★ Six - Meeting a New Family

  The next morning, Akihiro awakened earlier than usual and looks carefully around, sharpening the senses still asleep to find the owner of the blanket and return it. But before he could get up, he saw a little girl with brown hair, green eyes and a lilac dress came running toward him, smiling, when he tripped and scraped his knee. The boy comforted the girl, who stopped crying as he held her in his arms and bandaged her knee.
  Some time later, a woman appeared with black hair, green eyes and carrying a basket in hand walking toward them.
- What's up, Ichigo?
- She tripped and scraped her knee while running. The lady is her mother?
- Yes, thank you for taking care of her wound.
  The girl came down from her mother's lap and handed the basket to Akihiro, followed by a kiss on the boy's face.
- Mom made for you.
- Thanks, but no need to bother.
- Imagine, you are a good person. Also, Ichigo wanted to have coffee with you.
★ ★ ★
   After breakfast, Ichigo followed the boy all day throughout Nagoya while her mother helped other villagers in the rice harvest. The day he was acknowledging the territory with the little girl follow him until nightfall, when she convinced the young man to leave Ritsoko Arioto going the other days at their house.
   Reluctant and feeling invasive, Akihiro acquiesced. Both were kind and pleasant with it. Ichigo woke up early and slept late just to stay with the boy. Ritsoko was kind and hospitable, and even after losing her husband in a war, she continued with her daughter loving and kind to other people.
   While the girl slept, Akihiro was on the outside of the house, looking at the sky, thinking of Asuka and cruel and untimely death when it sought the Ristsoko.
- What happened? You do not look well.
- I was thinking of my sister's death.
- You'll soon get over it. I know how you feel.
- It must have been a shock for you.
- Honestly, I had expected this. After all, a soldier's life is told, but I was not quite prepared for it, especially since Ichigo was still a baby and she received very little love Kazuya.
- I'm sorry. I think that's why she follows me everywhere.
- Ichigo likes you a lot. Also, you have a way with children, as well as Kazuya had. Have you had children?
- I had a girl, but already married. Her name is Miyako.
★ ★ ★
   During the night, Akihiro awakens and sees Ichigo little closer to him, sound asleep. It was getting cold and little shivering lying on wooden floor. Cautiously, he puts the girl back on her mattress, near Ritsoko. Before he could move away, the girl took his hand and would not let go. He relented and lay down beside the girl, falling asleep soon after. Who walked in the house at the time of Shirakawa could see what looked like a complete family: mom and dad embracing her daughter, who was among them.