Two hours later, Asaka Akie curled up on a bench, clutching her mother's urn tightly in both hands.
After her mother had gone in whole and come out as a little box, she had become like some abandoned little animal.
She was not only all alone; she was homeless now, too.
Grandma Matsuda had no relatives left after her death, so the government would reclaim her house. There was no way Akie could go back and live there.
As for her old home, her mother had sold it long ago, and Akie had no idea where the money had gone. Most likely, the cult had taken it.
Fang Cheng came back after paying. Asaka Akie didn't look up. Instead, she slowly reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve.
"Cheng-kun... I... have nowhere to go..."
Fang Cheng noticed her tears falling, one by one, onto the urn.
"Don't be silly. Who says you have nowhere to go? My place is pretty big, and I'm not used to living alone. I could use some company."
He could imagine what would happen if she ended up on the streets. Of course he wasn't going to leave her in the lurch.
Even if he brought her home to be a heartless housework machine, that would be fine.
Once her affection got high enough, he could unlock other uses, too.
Asaka Akie slowly raised her head and gazed at him.
Fang Cheng smiled, wiped the tears from her cheeks, then hauled her off the bench and led her away.
"Let's pick up your father's and brother's urns first, then we'll go home."
Asaka Akie stared blankly at Fang Cheng's back. The words "Let's go home" brought tears to her eyes.
Fang Cheng's words were like the warm midday sun, wrapping around her whole heart.