,Hikari" by GreatMarta
Episode 2: Ane-ue
–Wow, dad, congratulations! –said Eric during the breakfast.
–Congratulations of what, son? –asked Jack. It was rare for his children to congratulate him because of the food.
–Of being able to make normal pancakes. –the blonde boy smirked.
–Eric's right, they don't even smell like a fish! –Bunji agreed with his brother. The nightmare of today's night was now just a memory, and it didn't matter.
Jack's face showed a bit of anger. Why do they always have to make jokes about the food he makes? He put his heart into it, he does his best, and what does he get? His creations are the number one thing to be joked about in this house.
But he was used to that, so he didn't complain. Moreover now, he couldn't complain, because he noticed a suspicious sound. His bionic hearing was telling him, that some helicopter-like object was flying in the direction of his house. And it wasn't a normal helicopter.
–Jack? Is something wrong? –asked his wife. He immediately informed the family about what he's heard.
–Listen, everybody. There's some flying vehicle getting close to our house.
–Scarab? –asked Eric.
–No, it's different. Some helicopter, but bigger.
–Well, maybe it's just flying by? –suggested Meg.
–Maybe. But we have to be aware. –decided her father. Everybody agreed with him. They finished their pancakes quickly and got out of the house.
Jack was right. There was a vehicle arriving from the side of the sea. And it was clearly going to land somewhere near the Bennetts' house.
The vehicle reminded of a helicopter and of a trailer. It was something between. It had four wheels and two propellers. It was big enough to carry four people.
The vehicle landed peacefully. It didn't seem to have any bad intentions, but the Bennetts remained careful.
The door of the heli-trailer opened. Two people came out: a man in his forties and a woman, who could be 18, up to 20 years old. Both were Japanese. The man seemed serious and elegant. His hair was short and black, getting gray at the sides. He was dressed smart, in a jacket and black trousers. The woman also had black hair, middle long and shiny. Very much like Bunji's. She had normal clothes: a simple purple shirt and gray shorts. She looked, as if she was angry about something.
Seeing that their guests are rather normal the Bennetts came closer, to greet them.
–Good morning. How can we help you? –asked Jack. The man scanned him and his family carefully and introduced himself.
–Ohayo gozaimasu. I am Tsutomu Mazaki. Andeh dis (he pointed at the woman) iseh my… umh… dau-teh, Hikari. –he said. His accent left no doubts of his nationality. Having difficulties with pronouncing dense groups of consonants was typical for Japanese.
–Just call me Kari. –said the woman. Her accent and pronunciation was far better than her father's. She must've practiced speaking English a lot.
–We areh lookin for Bunjiro Sakura. –finished Tsutomu. So they're looking for Bunji. But why? And they referred to him as ,Bunjiro Sakura". His fathers name. What may this mean? Maybe they're somehow connected to him? Maybe they know something about him? Or maybe even… even it's rather impossible… Hideo was found?
Bunji stepped forwards.
–Bunji is me. –he announced. The guests scanned him correctly. The man with interest, the woman with some kind of sorrow and anger. But why was she angry? Bunji did nothing to her. He have never seen her before. Yet, she seemed somehow familiar to him. Right, both were typical Japanese, but Bunji knew it was more than that. But what?
–We needeh to talk to yoo. –Mr. Mazaki told him. They want to talk to him. What about? Hoping it's nothing serious, although it seemed so, the Bennett family invited their guests into the salon.
As everybody sat on sofas, Mr. Mazaki continued.
–My Engelisheh is not too good. She (points Hikari) will translate.
–Oto-san, Onegai… –the woman started, but her father stopped her.
–Do what I tell you to, musume. –he said strictly. The woman nodded.
–Hai, oto-san.
–Oto-san means father, when talking directly to your own father. –Bunji told his family.
–That we could figure out. –noticed Eric.
–And musume means daughter. –added Bunji for formality.
–When talking directly to a daughter? –asked JD.
–No, just daughter in general. –explained Bunji.
Tsutomu started speaking something in Japanese, with the first word being the name of Bunjiro. Hikari sighed and translated.
–So, Bunjiro, tell us about your mother and father. –about mother and father? Not so serious topic, but good to break the first ice.
–Okay then. My parents are cool. My mom (points at Helen) is a very…
Tsutomu interrupted him, speaking something in Japanese. From the tone it seemed, that it wasn't what he meant.
–No, Bunjiro. Your natural parents. –and Kari's translation proved that Bunji really took the question wrong. His natural parents. Right, he should've figured it out. Afterall, the guests referred to him as of ,Bunjiro Sakura", not ,Bunjiro Bennett".
But what could he tell them about his natural parents? He didn't know very much himself. At first, he hoped that the Mazakis might have some information on his family for him. It would be so great to learn to know at least the name of his natural mother. Maybe someday…
–My natural father was… IS Hideo Sakura. He disappeared almost 11 years ago, during a journey to The Dragon Island. He was a martial arts master and teacher. A very good one. Besides that… –Bunji wanted to add a few interesting in his opinion details, like stories from his life with his father. He didn't remember very much, but that could enrich the description. Tsutomu however was just interested in bare facts, and asked Bunji to speak about the mother now.
–I only know, that my natural mother died shortly after giving birth to me. Nothing more. –said Bunji sadly. The Japanese man pulled something from his pocket and placed it on the table, in front of Bunji.
Bunji picked it up and the rest of his family came closer to see it. It was a photo. In the picture, there was a young Japanese woman. She had long, shiny black hair and big brown eyes, that seemed to sparkle for all the time. Bunji could not draw his eyes away from her. Could it be his natural mother? This question also appeared in the heads of the rest of the Bennetts. Everything that concerned Bunji concerned them as well. He was their brother and son, and if the woman in the picture was his mother and the two Japanese will have some information on her, then they will celebrate it with him. Now, after JD found his sister, it would be so wonderful for Bunji to learn something about his family. And maybe even…? Tsutomu's daughter looked very similar to the woman in the picture. Could she possibly be related to Bunji as well?
Assuming, that the family was already out of the first shock, Tsutomu continued. His next words were addressed to Bunji only, but Hikari translated it anyway (I assume Bunji can speak Japanese. It would be an embarrassment if he couldn't).
–Bunjiro, this iseh your mother. –it was now confirmed. His mother. His natural mother. She was so pretty. She seemed so gentle. Tons of questions grew Bunji's head. There was so much he wanted to know. He needed to know. He needed to know about this woman, who gave birth to him and who he never had a chance to meet.
–Do you have any questions? –that was the question from Tsutomu Bunji was waiting for.
–What kind of person was she? –he asked. His whole family paid attention. Tsutomu's reply was peaceful and calm. But to the Bennetts' utter amazement, Hikari's translation was filled with wrath.
–She was a bitch. –the woman almost shouted. Everybody's eyes winded. Only Tsutomu remained calm.
–That iseh no whah I said. –he assured.
–But that is the truth! She was a bitch! A darn, selfish, cowardly, heartless, with no sense of honor or responsibility, bitch! And of all the people, you should know it the best, oto-san! –Hikari was raging with hatred for Bunji's mother, making her wrath burn her from the inside and frighten everybody else. She clearly had a deep grudge towards her. But why? What must've that poor woman do to this one to deserve such opinion? This scared especially Bunji.
Tsutomu waited patiently for his daughter to calm down a bit and spoke to Bunji again. This time, he used English, assuming that his translator will never be able to say, what he was going to say.
–She waseh a very sensitive person. A gentle womah, takin everything to heart. A type of a romantic, a dreamer. One, that wouldeh never hurt a fly.
–Liar. –mumblem Hikari.
–She waseh easy to be hurt, but thereh also waseh a great power in heh. She, howevereh, could not see that power in heselfe and not belief in heselfe. But she wouldeh see power in everybody else, andeh make them belief in themselfes. Even when she had bad times, she wouldeh never complain. She wouldeh always think that there areh others , that have worse than she has. A kideh, a really nice womah. Only to kindehhearted. –during Tsutomu's speech, Hikari just sat with crossed arms, looking, as if every single good word about Bunji's mother was ripping her apart. That gave doubts about the possible relationship between the two women. That would be strange to hate an own relative this much.
Now Bunji had an image of his mother is his head. He knew her character and nature. He felt, as if Tsutomu gave him the most precious gift ever. He treasured this knowledge. The knowledge of his origins.
–What was her name? –was the next question Bunji asked. This one should've been the first one. The name. The most important thing. He was so curious of it. And trying to guess it in his head. Maybe Izumi, Miyuki, Ai. That would fit her.
–Hikari. –was Mr. Mazaki's answer.
–Light. –was Hikari Mazaki's translation.
The first thing that hit Bunji, is that both his mothers had a name, that meant ,light". A chance?
The second thing, and with far greater impact was that, that his mother had the same name, as Tsutomu's daughter. A chance? He compared her with the woman on the picture, this time correctly. The same eyes, the same nose, the same facial shapes. Such striking similarities must mean something. No other way.
Suddenly, an idea. Tsutomu spoke of Bunji's mother, as if he knew her very well. Hikari called her a bitch, and said that of all the people, her father should know it the best. The elements were fitting together. And it seemed everybody realized it.
Bunji turned to Hikari with hope. He's finally found a living relative.
–Does this mean… that you are my…
–No, I'm not! –revolted the woman.
–Yes, she iseh your sisteh. –conformed her father.
–HALF-sister! –drawled Hikari, putting all her might into the word ,half".
–Of that, we can not be sure. –announced Tsutomu. Hikari's eyes winded, and her whole wrath was replaced by surprise. Her father went on with explaining, but his words were addressed to Bunji.
–Your motheh waseh with me before she mareed your fatheh. One deh, when your sisteh waseh very young, your motheh left us, leavin a noteh, that she met anotheh man, andeh waseh startin a new life. She did not take Hikari, she wanteh me to keep heh. Some time ago, I fond out, that I am barren. And it is very possible, that I already waseh, maybe even since the start. I beliefeh, that she wouldeh not leave the child to me, if it was not mine. But now I know, that it is possible, that you and Hikari areh from one fatheh. –as Tsutomu spoke, Hikari's face went pale, was breathing hard, and looked, as if she was about to faint. When her father finished his story, she grabbed his arm and started saying something in Japanese, most possibly,Father, it can't be true! Please tell me it's not true!", almost crying. Even now, Mr. Mazaki didn't look at his daughter.
–That iseh to be checked, with the Deh-en-eh test. To think, that for so many years, I haveh been rising a child not of my own… I haveh a request to yoo. –this time, he turned to Jack. Bunji's adoptive father was grateful to this man for bringing his some information of his mother, but the way he treated his poor daughter left a scar on his opinion about him.
–Yes, Mr. Mazaki?
–I haveh some bees-ness to do heer. And I wouldeh be grateful, if yoo wouldeh let Hikari stay with yoo, until I return.
–Nani! –Hikari yelled.
–I haveh important bees-ness to do. I can not take yoo with me. –her father explained, still not even giving her a look.
–I ain't staying with those gaijins!
–I will be back on evening. Do you haveh something against? –this question to was addressed to the Bennetts, not Hikari.
–I have something against! –revolted the woman, angry that she's being ignored for all the time. Jack and Helen exchanged looks. They had a tendency to take care of such poor children. And if this woman was Bunji's sister, then they had nothing against her. Besides, it was clear that she needed support, and that she couldn't receive from her father. Poor thing.
–Of course, Hikari can stay with us. This will be a great opportunity for her and Bunji to get to know each other better. –decided Helen.
–Thank yoo. –with that, Mr. Mazaki stood up and headed towards exit. Hikari however came in between him and the door, yelling at him with irritation. Tsutomu waited patiently till she's finished. When she was, and was piercing him with angry sight, he jus told her one thing.
–Yoo will do what I tell yoo to do. Andeh no objections. –in next turn, he gently brushed her aside and left the room.
For the next two minutes, which Tsutomu needed to go back to his vehicle, bring Hikari's bag into the house, go back to the vehicle and ride away, it was silent. Silence filled the air. Nobody knew, what to say.
Suddenly, Hikari shouted, putting her whole might into that shout.
–KUSO! –with that, she hit the wall. This encouraged the Bennetts to talk.
–I can't believe this. Not only I learned about my natural mother, I have a sister. That's so great. –Bunji was very excited about Hikari.
–What you should be unable to believe is the way that guy treats her. –Jack noticed.
–Could you see that? He wasn't even looking at her, when telling that he may not be her natural father. Poor girl, she must be in a real depression. –Helen felt pity for Hikari.
–And that coldness in his voice,You will do, what I tell you to do." Who does he thinks he is? He acted, as if she was an air. That's humiliating. –Meg agreed with her mother.
–And it seems that he cares more for if she's his natural daughter or not than for what she feels. I bet he didn't want to have a daughter at all. –added Eric.
–She may be difficult to deal with. She hates her mother, and she clearly hates Bunji as well. I hope we won't damage her psychic more than it already is. –hoped JD.
–Leave this to me. I am going to make her change her mind about me and our mother. –assured Bunji.
–Be careful of what you say. One wrong word may hurt her deeply and make her hate you even more. –JD warned his brother.
–Chill out, I'll be fine. –with that, Bunji started the action. He came to his sister with a big smile. She didn't remove wrath from her sight.
–So… Do you want me to call you ,Ane-ue" or ,One-san"? –Bunji asked. As he explained later on, both meant ,elder sister" when talking directly to your own elder sister.
–I don't want you to talk to me. And don't you even think that I am going to share the money that bitch left with you!
–Hey, I don't want your money or anything. I just want you to understand, that I love you and am happy, that you are my sister.
–HALF-sister. And there is no way I could ever love a half-brother.
–Look: JD and I are adopted. We are not related by blood to Meg and Eric. But what does it matter? We are siblings. And their parents are our parents. They took us in. Even though we were not their children, they cared for us. We all are a family. We love each other. All for one, and one for all. The blood-relationship doesn't matter. And so, even if you are not my natural sister, I love you. I want you to know that. –what Bunji said was smart and made sense. It was a truth, that the Bennett family knew well. But it seems Hikari didn't.
–I will never love anybody, who has something to do with that bitch. –was her final word.
–Oh well. Can we be friends then? –Bunji kept on trying. The woman sighed.
–This is going to be a very annoying day. –she stated.
–It doesn't necessary have to be, Hikari. –Helen decided to back Bunji up.
–KARI! Just KARI. This the only thing I will never forgive oto-san, that he named me after that bitch.
–Alright then, Kari. Do you happen to have a swimming suit by any chance?
–Yes, and why?
–We were planning to go to an aqua park today. I thought, that maybe you would like to go with us? –the rest of the family agreed, that this is an excellent idea. Being in minority, Hikari decided to give up.
–But remember: I am only doing this, because oto-san told me to. –she said.
–Okay then. And now, Kari-ane, I will show you the house. –decided Bunji. His sister sighed and agreed. It seemed that her sources of anger need the time to rest. And good then. Bunji was sure: before her father comes back, Hikari and him will be real kyodai. Real siblings. And there was nothing that could make him doubt it.