An unfamiliaroffice comes into shapes like a Polaroid photograph. Revealing this strange, unknown place all around you. A room you’ve never entered before. But perhaps you arelong accustomed to seeing this recognizable style. High end, fashionable, impeccablyneat, yet still clinging to an olden taste in style. Only here and there. Onething was clear, this business office had some incredible wealth behind it.Perhaps even a century old.
You lookaround and immediately see you’re not alone. There sits a man at the desk. Fairlyin his late 30’s with a full head of deep, aquamarine curls—and a veryimpressive mustache. He’s speaking with another man, standing in front of him,who has similar facial features. Could they be brothers…?
Regardless,they seem to be arguing. Well…the man standing is, seeming frustrated andexasperated beyond patience. The man sitting seems perfectly calm—genuinelyso. Whatever is bothering the other does not appear to faze him. Save thatfirm, unwavering leaflet green stare. Strange you can’t hear the fight.Everything is muted and soundless. You’re starting to get the distinct, obviousfeeling no one can hear, much less see you, either.
Wait. Haveyou seen that shade of intense green in eyes before–?
‘Papa!Papa!’
Finally,a voice breaks out. High-pitched with youth and girlish in charm. Behind youraces in a girl who can’t be older than eight. Tiny, teal locks curling justaround her rosy-faced cheeks matching that pretty pink dress and Mary-Janeshoes. Hair flying in the wind behind her as she excitedly races inside.
Apregnant woman stands in the doorway, looking none too pleased. This woman isdaunting—absolutely so. She’d easily scaled you at least a WHOLE FOOT, if notmore. Anyone would feel even a little uncomfortable with that piercing, goldengaze alone. Even WITH child right now. Who does that remind you of?
‘Hanami, get back here this instant! Do notbother your Father. He’s a very busy man.’
The little girl–Hanami–pouts in return, ‘Awww…but Mama I JUST wanted to see Papa…!’
—Wait a second. HANAMI? As in MIO Hanami!?
‘It’salright, Saori. You know I do not mind…’
Thesitting gentleman appears to be her ‘Papa’ as he swiftly rises and slips past theother man. He has such a good-natured, easy-going air about him Proven more so when he easily scoops up the smaller girl in midair, making her momentarily fly in the sky.
‘…I’vealways got time for my adorable peach bud!’
Thesudden action instantly elicits a huge chorus of delighted giggling from Mio. Witha face beaming so bright the room practically glows. The laughter is completelycontagious for ‘Papa’ join it. Such a genuine, wholesome chuckle you’rewondering if Hanami’s Papa is actually Santa Claus. Also, now that he’sstanding closer you realize…he is short. VER. Short. Scarcely taller thanyourself. Compared to his own wife, it’s like a dwarf married a giantess!
(…Huh? Was it your imagine or did Saori seem a tad alarmed f over him picking up Mio so suddenly? No she just heaving a tried sigh now…maybe you imagined her worrying?)
‘How areyou doing today, my little darling~?’ He grins up at her, letting her rest in hisarms. Kissing his darling’s cheek, earning another joyful giggle. (You imagine that mustache must be ticklish.)
‘Good~!’ Wasthe cheerful grin in response. Beaming with a pride, dissolving into unrefinedwhining, ‘I’m learning to be a little lady, Papa! …But its suuuuper boring–!’
‘—Mio.’The Mother, Saori, calmly warns.
Hanami gives the heaviest of sighs but seems oddly accepting nonetheless, ‘…I am learning to be aproper lady, Father, but I find the whole matter rather tedious and dull. …How’s that,Mama~?’
‘Better.’Saori seems a tad pleased.
‘Oh, I’msure it isn’t all that bad.’ Papa encourages jovially, patting his daughter’s backside, ‘Besides,you want to be a beautiful yet respectable woman like you Mother, don’t you?’
‘Flatterywill get you nowhere, Matsu, and you know it.’ Saori replied coolly, hardlybatting an eye.
‘It gotyou to marry me, didn’t it~?’ The husband gives a wink.
‘No. Pity did.’ Was the wife’s flatline retort.
Matsupouts dramatically—really, his mustache moves for his mouth alone.
‘Aww…You’reso cruel, my love…!’
The flairof supposed ‘despair’ makes Mio giggle playfully behind her hands. For a splitsecond—or perhaps it mere imagination again—Saori’s lips faintly curl. Almostshowing brief amusement.
Till a clearing of a throat intentionally gains theFather’s intentions. As the other gentleman—practically forgotten by thispoint–-gives a quite ‘excuse me’ and starts to head out. However, as you watch this stranger as he leaves, you’re noticing one, obvious thing. He does NOT look too pleased.
Then a little girl looks back. Watching him leave. Her mouth opens. Mio speaks a name.
‘Uncl—?’
“—ir!? Iori!! SHIRO!”
Snapping back into reality you’re back in your home laboratory. A place you’ve always known. As if you were never there to begin with… Hands have been shaking you desperately for your return.
Intense green eyes gaze worriedly into your focusing stare. Beginning to dissolve into obvious relief.
“Ooh…Thank goodness! You had me so scared!” Mio Hanami sighed deeply, beginning to smile softly, “For a momentI was starting to think I should find your Uncle to come help me! You completely blanked for the longest moment after touching that stone, so…I…”
…
“…Iori? What’s wrong…? Why are staring that way? …Iori…?”
…
“…Oh, please, don’t ‘blank out’ again…! Mr. Soroi—!!”
