ˏˋ°•*⁀➷「Flowers」 *ೃ༄

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟚 - 𝔾𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕐𝕠𝕦

❝I planted roses
Abundantly, they flourished
Forever, they'll live❞

When the hell did I write this?

I take the small piece of paper with the haiku written on it and tear it to shreds. I don't have time for such meaningless activities anymore. Poetry is the tongue of dreamers and children.

I am neither of those.

As I get rid of some of my other poetry, I hear Papa's footsteps coming up the stairs - heavy and pronounced, yet gentle in nature. He knocks on my door. Thump, thump, thump. "Come in," I say.

Papa walks in, his thick white hair falling in thick locks over his broad shoulders. "You're throwing those away..." he sighs woefully. "Dad, I'm not into poetry anymore," I roll my eyes. I don't know why he can't learn to accept that I've changed. Our lives have changed, and I don't want to go back and pursue my old hobbies and passions. They're dead to me now.

"I loved reading your haikus, Dan Heng. You're so talented... putting so much meaning into so few words." I look away, staring at the notebooks on my desk, ready to meet their demise in my trashcan. After a few moments of silence, Papa asks me wearily,"Are you ready to go?" I'm about to answer when something at his hip catches my eye. I gasp.

"Mama's sword?"

A few tears fall down Papa's face. "Yes, son." He takes the katana and gives it to me in my hands while bowing down. He looks up and smiles at me. "Today is a special and important day for you, my son. You have worked so hard to get to where you are today... I know your mother is smiling down at you, and I know she is so proud of you, Dan Heng."

Now, Papa and I are both crying. It's been 5 years, yet our hearts still ache painfully. I wish Mama was still here. Life has been difficult without her. I've always needed her help and guidance, but I need it now, more than ever.

Every night, I stand in the hallway, looking at her portrait. Mama looked like a queen, a goddess. That's how Papa treated her - like she meant the whole universe to him.
"Mama," I sob, "why did you leave Papa and I? We're so lost without you. I'm lost without your guidance every day. Mama...life is so confusing right now... I don't know if the choices I'm making are the right ones and...Mama...I need you so badly!" Then I fall to the ground and cry until my heart and my lungs ache. Until I can't breathe. "Mama..." I look at the stars. "Mama...come back to Papa and I..."  I get no response from my mother. Just silence.

This happens every single night.

‐----------------‐----------------‐----------------‐-------------
I watch the green trees zoom past us in the car. Yanqing sits quietly, playing with his Nintendo Switch. Mama's katana is heavy on my lap. I close my eyes, playing back my sparring sessions with Papa. Every strike, every cut, every dodge...I remember it all, clear as day. Today, my ancestors will be watching me. Today, I can not afford to mess up. Today, I seal my fate.

"Big brother, are you sure you're ready for today?" Yanqing asks, breaking the silence. "Why wouldn't I be?" I scoff. Just to humor myself, I always tease and irritate Yanqing. That's what big brothers do. Though, I still love him very much. He is dear to me, and I'll do anything to protect him. Blood protects blood.

Yanqing pouts. "Well, I bet I could beat you in a duel! Just because you're fighting some big-shot today doesn't make you any better than me." Papa laughs. "Easy, boys. You're both amazing at what you do. Don't compare yourself to each other or anyone else for that matter.

"Yes, Papa..." we say in unison.

We arrive at the Belebog Sports and Recreation Center. There's so many people streaming into the building. Perhaps there's other activities happening today. I know Asta has yoga today, too. Maybe there's volleyball and tennis today as well.

Papa holds Yanqing's hand. I grip Mama's katana tightly. We walk inside and go to the reception desk. "Welcome to the Belebog Sports and Recreation Center!" She hands Papa a pen. "Just sign your names here and the details regarding your reason for visiting."

While Papa deals with the paperwork, I look around for Arlan. He said he'd come and watch me today. However, the person who caught my eye isn't Arlan...

"Big brother! Don't start a fight, please!" Yanqing grabs my arm before I can run off to beat the boy. The last time we saw each other, things weren't so pretty...

After a while, he notices me. He comes with his clique to "greet" me.

"Well, well, well. Didn't think we'd be meeting Jing Yuan's runt here today! Can't believe he even made the team!" His friends snorted and laughed. A girl places her arm on his shoulder. "Bladie, is he really worth picking on before your big match? He's just some Xianzhou small fry. He doesn't stand a chance against all this." She gestures to his jacked body.

Blade laughs heartily. "Yes... you're right, Kafka. He's not worth my time!" He shoves me before walking into the dojo. I growl. "That piece of-"

Papa looks at me sternly. "Dan Heng. Watch yourself." I sigh. I don't know when I'll get a chance to get back at him...