Let's begin with a little set up: the premise of the show kicks off a lot earlier than normal and everyone is aged down to four years younger and this takes place in around 2017? 2018? Around there. I'd probably say my original character's face claim would be Chou Tzuyu.
Anyway, this is a snapshot series. We're doing little cuts instead of something continuous.
I don't own Brother's Conflict or anything you might recognize.
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Ana Lin sat in her penthouse apartment overlooking the city of Tokyo on a Saturday night instead of partying like she should and her television show, something she turned on randomly, blended into the silence like white noise. Her fingers glided over the glass, knees tucked to her chest, and she sighed, head lolled over the edge of the sofa.
Tokyo always looked best at night when the city's lights became midnight beacons calling out.
"God, I've got a free schedule for the first time in months and this is what I'm doing," she groaned.
She flipped her phone between her hands, debating on whether or not to call someone so late at night, but midnight crept closer and closer, and it was a weekend, and while most thirteen-year-olds slept before a new day begun, Hinata Ema wasn't one of them with her video game addiction. Ana took her chances and silenced her television to call, phone on speaker.
"Hello?" Ema's soft voice flooded her quiet apartment after she answered almost immediately.
"Hi, Ema-chan," she answered. "It's been a while since we've called or seen each other, how are you?"
"Ana-nee!" she gasped. "Hi! I'm good. How are you?"
"I'm good, but I've got news."
"Are you done promotions? I've missed you and I have so much to tell you about."
"I was calling to tell you that I'm currently on break," Ana said. "Do you want to meet at our usual cafe and talk? I'm free for the rest of the month whenever I want so you're stuck with me unless you're at school."
There was some shuffling on Ema's end. "Ana-nee," she said, almost hesitant. "I don't think I can go there. Can we try another cafe?"
Ema never said no to any of their outings. Ana's brow furrowed. "Oh? Why is that?"
"I moved! That's what I want to tell you about, Ana-nee!" Ema's voice almost burst out of the phone with excitement.
"Where did you move to?"
"Kichijoji." Ema quieted, almost hesitant. "Is that okay?"
"More than okay. Let me find a cafe and I'll text you the details and time," she hummed. "I don't think something this exciting can be conveyed through a phone call. Don't bring your wallet or any allowance. I'm paying."
"But Ana-nee-"
"You're only fourteen, Ema-chan," Ana said in amusement. "No paying. Save your money for something else like the newest video game."
"I really missed you," Ema confessed.
"I missed you too but we'll see each other tomorrow so you should sleep." Ana coaxed. "Good night, Ema-chan. I'll see you soon."
Ema sighed over the phone. "Good night, Ana-nee."
She hung up. Silence rang through the apartment and Ana unsilenced the television and she tapped the glass screen of her phone, swiping through several cafes and their reviews.
"Kichijoji, huh? This has to be a good story," she murmured as she send Ema her promised text.
LIGHT UP COFFEE. 11AM. If you need to change the time, just text me and we can adjust. - Love, Ana.
Ana rested her head on the window and stayed up the rest of the night, unable to sleep.
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Eleven in the morning came by quick and after a train ride from her apartment in Chiyoda-ku to Kichijoji, Ana stood in front of the cafe she recommended, fifteen minutes early.
She sat down in the cafe with after she ordered a cappuccino, a strawberry latte for Ema, and a few desserts. Her long black hair trailed down her back in thick messy curls and side strands tucked behind her ears; a pale blue beret sat on her head, and she wore a white button-up with wide ruffled cuffs with a dark blue skirt with many accessories. Ana watched the people pass by on the streets through the window and she set down a bag on the table before she traced circles onto the table, waiting.
Ema walked in several minutes later, a minute after eleven, and clutching a bag to her chest.
"Are you okay in public?" Ema glanced around before she sat down.
"I was labelled as the most boring celebrity to follow around after I invited a reporter to sit with me in a cafe and evaluate a book with me," Ana said, cracking a smile, "and I've had people check. No one followed me here, not when there's much more juicy gossip with other idols causing scandals. Anyway, in Japan, I'm just Ana Hayashi."
The server immediately began doling out their orders once he saw Ema walk in; their drinks with two plates of macarons and cream-puffs. Ana thanked him and separated the drinks as she took in Ema, slightly more mature than before but still the baby-faced thirteen year old with her signature side ponytail and bow.
"So..." Ana leaned forward. "What are you doing living in Kichijoji now?"
Ema flushed, pleased. Ana itched to hug her; she was too cute sometimes.
Emotions always painted Ema's face; she was unable to hide anything as her positive and negative emotions always overwhelmed her terribly.
"Papa is getting married to Miwa Asahina and she has thirteen sons. I'm living with them now!" Ema said excitedly. "They're all wonderful and treat me well and I've been having so much fun. It's only been a month but they really treat me like family."
"Married?" She blinked. "This is a lot of information to take in, but it sounds great. You look happy."
"I am happy," she murmured, bringing her strawberry latte to her lips as if she was ashamed of it.
Ana smiled; Ema had always wanted a big family and while Ana and her friends tried to be older siblings, they didn't always have the time no matter how much Ana tried to make it but she had always made it to important events in Ema's life. She struggled the past month while promoting a movie but she hadn't saw any events posted on Ema's junior high website. The guilt was an ugly leaden thing in her stomach regardless but she shook it off.
She reached over and patted Ema's cheek and hand. "I'm glad, Ema-chan. I think this is good for you and I'm happy there will be people around for you when I can't be. I'm sorry I wasn't around to help you settle down but I'm back for a while."
"Thank you, Ana-nee," she said shyly.
"Now, will I ever get to meet these brothers and see if they're as great as you say or do you want to get to know them yourself a little longer?"
"I'd love it if you'd visit." Ema's cheeks pinked further. "You're my family too, Ana-nee."
She brushed her hair aside before drinking from her cappuccino. "You're mine, too."
"Oh, Louis-san would love you," Ema said, as if the thought hit her suddenly. "You have so much hair. He'd love to play with it and he's your age too!"
"Tell me more about this new family of yours, Ema-chan," Ana suggested. "You haven't had a chance to talk to other people about them, have you?"
Ema shook her head but began to rave about her new family, throwing in some stories and talking about their daily routines and habits. Ana hid a smile behind her cup and listened, asking questions when appropriate but other than that, she basked in Ema's presence and words.
She had missed this.
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Remember, snapshots. I don't think I'm capable of writing something completely linear.