"Well," Kagami said, "Konata's not hear to waste everyone's time and copy our homework."
Miyuki nodded, having heard of Konata staying home to care for Yutaka.
"I just mades some cookies," said Tsukasa, who was coming into the room.
"I think I'll pass this time around," said Miyuki, who'd just had some cavities filled in. [A/N: A dentist-related comment regarding Miyuki? INCONCEVIABLE!] Just then, the phone rang.
"Moshi moshi," said Miyuki. Her neutral expression soon turned to sadness and horror, though. She put down the phone. "Mother was severely burned in an accident, and has been taken to the hospital."
"That sounds horrible!" said Tsukasa.
"It could've been worse. If Minami hadn't been home, I don't know what Mother would've done."
The following week, Miyuki was driven to the hospital by Mr. Hiiragi. When she got inside she headed to the check-in person. [A/N: Sorry, blanked out on the exact title.]
"I'm Miyuki Takara," she said.
"Here to see Yukari Takara?" said the person. "She's in room 34, on the second floor."
It took some doing, but Miyuki made her way to the specified room.
Meanwhile, in her room, Yukari mentally played back her brush with death. She'd done dumb things before, but she couldn't think of anything to top this. Worse yet, had Minami not been home, Yukari no doubt would've just gone back home and hoped for her daughter, or her husband, to somehow be there in time to save her. Even in the best of times, thinking clearly was not her strong suit.
Worst of all, she found out that the claims that the candles would make her smarter were, in fact, false. To think that she almost died because she believed it...
Miyuki entered the room. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, Mother," she said. "The hospital staff told me you wouldn't be ready for visitors until today."
"It might be a while before I go home," Yukari said.
"Mother, our home's gone. Either the candle itself, or an ember from your burning clothes, set the house on fire. By the time firefighters got the fire out, the building was a total loss."
"Where have you been staying?"
"At the Hiirage residence. We could easily afford to get a new house, but I thought it would be best for me not to live by myself right now." Miyuki took a breath. "Maybe we could find a temporary home until a new house can be built where the old one was."
[A/N: Thank you, Gonstika!]
"I wonder if your father's found out yet..." Yukari said.
"I'd prefer not to speculate on that," Miyuki replied. "Let's just hold that thought until he calls us or comes home."
"I bet you're really upset with me, hurting myself and burning our house down."
"Well... I was, at first. But now all I care about is that your recovery. I'm sure Father will feel the tell you the same when he gets the chance."
"What a mother wouldn't give to have a daughter like you..."
"Well, Mother, I'd like to visit longer, but I should be heading back now."
Miyuki was picked up - this time by Mrs. Hiiragi - and taken back to their house. On her way their, Miyuki realized it might take a while for things to return to normal.
[A/N: Should I continue this?]