"Mom…!"
Kyouko's voice cracked again, her body trembling harder in Hanako's arms.
"What should I do…?"
Hanako held her tightly, rocking her just slightly, but said nothing.
Kyouko's voice broke further.
"He's everything to me…"
Tears streamed down her face.
"He cared for me… every day… when no one else did…"
Her fingers clutched at Hanako's clothes, shaking.
"He even promised me…"
A sob escaped her throat.
"Promised he'd never leave me…"
"Mom…"
Her voice was smaller now.
Fragile. Childlike.
"Mom… how… how can I live… without him?"
Kyouko whispered, her voice so weak it barely escaped her lips.
She was crying.
Her face buried against Hanako's shoulder, her fingers clinging like a child desperate not to let go.
"I didn't want to lose him…"
Her voice shook.
"We promised each other…"
"I love him…"
A trembling breath.
"Really… love him…"
Hanako exhaled softly.
Not in surprise.
Not in disapproval.
Just… a quiet, knowing sigh.
At last, her daughter had said it.
