To Kazuko, the underground city was huge. But despite its size, she still felt confined without the sun's warm touch.
Daisuke chuckled. "It's funny to see a tourist's reaction to this place."
"Immigrant," she corrected with a grin as she stood at the top of the boarding ramp. "At least, hopefully." Her face fell. I couldn't leave even if I wanted to… Everyone else has a family to go home to, but I–She sighed. "You should get back to your mother and little brother," Kazuko said. "Sanada's telling everyone Yamato's returned, so there's no reason for you to stay aboard."
"But I–"
"Go," Kazuko insisted.
"All right," Daisuke said. "I'll see you again soon."
She waved as he caught a ride to his family's apartment building. When he was out of sight, she retreated to Daisuke's quarters—he'd given her his passcode, so she could come and go as she pleased. With a sigh, she flopped into the single chair and turned on the newscast. Out in the hall she heard Kodai tell Yuki he'd see her at her mentor's—Hijikata's—place.
Two hours passed, and Kazuko almost fell asleep, but just as she drifted off, the door hissed open. "Kaoru!" she started awake.
"I just wanted to make sure everything's going well," said the other woman. "And take you to the lab so we can start your evaluation."
Kazuko smiled despite the anxious knot in her stomach. "I don't mean to be any trouble."
"Don't worry about that," Kaoru said. "I'm here to help you, not the evaluation committee." She motioned for Kazuko to follow her.
Each exam mirrored the tests Dr. Sado ran upon her arrival aboard Yamato. They checked her blood, tested for diseases, and ran scans, but that was all. She heard Kaoru scold one of the committee members who suggested more invasive tests, and though she couldn't thank the other woman, she was grateful.
When it was over, she sat with Kaoru outside a conference room, waiting. "Could they really forbid me to stay on Earth?"
"I suppose they could, in theory, but that would be absurd," said Kaoru.
A man entered the tiny waiting area. He wore the same unfamiliar uniform she'd glimpsed the rest of the committee members wearing.
"Come in, please," he said to Kazuko. "We will begin the interview."
Kaoru caught her arm. "Just be honest. Even if they ask the same question more than once."
Kazuko nodded and then followed the man inside, Kaoru right behind her.
Everyone took a seat except Kazuko, who stood in the center of the room as all four committee members stared at her.
"What is your name?" the man to Kazuko's right asked.
"Daiba Kazuko."
"Is that your birth name?"
Kazuko met the man's gaze. "No. Daiba is my brother's name, and Kazuko is the name given to me by Yamato's crew."
"Where were you born and when?"
"May 11th, 2961, in Tokyo, Japan."
"How old are you?"
"My nineteenth birthday was six months ago, Earth time."
"Do you have any family? Do you miss them?"
Of course, I miss them. What kind of question is that? Who hasn't lost a friend or family member? Kazuko took a deep breath. "My mother… died soon after I was born. Then I was adopted, but my adoptive parents… are gone too."
"Any siblings?"
"Yes. I have—had—a sister. She is—was—my cousin, but I think of her as my sister because I loved her like one, and we were raised together. Her name was Ayano… She died a few weeks ago—just before my arrival. She was sick and… didn't survive her illness. My brother, Tadashi, passed away aboard Yamato." She caught a glimpse of Kaoru's approving nod.
"Did you know of any alien races in your own time?" the man to her left asked.
"Yes, but I can't talk about them," she said. "It… isn't a good idea."
"And what about you?" said the only woman in the group.
"What do you mean?"
"Your blood contains unknown elements," the woman said.
Kazuko sucked in a hard breath, looked straight at the woman, and repeated what she'd told Kaoru upon her arrival. "My mother wasn't born on Earth—I'm actually not sure where she was born, and even if I knew, I couldn't tell you. All I know about my father is he was human."
The woman averted her gaze. "Do you consider yourself human, Kazuko?"
"Only half," she said. Aboard Arcadia she learned to accept her identity, but it was still odd to say it.
"So, would you define yourself as more like your mother? Or your father?"
Kazuko smiled a little. It's been so long since I thought about Abigaël and Jason, but I owe them so much… They raised me as their own daughter, even if I wasn't. She stood a little taller. "I prefer to identify with my adoptive parents. I'm human, like they were."
The questioner watched her colleagues for a few seconds. When no one said anything, she told Kaoru, "That is all. You may leave now."
Once out of the conference room, Kazuko relaxed.
"Where will you stay now?" Kaoru said as they headed toward the crew quarters.
"I… suppose I'll live with Daisuke."
"Why Daisu–Oh."
Heat crept up Kazuko's face. "Because…"
"No, no, you don't have to justify anything to me." Kaoru waved off the attempted explanation. "It's cute."
Kazuko shoved her hands in her jacket pockets and focused on the floor. "I thought you didn't like me very much. Why do you keep helping me?"
Kaoru sighed. "I know I'm not the friendliest person, but I don't hate you—not at all." She hesitated. "I… have to be honest too. I understand why you won't say much about where you came from, but part of me wonders how much we could learn if you did."
Kazuko fingered her harmonica. I understand, Kaoru… but I can't. I'm sorry… She wanted to speak, apologize to Kaoru, but the words wouldn't come.
"I guess it's one of my flaws," Kaoru continued. "I did it with the Gamilons too—dehumanized them." She sighed again, regret in her eyes. "You should call Daisuke. He'll worry."
Author's Note:
A short note to clarify Kazuko's family ties: Her mother's name is Alizé Seldon (an alien). Kazuko was adopted by Abigaël Lehmann and her husband, Jason Callaghan because they couldn't have children of their own. Kazuko's aunt Ilana was Alizé's sister who married Sasori and had a daughter, Ayano. Ilana wanted to adopt Kazuko (her niece), but she couldn't.