❛ 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐃 ❜ ━━━ (𝗸. 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶𝗿𝗼)

014

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

You looked up at your mother as she sat down next to you. She gave you a sweet smile and passed you your food. She placed the back of her hand to your forehead, trying to feel your body temperature.

"You feel fine, so why did you cry?" She asked, looking at you with worry.

"It's nothing, Mom. I was just feeling a little overwhelmed," You said with a smile. "I just wanted to tell you that I really love you. You, Dad, Yuichiro, and Muichiro..."

"We love you too, baby. We're always here for you," She said with a sweet smile. She pulled you into her embrace and wiped away the stains left by the tears on your cheeks. "Here, I made my special umeboshis for my lovely daughter."

"Thank you, Mom," You thanked her and began eating the umeboshis with a satisfied grin.

"I want umeboshis too, Mom!" Muichiro exclaimed as he ran over to hug her from behind.

"Me too!" Yuichiro yelled as he sat next to you.

"You two... you just had them yesterday. Your sister even gave each of you her own pieces," Your mother said, lightly scolding her children.

"But, Mom!"

You chuckled and passed the rest to the twins, "You can share. I'm not that hungry, anyway."

"Really?!" Muichiro smiled at you. "Thank you, Big Sis!"

Your smile grew at the sight of your two younger brothers sharing their food cutely. Your eyes lingered on Yuichiro's figure, feeling a twinge of sadness.

Wait, why am I sad? You wondered to yourself in confusion. I feel as if I've forgotten something...

"Where's Dad?" You asked, finally noting his absence.

"He's outside chopping more wood for the fire," She replied.

You stood up and headed for the door, "I'll go keep him company."

You leave your house, hearing Muichiro scream at Yuichiro when the older twin stole his umeboshi. You chuckled at his scream and continued to look for your father. As it was autumn, the leaves around you were red, orange, and yellow. You loved the colours of the leaves whenever it was autumn.

You spotted your father seconds later, hearing him chop down a tree trunk easily. There were stacks of tree logs next to him and you were surprised to see how much wood he chopped so quickly.

"Dad!" You called him.

He turned around, wiping away the sweat on his face and gave you a smile. He placed the ax onto the tree stump and turned to you, "Hey, sweetheart. What're you doing out here?"

"I wanted to keep you company," You said and stood by your father. "Dad, didn't you say you wanted to tell me something?"

"Oh, yes. I remember now," He said and laughed. "I must be getting old, huh?"

"Stop being dramatic, Dad. You're only 37," You reminded him with a huff.

He laughed once more and ruffled your hair, "Thanks for reminding me how young I am, my dearest daughter."