Okay, I didn't expect to start on the sequel of SAL right away but here we are! The tone of this story is extremely light-hearted compared to SAL but there will references to it so it's important to understand while this has a lower rating, there will be some intense flashbacks towards the incident. I will always warn for that so yeah!

As always, thank you for supporting me!

The Garden of Yukako

Chapter One

A Bouquet of Daffodils

A familiar jingle echoed in her head as she could feel herself wake up with the alarm. She felt a bit disoriented from her sleep. Had she meant to sleep this long? However, she soon recalled why she had to wake up so early.

"Yukako," her mother called out as she walked in the girl's room. Unlike the room she was previously strapped down in, Yukako still had to get used to the different layout of the room. While she remained in the hospital to take care of any additional health concerns, her parents had moved the family to a new home – one that's closer to the hospital. Since Yukako had attend physical therapy still, it did eventually become a strain on her parents. "It's time for school."

Despite the additional expenses, her parents never complained. They kept their word and did their best to avoid traveling – or if they absolutely had to, they tried to make it short as they could and were in constant contact. If one parent traveled, the other had to make sure they stayed at home with her. Yukako never stayed alone again; her parents made sure of that.

Once her mother smiled at her, as brightly as she could, Yukako's own attitude brightened up. She couldn't show it on her face but she really was excited! It was finally the first day of the new school year! Even though she was captive in Kira's grasp, she somehow managed to keep her grades up and managed to pass to her second year.

Whether it was out of pity, or whether through her hard work, Yukako was just happy she managed to pass her classes. She couldn't attend the rest of the school year but the boys brought her homework and Koichi even explained the material to help her. Yukako smiled at the memory of it all and she hoped that they would be continue being friends that year.

Her mother helped her out of bed and even helped her get ready – although Yukako would sometimes whine about being able to do certain things herself now. Her strength had been growing more and more but she at least understood her mother's worry.

While Yukako was told she'd still have a limp for a while longer, the doctors gave her a cane so she could ambulate better without much help. With physical therapy and just being able to walk around, Yukako could feel herself getting better. She's confident she wouldn't need the cane anymore – hopefully, before her second year ended.

Once the couple made it to the dining room to eat breakfast, and just as Yukako finished hers, there was a knock on the door. Yukako was actually surprised to hear it. She didn't get up right away but her mother did to answer the door. Her father had sat with them and he was quiet. He usually didn't talk to Yukako before the Kira incident but it was even harder for him now. He lowered the paper and folded it up to place it on the table before them. He looked at her – and now that Yukako got a closer look at her father's face; she now realized where she got her aura.

To most people, her father seemed scary, mean, and always grumpy – but that was just his resting face. She understood why she looked the way she did now. She knew he wasn't mad at her. She knew, if anything, her father was lost on how to talk to his daughter, especially since the incident.

However, before her father could open his mouth, her mother called her from the foyer.

"Yukako-ch—" Her mother had to stop herself for a moment. "Yukako! Higashikata-kun and Hirose-kun are here!"

Yukako had to tell her parents not to call her "Yukako-chan" anymore as it triggered memories of Kira. She'll always be angry at that man who ruined a nickname for her. It was an adjustment for everyone – and it wasn't easy for anyone. However, they wanted to try their best to make Yukako's recovery be as swift as possible.

Once Yukako stood, with the aid of her cane, she grabbed her school bag and couldn't resist a smile. Ever since she had been released from the hospital, it was abundantly clear that Josuke, Koichi, Okuyasu – names that could easily fall from her lips better – cared for her and were sorry for not noticing her absence sooner. It was easier to forgive them because they made sure to see her at least once a day.

However, she was surprised that only Josuke and Koichi had shown up – was it far for Okuyasu? Excited, Yukako gave her parents a warm goodbye and while it was clear her parents didn't fully trust the two teenaged boys outside their doorstep, especially with Josuke's hairstyle, they could tell that they brought Yukako happiness. Thus, they bit their tongues and kept their criticisms to a minimum, or at least tried.

.x.

"Are you sure it's not too much of a bother?" Yukako asked. She still stuttered a little bit as she knew how she looked with her cane and the teenagers each by her side. Her smile had long since dropped but her happiness inside hadn't. It didn't take long for Yukako to relax her face – she didn't have to force herself smiling. They knew. They finally knew how she felt inside.

Josuke, whose own school bag was tossed over on his shoulder, gave her a bright smile and thumbs up. "It's no problem. We live pretty close by."

Koichi held his bag in front of him, another contrast between the two Yukako noticed, and, while he was more subdued, he also gave her another reassuring smile.

"Yeah, you live in between Josuke and I. It's really no problem!"

Yukako couldn't help but wonder about the distances between their houses but it would unbecome her if she were to visit their houses alone…

Eventually, they met up with Okuyasu and he greeted Yukako and walked next to Josuke as the four friends made their way to school. Koichi eventually made his way towards the duo but while it would seem to a bystander they purposefully ignored Yukako, she was content. She was content to listening to their conversations and they would occasionally talk to her. They learned very quickly that Yukako was actually pretty introverted but she enjoyed listening to them and just being in their company.

"Oh," Okuyasu suddenly said. "Are we in the same homeroom?"

"Yeah!" Koichi chirped. "I made sure to triple-check!"

The quartet had to leave pretty early, which Okuyasu complained about but accepted, since they had to make extra time for Yukako to walk. While she was gaining her strength back, it would be impossible to expect her to be as fast or be as able to walk with them. Often, she would need to take breaks and relax for a moment before she resumed walking.

Yukako couldn't help but be annoyed with herself somewhat but she was thankful that the boys were at least patient, despite Okuyasu's complaints.

As the teens approached the familiar gates of the school, Yukako couldn't help but feel a looming feeling – she couldn't place it but she couldn't help but think about what happened in orientation a few days ago.

.x.

Because of her temporary disability, Yukako still needed to get used to walking such a distance from her new home to the school. She panted once they reached the gates and the boys tried their best to help her while giving her independence.

"Josuke-kun," Yukako whimpered as she found her strength lessen and the other teen helped her up. She felt embarrassed but it couldn't be helped. She had tried to make her way to the bathroom but needed Josuke's assistance, as he was the closest one to her.

Josuke understood immediately and walked her towards the bathroom. The teachers were more than aware about Yukako and having the three boys help her – after her own insistence – so they shouldn't find it unusual to see the two walk together in such a manner.

Once they made it to their destination, Josuke made his promises he was outside the bathroom and for her to yell if she needed his help. Yukako nodded as she forced her tired body into the bathroom.

Ever since the Kira incident, anytime she felt an inkling to use the bathroom, she did not want to risk holding it. She became scared of peeing herself in front of anyone – most certainly in front of her friends. Thankfully, the school bathrooms had stalls.

After she struggled to flush the toilet, she struggled to walk to the sink. Her pain became unbearable as she tried to groan as silently as she could. She hated this pain. She hated Kira for giving this pain to her. She hated Kira. She was glad he was dead.

"Is that your boyfriend?" a gloomy voice echoed in the bathroom. Yukako then realized there was another girl in the bathroom with her. She turned to the girl and was surprised to see such a glare from the girl's face. Her hair was greasy as was her skin. The girl's paleness reminded her of her image back then and she tried to hold back her body's reaction.

It wasn't the girl's fault. It wasn't the girl's fault.

It was her fault. She never should've fell in love.

"Uh, did you not hear me? Is that your boyfriend out there?" she repeated the question. She sounded progressively annoyed with the fact she had to repeat herself.

Yukako stared at her for a moment and then shook her head. "That's my friend. He's… helping me." She tried to hide her cane even though the whole school already knew about Yukako Yamagishi – the girl who survived a serial killer.

The girl turned off the faucet and it was clear she progressively got more annoyed at Yukako.

"With what? Didn't you just survive a serial killer? What more help do you need? God, I wish you'd die after all."

Yukako was shocked at the girl's comments. She wasn't sure what exactly made the girl angry with Yukako this much. However, it didn't show on her face. The girl wiped her wet hands with the paper towels that were around.

"Look," she started again. "My name is Mine Takako, and as long as you hang out with him, you're my enemy. Goodbye."

The girl briskly walked passed her, with a flip of her greasy hair, and Yukako didn't know how to react. When she first arrived, most people were curious, sure, nosy, fine, and maybe asked an inappropriate question or two, okay, but for this girl to just tell her to die… it was a shock for Yukako.

But she didn't want to worry the boy outside who waited for her patiently.

She pushed her tears aside and decided that if any did come out, she'd blame it on her pain.

.x.

However, as the quartet entered the school and changed shoes in her shoe box, she was relieved not to see that girl again. She hadn't told the boys, or even her parents, about that Takako girl. She still didn't know why she had said such a thing to her – if she wanted to date Josuke, it wasn't like Yukako was going to stop her. She was just happy to have a friend like him.

She was through with love. It was too scary for Yukako to fall in love. She just wanted to heal and live a quiet life.

"Come on, Yukako!" Koichi called for her. His voice brought her out of her daze and she was thankful for it.

"I'm coming!" Yukako called out after him as she made her way towards him. He was already grouped with the other two boys and once Yukako reached them, they made their way towards homeroom.

Although, once the door was opened, Yukako had a visceral reaction. She almost fell backwards when she thought she saw Kira Yoshikage sitting in one of the seats. Thankfully, Okuyasu caught her and kept her steady.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Okuyasu asked with concern.

Yukako turned back towards the seat and was relieved not to see Kira anymore.

"U-uh, it's nothing, Okuyasu-kun," Yukako lied. She hated herself. She thought she was through with lying…

Instead, Takako Mine sat in the seat where Kira was and glared at her through her greasy hair.