Interlude 31: The 'fake' Misaya Reiroukan
"HAAH… HAAH… HAAH…" I ran into the hospital as I gasped for breath. I didn't get any sleep last night because my daughter, Misaya, vanished. She was nowhere to be seen in our house, so she ran away. That could only mean…
… she heard that conversation last night.
I was a fool. How could I say such horrible things about my daughter? Even if she can never use the Reiroukan family magic, she's still my daughter! And I said…
'I have no choice but to sell her off. If only that other child in your womb survived. God chose the wrong daughter to bring into this world!'
… Such horrible things about her! I'm the worst Father ever! However, if I can find her… if I can bring her home… I will give her nothing but kindness and affection! That I swear! So, please be alright, Misaya!
Ever since I made that vow, I've been calling police stations and hospitals nonstop to see if they've found her. It's almost been an entire day since she ran away. And just a few minutes ago, I was told that one of the hospitals have found a girl that could be her.
"Hey, Doctor! Where's my daughter?!" I yelled.
"Name. I have no idea what you are referring to unless you tell me your na-" The Doctor spoke in a monotone voice but I cut him off before he could finish.
"Makoto Reiroukan! Have you found my daughter?!" I snapped back.
"Oh, yes. Mr. Reiroukan. This way." The doctor spoke as he led me into a hallway. Just then…
"Makoto?" Someone spoke my name. I turned around to see-
"H-Hiroki?!" I yelled out in surprise. What is he doing here?!
"I was just picking up my daughter, Manaka. I almost thought she wasn't going to recover because she was declared dead, but she came back to life. It was a miracle." Hiroki explained.
"I-I see. I'm glad that she's alright." I replied.
"Thank you. What about you? What are you doing here?" Hiroki asked.
"I-I was about to pick up my daughter, Misaya from here. She didn't come home last night. But apparently, she's here." I replied. What a strange coincidence.
"I understand. I hope that she's alright." Hiroki replied.
"Thanks." I replied.
"Sir, this way." The doctor interjected.
"Anyway, I'll be leaving. See you around." Hiroki replied as he left while carrying his sleeping daughters in his arms. I continued to follow the doctor as he led me to a room. And then…
"Is that her?" The doctor asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean your daughter." The doctor replied.
"A-Are you telling me that you don't know if you've found my daughter or not?!" I snapped back.
"We're not sure. It's just a hunch." The doctor replied as sweat dripped from his forehead like bullets.
"A-A HUNCH?!" I snapped back.
"Shhh! This is a hospital! Lower your voice!" A nurse whispered.
"What a joke! I'm leaving!" I yelled as I couldn't care less about the wishes of that nurse. But then…
"W-Water. Can I please have some water." Someone muttered. It was a young girl's voice. C-Could it actually be Misaya?!
"M-Misa-ah." I spoke but gasped as I noticed that girl who just spoke had black hair. Not only that, but she had a completely different face compared to my daughter. Damn. I should have known that it was too good to be true. Even still, for a second, I thought that it might have been her.
"Here you go." The nurse spoke as she handed a glass of water to the girl. But then…
"AH!" The nurse screamed as her fingers touched the girl's fingers. Which resulted in…
"CRACK!" The glass shattering into a million pieces.
"W-What's wrong?!" The doctor asked.
"AAAAHHHHH! MY FINGERS! THEY ARE BURNING!" The nurse screamed in agony as her fingers were on fire!
"My god! Hold on!" The doctor yelled as he rushed out of the room.
"FUCKING HELP ME! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" The nurse continued to scream as she left the room too. This meant that only me and this girl were in the room together. However…
… Her fingers were on fire!
"IT'S HOT! MY FINGERS! AAAAHHHHHH!" The girl screamed at the top of her lungs. C-Could this be… fire magic?! No! It definitely is! Why else would her fingers be burning out of nowhere like this!
"YOU! JUST BEATHE! IN AND OUT!" I instructed.
"B-BUT I-" The girl spoke but I cut her off.
"NOW!" I commanded.
"HAAH… HAAH… HAAH…" The girl gasped for breath.
"RELEASE IT ONTO THE ROOF! DO IT NOW!" I commanded once more. And then…
'BAM!' The fire was shot into the roof and made a hole in an instant.
"T-That was marvelous." I spoke as even I was surprised at this girl's destructive power. She made this big of a hole with her fire even though she was so young?! Even I couldn't have achieved that feat until I was a teenager!
"H-Hey you." I asked.
"M-Me?" The girl replied.
"Yeah. What's your name?" I asked.
"I-I don't know. I can't remember anything. My mind is so… foggy." The girl replied. What is this? C-Could this be my chance?! If Misaya is truly gone then could I replace her with this girl?! No! What kind of Father would I be! I can't just-
"P-Please." The girl muttered.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Please… help me." The girl begged as she cried and chattered her teeth. She was so scared. To not remember anything… it must be overwhelming. I-I guess I have no choice.
"From now on…" I spoke as I approached the girl and casted some magic that made her fall asleep. If my daughter is truly gone and never coming back, then I must do something for this girl. And then…
"… You'll be m-my daughter, M-Misaya Reiroukan." I finished as tears dripped down my face.
"M-Mr. Reiroukan?" The doctor spoke as he suddenly returned.
"I've found my daughter, and I'm taking her home with me." I replied as I lifted up the girl into my arms. I then noticed that there were bandages on her chest.
"What are these for?" I asked.
"Your daughter suffered a wound on her chest. It's closed up now, but it will definitely leave a scar." The doctor replied.
"I understand." I spoke as I left the room while I carried the girl in my arms. Farewell Misaya…
"… Let's go home, Misaya." I whispered into my new daughter's ears as I left the hospital. No one must ever know the truth, not even my wife. This is my secret that I will carry with me to the grave.
