Inmate

𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚢-𝚘𝚗𝚎

"Do you think she's imagining it?" Shinsou mumbled to me, the two of us watching Hiromi water the flowers.

I shook my head, resting my head in my arms.

"Even when she was a baby, she'd always reach out and giggle at nothing. Even I thought I saw him at one point."

"Wouldn't being able to see him be a good thing? I mean like you'd have him there with you."

"It wouldn't be a good thing. He'd be there, yes, but I can't touch him or talk to him, be an actual family with him."

Shinsou sighed and flicked the side of my head.

"You've gotta move on at some point. It's been 6 years."

"Even so. I don't want just anyone. I want him. I don't want my daughter growing up with someone who isn't her actual Father." I pulled down my shirt from my shoulder, showing him the imprint of Katsuki's teeth.

"I promised to be his, even after he was gone."

-

"Hiromi come have lunch." I called out to her, watching her run over.

"Lunch time lunch time!" She waited next to Shinsou for her lunch.

"Watch her while I'm gone, please." I put my coat on and grabbed a rose, gripping onto the door.

"Daddy where are you going?"

"Daddy needs to go give this flower to someone."

"Can I come too?"

I looked at her and scratched my head. She knows I always leave at this time, but she's never asked to come. Why does it interest her now?

"Uhm.. no.. not today you can't."

"But it's for Dad so I want to come too!"

I glared at Shinsou.

"What did you say to her?"

He shrugged and looked at me.

"I never said anything to her. She figured that out on her own."

I put my forehead against the door, sighing.

"Fine you can come. But you need to eat all your food, including your veggies when we get back."

-

Before I knew it I was on the empty highway, just as how it's always been every day. Except this time there was an extra passenger.

The ride was quiet. I looked through the rear view mirror, glancing at Hiromi looking out the window.

"We're here." I mumbled, pulling up to the cemetery.

I carried her out of the car, the rose in my other hand.

"I brought one too!" She smiled and showed me the flower she brought.

"Your Dad would be happy." I kissed her head, walking on the long snow-covered path.

Soon, I found his headstone, sitting on my knees in front of it.

"This is Dad?" She sat next to me and looked at his headstone.

I nodded before bending over, placing my forehead to the ground. Hiromi followed suit, which made me smile a bit.

"If you want to say something to him, you can." I spoke quietly to her. I still needed time to gather my words.

"Mister Dad, Daddy really misses you, so please say hi to him soon!! And come play dollies again! I'm getting new ones for Christmas so we can play with them! I love you Dad!"

Tears slipped down onto the snow, slowly melting it.

"Daddy your turn!" She sat up and poked me.

"Katsuki, you must be laughing at me right now. I bet it's a silly sight, seeing me come here and do the same thing every day. I miss you so much.." I choked slightly on my words, taking a second to breathe before continuing.

"Thank you, for bringing this light into my life.. and giving me Hiromi. She's the best gift I could've ever asked for. I'll be back tomorrow, and the day after. Just as it has been for the past six years. I hope you're not bored of me yet.." I laughed through my tears.

I sat up, putting my flower on his grave, Hiromi doing the same. I put my hand in my coat pocket, digging through it.

I pulled out a peppermint, placing it next to the flower.

Memories of our happiest moments flashed through my mind. I don't think I'll ever be as happy as I was when I was with him, but Hiromi is enough for me now.

I'll always miss him, my beloved Katsuki. His bright smile lingers in my mind constantly.

That beautiful smile.

"I love you, Katsuki. Sit tight, my love, we'll be together again soon."

End 🥀