(Song: Tozasareta Atelier by Ali Project)
(A/N: My first songfic, based on the video game, Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life. This game really touches the heart, it's realistic for its time with addictive gameplay, as far as farming and building a life goes. I've grown to love this game over the years of playing. It hasn't gotten old for me yet, and I have a tradition where I play this game every spring. So anyway, here it is.
Any words in italics are the lyrics)
My Wonderful Life
Hey dad. Takakura just passed away this morning.
Have you seen him?
If I looked out
From the end of the world
We had a memorial for him. It was too sudden; too soon, I didn't get the final chance to give him my best regards and thanks for all of his generosity. It's like the same way you went.
This place is the end of the world, isn't it?
I've done what you wanted me to do, dad. I'm running the farm successfully. Lumina and I got married and we have a baby son now. Lumina said that I could pick our son's name. So I named him after you, dad. He's adorable and such a ball of energy. Does he remind you of me when I was younger? We're taking such good care of him. I almost can't wait to see what he'll be like when he grows up. I'm sure he'll be just as successful as you and Takakura.
Beneath the dimmed skylight
But I know I needn't worry about that now. There's plenty of time to watch him grow up, to teach him, to nurture him, Lumina and I together on our farm. He's quite the artist, you know. He loves to draw in his sketch book everyday.
An old painter
Is living in that room
Beautiful, vivid drawings. I wish you could see them.
You have seen the colors
Of the world
Overflowing with colors
Sometimes he'll rip out a sheet of paper from his sketch book and hand it to me, giving me a crayon or two in my hand, telling me, "Daddy! Will you draw with me?" So we often sit there for hours, sketching together. He usually draws pictures of Lumina and me, or you and Takakura. Sometimes he draws the animals and crops on the farm. But I'm not as artistic as your grandson. I try, though. I once drew a picture of Lumina for her…
The image of the girl that I painted
On my canvas
Is sad and depressing
It really is something though. I think back on it now, and I can hardly believe I've already grown up. A young man, raising a family. I can't wrap my head around it some days. My childhood memories still thrive within me. Lively and lively each day, even more so when I'm with my son.
Before I
Become an adult
You've raised me so well dad. I thank you for that. I should probably talk about mom next…
Light up the fireplace
And its flames are what go towards the twilight sky
She's doing fine, actually. It's been a long time since you passed away. But it was so hard for us.
I am growing numb with cold
Your dried fingers
Are wrapping mine
Everyone in Forget-Me-Not Valley thought it was too soon. Some even blamed Dr. Hardy and questioned his medical skills. I can't blame them though. First you, then Nina, and now Takakura.
In the dying ashes
What is falling are also flames
But it's okay. It can't be helped. I believe that everyone goes when it's their time. And even though it felt too soon when you and I parted ways, perhaps it was for the best. I think it was fate telling me that it was time for me to learn the rest on my own, without you guiding me and holding my hand along the way.
I stopped swimming in the sea
That deepens this heart
The whereabouts of the fish of sorrow
I think they want to tell me something
It was time for me to prove to myself and to everyone else around me that I can handle running a farm. Maybe, Takakura passed for the same reason. I admit, I was scared at first. I used to wonder how I would be able to manage on my own without you. Mom, she's intelligent, but she doesn't have the kind of skills that you do. I had to endure it, and hope that in time, things would get better…
Even If my eyes
Stare at the future
It cannot shine
It was hard.
After recovering from your loss, I managed to pull myself together. Mom did too. And she smiles again. Mom's learned that she can go on too, and continue her duties as a mother. She thinks this is what you would have wanted. And to be honest, I think that's what you wanted too.
So slowly, life rebuilds itself…We accepted the fact that you are gone.
You faded away
Like the eyes of the young man
In the photograph
Have you seen Takakura yet?
If so, please give him my thanks. He's helped me such a great deal after your passing, and I really appreciate it. Things are different today though.
Everyday my son still draws in his sketch book, still offering me that sheet of paper. I gladly accept it, of course. We still draw for hours and hours each day. But it's not Lumina I'm drawing. It's not your grandson either. But it's you. When you were younger, when you were older. And mom as well. And I draw pictures of what the farm looked like back when I was still a toddler.
Quietly, my paintbrush
Recreates that far-off day
Hey dad. I have to thank you too. Really. You've given me more than I could ever imagine. You gave me life, a home, wonderful parents, wonderful friends, an ever-growing farm, and most of all; you've given me a family.
At the back window of this heart
The small birds once sang of
The joy amongst themselves
Please place me at the end of it
I'll always love you for everything you've done, and for everything you will continue to do as I keep growing up. It's okay even if you can't physically be with me right now. I'm happy with the way things have turned out. Dad, thank you for giving me this wonderful life.
(A/N: This song is really sad and beautiful; sometimes I even get emotional when I listen to it. If you're still reading this, I recommend giving it a listen, if you're okay with the original lyrics being Japanese. It grows on you.
I guess that's about it. Thanks for reading!)