Dilemmas

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     It’d been a couple of weeks after leaving the Spirit Realm. As usual, Haku would come by every single day to spend time with Chihiro. He’d help out with the household chores as well, which definitely earned him plus points with her mother—not that he needed them very much, considering how much she really liked him.

     The fall had arrived, baring trees and showering the ground with red, brown and yellow leaves. With temperatures down, Chihiro felt like a baby again, with her mother nagging at her nearly every day to wear more clothes. It hadn’t helped that Haku was usually on her mother’s side, either.

     “Mom, is there anything you need from the grocery store? I’m going over to get some stuff,” Chihiro said one early afternoon.

     “Oh, um, let me see…” Yuko hastily opened and shut cabinets, scanning through them before answering, “Yes, I need salt, soy sauce and some milk.”

     “Got it. I’ll be right back.”

     ‘Don’t take too long; lunch is almost ready.”

     “Okay.”

     “Oh, and remember to-”

     “Wear more clothes, right? I have three layers on me already, Mom. I’m not wearing any more or I’ll be sweating like a pig outside.”

     Yuko sighed. “Okay, okay, I know I can be a little long-winded at times—”

     “Which you are being right now,” her daughter pointed out meaningfully.

     “—but it’s only for your own good,” she finished.

     “I know,” the young woman replied, “but you need to relax sometimes. I’m really not going to crumble and fall if you poke me. Just don’t get so worried; I can take care of myself.”

     “I know you can, dear.” Yuko smiled endearingly, cupping her precious baby’s cheeks. “Now you go quickly and I’ll have something good whipped up for lunch. I’m trying out a new recipe! Got it from Mrs. Fujisawa.”

     Chihiro grinned excitedly. “Already looking forward to it. Bye, Mom. See you later.” She grabbed the shopping bag and her phone before closing the door behind her and locking it.

     The cold wind greeted her a little too enthusiastically. Not that she minded. It felt great in the fall. Cool, but not freezing cold.

     She made her way down to the street, turning left. It was only a good ten minutes’ walk down to the store, which was really convenient. The streets weren’t too busy at this time; it was a Thursday, so the kids were in school and adults were working.

     Before long, she was at the entrance of the store where a few other middle-aged women were. She recognized some of them and greeted them, to which they happily waved back.

      Scanning through the shelves, Chihiro didn’t take long to find the things she needed to get. She really needed some eye drops; her eyes were getting so dry these days. And she hadn't visited the kids back at the hospital in a while; a treat would be nice.

     “Hello, Chihiro,” the cashier, Fuhari said as she took the items placed on the counter. “Where’s the queen?”

     “At home preparing lunch. Hopefully it doesn’t turn out too bad; she’s trying out a new recipe.”

     She laughed. “It can’t be that bad. The last time she gave me some of that chicken stew, I thought I was in Heaven for just a second.”

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