[center][h1][color=skyblue]❅❄ Fuyuko Yamazaki ❄❅[/color][/h1][/center][hr]
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A few seconds of silence passed. [color=skyblue]"Uh..."[/color] Fuyuko considered her options. On the one hand, it seemed wisest to wait for Shining Fist to respond and take the lead. On the other, Hoshino and waiting didn't exactly go well together - and what if someone else got hurt in the meantime?

[color=skyblue]"We could do,"[/color] she finally replied, [color=skyblue]"as long as we're both careful, since it's just the two of us. I can stay out, I'll just quickly tell..."[/color]

Right on cue, a hand clapped onto her shoulder, a cry of [color=mediumseagreen]"GRAAAHHHHH!"[/color] making her whirl around. Seeing Noriko and the exaggerated scary face she pulled, Fuyuko accompanied her sister's guffaws with a much softer laugh.

[color=mediumseagreen]"Hey, how could I resist?"[/color] Noriko chirped, that grin spreading across her face - although it wasn't her usual one. Too wide, failing to reach her normally warm brown eyes, which seemed empty. She gave off the air of an actress in a comedy play. [color=mediumseagreen]"C'mon sis, Mom's waiting for us."[/color]

Once more, Fuyuko fell quiet. [color=skyblue]"Well, uh..."[/color] Her eyes darted between Noriko and Hikari. [color=skyblue]"I'm actually planning on staying out and about, if that's ok with everyone."[/color]

With a look she knew, one that said she didn't blame her, Noriko nodded. [color=mediumseagreen]"All good, I'll let Mom know."[/color] Again, her voice sounded a little too chipper. [color=mediumseagreen]"Just tell us when you're heading back, ok? Well, see ya!"[/color]

Fuyuko returned the nod. [color=skyblue]"Later,"[/color] she murmured, noting the unusually heavy steps as Noriko left. The thought of the responsibility she'd burdened her sister with made Fuyuko's heart ache. Head drooping, she faced Hoshino.

[color=skyblue]"L-Look, on second thoughts, maybe..."[/color] She glanced over her shoulder, staring into space. Shouldn't she spend the afternoon supporting Noriko with the home situation? Wouldn't be be best to wait for nightfall and Shining Fist's reply after all? If she did, though, and Hoshino investigated on her own, were problems to arise, she'd be responsible for having abandoned her. Magical girls tended to work in teams for a reason. [color=skyblue]"Uh, never mind."[/color]

She lifted up her phone, wondering whether to invite her sister along. Hoshino surely wanted to meet a magical girl she could trust. Then again, if they got caught up in this mission past evening, there'd be nobody to protect the home. Sighing, Fuyuko lowered the device. [i]Beep.[/i] Right then, a text notification blinked onto the screen.

[i][color=mediumseagreen]"Hey, if this is Hex Night stuff and you won't be back until much, much later, I'll tell Mom you're staying with a friend. I mean it's not like she won't understand. Again, best of luck! Sweep through 'em like the snowstorm you are!"[/color][/i]

Giving a twitch of a smile despite the pang of guilt, Fuyuko typed a reply. [i][color=skyblue]"It is, sort of... Sorry I can't be around, but thanks."[/color][/i] The instant she sent the message, she wished she hadn't written "sort of". Someone as perceptive and protective as Noriko would worry, want to know more.

Trying to focus on the task at hand, Fuyuko raised her eyes from the phone. [color=skyblue]"S-Sorry. Just a quick message,"[/color] she muttered. [color=skyblue]"Uh, anyway... If you're ready, let's go."[/color] She started on her way to the school gates, towards the path to the woods.