Chapter Text
Sumire Mizuno woke up and took a long glance outside. Spring had taken a bit longer this year, but it was finally blooming, and it was by far her favorite time of the year. She was then greeted by her cat who she lovingly fed and pet as she went downstairs to eat breakfast with her family.
“Hope you enjoy the waffles today Sumire! I put extra blueberries in for you!”
“Thanks dad, I appreciate it.”
“Oh! Y-You’re very welcome, my daughter.”
The two half watched the news while they ate, observing the chaos that had rocked the city of Gotham the night prior. Sumire just hoped that this chaos didn’t spread and harm innocent civilians.
“Hey Sumire, you make sure to stay safe out there!”
Sumire looked away. “I know dad.”
“Not that I don’t trust you, you’ve shown me incredible strength sweetie, just, a parent is going to worry.”
“I appreciate it, really, do my best.”
Sumire said her goodbyes for the morning and caught a train just before it left. She caught a glimpse of the lab that had been destroyed on the way. There was something that felt familiar about that whole mess but she couldn’t put her finger on it, so she tucked it away and went over some of her notes from the previous day, doing her best to be prepared for anything that could be on its way.
Madison and Taro said their goodbyes to Clark and Diana after the morning meeting. There was a lingering chill in the air that the two siblings school would relieve. Madison sat down at the front of the school for a bit to watch the incoming students. Taro initially joined her, but disappeared momentarily, only to reappear with a couple of sweet breads. The younger sibling turned away.
“Mads, I saw you leave half of your breakfast this morning, just a bit concerned.”
“I was in my head a bit I guess.” She let out a nervous laugh. “Yesterday was great, just worried if it was too good to be true, we are in the hero business after all… Things can go wrong whenever.”
“Heh, don’t sweat it sis, that’s what i’m here for!” Taro extended out the food once more, this time Madison picked it up. “Seriously though, you should give yourself more credit, you did great yesterday!”
“Thanks Taro.” Her brother gave a wide grin that helped cut through her doubts.
They ate their renewed breakfast and continued to observe the students making their way onto the campus, until one they had noticed the previous day skipped right on over to them.
“Ah there you are Taro! I got distracted yesterday and forgot to say hi! I’m Sumire!” The girl’s words seemed to have years of weight tied to them, yet they flew right over Taro’s head.
“Ah its all right, I’m sure there were other transfer students that needed introductions too!”
Madison took a look at the girl before them, and something was itching at her but she couldn’t place it. The girl returned the gaze and tilted her head.
“Hey who’s this girl you’re always hanging around with? Did she show up to the orphanage recently? I’m surprised that you didn’t drag - oh…”
Sumire’s eyes went wide, and Madison finally put it together. Her eyes and composure had the same energy that she sees in the mirror now: A girl who’s on a journey to find herself. Madison stood up gently and gave the girl a warm smile and extended out her hand.
“Sumire, I’m glad you were able to figure things out. I’m Madison.”
Sumire returned the handshake, and then pulled her into a hug, fighting back tears. Taro sat there dumbfounded, until he processed his sister’s words. The eager hero finally saw the girl for who she was and jolted up to pull both girls into a hug, and no one could hold back tears.
“I missed both of you so much, and wish those last few months would have been different.”
Madison smiled through her tears. “Hey it’s ok! We’re glad you got adopted, and you definitely needed it.”
Taro was so happy he felt he could explode. “You made it back to us eventually, and that’s what matters! I’m so happy for both of you ladies!”
Sumire’s tears kept flowing. “I was worried you both moved on…”
Madison tightened her hug. “It seemed that way, but the wonderful thing about moving forward on your own path is it can intersect with others and make a new, beautiful road for others to eventually follow.”
Sumire’s phone went off with an alarm, the trio then noticed that no one else was around them.
“Uh oh, we have a couple minutes until class starts!”
The teenagers bolted to class, with a promise to reconnect later. The day surprisingly flew by, and Madison had prepared so many things to ask and say to Sumire but once they were all on the roof together, she had become content just enjoying this moment.
“You two should meet my dad soon! He really tries his best and I’m so grateful for him! I definitely couldn’t have gotten to where I am without him.”
Madison adjusted her hair. “I know what you mean.”
Taro spoke up. “Hey ladies, um, I’m going to get some water for us all, Sumire do you prefer sparkling or standard?”
“Sparkling Cherry please.”
“Usual for me Taro.”
“Coming right up!”
Madison couldn’t hide her smile. “He’s the best big brother I could have asked for, once I figured everything out, he insisted to be there for me, even when I tried distancing myself.”
“My dad trusted that my distance wouldn’t be permanent, and I still wonder how he knew.”
“I hope there are more places like this school out there, welcoming to all, no matter what they are going through.”
“Yeah, if not, maybe we can help make that one day!” Sumire paused for a second, realizing that this rekindled friendship may not be permanent, but Madison gave her a look of determination.
“Sounds like a plan to me, Sumi! Um, can I call you that?”
“Only if I can call you Maddie!”
Both girls giggled as Taro approached with refreshments. They chatted and caught up for a while, until the sun started to disappear past the horizon. Sumire reluctantly stood up.
“I wish we could stay here forever, but I should get home before dad starts to worry.” The young student then noticed Madison nervously fidgeting with a shard in her hand, and that old memory that had been teasing Sumire returned to the surface.
“Maddie! Where did you get that?” Both siblings froze.
“Oh um, its a long story…”
“Did you take it from the gym?”
The two siblings tilted their head in confusion. Sumire cautiously approached, as if the shard would combust at any minute.
“May I take a look at it?” Madison nodded and carefully handed her old friend the shard. Sumire gently ran her fingers across it, and closed her eyes. Remembering the radiant light she saw emitting from this relic. As if it could read her mind, a flash of light overtook the rooftop and settled into a portal to Galactica.
Taro shot up in pure excitement.
“Finally, I’ve been wanting to go in here again! Let’s go girls!” He gently took both of their hands and led them into the mysterious, ancient realm.