Origin: How I Became A Magical Girl’s Hapless Sidekick In A Craptastic World

The following day, I awoke to a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was as if something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. I dressed and headed out to grab breakfast, hoping the fresh air would help clear my mind.

Walking down the street, I noticed that the world seemed different somehow. The air felt thick and heavy, and everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. It was as if time had slowed down, and the world was holding its breath. I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye. I swore I saw a woman in the shadows, but no one was there when I turned to look. I shook my head, chalked it up to my imagination, and continued on my way.

I shrugged off the feeling and walked into a dingy hole-in-the-wall café, ordering a coffee and a pastry. As I waited for my order, I noticed a group of people huddled around a small CRT TV in the corner of the room.

Curiosity was getting the better of me, so I walked over to see what was happening. As I leaned in closer, I saw a news report playing.

"...officials at Independence Hall have issued a statement condemning the attack on the St. Antonia's Academy scholarship student from Earth," the news anchor reported. "Congress has also announced a new set of measures to improve the safety and well-being of Earth transplants in our communities."

"What a load of crap."

I turned to see a burly olive-skinned man with a hard hat, a thick beard, and a scowl on his face.

"What do you mean?" I asked, curious.

"I mean, they're just paying lip service to this whole thing," the man said, his voice laced with bitterness. "They don't really give a damn about us. They never have and they never will."

I frowned, feeling a wave of sympathy for the man. I had heard similar sentiments from others, but I hoped things would improve.

"Maybe things will change now," I said, trying to sound optimistic.

The man scoffed, shaking his head. "You can hope all you want, kid, but it won't change anything. They'll only care about us when they need us for something."

I nodded slowly, understanding where the man was coming from. The world can be cruel; sometimes, seeing the good in people and situations is hard.

I sipped my coffee and nibbled on my pastry, lost in thought. As I gazed out the window, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for Earth transplants like me. Would things truly change? Or would we always be seen as outsiders, no matter how hard we tried to assimilate? I couldn't help but feel like a patsy, either.

It was evident that Eleni had used me as a means to an end, probably at the behest of her parents or some kind of organization. It was wrong of her to use mind magic like that, and it made me ponder what other despicable tactics people might resort to in order to get their way.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice the man get up and leave until the bell above the door chimed. I finished my coffee and headed back to my apartment, my mind still racing with thoughts of the future.

As I exited the bodega, I noticed a small group of people gathering in the distance. Curiosity was getting the best of me, so I walked over to see what was happening.

A group was protesting outside of a municipal government building. They held signs that read "Equal Rights for Earth Transplants" and "Stop the Hate."

I felt a pang of empathy for the protesters. They bravely stood up for what they believed in, especially in the face of such overwhelming opposition. Still, as someone who'd been used to pour fuel on this outrage, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease.

I shook my head, turning away from the protest and continuing home. The past few days had left me feeling drained, and I just wanted to curl up in front of my computer and forget about everything for a little while.

However, as I approached my building, I noticed something strange. Two men dressed in black stood outside, their arms crossed in front of their chests. They looked like security guards or bodyguards, and their presence made me uneasy.

One was Asian, and the other had a tanned, ethnically ambiguous appearance. Both men wore stereotypical Men-in-Black outfits with suits, sunglasses, and earpieces.

Oh, please don't be here for me.

I tried to ignore them and walk away, but the Asian man stepped forward, blocking my path.

"Excuse me, sir," he said in a stern voice. "We need to ask you a few questions."

I frowned, feeling my heart rate increase. "What kinds of questions?"

The man pulled out a badge and flashed it in my face. It read "Agent Luis Chen - Bureau of Homeland Security."

"We need to know about yesterday afternoon," the man said, his expression serious.

"Why?" I asked, feeling a surge of panic.

"You were involved in an incident at St. Antonia's Academy, yes?" the man said, his voice firm.

I felt my stomach drop and clammed up in response, unsure what to say. I knew the constitution here had similar rights, but I was entirely out of my depth.

"We just need to clear some things up," the man continued. "Please, come with us."

I shook my head, "Do you have a warrant? Er, am I under arrest? I don't feel comfortable going anywhere with you without one."

The man hesitated for a moment, then his expression hardened. "You're not under arrest, kid, but we do need to speak with you regarding the incident. Here..."

He handed me a paper that had been stamped and contained a QR code, which allegedly gave them the right to investigate me with matters concerning national security. I took out my cell phone to scan the document to check its legitimacy.

I weighed my options momentarily, looking the two men over as the warrant was verified. The situation was becoming increasingly tense, and I knew I had to be careful. These men were from the Bureau of Homeland Security, assuming their badges were authentic. I had no idea what kind of authority they held. I knew that if I refused to go with them, it would only raise suspicion. Plus, they had guns.

I responded, feeling beads of sweat pop out, "Are you okay that I let my friends know, then? We had plans to hang out."

The man smiled and nodded.

"It's fine," he said. "But make it quick, kid."

Well, that was a good sign, at least. I was thankful I didn't get stuffed into a black bag or something.

I pulled out my phone and sent a quick message to Midori and the crew, letting them know what was happening and where I was headed. Then, I messaged Natasha letting her know that our plans to meet up in the city were probably off.

The two men led me to a sleek black SUV parked at the curb. They opened the door and motioned for me to get inside. I hesitated momentarily, but Agent Chen gestured for me to get in.

The doors locked as soon as I was inside, and the car started moving. I felt a sense of dread settling in my stomach. I had no idea where they were taking me or what they wanted from me.

The car drove for an eternity, winding through dark streets and boulevards. I tried to keep track of our route, but it was impossible to tell where we were going. The trip took less than fifteen minutes, but my nerves made it feel like so much more time had passed.

Finally, the car pulled up to a large government building. The men led me inside, and we went through a series of checkpoints and security checks. I started feeling like a criminal, even though I hadn't done anything wrong.

The two men led me inside, and we arrived at a clean white room with two chairs on either side of a wooden table in the center. A single panel of glass hung on the wall.

"Have a seat," Agent Chen said, pointing to one of the chairs.

I hesitated momentarily, my eyes glancing around the room, trying to see if there were any surveillance cameras or other hidden security measures. But I was quickly distracted by the sound of the door clicking shut behind me.

"Where am I?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

"You're in a secure, scry-proof location," the Asian man said sternly. "Now, please let us talk about what happened yesterday."

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat.

"Could you clarify what you mean?" I said, trying to remain calm.

Agent Chen looked at me momentarily, his eyes scanning my face. "We just want to hear about what happened during the scuffle with Madison Walker and the other girls at the academy. In your own words, at least."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Scuffle is one way to put it," I replied. "They attacked me and I defended myself."

Agent Chen raised an eyebrow in response. "You're saying that Madison Walker just up and attacked you? That's not how we heard it."

"Well, how did you hear it?" I responded indignantly, "And why are the Feds getting involved with a high school brawl of all things?"

The other man, silently watching our exchange, spoke up. "You know very well that there is more to this 'scuffle' than just a high school brawl. The incident has captured public attention virtually overnight."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make light of the situation," I said. "But I really didn't do anything wrong. I was just defending myself."

The men exchanged a look, and Agent Chen leaned forward, his eyes intense.

"Let me be frank with you," he said hushedly. "You are really in a bit of a pickle. Clementine Barnes, the girl your friend lifted and tossed on her back, is the child of an influential senator. Her friends come from powerful families. They are saying that you were the aggressor and are trying to discredit the footage made public."

I sat there, stunned. I had no idea that the situation had escalated to this level. I couldn't believe that these powerful families were trying to pin the blame on me, and I couldn't help but feel like I was being railroaded.

"That's not true," I protested. "I didn't attack them first. Umn..."

"I believe you. We've had the original footage turned in to us, but this incident lit the mother of all social powder kegs. You have no idea how many people in high society are calling for justice, calling for something to be done. It's a mess, and we're trying to sort it out. But you need to be honest with us. Is there anything you're not telling us?"

I thought about how their eyes flashed white right before they lunged at me.

"Actually I... I do believe another one of the girls used some kind of mind magic on them. Some girl named Eleni Marinakis."

The two men exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to me.

"Mind magic from Eleni Marinakis?" the tanned man said, raising his eyebrows.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's hard to explain, but their eyes all flashed white for a second. It was like she was able to control their thoughts and make them attack me. I didn't do anything wrong."

The men stared at me for a moment longer before Agent Chen spoke up.

"Interesting," he said slowly. "Well, that complicates things."

I furrowed my brow, feeling a sense of unease growing in my gut. "What do you mean? How does that complicate things?"

Agent Chen cleared his throat before beginning. "Mind magic is a rare and difficult skill," he said. "And if what you're telling me is accurate — mind that I'm not taking your words at face value — it means that Eleni Marinakis has committed a felony. It's worth mentioning that she is also the daughter of one of the world's most influential women."

I was taken aback by this information. Eleni was the daughter of a powerful woman? And why was the Bureau of Homeland Security so interested in this situation?

I blinked in surprise. "So you're saying that Eleni's mother is someone important?"

"Very powerful," said the other man in a hushed tone. "And if you claim she used her magical powers in public, it might result in some major complications for you."

"I don't understand," I said, my confusion apparent in my voice. "Why are you telling me all of this?"

Agent Chen leaned forward, his auburn eyes fixed on mine.

He spoke with a tone of gravity and sincerity. "Not all of us are corrupt, and I am sympathetic to this shitstorm that's brewed around you. I hope you understand that this aspect of the investigation is dead in the water now," he said, his tone serious. "We aren't going to charge you with anything, and we can't charge Eleni either. Even with solid evidence and frankly, some serious backing, it would be difficult. But, I want to make something clear to you, and I want you to take it seriously. You're a pawn in a much bigger game, and it's possible people are going to use you. Be on your guard, buddy."

I felt a chill run down my spine, but I didn't understand why.

He leaned back in his chair.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're just a kid in over his head, but you've unwittingly stirred up attention from powerful people and a few outright terrorists," he said. "When that kind of thing occurs, it can cause chaos. Let me offer you some advice: stay on the down-low and try to avoid any more trouble. I am going to let you go, but I advise you to lay low for a while."

I nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "I understand. Thank you for telling me."

"Now come on," the tanned man beckoned. "We'll take you back home."

As I stood up to leave, Agent Chen stopped me with a hand on my shoulder.

"Listen, kid," he said, his voice low. "I know things are tough right now, but I'm going to give you some additional advice. Stay away from that Eleni Marinakis and her inner circle. She's trouble. If she really did use mind magic on those girls, then she's dangerous. And powerful people protect their own. You don't want to get caught up in that mess."

Well, that isn't weird, foreboding, or suspicious at all.

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Er, I understand. Thank you? Unfortunately it's a little late for me. I'm on their ringleader's shit list already. It's why that attack happened at all."

Agent Chen gave me a sympathetic look and then gestured to the door. "Come on, let's get you out of here."

With that, the two agents escorted me out of the room and down the hallway, their footsteps echoing in the empty space. I couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from over, that there was more to this situation than I could possibly understand.

As we exited the building, I was blinded by the sudden glare of sunlight.

I squinted, trying to adjust my eyes to the brightness as the agents led me toward the waiting car. As we approached, I noticed a figure standing in the shadows out of the corner of my eye by an alleyway. It was the silhouette of a woman, dark hair falling in waves around her face. She was watching us, but she vanished when I looked at her directly.

"Did you see that?" I asked the agents, pointing in the direction where the woman had been.

Agent Chen shook his head.

"No one was there, kid," he said firmly. "Just get in the car."

I hesitated for a moment but then shrugged it off and climbed into the car. The drive back to my apartment was quiet, and my mind was racing with all the information I had just received. It was like being dropped into the middle of a spy thriller, and I had no idea what to do next.

When we arrived at my apartment complex, I thanked the agents and exited the car. As I walked inside, I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I headed to my apartment. As soon as I entered, I locked the door behind me and collapsed onto the couch, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing with all the information I had been given. The Bureau of Homeland Security, powerful families, mind magic. It was all too much to process.

I grabbed my phone and checked my text messages — there was one from Midori.

It said: "Hey... I just wanted to let you know that I'm here if you need to talk. Whatever is going on, we'll figure it out together."

I smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. At least she was in my corner. I replied to her message, thanking her for the support, and asked if she was available to sit down and talk somewhere.

Within five minutes, there was a knock on my door.

I opened the door to see Midori, her face riddled with concern. She had dark rings around her eyes — it was apparent she hadn't slept.

"Come in," I said, stepping aside as she entered. "You're a sight for sore eyes. That was, er, really fast?"

"I thought something had happened to you," she replied as she sat beside me on the couch. "What's going on?"

I took a deep breath and began to explain everything that had happened since I'd woken up. About the protests nearby and how I had been approached by Agent Chen earlier.

Midori listened intently, her expression growing increasingly concerned as I spoke.

"This is insane," she said when I had finished. "I can't believe all of this is moving so fast. BHS is involved in this now?"

I nodded, feeling overwhelmed again. "Tell me about it," I said, running a hand through my hair. "I don't even know what to do next."

Midori put a hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out together," she said reassuringly. "But first, we need to make sure you're safe."

I looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," she said, "that with everything that's going on, you can't just stay here. What if someone comes after you? What if they break in?"

I hadn't thought about that. "What should I do then?" I asked.

"You should come stay with me and Talia for now," Midori said decisively. "Both our home and the hideout has been reinforced, and I won't let anything happen to you."

I looked at her, feeling a warmth spreading through me. "Er, thank you," I said. "That means a lot."

Midori smiled at me. "Of course. We'll keep you safe!"

Standing up to grab my things, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. It was like the hairs on my neck stood up, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were in danger.

I almost chalked it up to my imagination. However, as soon as the feeling started, Midori's face fell.

"Midori," I whispered, "do you feel that?"

She paused and looked around, her eyes glowing green in the darkness. "Yes," she said quietly. "I do."

Midori stood up from the couch and headed to the window without a word. She peered outside, scanning the street below with a frown.

"What is it?" I asked, my heart racing.

"There's something in the space between out here," Midori said, her tone serious.

I felt my heart sink. "What does that even mean? What do we do?"

I heard a brief whirring noise and watched a katana manifest out of thin air in Midori's hand.

Then, in a flash of green light and energy, I saw her cut through space itself, slicing open a green rift and striking something on the other side of the window.

"Holy shit!" I yelped.

A previously invisible woman came tumbling to the ground out of a rift on the other side. Midori moved swiftly, swinging the door open. She grabbed the woman by the arm and dragged her inside.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice laced with anger.

The woman said nothing and simply dragged herself onto her knees. She wore all white, and her skin had an otherworldly, ethereal quality. It was like she was a ghost.

My stomach dropped as she looked up at us. Her face was blurred out like a glitch in the matrix. The woman's joints and limbs cracked and contorted unnaturally; she seemed almost like a puppet like someone was controlling her body with strings.

"A Facestealer," Midori spat, tightening her grip on her sword. "I should have known."

The woman's blurred face shifted and twisted and suddenly cleared into the face of a beautiful young girl with wavy dark hair. "Please," she gasped, "I mean no harm. I was just watching over him."

Midori didn't hesitate. She raised her sword and brought it down swiftly, separating the creature's head from her shoulders in one swift motion. The woman slumped to the ground lifelessly as her head tumbled with a sickening thud.

I stood in shock, my eyes wide in horror at what I had just witnessed.

Midori shook her head, "She's not human anymore," she said bluntly. "She was being possessed and controlled by something else."

I swallowed hard, trying to find the words to speak. "What...what the hell is a facestealer?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Midori sheathed her katana, the energy around her fading as she turned to me. "An uncommon Aberration variant that can mimic the appearance and memories of their victims," she explained. "They're incredibly dangerous saboteurs and assassins and a real pain in the ass during particularly nasty Chaos Events. They're considered urban legends and discredited by the powers that be to minimize hysteria."

I nodded, my mind still reeling from what I had just witnessed. "So, what do we do now?"

Midori's expression grew grave. "I definitely don't think you're safe out on your own, now. Let's get you out of here and to safety."

"Hang on, let me contact the others. Give them a heads up," I said, pulling out my phone.

Midori nodded, her eyes darting around the room warily as I quickly typed out a message to the others in our group. I told them what happened and to be on alert just in case.

Suddenly, the corpse of the facestealer began to glow with green light, shining with the same light that Midori had cast upon herself. Before my eyes, the body started to dissolve and liquefy, like it was being sucked into the ground or dust. I gaped at it for a moment before sending out the message.

After I clicked send, I packed my things quickly, feeling a sense of urgency. Midori watched as I packed, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. I could feel the fear building inside me, but I tried to push it down.

I finished in a few minutes, and Midori motioned for me to accompany her. She opened the door to the apartment, and a cool breeze blew through the room, sending a chill up my spine. Without saying anything, she set off down the stairs to the street. I struggled to keep pace with her, matching two of my strides to one of hers.

Transport trucks blasted their horns as they rumbled by us on the street, but Midori kept going without hesitation. We made it outside without incident, and Midori hailed a cab as we hurried towards the curb. Within seconds, we were on our way, the city streets blurring past us as we raced toward Midori's home. The afternoon sun started drifting beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the city.

I exhaled a deep breath, feeling relieved to be in her company. She really made me feel safe. "Thank you, Midori," I said, grateful for her protection. "Seriously, I don't know why you go out of the way for me so much."

Midori turned to me with a soft smile.

"We take care of our own," she said gently.

As the cab pulled up in front of Midori's home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The day's events left me on edge, and I constantly looked over my shoulder, convinced that we were being watched.

Midori must have sensed my apprehension because she put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry," she said. "We're safe here. Talia's been working overtime since the last incident."

I nodded, trying to calm my nerves as we entered. The interior of Midori's home was immaculate, with sleek furnishings and modern decor. I followed her into the living room, taking in the room's spaciousness as she motioned for me to take a seat on the plush couch.

Looking around, I couldn't help but feel envy even on a second visit. It was a far cry from my own cramped and cluttered apartment.

"Mrow," came a soft meow from the corner as light footsteps approached. I looked over to see Kuromaru, Midori's familiar chubby black cat, staring at us with enormous eyes blinking slowly.

"Kuro!" I acknowledged the cat, feeling relieved to see a familiar face.

"Aww," Midori said with a smile, walking over to greet her beloved companion. She knelt down and ran her fingers through the cat's fur before turning back to me. "He thought you were going to forget him!"

I chuckled, happy that Kuromaru remembered me from the last time I visited. "Of course not; he's too cute to forget," I said, reaching down to pet him.

Midori stood up and headed towards the kitchen, motioning for me to follow. "I'll make some tea," she said. "We can talk about what happened."

As she prepared the tea, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The events I'd experienced over the last 48 hours were still fresh in my mind, and the idea that there could be more facestealers out there made me anxious.

Midori returned with the tea, placing it on the table before sitting across from me. "So," she said, taking a sip. "How are you feeling about what happened back there?"

I took a deep breath before responding. "Honestly, it was terrifying," I admitted. "I had no idea that there were things like that out there."

She nodded, her expression grave. "Yes, there are many other things out there that the general population doesn't know about. Creatures that lurk in the shadows and feed on human fear and pain. If they weren't constantly discredited and suppressed through disinformation campaigns; we'd have a lot more paranoia and hysteria to deal with during Chaos Events to say the least."

I shuddered at the thought, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "What do we do about them?" I asked, feeling helpless. "What would have happened if you weren't here the same time the feeling came up this time?"

"That's hard to say," Midori replied, her face grim. "Those things usually don't attack until local entropy breaks down during a nasty Chaos Event, and we've found that they only target people who have reached a mental and spiritual low, of sorts."

She trailed off, leaving the words hanging in the air. "Let's just say it starts with them puppeteering their primary stalking victims, and it usually isn't pleasant. It takes considerable skill and/or chaos resistance to drive them off."

I took a shaky sip of tea, my heart racing as I tried to think of something to say with all these thoughts scrambling in my head.

"So um, I do want to talk about what happened with the brawl at school, if you'd be willing to listen," I said, changing the subject to something less terrifying.

Midori nodded, her expression softening. "Of course. I'm here for you, Ikki. Whatever you need."

I took a deep breath and began to recount the events leading up to the school brawl. How Natasha had been targeted by a group of bullies, how I'd jumped in yet again. I talked about Eleni casting some spell that put them into a frenzy and how the situation had spiraled out of control from there.

When I had finished, she put a hand on mine. "I'm sorry you two had to go through that," she said. "No one deserves to be treated like that. Seriously."

I nodded, feeling grateful for Midori's support. "Yeah, it was rough. But we got through it in one piece together this time."

Midori smiled at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's the important thing. You have each other's backs."

I took another sip of tea before continuing. "I just don't know what to do about the bullies. They keep harassing us, and it's like the school is actively avoiding the problem."

Midori leaned back in her chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, that's a tough one. You've talked to the administration, right?"

I groaned, feeling frustrated. "I have, but they just brush it off like it's not a big deal. Although with everything that's been going on now, they might change their tune."

Midori nodded, her expression pensive. "That's true. With everything that's been happening lately, they might take it more seriously."

I leaned forward, feeling hopeful. "Do you think we should go to them again? Maybe this time they'll listen?"

Midori let out a sigh, her eyes meeting mine. "I think that's probably your best option for now," she said. "But it's more than likely that they won't take action."

I felt my heart sink at her words. "What do we do then?" I asked, feeling defeated.

Midori gave me a reassuring smile. "We'll figure something out," she said. We can gather evidence or talk to their parents. There's always a way to fight back."

A knot of frustration formed in my stomach. No matter how much we begged for it, it seemed like no one was willing to help us.

"But don't worry," Midori continued, offering me a reassuring smile. "We'll figure something out. There's always a way around these things."

"Hey, Midori?" I said my voice low. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," she replied, her eyes meeting mine.

"What do you see in me?" I asked, my cheeks heating up. "I mean, sure, I'd like to imagine I have a decent head on my shoulders, but I'm nothing special. So why do you go out of your way to protect me so much?"

Midori looked at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke. "Ikki, you're smart, kind, and brave. You have a good heart, and you're always willing to help others, even when it puts you in danger. That's not something you see in everyone."

My heart clenched at her words, and warmth spread through my chest. "I... Thank you," I said softly, grateful for her friendship. I guess she was really that kind of person.

She gave me a small smile before standing up. "Now, let's finish our tea before it gets cold," she said, heading back towards the kitchen. "Have you had lunch yet?"

My stomach growled in response, and I realized that I hadn't eaten anything all day. I shook my head, feeling a little embarrassed.

"No, I haven't," I replied, feeling my face flush. "I guess I got caught up in everything that's been happening."

Midori chuckled, motioning for me to follow her. "Well, let's fix that."

As she busied herself in the kitchen, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Despite the chaos and danger that seemed to surround me at all times these days, I had someone I could count on. I knew Midori had my back; that was enough to face whatever came my way.

I noticed Midori stealing glances at me when we sat down to eat. It was like she was trying to figure something out, and her gaze made me feel a little self-conscious.

"What's up?" I asked, feeling a little uneasy under her scrutiny.

Midori shook her head, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Oh, nothing. It's just nice to be able to sit down and have a meal together. It feels like I don't get to do that enough these days."

I relaxed a little, "Yeah, it is nice," I agreed, feeling my stomach grumble in anticipation of the food. I brushed off the looks Midori shot me as nothing.

Midori served us a plate of steaming hot stir fry with rice, and we began to eat in comfortable silence. As I took a bite, I couldn't help but let out a contented sigh. The food was delicious, and it was nice to have peace amidst all the chaos.

After we finished our meal, I thanked Midori for the delicious food and helped her clean up. We chatted about everything and nothing as we worked, and by the end of it, I felt calmer than I had in weeks.

Thanks for today," I said as I finished drying the last of the dishes. "It really helps to have a break from all this craziness."

Midori smiled, her eyes twinkling with fondness. "Anytime, Ikki," she replied. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going head out for a bit to go pick up Talia."

She gave me an affectionate pat on the head before walking towards the door. Before she left, she paused and turned to me one last time.

"Remember," she said softly, her voice warm and gentle. "No matter what happens, you're not alone. We're in this together, and we'll find a way to make things right."

It felt like there was more meaning behind those words than what she said out loud. I smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. Midori made me feel like I could do anything, and this time was no exception.

I watched her walk away, my heart swelling with gratitude for such a wonderful friend. As she disappeared around the corner, I felt hopeful that somehow, someway, things would work out in the end.