The drive back from Infinity was a little awkward, at least between Homura and her mother. Each of them felt like the other was hiding something important, and neither one of them were willing to call the other out on it. Yet, the things on Chisato's mind were so dominant that it was difficult to think of anything else to talk about.
Chisato drove them, of course. Her car is an SUV, with three rows of seats, big enough for a family of seven to easily fit in, though Homura's never mentioned any family beyond her parents. All of that empty space remains unfilled, and neither Homura or Chisato are talking about that. Chisato is in the driver's seat, while Homura sits behind her.
Most of the conversation between Homura and Chisato has to do with directions and navigation, as Homura tries to tell her the way back to her house. Possibly more lively is the talk between Chisato and Madoka, as the curious mother tries to find out more about this girl who plays such a huge role in her daughter's life.
"So... you mentioned volunteering at the hospital? That's so nice! I bet you meet a lot of nice people that way."
"So what kind of work do you do for Homura-chan? I understand you're her secretary?"
"Sorry we haven't called often. We just... you know, things happen. If my daughter was in a relationship I kind of wish she'd let us know about that."
Homura actually looks somewhat guilty about that, looking out the window. Instead of commenting, she just says, "Make a left up there. Okay, it's right there, with the terraces."
Chisato's eyes are wide as she pulls up to Homura's house. "You live there...?"
"Yup."
"... with who?"
"My cat, and..." Homura glances towards Madoka. Is it too early to say that she lives here? It's true that she has a room. "... Madoka-chan stays over pretty often."
Chisato is staring up at it. It's way too big of a house for one person. Homura reaches into her pocket, pulling out a keychain, and pushing a button that Madoka might recognize as a garage door opener. "Just pull up next to the corvette."
Chisato pulls into the garage as it opens, giving the corvette a confused look. Why would Homura have a car if she lived alone? She's way too young to drive!
Homura doesn't answer the unspoken question, instead waiting for her mother's SUV to stop before opening the door and hopping out. She turns around, holding the door open for Madoka.
Chisato stares straight ahead, boggling. "Is that a Humvee?!"
Madoka has chosen to sit next to Homura rather than in the front passenger seat. It is a little odd leaving it open, but at the same time she'd feel strange sitting there when Homura wasn't. Also, the bench seat gives a pretty good reason for them to want this seating arrangement that isn't related to emotional distance between Homura and Chisato, namely that it means Madoka can ride the way back with her arm around Homura, leaning on her lightly. Her other hand has tried to reach over and take Homura's near hand, giving it gentle squeezes whenever she senses a bit of worry or stress.
She's somewhat quiet during the drive because she doesn't want to interrupt the directions being given, mostly because she doesn't actually know them. Oh, she knows the way by foot and across the rooftops very well, yes, but neither of those include sticking to the roads and obeying traffic laws.
When she's starts being asked questions she figures Chisato has things well under control, and begins speaking up more, doing her best to answer the questions asked of her. "There are a lot of very nice people who work at the hospital. The nurses there are all so sweet and do their best to keep people comfortable and give them what they need to be healthy. It makes me happy to be able to help them and make their jobs a little easier."
As for her official duties as secretary she looks upwards and taps her chin, "I do a lot of screening of mail, email, calls and visitors for her, and also do my best to keep her schedule organized." She smiles and looks over to Homura, "I also try to give her advice when I can on how to keep the staff happy and working as a team. Homura-chan is a very good leader! She knows how to set goals and work towards them, and everyone admires her for it."
A moment later something else occurs to her and she says brightly, "I'm also the First Mate on the Tenshi Maru!" Cue a small series of giggles, "Technically."
Madoka looks down at her lap at the mention of not telling Homura's mother about their relationship. She'd try to wave it off as not a big deal except... well, their relationship isn't exactly a simple middle school crush, is it?
She has to work pretty hard to hide a lot of giggles as Chisato reacts to the size of the house and the expensive cars in the driveway. Her eyes twinkle a bit but she manages to keep her mirth under wraps; it seems Homura's mother doesn't realize her daughter is filthy rich.
When the SUV comes to a stop Madoka gets out, hopping down and giving Homura a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. After the small kiss she quietly says, "I'm going to go in ahead."
A happy, friendly smile is also given to Chisato before Madoka quickly jogs further inside with her hands swinging up near her shoulders as she rushes up the stairs, "Aaaaamy! Amyyyyyy! Someone is here you need to meet!"
Chisato meeting the cat is, of course, among the highest priorities.
Cuddling Madoka on the way back home is certainly doing a lot to ease Homura's tension. Even though Homura smiles and hugs and tries to look happy, there's an undercurrent of stress. Homura loves her mother, sure, but that doesn't mean that things are really okay between them. A couple of times in the conversation, Homura comes within inches of getting really defensive. Her back tightens up, only for her to slowly breath out and relax. It might not be noticeable, except that Madoka is just so close to her right now. The comfort really helps, and once in awhile Homura smiles softly at Madoka.
Chisato glances in her rearview mirror as Madoka praises Homura's leadership. Her little Homura? A leader? She never saw her little Homhom-chan that way. Homura always seemed so shy and nervous. Aren't leaders supposed to be a bit less... insecure?
What happened in the time since she last saw her daughter? It's only been maybe a year and a half. Could things really change that much?
"... the Tenshi Maru? Oh right. That big salvage ship. Homhom-chan, you own that, too?"
"Yeah. Salvage was how I got started."
The failure to mention the relationship, in particular, is something that Homura almost gets defensive about.
Homura smiles at the kiss, and releases Madoka as she goes on ahead, staying behind because she wants to say something to Chisato, but when the time comes she doesn't have the heart to say it. The two of them stare at each other for a moment, then turn away without saying anything. Did Homura mention an Amy? She only mentioned Madoka and the cat.
Amy, at least, is cheerful enough and easy to find. The cat at least recognizes Madoka as a mother figure by now, and when she hears Madoka's voice her head perks up. Her tail swishes across the seat of the cuddle couch once, and then again. While she does not go trampling around the house like a dog might, Amy has always been an affectionate cat, and she rises to her paws and seeks out the source of Madoka's voice.
Homura and Chisato follow Madoka deeper into the house up a flight of stairs, catching up to her right next to the elevator on the first floor, just in time for Amy to come padding into the room. Chisato speaks up first, saying, "Oh! Amy is the cat." Amy hesitates as it looks at Chisato, walking up to Madoka and rubbing against her legs, hiding behind them to peek at the strange, tall person who smells kinda like Homura.
Homura clears her throat, saying, "Right well. I'm going to go fix dinner. I'll call you all when it's ready. Madoka-chan, you don't mind keeping my mother company, do you?"
Chisato blinks at Homura. Her? Alone? With this strange girl and this strange cat? Homura looks up to her with a soft, apologetic smile. "Madoka-chan is very important to me, so you should get to know her. Anyways, have fun!"
Homura briskly walks into the next room, past the elevator, giving Madoka a cheek kiss and Amy a headpet as she walks by. Chisato stands there, at the top of the stairs, alone, completely unsure of what to say. She clears her throat, waits for Homura to get out of earshot, and then bows to Madoka. "I'm sorry. I'm happy for her, I really am! I just... a mother worries sometimes, you know?"
Then she blinks at something else that she should have noticed before. "There's an elevator in here?!"
Madoka gives rubs to Homura's back when she feels it starting to tense, alongside those gentle squeezes to her hand. She does her best to be both support and comfort for Homura, who is clearly feeling worried and defensive, though exactly why Madoka hasn't yet pinned down. Some of it is clearly guilt, but Madoka wonders why she hadn't kept better in touch herself if she was going to feel guilty about it later?
Then again Madoka didn't exactly keep up with Hitomi or Sayaka very well herself when she lived in America, did she? Sometimes those things just slip by without realizing how much time has passed.
Madoka gets upstairs, smiling happily as she sees Amy on the cuddle couch, "There you are!" She scoops the kitty up as she rubs on her legs, resting her on her shoulder while supporting her from below with her arm, petting her head and back before scritching her gently behind the ears. She takes a couple steps closer to Chisato, "Amy, this is Homura-chan's mother, Chisato Akemi. Akemi-san, this is Amy, Homura-chan's sweet and wonderful kitty cat."
She doesn't shove the cat right into Chisato's face or anything, giving them both space in case Homura's mom ends up not liking cats or something, and so Amy doesn't get too scared around this person she doesn't know yet. Hopefully pettings help with the latter of those, though!
"Oh! Um, okay!" Madoka replies, a bit surprised as Homura excuses herself to go make dinner. Normally she'd want to help, but it makes sense that someone should keep Chiasto company. Her head gives a small shake, "No, I don't mind," and she tilts her head to accept the cheek kiss with a smile.
It's then Madoka's turn to have an awkward silence with Chisato as the two of them stand near the top of the stairs. She's trying to think of something to break the ice with only for Chisato to bow to her and apologize, Madoka doing her best to bow back with Amy still held onto her shoulder. "Eheheh, no, I understand. Of course you'd be very worried about Homura-chan if you hadn't spoken to her in so long." She bites her bottom lip for a moment before giving Chisato a sympathetic look, eyebrows raised in the center of her face and lowered at the sides, "It must be hard for you, having to live so far from her. I can't imagine having to be so far from my own family."
The elevator is noticed, and Madoka giggles, "There is! I think so it isn't so hard to carry groceries upstairs, though it goes up to the second floor also." But not the third floor, she doesn't say.
Standing around really is awkward, so Madoka makes a small motion, "Would you like to come sit down, Akemi-san? The living room is right over here, and the Cuddle Couch is very comfortable." A moment after she speaks Madoka realizes she used it's name, and also remembers why the Cuddle Couch is usually so very comfy. Her cheeks turn a nice shade of pink and she shifts a bit in embarrassment, "Ehehehe..." Well, nothing to do now but lead on!
The questions about Homura's guilt aren't ones that she sticks around long enough to answer. It's a complicated situation, to say the least, and part of it is the fact that Homura isn't sure what her mother is upset about. As much as she could blame herself, she could blame her mother, too. The truth is that neither one of them really sought out to contact the other, each for their own reasons.
At the very least, it might be an insight as to why Homura doesn't want to mess things up between Madoka and her family. After all, she's seen how bad things can get. Something so good should be preserved.
Amy shifts around in Madoka's arms, getting comfortable as she looks up at Chisato. She mews, and Chisato reaches forward, hesitantly at first, and then after deciding that the cat probably won't bite her she pets it. "Hi, Amy-chan." Chisato's tone is friendly, even with the sad undercurrent. Amy purrs, and Chisato smiles, tilting her head and looking at Madoka. "She really is a sweetheart, isn't she? I'm not surprised that Homura-chan would have a cat like this."
The two of them are alone, suddenly. Chisato withdraws her hand from Amy, and she looks down at the floor, more past Madoka than at her. "It's hard. It's surprising, too. Coming by and seeing how much has changed. It's shocking, really. When she first approached me, I didn't even recognize her. She almost looked... scary. That's not the girl I remember raising. It wasn't until she spoke that I even thought it could be her."
Chisato looks further away. "Sorry. I shouldn't offload on you like that. We just met. I shouldn't blame Homura-chan for not mentioning you. It's not as if we've spoken all that much. I should've kept more in touch. I'm sure if I had called more often she'd have talked about you."
Her mouth opens again, and she glances down at the ring on Madoka's finger, then at Madoka's eyes.
"For groceries? I see. Homura-chan must be doing pretty well if she can afford a place like this. We had been putting money into an account we made for her, but when we looked we noticed that none of that money had been spent. I suppose now I know why."
The cuddle couch? Chisato looks down the hall, past the kitchen, and to the couch. "You... have a couch designated the cuddle couch?!" Her hands lift to her shoulders, her eyes scrunch shut, and she smiles so brightly. A tiny little squeal escapes her throat as she twists back and forth. "That's so cute! Sure! I'd love to sit on the cuddle couch!"
She follows Madoka's lead, plopping down when she reaches it. Homura glances up from the kitchen, watching the two of them over the counter. Without a word, she sets out a couple of glasses: one with juice, and the other with water. Then she goes back to cooking. There's the smell of shrimp sizzling, of vegetables roasting, and if one were to peek they'd notice that she's trying to make Gyoza.
Chisato doesn't notice the drinks yet. "So... if you don't mind me asking, how serious are you two? I know Homura-chan teased us by calling you her wife, but... nine months isn't exactly a short fling. I get the impression that you two spend a lot of time together."
Her feet shift a little bit, one rubbing on top of the other. "When I first saw you two, I thought I might be interrupting a date, but now I'm starting to wonder if you two aren't just always close like that."
Madoka giggles as Chisato pets Amy, petting the nice kitty some more herself once she stops. "She is a sweetheart," the pink-haired girl agrees in a soft voice, only to add a moment later, "Homura-chan is too." She peeks up to Chisato from Amy, and then back to the cat.
That doesn't last long, however, because more sympathy comes from Madoka as Homura's mother relates her surprise at how different Madoka is. "She has a picture of herself from before, and she looked so lonely and shy..."
Madoka gently sets Amy down, taking a step closer and setting a hand lightly on Chisato's upper arm, "She's a lot more confident, and she's also passionate and driven, but Homura-chan is still the cute, sweet girl you raised. She genuinely wants the people around her to thrive and be happy, and she's willing to put up with the difficulties getting there takes. That's why she makes such a good leader."
Her head then gives a small shake at the apology, "No, that's okay. I can tell that you care very much about Homura-chan and I appreciate it." Those somewhat familiar purple eyes go down to her hand, and then up to her eyes, and Madoka fails to understand the significance, tilting her head a little bit to the side.
Madoka didn't know Homura wasn't using her parents money, so she gives a mildly surprised look at that. Well, she always knew Hannah paid pretty well. Homura's salvaging was really what did made her the big money, though. "Homura-chan has done very well for herself," Madoka agrees, with an undertone of mild discomfort.
The reaction to the cuddle couch and the word 'designated' both get Madoka giggling in a happy fashion, a very bright smile showing on her own face at the squeal. Suddenly she has a feeling she's going to get along just fine with Chisato Akemi. "Yes..! We're a very snuggly couple, and having somewhere specific we can go to cuddle up is very nice!"
She walks past the kitchen, giving a smile and a wave to Homura. A second smile is given at the glass of juice, and changes her path to come over and scoop the two glasses up, setting them down on coasters on the coffee table and then sitting comfortably on the couch. She picks up one of the square pillows with their 'Let's Cuddle' script, setting it in her lap and giving Chisato another bright smile.
Then the question of how serious they are is broached, and Madoka considers how to answer that. The comment about them being always close is made while she's thinking, and she makes up her mind to simply be honest. "We are usually very close. We'd become best friends before we started dating, and over time we started doing almost everything with each other."
She takes in a breath and lets it out, turning in her seat to face Chisato a bit more directly. Her hands are set politely in her lap, her expression open and earnest, and perhaps even a little apologetic. "I love your daughter very much. She means the world to me, and I know she feels the same about me." She shifts a little in her seat, looking away in mild embarrassment. "I know it probably sounds silly coming from a fifteen year old, but I can't imagine living the rest of my life without her."
Madoka turns her head, looking into the kitchen at Homura as she cooks, tender fondness taking over her expression. She looks back to Chisato with that look still on her face and she tilts her head, "You must know what that's like, right? Of feeling like you've found the person you're meant to be with, the one who it's better to be with when times are hard than without when they're easy?"
Now it's Madoka who's looking for a ring on Chisato's hand, only it's a wedding band her pink eyes are searching for.
"Homura-chan..." Chisato starts to speak, in response to Homura being a sweetheart, and also lonely and shy. "... Homura-chan was always quiet, and she always seemed a bit distant. As she grew older she started closing herself off more and more. Of course I say that, but... I could never be sure that it wasn't something that I was doing."
She gives a sideways glance towards the kitchen. "She's had heart trouble ever since she was a child. It's always held her back, stopped her from doing the things she wanted to do. The other kids would want to run around and play, and she couldn't be that active, so they would run off and leave her by herself. I think that's why she felt so lonely."
When Chisato looks back at Madoka, it's with a soft smile. "Of course, now she's been treated, and she has a life and a cute girlfriend. She's been... abandoned so many times, it's a little surprising to hear that she still cares about people. I'm glad though. I'm glad that she didn't grow bitter."
She looks down at the ground again, hands behind her back, one clasping the other in a pose that Homura often takes. "I do care... but... it's hard to get her to understand that sometimes."
Chisato raises an eyebrow at Madoka's discomfort, and then shrugs her shoulders. "It's not surprising. Her father owns a construction company, too. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I never knew that one of our competitors was run by our own daughter, though. I suppose it makes sense that she wouldn't advertise that, considering her age."
Chisato just can't help but giggle at the idea of having a cuddle couch, especially with the cute way Madoka talks about it. "You know, there was a time when Homura didn't even like to be touched. You must have made quite an impression if she's so cuddly with you."
Homura spots the smile and wave, and she returns both before going back to her task. At the second smile, Homura winks. Chisato thanks Madoka for bringing it over, taking a sip of the water before setting it back down.
When Chisato notices the pillows, and what's written on them, she goes into another gigglefit. "Wow! This place feels so homey, with pillows like that."
So they were best friends, and then they started dating? Chisato could see the logical progression there, getting so close that they decide that they never want to part. When Madoka talks about loving Homura, Chisato gives the pink-haired girl her undivided attention. Does it seem strange, to hear that from a fifteen year old? Well...
"I mean... it's rare for teenage sweethearts to stay together for life, but not unheard of. The truth is that sometimes when you fall in love with someone you end up never forgetting them." Chisato's gaze turns a little bit distant. "That's doesn't mean you stay with them, but there are times when love really can't die. Even if it hurts. If you can hold onto love like that, you should. For as long as you can."
She takes one of the pillows, holding onto it as if hiding behind it. "I'm glad to hear that, though. That she has someone in her life who cares about her so much, and whom she cares about."
When asked if she knows what that's like, Chisato looks down to her hand, thumb rubbing against a golden wedding band with inset diamonds. "Well, yeah. I know something about that."
Chisato looks at the kitchen, at the back of Homura's head, and then turns back to Madoka. "I'm a little surprised to see her cook. I thought she always ate fast food."
Madoka lets out a soft, "Aww..." when Chisato tells her about the trouble Homura had as a child. "It's sad to think they'd all leave her behind, because she's so very dedicated to those she cares about. Maybe she wouldn't have been so hurt if she'd had even one very good friend." A small pause, "I tried my best to be that for her, and I've never regretted it."
"She does care about people, though sometimes she does have a hard time trusting them again if they hurt her." When Chisato mentions it being hard to get Homura to understand that she cares Madoka shifts a little. Is it right to offer advice to a parent, especially when they're the parent of your girlfriend? "I think sometimes when it gets that difficult the only thing to do is say it directly." After another moment she adds, "I'm sure she still cares about you too, Akemi-san."
Madoka nods a little bit and smiles when told about Homura's father's construction company, "Oh! Maybe that's how she knew how to tell which people would be the best workers. I knew it'd be important, but I don't really know enough about the work myself to tell." As for Homura not advertising her status is the Salamander CEO Madoka gloms onto a different point, "You should see her in her suit! She looks powerful and very dashing in them; she has a pretty face but I think most people can't tell how young she is when she's dressed like that."
Madoka also looks somewhat surprised that Homura would not want to be touched by anyone. Well, it's true that she's always been an exception to a lot of the negatives Homura has felt about people in general. "Maybe we're making up for lost time?" Madoka considers aloud another soft blush showing her cheeks that only brightens when Homura winks at her.
Madoka is quick to giggle along when the hominess of the large house is noted, "Homura-chan has done a lot to make it her own. She even turned the downstairs den into a private dancefloor." Her voice gets a little far off and dreamy towards the end of her sentence, only for her to focus back on Chisato and ask curiously, "Do you like to dance, Akemi-san?"
As Chisato's gaze changes focus Madoka tilts her head a little, considering the woman's words carefully. "I'm going to," she agrees, "for as long as I can."
'Forever,' she thinks to herself.
"I think maybe it's different now that she has her own company and her own house," Madoka considers aloud about Homura's cooking. "Fast food every day is okay for a while and if you're alone, but planning for the future someone has to cook." She admits in a tone of mild embarrassment, "I've always been pretty bad at it, especially compared to Papa; my father is an amazing cook."
She gives the pillow she's holding onto a small hug, setting it aside afterwards. "I think 'Homhom-chan' is a super cute nickname. She can be so cute when she wants to, she must have been really adorable as a kid. I bet you wanted to kiss her cheeks all the time."
Chisato can't help but smile at Madoka, after both the 'aww' and what she says after. "I'm glad that my daughter has at least one good friend, then."
At this, Homura objects loudly from the kitchen. "I have a number of good friends!" She won't permit Mamoru to be forgotten!
Chisato considers Madoka's words, and then nods. "I see. Yeah, she doesn't easily forget it if something hurts her. She's always been like that." Then, she pauses. Say it directly? Could Chisato actually do something like that?
"Dad always wanted her to be a part of the company. He'd take her on business trips, but... well, he has such high standards. I think she took his criticisms a little hard. It's funny, you know. For as hard as he pushed her, I think Salamander grew faster than we did. Of course a lot of that might be due to timing, but even so Homura-chan had the sense to realize that the timing was good."
Chisato hugs her couch pillow tightly. "I'd actually like that, seeing my Homura-chan in a suit. I bet she looks really professional. I think her father would like that, too."
Madoka might indeed be shocked that Homura never really wanted to touch people, and that she was a very clear exception. Madoka never saw the way she shied away from hugging Usagi when they were first introduced, or the various other subtle ways in which Homura avoided physical contact with people. With all of the cuddling, that's changed a bit, but the list of people whom Homura actually wants to touch is still short, with Madoka being firmly at the top.
"Making up for lost time?" repeats Chisato, regarding Madoka with a mix of amusement and incredulity. "I could believe that. Honestly I'm just glad that she can enjoy nice things like cuddles." Madoka's blush is noted, by both Akemis, each of them giving her a remarkably similar 'that's so cute' expression.
"She can dance?!" Chisato sounds especially surprised. Well, considering how Homura didn't like to be touched, dancing seems like it'd be way out of the question. "I-I... well I mean. It's okay. I've danced maybe a few times. It's not something my husband likes to do so I don't do it that often." She has to actually let that process in her mind for a moment. "She actually has a dance floor? In her house?"
Chisato may not hear Madoka's thoughts, but she can almost hear the 'Forever' in her tone. "I'm glad. I'm sure she feels the same way." Or so Chisato hopes, but if Homura's learning how to cook for Madoka's sake then it more or less confirms that theory, on top of everything else Chisato has seen today.
"Well, I'm not surprised that she'd want to eat real food after a while. I'm actually glad to hear it. If she's learning that for your sake then it sounds like you've been a pretty good influence in her life."
Kiss Homura's cheeks all the time? Chisato chuckles a little awkwardly. She's about to answer, but Homura is starting to set the table. Chisato stands up and walks over. "Oh! Let me help you... umm..."
"Just take those plates," says Homura, with a bit more assertiveness than Chisato is used to coming from her. "You still have your glasses, right? These three plates need to go around the table and the daifuku goes where we can all reach it." Sounds like Homura prepared some dessert to go along with their meal.
"R-right," says Chisato, as she moves to start setting up the table.
The dinner that Homura has prepared is shrimp gyoza, three each per plate. There's a couple of rice balls, a small bucket of slightly spicy sauce, and a small pile of fried vegetables cut into bite sized chunks.
Homura interrupts before Madoka can, and so the pink haired girl giggles to herself, looking to Chisato and nodding, "I'm not the only good friend she's made, but I'm probably the closest." Normally she wouldn't say something that might diminish other friends, but they are very best friends as well as girlfriends.
"I hope he isn't too upset to find her as competition, but I'm sure he'd be very proud if he saw what she's built up. To be honest even I'm a little surprised at how quickly she managed it... but Homura-chan is decisive, and once she knows what she wants she goes after it." Madoka doesn't say much about timing herself. She remembers Homura noting Junko mentioning the timing being good for something like that and doesn't want to take away from Homura's good judgment, but she also doesn't exactly want to bring up the circumstances of why it was such good timing, the devastation wrought by Walpurgisnacht.
Madoka smiles to Chisato and nods, "I'm sure she could put it on for you if you'd like." She knows Homura will do so if she asks, at least. "Though I'm sure we also have a picture of her in her suit." Madoka probably has one on her phone, come to think of it, but she holds back on that for now so Homura can be there to see the expression on her mother's face for herself. Homura could probably use a nice dose of parental pride, which is what Madoka would expect.
It's hard for Madoka to hide how very much she enjoys cuddling with Homura, and there's a certain happiness that shows on her face as she thinks about it. "Me too. I think cuddles have helped her a lot, too! They've certainly helped me." After a moment she explains, "I was pretty lonely myself when I lived in America; I never really fit in there. That's where I started volunteering at hospitals, and actually kind of why, too." She peeks from Chisato over to Homura, "I don't ever really feel lonely anymore, with Homura-chan to keep me company."
The great surprise at Homura dancing puts a bright smile on Madoka's face, and she nods excitedly, "She can, and really well, too! Dancing is one of our favorite things to do together. She looks so dashing in nice suits and so gorgeous in pretty dresses, too..." Madoka's mind is clearly wandering, and she blushes brightly once more when she realizes it. "B-but she really is a good dancer! She helped to teach me, and it's very fun." Madoka gives Chisato an outright sympathetic look at the mention of Homura's father not enjoying dancing. Her head then nods, "Yep! It's actually just downstairs past where we came in. We could show you sometime if you'd like." The sweet smile that comes with those words contains a hidden offer. Maybe it's time Chisato Akemi had a fun dance or two?
"Ehehe... I try to be," is all Madoka says about being a good influence on Homura. Whether or not she means healthy eating or something more she leaves to the imagination.
When Chisato offers to help set the table Madoka is quickly right alongside her. She has her glass of juice in her hand, which she seems to have taken a drink out of, which she sets down on the table. She's secretly hoping Chisato will set her and Homura a spot right next to each other, but she can probably get through one meal at the same table without sitting next to her girlfriend.
When she hears the word 'daifuku' Madoka perks up, "Oh, you made desert!" That's certainly gotten her attention, and she beams a thankful smile to her girlfriend. She also goes over and grabs another glass out of the cupboard, going to the fridge and pouring some soda into it for Homura, since that what she usually has when they eat dinner together. Napkins are also snagged and distributed, and it should be pretty obvious Madoka knows her way around this kitchen pretty well.
She does notice the way Chisato reacts to Homura's instructions, slipping over to Homura's side and whispering into her ear, "You might want to be a bit gentler, Homura-chan." Her tone isn't a reprimand or forceful at all. "I think she's the sensitive type, like Mamoru-kun." She peeks from Homura to Chisato briefly and restrains a giggle, "And she reminds me a lot of your sensitive side, too."
A quick kiss to Homura's cheek and she says loudly enough to be easily overheard, "Thank you for cooking for us, Homura-chan." With that she'll take a seat and prepare for yummy dinner!
There's no argument from Homura about Madoka being the closest. Homura has good friends, but she isn't intending to marry any of them except for Madoka; nor does she spend hours at a time, day after day, week after week, month after month, cuddling anyone except Madoka.
"Decisive?" Chisato is actually surprised by that. "Homura-chan?" She has to actually think about that. Homura always looked so weak, last time she saw her. As if she had trouble handling the world. Although, now that she thinks about it, it's not as if she's ever seen Homura back down from something, nor has she changed her mind much about what she wants.
"I don't think he'd mind once he knew it was his daughter. If anything, he would be proud, but I could see him staying away. He wouldn't want anyone to think that his daughter only succeeded because of his help."
As for the destruction, and the source of it, Chisato doesn't talk much about it either. She knows that Homura's apartment was destroyed. No one told her about Walpurgisnacht.
Chisato doesn't have much to say about Homura and Madoka keeping each other company, but it's so cute that she can't help but squeal again. "Ahhh! I'm so glad my little Homhom-chan has that in her life!" Whatever else might happen, Chisato is certainly deciding that Madoka is a keeper. After Madoka trails off about dresses and suits, Chisato gives her a shrewd and knowing smile.
"I'd love to see it! The suits and the dance floor."
Homura might've predicted that Madoka would help, since she always does. When a glass of soda is set out for her, Homura says, "Thanks, Madoka-chan."
The plates are arranged so that Homura sits between Chisato and Madoka, though none of them are that far from each other. The fact that Madoka knows her way around the kitchen is no surprise at this point, and Chisato is mentally noting where everything is.
Homura blinks at Madoka's words, then looks at Chisato, who is looking a bit meek after having her own child talk so directly. "Oh... right." Homura doesn't like to waste time, but sometimes that gets in the way of politeness.
Homura smiles gently at Chisato, and despite all awkwardness it's a sincere smile. "Thanks, mom."
Chisato nods, a bit more at ease after being thanked. "Of course!"
The three of them sit down, and Madoka thanks Homura. Chisato chimes in, saying, "It smells delicious, Homhom-chan."
Homura actually blushes a little. "Thanks. I hope you both like it."
With that she takes her chopsticks and picks up a bit of gyoza, dipping it into the sauce before saying, at the same time as her mother, "Itadakimasu!" Then they both giggle, and start eating.
Madoka nods her head quickly about Homura being decisive, figuring Chisato will find evidence of that very quickly if she's around for Homura very long at all. She then smiles at Homura's father being proud of her. Though if he wasn't proud of what she'd accomplished at such a young age it'd honestly be a bit off putting. When she mentions not wanting to depreciate Homura's accomplishment by proxy Madoka smiles a bit wider and notes, "That would be very thoughtful of him."
That Chisato seems to enjoy the thought of Homura and herself spending time together makes Madoka both relieved and happy, very glad that she doesn't seem to mind their relationship at all. The shrewd look she's given has the effect of brightening both her blush and her smile at the same time. "Maybe once we're done eating we could show you, then?" A small pause, "Though you might have more important things you'd like to do first." She did, after all, come a seemingly long way to visit her daughter.
Madoka is very happy to sit next to Homura, and she's also happy that Homura is getting to sit next to her mother as well. Maybe her father isn't here as well, but Madoka giggles to herself when she realizes she's getting the chance to have a sit down dinner with Homura's family.
"Itadakimasu~!" She chimes in a moment after two generations of Akemi women, eagerly snapping up a Gyoza and dipping it in sauce before eating it.
"It's really good, Homura-chan!" Madoka compliments happily after swallowing her first bite. She looks from Homura, to Chisato, and back to Homura, closing her eyes and smiling while finishing the Gyoza with a closed mouth, "Ehe..!"