Then I got up and hugged Daisy. "Thanks for letting us help you. If you need anything, call me and Misaki," I smiled at her. "That's what friends are for."
She hugged me back. "Thanks, Sienna... I know you have your own problems, but I still appreciate you coming." A small tear touched my arm.
After we finished hugging, Misaki came over with a small pink ribbon. "Thanks for having us, here's a small gift."
"Girls, we need to go back... My sister doesn't let me stay out after 7:30." Arisha was leaning against the door, tapping her foot on the floor.
"Alright, lone wolf, we're going, relax." Daisy walked us to the exit. "Wait! We forgot to say goodbye to your mom!"
"Don't worry, Sienna, mom must be in her study, so she won't come out until tomorrow."
"Sis! Are the monsters leaving yet?" There was Danika, wearing a paper crown.
"Never! We rule this castle now!" I shouted as deeply as I could while trying to pose with my arms crossed like a certain green alien.
"Monster, you won't win!" She pulled out her little axe and tried to lunge at me, but Daisy picked her up.
"It's time to wrap this up, Danika..." she sighed while holding Danika. "It's time for the queen to watch her favorite show."
"Catmon!" Danika broke free and ran inside excitedly.
"That brat has way too much energy," Arisha snorted. "She's like a mini tornado."
"I think she's a sweet girl. What do you think, Misaki?"
Misaki, who was looking out at the street, turned around with a smile. "Miss Danika? Well, she reminds me a bit of my sister..." Misaki quickly turned away.
"I didn't know you had a sister, Misaki? Will we get to meet her someday?" Daisy held onto her new ribbon.
"Meet her... I don't think so..." Misaki gripped her skirt tightly and didn't turn around.
"Uhhh, I think we better go... okay? Bye, Daisy!" I ran to hug Misaki and whispered to her, "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine, okay?"
"Don't worry, miss... it's nothing..." Her eyes dropped to the floor.
(Shit, what do I do, what do I do...?)
"Uhhh, Arisha! Didn't you say we had to go?"
"I was just letting her finish her soap opera... but fine."
"Bye, Daisy!"
"Bye, miss!"
"Bye, kid!"
We waved goodbye, raising my hand and Misaki's.
As we walked down the street, we didn't look at anyone, but in the distance I saw two people at the entrance to the subway.
"This looks like one of those places where Scooby and Shaggy used to go when they went looking for..."
"Scooby and Shaggy? Is that some kind of movie?" Arisha walked carelessly with her arms behind her head. "Putting your peculiar tastes aside, what about the game? Have you made any progress?"
"Ah, yeah, it's on my PC... Just give me some time to download it... haha." I ignored her stare, and looked at the entrance, seeing the other person go in.
"Well, we're finally getting close! Arisha, are you coming to our place or going straight to yours?"
"No, I'm going straight home. My sister is very strict about that..." Arisha wasn't looking at us, she seemed focused on each step forward.
"Should we walk you there? That would be fine, right, Misaki?" I glanced at Misaki, who was walking beside me, looking a bit happier now.
"I don't see any problem as long as we all go back together."
"See, it's fine, Arisha! If Misaki says so, then it's guaranteed!" I smiled broadly.
"It's not necessary. My sister isn't very friendly with people outside the church... but thanks for the offer."
We arrived at the station.
"Excuse me, where are you going?" A woman in a green uniform with black trim stopped us.
"We're going to the residential area and—"
"Come to think of it, what are you doing tomorrow, Sienna?" We were sitting down while Misaki talked to the guard.
"I have urgent things to do... I'll study and have your game ready, very urgent things." I looked at her very seriously. (I'm going to stay in bed like glue on a piece of paper).
"Girls, could you come over here?"
We walked over.
"Could you give me your student IDs?"
"Yes, sorry for the delay." Arisha handed over an ID with her photo and some details.
I grabbed Misaki's shoulder. "Misaki... I think I messed up again."
"Messed up? Agh..." Misaki opened her eyes wide, and took out her phone.
"Okay, all correct, you can go through. You, miss, can you show me yours?" She extended her hand politely towards me.
"Ah, I..." I started sweating bullets.
"She doesn't have it! You can contact Doctor Adesa for more information!" Misaki showed a photo of a girl covered in bandages all over her body, and a young doctor.
"Doctor Adesa, huh? Do you know her—"
"It's B0208!" Misaki stated with great confidence.
"Alright, I'll proceed to call her. One minute, please."
The phone answered on the other end. "Good evening, is this Doctor Adesa?"
"Doctor Adesa is a little busy right now, she's having dinner..."
"Tell her it's about Sienna Rosengarden!" Misaki got excited.
"C-calm down, Misaki, she'll do it..." I tried to hug her, but her unconscious strength was too much for me.
"It's about a girl named Sienna Rosengarden..." The officer, clearly a bit nervous from the insistence, continued talking.
"Sienna? One moment, I'll notify her..." The call was put on hold while Misaki glared furiously at the officer.
After a few minutes:
"Shhh, shh..."
"Sienna? Is that you?" A kind voice answered from the other side.
"Sorry for the trouble, I'm Officer Sheyla from sector 4D. I'm calling to confirm the identity of a girl named Sienna G.—"
"Rosengarden!" Misaki, increasingly passionate, advanced as if my grip didn't exist.
"Hahaha, I'd recognize that shout anywhere. I confirm her identity. Could you give them a little message from me?"
"Of course, whatever you wish, Doctor." The officer hung up and gave us one last look. "Okay, you can go. But before that, the doctor says she'll stop by your home sometime during the week."
"I understand. Sorry for the trouble, and thanks for the message." Misaki regained her composure and walked in as if nothing had happened.
"Uhhh, excuse her. She has to come with me and she's a bit... special." I tried to smile but couldn't hide my awkwardness.
"I understand... have a good night. And yes, be careful with this person." She handed over a poster of an average-looking woman with brown hair and a height of 1.70. "That person kidnapped a child. They managed to save him, but she fled. Be careful."
"Affirmative! We will! Thanks for the good wishes!" I grabbed Arisha and went inside.
The station is a bit crowded. Not enough to be annoying, but a big difference from before.
"Miss! Come this way!" We saw Misaki standing in line and ran over to her.
"Did you get tickets, Misaki?" Most of the people were adults waiting for the subway or eating at the different stalls.
"There's no need to wait for a ticket." Arisha seemed relaxed and simply sat down on one of the station benches.
"Huh, really? How much money is the subway losing?... Misaki! Let's take advantage and set up a lemonade stand! We'll make thousands, no! Millions! This is our opportu—" Excited, I knew that starting a business like this would secure a stable future. The millions would take time, but it's feasible.
Already seated, Arisha looked at me and snorted. "I find it fascinating to watch how you reach conclusions without the burden of facts or circumstances."
"Calm down, Arisha, please... I'm onto a million-dollar idea!" My eyes sparkled.
"Miss, I don't think your parents would approve of that, so please calm down a bit." Misaki touched my shoulders and sat me down next to Arisha. "Arisha, is this related to the Sacred Flame Festival?"
"Yes. The government gave out free tickets on weekend nights so people could get home safely and without hassle."
Beep-beep. The train stopped and the doors opened, and people quickly got on.
"Girls, I'm leaving. See you." Arisha said goodbye, and I stayed with Misaki.
"Most of the people left. It's just you and me again, Misaki." I looked at her since she was being a bit quiet.
"Miss... aren't you scared of me...?" Misaki's hands were trembling a little.
"Scared? Why would I be scared of you, Misaki? You're the person I trust the most. If I didn't have you, who would I lean on?" I looked her straight in the eyes.
A small smile formed at the corner of her lips. "Th...that makes me really happy. Thank you, mis... thank you, Sienna." She returned my gaze and took my hand.
"There's nothing to thank me for, Misaki... How long have we been together?" I leaned back next to her.
"Yes... so much time has passed." Misaki seemed to be looking at her phone.
"Are you still looking at that photo?" I looked at her face and in her pupils I saw the photo she showed the officer.
"Of course. That was the best moment of my life." Her gaze was melancholic, and for some reason my heart ached.
"It's like a destined encounter. What were the odds?" I tried to cheer her up, but her gaze remained fixed on it.
"I'm here, you know? I'm not... a photo..." I lowered my eyes, giving up.
"Yes..." She passed her hand, caressing my forehead. "You are here." Her smile was warm and my heart beat faster. "Please don't go... don't leave me..."
"Why would I? Only an idiot would make that decision." As her face was lit up by the light, I thought I was looking at an angel.
"Ah, it's here." Her face lit up by a light.
The train finally arrived. A few people got on, and I, holding Misaki's hand, sat down next to her. It was just her and me, and three other people in the car.