As Rosa walked with Satoko and Rika, she finally saw how wonderful Hinamizawa was for the first time. As she walked across the base of a hill, she got a full view of the sea of trees, which seemed to go on forever. The setting sun made the green leaves look gold. The only sound was the cicadas crying out.
"This place really is beautiful." Rosa kept staring at the landscape around her.
"You know, Shion did say you could move here." Satoko giggled.
"I take it none of you will stop asking until I say yes about moving here, right?" Rosa sighed. "I just found out I'm staying another week, so can't you let me enjoy my vacation first?"
"Does that mean you are thinking about it?" Satoko looked up and smiled as she went to Rosa's right side.
"Yes, Satoko." Rosa sighed as she placed her hand on her forehead. "I'm thinking about it."
"I'd like you to stay, too." Rika went to Rosa's left side. "I think Maria would also like that."
"Maybe she would." Rosa looked down at Maria, still smiling as she was playing with the bear Rena bought her. As Rosa looked at Maria, she frowned, remembering how the day started.
"Something wrong?" Rika frowned as she saw Rosa's expression change.
"No, it's just," Rosa said, taking a deep breath before continuing. "This whole day started so bad, but all of you have been so nice to me, even when I didn't deserve it."
"Didn't deserve it?" Satoko frowned as she looked up at Rosa. "Why would you think you don't deserve us being nice to you?"
"I scared both of you and my daughter and relied on you to take care of her while I sat in a hospital." Rosa closed her eyes and stopped. "I shouldn't just be relying on others like I can't handle anything. What message does that send to…"
Rosa stopped talking as Rika put her arms around her. Rosa looked down and saw Rika looking back up at her.
"You do a great job, though." Rika smiled.
"You're also our friend." Satoko wrapped her arms around her. "It's okay to ask for help from us whenever you need it."
"You two…" Rosa looked down at them before smiling and hugging them with one arm. "All of you are really something else."
After breaking off the hug, they all continued to Satoko and Rika's home. Thankfully, since the sun was setting, it wasn't as hot anymore. Also, her new outfit has helped her deal with the heat better than one of her suits would have. Eventually, they approached what looked like an old shack to Rosa.
"We're home!" Satoko ran towards it as Rosa stopped.
"This is where you two live?" Rosa turned to look at Rika.
"Yep." Rika nodded as she kept walking. "Let me show you around."
Rosa followed behind her and went inside. Rosa saw it was small inside but more amicable than it looked on the outside.
"So you live here together?" Rosa was looking around their kitchen.
"Yep." Rika smiled.
While Rika explained everything, Satoko played with Maria in their bedroom as Rosa promised.
"Where's the person or people you stay with sleep, though?" Rosa crossed her arms.
"We live alone," Rika replied.
"You two live alone?" Rosa's eyes almost popped out of her head. "You're still only kids."
"I know it seems bad, but we both make it work." Rika smiled. "We're able to take care of ourselves, and we never have to worry about money because of our family's history with the village."
"That doesn't make this better." Rosa frowned. "I know I'm not yours or Satoko's mom, but I'd be terrified hearing Maria was your age and living alone."
"I know, but…" Rika tried to continue, but Rosa cut her off.
"I mean, why aren't you living with at least Shion and Mion's family? Isn't Shion always talking about how Satoko is her little sister?"
Rika stayed quiet as she motioned for Rosa to follow her downstairs. Rosa did, still wanting an answer on why anyone would let two kids live alone like this.
"I don't think Satoko can hear us while she's with Maria." Rika sighed. "There's more to it than just us choosing to live together."
"Okay…" Rosa raised an eyebrow. "I doubt it would change my mind, but go on."
"Well, Satoko didn't always live with me after our parents died," Rika explained. "She used to live with her brother, aunt, and uncle."
"Satoko has a brother?" Rosa frowned.
Rika explained everything about Satoko's life before she moved in with her. Her bad home life with her aunt and uncle, how she always cried for her brother when she was upset, and how he ended up disappearing without a trace.
"Oh my god." Rosa covered her mouth. "Poor Satoko."
"She doesn't want to rely on anyone anymore." Rika frowned. "She blames herself for Satoshi disappearing and wants to show everyone that she can take care of herself."
"Satoko shouldn't have to feel she's why he vanished." Rosa frowned. "I need to go talk to her right now."
"Wait, Rosa!" Rika held out her arm as Rosa returned up the stairs to her. Rika chased after her, trying to stop, but Rosa got to their room. However, she stopped in the doorway while looking at the ground. "Rosa, let me ex…."
"Shhhh." Rosa turned around and put a finger over her mouth. Rika slowly walked over and saw what Rosa was looking at. "I think Shion would find this too adorable."
Satoko and Maria were now asleep on the bedroll in the room. Satoko was smiling as Maria lay next to her. Maria was currently clutching her teddy bear as she slept.
"Satoko was complaining about being tired." Rika smiled as she whispered.
"It makes sense." Rosa giggled. "She woke up early, went to school, and made food for our picnic. All that is enough to wear anyone out."
"I didn't even realize it's night now." Rika looked out the window. "Rosa, I know you want to talk to Satoko about this, but can you hold off at least for now?"
"But Rika," Rosa turned to look at her. "I don't like knowing you two are alone like this and that Satoko is going through all that."
"I know, but Satoko isn't even sure you're staying in our lives." Rika frowned. "I know her better than anyone, and it takes a lot for her to open up to someone new."
Rosa frowned as she turned to look at Satoko on the floor. Rosa wasn't even sure what she would do when she wanted to talk to Satoko. She didn't stop to think how Satoko would react to her talking about this.
"Okay, Rika." Rosa smiled as she looked at her. "But I want to talk to her about this eventually."
"I think that would be nice." Rika smiled.
"Still, I'm scared to pick up Maria." Rosa frowned. "That might wake her and Satoko up."
"Do you want to spend the night?" Rika kept smiling. "We have an extra bedroll you could use."
"I didn't even bring anything to sleep in," Rosa replied. "And I don't feel like sleeping in my jeans."
"You could take them off." Rika giggled. "That's how Satoko sleeps typically, and I promise we won't be like Shion and steal them from you."
"Of course." Rosa sighed as she blushed. "I guess spending one night with you two wouldn't hurt."
"I'll get the bed roll." Riksa opened a drawer, pulled one out, and placed it next to the one Satoko and Maria were on.
Rosa helped her place some blankets and a pillow on it. Once they finished the bed roll, Rika changed into a pink pajama dress while Rosa removed her jeans. Rosa was next to her daughter, while Rika went next to Satoko.
"By the way," Rosa whispered to Rika. "Don't tell Shion about this. She'll immediately try to mess with me if she hears anything about this."
"I won't." Rika giggled."Goodnight, Rosa."
"Goodnight, Rika." Rosa smiled as she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
