THE LIGHT HOUSE

By: Treasure

08082008

Chapter 1

"You are pulling my leg Oka-san!"

"Just like your father! No one ever believes me here! I'm not going to say this anymore."

"Please give him some more time. . . . . losing one's job isn't easy, especially if you can't find another one soon." Jun defended his father.

"Yeah, right! If only your grandfather gave your father a larger portion of his money then we won't be living like urchins today!"

"We're not urchins Oka-san!"

'By my standards Jun, we are!"

"Don't mind your mother. She's just frustrated that some of her whims may not be satiated anymore. She really loves to travel and buying some jewelry along the way pleases her most. Now she'll have to slow down. I wanted to give her the best but there are some circumstances that I can't control. Like right now, our company has to streamline. But I'm very confident that I'll be back on my feet soon." Mr. Matsumoto gazed to the swimming kois. "But she should not worry that much, we still have our savings plus the company has given me a good severance pay. Please don't tell her that yet." The older Matsumoto even managed to smile. "I was thinking maybe we can go for a short vacation somewhere in Okinawa. I always wanted to try my hand in fishing but I never got the chance to."

"Fishing?"

"Yes, fishing!'

"Maybe I could try the diving part and frolicking the beach, but fishing? I don't think that I have that skill in me to summon the giant creatures of the sea." Jun was scratching his head.

Mr. Matsumoto tap his son's shoulder "Shouldn't we try our hands to find out?'

'I guess so . . . ."

"How can you think of having a trip when we are poorest of the poor!" Mrs. Matsumoto was nagging both her husband and son when they've told them of their plan.

"Mate, mate honey! Don't worry about the expenses, we will have to spend very little because I have a friend in Okinawa and he told me we can stay there as long as we want to!"

"Then go! But I'm staying here, maybe I'll just go and feed the fishes in the pond!" Mrs. Matsumoto was sulking.

Not wanting to spoil his father's enthusiasm Jun intervened. He hugged his mother. "Oka-san, we will miss you there but since you prefer to stay here, maybe we could find some nice dried unagi (eel) and if things really gets good I may find a nice pearl for you."

"Go on, do your thing, let me wallow in my sorrows alone!"

Jun winked at his father and quickly grabbed his gym bag. "Bye Oka-san, see you in a few days!'

"Why are you so sad Mao, I'm not trying to leave just because I wanted to. You know it has been my dream since we were kids to be a famous actor, but staying here in our small town wouldn't get me anywhere. You will be fine I know, I can leave you with grandfather and grandmother but I know you wouldn't like to leave this house." Shintaro voiced out his and his sister's thoughts.

"Onii-san!" She was holding back her tears.

"Promise, I'll do my best so that you can be proud of your onii-san!"

"You know I'm always proud of you, you are the best brother anyone can wish for!"

"That's the spirit! Just give me a year or maybe two. And I will always call and e-mail you as frequent as I can, so you stay a good girl, all right?"

"Gambare, I know you will make it, just don't forget your little sister here okay?"

"Mao, my dear sister Mao, a promise is a promise okay?'

Soujiro Matsuda was having the time of his life. He had been looking forward on this vacation for months. Ever since he was little he had been fascinated by the sea, it's like it has been calling to him whenever he has spare time.

They had been here in the little town of Eitoku in Okinawa, for two days and he had been staying by the beach all morning and late afternoons when the sun's rays are not that scorching. He doesn't have that expensive water camera but he will try to collect as many shells and marine life he can get. He had in his bedroom a collection of shells which he had arranged like a miniature rock garden. He took a great pride in this collection, he's even thinking of making a diorama out of it.

He's now even excited, his good friend he haven't seen for quite sometime will be joining him and his family for a few days. He'd been friends with Jun Matsumoto since kindergarten, they will always stand next in line in alphabetical order.

One could say that Soujiro is a bit brainy than Jun but when it comes to brawns, Jun has the upper hand. They both love street food, sake, beer and hip-hop music, dancing comes in naturally. They both love diving and snorkeling but Soujiro almost likes to live under the sea.

"Hey Jiro, are you coming with me at the terminal?" Mr. Matsuda asked.

"Yes but, isn't it too early to go there? It's only 12 p.m. and they won't be arriving until three, right?"

"Yep, but I wanted to pass by the market first to buy some fruits!'

"Okay, let me go the beach first, I need to go and see somebody about the boat I wanted to borrow."

"Onii-chan, if ever you became a big star, will you recommend our beach to the film company?" Mao asked as they sat at Mao's favorite hang out, the lighthouse. This is her secret palace. Here she's the princes, she's weaving tales all by herself. Her prince will surely come to rescue her, will give her chaste kiss and rule the land and the sea.

"Any time that I can. It will a blast to be back here and a bonus to present how beautiful our beach."

"Promise onii-chan?" Mao can't help but cry. She will be missing her brother, sure she will.

"Where Kazu could be? He told me to wait here but he's not around!' Soujiro was about to go around the light house when he heard voices.

"I'll be back Mao, I'll be back, sooner than you think!"

Soujiro's thoughts- - -"Oooopps, bad timing for me . . . . . I don't think I would leave a girl that pretty, not if she my girl . . . . "

Thanks for reading! I'm a fan of the new Hana Yori Dango series, hope you are too. 08082008