An outsider couple has come into the slums, they're about in the late '20s of age. The man was average in looks, yet have warm and gentle air that surrounds him. The body has a trace of physical training, a typical appearance for a good guy who protects justice. The woman was quite good looking, her alluring natural beauty will captivate anyone even without using any make-up. Her short light brown hair, sparkling amber eyes, tender lips always arching with a sweet smile are giving off an air of gentle flower around her. Just by glance, you can tell she's a perfect mother figure and kindhearted one.
They're are looking for Hana, the mother of Mizu. Both lead in the junkyard where the hideout of the kids was. Knowing that the person they are searching for was already dead they search for the daughter instead. The woman introduced herself as Hana's younger stepsister, named Yuri Sodomaki, and the guy is her husband, named Taiga Sodomaki. They are here to search for her older sister but found out she was already dead and she has a daughter. She wants to meet Hana to deliver the news that their father was already dead and that he leave her some inheritance but was already too late. Both can't have a child, so they plan to adapt Mizu instead, and seeing her environment, they were eager to bring her back with them.
In just a short while, Mizu was already attached or fond of them. Meeting a person related to her Mother was a dream she ever wants. They also get the heart of the kids surrounding Mizu. Trusting adults was hard for the kids based on their experience, however with these two they have already been like. The couple then asked Mizu if she would like to live with them, as they sincerely want her to bring her and treat her as their real child. However, Mizu hesitatingly refused them.
The couple leaves reminding Mizu that they will still come back to convince her. And they really did, they visit them for several days but each day Mizu still refused their offer. And tomorrow is their last day here in this District 33.
"Hope, you will go with us before we'll leave this place tomorrow."
°°°°°°°°°°°°
Near the wide river sparkled like gem under the bright sun, a fully bloom Sakura Tree was located. A bunch of pink petals falls down like gentle rain on this bright sunny day. The wind blows followed by a sweet fragrance and green grassy ground sways along with the current. Mizu was sitting in front of a wooden cross with a bunch of flowers in vibrant colors the couple given and some were picked by Mizu freshly in the woods, are laid on the grave.
"Mom, I'm here again." the wind blows to her melancholy.
Kuro also bought back a lot of flowers and put it to the grave, then sit down beside her. The two sink in silence to pray for a few minutes. Afterward, Kuro questioned her, "Why did you refuse their offer? You can live comfortably with them. You can already eat 3 times a day, have proper clothes and shelter-"
Mizu smacks his head to stop his absurd words. "Don't say that. Slums are my hometown, our hideout is my home, you lads are my family. I will not leave this place nor my family."
Kuro roughly brushed her head. "What a speech you have there."
"Geez, I'm serious here."
Inclining her head while looking at the bright colors of the Sakura, petals slowly fall down towards her palm, she downheartedly said, "If I leave them, what those kids can do then? It's already hard with me here, what if I will leave?"
With a slight smile, Kuro suddenly flicked her forehead. "Argh! What are you doing?"
"You think highly of yourself, they still have me." he proudly exclaimed, then pat her head again. "Mizu, I like how you always think of others before yourself, how worried you are towards them, however, you should also think about yourself first. With those kind adults who visited you, you can live your life with fewer worries about how things turn out the next day. If you can eat or not. Survive or die. If fortunate, you might even be enrolled in school. You want to be a photographer right? And… since the first time we met, it was your dream to have a complete family, and now they came."
"Are you casting me away? I said I won't leave!" Mizu fumed in folding arms.
But Kuro hugs her tightly instead, "If I am selfish and greedy, I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay, but you have a better life with them, and a bright future. Nevertheless, those kids agree with me too."
Suddenly, an identical twin, male and female named Yuuto and Yuira 9 years old kids, appeared. Kuro offered his hand to Mizu to stand up. The twin then put her a necklace and bracelets made with full of flowers on it. "We love you Mizu" and hug her tightly.
Then Akito with the same age as the twin, the most intelligent among the kids in terms of strategy and planning when hunting or stealing, put her a crown of flowers. "The most beautiful and strong woman I know."
Mizu pats his head gently but doubtful of what he said, "Akito how many women did you know?"
The kid answered unwaveringly, "Only a few, utmost 5 women."
With this, he received a hit with Mizu.
"What's happening?" she then asked afterward. But no one answered her.
Then a handsome kid and the most charming among them appeared too and offered his hand like a well-mannered prince named Kaito, 8 years old. Mizu took his slender hand in giggled. "This seems fun." Kaito then escorts her towards the other side of the tree, where a blanket full of food is prepared, and with a proper view of the river and magnificent forest on the other side. There she saw Taishi a girl at 8 years old, who prepared her place with clean clothe to be seated. Itsuki and Riko 7 years old kids, the youngest among them and the cutest, male and female, who brought their favorite white hare teddies in them; excitedly put bread and drinks on her plate and glass.
"What's this?"
"A small picnic for sister Mizu." Riko adorably uttered, "We make all of this for you."
"We would like to eat a meal with you where all your favorite food was here. Meat, fish, and roasted pheasants." Itsuki cutely stated.
"Thanks but why?" she asked in perplex looking around to them who also starts to pick food on their own plate.
"Because this is a farewell. We all know that you wanted to go with them, but was held by us." Akito replied earnestly.
"So this is what you are busy the last few days." Mizu
"You should not worry about us, we have brother Kuro." Kaito tagging at Kuro's pants.
"But you should visit us here every weekend or in your free time." Taishi
Yuuto and Yuuri "You have already done enough with us. We can manage ourselves. Please think of your own future."
Riko suddenly hugs her, "Waah, we will miss you Mizu." Mizu's eyes are in teary and hug her too. This makes the other kids wail too and hug her in the group along with Kuro. A warm embrace of a family.
"Bring outside food when you go back!" Taishi suddenly said while sobbing, likewise the other kids and exclaimed.
"Book too." Akito
"Dress!" Yuuri
"Toys Mizu!" Itsuki and Riko
"Mine is slippers!" Kaito
"Pictures that Mizu has taken." Yuuto
"Ah, so you just want me to go with them so that I could bring these things you want when I go back? What am I, Santa?" Mizu complains jokingly. The kids just giggled at her.
"Heh, what about our Kuro then?" she asked towards him.
Kuro just pleasantly smiled at her, "You…"
Mizu smiled back and chuckled, "Of course I will go back, I can't completely leave you all." they then did a fist bump as signed as her promised to him was sealed and obliged to do it.
The bright day was full of their laughter soaring up towards the blue sky, along with the grave that they didn't forget to leave food and incense.
The next day, Mizu was got by the couple and bid goodbye to them. Tears in their eyes flow like pearls along with their sticky snot, hugging tightly.
"We will miss you Mizu."
"I will be back!"