39: A Nightingale's home

As I woke up from my slumber, I found myself in a room as I felt the soft comfort that was the bed that I'm lying.

Not to mention, this room felt familiar for some reason, and I can't put my finger as to where exactly.

Strange, the last thing I remembered was falling myself to a cozy sleep right down on Momoka's arms. I guess this was where she took me, wherever this place may be.

While I was lost in my thoughts, I heard the sound of the room's door opening.

Momoka entered, still in her Magical Girl form, smiled when she saw me now conscious. She also carried a tray with her as I smelled the delicious aroma of what I assumed to be a rice porridge.

"Good, you're finally awake, sensei." Momoka greeted while she laid the food tray on a desk situated nearby my bed, "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly… like crap." I did not wince my words and told her the truth, "But I'll be fine. You don't have anything to worry about old little me, well, except being hungry, of course."

Momoka giggled in response while I eyed the rice porridge hungrily. She put the tray on the bed and watched me with content silence as I proceeded to eat the porridge to my heart's content.

After such a satisfying meal, Momoka brought the tray back to the desk.

"That sure did hit a spot!" I remarked with glee. I then eyed Momoka and asked, "How about you, have you eaten as well?"

"I did, thank you for asking." Momoka nodded and sat down on the bed.

"So, where are we, anyway?" I now asked regarding my primary concern.

"We are in my home, sensei, my old room to be exact." Momoka answered, "My family home… here in the Hiraizumi Shinto Shrine, back when I was still a young maiden, filled with hopes and dreams for the future."

Ah, no wonder this place felt familiar. This place was actually Momoka's home here in Japan.

"Yes, I remember." I smiled, feeling fully at ease, "The very place where I first met you, and recruited you to be one of us… a Magical Girl."

"Haha, yes." Momoka chuckled, fondly remembering of such a sweet memory, "You almost gave me a heart attack that day. I mean, a talking cat appearing all of a sudden while I was sweeping the temple courtyard. I thought you were some kind of demon!"

"Good times, indeed." I shared the same sentiment with her, "And If I'm not mistaken, my glorious little entrance also came with a wet skirt, your wet skirt, that is."

"Do you really have to rub that in?" Momoka's face suggested that she was unimpressed, "Yes, yes, I pissed myself when I first saw you. I was young, naïve, and scared shitless. Cut me some slack, why don't you?"

I tapped her shoulder playfully and could not help but laughed merrily at her expense. Momoka sighed and shook her head, also forming a smile on her face as moments like this was what defined the strong bonds of our friendship.

"Sensei." Momoka maintained her lovely smile, "I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?" I tilted my head a bit, wondering what she was going to ask of me.

"Walk with me, sensei." Momoka gestured as she got up and slowly made her way towards the door.

While I'm not sure what this was all about, I complied with her harmless request, regardless. I got up as well and flew right in Momoka's direction as we now stood side by side together.

Momoka's house overall was quaint, and your typical Japanese household. I basked on the house's interiors, reminiscing about some memories since I was her secret yet frequent visitor here back during her early Magical Girl days.

Such reminiscing however did not last long when Momoka eventually led me outside of the house. What now greeted us was the sight of the familiar temple courtyard, with the majesty of the grand Sakura trees accentuating the beauty of the whole place.

"It's still as beautiful as ever, "I watched in awe as I admire the Sakura trees with their pink leaves falling on the background, "As if the Diabli never even bother to find and wreck this place, at all."

"An Anti-Diabli barrier is installed and fortified around the temple's perimeter." Momoka explained, "You are aware that I came from a line of Mikos, from my mother, from her mother, and from her mother before her. If I never came to be a Nightingale, no doubt, the title shall be passed on to me as I continue the family tradition. We Mikos are adept with a variety of curses to combat the Diabli on our own way."

"Yes, I know, which also explained those strips of paper you used against the vampire."

In addition to being a Nightingale, Momoka still considers herself a Miko by heart, and she utilized both skillsets in her fight against the Diabli.

As I walked… well, flew together with her, I continued to admire the majestic scenery and felt the tranquility of the place easing me to a relax.

It was breathtaking to say the least, a temporary respite to forget about the horrors that I faced from these past many days.

My own self-inflicted pride, The death of Aegis… Arcana's apathy, Luminosa's betrayal…

Umbrina's revenge…

Well, a girl like me could only dream…

If only moments like this, with a dear friend on my side, would last forever.

But now I'm realistically aware that it won't be the case.

Nothing lasts forever, and reality was a cruel mistress for shoving that straight to my very face.

Momoka eventually led me to the spot where her intentions took me, a place that overlook a vast magnificent valley that one can't help but admire. Of course, one could still see the town from afar down below, but regrettably though, it was now a remnant of its former self, afflicted with destruction and mayhem caused by the Diabli rebels.

I almost forgot, this temple is located on a mountain, isolated from civilization. It also served as a retreat, a haven should one wish to be in harmony with mother nature herself.

The view was quite grand, no question. Coupled with the fact that a round table with two wooden chairs were placed just near the red railings to serve for the purpose of leisure viewing.

On the table rested a ceramic flask with two ceramic cups on each side.

Momoka gestured me to sit down alongside her, and I did as I was told.

While the view was nice, and the smell of sake from the flask was tempting and all, I was utterly confused on what this was all about. As such, I could not help but ask.

"Alright, I'll bite, what's the occasion?" I eyed her with confusion, "Oh crap, is it actually your birthday!?"

"Sensei." Momoka never laughed, not even a sign of a chuckle or amusement, a reaction I definitely was not expecting from her. Not to mention, her voice kind of felt heavy, and she now adorned a grim look, "I… I have a confession to make."

Confession? What is she talking about? I do not like the sound and tone of her voice.

I simply eyed her seriously with silence, waiting for what she was about to say.

"Sensei…" Momoka touched her heart and gave me a sad smile,

"I don't have much long to live."