The late November sky was just as much a prison of lifeless grey as it was the day before. The day when the sky itself fell, and the last tears shed from it fell onto Mitakihara’s crumbled foundation. One building in the residential district somehow resisted the latest of Mitakihara’s storms. Resisted, though it did not emerge unscathed. 

Still, the apartment building in which the Sasaki family resided was in one piece, and repairs mostly consisted of broken windows and cracked walls. Hanako entered the building, hesitating at the elevator. Riding up, she once again paused as she exited the lift, walking down a familiar hallway. Familiar, yet unseen for quite a long time. Her hand stopped at the doorknob, as if she were frozen in time. A few deep breaths, and Hanako entered the apartment.

It was surprisingly unchanged. All the furniture was exactly where it was before Hanako left. Whether the apartment had been damaged and repaired, or if it somehow escaped the wrath of the Balancers, Hanako didn’t know. But it hardly mattered now. Shakily, she stepped into the main room, taking in sights she had abandoned weeks prior, jumping with a squeak as she felt a familiar touch upon her shoulder.

Katsumi: My, my… as strong as you’ve become, Lily, you still are all too easy to startle.

Hanako: M… Mother! D-Don’t… don’t scare me like that! 

Hanako wheeled on the spot, her eyes widening as she spotted the sling which contained Katsumi’s broken arm, stabilizing her shoulder. Hanako seemed like she was going to step back, but she kept herself frozen in place.

Hanako: Mother… I-I’m sorry… for everything.

Katsumi: (Her good arm came around Hanako’s shoulder, pulling her into a gentle, motherly embrace) It is behind us, Lily. You’re home now, and that is what matters. Your father will return sometime this week, when he can tear himself away from the corporate office. You know, that man became so enamored with the work environment over there? I swear—

Hanako: (She buried her face against her mother, trying to contain her swirling emotions) But… how can you just… accept all this so easily, Mother? I… I ran away… I ran to another city, and when I returned, i-it was…

Katsumi: Shhh… these are issues we can address later, Lily. You are my daughter, and you’ve come home to me. Allow me the freedom to be selfish and allow myself to feel only relief and joy right now. Okay?

Hanako: (Hanako merely nodded, slipping her arms around her mother and closing her eyes.) I guess… we have all the time in the world, right? But…

Katsumi: But?

Hanako: …We must talk about it later, Mother.

Katsumi: (Katsumi chuckled, running her hand through Hanako’s hair.) My, my… you really have grown strong, Lily. Far too strong, far stronger than I ever was.

Hanako: …Hardly…

Katsumi: …But also far, far too hard on yourself. Come, Lily. Let’s relax over a cup of tea. 

Hanako hesitated, but eventually relented with a little nod. She had a long road ahead of her, though now, she won the luxury of time again. Another luxury to add to the list. But time was a gift Hanako would see fit not to squander again. She would make things right, someday.