Flower

"Mommy!!" Yui wined, tugging on Mother's dress. "It's already been so long, and I still haven't gotten to play with my new toy..."

"Yes, I know Yui. Do not fret. We will all get to see him soon. In fact, once your father arrives, we plan to enter the dungeon together! All three of us!!!"

"Really! Finally, I'll get to see him again!! I've been so bored this past month. Hopefully, dad returns soon," Yui replied filled with glee.

Mother chuckled.

"I'm just as excited as you are Yui. I just hope that he was actually able to survive stage one. Most kids whether they are high tiers or not wouldn't even last a week in that dungeon. Oh dear just imagine me in that cell for even a day. How would I do my makeup or fix my hair? On top of that, I wouldn't even get to see you, sweetie. What a horrid thought it is."

"I wouldn't be able to live a day without you either mommy," Yui said with a smile.

"God, you are just too cute," Mother replied in awe.

"I honestly love you, dear."

"I love you too!!!"

Mother lifted Yui and connected noses as a sign of affection.

"Yui, come with me… I'll play with you while we wait for dad ok?"

"Of course mommy!!!"

The two went off to the garden. There they engaged in childlike activities such as tag, follow the leader, and much more. Within time, an hour or so passed and a car stood before the main entrance.

"Come Yui! Your father has arrived."

"O… oh. Yea, I'm coming just give me a sec."

In front of Yui, a single flower stood before her gracefully in the sunlight. Unfortunately, it seemed to be dying. Maybe it wasn't given enough water or light. Whatever the case may be, it was only a shadow of its former glory.

The flower seemed isolated as the flowers around it had already died. Alone, it stood tall, even at the verge of death. Without food or water, it was still living. A truly fierce flower, fighting till the bitter end.

"The color… it's gone," Yui said with a frown. "Well... that's no biggie! You'll soon be fine!!!"

She raised her hand over the flower and closed her eyes. Slowly, a faint green light glowed from the palm of her hands. In that light, the flower once wilted was restored to its former crimson color.

"There you go," she said smiling. "You're beautiful once again!"

She then turned back around facing the direction of her parents. Running toward Father, she waved filled with excitement. Leaping into his arms, she smiled and said, "Welcome back daddy!!"

Soon after, the three entered the mansion preparing themselves for what was to come.

Back in that same garden, there was another flower that was also dying. That flower also fought to the bitter end. That flower was also alone. That flower was, in fact, identical to the prior flower. However, it did not receive the kindness the prior flower received and so it inevitably died. A bitter end indeed.