Chapter 449: Meggie – To Save a Friend – (1/3) |
Friday evening, at a nice apartment on the school campus of Hoshigawa Academy where Emma, Perry, and their mother lived.
There, after a long day spending time with Emma and Perry, Meggie was getting ready to spend the night with her friends.
Emma's mother, Koi Nozomi, set a plate of spaghetti down in front of Meggie with an apologetic face. "I'm sorry, Meggie. You're probably used to much tastier food."
Meggie shook her head and slid the plate closer, picking up a fork on the table as she did. "It's fine, really." She smiled and said, "Homemade food is always better than some fancy takeout anyway."
Koi let out a radiant smile and took a seat across the table.
During that time, Meggie took a quick look around the room.
They were all seated at a table next to the kitchen. Koi was seated across from Meggie, while Emma was seated on the side to Meggie's right, and Perry was seated on the side to Meggie's left.
'How cozy.' Meggie let out a soft smile at the sight. It really felt like a homey family dinner. Of course, it wasn't like Meggie was envious or anything. Mom and Dad made sure to at least have a proper family meal together every few days. But there was definitely a different atmosphere here than at her home.
Perry glanced over at Meggie and let out a soft smile. "Thanks for taking us out to have fun today, Meggie."
Meggie twirled a bit of spaghetti and took a bite.
Like Koi said, it wasn't the best.
But Meggie could feel the warmth in it. Like her Dad always said, the intention mattered in cooking. And Meggie could definitely feel the gratitude and care put in the simple meal.
She smiled, basking in the cozy atmosphere a bit, as well as Perry and Emma's words. Then she laughed and said, "What are you two saying? We're friends. If I want to have fun, then I'm taking you two with me... Well." She gave a teasing smile towards Perry and said, "Mostly Emma. I'll have to see about you third wheeling, Perry."
Perry let out a fake gasp and said, "You're going to cut me out from our group?"
Emma laughed. "Well... There are some things only girls can do together. Right Meggie?"
Meggie nodded. "Mmhm... Unless you want to carry all our stuff around when we go shopping, Perry."
Perry winced. "Pass..."
"Thought so." Meggie chuckled.
Koi glanced between her children and Meggie before letting out a content sigh.
Meggie noticed and said, "Something wrong, Miss Nozomi?"
Koi shook her head. "No. I'm just..." She smiled and said, "I'm happy. You're a wonderful friend to Emma and Perry, Meggie. And your mother has helped us a lot too... Really, we're in your family's debt..."
Meggie waved her hand. "What debt?" She smiled. "We're friends. And my dad said that friends don't keep score." She paused. "Wait, have I said that already? Oh no, am I starting to repeat lines...?"
Perry laughed. "It HAS been a long day."
Meggie sighed. "Too long, I guess... but it was fun."
Emma smiled, an expression mirrored by Koi as well.
For a while, the group just ate, making small talk to pass the time.
Koi asked a bit about Meggie's family, Meggie answered and asked a bit about Koi's past as an idol...
And then everyone had finished eating.
Perry stifled a yawn and then reached up to stretch. Glancing at Meggie and Emma, he said, "I think I'm going to head off to sleep first."
Meggie glanced over and said, "Sure, sure. Go have your sweet dreams thinking about Aunt Jenny~"
Perry turned a bright red and said, "I-I-I- W-What are you even implying?!"
"Oh come on." Meggie smirked and said, "I saw the glances you kept sending her. And I know how pretty Aunt Jenny is. But huh... To think you like blonde mature women..."
Koi giggled and looked at Perry. "My, my... Is it time to have that talk, Perry?"
Meggie's eyes sparkled. "Ooh, you haven't had it yet?"
Koi shook her head and said, "Not yet. But if Perry's been interested in girls now..."
Perry turned a bright red and said, "I'm off to bed!" After that, he dashed off.
Meggie laughed. "There's no need to be so embarrassed, sheesh."
Emma giggled and said, "You're such a bully, Meggie."
Meggie shrugged and said, "Perry's fun to tease. Besides... it will help him relax a bit. You know?"
Emma paused a bit and then slowly nodded. "...Yeah. That's true. I guess if he's embarrassed, he won't feel so guilty that..." She trailed off.
Meggie reached over and patted Emma's head.
Emma smiled and leaned against Meggie's hand.
Koi stood up and said, "I'll clean up the dishes here, but after that I'm going to need to head back to the office to finish grading some assignments." She looked concerned and said, "Are you children going to be fine here alone?"
Meggie gave a thumbs up and said, "Leave it to me, Miss Nozomi. I'll make sure the kids are alright."
Koi laughed and said, "So mature. Well then, young lady." She smiled and said, "I'll leave my son and daughter in your capable hands." She winked and then collected the dishes, heading off to wash them in the kitchen.
Meggie stood up and stretched. After that, she looked at Emma and said, "So, where are we sleeping tonight? And don't tell me you share a bunk bed with Perry, because if you do I'm sooo going to tease him all night."
Emma laughed and said, "Of course not. Perry has his own room." She laced her hand with Meggie's and then said, "Follow me. I'll show you mine. Um... I only have one bed though..."
"It's fine. I've slept in worse conditions." Meggie smiled and started following Emma. "Lead the way, Bestie."
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