HD ▽ WHAT?! ▽
Heidi leaps several feet into the air as if propelled by a cartoon bouncy pad. When she lands, you see that her eyes are wide and her entire face is warm.
HD ▽ How did you - ▽
HD ▽ Did you mind-read me, Y/N??? ▽
HD ▽ You did, didn't you! You did what my boys do! ▽
Y/N It was just a guess.
Y/N But, from your reaction, it seems like I guessed right.
HD ▽ How? How did you...? ▽
HD ▽ Ooough... ▽
HD ▽ :o(▽
Defeated, she hangs her head low and returns her hands to the front. Inside is colorful book.
Y/N '106 Expert Tips on The Best Balloon TWisting?'
Y/N I guess I could get better at it...
HD ▽ Huh? ▽
HD ▽ No-no-no, that's not it! ▽
HD ▽ Y/N-oodle, I was going to make something for you! ▽
HD ▽ See? ▽
She opens the book and flips through the pages for you. As the title suggests, the photos show masterpieces of elaborate balloon art. Things you would have never expected possible. But with her skills, she could make a castle out of balloons alone.
HD ▽ I was going to buy some of the balloons here, too. ▽
HD ▽ But... it was going to be a surprise! ▽
HD ▽ Ooh, it would've been a great surprise. :o( ▽
HD ▽ Heidi feels silly about not doing a better job. ▽
Y/N What would you have made?
HD ▽ Well, the thing is... ▽
HD ▽ I haven't decided yet! That's what the rest of the day was for. ▽
Y/N Well, then it can still be a surprise.
Y/N I won't know what it is until you give it to me.
Her eyes are absolutely sparkling.
HD ▽ You're right! ▽
HD ▽ Zippity-doo-da, candles on a cupcake, you're right! ▽
HD ▽ But... ▽
HD ▽ Are you sure you're not a little disappointed, since you know the gist of what it is? ▽
HD ▽ Heidi didn't ruin things, right? ▽
There's still a part of her that seems this is too good to be true. You laugh and show her the lovebirds from before.
Y/N You already saw what I was getting you.
Y/N Now we're even.
Her surprised expression melts into glee.
HD ▽ You were thinking of... me? ▽
HD ▽ You really wanted to give me that? ▽
HD ▽ Wow-wee! ▽
HD ▽ That's wonderful! That's abso-posi-lutely amazing!!! ▽
Suddenly, she pulls you in for a strong embrace. She jumps a couple of times while you're in her arms, so you end up a little dizzy once she lets go. But there's a warm and fuzzy feeling in your chest.
HD ▽ This is like one of my stories! ▽
HD ▽ The two lovers who wanted to get the other a gift... ▽
HD ▽ Well, it wasn't the most perfect ending for both of them. ▽
HD ▽ But it was sweet, y'know? ▽
HD ▽ Just like this. ▽
She takes your hand. The smile she gives you is dizzying, too.
HD ▽ I really like you, Y/N. ▽
You look away, a little embarassed.
Y/N I haven't bought it yet, you know.
HD ▽ Oh, yeah! ▽
HD ▽ Let's go to the register, then! ▽
Y/N Alright.
Y/N Wait, what about your balloons?
HD ▽ Oh yeah-yeah! ▽
HD ▽ Thanks for reminding me. ▽
HD ▽ Heidi wouldn't have her head on straight without you. :o) ▽
She grabs your arm and, together, you head towards the balloon aisle. They always put balloons in the far corner, so the two of you talk in the meantime.
HD ▽ You know what, Y/N? ▽
HD ▽ Heidi could tell you were special from the moment she saw you. ▽
Y/N Really?
HD ▽ Yup! ▽
HD ▽ All of our visitors are special, of course. ▽
HD ▽ But you really went out of your way to be so nice! So-so good at the games. ▽
HD ▽ You seem to like Mimiland a lot. ▽
HD ▽ What's your favorite part of it? ▽
Y/N Besides the clown?
She laughs. You squeeze her hand, which somehow makes a 'honk' noise despite her not wearing gloves.
HD ▽ Yuppers. Besides the very talented and lovable clown. ▽
HD ▽ Something you really cherish! ▽
Y/N Hmm...
Y/N It just feels like home, I guess.
Y/N And that's a feeling you can't get very easily.
HD ▽ That's such a good answer. :oO ▽
Y/N You too?
HD ▽ Me three!!! ▽
HD ▽ Mimiland is... Mimiland is everything to Heidi! ▽
Heidi stops and looks at the selection of balloons. You're not clown-cultured enough to understand what shapes, material, and brands are the good ones, so you stand idly by with the lovebirds in your hand.
HD ▽ Director Ōshiro really knows what she's doing, huh? ▽
HD ▽ There's nothing like it. Nothing at all. ▽
HD ▽ Without it, I... ▽
HD ▽ Well, I wouldn't be in a very happy place, that's for sure. ▽
For the first time today, Heidi's voice has dropped to a soft tone. You walk to her side and look at her face. She seems pensive.
Y/N I'm sorry.
HD ▽ No, don't say sorry. ▽
HD ▽ Sorry schmorry. You haven't done anything wrong! ▽
HD ▽ And it's Heidi's fault for bringing it up. And bringing down the mood. ▽
Y/N You didn't do anything wrong.
Y/N We all have bad memories.
Heidi's grabbed one of the balloon packets. It's for color similar to her Code, and it has a childish name, like Baby Pink.
HD ▽ Isn't that a bad thing? ▽
HD ▽ Wouldn't you just want to have good memories? ▽
Y/N Just good ones?
HD ▽ Yup. ▽
HD ▽ Only the good ones really matter. ▽
HD ▽ If you've forgotten something, that just means it wasn't important enough. ▽
HD ▽ Isn't that how it works? ▽
Y/N ...
Y/N Mimiland must give you a lot of good memories, then.
HD ▽ It does. ▽
HD ▽ Heidi being there makes sense. Everything makes sense there. ▽
HD ▽ That's a good thing. ▽
Suddenly, Heidi turns and looks straight at you. You jolt a little with surprise.
HD ▽ Y/N. ▽
HD ▽ If I tell you a secret, you promise to never-ever tell? ▽
HD ▽ Pinky-swear. ▽
You pinky-swear. Heidi makes the lovebirds swear with their little wire toes, too.
HD ▽ Good. ▽
She lowers her voice to a whisper, leaning in close.
HD ▽ (Before Heidi...) ▽
HD ▽ (There was another one. The first one.) ▽
Y/N Another clown?
HD ▽ (No. Not a clown at all.) ▽
HD ▽ (A child.) ▽
HD ▽ (A normal person.) ▽
HD ▽ (Holy moly! That's cuckoo.) ▽
HD ▽ (Bonkers to yonkers. Yippee-ka-yay.) ▽
You nod, though you're not exactly sure what she means.
Y/N What was this normal person like?
HD ▽ (Oh, she was so normal.) ▽
HD ▽ (With the most normal family, in a normal house.) ▽
HD ▽ (She loved Director Ōshiro's work. She watched so many movies.) ▽
HD ▽ (And she had the best birthday parties on the block.) ▽
There's a strange excitement in her voice, even though it still has that somber tone.
Y/N Did she have a name?
HD ▽ (Th...) ▽
HD ▽ (That's not important.) ▽
Y/N Heidi, that's a nice memory.
Y/N Why would you want to keep it a secret?
HD ▽ (The same reason why Heidi doesn't tell some stories.) ▽
Y/N Because...?
HD ▽ (There isn't a happy ending.) ▽
As quick as a flash, Heidi stands straight up, and her face is wiped completely of any sadness.
HD ▽ I like this one! ▽
HD ▽ Let me get a purple and yellow one, too! ▽
HD ▽ Then, we can head straight to check-out! :oD ▽
Once she grabs all she needs, she holds her hand out. You grab it and follow her where she needs to go.
You ask questions here and there, but you never end up knowing what happened to that normal child. Because she's the happiest when she's only surrounded by the good things. And you're lucky to be one of them.
THE END
(Ending 1/20: New Home)
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