I’ve been here for some days now. I got used to my life in the castle as well to Claude’s lectures and sudden intrusions, which can be really annoying sometimes. But guess what?  I have the chance to see the streets of Philip today, because I was told to go shopping. I think it’s a nice opportunity to get some fresh air, so I agreed. My personal Maid, Amelia, came in. She is only a few years ( If I remember right she is 20 now) older than me and we have known each other for a long time. “Look at this dress, Shironumi, I’m sure you will look great in it. You have to make a nice impression when you go to town, you know?” She handed me the dress and I changed into it. Usually I don’t often wear dresses, but well, it does suit me well. After I got my what-I-have-to-buy-list I made my way down towards the door. “It looks good on you.”, I heard somene say. I looked up and my eyes met Wilfred’s, my childhood friend’s.

“Wilfred!” I almost jumped out of happiness and was about to hug him, but I held back. He smiled at me and said: “Long time no see.” I nodded guickly and waved at him as I ran outside. “I have to go shopping now. See you later!”

Wilfed’s P.O.V

What a pretty girl she has become. I mean, she was always pretty, but now she was as twice as pretty. I never thought I would meet her again after she moved house with her parents. To be honest, I was kind of lonely. There was noone who waited for me in front of my room and there was noone who always called my name and dragged me into all kinds of troublesome yet funny situations.      Actually, I love her, but well, it’s an one-sided one. She only saw me as her big brother, her only friend. But there is nothing I can do about it. If she doesn’t feel that way, I won’t force her to. That’s it.

And with that I intended to go back to my office, but as I passed by the kitchen, I heard some voices. It was Amelia, Shironumi’s maid, and a man’s voice that sounded somewhat familiar.

“It feels good to see your daughter again. When is her house going to be finished?”, Amelia said. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but at that time I didn’t care.

“I don’t know. So many bad things happen when I’m away, I don’t think I could count them.”, the man said. So it’s her father.

“But you are always away. It’s pretty rare for you to have free time.”

“This is why so many bad things happen. I guess she must be really disappointed in me. I was never able to protect her from pain.”

What pain? I can’t remember anything about bad things happening to her. But maybe I didn’t pay enough attention. She never told me about it.

“What kind of bad things do you mean? The things her mother did to her or the pain her ex-boyfriend has caused her or the girls at school who always mobbed her or the rapists who attacked her..---”

“Everything.” At that time my brain started working. I knew that her mother was the most horrible creature on earth but her ex-boyfriend? She had an ex-boyfriend? Suddenly I felt a harp pain in my chest. Haha. Of course. There is no way she would have any feelings for somene like me, is it? Ridiculous.

Shironumi’s P.O.V

Woah, a watermelon is really heavy. Slowly I put the fruit in my hands into the basket and wanted to leave the shop.

“Wait! You still have to pay!”, the salesman said, looking at me.

"Onii-san! Let's play outside, Daddy has allowed us to." My little sister Shiorin said, pulling me to the door. It's rare for father to have time. This is why Shiorin never wants to waste even a second to play with him.

"Ichigo! Shiorin! Some business has come up, so I have to leave now. Behave yourselves and don't cause trouble to your father, okay?", mother said.

I think I can manage taking care of father. I can't promise that, though.

"What do you want to play?", father asked as he hugged us.

"I want to play hide and seek! You will count, Daddy!" Shiorin's eyes sparkled as she hugged him back. 

"If my princess wants to" He stood up and covered his eyes. He began to count.

As fast as we could we looked for good hiding places. Shiorin, as always, hid behind the bushes. I made my way to highest tree in our garden. I always hid there when I was sad or lonely. It was a habit of mine to do so. Sometimes I heard Claude's annoyed yet worried voice, but not long after the shouts disappeared and I was alone again.

Noone has found me up there. And nobody will. 

I sat on the thick branch and tried to see through the leaves.

"Found you, Shiorin" I heard fathers voice as he picked her up from the bushes and spun her around.

"Aww daddy! You always find me first! This is why Ichigo always wins, that's not fair..." Shiorin pouted a bit, but father gave her a peck on the cheek and smiled. I want him to find me and smile at me like that, too...

I closed my eyes and waited for father to give up. But he didn't. He looked everywhere. And with everywhere I mean everywhere. He even looked under a stone, into a mole hole, behind his back. That made me laugh a bit. Silly Dad.

"So that's where you are" I felt two hands on my hips and soon I was put onto his lap. I turned around and met his happy face.

"Father, how did you find me?"  How did he even climb up that tree? Looks like gravity has become weak...

"Of course I would find you. I will always find you." He really did. Nobody has told me this before. 

"But...not even Claude could see me here. How could you?" I asked, not finding an answer.

"You know what playing Hide and Seek means, right? You run away so you can be found. It might take some time, but you definitely will be found."

I tried to hold my tears back. I never really understood the meaning of this game. Now I do. I buried my face in his chest and embraced him as a sign of my affection towards him.

"Thank you, father..." I could hear him chuckle a bit. And then I felt his arms around me, hugging me gently.

"You are just like your mother. Always trying to be strong. I am really proud of you, my dear son."

I am really proud of you too, father.

"How about we go inside and I teach you how to make your mother happy?"

"Okay...but don't blame me if you can't get out of the dress Shiorin bought for you."

And so father and son ( and daughter ) went inside. The children pulled their father into a pink dress with ribbons until the mother came home.

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