First Love at Second Life ( HAKUOKI FANFIC)

Advancement

Diana, the woman who lived alone with his sickly father until just a week ago. Now, she has nothing but herself. Not that she's always cheerful and bubbly, but after the burial, the emptiness become more subtle in her eyes.

She has always been a hardworking person, a filial daughter. Not a perfect person as a human being, but she's always been kind to others and help each other whenever she could. This kind demeanor taught by her father. As a single dad, he had to be both her father and mother at the same time.

Her father is the kindest person she ever met. When he died, many of his friends came to give their respect and some of them cried even. The father always taught her to be kind to others, but be kind to yourself as well. It's his saying to help each other but don't push yourself too much.

He was a great parent. He had done his job as a father. Except... for walking her down the aisle.

Sitting down on the couch alone, she stares on his father's will. Even though one of his relative already read it for her, she still couldn't take her eyes from the letter. No, probably from the hand writing of his father itself.

Diana's work gave her 2 days off as a 'grieving moment' days. They gave the family in grieve days off officially. However it's not enough for Diana to overcome the grieve, not Diana— or not anyone in the whole world being able to overcome the sadness of losing their loved one so easily like that.

The semi-curvy hand writing of his father, she read it again and then with every word comes down tears.

Started with the letter clearly labeling the document Last Will and Testament." Next, his full name and address, testimony that he's over the age of 18, are of sound mind and are not making the will under duress. Everything was just the formality until Diana's eyes reaches to her own name on the letter.

" My only child, dear Diana...

Thank you. That is the first thing I've always wanted to say to you before my last breath. Just in case, I thanked you in this letter if I weren't able to say it before. Your mother left you when you were so small, probably as small as an infant. I, as a single parent, at that time was scared and about to lose my way. Doubts and haste never leave me alone, I even wondered wether should I give you to your grandparents... I'm glad that I was wrong. At that time, when I about to lose myself, your little hand clinging onto my sleeve, and with just that little gesture of yours, you bring me another life to live. You are the one who give me reason to live a life, just like how you always does even until now. As I wrote this will, my breath probably will only last a couple more weeks. Thus, I called my cousin over to witness my will when you were working outside.

Diana, as my only child you are the rightful heir of my property and wealth. I may not have much, but there should be enough for you to live years without the need of working late every night. You like to buy games as well right? Think of it as a pocket money from your father. There's nothing more I could give you even if I wanted to. However, there's only one thing that I can confidently say it's worth more than the money I leave to you. Remember, to cautiously do goods, live your life to the fullest even when you're in poor and rich, and always mind your words.

It's alright to cry, but do not succumb to it. Do not worry about me or death, true it's a really sad thing, but do not kill your future because of my death. Live on and keep moving forward Diana.

Should I use my every last energy of this fickle life, I only wish for you to have a happy live and meet your love.

Loving, your father. "

No matter how many times she read it, she'll always cried at the end of the letter and wail to another hour. When she was with her father's relative, she didn't show much sadness like now. But when everyone's gone, that's when the loneliness get her heart better.

" Waaaa... Aghhh...!! Dad... dad.... Hwaaa.... ahhh! "
Even though she want to screamed out how she missed him so bad, she won't do it. Because she knows, when there's nothing to reply her wail, it will only hurt her even more.

The first day comes with her waking up on red eyes and eye bags— severe headache at times in addition. The second day, she's still let herself loose as she cried all night till she fell asleep. The third day, she started to go back to her work and tried her best to do her job as always. But this time, just like what her father mentioned, the money from him was meant as a message to take it easy from now on.

The day goes on without waiting for anything.  At the same time, Diana has never tried so hard to forget her sadness. Instead she's learning to remember the memories of her and her father being the things she need to smile about, not to be cried for.

Months or maybe half a year has passed, her life has never been normal ever since her father's death, but she is willing to come into terms with her pain and slowly build her own happiness.

As such times, she can only find the last reaming of her true happiness inside her otome games. Her favorite game, Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan. Because she feels where she can connect the most to her beloved Vice Commander Hijikata.

Laying on her bed, alone. The only light came from the small screen of her game console with Hijikata onscreen.

" Even after you went through so much hardship, you always faced it head on, aren't you, Vice Cap? There are soooo many things... that... made me drawn to you. You are so bright... and yet so pitiful. "

The eyes that has been staring at the screen for too long began to loose its vision as things fading away with her conscious.

" If... only I could meet you... I wish I could embrace you gently... and... told you... that it's alright... to rest... it must be... tiring, right? "

Words... become mumble.

But heart, become honest.

"  ... I... do love him... if nothing else... that is... true. "

Diana.

A young woman no more than 20. Still so young and full of potential, but she has to die so young as well. But that's nothing to be disappointed about.

It's death, the only way of advancement to the next life.