"But Yumi obaa-chan, did you not have a nightmare the night before?"
The rabbit puppet asked without any ill intent.
But in that instant, Yoshino felt as though the kind and familiar family mber before her had beco a frozen machine.
Stiff.
Strange.
"…Is that so? Did I have a nightmare?"
However, that feeling vanished in the blink of an eye.
A little surprise and confusion appeared in Yumi's calm smile, and she asked in slight distress.
(Was it… my imagination?)
Yoshino let out a small breath of relief. At the sa ti, Yoshinon folded its arms and answered while thinking back.
"Mm… Yoshinon is not completely sure about the details either. It is just that when Yoshino got up to use the bathroom the night before last, we heard sothing like sleep talking from your room, obaa-chan. Right, Yoshino?"
"Mm…"
Yoshino nodded and said softly,
"Although I could not hear very clearly… it seed like you were calling soone's na… And your voice, obaa-chan… sounded very painful."
"A nightmare, huh…"
Yumi tilted her head and thought for a while. Then she shook her head apologetically.
"Sorry, Yoshino… I do not seem to rember…"
"N-No, it is fine…"
Seeing Yumi apologize, Yoshino hurriedly waved her hands to show that she did not mind.
"Well, it was only a dream anyway. It is normal not to rember. And if it was sothing unpleasant, maybe forgetting it is better. But obaa-chan, if you ever have any worries, you must rember to discuss them with us~"
"Mm, of course…"
Yumi breathed out softly and nodded in promise.
…
The moon was pale and the stars were bright.
The small town at midnight was as quiet and peaceful as always. Only the ticking of the clock on the wall echoed through the room.
On the bed, the old woman who had been sleeping peacefully suddenly opened her eyes.
She sat up, looking around the room with pupils that held no trace of drowsiness.
After staring blankly out the window for a long while, Yumi showed a faint, self-mocking smile.
"I see… I think I understand why you did not sleep for thirty years...Reine-san… I need to find sothing to pass the ti."
A mont later, Yumi silently got out of bed.
After quietly sealing the window, she went to her desk.
A new sheet of white paper was laid flat on the table. The pen tip paused in midair for several seconds before letting out a soft scratching sound.
[To my dear children. When you read this letter, I am sure I will no longer be by your side…]
[I do not know what kind of feelings you will have at that ti. Sadness, confusion, or perhaps anger. For that, all I can say is that I am sorry…]
[Although obaa-chan truly wanted to keep living with all of you, I am already old. My road is almost at its end. Being able to have all of you accompany through the final part of my life has left with no regrets. The road after this can only be walked by yourselves…]
[Please live happily and healthily. Even if we cannot et again, I will stay by your side in another way…]
After a while, the pen stopped.
She placed the paper into an envelope.
Yumi let the many emotions in her heart settle. Then she looked at the clock, which showed three in the morning, with a lingering gaze.
After that, she took out another new sheet of paper.
[Happy birthday, Tohka. Have you been well lately? Is the bakery running smoothly—]
One letter after another slowly piled up beneath the footsteps of ti.
And just like that, the sun rose over the small town as always.
…
[Beep, beep, beep, beep—]
Early in the morning, the sound of the alarm clock buzzed by her ears. Yoshino shook her still slightly hazy head and worked hard to crawl out of the warm blanket.
"Good morning, Yoshino! Today is another refreshing morning."
"Good morning…Yoshinon."
After greeting her companion, Yoshino took a deep breath and prepared to begin today's housework.
Changing clothes, washing up, making breakfast—
While thinking about what everyone, still asleep, should eat that morning, Yoshino rolled up her sleeves and headed for the kitchen.
When she slid open the living room door, the bright morning sun made Yoshino instinctively narrow her eyes. In the blur of light, she seed to see a familiar figure.
——Good morning… Yoshino.
Yoshino could not help rubbing her eyes in surprise.
But when she looked again, there was no one in the empty living room but herself.
"…Yoshino?"
"It is nothing… I am just a little not awake yet."
Yoshinon's voice pulled her back from her daze. Looking at the rabbit puppet's worried expression, Yoshino shook her head, then smiled toward the photo on the cabinet.
"Good morning, obaa-chan."
Entering the kitchen, Yoshino tied up her hair and skillfully began preparing breakfast.
Before long, the others were lured out of their rooms one after another by the sll of food.
"Yesterday, I launched a new kinako bread flavor! Everyone's reviews were excellent."
"Are you sure you did not pay people to say that?"
"I did not!"
"Mm… After the Azure Fla Demon was sealed by Ark, the fate of Al Continent beca as difficult to predict as a kaleidoscope."
"Reminder. Think about the ga plot after you get to work, Kaguya. For now, focus on eating."
"Natsumi. Miku said your phone could not be reached, so she asked to tell you that she will try to co over tonight."
"Pff—W-What do I do? Even if I pretend I am rushing a manuscript, she will force her way in. Maybe I should just go take refuge at Nia's place?"
After a slightly noisy breakfast, everyone went out one after another to rush toward their own busy work.
After seeing everyone off, Yoshino gathered her energy and began today's housework.
(Before the afternoon drama starts… I have to clean the rooms first.)
Washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning the rooms and yard.
These jobs looked simple and plain, but in truth, they took much more ti and effort than one would imagine.
Whenever this happened, Yoshino respected Yumi obaa-chan, who had once done all the housework by herself, even more.
(As expected… I still have so much to learn.)
—Ding-dong.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang from outside.
"Eh? A visitor at this ti is rare. Natsumi or Nia's editor? Or Miku's manager?"
"I do not know… I did not receive any call. A newspaper salesman?"
Yoshino shook her head in confusion. She stopped what she was doing and walked to the entrance.
Through the peephole, she saw a girl around sixteen or seventeen standing stiffly at the door, looking at the house with so confusion and unease.
"What a beautiful girl…"
Yoshino could not help murmuring.
The girl wore a gorgeous black dress and held a parasol to block the sunlight. Her pale skin had almost no color to it. Her long, smooth hair was tied into two low twin tails. She looked like a carefully crafted life sized doll.
(…A student?)
After hesitating for a mont, Yoshino opened the door and asked curiously,
"Um… Did you co to our house for sothing?"
"—!?"
The mont the girl saw Yoshino appear, she seed sowhat frightened and at a loss. Her ruby like eyes were filled with tension and caution, like a startled kitten that might turn and run away in the next second.
For a mont, Yoshino did not know what to do.
"U-Um… I do not an any harm… My na is Yoshino… If you are in any trouble… I will do my best to help!"
"…I apologize. I was a little rude just now."
Seeing Yoshino trying so hard to show friendliness, the girl gradually cald down.
First, she bowed to Yoshino in apology.
Then she pressed her lips together and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Pleased to et you. My na is… Tokisaki Kurumi."
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