Work Text:
Once upon a time…
The secret golden ticket to enter little Emu Otori’s pure and innocent heart was a trip to her beloved Grandfather, Rakunosuke’s, amusement park, Phoenix Wonderland. The marvelous sight of the big Ferris wheel, the laughter of children, young and old, and the sweet smell of cotton candy were enough to make her heart thump profusely against her small and mighty chest. Despite all these excitements that awaited her, what really touched her heart enough for it to burst was the Wonder Stage, a stage in which her father described as “a wonderful dream.”
Little Emu Otori sat, watching charming characters such as Vivi the Squirrel and Lala the Rabbit come to life like it was a fairy tale. The powerful sound of the trumpets and booming sound of the drums rang out like a lullaby in her ears. She watched excitedly as she gripped her grandfather's hand whenever suspense was coming up. After a show full of laughter and whimsy, she and her Rakunosuke, with their hearts lighter than before, hopped over to a candy apple booth with a smell so sweet and so delicious they just couldn't resist.
Emu and Rakunosuke fidgeted in line as they patiently waited for their turn for the famous candy apple, an apple dunked into sugar that created a glossy and crunchy dessert perfect for an afternoon snack.
“Grandpa, this line is taking so long, I can’t wait anymore!” Emu whined, shaking her grandfather's arm as he chuckled amusely at the sight. “Emu, you must be patient! You will get your delicious candy apple as soon as the line clears up.” He reassured, playfully ruffling her hair as she pouted. But, luckily for her, the line was able to clear up, and she was able to retrieve her only beloved candy apple. Emu and Rakunosuke rested on a bench as little Emu gripped onto the wooden stick, her knuckles turning white. She bit down on the crunchy candy apple, her teeth gnawing against the glossy, crystallized sugar as it cracked, and she felt confetti pop in her head.
“SOOOOO GOOD!” She exclaimed, quickly gobbling down on it as if it were her last piece of food on Earth. However, she suddenly felt a sharp pain that drove her to tears, even if she did not realize where this tingling pain was coming from. She ripped the apple away from her mouth, and a pearly white tooth was revealed to be stuck amidst the red blob of sugar, which received a wide-eyed and shocked reaction from Rakunosuke. Emu, noticing the gaping hole in the front of her mouth, then burst into tears as Rakunosuke tried to calm her down.
“It hurts!” Emu wailed, her words very much revealing what she was feeling at this moment. Rakunosuke stood there, puzzled, unable to think of what to do next. Suddenly, a lightbulb appeared above his head.
“Why would you look at that!” He exclaimed, pausing the meltdown of Emu.
“You see, Emu, you can get a visit from the tooth fairy!” His hands were gentle and reassuring as he patted her back.
“When you lose a tooth, you put it under your pillow!” Emu cocked her head to the side, still confused.
“Why would you do that, Grandpa? Does it come back the next morning?” Rakunosuke shook his hand.
“No, but something even better happens! The tooth fairy will come and take your tooth in exchange for something even better!”
“Like what?” Emu’s eyes widened in curiosity, eager to hear more.
“She’s a tiny little thing, about the size of a teacup. She sneakily crawls inside your bedroom in the dark of night when you're asleep, and the house is quiet. She casts a magic spell with an ‘abracadabra,’ she uses your tooth and plenty of other children’s teeth to build shimmering and shining beautiful magical castles! She leaves a little treasure under your pillow for you to see once you get up in the morning. It means you're growing up to be big and strong, and this is your reward for that! I’m proud of you.”
Rakunosuke calmly explained, his hands waving around to showcase the magic as Emu listened with anticipating ears, her smile now unknowingly stretching from ear to ear.
“Here’s the catch, though.” He muttered mysteriously to create suspense.
“Catch…?” Emu whispered, her heart sunken.
“She only takes the cleanest and shiniest of teeth. If you want her to visit, make sure to brush them twice a day so they sparkle. Now, who’s ready to go home and plant your special gift for her?” Emu jumped up recklessly, catching onto her grandfather’s arm as she excitedly hopped.
“Me! Me! Grandpa, we have to go home so the tooth fairy visits!” She shouted, her head racing with curiosity and innocence. Rakunosuke returned a loving smile as the two of them headed towards the setting sun, ready for Emu’s new journey.
The End.