Disclaimer: I simply just own the plot.
Chapter 3
«Rosy Feather»
§cene of §pring
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Dear Lord, why am I... alone...?
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A question of her from the past.
She was wrong.
She realized, glancing back over her shoulder at a black-haired woman who silently wept.
She wasn't alone. She was never alone. Her parents— mother may not be there, but Sister Hana-san was, always there. How could she think of looking for a playmate, a friend, a listener, when Sister Hana-san was already there, just beside her?
Why did she just realize it now? Why now when she has to leave?
Why, why, why...?
She can't leave Sister Hana-san alone. Not when she is crying. Not when she will feel how she felt. To leave her in pain... sadness... loneliness... it felt like demolishing someone's heart.
It felt like slaughtering someone's heart.
No, no, no...
I'm coming, Cupid.
I'm coming, Cupid.
...Cupid.
Cupid.
She had read it from a dictionary, out of curiosity. Cupid, which was capitalized, refers to the Roman god of love, whilst the cupid, not capitalized, refers to the naked winged children that represent Cupid.
She was referred to as a Cupid. The capitalized Cupid. The Cupid. A position too special for her. An impossible place for her.
Am I truly the Cupid?
The mysterious mail can be all just spam, sent to fool someone. But the message was clear: it was aimed at her.
There is nothing wrong with trying, is there?
But— what if it doesn't work?
"Then, it didn't work! Don't be afraid of trying, just give it a try! What if it does work, right? At least you know. You won't have something to regret about."
Sister Hana-san... Doe-like eyes directed at the black-haired nun.
Should I really try?
...
Watered lime-like eyes shut close. Lithe fingers gripped a porcelain bow, an arrow of philia in her hand.
Shoot her heart.
Her hands trembled.
Will she get hurt by the arrow?
Will her heart ache?
Will it—
No.
Now is not the moment to waste time overthinking.
She has to think fast, after all, time wasn't in her hands now.
Emerald eyes open. Heart racing.
Should she...
shoot her heart...
or...
...leave her to suffer?
But... who should it be? Is there even someone who could be there for her?
A long-haired boy came to her sight, face hidden by black hair, shying away from eyes.
Haku-san.
He was like her. A child made fun of by children. A child who needs a playmate, a friend, a listener. A lonely child. A child who wants someone. Needs someone.
Sister Hana-san needed a child. Haku-san needed a parent. They needed each other. So, she must shoot them both. Connect their incomplete hearts.
But, that means letting go of Sister Hana-san. That means being alone again.
Her mind understood, but she let her heart decide.
Bo—
Bo—
She watched, shaking, expecting blood from their chests, or at least pained faces. But, there were none. Surprisingly, just stunned faces. As if they have lost their rational thoughts.
The arrows disappeared, reappearing in her quiver.
So, it is true.
She is a Cupid.
The Cupid.
Hana leapt for Haku, pulling him in with an embrace, which the boy shyly accepted, reciprocating the heart-warming action with a smile.
The tears in her eyes finally flowed out, like a raindrop trailing against a window. Sadness didn't describe it, ironically, happiness did.
The scene overwhelmed her soul with happiness.
It didn't matter if she sacrificed her happiness. As long as Sister Hana-san won't be unhappy, it is okay.
And this was the plan of the Lord. She has no right to fight against it. After all, the Lord's plan was and always will be good... no matter what...
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Unbeknownst to Sakura, serpent-like eyes were softly watching her, left in awe.
"So, shall we go?"
The rosette turned around. Pretty face more beautified with a sweet smile.
"U-Um... before we go... M-may I know your name first...? So that I know how to call you..."
A soft smile.
"My name is Orochimaru, child."
Lightly-blushed chubby cheeks.
"A-ah. We may go now, O-Orochimaru-san."
Before he can even reach out for the child's hand, small fingers wrapped themselves around the length of his smallest finger.
He thought the child would be angry or afraid of him, but this child...
"Shall we go, Orochimaru-san?"
Eyes that resembled green carnation beamed at him, breath was taken away.
"...yes."
...was different. A beautifully mysterious child.
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On a desk were books, neatly organized into a heap.
The work desk was minimally designed, black and wood tone serving as its decor.
"Botulinum toxin... a purified substance, derived from bacteria..." A silver-haired man muttered absentmindedly, a book related to the topic of poison in a hand.
Everything was set perfectly. His book and the serenity of the moment, his mind he diagnosed with last song syndrome of quietness.
Kin kon~!
Displeased coal eyes glanced at the black, high gates through the clear window, his peaceful reading disrupted.
Sigh. But, rapid footsteps on an elegant staircase echoed through, nonetheless.
Kin kon~!
A slender hand turned the pristine white knob of the large, dark-brown door.
The door swings open.
"Welcome back, otō-sa—n..."
There was his father, all too familiar with his healthy but very pale complexion. Along with his smile, faint but genuine. But—
There. An ethereally pretty little child being carried on his father's shoulders stared wonderingly at him.
Hair of Cherry Blossoms. Eyes like of a lime.
Beautiful. An unrealistically beautiful child. Too beautiful to be his little sister.
Is this child his father was talking about earlier? The surprise that he greatly expected to be a book?
Orochimaru stepped in, carefully carrying the rosette off his shoulders to place her on the plain-white tiled floor.
Noticing the silver-haired teen's sudden quietness, the white-skinned man rose a question, "Have you prepared dinner, Kabuto?"
The teen politely nodded, "Yes, I have, otō-san. Is there anything else you'd like me to get for you?"
"Well, can you prepare the room now?"
"Already finished since yesterda—"
Oh, his father might have misunderstood. He certainly wasn't very eager to meet his first little sister.
Last night, his father asked him to prepare the room because he will be adopting a certain girl in a few days. The room was prepared instantly after finishing his agenda for that night.
He wasn't eager, nor enthusiastic about meeting his sister. He just doesn't have anything more to do, so he prepared it already. That's all.
Orochimaru chuckles, patting his son's shoulder, "You have nothing to be embarrassed about, my child; I just have encountered a similar situation."
"Oh, about the requirements for the adoption, perhaps?"
"..."
Kabuto supposed he didn't need an answer upon detecting an expression on his father's face akin to fondness, tenderness as they watched the rose-haired child's face of astonishment for her new home.
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The calm midnight fades in after the light dinner they have shared.
Orochimaru had scolded Kabuto for only cooking his favourites: jack mackerel and salted grilled sea bream, with ramen as the main dish. Though it was settled when Sakura has commented that it was one of the best dishes she has eaten.
With the chance to change the subject, Kabuto quickly shifted the conversation to his classes. After all, medical topics never seemed to bore his father. And surprisingly, the rose-haired child appeared to be interested in the topic also.
Currently, the father and son were trying to make the child go to sleep. They thought it would be just easy, but it was definitely one of the hardest tasks, especially when sleep was calling out to them already.
The pale man sets the book down, looking at the rosette and asked, "Sakura-chan, aren't you sleepy? Would you like me to read you a different story?"
"N-no, please...! I n-never liked fairy tales. I've read they're just m-made to hide the s-scariest lies," Sakura nervously tells him, hands fidgeting.
Well, that explains it. No wonder she looked so pale after the unoriginal beginning utterance of "once upon a time".
Kabuto blinked wearily, "Then—Then why... why didn't you tell us...?"
"I-I was afraid I might sound rude, interrupting you..."
Justifiable.
Nodding in understanding, Orochimaru questioned, "What do you do before you sleep, then?"
"I read t-textbooks, sometimes dictionaries..."
"Very well! Then, I shall introduce my..." The silver-haired male slowly puts down his poison book, a pointed look halting his declaration.
"U-Um, may I read this...?" A tiny hand touched the book.
Speechlessly, Orochimaru watched as Kabuto happily handed the book to her.
"Sure, you can have it whenever you want...!" Kabuto beamed, trying to shake off the sudden smile erupting on his face.
"You sure you don't need company?" The white-skinned man clarifies as the child shyly smiles, nodding affirmatively.
"Well then, sweet dreams."
He was awarded with an adorable smile.
"Thank you, Orochimaru-san. Kabuto-san. I wish the same for you."
Exchange of smiles.
The door opened and closed, softly.
"I already like her, otō-san...! You should've adopted her sooner. She's literally like me...!" his son exclaimed livelily, causing him to shake his head at him playfully.
That is exactly the reason that is stopping me from adopting Sakura-chan, Orochimaru mumbled, only audible to himself.
"What...?" Look of question was sent to him in return.
"Nothing, my son. I'm simply glad to know you and Sakura-chan would get along as you have the same interests."
"Ah," his son nods comprehensively.
"Oh, it's already midnight; you still have classes for tomorrow," he reminded, turning to leave, "have a good night, my child."
"Good night, otō-san!"
A beam of joy, and footsteps retreating.
I'm simply glad to know you and Sakura-chan would get along— because you will be the second fiddle.
Her guard, protector.
In saecula saeculorum.