Honestly Fumiko Mochizuki, née Tsukino had mixed feelings about the girl standing in front of her.
When she heard the rumor that there was an orphan of Mochizuki blood living in the Yugen district, she was surprised, as it was unusual for a new member of a founding clan of Getsugakure to be taken away from her blood mates.
By rights, the girl is left in the care of her closest relatives within the clan, however, when she broached the situation with her fiancé, he did not even let her finish, making it clear to her that the girl would remain in Yugen.
That was when her suspicions began.
Fumiko felt a strong curiosity, so one night, after finishing her duties with the hospital, she headed to the Yugen district.
She only needed to take one look at the baby girl to find out who her parents were.
At that time the village was at war, so my feelings were put on the back burner and she focused fully on her duties for the village.
However he couldn't help but keep watching her, like something that itched in his mind constantly, and if Subaru's early morning arrivals were any sign, he knew Subaru couldn't stay away from the girl either.
Ironically neither of them said a word about it.
Sometimes when she came out of a hard day at the hospital at night, her footsteps would unconsciously lead her to the Yugen district.
Other times he would leave her toys that he unconsciously bought.
The baby never cried, damn it, or even threw tantrums, which was abnormal according to her experience with babies in the hospital, since that was her way of expressing herself, it was as if the baby was at a point of solemnity. Inwardly she was relieved that he never dared to pick her up.
As the girl grew up, her strange solemn demeanor made her a quiet and lonely child who related only to the elderly Mochizuki who raised her.
Finally the war ended, her compatriots returned to the village, she was able to marry Subaru and they had a son: Kanato, and Azami was put on the back burner in her mind for a few years.
Until the girl collided directly with them.
She was not stupid and knew Subaru well enough to know that he had made the girl crash into him on purpose.
I watched carefully the exchange between Subaru's interest and the awkward respect the girl showed towards them.
Aside from that she had her expressions very well trained to appear neutral, very unusual for someone her age, which made me not doubt the path she would choose after graduating from her lessons.
Looking at the girl more closely, I could recognize a certain resemblance in the girl's features to that woman, but those dark eyes and silver locks make it clear who her father is.
A devilish part of her mind makes her want to laugh at this irony.
The girl in front of her gives her a slight lip lift and in that moment she could see the similarities she shares with her Kanato.
After healing her minor wounds I send her back to her caretaker before Subaru becomes more uncomfortable.
Fumiko watches little Azami leave and just for that one time she wished the girl was hers.
Then... she would appear in the courtyard of the Clan compound, in her Sensei's arms, covered in blood. Her life hanging by a thread.
They almost lost her, but Fumiko spent all her energies to bring her back to the world of the living because it was simply impossible for that quiet girl to leave like that.
And she succeeded.
A year after that event, I saw the girl leave the Mochizuki clan compound with her head held high without paying attention to the scornful whispers against her. I noticed the slight narrowing of her eyes as Subaru returned to my side. He bowed slightly towards us as a sign of respect and quietly left the compound.
At that moment I felt a slight bitterness in my being.
Some time later that same girl, no... now a made woman, would stand firmly in front of the enemy, protecting her and her swollen belly, her Naginata aiming at the bastard Fudo who had a mocking smile on his face, a smile that is erased due to the following words of Azami Mochizuki.
"As I said: I will protect you both from all threats".
And at that moment Fumiko couldn't help but feel respect in front of the bravery and determination he exhibited in front of the enemy.