Baby Love - A Hakuouki Fan Fiction

Chapter 08

Two grown-ups observe the toddler's next move, her wide gaze piercing into Miyuki's uncertain ones. Akane glances back to her father's pleading countenance just as she breaks out into tears. Before Shinpachi had better access of the situation, the babysitter jumps in.

"Oh no," Miyuki gasped, her heart squeezing in sympathy for the child. "Come on in, she must be feeling overwhelmed."

"Akane," Shinpachi steel voice toned down her caterwauling. He gingerly hands over a peeved-expression toddler to Miyuki who without waiting carries a heavy, delightful smelling tiny human into her arms.

"Hello," Miyuki introduced herself in a baby voice. But Akane remains unamused, eyes darting towards her father in a silent plea to lift her. "It's alright, we are going to be good friends from today onwards."

"I have all of Akane's necessity packed into her bag..." Shinpachi begun to quickly brief only to be cut off mid-sentence by Miyuki's raised palm.

"Please, come on in," Miyuki still carrying Akane steps aside for the big male to enter inside the premise. "I have tea brewing for us."

"I am late for work," he took a stand but the woman started to frown. "I know it's bad of me, but I hope you understand."

"Please, Mr Nagakura, you look dishevelled," she shrugged a shoulder. A palm resting on the toddler's warm back.

"Okay," he gave in with a loud exhale, tilting his body downward to take off both shoes when Akane wriggled to be set free. Miyuki carefully upright the girl, she totters quickly over to her father.

"Go home," she quipped indignantly. "Papa, go home."

"This is your second home," he crouches to pull off her shoes. "Behave, Akane."

Miyuki, on the other hand, amble away to arrange a set of tea accompanied with eggs and sandwiches. She was better prepared to host her new guests. Walking into the living room carrying the tray, spying both father and daughter whispering to each other as they sat down.

"Be careful, your drink is hot while Akane can have an apple juice," she sat with her legs folded. "Do you feed her solid food?"

"Occasionally," Shinpachi replied although his eager gaze was focused on the breakfast displayed on the table. "I'm still learning on how to be a responsible father figure."

"Oh," she blinked in response, surprised by his honesty.

The sound of cutleries clinking and a groan of approval from the lad, Miyuki sat quietly enjoying their varied emotions exhibited on their adorable expressions. The cherubic child clutches onto the carton vigorously inhales all of her apple juice while sitting on her father's lap.

Out of nowhere, Miyuki comprehended that the male discerned her heavy Kyoto accent and tilted her head. The reflection came out of the blue. Replacing her empty cup on top of the coffee table, she cleared her throat gently to garner his attention. He glances up at her flustered profile, unaware that the toddler was eying surreptitiously.

"Thank you for the breakfast," Shinpachi bowed his head.

"You're welcome," she smiled brilliantly, her heart skipping a beat. "Anyway, I'm amazed that you can decipher my accent."

"Todou Heisuke is from Kyoto," he chuckled, perhaps by her gaping mouth. "He blends in well with the Tokyo counterparts."

"Wow!" Miyuki leaned forward similar to an excited child. "I must ask him someday."

"Of course, what about yourself?" he tilted his head to the side one hand resting atop Akane's fluffy mane.

"Thank you to Aoi, I can adapt to the city life but there are periods when I miss my town," she gingerly tucked a lock behind an ear. "If I don't succeed with my plan I will have to bid farewell to this bustling metropolis."