Chapter 1: Love Me Again
"Daddy?" Hotaru entered the living room, only to find her papa sitting in the chair her mommy normally had used, staring into the flames that burned in the fireplace. "Hm?" was the only reply Hotaru received. She shyly walked closer to Haruka until she stood in front of her. Although Mikos burial had been two weeks ago, Hotaru was almost back to her happy, cheerful nature, unlike Haruka, who was grieving. "Can…can we play?" Hotaru finally asked. Haruka shot her a glance before her gaze returned to the fire. "No." was the short reply. Hotaru could feel her heart sink, ever since her Mommy had gone to heaven, her Daddy had become so unfriendly towards her. "Why not?" the little girl asked, her voice shaking. Haruka didn't reply. Hotaru could feel hot tears burning in her eyes, caused by the ignorance of her daddy. "Why not, Daddy?" the little girl now replied, holding on to her daddy's leg while talking. "Look, Hotaru, I said no, and that's it. Go and find someone else to play, or play alone, I don't care." Haruka replied, her voice flat and without any emotion. Hotaru let go of the blondes leg, the tears now running. "You're mean, Daddy!" the little girl cried out. "Ever since Mommy went to Heaven, you became such a mean person! I don't like you anymore! I hate you!" With that, Hotaru turned around and ran out of the room, crying heavily. Haruka looked after her for a moment, then her gaze returned to the fire. "You hurt her now, you know?" Mikos voice suddenly came, sounding in Harukas head. "Stop." Haruka whispered, resting her head in her hands. "You should be ashamed, Haruka. Just because I'm dead, it doesn't mean that you can treat our daughter like shit." "I said, stop!" Haruka cried out, her eyes filling with tears. "It's all your fault." She then whispered. "You left me…it's all your fault." Miko stayed silent, and Haruka closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. "I should apologize to her." Finally, she stood up and made her way up to Hotarus room.
"Hotaru? Can I come in?" the blonde asked after knocking the door that lead to the room of her daughter. For a moment, it stayed silent behind the door, then Hotarus voice came: "Yes." Haruka opened the door and slowly stepped into the room. It was clearly visible that Hotaru had been crying, and Haruka felt a sharp sting running through her heart. "Hotaru…I'm sorry for what I did to you." She finally spoke, not daring to look at her daughter. Afraid that the little girl would tell her she hated her again. "I'm sorry too, Daddy." Hotaru suddenly spoke, standing up and walking over to her father. "I don't hate you…" Haruka went down on her knees, until she was eye to eye with the little girl. "Hotaru…" All of a sudden, Hotaru flung herself forward into Harukas arms, who held her tight, squeezing her eyes shut. "I thought you don't love me anymore, Daddy." Hotaru sobbed. "I just wanted you to love me again…" "But I do love you." Haruka replied, her voice not more than a hoarse whisper. "And I'll always love you, Hotaru, no matter what. I know that I treated you terrible the last two weeks, but I…" She swallowed hard, but couldn't keep the tears from falling. It was the first time she cried in front of her daughter since the funeral. "I miss your Mommy so much." She finally chocked out, before breaking down and sobbing uncontrollably. Hotaru pulled back to look at her Daddy for a moment before she embraced her again, trying to give her comfort. "Mommy is in Heaven, Daddy. I bet she's very happy up there, but I think she also misses you. But remember, one day you'll see each other again!" Haruka couldn't help herself, but had to smile at the desperate attempts of her daughter to cheer her up. "I know, Hotaru. But still…it'll take so long until we'll meet again." Hotaru nodded, sighed and hugged her Daddy once more before a frown came over her face. "What is it?" Haruka asked, wiping her tears away. "You'll have to go to work soon again, Daddy." Hotaru mumbled, shuffling her foot. "Who will take care of me during the day now that Mommy is in Heaven?" Haruka sat back, leaning her back against the wall. Hotaru was right; on Monday next week, she had to return to her office, after all, she had a company to run. Being the owner of Tenoh Sports TV Inc., the most successful sport broadcaster of Japan, didn't allow her to stay away from her office much longer. "I know what we can do." She finally spoke, looking at Hotaru again. "I think we should get you a Nanny, Hotaru." Hotaru squealed with delight. "A nanny like the one in the TV show?" Haruka thought about that Fran Fine person her daughter was talking about. "No…" she then slowly said, "not exactly like her." "Okay with me." Hotaru agreed. Haruka gave her a little smile and stood up. "I'll try to find a nanny for you as soon as possible, okay? But now, you should go to sleep." Hotaru nodded, and Haruka left the room. During the talk with her daughter, she had felt warmth inside for a few moments…but now all she felt was the coldness of her heart. Sighing, Haruka made her way to her own bedroom, getting ready to sleep.
