A reality that could have been

Fuka entered a restaurant alongside her two daughters.

"I got a perfect on my exam. How about you, Nee-chan?" Yuni smirked.

"Geh... Seventy five," Serika grumbled.

"HAH! I AM smarter than you!"

"High school's harder than middle school!"

"You're just jealous."

"Want me to yank your twintails off, Yuni!?"

*Bonk* *Bonk*

"YEOOOOOW!" Yuni and Serika cried as lumps appeared on their heads.

"Don't bicker in the restaurant, girls," Fuka glared as she began massaging the lumps she gave the girls.

The two nodded and sat down with her as Rika came to take their order.

"Hey Kirika-san. Here for an early dinner with your daughters?" Rika smiled.

"Yes, we'll have the usual," Fuka smiled.

"So how're your girls doing?"

"Bickering as usual as you just saw."

"Well, that's pretty normal for siblings. Don't worry Serika, I was shit at my test scores, but I managed to somehow graduate 2nd in my class."

"Wait, really?" Serika asked.

"Thanks to my cooking score carrying me of course."

"Oh, home EQ doesn't work like that. Besides, I suck at cooking."

"I usually have to heat up her meals so she doesn't fry them," Yuni chuckled.

"You can't exactly cook either."

"I could teach you two. Wanna do an internship here?" Rika asked.

"Unfortunately, Yuni would have to wait another year. She's only 14," Fuka stated.

"Guess that means I get a head start," Serika smirked.

"Well, not so much. Considering you admitted your culinary skill is zero, Masaru won't even let you fill drinks," Rika sighed.

"HUH!? Then what the hell would I be doing!?"

"Mainly waiting tables and such. You've got a cute face, but you would have to be a little nicer."

"I could do that," Serika blushed.

"After you got in that fight the other day?" Yuni smirked.

"Shut up! She said Oka-san was bad. Dumb bitch doesn't realize what hell she went through!"

"Serika, I understand how you feel, but since I am a public figure, it is natural that people will not always like me," Fuka sighed.

"But you went through so much to get where you are. I might not have even been born if you weren't so strong," Serika trembled.

"I simply got lucky and managed to escape captivity even though I was pregnant with you. From there, Ookuma's misdeed came to light and she was promptly imprisoned. I then decided to become a newscaster like the one whom I looked up to. Serika, I know you're a sweet girl, just don't let the banter get to you."

"Umu."

Mimi then arrived with the food and smiled.

"Takoyaki for Serika, Col Masaru's for Yuni, and some egg rolls for Fuka," she smiled.

"Its nice to see you're doing well Hanazawa-san," Fuka nodded.

"Hey, I may be 27, but I'm still looking just as young as I did when I was unfrozen 9 years ago," Mimi grinned.

"To think me freeing her would lead to such a massive Illumous bust. It was thanks to that Illumous suffered a massive loss and my shitty family was dissolved as punishment," Rika stated.

"You didn't get along with your family?" Serika asked.

"Not really, though ever since my parents were executed by Illumous, my older sister took over the family and allowed me to go to cooking school. With Mimi's help, I quickly discovered my cooking talent and now managing my dream restaurant with the love of my life, Masaru.

"Did you tell him about your past?" Fuka asked.

"Just last night actually. Luckilly he loved me enough to stick with me. Though even though I was once an assassin, it actually wasn't as bloody as it might seem."

"I imagine that's thanks to Oka-san taking out Ookuma before she could become a politician," Yuni grinned.

"Yeah, I was only three when that happened, but the Ookuma clan completely collapsed and was kicked off Illumous' council of 12. Now Illumous is well known and everyone's aware of how evil they are. Thank you for exposing them, Fuka.

"My job is to report the truth. That is all," Fuka smiled.

"And it's my job to give you all refills. Want refills on the drinks too?"

"Yes, a matcha soda for me."

"Matcha soda for me too," Serika nodded.

"Lemonade for me," Yuni smiled.

                                                                                     ...

At the Ginkawa mansion, Fubuki awoke from her dream.

"What were you dreaming about, Oka-san?" Serika asked.

"Just a dream of a reality that would have occurred if I had escaped captivity before you were killed," Fubuki stated.

"Before I, s- so you knew?"

"Reika told me about how you told her about your earliest memories."

"Yeah, I remember your voice from when I was in your womb, but then once I could see, I was staring into the face of that piece of shit," Serika trembled.

"You likely reincarnated in what would have been Ookuma's daughter. It seems I was blessed with two miracles."

"When I first heard your voice again on the TV when I was 5, something within me told me that you were my real mother. But even then, can I really be your daughter? I was imprisoned by that piece of shit for 16 years."

"I imagine you have nightmares about hurting me and Yuni. Don't worry, you're free from that hell. You are my daughter, Serika."

"T- Thanks, Oka-san," Serika cried as she embraced Fubuki in a hug.