There was a shrub planted outside the old shrine near her school. Hotaru remembered noticing it on her way home every time. Nothing was commendable or special about it, just the typical shrub full of thorns and withering leaves. Then one day, she saw a small bud blooming. Somehow, it made her stop, catching all of her attention. It was dying yet fighting to survive.

Hotaru decided to cut the part from where the bud came out, thinking it could still be saved.

The young girl decided she'd take care of it, believing that it was just like her, living and trying to be alive.

Until one day, all her efforts paid off as the bud blossomed into a beautiful red rose.

.

.

.

"Papa, it's Hotaru. You know what? Akashi Seijuro—, that kid you used to serve when you were still here, he is so helpless! Ahh! That kid! I can't believe we're the same age. So…" She pursed her lips for a moment, "…I am actually the one doing your job now." The girl smiled faintly and caressed the concrete that had the name of her father carved in the surface.

The flowers she brought were from the ones she grew.

Hotaru placed it at the corner and lit one candle before offering a short prayer. After that, she continued telling stories.

"This is what you get." She mumbled, voice sulking before changing her gear to offer a broad and proud smile. "You always tell me bedtime stories about Akashi Seijuro so now I'm going to give you graveyard updates all about Akashi Seijuro as well." The monologue went on. "Akashi Seijuro, well, like what you always say, he is very smart and advance in his studies but he is one helpless person when it comes to other stuffs—I mean, I sewed one button from his uniform like... he couldn't even put the thread inside the needle..."

Suddenly, she pursed her lip and sighed. "He'd really die if left alone." Well, Probably… "Now I know why you couldn't take much day off."

It was too quiet. Talking one sided was so quiet, she couldn't disregard the gloomy air.

A soothing breeze passed by, Hotaru hugged her knees and tried to search for more stories she could say.

"…Masaomi-sama is scary…" Her brows knitted upon the mention of the Akashi's head.

Sad story is a no-no. She shook her head quick.

"Oh! There's this one big piano in the house." She said while forming a circle in the air, hoping that the short arms she had would give justice to the said instrument.

"Akashi Seijuro is teaching me the basics. Maybe someday I'll be able to play it."

Then she stopped.

There was nothing to tell anymore. There wasn't much going on at school and her studies. Like the usual, she was doing her best in exams, and as for the school life, there really wasn't much to say as her life revolved mostly at the mansion. It felt like school was just this place where she had to spend a few while every day. It was just a side-story in her daily life.

"…I miss you so much…" the girl whispered, staring warmly at the name written on the stone.

There were several grasses growing beside the tomb. On whim, Hotaru began picking it out one by one, starting from some number of grasses that could fit inside her grip. "…Maybe Akashi Seijuro also felt the same to his Mother but couldn't express it."

She sighed.

"That must be hard…"

"What is it that hard?"

Hotaru snapped. Speaking of the guy.

Akashi Seijuro just came from the graveyard of his own mother. It was a good thing that their parents were in the same cemetery. Visiting wouldn't be hard, knowing that at all times, she must be with him. There was no need to ask for a free time or day off to do it, she could just pay a visit whenever he would with his own mother.

"Akashi Seijuro-sama!"

The redhead blinked before frowning sheepishly. "I told you, calling me by my name is fine." He went to crouch beside the girl, in front of Sasazaki Saboru's graveyard. "Saying my full name every time doesn't sound proper nor efficient"

"But…" The girl had given it a thought, taking note of what Aoyama once told her.

First name basis wasn't particularly proper either. She was just a mere attendant. No matter how she looked at it, it would never sound right even if he allowed it. He was like a real prince and her existence was just a mere commoner if compared.

"Who were you talking to before I came?" He asked, head cocking a little.

Hotaru had to wonder first if she was hearing the question right. Who would it be other than her father? That was normal right?

She lifted her brows and answered nonchalantly. "My father."

He blinked, forefinger travelled to the surface of his chin as if thinking the logic of what she just said. "Why? He can't hear you, can he?"

Her black hair bounced forward, skeptically observing the expression of her superior, trying to trace some meaning behind it. Was that a joke? She thought. If yes, why was it not funny? Maybe a sarcasm? So he could actually pull one with a straight face? The thought was confusing enough for the young girl.

Hotaru abruptly crossed her arms and looked at his figure while waiting for a reasonable explanation—as if there was one.

Wasn't that just…the typical way of remembering those who passed away? "H-He can't, of course. But…" Hotaru sighed.

Explaining a simple and normal thing such as this was harder than she thought. "I don't expect him to hear it from here…but what if he is just around, watching and guiding me. If I say something he might hear."

"Sorry, I'm afraid I couldn't follow that one." Akashi asked in a casual and relaxed manner.

Eh? "Well, you have got to be really afraid!" The girl blurted out. "Ah, S-sorry, Akashi-sama…. Seijuro-sama?" Just to follow a short bow of apology for the sudden rudeness.

However, Akashi Seijuro actually and seriously didn't understand. He had his curled forefinger under his chin, unfazed and seemed unconcerned.

Perhaps, geniuses didn't know how normal people do their things. Hotaru sighed. So, his teachers weren't teaching him this kind of thing? And maybe, even his books didn't cover this information.

"Isn't it just… when a person dies, they are good as gone." He said after contemplating.

Hotaru looked at him in wonder. His eyes were vacant and emotionless. The way he delivered those words seemed like he really believed on that. It was lonely to think about. Was that the information that his constant studying gave him? That wasn't right.

"Where do you think they go?" She asked.

Akashi briefly glanced at her. "How would I know the answer, Hotaru?"

Although she understood his point, still, how could he just say that they were gone?

"I don't think they are just gone." In a sense, they were, but she liked to think that it wasn't the end of it. Who could really tell what it was like after death? No one would ever be certain, so what harm would it cause if she believed?

"As long as we don't forget, they wouldn't be just gone. They could live in our heart." she mused, as she held the part where her heart was. "I like to believe that my father is just around… listening…looking after me."

Akashi Seijuro wondered where she got that kind of beliefs. What was the basis?

Maybe it was all just a feeling. After all, no one could really control what they do or think when they were feeling too much.

"Perhaps. I wonder…"

"You can talk to Shiori-sama as well."

He was caught unprepared with the suggestion. He could try and understand her doings but to try it his self was something he wasn't sure of. What would he tell her anyway? For a second there, Akashi Seijuro was hesitant.

"You know, tell her some stories, or what you feel…. just anything you want." Hotaru followed.

Anything he wanted? But what was it that he even wanted to say?

I love you? I miss you?

Such affectionate words, his mother knew that all very well. He didn't have to say it for her to know.

"So…what do you want to say? Well, we might be in front of my father's graveyard but what if Shiori-sama was just around? Look, she could be behind you for all we know. Right? Who knows?" The girl shrugged.

Akashi smiled lightly. If she was right, if such thing was real, then perhaps he could tell one thing. Maybe it didn't always have to be the overrated phrases. Maybe a simple thought such as the assurance that he was okay despite her being gone would be enough.

Maybe?

There was nothing to fear about – her presence used to remind him of that.

As long as we don't forget….?

He closed his eyes.

Since her demise, every day felt like a walk beside a cliff. It was unknown when he would fall or if he would even get pass it. Every step must be done carefully. His focus should only be the end goal, never wasting time to look at the scenery beside. After all, there was no hand to hold anymore.

"There you are again, no need to think too much just say what comes to mind this instant." Hotaru chimed in.

Ahhh…

Right, there was no hand to hold but these past months were slightly different.

At least lately, it wasn't quiet and dull anymore. There was always this cheery voice beaming on and off behind. He may not have the need to look around because someone was already describing the path. All while he balanced his self, someone was cursing behind for him, cursing the sloppy terrain and clattered stones. There was someone praising the sky and complimenting the view. He didn't have to wonder what the surroundings were like. Though noisy, the experience didn't feel lonely anymore. Someone was following him after all, disguising cheers in a swear. Unknowingly a soft small smile crossed his face.

Now, what must he tell his mother?

"Mother, it's such a shame that you couldn't meet Hotaru." Surely, they'd get along.

Hotaru was speechless for a moment there, before blinking exasperatedly. "W-What do you mean, do you want me in the afterlife?"

"That's funny Hotaru."

She scoffed, "W-What did I do?"

Seijuro looked at the tomb of the late Sasazaki.

He smirked.

Sasazaki-san, your daughter is really funny.