Ch. 1 – I have a twin?!

My name is Leon. I'm originally from Japan, but for the past 16 years, I've been growing up in a place called North Carolina in America. Because of my Japanese heritage, I've been trying to stay to my roots with learning Japanese and its culture. I live with my aunt and uncle. My mother died in a car accident when I was really young and my father…. I've never met him. Or at least, I don't remember him at all. I've had dreams of him before, but that was about it. Any time I would ask my aunt and uncle about it, they always tried to change the subject. Was my father that bad of a person?

I just graduated high school a year early. I've always been smart. I was also able to cook pretty well too. Sports wasn't really my thing. I loved watching football, but never played it. My aunt and uncle only wanted me to study and get good grades. I've succeeded and now at the tender age of 17, I've got a goal in front of me. Because I'm quite fluent in Japanese and my grades are amongst the top in the nation, I will be applying for a university in Japan. My uncle thinks it's a good idea. My aunt on the other hand, doesn't. I told them that it is my dream and I will go to make my dream come true.

"Well, then maybe it's time we tell him the truth, Miri."

My aunt just sighed at the words of my uncle. As if there was a truth that was held from me that she couldn't hide anymore.

"Leon, come sit down."

Her hand gesture to me as if I should take hers in return. I sat down on the chair adjacent from her. With a deep breath, she slapped both sides of her face, and looked up with a look of determination.

"Leon, you uncle and I planned for this, and have bought tickets for you to go to Japan and go look at the different universities before applying. We've saved as much money as we could and you should have enough to venture out for 3 months. If this is truly what you want to do, then your uncle and I will support you."

My heart swelled with the thought of this. But, it didn't make sense about the "truth" uncle wanted her to tell me.

"Of course! That is the best present you have ever giving me! But, what about what uncle said."

Her eyes lowered and her brows grew tight.

"Leon, while there…. I want you to meet…. Your father…. And your twin brother…"

I'm in shock. This didn't make any sense. She knows the existence of my father and I have a twin brother and she held it from me this entire time?

"Please don't be mad at us, Leon. Your uncle wanted to tell you for a long time. But, I… I just couldn't. Not until you were ready."

"Ready for what?"

"I knew the instant you found out, you would want to run away to Japan and go meet them. I'm so terrible. I had to wait for the right moment."

She was right. Even now, all I can think about is packing my bags and getting on an airplane to find my father… and my brother. What are they like? My Japanese is pretty good, but could I really communicate with them on that level? It didn't matter, I had to go, and it needed to be sooner than later."

"Your flight is in 3 days. Go and prepare. I will look up your father's contact info and send it to your phone."

"Aunt Miri…. Thank you very much."

As I turned to run upstairs to my bedroom, I couldn't help but feel sadness from my aunt and uncle. I'm not even sure why I didn't ask why they kept it from me. I didn't care anymore. What I needed to know, is where I'm going. I'll find out the details when I get there. I want to hear it from his own mouth. Why did you abandon me? Did you even abandon me? Do you know who I am? So many questions I wanted to ask. I feel there was no time to write them down. Everything will come in due time. I must focus on the journey ahead.

The next 3 days seemed to past as fast as a slug on the hottest day of the year. But, the day finally came. I picked up my tickets the day prior, changed my phone to an international plan, made of a list of universities to check out, and possible places that I've wanted to visit. The biggest thing was meeting my father. My aunt and uncle never spoke badly about him… it's just they never spoken of him until now.

"I emailed your father. It's safe to say he's just as eager to meet you as you are. He hasn't told your brother, yet. He wanted to make it a surprise. The only other person that is awaiting your revival is your stepmother. She also is excited about your arrival. Please forgive us, Leon. Your father didn't even know about you being alive until now."

"What?!

"You may look down on us, but I think it's better if you hear his side of the story first, and then make your own assumption."

My own father didn't know I was alive? What is all this? Nothing made sense, anymore. Was this really a good idea?

"You'll understand in time, I promise. Always know that your uncle and I love you more than life itself. We didn't need children of our own since we had you. You'll always have a place to return to. Your home is always here."

Sudden doubts just hit me. So many questions left unanswered. Will I get the answers when I arrive at my father's house? And will it be the answers I need?

"Thank you Aunt Miri. Even though I wished you would tell me everything, I still think you're the best person in this world."

Her eyes started tearing up, and her face was flustered. I didn't hate them. Mildly disappointed, but don't hate.

"Oh! Your father's English is horrible. His emails look like he tried using a translator and just copied and pasted."

"Noted. I think my Japanese will get me by."

I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. Took one last look at the house I grew up in, and turned to face my next adventure…. Except, I was just looking at an empty street. Uncle pulled the Volvo out of the garage, and laughed at me.

"How were you going to get there? Running?"

Of course not, the airport is a 45 minute drive. I swallowed that pride pill and got in the car, and we took off. NOW! My next adventure starts.