Chapter 12

Visiting Riya almost every day turned to be fun for little Hayami. Day by day she sucked out little of the demon powder out of her mother and helped Riya around the house. Cleaning, cooking and freshening up her mother, all the chores that they were doing together.

After another hardworking day with Riya, both of them were sitting outside, enjoying the sun and the view. The silence was evident when Riya broke it. "Can we go somewhere?" Riya asked Hayami. Hayami was slightly shocked by the question but she understood the meaning of the sentence. Being cooped up in the house was boring for any child. Hayami was hesitant to answer but she didn't deny it. "One day, yes," She said. Riya looked at her and smiled, knowing full well Hayami would take her out. The sun was setting and the view couldn't get any better. A small smile was even on Hayami's face.

The day was not far where Hayami took her to the mart to buy some recovery medicine for her mother. It was crowded but Riya seemed to be enjoying it. She was intrigued by everything she saw and wanted to buy them immediately. Hayami refused to do most of the things but she couldn't resist when she asked for food cause at that point even Hayami was hungry. Riya had a sandwich kind of dish and Hayami had a roll. Riya was dancing around, happy about the food. Hayami keeping a close check around her for anyone unusual but her attention was caught back to Riya staring at something. Hayami stared in the direction she was looking and saw a man standing with a polaroid camera. Riya looked back at Hayami, hope completely consuming her eyes. She couldn't refuse so she nodded and Riya immediately ran towards the man.

Hayami followed slowly right behind her. Riya clumped the man's jacket and pulled lightly to get his attention. He looked down, a big smile following on his face. She said something, pointing towards Hayami and his gaze followed. The smile on his face reduced a little after seeing Hayami but she didn't stop walking towards him. He nodded after being lost in a daze for a while. Riya jumped, holding Hayami's hand tightly. Hayami dusted off her clothes to avoid any crinkles and turned to Riya. "So how do you want to stand?" She asked Riya. Riya looked at her, "I just want you to give me your biggest smile" Riya said gleaming. "I can't do that" Hayami said, she has never smiled a lot in her life so it's hard to make one up. Riya found a feather nearby and brought it near Hayami's neck. "What are you-" Before she could finish, Riya started moving the feather lightly near her neck and Hayami burst out laughing, the feather tickling her.

Riya turned to the man, gave a thumbs up and flashed the biggest smile she could. He clicked the camera and the biggest flash went off. It was over in a second and Hayami didn't realise it. Hayami calmed down and wiped the tear about to fall from her eyes, clutching her stomach. She took in a deep breath and looked at Riya who was standing next to the man, holding the photo which had just been taken. Hayami walked over to Riya, to see the photo herself and she was shocked at how it turned out. Hayami had the biggest laugh on her face and Riya was smiling big too.

This photo would hold a special place in her heart.

At the end of the day, they paid the man and went home. Riya skipping and walking, content with how her day went. Hayami following suit, also content with how the day went. A small smile was plastered on Hayami's face watching the little girl live her life, something Hayami had wanted ever since she was Riya's age. Riya found a pretty flower and turned to Hayami, showing her the flower. She ran up to her and gave it. "Here," Riya said, placing the flower in her hand. Hayami just looked at it. "It's my favourite type and I want you to have it," Riya said, looking up at her. Hayami just looked at the flower, admiring its variant colours. "As a thank you for today" Riya added on. Hayami blinked at her and smiled. She took the flower and placed it on Riya's ear, like a little decorating piece in her head. Riya blinked at Hayami's actions. "Pretty" was Hayami said, before starting to walk towards the house.

Riya stood there struck but soon smiled. She ran up to Hayami and held her hand, swinging it gleefully. Riya laughed and soon Hayami started laughing too. This day could not get any better.

It's been almost a month and a half since Hayami started helping Riya and her mother, day by day getting closer to completely heal her. Riya's mother had gained unconsciousness almost 2 weeks back and since then the 2 of them have been training her to do basic duties, such as walk. They make her sit outside for a while, to just see the view and sunset. Hayami would also sit with her but the guilt was prominent in her for something her group did. She was ashamed to be sitting next to her but she would always force her because Riya liked her so much.

Hayami was on her way over as usual. She bought Riya's favourite type of snack, cream-filled buns because it was her birthday tomorrow and Hayami doesn't think she can make it. She has been called by the agency morning for some emergency meeting. She arrived and saw her mother sitting outside, enjoying the view. Hayami bowed to her mother and Riya came running out immediately. She jumped onto Hayami with the biggest grin on her face. Hayami held her and almost fell back. Hayami chuckled, her mother also laughing but concerned for the daughter's behaviour. "Did you finish your homework?" Hayami asked her, placing her on the patio. Riya had a cheeky look on her face.

Riya starting school was one of the biggest moments in Hayami's life. She encouraged her and she joined the local school. She was scared for her mother but Hayami promised her that she would take care. The look on Riya gave it away that she hadn't done her homework. "What's that?" Riya asked, pointing at the bag in her hand, changing the topic. "Cream filled buns, your favourite and you'll get them if you finish your homework," Hayami said, trying to negotiate. Riya's eyes sparkled and she immediately ran back to her room to finish it. Hayami chuckled and sat down next to Riya's mother. They both were just enjoying the view when Riya's mother spoke up. "I trust you," She said suddenly. Hayami looked at her. "Akemi-san-" Before Hayami could speak she cut her off. "I trust that you will take care of Riya with your whole heart even if I'm not here. I know I didn't trust you when you showed yourself to me, I even threw a vase at you" She said, chuckling the last part. Hayami couldn't help but smile.

"But now you are like a second daughter to me," She said, fading away with the view. Hayami's eyes widened at that statement. No one had said this to her and she couldn't describe the feelings she was feeling. "I'm sorry" was all Hayami could muster out. "You don't need to apologize for something your kind did, you didn't do it and my soul tells me that you're innocent. So relax my child" She said, patting her head. Hayami couldn't help the few tears that slipped from her eyes. They didn't scream pain, but they screamed validation and happiness. "And even if we're in trouble, Koto-san will put us out of that misery," Riya said, stuffing her mouth with the bun and hugging Hayami from the back.

Hayami chuckled, "As always"

Hayami arrived at the agency a little late cause she got caught up in some work but she still ended up arriving in time. Her footsteps could be heard across the hall when she entered. "You know I don't accept late arrivals" Mazi's voice spoke out. "I'm aware," Hayami said, almost unbothered. "But I'll let this go since you helped us today," Mazi said, a small smile on his face. Hayami didn't understand but didn't pry on it too much. "Ladies and Gentlemen, our target has been found," Mazi said. Those words brought Hayami back to her place. She whipped her head towards him, waiting for more information. "With the help of Hans and his team, including Koto over here, we've successfully found our target and locked them in," Mazi said, a proud smile on his face.

"That's what you missed, I wanted you to go with the infestation team but you were nowhere here," Mazi said, looking at Hayami.

Hayami ran out, praying she didn't hear the right thing.