Kuon was strolling in the forest near their ancestral house in Kyoto. His father, one of the big names in Hollywood, dragged him to come with him in Japan, the country where he started his career in show business, to promote his new movie.
Kuon thought that they will be staying in the capital – Tokyo, but his father decided to stay in Kyoto during their visit. It's not really that bad like what he originally thought, the fresh air, green scenery, and the sound of the birds were refreshing to him. It calm him from the stress in the city life.
He heard a water flowing not from afar and in the deeper part of the forest, he saw a clearing.
A perfect place to think away his problems.
Kuu noticed his son leave the house early and come back late. As long as he saw no bruises then he shrugged off, thinking that maybe he found something that he enjoy.
"Kuon?"
The ten-year old Kuon looked up to his father from the table, they are having dinner.
"Yes, dad?"
"Are you having fun?"
Kuon momentarily paused before answering. "Yes, I'm glad you take me with you.
Kuu noticed his son's demeanor, it become calmer before they come to the country. He and his wife knew that something is troubling their only son, but both of them are too busy to talk to him about it.
Bringing him here is a nice decision. Kuu thought.
"Mommy! Mommy! Look!" The six-year old Kyoko ran to her mother's office, with a piece of paper on her. "I asked our teacher to teach me music! She taught me how to read the notes! Do Re Mi –"
Seana slapped her daughter's hand away. "Don't come near me!" She yelled. "If you will, bad luck will happen to me! If you have time in learning that thing, why couldn't you do that in your studies? That's why you are stupid! Your head is full of that crap! Get out!" Saena glared at the scared and teary-eyed Kyoko before her, she narrowed her eyes at the paper.
Kyoko cried as she ran out of her mother's office. "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti. I can even pronounce it properly." Kyoko mumbled to herself between sobs and hiccups. "I just wanted you know that I did a good a job, and my teacher praised me."
Six-year old Fuwa Shotaro went to the living room when he heard Kyoko cried, and there, he saw her gushing her tears.
Eh... So... What should I do? He thought to his self. His foot was glued on the floor. He was just standing there, like a deer caught in the headlights.
He was just standing, watching her crying because of her mother.
Kuon was standing in the clearing, waiting for his princess. He chuckled as remember how he met such cute girl.
He's staring at the purple-blue stone that he bought at the local souvenir shop, the owner said it's a stone that will absorb the sadness of the owner.
He gripped the stone tightly.
I have to surpass him as fast as I could. I don't want the people judge me like they know what I've been through. I must gain the strength to stand on my own, and not by my parents' name.
He wanted to be an actor like his father, he was his hero. He wanted to be like him someday, but lately, his father's name became a huge hurdle for him to reach his dreams.
The bullying that he always endures, the fights that he refused to retaliate, the racism that he always got, show business is a ruthless world for him being born with highly respectable and talented father, and beautiful mother who has a dominant name in fashion industry, people will look at him superficially, just because he carried the Hizuri name.
His ears' twitched when he heard a rustling sound behind him, and from the bushes come out a girl years younger than him, crying. Her beautiful golden eyes sodden with tears, widen when she saw him.
"Are you a fairy?" She asked cheerfully.
How... innocent. Kuon fondly though as he watched her hopeful eyes.
He closed his eyes and think about his self.
My existence caused worries to others, I always worry my parents, but at least to this girl, I want to her cause of happiness. At least to this girl, I want to wipe away her tears and make her smile.
"My name is Kyoko, what your name Mr. Fairy?"
He breathed before he opened his eyes, looking at her excited and hopeful ones, Kuon softly smiled.
"Hello Kyoko, my name is Kuon."
And that's how all it started. He was playing as a fairy for the young girl who came to the place to cry, to bring the smile back to her lips.
"COOOOOORN!" Kyoko ran holding two iced juice. "I bought something for you too!" She handed him the other one.
"Whoa! Cold!"
She giggled. "It's perfect for the hot weather."
Kuon fondly smile at her.
During their time together, Kuon perfectly played the role of a fairy prince, he even used his acrobatic moves to make her believe that he can fly.
This was one of the happiest times in his life.
His time with Kyoko.
Kuon stared at his father, wide-eyes. "What?!" He gasped.
Kuu nodded. "I already bought us ticket, we will go home tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!" He exclaimed. It's too sudden.
"Yes, why? Don't you want to go home? Your mother already miss us, and we overstayed our vacation."
"I see... I miss mom too." Kuon looked at his father. "Dad, can I borrow your camera?"
"Sure. But why?"
"I want to capture the memories I have in this place before we go home."
Whatever it is, it sure made Kuon relaxed and loosen up.
Kuu inwardly cheering thinking that his son might've met someone.
Kuon capture the place with his camera. He still have time since their flight will be later that evening. He was hoping to see Kyoko before he left, she is, after all, his most precious and unforgettable memory in Kyoto.
She came just like what Kuon hoped, and she's crying, gripping a crumpled paper of her exam sheet.
"I am so stupid. Why can't I perfect the test. Mommy scolded me again... She's disappointed at me again." Kyoko sobbed.
Kuon can only pat her head sadly. If he leave, who will listen to this girl's worries now? Who will wipe away her tears and make her smile again?
Kyoko sniffed her tears before pumping her fist. "Yosh! I'm okay now! I hate studying but I will try hard next time! I know, the time will come that mommy will pat my head for a job well done!"
Kuon chuckled, he was really amazed at her. She really is a girl full of determination, she's an optimistic one who looked at the positive side of the world.
She is his light.
She is his hope.
"Kyoko-chan, let's take a picture together." He said, showing his camera.
Kyoko's eyes sparkled in delight. "Picture! I love that!"
Kuon set the camera's timer before placing it on top of a rock.
The two smiled happily as the camera flashed, capturing their happy moment.
Kuon savoured his last moments with her until he noticed the time.
"Kyoko-chan, there's something I want to tell you."
"Hm? What is it?"
Kuon sighed, hesitating. "You know..."
Kyoko cried when her fairy prince said his goodbye.
"Don't go, Corn!" she sobbed.
Kuon softly patted her head, "Don't cry, Kyoko-chan. I'm sure will meet again, someday."
"Can I write you a letter?"
"Of course you can."
"Will you become a king and surpass your father when we meet again?"
Kuon blinked before sadly smile at her, "I don't –"
"Yes, you can!" Kyoko exclaimed, which startled him a bit "You are born to become a king, Corn. I believe in you! You can do it!"
On the spur of the moment, Kuon cupped her face and leaned down, he kissed her deeply. Growing up in an adult society, at ten years old, Kuon already exposed on doing such act. Kyoko blinked and felt all her blood rushed to her face. When Kuon saw her blushing face, he smirked. He, himself was also blushing hard, as if he was experiencing his first kiss. Heck, his first kiss wasn't even incredible as it was as kissing Kyoko.
He cleared his throat "Thank you, Kyoko-chan. I will strive hard to become a king."
Kyoko beamed at him "I will look forward to it, Corn!"
He handed her a purple-blue stone and a piece of paper with his address written on it. "This stone will absorb your sadness, Kyoko-chan. Even if I'm not around, I want to you think of me. And, I want you to write a letter and tell me about your problems, okay?"
Fresh tears flowed from her eyes again, she nodded. She hugged him tight.
"Take care, Corn. I will miss you!"
Kuon leaned down to kiss her once more before they parted ways, with a promise on their hearts that they will never lose contact on each other.