𝐕𝐄𝐈𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 ┃ 𝐄𝐍𝐇𝐘𝐏𝐄𝐍

prologue.

"Mother, Father! Where are you?" A young girl who looks to be around the age of ten cried out at the top of her lungs.

No matter where she looked, she could not find her parents. The harsh reality of her not being able to be reunited with her family was starting to sink in. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Her lips trembled, shoulders shaking like fallen leaves as muffled sniffles left her lips.

She remained where she was, covering her face with her small hands as she sobbed to her heart's content. The girl was engrossed in her crying session that she was unaware of how someone had stopped before her, his footsteps silenced.

"Little girl, why are you crying?" He asked in a soft and caring tone, even getting to his knees so he could meet her at eye level.

Hearing another person's voice, she looked through her hands to see a handsome-looking man before her. He gave her a friendly smile, reaching out his hand but not close enough to touch hers; waiting for permission. She lowered her hands, clenching onto the fabric of her clothes.

"...I don't know where Mother and Father went," she mumbled, and he chuckled.

"Are you lost? If you want, I can help you find them. How does that sound?" He asked, his hand still frozen in midair.

The girl's face brightened up at the thought of being able to see her beloved parents again. "Really? You'll do that for me?"

"Of course, it's only common sense to help someone in need. Now come, let's find them together. I'm sure your parents must be very worried about you," he rose to his full height, lending her his hand to hold.

Nodding, she held onto his fingers because her hand was too small and they walked side by side at a slow pace. They did not talk much, with only the man asking her questions about her parents appearance as she shyly answered them to the best of her abilities.

They made a turn round a corner and the pair saw two people frantically searching high and low. Seeing this, the girl freed herself and ran towards them, as fast as her short legs could carry her.

"Mother! Father!" She shouted, overjoyed and full of relief.

"Tsukiyo! There you are! Oh for Heaven's Sake, don't scare us ever again!" Her mother exclaimed, engulfing her in a bone-crushing hug as she desperately clung onto her precious daughter's body.

"I'm glad to see you're safe. Although, that doesn't mean you're excused from being too reckless," her father gently scolded her. "Your mother and I were worried sick about you, you know?"

"I'm sorry." The girl apologized and she then remembered the man who had saved her. "Oh, someone helped me search for you-" She turned to where she left him but to her surprise, he had vanished into thin air.

Her parents looked to where she was pointing at, only to frown when they saw no one. "Are you sure someone has helped you?"

"Yes, I swear I'm telling the truth!" Tsukiyo insisted, standing her ground.

Her parents shared a glance and chose to drop the conversation, not wanting to prolong it. The family of three turned and returned to their home. However, what they did not know was how someone had been watching them from a distance.

He was even able to pick up every single word that was said, despite the distance between them. He smiled when he heard the young girl's name, remaining where he was until their figures vanished when the main door closed.

Tsukiyo... What a fitting name. I'm sure I'll see her soon...