𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐊𝐄𝐘 - 𝐑. 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘

THIRTY
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The days of Christmas came over like a blur the longer Zumi stayed in their old home, usually waking up to food that would probably make other parents want to question if her mother was alright. Her mother would attempt to cook a meal, which Zumi greatly appreciated, though it wasn't something that was edible.

It ended with Zumi being the one to cook for the both of them each morning.

"Merry Christmas, Zumi!"

"Good morning, Mom. Merry Christmas." Zumi greeted her mother much gently as she places the stack of pancakes in front of her mother while she put hers on right beside her mother's. They both sat down before whispering 'thank you for the food' before they dug in contently.

As her mother chewed the pancake, she spoke up, "Ne, did you get me any gifts? I got you something before you got here. I'll give it to you later after we eat."

"Okay. I got you something from Hyogo too." Zumi answers in return before the two of them went back to eating quietly, with the snow falling down on streets and homes outside.

Zumi hugged the red sweater that she wore tighter then took a sip of the warm tea that she made as well, placing it down on the table right after with a satisfied sigh. She grins as she looks at her mother wolf down her food then turns her head to look at the Christmas tree, staring at the different gifts right under it, though she was sure that most of them are just empty boxes.

"Should we open gifts now?" Her mother asked, grabbing both of their plates then placing it on the sink before walking back to her daughter with a large smile. Zumi nodded her head in response and they walked to the tree filled with little ornaments of different colors, shining against the artificial light that reflected against it. Zumi grabbed the small red paper bag while her mother grabbed a blue one.

"Okay, here's yours. I'm pretty sure you'll like it since you like everything in general, so it wasn't hard to buy you a gift." Zumi said then handing her mother the red paper bag.

Her mother presents her the small green box then says, "Well, it was a little harder to get you something since you don't really want anything. But here, I hope you like it too."

Zumi accepts the box from her mother then they proceed to open it. Her mother gasps and began jumping up and down before enveloping her daughter to a tight hug. Zumi choked slightly at the abrupt action before letting a slow smile appear on her face when her mother examines the purse in her hands.

"Thank you, Zumi." Her mother said more solemnly, hugging the neutral pink purse in her arms.

"You're welcome." She answers then began opening the green box in her hands. Her fingers grasp the matching green ribbon then pulled. She grabbed the lid then removed it, gasping lightly right after.

Her mother's gift was a black dress that had a spaghetti strap, and it was designed with multiple small white flowers around it. It was a little flowy with it ending just above her knees, making her wonder if she could really pull something this pretty off, when she never liked showing her arms and legs.

"M-Mom, I don't think I can wear this..." Zumi mumbles, frowning as she clasps the fabric in her hands.

Her mother shook her head firmly then said, "No, don't think I don't see how you look at dresses when we would walk around the stores together.' Her mother sighs then continue, "Besides, you're a beautiful girl, Zumi. Who cares if you have a little fat here and there? Or if you have a lot of scars and wounds? A lot of people do. It's your body so their opinion shouldn't matter, no- it doesn't matter. So, just wear whatever you want."

"Thank you, Mom. I-I'll try to wear this." Zumi mumbles while looking at the dress in her hands with a small smile.

"What do you mean 'try'? You are going to wear it because I didn't waste heaps of money for nothing, alright?" Her mother scolds with her hands on her waist to look more intimidating.

Zumi just laughs lightly, "Okay, okay."

-o-

The thirty-first of December comes around and Zumi is now stood once again at the train station with both her mother and her cousin, standing side-by-side with each other making her mother look much shorter than she already was.

The were a few tears that pooled around her mother's eye-lids, causing Zumi to release a breathy laugh, almost feeling like she wanted to cry herself even if it wasn't something that she did something so blatantly.

The three of them waited for the train to arrive as they just stood a few meters away from the train track. Once the train finally arrives, Zumi allowed herself to cry a little since she wasn't sure of when she'd have the time to visit Miyagi once again, with the graduation day coming around.

She enveloped her mother to a tight hug then moved onto her cousin who was wearing headphones and was standing stoically. She carefully wraps her arms around him and didn't let go until he returned the gesture. Though after thirty seconds when he still didn't return the hug, she lightly hit his back and grumbled.

"Oi, Kei. Hug back." She demands from her younger cousin making him sigh and reluctantly return it. Their mother who stood beside them smiled lightly before bringing her phone out to take a picture – she was probably going to show it to Tsukishima's mother later.

He rolled his eyes then grumbled, "Message me if something happens between you and lover boy again."

Her mother gasps then exclaim, "Lover boy? Do you have a boyfriend, Zumi? Why did you not tell me? What does he look like? Is he cute?"

She groans, shooting her cousin a small glare while he only stares back innocently before she spoke, "Mom, I'll just tell you when I call, the train might leave me. And I don't have a boyfriend."

"Hmp, fine. I also want a picture, okay?" Her mother demands for one last time then started crying once again, "I'll miss you, Zumi. Visit again soon."

Zumi turns around as she walks off to the train with her bags then calls out, "I'll miss you too. You too, Kei. Be good, okay?"

"Whatever."

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