Prologue 1 : The Lonely Daughter

Part 1 :

The bell rang three times, giving sign of the end of today school life.

Normally this would be something I hate, signaling how little more time left I had at school before coming back to my home away from my friends.

But not today, it is the coming of promised day.

"All right, make sure you do your homework and study for the test next week, this is all for today."

"Rise!,  greet the teacher!."

"~Good afternoon, ~dear teacher."

Leo is loud as always, forcing everyone to rise to greet the teacher may be your job, but you don't have to yell that loud every time...

Though I also greet the teacher with spirit today, perhaps because it is a special day after all?.

I put all the book inside my bag and rush outside the classroom, slipping through the corridors and stairs before blocked by incoming student traffic jam, only to be halted by a familiar sound.

"Lis, you going to the clubroom right?"

It is my former classmate Ravena, who also happen to be in the same club as me.

"Ah, I'm sorry but I got to skip the club activities."

"Another call from home?, geez~, must be your father coming home early again."

My Dad is one of those parents who safeguard their children with full care.

Normally I'm not allowed to stroll outside the house after school, club activities are considered on the borderline limit. I'm only allowed to stay for club activities if my Dad doesn't come home early.

Apparently his heart can't stay calm if he didn't see me at home.

"No, its not that, we're planning to go outside today.

"Wow, tomorrow must be raining sugar. I won't hold you any longer then, be sure to tell him about our plan as well!."

"Yep!, see ya later!"

Vena was pulled back inside the class before she's able to reply my farewell, it seems she's on cleaning duties today.

Most people will be surprised at how close we are after only one year of friendship.

Everything started because of the "Yearly Class Shuffle", the school tradition to reform the class every year despite having 8 class at every grade, resulting in heavy chaos of classmates rotation.

All of my close friends was moved to other class, leaving me alone with no one to talk to for the first few days, until I met Ravena.

She was the receptionist for the afterschool novelty club, replacing her older sister who has graduate that year.

The club was on the verge of disbanding after unable to recruit anyone last year, a dangerous situation considering only 2nd grade may register as new club member.

Long story short she grabbed me on my way to the library, which is right beside the clubroom, allowing easy access to borrow the novel we need.

We manage to get another 2 new member and successfully meet the club minimum member quota. Although all four of us are close friend, Ravena is the only one in the same class as me.

Yet, again the great class shuffle hit me this year, totally separating us to different class on different floor.

It's funny how the clubroom help us befriend previously unknown classmate, and now become the only place both of us can regularly hang out together after school.

After a few more stairs and corridors, I finally reach the school locker located at the entrance hall. Its just a small locker used to store handphones while at school, although it's allowed to be used during club activities.

After taking out my handphone and greets the teachers on guard duty, I head outside to call for my pickup.

Slowly walking while waiting for my call to connect, I can only silently watching my schoolmates going home in groups.

Something I've been unable to do since a few years ago.

"Yes Milady?"

My driver voice pulls me back to reality, nowadays he's the only partner I have on my way home.

"Ah Kalvin, I'm going home early today, can you pick me up?."

"Of course, I'll be there in a minute."

Ending the call with a thank you, I start looking for an empty bench in school frontyard.

My house isn't a minute drive from school, no matter how skillful Kalvin is in finding fastest route utilizing rat road he's still bound to spend at least 15 minute getting here.

At least that's what I thought before recognizing the silhouette of the car that just stopped in front of the entrance.

A man came out from driver seat under the gaze of passerby students, partly because of his butler attire and the aura he's emanating that would make you think he's coming out of old fairy tale.

After replying the greeting of several students, that man start to walk towards me with a small smile.

Most people would think that's just a face expression you used after being greeted by middle-school girl. But I know better, that's a face of victory I used to see long ago. He's making fun of me.

"...How do you know?"

"My~, what are you talking about Milady?, didn't I say I'll be here within a minute?."

"Ha!, very funny. Too bad I already lost my sense of humor for your jokes."

"We had to find a way to restore it then."

Now he's grinning even more. This guy..., he really trying to lit my fuse.

"Keep that smile and I may walk home by myself."

"And be late for your long-awaited theme park visit?, I was told by your father to bring you home as soon as school end."

"So it's father after all.., I really had to talk to him about your behavior"

"Giving me a pay rise?, I appreciated your generosity but for now I prefer a hot chocolate at home. Shall we?"

Kalvin offered his hand to help me rise up from the bench. I've planned to give him another round of scolding, but the thought's gone when I saw the scar on his right hand.

I accept his offer instead, closing the scar with my own hand while pulling him as strong as I can, yet he stood unshaken, still giving me the same smile.

I lift my face and stare right into his playful eyes.

"You better didn't make more jokes on the way home."

Part 2 :

Antol Park is one of few places I have memories of, our family used to visit it every month.

Nowadays father is busy at work and I'm occupied with school. I think the last time we visit the park is three years ago.

Now would be a good time to rekindle our old memories. If only the one I'm supposed to share it are here.

"..already 25 minutes pass the agreed time."

"Well, now you know how your father feel while waiting for you to come home."

"It's different!, I never made promise to be at home when father is off from work!."

Just where is Dad?, first he ask me to meet at the theme park instead of going together from home.

I thought he already here preparing something for me, who knows I will be the one waiting for him?.

Simply standing in front of theme park gate without entering it is the ultimate form of temptation. There's no way I can hold out anymore.

"..Kalvin, come with me."

"W-wait, what?."

I drag Kalvin by his arm to the ticket locket. Underage require guardian to be able to enter the theme park, a response to recent criminal activities in this area.

As expected of entertainment district with various night time activities.

Luckily we decide to visit the theme park on the afternoon, the security shouldn't be too tight right now.

"Welcome to Antol theme park!, how long will be your visit?."

"Hold on Alis!, we should wait for your fa-."

"Hsst Kalvin!, just give me your ID Card."

The clerk lady is watching us with smile all over her face, probably considering calling a security any time now.

"We would like 4 hours package for both of us."

"Certainly, that will be 60 gulden."

"It's 60 gulden Kalvin, you have enough right?."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

I gave Kalvin my sweetest smile, just like school bully asking for lunch money from his peon. Kalvin's face is full with hesitation over handing his money and ID Card or receiving the full brunt of my anger if he fail to do so.

"...Here it is."

In the end he decide giving up would be the best choice for both of us. Dunno why he so reluctant over it, Dad will compensate him later anyway.

The clerk accept Kalvin money and ID Card, although she pay more attention to the latter.

There's something in that card which manage to change her image of us, soon after she return it together with paper bracelet.

"Sorry for the delay, please use the bracelets while staying within theme park area. Please also take notice that most service will not accept customer with bracelets past its active time, you can visit customer centre located in the park central district if you need additional time."

Receiving the paper bracelet while ignoring most of clerk instructions, I wear it on my right arm with the barcode on the outside.

It seems we need to swipe it at the machine behind the ticket locket, makes me feel almost like a mall item.

Walking past barcode scanner machine, I was welcomed with Antol park biggest area, at least according to the map on the bracelet.

It is food and drink station, complete with outside tables under the sun, perfect location for waiting someone.

"Come on, get us a table while I order some drinks."

"...To use the ID Card for entering theme park, how can I explain this to my supervisor...."

I leave gloomy Kalvin while heading to nearest drink station without waiting line. It seems other people prefer carbonated drink station beside it, I don't know how they can stand waiting that long.

Even though it may be your favorite drink, that doesn't justify the need for such a long waiting line.

While the carbonated drink station's waiting line seems to be growing longer. It didn't take long to leave the stall with 2 drinks in my plate.

"Here, Hot Coffee for you."

"Aah.., thanks."

It seems he is still gloomy over his ID Card, why have it if you didn't plan to use it?.

"Stop murdering the mood over a single card, just drink your coffee already.

"A single card?, do you know how long it takes for me to get this license?."

"Doesn't that just mean you are stupid for it to take so long?."

I don't know exactly what that card supposed to do, but no matter who Kalvin has showed it, they always display respect for him afterwards.

Although I didn't saw him flash it that often, I think there's one time when we saw a traffic accident and he show it to the police officer afterwards. Allowing us to get back home without being questioned.

Not that I care, so far this is the first time that card actually prove to be useful.

Anyway, just where the hell is Dad?. How long I've been waiting already?.

"Stop pouting like that, you make my coffee taste worse than it already is."

"Go away then, I don't need you here anymore."

"Too bad you can't take the drink out from this area, else I would be waiting for your father outside instead."

Just as Kalvin finish talking, my phone start to ring. I throw the phone towards Kalvin after a quick glimpse at the caller name. He drew a heavy sigh before answering the call.

"Yes Sir?, ..... Ah yes, we already inside the theme park, ...... It's straight from the ticket locket , I will pick you up Sir."

Kalvin hand back the phone after the call, I accept it with my head facing the opposite of ticket locket. Sign of rebellion to go to Dad.

"Haah..., just make sure you stop pouting after your father apologizes. It's no good for both of you to continue this farce."

"It's none of your business."

"Actually it does, seeing your face pouting like that really tempt me to take a picture."

I almost throw the phone in my hand towards him, unfortunately he's a really fast runner and I'm not a baseball pitcher.

Soon enough he already in front of ticket locket, having a conversation with a familiar figure.

Now he's pointing at me, what?, you afraid Dad can't find his own daughter in this crowd!?.

I turn my head away from the locket, quickly gulping down the ice tea I ordered.

After a few minute I hear a familiar footstep, it is heavy and slow, similar to its owner.

"Alisia, sorry for being late. The meeting took longer than expected.

"Hmph!..."

"Let Dad make up for it, which venue you want to visit first?."

"....The roller coaster."

I know Dad couldn't ride the coaster, doctor told him to evade any activities which will lead to unnecessary stress to his heart. I'm sure he will ask for another venue instead, a golden opportunity for other demanding request.

"All right, let's go."

"Eh..?"

How?, what could this be?. I have no recollection of Dad accompanying me on the roller coaster before, this could even be the first time Dad ever ride the coaster, yet he simply accept my request outright?.

Dad truly kept his word and sit together with me as we ride the coaster, his face doesn't show too much happiness, but there's no usual sign of stress from work either. Probably busy holding his stomach content from going up.

Thankfully we manage to complete the trip in one piece, although Dad is unwilling to ride it second time in a row.

We spent a few hours going around the theme park visiting venue after venue, just when is the last time we been hanging out together this long?.

"..Huff, that castle really had a lot of stairs."

"Should we rest first Dad?, there's a resting area just ahead."

"Yeah, let's just walk slowly, there's something I want to tell you as well."

Something Dad want to tell me?, could this be the reason of theme park visit?.

"Dad know it's been too long since we hang out together, hopefully you have fun today."

"...yeah, today is kinda fun."

"I just want to show that you can have fun with Dad as well. Today this theme park, soon we will have more time to spend on other places as well."

I can only stare at Dad with confusion, normally after work he will be too tired to do anything else, leaving me alone with entire mansion to play with as a cage.

It is no wonder that I then began to look at school as my only place of freedom, there I found Ravena, and we have made promise to be friend forever.

It will be hard to take, but I don't want to lie to Dad. This is the best time to tell the truth

"... Dad, about my high school choice."

"Ah yes, there's no good one around here isn't it?. But don't worry, Dad promise the place where we will move have perfect school for you."

"Mo..-move?."

Moving from this city?, I never heard about this before. There's no all-girl high school in this province, how can I fulfill my promise to Ravena if we really move so far away?.

"Dad!, I decided to enter normal highschool in here!, it may not be an all-girls school but there's dormitory in the complex, several of my friends are going there as well, we have promised each other!."

"Ah..., I'm sorry Lis but the move is already decided. Dad will quit from work soon to spend more time with you, so you don't have to be worry of being alone anymore. The dormitory is no good as well, you know Dad is worried about you."

I don't know what kind of expression I show to Dad right now, is this what people call despair?. Dad will spend more time with me, but I had to let go of all the friends I made this far?, what kind of stupid joke is this!?.

"But, Dad will-"   *Thump!*

...!?

There's a strange sound interfering Dad words. His mouth stuck open with painful expression on his face, as if being struck by lightning.

Dad's feet shaking, unable to hold his body any longer and start falling towards me like a broken doll.

Both of us are laying down at the floor with Dad's body above me, I can feel warm sticky sensation seeping through my dress just as color slips out from the face in front of me.