Goodbye Obomi

Dedicated to James P. Normile

Shred in Peace

You will be missed


Yuma looked at the small grave in Heartland City Park in the bright moonlight. He knelt down in front of it and paused for a moment. He began to remember when he had lost his friend...


Yuma watched in horror as a crushed pile of metal in front of him at the junkyard. He felt like everything had just literally felt apart. Here in front of him laid the remains of poor Obomi, all crushed and dented. Yuma, Kotori, and Tetsuo knelt down in front of Obomi's remains.

"No.. Obomi," said Kotori, tears forming in her eyes.

For once, Tetsuo took off his hat as a sign of respect. He started to shed little tears. "You were a good 'bot and a friend to us…. You're like a hero.."

Yuma took Obomi's fate the worst. He started crying loudly and tears fell from his eyes harshly. He slammed his fists into the ground. "Why did Obomi have to die? That car piece was heading for me! I should've been hit, not HER! Kami, why did you have to take Obomi away from us?" Yuma sobbed even harder after looking at Obomi even more…


The next day, Haru and Akari returned home with upsetting news. It turns out Obomi could not be repaired in any way. The kids were devasted, but they decided to hold a small funeral for the Litterbot.

...

Later, in Heartland City Park, Obomi's remains were brought inside a box and placed on top of a table. Kotori cried even harder at the sight of Obomi's coffin. Haru and Akari looked at the kids in symphony. Obomi meant a lot to them. She was like family.

...

"Obomi was one of the best helpers and a friend around the house," concluded Haru. She looked at her grandson. "Yuma, do you have anything to say?

Yuma nodded. He got up from his chair and stood in front of the picture of Obomi. He cleared his throat, "Obomi was a… friend," he said, trying to control his tears. "She would always tell me that I sucked, but I believe she meant to tell me to never give up… And, that's why I miss you, Obomi."

...

After the funeral ended, everyone buried Obomi near the lake where the kids had found her. The kids became emotional when Akari and Haru placed Obomi's coffin into the ground and buried her. The adults placed Obomi's grave marker above the Litterbot's final resting place. It read:

Obomi Tsukumo
A Litterbot, Duelist, Friend
RIP in Robot Heaven


Later that night, Yuma snuck out of bed and headed toward Heartland Park. Once he entered the park, he quickly made his way to Obomi's grave. Once he saw it again, he began to be emotional. But, Yuma decided to be strong for the deceased Litterbot. He knelt down in front of the grave in respect.

Yuma took a deep breath. "Hi, Obomi. I just wanted to say…. I miss you, we all miss you; Me, Kotori, Tetsuo, Granny, and Sis. But, deep down, you will always be in my heart." The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. He placed it on top of Obomi's grave.

"Obomi, remember this card, 'Wish Upon a Star'? This is your favorite card.
I hope you can take it with you to robot heaven."

Yuma sighed. He rose from the ground and began to turn towards home. He looked at the grave one more time. "Sayanara, Obomi."

Unknown to him, Obomi's spirit was watching him from the moonlit sky. Obomi seemed at peace because she was free from her pain.

"Yuma, Yuma, I love you."

FIN