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Kanade was so tired. She hadn't slept in days, eating was forgotten long before that. She had to do something for Mafuyu. She had to help.
"Ah... I left my music sheets in the other room... I need to-" Kanade stood up from her seat, but her vision blackened and she fell down. Kanade gripped the bed next to her, and draped herself against the bed.
I can't- I can't move...
A white light appeared. Kanade felt an odd comfort as the light engulfed her vision.
Soft hands braided her hair as a soft voice hummed a tune. Kanade slowly leaned into the touch, this felt familiar. She recognized that song, it was something her dad had composed. And there was only one person that braided her hair like this. Kanade opened her eyes.
"Mom?" Kanade asked, her eyes meeting her mother's. Her mother smiled.
"Good morning Kanade, did you sleep well?" Her mother asked. Her voice, her eyes, her warmth. Everything was just as Kanade remembered. Tears welled in Kanade's eyes, as she smiled.
"Yeah, I did." A delicious scent filled the air. Kanade's mother looked back to the kitchen, and realized the salisbury steak was done cooking.
"Come here Kanade, I made all of your favorite foods. Salisbury steak, spaghetti, tempura and pudding for dessert." Kanade blinked. She forgot there was a period in her life when she liked all of those foods. Her plate looked similar to the meals her mother would cook for her birthday. Kanade wasn't able to have that after her mother passed away.
"Thank you for the meal..." Kanade said, and seated herself at the table. She took a bite of the salisbury steak.
"Is it good?" Her mother asked. Kanade smiled.
"Everything you make is good." Kanade proceeded to quickly finish the meal. She was so hungry, she hadn't eated for days.
"Chew slowly Kanade, I won't be able to make this for you for a while." Kanade's mother said, taking a napkin and wiping Kanade's face like a child. Kanade's eyes widened.
"Wh-What do you mean? You're not leaving me again, mom?" Kanade asked, tears pooling in her eyes. Kanade's mother sadly smiled.
"I'm just here because I couldn't see you slowly kill yourself... Kanade, I know what happened to your father was difficult... But don't punish yourself, Kanade. You're the most prescious thing to me, and I don't want to meet you up here so early. Take care of yourself, not just those around you. I know that girl living with you, Mafuyu, she cares for you as well." Kanade felt like she was hit by a truck. Oh, how selfish she was, thinking of leaving Mafuyu before she even saved her.
"I'm sorry mom... I'll take care of myself. I'll come see you a little later... After I save Mafuyu." Kanade smiled, but tears were falling. Kanade's mother hugged her, tears falling down her face as well.
"My daughter. My prescious daughter... I love you, Kanade." Kanade gripped her mother's arms. It had been too long since she had hugged her mother.
"I love you too, mom..." The white light appeared again, and Kanade could hear a voice in the distance. Kanade slowly opened her eyes.
"Kanade, are you okay?" Mafuyu asked, her face containing concern. Kanade looked around, she was back in her room. Back in reality, the reality that didn't contain her family. Kanade wiped her tears.
"I'm fine. I think I should eat something, though." Kanade said, giving Mafuyu a weak smile.
"Is there anything you want?" Mafuyu asked.
"Hmm... Salisbury steak?"