The One Who Slipped Away

-Account of Katsuri Ayase- Part I

-Account of Katsuri Ayase-

Part I

I was still in elementary back then.

My life was still simple and perfect.

I had a loving mom and a caring dad.

Everything seems to be fine from that point.

I was enjoying every moment of my life.

One day, however, everything changed in an instant.

Frequently, I see my dad fall down the stairs as he would go down.

I would go near him and ask "Daddy, are you alright?"

He would just smile and said "Sorry, Katsuri. Daddy's such a klutz."

I believed in what he said, since I knew my dad wouldn't lie to me.

Dad was dedicated to his work as an architect and as a father and husband.

His work would sometimes take him to places out of the country.

I would miss him everytime he has work.

My mom would just say "Katsuri, he's working hard just for us to live comfortably okay?"

I knew that deep inside my heart.

Another day, dad came home after his trip.

"I'm home." dad said in a clear voice.

I rushed towards him and gave him a hug.

"My lovely daughter welcomes me first eh? Hahahahah!" dad laughs as he carried me on his arms.

"Daddy!! I missed you!"

"I missed you too sweetie. Where's your mom?"

My mom slowly walks towards us, saying "You arrive home early than what you said over the phone, darling."

"I just wanted to see you that's all."

My dad hugged my mom.

"Let me join too!!"

I hugged both of my parents.

"Well, let me just get my things upstairs."

"Daddy! Can we paint today? I wanna paint today!"

"Okay sweetie. I'll just be getting ready okay?"

I nodded with excitement.

"Don't... overstrain yourself okay? I'm worried about you." my mom said.

"Honey, I'm here and there's nothing to worry about okay? I'll just be spending some time with our daughter."

My dad went upstairs and changed his clothes.

After a few minutes, he came down the stairs and what he brought with him was his painting set.

We went to the yard and he started painting.

I just enjoyed watching my dad paint.

"Daddy, why do you paint?"

"Hm... that's a tough question sweetie."

My dad thought about it really hard and finally he said "It's for preservation I guess."

"P-preservation?"

"That's right. Just imagine, you can preserve the moment that you want to."

"Um... I don't get it, Daddy,"

My dad chuckles.

"Someday Katsuri, someday."

My dad continued painting as I continued watching him.

I then started liking paintings.

"Daddy, can you teach me how to paint?"

"Eh? You want to paint too?" dad said looking shocked.

"Yup!! Can you teach me Daddy?"

"Oh my, someone seems to have fallen liking into painting." my mom said.

"Ah, Honey. What should I do?"

"Go for it." my mom said smiling.

"Yay!!" I leaped for joy after my mom gave me the okay.

"Well, we should probably start tomorrow. Daddy's kind of tired for today."

"Okay, is it a promise then Daddy?" I asked him.

"It's a promise."

"Well then you two, dinner's ready." my mom said as she carried me into her arms.

We all had dinner as a family.

I was happy enough to spend time with my parents.

After dinner, my dad stood up and said "Honey, why don't you go rest? I'll do the dishes tonight."

"But you're tired from your trip aren't you?" my mom said worried about my dad.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." my dad replied with a smile.

"Mommy... I'm getting sleepy." I said to my mom.

My mom looked at my dad.

"Are you sure? I'll be taking Katsuri upstairs then."

My dad did the dishes as mom and I went upstairs.

I entered my room along with my mom.

She tucked me in my bedsheets and kissed me in the forehead.

"Mommy, how come you're always worried about Daddy?"

"Hmm, I love him very much."

"Eh, does that mean you love him more than me?"

"You see sweetie, I love him so that's why you are here. You're the proof of our love."

"I don't get it Mommy."

"I know for sure, someday, you'll find someone like your Daddy then you'll understand." my mom said as she smiles at me.

Then we heard a plate break downstairs.

"What's that noise Mommy?" I asked as I was scared of what happened.

"I don't know, just stay here sweetie okay?"

My mom left my room and went downstairs.

I left my room out of curiosity of the sound downstairs.

"Kyousuke! Kyousuke, dear!!"

My mom was panicking.

My dad was lying on the kitchen floor unconscious.

I quietly hid behind the stairs, as I watched the whole thing.

My mom hurriedly went and called an ambulance.

I thought that my mom would scold me if she saw me downstairs and I immediately went back to my room.

"What happened to my Daddy?" I thought to myself.

My mom then went back to my room.

"Sweetie, wake up now."

"M-Mommy? What's wrong?"

"Um, can you change clothing? We're going out."

"Okay..." I replied nodding.

My mom rushed outside my room as I changed.

I felt something was going on and whatever it is, it's not good.

My mom and I boarded the ambulance and slowly, I fell asleep on my mom's lap.