As the days went by, Misaki tried to keep herself busy and distracted, but her mind always returned to Emiko. She wondered if she was eating well, if she had enough clean clothes, if she was receiving the love and attention she deserved. The worry consumed her, and the nights became increasingly lonely without her little companion.
One night, unable to sleep, Misaki went up to the rooftop to smoke a cigarette and try to relax while organizing her thoughts. She looked at the starry sky and thought about Emiko, wishing with all her heart that she was okay.
With determination, Misaki grabbed her cigarette and threw it forcefully away from her, then said aloud: "Damn it, this is fucking hell. My mind won't give me a break. How is Emiko right now? Is she okay? Is she safe and happy? I can't stand the idea that something bad might be happening to her and I'm here, unable to do anything about it."
Misaki felt powerless in the face of the situation, and her heart was filled with worry and anxiety. She knew there wasn't much she could do for Emiko at that moment, but she decided she would do everything within her power once the girl was back in her care.
One afternoon, while Misaki was busy with chores, she received an unexpected call from her brother.
"Hey, sis, I'm calling to tell you that Emiko is back and I need you to take care of her right now. There were some issues with her mother, and I need you here so I can go and sort them out," her brother said.
Concerned, Misaki replied, "Of course, I'll be there as soon as I can. Don't worry, I'll take care of Emiko."
Quickly, Misaki grabbed her things and left her apartment. She took a taxi to get there faster. On the way, her mind swirled with questions about what could have happened between her brother and Emiko's mother. Her imagination ran wild, thinking of different scenarios and possible problems that might have come up.
When she arrived at her brother's house, she found Emiko sitting in the dark of her room, sobbing. Misaki felt a stab in her chest seeing her niece cry for the first time.
She approached and said, "Hey, little one. It's so good to see you again."
Emiko looked up and quickly wiped away her tears. She answered in a trembling voice, "Hi, Aunt Misaki."
Misaki knelt down beside her and gave her a gentle hug. "What happened, sweetheart? Why are you crying?" she asked softly, worried about the child.
Between sobs, Emiko said, "It's nothing, Aunt Misaki. I'm fine." But Misaki wasn't convinced and gently insisted.
"You know you can trust me, Emiko. I'm always here for you. If something's bothering you, please tell me. I hate seeing you sad or worried. You're very important to me, and I just want to make sure you're okay," Misaki said.
Through tears, Emiko replied, "Really, there's nothing wrong, Aunt Misaki. Please stop asking." She pulled away and hid under her desk. Misaki's heart ached seeing her niece like that.
She sat beside her and tried to soothe her distress. "You know, when I was little, I used to get scared when my parents fought too. They argued almost every day. Whenever they yelled, I'd run to my room, lock myself in, and cover my ears so I couldn't hear the shouting. It was very painful to witness because I loved them, and it hurt me emotionally," Misaki shared.
Smiling gently, Misaki continued, "Despite everything, my older brother—your dad—always found a way to make me smile and feel loved. He'd tell me jokes, play with me, and remind me how much he cared. Sometimes, when things got really bad, he'd hug me tightly and promise everything would be okay. That gave me hope and helped me get through the tough moments."
Misaki looked at Emiko tenderly and said, "I want you to know I'm here for you the same way. You can count on me no matter what, whether you're happy or sad. I want to be that person in your life who makes you feel safe and loved, just like my brother did for me. No matter what happens, we'll face it together."
Emiko peeked shyly from under the desk, her eyes full of tears. "Really, Aunt Misaki? Do you promise you'll always be there for me?"
Misaki took her hand and smiled warmly. "Always, Emiko. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. You're my niece, and I love you with all my heart. No matter how hard things get, we'll get through them together."
Emiko finally stood up and hugged her aunt tightly, letting the tears flow freely. Misaki held her close and comforted her gently.
"There, there, little one. Don't cry. Come on, let's get you a nice warm shower so you can relax," said Misaki. Emiko nodded, and Misaki took her to the bathroom for a comforting shower.
As Misaki helped Emiko take off her shirt, her expression turned to horror—Emiko's back was covered in bruises and scratches.
She was speechless. Her heart filled with rage and concern. She couldn't believe someone had hurt her niece like this.
With a trembling voice, Misaki asked, "Emiko, who did this to you? Who hurt you like this?"
Emiko looked down and whispered, "It was Mom… She… she got really mad and hit me."
Misaki clenched her fists in anger but knew she had to stay calm to help Emiko. She took a deep breath and approached gently.
"You told me you got along with your mom. Why did you lie to me, Emiko? Why didn't you tell me she was hurting you?" Misaki asked.
Looking at her aunt with fear in her eyes, Emiko replied, "Mom always yelled at me and said if I told Dad or anyone, she'd make sure I'd never see him again. I was really scared and didn't want anyone to know. But this time she hit me so hard, and when we got home, Dad saw the bruises and got really mad at her. That's why he called you—to take care of me. Then he left really angry in Mom's car."
Misaki felt a mix of emotions. She was furious at what Emiko's mother had done, but also relieved her brother had stepped in and that Emiko was now safe.
Taking Emiko's hand, Misaki guided her into the shower and gently cleaned her back. As she did, she promised Emiko that she would never let anyone hurt her again. She assured her that she was safe now and that her dad would do everything to protect her.
After the shower, Misaki took Emiko to her room and tucked her into bed. She kissed her on the forehead and told her to rest and relax. Misaki knew recovery would be long—for both body and soul—but she was determined to be there for every step.
After making sure Emiko was comfortable, Misaki stepped out and called her brother to tell him everything Emiko had revealed. Hearing how serious it was, her brother was furious and determined to do whatever it took to protect his daughter. He thanked Misaki for responding so quickly and for taking care of her.
Misaki stayed by Emiko's side through the entire process, supporting her emotionally and helping her heal.
After some time, her brother called to inform her that Emiko's mother would never be allowed near her again nor have any contact with her. Misaki felt a great sense of relief—it meant Emiko was finally safe from any further harm.
As the days went by, Emiko began to heal little by little, both physically and emotionally. On her days off, Misaki would take her to arcades and amusement parks to distract her and help her forget the painful past.
Little by little, the smile returned to Emiko's face and her confidence began to grow. Grateful for all the love and support her aunt gave her, Emiko felt safe and protected.
One day, when Misaki arrived at her brother's house, she smiled as she opened the door and saw the place in a complete mess—and Emiko being her mischievous self again. Misaki sighed and said, "Emiko, looks like you've been really busy today! What happened here?"
With a playful grin, Emiko replied, "Aunt Misaki, today I played hide and seek, and guess what—I found the perfect hiding spot in the living room!"
Misaki laughed and said, "Well, it looks like you had a great time. But now it's time to clean up this mess, little rascal."
One night, as Misaki was focused on studying for her university finals, her phone rang, interrupting her concentration. When she answered, she heard her brother's voice—and the cheerful laughter of Emiko.
"Hi, sis," her brother greeted warmly.
"Hi, Aunt Misaki!" Emiko chimed in excitedly.
Misaki smiled upon hearing the girl's voice. "Hello, little rascal. I was studying, but how are you two doing?"
Her brother spoke gratefully, "I just wanted to thank you again for everything you've done for Emiko. Since you've been around, she's been so much happier and safer. I'm incredibly thankful to have a sister like you. I don't know what we'd do without you."
Misaki smiled tenderly and replied, "You don't have to thank me, brother. Emiko means the world to me, and I'll always be here for her. It's my duty and greatest joy to make sure she's happy and safe. I'm happy I can be her aunt and give her all the love and support she needs."
Her brother sighed in relief and added, "Thanks again, Misaki. I love you, and I'll always be grateful for everything you've done for Emiko. You're amazing, and I'm so proud to have you as my sister."
Emotional, Misaki replied, "I love you too, brother. Emiko is a special girl and deserves all the love and happiness in the world. You can always count on me."
Then her brother suggested, "By the way, I have two weeks off and was planning a camping trip to Mount Takao with Emiko. Would you like to join us? It'll be fun."
Misaki sighed, tempted, and replied, "I'd love to go with you, but I have some important university exams coming up. I need to give them my full attention to make sure I get good results."
Her brother understood and nodded. "Ah, I see. Next time, then."
Modestly, Misaki said, "Don't worry about me. You two go and enjoy the camping trip. I'm happy knowing Emiko will be surrounded by love and fun. I promise that once I finish my exams, we'll plan something fun for the three of us. Sound good?"
Her brother gratefully accepted. "Yes, absolutely. We'd love to plan something fun together. It'll be something to look forward to after your exams. Good luck with your studies, sis. And thank you again for everything you do for Emiko. You're a real angel to us."
Misaki smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for your kind words, brother. I'm happy to be here for both of you. Now go enjoy your trip, and I'll see you soon. Take care."
With a loving goodbye, Misaki hung up and returned to her studies with a smile on her face. Though she couldn't be there for the camping trip, she knew Emiko would be in good hands—surrounded by love and fun with her father.
In the days that followed, Misaki prepared for her exams with determination and dedication. As the date approached, her days were filled with studying and preparation, but also with breaks to recharge. During those breaks, she often thought of Emiko's laughter and smile, which gave her strength to keep going.
Finally, the day of her finals arrived. Misaki was nervous but confident that she had done her best. She took the exams with focus and determination.
After several anxious days of waiting, Misaki finally received her results. She had passed all her exams with excellent grades.
On her way back to her apartment, she couldn't contain her joy and shouted at the top of her lungs: "I did it! I passed all my exams with great grades!"
"Shut up, I'm trying to sleep!" shouted one of her neighbors, annoyed by the noise. Misaki apologized for the excitement and entered her apartment, still thrilled. She called her brother to share the good news.
"Hey sis, how did your exams go?" her brother asked. Misaki replied excitedly, "I did great! I passed all of them with excellent grades. I'm so happy!"
Her brother congratulated her. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you. I knew you'd do it. Your dedication and hard work paid off."
Misaki thanked him and said, "Thanks, brother. I couldn't have done it without you—and without the love and strength Emiko gave me. I can't wait to celebrate together and enjoy some family time."
"I wish I could tell little Emiko the news, but she's asleep in the back seat," her brother said.
"Wait, are you driving?" asked Misaki.
"Yeah, we're on our way back home. Hey, by the way, is it raining over there? It started pouring really hard here out of nowhere," he added.
"No, not at all. It's completely dry here," replied Misaki.
Her brother frowned. "That's strange. It's really coming down over here. Must be a localized storm. Anyway, we're only about half an hour from home. See you soon."
"Please drive carefully in the rain. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me," said Misaki.
Her brother chuckled. "Sure, I'll call you when we're almos— Oh shit, shit, shit! Emiko!!" he shouted suddenly.
Misaki heard Emiko screaming, followed by the deafening sound of a crash.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Misaki yelled, but there was no response—only the blaring car alarm and the pouring rain on the line.
Panic overtook her. She called her brother over and over, but got no answer. Desperate, she ran out into the storm, hurrying as fast as she could toward where she thought the accident might have happened.
When she arrived, her heart sank. Her brother's car was totaled, smashed alongside another vehicle. Dread filled her as she imagined the worst. She rushed to the wreck and found Emiko and her brother still inside. With tears in her eyes, she forced the door open and carefully pulled Emiko out. Up close, she saw that Emiko was unconscious, her head bleeding—but she was still breathing.
Without wasting a second, Misaki called an ambulance. While waiting, she did everything she could to keep Emiko stable, whispering to her gently, assuring her everything would be alright.
At last, the paramedics arrived and took over. Misaki rode with them to the hospital, torn between fear and hope. She spent hours in the waiting room, praying for good news.
Eventually, the doctor approached her with a solemn expression. "Your niece had to undergo surgery due to a severe head injury. The operation was successful, but she's still at risk and will need to remain under observation. As for your brother... I'm sorry. We did everything we could, but his injuries were too severe. We couldn't save him."
Misaki stood frozen. The world around her collapsed in an instant. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to process the devastating loss.
"I'm truly sorry. We tried everything, but the trauma was just too extensive," the doctor added quietly.
Misaki was shattered. Her brother—her support, her family—was gone in the blink of an eye. It was too much to bear.
Grief overwhelmed her. She wept uncontrollably, feeling a painful emptiness in her heart. She would miss her brother and everything they had shared. But even in the depths of sorrow, she remembered the promise she had made—to protect Emiko.
And so, she clung to that promise. Just as her brother had once cared for her, Misaki swore to become the guardian angel he had always believed she was.
Days later, they held a farewell ceremony for her brother. During the funeral, Misaki noticed her parents weren't present. A deep ache pierced her as she remembered the strained relationship she had with them—and how her brother had always been there for her when no one else was.
Silently, she made another promise: no matter what, she would always take care of Emiko and give her the love and support she herself never received from their parents.
After the ceremony, Misaki went straight to the hospital to check on Emiko, who was still under observation. She entered the room and quietly sat beside her, gently holding her hand. Emiko was still unconscious, but her condition seemed stable. Misaki let out a shaky breath, relieved that the surgery had been a success.
"Emiko… I promise I'll take care of you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll be your family now, and I'll always be by your side. No matter what happens, I'll never leave you."
She remained at Emiko's side for hours, holding her hand and sharing stories from their time together. Though Emiko couldn't respond, Misaki felt her presence, as if her niece could hear her.
One day, while Misaki was in the hallway sipping coffee, a nurse approached her. "Miss, your niece is waking up."
Misaki hurried back to the room, heart pounding with hope. She entered quietly and saw Emiko, eyes open, staring at her in confusion.
"Emiko! You're awake!" Misaki cried out joyfully, rushing to embrace her.
Emiko blinked a few times, trying to process her surroundings—and Misaki's presence.
With tears in her eyes, Misaki said softly, "Hi, sweetheart. It's so good to see you. I've been right here, taking care of you all this time."
Emiko looked at her, confused, then gave a faint smile. "Um… excuse me, who are you? And… why are you hugging me?"
Misaki froze. Emiko didn't recognize her. A deep sadness took hold as the realization hit—her niece had lost her memory. Tears began streaming down Misaki's cheeks.
"Emiko, it's me… don't you remember me?" she asked, her voice breaking.
Emiko shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry… but I don't know who you are," she said, her voice trembling.
Misaki felt a sharp pain in her chest. The promise she had made now felt heavy and hollow. She had lost her brother, and now, the familiar bond with Emiko was gone too.
The nurse quickly called the doctor. He examined Emiko and explained that the head trauma may have caused temporary memory loss. While they couldn't be sure how long it would last, he assured Misaki that her memories could return gradually as she recovered.
Overwhelmed by sorrow and uncertainty, Misaki stared at her niece. She had done everything she could to protect her—but now faced the reality that Emiko might not recognize her again.
Then, suddenly, an idea came to Misaki. Driven by instinct and love, she decided to lie—for Emiko's sake. To spare her the pain of losing both parents, she whispered: "Emiko, sweetheart… I'm your mother."
Emiko's eyes widened in shock and confusion. Misaki knew this was a heavy choice, but she believed it was the only way to protect her niece during such a vulnerable time.
"My… mother?" Emiko asked, searching her eyes for answers.
Misaki nodded gently and took her hand. "Yes, darling. I'm your mom."
She pulled out her phone with trembling hands. "Look, sweetheart, I have photos of us together."
She showed Emiko several pictures of the two of them smiling and laughing. Emiko studied them with curious eyes, then slowly smiled.
"Mama," she whispered, as if testing the word for the first time.
Tears welled in Misaki's eyes. She nodded and smiled warmly. "Yes, darling. I'm your mama. I'll always be with you and take care of you. Even if you don't remember our past, we'll build a new one—filled with love and happiness."
"Mama… what happened to me? Why am I in the hospital?" Emiko asked softly.
Misaki replied gently, "You were playing on the stairs and fell. You hit your head pretty hard, sweetheart. But you're in the hospital now, and the doctors are taking good care of you so you can get better soon. Everything will be okay, I promise."
Emiko nodded, trusting the words of the woman she believed was her mother. Even without memories, she felt a special connection to Misaki—a sense of safety and warmth.
Misaki stayed by her side in silence, holding her tightly and whispering words of love and comfort. Though life had taken a painful and unexpected turn, she was determined to build a new future for the two of them—one where love and protection would always prevail.