Chapter 290 - SPECIAL CHAPTER: A Dream Back In Time

Tobias was really too tired. His eyes remained closed as if they were glued together. As he felt the gentle breeze on his skin, he thoroughly fell to sleep.

Hearing the sound of singing birds, his eyelids suddenly stirred. As they opened, he couldn't help but close them again. Adjusting his sight to the bright sunlight streaming from the trees, he raised himself from the grass. He was stunned.

Where was he?

The last thing he remembered was falling asleep beside Mimi after putting Mina to bed.

Was he dreaming?

He looked around doubtfully. It appeared he was in a garden. It strangely looked familiar. He then turned the wedding ring on his hand. The cold touch felt especially real. Strange…If it was a dream, it all felt real.

Tobias began realizing something was wrong. Standing up, he had just been about to explore the area when he noticed something from the corner of his vision.

A bush, no—bushes of white roses. His brows wrinkled. Why were there so many?

Without thinking, he walked toward them, a hand reaching out carefully to pick one. Suddenly, the back of his hand was slapped. His eyes widened.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't touch other people's things." A childlike and clear voice scolded lightly.

Tobias looked up in surprise, and his body suddenly had a shock, his pupils contracting sharply. An expression of disbelief swept over his face. Standing in front of him was a young girl, about seven or eight years old.

Skin tender, and soft like a peach. Hair a deep brown that flowed graciously down her small shoulders and royal blue dress. A bow of the same color was tied in her hair.

But what startled Tobias the most was the girl's familiar face. She had violet eyes. When they captured the sunlight, they glowed like two amethysts. Upon first glance, one could sense the unknown depth they held—as if she could see right through anyone.

"…Mimi?"

The little girl blinked, seemingly surprised. She raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down. Suddenly, she took a step back.

"Big sister was right. You should never judge based on looks." She held a hand to her lips, seemingly disturbed. "Who would have thought a good-looking man like yourself would be interested in little girls…"

The edge of Tobias's lips twitched. Without a doubt. The same demeanor. Same temperament. Was this a dream, or did he perhaps...did he travel back in time?

When Tobias thought of this and that a young Mimi now saw him as a pervert, he couldn't help but feel a headache growing.

"I'm not a pervert." He sighed.

Mimi looked at him and raised her thin eyebrows. "Then how did you know my name? Are you some sort of child kidnapper, who stalks his victims before torturing them?"

Tobias pursed his lips. Even as a child, she was still so…graphic.

"I'm a friend of Alec, your brother." He clarified. It wasn't completely false.

"Oh." The light in the girl's eyes suddenly dimmed. "Well then, if you're looking for him, he's inside."

Just as she turned around, she suddenly stopped and looked back at the white roses.

"Also, don't touch those."

"Why?" Tobias couldn't help but ask.

Mimi blinked her big, clear eyes. She sighed and shook her head sullenly. "Not only a pervert but dumb too. What a waste of such good looks. Didn't your parents teach you not to touch what's not yours?"

Tobias fell silent. Already he was making a bad impression on his future wife.

"Mimi!" They both heard a sudden deep and loud roar. Tobias's eyes narrowed. That voice he recognized it…Henry Hirogori.

Mimi clicked her tongue, then looked back at Tobias. "Anyways, don't touch those roses. All right?" She stared at him as if she were looking at a child.

As much as he didn't want her to go, especially after hearing Henry Hirogori, Tobias could only nod his head obediently.

Mimi giggled. "Mm, good boy! Goodbye, handsome pervert!"

After that, she skipped away and walked inside. At that moment, a breath of strong wind brushed against Tobias's face. He closed his eyes, and when they opened, he found himself once again in a familiar place.

Dozens and dozens of cherry blossom trees surrounded the park. This place…he remembered it in the present world.

"Handsome pervert?"

Tobias was lost in his own thoughts when a clear, soft voice brought him back to focus. He shifted his gaze and saw a young girl standing beneath the falling petals of cherry blossoms, her violet eyes staring at him with surprise.

"My, my, what a coincidence! I hadn't expected to see you here." She hopped over toward him with her dimpled smile.

Seeing the little girl dressed in a pink frilly dress with two cute buns on her head, Tobias smiled.

"What are you doing here?" His voice unknowingly turned gentle.

"I'm here with my big sister." Mimi suddenly looked around as if they were being watched and leaned in to whisper, "But I'm not allowed to leave the house, so don't tell anyone."

Tobias's expression changed. It did not escape him the meaning of her words. From what he was told, Henry Hirogori banned Mimi from ever leaving the house due to his shame. Today was the day that Emily took her out to view the cherry blossoms. However, the happy, bonding experience was soon ruined upon returning home, where Henry Hirogori was waiting for them.

Afterward, he punished Mimi and locked her within her room for days.

All her life…she was trapped inside the house. It was a prison.

"Handsome pervert?"

Tobias' face changed slightly, and he was silent for a long time before he said, "Don't call me that."

Even if it was a dream, he couldn't handle the girl calling him such a name. Not to mention he was earning a few suspicious looks from people walking by.

Mimi tilted her head innocently. "Then what should I call you?"

Silent for a moment, Tobias finally said, "Toby. Call me Toby."

The girl looked up and suddenly smiled softly. "All right. Toby. Would you mind coming with me for a moment? There's something I need your help with!"

A little surprised she would suddenly ask for his help, Tobias eagerly nodded his head.

"Perfect!" Mimi beamed and dragged him across the park.

When they made it in front of a food cart, Tobias suddenly realized what she needed him for. Even as a child, she was still as gluttonous as ever.

"Can you do me a favor and buy six steamed meat buns?" Mimi looked up at him, batting her long lashes and puffing her round white cheeks.

Seeing her pleading expression, Tobias couldn't help but chuckle.

"Stay right here." He softly rubbed her head and walked to the food cart.

Just as he left, Mimi absently touched the top of her head. She stared at the man ordering her food and suddenly fell silent. When he returned, her expression returned to its usual smiles.

"Thank you, Toby!" She graciously sweetened her tone.

Tobias froze for a moment, his hand passing her the bag couldn't help but tremble. After a few seconds, he managed to compose himself again.

It was surprising to hear her call him so familiarly.

"Here you go. They're hot, so be careful." He cautioned.

"Mhm!" Mimi took the bag and suddenly caught a glimpse of his hand. She blinked curiously. "Are you married, Toby?"

Noticing her gaze was on his ring, Tobias lifted his hand and rubbed the gold band.

"Mm, I am." He said with a soft, low voice.

Seeing his expression turn tender, Mimi couldn't help but tease. "Your wife must be something to marry a pervert like you."

The corners of Tobias's lips twitched. He glanced down at the girl, her eyes full of tease, clearly oblivious. Rather than annoyed, he found the situation amusing.

He laughed. "You could say that."

Mimi watched him gaze at his ring a moment longer before shrugging her shoulders. She twirled around to leave when she suddenly stopped and turned around.

"Would you like to watch the cherry blossoms with my sister and me? Although if you agree, you have to buy more steamed buns!"

Tobias looked at her, eyes flashing with a trace of joy and pain. He shook his head. He couldn't. Regardless of whether this was real or a dream, he didn't dare disturb the time Mimi had with her sister.

Especially considering what was to happen next…

"You have a fun time with your sister." His voice was steady and calm, revealing no emotion.

If Mimi noticed something abnormal in his behavior, she didn't say it. Instead, she just looked at him with a rather intrigued grin.

She giggled softly. "Okay. Then, goodbye, Toby."

Watching her walk away, Tobias's heart clenched. A breeze of petals veiled his vision of the girl until she was no longer in sight. When his vision cleared, he was surprised to find himself at the hospital. The wide-open corridors and dim lighting---all of it were so familiar to him. After Alec's car accident, they went to the same hospital.

The fists by Tobias's side clenched. He looked to the side and saw a little girl sitting alone in the waiting room. It was dark, no one else was around. Her head was buried between her knees, and she shivered from the cold.

Tobias trembled, swallowing the thick lump in his throat. He softly walked over and reached out for a touch. Just when his fingers brushed against her, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes terribly bright.

However, the moment they landed on him, the vigilance in her face relaxed with eyes growing duller by the second. Although she still managed to smile weakly.

"Toby, what are you doing here?"

Tobias stared at her small, pale face. His heart ached. Kneeling on the ground, he grasped her hand. "I heard what happened. I was worried about you." His voice was soft and coaxing.

Mimi looked up in astonishment, but she didn't take her hand back. She stared at his large hand holding hers as if it were something unknown.

"…I see. So you also heard. That my big sister…"

"You don't have to say it." Tobias cut in. His tone deepened. "It's okay."

Seemingly surprised by his words, Mimi opened her mouth but quickly closed it. She just stared at him with a profound expression. Under her stare, Tobias softly smiled and suddenly stood up.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." He gripped her cold hand before letting go. Silently, Mimi watched the large man disappear down the halls.

She was alone again. For a moment, her heart stung. But very quickly it went away.

He said he'd be right back.

Sure enough, after one minute, Tobias returned with a blanket. He quickly walked toward her and wrapped it around her.

"It's cold in the hospital at night. You don't want to get sick." Tobias tucked the blanket tightly under her legs to avoid any air from slipping through.

At the same time, Mimi watched him quietly. When he looked up at her with warm, caring eyes, she froze.

"Are you warm enough? How about food? Are you hungry?" He glanced up at the clock on the wall, realizing how late it was.

How long had she been sitting here? Where was everyone?

Thinking about Henry Hirogori's neglectful behavior, he could only assume he either left her here or she came here herself without his knowing. The thought of this made Tobias's mood turn sour.

All of a sudden, Mimi lowered her face to stare sullenly at her lap. She could feel tears stinging her eyes. She rubbed them away angrily, determined not to cry.

Seeing this, heat rushed to Tobias's eyes. His chest felt like it was tightening, and his throat hurt like it was seizing up. Without thinking, he hugged the little girl in his arms tightly.

"It's okay. You can cry." Tobias whispered hoarsely.

In his embrace, Mimi's eyes widened. She bit her lip.

"I was always told not to cry in front of others since it was a bother…" She murmured.

Tobias's eyes stung. "It's not a bother. It has and never will be a bother."

"…I see." As she leaned into Tobias's embrace, she asked stiffly, "Toby…is it all right not to hold it in anymore?"

Holding her tighter, he made a small sound of agreement. Simply hearing his silent agreement, Mimi lifted her small arms and gripped his shirt. Her chin trembled, and at that moment, from her eyes came a thick flow of tears. Every raw, heartbreaking cry that escaped her mouth shattered Tobias's heart to pieces again, and again.

"Just stay strong a little longer, okay? All the pain you feel now will heal. When you grow up, you will be surrounded by friends and family who love you." Tobias said slowly, making sure to burn every word into her heart.

"Promise?" She sniffled.

"I promise," Tobias declared firmly.

Suddenly, she laughed softly, eyes growing droopy. "Even though I know it's not possible to keep a promise…I would still like for it to be true."

In his arms, Mimi suddenly felt a wave of sleepiness hit her. Her eyelids slowly slid down until she fell asleep. In her remaining consciousness, she seemed to have seen a familiar figure slowly walking to her, gently calling her name…

She smiled in her sleep, while a drop of her tears slipped down her eye.

Tobias Itou. What an interesting name.

…

Tobias's eyes opened. Staring up at the familiar ceiling, he abruptly sat up. He was in his bedroom. He was back home. Looking to his side, his eyes softened. Sleeping beside him was a young woman; her body curled comfortably on the bed. There was a slight flush on her cheeks, and her pink lips were parted slightly in her sleep.

Thinking back to the dream, his gaze deepened.

Back then, he may have been unable to help her, but now, he would make sure every day she spent was filled with love and happiness. Unable to control himself, Tobias leaned down and softly kissed her parted lips.

Mimi's brows furrowed. Slowly, her eyes began to open. When she saw the man staring down at her with a loving gaze, her lips curled into a smile.

"Is it morning?" She lazily wrapped her arms around his neck.

Tobias kissed her forehead and gently cuddled with her in the bed. "No. It's still night. Go back to sleep."

"Did Mina wake up?" She asked, still half-conscious.

Tobias chuckled and rubbed her back soothingly. "No. I just had a dream, that's all."

"Mm." Mimi hummed and rubbed her face into his chest. "I had a dream too…a pleasant dream."

"What was it about?" He asked.

She fell quiet, seemingly thinking. "At first it was a sad dream. I was alone in a dark, cold room. But then…you showed up. You hugged me and told me it was all going to be okay. It felt so warm and fuzzy." She giggled.

"It was a nice dream…" Mimi's voice drifted as her breathing became calm, falling back to sleep.

Hearing her words, Tobias's eyes widened. Before he could ask any further, the young woman had fallen asleep. Staring down at her peaceful and blissful expression, Tobias sighed.

"I told you I would keep my promise." He whispered against her ear and softly kissed her neck before pulling her closer into his arms. Listening to the sound of her soft breaths, Tobias found himself falling into a deep slumber.

THE END.

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