Chapter 2

school has started because my life sucks like that

- あ愛の鞭を亜城木の周り -

The first thing Murao saw when she walked into her house was a letter sitting on the welcome mat. She picked up the letter and carefully opened it, curious to see what was inside.

To my dearest daughter,

Do not fret my child, for it is simply my time to take a place up in the stars. Although my life on this earth has come to an end, the memories we have made together shall live on forever. Remember baby, no matter how sad you may get, it's always passing... You may wake up blue, but by the afternoon, everything will be rosy. Sadness is a strange companion, and a nuisance at that; so try not to pay it too much mind. Be present in your happy moments - and weigh them against the sad. Do that, and you will arrive somewhere wonderful with a peace in your mind. I long for the day we meet again. Mommy loves you. Farewell, my beautiful little girl.

With all my love

- your mother

Splat. Splat.

One after the other, fat tears dripped down Murao's face and splattered on her hand.

"Mother..." She called, her voice frail and almost inaudible.

"Come back..." She cooed mourningly. Murao stood up shakily and slowly made her way to her down the hall. She stumbled into her mothers room, her vision clouded by unshed tears. The black haired girl wiped the tears from her eyes and looked around with a sad smile. The room was comforting to her, it was like her mother was still here in a sense. Murao's eyes trailed over all of her mothers belongings, a small note on the bed caught her attention. She picked up the note and began to read.

Shuuko,

I kept the things most precious to me in a trunk on the top shelf of my closest. They now belong to you. Keep them safe for me darling.

Love,

Your mother

The ravenette immediately went to her closet and pulled the dusty wooden box off the top shelf. Murao took a moment to study the wooden box, it was rather large, made of mahogany and had beautiful carvings of koi fish and flowers decorating the entire box. She slowly undid the gold clasp on the front and opened the trunk, eyes falling on her mothers old belongings. Murao first pulled out a small stack of papers that were tied together by a black ribbon. A small note could be seen tucked under the silky ribbon.

These are recipes handed down from generation to generation, I selected only the best to pass down to you.

Murao smiled lightly, maybe she would hit the grocery store and get ingredients to make one of these dishes. Setting the recipes down next to her she picked up a black velvet box next. She opened it to find a beautiful locket, accompanied by another note.

Open it.

The black haired girl gently opened the locket and gazed at the photos inside. One picture was of Murao's mother and her father smiling lovingly at each other. Murao had no memory of her father, but he seemed to have loved her mother greatly. The next picture was of her and her mother playing underneath the sakura tree in the backyard. Muroa closed the locket and hugged it to her chest with a smile. Tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks as she put the necklace on. Next to come out was a old photo album. The black haired girl flipped through all the photos, cherishing each and every one. On the last page was another note from her mother.

I've always been told that memories are what warm you up from the inside, so I hope that this warmed you up a little.

Under the note was a picture of her mother and father kissing her cheeks when she was baby. The black haired girl smiled and traced the outline of the photo; her mother was right, she felt warm inside. Murao's tears stopped flowing, and she no longer felt an overwhelming sadness. Going through all of this made her feel like her mom was still with her. It was comforting. The next thing she pulled out of the old trunk was a CD. Another letter written by her mother replaced the inside cover.

When I was in college, I studied abroad in America. I knew I never really mentioned going to America, but when you told me you were taking up English I remembered about this CD a friend burned for me before I left the U.S. They're a few of my favorite American songs, I hope you can understand them.

Love,

Your mother

Murao smiled, her mother had always loved music. The black haired girl couldn't help but wonder what her mothers American friend put on here. Setting the CD aside Murao moved on to the next thing. The ravenette gasped as she pulled out a beautiful pale yellow kimono that was decorated with small green flowers with brown stems and beautiful golden dragons. As expected, Murao found a small note tied around the dark brown waist tie of the kimono.

I wore this too a festival with your father, it was our first date. I remember him being so shy and adorably awkward. Maybe you will wear this one day too, I bet you would look absolutely stunning.

Murao folded the kimono carefully and set it down, admiring the beautiful pattern. Next to come out was a old, beat up military jacket. A small crest of the Japanese Air Force was stitched on both shoulders. The inside was lined with a thick hunter green material while the outside I was a desert tan color. On the back was her fathers name and squad.

Akio Murao

Squad 4

Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Murao smiled, she was glad to know something new about the mysterious man that was her father. The next thing Murao pulled out what appeared to be an antique dagger. She was amazed by the complex carvings in the hilt and sheath of the dagger. A small note was tied around the hilt.

That's right your mother was a badass. I was given this knife by my grandmother when I was fourteen. It was always very special to me so I though I would pass it down to you. Please, don't kill anything though.

The ravenette laughed lightly at the note her mother left. Her mom had always been funny. The last thing in the trunk was a perfume bottle. Murao brought it up to her nose and sniffed the liquid. A smile came to her face as she recognized the smell. It was the smell her grandmother and mother had always worn. The last note was laying at the bottom of the trunk.

I love you.

Murao felt hot tears roll down her cheeks. She was really going to miss her mother. She neatly packed everything back into the trunk and set it on the floor next to the bed. Murao curled up into her mothers bed and let her mind drift to sleep.

"Goodnight mother, I love you" The black haired girl murmured sleepily before shutting her eyes.

Goodnight dear, I love you too.

- あ愛の鞭を亜城木の周り -