'Where did he go...?' I stared up at the tall obsidian building, the apartment we used to share. Celty had found out that he had left Japan, but not where to. She was on the verge of giving up, while Shinra, well, he already has. Mioku can hardly remember what he even looks like, other than the hair, coat, and eye colour. He was... slowly, slowly fading from our lives. A distant memory, a sensation. An experiance.
A lost past.
"Dad! Come on, I can't be late!" Mioku squealed, tugging at my sleeve. She had a field trip to Ichigaya's fishing ward today, which she was intent not to miss. I shook the thoughts from my head and hauled her up onto my shoulders, causing her to squeal with a sudden rush of fear and excitement. She grasped at my cheeks, pulling my lips back to form a sort of grimace teeth seemingly bared.
"Watgh de fauce." I slurred as she giggled.
"Run, dad! I wanna be the first to school!" Mioku tugged at my hair, like a rider tugging at a horse's reins, urging me forward. I sighed in acceptance, giving a playful nicker before stomping a foot, lurching into a run. She squealed and wrapped her hands under my jaw as to not fall off.
~
"Hello, Heiwajima-Sama! I see you decided to bring Mioku yourself, how delightful!" Mioku's teacher greeted. She gave a respectable bow as I eased Mioku to the ground, bowing back in return. "Will you be a chaperon for the field trip, or did you just come to say goodbye?"
"Oh, ah- just goodbye. I didn't sign up." Mioku pouted as I gave a reassuring smile, mussing her hair. A sudden shout of joy errupted behind us.
"Look, Kyoga! It's that super strong guy! He's so cool!" A small ravenette child cried, dragging a brunette after him. The brunette, assumably Kyoga, watched with wide curious eyes as the raven jumped up and down in excitement, staring right at me. Mioku's teacher watched with amusement, eyes half-lidded and relaxed.
"He's my dad!" Mioku put in, wrapping her arm around mine in a protective manner. The raven gave her a doubting look in return, slapping a fist to the palm of his hand repeatedly.
"There's no way he's your dad, he's super strong and you're not! Plus, who's the mom then? I heard he isn't even dating!" Mioku tugged at my sleeve and pouted, eyes narrowed.
"I am too strong! I just don't use my strength because that's like cheating at life! Plus, I'm his adopted daughter, baka!" She stuck her tongue out and pulled down an eyelid, giving a 'blegh' in response as well.
"Mio, you don't call people baka! Mean word, mean word." I chided, giving her a flick to the nose. The brunette's eyes were now so wide, I was sure they would pop out from his face and roll around on the ground, still staring at me.
"You're really Heiwajima Shizuo? The Heiwajima Shizuo?" He finally asked, brushing a sleeve along his nose. I gave a curt nod, three more girls walking up. The ravenette boy gave a big toothy smile and jumped up and down again.
"Mioku's dad is Shizuo Heiwajima! Shizuo-Chan is coming with us to the Ichigaya fishing ward!" He shouted, causing all the children to squeal with excitement.
Quiet down children! Quiet!" The teacher ordered, clapping her hands rhythmically. All the children mumbled quietly as they clapped the same pattern. "Better. Heiwajima-Sama is not coming with us. Understood? Now please wait quietly for the rest of your class, until we are ready to board the bus!" She clapped the same pattern again, and again, the children followed suit. Mioku gave my sleeve another tug.
"Bye dad, I'mma miss you!" She suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck in a tight hug, burrying her face in my neck. I laughed and spun her around, causing her to giggle as well before I put her down, kneeling before her. I held my hands us, palms facing her, as she gently clapped her onto mine. We knocked elbows and locked pinkies as I gave a small smile and kissed her forehead, giving her another hug.
"I'mma miss you, too. Remember what I said earlier?" She rolled her eyes and smiled, pinching her nose.
"Stay away from the water, don't fall in, don't be mean, follow instructions, and stay with the group." She listed off in a nasally voice, unpinching her nose.
"Good. Love ya', and stay safe!" I sighed and gave her a tught squeeze before letting her go. She smiled as I walked off, waving.
I couldn't stop turning around to make sure she didn't disappear... as well.
