Love You Day 25,500: 01 [Kyouka Scar] ★ (94) (Patreon)

*Day 25,500: 01 [Kyouka Scar] ★*

The state of Montana in the United States of America. A short distance from the man-made Fort Peck Reservoir stood the corporate city colloquially known as [Scar City], the headquarters of the Scar Conglomerate.

In its central district was a large hospital run by the conglomerate, and on its top floor were private rooms that only the Scar family could use.

...A spacious, clean room.

On the bed placed within, an old woman opened her eyes.

"Ah!?"

An elderly woman sitting in a chair beside her saw this and stood up, hurriedly calling out to another old woman sitting on a sofa near the opposite wall.

"Mother Kyouka! Mother Sayoko is awake!"

Kyouka, who had been reading her emails on a tablet, looked up.

"Oh, is she? In that case, Homura, could you go call everyone?"

"I will, Mother!"

The woman called Homura pattered out of the hospital room.

As she left, Kyouka took the chair her daughter had been sitting in and spoke to Sayoko.

"How are you feeling, Sayoko?"

"So-so... you know. How about you, Kyouka? You're not young anymore, so you shouldn't push yourself, you know? You're eighty, aren't you?"

"Well, unlike you, my anti-aging treatments have been quite effective thanks to nanomachines. If anything, I might be more energetic than my daughters."

"Fufufu, it's been a while since I've heard you talk like that."

"You think so?"

"I do."

They smiled at each other.

"Hey, Kyouka."

"What is it?"

"Was it fun?"

"Yes, it was fun."

"I see. I'm glad."

Sayoko coughed. Kyouka wiped away the drool with a handkerchief.

"The manga and anime I recommended were interesting, weren't they?"

"Yes, they were the best. But because of them, I'm treated like some funny old lady who's obsessed with Japani-mation, you know?"

"Oh? Is that wrong?"

"Well, no, it's mostly correct, but..."

They laughed together again.

"I'll be taking my leave a little early, but I'll leave the rest to you."

"Yeah, don't worry. The children are all dependable. Honestly, as professionals, they're far more competent than you. Or rather, as a professional, you were, well... how do I put it... too sloppy."

"I can't deny a thing..."

Sayoko grumbled in frustration.

"...Hey, Sayoko."

"What is it?"

"When you see Eri-chan, say hello for me."

"Yes, I will."

"I'll come visit eventually, too."

Kyouka slowly stroked Sayoko's head. And then, she gently kissed her forehead.

...Whirr.

The hospital room door opened with a faint mechanical sound.

Rushing in as if they'd been waiting were a group of middle-aged men and women. Some of them even had their own children and grandchildren with them.

"Mother Sayoko!"

"Mother!"

"Ma Sayoko!"

"Mama!"

"Grandma."

"Old lady!"

...These were the adopted children raised by Sayoko and Kyouka, and their children.

Using the historical data and technology recorded in the timeship's mainframe, the two had amassed a vast fortune and taken in orphans from all over, raising them as their own.

There were forty-nine of them in total.

Some became singers, others painters. Some lived a quiet life running a farm in the countryside, and one had even become a fisherman, chasing after crabs.

And about half of them, fiercely loyal to the Scar Conglomerate, grew up to be fine adults helping Kyouka with her work. By now, the group could probably run just fine without Kyouka.

Though some couldn't be here today for various reasons, it seemed the majority had managed to gather.

"Hey, Loin! Hopper! Vile! Axel! Be quiet! You're all old men now, aren't you! You too, Hown, Lake, come over here. Honestly, you're all so noisy no matter how old you get..."

Kyouka sighed and made way for them.

(I guess it's fine, just for today. I'll leave the rest of the time to the children.)

Waving lightly to Sayoko, Kyouka walked over to the sofa. Then, she returned to processing her emails.

...Five hours later.

Mido Sayoko. No, Sayoko Scar, passed away in her sleep, never to wake again.

She was eighty-six years old.

The cause of death was old age.