I paused as if pleading for answers now.

“Could you really say that in passing? Would someone who only saw a person between minute chats talk with her daughter about someone like that?”

“Hehe, …you got me. You…always could see through me, Madoka-san. And I’ve always liked that about you…”

Koda-san’s smile came back but this one wasn’t the same. It wasn’t perfect. It had a hint of bitterness in it.

“Yeah, we did hang out sometimes when your mom was too busy, and you needed someone to chat with. Your friend, Watanabe-san, was busy with her sports too.

Her head hanged down as she pursed her lips.

“Having to encourage your mother after your father died…while keeping near excellent grades. All with a smile on your face. You were…something else.”

Koda-san looked at me now.

“The stress eventually got to you though…and you confided in me.”

“What…did I talk to you about?”

“All kinds of things. School…life… even love.”

“Love?”

My heart pinged.

But before I could delve deeper, Koda-san stood up and faced me. I felt a brush on my hair, interrupting my thoughts. It was her hand embracing the back of my hair. My face felt warm, but I didn’t pull away this time.

“Then you had your accident, Madoka-san…”

She turned away.

“Your mother was torn apart after you wouldn’t wake up…”

Koda-san bit her lip.

“She lost your father and then her own daughter. She might not show it now but Ayumi…was a completely different person back then.”

“Mom was?”

Her fingers covered her mouth.

“Yes. She wouldn’t even smile for weeks.”

She glided her eyes across my face. I must have looked…terrified as I thought about the idea of my mom unable…to smile. Thinking back to the happiness she sprouted day in and out…was that also because of Koda-san?

“I needed to stay with her…I couldn’t leave her side...”

Her voice trailed off into the cold night.

“Ayumi told me she needed me…and that’s when we became a couple.”

She searched the clear sky, the stars gazed back down to her.

“We…eventually fell in love.”

My body grew warm. Her story felt like a fairytale…That was all the more reason to confront her now…

“Why do you treat me this way then? Don’t you think that you’re…betraying her by acting this way with me?”

Her eyes perked up. She warily chuckled and turned away as she scratched her cheek.

“…I did get a little carried away last night…I shouldn’t have…teased you like that…”

She closed her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Madoka-san…I won’t ever do it again…”

Her words…settled my heart a little. Koda-san’s true feelings finally came flooding out. There was no hint of playfulness in her tone. I was even able to find out how she and my mom met.

Koda-san met mom at the Editorial Company and started taking her home after they went out. There she met me, and we grew closer. Over time I asked her about various things like school, life…even love. After my accident, mom held onto Koda-san for support, and eventually, that blossomed into their love.

They…belong to each other. It’s…a bit romantic that Koda-san would stay by her.

“Koda-san…”

“Hm?”

Now…it was my time to make things right between us.

“I want to apologize…for saying all those horrible things the first night you came home.”

I pushed my way closer to her. I needed her to hear my true feelings. Like Hana-san, and Ma-chan could express themselves. I wanted to be more open like them.

“I was so insensitive…so closed-minded. You two…love each other so much. I can just tell by the way you speak to each other…as if reading each other’s mind.”

My legs started to shake, maybe the cold was getting to me? I ignored it and brought out a wide smile.

“Koda Mari and Nakagawa Ayumi love each other…and I’m so happy for you both.”

Just hearing her words tonight told me that they are…perfect for each other. I don’t care what anyone says…even Uncle Ryuji.

“…Thank you…M-Mari-san…for taking care of my mom in my absence. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

I don’t know why but tears began rolling down my cheeks. As if I let a piece of me go. Something in my chest pained but I’m so happy that my mom found Koda-san.

“You and my mom belong together, Mari-san!”

I nodded, happily. The tears wouldn’t stop though. As if my soul was crying out for something. Mari-san’s eyes went wide as she took hold of my hand and wrapped it in hers. My eyes opened wide, looking at the tenderness of her fingers coil around mine.

“…This is for the best.”

Koda-san muttered before lifting her eyes back to me.

“…I will continue to make her happy.”

“T-Thank you, Mari-san.”

I think I’ve grown to understand Koda-san a little better now. I still don’t understand why she acted that way but…hearing what she’s done for my mom…warmed my chest.

I once questioned if mom was stolen from me when I went to sleep. The answer is…yes, she was. But that’s because Mari-san rescued her from loneliness. And I’m so happy she was there for her. But why does my chest hurt so much?

“M-Madoka-san?”

Koda-san…no, Mari-san...I had always planned to call her Mari-san at the end of our chat. I wanted to move forward in our relationship on my terms instead of hers. But even her name came out naturally to me. So much so that it worried me. Koda-san hovered over me. Only then did it occur to me that we were still holding hands. The heat became noticeable as I pulled them away.

“Mari-san… don’t treat me like that…”

I turned away from her, rubbing my cheeks of the loose tears.

“R-Right…I shouldn’t be treating you like this…anymore…”

Koda-san turned away as she whispered something to herself. I couldn’t hear her. Instead of prying further, I concluded that Mari-san is seriously a strange person. But….

I want to know more about Mari-san.

 …how she feels…

…our connection to each other in the past…

…and the emotions that’s truly behind her porcelain smile.

“I’m so happy to be able to call you Madoka-san again.”

Mari-san exhaled with a giggle at the end.

“S-Shut up, Mari-san!”

I say that but for some reason…it felt right. Like I have been holding back what should have been right all along. I wanted to ask her more but tonight is enough. I’m too mentally worn out to try and pry for more information. And I think Mari-san…feels the same. We live together and it’s about time I started treating her like family. Because that’s what she is.

Mari-san and Hana-san are part of my family now.

“We should get home. I wouldn’t want Hana-san and Mom to wake up and not find us there.”

I began to walk when Mari-san poked my back. I turned to see an empty hand.

“Seriously, Mari-san?”

“It’s late, I don’t want you to get lost, Madoka-san.”

She sounds like Hana-san…or is it Hana-san sounds like her? I couldn’t tell anymore. So, I take her warm hand, reluctantly, as we walk briskly back to our home.

As we walked, I thought about the past I couldn’t remember. At one point in my life, I was able to speak with Mari-san about my problems, struggles at school, even my love life. Does that mean…Mari-san knows who I loved at one point in time?

Maybe one day I’ll gather up the courage to ask her…

Mari-san, who did I fall in love with?