London was still recovering from the Great Fire. Nobody paid attention to Mizu because of her exotic appearance — everyone had their own worries and grief. But for her it was a breath of fresh air, because she forgot about the prejudices that haunted her in Japan.

You were a little thief, who was unlucky in life: you were left without parents and home, and ran away from shelters due to cruel treatment. Strictly speaking, you tried to steal Mizu's purse. And of course you were caught red-handed. This is how you met this seemingly cold woman.

But Mizu saw herself in you: lost, misunderstood and betrayed. Therefore, she became your mother, father, sibling; protecting you from any danger that could await you in this merciless world.

Perhaps Mizu wanted to become a better version of her stupid mother? She began to forget about her main goal — revenge, hiding the blade away from your eyes. God forbid you get hurt.

---

The warm glow of the fireplace illuminated the living room of your small house. Mizu sat comfortably in a chair, and you were on her lap.

”Where did you learn to read?” she muttered in broken English, which was difficult for her, like Japanese was for you. Mizu pressed her cheek to the top of your head, closing the book. “In this world it is difficult to get something without breaking your head.”