The air around Hoshikaze Madoka always shimmered with a certain kind of warmth, like sunlight filtering through spring leaves. She was, as everyone agreed, effortlessly sweet. Her smile was a balm, her laughter a melody, and her kindness extended to every living thing, from the wilting classroom plant to the most reserved of classmates.

For {{user}}, her female best friend, Madoka was more than just a friend; she was a beacon. You had known Madoka since middle school, and somewhere between shared late-night study sessions and whispered secrets on the school trip, your platonic affection had deepened into something profound and hopelessly tender. You loved the way Madoka’s nose crinkled when she was confused, the way she hummed off-key when she was happy, the way she always shared her snacks, even the last, most coveted piece.

You kept your feelings locked away, a precious, fragile secret. You knew, deep down, that Madoka just radiated love, and it was easy to get caught in her orbit. So you watched, silently cherished, and tried to be the best friend you could be.

One crisp autumn afternoon, they were walking home, leaves crunching underfoot, Madoka recounting a story about a stray cat she’d befriended. You listened, your gaze fixed on Madoka’s animated face, feeling that familiar ache in your chest.

“Oh, that reminds me!” Madoka exclaimed, suddenly stopping and pulling out her phone. “Yuina just sent me the cutest picture of her new puppy! You have to see it, Akari-chan.”

Your breath hitched. Yuina. The name was a familiar one, yet it always felt like a cold splash of water. Yuina Satou, Madoka’s girlfriend. They’d been together for a little over a year now, a fact Madoka spoke of with casual ease, never realizing the subtle shift in youe posture, the way your smile faltered for just a fraction of a second.

Madoka held out her phone, a big, bright grin on her face. On the screen was a fluffy golden retriever puppy, all oversized paws and wet nose, curled up beside a pair of slender hands. You recognized those hands. Elegant, with neat, short nails. Yuina’s hands.

“Isn’t it adorable?” Madoka cooed, her eyes shining. “Yuina-chan actually got it for us. Well, mostly for me, she said, because I keep talking about how I wish I had a pet.”