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⭐️ ⌜ マリちゃん ⌟ ┈─❟
RING RING! RING RING!
The person on the other end of the line made their way to answer the phone in a flurry of movement. They held it up towards their ear and spoke as they did so.
"Asahina Miwa speaking, how may I help you?"
***
A car stops in front of the entrance, an elegant coming out the door in full dress uniform.
Usaida points at her while Ryuuichi gently sets Mari down to the ground. The girl jumping up and down in excitement at the sight of her mother.
"Oh my sweet little baby!" Miwa cries, scooping Mari up to her arms to hug her. "I've missed you so much!"
Mari giggled in response, reaching out with both hands to pat at Miwa's cheeks, which was covered in pink, chubby skin. The older woman smiles softly as she cradles Mari tightly to her chest.
"I missed you too, mama," Mari replies, nuzzling against Miwa's neck, "Are you here to bring me home?"
Miwa nods, setting her down so that they are once again face to face. Mari smiles at her adoringly, but then notices something strange about her mother’s expression. Her eyes seem glassy, and Mari doesn’t like it one bit.
Mari grabs Miwa’s hand before she can say anything else, tugging lightly to make sure that Miwa is still paying attention to her. She knows when things are off, a habit she had formed being with her brothers and sister for so long. She also knows not to push until her mom has spoken to her first. So instead, she waits patiently for her mom to say something.
Ryuuichi and Usaida watches as Miwa rubs her nose against Mari’s forehead and whispers ‘my little flower’, the tears now rolling freely from her eyes. They awkwardly look away, moreso when the woman wouldn't stop crying. Mari looking at them in confusion.
This seems to be enough to get Mari going though. She gives her mother a reassuring smile and pulls Miwa into another hug. Mari lets her mother cry for a few minutes longer than usual, giving her the chance to gather herself. Eventually she pulls back, drying her tears away with the palms of her hands.
"I'm fine now, darling," she tells Mari softly, "Let's go home."
***
The pair finally reached home, the house quiet around them except for the soft murmurings of Miwa and Masaomi talking to each other, the son waiting for them just outside.
