hina

Chapter 4

The familiar sound of her mother's shamisen woke her from her slumber as Tsurara opened her golden eyes. The door to the garden was opened and Setsura was leaning on the paper door, holding the instrument in her arms. The song her mother usually played for her when Tsurara was young filled her ears, and gave her the warm feelings of being home, of knowing there was someone who loved her.

Tsurara was lying on the futon she shared with her mother the night before. There were wet spots on the white mattress, where her frozen tears had melted. She could not recall when did she cry as much...

Chapter 1

She did not know when it started, but she knew that she had loved her Waka for a very long time. It might be when she began to take care of him. It was not love back then. It was more likely affection. The little boy was an adorable one, notwithstanding how mischievous he had been. She was always one of his usual victims for his pranks. But that was what make her fond of him. The whole household seemed to be more lively with his presence.

For Tsurara, it was at first her duty to watch out for him. Then it grew on her as an completely common nature to protect and care for him, to be...