As usual, standard disclaimers apply. Hana Yori Dango belongs to their
respectful owners and NOT me =)
Ch. 1-The News
"Hiro, anata.I'm so sorry" Tsukushi said on the phone. She was silent, not knowing what to say to him.
"We'll be okay.." Tsukushi heard his final words before hanging up, tears streaming down her face.
'How am I going to tell them?' Tsukushi thought, as she sat by her window. A million thoughts ran through her head.
It was a sunny, yet cool winter afternoon in Boston. School had just let out, and students could be heard saying 'good-bye' and 'see you after break'. Mariko Nagane, a beautiful girl with long brown hair and big brown eyes, stepped out of the school building. She looked up at the sky thinking how great it was that school was out for the winter break. 'What a relief,' she thought as she twirled around at the top of the steps. Mariko looked around trying to find Ken, her older brother. Seeing him at the bottom of the steps, she ran towards him with a huge smile on her face.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Ken asked.
"Because school's out. " Mariko smiled up at her older brother. "No books, no teachers, no stupid stuck up kids for two whole weeks."
"Allright kid, let's go."
"Nii-san.can we just walk today? It's so nice outside." Mariko said cheerfully, tugging on her brother's sleeve.
"Riko-chan." a nickname he gave his little sister "I don't feel like walking" Ken complained, but his sister dragged him by the hand and started their walk home.
The walk home normally took about twenty minutes, which the siblings didn't mind too much, especially on beautiful days like this. They talked about their plans for winter break. Mariko, only being 15, didn't have too many plans, except for hang out with her friends at the local mall and spend numerous amounts of money on clothing she would probably only wear once, being the shop-a-holic she is. Mariko looked very much like her mother with the brown hair and sparkling eyes, but had her father's height. She was one of the tallest girls in her class standing at 5'9". Though very friendly and cheerful most of the time, Mariko was not a force to be reckoned with when angry. This being her first year of high school, Mariko already got into plenty of fights at school, with both girls and boys. Once they realized she was Ken Nagane's little sister, everyone backed off because they knew better than to have Ken on their bad side.
Ken was the spitting image of his father with the raven black hair and being 6'0" tall and having soft brown eyes. Like Mariko, he had a short temper, and beat any guy down who tried to pick on his sister. Him and Mariko got this temper from their mom. Every girl at the high school had a crush on him and everyone else just wanted to be his friend. He was popular and great at sports. He's only a junior and already the captain of the varsity basketball and tennis teams. Ken didn't have too many enemies, only the ones who picked on Riko. He doesn't brag about his money the way all those other brats at his school dif. His only plans for the winter break was to cruise around in his new Benz that his parents bought him for his birthday. They would only allow Ken to drive it if and only if his grades had improved. So, this past term, he studied hard and even asked Mariko to help him, and so now he had to wait and see if all that studying paid off.
"Do you ever wonder why mom doesn't talk about her past? About Japan?" Mariko asked, breaking the silence.
"Sometimes, but I figure she'll tell us one day." Ken looked at his sister with curiosity. "Where'd that come from?"
Mariko shrugged but answered, "Well, I was talking to her the other night and I asked about her life in Japan.." Pausing, "She told me that she was tired and I should go back to my room. But she looked sad Onii-san, like she wanted to cry, but couldn't."
Ken sighed, noticing Mariko's concern. "Look Riko-chan, don't worry about it. Mom will be okay." He smiled in hopes that Mariko would cheer up.
Finally arriving home, Mariko called out to her mother "OKAASAN!!! WE'RE HOME NOW!!!" as she ran around the huge mansion trying to find her mother. Opening and slamming all the doors, Mariko eventually found her mother sitting in the living room. Mariko was speechless at her mother's appearance. She looked like she had been crying, with puffy red eyes and disheveled hair. She honestly looked like a mess.
"Kaa-san? What's wrong?" Mariko ran to her mother sensing some very bad news up ahead.
"Ah Mariko-chan." She looked up at me. "Please call your brother in here as well. I need to talk to the both of you." Mariko stood and left to find Ken. She burst into his room, startling Ken and making him fall off his chair. She laughed hysterically when she saw him sprawled on the floor.
"Nii-san! GET UP! Mom looks like she'd been crying and she said there's something important she needs to tell us...WHY ARE YOU STILL SITTING??? Come on already..Let's GO!" She pulled her older brother up, not giving him a chance to ask any questions. Within minutes, the two made their way back to the living room, where Tsukushi was now standing.
"Both of you, sit down." The two of them obeyed at her request.
"I have some news to share with you. It's not the best of news either." Tsukushi paused, "But your grandfather has passed away."
Tsukushi choked back tears. "You were both aware that he has been ill the past few months and well, early this morning your Aunt called to inform us that he had passed away." Mariko and Ken sat frozen, both in a state of shock. Moments later, Mariko stood and threw her arms around Tsukushi's waist, crying her eyes out. Ken soon followed as Tsukushi comforted her two children.
"It will be okay. Your grandfather loved you both very much, always remember that." Tsukushi knew how close her children were to their grandfather. "Remember all the memories you shared with him and know that the Gods are watching over him now." The two nodded, tears still falling from their eyes.
After their tears had subsided, Tsukushi spoke, "Your father left this morning for Tokyo in preparation for the funeral and.we will be leaving in a few days to follow and attend the funeral."
Tsukushi broke the silence, "You know that since your father is the heir of this company we will have to move to Japan." Mariko and Ken's eyes went wide.
"We won't be coming back here for awhile. Maybe for a vacation or something, but you will be calling Tokyo home now. A few of our belongings will be sent there and whatever else we need, we can just buy. I've already contacted your school to withdraw you both and your school records have been sent to your new high school in Tokyo." She eyed both her children as they now stared at her in shock.
"WHAT?!?!" they yelled in unison.
"We're moving?! In a few days? But Kaa-san." Mariko stared at her mom dumbfounded with this information.
Tsukushi snapped. "You know your father's place in the family. We must support him in every way. Remember, he is suffering now as well and we have to be strong for him. We all knew this was going to happen eventually.." Tsukushi thought of her husband, trying her best to be strong for him.
After a moment of silence.."Okaa-san." Ken said approaching his mother again "We understand." He smiled at her, letting her know that it would all be okay. "Can I go now? I've got some things to do before we leave. I'll start packing my stuff when I get home."
Tsukushi nodded, thanking Ken for understanding the situation. "Just don't be too late okay Ken?"
"Hai Kaa-san."
Mariko began walking off "Where are you going Mariko-chan?"
"Ah.just to my room. I should start packing. I've got a lot of things to go through." Mariko walked off in disbelief. Her grandfather was gone and she didn't even get to talk to him one last time. And now, she had to leave her friends here and pack up to move thousands of miles where she knew nobody. It was a rough time for Mariko, but she was somewhat happy that she'd finally get to go to Japan.
Tsukushi sat in the oversized black leather couch, with her head tilted towards the ceiling. It had been nearly twenty years since Makino Tsukushi, Nagane Tsukushi now, returned home. The thought of going back home scared her. Things were so complicated and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face her past.
After graduating from Eitokou, Tsukushi came to Boston for college and lived with the Nagane's, her host family. She had only planned on studying abroad for a year, but eventually graduated from college and decided Boston was a better place for her. Tsukushi got used to the people and the environment and her English had improved greatly during her college years.
Hiro Nagane, the middle child, and her had become good friends during her stay. Hiro was her pillar of strength, and day by day, Tsukushi opened up to Hiro. He learned of all her pain and suffering in Japan. It was he who comforted her and held her hand when she broke down. Tsukushi told Hiro of her relationship with Tsukasa, and he helped her cope through it all. Slowly, he brought her out of her depression. It took her many months before she stopped crying herself to sleep each night. Eventually, the two became the best of friends and that friendship blossomed into love. Slowly, memories of Tsukasa were pushed to the back of Tsukushi's thoughts as she fell in love with Hiro.
Upon graduating college, the two were married. It was a beautiful wedding and her family, which she hadn't seen in many years, flew from Japan to attend her wedding. Most of her friends and their families from Japan were able to make it to the grand and exquisite wedding. Though sent an invitation, Tsukasa was unable to attend. He had many business affairs to attend to and wasn't able to join in the celebration. Tsukushi was told that Tsukasa never regained his memory of her, so she wasn't surprised when he couldn't make it to her wedding.
Sure enough, Kaede Doumyoji was happy to hear of Tsukushi's decision and found another bride that Tsukasa actually approved of. Tsukushi was invited to the Doumyoji wedding, but declined the invitation. It was too hard for her to see her first love marry another, but she was happy for him. Out of the F4, only Rui visited on a regular basis with this wife and their children. Akira and Soujiro often stopped by if they were in America for business. She always loved seeing them again, and Mariko and Ken loved them even more, because they always brought gifts for the two. Every couple of years, they would bring their families and they'd all go on some grand vacation. It was always a sad day when they would leave, but at least they all kept in touch. Even Tsubaki visited when she was on the East Coast and they would spend the whole day shopping and catching up on news.
For the past 15 years, Tsukushi had been working for a marketing firm in Boston doing market research and development. Even though she really didn't need to work, she wanted to show people that she was more than some rich man's wife. She had always been a hard worker and she instilled those values to her children. She taught them that money must be earned by working hard. It was not just handed to you.
The next few days had been hectic with all the last minute packing and preparations. Mariko and Ken were given two boxes each to pack their life in. Tsukushi was busy determining what things went in this box or that box what to bring and what to leave. She knew this was a difficult transition for her children, but she knew they would be okay. Tsukushi missed her husband terribly, but was happy she would see him soon.
Many friends had stopped by to say farewell. They spent all night talking and laughing and crying. Mariko went through nearly three rolls of film as she photographed all their visitors. After all their friends had left that last night, Tsukushi sighed as she finally had a chance to rest.
"Ken.Mariko." Tsukushi said standing in the hallway between their rooms.
"Yes Kaa-san?" The two answered.
"Sleep early. Our flight leaves tomorrow at 7am"
"Good night Okaasan"
"Good night."
Terms:
(O)kaa-san: mom (O)nii-san: older brother Hai: yes
Ch. 1-The News
"Hiro, anata.I'm so sorry" Tsukushi said on the phone. She was silent, not knowing what to say to him.
"We'll be okay.." Tsukushi heard his final words before hanging up, tears streaming down her face.
'How am I going to tell them?' Tsukushi thought, as she sat by her window. A million thoughts ran through her head.
It was a sunny, yet cool winter afternoon in Boston. School had just let out, and students could be heard saying 'good-bye' and 'see you after break'. Mariko Nagane, a beautiful girl with long brown hair and big brown eyes, stepped out of the school building. She looked up at the sky thinking how great it was that school was out for the winter break. 'What a relief,' she thought as she twirled around at the top of the steps. Mariko looked around trying to find Ken, her older brother. Seeing him at the bottom of the steps, she ran towards him with a huge smile on her face.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Ken asked.
"Because school's out. " Mariko smiled up at her older brother. "No books, no teachers, no stupid stuck up kids for two whole weeks."
"Allright kid, let's go."
"Nii-san.can we just walk today? It's so nice outside." Mariko said cheerfully, tugging on her brother's sleeve.
"Riko-chan." a nickname he gave his little sister "I don't feel like walking" Ken complained, but his sister dragged him by the hand and started their walk home.
The walk home normally took about twenty minutes, which the siblings didn't mind too much, especially on beautiful days like this. They talked about their plans for winter break. Mariko, only being 15, didn't have too many plans, except for hang out with her friends at the local mall and spend numerous amounts of money on clothing she would probably only wear once, being the shop-a-holic she is. Mariko looked very much like her mother with the brown hair and sparkling eyes, but had her father's height. She was one of the tallest girls in her class standing at 5'9". Though very friendly and cheerful most of the time, Mariko was not a force to be reckoned with when angry. This being her first year of high school, Mariko already got into plenty of fights at school, with both girls and boys. Once they realized she was Ken Nagane's little sister, everyone backed off because they knew better than to have Ken on their bad side.
Ken was the spitting image of his father with the raven black hair and being 6'0" tall and having soft brown eyes. Like Mariko, he had a short temper, and beat any guy down who tried to pick on his sister. Him and Mariko got this temper from their mom. Every girl at the high school had a crush on him and everyone else just wanted to be his friend. He was popular and great at sports. He's only a junior and already the captain of the varsity basketball and tennis teams. Ken didn't have too many enemies, only the ones who picked on Riko. He doesn't brag about his money the way all those other brats at his school dif. His only plans for the winter break was to cruise around in his new Benz that his parents bought him for his birthday. They would only allow Ken to drive it if and only if his grades had improved. So, this past term, he studied hard and even asked Mariko to help him, and so now he had to wait and see if all that studying paid off.
"Do you ever wonder why mom doesn't talk about her past? About Japan?" Mariko asked, breaking the silence.
"Sometimes, but I figure she'll tell us one day." Ken looked at his sister with curiosity. "Where'd that come from?"
Mariko shrugged but answered, "Well, I was talking to her the other night and I asked about her life in Japan.." Pausing, "She told me that she was tired and I should go back to my room. But she looked sad Onii-san, like she wanted to cry, but couldn't."
Ken sighed, noticing Mariko's concern. "Look Riko-chan, don't worry about it. Mom will be okay." He smiled in hopes that Mariko would cheer up.
Finally arriving home, Mariko called out to her mother "OKAASAN!!! WE'RE HOME NOW!!!" as she ran around the huge mansion trying to find her mother. Opening and slamming all the doors, Mariko eventually found her mother sitting in the living room. Mariko was speechless at her mother's appearance. She looked like she had been crying, with puffy red eyes and disheveled hair. She honestly looked like a mess.
"Kaa-san? What's wrong?" Mariko ran to her mother sensing some very bad news up ahead.
"Ah Mariko-chan." She looked up at me. "Please call your brother in here as well. I need to talk to the both of you." Mariko stood and left to find Ken. She burst into his room, startling Ken and making him fall off his chair. She laughed hysterically when she saw him sprawled on the floor.
"Nii-san! GET UP! Mom looks like she'd been crying and she said there's something important she needs to tell us...WHY ARE YOU STILL SITTING??? Come on already..Let's GO!" She pulled her older brother up, not giving him a chance to ask any questions. Within minutes, the two made their way back to the living room, where Tsukushi was now standing.
"Both of you, sit down." The two of them obeyed at her request.
"I have some news to share with you. It's not the best of news either." Tsukushi paused, "But your grandfather has passed away."
Tsukushi choked back tears. "You were both aware that he has been ill the past few months and well, early this morning your Aunt called to inform us that he had passed away." Mariko and Ken sat frozen, both in a state of shock. Moments later, Mariko stood and threw her arms around Tsukushi's waist, crying her eyes out. Ken soon followed as Tsukushi comforted her two children.
"It will be okay. Your grandfather loved you both very much, always remember that." Tsukushi knew how close her children were to their grandfather. "Remember all the memories you shared with him and know that the Gods are watching over him now." The two nodded, tears still falling from their eyes.
After their tears had subsided, Tsukushi spoke, "Your father left this morning for Tokyo in preparation for the funeral and.we will be leaving in a few days to follow and attend the funeral."
Tsukushi broke the silence, "You know that since your father is the heir of this company we will have to move to Japan." Mariko and Ken's eyes went wide.
"We won't be coming back here for awhile. Maybe for a vacation or something, but you will be calling Tokyo home now. A few of our belongings will be sent there and whatever else we need, we can just buy. I've already contacted your school to withdraw you both and your school records have been sent to your new high school in Tokyo." She eyed both her children as they now stared at her in shock.
"WHAT?!?!" they yelled in unison.
"We're moving?! In a few days? But Kaa-san." Mariko stared at her mom dumbfounded with this information.
Tsukushi snapped. "You know your father's place in the family. We must support him in every way. Remember, he is suffering now as well and we have to be strong for him. We all knew this was going to happen eventually.." Tsukushi thought of her husband, trying her best to be strong for him.
After a moment of silence.."Okaa-san." Ken said approaching his mother again "We understand." He smiled at her, letting her know that it would all be okay. "Can I go now? I've got some things to do before we leave. I'll start packing my stuff when I get home."
Tsukushi nodded, thanking Ken for understanding the situation. "Just don't be too late okay Ken?"
"Hai Kaa-san."
Mariko began walking off "Where are you going Mariko-chan?"
"Ah.just to my room. I should start packing. I've got a lot of things to go through." Mariko walked off in disbelief. Her grandfather was gone and she didn't even get to talk to him one last time. And now, she had to leave her friends here and pack up to move thousands of miles where she knew nobody. It was a rough time for Mariko, but she was somewhat happy that she'd finally get to go to Japan.
Tsukushi sat in the oversized black leather couch, with her head tilted towards the ceiling. It had been nearly twenty years since Makino Tsukushi, Nagane Tsukushi now, returned home. The thought of going back home scared her. Things were so complicated and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face her past.
After graduating from Eitokou, Tsukushi came to Boston for college and lived with the Nagane's, her host family. She had only planned on studying abroad for a year, but eventually graduated from college and decided Boston was a better place for her. Tsukushi got used to the people and the environment and her English had improved greatly during her college years.
Hiro Nagane, the middle child, and her had become good friends during her stay. Hiro was her pillar of strength, and day by day, Tsukushi opened up to Hiro. He learned of all her pain and suffering in Japan. It was he who comforted her and held her hand when she broke down. Tsukushi told Hiro of her relationship with Tsukasa, and he helped her cope through it all. Slowly, he brought her out of her depression. It took her many months before she stopped crying herself to sleep each night. Eventually, the two became the best of friends and that friendship blossomed into love. Slowly, memories of Tsukasa were pushed to the back of Tsukushi's thoughts as she fell in love with Hiro.
Upon graduating college, the two were married. It was a beautiful wedding and her family, which she hadn't seen in many years, flew from Japan to attend her wedding. Most of her friends and their families from Japan were able to make it to the grand and exquisite wedding. Though sent an invitation, Tsukasa was unable to attend. He had many business affairs to attend to and wasn't able to join in the celebration. Tsukushi was told that Tsukasa never regained his memory of her, so she wasn't surprised when he couldn't make it to her wedding.
Sure enough, Kaede Doumyoji was happy to hear of Tsukushi's decision and found another bride that Tsukasa actually approved of. Tsukushi was invited to the Doumyoji wedding, but declined the invitation. It was too hard for her to see her first love marry another, but she was happy for him. Out of the F4, only Rui visited on a regular basis with this wife and their children. Akira and Soujiro often stopped by if they were in America for business. She always loved seeing them again, and Mariko and Ken loved them even more, because they always brought gifts for the two. Every couple of years, they would bring their families and they'd all go on some grand vacation. It was always a sad day when they would leave, but at least they all kept in touch. Even Tsubaki visited when she was on the East Coast and they would spend the whole day shopping and catching up on news.
For the past 15 years, Tsukushi had been working for a marketing firm in Boston doing market research and development. Even though she really didn't need to work, she wanted to show people that she was more than some rich man's wife. She had always been a hard worker and she instilled those values to her children. She taught them that money must be earned by working hard. It was not just handed to you.
The next few days had been hectic with all the last minute packing and preparations. Mariko and Ken were given two boxes each to pack their life in. Tsukushi was busy determining what things went in this box or that box what to bring and what to leave. She knew this was a difficult transition for her children, but she knew they would be okay. Tsukushi missed her husband terribly, but was happy she would see him soon.
Many friends had stopped by to say farewell. They spent all night talking and laughing and crying. Mariko went through nearly three rolls of film as she photographed all their visitors. After all their friends had left that last night, Tsukushi sighed as she finally had a chance to rest.
"Ken.Mariko." Tsukushi said standing in the hallway between their rooms.
"Yes Kaa-san?" The two answered.
"Sleep early. Our flight leaves tomorrow at 7am"
"Good night Okaasan"
"Good night."
Terms:
(O)kaa-san: mom (O)nii-san: older brother Hai: yes