A bit over a month had passed since Natsume and Sacchan came back from Gat-Erol, although that information had to remain a secret (more like nobody would believe them). Natsume’s return to school caused a big stir: new rumors surfaced about Natsume joining a gang and that she kidnaped Sacchan. It was so far from truth, but both couldn’t stop those gosips at first. As her mother suggested, Natsume focused on what she could do: she studied and did her homework again, didn’t cause any trouble and spoke to her teachers to check what assignments she had to catch up to after her long absence (including the time before world traveling). On her part, Sacchan remained close to Natsume from the beginning, keeping the happy friendship everybody knew them for, as they couldn’t show their real stronger feelings in public.

The friends from the soccer club were worried that Sacchan got close to Natsume after everything. Standing her ground, Sacchan explained her friends all the problems Natsume went through and how that affected her behavior. Little by little, rumors were just that and Natsume got her normal life back just in time to finish her first year in preparatory. She even got close to her other friends again and went back to the soccer club thanks to Sacchan, but she decided to stay as a manager: she was not that interested in playing and winning anymore, and instead wished to help her friends in training or other ways. Soon after, Natsume and Sacchan revealed their “little secret” to their friends, causing an overall surprise. “That explains everything” said some of them. After that, the two girls started their second year with a lot of expectation.

Oh the other hand, the situation at Natsume’s home turned a bit complicated. Her father barely talked to her, even after trying hard to fix things, but she didn’t care as she didn’t see any reason to connect with someone like him. There was more tension because of the rift between Katsuhiro and Kaori. Since Natsume returned, the mother kept her word and slept every night in the guest room, which she slowly made decent by ordering things. Katsuhiro haven’t apologized to his daughter, but additionally, he didn’t understand his wife’s behavior and he wasn’t willing to find out. Kaori knew that for sure: up until that moment, that man only cared about himself and nothing else. When the three of them were together during meals, there was only silence.

Contrary to that, Kaori and Natsume’s relationship had improved a lot. The woman felt that her daughter trusted her even more than before and expressed more naturally when they were alone together. However, the best moment happened the first day Sacchan when to her house after her girlfriend’s coming out. As she did with her own daughter, Kaori hugged Sacchan and said:

-I’m so happy for you. There’s nothing to worry about in this house, and I hope you two take care of each other, OK?

Those few words were enough for Sacchan to start bawling. After all those years suffering the “passive homophobia” from her own parents (as she called it), having a grown up person accepting her for being lesbian was the happiest thing in her life. From then on, as long as Katsuhiro was not in the house, the two girls could hold hands and hug. Kaori could see sometimes a “goodbye kiss” at the door, always giggling at that cute moment.

Time went by and Natsume began her second year. One night that her father had to stay late because his boss insisted in treating everybody for a round, Kaori decided to treat her daughter to an outside dinner. They went to a small ramen restaurant in the hood: prices were cheap and the food was delicious. They didn’t have to wait long for their meals and began eating.

-Say, Natsume. You just began the new year. How are things going so far?

Kaori used those mother-daughter momentos to know more about her daughter and her life, but it was not one-sided:. Natsume could see that her mother opened up to her little by little.

-Good so far, I guess- answered Natsume. -The subjects are a bit harder now, but no problem. Since I’m better at some things and Sacchan’s better at others, we help and teach each other about what we don’t understand!

The mother giggled a bit.

-As expected from you two- said Kaori jokingly. -And how are things between you two?

-Oh, it’s fantastic- said Natsume with a big smile. -Sure, in our daily lifes we feel closer, but when we get the chance to be alone, we can hug, cuddle or well… a little kiss sometimes. Sacchan gets frustrated a bit though because we have to hide. She would love to shout it out loud and to hold hands while walking on the street, but she’s afraid of her parents and feels bad for me. But I always tell her “I’ve been wanting to be by your side this way for years, I don’t care if we must hide a bit more until you are free and safe to do it”. That comforts her.

-It’s normal for her to feel frustrated and it’s wonderful what you do for her- commented Kaori smiling. -The day will arrive when you can show your love to the world. Tell her, if she needs to talk to a grown-up that supports her, here I am. I don’t understand a lot but, I want her to understand there are people that appreciate her.

Natsume blushed and nodded.

-There’s also the club- continued Natsume. -Our goal now is the get more first-years to join us. I think one or two have already applied, but the club day will come soon and we are preparing for promotion.

-Sounds fun- added Kaori. -By the way, what about that idea you told me about?

Kaori meant Natsume’s career plan. She had the first meeting with her counselor last year and considered a possible idea, but was not sure at that time.

-Yeah, I made up my mind- asserted Natsume. -I want to become a social worker. I want to help children that, because of their circumstances, had problems as I did some months ago. I want to help them to open up and know what they need and give it to them. I’d like to help others in the same way I got help when I was outside.

-You’ll have to tell me that story one day and you know it- pointed out Kaori.

-Dunno… I told you it would be hard for you to believe- commented Natsume.

It was right. Kaori suspected Natsume never stayed at Tomayashi as she said. In some way, she knew her daughter had seen wonderful things that had woken her up from her sorrow. Natsume opened up a bit, but she was scared of telling the whole story about Gat-Erol as her mother wouldn’t believe it… or would get scared for the dangers she faced.

-What I can tell you is that a met very interesting and caring people- explained Natsume. -There was this lady, Elima, who worried about me from the moment we met. All she did was trying to get my story so far.

Kaori listened attentively. She still felt guilty for not being there to help her daughter, but somehow, she knew it was meant to be this way: Natsume could only get help from people as special as her and thanks to them (whoever they were) she got her daughter back.

-Well, about my future...- said Natsume, going back to the previous topic. -I’m not sure dad will be very happy. He was so obsessed with me being as successful as possible and this job would be like the opposite of that.

-Darling, I’ll say this: your life is yours, not mine nor your father’s- said Kaori firmly. -You must build your own life, the one that makes you happy. If your happiness lies in helping other children like you, go ahead. I will support you all the time.

Kaori knew the relationship between Natsume and her father was not great, but she realized it got way worse after her return. That’s why Kaori wanted to make sure that her daughter had freedom to follow her own path. And honestly, the mother knew her own relationship with him got worse, but it wasn’t just that. There was something roaming her mind for a long time, but wasn’t sure that it was. It was that feeling that she was not interested in fixing their relationship and getting back to their old relation, but it was something more. Her thoughts were interrupted with a beep.

-Oh, that’s my phone- said Natsume as she picked up her phone and smiled. -Ha, Sacchan texted me.

As the teen replied to her girlfriend, Kaori could see how happy she was and how much she blushed while doing it. the mother felt so happy for her daughter finding love and enjoying it so much. And somehow, she was curious. She didn’t want to meddle in her daughter’s private life, but she couldn’t help it. When Natsume put her phone inside her bag, the mother was nervous.

-Hey, Natsume… Do you mind if I make a… weird and… personal question about… your relationship with Sacchan?- asked Kaori nervously.

The teen’s eyes opened widely.

-Mom, we haven’t done… “that” yet- answered Natsume.

-I don’t mean that!- exclaimed Kaori ashamed and blushing. -But, if you want to do it one day, you two should ask a doctor with experience in the matter. I don’t think you will get a good education for that in highschool.

-Mom!- exclamed Kaori blushing.

-Really, it’s not that! It’s just… well, I’m a bit curious- explained Kaori. -Now you know what you feel is love and I’m so happy you realized. Still, even if you didn’t know it was love, you obviously felt something for her before. How was it? What did you feel when you were with her?

“Oh…” was the only thing the daughter muttered as she looked at her half-emptied ramen bowl. She began remembering the past events and all the time she spent with Sacchan, and like always, her face lit up.

-It was… I’m not sure how to explain...- said Natsume. -When I met my friends and did things together, it was fun, OK? But when Sacchan was there… I felt every moment was special. I felt comfortable and calmed and happy every time I was by her side. When we talked and she smiled, it was like… like there was nothing else in the world but that smile. I always felt comfortable to talk to her about things I couldn’t talk about to anybody else, and I knew I could trust her for anything, although I felt bad for making her worry for me. Every morning, I woke up excited because I knew I would meet her again… When I lost her, I felt my life lost all its meaning, and after everything, as I remembered all our moments together… I realized I missed her so much. No matter for how long I restrained those feelings inside me, I knew I missed her. Now that we are together, way more than ever… I feel grateful for every single day I spend with her…

After some silent seconds, Natsume realized her little speech and blushed. She expected her mother to mock her innocently, but instead, when looking at her, the child saw Kaori’s amazed expression. It was the first time her mother heard something so beautiful and was surprised that all that came from such a young girl who had suffered that much. Realizing the situation, Kaori laughed a bit and caressed her daughter’s hair.

-Wow, looks like you will be giving me some lessons- said Kaori, making the child giggled.

-Why are you asking all this?- asked Natsume.

-Well, you know… times change so fast… I guessed young people see relationships in a different light, but I think those feelings you describe are wonderful- answered Kaori.

Natsume smiled and both of them went back to their meals. However, Kaori knew she was not completely honest as it was not just curiosity. She had a reason for that question as she wanted to find the answer of a tiny question that roamed on her head: “When was the last time I felt that for Katsuhiro?”.