The town's summer festival arrived, painting the streets in color and laughter.
Paper lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, stalls lined the road with grilled food and candy, and fireworks crackled in the distance.
"Papa, hurry up!" Hikari tugged my sleeve, dressed in a small yukata decorated with tiny cherry blossoms. She spun in a circle, smiling brightly. "Do I look cute?"
My heart skipped. She looked… exactly like her that night years ago when we had gone to the same festival.
"…You look beautiful," I whispered.
Her cheeks turned pink, but her smile grew wider. "Then tonight, it's a date, okay?"
I chuckled nervously. "You're too young to say things like that."
But she only laughed, taking my hand firmly. "Too late. I already decided."
---
We walked through the stalls, sharing takoyaki and shaved ice. Hikari's lips turned blue from the syrup, and I wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"Papa, you're just the same as before," she said softly. "Always taking care of me… always gentle."
"And you're still the same troublemaker," I teased.
She pouted, then suddenly leaned forward and kissed my cheek. My whole body froze.
"That's for being my date tonight," she whispered with a playful grin.
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst.
---
Later that night, we cooked dinner together back home.
The kitchen was a mess—flour scattered across the counter, oil sizzling in the pan. Hikari laughed as I tried to fix her unevenly cut vegetables.
"Don't complain," she said, puffing her cheeks. "You used to say my cooking was cute, remember?"
I reached out, wiping a bit of flour from her face. "Yeah… I still think so."
She blushed and looked away, mumbling, "Then I'll keep cooking for you forever."
---
When the fireworks began, we sat on the balcony together, the night sky exploding in red and gold.
Hikari leaned against me, her hand slipping into mine.
"Papa… no, my love," she whispered, her voice trembling but firm. "Thank you for giving me this day again."
I kissed her forehead gently, pulling her close. "Thank you… for keeping your promise and returning to me."
As fireworks lit the sky, we stayed wrapped in each other's warmth, hearts overflowing with a love that no tragedy could ever erase.