[Revue Starlight] Mahiru and Karen have breakfast

Mahiru and Karen have breakfast

Miharu's morning routine was the same every day. Get up early, tidy up, a quick shower, have a light breakfast, then finally lay out Karen's clothes for the day. Most of the time consuming chores were done by the assistant provided by the school, but Mahiru still enjoyed the physical action of tidying and organizing. It gave her a sense of control over their little flat, and lately she was taking that where she could get it. After her breakfast, she took a deep breath and went into Karen's room.

"Good morning Tsuyuzaki-san. I'm just finishing up, I'll be a moment." The assistant said quietly. She tidied around Karen's bedside table for a moment before leaving.

Mahiru leaned over the girl, watching her sleep. It was the only time she seemed truly at peace. She brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

"Karen-chan, time to wake up~"

The girl's eyes flickered open. Her head stayed still and mouth moved silently as she looked at Mahiru. It had been around two years since she had last spoken. Mahiru gently wiped some drool off of her mouth and giggled.

"You're always making a mess, Karen-chan." She stood up straight. "Time to get up and have some breakfast!"

~~~

"Open wide~"

Mahiru slid the spoon of soup into Karen's mouth and watched carefully to make sure she swallowed. These days she could only eat food she didn't have to chew much, so meals were usually soup, mashed or steamed vegetables, scrambled eggs, and curries. During summer yogurt was one of her favourites, and Mahiru wasn't opposed to letting her have milkshakes or pudding every now and then.

"All done!" Mahiru picked up the dishes and brought them over to the sink, letting Karen rest for a minute in her wheelchair after eating. Even a simple action like eating was tiring for her. After rinsing off the dishes, Mahiru returned and moved Karen's headpiece back into position. It was a sensor that could read her eye movements to allow her to communicate and control her wheelchair, although it got in the way while eating.

After a few moments a robotic voice came out of the chair's built in computer.

[THANK YOU MAHIRU-CHAN. BREAKFAST WAS VERY NICE.]

Mahiru smiled sweetly at her friend.

"I'm glad you liked it, Karen-chan~"

The disabled girl focused on her phone. She said she wanted it connected to the computer so she could text Mahiru and her other old school friends, but mostly it was used to keep trying to contact Hikari. It frustrated Mahiru that she kept trying this entire time, especially when the one who missed her more was...

When Hikari had first gone missing, Karen was inconsolable. She searched high and low, even filing a missing persons report. Then she did something that Mahiru could only describe as mad: she broke open the old elevator door in the school and tried to climb down, insisting she heard Hikari down there. She fell and broke her back, and it was hours before anyone found her.

Karen was rushed to the hospital and received excellent care funded by the school, but nothing could be done. Her spine was broken, her limbs entirely paralyzed, and she could no longer speak. Mahiru felt partially responsible for not stopping her friend, and took it upon herself to take care of the girl. The two of them moved into a nearby wheelchair-friendly unit provided by the school, and Mahiru took care of Karen with the help of home-care professionals while also finishing school. Karen's parents let the girl take over her care, so horrified by what had become of their beautiful daughter that they could not bear to see her.

A small "boop" noise came out of Karen's phone as she sent off her morning text to Hikari. Once again the text didn't fail, but there was no response. A look of sadness came over her face. Even after all this time she held up hope.

"Karen-chan, how would you like to go to the park? The weather's nice today and we can get some sunshine~"

[THAT WOULD BE NICE MAHIRU-CHAN. CAN WE GET ICECREAM?]

"Sure thing! Go pick out an outfit Karen-chan, I'll be in to help in a minute."

Karen moved her wheelchair back down the hallway to her room. Mahiru went to follow her but was interrupted by a knock on the front door.

She opened it to find Hikari.

"Hi...Hikari?"

The girl beyond the door was silent, gazing softly into Mahiru's eyes. Hikari opened her arms, and Mahiru fell into her embrace. In that instant, she forgave her for everything. Mahiru felt Hikari's hand on her chin, lifting her gaze upwards, then pressing her soft lips against hers.

"Mahiru."

Hikari guided her outside. The door softly shut behind them, the click echoing through the house.

[MAHIRU-CHAN. WHO WAS AT THE DOOR?] Karen's wheelchair brought her back into the kitchen, looking for her companion.

[MAHIRU-CHAN?]

She was alone.