We had successfully planted the umbrella in the sand and South Korea had dashed off to go swimming. China had carried a cooler full of drinks, mainly iced tea...
Vietnam pulled out a bottle of iced tea, she laid down on her towel right under the sun.
"You're not going to go swimming?" I asked her impatiently. I don't like to do things without her.
"I think I want to be a little warmed up first." She responded putting on her sunglasses.
"Oh...okay..." I responded a little disappointed. I felt a poke on my shoulder. I turned around and found Japan standing behind me tilting his head.
"Oh, hi Japan...is there anything you need?" I asked softly.
"I don't mind going swimming with you, Mei." He said in his sweet voice.
"Oh! Thank you Big Brother!" My face lit up. Japan is always there when I'm disappointed about something. It's really unusual, but yet very convenient. He is a very good person. I wish he could be my teacher other than China...
Japan held my hand and we slowly began to walk toward the shore. I felt my other hand being pulled back, I turned around to find China's face staring at me evilly.
"Don't go out there with him. If you get hurt, he won't be able to help you." He said in a very staccato tone.
"Please Teacher? It's break time, we should enjoy ourselves. Wasn't the whole point of this was to be together and get along?" I tried convincing China and Japan kept on eyeing him.
"Fine. But you better be careful, understand Honda?" China warned.
"Hai." He responded. We then led me to the shore. I felt the water splashing on my ankles. The seaweed was wrapping around my ankles too. The texture of the sand was like a massage to the palms of my feet. It was heavenly.
"Do you like the water Taiwan?" He asked me.
"Yes, very much." I responded not even looking at him. I was mesmerized by the water flowing below me. Japan held my hand tighter and took the hair that was in on my face and tucked them behind my hair. I looked at him thankfully and he gave a small smile back. He is very considerate for me and I respect that. I remember before when he used to be very strict, almost like China. That was when Japan was much younger and I guess alot more full of himself. He would of gotten into conflict alot, it was so painful. Our family almost broke apart once and for all. That is another story to tell later though, no need to bring up the past when I'm on vacation, right?
I continued to walk deeper and deeper into the ocean with Japan. It was beautiful. From my ankles, to my knees, then to my waist...I continued walking holding Japan's hand.
"Lets not go to far...there are sharks and crazy surfer people MeiMei." He warned me. Odd that he mentioned the surfer people, though there are alot...it wouldn't be fun to get run over by one.
"Don't worry Kiku, I'll be careful." I reassured him. I continued wanting to walk.
I looked over at the horizon, I was serene...
...
I ended up waking up in the hotel room, on Vietnam and South Korea's bed. My eyes slowly drowsily woke up and I saw everyone looking over me. I was still in my bathing suit, but had a towel wrapped around me. I felt my neck and head throbbing. My flower wasn't in my hair...my flower wasn't in my hair! I sat straight up and searched through my hair everywhere, it wasn't there!
"MeiMei, are you alright? Lay down!" Lien ordered me, putting her hands on my shoulders.
"The flower you gave me! The one that matches yours! I don't have it! I'm so sorry Big Sister! Please forgive me!" I began to heave. That flower has so much value to me!
"Pardon me, Taiwan, but I have your flower." A man with glasses and wet hair said to me. I didn't recognize him. Who was he? He was wearing a surfer outfit, so I guess that kind of shows who hit me. He was holding my flower in his hand, it was soggy and wet, but I can fix it up.
"Oh...oh thank you..." I mumbled.
"Mei, we have something to tell you. Everyone knows except for Vietnam, you, and Hong-Kong." China began. The three of us mentioned paid very close attention.
"This is Thailand...he is...another brother of yours." He slowly said. I couldn't believe it...another brother?!
"Oh...why haven't I heard of him before?" Hong-Kong spoke up softly in his slight British accent.
"I want to be alone and live an independent life, ana." Thailand replied. He says "ana" like how China will sometimes say "aru" or Japan says, "hai" instead of yes.
"So you didn't take the time to want to meet us? Your own family?!" Vietnam seemed offended. I held her hand and calmed her down. Thailand seemed expressionless.
"Again, I'm very sorry for the incident. I'll be on my way." He was about to leave but Japan had pulled him back by the collar of his surf suit.
"It's been for so long Thailand since we have seen you. You can't leave." Japan said softly. South Korea barged in and began to shake Thailand's hand, "Just to let you know, I'm one of the most responsible people here! I'm sure Little Brother, that if you need anything, I'm the guy to come too!" South Korea smiled big.
"Im Yong Soo, Thailand is the second oldest in our family." China said. South Korea's jaw dropped and he slowly made his way out.
"I really must go!" Thailand rushed, but Japan was still holding him down.
"Stay with us here for a week and come back with us. You've really missed out on alot."
"Alright Kiku, but only for a short period of time. Understood?" He said formally.
"Hai."
I can't believe that I had never knew I had an older brother. I mean, it is going to be very awkward because I barely know the guy and I'm already 15! He looks about 22 years old. I can't believe he's been so isolated from us all this time. It always seemed like it was just us. No Thailand. My earliest memory as a child is remembering my first lesson with Teacher.
"MeiMei, today is your first lesson. I will make you strong, understand me-aru?" I could hear his young voice. I was about five at the time.
"What do you mean big brother? I'm not strong already?"
"You are small and little. I'm big and strong and I will help you, understand?"
"Yes..." I remember sitting at the table trying to figure out my homework but I just never could get it. Out of frustration, China would take that pile of paper and hit it up against my head where afterward, I'd go run over to Lien.
"Big Sister! Teacher hurt me!" She was maybe 7 at the time, but acted like a 13 year old. She always was very mature and overprotective.
"You are so mean China! You know you can't hit her! She's so little!" I heard her young voice in my head.
"She isn't doing her homework correctly!"
"That gives you no right to HIT her!"
"Hey Japan! You're mean! You know that? You're very mean! You can't just crush my stuff like that!" South Korea's mischievous voice lingered in my mind.
"I didn't destroy it. I saved you from shame." I remembered Japan slowly walking away, passing Hong-Kong who was sitting in a corner drawing, very disconnected from everyone of us. He had just came to us from England.
"Everyone settle down at once!" China's voice boomed in my mind.
Ever since that day, I could always picture how our family worked and how we have been ever since the beginning of time. Just the six of us.
"Alright! We have a guest! Let's order pizza!" South Korea blurted in happiness and excitement.
"I apologize, but I need to go back to my room and gather my things! I'll be right back." Thailand said quickly leaving the room. Vietnam had a pack of ice in her hand wrapped around a towel. She gently pressed it against my neck and head. It stung a little, but yet it was really relieving.
"Are you okay Mei? I knew that Japan couldn't take care of you...you got hurt." China sounded upset and the look on his face showed "failure."
"It's not his fault...I wanted to go deeper and he didn't but I didn't listen. Punish me." I defended my Big Brother.
"No Taiwan..." Japan whispered. China's face began to well up with anger...uh oh...
"HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET?! YOU ARE SO IMMATURE! YOU CAN'T BE CAREFUL FOR YOURSELF! EXTRA HOMEWORK!" He scolded. He picked up a magazine and hit it on my head. I guess I deserved it, but it hurt because I was already hurt anyways!
"Yao!" Vietnam yelled. She continued to ice my head and neck and China kept trying to throw a fit while Hong-Kong and South Korea tried to calm him down and Japan just stood there nervously with his, "God help me," expression.
The vacation has now started.