Erika and Shoyo arrived at her house.
Shoyo: "Well… go on. Your mom must be worried sick."
Erika hesitated: "…Do you think she'll tell me to quit being a Hunter?"
Shoyo: "Oh, absolutely. Definitely. Without question."
Erika: "Gee, thanks—"
Shoyo: "We both knew the answer to that." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "But you've grown. And I think the moment she sees you, she'll know you can take care of yourself."
Erika took a breath, then she stepped forward. The porch light was on. Her mom always left it on when expecting someone. She reached the door… raised her hand… and knocked softly.
A shuffle. Footsteps—rapid, hurried—and then—The door flung open.
"Erika—!!"
Her mother's voice cracked. She pulled Erika into a crushing hug before Erika even had time to react.
Erika: "Mom—!"
Emily: "I was so worried," her mother whispered into her shoulder, trembling. "When I saw the news… Erika, I—"
Erika hugged her back tightly: "I'm okay. I'm right here."
Her mother pulled back just enough to cup Erika's cheeks with trembling hands. Her eyes were red, puffy—she'd clearly been crying for hours.
Emily: "And you're… not injured?" She scanned her from head to toe.
Erika: "Nope," Erika said with a small smile.
Her mother pressed a hand to her chest, knees nearly buckling in relief: "Thank goodness… thank goodness…"
Shoyo stepped forward politely: "Evening, Ms. Tohsaka."
Erika's mother blinked: "Shoyo." She sighed deeply, shoulders easing: "Did you bring her home? I… appreciate that. Truly."
Shoyo gave Erika a meaningful look: "I'll leave you guys to it."
Emily: "Thank you."
Shoyo teleported, leaving only a faint ripple of air where he once stood.
Emily exhaled shakily: "…Come in, sweetheart."
Erika stepped inside.
Everything was exactly as she remembered. Her mother guided her to the table, unable to take her eyes off her: "Erika… I was going to tell you to give up on becoming a Hunter."
Erika looked down. She expected this.
Emily: "But…" She paused, studying her daughter carefully. "You're calm. Your posture… the way you carry yourself… you're stronger than before."
Erika's breath shook.
Emily smiled softly: "How did you come back without a single injury… from something so terrible?"
Erika straightened, eyes determined, unwavering: "Because I'm strong."
Her mother froze. Then, slowly, beautifully smiled: "That's my girl."
They sat at the table together, her mother pouring warm tea into delicate cups painted with sakura petals. For a moment, they simply breathed the same soft air.
Her mother reached across, brushing Erika's bangs aside gently: "I'm proud of you," she whispered. "More than you can imagine."
Erika "…Mom. There's something else."
Emily: "What is it, another request I won't like?"
Erika: "Kind of." She smiled sheepishly. "I want to join Odd Jobs."
Her mother blinked slowly: "Odd… Jobs?"
Erika: "It's a Hunter group. But it's also a cafe. On top of that, they accept requests from people who need help. I hear it's filled with good people. And most importantly, that's where Chifuyu is."
Her mother closed her eyes: "And after last night… you still want to pursue this life?"
Erika nodded firmly: "I do. But first, I want to stay home. A while. Spend time with you and my sweet little brother. I won't run off immediately. I promise."
Her mother studied her, thoughtful and quiet: "So you're saying you won't leave so soon?"
Erika reached for her mother's hand: "Of course I won't."
Her mother took a slow breath and then laughed softly: "Well… if that's the case…" She squeezed Erika's hand. "You can join this Odd Jobs. I trust you. And I trust the people you choose to stand beside."
Erika smiled brightly: "Thank you, Mom."
Emily chuckled, brushing tears from her eyes: "You've grown so much. I'm still trying to keep up."
Erika's gaze wandered around the house: "By the way, where's my lovely little brother at?"
Her mother rolled her eyes: "He's spending the night at a friend's house."
Erika: "WHAAAT—?!" She collapsed onto the table. "He didn't even wait for me to come home?! I'm going to guilt-trip him later…"
Emily smiled behind her teacup: "Would you like something to eat? I still have dinner warming."
Erika perked up instantly: "Yes, please!"
Emily: "I'll heat it right up."
Erika watched her mother work in the kitchen. Her mother returned with a steaming bowl of udon topped with shrimp, mushrooms, and fried tofu."
Emily: "There you go."
Erika clasped her hands: "Thank you for the food!"
Her mother watched her eat with a serene, gentle smile: "I'm sure you've made some new friends. Tell me about them."
Erika beamed: "They're… amazing," she said between bites.
She told her about them, and how important they were to her. As she spoke, she felt the warmth of the broth and the soft noodles in every bite. When she finished, her mother walked her to her bedroom.
Her mom placed a hand on her back: "Welcome home, Erika."
Erika smiled, eyes shimmering: "Yeah… it's good to be home."