A single tear escaped Kasumi's eye, glistening as it rolled down her temple and disappeared into her dark hair. The sight of it made something tighten in my chest. I sighed deeply, my own emotions rising to the surface like a storm I couldn't contain. "And... I'm all alone too, Oka-san," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Her hands stilled in my hair as she listened, her breath hitching when I continued. "My parents passed away long ago. Now that I have you as both an elder and a mother figure..." My fingers unconsciously tightened on the fabric of her kimono. "How could I ever leave you here alone? You'd be completely by yourself in this big house."
Kasumi's breath hitched at my confession, her dark eyes welling up with fresh tears. Her hands came up to cup my face, her thumbs brushing away the moisture gathering in my own eyes with a tenderness that made my heart ache.
