46. Family

I didn't expect my mom to show up that night at the hospital. I was surprised she wasn't resting, she still needed plenty of time to recover. I didn't expect the dish with food for three in her hands either, but I wasn't complaining in the least. Reiko smile was heart breakingly bright as she carefully ate her portion, repeatedly thanking my mom throughout the meal.

I think I was the only one who noticed Kyoko when she entered the room for a moment. At first I thought she was going to protest at the non-hospital food Reiko was eating without prior approval, but she could clearly see it too, and that's why, with only a small smile towards me when she saw me watching, she carefully and quietly backed out of the room. It wasn't exactly protocol, but she wasn't going to ruin Reiko's moment of undefiled happiness with her family- Her true family, who would be there for her no matter what, even if blood wasn't the foundation.

47. Creation

The place, according to Makoto, was a creation of Reiko's. A projection of her mind to make a new, dark plane of reality. Apparantly, after weeks and months of being dead, this is what she had turned into. This nightmare was her creation.

48. Childhood

"So, that's you?" I asked as she carefully held up the picture as if it meant the world to her. And perhaps it did.

"Yup. I was only two at the time I think. It was before my dad left, that's him standing there." She pointed, "And obviously the lady holding me is my mother." She smiled sadly as she gazed down at the photo longingly. I looked at toddler Reiko for a moment before finding I was rather unable to contain myself.

"OH MY GOD BABY YOU IS SO ADORABLE!"

49. Stripes

"So, um, what's with the new look?" I asked slowly. She blushed and glared at me.

"The hospital ran out of the current gowns so that had to pull out some of the older ones for tonight." She tried to look seriously irritated, but as she pouted, all I could do was laugh at how freakishly adorable she looked in it the old fashioned, striped hospital gown.

50. Breaking The Rules

"Come on Reiko, just a bite." I whined, waving the spoon full of delicious chocolate pudding in her face.

"Not yet. When Kyoko comes in next, we can ask her then, but I'm not breaking the rules for just one bite of pudding."

"But that's exactly the point- Surely one single bite isn't really breaking the rules right? A taste won't change anything at all." I pouted, watching the pudding wobble on the edge of the spoon, realising that if she didn't acquiesce soon, then I would certainly have to consume the bite myself or lose it on the floor or her bed sheets.

"Technically, I think it is," Kyoko's voice interrupted as she walked into the room, smirking fondly at the two of us, "But even I have to agree, a bite or two wouldn't hurt anything at all in this case, Reiko."

"Ha! I told you!" I stated triumphantly, then could only watch in horror as my enthusiasm resulted in a small dollop of pudding falling onto her white bed sheets. Aaaaaand there goes the neighborhood.