HANAKO LOVED PRETTY FLOWERS. She always asked for them when Papa came from work. She loved geraniums and poppies and chrysanthenums. Hanako never liked red roses though. She hated the red.

Papa came from work at 8 pm sharp. Hanako always asked about work, but Papa never told her. Said that it would taint her beautiful mind and Hanako's pretty lips that contrasted against her dark skin would stretch into a smile.

Hanako liked the word beautiful.

Papa would always treat her to fried chicken. The crunchy, golden skin and the crisp white flesh cooked tenderly with seasoning that wafts on your nose and the mushy gravy spilled all over it. Papa would put catsup on his, and Hanako would crinkle her nose in disgust, but Papa would just laugh and feed her a piece of the chicken thigh.

Hanako was getting pretty tired of that meal, but it made Papa smile so Hanako smiled through it all.

Papa liked the color blue, that's why their dainty, little apartment was filled with blue. Seashells painted blue were pasted on their walls and the couch that breaks Hanako's back was azure. Papa really liked the color blue, he even smiles wider when Hanako purchases that blueberry frosty for him every Wednesday morning, so Hanako wonders why Papa always goes home covered in red.

Hanako absolutely loathed red.

Today, Papa promised that he'd bring lots and lots of snacks for Hanako and he'd get her a bouquet of her favorite hyacinths and she smiled and nodded all throughout. Hanako kissed Papa's forehead and told him she loved him just like she always did and Papa pat her head like the good girl she was. He told Hanako to wait.

Hanako waited and waited and waited.

Papa never came back.

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♤ a companion story to plastic flowers and paper flowers. i recommend you read those two first before proceeding, but if you don't want to then surge ahead :)