From A-Z, and Everything in Between

Together Forever

      "Sora-chaaaan!"

Soraru let out an exclamation of surprise as someone tackled him from behind. He turned around as best he could to see who had just attacked him, only to see a familiar pair of red eyes gazing up at him. Of course, who else would it be besides MafuMafu?

"What do you want?" Soraru asked flatly, looking down at the small ten-year-old in exasperation.

"Look! Look what Lon-chan made for me!" MafuMafu beamed, waving around an odd-looking plushie in his hand.

It looked like some kind of doll, only instead of a body it had a white sheet. On its large head there was a cute drooling face drawn on.

"What is it?" Soraru questioned. He wasn't entirely sure what sort of strange creature he was looking at.

"It's Mafuteru, only in plushie form! Isn't it cute?" MafuMafu giggled happily.

Oh, it's that weird thing he likes drawing, Soraru thought to himself. Now that he looked at it, the plushie did look like MafuMafu's crude doodles. Soraru wasn't really into things like this, but seeing MafuMafu so happy brought a smile to his face. MafuMafu's smile was so cute.

"Yeah, it is. It's perfect for you," Soraru responded.

"Eh, you think so?" MafuMafu giggled again, his cheeks tinted with a light shade of pink.

Soraru nodded. "Yep. Anyway, it was nice of Lon to make that for you, huh?"

"Mhm! Lon-chan is taking s... suing lessons?" MafuMafu tilted his head thoughtfully, his face scrunched up in confusion.

Soraru let out a slight laugh at this. "I think you mean 'sewing', not 'suing'."

"Oh, yeah, that's it! Anyway, Lon-chan's taking sewing lessons, so she asked me to tell her something to make. And then she made it for me!" MafuMafu explained, before holding up the Mafuteru plushie again.

"Well, just be sure to thank her, alright?" Soraru said.

"I already did," MafuMafu replied.

"Good job. You remembered all on your own this time," Soraru smiled softly while ruffling the younger boy's white hair.

MafuMafu grinned brightly, once again blushing a bit. "It's all thanks to Sora-chan. You're a good teacher."

"Cut it out. The adults are busy, so I'm just stuck babysitting you all the time, that's all," Soraru pointed out bluntly.

Although he hated to admit it, being complimented by MafuMafu made him feel both embarrassed and happy at the same time. But what kind of thirteen-year-old lets the words of some little kid affect them so much? Soraru didn't get it.

"Ehh, how mean!" MafuMafu pouted. Then, his expression turned to one of hurt and sadness. "B-But... do you really think that? Do you think I'm just a baby? Aren't we friends?"

MafuMafu looked like he was about to burst into tears, which made Soraru panic. He needed to fix this, and fast.

"No, I didn't mean it at all! Of course you're my friend, MafuMafu! You're my best friend!" Soraru said quickly, hoping this would do the trick.

MafuMafu sniffled pitifully. "...Really?"

"Yeah, really," Soraru answered with a soft smile.

MafuMafu smiled as well at this, and he wrapped his arms around the taller boy in a hug.

"I'm glad. Sora-chan is my best friend too," MafuMafu stated.