~Punk Mahoucore~

"But are you sure you're okay?" Nagisa asked.

"Yes," Honoka smiled again.  The two were walking home after a big battle, and Nagisa had already asked the question multiple times.  This particular battle had been especially fierce.  The enemy had separated Cure White from Cure Black, and Cure Black had had to fight her way through an army of zakenna in order to get her partner back before she disappeared.  But now the battle was done and they had to go home and pretend that nothing had happened.  It was extremely surreal, Honoka thought... but that was just how things went as Pretty Cure, she supposed.  "I'm sure that I'm fine," she stressed again, because it was true.  So far as she could tell, she was completely back to normal now.  "My hand was disappearing when I was taken, but now it's fine... you can feel that, I think."  She said that bit because Nagisa was holding onto her hand.  Very tightly.

Nagisa squeezed her hand.  "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said.  "I was just so worried... I was really scared I wouldn't see you again."

"We won't let that happen, I don't think," said Honoka.  "We're always going to be together."

"Do you promise?"  Nagisa looked over at her.  Her warm eyes were full of concern.

"Yes," Honoka said.  She believed this firmly.

"Ugh.  I'm sorry I'm like this."  Nagisa sighed as they continued walking.

"You don't have to be.  It was very scary."

"I guess so," said Nagisa.

They continued walking for a few moments.  Then Honoka said, "Nagisa?"

"Yeah?"

"You're squeezing my hand a little tight..."

"Oh!  Sorry."  Nagisa let go completely.

"Oh, Nagisa.  You didn't have to let go. " She reached out to take Nagisa's hand again, but Nagisa stopped walking and looked down.  Honoka stopped, too.  "Nagisa?"

Nagisa threw herself at Honoka, wrapping her up in her arms tightly and burying her face into Honoka's neck.  "I was so, so scared..."

Honoka held her.  "It's okay.  I'm here.  We're both here together."

"I don't know what I would have done if you'd disappeared.  I don't know how to live without you anymore."

This was a surprisingly vulnerable statement, and it touched Honoka.  "I promise we won't ever be apart," she said, stroking Nagisa's hair gently.  As she did so, she couldn't help but wonder if Nagisa truly knew what she was saying.  Did she understand the implications of telling someone that she never wanted to live without them?  She had made similar statements towards Honoka before.  In fact, just recently she had promised Honoka that they would always be together.  She'd said that while holding hands with her in bed, even.

Was Nagisa genuinely thinking about the future when she said these things?  Did she truly mean always? Or was she just saying what was in her mind at the moment?

Well, either way, these emotions were important ones, Honoka thought.  "I promise," she said again, a little softer this time.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Nagisa pulled away just a little so she could look at Honoka.  There were tears in her eyes, Honoka noticed.  "And you're sure you're okay, right?" Nagisa pressed.  "You're not hurt or anything?  I'm just worried... maybe those people did something to you and you don't know it yet."

"I'll keep a special lookout just in case," said Honoka.  "If I think something is wrong, I'll let you know immediately."  She reached out and took Nagisa's hands in hers.

This seemed to satisfy Nagisa, and she sniffled as she looked down at their hands.  "Okay."

Honoka smiled at her.  "Did you want to go out for snacks?  Maybe choco parfaits?"

"Choco parfaits, really?" Nagisa's face lit up like a shining star.

Honoka couldn't help but giggle at her dear Nagisa's enthusiasm.  "Let's go," she said.

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