15 years later, Shibuya Japan

If you raised this number to this variable then… this prophet was cursed with blindness due to….. afterwards, you multiply this number to…. Zeus took the heavens, Poseidon ruled the seas and, Hades was tricked and had the….. the square root of the number thirty-six is…. The gods enjoy drinking nectar and ambrosia….

Ugh, it was so hard to concentrate.

I tapped my mechanical pencil and stared down at my notebook. Only one more problem to go, I said to myself. This was what I get for reading Edith Hamilton's book of Greek Mythology all night; my brain cells became obsessed with everything I learned from the book, to the point I daydreamed and…..never mind.

My name is Eve Masahiro, and I am fifteen years old. I was in a deserted classroom, finishing up my schoolwork for the day.

The reason for doing so is that I fell asleep during Math class, again. I have trouble sleeping, you see. As much as I enjoy studying, I can't help but give in to the world of slumber during school hours. Now, this extra work was the price I had to pay.

Aside from my insomnia, I have a lot of psychological disorders. Like my front-to-back...or back-to-front dyslexia, for example. Because of this, I had no choice but to read some words backwards. I also have ADHD, but it usually acts up when I'm scared, intimidated, excited, or whenever I engage myself into something.

But these problems never hinder me from opening my textbook. I love learning things, especially history. It's almost like gossiping, only you talk about older stuff.

My brain finally tweaked, and I started scribbling my solution onto the notebook. The moment I was done, I held my notebook high and grinned. "I'm finally done!" I said in relief, without realizing that my voice actually echoed throughout the classroom. I just shrugged, grabbed my bag, and started heading home. I was very excited to finish reading my book at home.

In case you haven't noticed, I've got no friends to walk home with. Well, I don't have any friends actually. My classmates would never hang out with a broad-fore headed nerd like me. Yes, I am being bullied for my wide forehead. I am known as the "billboard" of my school. It actually started when I was in middle school. That's why I maintained my full bangs; they helped me conceal my billboard of a forehead. But for the past ten years of my life, I knew I had to brush those insults off my back and move on. After all, I have a father back home who cares about me.

A smile suddenly appeared along my mouth, as I board on the train that would lead me home. My father is not only a History professor in our community college, he was also my best friend. Obviously, I got my love for history from him. We did lots of stuff together. Whether it was Christmas, or our birthday (our birthdays comes consecutively), we always celebrated occasions together. He would even tutor me or show me new things. Moreover, I looked up to him. He was such a gentle and intelligent individual. I was even glad that I resembled him more. I got his black hair, the shape of his nose and ears, his thin mouth, his long eyelashes, thin eyebrows, and his pale complexion. I was pretty much like a female version of him. Only, my temper was much shorter than his.

When I got down to my stop, I started walking down the street. I passed by a lot of posters promoting certain colleges and universities across Japan. Then I remembered that I am now a senior (I started studying early) , and my high school life would come to an end, five months from now. My desired college and course? Well, I've always wanted to take a major in history. But I wanted to attend Harvard University.

That's right; I wanted to go to the university where my father used to work. Investigating all of my father's old files, portfolios, and paperwork from Harvard made me fascinated by its prestigious and educational background. The question is, will my father allow it?

He quit teaching at one of the best schools in the world. I'm sure there was an explanation behind it.

The only theory that I could come up with was that it was the same place he met my mother. I don't know how he'll handle in returning into such a nostalgic yet painful place. I was worried for my father, but I was also worried that he won't let me go. I really wanted to go to Harvard!

Finally, I reached home. I knew right then and there, that I had to tell him what I wanted.

As I began walking towards the simple tatami home, I took a huge breath. I was going to graduate soon, and I knew that I wanted to pursue college. I want a major in history, and Harvard is the university I wanted to go to. I'm just paranoid about how he's going to react.

"I'm home." I called out, as I removed my school shoes. (note from author: the following dialogues are spoken in Japanese.)

"I'm in the kitchen!" he responded. He was usually at the kitchen at this hour, preparing snacks and tea for both of us.

I slid the kitchen door open (yes, slid. it's a slide door), and the first thing I saw was my father's gentle smile. "Welcome home, Eve-san." he said. (note: older Japanese men address younger girls with the honorific, -san.)

I managed to smile back. "Thanks, otou-sama." (note: otou-sama- father in Japanese)

"Snacks are ready. Could you help me with bringing the tea to the garden? I was thinking of having our afternoon snack there."

"Sure thing." I agreed and took the tea set outside.

It was a peaceful afternoon. The thing is, I had no idea how to start the conversation about my future in Harvard. It's not that my father always gets angry with me. He is actually quite the opposite. He is very overprotective of me, and would never let me go out that much. I'm just worried that I might upset him. The only times he scold me is whenever I ask or do something that usually involves the word, 'Harvard'.

I couldn't Even look at my father. I was afraid that he might notice my disturbed expression. I found myself constantly gazing at the mini garden that my father and I created a couple of years ago.

Everything became nostalgic, all of the sudden. When I was around two, the first book I ever read was a book about flowers. I may be a nerd, but I absolutely adored flowers. Cherry blossoms were my ultimate favourite. My father noticed this, and he suggested that we should plant a garden, together. Then that's how it came to be. We made a lot of memories by just constructing that simple garden. We usually go there whenever it is our birthday, or whenever we feel like camping out.

Unfortunately, my father noticed that my head were on the clouds, and decided to start the conversation.

"Well, in a couple of months, you'll be graduating." he said.

I nodded. I could've sworn I heard myself gulp.

"Have you thought of pursuing college?"

I nodded again, feeling beads of sweat forming at my nape.

"Ahh, what course do you have in mind?"

"H-history" I managed to say.

He looked at me, approvingly." Ahhhh... very nice..." he said, sipping his tea. "Have you thought of a college you wanted to attend?"

Here it comes. "Y-yes..."

"Oh... what will that be...?" Oh, boy.

I started gripping my collar. "Promise you won't get mad..?"

His approving face slightly changed to uncertainty. "Uhmm... sure."

"I... I want to... I want to take Harvard!" There I said it! I wanted to add.

He spat out his tea, and looked at me like he has been slapped on the face. "... H-harvard? But... that's in America."

"I know... but there is such a thing as studying abroad, neh?"

"But, are you willing to take such a... risk?"

"I've seen your past paper works, father. Harvard happens to be the only school that caught my attention."

"What about the schools here? Aren't they good enough?" This is the part wherein my father persuades me out of my decisions.

I pursed my lips. " I didn't say that. It's just that-"

"Why don't you try it here?"

"Well, it's Harvard that I really like..."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Look, I understand that you don't want to go back there. But it's been a long time ago, so please forget about it."

"No. You are not going to Harvard." Now I could feel the temperature in my body rising to my ears.

"Why not?" I said, trying to maintain my composure.

"Because we can't afford it right now." Since when does he use that excuse?

"Then I'll work part-time." I defended

"No, it's too dangerous."

I was becoming pissed off, now. "Why does everything have to be risky for you, otou-sama? Not everything in this world is dangerous!"

"You just have no idea, Eve-san!" That was the first time he raised his voice at me in almost three years. Last time he did was when I learned about Harvard. Every time he hears the school's name, his face tightens. He looked at me like I was going to die, which seemed crazy.

"Of course I don't! That's because you never let me try!" I yelled.

"Trust me, Eve, you wouldn't want Harvard. The students there are not worth interacting with."

"I don't think that would be a problem. I don't even talk to my own classmates." Well, it was true.

"But you're not going to Harvard, or any school abroad. That's final." Now that made my heart shatter, my ears heat up, and my eyes teary, all at the same time.

"But why?" I almost shrieked.

He sighed and massaged his temples. He looked at me blankly, and gave me his usual excuse whenever I could not get the things I want. "Because I said so."

I stood up and stormed to my room.

I've never felt so frustrated in my entire life! The only thing irritating about my father is that he won't give me a straight answer, especially to the questions that I'm dying for. No matter how hard I tried in pestering him with questions, he won't give me a concrete reason why he disapproves of Harvard, the BEST school in the whole world ; and most of all, he won't not tell me why he keeps me in a cage!

What is it about the world that is so dangerous? Doesn't he trust me? Doesn't he believe in me? Instead of supporting me like any normal parent, he deprives me from the outside world as if I was a wanted target! Just thinking of it makes me feel completely infuriated!

(O u O)

Hours had passed, and my anger was slowly subsiding. I was listening to music of Bach, and I was clicking on the official site of Harvard.

Obviously, it kept saying how awesome the curriculum is, and how students manage to become successful individuals. Looking at the pictures made me feel pretty upset. Then I heard a knock on the door.

"Eve-san! I have your dinner." It was my father.

"Not hungry," I groaned. But he still went in my room, anyway. I sighed, shut my laptop down, then I formed an Indian-sit position as my father slowly sat on the bed beside me and handed me a small bowl of miso soup. I accepted it, and silently started to sip. We were completely silent for a long time.

Eventually, I broke the silence.

"Look, I'm sorry for my behaviour a while ago. It's just that you would nEver gIve me a chance." I said, putting my miso soup aside.

"I'm sorry, too." he said, gently. "It's just that I don't think it's the right school for you."

"Just tell me one thing, and I will back off, promise."

"Okay, then. What do you want to know?"

"The reason you don't like Harvard... has something to do with my mom, am I right? If yes, then why?"

It became silent once again. My father just looked at me with those gentle eyes of his. After fifteen years, I just noticed that the colour of his eyes was the only trait that I didn't inherit. He had gentle jet black eyes, while I had intense eyes of stormy grey. I must've got it from my mother, I thought. My mother...

Honestly, I had no idea who she was. To me, she was a mystery. A history that I would never fully understand. All I know was that she disappeared, that's all.

Father wouldn't tell me anything about her. I assumed that she was a touchy subject. Whoever she was, he must have loved her so much that... it hurt.

"Yes, it does." he said, shakily. "I met her there, you see."

"I know that. Now tell me why... why did it hurt?" Now that was two questions. Well, actually I asked three. But it didn't matter; he owed me the truth, no matter how unfair I seemed.

He was beginning to hesitate.

I turned to him, my heart yearning for information. Information about my mother. I sighed. "Please... you can tell me. After all, I'm your daughter."

He looked back at me and smiled. "You remind me of her a lot; you even got her beautiful grey eyes."

I shut my eyes and shook my head. "Don't avoid the subject. Just tell me. Let it all out if you have to."

"Well..." he started. "She's like magic. She just appeared out of nowhere. What really caught my attention was her intelligence, and her spirit. She just the type who won't give up, you see. As time passed by, we fell in love. Just when everything seemed to be perfect, she disappeared just like that. Then you came along."

"What? Sorry, I don't get that last part. She left, then I came?" Four questions.

"It doesn't make sense, I know." he chuckled. "Several months had passed since she left, then you came in a basket. You came along with a note from her. It said that she couldn't care for you, and she entrusted you to me."

"So why did you leave Harvard then?" Five questions.

"Well... I met her again... after your arrival... She really meant it when she said that I had to raise you, properly. So I quit my job, and flew back here." He flew back here? I thought in disbelief.

"Why couldn't she... raise me?" Six questions.

"...She can't, Eve. She just can't." he said, giving me a sad smile.

I knew right then and there that I couldn't just stay mad at him. He was my father, and he will always be. He threw his career away just so he could care for me. I must say, that was pretty noble, and I am glad that he did that. If it weren't for him, then I would be a total goner. If my mom couldn't take me in, I would've died in a dumpster.

However, the thought of my father carrying the burden of raising a child himself, also made me mad. Why couldn't my mom take care of me, and bother my dad for it? What sort of urgent business did she have to attend to? Why did she have to run away from me? I couldn't possibly ask my father about it, since he had enough of talking about my mom.

"Is that all you want to know?" he asked. He sounded like a child asking his mom if his "bubu" is gone.

"Yeah, pretty much." I said, casually. "Because of that, I know what college I want to go to."

"Really?" his eyes widened.

I smiled and nodded at him. "Uh-huh. I want to attend that prestigious university at Tokyo." I said as I handed him a brochure.

As he skimmed through the brochure, I could tell right away that he already approved of it. When he was done, he gave me his usual smile and a pat on the head.

"I'm proud of you, Eve." he said, as he started heading for the door.

"Thanks, otou-sama." I managed a smile. Even though I wasn't able to get what I want in the end, it felt good to see him smile again. But the thought of him still controlling my life like this felt uncomfortable in the gut.

He kept that gentle smile on until he completely closed the door.

I sighed, still not satisfied with my father's answer. I still wanted to go to Harvard, and my parents' love story did not seem to be the exact reason for me not to attend there. Throughout the night, my thoughts shifted to Harvard, then to my mother. I felt anger and curiosity; what was she like? Was she smart too? Why did she leave us?

I tossed and turned in my bed, realizing that there was a lump on the bed. I grunted and reached for the unknown object behind me. Turns out, the one that was causing my tosses and turns was the book that I've been fantasizing about; Greek Mythology by Edith Hamilton.

I had no urge to continue it. I just… stared at it.