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“Haa!” Kotoha and Hisui exclaimed in amazement, their voice intertwining and echoing around the space. They both looked at each other in surprise at their own synchrony, before dissolving into twin giggles.
Kotoha began spinning around in circles, taking in the sights with wide eyes. Everywhere she looked was covered in green. Trees and bushes surrounded the area, each of a different size and hue. Flowers of all kinds adorned them, roses and violets and carnations and many others that were too far way for her to name. There was a thin stone path used by visitors so as to not damage the grass.
Right in the middle of the room, a maze-like structure loomed over them. It was close to midday, so thankfully there weren’t that many people, making it seem like the garden was made just for their makeshift little family.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Riko’s indignant, “Hii-chan, don’t go off by yourself!”
“I’m not! You’re just walking too slowly, mama!” Hisui replied a few ways away, crossing her arms as a childish pout made its way onto her lips.
Mirai shook her head with a smile as she gave her wife a peck on the cheek, calming her down considerably. She bent her body slightly so that she could whisper to Kotoha: “Can you keep an eye on her? You know how she gets.”
The fact that she had to lean down to stay at eye-level with Kotoha made her feel strange. Not long ago, they were all the same height. It made her realize that her moms had grown older, whist she stayed the same. She wondered if that would be forever, or if she would one day become an adult, too.
Regardless, she shook those thoughts away and grinned, proud Mirai trusted her enough to leave the responsibility of taking care of her sister on her shoulders. “Leave it to me!”
She rushed in Hisui’s direction, offering a hand towards her, to which she received a suspicious glance.
“Would you hold my hand while we’re here? I tend to get lost in places as big as this,” Kotoha lied with a bashful laugh.
Hisui’s wary look was soon replaced by a teasing one as she accepted the hold. “Oh, I guess it can’t be helped. You’re such a klutz, onee-chan.”
“I guess I am!” Kotoha started to swing their arms together, something Hisui seemed to appreciate, judging by the smile wide on her cheeks.
They walked around the garden together, hand in hand. Eventually, Hisui linked their arms instead. Mirai and Riko were not far behind, exchanging quick kisses when they thought no one was looking. Honestly, she was glad Tsunagi City was more accepting of same-sex couples than other places in the Non-Magic World, otherwise her moms would be in trouble, showing so much affection in public.
“Onee-chan, which flower is this?”
Kotoha turned to look at where her sister was pointing. “That’s a red spider lily. In hanakotoba, it symbolizes separation, abandonment and lost memories.”
Hisui hummed in understanding, but her expression seemed sad. Mirai landed a hand on her shoulder, capturing their attentions.
“Then I guess we’re the total opposite of this flower, since we’re not ever going to part. Never again!” She declared, conviction clear in her purple eyes.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Riko delicately wrap a hand around Mirai’s waist, pulling her closer. “That’s right. We’re a… a family now, and family sticks together. Right, Mofurun?” She seemed hesitant, almost shy, to refer to them as family. It was cute. Mirai seemed to agree, judging by the smooch she pulled Riko into right afterwards.
Mofurun peeked their head from inside Mirai’s purse, pointedly ignoring the kiss happening above them, and smiled gently at Hisui. “We’ll never let you go again, Hii-chan.”
Kotoha gave her sister a side-hug when she saw tears start to roll down her cheeks. “And also, this is a moment we’ll keep in our hearts for the rest of our lives!”
Hisui simply nodded, leaning into the touch as her form trembled. They continued their tour.
It was almost mid-afternoon when Mofurun complained they were hungry. With permission from the staff, they laid down a blanket and arranged a quick picnic, with the right to strawberry melonpan and homemade sandwiches.
Hisui had started a conversation with a friendly old man sitting close by their spot, having finished eating much faster than the others and deciding to walk around to ‘burn off some calories’. Kotoha kept a keen eye on her, refusing to let her out of her sight despite the fact that she was only a few steps away.
“Are you here on a school trip, young lady?” The man asked, all smiles.
“Nope!” Hisui responded. “I’m here with my moms and my sister!” She gestured towards where they were still having their break.
Kotoha saw Mirai tense a little, clearly apprehensive on what the old man’s reply would be.
Thankfully, he just looked surprised for a few brief seconds before setting into another close-mouthed smile. “You seem like a lovely family. Very close-knitted.”
With an enthusiastic nod, Hisui sent a bright grin in their direction. “We are. I love them very much!”
Kotoha did not try to hide her blush.
The rest of the day went smoothly, and although they would all go live their respective lives once the sun came up, the five of them knew that they would eventually come back together, just as always.