Chapter Four – Reflections
"You can't make that decision for Wataru; his mind is already made up," said Akio, triumphantly, as he shunned aside his sister. Mami stared at her brother, shocked at his betrayal of her feelings, and concerned about Wataru at the same time. She began walking away with disappointment as she feared that she would never see Wataru again. "You're right, Akio, my mind is already made up," Said Wataru, deliberately. Akio cackled evilly in delight as he knew he would be with Wataru this coming school year. "My mind is made up," Wataru said, "I'm not going to Tokyo. I'm staying right here, on Promised Island with my sisters whom I love very much!" Akio was dumbfounded, shocked at what he just heard. Mami stopped in her tracks, and turned around, with an equally shocked look on her face. She had not expected that answer at all. Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she anxiously asked, "You're really not going to Tokyo?" With a serious look on his face, Wataru responded, "No. I'm going to stay here, at the Welcome house, with you and all of my sisters. I would never leave you guys, I just can't. I won't leave you guys!" Mami began crying with joy, embracing Wataru tightly. Sobbing, Mami cried, "Oh, Bud, I knew you'd stay, I just knew you would!" Akio was upset. He quipped sharply, "How could you go back there? You're supposed to be in the most prestigious school in the land with me! It's your destiny!" Wataru turned to Akio, saying, "I'm sorry, Akio, I'll never leave my sisters." Akio turned and walked away, his head slumping toward his chest. Mami looked into Wataru's eyes with tears streaming from hers, saying, "Let's go home, Bud, your sisters need you." Leaving Akio far behind, the two friends walked to the Welcome House. The setting sun was beautiful, shining brightly through the trees with warm hues of pink, red, and orange dominating the sky.
As they came home, all of the girls were in the dining room getting dinner ready for the twelve of them. The mood in the house was sullen, as the fact that their dear brother had left them. Aria and Hinako were horse-playing near the staircase. Aria saw Mami and Wataru first, and stopped suddenly. She said, "Oh, my, Mon Frere came back to see us," a smile creeping along her face. Hinako came running up to Wataru, jumping into his arms and hugged him, exclaiming, "My Bro-Bro came back! Yay! I love my Bro-Bro!" The rest of the girls could hear Hina's latest exclamation, and they burst into the foyer. The sight before their eyes was exactly what they needed, seeing Wataru and Mami in front of the door. Michael barked and ran toward Wataru, knocking him down, and began licking his face, as if to say, "Welcome back." Marie sauntered over to them, tugging on Michael's collar, saying, "Michael, that's enough. Stop it!" She hugged Wataru and said, "Welcome back, Brother Mine, we all missed you so much." The rest of the girls joined the group at the door and they all chimed, "Welcome back, dear Brother!" Wataru was overcome with joy, saying, "Thank you all so much, it's great to be back. I will always be by your side." They all went back to the dining room, and Shirayuki scrambled to set two more places at the table. All were happy to see him back. Chikage looked at him and said, "Brother Darling… Brother Darling…" She kept repeating herself, and Wataru wondered what was going on.
"Brother Darling… Brother Darling…" Chikage's voice was echoing in his head. Shaking Wataru gently, Chikage finally got his attention. "Brother Darling, lunch is over. It's time to go back to our classes," she said, as Wataru finally made sense that he was daydreaming for the last thirty minutes. "Congratulations on your graduation, Brother Darling," Chikage said with a smile on her face. "Thank you so much, Chikage," said Wataru. He walked back to his classroom, dazed. "What the heck was that?" he thought, as he plopped down at his desk. This day was really weird, and it was getting interesting.