My Mayumi

sleepover of sadness

"Nothing happened, sweetheart. How about you and Nobara have a sleepover tonight?"

Mayumi excitedly jumped and ran to her room to pack. Within five minutes, she had a pink butterfly bag stuffed with clothes, toys, and snacks.

She ran to Nobara's dorm and knocked loud enough to alarm the entire hall.

Nobara angrily stomped across her dorm to open the door. "Whoever the hell is knocking on my door like that-"

"Hiiiiiiiiii!" Nobara smiled, again through gritted teeth as the door revealed an eager Mayumi.

"Noba, my papa told me I should come here. Can we have a sleepover? I even brought snacks!" Mayumi happily held up a bag of chips.

Nobara sighed before signaling the child to come in. Mayumi played on the ground with her toys as Nobara ate the snacks she brought while watching a movie.

Nobara realized Mayumi had grown less excited and seemed a bit under the weather. However, she did not mention it.

"I know I said I didn't want a mommy anyways, but sometimes I wish I had one." Mayumi glumly admitted, while still waving a toy around.

"I think it would make papa happy if she was here. Maybe he could pay more attention to me then. If I had a mommy, maybe he wouldn't work so hard. Maybe I wouldn't be bullied."

In hearing those words, Nobara was reminded of Saori. She felt tears forming in her eyes before telling Mayumi to sit next to her.

Mayumi started to cry and between heavy breathing, managed to say "I miss mommy." Nobara pulled Mayumi into a hug and quietly cried with her. They fell asleep and woke up in the same place.

Mayumi woke up first, and wiggled around before remembering where she was. As she wiggled, Nobara's hold got a bit tighter.

"Maybe she just wants a hug." Mayumi whispered.

As Nobara woke up, she awkwardly let go of Mayumi and started to make breakfast.