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It was Christmas eve, and like many families this one was getting ready to celebrate for the holiday’s. The tree was decorated in colorful ornaments, surrounded by carefully wrapped gifts, the walls were garnished in lights and the house was filled with wonder and the smell of freshly baked cookies.
The world was filled with joy! Every child was excited for holidays..Well, except one child.
Misaki Matsuda, had a frown, her small pigtails drooped down and her cuddly bear overalls sunk. Why was she so upset? The season was joyous, but why wasn’t she?
The street was decorated in wonder and the snow piled outside yet she still had a frown. Neighbors sang together and laughed yet she wanted no part in it. Why was that?
Yasuke came in, he wore an ugly christmas sweater that Ryoko had bought him, and insisted he wear it. He had some plain plaid pajama pants on and some plain house slippers.
He stretched his back and looked over at his daughter, noticing the gloom in her face. He carefully sat down beside her, “What's wrong Sweetie? You seem down.”
“Papa, I don't wanna celebrate with everyone! It’s stupid!” She said, throwing her hands down
He tilted his head, usually she loved this time of year, what was up?
“Well why not? ‘You not feelin well?”
“I’m tired of it being the same every year! We always watch the same movie like a bazillion times!” Misaki threw her hands back up, to express her feelings better.
“Yeahh It is a bit tiring” He chuckled, before Misaki cut him off
“Why do we watch that same movie every year? Mom doesn’t even remember it! She doesn’t remember anything!” Misaki cried, Tears streaming down her face, “She can’t even remember me.”
Yasuke froze for a moment, It was like deja vu, almost like he was just brought back to when he was a kid, It was like looking into a mirror. He stayed silent, his mind colliding with thoughts. He had to say something, he had to help even when no one was there for him, He didn’t want her to cry the same way he did, the same lonely tears, the many nights he spent crying instead of sleeping. He didn’t want his daughter to suffer the ways he did.
Yasuke turned to her, wiping her tears, trying to comfort her how he always wished he was.
“Hey, hey.. It’s okay.. Uh. Let's just take a deep breath..”
“..O-Okay..” She sniffled and wiped her eyes before taking a deep breath.
She attempted to take some sob-full breaths, Yasuke taking some deep breaths with her
“Okay.. So you’re upset because momma doesn’t remember?”
She nodded.
“Alright” He sighed before placing an arm around her shoulder and hugging her.
“Sweetie I know it’s really hard to deal with her, and I know how you feel.. But I know it doesn’t seem like it but even when she has her forgetful moments.. She loves you more than anything in the world”
Misaki looks up at him, “Really?”
He lightly chuckles, “Of course. I mean if she didn’t I’m sure she wouldn’t be here, i mean she was the one who Insisted we decorate”
She sat up, “Really??”
Yasuke sighed, “Yeah uh she said something about how you should have The best christmas ever, even though she burnt the cookies a few times..”
Misaki laughed, “Of course she did..”
“Don’t worry we’ll send the burnt ones to Hajime”
“UNCLE HAJIME! Is he coming over for Christmas?”
Yasuke leaned back and placed his hand on his chin as if he were thinking, “Hmm, maybe..”
“YAY!”
“Maybe if you’re good” he said, booping her nose, as she stuck her tongue out at him.
“Hey Matsuda -Kun!” Ryoko cheered as she came into the room. She wore a cute sweater and some magical girl pajama pants that she stole from Yasuke. Her hair was in a long loose ponytail and she had a pretty wedding ring on her finger.
“Momma!” Misaki jumped up.
Ryoko looked at the little girl in confusion, causing Misaki to frown, Mom forgot her, again..
“..Momma?” Ryoko tilted her head, Who was this little girl and why was she calling her momma?
Yasuke quietly nodded, causing a lightbulb to go off in Ryoko's brain
“Ohh! Right! Misaki! Hello sweetie”
Misaki’s face lit up, Momma remembered her? She had Finally remembered her. Misaki hugged Ryoko, Momma had remembered her. It was a wish come true. That was all Misaki wanted, for her mom to remember her at least once. At Least one time where she didn’t cycle through questions ‘Who’s the little girl?’ ‘Are you lost?’ ‘Is this your little sister Matsuda?’ While she didn’t instantly remember her it was better than usual.
Ryoko hugged her back, she didn’t fully get why Misaki was so happy, she usually didn’t but she still loved seeing her daughter smile
Yasuke quietly smiled, he had wished for this. Seeing his daughter smile was what he had wanted. He was happy to see her smile, to see her have what he had always wished for, for his mom to remember him.
Yasuke stretched up, “How about I make us some hot chocolate? Then we can watch a movie”
“Yeah! That sounds fun, Doesn’t it Misaki?” Ryoko turned to Misaki as she asked.
She thought for a moment before quickly nodded
They were all cozy on the couch when Yasuke brought in the hot chocolates and cookies, setting them down on the coffee table before sitting down with them.
“Be careful, they're hot” Yasuke said as Ryoko grabbed a mug, trying to drink it before burning her tongue
“Owww..”
“What did I just say?”
Misaki giggled and grabbed a cookie.
Yasuke turned to his daughter “What movie do you wanna watch sweetie?”
“Hm?” she hummed while finishing the cookie, “You want me to pick the movie, Papa?”
“Yeah how about we let you pick the movie this time” Yasuke grabbed his mug of hot cocoa, his mug saying ‘#1 Dad’.
Misaki hummed again, “How about Home alone?”