At That Time, She Smiled

Due to her dazed state, while being drunk, Shouko's mind constantly searching for the happy memories that she did not dare to recall when she was sober. The vicious voices that always berated her inwardly were washed away by the voices of the ones she loved.

There was Ono's voice, Aunt' Masako's, Grandpa's... The list went on and on.

But, the most apparent ones were the tender and milky voice of Little Riceball and the low and husky one of Kyoya.

"Mommy, Little Riceball's heart is only this small but, Little Riceball only has Mommy in it! Hehe~ Ah! No, there's a space for Daddy too. Although it's a teeny tiny one."

"What are you saying? You're afraid of creating trouble? Just do it, my love. Leave the clean up for me."

Shouko couldn't remember the exact time when she heard the father-and-son talking to her about it but, the sweetness that overflowed from her heart at that time still lingered within her.