/Euca: Sou… that goes chapter one! I feel pity for the person right by my side. (Whisper, pointing at Kazu) Living with those people is surely hard, ne? (Sighed)

/Kazu: I miss my mom! (Sniffled, tears fell from her eyes) Can I have a tissue? (Euca gives her one) Thank you… (Blowing her nose and finally smiled) Na! You shouldn't be pitied over me, ne? I'm alright. It just…. (Cried again)

/Euca: (Shook her head) Aha… that's it. I'll have the honor. Sou, Here's the second chapter: A Long Kept Secret… this one made me her cried, a lot. Kya! I miss my master! (Lights fade)

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Chapter Two

A Long Kept Secret

"You think I am a burden? Hmn… I guess you would agree.…"

"There you are!" her Auntie harshly remarked, seeing Kazumi tracking her way down the marble stairs in a bit of hurry. She could see the exasperated look on her Aunt's face, staring directly at her.

"I've been waiting for you to bring the breakfast on our room but luckily you never shown even your tiny shadow!" her Auntie started in a more irritated tone. "We've been starving! What time do you think it is now, huh? It's already past seven and you're still clinging to your bed!"

If you never let me sew a dozen of curtains then I might be able to wake up early. Kazumi silently grumbled. It was almost past midnight when she had fallen asleep, sewing all the curtains that her Auntie wants. It might be the reason why she had dreamt foolishly again. She was really pooped out at that time. Luckily, she hasn't lost her sanity. Kazumi took a deep breath and set a wide smile on her pretty face. Leaving all her thoughts behind, she humbly said, "I'm really sorry, Auntie. I-I just -!"

"Enough," the old woman snapped before she could end up her words. "I don't want to hear all of your excuses. Just leave my sight and… j-just water my dear flowers at the backyard. They're certainly drooping now. Maybe that simple work will make up to that simple mind of yours. I will better prepare the breakfast myself."

Smiling, she nod and swiftly followed her Auntie's orders. This scenario isn't new to her anymore. Everytime she tries to defend herself her Auntie always cut her out. Maybe the old lady knew that she was right. She was her niece but she forced her to do menial works in exchange for her studies. Kazumi was studying with Ringo on the same school. In fact, they were classmates though only few know that they were cousins.

Kazumi had no choice at all. She had no place to go. So instead of complaining and pouting out, she trained herself to smile in spite of all those hurting words. It can do no good to her at all. Grabbing the doorknob, her Auntie called her back.

"By the way, after you're done with your work I want you to clean the house completely," her Auntie said, raising a brow. "I don't want to see even a single dust. Got it clear?"

Kazumi obediently nodded, exiting the hall in silence. She was about shutting the door when she heard her Uncle talked about something that had caught her attention. "What did the lass do? It's still early yet I heard your rumbling voice," her Uncle inquired as he sips a glass of lemonade juice, entering the hall with his pajamas still on.

"She woke up late…" Mori replied, making her way to the kitchen. Her husband widened his eyes in disbelief, sitting down on his favorite couch, watching as his wife pours a glassful of cold water from the ref. He doesn't know why his wife hated her niece so much.

"…and you know that's what I hate!" her Auntie added with an irritated voice, sitting next to her Uncle's side with a glass of water on its hand. So, her Auntie was really mad at her and that's the reason, being late? Kazumi shook her head as she secretly listened to the couple's conversation.

Her Uncle suddenly scoffed, hearing his wife's cause. He carefully puts his drink on the table, making a soft clink and finally said, "That's it? That's why you hate your niece?" He knew there is something behind not just the "being late" issue. He admits, he wakes up late too but she never gets mad about it. And besides it was nothing but a simple case. He glanced intriguingly at his wife. "Come on Mori. What makes you so rude to your own niece?"

Mori sighed, sipping a glass of water. This old man is really irritating her down to her very bones. She doesn't know why she had married this type of guy. But she doesn't have any choice right now, does she? He would surely bring this matter up every time they've talked. Better to put an end to this now.

Staring aimlessly as the ice melted inside the glass, she softly said "She's no niece of mine…" Her Uncle frowned, waiting for her Auntie's further explanations but he got nothing but a wicked grin. That one is indeed frustrating.

"Mori…" her Uncle's look hardened, forcing his wife to tell the lingering thoughts on her mind. He knows it was something peculiar. A whopping topic.

"My sister is… infertile."

"Meaning…?" her Uncle took a sip of his drink and upon realizing what his wife had said. He abruptly burst out all the juices he's been drinking! "She's…!"

Mori nodded. She was thankful that her dummy husband had finally got what she was trying to say. "I was against it but they've never listened to me. And now, their burden was mine!" Her Auntie roughly told her Uncle.

Kazumi's eyes widened. She hurriedly closed the door in silence, leaning her back to it. She couldn't bear to hear the words, for it tears her heart into pieces. She just uncovered a long kept secret, one that is enough to change the way she sees life. She now finds it so unfair. It strikes down her whole being. What she had heard was enough to satisfy her emerging curiosity about herself. All those years that she had with her parents were nothing but a lie? All those laughter… all those tears and great memories that they've shared together perfectly was just a deceiving story? Why did they keep that secret from her? That was very important part of who she was and still, they had taken that away? Now, she finds all the answers to her doubts. At that instant, she understands why her Auntie had treated her like nobody. She's no flesh and blood of her. In a flock of sheep, she's the black one — discriminated and out of place.

Her heartbeat leapt over her chest even her breathe was tightening. Her mind swirls as she think of why her parents had lied to her. Why did they never tell those things? She would surely understand them if they had tried to. Cold sweat runs down the corner of her face. Her body showed no action as if being struck by a fierce lightning. She had pitied herself completely.

Kazumi felt her feet trembled as she walked her way through the garden. She wants to disappear in an instance, disregarding what she had heard, convincing herself that it was just a joke. But she can't because it is not. That was no laughing stuff at all. They're not even aware that she was there, listening eagerly over that matter. Besides, she couldn't see any reason why would her Auntie lie over her Uncle especially with that stuff? Lots of things began to pile on her mind. Who were her parents then? Why would they leave their child in some common herd?

A burst of anger flowed over her senses. Aimlessly, she got the shear on the corner and began to cut something, pouring all her heartaches on it. Kazumi silently cried. Tears fell from her citrine bright eyes. A moment later, she realized that she had cut all the buds of her Auntie's favorite lilac! She accidentally throws the shear in her hand up in the air in fright. Poor little thing! Almost nothing was left. Luckily it still got its leaves though the flowers had been completely cut out!

On the other hand, the shears she had accidentally thrown had landed just before her Uncle who's just about closing the door behind him! She gasped horridly in shocked. Luckily it didn't hit its bald head! Turning to her with a dreadful look, Kazumi just smiled innocently. She was awfully dead!

"Kazumi, what are you doing?" Her Uncle scolded, drawing near her. "You had almost killed me, don't you think?"

She felt cold sweat running down her spine. "Ugh… A-Ahmn… I-I-I really apologize for that Uncle. I-I saw a caterpillar! A huge one! I was afraid of it that's why… I had thrown the cutter a-away!"

"A caterpillar?" her Uncle repeated suspiciously. "Is that caterpillar made you cried that much too?" Her Uncle had seen the moist on her face.

"U-Ugh… Yes! I was really afraid of it. I-I almost had a heart attack," she replied, wiping the tears on her face. "That caterpillar certainly made me cry."

Her Uncle frowned, looking curiously on her. What is she saying? Did I hear that right, a heart attack due to a caterpillar? I never knew that she had a heart problem.

Kazumi noticed the growing curiosity on her Uncle's face. She laughed aloud and pointlessly says, "Oww… What I mean is, the caterpillar died of a heart attack!"

She puffed, hearing her own words. What did she just said? Looking over her Uncle's grimace expression with its wrinkled brows, she finally got the right phrase. "What I really mean is that… I almost faint upon seeing a huge caterpillar, eating the plant's delightful leaves that… that made me accidentally throw the shear since I am very scared of it… really sorry about that, Uncle."

Nodding in agreement, her Uncle said, "Now I got you."

She smiled forcibly, concealing her real reason of lying. Auntie shouldn't know about this! She would absolutely get mad! She carefully hid the bush on her back, afraid that her Uncle might see it. That plant cost a penny. And if her Auntie knew that she had almost murdered her beloved plants, she will surely sleep outside the house for the whole evening.

Her Uncle eyed her with a wandering look. What's happening to this child? She looks like she had seen a ghost. Is she hiding something eh? Her Uncle nodded as if thinking of something, he went near her.

"Let me see the caterpillar then?"

"A-Ahmn… The caterpillar…!" Kazumi stammered. "W-What are you gonna do with the c-caterpillar?"

"I just want to see how big it was," replied his Uncle, setting a wide smile on his flabby face. Darn! She forgot that her Uncle loves seeing creepy-crawlies, somewhat his kind of a hobby. He sometimes collected it, preserving on an empty bottles.

"Oh… yeah but I already killed it!" She said, snapping her fingers. "I don't know where I had thrown its dead body…Hmn. Hmm." She tapped her chin, acting like she's trying to remember where she had put her tall tale caterpillar's body.

"Ahh, never mind," The old man declared, waving his hand back and forth. He had already seen a lot of caterpillars though. This one wouldn't change a lot. Shrugging his shoulders, he turned to go.

Kazumi sigh a relief. "I'm saved,"she whispered, wiping the sweat on her forehead. That was close! She never knew that she was good in babbling.

"By the way, be careful next time." Her Uncle unpredictably said, turning back to her. She jumped in surprised, dumbfounded. He had almost seen the pruned buds on the ground. Luckily, she had swiftly covered it with her feet, faking a smile over her deceitful face.

She never expected that old man to be concerned about her even a little. Maybe he's just sympathizing over her upon knowing what she really was in his family. She just pitied herself more although she was perfectly good at pretending to be fine. "Sure!" Kazumi replied brightly.

"Are you alright Kazumi-chan?" Her Uncle inquired, facing her. "Is everything alright? Are you hiding something?"

For a moment, she was stunned, absolutely blank. She can't think of a better response. Kazumi remained silent. He was a clever old man so far. Any wrong move will be easily be noticed by him. A flash of idea had suddenly come into her mind. Changing the subject is the best way out.

She smiled naturally. "I'm perfectly fine, Uncle. Thanks for your concern." As if remembering an important matter, she exclaimed and said, "Isn't today the finals, Uncle! Aren't you gonna watch them, your favorite soccer team!"

The old man knitted his brow, trying to recall the date. Widening his eyes, he breathlessly told her, "You're right! It's their game today!"

"Oww… You need to hurry now I guess!" she said in agreement, riding the tide. She knew that his Uncle always watched the game without even a single missed. Not just he's fond of it but because he makes it as his business by betting with his gang. He puts a lot of money on it, taking his chances of winning. And if you're gonna ask if he had won? Uh-uh. Not a single time.

She joyfully waves her hand as she watch her Uncle leaving her sight. At last! One down… more to go! She shook her head, glimpsing at the miserable plant on her back. Kazumi turned sadly on the potted being. "Sorry. Even an innocent plant like you had been mixed up with my flooding misfortune. You think I am a burden? Hmn… I guess you would agree."

She sighed deeply, lowering her eyes in regret. A couple of leaves suddenly fell from the plant's stalk. Kazumi smiled. "You don't agree then? Hmn… That's so generous of you. I am so thankful of that."

Thinking of a remedy, she hurriedly went inside the house. The moment she came back, Kazumi was handling a piece of sticky tape and a scissor that she got secretly from her Auntie's escritoire. This is wrong. She knew it. But she doesn't have a choice. Her Aunt would certainly kill her if she finds out what she had done. Sighing helplessly, she began attaching the ripped buds one by one, fastening it with the tape she had. She knew that sooner or later, her Aunt will surely notice this but still, it might take up a day or two when the flower had begun to droop. And by that time, maybe she was now prepared to take whatever punishment her Aunt would grant her.

Kazumi was busy cleaning the huge glass window, sitting on its broad sill when her cousin, Ringo came in, right through the wide opened door. The lady surveyed the house. She grinned when something drolly had caught her playful attention, making her to halt for a moment.

"What… is she doing?" Ringo asked nosily, looking at her cousin wiping the same spot over and over again in a circular motion, staring remotely on a distance. The air softly carried the girl's soft flowing hair. Kazumi looked inanely. Her face seemed so awkward. It seems like something weighty is bothering her. She is not the same Kazumi she used to know, the spirited one who always annoys her. Still, it's not her habit of sympathizing over someone's grievances.

Ringo smiled wickedly. Another heinous scheme had flowed into her mind. She hurriedly went upstairs into her room and started piling all her groovy clothing from her wardrobe that had suits her liking. She had her own way of sympathizing, in a more devilish form. Carrying all the dresses on both arms, Ringo went back to her cousin's whereabouts.

"Ahm… Kazumi!" she called out. Her cousin turned to her with a pale look on its face. She was a little stunned seeing her on that condition. Eh? What's wrong with her? She felt a little guilt. Was it her fault? Did she have made her work too much? But, it's her mom not her! Besides, it's far late to compensate. She was her to work in exchange for the accommodations that she received. Nothing is free nowadays. Her demonic self, after all had ruled again.

She drew near her lethargic cousin. "Are you alright? A-Are you sick?"

Kazumi radiantly smiled and shook her head, moving back to her senses. "Err…I'm fine. Something's just… bothering me but I'm totally well."

"Oww…" she intoned, beaming with wickedness upon her grin. The thought that it was never her fault made her more demonic. It just means that her cruelness is still not on its extent. She can do more of course.

"Here then!" Ringo declared, mounding all the clothing that she was carrying to her cousin who was shocked in turn of events. Just earlier, her cousin was a bit worry of her. Now, Ringo had begun to be just as her old self again, domineering and mean.

Kazumi sighed. What else to expect? She remained silent, enduring how her cousin tormented her. The more she complained, the more it would provoke the witch. Better to be silent than to get into a fight with her rude cousin. Oh, let me delete that one. Not cousin anymore.

"I want you to fix out all that. I'm going to an important event tonight. It's my friend's birthday," Ringo said delightfully, envying her. "I don't wanna wear a crumpled dress of course."

Yes. Fixed? Or more precisely, should she say "iron it out"? She remained silent, hearing out the girl. She's a good listener, she bet. For the past two hard years, she's been Ringo's personal assistant or maybe better… maid? Yeah. That sorts it out. She does anything the lady said. Why? Cause if she doesn't it will be reported to the older witch and lastly, she'll be "rebuke", which maybe is the right term than scold. It's far less than that.

Irritated by her silence Ringo added, "Actually, I can't decide what to wear… They're all pretty, aren't they?" Kazumi nodded in accordance. It's not a good thing, opposing this one. Ringo smiled in contentment, laughing to herself. This girl might be really envy on me now ne? … Ahaha… She's nothing but rags!

Kazumi knitted her brow as she watched the lady batting its thick eyelashes in a frisky manner, sluggishly tugging the strands of its hair. She sure is intimidating when she does that, she thought. That maybe the trick that she was using to get all the boys comes through her way. Still, with or without that sassy trick, Ringo was indeed beautiful. She can't deny that. Though she bet, it'll be more appealing if she had made that beauty up to her heart too.

Ringo was a petite girl about her age. Her roseate hair flows up to her waist, slightly twisting on the bottom with a braid pinning the left side of it, allowing the charming, little jewels on her ears to be seen. Expensive clothing truly suits her type. She's a princess in sight though heinous inside. She is the kind of girl who never stops until she gets what she wanted even it cost the happiness of others.

For two intricate years of living with this girl, Kazumi had completely known Ringo. Her likes and dislikes, from the way she acts to the way she talks. Her favorite color, food, shoes, nail polish and… hair clips? She knew all that. Even her most wicked side. She could still remember how this girl's round up lies, in an instance had ruined the life of a girl who goes by the name of Iya, just to win the heart of a guy she was very fond of, resulting in a tragic occurrence. However, this girl seemed to never care at all.

Iya was an honored student who also came from a wealthy family. She had been blessed of both aspect and knowledge, with a kind heart that is always willing to help. Her life was somehow perfect. Her parents were so proud of their daughter's achievement. They have treasured her to the extent that they had controlled her life. Iya had never been happy in spite of all the things she had.

Her life changes when she met Rai, a transferee from Paris where both of his parents had been successively running their own business upon acquiring the citizenship of his father. He was a good looking guy, capturing the eyes of numerous girls including those of Ringo who fell deeply hooked by him. She does everything that would please that guy, giving him cakes on his birthdays, studying with him during vacant times and they usually goes out together. Some had been mistaken that they have an affair though Rai extremely denied it.

After all, no one can dictate what a heart should feel. Rai had been already captured by Iya's kindness and simplicity. They had treasured each other deeply. Rai had been Iya's life. They find the missing part of them exactly right on each other's side. That had made Ringo fumed with jealousy. For the first time, the brat had lost upon someone. She had done everything. Still, she's on the bottom of it. She then planned of getting rid of Iya, accusing her of cheating over their final examination which is a very vital offense. By that, Iya was expelled. Though the poor girl never did such thing, she was completely innocent! Acquiring a perfect score is something that shouldn't be an issue on her. She's bright! The real thing behind all those is Ringo. She made one of the students steal the examination paper, putting it on Iya's locker in exchange for money, and says that Iya was the one who stole it from the dean's office.

The humor had reached Rai. Iya tried to explain but he never heard her out. It's not only about the examination. Ringo sent him some photographs of Iya with some other guy, embracing each other affectionately. The two broke up and Iya had move back to America. Ringo gained Rai's favor as his girlfriend. Appalling news had reached them unexpectedly, Iya committed suicide on the day that one of the student spoke of the truth. Rai went to Iya's funeral and told that he never love Ringo. Not even once. He finds out that the guy on the picture was Iya's brother. He departed Ringo, cursing her with everything that happened to Iya. Ringo was then expelled to her school and later, transferred to where she was studying. Rai went back to Paris and decided to never come back.

One of Iya's cousins was her childhood friend, Shouku who was studying with Ringo on that same school. She had told her about the whole story. Kazumi was convinced that behind that angelic face lays a very wicked heart. If she was the one to ask, she would rather hurt herself than competing deadly with others!

"By the way, I want to see all of them on my room within… half an hour maybe. Besides, I still have many things to do. So, take your time," Ringo cracked out, putting an emphasis upon the last phrases of her words.

Kazumi's eyes widened. "A-All of this?" she repeated.

The lady sneered and nodded with an irritated look, leaving Kazumi behind. She had no time talking to her worthless cousin. She wonders why all their classmates had been so fond of that Kazumi, making her so out of place and she had hated it! From the day she had come to her life, everything sucks! That girl is always meddling with her life!

Kazumi sighed, shrugging her shoulders as she watch Ringo made her way out the hall. She shook her head. What else she can do? The clothes had piled up before her eyes, blocking her vision. Some of the clothing slipped off her gripped. She dropped the rag she was holding to free her hand, while the other was tightly embracing the mounted garments right by her face. Bending down, she picks the clothes up but some of it just keeps on slipping one after the other. Kazumi had lost her patience and decided to leave it behind, making her way to the laundry area which is on the basement, few steps to her right.

She was already half-way down the stairs when she had stepped on something, causing her to lose her balance. Suddenly, a loud booming sound echoed the hall followed by the sight of clothes hovering up on the midair. Great silence took after. Kazumi later finds herself facing the ground, the clothing mounted up upon her back. Some of the trash had scattered on the floor, making it a whole mess.

"N-Nan da yo?" Kazumi whined stretching her both arms over, rolling her back. She slowly crept to her side and took a sit, looking back at the stairs. She scratched her head. It was the dustbin that she forgot to put on a trash bag earlier. Kazumi rolled her eyes. What a careless she was! Now, she needs to put it all again.

It was really hard doing all the work. A whole day isn't enough to finish all of it. She nearly had no time for herself. Working throughout the day isn't fun at all. Kazumi was extremely worn-down as she sat upon the tessellated floor. She just had finished putting all the trashes back into the bin. But another toiling work was still waiting for her. She shouldn't rest at that state. She sighed deeply, looking at the mounted clothing by the corner. Kazumi slothfully stands back to her feet and went near of it. She was really amazed as she examined each clothes, checking it out on her. She wonder what might her look if she wore something like those? Kazumi shook her head. Nah… that kind of stuff never fits her. They were really pretty and quite pricey too. It may cost her five years allowance if she would sum up all the prices. She sighed to herself, pressing gently the iron on it. The thought that she could still even touch the dress made her quite glad too. At least she had touched it. Ah, yes. She had also tried it.

A loud shrieked made her jumped out. She hurriedly went upstairs to see what had happened. Her eyes widened. She saw her Auntie upon the floor. Papers had strewn all over her. It might be the rag that she had dropped before that made her tripped. She felt herself to blame by that. Kazumi run to help the old one.

"Don't ever touch me!" her Auntie remarked sharply, standing back to her feet by her own. The old lady turned to her with a terrible look. "A-Are you the one who just dropped this awful thing?" the old lady asked, referring to the cleaning cloth on its feet.

"A-Ahmn…" She scratched the back of her head. "P-Perhaps… I think."

Mori shook her head in dismay. Why does she let this kind of girl live with them? She breathes deeply, touching her forehead. Her blood was rushing through her veins in rage. Looking back at the girl, she said trying to calm herself, "Pick up all that bloody sheets!"

Kazumi hurriedly picked all the papers one by one. She couldn't blame her Auntie for yelling at her. It was her fault indeed. If she just thought about the outcome of what she did then this won't happen. She handed the sheets to the old lady after she had carefully gathered every piece of it, avoiding another great mistake. "Gomen nasai."

Her Auntie signed her to leave. "Get out of my way now."

She stepped aside of the way, lowering her gaze. Her Auntie rudely picked up the rag and put it over her head, continuing on its way as if she did nothing. After the old lady was gone, she sighs as she took the rag off her head, shoving it on her pocket. She draws a wry smile on her face. Her Auntie is such a rude woman. She never wonders why Ringo had that smugness too. That brat had surely inherited all her mother's trait. Kazumi turned to her side. Her lips formed a small orbit in surprised. She had forgotten some of the clothing right on the floor. She immediately gathered all the clothes and carried it to the laundry area. She was thankful her Auntie hadn't notice it. Thanks to those bloody papers.

Kazumi had almost freaked out as she saw the dark, stinging smoke slowly filling entire the room. The dress she was ironing had been burned out, marking a huge hole on it. She hurriedly unplugged the device and tried to mend the dress. But it was too late. She tensely rubbed the tip of her nose. What is she gonna do now? Ringo will surely gonna be mad if she had seen it! Why does misfortune always after her? It never rains but it pours. She gently folded the dress, concealing the burned part. She was so reckless this day! By what she had dug up, who wouldn't? There's nothing left on her mind but that matter.

Kazumi kept sighing all day, cluttering up the whole thing. She does her works without even thinking, resulting in a great mess. Her mind wanders far. It was almost past eight when she had finished her entire routine without being discovered of her flaws. Everything went fine so far and she was thankful of it.

"I'm really sorry, everyone…" she whispered. She really felt tired as she lay on her bed. She stares pointlessly on the ceiling thinking about nothing. She was completely blank. The wind blows softly from the half closed window of her room, touching her skin with a slight moist. It brings a wintry chill over her spine.

Kazumi crept silently out of her bed, walking towards the window. She gently unfolds its pane, allowing her to clearly seen the countless stars, glistening over the dark sky. She began to wonder the things that her parents might be doing on that time. Are they also looking up at the same sky? Are they thinking of her like she was thinking of them? No. Maybe not. They shouldn't have left if they care for her. But she still wants to meet them. She wants to know them. She wants to ask why they have left her. She wants them to answer all her whys!

A plan suddenly flashed up on her mind. How about finding them? If they won't look after her then she will. But how? Where would she start? This world was not a like a one route, single town that could be travelled easily. It's a huge planet! If she would walk on foot, she'll surely end up with a bunch of nothing. That for sure is a crazy thing to do.

Looking at the posters pinned over the wall, Kazumi muttered, "Tokyo?" She frowned. What's about Tokyo? She suddenly gasped. Yes. Tokyo! If her parents had left her, they might be searching for work and that's the best place to start with!

"Tokyo… here I come!" she exclaimed, raising her arms above her head in excitement. She will travel first to Tokyo. It would be the foremost thing she ought to do. Getting there is another thing she should plan more or less. But she got the whole night to spend. She smiled and looked over the sky. There's a plenty of hope that resides within her heart. She knew she would find them. She definitely will, no matter what.

Kazumi drew out excitedly her coin bank beneath her bed where she had store it safely. It was a small cat-shaped money bank with a tiny slot on its tummy. Pink laced ribbon was tied on the figure's neck. It was where all her savings was kept. She gave it a moment not to crash. It has a sentimental worth to her, Shouku gave it as a gift on her seventeenth birthday. And besides, it was all she had to be able to continue her study since her Auntie decided not to send her to school anymore. But she needs a plane ticket to get to the city and that requires quite amount too. Kazumi sighed, scratching her head. It was hard to decide!

"Hmm… It's confusing…" she whispered helplessly, staring on the cat figure. Her parents or her future, what would she choose now? "Shouku-san… School… Studies… Gomen ne!" Kazumi began crashing the coin bank. She really wants to find her parents. Counting all the money, she sighed to herself. She hoped that it is enough to avail one seat rate. She started packing all her things one by one, along with her clothes. It only suited out in her school bag since she doesn't have any other choice at all. Well, there is nothing to be amazed about. She only had few things.

She sat beside her bed, reaching for a small wooden frame on the table. She flashed a smiled as she looked upon it. "How are you Mom? Sorry, I didn't greet you this morning. I was too busy. I hope you are just fine and so was Dad too. I really missed both of you…"

Kazumi gently pressed small kisses over the frame. "You know Mom…" she started, her vision began to blur with tears that starts filling the lids of her eyes. "…I-I had found out the truth. Demo… it doesn't change anything at all. I still loved you both. And that will never change no matter what happens. Ahmn… I just want to know why you hide those things from me. I will surely understand you, if you just tell the truth to me…" She wipes the tears on her face. "Mom, I decided to look for them. I know you would understand me, right Okasama? I just want to meet them. I had so many questions for them to ask. Mom… I wished that you're my real mother. I loved you more than anyone."

She leaned upon the wall, embracing the frame closed to her heart. Warm tears began to fall on her face. It just hurt her so much. All along, she was alone. No one seems to care for her. It was so quiet. The silence had blended with all the sadness she felt. For the first time on her life, she had felt completely alone inside that very room…

—ͽ#* * * *#ͼ—

Terminology Keys:

*Nan da yo? – What was that?

*Gomen nasai – I'm sorry.

*Gomen ne! – Sorry!

*Demo… - But…

*Okasama – Mother