𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬 | ʰ. ʳⁱⁿᵈᵒᵘ [✓]

forty-eight

The halls were dark, and only the sound of him dragging his feet echoed within the walls. Rubbing his eyes as he got closer to the commotion that woke him up, his feet brought him to his favorite place in the house— his prized kitchen.

"Ehem." he faked a cough, flipping the light switch on. Immediately, the commotion of rustling stopped.

He sighed as he got the silent treatment after that cough of warning. "Darling, it's way past your bed time." he whispered, kneeling down on the cold marble floors. As soon as he did, he was greeted by the figure of a little girl, crouched down and hugging her knees while staring down at him with puppy eyes.

"Mikari.." he called out, offering his hand and luring the child out of her hiding spot. Unknowingly, a small smile tugged on the side of his lip as he stared at his daughter with much adoration.

If anyone were to see the girl, they could immediately tell who's daughter she was. Mikari had every single one of Hana's facial features. The shape of her eyes, her tiny button nose, and her adorable lips. But with her overall appearance, Rindou definitely won. Blonde hair, daring lavender hues, and lightly tanned skin. Mikari had Hana's face, but seemed to live in Rindou's body.

Rindou appreciated the fact that his daughter was as pretty as the woman he loved most, but the best part for him was Mikari's personality. The kindness, bubbliness, playfulness, and the stubbornness altogether— it was the perfect mix of Hana and Rika; the two women he treasured the most.

"I just wanted a snack.." she whispered. As much as he wanted to give her a light scolding, her huge eyes staring into his soul didn't help at all. "Sweetheart," he called out, but Mikari had a few tricks up her sleeve.

"Please daddy?" she begged, tears brimming in the corners of her pretty eyes as she pouted her bottom lip. Mommy told me to use this trick on daddy if I want something, she thought.

Rindou pursed his lips as he tried to fight over his own morals. It was as if the angel and the damn devil were whispering their own intentions into his system. But in the end, "It's a no, darling. You'll get another tummy ache in your sleep if you eat something this late."

Mikari sighed in defeat. She knew very well that if her dad repeats the same answer twice, it's final. Rindou chuckled as he saw his little girl pout, eyes glued to the floor. 

"How about a song instead?"

Instantly, the child's face lit up, glad to see the figure of a woman standing in the doorway. "Yes please!" she squealed, hugging her mother's leg. "You always steal her away from me." Rindou huffed, nevertheless planting a kiss on Hana's cheek. 

"Deal with it, Mr. Haitani." she hummed, carrying the child in her arms and sticking her tongue out at him before walking away. "Meet you in bed then, Mrs. Haitani." he yelled, a grin spread across his face as he watched his two favorite girls trudge down the hall with matching pajamas.

...

Hana's eyes were practically shut when she walked in their bedroom. "Is the little devil asleep?" Rindou asked, earning an offended scoff from the latter. "How dare you call my precious little baby a devil??" she asked, hitting the latter's arm as she lay beside him.