A Gentle Butterfly Evening

The early evening was alive with warmth—soft laughter, the rustling of petals, and the beautiful hues of twilight.

She sat back, watching as the girls admired their flower crowns, giggling and twirling like the little princesses they had declared to be.

It was enough.

Seeing them happy, seeing Aoi's rare flustered smile, seeing Kanao touch her crown as if it were something fragile and precious—it was enough.

She didn't need a crown. She never had.

But—

"Nee-san deserves one too!"

The words caught her off guard.

She blinked, turning just as the girls rushed toward her, hands filled with the last few flowers they had gathered.

"You made crowns for everyone, but you forgot yourself!" one pouted.

"That's not fair!" another chimed in.

It wasn't that she forgot—she just... didn't think about it—Didn't think it was necessary.

But before she could protest, small hands were already at work, carefully weaving the remaining flowers together, determined to make something for her.

She sat there, frozen, as one of the youngest girls climbed onto her lap, placing the crown gently on her head.

"Now it's perfect!"

The others cheered, clapping their hands, faces glowing with pride.

She reached up, touching the delicate petals, feeling their warmth despite the cool evening air.

It was—strange.

To be given something without asking.

To be cared for so freely.

She swallowed, pushing down the unfamiliar weight in her chest before she smiled—soft, small, but real.

"Thank you."

The girls beamed.

And as they laughed and played, the sun dipped below the horizon not long ago, as the gentle hum of life filled the air—She realized something.

She wasn't as alone as she once thought.

...~•~...

Nightfall at the Butterfly Mansion.

The soft glow of lanterns flickered against the walls as the mansion settled into the quiet hush of night.

Dinner had been a warm affair—Aoi's cooking, as dependable as ever, filled the halls with comforting aromas. The girls had chattered happily over their meal, still giddy from their earlier “Crowning Ceremony.”

Even Kanao, though quiet as always, seemed lighter somehow, her fingers still occasionally brushing over the flower crown atop her head.

But as the meal ended and the plates were cleared, Shinobu had excused herself, slipping out into the night for her duties.

And so, she stayed behind.

Cleaning up.

It wasn't asked of her, but she did it anyway—stacking dishes, wiping the table, tidying up the kitchen alongside Aoi.

"You don't have to do all this," Aoi muttered, arms crossed as she watched her work.

"I know."

Aoi sighed but didn't argue further, merely handing her another dish to dry.

...~•~...

Once everything was in order, she moved through the halls, checking on the little ones one by one, tucking them in, making sure they were warm, safe, at peace.

"Nee-san, you'll still be here tomorrow, right?"

A small voice stopped her at the door. She turned to see one of the younger girls blinking up at her, half-asleep but still clinging to the edge of wakefulness.

Her fingers clenched slightly.

Tomorrow.

Could she promise that?

For them—maybe.

"Of course," she said softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from the girl's face.

Satisfied, the child smiled, snuggling deeper into the blankets, her breathing evening out.

She lingered for a moment, watching over them, before finally slipping out into the dimly lit halls.

Alone now, the weight she always carried pressed just a little heavier.

Tomorrow.

She would keep coming back as long as she could. As long as she was able to.

...~•~...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***