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It was a rainy Tuesday morning in Mitakihara City. The sun was hidden behind dark storm clouds while wind whistled through the trees that lined the sidewalk.
Homura walked down the sidewalk while on her way to school, holding a dark purple umbrella that covered her from the pouring rain. She stopped, needing to take a break from how tired her bones felt. Yesterday she stayed up too late getting her school assignments done, and now her body is taking the effect.
She looked around; it was a busy day outside considering the rainstorm going on.
Homura frowned and looked up to admire the cloudy skies; she hoped the storm would end soon. She enjoyed listening to the rain, but sometimes it made her feel gloomy – sad, in a way she couldn't explain.
Maybe it was because of Madoka. Homura couldn’t help how overprotective she is when it comes to her, but she hadn't heard from Madoka at all today! Usually the pair met up and walked to school together, but as Homura waited in their usual spot, she saw no sign of the usual cheerful girl she saw every morning.
Homura looked down at her shoes, realizing that Madoka definitely is the reason why she was feeling off.
Suddenly, she felt a shiver run down her spine – the wind was picking up along with the rain falling down harder against her umbrella.
"Maybe she’s just running late,” she thought to herself after picking up the speed of her resumed walking. “But Madoka is never late…”
For the past few days there has been this awful rainstorm, with the occasional loud thunder that boomed in the sky. And that just added to Homura’s pile of worries.
“What if something had happened to Madoka in the storm.” She quickly pushed that thought out of her mind.
It may seem like ridiculous thinking to anyone else, but not to Homura. Especially when Madoka would message her late in the night about how scared she felt when the sound of thunder was all she could hear.
If only Homura could destroy the thunder or make a wish to end everything that Madoka fears.
But she can't do those things. So instead, she hoped that Madoka would get to school okay.
Yesterday Madoka went to school, Homura looked back on how she was acting, she could tell something was off now that she thought about it Like Madoka wasn’t her usual self.
The girl would talk happily to Homura, and even sometimes she would grab her hand and hold it while they would walk around the school.
But yesterday none of that happened. And at lunch, Madoka was quieter in their friend group and barely touched her lunch. Instead, she gave most of it to Kyoko and let Mami try some of it too. There was nothing different about that in particular, except Madoka hardly ate anything.
Homura sighed and looked up at the large gates in front of her; she finally made it to school.
After walking through the gates and then up the stairs to the doors, she closed her umbrella and walked into the large building. But before she even had the chance to push open the clear doors, she spotted a familiar person walking up to her.
It wasn’t Madoka, like she hoped, but Sayaka instead.
Sayaka walked up to Homura, she was visibly frowning as if someone just kicked a puppy.
“You!” She pointed a finger in Homura’s direction.
Homura tilted her head to the side, “Me?” She pointed to herself, wondering what she did this time.
She doesn’t hate Sayaka, they are both friends and share classes together – and share lunch with the rest of their friend group, in fact Sayaka is always wanting to try what Homura brings for lunch.
But she always seems upset at Homura for no reason, like right now.
“Where’s Madoka!” Sayaka was in front of Homura now and poked her shoulder lightly. “I waited for her in front of our first class, but she never showed, and she’s not replying to her messages either! Not me, not Mami, and not even Kyoko!”
This made Homura panic, but she kept her usual calm face while replying to the frantic girl in front of her. “She has been off lately, and she hasn't messaged me back either.”
She studied Sayaka’s expression again. She knew that Sayaka was worried for their friend too, but she couldn't help but feel a hint of jealousy. “But why ask me, just call her yourself or something, I’m sure she'll answer you, like always.”
Sayaka rolled her eyes, not liking Homura’s dry tone of voice. “Hey! The reason I asked you is because you know everything about her! And you guys walk together to school in the morning, so yeah!”
“I do not know everything about her! She’s my best friend – it's normal to know things about your best friend.” Homura’s facade was starting to crack and Sayaka started to notice it.
“Okay, okay. I get it, you have a giant crush on her!” Sayaka grinned, Homura was completely oblivious about the fact that everyone in school knew the two liked each other.
Homura blushed, feeling herself turn hot. “Crush? I do not have a crush on her – we’re friends. We’re friends, just like you two are!”
“Yes me and Madoka are friends, but not like that, and that isn’t even the point!” Sayaka regrets even bringing the crush thing up; the two of them are so oblivious that they don’t even realize their feelings for each other, but everyone else does. In fact, Sayaka has a running bet with Kyoko on who’ll confess first.
“Can you just go to her house after school if she doesn’t show up, to check on her?” Sayaka’s expression turned sour again. “I would go, but I made plans to go music shopping with Hitomi.”
Homura flipped her long hair through her fingers and turned to walk down the stairs, opposite of the school entrance.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going!” Sayaka called out, but Homura was already walking at a faster speed.
“I’m going to check on Madoka, I’ll message you later.”
“Don’t skip school. Just go after, you dummy!” But it was no use, Homura was already down the stairs with the umbrella over her head, protecting her from the rain.
Homura knew something was wrong and that Madoka wouldn't show up to school today. It was unusual for her to not message anyone back. Especially in the mornings before school she would send everyone a personal good morning message. And today no one has heard from her yet? Something was wrong, and Homura was going to find out.
Skipping one day of school was fine. Until she knows Madoka is okay, nothing else matters.
After a brisk walk, she finally reached the door of Madoka’s home. She knocked twice and felt uneasy when no one answered the door; she figured at least her dad would be home, but nope. She then tried looking through the windows, but all the lights were turned off. Not even a sliver of light could be seen through the large windows.
Before she reached for her phone that was inside her school bag still, she heard the rustling of the front door opening, taking Homura by surprise.
“Madoka!” Homura gasped, taking in the sight of the girl's messy hair and flushed looking skin, Madoka was definitely not okay – just like she thought.
“What’s wrong, why are you home by yourself? Everyone is worried about you.” Her words came out quickly, but she stopped to examine Madoka.
She was still in her yellow pajamas, but had a fluffy blanket wrapped around her shoulders and torso. It was clear that she’d just got out of bed, and judging by the fact that all the lights were off, she was probably asleep.
“Mom is at work and dad and Tatsuya are…” Madoka coughed, not being able to finish her sentence.
But Homura wasn’t dumb; she knew Madoka was sick, and that this storm was the reason why.
“Madoka, are you sick?” She grabbed her hand and rushed her inside the house, it wasn’t good for her to be outside in the storm when she was already feeling ill.
Feeling warmer, Madoka spoke again, wanting to answer her best friend's questions.
“The storm got me sick, I think?” She coughed again.
Madoka looked at Homura as she shut the front door behind her; she noticed her school uniform and bag. “Is everything okay? Shouldn’t you be at school…”
Homura’s hand touched Madoka’s back, leading her up the stairs and back into her bedroom.
“Don’t worry about me, you’re the one that’s sick.” She frowned again, feeling how hot Madoka was. “Have you eaten anything, any medicine?”
Madoka stopped as she thought, trying to remember through her fogged brain. “Medicine, yes. My mom gave me some before work, and before she told the school I wouldn’t be arriving today.”
“As for food… I haven’t felt hungry yet… Sorry Homura.” She looked sad when saying that, as if she failed the other girl for not wanting to eat.
After they went into Madoka’s dark bedroom, considering how all the lights were off and the sun was covered by rain clouds, she managed to lead the girl back into bed without tripping and making each other fall flat onto their faces.
Homura lightly pushed Madoka onto her bed and tucked all the blankets around her, including the one that she was already holding onto since she opened the door.
“Is it okay if I can go downstairs and make you some food?”
Madoka nodded, not wanting to talk because of her sore throat.
“Okay, I’ll take care of you so don’t worry.” Homura smiled and tucked the blanket up to her chin, “just try and get some rest for now.”
Madoka turned a deeper shade of red, but Homura just assumed it was from the high fever that she was running.
She walked out of the bedroom but kept the door open in case something happened before walking down the stairs and into the kitchen, all while thinking of what to make that would be simple and delicious and not make Madoka want to throw up.
The lights in the kitchen were still turned off, so the first thing she did was turn them on so she could see better. The rain was still pouring heavily from where Homura could see through the windows; she shook her head angrily.
But now wasn’t the time for anger – she had some food to make. Madoka could become sicker if she doesn’t eat properly and have plenty of fluids.
She sighed and grabbed a pot, boiling some chicken broth and then grabbed a few vegetables to cut.
She decided on making a soup, Madoka would become fuller, and the vegetables could create a delicious flavor without making her feel gross. Also, Homura didn’t want to use too much of her parents' food without asking, even though she knew they wouldn’t mind.
She chopped up some carrots and then some cabbage, then diced some potatoes. Homura would’ve also added chicken, but it would have taken too long to prepare, and she wanted Madoka to eat sooner than later.
So far it was coming out well, and she couldn't help but smile when she added some seasoning into the broth after she added the vegetables into the boiling chicken broth.
While the soup was cooking, Homura decided it was time to check on Madoka.
She went back inside Madoka’s room, only this time she turned on her light so that she could actually see her soundings.
She was fast asleep now, but as Homura examined her, she noticed her breathing was harsh, and her body was squirming, something that typically doesn’t happen in sleep.
Homura knew she was still having a bad fever; it was obvious from the way Madoka spoke and seemed disoriented, even when she first arrived at her house.
But looking at her now, she could tell that Madoka was having some sort of nightmare – which was common when sick.
Madoka was mumbling incoherently, but no matter how hard Homura tried to listen, the words just didn't make sense. She knew all about the struggles of dealing with nightmares, sick or not; they are never fun to have.
She gripped the end of a blanket on the bed, feeling useless at the fact that she can’t take away Madoka’s pain.
She grabbed a cloth from the nearest bathroom and soaked it in cold water, hoping it would bring down Madoka’s burning fever. She draped it over her forehead, making sure to be careful so no water accidentally drips into her closed eyes.
Right when it hit her skin, Madoka’s breathing evened out and her body calmed down, which made Homura feel more content knowing she could provide some relief to her.
The soup wouldn’t be down for a little while longer so that the vegetables could soften, so Homura decided to wait in a chair next to Madoka’s bed. She didn’t want to be separated from her for even a minute. What if she had a nightmare again and woke up to being completely alone? Homura wouldn’t allow that, ever.
She pulled over Madoka’s desk chair next to her bed and plopped down onto it, pulling out her phone to be greeted with a bunch of angry messages from both Sayaka and Mami, asking why she wanted to ditch school when she could've just waited until after school to visit Madoka – at least Kyoko seemed to her on her side.
She didn’t care about missing one day of school, and she told them exactly that. Madoka’s health was more important.
She typed out a message to Sayaka explaining what happened with Madoka and how she’s sick and then copied and pasted it to send to Mami. Hopefully it’ll calm their worries.
After that was done, she tossed her phone on Madoka’s desk and stood to check her fever to see if the cold cloth did anything to help. She gently touched her cheek. It was still warm, but better than before, it was definitely helping.
“Madoka, if only I knew earlier, if only I was able to help you sooner… then maybe you wouldn’t be sick.” She clenches her hands into fists, trying to calm down.
“But you’ll feel better soon, I promise.”
Homura walks out of the room, but not without looking at Madoka one last time.
When the soup was finally finished, Homura tried one of the vegetables and could confirm that they were cooked properly. After she grabbed a bowl, she moved the contents from the pot into the bowl and lightly blew on it while she made her way back up the stairs.
She made her way back to Madoka's room but noticed that she was starting to wake up.
Madoka sat up a little, rubbing her eyes to look at who had just entered her room. “Mom…?”
But after noticing the silhouette was of a young girl, and not her mother, she smiled. “Homura!”
Homura noticed her voice was clearer than her usual raspy sick voice, which was a good sign.
“Madoka, lay down more, you’re still sick.” She grabbed the chair she sat on earlier and sat on it once again, right next to Madoka’s bed. “I made you some soup, do you feel like eating it?”
She held out the bowl of soup; it was now a safe temperature to eat without burning your tongue, but not too cold that it tastes bad.
“I’m hungry, yes.” Madoka noticed Homura holding out the bowl to her and froze. “But uh, I don’t have the energy to hold the bowl myself.”
Homura noticed that Madoka was still shaking slightly. Looking down at the spoon that was already in the bowl, they both flushed, the room going quiet.
“I can feed it to you, if that’s okay.” She politely said, not wanting the offer to make Madoka uncomfortable.
“Yes, please!” She opened her mouth wide – maybe a little too wide.
Homura laughed at her open mouth and grabbed a spoon full of the soup before directing it into Madoka’s mouth, pushing the spoon inside without making her choke or feeluncomfortable. She watched her reaction to the soup attentively.
“Mmm, that’s really good!” After she finished that bite, she opened her mouth once again, ready for the next spoonful.
“That makes me happy, Madoka,” she moves to feed her another bite.
After many more spoonfuls, the bowl was completely empty, and Madoka was now feeling sleepy again. Her eyes were half closed from the sudden exhaustion and also the fever that she was still running.
“Can you get some more sleep?” Homura set the bowl down and got up to cover her with the warm blankets.
“No! Please don’t go Homura!” Madoka pouted and covered her face with the blankets that were covering her shivering form.
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Homura smiled at how childish she was acting, especially while she was sick. She pulled down the blankets that were covering her face so that she could push her bangs aside after they got stuck to her forehead with sweat.
Madoka nodded slowly and patted the side next to her, “can you lay down next to me…?” She frowned, wanting to be close to Homura.
Homura knew she could never resist that face, so she climbed into the spot next to Madoka, still dressed in her school uniform, and got under the blankets with her.
The rain was still pouring down with the occasional sound of thunder and Madoka’s coughing.
The two laid next to each other under the warm blankets, from being this close Homura could feel the warmth of Madoka’s body heat, but she relaxed knowing it wasn’t as burning hot from when she first arrived – Homura helped her. She helped her feel better and safer.
“Homura…” Madoka’s voice was faint but still clear enough for Homura to understand. “Please don’t leave.”
“I wouldn't leave you Madoka, ever.”
Hearing this, Madoka was finally able to fall into a dreamless slumber.
The room became quiet again, with the sound of the rain and Madoka’s soft breathing. Homura turned on her side and moved her hand to interlock with Madoka’s own.
The storm wouldn’t be over soon, and she knew that. But right now, Homura knows that everything will be okay, as long as Madoka is safe.