"Here, Nee chan's present"
A middle school girl extends her arm over to Mizuki, her eyes covered in shadows as if blocking from her recognition. The voice is still recognizable however. And the dress, it's Fubuki's favorite dress when they were little.
They're both inside their home in front of the door, the air smells of morning dew. This early in the morning, even their parents aren't awake yet.
"A hairpin?"
Mizuki points out the present handed to her, a bright red hairpin.
"Yes, but not just any hairpin Mii chan, it's a magical hairpin! If you wear this then even when Nee chan isn't here, you can still perform the shield magic by yourself. It's a support equipment!"
Fubuki explains. This time the shadow covering her eyes fades away, revealing the familiar face Mizuki had always recognize. The face that reminds her of what happened very recently. But something else bothers her from Fubuki just said.
"When you're not here? Are you going somewhere Fubuki Nee?"
"Sorry Mii chan, Fubuki Nee has to go for a solo mission. The grown ups need my magical power to protect the world"
"No Nee chan you can't leave! I don't want-"
"It's okay Mii chan! You have leveled up now! With this equipment you can take on the monsters yourself, I leave Hokubu Town in your care, okay?"
"No... No! No! No! I want to fight the monsters with Fubuki Nee! I can't do it alone! Don't leave me alone I'm scared!"
Plea as she might, but almost as if trying to drown out her voice, the girl simply walks off into the distance, swallowed by the blinding lights as she opens the door. Greeting her outside are 2 men in uniform. Dominantly black with several red linings across the body.
She wants to chase after her sister but the intimidating presence of the men in uniform stops her. Helplessly, she just watches as they take her sister away. She can only calls out her name but it never stopped them. No matter how loudly she shouts out.
"Fubuki Nee!!!"
Mizuki woke up from bed. A dream, a nightmare. A painful recollection of her past.
She turns to her window looking outside, it's late in the morning. But it's the weekend so no school today. That also explains why her mom let her sleep in. A much needed break really, ample time to process what just happened yesterday.
"Fubuki Nee..."
She brings her palm to her chest, as if trying to feel a scar left by her once missing memories, brought back to her. She curves inward, bringing her limbs close to her in fetal position. Almost holding onto the memory, preventing it from escaping her clutches once again.
"Mii chan! Are you awake?"
After a while she hears Fuuka's voice over the door followed by several knocks.
Come to think of it,
'should I ask Mom about it...?'
She's curious. Comparing the new information she just learnt yesterday with Fuuka is the fastest way to verify the information. Although her previous attempts didn't bear much result, this time she already has the new information beforehand for a change.
"Y-yea... I'm awake Mom"
She answers the door.
"Good then, breakfast is ready. Come eat it now because I need you to go buy some groceries after"
Quickly she darts to the door before Fuuka could go back downstairs. As she opens the door the young woman turns to her.
"Oh you're here- what's this? You didn't even change out of your uniform since yesterday? good grief, this girl go wash yourself first"
Pointing out her daughter's sloppiness.
Even Mizuki herself didn't pay much attention to that earlier. However, right now something else is on her mind. She really wants to question her mother about a lot of things. All these burning curiosity inside her about to burst all out at once, the multiple disconnected pieces inside her mind that can possibly be answered by her mom. But the question never escapes her mouth.
"Hmm what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Seeing her mom in an especially good mood, ruins her motivation of shooting all these questions flying around in her head. That peaceful smile is something she wants to maintain. Maybe it's fine after all, maybe it doesn't really matter for now. There's no rush. Her mom at least is not going anywhere else soon. Plenty of chances to ask this some other day.
"Unmm! it's nothing. What's for breakfast?"
In the living room, Fuuka is setting the table and preparing the portion for her daughter. Adding a final touch, a smiley face on her breakfast. For some reason that smile is contagious because she herself have one on her face.
Then Mizuki's footsteps descending the stairs breaks the morning ambience. The young girl is all fresh and cleaned up. Not only did she wash her face, she also changed into a better clothes for the errand. Her usual weekend routine when Fuuka needs to send her to the store.
"Good morning! Have your breakfast first"
Mizuki responses in kind. A normal uneventful Saturday routine. Yes. She at least wants to keep it like this for a bit longer. Just a peaceful morning, as usual.
"Good grief, I know it's the weekend, but to go straight to bed without changing first? Just how tired were you yesterday?"
"Eh yesterday?"
Mizuki confused.
'i can't remember anything after that, how did I even get back in my room??'
"Before I noticed it you already had your dinner, and you barely response when I call you"
'eh that happened? Come to think of it this is not the first time I woke up back at home without remembering anything. Is this also Daisuke kun's doing?'
But before Fuuka can grow more suspicious she swiftly replies to her mother.
"Ahh a teacher asks me for help with moving some stuff around after school. I ended up losing track of time when we finished and I was so exhausted. Hehehe..."
"Ohh, okay then..."
Fuuka raises her eyebrow. Half believing.
"Well it's good that you're helping the teachers and all, but don't come back home too late again, okay? Or at least give me a call if you do"
Mizuki breathes a sigh of relief, safe from her mother's suspicion. Guessing from her reaction it wasn't as late as the previous ones.
"Did you have a bad dream last night?"
After a while Fuuka shoots another question, this time it feels more prepared. Her mood also changes, like bracing for something.
"W-why?"
Mizuki replies, confused.
"I thought I heard a loud noise earlier this morning. So I don't know, maybe you were having a nightmare..."
This time she looks more concerned on top of curious.
'is this it? The opportunity? Should I go for it after all? Did she actually hear it?'
Mizuki's mind race with various suggestions. Only earlier this morning she already bails on that plan but now the opportunity presents itself.
"Actually I-"
But before she can shoot the question, again, something else inside her stopped her. Looking at her mother's worried face, she almost seems slightly afraid. Very tiny shaking is visible on the end of the fork she's holding, anxiously anticipating Mizuki's next words. Maybe of the possibilities, that she would bring up questions about her sister again. It's a familiar reaction she would always have every time Mizuki asks about Fubuki, so she's familiar with what's on her mother's mind in that circumstances.
"I don't remember it anymore. Maybe I did"
'it's better this way'
The teenage girl smiles. Seeing that, Fuuka responses in kind. That worried look washes off from her face. They just continue having breakfast, sharing this peaceful moment while it lasts.
After that, Mizuki heads out as per Fuuka's errand. Walking leisurely in the neighborhood heading to the further grocery store than their usual one so she can take in the morning air. Plus they have more snacks option there, a good way to spend the extra pocket money her send her off with earlier.
["Once you got the fish, you can take your time with the rest. No rush in coming back home too, take in the morning air while you're outside"]
She recalls her mother's words earlier.
'that last sentence is suspicious... I wonder if she's preparing something special at home...'
Mizuki knows very well that behavior. It's her mom's usual behavior when her birthday is around the corner. Except, it's not. Which really adds the mystery now.
Coming back from the store with a snack in hand, Mizuki takes her sweet time on her weekend stroll. However, she never expected to run into a familiar face.
"Daisuke kun?"
"Ohh Mizuki kun, morning!"
He says as he lands on someone else's roof.
'what is he doing... ?'
Unexpectedly a new source of mystery greets her this morning. But then she recalls yesterday's incident and suddenly feels awkward facing him now.
"Yo! Are you done with your groceries?"
The bright young man is answered only with the girl's cold shoulder. Trying her hardest to face the other way even though she can't turn her body freely with the groceries she's carrying. Still, the pout on her face more than tells him her current mood. Even when he keeps repositioning himself to face her, she turns only her head the other way.
"Well it's nice seeing you and all. But I'm actually on my way to the Majin Kyotai to settle some errand myself, wanna join?"
Again, she turns her cheek the other way. One could almost see her cheek puffing bigger this time. Answering him only with her cold silence. Even when her face slightly displays a hint of curiosity when he mentioned about Majin Kyotai just now, a large part of her is still mad at him about what happened.
'it's not like I can really blame him but... he still could've handled the situation more delicately!'
Seeing her adamant about the silent treatment, he chuckles before saying his goodbye.
"Ahh! I-"
Before she can finally say anything, he already vanishes from her field of vision. She turns behind her and sure enough not a trace of that guy in sight. She seems slightly disappointed that he didn't try for a little longer. Until she turns around,
"So? Want to come along?"
This time their eyes finally meet, with his face a little too close for comfort. His white row of grin and that conspicuous eye, persuading her like a shady salesman. The ballooning pout she had on instantly pops, she jumps back in reflex.
"I- I have to deliver this back home.. first.."
That last part barely escapes her breath.
"Oh are you in a hurry?"
"That's- no.. but-"
"Good then! this won't take that long"
He cut her off while carefully grabbing the bag from her hands. Still too fast for her to stop him.
"We don't want you dropping these once you change"
"Huh?"
Mizuki's puzzled.
"Well then, remember the magic word?"
Briefly he warns her. His free hand suddenly glows, coating itself in SP (Spiritual Priorities).
"You mean? Wait wait-"
Ignoring her reaction, he brings his hand to her forehead. Before she can stop him, her body feels that familiar jolt. Frantically she chants.
"T-t-transform!"