The end-of-class bell finally rang through the room, releasing a collective murmur of relief. Hinata calmly packed her things, her gaze a bit lost out the window. She was about to leave the classroom when Mayohi suddenly placed her hand on her shoulder.
— Wait! she said in a lively voice. Tell me… do you have plans today?
Hinata blinked, a little surprised.
— No, why?
Mayohi's face immediately lit up. She almost jumped for joy, hands joined.
— Perfect! she exclaimed with a wide smile before grabbing Hinata's hand. You're coming with me!
— Huh? Where? asked Hinata, somewhat unsettled.
Mayohi turned around, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
— Did you really think I'd let you leave like that, without letting you know some of the pleasures of being a normal girl, for once? Come on, we're going to have some fun!
Before Hinata could protest, she was pulled out of the room.
A few minutes later, they were walking through the lively downtown streets. Windows glittered, passersby laughed, and Mayohi talked non-stop, full of energy. Hinata followed silently, soon carrying bags in her arms.
The first stop was a large shopping mall. Mayohi entered each shop like a butterfly, trying on things, commenting, exclaiming.
— Look at this, Hinata! These shoes are incredible! You know the famous Cristina wore them during the Milan fashion show? she asked, her eyes shining.
Hinata looked at the silver shoes with dizzying heels.
— They're ugly, she said simply.
Mayohi was speechless for a few seconds.
— Ugly?! But… it's a limited edition!
Hinata shrugged.
— Maybe, but they're still ugly.
Mayohi stared at her, caught between shock and amusement, then shook her head laughing.
— You're unbelievable. Come on, let's see if "ugly" suits you!
She tugged her without letting her refuse and gently pushed her toward a fitting room.
A few minutes later, Hinata came out in a light dress, a bit uncomfortable.
— So? asked Mayohi, impatient, hands joined under her chin.
— It itches, replied Hinata in a neutral tone.
Mayohi burst out laughing.
— Oh, you! Even when you look stunning, you find a way to complain.
Hinata rolled her eyes, but a slight smile hovered on her lips.
They then went through several sections: accessories, perfumes, bags, jewelry. Hinata followed, always answering with the same blunt honesty.
— And this? This necklace, it's beautiful, right?
— Too shiny. Looks like a chandelier.
— And this skirt?
— Looks like a tablecloth.
Each time, Mayohi oscillated between exasperation and laughter.
— Damn, you really have no filter! No wonder guys look at you but never dare approach.
Hinata simply looked away.
— Maybe they're right.
Mayohi stared at her for a moment, then placed a finger on her cheek.
— You're unique, Hinata. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Hinata remained silent, unsure of what to say.
They ended their outing at a beauty salon. The smell of nail polish and scented oils filled the room. Mayohi settled happily on a soft chair, while Hinata watched the women around them with a mixture of curiosity and distrust.
— Come, sit down, said Mayohi, patting the chair next to her. We're going to do your nails.
— Nails? said Hinata, a bit hesitant.
A few minutes later, a beautician gently took her hands. The sensation of the brush on her nails made her shiver.
— It's… rather pleasant, she admitted, watching the woman carefully paint. But I don't understand why they put this kind of paint on hands!
Nearby clients let out a little laugh. Mayohi giggled too.
— It's called nail polish, Hinata. Plus, the blue suits you wonderfully!
Hinata raised her fingers, observing the color under the light.
— Hm. It's pretty, I guess.
— "I guess"? sighed Mayohi, feigning despair. You could at least pretend to like it!
— I like it, Hinata replied simply, and Mayohi smiled again.
The day went on like this, punctuated by bursts of laughter and Hinata's dry remarks. They tried on ridiculous hats, tasted waffles, visited a booth of handmade jewelry. At one point, Mayohi placed a sparkling tiara on Hinata's head.
— Look at you, my taciturn princess!
Hinata looked at the mirror and remained silent for a moment. Her reflection seemed strange — a softer, almost normal version of herself. She looked away.
— Take that off. You look like a kid.
Mayohi laughed heartily.
— You really have no princess instincts!
But at that moment, she sensed something different in Hinata's voice. A fatigue, a distance.
— Hey, she murmured more softly. It's okay, you know. You don't have to like all this.
Hinata remained silent, staring at the ground.
— But… I'm glad you came, Mayohi added, taking her hand.
That simple gesture made a slight shiver appear in Hinata's eyes. She nodded without a word.
In the evening, as the sun declined over the city, the two girls walked slowly to the station. Hinata still carried most of the bags, but this time, she no longer seemed to complain.
— In the end, it wasn't so terrible, was it? Mayohi said.
— It was… different, Hinata replied.
Mayohi smiled.
— I'll take that as a compliment.
Hinata looked up at the reddened twilight sky, then murmured, as if to herself:
— Maybe… that's what it means to be a normal girl.
Mayohi turned her head, intrigued, but Hinata said nothing more. She just watched the horizon, silent, the blue nail polish still shining in the evening light.
Night fell softly over the city, painting the roofs a dark blue. The signs still lit cast orange reflections on the sidewalk where Hinata walked, arms laden with small bags. The day with Mayohi had seemed long… but not unpleasant.
She walked with a calm step, the cool wind caressing her still slightly scented hair. Around a street corner, a familiar figure appeared: Melokosa. He was coming back from work, jacket open, hands in his pockets, face tired but smiling.
When he saw her, his smile immediately widened.
— Hey, little sister! So, how was your day? Wonderful, I hope?
Hinata slowed down, a bit surprised to meet him there.
— It was… different, she replied simply.
They resumed walking side by side. The sound of footsteps echoed calmly on the cobblestones. Melokosa looked at her out of the corner of his eye, then his gaze fell on Hinata's fingers. He slightly furrowed his brow, intrigued.
— Wait… you put on nail polish?
Hinata immediately lowered her head and looked at her blue nails shining under the streetlights.
— Ah… it's Mayohi, she whispered. She dragged me into her stuff.
Melokosa raised an amused eyebrow.
— Mayohi? Who's that? Your friend?
Hinata glanced at him for a moment, then looked away, lost in thought. The images of the day came back — Mayohi laughing loudly in fitting rooms, her overflowing enthusiasm, her spontaneous kindness.
She also recalled her own clumsiness, her dry retorts, her silences. Yet, despite everything… a small smile formed on her lips.
"It wasn't so bad, actually…" she thought.
— Hey, are you listening to me? Melokosa's voice broke her train of thought.
Hinata jumped slightly.
— Huh? Ah… yes! Yes, she's… she's a friend of mine.
Melokosa looked at her, a gentle smile stretching on his lips.
— You're finally deciding to make friends, huh? I'm proud of you.
He gently placed a hand on his sister's head. Hinata immediately blushed deeply and pushed his hand away with a small brusque gesture.
— S-Stop it, idiot!
She looked away, crossed her arms, cheeks still bright red. Melokosa laughed softly, amused by her reaction.
— Okay, okay… I won't bother you anymore, he said with a teasing smile.
They continued walking a few steps in light silence, rocked by the murmur of the city. Then Melokosa looked up at the sky and sighed.
— While you were having fun with your friend, I had one of those days at work…
Hinata turned her head toward him.
— What happened?
Melokosa ran a hand through his hair, visibly tired but amused by his own story.
— You know, a big client came in this noon. The type everything perfect, impeccable suit, golden glasses… You know the type?
Hinata nodded.
— Yes. People who look at you as if you're not supposed to breathe the same air as them.
Melokosa burst out laughing.
— Exactly! That guy made a huge fuss because his soup was too hot. Yes, too hot!
Hinata blinked, incredulous.
— Too hot? Isn't that the point of soup?
— Apparently not for him, Melokosa continued, ironic. He demanded it be remade, the plate changed, water brought at the "ideal" temperature… Basically, I thought he was going to pull out a thermometer.
Hinata couldn't help but let out a small laugh, the first in a long time with that lightness.
— And what did you do?
— I held myself together. I kept my best smile and said, "Right away, sir." But honestly, I confess I wanted to spill the soup on his head.
Hinata laughed heartily this time.
— You should have done it!
Melokosa shrugged, mock serious.
— Yeah, but I like my job. And if I get fired, who will pay the electric bill?
— Me? said Hinata with a little mischievous smile.
— You? With what? Your allowance? joked Melokosa.
They both laughed, the complicity naturally returning, like a warm glow in the evening air.
Arriving in front of the house, Hinata paused a moment before opening the door. Melokosa placed a hand on her shoulder.
— I'm really happy to see you smile, you know. It's been a long time.
Hinata stayed silent for a moment, then murmured without looking at him:
— …Thank you.
She entered first, placing her bags near the couch. Melokosa followed, closed the door behind them, and the hallway light gently went out, leaving a peaceful atmosphere.