Chapter 88: Mother and Daughter Recognize Each Other
On the way, the Yukinoshita duo didn't exchange many words, but they tacitly freed up one hand to carry the day's shopping haul, while their other hands were tightly held together.
In truth, Yukinoshita Ayame didn't know why she was doing this. She had clearly disliked her when she first arrived yesterday, but through gradual contact, Yukinoshita Ayame discovered her "mother's" true self.
How should she put it? Unlike other people's mothers (at least in Yukinoshita Ayame's own estimation), her mother didn't seem like someone who spoke gentle words. However, her gentleness was contained within her actions. Whether it was the parasol after they went out in the afternoon, or the way she wiped the corner of her mouth in the restaurant just now, she could feel the gentleness hidden within those actions.
They weren't far from the apartment; they returned home in about twenty minutes. However, their first conversation since leaving that shop began here.
"Alright, we're home. Let's rest for a bit first."
Looking at the Little Loli following behind her, Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but feel a sliver of warmth in her heart. But when she took the bags from the Little one's hands, she realized the girl's small hands had been rubbed bright red by the straps.
"Sorry, I overlooked this..."
Seeing Yukinoshita Ayame's bright red little hands, Yukinoshita Yukino rubbed them with some heartache, but she immediately heard Yukinoshita Ayame's question.
"Do... do you hate me?"
A crisp voice rang out. Yukinoshita Yukino looked up in some bewilderment, only to meet Yukinoshita Ayame's navy blue eyes.
There wasn't a hint of anger, dissatisfaction, or grievance; there was only a calmness that made one feel at ease.
"Why are you asking that?"
Yukinoshita Yukino gently held the hand Yukinoshita Ayame had just used to carry the shopping bags. She had already given her own answer; now she was waiting for the other's response.
"Because... at first, I was very willful. I was hostile toward you for no reason and stayed on guard despite your kindness. I was enjoying your care for no reason even though I hadn't done anything..."
As Yukinoshita Ayame spoke, her small hand, which had just been hurting from the straps, now felt the warmth from Yukinoshita Yukino's palm.
"Actually, I don't feel any hatred..."
Yukinoshita Yukino first answered the question formally before explaining the reason.
"To be honest, when I first heard you speak to me in that tone, I did feel uncomfortable. But for some reason, I didn't hate you..."
A hint of confusion flashed in those beautiful navy blue eyes, followed by determination.
Hearing this answer, Yukinoshita Ayame breathed a sigh of relief. Like a child who had done something wrong, she no longer had that sharp edge she displayed when they first met; instead, she showed an indescribable gentleness.
"From now on, no matter what you ask me, I will answer seriously. I promise!"
Yukinoshita Ayame's voice was very gentle, but there was an incomparable determination in her eyes.
"..."
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't answer. She just stared blankly at Yukinoshita Ayame's cheek, an indescribable emotion in her heart.
"Don't you have anything you want to ask?"
Feeling Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze, Yukinoshita Ayame, who had never experienced this before, couldn't help but feel a bit shy at this moment.
"Of course I do..."
Hearing Yukinoshita Ayame's voice, Yukinoshita Yukino quickly snapped back to her senses and asked the question she had been wanting to ask all along.
"Then, I want to ask, why did you hate me so much at the very beginning?"
"Because..."
Yukinoshita Ayame looked once more at the familiar yet strange face before her and finally spoke the truth.
"Because the future me has no memory of you. I once asked Papa, and at first, he tried his best to avoid the question. It wasn't until I kept asking that he finally told me... he said you had already left us forever."
"Left? Why? Could it be..."
Yukinoshita Yukino hadn't finished her sentence when Yukinoshita Ayame interrupted her.
"It's the answer you're thinking of. As for the reason, I don't know why. Papa didn't tell me, and every time I brought it up, he was in a lot of pain, so I stopped asking after that..."
As Yukinoshita Ayame spoke, she couldn't help but feel a surge of sadness. Although she had returned to the past, would time change in that world? If her Papa couldn't find her, he would surely go crazy... "Is that so..."
After hearing Yukinoshita Ayame's answer, Yukinoshita Yukino could somewhat understand why she had been so resistant at first. If she had gone through those things, she would probably be very resistant toward a mother she had never met...
"However, that's not the only reason..."
Yukinoshita Ayame sniffled. Since she had promised to tell Yukinoshita Yukino everything, she didn't plan on hiding the remaining answers.
"Not just that? Did something happen after... well, after that?"
Yukinoshita Yukino frowned, ultimately unable to bring herself to say words like "after I passed away."
"No!"
Yukinoshita Ayame let out a breath, looking as if she had made a major decision.
"Because... I didn't want you two to be together!" Ayane's voice was like a fine needle pricking Yukinoshita Yukino's heart, but she didn't focus on that right now; she only cared about what Yukinoshita Ayame had just said.
"You didn't want us to be together? But if that happened, wouldn't you..."
"I know. I would disappear because of it."
Yukinoshita Ayame said with a trembling voice.
"If you knew the reason, then why?"
"Because I don't know what you would encounter in the future, and I didn't want myself or my Papa to suffer that kind of pain again. Even though you don't know about those things, I can tell you that after you left us forever, in my memories, Papa was always devastated..."
As Yukinoshita Ayame spoke, her mind couldn't help but recall Aragaki Takiya's appearance in her memories.
Although he faced her with a smile every day, she had seen the exhaustion in his eyes and the way he would stare blankly at photos every day.
"I don't want you, me, or my Papa to go through that ever again."
Yukinoshita Ayame kept speaking as tears uncontrollably streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry, Mama..."
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