Heian Period, in the late 700's

Long black hair that shines underneath the moonlight and a fair of dark lavender eyes that wavered between colors in shade and light. These were features that could be considered the highlights of the only daughter of the old merchant that lives in the east of the village.

She was an innocent beauty, the frail kind yet she wasn't weak or softspoken like all woman should be. Her smile was as radiant as the sun and as calming as the moon. It is only when she would purse her lips and smile slightly that the glow in her eyes would appear and it would simply enhance her striking beauty like a hidden secret.

She was a young woman who was unmarried and many had tried to court her, to win her hand in marriage but her father was a stubborn fool. A stubborn fool who loves his only daughter and would not want her to live the rest of her life choosing the wrong man to be wed.

And as a father, the man knows that he needed to be sure, that his dearest daughter would be in safe hands in the event that his body fails him. He isn't stupid or naive. He was no doctor but he knows the limits of the human body and as someone who has lived as a merchant for a long, long time, he was able to pick up a few pieces of knowledge outside his field.

Trading with various people could help you attain information. Sometimes it's nothing but gossips amd rumors and sometimes it could range from the most expensive silks to the most expensive medicines.

He knows that he's sick and no medicine could cure his dying body. His daughter who was still unmarried, his sweet, sweet little Mimi who followed him everywhere and studied medicine just for him. He would not want to leave such a kind soul alone in this world and being her father, he knows that Mimi would weep and cry for his death.

It would break her. The child grew up without a mother and even without a proper female role model, Mimi was able to become a fine maiden.

Many wanted to covet her simply for her reputation and beauty. While some knew that she was the daughter of an old rich merchant who was one step away from kicking the bucket. They want her money and what her body could offer.

He would not let them. He would not let them have her and he would be stubborn like a fool until the very end if it meant protecting her dearest daughter from harm.

But Mimi was strong and independent. He wanted to protect her but how could he when his body was this frail?

"Otou-sama, did you drink your medicine like I told you?"

"Otou-sama! If your back is hurting, just tell me and I'll massage your muscles."

"H-Huh..? Otou-sama, please calm down! You're coughing blood!"

"Otou-sama, you'll stay with me, right? You're my Otou-sama afterall. We've always been together."

His poor child whose love for him was boundless. As a father, he feels guilt inside him knowing that he was caging her.

She could do so much more and be happy.

His dear Mimi was at the proper age of getting married and before he ends up dying, he would find her a proper man that could make her happy.

-------

"Otou-sama, why...? But I don't want t--"

"Child." She flinched at his tone and bowed her head as she gripped her clothes.

"I just want to be with Otou-sama. I don't need a husband when I have you. We were happy when it's just the two of us.." Mimi turned to her father. "W-Why..?"

The merchant sighed. "You know why."

Yes. Mimi knew why. And because she knew why, it made her want to burst into tears.

"I won't last long." Those words almost made the maiden cry but she held her emotions in and kept a calm disposition. Reality was cruel but as a woman she could barely sway her father's decision.

"Otou-sama.." She said softly as her lips trembled. She was his daughter and if he wished for it to happen, Mimi would graciously accept anything he wants if it meant that he would be happy.

"I will accept any man that you have choosen for me. I will honor your wish."

She bowed her head to her father while the merchant kept silent. His dearest daughter who was frail yet kind, the innocent beauty who could break like the falling snow once he departs this world.

He would not want her to despair. He would firmly miss her smile and her glowing eyes that were one of a kind.

"Otou-sama! I will deliver this for you. You are still very weak. The mansion is quite near. I'll be able to do this."Mimi told her father in a cheerful voice.

"Child, this package is important. The one who needs this medicine is a very prestigious individual. We cannot displease his lordship, do you understand?"

Mimi smiled and she nodded her head meekly.

"Of course, Otou-sama. I won't disappoint you." Was her firm answer. His eyes softened and he beckoned her to come closer. She happily obliged and went to her father.

Mimi felt a hand on her head and as she looked at the face of her father, she could not help but feel remorseful at his aged appearance.

His face filled with wrinkles and lines of stress. His sagging skin and almost blurry eyes. Her Otou-sama was so lively and healthy back then. It hurts her knowing that he was reduced to becoming a frail old man who could not even leave his home.

"I am proud to call you my daughter. " Mimi smiled at his words.

"I am happy, Otou-sama. I was born from such a kind and great man."She said back as she held her Otou-sama's hand between her own.

They were rough against her soft hands but nevertheless, they were warm and they were the hands that guided her until she grew up.

"We are both lucky then." Mimi nodded her head silently at her Otou-sama's statement.

They were indeed lucky to have each other.

-------

"Good morning! I am here to deliver the medicine that his lordship has requested. " Mimi said cheerfully to the maid.

She was graciously accepted inside and was told that the young lord was inside his room along with his doctor.

Mimi was told to wait until she was called. In order to pass time, she wandered around the garden and attempted to name all the flowers and herbs she could see.

The young lord of this place was indeed rich and powerful if he could afford to keep so many valuable plants in one place.

Mimi was in awe once she managed to roam the garden.

"Lycoris radiata" She murmured softly while caressing the red flower in wonder.

"Otou-sama would have liked to see one."

She couldn't help but smile at this. The spider lily or the equinox flower who was said to be ominous flowers that guide the dead to the next reincarnation.

Her Otou-sama has always been obsessed with the fact that people were reincarnated and no one truly dies and disappear in this world.

One way or another they would come back. But for Mimi who has seen numerous patients succumb to their illness, death was no stranger to her.

And ever since she was a child, Mimi knows that the dead would stay dead and it is impossible for them to come back.

Yet at her age, she couldn't help but hope for just a little bit, knowing that her father was slowly weakening overtime.

"If only we could come back." Mimi whispered as she tried not to cry. If only it were that simple.

If only she didn't need to lose her most cherished person.

Maybe then, she could experience true happiness for the rest of her days as a human in this world.

But reality was harsh and not everything is granted.

Because on the night she made a vow with the man she loves, her father died and passed away.