Next week. Next week I'll be able to check on my mother-in-law. Her condition was supposedly stable. But her conditions are… horrifying.
It started off with her feeling unwell out of nowhere. Coughing, feeling weak… Sometimes even now she'd cough up blood. Randomly throw up, the condition no doctor, or healer could save her from.
She was diagnosed… a year ago. They've tried every way she could be cured.
Hopefully I can save her.
"Dad!"
"Hm?"
There they are. In the courtyard was my family. Melinda and Yukina were sitting on a bench close to a waterfall. Allisa was right in front of me.
"This place is big!" Allisa exclaimed whilst "showing" me around the entire courtyard. "Dad, don't we have one?!"
"Yes, we'll decorate it."
"When?!"
I brought a finger up to my chin. We have other priorities. An intrusive thought popped in my mind when I poked her forehead. "Soon… hey, I have an idea."
"Hm?!"
We haven't had much time together.
"Honey?"
With a look towards my wife and adopted daughter, I responded. "Allisa and I are going to go buy some things."
"Huh?"
Thus I explained. Ever since Yukina joined our family, Allisa and I never had the chance to spend time alone. It seemed like once she joined, Yukina always joined us.
When I explained, Yukina's face turned red and her new nervous tendency happened. Whilst Melinda nodded and repliedteplied.
"Just stay safe you two, okay?"
"Of co-"
"Of course!"
**********
Once I made sure my other daughter and wife were home safe, Allisa grabbed my hand.
"Dad, what are we going to do?" My daughter raised her head to me. "Why do we need to go shopping?" her eyes basically had stars in them, she was that excited and curious.
"Yukina's birthday is in two weeks." I replied whilst turning my head towards our home. With a shrug, my attention diverted to Allisa. "Do you want to get her something?"
"Yes!"
"Let's go!."
I think I know what to get her… It may be just an assumption, but I think it is obvious her eye is having issues. Already concluded.
There is this little accessory shop… It might not be around anymore, however, it is possible. Who knows.
Allisa kept her hand in mine. I felt it get tighter when we walked by people. It's alright.
The streets were lively. We passed through the home district, our destination was evident. Some of my old friends waved at me… they were busy with their families to speak.
Thankfully for the time and day, no one was in our way. We got some stares, mainly other women pointing at me then my daughter.
Sure, the stares were rather embarrassing… but let's ignore it. My daughter seems happier than anything.
It took us a small amount of time until we got to the shopping district. The streets were… livelier than it was in the home districts. Stalls, shops… a bunch of people were ready to head inside these.
"Dad…" I could hear the fear in my daughter's voice rise. "Can… can we go back?"
She was holding onto my arm tighter. Her lips were formed into a grimace. "Honey, you need to be less scared."
"Dad…"
"Allisa, listen to me. You want to be an adventurer right?"
My daughter nodded slowly. It was simple, she couldn't be this scared as an adventurer. It's dangerous for her and her future party. You need to be able to talk with people to deal with whatever needs to be, that was a given.
Especially for a healer, which… I think Allisa'd solely be. She has the talent and drive for it.
"..." My daughter turned quiet and squeezed my hand tighter. I could feel her shaking lessen and her fearful frown turn into contemplation.
"Hm?"
"Can… can you help me?" She asked in a pleading voice… Her voice was beginning to shake again. "I… I don't want to be scared…."
"I'll talk with your mother."
"-Thank- Thank you…"
Melinda'll probably agree…
In my heart I felt… a void thinking about what happened to my daughters. Yukina… isn't doing well… Neither is Allisa…
"Oh? Wait- wait, is that you Jamesy?!"
Huh? They're actually still open? A loud familiar male voice broke my thoughts.
"You're actually still kicking huh!"
It was… One of my childhood friends. I couldn't remember his name. He was waving at me with a gigantic smile.
He was standing under that accessory store I thought of. It looked exactly the same, clear circular windows. Mannequins of many shapes occupied the space.
"Jamesy?"
His voice broke me out of my stupor.
"Huh?"
"It's actually you?! How have you been?!" He asked me with a loud voice.
"I'm- I'm good-" I replied whilst taking a step back. He looks so much older than the last time I've seen him.
When he was just a kid he looked like any other. Dark blonde hair and green eyes, he had those same features; however his hair was a shade lighter, and there were grey strands. He now had a stubble beard, and wore a buttoned up dress shirt.
His attention diverted to my daughter.
"Oh, you have a family now?"
"Yeah… Um… Do you work here?" I asked whilst pointing at the shop's entrance.
"Oh-! Yes! My wife actually owns this place!"
"O-Oh."
"Come in!"
What a coincidence…
Seems like our luck is actually turning around. My childhood friend took over the accessory shop…
Inside the shop looked nearly identical; the walls were plastered with different accessories; ranging from hoods, capes, to miscellaneous items such as rings and necklaces.
Steal… I thought when I saw a certain item I could buy for one of my daughters. Allisa clung harder to my arm when we walked inside.
Necklace for Melinda… Her back still had issues from frosted peaks. Sometimes her legs give out from walking too much in one day in addition to her fingers being numb.
Another shop I had in mind for Allisa, we'll go there later. For now…
"Allisa, go ahead and pick something."
"Mm…"
"I'll pay for it."
"O-Okay…"
After a few moments my daughter released my hand. Her hands were balled tightly as she stumbled around. Merely a few seconds later Allisa found something.
We'll catch up later… I thought, ignoring my childhood friend.
"W-what about this…?"
"That'll be perfect!" I exclaimed whilst patting her head. "We'll get that, now go find something for your mom!"
One by one we went around the shop— mainly Allisa taking the lead. Necklace for her, and a bracelet; she even picked up a bracelet for me. Lucky charm she called it when she presented a silver bracelet.
Her mom got the same but it had gold in it. Yukina… a darker bracelet made out of obsidian. I felt my coin bag tighten with the amount of accessories. Honey, I said I'd pay yes but please don't make me go into debt. I thought to myself with a smile.
Never thought I'd see the day again… It's always good to see Allisa be her old self. We had the accessories bagged and paid for. Allisa and I wore our matching bracelets before we went to another store.