"Mama…." Rena sniffled as she sat on her knees. "Mama… don't leave me…."
Rena reached out as her mother walked away with an unknown man. Rena continued to cry as they vanished, leaving her alone.
"Don't leave me!" Rena yelled before covering her eyes and crying louder. No matter how much she cried, her mother never came back. Rena just got louder and louder as she was alone.
"Rena, what's wrong?" A familiar voice said to Rena, making her look up at her.
"Rosa?" Rena frowned as she wiped her eyes.
"What's the matter?" Rosa kneeled and wiped Rena's face with a tissue. "You know Maria would be worried if she saw you crying like this."
"My mom left me." Rena sniffled. "And I don't think she's coming back, back."
"Oh, Rena, I'm sorry." Rosa frowned as she patted Rena's head. "You're a sweet girl who doesn't deserve that."
"Are you going to leave me too?" Rena sniffled again.
"That's a silly question, Rena." Rosa giggled as she hugged her. "Why would I leave Maria's big sister?"
"Maria's big sister?" Rena looked up at her.
"Uu-Rena is the best big sister." A little girl stood right behind Rosa as Rena looked at her.
"Wait… are you…." Rena tried to ask before Rosa tightened her hug.
"Just remember, I'm always here for you, Rena." Rosa smiled as Rena placed her head on her shoulder. Rena smiled as she slowly hugged her back.
Rena slowly opened her eyes and saw she was lying in Rosa's hotel room bed, hugging one of the pillows tightly. She looked around the room, confused.
"Morning Rena." Rosa smiled as Rena saw her. Rosa was sitting in a chair, holding Maria. Rosa was also in the red dress Rena had picked out for her, while Maria was only in diapers.
"Were you waiting for me to get up?" Rena rubbed her eyes.
"Nah, I woke up because I heard Maria was awake." Rosa smiled as she patted Maria's head, who was smiling. "I took a bath with her while we let you sleep a little longer."
"I don't even remember going to bed." Rena scratched the side of her head.
"That's cause you somehow got drunk off one glass of wine after begging me to let you try some." Rosa sighed.
"I vaguely remember that." Rena groaned as she blushed and thought back to that. Then she remembered her dream. "Oh, Rosa! I saw you and Maria last night in my dream!"
"You saw us?" Rosa raised her eyebrow.
"I mean, I think it was Maria." Rena frowned. "She was older, but I think it was her.."
"Maria, older?" Rosa giggled as she looked down at Maria. "And how did Maria look older?"
"She was shorter than Satoko or Rika, so she wasn't their age." Rena held her chin. "Her hair was past her shoulders, and she wore a black dress with a pink shirt underneath."
"I see." Rosa smiled. "Anything else?"
"Oh, she also had the kyutest smile." Rena smiled. "She was so adorable."
"I bet she was." Rosa giggled as she stood up. "Anyways, I was thinking of getting some breakfast, but I thought you'd like to pick Maria's dress for today. After all, you always talk about what's cute."
"I'd love to!" As she got out of bed and walked to the drawer with Maria's clothes, Rena had stars in her eyes. After a few seconds, she pulled out a yellow and white striped dress. "This would be perfect!"
"Yellow, huh?" Rosa raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd go pink again."
"Nah, I wanted to do something different." Rena smiled as she walked over and lifted Maria from Rosa's arms. "Who's ready to look kyute for today?"
Maria smiled as Rena sat her down and slipped the dress over her head. She then put socks on her feet and put on her shoes.
"Awe, you're the kyutest thing ever!" Rena lifted her before hugging her.
"Like I said, you have great taste, Rena." Rosa smiled as she took back Maria. "So, how about you get ready, and we'll head down to breakfast?"
"You two can go on ahead." Rena smiled. "It might take a while, and I don't want Maria to get hungry waiting for me."
"Are you sure?" Rosa asked as Rena nodded back. Rosa smiled back before walking to the door. "We'll see you down there then."
"See you in a little bit." Rena smiled as she waved to them before Rosa walked out. Rena then found her clothes and went to the bathroom to shower.
Rena took her time brushing her teeth, showering, and getting dressed. She usually took her time like this, so she told Rosa to go ahead without her. She also imagined what else she could do with Rosa and Maria today.
"Maybe Maria would like seeing my treasures at home." Rena smiled as she put her shoes on. She then looked at the mirror as she put her hat on. "Some breakfast would be nice before…"
As Rena was talking to herself, she heard the phone ring. Deciding it could be important for Rosa, she picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Rena said.
"Hello, is this Rosa Ushiromiya's room?" The voice of an older woman said.
"Yes, it is." Rena smiled. "Can I ask who…"
"Do they not teach you morons to say the name of the person's room when you answer?"
"Excuse me?" Rena dropped her smile.
"Guess that makes sense for a poor hotel that just gives away vacations." The person on the phone laughed. "As if that embarrassment to our family could afford a proper vacation without sleeping with someone."
"Embarrassment?" Rena started to grind her teeth, already knowing who this person was referring to.
"Yeah, and that poor little girl she had has to live knowing she's the daughter of the worthless member of the Ushiromiya fam…"
"Shut up!" Rena screamed, cutting her off. "Shut up about Rosa and her daughter Maria!"
"How dare you!" The woman shouted back. "Do you realize who you're…"
"I don't care, you psycho bitch!" Rena held her hand into a fist. "Rosa is the sweetest person I know and a fantastic mother! So shut your mouth about her being an embarrassment cause at least she's not you!"
"I'll have you know I'm Eva Ushiromiya!" The woman yelled back. "Unlike my sister, I actually did something with my life besides getting knocked up just to raise a child alone! When I got pregnant, my husband was already in charge of one of the biggest fast-food chains in this country!"
"So you didn't do anything besides marrying someone!" Rena yelled. "Well, Rosa is going to be better than you cause she'll actually do some work instead of taking the easy route like you did!"
"How dare…!" Eva stuttered at the statement. "I want your name, you disrespectful brat! Who are…"
Before Eva could finish, Rena slammed the phone down. Rena started to hyperventilate as she stood there staring at the phone. Her chest felt like it was about to explode as Eva's words kept going through her head. Eventually, Rena was able to control her breathing.
"I can't let Rosa go back to that." Rena walked to the door. "I have to convince her to stay, stay."