| Useful | Momiji Sohma |

16 | Hikari Hayami

Hikari stood in front of her mother's grave.

The headstone was a shining grey, but it was clear that barely any care was put into installing it into the graveyard. Similarly to how Akame Kamiya was barely cared for by anyone in her short life- with the small exception for her daughter Hikari and her best friend, Kyoko Honda.

Hikari could distantly hear Tohru, Uo, Saki and the new additions of Yuki and Kyo talking by Kyoko's grave from a few rows up. Their voices did their part to keep her grounded and remind her that even though her mother was gone, there were people and responsibilities that tethered her to the world of the living.

"It's... admirable to me that the two of you can keep such bright smiles on your faces despite what you've lost." Yuki spoke, having must of traversed the rows of graves to meet her whilst splitting from the rest of the group.

Hikari smiled before stepping back to stand closer to him, a sigh reaching her lips.

"To be honest, Tohru deserves more credit for that." Hikari looked to the sky. "There are times where I'm so angry I've been left here all alone that I can't even breathe- and all I can do is sob and thrash in anger."

Yuki's breath hitched, and Hikari continued while knowing a certain ginger was watching their exchange from a distance. Hikari knew that some of what she was saying had to resinate with him, as well.

"It angers me that my mother left me behind, before I have to remind myself that she would never choose for me to be here on my own. I redirect that anger towards my father- the man that bought her out from under her feet in hopes to create the perfect heir." Hikari closed her eyes, letting her anger wash over her in waves.

"Your father- I'm guessing you don't talk to him." Yuki said, his voice melancholy.

"No, I don't. After my mother died I rightfully blamed him for constantly pushing her past her limits- and in turn, he became abusive. Although, I don't doubt he'll come searching for me if I suddenly serve a purpose to him." Hikari began the walk back to Kyoko's grave, gesturing Yuki and Kyo to follow her.

"One day, Kyoko just... showed up, out of nowhere. She demanded to know what happened to her best friend and when she discovered she was dead and left behind a child, she took me in and introduced me Tohru." Hikari smiled, gratefulness blessing her blue-green eyes.

"Without a doubt, that was the single best thing to ever happen to me." Hikari tries not to think of blonde hair and brown eyes but failed miserably. She missed him.

But that also frightened her- that she could miss someone other than her mother at the foot of her grave.

By now, the three of them had reached Saki, Uo, and Tohru again.

"I'm glad," Yuki began. "That they found you."

Hikari sent him a smile. "As am I."

Hikari watched as Kyo turned to walk away, Saki following close behind. Good, it was about time Saki freaked him out a little bit.

Hikari began to fix the flowers near Kyoko's grave whilst Uo and Yuki watched. It wasn't long before Tohru dragged Kyo back. Hikari had a feeling that would be a constant between the two of them.

---

Later that evening, Hikari watched as Kyo whispered something unable to be heard into a sleeping Tohru's ears.

Hikari simply prayed that when the time came, he would treat her right.

Hikari made her way upstairs before collapsing onto her bed. She wondered if she would ever be able to face her father if the time came. Probably not, she guessed. Even a mere nightmare with his face in it reduced her to sobs and tears.