~one shots~

nana: nobuxhachi

Nana sat in her chair as her young daughter, Satsuki, played on the floor with the doll that Nobuo had given her at the fireworks show. The mother watched on happily, admiring the doll, and thinking how it was sad that Nobu couldn't see how happy his gift had made Satsuki. Afterall, he and her don't have much contact, just that one night every year.

'He would have been a good father...' Nana realized, noticing that Takumi had yet return home. 'It's not that he's a bad dad, it'd just be nice if he were more faithful...'

The clock read 10:49 p.m., way past the time that Satsuki should have gone to bed. However, whenever Nana tried to send her to bed, she'd always whine and throw a fit about waiting for Daddy. Nana checked her phone, only to see that she did not have a message from her husband, meaning that he most likely would not be coming home tonight.

"It's time for you to go to bed," she told her daughter.

"But what about Daddy? He hasn't tucked me in yet."

"I'll tuck you in, let's go."

"It has to be Daddy!"

"Satsuki, please! He isn't going to be home tonight, just go to bed. It's a miracle you're still awake, plus you have school tomorrow. I shouldn't have even let you stay up this late."

"W-why isn't he coming home?"

"He got caught up with work, you know how busy he gets," she told the young girl, making excuses for her husband like she always did.

"Oh... I just thought that since he just got home..."

"Don't worry about it honey, I'm sure he'll be home tomorrow. He can tuck you in then, okay?"

"Okay..."

"Now let's get you to bed," Nana said, taking her daugher's hand and leading her into the room that she had designed so many years ago. It hadn't changed much, only slight differences as her daughter became older. The old bed was still there, springs rusted and squeaking, the walls covered in the cute flower wallpaper, and her collection of toys were neatly put away - thanks to Nana's doing.

"What is Daddy doing again?"

"Working."

"How?"

"I don't know, you'll have to ask him when he gets home."

"When will he be home?"

"Probably about the time you get home from school."

"Can't I stay home? Daddy hasn't been home for forever, I want to stay home for him."

"No, Satsuki. You have to go to school tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Daddy wouldn't be happy if you skipped school just to see him."

"But I miss him!"

"I know, Satsuki, I know... I miss him too."

"Why hasn't he called? Can I call him before I go to bed?"

"I don't think that's a good idea, you don't want to bother him, do you?"

"No..."

"Good, now get in bed."

"But-"

"Now Satsuki."

Satsuki sighed, and climbed into bed, already wearing her pajamas. Nana wrapped the blanket around her daughter, kissed her on the forehead, made sure the nightlight was on, turned off the light, and left the room - leaving the door slightly open.