Glancing up from to the tv at the clinic she pales, her photo flashes across the screen, "We have an update on the missing sixteen year old Hatsume Narita, her school uniform was found five miles down river along with traces of blood. Witness beleive that they saw a suspect fleeing the scene after dumping the body. Police are still searching for her body. If you have any information please call your local police station or our hotline. Before we sign off we have a message for her brother Shinogu Narita." Shinogu blinks on the screen his face pale and eyes red rimmed, "If you are out there Hatsumi please come home, I'm sorry I...miss you, we miss you. Ryoki wants me to tell you that he wants to talk and that he loves you." Tears leap into her eyes as the woman next to her pats her shoulder, "I know dear its horrible but all we can do is pray and have faith that everything will turn out well." Nodding her head she stands up as the nurse calls out her name, "Miss Dinah Lee your up, please follow me." Standing up she straightening her skirt out before sitting down, the doctor walks in glancing up at her from the chart, "Well what would be the problem?" Shaking she pulls her sleeve back, "Oh my you really cut yourself up, now how would this have happened?" Pressing her lips together she winces, "Well I was doing the dishes at work and broke a glass but I slipped when I bent down to pick up the pieces and cut myself. I wrapped it until I could get to a clinic." Cleaning the wounds she smiles, "So Miss Lee where do you live and work? If you don't mind telling me." Realizing dawns on her as she smirks, "I used to babysit for my next door neighbors, the Akira in the north part of town, 64th and Broadway. They moved just a day ago and I don't currently live anywhere since the building is being torn down, you know that it is unstable. Its unusual to live by yourself at this age but I am the last in my family." Picking up a needle and medical grade thread she nods giving her a pain killer, "Do you have any photos of your family or friends? I mean where exactly do you go to school?"
Laughing she taps her thumb on the bed, "There was a fire a little over a year ago everything was destroyed at my home in Osaka, they were trapped. I was fortunate to have gone into our backyard about five minutes earlier. Everything I had was left inside and I had to clean out the bank account just to pay for their funerals." Glancing up once she frowns, "Well what about your other family members?" Shrinking a little she lets a tear slide down her cheek, "My mother and father were the only survivors, I was a only child and both of my parents ran an online delivery business, they went out of business and went bankrupt. That should be in my file. I haven't kept in contact with any of my classmates and have most recently decided to go for my GED. I can't deal with all the stress and dropped out." Nodding her head she finishes wrapping it, "Sorry about twenty questions but we are on high alert for a girl about your age. Listen if your looking for a job you should try Little Italy down the street and there are some studio apartments for about six hundred a month, a friend of mine is the owner just mention my name and I'm sure he can wait a month." Standing up she thanks her before going to the desk to pay the minimal fee, "Please be more careful next time Miss Lee." Stepping out she opens her wallet, "I only have a hundred and fifty left what am I going to do."
Nodding she takes the tray, "Now listen everything checks out on your record, seems you have had very little experience but you will learn quickly. At Five thrity you have a half and hour break. And are aloud only one free drink, no alchohol young'un." Smiling she fixes her apron approaching the first table, Ryoki glares up at her thrusting his cup foreward, "More water and I am ready to order. I will take your spaghetti and meatballs extra marinara in a dish on the side and orange soda. Make it quick." Shuddering she rushes over typing in the order and filling his cup, grabbing the water pitcher. "Here you go sir." Turning to leave she feels a hand grab her sleeve, "Look I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so hurt, its just been a bad month. I will leave some extra tip." Quickly turning she smiles and rushes off to greet the next customer.
Six months later
"Akira I'm taking a break could I get a pasta, whatever I don't care." Nodding his head the paper hat sways as he yells out the next set of orders, pouring herself a tall glass of lemonade she sits down outside crossing her legs, Akira slips out the back on his break setting down the plate, "One fork for you and one for me, so Kid what exactly are you up to that would keep you oh so busy." Rolling her eyes she pauses in her eating, "Well you know that I work three jobs, I just kind of wonder if its worth it sometimes. I can pay my bills and I keep on saving but..." Taking a large bite he grins, "You are going to work yourself to death."
Standing at the bridge Ryoki holds the roses tossing them watching as they drift slowly away, "Hatsume I am going to right by you this time, I am going to go to college out of country and travel the world. When I return from this I will find you and make-up for what I have done, so wait for me. If you aren't here anymore I promise to visit your grave often." Stepping away from the bridge he goes back up to his apartment, "Don't tell me your serious about this, you can get into Tokyo University, why go all the way to France just to study business and politics. You can work for your fathers..." Picking up his luggage he starts towards the door, "There is no way for me to make this up to her, so I am going to explore my possibilites instead. I will be back in four years and then I will give you my answer on whether I will work there." Quickly throwing his bagage in the trunk he goes foreward on to a new life.
Shinogu slumps glancing at the photo, "Please don't bother to tell me, I know that she is gone but I can't let go not yet." Akane steps into the room holding a box, "Mom sent over some food for you, she's worried, you are working four jobs and have lost nearly ten pounds. I know that if Hatsume could be here she would but, I don't want to lose you to. Your my brother and I care about you, its going to be my birthday in two days I would like it if you'd come and visit. You don't need to bring a present just yourself." Setting it down she leaves her footsteps echoing away from him, "Hatsume where are you right now."