I Care For You... Too (REVAMPED)

Prologue

"Do you really have to leave, Su-chan?"

Suzume smiles sadly as she stares at her friends' expressions. As much as she didn't want to leave... "I'm afraid so."

"Damn you..! Now, look at what you did! You made her sad!"

"I'm sorry, Suzume-chan!"

The ravenette waves her hands. "It's okay, you don't have to bow Yoko-chan."

"Call us when someone bothers you, alright?! And we'll go there as soon as we can!"

"Yeah! We'll beat them up!"

"Of course, you guys are the first to know if someone bothers me," Suzume giggles at her friends' antics. "I'm gonna miss you guys so much."

"WE'RE GONNA MISS YOU TOO!"

Suzume couldn't stop the tears that seem to flow out of her eyes as her friends wrap her in a hug. I'm gonna miss you guys so much more...

~•💮💮💮•~

Cardboard boxes scrawled on in black broad felt-tip marker litter the room. Bare walls devoid of the usual smiling framed faces, dirt and dust shape the floor like templates of the furniture that once stood there, white parcel labels stuck on black garbage bags of clothes. Every knick-knacks and article of clothing packed away, except for a long mirror built-in at the corner of the room.

Suzume enters the room. Bending down, she moves each cardboard box near the door for easier transport. Stacking them together until she feels satisfied with the order. 

"Neetan!" A high-pitched voice calls as a toddler with similar features enters the room and tackles the older girl.

"You should be more careful Usagi. Especially with stuff littered around." The girl reprimands as she kneels down to the toddler's level.

"Am sorry," Usagi pouts. "I no do again."

"It's okay, as long as you be careful next time," Suzume responds with a gentle smile, reaching over and patting her sister's head. "Do you need anything?"

"No..?" Usagi tilts her head before remembering her errand. "Mama said dinner ready!" She beams happily.

"Alright then," Suzume stands up. "Let's not keep the food waiting."

Usagi cheers as she races out of the room. "Usagi! Be careful!" Suzume calls as she hastily follows her sister.

"Gotcha!" Suzume grins as she scoops her sister into her arms, blowing a raspberry into her cheek.

"No! Stop!" Usagi laughs, wriggling in her sister's arms to escape, to no avail. "That tickles!"

Laughter resonates throughout the house, reaching the ears of the married couple situated at the dining table as they wait for their two children.

"Those two..." Misaki, their mother, shakes her head at her daughters' antics.

"Suzume! Usagi!" Hideki, their father, calls. "The food's getting colder!"

"Coming!" came their eldest's reply.

Not long after, Suzume enters the room with her sister in her arms. "Sorry for the wait," The ravenette smiles sheepishly as she places Usagi on her high chair before sitting beside her.

"You're here now," Misaki responds with a gentle smile.

"Mama!" Usagi starts. "I got nee-cha! Can I eat cookie now?"

"Usagi, if you eat so many sugary treats, your teeth may rot and fall out!" Hideki teases, laughing at her daughter's horrified expression.

Misaki playfully slaps her husband's arm. "Stop teasing, you're scaring her!" She reprimands.

Suzume laughs silently, reaching over and ruffling her sister's hair. "Don't listen to papa, he's only teasing 'cause he's jealous he's not getting any cookies."

"What? No, I'm not," Hideki crosses his arms childishly.

"Whatever you say, honey," Misaki giggles. "Now, let's eat. Before the food gets any colder."

The family of four simultaneously claps their hands together. "Itadakimasu."

~•💮💮💮•~

After the hearty meal, Suzume helps her mother with the dishes as Hideki helps Usagi prepare for bed. The sound of running water fills the air as a comfortable silence surrounds the two.

"How are you feeling?"

Suzume blinks at her mother, not expecting her sudden question. "I'm fine." she answers after a few moments before asking, "Why the sudden question?"

"It's nothing..." Misaki responds. "It's just...we're moving from the place you've called home all your life. To be honest, your father and I were expecting your reaction to be more...negative." she admits with a slight blush, ashamed of herself that she thought ill of her daughter.

Suzume looks at her with one brow raised, the corners of her lips moving up to a playful grin. "I could throw a tantrum now if you want." she teases, turning off the tap and drying her hands. 

"Oh, good heavens no! You were fussy as a child," Misaki teases back, laugh.

"Hey!" Suzume couldn't believe her ears as she stare at her mother with her jaw slack and eyes wide—offended. "I was a well-behaved child, thank you very much!" 

"Well, all joking aside," Misaki starts, grabbing her daughter's hands into hers. "You are such a beautiful girl, and I'm so proud of the incredible way that you are growing up. Even at such a young age, you are full of wisdom, kindness, compassion, and courage. I can't wait to witness all the amazing things that you will do with your life when you get older. I love you so much, honey. Never ever change." She says lovingly, bringing her daughter into a hug.

The ravenette returns her hug tightly, albeit a bit bashful. Her eyes pricking with tears at her mother's words. "Love you too, mom." she murmurs.

"What's this? A hugging session without us?" Hideki feigns hurt as he walks in with a pajama-clad Usagi in his arms. "That's not fair, isn't it Usagi?"

"Un!" Usagi nods in agreement, lips jutting outward in a pout. "No fair!"

"Well, come on then," Misaki invites with a laugh, beckoning her husband and youngest.

Eagerly the two join the hug. Misaki laughs, a blush on her cheeks as Hideki pepper her face with kisses. "Hideki! Not in front of the girls!"

"What's wrong with showing our daughters how much I love my beautiful wife?" The bespectacled man grins boyishly.

"Oh, stop it you!"

Suzume watches her parents' interactions with a smile. I'm happy... but I can't help but wonder if I can find someone to experience things that mama and papa did... I want that... to love and care for someone that will love and care for me too...

The ravenette blinks owlishly down at her sister who grins innocently at her. "Papa kiss mama to show love, so I  give kiss to show I love you!" The toddler explains happily, pressing another kiss on her sister's cheek.

A smile spreads on Suzume's lips as she showers Usagi with kisses as the toddler laughs at the ticklish sensation.