The Heron's Journey through the Night

Chapter 9: The reason for the morning breeze

May 1915

It's early in the morning. As Fuyumi comes into land and puts her striker into the hangar, her family came out to welcome her home.

Minnie/Charlotte/Amelia: "Welcome back."

Fuyumi: "I'm back. Is it finally time to confront this monster?"

Minnie: "Yes, it's finally time to put an end to it. We'll be counting on you for tonight's encounter. The mission brief will be done after dinner."

Fuyumi: "Sure. I'll be heading to bed soon."

Charlotte: "We got the whole day to ourselves before the mission."

Minnie: "We can't leave the base though. Make sure you girls are well-rested. It's going to be a long night for us."

Amelia: "Just curious, but who's going to sleep with you?"

Fuyumi: "You're both still competing for me? * Both nodded their heads in agreement * Goodness. In that case, Onee-chan."

Amelia/Charlotte: "Ah! No fair!"

Fuyumi: "If anything, you both messed up because you didn't say to choose between both of you, so Onee-chan was not out of the option. And no taking back what you said."

Charlotte/Amelia: "* Pouts * Fine..."

Fuyumi hopped out of her unit and the feathers sticking out of her body vanished with a little flash of light. Fuyusaki rematerialized in midair and perched on its owner's shoulder. After their light breakfast, the two pairs went back to their rooms. Fuyumi immediately stripped, scattering her clothes everywhere, before plopping on the bed. Her familiar hopped onto her bare back and tucked its head into its feathers. Minnie let out an exasperated sigh before picking up Fuyumi's scattered laundry.

Minnie: "Geez. At least get the blanket over yourself."

Fuyumi: "No~ It feels better like this."

Minnie: "That may be so, but what if someone walks in and finds you like that?"

Fuyumi: "No need to worry, Fuyusaki already locked the door after we entered. * Fuyusaki nods tiredly *"

Minnie: "She's... certainly one talented familiar. You'll catch a cold like this."

Fuyumi: "But it's too hot if I wear clothes~."

Minnie: "* Softly sighs * Fair enough, but at least wear your underwear. And leave the window slightly open."

Fuyumi: "What if it rains during the night? I don't want my room to be wet."

Minnie: "Alright, you got me there."

Fuyumi's room was mostly dark all around as she needed uninterrupted sleep during the day. There was a drawer not far from her bed, a cupboard placed in front of the bed, and a mirror right next to the door. This is the first time that Minnie's been in Fuyumi's room since it was made a few months back following the evacuation of Belgica. She looked around the room and noticed a book that piqued her interest. It was only a few pages long, with plenty of empty pages yet to be touched.

Minnie: "Fuyumi, this-"

When she wanted to ask Fuyumi a question, she realized the younger girl had already fallen asleep. She decided to ask her after she's awake.

In another room, the younger pair were hanging out. One lay on the bed, reading a book while the other just lazed around. Because of them constantly competing for Fuyumi's attention, the two didn't really get along with one another, let alone knew the other party well.