STRAWBERRIES & CIGARETTES

EPILOGUE

Another good three years had passed, showering all the shadowed years with blooming cherry blossoms.

The house is prettily warmed by spring, and the streets are equally washed by pollen.

It's a casual romantic season, and even though it was really nice to have a long hangout outside, the Zhong family can't risk it because of their 2-year-old's allergies.

"Zhong Haru, come back here!", Chenle called as the little girl waddled away from him.

Tired, he dragged his feet from the bathroom to the living room, where the kid stopped.

As he saw her draping her towel on her head as it covered her body like a makeshift ghost, he laughed.

"Are you trying to scare me?", Chenle coos as he crouches to match her height and takes the towel off her

He was met with an annoyed expression from the kid, however, making him raise a brow confusedly as he continued wiping her dry.

"Oho, what is this face?"

"Papa!", Haru exclaimed.

"Hmm?"

"Mama"

"Mama should be home anytime. Why?"

"Mama", she repeated with grabby hands.

"Are you choosing mama over me now?"

As if she clearly understood her father, Haru nodded, making Chenle laugh again.

"Fine. Papa won't make you chocolate cake again", he began teasing while reaching for her dress prepared on the couch. The cake mentioned is her favorite pancake.

"Cake?", Haru looked up at him with her pleading bambi eyes. "Cake, papa."

"Mama will make you one once she's home."

"No, papa", she said, pointing at the man.

"But you want mama."

"No, no!", her eyes began to tear up.

"Haru-ya, arms up."

"Cake", she stubbornly said, refusing to raise her arms for the sleeves of the dress to slip in properly.

"Yeah, you'll have your cake if you'll wear your dress properly."

"Cake"

Sighing, Chenle stopped forcing her. He hardly suppressed a laugh when he saw the dress pooling on her neck, accidentally hiding her face, and only the top of her head was visible like an adorable bun.

"Zhong Haru, you need to dress properly either way for you to eat."

"Papa, cake"

"You want papa to make you cake?"

She nodded