There she stood, in the same uniform Nagisa once wore. She stood tall and proud, her long brown hair pulled into a braid that was draped elegantly over her right shoulder. I couldn't believe she was already in her last year of school. Time just seemed to fly by so fast now days.
This year would be one of the last times we would all be together. After this year, we'd have to let Ushio go on her own. On her own to make something great of her life, which I know she will. Luckily, Ushio has never had the health problems that Nagisa had. No fevers that seem to never break. Nothing but perfect health. Nagisa and I like it better that way. I almost lost her to that illness, losing Ushio, or almost losing her to the same thing was something I never wanted, but always feared. We've been lucky.
Nagisa has been a lot healthier since Ushio was born it seems. If she gets a fever it's only for a day or so. Instead of days on end. Maybe it was all those lights that were all around town the day Ushio was born. Maybe Nagisa was right. Maybe it was a miracle. Or maybe the doctor was just wrong in saying Nagisa would die. Either way, we're alive and happy. All three of us. Together.
"Daddy! Daddy! Hello!?" I snapped back to reality.
"Oh, hi Ushio" I gave a nervous laugh as I rubbed the back of my head. "What did you need sweetie?"
"Are you picking me up today?" She put her hands on her hips like she was Kyou. I smiled at her before answering.
"Of course I am" I saw her jump into the air. She reminds me a lot of Fuko. She's always hyper. But she also reminds me so much of Nagisa. Even though her hair isn't red, and it's longer, she looks so much like her it's crazy. I almost laugh every time I think about it.
"Mom, can I see Kyou and Ryou after school tomorrow?" I heard her ask. She spends a lot of her time at their house. Kyou's been teaching her how to fight. She even threw a book at Sunohara's face the other day.
"I don't mind" came Nagisa's answer. Her voice was so soft, gentle, caring. That was Nagisa. My Nagisa. She was mine, and no one else's. I love her so much. And I love my daughter, Ushio. I watched at Ushio walked out the front door smiling and waving back at us.
"Tomoya?" I turned to face Nagisa. She wrapped her arms around my waist and gave me a tight squeeze. "I love you" I smiled silently to myself as I hugged her back.
"I love you too Nagisa" No matter what. Even if the world fell down around me at this very moment. At the very least I'd still have Nagisa and my daughter. They are my world.