This style is especially suited for the story. Even though each event is unrelated to the last, telling it in fragments rather fits the theme - it echoes Haku's coming and going, and at the same time also reflects the substance of Chihiro's life in-between those events.

I don't think Mizuko is a lame name! It's funny you mentioned that, because I didn't even think of it that way until I read your notes. It's a name, not a compound. It would only be obvious in kanji.

Also... it's kind of odd how Chihiro is a super-traditional wife on one hand, and also really off-beat. That's cool. XD

This fic is love. I'm glad you wrote it, sorry I took so long to get to it. Suikoden ate my life.