"So adorable!" Aiko said, cooing. She laughed as she played with little Seina's baby feet.
"Yeah, quite the little cutie, isn't she?" Seina said, kissing her baby sister on the forehead. "Isn't that right, Seina?"
"But she needs a nickname. Otherwise, it'll get confusing," Aiko said, considering. The older Seina nodded in agreement, having similar thoughts. "How about Seiko?"
"Do you like Seiko, Seina?" Seina said, bending down to her sister's level. In response, her little sister laughed and smiled. "It's settled. We can call you Seiko!"
"Thank goodness! I didn't want to deal with that confusion!" Colten said from his perch on his partner's head.
"Yeah, what were your parents thinking?" Aiko said, her tone going more somber. "How could they think they could just replace you, anyway? I'm sorry about what happened, Seina. They shouldn't have done that to you."
Seina's voice tightened in her throat, fighting back a sob. "Thanks."
"Poor thing." Aiko hugged her best friend, allowing her to cry on her shoulder. She passed Seina a tissue, which she accepted with a grateful nod.
"It makes no sense! Do they have no heart at all?" Seina said, blowing her nose clean. Try as she might, she kept returning to the moment of their second betrayal. Every recollection caused the same amount of pain, never lessening.
"It's the vampires. They drove many people to commit awful, monstrous acts to survive. The vampires gave us bad lessons. They said the weak and sentimental don't deserve life." Aiko's expression hardened, her recollections just as dark. They'd both seen people commit terrible sins for the sake of surviving another day.
"But you saved us all, Seina. You created a new future for everyone."
"Too bad we might not have one," Seina said, remembering what Kyoko had told them about the Devil Princess's plans.
"You can handle it." Like always, Aiko had supreme confidence in her friend. "You'll kick their butts, no problem!"
But Seina had seen the Devil Princesses' power for herself, knowing what they faced. Not wanting to contradict her friend, she just smiled and nodded.
"Sorry Aiko, but I think it'd be best if you stayed here during our mission to Starlight Dream. To protect little Seiko at least."
"And thank goodness!" Aiko replied. "I like my life, thank you. I'd just get in the way!"
Typical Aiko, but it earned a well-deserved smile. They shared a laugh and talked as they played with Seiko. Seina wanted to spend her last remaining hours with her sister.
"Uh, do you smell that?" Colten said, wrinkling his tiny nose.
"Oops, seems like Seiko needs changing," Seina said, already getting the baby supplies and a new diaper. While a new skill, Seina proved an adept learner in baby care.
"Are they always like this?" Colten asked, wincing as her sister played with his ears again. To her, the fairy seemed like a living plushy, much to his consternation.
"Only for a couple of years," Aiko said. "I bet she'll be walking in no time!"
"Huh," Colten replied.
"But you'll be her stuffed toy, right?" Seina smiled in amusement at her partner's obvious discomfort as her sister started sucking on Colten's ear.
"I suppose," Colten said, resigned.
"I'll take good care of her while you're gone!" Aiko said.
"You're the best friend ever!" Seina said, giving her friend an impromptu hug. They talked about nothing in particular and got little Seiko to sleep when she got fussy.
"Seina, we'll be rooting for you, okay?" Aiko said out of nowhere. "So win for all of us."
"With me by her side, you've nothing to worry about!" Colten swung his tiny arms in a sword-swiping motion, puffing out his chest with his usual bravado.
"What did I ever do to deserve you two?" Seina wiped away a tear, her heart blossoming with joy.
"Let me show you something," Aiko said, pulling her friend toward a window. When she opened up the curtain, Seina gasped in shock. People crowded the apartment grounds, all cheering as they spotted her. Many held various signs, their writing proclaiming their support and love for their resident magical girl.
"What is this?" Seina said, taken aback.
"I've been talking around," Aiko replied. "Thought you might have some more encouragement. I wasn't kidding when I said you gave us all a future. We're all grateful for you."
"Thank you all!" Seina said, waving to the crowd after she'd opened the window.
"Don't think you aren't loved, okay?" Aiko said behind her.
Speechless, Seina only nodded. Their love filled her with power and determination. For all their sake, she'd win this. Love was her greatest weapon, and she'd use it to crush the Devil Princesses and their evil plans!
---
"Thank you for your business." A shopkeeper said, bowing to their fairy customer. They didn't find it unusual they were taking the patronage of a flying white ball of fur. Seina often visited this convenience store for a quick snack, so Colten wasn't anything unusual. Their bento boxes were quite tasty. Now, he'd come to purchase diapers for Seiko, stocking up for the babysitter once they left for Starlight Dream.
"Say hi to Seina for me." The shopkeeper's wife said. "And her new sister. I hope you bring her around. I'm eager to meet little Seina."
"We'll try," Colten said, making a promise he likely couldn't keep. But he remained confident for his partner's sake, a reliable anchor that never budged.
Inwardly, he fretted. Colten knew he wouldn't sleep tonight, his dreams haunted by his fears for Seina's safety. But that concern never showed in his expression as he smiled for his partner, pretending nothing was amiss.
"Thanks, Colten. Place them here." Seina said, directing him to a high cupboard. "Seiko's new room looks fantastic. I hope she'll be okay when we're gone."
Typical Seina, worrying more about others than herself.
"But when we return, we'll have countless hours to play with her!" Not that Colten would enjoy being her stuffed animal, but he'd bear it.
Despite being unexpectedly thrust into his life, he loved little Seiko too. They spent the next hour putting the final touches on Seiko's room, putting up decorations that would be sure to entertain the little baby. Thankfully, they'd gotten plenty of donations of baby supplies from well-wishers. And like her daughter, Aiko's mom was strangely skilled at scrounging up needed items at short notice.
"Phew, that should be it." Seina glanced outside, seeing it'd gotten late. She placed little Seiko in her new crib, rocking her sister to sleep.
"Be safe, okay. We'll be back." Seina said, kissing Seiko on the forehead. Tears glistened in her eyes, overcome with emotion.
"Is the baby asleep?" Kyoko asked as they exited.
"Yeah, thanks for your help, Kyoko. I'm glad you stuck around. Seiko seems to like you!"
In response, Kyoko gave a stiff nod. While offering some assistance in taking care of Seiko, she hadn't said much. The magical girl remained on high alert, fearful of sudden Devil Princess reprisals for her betrayal. The poor girl had suffered under Starlight Dream's thumb for too long. She understood the feeling too well.
"Kyoko, may I ask for a favor?" Seina asked out of the blue.
"Oh."
"Could you remain here and watch over things? This world still has its problems, and it'll need a defender."
Kyoko's eyes went wide. "And you want me? But you've just met!"
"But I believe you can do it." Seina took the other girl's hand. "You said you wanted to make amends for your crimes, right? This is the first step. You can show everyone what good you can do."
"But."
"I believe in you, Kyoko."
While this seemed reckless, Colten agreed with his partner's impromptu proposal. Since it seemed unlikely Kyoko wanted to accompany them to Starlight Dream, this was the best place for her. Someone needed to be around in case the vampires started trouble again.
After a long pause, Kyoko nodded her head. "Okay, I'll do my best."
"Thank you so much!" Seina said, throwing the girl into a crushing hug. Kyoko accepted the hug with a blush, returning it with open arms.
"It's a good chance for her," Seina said when they'd left their world's new protector. "She needs someone to believe in her."
"You're really fantastic, you know that?" Colten said, fluttering around his partner. "Wise well beyond your eleven years!"
"Thanks," Seina said, cheeks reddening.
Once everything got settled, Colten drifted away to spend some time alone. Even fairy partners needed their occasional solitude. For possibly his last hours in this world, Colten explored the apartment building's halls. He wanted to commit every centimeter to memory. This place was his home. Heck, it might be the only home he'd ever had.
Back on Starlight Dream, he'd never fit it. His parents never understood him, and no one had ever wanted to befriend him. But this silly little world had given him everything in the most unlikely circumstances. For this, he'd fight with the entirety of his heart. Colten wasn't the weak little fairy he'd been before.
"Hey."
"Oh, it's you," Colten said, annoyed at the interruption to his personal musings.
"Heard about your little trip," Masato said, his hulking frame hunched. The ceiling was a little low for someone of his height. "And I've given it some thought."
"Okay," Colten said, his tone bland.
"Despite my training, I've realized I'd only get in the way. So I'm afraid I won't be coming with you." The former thug said, his tone morose.
"Okay." Who'd said they'd even invited him?
"My expert abilities are best served here, protecting this world. While vanquished, the vampires still lurk in the shadows." Masato put a meaty hand on Colten's shoulder, his palm wide enough to engulf the fairy's head. "But I'll be rooting for you. I believe in both of you! Your heroism has been an inspiration to us all!"
"Okay." Was there a point to this?
"And I realize something important. It's been weighing heavily on my mind until now. But as a man, I must confess it!"
Colten blinked. "Sorry, what?"
"I've known for some time that she's never cared about me the same way I care about her. I just never wanted to admit it. Call it my foolish pride as a man. But love is selfless. Sometimes, love means letting go when you want to hold on tighter."
"Huh?" Colten was even more lost.
"That's why I'm leaving Seina into your care. Colten, you're the better man. I know you'll make her happy!" The former thug said.
"Uh." Colten was speechless. Was Masato implying they were involved in a love triangle this entire time? Since when?! Seina barely cared that Masato existed! Still the idea conjured uncertain feelings that Colten was still wrestling with. Sure, he had a secret crush on his partner, but love? Besides, they were all too young for this sort of talk!
"Goodbye, Colten. If I were to lose to anyone, I'm glad it was you." Masato stepped away, waving at Colten as he left. "Good luck!" He vanished behind a bend in the corridor.
"What?" What the heck was that?!
---
"Be careful out there!" Aiko said, giving Seina a tight hug. Tears glistened in her eye as Colten received the next one.
"Don't cry, Aiko. We'll be fine. Seina's got me watching her back." Takako said, giving her usual cocksure smile. But she didn't refuse the hug Aiko threw her way.
"Seina's strong. She'll handle those maniacs." Uncle Kenji said, giving Aiko's shoulder a tight squeeze.
"I know," Aiko said, sniffing. "We'll be rooting for you!"
"And Masato Kiyojiro, it's been an honor having you under my command." The prime minister said, sharing a bow with her bodyguard.
In her distance, Emiyo and Chō were also giving their goodbyes. A motherly woman cried and fussed over the former lieutenant, giving her hugs and kisses. While more formal, Chō's manga partner didn't hide his distress that his friend was leaving to face possible doom. Their exchanges earned a smile from Seina, happy for the reformed magical girls. While they hadn't lived in her world long, they'd gained lasting human connections. It gave her hope for the other magical girl still under the Devil Princesses' clutches.
"You're braver than me," Kyoko said, clutching at herself. "But I'll watch this world for you."
"Thank you. You're already showing tons of bravery by trying to correct your past mistakes. That isn't nothing!" Seina said, giving a reassuring smile. This earned a nod from Kyoko. After kissing the sleeping Seiko on the forehead, Seina joined the others.
"Everyone ready?" Liam asked, reality swirling as he extended a paw. Deep foreboding stuck Seina as she stared into the portal, knowing there wasn't any turning back.
"Yes!" Takako said, already moving to enter. "These long goodbyes are killing me." After sharing a wave with Aiko, she entered inside.
"Always the contrarian," Aiko said, rolling her eyes but smiling. Emiyo and Chō entered next, leaving Seina alone with Colten and Mr. Kiyojiro.
"Still sure you want to come?" Seina asked for the last time.
"There was never any doubt. I'm not letting you face this alone." Her bodyguard said, face scrunching up in a grim frown. "I'm with you to the end."
"Let's do this then." Seina extended her hands towards her bodyguard and partner, gripping them tight. Together as one, they entered to face whatever hopes and dangers awaited them.