The Black Rose

Chapter 5

About an hour after training, Rena headed back to the infirmary to check on Sae. When she got there, she found that Sae was awake, and was staring at the ceiling.

"Hey," Rena got the boyish girl's attention and saw her smile.

"Hey."

"You alright?"

"I think so... just trying to collect my thoughts. I can't remember anything since last night."

"So what did you remember?"

Sae frowned. "I think I was preparing for bed or something...?" she scratched her head.

"Anything else?"

"Oh..." her cheeks suddenly turned red. "I think I had this dream... I can't remember it clearly, but... it was giving me this weird feeling that made my body hot. I wonder if it was..."

Rena's cheeks also blushed as she covered her mouth. "You can stop right there."

"Sorry..."

Both of them remained silent for a bit.

"So... are you still a little tense about what happened between you and Black?"

Rena jolted at the name. "I..."

"Yuki-chan seems nice. I'm sure she'll forgive you. Sayaka told me about the little outburst you had because you were so stressed out about it."

"Oh, I see. Well, yes, I am a bit.. upset, but... I'll get over it. I'll find her again and get her next time, for sure."

Sae smiled. "For sure."

Leaving the infirmary, Rena met up with Jurina.

"Did you find her?"

Jurina shook her head. "No. But I found someone else."

Rena looked confused. "Who...?"

She then felt a strong presence behind her and, out of reflex, dodged. Rena saw a tall woman with a smirk on her face.

"Looks like you haven't changed, huh?"

"Mariko-san!"

"How are you, Rena?"

"Good. I see you still like giving your lil tests, huh?"

"Hey, I gotta make sure my Ace is hot on her feet, right?"

Rena giggled.

Juina then hugged Mariko. "Mariko-sama, I'm so happy you came~"

"Anything for you two. My ace hunter and my cute adopted puppy."

"I wub you, Mariko-mama~~~" Jurina kissed Mariko's cheek.

"I love you, too." she ruffled Jurina's hair.

Yes, Mariko was actually Rena and Jurina's caretaker. Not just their senior and mentor as hunters, but also their adoptive mother. She took them in after they lost their parents.

Flashback, 6 years ago

When Mariko first arrived at Rena and Jurina's doorstep, the first person to approach her at the door was Rena. Inside, she saw Jurina was lying on the couch, crying.

"I'm so sorry, you two," Mariko patted Rena's head and hugged her.

"Thank you, Mariko-san. I think Jurina needs all the help she can get."

Mariko stepped in and shut the door, slowly approaching the couch. She sat beside Jurina and was immediately hugged by the younger girl. Her tears soaked Mariko's shirt as she held the puppy's head.

"Hey, Jurina. How are you holding up?"

"Mari-chan..." Jurina sniffled, her voice cracking.

"I know it hurts. I'm so sorry."