*
"Y-You live here by yourself?! I knew it happened, but nowadays people live with at least one parent since money isn't a problem." (Juri)
She sat neatly in front of the coffee table at the foot of the sofa. We had just entered the house, greeted by the massive living room that went unused until Sariel and Arin began coming by. These days, there isn't a speck of dust. Arin hired helpers last week to clean everything up... If I think about it closely,
"They're away on business often, so I got used to it. I even started taking to learn how to cook!" (Lastia)
"... You should lay off the frying pan, until a few more lessons..." (Arin)
"Grrr...! I'm trying my best okay?" (Lastia)
The others let slip a couple chuckles, much to my chagrin... Well, whatever. I deal with cooking at a later date. First...
"Do you guys have an idea of how we want to answer the question?" (Lastia)
"Yeah, we thought up a couple!" (Juri)
Our discussions went on further, and before we knew it evening had hit. In the end, we ordered out. In the meantime, Arin prepared tea and the rest started chatting to take our minds off of the project. For a moment, Juri's expression falls blank, her eyes unfocused as if in deep thought. She took a deep breath before turning up her gaze, looking into our eyes.
" Hey... Is everything okay?" (Juri)
She doesn't know anything. Was she just curious if we hid any secrets? Or was she simply concerned with my wellbeing? She looked at me as she asked after all. Did I... Not look okay?
"Yeah. We have things under control, so... Don't worry. Everything will be okay." (Lastia)
"The class... After some time, I'm sure everyone knew. Especially when you guys disappear in times of crisis, then come back like nothing happened." (Juri)
"... Thanks for telling us. But don't worry we beat the final boss, even if another one comes we'll win again. The world is at peace, in fact it's pretty much time for magical girls to retire, isn't it? " (Sariel)
" Hmm... I don't know about that. I quite like dressing up in fancy dresses. Being a magical girl is just a pretext for dressing up without getting judged! " (Lastia)
" Fufu...! I get it, I get it. Sorry if I asked something weird. And don't worry, no one has talked about it, so who knows and who doesn't... It's still hard to tell. " (Juri)
She leans closer to the table, cupping her lips in her hands, rubbing her reddening cheeks. Though her concern sounded a little like a threat....
" Hmm... Were you discussing something interesting~? " (Arin)
She returns with a tray of tea, a relaxed smile adorning her cheeks. Setting it down, she sat with us at the coffee table with a pleased smile.
"Nah, it was nothing." (Lastia)
Leisurely drinking, I basked in the tranquility while nodding my head to the conversation in the background. It was peaceful now, nothing like back then when Traces would occur at least twice a week, perhaps even more than that. The rule was once every three days, but that was just an estimation based on word of mouth. Depending on the area, we sometimes fought for a few days in a row. Things really were hectic back then.
If possible, I'd like for the peace to last forever like this. Though knowing the supernatural, strange things would never respect common sense and obediently lie down. Traces, even if they were left out of the army for being too weak, would still attack now that their lords were gone. Peace was never an option unless I went pass the bounds of this universe and find the source of Traces.
"... Juri, did you want to be a magical girl? I don't recommend it, fighting is tough and scary y'know?" (Sariel)
"How would she even choose... Awakenings are sheer randomness." (Arin)
"Uhmm... I prefer to watch, so I'm good..." (Juri)
"I feel like we're talking past each other..." (Lastia)
The atmosphere was relaxing, some people found it hard to concentrate in the environment at school, much less at home, it was naturally easier to get distracted here. Our voices filled the room once more before our attention was brought back to the project.
"Ahem, let's get to working..." (Arin)
After spending time actually working productively, everyone was fatigued and began to retire one by one. Arin left first, then Juri. Left alone with Sariel, for a rare moment we fell silent. I suppose this kind of thing was rare, usually Arin was always there, but she was feeling drowsy today and she was wobbling. Juri helped to walk her back.
"... Welcome back." (Sariel)
"I'm home..." (Lastia)
I replied sheepishly, how did she say that with a straight face? A smile creeps onto my face, maybe I was the only one being silly? I turned my gaze up, only to see her stare at the corner of the table. I suppose even she had her difficulties. Even though she had become the reliable magical girl that saved the world. Sure I was the one who was brought back just to fight, with everyone's expectations that my skill would evolved or some other miracle would occur. We're magical girls, even if I was expected to make a miracle...
"It was really hard...!" (Lastia)
She quietly brought out a handkerchief and started dabbing my cheeks.
"I know. I thought you could do it, and you did. And maybe everyone thought so too, that only you could bring a miracle in that moment." (Sariel)
There was absolutely no rationale to it. Bringing back another sentinel would have made more sense with their extensive combat experience and knowledge. Taneda's physical enhancement skill that scaled with her conceptual determination would have been more suitable.
"I did... I had no choice. I had to kill Eterna, could there have been any other way?" (Lastia)
Sariel shivered, blinking her eyes. She opened and closed her mouth, intently choosing her next words. She was trying her best to comfort me, even if I didn't really need comfort.
" If you... Can't blame anyone but yourself for Eterna's death... Blame me. I chose to bring you back. I sent you to execute her." (Sariel)
She wasn't as concerned by the outcome as I was. It was normal, incredibly so, to categorise the events of history as mere victory or defeat, then to forget everything else that was ugly. I was the only one worrying if I was the right person for the job, had everyone moved on by then? Was it... Pointless?
"No, it's fine. I always worry and overthink, I bring trouble everyday. But I wouldn't regret it. Because all that hemming hawing, it's part of me." (Lastia)
I won't let something like that bring me down. Not when I have more important things in life, perhaps one of them is the person sitting in front of me.
"Mhmm." (Sariel)