Chapter I: Angel's Flight
The departing flight promptly arrived on its scheduled time. The one-way trip would take her back to her old, very familiar, childhood home. A place that held memories of the earliest years, and summers later on.
The fasten seatbelt sign clicked off when the plane reached proper altitude, but no one bothered staying out of their seats for very long. Once laptops were pulled out, first class turned into an office building. The hushed tapping from keyboards, and light conversation between travel companions surely couldn't compare with the noise the suits sit through in their everyday work environments. The traveler's father gave her a plane ticket for a prestigious airline; one with the fold-down seat-beds and other such accommodations. Oddly enough, this flight had no differentiation between business and first-class; rather it had one larger, upper class section. The young lady didn't mind the extra people. She quite preferred the hum of others to keep her thoughts from drifting too far.
Her father works as an accountant for one of the highest foreign trade companies in Tokyo, Japan. He also increases his disposable income by making himself available as a translator for any business managers with less than adequate English. It was through that extra work that he was able to fly out his daughter in such luxury.
It's no secret that such availability of higher amenities correlate with the unavailability of personal time. As cold as that might sound, it was a truth that the child dealt with rather well. Their father-daughter relationship was strong, and where he couldn't break from business, she would adapt.
During my summers with him, Mother never liked how Father took me on his business trips all over Japan. As a child, I remember we used to go as a family when we lived under one roof. However, by the time I was nine years old, Mother had a job managing three restaurants in Seattle, Washington, along with a restaurant equipment warehouse outside Tacoma. I have no recollection of how they came to a custody agreement, but in the end I moved to the United States with Mother. My parents workaholic ambitions pulled us apart and set the Pacific Ocean between us. What may seem odd about the spit-up to other people is that my parents never actually divorced. In our own seemingly dysfunctional way, we are all still one... harmonious family.
Despite the unusual living arrangements between parents, it became my habit to make the best of it. I rarely faltered with my academics during school in America, but I also took to summer studies that matched the school children in Japan. It was through such consistent learning, Mother became curious as to see how my language and other cognitive skills progressed. At thirteen, it was a pleasant surprise to both of my parents that I was an A-average student in both English and Japanese. A promising future for their child is what every parent wants, right? Well, this gift became a nightmare for my mom the last weekend before I would depart for another summer across the sea.
At the age of fifteen, I told her I wanted to go to high school in Japan.
I was so infuriated at the time that I don't completely remember what we argued about; I had no real friends in Washington...my duel citizenship...she knocked over a dining room chair...I threw a vase at the wall. In the end, I was packing my bags and Mother dropped me off Tuesday afternoon at the airport. She didn't even bother staying to see me to my terminal.
Our parting being so bitter, sleep wasn't very comforting on my redeye flight. I left her my new phone number on the keyboard of her home computer, knowing full well she already had it memorized; our family house number had never changed. It was, more or less, a symbolic gesture. I knew when she did finally call, it would be like nothing ever happened between us. The problem was, depending on how serious the argument….Well, we are both headstrong and stubborn. To me, that is a sign that I could be in post-grad college before I even get an email from Mother again.
As I walked out of the airport early the next morning, that same thought occurred to me. Had the fight really been that severe? I felt my eyes sting as my tired vision began to grow misty. A tear almost fell until a familiar voice called my name.
"Enzeru!" Father shouted "You're more beautiful than any angel could ever be!"
That was his usual greeting every time we were reunited, but it melted my heart once again. I ran up to Father and hugged him with just as much love as I did when I was a child. Also like routine, when we embraced, over Father's shoulder, I noticed his subtle-toned, silver car, pulled up along the pickup line a few meters away. We both climbed in and Father drove us out of the area. I found a sense of peace from my musing as he began talking. I finally started to relax, but I was still able to pay attention.
"I'm glad you have decided to finally move to Japan." Father's tone was absolutely chipper "I know you loved it here when you were a child," I smiled a little, looking out my window "I hope that you will get reacquainted with your friend, Kagome. Her little brother has grown up so much since you last saw him."
The Higurashi family had been close to mine for years. Kagome's mom also worked at the same office as my father, but as a secretary. Only part-time at that, even after all these years. Sota was barely into school last time I saw him. My eyes closed as I reminisced about my childhood with Kagome. We knew each other since we were toddlers. Even when I moved away, we kept in touch through hand written letters which later advanced to email. We studied together during the summer because she still attended a few school clubs. I honestly believe Kagome was one of the reasons I stayed on track with learning during my 3-month breaks. She was, and still is, my closest friend. As sleep coiled itself around me, one last thought crossed my mind;
I'll have to get used to hearing my name in Japanese, permanently.
Enzeru Hisakata; Angel Moon.
Seven months passed since I moved to Tokyo. Father was away on business most of the time, but I felt no need to accompany him. For so many years, that was our way of spending my limited school break together. That wasn't necessary after the move. It was enough to know that he would come home. I spent a lot of my out-of-school hours at the Higarashi Shrine. Kagome's family have always been warm and welcoming. It felt better than when I visited every year because I wouldn't be leaving again. Until I finally took that step and anchored myself to one house, I had no idea of the happiness that it would bring. Perhaps I could have been content living in the United States, but my heart ached for the place that I was uprooted. Friends, Father, and my childhood home. I was happy, but I still felt a piece was missing. One particular phone call had yet to be made…
When I enrolled in school, it was a little tough. Academically, I was at the top of my game, but I was a little looked down upon for the refusal to wear the girls gym uniforms. Some may have viewed this as insubordination, but I had my reasons.
I have an old scar on my left thigh that is covered just enough by my school skirt. Even my best friend, Kagome, doesn't know about it. The girls' gym bottoms are shaped with no leg coverage at all. Thankfully, Father was able to get an acceptable medical notice, and the school provided me with gym shorts the same color. They reached almost the same length as the uniform skirt, so the gash mark was perfectly concealed. After a couple weeks everyone stopped paying mind and all was well with school. Life felt perfect….until about two weeks into the late spring.
Kagome had her 15th birthday. I was going to head over to her house for her birthday dinner, but that happened to be the long awaited day my mother finally called. Can you believe it? I finally caved and emailed her my apology for our last fight and not ten minutes later, she called!
Upon my first visit after moving, I told Kagome about what happened before I left the United States. She told me, "Whenever you and your mom finally talk, I want you to catch up. I don't care if we had plans or whatever! I'll understand."
I still felt bad, though. I missed my best friend's birthday party, for goodness sake! When Mother had to get ready for work, it was about eleven o' clock on my end. It would have been rude to call Kagome at such a late hour. So, I told myself the next day at school, I was going to apologize.
Oddly, Kagome was absent. I was concerned, but I was sure she would tell me about it the next morning. When Kagome didn't come to school for two more days, I started to get upset, as well as Kagome's other friends that I've acquainted, Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi. We all sat together at lunch, and the girls began to voice their concerns for our missing friend. Suggestions of calls and a group visit began to circle into the conversation, but I quickly put a stop to it. If Kagome was indeed ill, four visitors would be too much. So, I proposed a phone call, and homework drop-off if she was feeling up to seeing anyone. The girls knew I lived the closest to the Shrine, so I didn't even need to volunteer for the job…In fact, they voted that I'd be the one to go.
My gated community was about two miles from the Higurashi shrine. It was almost completely made up of small condo buildings, but it was private none the less. My father and I made up one of only seven residents that have an actual house.
That afternoon, I went straight home with a couple of missed practice exams and a note of the reading sections Kagome needed to go through. After unloading my stuff into the hall closet, I called the Higurashi house as planned. I smiled when I heard a boyish voice answer.
"Hey, Sota," I greeted happily "It's, Enzeru. Is Kagome available?"
There was a silence on the other end "Uhh...," Sota stammered "She's sick today!" and hung up the phone.
It took me a moment before I hung up my phone. What was Sota's problem?
Then, I couldn't help, but speculate. What if Kagome was sent to the hospital? I wouldn't think that Sota would be keeping that a secret. Would I not be the first friend that Mrs. Higurashi would call? Some of my worry was replaced by frustration. The Higurashi family have never been a secretive bunch. In addition, I already had picked up the missed assignments from Kagome's classes.
I would need to go and see her, immediately!
As I walked to the coat closet, the phone rang. At first, I just thought my mother was calling, so I let it go to the answering machine. When I heard my father's voice over the speaker I flung my jacket over the sofa as I ran to pick up the phone extension in the living room.
"Father?" I answered, "Why are you calling in the middle of your shift?"
"Ah, Enzeru!" he exclaimed with relief "I need you to come down to the office with some work I left on my desk. It is a cream colored folder marked 'Tuesday's budget meeting'. I need it by four o' clock!"
I checked my watch and gasped "That's in a half hour!" I screeched
"Just grab the folder and take a cab." Father said, in a calm yet urgent voice "I need you to get here quickly, Enzeru. You can use some of the money I have in the-"
"I have money, Dad. Don't worry." I interrupted
"Then get here as quick as you can," he said and hung up
I hung up the phone and ran into the home office. I had no idea how my dad could have forgotten the folder. It was set, perfectly conspicuous, in front of his office chair. I didn't dwell on the matter for long, Dad was waiting. I grabbed the folder and bolted for the front door, grabbing my house keys and coat along the way. I locked the door from the outside, arming the security system.
When I finally got to see Kagome, it was at school the next day. I tried to get her to tell me how her cold was coming along, but she would change the subject or the bell would ring. I may have come across a little persistent by asking her every time we were together that day; our schedules matched to have literature, gym, math, lunch and the same city transit. I finally let it go by the time I met up with Kagome for the bus ride home.
"I'm sorry about the no show at your get-together. My mom called on your birthday, out of all days!"
Before Kagome could say any reassurance, I pulled her wrapped birthday present out of my bag. It took up enough room that I was carrying two of my textbooks under my arm. Kagome's eyes lit up as she thanked me. She opened it and squealed with delight. It was a blue MP3 player with matching ear buds, the wall charger, and small foldable speakers.
"I thought you might like some music to play in your room when doing your homework," I told her, "but that's not all."
I opened the back of the music player, and where the battery was suppose to be was a small solar panel.
"The battery life is thirty-five hours, but this way you can charge it by setting it on your windowsill." I added "I put some of your favorite music on it already and it is fully charged. So,... Happy Late Birthday!"
Kagome hug had an a squeeze that was almost too tight.. The bus arrived just in time to save me from the lack of air. On the ride home, Kagome and I talked about what happened at school in the classes we didn't have together, and I helped her learn how to work the music player. It was a peaceful trip, but little did I know that her previous sickness was just the prelude to many more mysterious absences.
Only chapter one would be in Enzeru's point of view. I felt it to be more personal to be written in her perspective.