Disclaimer: I simply just own the plot.
Chapter 2
«Rosy Feather»
§cene of §pring
She is a strange child. Transcendentally strange. And it's not just because of her phenomenally pastel-pink hair, or her inexplicably glowing green eyes, or her entrancing pretty face.
It was her aura.
The way the atmosphere changes whenever she steps into the room. It was as if her innocence heals their souls. It was as if the child lends them a serene, safe feeling like that of a mother's embrace. Like that of Lady Mary.
A black-haired woman brushed rosette locks from a child's face and leaned forward to place a kiss upon a temple.
Softened eyes peered down at a sleeping face, sleep well, my dear.
Giving out a last fond smile, the young nun quietly passed through the children's beds — with children in deep slumber — and exited the room with a minute squeaking noise created by the door.
As the door shutter close, lime-like eyes fluttered open, serving as the light source of the pitch-black room.
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God has finally sent someone...
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"Here are the adoption papers. You may now talk to the child."
Hana watched, following as the elderly nun motioned an extremely pale-skinned man out of the warden personnel room, walking through the playing room full of children to reach the huge bedroom.
Three sets of eyes landed upon a blob of pink. Thick, healthy hair almost covering the figure of the child.
As usual, Sakura was the only one who was still in the bed, whose mind is focused solely on a book in her hands.
"Hey, kid. Someone came to see you," says the elderly nun before walking out. The door shut close.
Apple-green eyes glimpsed the newcomers, beaming with shyness.
The child's smile was infectious. Contagious, that Hana can't help but smile as well.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but can you... give us some privacy?"
"O-Oh, uh, sure! My apologies, sir," she bowed lightly.
A slender, alarmingly pale hand lays on her shoulder, "It's alright. There is no need for an apology."
Granting the man a polite smile, she turned on her heel and left, leaving the man and the child who will become a family, starting from that time.
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...to take care of you, protect you, and give you love...
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Neptune-like eyes view of a rose-haired child happily holding a man's hand.
She was happy for her. Joyous that she already has someone who she will look up to as a father.
A father who will take good care of her, protect her at any cost, and offer her all the love she deserves.
A father that she never had.
Hana was still aggravated with the child's former father.
How selfish of him to leave a child alone. To let a child suffer just because of the belief that he is not the legitimate father.
To abandon a child in an orphanage to get married to another woman, have kids, and live happily ever after.
Though Hana isn't one to curse, let alone like the sound of vulgarity, she wanted to utter profanities at that so-called father's face. She wanted him to suffer. She wanted him to feel just exactly how Sakura felt when she was left alone. How she withstood the pain, the loneliness. the grief, the solitary. She wanted him to—...
...but there's no use in bringing the past now.
Neptune-like eyes softened at a smiling rose-haired child.
The important thing right now is that someone has finally come to adopt her. Despite the lies. The dirty, dirty lies that Hana knew too damn well weren't true at all.
What's important is that someone will finally treat her the way every child deserves. The way she deserves.
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...as much as I don't want you to leave, but that'll be too selfish of me...
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This is it. This is the end. This is goodbye. It was funny, how such a painful word was enclosed with a word contrary to it. It was supposed to be only "bye", why is there "good" included with it?
And what is good in saying goodbyes anyways? It meant two people departing. It meant letting a person go. But, Hana doesn't want to let Sakura go yet. It has only been a few months that she had spent time with her...
It has only been months, but she already has grown attached to the child.
That's why it was in their rules that sisters must not spend time with the children privately. They can only give them food and water, be aware of their needs and wants, and accompany them when they need guidance, that's all.
But, Hana can't help it. Sakura was vulnerable, easy to be bullied. She needed more than just a quick meal. She needed all the things. Guidance wasn't enough, she needed support. Comfort.
...she needed someone.
...she needed love.
...she needed her.
So, that's why she was there, right? To pour all her affection and attention to her. To give her everything she has to offer.
But was it fair to receive this? To receive, to feel pain after giving everything to her?
It wasn't. But it was.
It was only fair because she suffered more than her. This pain she feels barely reached what the child has felt.
She suffered more than this.
She cried more than this.
Her heart was more damaged than hers.
So, it was only fair.
Right, it was only fair.
So, she'll let go. Let her go. And accept the pain. Because Sakura is worth sacrificing for, after everything that she has gone through.
But maybe it doesn't need to be like this. Maybe it doesn't have to end like this.
See you later.
Yes, that definitely sounds much better than goodbye. It sounds right. Because she will see Sakura again in the future.
She will meet her again.
"See you later, Sakura-chan."
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...I'll see you again, Sakura-chan.
...hi! :))
Honestly, this was only supposed to be a one-shot. But, well, it seems like my brain and my heart wouldn't allow that.
Thank you, by the way, for all the positive remarks that you showered this story with. I'm very honoured to accept such heart-warming comments from you guys, especially when I'm only new to this kind of thing.
Special thanks to guests, and fanofthisfiction! :))
((p.s. I didn't make any plan or organizer for this ;-;. This story was freshly harvested from my imagination hihi...))