Yuko's entire body went rigid, as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in horror.
"Mom… she… what…?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her lips trembling. The color drained from her face, leaving her pale and shaking. She staggered slightly in the water, her hands flying to her mouth as if to stifle a scream.
"No… no, no, no…" she whispered, her voice breaking. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over almost instantly, streaking down her cheeks in hot, salty rivulets.
"That can't be… She was always so strong… She was the one who held us together… How could I not know…? How could I leave her like that…?"
Her knees buckled beneath her, and she would have sunk into the water if Tomiko hadn't reached out to steady her. Yuko's fingers clutched at Tomiko's arms, her nails digging in as if she were drowning and Tomiko was the only thing keeping her afloat.
