Ten years ago
Hayate sat in his desk as he read through his letter.
Suddenly, the door to his workroom flew open.
"Dad, let's paint together!" Akari walked into the room but stopped when she saw the letter in his hands. "Oh...I'll come back later."
"I'm not busy." Hayate looked up at her. "Let's paint in the garden today."
"I'd love to." Akari watched as he opened the bottom drawer and placed his letter on top of a pile of envelopes. "Why do you write so many letters yet never send any of them?"
"I did send the first two I wrote." Hayate remarked.
"Why did you stop sending them?" Akari asked.
"I never got a reply."
Akari looked at her father. "Who did you send them to?"
Hayate smiled wryly. "My parents..."
"Did you have a fight with them?" Akari asked.
"Yes. My father wanted me to become a blacksmith like him, but I wanted to be a painter. Also, my parents didn't want your mother and I to be together since we're from different backgrounds." Hayate explained.
Akari frowned. "Your paintings are beautiful though and mother and I love you. I'm sure if they knew that, they..."
Hayate smiled. "Don't worry, Akari. I will be fine even if they don't speak to me anymore."
Akari furrowed her brows. "Why do you keep writing the letters then?"
Hayate stood up and placed a hand on Akari's head. "Sometimes it's difficult to share your thoughts and feelings with others...I feel better when I write down the things I can't say."
"Oh, they're like your diary then." Akari whispered.
"Sort of." Hayate picked up the canvas that stood beside his desk. "Now, help me bring the paint brushes to the garden."
"Okay." Akari gave the drawer one last look before picking up the paint brush case.
When they arrived at the garden, Hayate stopped.
Shizuka was lying underneath the tree. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell slowly.
Hayate looked at Akari and placed his index finger against his lips.
Akari nodded.
The pair set their supplies down in the center of the garden.
"Do you want to paint first, Akari?" Hayate offered her a paintbrush.
"Sure. I will draw the sun, clouds, and birds." Akari looked up at the sky, and then dipped her paintbrush in orange paint. "You can draw the tree, flowers, and Mom."
"Alright." Hayate stepped back. "However, next time I'll paint the sky."
Akari pouted. "The garden is harder to draw than the sky though."
Hayate chuckled. "I like your paintings though."
"They don't compare to your paintings, Dad." Akari beamed. "You should sell some to an art gallery...they deserve to be admired by others."
Hayate knelt beside her. "It's enough for me that my paintings make you happy."
After their painting was finished, Akari ran over to the tree. She knelt down beside Shizuka and shook her gently. "Mom, wake up."
YOU ARE READING
No Warmth
FanfictionAfter Akari was separated from her family as a child, she is taken in and raised by a human family. Ten years later, she attends Cross Academy seeking to find clues on her origins and vampire family's whereabouts. She also hopes to learn more about...
