Chapter 433: Meggie’s Morning Dilemma – II |
Rin hummed for a while, waiting for the light to turn green.
Meggie shifted beside her, idly kicking her feet against the pavement. And then she yawned.
As if responding to Meggie's boredom, the light suddenly turned green.
Rin giggled and walked across the crosswalk. As she did, she looked at Meggie and said, "Still tired, Meggie?"
Meggie walked beside her and said, "A little, Nee-chan." She shook her head and said, "Been up late a lot these past few days thinking about stuff."
Rin frowned and said, "Is something wrong at school? Anyone your Nee-chan here needs to beat up?" She flexed her arm and said, "I've gotten stronger! I won't lose to anyone in a fight, you know?"
Meggie laughed, giving Rin a genuine smile. "Thanks, Nee-chan. But it's fine. If things get really out of hand, Mom and Dad will handle it. For now though, I want to try and sort it out myself. I can't keep letting people solve my problems for me, right?"
Rin sighed. "That's true... I just wanted to be a proper big sister for once." She puffed her cheeks and said, "I've been the little sister for so long now. It's time for my character development arc! I want to protect others too!"
Meggie laughed and said, "You've been playing too many games and reading too much manga, Nee-chan. People don't need character development arcs."
Meggie blinked, caught off-guard at the sudden seriousness from Rin. But then she thought about Rin's words and nodded. "Write our own happy endings... yeah. That's how we should live life, I guess."
Things happened whether people wanted them to or not.
If Meggie were still in the Three Realms, she could blame those elusive 'Heavens' which had a will of its own. But here in this godless world ruled by mortals... there was only chance. Chance, and the decisions made by those around you.
And it was up to the individual to decide how they wanted that 'story' of their life to unfold.
Meggie smiled and said, "You know, Nee-chan. You're pretty smart."
Rin smiled. "I try! But it's mostly because I've experienced a lot of bad things... But hey!" She giggled. "If a tragedy like my life could be turned into a happy story like this, then anyone can change their life, right?"
Meggie stared at Rin.
Rin tilted her head. "Meggie?"
"Nothing." Meggie shook her head. "It's just... You would be a great big sister."
Rin smiled wider and hugged Meggie. "Thanks, Meggie! And don't worry! I'll always be your Nee-chan!"
Meggie felt her face heat up and squirmed away. "Hey, quit it!"
Rin giggled.
Meggie huffed and fixed her uniform. Then she said, "Oh yeah, have you heard anything from Onee-chan and Asako? Onee-chan hasn't been around recently... Do you know if they're going to tie the knot or something?"
Rin hummed and laced her hands behind her back as she walked. "I'm not sure. Those two are still being a bit shy around each other when we meet to talk about streaming." She giggled. "It's like a tense yuri romcom whenever I go visit."
"...I still can't believe it, you know?" Meggie shook her head and said, "The Onee-chan I grew up with is really, really, REALLY different from how she's acting now."
"I heard!" Rin nodded. "Mister John said that too. But it's nice, isn't it?" She smiled and said, "I don't know the details, but all of you came from a dangerous and rough place, right? It must be nice to just relax like this and have fun every day instead."
"I don't know if you could call it 'nice...'" Meggie hummed, considering that. "I still miss home a bit..."
While playing games, reading manga, watching anime, and the internet were nice...
Meggie would be lying if she said she didn't miss the craziness of the Three Realms. Especially being able to just send people flying when they pissed her off... But Dad would probably say that was just toxic behavior anyway.
Which it might be... Dang if it wasn't exciting though...
Hm. Maybe she should convince Dad to take them all back on a day trip. Just for a little while...
Rin hummed a little tune and then giggled. "I can't wait for them to make it official though! That means I get to be part of your family for real too!"
Meggie smiled. "Well, I suppose I have two older sisters already. A few more wouldn't hurt."
Rin giggled.
Meggie couldn't help but smile at her energy. Then she let out a fake exasperated sigh and said, "Are you always this bubbly in the morning, Rin? It's almost exhausting just looking at you."
Rin pumped a fist in the air and said, "Of course!" She placed her hands over her heart and said, "Every day is a gift, Meggie. Especially for me." She looked up at the now clear blue sky and said, "I still think it's a dream sometimes. Meeting Mister John, Mom being cured of cancer, and all of the Ohana supporting me..." She shook her head and looked down at Meggie, smiling. "But I know it's not. And that makes me even more grateful. Because it could have been. And I could have woken up in a dead-end life where I wished I was dead instead."
Meggie froze.
Rin stared at Meggie, her smile dimming a bit to be serious. Then she said, "No one knows where life will take us, Meggie. So it's important to face each day with a smile and hope for the best. Because it's only by chasing after what makes you happy that you can grab the lifelines people throw you. You know?"
Meggie stared at Rin for a while longer and then said, "You're strong, Nee-chan." If she was in Rin's shoes... just an ordinary mortal faced with a desperate situation like that... Mom being sick, Dad missing, not having any sort of support... "...You're really strong, Nee-chan. Really."
Rin giggled and flexed her arm. "I have to be! They don't call me the strongest imouto for no reason!"
Meggie laughed.
Rin smiled and patted Meggie's head.
Meggie felt her face heat up, but she didn't move away.
The pair continued walking for a while, heading to school. But then Rin looked over at Meggie and said, "Um, Meggie."
"Yes, Nee-chan?"
Rin frowned and said, "Will you be honest with me though? Are you really okay at school?"
Meggie paused to think about that and then slowly nodded. "I will be. It's... a big adjustment. And I'm still mad that Tsuki just ditched me. But... it'll work out." She smiled and said, "You just have to hope for the best and chase after what makes you happy. Right?"
Rin smiled. "That's the spirit."
Meggie smiled back.
They arrived at the school gates. Rin turned to look at Meggie and said, "Well, this is where we split up, Meggie." She patted Meggie's head and said, "Nee-chan will be here to support you no matter what happens, so don't be afraid or hesitate if anyone's bothering you, okay?"
Meggie laughed and gently brushed Rin's hand away. "I'm not a kid, Nee-chan. But... okay."
Rin smiled and walked through the gates, heading to the high school section of Hoshigawa Academy.
Meggie smiled and headed towards the middle school section.
It was still early, so there weren't any other students running around.
Meggie stifled a yawn. "Should I check to see if the cafeteria's open?" She had just eaten, but some melon bread sounded amazing right now...
"EMMA! Where are you?!"
Meggie paused and looked up. That was a familiar voice. Perry's. And... he was calling about Emma? She frowned and quickly ran towards it.
Perry looked completely disheveled. His blonde hair was all over the place and his dark green eyes were bloodshot. He noticed Meggie approach and quickly ran over to grab her shirt. "Meggie! Have you seen Emma?! She's been missing since yesterday!"
"Calm down, Perry. I haven't seen- Wait." Meggie's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"