Naoyuki Okazaki crossed the long winding dirt path through the sunflowers slowly, plagued by very unwelcome memories. He remembered when he used to bring his son Tomoya here he could still see the smile on his face. But those were happier times, besides; he had to meet someone this day the path ended off at a wide balcony overlooking the gentle waves of the sea. Naoyuki's thoughts evaporated upon arrival. An elderly woman stood there watching the waves with a sort of unforeseen reminiscence. She spoke quietly almost without moving her mouth. "Naoyuki, you have arrived I'm glad" Naoyuki's eyes widened as his mother turned to face him.
"h-hello mother, I appreciate your call very much" Naoyuki bowed deeply. His mother simply held out her hand.
"No need for formalities my son, I wanted to talk to you for a reason" she said approaching. "Do you remember the promise that was made 10 years ago"? Naoyuki avoided eye contact. Of course he remembered but he didn't want to say.
"It must have slipped my mind" he said. His mother's eyes narrowed.
"You have indeed grown cold if you don't even remember your daughter". His mother's words seem to spear into him like knives.
"I told you she is to be left with you." He replied.
"Yes, until her 13th birthday this is tomorrow. She can't wait to see you, the father she never got to meet" his mother said seriously.
"I'm sorry but I simply cannot, I can barely take care of Tomoya as it is I couldn't possibly support another child" Naoyuki said guilt fully, he disliked bringing Tomoya's name up nowadays.
"Don't kid yourself child, it's because she looks too much like her mother is it. You don't want have to look at the constant reminder of your wife's death" at those words Naoyuki broke down.
"You couldn't understand my problems. Please just don't bring her."
"Consider it please I know it would do a world of good for both of you. She could help you get back on your feat." His mother said softly.
"Ok thank you mother" Naoyuki bowed to his mother before leaving.
The train ride home was long and uneventful but memories plagued his mind, of all the times she could have returned, why now. When he got home the first thing he did was go to his refrigerator for a drink. To his dismay however the fridge was empty. Naoyuki banged his fist against the fridge before looking around at the cesspool he called home. bottles and shards lined the walls. Wrappers overtook most of the house and filth stains were all over. For once in the past few years Naoyuki began to see how horribly he was living. Naoyuki then took it upon himself to clean the house. At least here he could end the horrible odor if nothing else. The task consumed the day and before he knew it the clock read 8:00 PM. Naoyuki slid against a clean wall standing out clearly in a house that bore no stain and passed into a sleep.
He was awoken to a sudden shaking. "Dad, dad wake up its late you should go to bed" he heard his sons voice. Naoyuki groggily raised his head to meet eye to eye with his sons. A sudden guilt overtook him and at that time all he could say was
"It seems I've caused nothing but trouble to you yet again Tomoya" his son cringed deeply at those words before running up the stairs. The last thing Naoyuki remembered was drifting to sleep in cold tears.