Note:
1. This is purely fictional with no reference to any real-life characters.
2. The ordering of Japanese names is its surname followed by its Christian name. So for instance, "Amamiya Haine", the protagonist of the story, is referred to as Haine by her parents (Amamiya Kyousuke and Amamiya Juuri) in this chapter.
Chapter 1
In a corner of Kyushu Island, Japan, is a village like any other whereby life is on the whole simple, ordinary and peaceful. Most of the village folks were fishermen, living out the daily routine of fishing and selling their livestocks in the city market a mile away from the village. Although not exactly the wealthiest nor the most educated among the people in Japan, people in the village were generally at ease and happy with their lifestyles. As the sun was about to set on an idyllic Tuesday, a pair of husband and wife were sitting near the river, leaning on each other's shoulders and reviewing their hard work for the day.
"We are in luck, Juuri; this afternoon's catch was an exceptionally abundant one… At least half of our stocks are left even after selling the usual amount at the market today! Dinner will sumptuous tonight…"
Raising her head slightly, Juuri replied, "Gosh you are right Kyousuke! Haine will love it when she gets home from school. Speaking of Haine, don't you realize she's been acting a little odd lately?" and the wife gave a sudden disapproving look. "She has been coming home a little later than usual these days, always surrounded by a group of boys and all…makes one really wonder what she is up to…"
But Kyousuke merely chuckled and said airily, "Honestly you worry yourself way too much, Haine is already 16 years old… She is definitely old enough to take care of herself and knowing her she is probably just going through puberty," pausing for a second, he carried on with an amused expression on his face, "a group of boys you say? My oh my… the last time I saw her out on the streets she was only with 2! She sure has inherited her mother's charming features; Delicate, fair skin and round and proportionate eyes which reflect the glorious moonlight…"
"Yea… come to think of it it's been slightly over 15 years since she was left on our doorstep by that woman on that night…" and while saying that, Juuri had a sudden solemn expression on her face. "Hey Kyousuke, isn't it finally time that we should tell Haine the truth, that we aren't actually her biological parents? I think she has a right to know, that her actual mother is in fact the one by the name of Kamiya Hazuki. Tonight seems to be a good chance to…" However, before she could finish her sentence, Kyousuke had already put up his hand to stop her and replied, "We have discussed this before Juuri… Unless Kamiya Hazuki comes to us and insists on letting Haine know the truth, there is no need to reveal her true parentage. In fact, I personally do not believe that Kamiya Hazuki will come find us anytime soon to claim Haine, seeing how desperate she was to get rid of her child and hand her over to us that night. Haine will be much happier not knowing that her true mother abandoned her and left her in this village."
"And we shall keep it that way," said Kyousuke loudly, just as Juuri was about to open her mouth to protest, "for as long as we need to…"
Recognizing the firmness in her husband's voice, Juuri kept silent and the pair stood up at the same time, proceeding to stroll briskly back from the river to their wooden hut in the far end of the village, all ready to prepare dinner and await their daughter's return.