Now Miku was on tour, a few hours before her concert, and she was actively preparing. Her daughter sat on the couch in the living room watching cartoons.
Suddenly, a breaking news bulletin interrupted the show:
"We interrupt this cartoon to bring you tragic news: Ray Evans and his younger sister have been in an accident. According to the latest reports, they were heading to a basketball competition. Ray Evans has been involved in charity work for many years, and recently his sister began accompanying him to children's hospitals."
"According to preliminary data, he has donated over a hundred million to charity. Police reports indicate that the driver suffered a heart attack and veered into oncoming traffic."
"We will keep you updated. Personally, I hope they'll be okay."
Miku, hearing the news in passing, rushed to the living room. As soon as the breaking news ended, she could barely stand. Her hands were shaking as she struggled to get her phone and called her manager:
"Cancel my tour and tonight's performances, refund the tickets, and apologize to the fans."
They were not just client and manager but also good friends. That's why the girl on the other end of the line said:
"I watched the news too, and I understand what's driving you, but are you sure this is right? Besides the problems we'll have, I don't think you'll be welcome there."
Miku understood perfectly what problems she meant, and she also wasn't sure she was doing the right thing. But her heart told her she had to be there.
"I'm not sure of anything, but I have to be there."
"Okay, I understand. I'll handle everything properly."
Soon a video appeared on social media:
"We apologize: Miku's tour is canceled. As for the reasons, I think many of you know that Ray Evans and his sister were in an accident. I think all of Miku's fans know what kind of relationship these two had."
"She decided that now she needs to be by his side. All money spent on tickets will be refunded. We'll record your information, and when Miku resumes her concert activities, everyone who bought tickets will receive them free of charge. That's all we can do by way of apology."
When she arrived at the hospital and met Yuno, who was outside the operating room surrounded by other girls, Miku barely suppressed her fear. Catching Yuno's gaze, she said calmly:
"I know you're not happy to see me, but I want to make sure they're okay and be here until they recover. This will be my payment for my life, even though I know it will never be enough. If it makes you feel better, you can hit me."
From the look in her eyes and her tone, Yuno could tell she was serious. When she was about to step forward, Kira grabbed her arm and said:
"I understand your feelings, but this isn't the place to settle scores."
Kira was one of the few people Yuno respected, and normally she would have listened, but this wasn't one of those times. Just as Yuno was about to pull her arm free, she saw a little girl standing slightly behind Miku. The girl seemed to sense the tension between them and looked clearly frightened.
Seeing this, Yuno managed to pull herself together, took a deep breath, and said:
"You're right, I'm sorry."
Looking at her daughter, Kira said:
"Sami, take the little one and go get us something to eat."
Miku knew that despite their dislike for her, none of these girls would harm her child. So when a girl named Sam crouched beside her daughter and said cheerfully:
"Hi, little sister! My name is Samantha, but you can call me big sis Sami. What's your name?"
Before introducing herself, the girl looked at her mother. Only after Miku nodded with a gentle smile did she extend her hand and say:
"My name is Amaya. I'm very happy to meet you too."
"Let's go get a snack and have a little chat. You're very cute, I'd really like us to be friends."