Chapter Text
Homura’s POV
“So, Miss Akemi. As your practitioner I have ruled you are fit to attend school again. We'll release you on the 16th, and have you start on the 25th” Dr. Hoshi said with a satisfied, professional air. “We'll still have monthly check ups, and if you have any irregular palpitations please don't hesitate to make an appointment with me.” She adjusted the papers on her clipboard, and turned on her heel, as the nurse continued monitoring my blood pressure. He gave a gentle look towards me. I looked down, stewing in muddled thoughts. School? I haven't gone in person in two years. I'm socially inept regardless. It's so soon, oh goodness.. no, I want a cool persona from now on. As thoughts swirled through my head, the nurse's soothing voice cut through, “Homura-san, relax dear.” and he glanced at the blood pressure monitor. I exhaled sharply and tried breathing slower. After a moment the nurse spoke again, “there we go, nice job Homura.” Another moment of silence passed, pen scratching on paper, the nurse took his leave, and said “You'll do great Homura, everyone at the clinic is rooting for you, dear.” I looked down abashedly. Tightening the grip on the blank hospital sheets.
Walking into class 2A, I vaguely heard the Teacher speaking, something about eggs? I must be mishearing, I'm too nervous, there's whispering everywhere, the walls are glass, I feel as if everyone in the school can see me.
“-Our new transfer student” her voice is shrill. “Homura Akemi. Introduce yourself,” I finally forced my stiff neck up forward, staring at the wall at the back, as I robotically repeated my name and a greeting. I lowered my lashes again, and caught a glimpse of cotton candy. Wait. It's not cotten candy, it looks just as soft, but it's a girl's hair. Startled by the astute pinkness, I caught her eye. Gentle, and rose-like. I stood there for a moment as we glimpsed into one another, she seemed somehow pleasantly surprised. Slipping into a smile, like watching a peony bloom. Instinctually I looked down. Away. The teacher directed me to my seat, my stomach felt ill and full of syrup, my face hot.
Madoka's Pov:
Gosh, the transfer student is cute! She seems shy. I hope we can be friends. Glancing up at her, she’s staring back. Her eyes reflected almost a deep muted lavender, though they were dark. Her black straight hair fell in two braids, and she wore crimson glasses. She quickly averted her gaze once more, Oh no, did I scare her? I frowned, before glancing at Sayaka beside me, already trying to catch my eye with a grin.
“Akemi-san, your hair is so shiny, what shampoo do you use?” “Akemi-san, do you play any sports?” “Akemi-san-” Watching Homura Akemi again, I frowned, can’t they see the poor girl is about to explode? Kazuko-sensei said she has to take medication in the nurses office during lunch.. I can take her there now! Homura’s face was twitching oddly, her face turning red, to pale, to maybe purplish, against the bombardment of curious questions from classmates. Approaching her desk I tried speaking in a comforting tone, “Miss Akemi, I’m the nurse's aide.. Madoka Kaname. I can take you to her office today.” She paused for a minute before standing. Leading her down the hallway, I slowed my pace to match her. I felt warm inside next to her. Helping anyone makes me feel so nice. Especially her. “Sorry If you mind me asking,” I began, “May.. I call you homura-chan? I think we’re going to be good friends. You can call me Madoka!” Flashing her another smile. I’ll win her over! I wonder if she’ll like Mami-chan’s tea parties. Homura-chan nodded quietly.
Homura's POV
“So, homura-chan!” Madoka began, as I stood in front of her, a circle of girls behind her. “I’ll introduce you to everyone! This is Sayaka Miki,” She gestured to the tom boyish blue haired girl in my class, she gave a thumbs up to me, “Mami Tomoe,” Next was a more mature looking blonde, who had pretty features and something like a maternal presence smiled politely to me. “And Kyoko Sakura! She’s also pretty new.” A fiery red haired girl grinned and bumped into Sayaka, who bumped into her back, laughing. “Everyone,” Madoka turned around, “This is Homura Akemi! Let’s give her a warm welcome.” Various pleasantries were exchanged to me, as I quickly nodded to keep up. I silently prayed the excited flush in my face wasn’t visible. Happiness swelled in my chest as I sat down on the rooftop with everyone. Is it this easy to make friends?
I smiled for the first time today, opening my bento.
As I walked home along a bridge, the sun was dimming, shining everything in a honey hue. As I heard rushing footsteps behind me, I heard a laughing “Homura-chan!” turning around was madoka reaching out, “Caught you!” She said, narrowing her eyes affectionately, before laughing awkwardly with her hand behind her head. “Ehehe.. We walk the same way.” She said more shyly. My heart was swelling, I didn’t think it could take much more, I might be hospitalized from happiness. Friends on the first day! The thought swirling again in the honey dipped sky, I tried giving her an equally encouraging expression. “. . .Madoka-chan.” I replied. She caught up beside me, and we walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Before she began once more. “Mami-chan is having a tea-party this saturday, would you like to come? We wanted to invite you.” Surprised, I responded after a moment, trying to sound enthusiastic. “Yes, I’ll attend, If you will have me.” For an inexplicable reason I felt so close to her, to the group. Was it unnatural? Was it natural? It felt like I had been longing for this for what felt like an eternity. Longing for companionship. Safety, and comfort in people. She smiled, and continued talking, “She blends her own tea. Mami-chan, I mean! Sometimes she bakes cakes too. Or she just buys them. You should meet her little cousin Charlotte, she loves Mami’s cheesecake!” Madoka giggled to herself, voice lilting, eyes closed. I laughed too, the air felt just as sweet.
“Thank you mami-san.” I said, taking the Earl grey she offered. Her expression was pleasant and genuine. We were circled around a coffee table, the other girls chatting with one another. Sayaka was teasing Madoka, Kyoko was teasing Sayaka, and Mami was teasing Kyoko. I took a quiet sip, happily observing everyone. The tea was perfectly steeped, with a smooth and flavorful fragrance. With a hint of Bergamot and Vanilla? Mami turned to me with a disarming expression, and a soothing voice. “Your skirt is very pretty, Homura. I think purple suits you very well.” I flush slightly and put down my tea. Madoka, noticing the conversation, added “You let down your braids today! Your hair is so long!” Madoka and Mami exchanged encouraging looks. “Thank you,” I responded, with a bit of confidence. I felt comfortable, which was helpful when being out of your comfort zone. It was then Mami’s turn again,”It feels so convivial today, with everyone.” She spoke softly, and she suddenly looked very vulnerable for a moment. I could tell it meant a lot to her, being in and comforted by other’s presences. “The Tea is Delicious, Mami-san. It’s very refreshing, while retaining a certain richness.” She gave me a comforting look, before getting up and walking to her kitchen, returning with what looked like a blackberry jam cheesecake with a slice of cake already missing. Was it perhaps Charlotte, who Madoka referenced?
Madoka’s POV:
I was lying backwards off my bed, staring at the ceiling, while holding a stuffed animal. Sayaka was tinkering on a dj program doing who knows what. Ever since kyosuke rehabilitated and returned to school, she had inexplicably lost her childhood crush for him. “Well I’m glad you realized the best path for you, Sayaka-chan!” I began. “I’m sure there’s a passionate lover waiting for you out there somewhere!” I patted her head, partially teasing, partially comforting her. She stuck out her tongue, teasing me back. We were at a sleepover of ours. Clutching my stuffed rabbit again, I laughed. “So, what are you doing?” I asked her curiously. She glanced at me for a moment. “Making my own remix.” “Of, like, a song?” I asked, with a grin. She exasperatedly sighed, also with a grin. “Yes. since I have so many CD’s Anyways, though I’d put them to good use, Y’know? Maybe I could be a music producer one day.” I widened my eyes, “Woah! Sayaka, that’s actually so cool!” She flushed for a moment. I continued. “I’m not sure what I want to do,” I mumbled. “I’m not particularly good at anything.” Sayaka immediately replied, “Hey, that’s not true. You're weirdly good at making strange friends. Okay, that was a joke, but you do have things you're good at!” I rolled over closer to her, “Hmm. Maybe.” I said, disheartened. She thought for a moment before saying, “Maybe just find something you like doing. You like animals, right? And you like assisting people, maybe get a part time job at an elderly home.” I sat up again, looking at Sayaka with wonder. “Hey! Those aren’t bad ideas! I’ll.. think about it.” She’s so amazing! I thought to myself.
Sayaka’s POV:
I studied madoka for a moment, and she seemed deep in thought. “Anyway,” I continued, “it seems you and Homura have hit it off as friends over the last couple of weeks,” I said, calculated and a bit prying. She snapped out of it and gave me a shy smile and an awkward laugh. “Ehehehe.. you think?” There was a rosiness to her features. “Actually, we're hanging out at the mall tomorrow! The two of us.”