To love a sword

Chapter 41: Memories

Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and FabledLife

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-Sainan Middle School-

Who was this strange person? 

The question lingered in Mikan’s thoughts as she stared at the girl sitting right beside her, the one who had introduced herself simply as Mea and even went so far as to give her a lollipop. She was certain she had never met this person before, nor had her brother ever mentioned anyone by that name. The youngest Yuuki sibling would have remembered another redhead with the same somewhat dull, yet striking crimson shade as her brother, though admittedly, his hair had recently begun to develop white strands in a few areas. 

With the rate it was spreading, she seriously started to worry that he was possibly suffering from vitiligo. But then his skin tanning threw that idea straight out of the window. Poliosis, then?

“Do you like it?” 

“Ah,” caught off guard by the sudden question, Mikan blinked in confusion, unsure what the girl was referring to. “Do I like what?” she asked. 

“The lollipop,” Mea clarified as the candy left her lips with an audible pop, her voice carrying a casual cheerfulness. 

“Oh,” Mikan looked down at the candy in her hand, embarrassment creeping up her face as she realized she should have known what the girl meant. So caught up in her own little headspace that she completely lost herself in the earlier conversation. “Yes… It’s nice. Thank you for the treat.” 

“No problem! I love sweet things, and I figured you might like them too! I wanted to bring more, but figured I would look a bit suspicious.” 

‘You already are suspicious.’ Such words nearly came out but were halted at the very last moment by pure willpower. Dry comments worked against Shirou since he would always throw his own right back, but with her own friends and even some boys, it often made them feel hurt, even though that was not her intention. 

“I’m not really that big a fan of sweets,” Mikan replied, her tone mild but polite as she tried to continue the discussion. “Though having one from time to time isn’t so bad.” 

She knew how odd it sounded for someone her age to say that, but there was a reason behind it. When she was younger, she could still remember Rito always pestering Shirou to bake them sweets. And despite constantly reminding them that eating too much sugar was unhealthy, their eldest sibling would always give in. Of course, Mikan had eaten her fair share too, but over the years, the excitement dulled from the sheer quantity alone. Too much of a good thing became repetitive, and her appetite for sugary treats had faded considerably compared to her friends.

“If you don’t mind me asking, who are you really?” Mikan asked after a brief pause, curiosity returning to her voice. 

“Eh? I told you already, I’m Mea!” the girl said brightly. 

Mikan sighed, rubbing her temple. “Yes, I got that. I meant, who are you, and why were you standing here all alone? This is a middle school, and you look like someone who should be in high school. Did you come to visit a sibling or something?” 

“Oh, I do have a brother!” answered the redhead with unrestrained enthusiasm, making Mikan exhale in relief. At least she wasn’t dealing with some dangerous, perverted stranger who had wandered in without reason. If that had been the case, she might have had to call the authorities or get her crime prevention buzzer just in case.