We started walking up the steps, but before I went, I stopped.
"Oh, let me grab something."
I rushed back, grabbed Risa-san's present off the table, and returned up the steps.
"Is that for me?"
Risa-san asked charmingly. Her hips swayed back and forth as we reached the top of the steps. The hallways were warm, almost a tad stuffy compared to the coolness of the living room downstairs.
"Yeah, I hope you like it. Took me a bit to figure out something for you."
I admitted. Shopping for Risa-san was tough because she's the kind that can afford anything she wants. This house was a testament to that already.
"Madoka-san, I'll love it no matter what."
She gently opened her door, revealing a pitch-black room. The last time I was in here, it wasn't this dark. It looked like a dungeon I would see in one of Hana-chan's RPG games.
"Don't be shy; go on."
Risa-san urged me. Cautiously, I made my way into the darkness. Suddenly, the door shut behind me.
"Ehhh!"
I cried when I felt pressure on my back. I tumbled over and fell into the sheets of Risa-san's overly large bed. In the darkness, we sank into the sheets together. A subtle scent of lavender connected with me as Risa-san squeezed me in her arms.
"Lay on your back, Madoka-san!"
Risa-san wrestled me on my back and held my waist. I wasn't expecting this, and I started nudging at a weak attempt to fight back. What rushed through my head was Hana-chan's warning…
If I wasn't careful, I would be eaten. I imagined a lion eating me… but then my imagination went wild, and Risa-san was in an adorable lion one-piece sleepwear…
I wouldn't mind being eaten by something so adorable.
"Madoka-san… are you ready?"
"Ready for what?"
Like a magical spark, the room lit up with stars. The walls were full of constellations that were incredible to see. We stared at the ceiling as if the galaxy was opening up and showing us all the beautiful stars above. It took me a bit to realize it was a light show.
"You see that… that's Sagittarius."
Risa-san took my hand and pointed at the star. She waved my hand slightly and mapped it out to the zodiac sign. Risa-san loved this kind of thing… and I believed she was showing me what she loved.
"What do you think?"
She asked tenderly in my ear.
"I think this entire setup is amazing."
It was like venturing through the galaxy with all the amazing stars that flew around. There seemed to be a projector that pushed all these lights out. In a way, the light show was taking me away from the bustle of the earth and allowing me to soar through something far beyond my reach.
"You know, Madoka, you remind me… of myself at your age."
Together we continued to gaze at the brilliant starlight.
"How so?"
I asked.
"I told you before that I was in love with someone, trapped by all the emotions that come with it too. Yet my love story didn't come to a happy end, and I spiraled into a cycle of work and depression."
"I see…"
I thought about our chat in the sauna, where Risa-san opened up to me briefly about her past struggles. She shook her head, her eyes gazing away as if the past was nothing but a faint memory to her. In a way, it felt like Risa-san accepted all of her pains and was only looking forward.
"But then I remembered one thing Saya-chan said to me that changed how I looked at the world."
"Saya-san said something that helped you out of your depression?"
Suspiciously, I asked.
"Yes! She said that sometimes we should give our worries to the galaxy, and everything will work itself out."
I chuckled half-heartedly. It was something the grifter would say, so it didn't come as a surprise. But throwing all your worries to the "galaxy" sounds pretty irresponsible. And I doubt the galaxy would want to deal with my family problems if I did.
"Sometimes things happen for no reason. We are given the cards we were dealt and forced to try our best with the hand we are dealt."
She reached out, obstructing the view of those shiny lights, distorting the galaxy above us.
"So, we reach out and manipulate it as best as possible, Madoka-san."
She clenched her fist, causing the lights to bounce off her hand in other directions.
"And that's why I can't pressure you to join me on my journey through space. But I'll guide you, and hopefully, you turn my way fully."
Her sweet breath touched my cheek as she turned to me and smiled.
"But for good measure, my gift to you is the galaxy, Madoka-san."
Confused, I turned to her, earning an energetic laugh as she saw my bewildered face.
"I mean this setup silly. I can't afford the galaxy. I'm not that rich… yet."
The boss lady sat up and jumped to her feet, leaving me on the bed as she twirled around and hit the lights.
"I think you're close to a breakthrough Madoka-san. You're not in an easy position with your feelings being entangled with Mari-san and your family. So… I want to help you find the right way."
Risa-san unplugged my gift and put it in a box. There were only two light boxes and not much to put together. With care, Risa-san placed my present on the bed. Those lovely eyes gazed into mine.
"So, think of a way for your heart to settle down. Don't rush… I'm here for you."
I pushed up my glasses as soon as I noticed them fogging slightly.
"You're right… I have to be close to a breakthrough. And… everyone is supporting me. I know I'll figure things out, Risa-san."
It took me a bit to get what she was saying. Life might be complicated, but there's always a way… I just have to find it. But I was never alone in this journey.
"Thank you, Risa-san. This means a lot to me. I… I don't believe in horoscopes, but… I believe in your words."
I held my gift close to my chest. After a brief moment to calm down, I moved to the side, picked up my gift to Risa-san, and happily offered it to her.
"Oh, and what might this be?"
Excitedly, she opened the gift, revealing a custom-made scarf. Risa-san was always dressed so well, but I felt she might like this when the days get colder. It was a soothing red, fitting for the ginger that lit up the room when she walked in.
It took me a few days to make. I poked myself often, but I think it came out well enough.
"Ohhh…"
Gently, she wrapped it around her neck and pulled it close. With a peek from her lips, her face blushed just a bit.
"Do you like it?"
"Of course, it smells like you, Madoka <3."
"Eh?! S-Stop that, Risa-san!"
Suddenly, she grabbed onto me and pushed me on the bed. Her long hair fell on me, and for a brief second, I flew into a state of confusion.
"Now that I have you where I want you…"
Her eyes darted up to the side… revealing a single mistletoe hovering above us.
"Ahh…"
My lips parted, and it all came together… This was the true setup from the beginning, and I easily fell into Risa-san's trap. When I looked back, she was already closer to me, ready to touch her lips with mine.
"You need to be more careful… or you'll be eaten, being so innocent, Madoka-san."
Her lips drew near… and for a moment, I accepted this as her win. I relaxed… and waited for it to… happen.
"Senpai, stop! It tickles too much!"
We both heard Takade-san scream through the walls before our lips could connect. The poor girl sounded like a mixture of bliss and terror. I could only imagine the horrors Saya-san was putting my lesbian ally through.
"Settle down, Saki-chan! You wanted this love potion! Now drink, drink it up!"
"Noooo, Senpai, I wanted you to drink it! I'm already in love."
"Oh geez… I should stop my sister before she does something she regrets."
Dejected, Risa-san moved her head to the side and… and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"Return kiss for before. When you pecked me on the cheek after our first date. Be more careful next time, Madoka-san. Maybe listen to little Hana-chan more."
I lay there as she rushed out of the room and down the hall, likely going to stop her crazed sister from feeding Saki-chan whatever spell she had ready for her victim. I clenched my chest and curled up slightly on the warm sheets.
"I… didn't try to escape."
My body was warm as I thought about someone else touching my lips. Maybe with all the turbulence in my heart lately… subconsciously, I decided to… explore more.
But needless to say, I let my guard down… and Risa-san won… like always. As I walked out the door, Saki-chan and Saya-san rushed down the steps like two elementary schoolers playing tag. Behind them was Risa-san, no different than the other two. She turned around, gave me a blissful wave, and continued her chase.
"Saki-chan! I'll drink the potion after you make sure it's safe~."
The devil chided.
"S-Saya! Don't you dare give that to Saki-chan! Saya!"
I sighed and chuckled a bit.
"What a wonderful day…"
With the party settling down, we all started to get our things ready to leave. Okabe-san and her little sister were getting ready to head to the door. My friends had their presents in hand, all happy and bubbly. It's been a while since I can say… it's been a great day.
"Mari-san is coming to pick you up, Hana-chan?"
I asked to make sure. Hana-chan nodded to me, a bag around the little soldier's shoulder. She wasn't showing it on her stoic face, but I could feel the excitement brewing in her. Within her bag, a brand new manga she's been excited about was just waiting to be read. It's too bad I won't be there when she opens it for the first time.
"Yep, she should be here in a few minutes. Do you need to speak to her, Onee-san?"
I nodded.
"Yeah, actually, I have something to give her."
There was a present sitting in my pocket, ready for her. My thoughts went back to the time with Mari-san at the Red Roses. I wanted to give back to her how I felt when she gave me this necklace.
A knock on the door filtered through the home, waking me up from the past.
"Oh, that must be Koda Mari-san!"
Saya-san jumped off the couch and signaled me and Hana-chan to follow. She opened the door revealing Mari-san in all of her glory. She was fiddling with decorations and seemed to jump back as soon as the door opened.
"O-Oh, you guys came fast."
I really wanted to know what oddball thing she was doing, but before I could ask, with a slight bow, Saya-san greeted her.
"Welcome, Koda-san. Risa-san, Koda-san is here!"
With that passive smile of hers, she faced her boss.
"Good afternoon, Saitou-buchou, Saitou Saya-san. I'm just here to pick up my daughter. I hope she hasn't been giving you any trouble."
Hana-chan put both hands on her hips.
"That's rude, Mom!"
The flower complained.
"Not at all. Actually, Hana-chan has been very well-behaved. I wouldn't mind if she visited more often. Same with Madoka-san."
Teasingly, Risa-san nudged my shoulder, causing me to blush.
"Well… sadly, I can't stay for long. I need to get back home. Are you ready to go, Hana?"
I nearly stumbled over my feet as I approached.
"W-Wait, Mari-san… ah… can we talk a-alone… before you leave?"
For some reason, my heart was racing. Like I was about to miss my chance to ever see Mari-san again. Even though that thought was ridiculous, I still conjured up it. Confused, Mari-san waved to me to come outside with her.
"Sure. Ah… Hana, can you give me and your big sister a moment before we go?"
Hana-chan nodded like a soldier getting an order to enter the front lines.
"Yes. I'll wait patiently on the couch in the living room until you both are done!"
"At ease, soldier!"
"Y-yes, Mom!"
The Kodas are weird. Awkwardly, I put my shoes on and stepped out the doorway. We made our way down the steps when Mari-san spoke up first.
"Hey, Madoka-san… I'm still piecing things together things with your mom and…"
With one hand on her hip, Mari-san whipped the bangs from her eyes and looked at me intensely.
"I planned to talk more about it to you later tonight. It's… a lot for me to take in and explain right now."
She went right to the root of our problems… even though my feelings this evening had nothing to do with Mom. It went to show me how hard Mari-san was working to figure things out.
"No, I didn't want to discuss that today, Mari-san. I'm sure… you'll tell me everything as soon as you get the information."
"Oh? Then… what did you want to talk about?"
I took out the present I kept as if it were chained to my heart. The reason I was most excited for Christmas this year. Her eyes widened as the ring-sized box came to view. It was wrapped in a bright purple gift wrap, with a pink ribbon.
"Here's my Christmas gift to you, Mari-san… I hope you like it."