She had been cleared by the hospital to leave, it was time to go home if you could call it that. Despite the miraculous and unexplainable healing factor that took hold of her, her right leg still hadn’t healed. At least she managed to convince the doctor to let go of the cast, despite it all she still walked with a crutch. A nasty gash was visible on that right leg, it was a pity scars don’t heal properly.
Kanako had appeared early with her siblings in tow, she still hadn't shaken the feeling of it being an uncomfortable position. They were acquainted now but she was still a stranger. But Remy was eighteen, turning nineteen. That made him an adult even when she was around. Effy had immediately, upon basking in free space, resorted to doing cartwheels, and aerobatic spins within the hospital. Nearly rolling inside into a medical contraption. It took the two of them to stop her.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaUdo4SPEo
“She sure is full of energy, isn’t she.” Kanako teased.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYiEB0jkQY
“You…haven’t seen her at peak energy, you might not want to.” Juniper let out.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg67FaxaOw
“Well, I think you could learn a thing or two from it, try to keep up on your toes.” she winked a smile. Juniper barely looked away, her cheeks tickling.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJNLKIx7Kc
Ms. Kanako, sweet and composed as ever, had led her crippled butt outside. This vulnerability was humiliating. Juniper became antsy as they slowly left the long haunting hallways. Irritated with the crutch, not that she might need it soon. It made it frustrating to walk. Kanako gave her advice that she struggled to take to heart. “Baby steps, Ms. Juniper, don’t let the injury master you.”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKL8op6yFi
She was unusually kind, hardly judgemental. A bit flirty too or was that her own mental gymnastics? But it made her all the more wary, most people she had encountered in this city were never kind for the sake of it. "No one does anything for free, what did she gain from this?”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCdka89TGn
Stepping outside was like waking up from a decade-long coma, too much exposure, too much strangeness. She moved like a snail, every time her crutch tapped on the ground, she was reminded thoroughly of her weakness.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLlZ33emba
[C'mon you should try and use that super hearing of yours, imagine the things you could tell everyone, they’ll think you psychic (¬‿¬)]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU2ocO3Ydl
‘Right here, with everyone around me.' she questioned Ai's sudden suggestion.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFqhkWxQUD
[The sooner the better sis. Even if just briefly. Just pretend to think aloud]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aV0WYHqnV
[Activate Super audition lvl2]
[Y/N]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBlUs0kORM
“No,” she said aloud. She wasn't eager to reexperience it, even if it was slightly better. It felt like the system was ‘pushing’ her to use her powers.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD1hhk2eHQ
Kanako looked at her, but she pretended to talk to herself.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8S2NUI5PI
“Are you okay, Jun? Can I call you Jun.” Kanako asked her concerned. Snapping her out of her mental argument, she blushed a bit.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMfhgubRP2
“Yes….I mean no, I mean yes.” she stuttered. Resuming her walk. Effy was holding her from the side of her ribs as if it would make her walk faster. Remy looked a bit off today, every time she looked at him he’d look away, something was bothering him. She’d have to ask later.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwaI3VRKs2
The ride back to the apartments was an awkward one. The silence did not last as Effy started asking every question under them, some too inappropriate for her age. Juniper had never owned or ridden a car, the embarrassment she felt when Effy asked when they were getting one was enormous.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl8pQxfo1A
Kanako seemed to find some amusement in that, through her eyes remained calmly on the road. That focus and clarity was something she envied.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Sljcfx9Zl
[Comparison is the thief of joy Jun, don’t hunt for envy..] sys-chan quipped to her. A pixelated pose of an old Greek stoic appeared in front of her eyes. She double-checked to make sure nobody saw it.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU0XULjCrD
The statement held wisdom, but she was living in the moment. Something she could not escape.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaXK1gbq5k
Juniper noticed every time the system would interact with her, her brother would look at her wrongly. What was his problem today? Did he notice…
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I9eHC61HW
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jjFWzIeYe
The apartment came into view, and Kanako parked near the opposite end of the street. The two siblings immediately took charge of bag carrying. Remy hastily because Effy’s head went straight into unpacking. So many bags, altogether. She received more stuff than she knew what to do with. Kanako stopped her with a light tap on her shoulder when the yin-and-yang duo disappeared.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWZxisrUU3
‘Soft hands.’
‘
“So Juniper, I realize my actions may have overstepped some boundaries. Truth be told it was your brother that came to me for help, had known you were struggling so much, I’d offer you some assistance earlier. But you barely leave your apartment, I don’t know you that well .”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtY0elqCN3
“I…don’t know where to start. Yes, it’s been a strange two days, though I am thankful, really. Ms. Kanako. I just…” Her throat was forming a knot, it was hard to speak with her alone.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jxLjk3lYy
“Kanako is fine, we are the same age after all.” her body posture shifted and Juniper tensed. Relatively the same age, but behind in life
Kanako noticed her lagging face and lowered her voice.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWaZW43wRi
“Look if you need to talk, even let something out, I have nice tea we can drink it over...I wouldn’t mind a new friend.” her voice was soothing, it made her feel all warm and fuzzy.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3U3dCDzxq
“Friend?”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoHtShbK5m
Where do you even go from here Juno? Hey Miss Kanako, that might not suffice. I've been obsessively eyeing you like a stalker. Do you wanna skip dating and go straight to smooching? By the way, I’m jobless and socially challenged.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaQ6BsJSLr
[Ahh someone is a softy]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkamnS7kWOC
“Tea sounds nice…maybe tomorrow or the day after.” her fingers became jittery, uncomfortably shifting her crutch. “I’ll keep it in mind.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW3jV4lz6k
Kanako gave her a warm smile, helping towards the apartment.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92BhXNMedi
“I’m two doors away, anytime you want. Though maybe not past 9, I’m not a night owl.” she jested’
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mYWP85icT
Juniper squeezed a small laugh out.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xTjiKT8zH
Were they polar opposites then? She liked staying up. Could they meet in the middle, and attract, like two electrons in tandem?
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUR5LyY0P7
[Opposites attract? More like mismatched socks to be worn.]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM7YA5EgYm
She nervously changed the subject. “Um about the rent and stuff…”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafo3p6iZc1
“Forget about it, just try and do better next month”, she laughed it off, like it was no big deal. “Besides, everyone needs help sometimes. Now c'mon enough, let’s get you inside.”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y7hlluT2z
Kanako took the reins, guiding her up the stairs. A crippled waltz, but she found it sweet. Intrusive thoughts started bothering her, answered by a little spirit whispering in the warbling wind.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwzfTajNYc
Was she rich, did she come from a rich family? Could she bear to step into her life?
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCvFFxvZrw
[She’s probably well off, but remember money can’t buy class. Something you need to invest in quickly. Pump and dumb those stats. ] sys-chan teased.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDhzrac7sr
She had to restrain herself from saying something aloud, or else she directed irritation at Kanako, the system didn’t know when to shut up sometimes.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS14DS5tKEQ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqpS79RsB6
****
Juniper sat in front of her console, she hoped to drown out her thoughts by dissociating. A sequel to a popular Visual novel game came out yesterday, an eroge, she was tempted to play and struck with an urge to relieve herself of her stress. However she knew she couldn’t touch it because her siblings would catch her, another potential crime the social worker would be eager to dance about. She sighed.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6rBJr53v1
The sound of bags being torn open in the other rooms, and Remy arguing with the little gremlin were two things she didn’t need right now.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w2nYBa2nG
She limped to the door, shut it tight, and collapsed on her bed, diving head-first into a pillow. It feels so much better sleeping on your face. She squeezed one between her legs, and two in her arms, like squeezing an imaginary person.All she wanted was a little comfort, and maybe someone to share it with. Kanako’s v-shaped cute face came to mind, she needed to repay her, give her something in return, something special.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvuvDGEWos
What did she like?
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0bthrOJVm
Tired but not sleepy. She put on a local news streaming channel a clickbait video blaring alarming updates regarding Helio-girl’s pursuit yesterday, Reporting several deaths and injuries. She happened to be one of the injured. Rumors of a civil case being opened against Helio-girl, made her stiffen. Could that be why she was visiting her, accessing a legal threat or was it genuine guilt? No, she doesn’t deserve it. She probably tried her best. Shit happens.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHmavbx8lk
What was strange was that no form of law enforcement came to her about the situation. No police, no cape agency, she didn’t even have the energy to inquire anything to the doctor, just glad she escaped, and that her medical bills were at least Covered by a sunlit girl. But knowing the politics of the city, well let's say they'll come snooping soon. She hoped the helio-girl survived the onslaught, of being a public enemy.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFP9Dc0r2i
She felt hammered by the situation, she should have said something better, should've comforted her. She remembered the card she gave her. Initially, she felt like a child, ‘Omg, a superhero came to speak to me’, but now…
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYcuDQ551u
[Hey you ripped off some of the girl's powers, I’d say you owe her more than a call.]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf2eexZDkM
“Aarrgghh.” she groaned. Shifting her body to better accommodate her leg. “Do you ever sleep, sys-chan?”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2efqlOQIi8
[Not for you my Juni-puni, I’m always here to cheer you on.]
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpCeIBfCXf
“You speak too much, but… thank you.”
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw7ku7fuL9
She clutched her fragile heart, guilt, panic, fear, gratitude, affection, lust. So much weight she picked up in two days. Right now she needed sleep, tonight she wanted to try something fun. With or without the crutch. Rest and recuperation, R&R, she needed large quantities of it, and not with dying people in the room next to her. And yet, there was an undeniable pull of gravity tugging her towards her ‘gamey’ powers.
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz0HE3MKkV
Something was driving her to the cape world, and not necessarily Sys-chan. Perhaps sleeping it away will help. Or maybe It wouldn’t. Either way, she wanted to try something fun tonight.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrwOy0Ptan
