good Christmas.”

I nodded.

“Right, ah… good luck. And just be yourself.”

I suggested.

Mari-san nodded.

“Yeah, I plan to be. See you soon.”

She waved and got back into her car. I shut the door, silently sending hope her way. If anyone was going to start the mending process, it would have to be Mari-san. But something told me that she had a goal, and even I couldn't change her determination.

“Booooooo!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

The wolf jumped out and scared the living daylights out of my little flower.

“Sora-chan!”

 

 

Hana-chan yelled as she hit her upside the head. She punched her on the breast again, causing Sora-chan to topple over on the floor.

“Owww, you need to stop hitting me there!”

The devious teen complained as she rolled about the floor.

“What is she doing here, Onee-chan?!”

Hana-chan demanded answers. I had to stop her before she again went for the downed fiery-haired girl.

“Sora-chan stayed the night. I’ll explain later, though. Mary-san is making us a wonderful breakfast, Hana-chan.”

Hana lit up with fury.

“She stayed the night, Onee-chan?!”

The way she said “she” was a bit accusingly. Hana-chan walked up to me and looked at me a tad suspiciously.

“Sora-chan didn't hurt you, did she, Onee-chan?!”

I thought about what happened last night… When I grabbed her off my bed, we fell together. But I stopped before I could mention it, and thankfully, I probably saved Sora-chan’s life.

“Don’t worry, Hana-chan. She just wanted to meet Mary-san.”

“Yeah! I just wanted to meet pickle egg-sama!”

Sora-chan blurted out.

“Pickle egg-sama? Is that what you call me behind my back?”

Mary-san appeared behind the fiery-haired child. She tapped her head with the sweetest smile I've ever seen from her.

“Ahhh, S-Sorry Auburn-san!”

She giggled, but something told me that Sora-chan accidentally stepped on a landmine with Mary-san. She was saving face, but the aura around her felt like darkness, seeping into the room.

“Ah, breakfast?”

Hana-chan asked, bringing a sense of bright light back to the room.

“Yes, I made delicious biskets, eggs, and bacon and brought maple syrup from the store the other day.”

Happily, she swayed into the kitchen. Hana-chan and I both turned to Sora-chan, our eyes lowered.

“Sora-chan…”

We both accused, earning a bow of her head from us.

“S-Sorry…”

She apologized, clapping her hands together in praying for mercy.

“Apologize to auntie, Sora-chan!”

Hana-chan took the reins and grabbed her ear. She dragged her best friend into the kitchen and sat her in the chair.

“A-Ah… Auburn-san, sorry for the nickname.”

We all sat down, and Mary-san gracefully made a plate for each of us.

“It’s no worries, just a little strange. I… just don’t like the idea of people calling me the pickled egg woman behind my back.”

“Fair enough.”

Sora-chan nodded.

“Madoka Onee-san, could you pass the maple syrup?”

Cutely, Sora-chan asked.

Hana-chan dropped her fork, and the room had an ice-cold chill.

 

“Sora-chan, what do you mean by… Madoka Onee-san?”

This breakfast had a strange atmosphere and wasn't going away soon.

My spine rippled as I passed the syrup and tried to finish my meal without a war breaking.