I was on the street by Owson's market when I saw Tomoko-sensei walking somewhat lost in the alley where I was. I called out to her to look my way and she turned her face towards me.

Tomoko-sensei! How nice to see you here!-

I hugged her and she responded somewhat surprised by my sudden hug.

Reimi? -

Don't you recognize me anymore, sensei? It hasn't been that long. How's Josuke? He must be huge…-

That kid... I swear, Reimi, all he does is eat and grow up to ask for more food. He's always hungry! At least he's sleeping better now, so I can sleep too.-

Sensei is always very honest, especially when she complains about things. Like the day she went to school, shortly after Josuke was born. She was with him in her arms and didn't care that the other classes were in class, that she didn't do her practice at school anymore or that she had to keep resting after the birth of her baby. She just got there with the child in her arms to see her students and spend time with them. "What are they going to do to me, throw me out? I want to see if they dare." She whispered to me after I asked her if she wasn't afraid of the director what would happen at her college.

Seeing her like that always left me wondering if I could be a good mother too. She asked me to accompany her all that afternoon as she walked around the school with her baby in her arms. It was as if she was doing an inspection of some sort, like making sure everything was in the right place for when she came back with us; she even took the time to help others with their English homework while critiquing the other teacher's study guides.

But I don't understand, sensei; what are you doing here?-

What else am I going to be doing? I came to see my favorite students before they forgot my face, plus I was desperate to get out of the house and see other human beings who know how to control their bowels just a little better than a baby does. Who's my little poop machine? You are, yes Josuke, you are a poop and drool machine.-

Tomoko-sensei, don't tell him those things. Can I hold him?-

You'd be doing me a favor, really. I can't feel my arms anymore... Josuke, don't you dare cry with Reimi.- She warned the baby in a loving tone as she handed him to me.

The baby stared at my hair and smiled making a spit bubble.

That means he likes you. Reimi-chan, are you hungry? I am hungry. I think we should go get some homemade food.-

I think there are people in the home economics room, they are preparing traditional dishes for a fair.-

Interesting, we'll go there. It would be good for Josuke to learn to cook too, don't you think? I don't want him to become a useless man who starves without his mother or his partner. Did you hear Josuke? You have to become a decent and competent man.-

She spoke sternly but always smiling, pointing her finger and touching the nose of her little baby in my arms, while he responded by waving his arms vigorously and making little sounds.

That's no way to respond to your mother, how dare you, who raised you?- she replied, frowning and touching her cheek affectionately.

She continued to talk to her son, drawing the attention of several of my classmates on our way to the kitchen. Since when had I become so close to her? I guess after all those times I spent at her house, but it still felt very strange that she continued to be that way with me at school. I would have allowed myself to feel my nerves if it hadn't been for the baby in my arms who demanded my constant attention. Now I understand why she gave him to me so easily when I asked her to.

Soon we arrived at the room where my classmates were cooking and before I knew it she had convinced them to bake oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

B-but the recipe says…-

The recipe is a suggestion, honey. To tell you the truth, I have a very bad memory with the quantities of that recipe, so you better improvise a little. I'm sure you'll get better ones.-

Miss, how much is a "pinch"?-

The official definition is "what you can fit between your fingertips", but I use at least triple the amount of cinnamon. Oatmeal is a laxative, so with cinnamon, you can compensate. In fact, I spice it up by letting my ancestors guide my hands, which is why they never look the same. I hear them whisper in my ear: "Ya hija, está bueno".-

Several boos and laughter were heard in the room, others came to where I was with Josuke and played with him. We didn't stay long in the place, it was a really quick recipe to make so we were soon on our way out of there with several cookies in our hands.

Rohan-chan would really like those cookies.

Reimi, I came... I came to ask you to forgive me.-

What can I say to a teacher who holds my hands like that and looks like she's going to cry?

oOo

The children are getting more and more energetic these days, they can spend all morning playing in the garden and then all afternoon playing ball so that in the evening one is begging them to fall asleep. Josuke, Keicho, and Okuyasu played together in the garden almost every day; while Rohan had stopped visiting a while ago, I guess it must be the age difference he has with the boys.

Children, it's time for lunch. Come on in the house. Wash your hands- I warned them from the door frame.

Five more minutes.- shouted my grandson, who at four years old still couldn't tell time.

No, now. Come on, I made hamburgers.-

That was enough to earn me the cheers of the children and their chants for me, their favorite grandfather. They ran in, played with the soap in the bathroom while washing their hands, and then sat down at the table. All three had a very good appetite.

Where is my mom?-

She went to do some errands downtown, she said she would be back in the afternoon.- I answered while wiping my grandson's cheek.

And my dad?- Okuyasu asked in chorus.

Your father?- I was unsure of what to answer the boy.

I'm home.- he answered from the entrance of the house, bringing an iced dessert.

Come in, have lunch with us.- I got up to serve him a plate of food as well.

It's quite a change that the poor man has gone through, he was widowed with two small children at a very young age. Then it got worse when he started thanking us for the time we took care of the children in our house with expensive and extravagant gifts. I guess really the friendship with Tomoko is helping him get on the right track; I just hope he doesn't raise the kids in the same way as the fierce beating he gave that man. He turned his face upside down!

Dad! Josuke doesn't believe me that you're going to buy more games. Tell him!.- shouted little Okuyasu still with food in his mouth.

Games?- he asked confused.

For the thing you put on TV.- explained his eldest son.

Those games... but you don't even use them!-

Dad! I like the one with the monkey! The one with the monkey!-

Grandpa, can I go over to their house later and play them, too?-

Sure, sure.-

They never spent much time with those games anyway, they soon went back to the house to play in the garden.

Soon they finished eating and ran to the garden to continue building a treehouse or play pirates, I never quite understood what they played. I stayed with Mr. Nijimura Mansaku, who volunteered to do the dishes. I can tell how much his spirits have improved, and how he is willing to learn to take care of his children and home by his own efforts. Widowhood can really ruin a man, I know.

How have you been getting on with your job search?-

I keep insisting, I know I'll find one soon.- He had a tired look on his face, but he smiled optimistically at me.

I know you'll be able to find something soon. Things are looking up.-

I hope so. I have some savings from my business dealings with my last sponsor…-

It was a strange business, Mansaku. It was best that you quit before you got more involved.-

I know... I know, Mr. Higashikata. Thank you for taking care of the children today as well.-

It's always nice to have them at home, it's good for them to play together. Since you're here, could you go with them and help them build that treehouse they've been asking for. The tools are already outside on the high table.-

The young father went out to play with the children, at last allowing himself to enjoy playing with his children and regain his happiness. I guess I forgave him for asking my daughter to marry him a time ago.

oOo

So, you are a transmigrated to your favorite anime in your previous life. I've read a couple of manga with that kind of plot, but I never thought it would actually happen... Well, I didn't think ghosts were real either.-

My teacher looked at me impressed, indignant, and with tears running down her face after telling me her whole story.

How come you're not angry?!-

Angry?-

Don't you hate me?!-

Hate you?-

BECAUSE I FAILED TO SAVE YOU!-

It's the first time I saw her scream, and I went with her when she started having contractions. It wasn't just the screaming, of course; she looked furious but I'm not sure if it was against me. If I feel angry, it's not at her, it's at the bastard who murdered me and who continues to kill women in this city.

I don't know how I feel about being an anime character in another world, but I don't think that's entirely true; it could very well be the opposite, that what happens in my world is the inspiration for what that person in another world writes. Also, in transmigrated manga, the world they arrive in is usually much better than the world they came from, and they are never the same as how they were read by the traveling soul. I suppose it is also true that I would not have believed all this before my death.

I do not regret what happened, Tomoko-sensei. It was not your decision but mine that led me to be what I am now. If given the chance to go back in time, I would do it all over again.-

I'm supposed to be the adult, I should have done more to make sure nothing happened to you! You're such a good little girl and... and I... I feel like I failed you.-

Is that what this is about? Thinking you're the "Morioh's savior" because you watched an anime in your past life?-

I... I…-

Are you telling me that you want to solve everything that happens in a city in a world with strange powers just because you think you know a little more than everyone else? Don't you think that's a little arrogant, teacher?-

No... that's not what this is about…-

Or is it that you didn't see me as a person, but as a character, and because you didn't like that I died in the original you wanted to do things your way?-

NO, THAT'S NOT IT!-

THEN WHAT IS IT?-

I LOVE MY NEW LIFE IN MORIOH AND I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE SUFFER. IT'S MY FAULT BECAUSE I'M RUINING THE PLOT.-

Once again I saw her crying and screaming, I realized how much she had had to keep to herself for so long, how confused she must have felt when she came into this world, and how guilty she is making herself feel.

That is impossible, Tomoko-sensei. I'm sorry for yelling at you, but I think you're throwing a tantrum over something very silly and you need to realize that.-

... What?-

It doesn't matter how much you think you know, how well-intentioned you are, or how many supernatural powers you have gained. You can't make everyone happy and you can't stop bad things from happening. Understand that my death is not your fault. I am not angry with you nor do I hate you, please don't hate yourself for this either. Besides, what does that "plot" matter? It doesn't matter what you read before you came or what you think is what "has to happen". Wasn't it you who taught us that "recipes are a suggestion"?-

She hugged me tightly, still apologizing and I didn't let go until she calmed down.

Thank you, Reimi. That's what I really wanted to say. Thank you for saving Josuke and me that night.-

You're not the only one who loves Morioh and the people who live here.-

Only after that, I could see her smile a little calmer. I still don't understand how they couldn't find the man who broke into your house to try to kill you and ended up taking my life; I know he continues to kill others.

We're going to find him, Reimi. I've been working for it for years and I have a feeling we'll soon be able to catch him.-

Do you know who he is?-

I know who he is in the anime story, but in this world, I couldn't see him because he locked me in the bathroom. The police couldn't find any clues as to who he was either.-

Is it possible that it's someone else?-

Maybe... In the series, there were two serial killers in Morioh.-

Two?!-

And many stand users.-

You mentioned it before but I don't quite get it.-

It's like... a superpower in humanoid form, except when not, that can only attack others like it... except when not. Morioh's assassins have access to these powers. It is possible that one of them does not. I have changed several things from the story I remember.-

You told me that you had obtained one of those as well.-

Yes, another one of the things I did differently from the original story. I figured if I was going to have any chance of standing up to all these guys with superpowers, I would have to have my own. I assume that's also why I now have the energy to go into this alley and talk to you.-

I'm also glad to be able to talk to you. Please come visit me again. And take care of yourself.-

Yes, I have to go home now. Thank you Reimi, thank you for everything.-

I led her down the alley so she could get out safely, but she interrupted me.

Wait, I forgot something.-

She reached into her purse, a very nice one, and pulled out a clay turtle figurine that she left in my hands.

Josuke made it. He doesn't remember you, but I wanted to give you something made by us in case I could find you today.-

I'll take good care of it.-

I carried her to the entrance of the alley, both of us with lighter hearts and hopes for the future.

oOo

DIO-sama. There are temporary disturbances in the city where we sent the arrow. I request your permission to travel and eliminate them quickly.-

It is useless for you to worry about that now. We have more important matters here, didn't you say we have to prepare for our guests? I'm counting on you. Dismissed.-

Yes, DIO-sama.-

I bowed and left the room feeling the echo of my master's voice caressing my ears. Vanilla Ice looked at me silently and blankly, he hates me since DIO-sama recognized my talent and made me his right hand. It's not every day you are reincarnated in your favorite anime, turned into an invincible stand user and close follower of the best character in the whole series.