The first world Hoshimiya Mukuro ever had was a small hospital room.
Pure-white beds and curtains. The faint sll of disinfectant.
It was plain, and a little restrictive, which displeased her sowhat. But thanks to the cheerful companions making noise beside her, that overly quiet little world never felt boring.
Before long, Mukuro's world beca a slightly larger two story wooden house.
The house was a little old, but still very sturdy. The wooden roof silently kept out the wind and rain, giving Mukuro the peaceful feeling of finally putting down roots.
"Is this Muku's ho?"
When she asked that, the old woman nad Tsukino Yumi nodded gently.
Mukuro did not know how to express the feeling in her heart. So she could only cling to the woman like a spoiled child, holding her tightly and feeling the warmth she gave.
Later, Hoshimiya Mukuro's world beca a great big town.
Which left her sowhat at a loss.
Unfamiliar things and unfamiliar people kept increasing. School, clubs, work. The family who had once been so close that there was no space between them gradually began to have their own separate worlds.
Watching the part of their worlds that overlapped grow smaller and smaller, Mukuro felt a little lonely.
"Then… what does Mukuro want to do?"
Yumi listened quietly to Mukuro's worries. While combing her long hair, she softly asked what was in Mukuro's heart.
(What does Muku want to do?)
Looking at herself in the mirror, Mukuro asked herself that question in a daze.
If she simply stopped everyone from moving forward, if she kept them all inside the world she understood, then everything would be solved.
Mukuro had once thought that.
But very quickly, she felt ashad of herself for it.
What was happening before her eyes was not born from malice. As long as people lived and grew, their worlds would naturally keep expanding. That was only natural. Mukuro could not place a burden on others simply because she could not keep pace with change.
Muku… wants to beco a kind and understanding grown-up, like Yumi obaa-chan.
However, looking at the old woman in the mirror who was dressing her hair for her, Mukuro knew very well that she was still only a child being protected by others.
"Muku… wishes to ascend the stairs of adulthood."
The mont Yumi heard that, her aged hand gave a sudden tremble and beco sweaty. (TL: read mukuro adult 1 again to see the funny reference~)
....
"I-I see… You an you want to learn how to be independent, right?"
Picking up the form that had accidentally fallen to the floor, Saida-sensei adjusted her glasses and forced herself to stay calm as she continued asking questions.
"In that case, could you tell what kind of adult you want to beco in the future, Hoshimiya-san?"
"Hm. Of course. Muku—"
Mukuro nodded and answered with complete confidence.
"Has no idea."
.....
"Ara? Isn't that Yumi-san's little girl… Mukuro-chan, was it?"
At the fish shop in the shopping district, the owner noticed Mukuro standing in front of the display case and looked rather surprised.
"What, are you running errands today?"
"Answer. Tohka has already established her own household, so her schedule is sowhat inconvenient. This was originally Yoshino's duty, but Muku volunteered in order to broaden her knowledge."
After looking up at the fishmonger, Mukuro gave a small nod. Then her eyes returned to the refrigerated display, and she began staring at the fish as if locked in a contest.
The fishmonger scratched his head and asked hesitantly.
"So… you're here to buy fish, right?"
"Indeed. Shopkeeper, how does one distinguish freshness in fish?"
Mukuro raised her head and asked with great seriousness.
Hearing that, the owner could not help laughing.
"Little lady, that's sothing you'd need years to learn properly. No need to make it that complicated. Did Yumi-san tell you what to buy? I'll pick out the fresh ones and pack them for you."
"Hm. Then Muku shall trouble you."
Mukuro nodded at once and took out the list Yumi had given her from her bag.
After hearing Mukuro read out the ingredients, the owner did not hesitate at all. With practiced movents, he put the fresh fish into a bag.
"Here you go, little lady. Hold it carefully."
"Understood. One, two, three… Hm?"
After taking the plastic bag and thanking him, Mukuro began checking the number of ingredients. Suddenly, she noticed that the amount did not quite match the list.
"Shopkeeper. The number is wrong. You have weighed too much."
"Ha ha! That's extra! Extra! Yumi-san's a regular here, and every girl in your house is prettier than the last. Having you all co by brightens up the shop, so consider it a little service."
The owner laughed heartily. Then, as if he had suddenly rembered sothing, he leaned toward Mukuro and said cautiously,
"But… don't tell my wife about this later. She's a good woman, but she can be a bit strict about small things."
"Hm. Muku understands."
Showing that she understood this matter of human relations, Mukuro bowed slightly and said politely,
"Many thanks for the gift, Shopkeeper! Shopkeeper's wife!"
"Mm~ Take care, Mukuro-cjan."
"Co again nex— M-My dear? Ahaha… When did you get here…?"
"So sorry for being strict about small things…"
…
"Fish, vegetables, seasonings… Hm. Nothing missing."
After confirming that everything on the list had been purchased, Mukuro let out a small breath of relief and began looking forward to that night's dinner.
However, just as Mukuro was preparing to leave the shopping district, she suddenly felt sothing tug on her sleeve.
Mukuro lowered her gaze. At so point, a little girl who looked no older than five or six had co to stand beside her.
"Hm? You seek Muku? What business do you have?"
Mukuro asked curiously.
"—!?"
But when the little girl saw that Mukuro had noticed her, she imdiately ran off like a startled bird. She hid behind a utility pole and peeked out with half of her little head.
(Is she wary of Muku?)
Mukuro thought for a mont while looking at her. Then she gently set down her shopping bag, walked over to the little girl, held down her skirt, and slowly crouched so that their eyes were level.
"Do not be startled. Muku's na is Hoshimiya Mukuro. What is yours?"
The little girl watched Mukuro carefully for a while before finally lowering her guard and answering in a small voice.
"…Koto."
"Koto-chan, have you lost your way?"
"…Mm… Uu…"
Koto nodded slightly. Perhaps because she had rembered her own situation, tears began to gather in her eyes.
"There, there. Do not cry. Muku shall lend you her aid."
Mukuro gently stroked Koto's small head and comforted her in a soft, slow voice.
And so, Mukuro began looking for a way to help the little girl return ho.
In truth, the matter was not very difficult. After asking a few passersby, soone quickly recognized the kindergarten uniform Koto was wearing and told her where the kindergarten was.
What surprised Mukuro was that the kindergarten was only two streets away. It was even closer than the distance from Mukuro's school to the shopping district. They could reach it in ten minutes on foot.
But soon, looking at Koto's height, which was not even half of her own, Mukuro suddenly understood.
For a child's small world, that short distance was already very far away.
"Let us go, Koto-chan."
"…Mm."
Saying that, Mukuro held out her hand. After a mont of hesitation, Koto obediently took it.
So soft…
Holding Koto's tiny, delicate hand, Mukuro felt strangely surprised and dazed.
It was as though she had been connected to this little life.
At first, Mukuro felt uneasy because of how young and fragile the girl was. At the sa ti, she also felt a quiet expectation and blessing toward the child's growth.
"…Mukuro-onee-chan?"
"Hm. Be at ease. Muku is well."
Mukuro smiled and nodded to Koto. Then, holding that small hand, she slowly walked forward while silently making a vow in her heart.
She would bring this child ho safely.
"And then… the little girl went ho?"
Yumi asked calmly while drinking tea and listening to Mukuro tell the interesting story of what had happened on her way ho.
"Hm. After arriving at the kindergarten, little Koto's teacher contacted her parents, allowing the three to reunite."
Saying that, Mukuro could not help straightening her back, puffing out her chest, and looking proud.
"What does obaa-chan think? Was Muku's deed not greatly virtuous?"
Looking at Mukuro like that, Yumi smiled softly and sighed. She stroked Mukuro's head and said with warmth,
"Yes, yes… Mukuro did wonderfully. Obaa-chan sees you in a new light today."
"Hm hm~ Praise Muku more~"
Hearing Yumi's praise, Mukuro imdiately felt as if she were floating.
"…You still love clinging to obaa-chan as much as ever."
Natsumi ca down the stairs and looked at Mukuro, who was stuck close to Yumi and acting spoiled. She could not help feeling speechless.
To be honest, she almost felt like she could see an imaginary tail wagging behind Mukuro.
"Natsumi? Has your isolation streak ended today?"
Seeing Natsumi, Mukuro asked with slight surprise.
"Y-Yeah… The manga manuscript is basically finished for now. Staying shut up in my room all the ti causes trouble for everyone too… so I ca down to eat dinner with you all today…"
Natsumi scratched her cheek and said awkwardly.
Hearing that, Mukuro nodded.
"I see… Since this is a rare occasion, let Muku oversee your al today."
"Eh?"
"Everyone, obaa-chan! Dinner is ready. Every dish is filled with Yoshino-chan's overflowing feelings, so co eat while it's hot!"
"Muku shall co at once."
Before Natsumi could retort, Mukuro hugged her and followed Yumi to the living room.
"Hm hm… Ah~"
Mukuro gently blew on the steaming food and brought the spoon to Natsumi's mouth.
"Um… Mukuro, I'm not a child. I can eat by myself."
Feeling everyone else's gazes on her, Natsumi turned red with embarrassnt.
"Mm?"
Mukuro tilted her head in confusion.
"Don't look at with those innocent 'Is that not so?' eyes. You and I are the sa age!"
The mont she said that, Natsumi's gaze landed on Mukuro's generous chest. Then she looked at herself, and a self-mocking smile appeared on her lips.
"Haha… Right. I guess I am a child. After all, soone like … is nothing more than a stiff, dried up weed."
"There, there… Mukuro, Natsumi is fine. Let her eat by herself. And Natsumi, don't take it to heart… Mukuro doesn't an any harm."
Yumi sowhat helplessly stopped their little commotion, then changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, Yoshino, Mukuro… it is about ti for you two to start discussing your future paths. Have you thought about what you want to do?"
"Umu? It's already that ti again? Ti really flies."
"Kuku. How nostalgic. The mory of the final twilight battle between myself and my other half still echoes within my heart."
"Agreent. A lot happened back then."
"…I forgot what happened then."
Hearing Yumi's words, everyone at the table could not help feeling a little emotional.
Yoshino gently nodded and answered in a soft voice.
"Yes… I said that after graduation, I want to stay here… and help obaa-chan manage this house."
"In other words, a housewife~ And by the way, Yumi obaa-chan, this is already settled for Yoshino-chan. Nothing you say will change it~"
"Y-Yoshinon…"
"All right… If you have thought it through seriously, I will not say too much."
Looking at the flustered Yoshino and the confident Yoshinon, Yumi smiled and nodded. Then she turned her gaze toward Mukuro.
"What about Mukuro?"
"Mm… Muku still has no idea. However, Muku has a feeling that when the boat reaches the bridge, the road shall naturally straighten." (TL:an idiom)
Mukuro took a small sip of miso soup and gently shook her head.
"You're really carefree…"
Natsumi looked at Mukuro with a feeling that was half concern and half admiration, then casually said,
"Why not beco a kindergarten teacher? You usually seem to like taking care of kids."
Hearing Natsumi's suggestion, Mukuro first froze. Then her eyes lit up.
"Kindergarten teacher… kindergarten teacher… That works! This plan is excellent!"
"Eh? Wait a second— I only said it casually—"
Before Natsumi could explain, Mukuro excitedly left the dining table and took the career survey form out of her bag.
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