"Ikki? What happened to your face?!" Natasha asked as she sat beside me in the library next to a bookshelf in the back.

I touched my cheek gingerly, feeling the tender skin beneath my fingers. "I er, got into a little scuffle with some hoodlums when I was visiting my family," I explained with a shrug.

I was covered in all kinds of cuts and scrapes from the car crash, and one of the more minor scuffs and bruises had swollen up over the last day. I didn't exactly want to tell her about the cyborg Nazis on the other side of the portal, after all.

Natasha winced sympathetically. "Oh gosh! Here, I have some ointment in my bag that can help with the bruising. Let me get it for you."

I thanked her as she rummaged through her bag, pulling out a small container of ointment.

As she applied the cool cream to my cheek, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her kindness. She was such a sweetheart — I couldn't help but wonder how all those girls could gang up on a girl like her.

"Thanks, Nat," I said, smiling at her.

She returned the smile, her bright green eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Of course, Ikki. That's what friends are for," she beamed at me as she pulled out a textbook.

We settled down to study silently, the only sounds in the library coming from the occasional rustle of pages.

But my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake the memory of the Neo-Nazis and the danger they posed to my family. I tried to push the thoughts away, focusing on the textbook before me, but it was useless. My mind drifted back to Earth and the painful weekend that had unfolded there.

As if sensing my unease, Natasha stared at me for a bit. "Umn... Ikki, you seem really distracted. Is everything okay?"

I shook my head. I couldn't tell her about our battle — privacy and secret identities and all. Still, at least I could tell her a downplayed version of the Nazi gang problem.

"I'm just worried about my family," I admitted. "There's been some trouble back on Earth, and I'm not sure how to help them from here. Some racist, borderline genocidal gangs have been harassing my sister and it got ugly when I was over there. We moved to a temporary apartment to get away from them."

Natasha's expression changed from concern to anger. "That's awful, Ikki. No one should have to deal with that kind of hate and violence. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I shook my head. "I'm not sure, but thanks for offering. It means a lot."

We lapsed into silence again, but this time the quiet was comfortable. I felt grateful to have her as a friend and confidant, even if I couldn't tell her everything.

"So Ikki, I was thinking of joining the student initiative to help with the New York City reclamation next week," Natasha said, breaking the silence. "I heard they're in need of volunteers, and I thought it would be a good way to help out and make a difference. Would... would you be interested in joining me?"

I paused for a second. Schools in major cities would be closed next week so that the people of Terra could mobilize and help their counterparts across the portal secure their cities.

"No offense, Nat, but are you sure? It's pretty dangerous right now, even if the students are just helping with the clean-up efforts," I said, my voice laced with concern. "The neg-entropy infrastructure is pretty flimsy over there and crime rates are sky high."

Natasha nodded, her eyes determined.

"I know it's dangerous, but I want to do my part. And I won't be alone, there will be other volunteers and security teams will there to protect us," she said, her voice steady. "Including magical girls."

I couldn't help but admire her courage and dedication to helping others.

"Yeah, I'd be interested," I replied, feeling excited at the thought of being able to assist in some way. "I can't promise too much time because I plan on spending my time over there with family, but I can definitely help out when I can."

That was technically true since Midori would be there with me, but I didn't want to reveal too much about her crew.

Natasha smiled at me, and I saw a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. "Awesome! I'll get all the details I can and we can sign up together."

I couldn't shake the image of the Neo-Nazis at the crash site, their twisted faces contorted with hate and their weapons gleaming under the dim street lights.

But I couldn't help but feel hopeful for the future. Yes, there were Neo-Nazis and dangerous gangs, and the portal had brought about a whole new set of problems. Still, there were also ordinary people like Natasha, willing to step up and fight for what was right.

"So, what's your family like?" Natasha asked, eyes curious as she worked through some chemistry problems.

"Um, well... I have a little sister named Izumi, and she's thirteen," I said, smiling at the thought of her. "She's spunky, full of energy, and always gets into trouble. But she's also incredibly smart and creative. My mom died during the fall of New York, so my dad raised us alone. He's a mechanic and a workaholic but he loves us a lot."

Natasha listened, nodding along as I spoke.

"They sound like great people," she said, smiling sadly. "I'm... sorry to hear about your mom."

"They are," I agreed, feeling a warmth fill my chest. "When I really think about it, my little sister didn't have many feminine role models around when growing up, so she's always been a bit rough around the edges. I've always tried to be there for her as a big brother."

Natasha nodded, understanding filling her eyes. "I can tell you care about them a lot."

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, I do... they're my everything."

And then there was Midori. It was still a little weird for me, and we didn't confirm it yet, so I didn't want to talk about that out loud, but I couldn't help but feel grateful for her too. She had been there for me when I needed her the most, and I knew I could always count on her.

"How about you Natasha? What's your family like?" I asked, curious to hear more about her life.

Natasha paused for a moment before answering. "I don't have much of a family," she said softly. "My parents died when I was young, and I was raised in the care of a close friend of theirs. That family friend works for the Coalition's administration, so she hasn't been around as often. But I don't mind, really. I was more or less raised by our housekeeper Rosa."

I could sense the sadness in her voice, and it made me want to comfort her somehow.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But you don't have to be alone, you know? You have friends, and we're here for you."

Natasha smiled appreciatively at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you," she whispered. "That means a lot to me."

I grinned at her, trying to ease the sadness in her voice. "Of course," I said. "We all need someone to lean on sometimes."

Natasha nodded, and we fell into a comfortable silence. I could feel the warmth of her body next to mine, and it was a comforting feeling. We sat there for a few moments, enjoying each other's company as we took a few minutes to chip through our study material.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Suddenly, Natasha's phone rang, interrupting our moment of peace. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen before answering it.

"Hello?" she said, her voice professional.

I couldn't hear what the person on the other end of the line was saying, but Natasha's expression quickly turned serious.

"I have midterms right now, so I'm not sure if I can make it," she said, her voice clipped. "But I'll do my best to rearrange my schedule."

I couldn't help but feel curious about the call, but I didn't want to pry. Natasha hung up and turned to me, a worried expression on her face.

"That was my... internship supervisor," she said, her voice strained. "They want me to come in tomorrow for an emergency meeting."

"Oh no, is everything okay? "Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked concern etched on my face.

"I'm not sure," Natasha said, chewing her bottom lip. "But it sounds pretty serious. I just hope it's not too time-consuming because chemistry is a killer for me."

I nodded sympathetically. "Well, if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll be here for you."

Natasha's eyes softened at my words, giving me a grateful smile. "Thank you, Ikki. I really appreciate that."

We sat there in silence for a few more moments, the slight tension in the air slowly dissipating as we focused on our work. I couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendship that had blossomed between us. Natasha was great, and I was lucky to have her in my life.

As we finished our studying, Natasha and I began packing our things. I was getting ready to head out when Natasha suddenly spoke up.

"Ikki? Can I ask you something?"

I turned to her, a questioning look on my face. "Sure, what's up?"

She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I was just wondering... do you ever feel like you're lost? Like, you don't really know what you're doing or where you're going in life?"

I paused, feeling a surge of personal vulnerability. I knew that feeling all too well. It was a question I had asked myself many times before, but I had never dared to voice it out loud. I softened my gaze and smiled as she continued.

"I mean... like you don't know what you're doing or where you're going," Natasha said, her eyes searching mine. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just going through the motions, trying to keep up with everything I'm supposed to be doing. Like I'm not really living. Do you ever feel like that?"

I stared at her for a moment, considering her words. And then, slowly, I nodded.

"Yeah, I do," I said, my voice soft. "Sometimes it feels like everything is just... chaos, you know? But I think it's okay to not have everything figured out. We still have time to figure things out. And maybe... we'll never really have it all figured out. The important thing is that we keep trying, keep moving forward, and keep searching for what truly makes us happy and fulfilled."

Natasha smiled at me, relief etched on her face. "I'm glad I'm not the only one," she said. "Thanks for understanding."

"Of course," I said softly. "And remember, you don't have to go through it alone."

We exited the library, the cool evening air washing over us as we stepped outside. I looked over at Natasha and saw that she was lost in thought, her expression contemplative. I knew that feeling well, the weight of uncertainty and doubt that could grip you and refuse to let go.

"Hey," I said softly, nudging her shoulder with mine. "You okay?"

Natasha shook her head, breaking out of her thoughts. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... thinking."

"About what?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Oh, just everything," she said with a small smile. "Life, the future, you know."

I nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It can be overwhelming sometimes."

Natasha laughed, a light and airy sound. "Tell me about it."

We walked in silence for a few moments, the soft glow of the streetlights illuminating our path toward the subway. I could hear the sound of our footsteps echoing on the pavement and the rustle of the leaves as we walked by the trees. It was a peaceful night, and I was grateful to be able to share it with Natasha.

As we continued walking, I couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness between us. It was like we had known each other for years, even though we had only met recently. I felt comfortable around her, like I could be myself without any pretenses or masks.

"Hey, Ikki?" Natasha said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Umn. I just wanted to say... thank you," she said, her voice soft. "For everything. For being there for me, for understanding little stuff like, for just... being you."

I turned to her, surprised by the sudden declaration as she turned tomato red under the streetlights. I felt my cheeks reddening as well as I responded. "Natasha, you don't have to thank me. I'm happy to be here for you. You've been a great friend to me too."

Natasha smiled with a genuine and heartwarming expression. "I know, but I just wanted to say it. I don't say it enough, you know?"

I nodded, understanding. It was easy to take people for granted sometimes, to forget to express gratitude for the little things they did. But it was important to acknowledge and let them know how much they were appreciated. I felt a warmth spread through my chest, touched by her words. "Well, you're pretty awesome yourself, Nat," I said with a grin.

We continued walking, the weight of our previous conversation lifting slightly as we continued to chat about our interests, hobbies, and plans for the future. It was a pleasant, easy conversation, and before we knew it, we had arrived at the subway station.

As we waited for the train, I couldn't help but steal glances at Natasha. Her eyes were bright and curious; I could tell she was lost in thought. I wondered what she was thinking about, what dreams and aspirations she held close to her heart.

The train arrived, and we boarded, finding a seat together. As we rode in silence, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. Being around Natasha made everything feel more manageable and brighter.

We arrived at my stop first, and I stood up to leave. Natasha followed suit, giving me a quick hug before we parted ways.

"Good luck with midterms," I said, giving her a smile.

"Thanks," she said, returning the smile. "History tomorrow?"

"Ugh, don't remind me," I groaned. "I still have so much to study for now."

Natasha chuckled. "Well, don't stress too much about it. You got this."

"Thanks," I said, feeling grateful for her encouragement. "And good luck with your emergency meeting tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," Natasha said with a nod. "Thanks again, Ikki. You're the best."

I made my way back to Midori and Talia's home, feeling a sense of gratitude and contentment wash over me. The afternoon study session had been unexpectedly pleasant, and I was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with Natasha.

As I walked through the door, I was greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread and the sound of laughter. Midori and Talia were chatting and baking up a storm in the kitchen. I smiled, feeling grateful for the two of them and the home they had allowed me to share with them.

"Hey, Ikki!" Talia greeted me with a grin. "How was studying with Natasha?"

"It was good," I said, shrugging off my jacket. "We ran through an entire booklet of chemistry and math problems. Then we kinda talked about life, the future, and how uncertain everything feels sometimes. Seems like she's had a bit on her mind."

"That sounds like fun," Midori said, her eyes twinkling.

Midori gave me a wink and a foxy look before returning to the oven.

"Anyway," I said, embarrassed by their teasing. "Thanks for letting me stay here with you guys once again."

"Any time," Talia said with a smile. "Now, can you help us chop some vegetables? We're almost done with the bread!"

I smiled and nodded, happy to be of service. They had been so kind to me, providing me a place to stay and offering unconditional support and friendship.

As I sat down at the table with Midori and Talia, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace descend upon me. I was surrounded by people who cared about me, supported me, and accepted me as part of their family. And for tonight, that was enough.

"So Ikki !" Midori said with a sly smile. "What was it like spending the afternoon with Natasha? Anything special going on between the two of you?"

I couldn't help but blush at her words, feeling horribly embarrassed. "No, we're just good friends," I protested, not wanting to get too carried away with the idea of anything more than that. "We just talked and studied."

Midori giggled mischievously. "Uh-huh, just friends. We'll see about that."

Talia rolled her eyes at Midori's teasing. "Ignore her, Ikki. She's just being Midori."

I laughed, grateful for the lighthearted teasing. It was good to have moments like this. Moments of warmth and camaraderie. As we continued to prepare dinner, I felt a sense of belonging and gratitude settle into my bones.

"Mrow."

I heard a soft sound from the corner of the room. I glanced over, my eyes widening in surprise to see Midori's cat Kuro curled up by the window, watching us with his large bright blue eyes.

"Hey there, Kuro," I said softly, reaching out to pet him. He purred contentedly as I scratched behind his ears, happy to have us back home with him.

Midori looked over at Kuro and smiled. "He's been so lonely without us here all day. I think he's happy to have some company."

"He's a good cat," Talia said, her voice soft. "I don't know where Midori found him or what he actually is, but he's always been an angel to us."

I nodded in agreement, feeling the warmth of Kuro's purring against my hand. Small moments like these made life feel a little bit better, a little bit brighter.

"That's our little secret, right Kuro?" Midori said with a wink as Kuro meowed in response. We all laughed, enjoying the moment of levity before returning to our preparations for dinner.

I glanced over at the orb I had brought back from the hideout's workshop and placed on the living room table.

The first thing I did when we got back through the portal was to check on it. Strangely, the system refused to boot up at all. Both Spencer and Enya were going to run diagnostics on it tonight. Still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at its sudden malfunction.

It was a reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond our world, the unknown and unpredictable. I wanted answers for what had happened while visiting my dad and sister, but that would have to wait.

I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment. I was surrounded by friends, warmth, laughter, and the promise of a good meal.

As we sat down to dinner, I felt grateful for everything that had brought me to this moment. The kindness of Midori and Talia, the friendship of Natasha, the simple joys of petting a cat. It was easy to get lost in the chaos and uncertainty of life, but moments like these reminded me of the beauty that could be found in the everyday.

Soon, we sat down to eat; Talia and Midori chatted animatedly about their days, sharing funny stories. I listened, enjoying the easy banter and the warmth of the house.

I looked around the table at Midori and Talia, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. Here was my home. No matter what happened in the world or how chaotic things got, this was where I belonged.

And for that, I was eternally grateful.