ACCEPTANCE
August 6, 1975
SAKURA:
"I have been accepted to a school, and given a large scholarship."
He turned and looked at me. A smile crossed his face as he comprehended the words. "Congratulations," he said in English. He'd been using his English skills at every opportunity lately.
I closed my eyes for a moment. "The school is in California."
I opened my eyes again, and saw the smile fall from his face. It was replaced with a serious look. "I do not know if I should go or not," I admitted.
His eyes searched me, and he sat up straight, crossing his legs in front of him. "What is the scholarship for?" he questioned.
"A part of it is for my writing ability, and a part of it for my ethnicity."
He was quiet for a moment. "Do you admire the school?"
I nodded. "Very much." I brushed my fingers through my hair. "It is a film school. I want to write for film. Screenplays." I hung my head. "I did not think I would be accepted."
I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye. "Why would you think that? You are very talented."
"There is so much more that they look at, Yoshi," I whispered.
He was quiet for a long time. I knelt next to him. "Yoshi?"
"I think you should go," he whispered, looking up to meet my stare. "Go, and fulfill your dream."
I shook my head. "I do not wish to leave you, Yoshi," I protested.
He smiled. "It will not be forever."
"Come with me."
He considered that for a moment, and sighed. "Sakura, I cannot," he whispered.
He gave no reason, but he did not need to. I knew that he would not be as safe there as he could be here. It was a risk too great to take. I felt tears pool in my eyes, and I looked away. He turned my face back to his gently, and brushed the tears aside with his thumbs.
"Sakura, do not cry," he whispered. I closed my eyes as he kissed my lips lightly. "Go, and return an educated woman. And I will wait for you, if you will have me to wait."
I swallowed hard. "I cannot ask for such a thing," I choked. "You have done more for me than you could know, and perhaps it would be best if we left it at that."
He brushed my hair behind her ear and brought my face close to his again, kissing me deeply. I melted into him as a familiar warmth rushed over me. "Even if you cannot ask it, I will grant it," he breathed against my lips. "I will not love again until you return to my side."
"But that could be years from now!"
"Hai," he nodded. "And I will wait. It is my wish."
Tears spilled from my eyes, though I willed them away. "Then I will return," she whispered. "I swear it."