LOOK MUMMY, I FOUND HIM

y-if she were in Sakura's shoes, she might have felt the same. But as she entered their small home, a simp

" Asuka muttered quietly, her

r modest apartment. There wasn't much space to search. The small kitchen was tidy, the living area cluttered with Sakura's school bo

alone," Sakura mumbled,

daughter lay curled up, facing the wall. She reached out but hesit

" Asuka be

urning her body further away from h

hter. She knew the pain in Sakura's voice, and it c

silent, her sm

stake." Asuka's voice cracked as she reached to brush

our life. If I wasn't born, you would've gone to college, gotten a bet

misting with tears. "Can I tell

t gave a small nod, he

gle one. From elementary to middle school, I was always the odd one out. I used to think there was something wrong wit

with sympathy. "There's nothing wrong with you, Mum. T

e pulled back, stroking Sakura's hair. "But it got worse in high school. The bullying was... terrible. I had no one, no friends to l

ed in surprise. "Me

't plan for you, you're the best thing that ever happened to me. You're way more precious to me than any degree or fancy job could e

en't from sadness. She leaned into her mother's embrace, feelin

r daughter as though she could shiel

feeling the inevitable question

dy?" Sakura asked, her vo

want to lie, but the truth wasn't s

?" Sakura furrowed

e doesn't know where we are, and we haven't be

. "So, if we find Daddy, we'll

r words. "Well... we're already a happy family, a

was here, it'd be even better! And

. "Okay, hold on, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Speaking of which, I

g up in displeasure. "But Mum, I don't w

r, Sakura, but we need money for food, clothes, and the things you need for s

small shoulders slu

face. "It's only temporary, okay?

m. But I don't want to stay at

eave you here by yourself," Asu

, knowing she didn't have

ssing the top of her daughter's head. "Let's have dinner,

her friend Rita's house, she knelt down to give h

tightly. "Be safe,

uka whispered before turning to

," Mrs. Adams said kindly. "Now ge

ura and left. Inside, Saku

" Rita exclaimed. "I've always want

Sakura interrupted, shut

With

issing," Saku

widened. "Mi

we can't tell anyone-not my

emnly. "Okay, s

ink my dad went to the same school as Mum. She

pages eagerly, and Rita gasped

was so pretty

!" Sakura def

guy," she said, pointing to another ph

ared at the face of a man she had never known