V5: Chapter 55: "Normal" is Different for Everyone, Isn't It?

Chapter 55: "Normal" is Different for Everyone, Isn't It?

---I feel like I've been having a long, long dream.

"...wake up ♡"

My whole body feels warm, and I can't escape...

When all the water in my body is gone, I'm given herbal bathwater to drink... and it repeats.

"Come on, wake up ♡"

Even though there are so many people around, even though I'm being watched...

My mind is a mess, and I've been turned into useless flesh that can't think of anything else... or so I thought.

"Come on, wake up, Shizuku-chan ♡ It's time to go to school, isn't it?"

"Uh, ah... a dream?"

And here I am again, the sun rising... and I'm waking up in bed.

More accurately, I'm aware of that.

"It's not a dream, you know?"

"Then... why..."

My body feels terribly sluggish, as if every cell in my body is craving nutrients. It's true, what happened yesterday wasn't a dream.

"Well, you don't have to worry too much, you can relax. As long as I'm here... you can't escape by fainting or breaking down... ♡"

As long as she's here, my sanity is guaranteed... or so it seems.

Whether that's truly fortunate might depend on the person, though.

"So, it's time for a good morning kiss?"

"Wait, aren't good morning kisses supposed to be lighter than that... mmm..."

As if to say that a mere verbal denial would be uncouth, she forcefully covers my mouth.

Only the sounds of our voices—"chu, mmm..." and the smacking of saliva—echo in the room.

"Ah, mmm..."

She slowly separates her lips to catch her breath—and then connects them again.

A deep kiss, so inappropriate for the morning, as if exchanging saliva.

"Mm..."

"If you look at me like you want it that much... I might not be able to hold back either ♡"

Even though I pretended to be reluctant, my body was already fully aroused.

She unbuttoned my pajamas, one button at a time.

Her slender fingertips slowly moved towards my chest...

"Um... how long are you going to keep messing around?" (???)

"Huh? Wha... Chloe-chan!?"

—It didn't happen.

She stood in the corner of the room, her face red, looking out of place.

"Why is Chloe-chan here...?"

"Why? Well, I came to wake you up. I was waiting like usual, and Mother-in-law said I could come in..."

Chloe stood there, fidgeting, her pretty face bright red like an apple.

I was asleep, but there was one person here who definitely noticed.

"Come on, Lux, you should have said something earlier!"

"Oh, it's fun to be watched, isn't it? Chloe-chan, do you want to join us?"

"...That's true. I'll call the school to say we're going to be absent..."

"Don't do that!? O-okay, I get it, I'll go to school..."

I'd be worrying my mom, or rather, she'd definitely notice.

I know it myself, but my squeals are quite embarrassing... probably pretty loud.

And if Chloe, who came to pick me up for school, didn't come downstairs, and she called to say I was absent... she'd definitely come to check on me.

"Besides, I have... things I need to do today... so, why don't you wait downstairs?"

"Do I need to help you get dressed?"

"You don't need to! Seriously!!"

"Seriously...?"

I certainly don't want to cause my mother any trouble or worry.

I already cause her trouble on a daily basis...

Even though I'm a somewhat unfilial daughter, I sincerely want to do something to show my gratitude.　

I changed my clothes and finished getting ready for school...　

"I didn't think we'd make it if we walked, so I had someone pick us up."

"You say that so casually... but Chloe-chan's house is in the opposite direction, isn't it?"

"It's fine, it's such a small thing."

"Small... Is it really small?"　

I got into a black luxury car and headed towards school.

It's quite conspicuous, so it would be better to be dropped off somewhere near the school.

Inside the car, Chloe, who was sitting beside me, turned her face towards me...　

"Hmm..."

"What's wrong, Chloe-chan?"

"Aren't you going to give me a good morning kiss?"　

Chloe, looking somewhat sulky, placed her hand on my thigh.

"B-But there are other people around..."

"They can't see from the outside... and the driver won't tell anyone."

It wasn't as if she was forcing the issue.

It was a change from her usual assertive attitude; she was acting rather endearing.

"Is it... no good? We... we've promised each other our future together."

"It's not that it's no good!"

"Hehe, so that means it's okay then?"

"Mm..."

Seeing her dejected expression, I instinctively told her that wasn't true... and she smiled brightly.

Then, she gave me a soft kiss, almost as if our lips were touching.

"Mwah... mm..."

She gripped my hand tightly, as if we were lovers.

Her fingers intertwined with mine, and our breaths mingled.

"Pfft... haa... It's disappointing it ended, but we've arrived."

"Uh, yeah..."

Before we knew it, we were near the school.

"We'll continue this another time..."

"Mm... yeah..."

Suppressing the urge to hug her, I picked up our bags and got out of the car.

A cold wind caressed my cheek.

We walked hand in hand through the town, which had become a little chilly with the arrival of autumn.

"...I might not have done my math homework."

"Well, that's to be expected if we've been out partying since Friday night..."

Despite everything that had happened, we were returning to our daily lives.

Returning...

★

I hurried home after school, claiming I had an errand to run.

I managed to get home before my younger sister, who attends the same school as me... or rather, who recently transferred here.

"I want her to come home, but at the same time, I don't want her to..."

"Oh, welcome home, Shizuku-chan♡"

"Ah, yeah. I'm home, Lux."

I sat down in a chair in the living room... restless and pacing around.

I had one worry.

I overslept due to exhaustion, so I couldn't do it this morning... and besides, it was too much work to do first thing in the morning.

However, it was a promise... and given the nature of the task, it would be too late if something went wrong.

I was really, really depressed... but as I was thinking about that, I heard the door to the house click open.

"I'm home!"

"Oh my, welcome back, Yuu-chan ♡"

"Welcome back, Yuu-chan, um... I have something to talk to you about..."

"I'm home... but what's with you two being so formal..."

"It's not nice to talk standing up, so why don't you sit down?"

She washed her hands, put down her bag, and sat down in a chair in the living room.

It was incredibly difficult for me to bring up this matter, but I braced myself for the sake of my beloved sister.

Come to think of it, I didn't get to ask how...

"Um... is it true that you're not feeling well?" (Shizuku)

"No? I'm perfectly fine..." (Yuu)

"Huh? Lux... what do you mean by this?" (Shizuku)

From what we talked about on Saturday, she said there was no mistake...

She wouldn't have the urge to tell such a malicious lie, so if anything, it must be a misunderstanding.

Was it a misunderstanding on her part?

If so, that's fine, but...

"Hmm, this is troublesome... Maybe I phrased it a little badly? Would you show me your back?" (Lux)

"I don't mind, but... there's nothing interesting to see." (Yuu)

"Why have you seen Yuu-chan's back, Lux?" (Shizuku)

"When we took a bath together... you know?" (Lux)

"What?! I've never had an event like that...?!" (Shizuku)

I'm jealous... or something.

But when Yuu slipped off her uniform, I was speechless.

She took off her uniform and placed it on the desk, and when she turned around, what I saw on her back was...

"Well... it's a little embarrassing when you look at it like that."

The pigmented skin, keloids in places.

"What... is that..."

It was undoubtedly... the symptoms of a burn, its after-effects.　

"Since when...?"　

Why? If it's not a recent injury... then when exactly?

Such questions swirl around in my head, refusing to accept the reality before me.

"I don't remember... but as far as I can remember, it's been like this from the beginning."

"Why... why didn't you say anything..."

I didn't mean to blame her, but realizing my tone had become harsh... I fell silent.

She probably didn't want to worry me.

I'm sure if Lux hadn't said anything... she would have kept quiet.

"It looks pretty bad, but it hardly hurts anymore, so I'm okay. I've been taking a break from swimming lessons and things like that... but I'm not having any particular problems with my life."　　

Even though she must be the one suffering, seeing her put on a smile to avoid worrying us... made me feel like I was going to throw up. 

But if I throw up, I'll only worry her.

That's pointless, I have to listen... to the rest.　

"Some Magical Girls can use healing magic..."

"It only works on recent injuries, it doesn't work on old wounds... I think it's probably a burn from before I became a Magical Girl."　

Before becoming a Magical Girl... there aren't many reasons why a small girl under 10 would suffer burns.

A decent parent would have taken appropriate action... a decent parent, that is.　

But if those parents are the cause... then it all makes sense.　

Putting together the information I could glean from her diary, it seems to be an indifferent father and a hysterical mother...

Probably the latter, something displeased her... and that's why.

"I don't care, so please stop thinking about revenge for me... okay? It's something they have no recollection of anymore." (Yuu)

It was around the time that such heartbreaking thoughts began to rear my heads:

"Okay, stop now? Don't forget why we came to talk... okay?" (Lux)

Something cold was pressed against my cheek, interrupting my thoughts.

That's right, today... today... ah.

"Hey, hey... do I really have to give it to her in this situation?" (Shizuku)

"So, I guess Yuu-chan will have to be patient a little longer?" (Lux)

"Ugh..." (Shizuku)

"When exactly is 'next time' Shizuku-chan is talking about?" (Lux)

"Ugh, well... I know, but..." (Shizuku)

If she keep cornering me with logical arguments, all I can do is stay silent.

Then my little sister asks a perfectly reasonable question.

"Um, I've been wondering about this for a while, but what's that milk bottle?" (Yuu)

"This is... a souvenir from the hot springs..." (Shizuku)

"You shouldn't lie, right? This isn't from the hot springs on Sunday, it's a souvenir from Saturday." (Lux)

"Yes..." (Shizuku)

"The souvenir from Sunday was... this ♡ lewd bun ♡" (Lux)

"Thanks... so what is this?" (Yuu)

My escape routes are being cut off. I know I can't back down now, but...

"Um, it's medicine for burns..." (Shizuku)

"Does it work on old wounds too? And if so, why is it in a milk bottle...?" (Yuu)

It's painful, very painful.

My excuses... and my feelings.

"It's... a product from Shizuku Dairy, or something like that..." (Shizuku)

"Oh? Such a company... Hmm? Wow... I see..." (Yuu)

As she processed and understood her own words... her expression changed to one of disbelief.

"Uhhh... [Cremation Memories]..."

"Wait, wait!? I'm not kidding, I really...!"

I desperately tried to stop her from forgetting it. I wasn't joking, but... it was such a ridiculous story, almost like a joke, that it would be troublesome if she believed it so easily.

★

With Lux's help, Yuu-chan finally grasped the situation, staring at the bottle in front of her with an expression of bewilderment.

"Well, then... um... uh? I know you're not the kind of person to lie like this, but... ugh..." (Yuu)@

"I'm really sorry, I'm so sorry." (Shizuku)

"It's hard to refuse because it was done with good intentions... and it's even harder when I consider the circumstances that led to this." (Yuu)

"Other bodily fluids would be fine too, you know?" (Lux)

"That... is a bit too much, to be honest." (Yuu)

It was judged to be somewhat better than liquids like blood, love juice, or saliva.

Even so, it was incredibly painful.

"I really have to drink it, don't I... I'll... Itadakimasu." (Yuu)

Watching her say that and put her lips to the bottle... a shiver ran down my spine.

Involving my little sister and mother in this felt wrong somehow... anyway, I desperately wanted it to end quickly.

She gulped it down in one go, placing the bottle on the table.

Both of our faces were bright red, and the most rational one in this situation was probably... Lux.

"The taste is... sweet, isn't it? It seems kind of richer than the one we have at home." (Yuu)

"Please, I'd appreciate it if you didn't comment on the taste in front of me..." (Shizuku)

"If this doesn't work, I'll hold a grudge, okay?!" (Yuu)

Indeed, even I was half-doubtful whether it would work.

After all, I couldn't remember ever being seriously injured since becoming a Magical Girl.

Then, Yuu... she suddenly collapsed without warning... and Lux ​​caught her as she was about to fall.

"Oh dear, are you alright?"

"Ah, it's hot..."

"A-are you alright?! Did something strange get in there...?"

"No... my back... is just hot..."

Supported, she sat down in the chair... then slumped over the desk, breathing shallowly.

Then, several minutes... perhaps several tens of minutes passed.

The time I could only hope she was alright was frustrating.

I myself couldn't use healing magic.

In what felt like an eternity, she slowly rose, drenched in sweat.

And then she patted her back...

"It's.... it's healed?"

"Ah... wow... really...?"

She touched her back repeatedly, as if she couldn't believe what she'd seen... but her skin was normal, and there were no burn marks.

I myself honestly couldn't believe it, and my jaw dropped.

"O-Onee-chan...!"

She stood up and hugged me tightly.

Of course, she's a girl her age... she must have been worried.

Of course, the normal, happy everyday life... felt so far away.

"I... I thought it would always be like this... I gave up..."

"Yeah, yeah. It must have been tough..."

I hugged my sobbing little sister and gently stroked her back.

I stroked her back gently, so as not to hurt her scars... gently.

After a while, she calmed down and jumped up, her face bright red.

She's usually not good at being affectionate, so I was happy that she was being affectionate like this... but it seemed like she was embarrassed by it.

"Hehe, so that settles it amicably, right?"

"Well, I showed you something embarrassing..."

"Not at all? Actually, if you have any problems, I'd like you to rely on us more..."

She blew her nose loudly, her eyes red and swollen, then looked down shyly.

Then she stared at me with a smug look.

I felt like I'd done something wrong, well... if you listed what I'd done, I guess I'd be a bad person.

"It's like... you just solve things that people are worried about as if it's nothing. This... certainly explains why there are so many people whose brains feel fried."

"Yuu-chan is special, you know? She's my precious little sister."

"Geez, you're always trying to hit on me!"

In reality, if you asked me if I'd do something like this for a complete stranger... I definitely wouldn't.

Hoshino Yuu is definitely important to me... and a special person..　　　

Honestly, I had some internal conflict, and I'm still incredibly embarrassed about it...　

"Th-that...!"　

She hugged me tightly again, and this time she gave me a big smile.　　

"I love you, Onee-chan."

I thought it was enough that I got to see my cute little sister's smile like that.