The Unfinished Story - Chapter One

[aemrith]

The Unfinished Story
Title: The Unfinished Story
Author: aemrith
Pairing: Yamada Ryosuke/OC, Arioka Daiki/OC, Nakajima Yuto/OC
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Family
Warnings: May take long to update.
Summary: Louise had to go back to the place she never thought she'd have to see again; while Line finally gets a chance to set foot on her dream land. What is it that Japan has for them?

Chapter One - What Language to use?
It’s Thursday - a day away from the weekend everyone’s been looking forward to every week. The final bell rang, classes are dismissed, and students flooded the usual hallways of Sisler High.

“You’re kidding, right?” Yuma spoke, unable to hide his frustration. He was hoping what he heard was a joke.

“No, I’m not. Test is tomorrow, how can you forget?” She opened her locker, fixed her things and grabbed her coat. Yuma waited as soon as his friend’s done. As she stepped away, he fixed his things and grabbed his coat. They were on their way out as he kept complaining about tomorrow’s pre-cal test.

“School’s just started, I mean…”

“It’s been a month. Stop fawning about summer, it’s done.” She pushed the doors and outside, the cool autumn breeze blew softly. It’s still not painfully cold, yet the chills are there. Yuma puts on his glove and followed his friend’s footsteps.

“Demo (but) Lou-chan, aren’t we supposed to be taking it slowly? I mean, we’ve taken a lot of stuff from grade 9. Taking pre-cal twelve this year, not to mention, on the first semester, aren’t you being a bit too much? Grade 11… have you forgotten we’re just in grade eleven (grade eleven is junior year in high school)?”

“Hontoni (really)? I thought it’s just perfect. We’ll have lots of spare time next year.” They arrived at her usual parking spot, opened her door and Yuma rode shotgun; the usual scenery.

Yuma sighed as he fastened his seatbelt. “Fine. As long as we’re classmates I guess there’s nothing to worry about. Spares… I guess that’s something to look forward to next year.”

“If I were you, I’ll worry about tomorrow’s pre-cal test first.” Yuma grunted as Louise started driving. They went home not knowing that the senior year they’re planning just might not turn out the way they expected it to be.

Louise dropped off Yuma and went straight home. Upon entering, she said, “Tadaima. (I’m home)”

“Oh. Welcome home.” Her mother approached and kissed her the moment Louise took off her shoes and puts on her slippers. Louise can tell that her mother went home straight from work. Her mother’s wearing an apron over her usual-office-corporate whatever attire that is. “You didn’t invite Yuma over today?”

“I didn’t know you’ll be home early. I would’ve dropped him off a little later.” Louise peeked through the kitchen and figured out her mother’s baking something. She sniffed, and there it was, the sweet aroma of her mother’s cookies. “What’s the occasion? Cookies for nothing?” She was on her way to her room and her mother just smiled.

“Nothing. Hurry and go change, the cookies will be done soon.” Her mother went back to the kitchen as Louise quickly changed. A few moments after she was downstairs and her mom was standing next to the dining table; everything was set.

As Louise sat, her mom did the same. This dining table has been feeding just the two of them for quite a few years now. Munching her cookies, Louise watched as her mother undid her bun and her wavy brown hair slid down past her shoulders. “Mom, I think you should grow your hair more. It’s so pretty.”

“Not that topic again. Mind your own hair.” They both laughed at her mother’s usual fire-back. Louise has always admired her mother’s kind-of-youthful attitude. Despite her parents’ divorce a few years back, she never saw any weakness from her mother. I guess it’s that American blood of hers that makes her really independent.

“Demo (but), it has that pretty brownish color; it’s so nice. I mean, hair-dye won’t be able to copy that kind of shade of brown.” Louise countered, then took a sip of milk.

“If I could control genes, I would’ve given you this hair. It’s not my fault I’m half-American.”

“Well sorry for being just a quarter.” They laughed again. It was a usual mother-daughter talk for the two of them. Although Louise noted how her mom’s not eating. “Mom, go eat. I’m not gonna finish all of these by myself.”

“You can if you want to, sweetie.”

“Daijobu? (Are you okay?)”

“You’re just a quarter Japanese yet you speak it quite often these days.” Her mother’s smile was half-hearted, Louise can tell easily. She stopped eating and stared at her mom.

“What’s going on?” She placed the cookie she was about to eat back to her stack. “These cookies aren’t just for nothing.”

“Well, we have something to talk about.”

Although she knows her mom well, Louise easily gets angry when her mother tries to lighten things for her. To her, it makes her feel like she’s being treated as a kid. As far as Louise is concerned, she considered herself as a kid who matured quickly than usual. It’s not because of the circumstances in her life but because it’s what she chose. That’s why whenever her mother discreetly breaks news to her, she hates it. “I would’ve preferred if you say things straight. Not with cookies and whatever else.”

“It’s this simple young lady. It’s either I put you on a private boarding school here, or you’ll move and live with your dad.” The thing is, her mother’s quite futile with trying to soften things, but when she chooses to go straight to the point, she goes bull’s-eye straight.

“Nani? (what) I mean, what the-?” She paused for a moment, both of them staring at each other. Then she said, “I choose the boarding house.” Louise’s stare was hard and cold. It’s always like that when she makes a decision. She never gives second thoughts or whatever. First choice is the final choice.

“It’s settled then, you’re moving to Yokohama.”

“What!?” She stood up in protest but her mother sat still. “Why give me a choice if you’ve decided already? Geez mom…” she sat frustrated.

Her mother sighed and her stare soften. “I’m sorry sweetie.”

“What’s with this all of a sudden anyway?” Surely she felt angry, but Louise was determined to know all details.

“I’m going on a business trip. I won’t be home, you know how that works.”

“Fine then, just leave me here. I’m seventeen; I can take care of myself.”

“You can’t, no way.”

“Get me a baby sitter or whatever.”

“No.”

“Well then, ask grandma or whoever to fly over here. LA’s not that far.”

“I won’t bother other people.”

“They wouldn’t mind!”

“I will!”

“Wakata (I see). I’ll move to LA then.”

“No!”

“Nande (Why)?!”

“It’s no use Louise, you’re going to Japan, and that’s final.”

They paused for a bit, both of them panting a little maybe because of anger and impatience.

“Besides, you haven’t seen your dad in years. Give him a chance.”

“So then, this is all about giving dad a chance. Why didn’t you just tell me from the beginning?”

“I know you won’t hear any word after.”

Louise sighed. The day her parents separated, she can recall how her dad didn’t even look at her. She felt rejected, left-alone, as if her dad doesn’t care about her. After that day, she swore she would ignore him; much like how he ignored her.

“Sweetie, it’s time you hear him talk. Listen to his side. We separated, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have both a mother and a father. Give him a chance.”

“Shitakunai (don’t want to).”

Her mother sighed. “Please, anak (child)”

“Ayaw ko! (I don’t want to!)” With those words Louise angrily stomped back to her room. She slammed her door shut and her mother couldn’t help but just sigh and scratch the back of her head.

Inside her room, she looked at all her things. Louise knew she wouldn’t win over her mom’s decision but she felt good about being able to say ‘No’ at the very least. She made a mental list of the stuff she’ll do before leaving. Of course, talking to Yuma -the person close to being her brother- was first on the list.

She looked at her mobile phone, saw that it was dead and plugged it in. It was unfortunate that her mobile phone’s out of battery, for that means she has to go outside to get their home phone. After everything that just happened, she doesn’t wanna see her mother just yet.

So quietly she sneaked out of her room and was on the hallway when she heard her mother talking to someone over the phone. She was speaking in Tagalog (Filipino language) that’s why Louise figured her mother’s talking to her Lola (grandma) on the phone. She understands Tagalog but can’t really speak it easily since she didn’t grow up in the Philippines. Her mother however, being Filipino-American and was able to live in the Philippines for some time, can speak it fluently.

She sighed realizing she couldn’t use the phone for now. She heard her mother say something about how hard it was to convince Louise and so and so. Louise rolled her eyes and went back inside her room.

For some strange reason she decided to do her homework as if nothing’s about to happen. The thing she did first was the review sheet her pre-cal teacher handed out this morning. Since she loves math, doing some examples took her mind off of things.

A few minutes passed, and with her anger settling down, Louise opened her door. When she heard the TV talking, she went out for the phone.

The conversation with Yuma was straight, so her best friend can’t help but just think positive for her.

“You’re lucky. I miss Japan.”

“Why don’t you take my place then?”

“Come on Lou-chan, it’ll be fine...”

“No it won’t be.”

“Are you worried about being in Japan and not being able to speak Japanese?” he laughed before continuing. “I’m full Japanese, but you speak more fluently than I can.”

“That’s not it.”

“Is it about school?”

“Chi gai you (no)”

“Then what?”

“Urgh. I don’t wanna be with my dad.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. It’ll be fine.” Yuma’s words were a little much, but Louise is used to him talking that way. There was a pause then he said, “Of course I’m not fine with it. We were just talking about senior year full of spares together, then now you’re telling me that you’re about to fly back home.”

“Japan’s not my home. It may be your home, but not mine.”

“Didn’t you grow up there? You were born there.”

“Don’t go telling me stories of my own life.”

“Shikashi (however)…”

“Claim it as your home, I don’t mind. Still, it’s not mine.”

Yuma sighed and tried to change the subject and asked about pre-cal problems. His cheerfulness was a little for the better since it helped Louise clear her mind off of things once more. The conversation ended with them looking forward to tomorrow’s test. It seems like Yuma found a tutor for a good hour and a half.

“Ja, oyasumi! (well then, good night!)” Louise spoke before she clicked the phone off. She sighed and cleaned up her stuff.

There was no disturbance from her mother, as expected. In a weird way, Louise can tell that her trip is coming soon. She went to the kitchen just in time for dinner. Her mother prepared lasagna. Surely, she was 100% prepared to give Louise all her favorites since she’s asking her daughter for something.

Dinner was quiet, though, that was expected.

“I already took the day off tomorrow. I’ll go to your school to arrange some records for transferring.”

There was no answer. Louise kept eating while her mom decided to continue talking about some details.

“In case you want to know, I bought your ticket already.”

“Shinken ni, (seriously)…” her face was of anger. “Where does asking-for-my-opinion comes? When the stewardess asks me for what kind of drink I’d like?”

Her mother closed her eyes and opened them, looking directly at hers. “This time, your opinion doesn’t matter.” Her words were cold but Louise wasn’t surprised. She knew right away from the moment the topic was raised that her mother was going to win. Fighting however, was still something that Louise wanted to do.

“Mom, you know I hate this.”

“I know, I know. But, let’s just say we both don’t have a choice. Your father deserves a second chance, Louise. I have to give it to him.”

“Then why not come with me?” when her mother didn’t reply, Louise knew that everything was settled. It can’t be helped. She’s moving back to Yokohama, to Japan, and there’s nothing she can do.

xXxXx

Sisler always looked empty to Louise whenever classes are on-going. Walking down the hallways with very few students (who probably have spares or are skipping classes, who knows) makes her feel more uncomfortable - as if having her mom with her in school wasn’t the worst already.

They went to the main office, then was sent to guidance where Louise’s guidance counselor talks about how sad it is to lose such a student. Louise pretended to be listening, nodded a few times when she thought it was necessary and pretty much left all the talking to her mother. It was like a flash and Louise was then given her records; whatever Sisler has of her.

“It seems you still have the rest of next week before your big day.” Her guidance counselor spoke. Louise didn’t know whether she should pretend to be happy or just play it like she’s shy and all then her mother looked at her.

“I hope you don’t mind… I’d like to ask you if you could let me attend my classes till Thursday next week.”

“I’m sure you’ll be busy packing.” Her mother interjected.

Louise sighed and acted as if she didn’t hear her mother. “Please Mr. Jones…”

“Louise, your flight’s Friday morning.”

“At least let me attend classes ‘til Wednesday.” Louise kept her eyes to her most trusted guidance counselor and ignored her mother’s inserts completely.

“I see no problem. Whatever you think may help you.” Mr. Jones just sounded like an angel the moment he spoke those words. Her mother kept babbling about all the other stuff Louise should be busy about but Mr. Jones just gave the panicking mom an assuring smile; as if telling her that everything is going to be fine.

As they went out of the Guidance Office, Louise’s mother just kept quiet; probably because she’s too angry to even talk. Louise didn’t feel like saying anything so she went straight to her locker to get her stuff.

“You’re trying to make things difficult for me aren’t you?”

“Nope. They’re already difficult the way you set them mom, how worse can they be?”

Her mother sighed and poked Louise on the head. “You think you can outsmart me you little brat, I’m your mom.”

“Ow! That’s violence against children. I’m calling the police.”

“Shut up.”

“Urusai (you’re noisy) mama.”

It was a light moment, yet Louise felt quite relieved. She and mother are somewhat random like that; and it’s something they’re both used to. They’re like cat and dog sometimes, sometimes like fire and ice; they’re relationship was never the normal one. At least she felt that her mother still has her humorous side despite everything that is gonna happen soon.

Her mother bid good-bye and gave up on forcing her to quit coming to school. As simple as that, it seemed like they didn’t argue at all.

“I’m serious about you doing your packing though. Fine, attend school to your heart’s desire, but don’t tell me I didn’t warn you about packing. You’re not gonna be there for just a day or two you know.”

“I know, I know. Just get going; hayaku (hurry) Mama. I’m late for my class.”

“You’re a hopeless kid. What did your parents teach you!?”

“Ja-ne! (See ya) Bye-bye!” She kissed her mom’s cheek before running off to her English class.

Outside the classroom she saw someone peeking through the door. At first she thought it was some random person, when she looked closer and saw the person’s Ed Hardy slip-ons, her bright yellow shoulder bag, she knew right away who it was.

“Line-chan!!!” Louise couldn’t help but yell out her beloved senpai’s name.

“Nani-ga? (What the-?)” She hit her forehead and rubbed it. She looked from behind and exclaimed, “Kyaa!” she hugged Louise tightly and they heard the teacher from the other classroom saying “Ssssshhhhh” and the other said “QUIET!”

The girls just laughed as quietly as possible and the senpai just can’t help but smile. It was something Louise thought was very unique about that senpai of hers. Whenever Line smiles, it’s as if it’s so bright, you can’t help but smile away with her. Louise noted how Line-chan hasn’t changed much despite them not being able to contact each other the whole summer break.

“It seems you haven’t change. I love the shirt.” It’s a habit that Louise just has to look at people’s outfit. She’s not that into fashion yet she’s very interested in looking at how people dress; it’s something she’s just so used to doing. Line was wearing an oversized t-shirt and dark washed skinny jeans. On her shirts it says “Don’t read my shirt.”

“Nani (what)? Kono (this)?” she pulled her shirt a little and looked at it as if she didn’t know she was wearing it.

“Kawai (cute)…. Honto kawai ( really cute)”

“Are you for real?” she kept looking at her entire outfit and then waved a hand over her face. “Who cares about this…? I’m so glad to see you again!” she hugged Louise much like she’s her little sister. Although, the thing is, Line-chan doesn’t look like she’s the senpai. Not only is Louise a little taller than her, but also, she looks a lot younger than Louise is.

“Me too! I haven’t heard from you. Taking classes during summer, too hyped up to study?”

“There’s a reason, see I’m-” They’re conversation was interrupted when Louise’s English teacher opened her door. She happens to be Line’s English teacher as well when she was in grade eleven.

“Oh, so this explains the noise.”

“Hey Ms. Corvino.” Line’s greeting was nice and plain, but with that smile Ms Corvino recognized her right away.

“Line! I’m glad you visited.” She gave her old student a hug then quickly looked surprised seeing Louise. “Aren’t you supposed to be inside?”

Louise said a random excuse about why she’s late and joined the entire class who’re reading different books at the moment. Line was invited inside and since the class is doing independent reading she and Ms Corvino did some catching up.

Louise’s seat was near Ms Corvino and Line sat beside her. As Ms Corvino and Line talked, Louise couldn’t help but overhear their conversation. Apparently, Line’s been taking some Japanese and photography classes this past summer. Their talk was pretty long and the last thing Louise heard before getting sunk into reading her book was that Line got accepted to an exchange program.

Line stayed till the bell rang. As Ms Corvino’s students left her room, Line was getting ready to leave as well. She bid good-bye to Ms Corvino and walked out of the room with Louise.

“So, was summer class fun?”

“Because it’s Japanese class, of course it was fun.”

“Oh yeah, I totally forgot how crazy you are about Japan.”

“Are you kidding me, the only reason why I wanted to know you more -back when we first met- was that I heard you were part Japanese.”

“Ah, so-so (sure, sure)… You’ve told me that like a billion times already.”

“What’s your next class?”

“Pre-cal. Nande (why)?”

“Oh, I thought you have a spare. But knowing you, I guess it was ridiculous to even think about spares.”

“Come over some time, we should catch up.”

“I’ll be busy with stuff, so I can’t promise. But I’ll drop by whenever I get a chance.”

“I would skip Pre-cal if only we don’t have a test today.”

“Like you would ever skip.” Line poked Louise’s head and then puts on her cap, as they were nearing Mr. Parker’s room.

“Sou desu ka?” Louise poked Line’s head in return before she stopped in front of Mr. Parker’s classroom.

“I guess we’ll have plenty of time next time, ne?”

“I’m not too sure about that.” Louise’s faced showed pretty much what she means to explain.

“Nani? Nani? Nani ga?” Line held Louise’s forearm and swayed it playfully, like a kid annoying an adult. Line’s ways are always childish like that. Louise is just used to it that she realized how much she missed having her senpai around.

“I think you won’t see me for a while Line-chan. something came up; and I’ll be moving.”

“Senpai!” Line was about to ask about details but Yuma interrupted.

“Nakayama-kun!” Line hugged him as well. Line was in grade eleven when Yuma and Louise got into grade 9. For some kind of special exception, Yuma and Louise got into grade ten Art class even though they’re still freshies. Line, having a spare on the slot of Yuma and Louise’s art class, spends most of her time in the Art room annoying Mr. Brake and some of the other students. So then, in Art Class, one of the best trios was formed.

“Sugoi (wow), you actually look more mature. Does studying in university give you that kind of aura?”

“Bakadesu (Are you and idiot) Yuma.”

“Waru (Evil).” Yuma pouted like a kid.

“You guys haven’t changed one bit.” Line smiled after she spoke.

The three of them did a quick talk, a little chit-chat and soon Mr. Parker entered the room. He greeted Line (maybe she was his former student as well; probably grade nine or a long time ago) and tapped Yuma and Louise’s shoulders.

“I bet you have to get going. You’ll ace that test, no sweat.”

“Hora! The test! Kowai (I’m scared)” Yuma took out the reviewer they had yesterday and it seems like he did his fair share of work.

“Urusai (you’re noisy).” Louise took away the reviewer. “If you study now, you’ll get more confused. Have more trust in yourself will ya?”

“She definitely hasn’t changed.” Line just shook her head in amazement.

“Tell me about it senpai. Actually, she’s been stricter than before. You wouldn’t even wanna know.”

“Damare (shut up)” Louise shoved back Yuma’s reviewer.

Line laughed and looked at her watch. She told Yuma and Louise to get going in Japanese and the two complained a little but went on anyway. Their senpai waved good-bye and they saw her went on her way.

“I wonder if we could get a bite to eat later after school, you know… since senpai’s back in town.” Yuma spoke before the bell rang and Mr. Parker took the stage and passed the test papers saying his usual reminders and whatever.

“I dunno. Maybe. We’ll give her a call later.” Louise answered back before shutting herself completely and started the test.

The day went by in a flash, and the only highlight was that Yuma kept sobbing about a question wherein he first answered A, then changed it to B; then afterwards knowing that the right answer was A (that kind of a thing).

They called Line after classes but she never answered her phone. Louise told Yuma everything she overheard and they figured their senpai was busy with arranging stuff regarding her transfer of school.

“Then, if she is to be an exchange student, I guess you and senpai have something in common this year.”

“You… urgh. Damare, damare!” Louise was driving and unlike yesterday, she and Yuma chose to drive all the way to Polo Park. Since it’s a Friday, there was a lot more people than usual. The two decided to go buy some stuff for Louise to bring to Japan. They spent most of their time looking for some luggage and backpacks since Louise isn’t really excited about the whole idea of the shopping anyway.

Upon heading back, Yuma volunteered to drive. They played some Japanese songs, most of them by NEWS and KAT-TUN. Louise was obviously annoyed for it reminds her more of where she’s about to go to. Nonetheless, Yuma kept singing and for the sake of their solid friendship, Louise held onto her anger. Yuma stayed at Louise’s house for dinner since her mom insisted that he does. Louise kept quiet all throughout the meal while her mother and Yuma kept listing stuff that she should do once she gets to Yokohama. Clearly, these guys don’t understand the main idea that Louise hated the thought of having to go Japan.

“You guys are just annoying.” Louise finally uttered while eating ice cream. Her mother was already out of the table and arranging stuff into the dishwasher while Yuma spoke.

“Instead of feeling miserable about it, try to think positive. There’s nothing you can do, so I guess you should just make the most out of everything that’s gonna happen.”

“Optimistic people.” She said it like it’s a disgusting word. Yuma laughed at her tone thought. He likes the thought of him torturing Louise since it’s usually the other way around.

The night was quick and Louise dropped Yuma home.

The rest of the weekend wasn’t as fun as Louise and Yuma planned it to be a couple of days ago. It was a Saturday, yet Louise had to wake up early because of a series of appointments. There’s a doctor’s, a dentist’s, a chiropractor and even to the salon.

When they were at the salon and Louise and her mom were getting their nails done, Louise said, “Mom, I’m going to Japan, not a party.”

“I want you to look your best when you meet your dad. I don’t want him to start thinking I’m not taking care of you, you know.”

“That explains the cleaning (tooth cleaning) even though I had one like two weeks ago?”

“You can never be too clean.” Her mother winked and chose the nail polish color she wants.

The lady asked Louise what color she wanted but she said it’s best if it’s natural. After she got her nails cleaned, Louise was up for a Hair Spa treatment which she hated. “Seriously mom, Hair Spa Treatment? What’s next, a gown fitting?”

“Oh, just relax.”

After everything was done, Louise couldn’t wait to go home. Her Saturday, as she said, was a waste of time and so Sunday flew by fast because she slept almost the whole day. It was raining and it was just too tempting to just lie in bed.

Monday morning was just a blur, so was the rest of the week. Her mother was not kidding about the stress there is in packing stuff. As much as she wanted to attend school, she ended up attending just the Monday classes and did her good-byes on that day. Tuesday was busy since she and her mom did some shopping on stuff her mother insisted on buying. That includes new clothes (almost a new wardrobe), shoes, and even a new laptop.

“I have one already.” That’s what Louise said the moment her mom come pulling her inside the apple store and asked for a Macbook.

“Yeah, but this one’s newer. You should bring this.”

“Are you trying to brag about this to my father?”

“Shush, of course not.” Her mother was just beaming, it kind of irritates her. Louise knew that even if her mother doesn’t admit it, all this luxurious shopping is to prove what she can afford. Some mom, huh? She can be an airhead if she chooses to be.

Wednesday and Thursday was pretty much the packing day. In all honestly, Louise thought that most of the stuff they’ve packed were just useless things her mother forced her to bring.

“If it’s just me, I’d say one luggage is enough. But mom… urgh… three? How long do you plan to make me stay there?”

“You’re flight’s tomorrow, everything’s packed, I see no reason why you must complain now. Now shut down that thing and get to sleep. You have to wake up early. Tomorrow’s the day!”

“Wow, aren’t you a little too enthusiastic?” Louise sighed and whispered mockingly, “Yay! I’m so excited.” Then her mother kissed her good night and Louise rolled her eyes. She was transferring files from her old Laptop to her Macbook.

“Who cares about your sarcasm sweetie? Listen, you’ve been very cooperative anyway, so I think a part of you still is excited about this move.” Her mother was on her way out of the room and turned off her lights.

“No mom. What part of I don’t have a choice don’t you get?” the light from the Macbook brightens her face.

“You’ll thank me for forcing you sweetie, don’t worry.”

“Arigatogozaimasu, mama. Hontoni arigato.” Her mother approached and hugged her before closing her door. “This is just absurd. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. Argh!” Irritated, Louise covered her face with a pillow and shouted her loudest.

It was such sped up week for Louise. She didn’t even get the chance to talk to her Grandma in LA since her mother has forbidden her to do so. It’s like her mom’s the villain, forcing her to a torture chamber or something. But there’s nothing she can do, now she’s just hours away from her nightmare.

xXxXx

It wasn’t as busy as she thought it would be since it’s a Thursday morning. There were all sorts of people everywhere but the majority was obviously Japanese. She kept her purse near her chest as she tried to start looking around for the person she was instructed to look for. Line waited for her luggage and as it went past her, she struggled a little before being able to bring it down. She went outside and immediately felt the different atmosphere. Finally, she’s breathing the air she’s been longing for; stepping on the land she’s been dreaming of; this time, it’s all real. She’s now in Japan, and she can’t help but feel really happy.

She looked up at the blue sky and thought how fine this autumn day was. Since it’s almost October, Line expected rain, but then again, you can never be too sure. Apparently, the cold breeze kind of reminded her right away of Canada.

With her trusty Canon Rebel T21, she prepared herself to take her first shot in her most beloved country. Her subject was the Japanese maple tree she immediately saw after looking up at the sky. She focused her lens and after a few adjustments got the perfect angle; the only thing left to do is click the shutter button. As she clicked it, some random guy passed by and her camera got a clear shot of about a good two-third of the person’s face.

Line was so pissed she said, “Damn it!” a little too loud than intended. Some people looked at her, she noted that some of them are Caucasians who understood right away what he said, and then there were the questioning look from some of the locals. ‘Oh right, I’m in Japan now.’ Line bowed to no one, yet she kept bowing as if indirectly asking for an apology. She quickly pulled her luggage and sat on a bench near the outsides of the airport were most of the newly arrived people idle by and wait for their rides.

She turned on her iPhone 4 and quickly scrolled to her notes. ‘It says here that I am to be welcomed by someone named….’

“Ra-ri-rit-san. Ra-ri-rit-san… Ra-ri” Line got distracted when she heard her surname being uttered over and over again, as if the person was memorizing it. She looked over her shoulder and she saw this beautiful guy - at least that’s what she immediately thought upon seeing his face- holding a piece of paper and uttering her surname.

“Ummm, excuse me.” (She’s talking in Japanese) She addressed the guy.

“Yes?” As he looked at her Line got a better view of his face. His soft features kind of remind her of a shy girl, and his hairstyle just adds the touch of angel-like in his face. After a few seconds, Line no longer thought of him as beautiful nor angel-like, he somehow became god-like.

“Oh, sorry. Umm, I’m La-ri-rit-san.” She tried to say it the way he did.

“Oh! Oh! Jhoan-Line Ra-ri-rit-san?” He kind of struggled reading her first name but Line didn’t bother to correct him. She, after all, expected that her name would sound different.

“Yes. That’s me.”

“Oh, great, great! Hi! I’m Inoo Kei.” He bowed and Line just randomly thought of offering a handshake which he gladly accepted. “Welcome to Japan!” now he struggled a little with the English sentence and laughed right after.

“That was really good.” Line spoke as Inoo helped her with her luggage. There was a car waiting for them and Inoo started explaining details about her stay.

Apparently, there’s another exchange student but is from America. Inoo said that that person gets to be on the car right behind them and that he doesn’t know any info about that other person since Lari-san -that’s how he started addressing her, a shortcut maybe?- was the one assigned to him. Line thought of correcting him regarding her last name, but because she realized her last name was a bit too much for the guy, she left it as is. ‘Lari-san isn’t so bad anyway.’ Line thought as Inoo fired-away with his talk.

He quickly explained to her the important details that he thinks are a must for her to know, but skipped some parts (Line can tell since he’s reading a handbook or whatever that is) and easily became friendly and talked to her as if they’ve known each other for years.

He looks very excited as he asks about the place where Line came from and asks her to share stories. Since the drive was pretty long so was their conversation.

“See, I’m actually your senpai. You’re still considered as a person in your first year of university studies, right?” Inoo spoke after they talked about Line’s summer classes. “I mean, it could change since you started with summer classes, ne?”

“Well, I guess I’m still in my first year. Those summer classes were kind of like, umm… electives.”

“Hmmm… Well, you’re right. I just want you to know that if ever you’ll need help with anything, just let me know.”

Line smiled before saying thank you and Inoo just stared at her for a moment. “Something wrong Inoo-san?”

“No. It’s just that you have great smile. It’s nice.” He smiled too and Line thanked him discreetly and quickly held herself back from saying that her smile is nothing compared to his. “I rarely say that to people. I hope it wasn’t too straightforward.”

“No, it’s okay. Thank you.”

“Ah. Lari-san. Welcome to Tokyo.” Inoo suddenly sounded formal as they arrived in Tokyo. She did realized easily that the formality was just for the sake of being like a tour-guide, since Inoo seem to have this very playful side of him. But upon feeling the excitement of realizing she’s now in Tokyo, Line feasted her eyes with everything it can lay eyes upon. She just can’t help but be speechless.

After a while, Inoo then started asking her for some English phrases he said he’s heard a lot in the movies. He can understand English although it’s not perfect. He loves to learn more English words and phrases although he confessed that he hated it (learning English) at some point in his school life.

As they arrived at the university campus, Line thought she’s going to pass out. She can’t believe how everything is just so real. Inoo acted like a perfect gentleman and helped her out of her car as he said, “Welcome to Meiji University, Tokyo.”

Line couldn’t find the strength to speak. To see that building in real life, not just in pictures, the feeling was just overwhelming. It’s like meeting your dream-guy, eating your most-craved food, and touching the clouds; it’s like fantasy meets reality.

Inoo tapped her shoulder and offered his arm like a gentleman. “Shall we?” Line laughed and Inoo did the same. It’s amazing how an approximately forty-five minute trip made them instantly close to each other.

They went inside the dormitories first. Inoo introduced her to the dorm head and she was welcomed perfectly (I dunno if Meiji has a dorm or what-not, we’ll settle with imagination.) Because this is the girl’s dormitory, Inoo has to stay at the lobby as the dorm head, a very nice lady named Reiko-san, showed her around.

Upon entering her room, Line felt like a princess. It’s not a typical dorm room that’s simple and tiny, it was quite spacious. When Reiko-san said the room is all hers, Line didn’t know what to say. She was prepared to share the room with someone yet this is what she’s gonna get. Line unpacked a little, and shoved some of her usual stuff inside her ever beloved yellow purse. Reiko-san asked if she needed some help with the unpacking, or if she prefers to rest but Line never felt as energetic as she is at the moment. Just seeing her dream become reality, there’s no such thing as a jet-lag or whatever lag there is. She made sure she has her camera, her iPhone and her translator before she and Reiko-san headed back to the lobby.

Inoo was still there, still as handsome as he was a few minutes ago, yet Line sees him more like her best friend than a crush. He was talking to someone over his mobile phone, when he noticed Line and Reiko-san enter the lobby once again.

“Lari-san. Don’t you wanna go get some rest first? You had a long trip.” Inoo spoke as soon as Line was standing in front of him.

“I don’t really know why, but I’m not tired at all.”

“Do you want to go around the campus, take a good look and stuff? I’d be happy to accompany you.” Inoo smiled and raised his eyebrows, like a kid offering his friend to go play their favorite game.

“Are you sure? Isn’t your job done, the moment you take me safely here?”

“Yep, so I’ve got some free time. I can show you around.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” Another one of Inoo’s English. This time, Line thought it sounded like a guy with a French-accent. She told Inoo about it and Inoo just laughed. He started blabbing about his mind telling him to try and learn French too.

As they walk, they keep talking.

“Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to ask you. I hope you don’t mind but, how come you’re so good at speaking Nihongo?”

“Oh, Japanese…”Line just randomly said the word in English.

“Yes. You’re very good; to the extent of being fluent. Are you part-Japanese? Sorry, I just felt like I have to ask.”

“Oh no. I’m Filipino. Full.” She smiled and Inoo looked shocked.

“Are you sure?”

“Yep.”

“Are you sure you’re not adopted?”

“That sounded like something my nee-chan (older sis) would say.” See, Line has an older sister and a younger one. “Whenever we talk about who looks like who, she keeps telling me I look like no one, then starts saying I’m adopted.”

“HA! That’s something I wanna say to my sister, haha! Although it’s impossible for people say we look scarily alike. It’s sad.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” Their conversation jumps from topic to topic yet they never got tired of talking.

It was the tour of her life; at least that’s what Line thought. Inoo tried his best to state information, even silly ones about every building and every part of the campus they set foot on. The more they talked the more comfortable Line and Inoo gets. She started taking pictures, and Inoo even volunteered to take her picture. It seems amazing how close people can get in a small span of time with only having some common interest - between these two: it’s the excitement of learning about each other’s differences.

Not all, however, gets lucky like Line.

xXxXx

It’s a rainy Saturday morning full of crowd for Louise; compared to Line’s cool, peaceful Thursday morning. Apparently, Louise was lucky enough to board a plane with the same landing schedule as the NewS’s; Paparazzi everywhere and of course, the ever loyal and loving fans.

Checking out of the airport was already a bit too much and is driving her insane. The moment she finally got out, the rain was pouring hard. It’s just the perfect way to welcome herself back to her beloved homeland. Perfect.

“Argh! How the heck am I supposed to know where this is?! Grrr...” Louise uttered to herself angrily as she keeps reading the address her mother gave her. Her plane arrived a little earlier than expected so she thought her ride wouldn’t be there yet and decided that she’d get a cab instead. She thought it would be perfect since the last time her mother checked there was no forecast about rain. ‘Why didn’t I checked the forecast myself!?’ Cursing and swearing inside her head she tried to make the most out of the situation. ‘Well at least I got a little glimpse of NewS.’ Remembering Yuma’s words, she tried to smile and feel a little happy about seeing one of her favorite bands.

Although, being optimistic isn’t something a person can be in a flash. With three luggages and no patience to get her umbrella, Louise stood and waited for a cab. She puts on her ROXY headphones and turned her iPod up the highest volume her ears can manage. She’s listening to a Paramore song when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hai?” she took off her headphone and managed a smile. She didn’t recognize the person because she hasn’t met him before.

“Umiko-san? Umiko Ruuizu.”

Louise just stared at the person, looked around, and stared at him again. “Who are you?” (They’re speaking Japanese)

“Kento-kun. I believe we are cousins.”

“Kento-kun? Kento, Kento, I can’t remember any Kento.” Louise uttered his name over and over and with her English lines, he couldn’t help but put up a confused face. “Kento-kun… to-kun… to-ku….” Louise, eyes widened, looked shocked rather than surprised. “Hora! Toto-kun!?”

“Oh. No one has called me that in years!” Kento’s smile was the first bright thing Louise saw upon arriving at Japan. “So you are Ruu-chan!”

“Sorry, it’s just that you’re so grown up I didn’t recognize you.” Louise hugged her one and only cousin as he did the same.

“You should talk; you look like a girl now!”

“Shut up!” She ruffled his hair and he pushed her away; it’s something they used to do. They’re both surprised at how they still remember stuff about each other. “It’s been forever! I’m so glad to see you!”

“I thought you forgot about me.” He pouted and Louise poked him.

“You guys moved right? Do I still remember stuff right? You did move ne?” Kento helped her with two of her luggage as Louise carried the one left.

“Ah… right. Yeah we did. But then when I came to visit, uncle said you’re gone. But you’re back now, that’s what matters. I see you still speak Japanese even though you’ve been in Canada for so long.”

“Of course. I’ll never forget this language even if I chose to.” Kento looked worried but Louise put an arm over his shoulder and patted it the way she used to. It may be a few years ago, but Louise and Kento still had the same strong bonding they had ever since they were little. After recognizing each other, they started talking as if they’ve never been apart.

Kento walked her to the awaiting vehicle and said his uncle (Louise’s dad) asked him personally to pick Louise up. “Of course I was both excited and nervous. It’s been so long and I’m scared that maybe, you’d be different.” They got inside and went on their way. As Louise expected, it was a luxurious car. There is of course the personal driver, and whatever else there is to give proof to her father’s wealth. In a weird way, it reminds her of her mother, especially that last minute shopping they did. Maybe that’s something they have in common - being competent; against each other.

“I have to be honest, I totally forgot about you Toto-kun.” Louise, as straight-forward as she is, stated this. Kento looked like he was about to cry but Louise hugged him again. “It’s true. And I’m terribly sorry. Everything was crazy, so I guess the situation rubbed off on me.” She told Kento about the separation, suddenly moving to Canada and how she tried to figure stuff out. “See, I’m a useless ten-year-old back then I guess. All I understood was that I’m not gonna see my dad anymore and that I have to speak English.” Kento laughed and said that even if it’s complicated, they’ll just pretend they both understand.

The two filled in upon lost time and Kento was happy hearing Louise’s stories. Kento on the other hand has his. “Shibuya was okay, but I usually ask my parents to drive me back here. Well, sometimes I go back here alone, you know, by train, just to visit. I was kind of hoping one day you’ll be back. Then, I guess that day came. You’re here! You’re actually back!” There was just great joy in her cousin’s face that Louise can’t help but erase some hatred regarding this move.

Upon talking, Louise learned that Kento knows nothing more than she does.

“I overheard my parents talking about your parents’ divorce, but that’s about it. Please don’t have uncle though. He misses you a lot.”

Louise rolled her eyes and chose not to answer that. Instead she changed the subjects and asked, “So are you staying here at Yokohama with me then? It’d be great if you will. We can be at the same school!”

Kento -with his sad face- didn’t have to say much before Louise realized that her cousin wouldn’t be staying with her very long. “I’m afraid I can’t really move here with you, but I’ll make sure to visit often.”

“Can’t I talk to auntie or uncle about it? I’m sure they’ll consider.” Louise felt frustrated.

“Ruu-chan (Since they’ve been together when they were kids, Kento got used to using Ruu-chan instead of Lou-chan), you have to be with your dad, alone.” Kento’s words were simple yet they seemed very foreign to Louise’s ears. “Don’t you miss him?”

Louise sighed and Kento just patted her on the back.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.” He looked over the window and asked Louise to do the same.

What she saw was another expected thing. Buildings decorate the skies, some of them a little too pretty for Louise to describe. ‘How long has it been? Seven years? That wasn’t THAT much, right?’ Louise’s thoughts just talked to her. As the car turned to an unfamiliar street, Louise sighed. ‘I guess I was gone pretty long.’ Not knowing anything much anymore, Louise felt more and more lost. “Hey Kento-kun, was this where our house was before? I don’t think I remember anything.”

“Oh no, this isn’t where you’re house is. You’re right, this is a different palce.”

“Where are we?”

“Uncle’s condominium.”

“What?” Louise looked at the size of the building; it’s look pretty new and very… fancy; it looks like a building that says ‘I’M RICH’ all over it. After taking note of every grandeur detail, Louise grunted.

The car parked, and the driver taking care of her luggage, Kento assisted Louise to their unit. “I’ve been here quite a few times. Whenever I’m at Yokohama uncle makes me stay here. Sometimes I stay over the weekend just for kicks, you know, hanging out with some friends here.”

“You sure sound like an independent high school boy. You just started High school ne?”

“Yup.” Kento showed Louise the wonderful view up from where they are. She looked down and saw a park and a river.

“A river!”

“Yeah I guess that’s part of a river; not really sure if it’s Tsurumi or Sakai.”

“There are boats docking farther back there, right?”

“Uh-huh. I’ve seen them. There are a lot of seagulls there, it’s so amazing.”

“Wow.” Louise’s anger was again suddenly washed away with the scenery. She just wanted to run down towards the river and listen to the flow of the water. Despite the rain, she thought the river looks beautiful. “Look, look Kento.” She pointed at the kind-of fast flow of the river. “Because of the rain, the river’s acting a little different right?” Kento nodded. “I think what I like to say is that I kind of think of myself as the river. Well, at the very moment that is.”

Kento was about to say something when someone knocked on the door. Louise felt nervous. “Maybe that’s uncle.” With Kento’s line, she felt more nervous. In a way, she feels like she’s not yet ready to face this man; more like she’ll never be.

As Kento opened the door, all Louise can think of doing is watch the river’s occasional angry splash on the edges of concrete and rocks.

“Oh, thank you.” Louise looked after she heard her cousin spoke and saw that it was just the driver and he delivered her luggage.

A few moments after, Louise and Kento were sitting at the couch in the living room, and some maids went in and delivered food. “Are you sure this is just a condominium unit? I feel like I’m in a hotel.”

“I guess they’re a bit the same.” Kento shrugged and sat in front of the fireplace. “With that heavy rain, I doubt we’ll be able to go anywhere. I was looking forward to showing you our school way back then.”

“We’ll it seems like the rain’s not gonna die down any time today. Don’t worry; we’ll have plenty of time for visiting places.”

Kento smiled and rubbed his hands in front of the fireplace. They talked more and more, now the topic was about school and what kind of classes are they taking. When they stumbled across homework Kento hurried his way to his temporary room -that’s what he said it was- and said something about an English book he’s been having a hard time dealing with; so Louise said she’d gladly help.

As Kento was inside his room, someone knocked on the door. Louise stood up and waited that maybe Kento would come rushing out but all she heard was some stuff flying all over the place.

The knock was louder this time, and Kento shouted, “Ruu-chan can you open that please? I’ll be out in a sec.”

Again, nervousness crept inside her body and Louise can’t help but want to disappear. She knew she wasn’t scared of meeting her dad it’s just the feeling that she doesn’t wanna see him, not yet. The knock came again and Louise held her breath and headed for the door. The image, that last image of her dad leaving was suddenly inside like head, like a clear poster.

A final knock and Louise closed her eyes as she opened the door.

“Room service. We were told to deliver these.” It was just another maid with a tray of a chocolate cake and a cheese cake; at least that’s what she said.

Louise sighed, took a deep breath, and rubbed her temples. The maid pushed in her cart and left. Kento was soon out, holding his copy of Romeo and Juliet and Louise complained a lot about why it has to be that book. Kento laughed and the two tried to work with some lines.

“You know Toto-kun, I speak English, but even I can’t understand that completely.”

“I know. Even when you translate it, I still don’t understand a single thing.” He was looking over some lines while stuffing himself with some cheesecake.

They ate and talk, and sometimes make fun of some wrong translations Louise makes.

After a whole lot of talk and eating, the two felt full and sleepy. Since there were two couches, there were once for each of them. Louise, with her growing headache felt sleepy while Kento, with his full stomach felt the same.

As sleepy as they are, they kept talking still. “You know Toto-kun… I think Shakespeare has his own language. Like, no matter what language people use to understand his works, be it English, Japanese or whatever, no one can still translate his true intentions.”

“Oh, pretty much like people.”

“Huh? Nani?”

“You know, like how people have different languages. I mean, there are some who doesn’t understand Japanese so they translate it to English, however it’s on a hundred-percent match.”

“Oh. Sou desu ka?”

“Or you know, sometimes, when people try to express their feelings, they just can’t do it properly because they can’t translate it well in words.”

“Oh… are you talking based on experience? Ah! Could it be that a girl confessed to you and that you have a girlfriend now? Oh… kakkoi…”

“Chi ga you!”

“Oh… Oh… Toto-kun… Kento-kun has a girlfriend? I can’t believe it!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

They kept on teasing each other on and on, until they fell asleep; little did they know that someone arrived. Since the doors were locked, only the ones with the card key can enter. There was a quick swipe and a click, and the knob turned, as Louise’s father entered the unit. He saw the luggage and felt his heart beat faster. His daughter is in this very room. He walked a little further and saw their shoes; Louise’s and Kento’s.

As he reached the living room, he felt the warm touch of the fireplace since inside he felt cold and nervous. What should I tell her? How should I face her? Should I act natural? Billions of questions inside his head all at once made him feel like his head and his heart is going to burst.

He first saw Kento, his arms covering his face, as if bothered by the light from the window. The rain has finally stopped, but it’s already sundown. The sky was meeting the darkness and there was little light left from the rays of the sun. It was dark orange, almost red. He went for the curtains and closed them a little, letting the light of the fireplace give glow inside the room.

There he saw his daughter, the one he has left; his one and only child. He felt like crying but no tears came. At the very moment, all he could do is watch her sleep. He smiled noting how alike Louise and him sleeps.

With a deep breath he looked closer and tried to memorize his daughter’s face, the face he hasn’t seen in years. Then without thinking, he whispered, “Tadaima.”

Louise rolled and lay on her stomach. He didn’t know what to think; then to his surprise, Louise, who is humbly speaking, murmured “Okaeri.”