She almost lost her grip on everything, but managed to snatch it all up, slightly annoyed as she stepped out from the fridge. Seeing her father's third wife, she hesitated for a moment before offering a small smile:
- "Good morning, Aunt Sakura!"
She placed the items on the light brown kitchen table. Sakura, playful as always, ran her slender fingers through her loose black hair, tucking a long strand behind her ear:
- "I see you're up early. Did you sleep well?"
Akame stared at the glossy black cabinets for a moment, inwardly scoffing at the idea of a good sleep. Sleep was nothing but a cruel mockery these days. She tried to respect Sakura by choosing her words carefully to avoid more questions:
- "It was fine, Aunt!"
Sakura pushed away from the cabinet, flicked on the light, and the halogen lamp in the middle of the kitchen ceiling lit up. She gracefully moved towards the sink. Akame watched her father's wife out of the corner of her eye, her cheeks flushing. Sakura was wearing a beautiful silky pink nightgown, flowing like water over her delicate frame.
Akame bit her lower lip and quickly went to the pantry cabinet, grabbing a package of cocoa puff cereal. She doubted she could ever be as charming and graceful as Sakura. More likely, she'd never have anyone in her cursed future either. She sighed, took out a ceramic bowl, filled it with cereal, and placed it on the table. She silently pulled out a metal chair and sat down. Sakura had brewed a pot of green tea for her husband, Ichiro. She placed his delicate old teacup on the table along with the pot:
- "Akame-chan? When does your training end today?"
Startled from her absent-minded stirring of milk into her cereal, Akame stopped the clinking of her spoon:
- "Uh... yeah? Training?! It ends in the afternoon, around one or two, I think."
Sakura gently hugged Akame from behind. Her warm hands felt comforting:
- "I'd love for us to have some girl time this afternoon. Suzumi, Hanabi, Sarada, and Nanami are coming over."
Akame's hair stood on end at the mention of a women's gathering:
- "Now that I think about it, I don't have time this afternoon at all."
Sakura tightened her embrace around Akame, her whisper extinguishing Akame's weak resolve:
- "Don't be a spoilsport! You want me to do everything alone? Come on! It's not fun without you!"
Sakura wanted to lift the girl out of her depression. The sweet, warm scent of Sakura's perfume was intoxicating Akame. With flushed cheeks, Akame replied:
- "O-... Okay. I'll come right after my classes."
Sakura kissed Akame on the cheek:
- "Thanks, sweetie. I'll be waiting for you."
Akame touched the spot where she was kissed, shrinking a bit. She decided to finish her cereal quickly before the others came for breakfast. She washed her dishes, grabbed her bag, and headed out of the kitchen. At the door, she ran into her father, Ichiro, wearing plaid shorts and a white t-shirt, still groggy from sleep. Akame quickly bowed as she always did:
- "Good morning, Dad!"
Ichiro rubbed his neck, opening one eye just a crack:
- "Hmm... Good... morning!"
Akame straightened up and adjusted her bag on her shoulder:
- "I'm heading to the dojo."
Ichiro ran his fingers through his short, messy hair, pushing it back. His mind wasn't ready to start another day yet. He blinked a few times. Akame was about to leave when Ichiro mumbled:
- "Good luck, daughter!"
A small smile crept onto Akame's lips. These little moments of affection kept her going. She put on her special training boots and stepped out. She walked through the narrow alleys of Ame Village, passing through the Himura clan area. The houses here were a mix of modern and traditional Japanese architecture, unlike the other parts of the village belonging to the Araishikage and Yukimura clans, which strictly followed ancient styles. Upon reaching the village square, Akame stopped in front of a large stone monument. It bore the names of all the shinobi from Ame Village who had fallen during their perilous missions. Following tradition, Akame placed her bag on the dusty ground and knelt down, pressing her hands together in prayer:
- "I hope your spirits are at peace, brave warriors. May your next lives be full of peace and safety."
Rising from the ground, she brushed off her knees. The concept of safety brought a bitter smile to her full red lips. She touched the ominous scar on her face. A mysterious light flickered in her dark eyes. Turning away, she headed up the village street. Along the way, she passed under dimly lit street lamps. She walked beneath a red maple tree and reached the torii gates (red gates). Deep in her dark thoughts and ominous whispers within, she climbed the short steps.