It is a birthday.
Summer break. August the 7th. Today is Hisamiko's birthday. Therefore, I must spend the entire day at her beck and call. Exam prep and cursed tool-smithing are strictly off-limits. Or rather, I am permitted to forget them entirely for today.
"Come, I shall do whatever you wish. Tell me your heart's desire."
I want to kill the version of myself who said that so lightly. No, I want to stop her by any means necessary. Is there no Cursed Technique that allows for time travel? No? Then I suppose there is nothing to be done but resign myself to…
…No! I refuse to resign myself to this! I shall escape this girl's demonic clutches this instant! Forgive me, Hisamiko! Happy birthday! I am eternally grateful you were born!!!
"Aha. Dressed like that… are you trying to seduce me?"
"I am doing no such thing!!!"
I am not! I am absolutely not! You were the one who told me to wear this! What is this? What in the name of the heavens is this outfit?!
Even I, a man traditionally ignorant of fashion, can tell! This is not the attire of a sane person! This is a mark of madness!
I ask you! In what era is there a culture where "bare skin and ribbons" qualifies as being dressed?! Ah… this era. I see.
Is this entire generation mad?!
…Now, Himiko, explain yourself. What is a "love hotel"? What is this pink room? Are we staying the night? A "three-hour rest"? If you wish to rest, we should go home or find a tea house!
And for that matter—why are you wearing nothing but ribbons as well?
You wanted us to match? I see… Well, I suppose it is slightly better than me being the only one dressed like a fool. No, wait. It isn't better at all.
"Hehe. I've always wanted to come to a love hotel. I'm so glad I found one that would let us in."
You… I knew you were researching something lately, but I never imagined it was this. Why did my mother and father give this girl the funds for this? Well, I suppose they were the ones who told us to "go out and enjoy ourselves" since it's our birthday.
So, what is the purpose of this room? Why is the bedding shaped like this? It's not uncomfortable to sit on, but the design is baffling. And why is the lighting this garish shade of pink? Surely this is bad for one's eyes. The glare is most peculiar…
Hey. Don't wrap your arms around my waist. Don't press yourself against my back and breathe into my ear. And stop casually stroking my thigh!
"Madoka-chan, happy birthday. The fact that we were born on the same day… it's destiny."
"…And happy birthday to you. Sixteen this year. Time truly does fly."
"It really does. Only two years left."
"For you, perhaps. For me, it is three."
"I wish we were the same age. I wish you'd been born just one year earlier…"
"That is one thing we cannot control. It is what it is."
One cannot choose the day they enter this world. Even if I were given the choice, I don't think I would care to make it.
And yet, in this moment, I find myself wishing I had been born a year sooner. If I had, we wouldn't be "pretend" spouses; we could be a true husband and wife.
I do feel a certain guilt about it. You will reach eighteen before me, and yet you'll be forced to wait another entire year because of my age.
"…Happy birthday, Hisamiko. Honestly, I don't think I could survive without you anymore. When I think of it that way… I'm glad we met."
"I feel the same. I was so happy to meet you that day. Toga was… I'm sure that in that moment, I was saved."
"You're exaggerating. I did it for my own sake. I simply hate a world where a child cannot smile."
That is the truth. A world where children cannot laugh should not exist. I have wanted to change that since…
No. Stop. Today is Himiko's birthday. I must focus on making her happy.
"But… for everything… for so much. For all of it, thank you. I want to become a member of the Mawari family as soon as possible. I've thought so many times about how wonderful it would be if Rinne-chan were my mama, and if Uncle were my papa… So…"
"I heard this last year."
"And I want to say it again. A hundred times, a thousand times…"
"..."
I still do not know if the choice I made that day was the right one. At the time, I thought it was for the best. But sometimes, I wonder if there wasn't a better way. It's a pointless train of thought, I know.
That couple—her biological parents—was beyond help. Despite being her parents, they abandoned her. They stopped trying to understand her. And the catalyst for that was, undoubtedly, my own self-satisfaction.
…Never forget it, Madoka Mawari. And you, Yorimina Kamo.
I am the one who tore this child away from her parents. A child needs a mother and father. The fact that she possesses parts that differ from "normal" people is likely because of that void.
Therefore, you must take responsibility until the very end. Do not die alone as a sorcerer. Live your life with her. Ensure your death is one without regrets.
To that end, do everything in your power.
I will swear it as many times as it takes. I will be by Himiko's side. I will not allow that vow to be broken.
"I love you. I adore you."
"…Yes, yes. And I you."
"Aren't you going to say it properly?"
"Make me. I'll have you know, I am not easily swayed."
"Oh, you're not 'easily swayed,' are you? But Madoka-chan, you're so weak and vulnerable."
Hey. Who are you calling weak? Enough of your cheek, you brat.
Fine, I see how it is. Today, I shall teach you a lesson you won't soon forget. Steel yourself. I won't be holding back!
"Wait—M-Madoka-chan…?"
"What is it? Didn't you say I was weak? Surely then, you can hold your own against me, can't you…?"
I decided to serve her today, but "I love you" is a different matter entirely. If she wants me to say it, she'll have to earn it. Don't think you'll win today. I'm tired of being the one on the losing end.
What's the matter, Himiko? You were pinned down quite easily, weren't you? Come now, try to turn the tables. Not that you can. Hmph. How pathetic.
…Wait.
The world just flipped. That's strange. I was certain I had Hisamiko pinned down. I was the one looking down on her, wasn't I? So why is she on top of me? Why are my hands being pressed into the mattress?
Hey, wait… hang on…! I was supposed to be the one with the fearless smirk! It should still be my turn for a while longer!!
Stop. Don't give me that smile right now. It makes me… expectant. Stop it, don't come closer, stop—!
Mmmph…!
"Geez… my heart skipped a beat. You looked so serious when you tackled me. That means I'm allowed to go all out, right? We have plenty of time, after all!"
"H-Hey, wait! I was supposed to be the one in charge today! Let me be the one to hold you for once!!"
"Hehe. Madoka-chan, it's way too soon for you to try and take Toga. Because, right now…"
"You're not resisting at all, are you? ♡"
S-Shut up! You fool…! It's my birthday too, you know!
Is it so wrong for me to want you to do this to me…?!
And so, she was taught the habit of begging for it.
Madoka's name in her previous life was Yorimina Kamo.
Next time: The entrance exams. I'll be putting out a poll as well.