Chapter Text
She was four when her mother died in a car crash. The sudden unexpected loss devastated her father the most. It did not rain on the day of her mother’s funeral. The opposite, in fact, it was warm and sunny, just like how most people thought of her.
“Oh, Akudo dear, come here!” a bustling young woman ran to her with her arms out, picking up the child with tears in her eyes, “You are a spitting image of my sister. She loved you just like I love you and she’ll always be watching over you, no matter what happens.” She wore a black dress that hugged her tightly and had her golden locks tied in a neat bun.
The only time Akudo had cried was when she had first gotten news of her passing.
“The poor family,” Akudo could hear hushed tones while they lowered the wooden casket into the ground, “couldn’t even do an open casket to say goodbye one last time.”
The child looked toward her father; his eyes were glazed over. The young woman noticed as well, and she shuffled to him while still clinging tight to the girl.
“You were an amazing husband,” patting him on the back, “just make sure you do right by her.”
He nodded, “I know, Jessica.”
As soon as the clad in black duo arrived home, the first thing Akudo’s father said was, “I have some good news Akudo,” his smile was empty, “we’re going to be moving in with Uncle Touma!”
Her face lit up and she cheered, “We’re moving to Japan?”
“Yes, we are. So go start packing your bags and I’ll come to help you in a minute.”
She bolted to her room and found a single empty suitcase. With newfound joy she hurriedly got to work, excited for life in her father’s home country.
It was past six now and Akudo’s stomach grumbled, “Aww, I’m hungry!”, she complained, “Where’s daddy? He never helped me like he promised.”
The small child stood and wandered the house until she heard a distinct sound behind her father’s bedroom door, one that she had gotten used to recently. Pain. Loneliness. Suffering. Misery. Her delicate face scrunched with disgust at that sound.
She turned from the closed door and briskly pranced toward the kitchen, eager to fill her empty stomach. She found and opened the fridge and pulled out a plastic container of strawberries. She sat at the kitchen table in the dark, by herself, swinging her legs back and forth slowly chewing the strawberries. She saved a few strawberries and silently placed them in front of her father’s door. He would just try to laugh it off and spend time with her all while holding a disturbing smile. Nodding to herself and smiling, she walked toward the light of her room. She was nearly done packing anyway. She had only put her clothes in there and whatever toys could fit.
In the morning, the father found Akudo asleep on her floor. Standing in the doorway, he shook his head. He looked toward the items he had to clung in his hand. Tickets. Tickets to Japan. Eiji stared intensely at them with wavering eyes. They began to water. He once again looked toward his sleeping daughter on the floor, lowered his head, and trudged away.
-----------------------
The day had come, Jessica came over to wave them off as they left for the airport. “Oh, Akudo dear, how I’ll miss you so!” The gorgeous woman hugged Akudo so tight she could barely breathe.
“I’ll miss you too Aunt Jessica, but please don’t kill me!”
Jessica giggled and let go of Akudo. “I want to give you something, darling,” she said, crouching down in front of the girl.
Akudo’s face beamed, “What is it?”
Jessica brought a small jewelry case out from the pocket of her sundress, “These were your mothers and I think you should have them.” She put a hand on the nape of her neck and laughed, “I stole them from her back in college and never gave them back. It’s only suiting that you should have them.”
She opened the ordinary jewelry case, which she had taken from her own possessions, to reveal a simple set of gold studs, previously cleaned just a day ago. It was a small circle with little triangles coming from the perimeter of the circle. While they were simple, they gleamed in the sun’s rays, making the little girl even more in awe.
“They’re supposed to be the sun but I think they look like little gears. You don’t have your ears pierced yet,” the woman was examining them one last time, “but when you do, you can wear these all the time as a reminder that your mother is still with you.”
The young girl looked at Jennifer with sparkles in her eyes, “Thank you so much, Aunt Jenny!”
Jennifer smiled and let out a light laugh, “Oh don’t be silly, they belong to you anyway. Now, turn around so I can put these in your backpack. Wouldn’t want them getting lost, now would we?”
Akudo giddily turned around for her aunt, to see her dad who was behind her. He had a slight smile on his face; the first one she had seen in several days. This made Akudo smile even more.
“You know, Rebecca had mentioned she let you borrow those, and she constantly brought up how you never gave them back. I’m glad to see you’re finally turning your life away from crime, you thief.” he lightly laughed, then glanced at the cab driver who was checking his watch and turned back to Jennifer, who was now standing, “I think it’s about time.”
They all grouped together for one last hug. When they broke apart, Akudo looked up toward her Aunt Jennifer with a face that would make you pity her, “Please come with us!” She tugged on Jennifer’s bright sundress refusing to loosen her grip, “I don’t want to be apart from you!”
Jennifer frowned and scorned the girl, “Now, now, what are you doing that for?” She wagged her finger, “My life is here in America, you know that. You can always write to me and when you finally have a cell phone you can text and call me too!” She pat Akudo on the head, “And think of all the new friends you’ll make. It’ll be so much fun.”
Akudo’s lips drew to a strained smile, “And someday you’ll come meet them.” it was both a question and a statement.
“Of course, honey. Now, you better get going! Don’t wanna miss your flight.” She bopped her on the nose. “Take care of the cutie, Eiji.”
“I’ll do my best, Jess” he spoke clearly looking toward the sky.
Eiji smoothly glided into the car while Akudo merrily hopped inside. She stuck her head out the window waving and yelling goodbyes to the woman in the sundress that caught in the summer breeze.
As soon as Jessica was out of sight, Akudo quickly turned to her father, “Daddy, when we land, I have to get my ears pierced!”
Eiji was staring blankly out the window, turned like a statue brought to life toward his beaming daughter, “Well, they are earrings meant for adults but I guess since they’re small studs it should work out alright.”
“So that’s a yes?”
He sighed turning back toward the window, “Yes, Akudo, we’ll get your ears pierced when we land.”
“Fantastic!” she turned to gaze out her window and watched the world she knew leave her behind.