"What do you mean we're a 99% match?!" Nico interrogated, slamming her hands on the table that sat between the two teenagers and the Department representatives.
After what felt like forever of staring at each other, Yamato had brought them into a room down the hallway. It was moderately sized with a window occupying one side – something Nico absolutely refused to go near which resulted in another bickering match, only being stopped when the doors opened with the two representatives stepping in.
"It obviously means one thing," Maki stated, twirling her hair as she sat cross-legged in her chair. Nico turned to her with a scowl, but Maki didn't react to it, staring at Nico with boredom.
The older one of the representatives sighed before grabbing their attention: "Yazawa-san," she said, fixing her glasses that started to slide down her nose. She looked around her mid-40s and emitted a very solemn atmosphere, never having smiled once and always speaking in a serious tone. "We used every bit of information given to us and this was the final result. You and Nishikino-san are no doubt a 99% match. We've ran all the tests many times."
"Then run it again!" Nico demanded.
The younger representative laughed nervously as everyone turned to him. He looked new and almost uncomfortable to be in the room. He had not said one word excluding his introduction in the beginning in which he messed up his own name and fell off his chair when he sat too far to the right.
"What's so funny?" Nico asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I-it's just…it's rare for a pair to be a 99% match," he stated, pulling on his collar with a nervous smile.
"And your point is…?" Nico said, annoyed when he didn't continue his explanation.
He jumped a little in surprise as if he wasn't expecting to be talking so much during the meeting. "I just thought…you'd be happier about this news. I mean, the best partners are probably only 1% of the population and these are the couples who had a 99% match." He tried to keep a smile on his face as Nico stared at him like she was trying to read the meaning behind what he said, but Maki could see the sweat rolling down his forehead.
"He's right, Yazawa-san," the older woman stated. "The best marriage partners in Japan were 99% matched. It's a rare thing to have. Most couples are only about 95% at most. The last 4% makes a difference."
Maki spoke up before Nico could say something unnecessary again. "What do you mean by 'best' couples? What makes us any different?" Nico slightly twitched at the word "us" to which Maki rolled her eyes.
"I'll show you," she stated, pressing a button on what looked like a complicated TV remote. Popping up on the side of the wall closest to them was a projection screen filled with what looked like random data. Upon looking at it closer, Maki realized it was their information spread across the screen.
"What is this?" Nico asked, looking utterly amazed at the projection screen.
"It's all your information," the older representative answered, pressing another button on the remote. Maki's official Department picture appeared on the screen followed by Nico's right across from it with each of their data slowly displaying below their pictures.
Maki noticed Nico's big smile in her picture and couldn't help but stare. It looked like the smile she gave Maki when they had first met. She looked at the third-year beside her who was still staring at the screen in front of them as things appeared and disappeared with a press of a button.
"What?" Nico asked, her face turning into a scowl when she realized the younger girl was staring at her.
"How un-cute."
"What?!"
"The information shown right now is the answers you gave us throughout the years," the representative continued, ignoring the two girls in hopes the bickering would stop, at least until the meeting was over. "As you can see, almost all of it completely matches up." And neither of them could deny that fact. There were check marks everywhere on the screen, indicating that their answers matched up better together than with anyone else's.
"And what about all the other information you have?" Maki asked them. "Like background information."
The woman looked at the younger representative, who was looking as dazed as Nico at the screen. The older woman clenched her teeth and nudged her partner representative who quickly snapped out of his trance. "Oh, right, that's my field," he said and clearing his throat, he continued, "Well, as you can see there were some differences in your background and family information, but nothing too drastic that may result in a bad marriage down the road." He quickly pressed a button on the remote without looking.
The three women stared at him in silence before Nico informed him, "Uh…I know it's not my job, but that's not our information." He looked up at the projection, realizing his emails from his wife were being displayed to all of them. His face quickly turned red and he sat frozen from embarrassment as Nico pointed out, "From what it says here, your partner seems to be really mad – "
Maki had grabbed Nico away from the screen and was holding her hand over the older girl's mouth to prevent her from saying anymore. "Are you stupid? Don't go reading other people's stuff." Nico mumbled into Maki's hand, but Maki didn't care what she had to say.
They paired me up with an idiot.
The older representative sighed as she placed her hand on her forehead. "Is there anything more you would like to know?" she asked, sounding like she hoped they would say no.
"I think we have everything we need," Maki replied, still covering Nico's mouth as the third-year tried to speak behind it.
"Then we should start wrapping up this meeting before the rookie here dies from anxiety," the representative said, taking out a document from her suitcase. "I just need the both of you to sign this. It's for the Department to recognize you as partners."
Maki let go of Nico who had given up speaking. They both quickly signed it; Nico's looking more like an autograph.
"As of here on out, both of you are now life partners," the woman said matter of factly, stamping the document and taking out a small black box from the other representative's suitcase as he sat there in silence. She opened it to reveal two thin silver bracelets, one for each of the girls.
"What's that?" Nico asked. She stared at it, thinking she's seen these things before, but never asking about it. Maybe Nozomi and Eli?
"This is a symbol that you accept your life partner," she replied, taking each one out slowly and handing it over to the teenagers. "You put it on each other. Like a pre-proposal."
"Pre-proposal?" Maki questioned, staring at the silver bracelet in her hand.
"Even if both of you are considered life partners, someone still needs to propose for there to be a marriage," the representative informed them. Both Nico and Maki sat erect at the thought of one of them proposing to the other. "You don't have to worry about that now," she continued, realizing the girls were starting to get nervous. "You just put these bracelets on each other's left wrist until that day comes." The room went silent as both girls were still in thought about a proposal in the future and how that would probably turn out.
"Here, give me your hand," Nico said, her cheeks a little red as she looked anywhere but Maki's face. She had placed her hand out for Maki to take. Maki gulped at the sight of an embarrassed Nico and started to feel her own heart beat a little faster. Without saying a word, Maki slowly placed her hand into Nico's, jumping a little at how soft it was. Nico clipped the silver bracelet with caution to make sure she doesn't hurt her junior and Maki quickly did the same for Nico before letting go of her hand.
Maki, not wanting to look Nico in the face, stared at the bracelet wrapped around her wrist. She turned it around a few times before realizing that something was embedded into it. "Our partner's name is engraved into it," she said out loud, reading the name "Yazawa Nico" over and over again.
"That's right," the representative said, "it's to add some sentimentality to it. Otherwise, everyone would be walking around wearing bracelets for no reason."
"No reason, huh?" Nico said in a quiet and curious tone. Maki watched her senior inspect the bracelet clipped on her wrist, grinning a little as her finger passed over Maki's name.
"Since we're done here," the representative said, breaking the moment. "You may go enjoy the rest of your day as partners."
Maki looked at Nico who simply said with a smile, "Thank you for your time. And once your friend over there starts moving again," Nico pointed at the still shocked man, "you can advise him to get his wife a bouquet of flowers; I would get my partner flowers if I made her mad."
Maki's face started to turn red. "W-what are you saying? That's unnecessary."
"What? You wouldn't accept the flowers I give you?" Nico questioned, pretending to be hurt by the comment.
"T-that's not what I meant – "
"Oh, so you would accept them?" Nico smirked at the flustered Maki.
Maki wanted so badly to smack that smile off her face. "We're leaving!" she declared, grabbing Nico by her blazer's collar and dragging the smaller girl out the room before she could protest.
The representative grinned as the two girls disappeared out of sight. And they thought they weren't a 99% match. She turned to the still frozen representative beside her and asked, "How long do you think till they'll realize it?"
The young man unfroze and slowly turned to his senior to answer: "M-maybe a year."
The woman hummed in reply. "A year, you say? I'll give them a little less than that by the way things are looking."
"You didn't have to drag me out like that," Nico said, crossing her arms over her chest and giving Maki an irritated look once Maki had let her go.
"I-it's because you were making fun of me," Maki argued, giving Nico an offended one.
Nico sighed. "I wasn't making fun of you," she stated in a serious tone. "I was being pretty serious back there. If I did ever make you mad, I wouldn't just hide from it. That'd be pretty stupid."
Maki's face softened as she listened to the third-year's words. It was almost paralyzing to see such a mature Nico compared to the one throwing a fit in the meeting room not too long ago.
The elevator doors opened as they reached the common area. Maki started to head for them until Nico pulled the girl's sleeve. "W-wait, w-we're leaving now?"
"Yeah, we can't stay here forever," Maki replied.
"J-just give me some time," Nico requested, looking a bit nervous which made Maki suspicious.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked, watching Nico's hand shake as she held on to Maki's blazer sleeve. Nico shook her head, but Maki didn't believe her, not with Nico breathing so heavily. Maki looked at the closing doors of the elevator and her eyes grew wide in realization. "Don't tell me," Maki said. "Nico-san…"
Nico's head shot up to look at the first-year. "Don't say it," she warned through her chattering teeth.
"Are you…"
"Maki-chan, don't say it."
"…afraid of heights?"
Nico had bent down and covered her ears as if that was going to stop her fear. Maki watched the trembling girl and sighed. She stuck her hand out in front of Nico and said, "I promise I won't let you go."
I just said something so embarrassing.
"Maki-chan…" Nico looked at the younger girl to which Maki turned away to hide her red face. "You promise?"
"Just hurry up," Maki replied sternly, still looking away from Nico, her cheeks feeling hot.
Nico took the younger girl's hand and hesitantly followed her towards the elevators. As Maki pressed the elevator button down, Nico shut her eyes closed and her grip tightened around Maki's bigger hand to which Maki almost yelped in surprise. For such a small girl, she was pretty strong.
"Nico-san – "
"Please drop the 'san'," Nico asked as she still held her stiff position. "It sounds too formal." With how helpless she looked, Maki obliged without arguing.
"Then, Nico…chan?" Maki said, remembering that Nico calls her the same way. Nico nodded slowly in agreement. "Nico-chan, just stay close to me and don't turn around."
Nico whispered with an okay as the elevator doors opened. They both stepped in, Maki guiding Nico as the raven-haired kept her eyes closed. The two girls stood a foot apart from each other, Nico's hand gripped tightly around Maki's. Maki watched her senior shake in panic as the elevator started to slowly descend; she pulled Nico closer until their shoulders touched, surprising Nico that she had stopped trembling.
But now, Maki's hand started to sweat from being too close to the other girl that she was starting to regret pulling her in. Nico smelled really good, like strawberries, it was making Maki's heart flutter; she only hoped the older girl wouldn't hear it. Maki started shaking from nervousness, closing her eyes to try and stay calm.
How long is this elevator ride?
The elevator doors opened as they had reached the first floor; the two girls stepped off and Nico let go of Maki's now moist hand. Maki quickly wiped it against her blazer and took a deep breath to slow her heartbeat.
"Thanks," Nico said. "Sorry about that."
"It's nothing," Maki replied nonchalantly, her heartbeat back at its normal pace. "We all have fears."
"Then what's yours?"
Maki was taken aback by this question. "Huh? W-why do you want to know?" she asked.
"'Cause you're my partner now," Nico replied. "Shouldn't I try to get to know you better?"
But before Maki could say anything in response, someone had called out to her. "Maki! Are you done with your meeting?"
Maki turned to find her own mother, walking towards them with big smile on her face. "M-mama?! What are you doing here?" Maki asked with a look of surprise. "I thought you and Papa were working till late."
The older woman giggled before saying, "Well, one of us wanted to be here to surprise you. And we wanted to meet the person who is able to call themselves our daughter's partner."
Maki couldn't form words upon the sudden request to meet Nico. She hadn't even told Nico anything about her parents or what to expect when meeting them. Heck, she didn't even know Nico that well to know if she'd be able to meet their expectations. If Nico wasn't ready, this could look bad for the both of them. Shouldn't the 'meeting the parents' part be so much later in the relationship? Not on day one.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Nishikino," Nico said with a bow, surprising both redheads. "I'm Yazawa Nico, a third year at Otonokizaka High. I'm honored to say that I'm your daughter's life partner and that I would like to assure you that I will take great care of her."
Maki stared in disbelief at the Nico that stood in front of her. WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM?! Maki turned to face her mother, waiting for her reaction to such an introduction, but she was still staring at the smiling Nico as if she was just as shocked as Maki.
"Maki…" she said softly, her gaze not moving from the small third-year.
"Yes, Mama?" Maki asked nervously.
"Your partner…"
Here it comes.
"…is absolutely adorable!" she finished with a huge smile on her face. Maki stood there dumbfounded as her mother walked over to Nico and taking one of Nico's hands in hers, said, "Nico-chan, I'm very grateful to have met you today. Please take good care of my daughter."
Nico nodded. "I will be sure to do everything to assure her happiness."
Maki watched this exchange between her partner and her mother, not knowing whether to feel great that they were getting along or weird…that they were getting along.
"Your mom and dad must be happy that you've finally met your partner," Mrs. Nishikino said.
"Actually, it's just my mom," Nico informed her honestly.
"Oh, I'm so very sorry," Maki's mother apologized, bowing a little.
"Ah, no, don't be, it's really fine," Nico replied, smiling to assure her that there was nothing to worry about.
Maki stiffened as she heard this new information; she didn't know Nico's family situation yet and she never would've thought someone like Nico would say something so heart wrenching.
"Well I'm sure your mom is very happy right now," Maki's mother said with a smile.
"I'm positive she is, Mrs. Nishikino," Nico said, returning the expression.
"Please, you can call me mom." Nico jolted up in surprise at the offer and Maki started to violently cough from shock. "Maki, are you okay?" her mother asked, turning to face her daughter.
"I-I'm okay," she informed her.
"Mrs. Nishikino," Nico said, trying to break the awkwardness her and Maki felt. "Is it okay if I just start off slow? But I'm sure I'll be able to call you mom sooner or later."
Maki started coughing again to which Nico realized what she just said. "I – I mean, it's not like I want to marry your daughter." Maki's mom raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I meant right now – I don't want to marry her right now. N-not that I wouldn't if I had the chance to. I mean, we didn't even kiss yet – "
"Okay, Mama, I think it's time we go," Maki intervened after recovering from her double coughing fit, stepping in between her mother and a very red Nico. "I'm sure Nico-chan needs to get home, too."
Her mother looked at her tense daughter then back at a timid Nico, before agreeing with a smile. "I should let you be on your way now, Nico-chan. I'm sorry to have surprised you like this, but I'm very glad I was able to meet you."
"D-Don't worry about it," Nico tried to say confidently.
"Get home safely and be careful on the train," Mrs. Nishikino reminded.
"Yes, ma'am," Nico replied, smiling weakly as she was still recovering from her embarrassment.
Maki's mother started heading for the entrance with Maki following right after. After what felt like a far enough distance, Maki turned back to find Nico still standing there in thought.
"Maki," her mother said as they walked out of the building.
"Yes, Mama?" Maki asked, standing next to her mother as they waited for the pedestrian light to turn green.
"I just want to give you one important piece of advice when you're in a relationship," she said in an earnest manner that it made Maki curious. "No matter what happens, always communicate with your partner. Whether you're happy and delighted, or upset and mad, or sad and bitter; communication is everything. Remember that, okay?
"You've always been a stubborn girl growing up; I would always tell your father you got that from him in which he would disagree," she laughed at the thought before continuing. "But that stubbornness has also been your strength; you hated giving up on things until you saw it the way you wanted it to be. We always wondered what kind of person your partner would end up being and we just hoped it would be someone who learns how to love every part of you, even that stubborn side. But in order for Nico to learn to love you, you need to let her in. I know you have a full schedule all the time, but don't shut Nico out. Even if you are considered life partners, that would mean nothing if there's no emotion in it. So please, for us, for Nico, and most importantly...for yourself, be the person your 50-year old self would be proud of."
Maki stared at her mother in awe. When Maki was younger, she was the kind of mother who knew her daughter more than Maki herself. But as Maki grew up, her parents were hardly around even in times when Maki needed them the most. But standing on the sidewalk in front of DOM, her mother was there, standing next to her. Despite all the times they were separated, Maki still felt her mother knew more about her than she did and that made Maki happy inside.
Her mom smiled as they started to cross the street. "I'm sure Nico-chan wants to know you for who you really are."
Nico groaned in exhaustion as she sat on her chair, laying her head on the cold desk, and staring out the window of her classroom. The weekend passed by without Nico and Maki talking since the younger girl left with her mother. Nico didn't know what to think about finally meeting her partner; she didn't feel any different from before. Although, Nico did beat herself up all weekend long about her slip up when talking to Maki's mother; now she felt too tired to do anything.
"What's wrong, Nicocchi? You're awfully quiet this morning," Nozomi observed, standing over the smaller girl with her hands behind her back.
"I just have a lot of things to going on," Nico casually replied, not looking up at the purple-haired girl.
Nozomi stared at the smaller girl before saying, "Say, Nicocchi…" Nico hummed to let the other girl know she was listening. "Did you meet your partner?"
Nico instantly jumped out of her seat and faced the other girl. "What makes you think that?" she asked, trying so hard not to stutter. But Nozomi had caught on and just smiled at her childhood friend.
"So I got it right then," she said.
Nico sighed. "How'd you find out?" She sat back down in defeat.
"I know everything," Nozomi stated optimistically, holding a card between her index and middle fingers. Nico narrowed her eyes at Nozomi before looking out the window again, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. "And your bracelet is showing."
Nico quickly tried to cover it with the sleeve of her pink jacket while Nozomi laughed at the useless attempt. "There's no point, Nicocchi, everyone is already talking about it."
"Tch, nosy people," Nico said in irritation, scanning the now full room of her classmates. They were all huddled in their friend groups, talking and laughing.
"Should you really be saying that?" Nozomi asked, sitting at her desk and facing Nico. Nico waved her hand as if to dismiss Nozomi of the conversation, but the fortuneteller simply ignored it as usual. "So why did you want to hide it?"
Nico turned to face her friend, thinking for a moment before answering. "I just…don't know how to feel yet. I don't feel any different. I thought I would be feeling something…even just a little."
Nozomi hummed in reply. "You only met your partner last week, right? Every relationship takes some time. It's just all new to you."
"Was that how it was for you and Eli?" Nico asked, curious to hear how it was for the splendid couple of two years.
"I guess you can say that," Nozomi answered with a smile. "It was weird at first. I didn't know how to act or what to do. It's like one day, it's just you and then the next thing you know, it's you and your partner. But we just tried to be ourselves around each other and we eventually – "
"Became perfect," Nico finished, surprising Nozomi.
"I – I wouldn't go that far," the purple-haired said, her face turning red from the compliment.
Nico grinned. "You're right. It's only been a few days. I shouldn't worry so much. Thanks, Nozomi." Too embarrassed, Nozomi just nodded.
Nico looked out the window to look across the courtyard at one of the first-year classrooms. She watched a group of first-year girls talking by the window and then turned her attention to another group finishing homework until she found her target.
She was alone, listening to music, and staring out the open window, her red hair blowing as the wind flew into the room. Not too long after, two other girls joined her at her desk. They talked for a few minutes until the orange-haired one grabbed Maki's wrist and started talking frantically. Maki looked flustered as her friend interrogated her, the brown-haired one just watching in shock as her two friends went back and forth. After words were exchanged, Maki looked as if she had given up the argument. Both her friends cheered loudly that Nico could've swore she heard it, attracting attention from the other girls in their classroom. Maki nodded to whatever the other girl asked before some of their classmates surrounded her table in interest. The orange-haired one fearlessly jumped over Maki's desk and hugged Maki, but the impact resulted in both girls falling back from her chair.
Nico laughed as she watched both girls get up from the ground, Maki scolding her friend as the girl apologized a bunch of times. Other girls from the class started to ask the redhead questions and it was no surprise to Nico that Maki looked like she didn't want to talk about it, her face going red that Nico could see it from where she was sitting.
"Nicocchi," Nico heard Nozomi say. Nico turned away from the entertainment and looked at the older girl. "Can I ask what your percent match was?"
"We were 99%," Nico answered casually, knowing her friend wouldn't react too much.
"Eh? 99%?!"
And of course I was wrong.
The girls in Nico's class turned to face the two friends, eyes filled with curiosity. Nico slapped her forehead, wishing she had just lied about it. Nico's classmates started to gather around her as Nozomi looked apologetically at her smaller friend, but Nico just glared, signaling Nozomi that she was not forgiven. As questions were flying around the raven-haired girl, Nico sighed and quickly glanced out the window to see that Maki was still in the same situation.
I guess if one goes through it, the other one does too.
"I'm home," Nico exclaimed as she entered the small apartment, carrying grocery bags in both hands.
"Onee-chan," the youngest sister, Cocoa, said, popping her head out of the door that lead to the common area. "You're home early today."
"Yeah, I'm finally off cleaning duty," Nico replied, patting her sister on the head as she passed her. Nico placed the grocery bags down on the dining table where the youngest, Cotaro, sat with his toys.
"Food," Cotaro said, pointing at the bags.
"That's right, Cotaro," Nico praised, trying to wipe the snot that started to drip down his nose, but Cotaro kept moving his head to avoid the tissue.
"Onee-sama," the other sister, Cocoro, called out with pleading eyes, "can you help me with my homework?"
Nico looked at her sister while she struggled with the youngest. "Not now, Cocoro, I need to start cooking dinner. Cotaro, if you just keep still, this will end faster." Cotaro stopped shifting his head, giving Nico the chance to quickly wipe his nose before he became fussy again.
"But Onee-sama, I really need help," Cocoro whined.
"I'm sorry, Cocoro, but you have to wait until after," Nico told her as Cotaro sneezed, resulting in more snot coming out. "Agh! Cotaro, seriously?" The third-year started to struggle with her younger brother again as he refused to be interrupted from his playing.
"Onee-chan! There's something wrong with the TV!" Cocoa exclaimed, running into the kitchen, waving the remote in her hand.
"Hold on, Cocoa, I'm a little busy," Nico replied. She held the toddler's head gently to not hurt Cotaro, but Cotaro threw his toy across the table in a fit of irritation, hitting the two bags of groceries hard enough that they fell off with a loud crash.
"Cotaro!" Nico scolded. The boy looked apologetic; realizing what he did, he whispered a "sorry" to which Nico patted his head with a sigh. "It's okay. You didn't know." Nico walked over to the fallen bags and inspected the damage. The cans had popped open and the vegetables were smashed.
Now what am I going to do for dinner?
"I'm home!" someone had proclaimed from the entranceway.
"Mama!" both Cocoro and Cocoa exclaimed running towards the taller woman. "You're home early, too, Mama."
The three of them walked into the kitchen to see Nico cleaning the mess Cotaro had made. "My, what happened here?"
"Just a bit of an accident," Nico answered, wiping up the last of the spilled food. "You're home early, Mama. Did something happen at work?"
Their mother smiled and said, "I just thought we should celebrate since you met your partner. I know that was last week, but we didn't do anything, so I thought we should go out for dinner." Nico looked at the older lady, a little confused, but her two younger sisters were already jumping in excitement.
"A-are you sure, Mama?" Nico asked, a little worried. "We don't have to go out. I'm fine staying home."
"Now, Nico," her mother started. "It's fine to go out as a family once in a while. So go get changed out of your uniform. I'll take care of the other three."
Nico went to her room without saying anymore. She quickly changed to the first thing that laid on top of her drawer, not caring what she put on – not like she was going to run into anyone anyway – and met with her family at the entrance.
Nico was a little concerned about going out. Her family was never rich and her mom worked a ton of hours to keep her four children happy and healthy. Ever since Nico was old enough, she was the one taking care of the home as her mother worked in the office almost 24/7. She made time for her kids as much as she could, but Nico always saw the tired face behind the smile.
"Are you ready?" her mother asked, tying Cotaro's shoes.
"Let's go! Let's go!" Cocoa said in utter happiness, jumping up and down. The two girls opened the door and ran down the hallway towards the elevator, Cotaro behind them as he tried to keep up. Nico walked with her mother, watching the three youngest run with excitement. Nico laughed as Cotaro fell and Cocoro picked him up.
"Nico," she heard her mother say. Nico turned to the older woman, waiting for her mom to continue. "I know you've been doing your best to take my place when I'm not around and I'm grateful that you do it so well. You take great care of your siblings and I couldn't be prouder of you as your mother." Nico grinned.
"But I want you to know that you shouldn't place everything on yourself. I know sometimes, you feel like its all your responsibility and that you should be the one to bear the burden. But that's not true. You have people who care for you and are willing to lend you a hand when you need it. I'm telling you this because you have a partner now and I'm sure she doesn't want you carrying all the trouble; that'll hurt both of you. She'll listen to you and even if she doesn't understand at first, she'll spend her time figuring it out with you. Don't keep her in the dark for your pride because I'm sure your partner wants to accept you for just the way you are."
Nico stared at the woman beside her, not knowing what to say. Having lost her father was hard on Nico and her three siblings, but it must have been harder for her mother to watch as he slowly faded away. Despite all the smiles and reassurances from her mother growing up, at this moment, Nico understood what her mother probably felt having to live on after the loss of her partner - her loved one. It wasn't until Nico started to help around the house that she was able to see a genuine smile on her mother's weary face.
Her mother smiled as they had caught up to the other three by the elevator. "I'm sure she'll love you, but only if you let her."
I finished this faster than expected. Thank you for your comments; a lot more stuff is coming up so hope you enjoyed this chapter and see you guys in the next update.
