Chapter Text
"Remember the time we used to play hide and seek?" Fuwawa said, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves of the small garden.
Mococo looked up from her book, her eyes widening at the sudden nostalgia. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice filled with a longing she hadn't felt in ages.
Fuwawa's gaze followed her sister's line of sight, watching as Mococo's eyes darted away from hers. She knew something was amiss, but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. They had always shared a special bond, finishing each other's sentences and laughing at the same jokes. But in the past four months, it was as if an invisible wall had sprouted between them, leaving Fuwawa feeling like she was on the outside looking in. She missed the carefree days of their childhood, when the world had been so much simpler.
"I miss your clingy," Fuwawa said finally, breaking the silence that had settled like a heavy blanket over the garden. The words hung in the air, filled with a sadness that was palpable. Mococo's hand froze mid-turn of the page, her heart skipping a beat. Those three words held a world of pain and confusion she hadn't anticipated. She had become so accustomed to their new routine that she had forgotten how much she missed their old one.
Mococo swallowed hard, her throat tightening. "I miss that too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She forced a smile, hoping it didn't look as fake as it felt. The truth was, she missed Fuwawa more than she could ever express. The weight of the trauma she carried was like a boulder on her chest, keeping her from reaching out and rekindling their bond.
With a heavy sigh, she closed her book and slid off the chair, her feet carrying her to the bottom bunk bed almost of their own accord. She sat down, her legs curling up under her as she leaned against the cool metal frame. The mattress squeaked slightly as she shifted her weight, the sound echoing in the quiet room. The silence grew thick, and Fuwawa could see the exhaustion etched into the lines around Mococo's eyes.
Fuwawa felt a pang of guilt for bringing up the past. She knew her sister had been through something, but she didn't know what it was. The last time she had tried to ask, Mococo had clammed up, her eyes filling with a sadness that was too deep to fathom. She had promised herself to give Mococo space, but she couldn't help but feel like she was losing her.