Chapter Six: Momma’s Domain:

Despite her runt, Anna had a little angel to care for. She took a deep breath and walked into the living room. Kirika-chan lay on the changing table in the middle of the room. Anna stood over her daughter.

“Here goes,” she said. Anna took hold of the baby’s diaper. The trick was efficiency. Get in, do the business, and toss it. It shouldn’t be too hard, right? She worked to the best of her abilities. Kirika-chan cooed the whole time.

“Just about done,” Anna said. “We’re doing good.” Kirika-chan was wiped down and lotioned up. New diaper on. There. All done! Anna leaned back and breathed.

“Whew!” she said. “That’s done.” Kirika-chan seemed to smile. Anna picked her up. The baby cooed in her arms. Motherhood wasn’t too bad. Once the urge to kill passed, it got easier. Kirika-chan looked so precious. Her dark blue hair started to grow back. Tsuzuki got her hair cut too short. She looked like a boy for the whole summer. Anna was not happy with the outcome.

“I won’t let him cut your hair like that again,” Anna told her. She kissed the baby on her head. Kirika-chan cooed. Anna smiled.

But this wasn’t enough. She loved her daughter, of course. But this peace made her go mad. Anna quietly wished that something would change.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Anna walked over with baby in hand to grab her phone.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Anna!” a woman’s voice shouted.

“Becky?” the mom asked. Her friend squealed.

“How are you? It’s been so long!” she said.

“Good. And you?”

“I am good. I have great news.”

“What?” Anna braced herself to hold the phone away from her ear.

“Amy’s getting married,” Becky said. Anna’s eyes widened.

“Seriously?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Becky said. “Wedding’s next month.”

“Wow,” the mom said. “Wait, are you inviting me?”

“You and Tsuzuki,” she said.

“When?” Anna asked.

“December eighteenth,” Becky said. “I’m a bridesmaid.”

“Hang on,” Anna said. She lowered her phone and put the baby in the baby playpen.

“Okay,” the mom said. “Had to put the baby down. But now I’m back. How is everyone else doing?” Kirika-chan watched her mother on the phone.