-Hand in Hand-
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Of flower crowns, pinky promises, and seashells; of maple leafs, snowmen, and smiles; of hugs, tears and kisses—you were there, Kippei-onii-chan, holding my hand, no matter when, no matter what. Thank you.
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Part I: Pinky Promises
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I looked at the dried flower in my hand. I had preserved this for so long, just like I had to my memories. This was a symbol of our promise. Maybe I had mistakened it for love?
But however it is, I do not need it anymore.
I kissed the flower gently, careful not to stain it with my tears.
It was simply a promise to a child… nothing more.
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"Kippei-onii-chan, look! I made a crown!" 6-year old Yuzuyu cried out. "Huh?" Kippei removed the book from his face and turned to her, squinting his eyes in the sunlight.
It was afternoon, and the two were sitting on a hill behind Kippei's school.
He reached over and took the flower crown from her hands, staring at it. "Do you like it, Kippei-onii-chan? Why aren't you saying anything?" Yuzuyu asked anxiously.
He just continued staring at it, and finally he said slowly, "… Yuzuyu… you are too cute!" And he hugged her. Yuzuyu giggled. "Do you like it?" Kippei let her go and smiled. "Of course!" She smiled widely and took the flower crown from his hands, placing it gently on his head.
"Kippei-onii-chan, now you're a king!" She said, laughing. Kippei smiled and touched the flowers on his head. Then he leaned towards her and whispered, as if a secret, "Yep, I'm a king of a very far away land. I have a castle there too!"
They both started laughing.
"Ne, Kippei-onii-chan, can I be your queen when I grow up?" Yuzuyu asked shyly. "Of course!" He said without hesitating. Then he took a small daisy from his crown, made a ring, and slipped it on her finger. "See? You're my queen." He laughed. She cracked a huge smile and hugged him. "Thank you!"
Then she let him go and she looked at him with wonderment in her eyes. "Kippei-onii-chan. Can Mama come with us too?" "Sure! Everyone can come live with us in the castle! We'll all be happy together!"
"Can we pinky promise?" Yuzuyu asked, holding out a pinky. Kippei looked at it and felt a bit silly, but he smiled and entwined his pinky with hers.
"Promise."
Sometimes young Kippei did not understand the weight of his words.
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The flower fell from my hand and onto the ground. More tears rose from my eyes, and I covered them with my hands. You broke our promise.
So now I have too.
… I promised you not to cry…
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To be Continued...