Identical Memories (An OHSHC Fanfic) [Completed]

Epilogue

Eight years later

"Eri!"

The little girl paused, glancing over her shoulder in surprise. She'd hardly expected to be caught so quickly. Within a moment, however, she realized that despite the fact her mother was calling for her in an obviously irritated tone, the woman in question happened to be nowhere in sight. A small, satisfied giggle escaped her lips as she turned her head back to the path ahead of her and returned her hands to the job of untangling the ostentatious teal ribbon her mother had swept her hair back with.

She was so focused on the fact, however, that she didn't notice the tall, dark-haired figure coming down the path ahead of her. As such, she was thoroughly shocked when she bumped into him and lost her balance. A small squeak escaped her lips as the figure easily caught and steadied her. With wide eyes, she turned her attention up to him, the almost fall jolting her ribbon from place and causing her thick black hair to fall to her cheeks, blocking view of her face.

"You should be more-" the figure began, then cut off the moment the small girl pushed the hair out of the way.

Her dark green eyes had wiped all thought from his mind.

If she'd been older, she would have been an exact replica of the face that surged through his thoughts in that moment.

"Sorry!" the girl replied instantly, frightened tears welling up in her eyes. "I didn't mean it, ojisan! Don't be mad at Eri!"

He tensed.

Even the name?

"I'm not old enough to be an ojisan," he replied mechanically, realizing his silence was frightening the child.

Her eyes grew wide, a toothy grin breaking out on her face.

"Okaasan told me that all older boys are ojisans," she informed him, her tone leaving little questioning over whether or not she agreed with her mother. "But I think she just wanted to make Hikaru-oji mad!"

Suddenly, it all made sense to him. As if to drive the point home, a black-haired woman suddenly darted around a corner of the flower garden's bushes, her eyes instantly focused on the little girl.

"Eriko! What were you thinking just running off like that?" she demanded, sweeping the child into her arms.

Eriko gave an indignant squeak, shooting her mother the dirtiest look she could get away with.

"Okaasan is a big dummy!"

Flushing red, her mother instantly deposited her, not so gently, back on the ground.

"Where'd you get that from?" she demanded.

Eriko's expression turned cheeky.

"From Otousan, he said Okaasan is a big dummy for making me wear a poofy dress," she replied rebelliously.

"It would seem nothing's changed," he broke in, his expression twisted into something resembling an amused smile. "You two are still an idiot couple."

The girl's mother jumped, spinning to face the man as Eriko stared up at him with wide, curious eyes.

"You're late!" Emi declared.

Eriko gave a small tug on the man's pant leg to draw his attention.

"You know Okaasan?"

His expression softened slightly as he dropped his hand on her head and ruffled it. A pout appeared on her face and she shoved his hand away as he knelt on the ground in front of her.

"You could say that..." Kyoya told her, his tone soft. "She reminds me of someone, just like you do... you're almost identical."

Eriko cocked her head, even more curious than before. "Who?"

He shook his head in turn, causing her face to fall into a pout once again.

"Don't worry about that. If anything, she's a memory."

"A memory?" the girl echoed.

His lips turned up just the smallest bit, the smile bittersweet.

"An unforgettable one."