Chapter Two: My So-called Family.
1728 Words
The next morning.
I squinted my eyes as the rays of the morning sun clouded my vision. I yawned and sat on my bed as I tried to remember the previous events. The last goodbye with my real mother... The Social Services house. The adoption process.
Boarding the plane to Okinawa. My sister Mika. And now,I'm sitting on a different bed.
What happened to me for the passed few months feels like a dream. But she knows that she can't run away from the reality...
My train of thoughts stopped in a halt when I heard someone knocking at the door.
I groaned inwardly. I'm not yet ready to have
a "talk" with the other members of my "new family."
But then the soft knocks didn't stop. With a heavy sigh, I practically dragged myself out from bed,and walked towards the door. As I opened the door, one petite cute girl greeted me.
"Good morning, my dear sister!"
I froze awkwardly as I stared at Mika's beaming face. She was also holding a tray full of food.
"You didn't touch your dinner. I delivered it to you last night. Do you feel sick or something?" inquired Mika in a worried tone.
I shook my head as an answer, still shocked at the sudden appearance of this girl.
"That's a relief. Care for some breakfast? I bought you something..." offered Mika,while raising the tray she was holding.
Still smiling, Mika quickly walked inside my room. She laid down the tray at the nearby table and then wheeled around to face me.
"Oh wait, I have to formally introduce myself. I'm your younger sister, Mika Nishikawa, and I'm 14 years old, a freshman at Naha high school. I know that I have an annoying voice but you'll get used to it in no time. You can tell me everything, and I promise to keep it all a secret. Nice to meet you!" Mika said it all in one breath.
Before I knew it, I was already giggling. My younger sister is getting more and more interesting!
"I know I'm a chatterbox, and I'm glad I made you laugh." Mika softly laughed as well.
I cleared my throat as I became serious again.
"W-Where's Doctor Nishikawa--- I mean our mother?" I asked her, trying to change the topic.
"She's at her clinic right now. Mama has lots of patients every weekends." informed Mika.
"What day is it,anyway?" I asked, while feeling confused.
"It's Saturday." answered Mika.
"Saturday?!" I paparotted.
That means I've slept for full 24 hours!
Mika nodded.
"Yep. And since I don't have school today,I'd be happy to tour you around town!" she happily announced.
"Tour me around? Wait----!" I stopped at mid-sentence when Mika spoke.
"Would you like to have some hot chocolate?" she asked, while pouring a hot choco at one cup.After that,she gave it to me.
It looks like her dear little sister doesn't take "No" as an answer.
I sighed in resignation as I stared at the choco cup. I have a feeling that there's nothing I can do to stop her.
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I didn't have the guts to say no to Mika's suggestion, so I just decided to go on a tour with her.
Mika told me to take a shower and wear some comfortable clothes. After taking a bath and when I made myself presentable, my little sister pulled me by hand, and we walked at towards the garden.
"We'll be using these... Surprise!" chirped Mika, as she was trying to surprise me.
I saw two bicycles for adults. One of them is still tied with a fancy ribbon.
"Did you like it?" asked Mika.
"You mean...The bicycle?" I asked her, just to make sure.
"Yeah! Actually, the three of us picked it for you." replied Mika.
I puzzily looked at her.
"Oh, what I mean was, Mama, our older brother and me!" cleared Mika.
"Y-You don't have to do this." I spoke, while feeling a little awkward.
"But we want to do this for you! So, shall we start touring around?" suggested Mika.
Do I have a choice? I asked at the back of my mind.
But instead, I nodded in return.
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I breathed in a gulpful of the ocean air. Mika did the same too, while stretching her arms up in the air. I felt a little better while looking at the ocean. I never thought that the vast ocean could be this beautiful since I've spent half of my life in the big city of Tokyo.
I wish my mother could see this as well...
"We have to go, sister! I still have lots of places to show you!" insisted Mika,tugging me along with her.
I helplessy followed her trail,as I took one last look at the ocean.
I'd sneak out one of these days and seek refuge in the ocean again.
Alone.
Mika and I mounted into our bikes and started to pedal our way on the road again.
While Mika continued on with her ramblings, I just roamed my eyes around.
After we passed so many houses, Mika suddenly stopped at one particular house. I also stopped my bike.
"This is the place where the kids hangout after school hours. The food here is really good,but dont try their Hula Twister Drink. It
tastes horrible!' Mika informed me,as she wrinkled her nose in obvious disgust.
I was about to say something when we suddenly saw a middle-aged man coming out from the house.He was wearing flashy sunglasses and there was a cigarette stick stuck into his mouth.He was also wearing a Hawaiian-print poloshirt and brown walking shorts.
I quickly guessed that this man is the owner of the snack bar.
"
Hello there, Mika!" the man greeted my sister.
"Hi, Uncle!" Mika greeted back.
The man turned his attention to me.
"And who is this young lady?" he asked in a polite manner.
"She's my sister, Nao Nishikawa!" Mika proudly introduced me to the old man.
I was secretly surprised when the man gave me a big smile. I thought that he will be shocked to know that I'm "adopted," but instead, he was really warm and friendly.
"Nice to meet you, Nao! You can call me Uncle Taka, and I'm the manager of this snackhouse. You can visit here at anytime." he introduced himself.
I politely bowed towards him.
"Well,we should be going now, Uncle. See you later!" Mika finally bid the man goodbye.
I can see Uncle Taka waving at us, as we pedalled away.
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Meanwhile, Uncle Taka was still watching the girls, until they were out of sight.
"The family is getting bigger, huh? Mika's obviously happy with her new sister..." the old man smilingly wondered aloud.
"What are you doing there, Dad?" somebody called him from the back.
He looked back, and he saw his eldest son, Van, staring at him while holding a mop. He remembered that they need to clean the snackhouse before they can open it for business.
"Oh, nothing. I just said hello to some kids." he told his son.
Van just shrugged his shoulders in return, and he started moping the floor.
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"Uncle Taka's so cool, right? But what until you meet Van..." Mika continued to chatter, while we are still on our bicycle tour.
"Van?" I curiously frowned as I heard the name.It was a very unique name.
"He's Uncle Taka's oldest son. The kids at school find him a little weird, but I don't agree with them. He's actually funny and cool! But unfortunately, no one wants to be friends with him so that's why he's always alone..." Mika relayed.
"And here I am thinking I'm the one alone in this world..." I thought.
Mika abruptly stopped infront of a building. I stopped too,as I stared at the building as well.
"Take a good look at your future school!" announced Mika.
I almost fell from my bicycle in shock when I heard her.
"M-My future school? I don't think I'm ready for it yet!" I protested.
But Mika didn't bother to listen.
"Shall we head back home,Nao?" she cheerfully suggested.
I guess I have to talk to Doctor Nishikawa about this.
======================
Later that evening.
I decided to join Doctor Nishikawa and Mika at dinner.
Mika was excitedly reporting the events for the day. She mostly talked about their tour around town. I was just silently listening to her.
"And I showed her the school, mama!" declared Mika, as her eyes sparkled with excitement.
I knew Doctor Nishikawa already have an idea about my feelings towards that topic. She glanced towards my direction. After that, she turned her attention back to Mika.
"I'll talk to your sister about going to school when the time is right, Mika. Now tell me more about your other plans. Where are you going to tour your sister next?" the old woman tried to change the topic.
Mika went on with her tour plans, including me with it.
====================
After dinner, Mika went ahead to take a bath. Doctor Nishikawa and I were left
alone in the kitchen.
I volunteered to watch the dishes. Nishikawa-san was making us tea. I was
already rinsing the bowls when she suddenly spoke.
"I'm sorry about the "school" thing, Nao. I guess you're not yet prepared for it..." she aplogetically said.
"I understand.Mika still doesn't know anything about my past...Am I right?" I probed.
Nishikawa-san sadly nodded.
"You don't have to rush on moving on, my dear. But don't forget that you're still young and everyone of us has the right to start their life all over again. Just think about it." advised the old woman, as she gave me a cup of warm tea.
I thanked her not for the tea, it's because she can understand me well enough without me talking too much.
As soon as we finished the dishes and drained our cup of tea, Nishikawa finally decided to call it a night. Feeling a little relieved to be left alone again, I climbed upstairs and went inside my room.
I pulled a seat from my study table and sat.
I stared at the round, bright moon.
"I want to runaway from here. I want to see my real mother. I hope this is just all a bad dream..."
Before I realized it,a tear trickled down on my cheeks again.
- Writer
