The World Went Silent

Chapter 3

"Are you feeling any better?" Haku asked as Miku sat up in the bed.

"Yes, very," Miku yawned slightly, running a hand through her smooth hair as she swung her legs off the bed.

"I washed your dress," the white-haired girl continued, pouring her guest a cup of tea. "I'm so sorry for troubling you."

"What?" the younger girl asked, looking at Haku. "Troubling me? You're helping me; I am the one troubling you."

"Oh, no," Haku replied. She handed Miku the glass, and the girl took it gently. The girl with green hair sipped from the cup, her lips pulling into a slight smile at the taste. She placed the glass on the nightstand and put her hands in her lap.

"The tea is very good, Haku-san," she said, smiling at the older girl. Haku's eyes widened in surprise. "You've taken very good care of me, I thank you." This couldn't be true, could it? The white-haired girl just stared at Miku in shock, unsure of what to make of the situation.

"Oh, um, you're welcome," she finally stammered. "But it's a pleasure to help you Miku-sama, especially since I'm so inferior to your beauty…"

"Inferior?" Miku echoed, then smiled once more. "Haku-san, you're the most beautiful girl in this village."

Haku couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her red eyes widened, and after a few minutes she finally managed to choke out, "Really?"

"Yes."

How could someone be so friendly to her? Why would she? Was Miku simply pitying her? These were all questions Haku couldn't answer, but she didn't really care. Her vision starting to blur, the girl threw herself against Miku, burying her face in the younger girl's shoulder as the tears came. It didn't matter if she wasn't sincere. All that mattered was that she thought she was beautiful.

The tears kept coming, for what could have been hours. Miku didn't try and push Haku away, but simply held her as she cried. Now, it didn't matter if the whole world made fun of her. All that mattered was that someone in the universe appreciated her, and that was all Haku could ever ask for in her lifetime.