"It's our second to last day," Rikona sighed.
"Yeah...I'm really going to miss you," Hanoashi agreed sadly, before letting out a small smile. "But on the bright side we'll get to see each other from time to time and call on the weekends," she added.
"Yeah, but it won't be the same," Rikona noted.
"Still, we'll always be close," Hanoashi smiled, before taking Rikona's hand, the brunet gladly accepting the hand-holding session.
"Make out already," Shelia teased.
"M...Mom!" Rikona blushed, jerking her hand away.
"Awww..." Hanoashi whined teasingly.
"Anyways, good luck at school today," Shelia noted as she pulled into the school parking lot. Climbing out, the two girls exited the car and met up with their usual friends.
"So today is your last day huh?" Hayle asked.
"Yeah, Aunt Shelia's requested that the Matsumino want Rikona and I to have a day to pack up and hang out..." Hanoashi gazed downward. "I'm really going to miss you guys," she whispered.
"Pretty sure that we are girls," Lin teased.
"Whoa, mood ruiner," Hayle hissed.
"Lol," Hanoashi laughed.
"Oh no the great prodigy Hanoashi Amelia Katoni is being corrupted by text speech!" Lin moaned dramatically, causing all the girls present to laugh. Life is too good! Hanoashi smiled happily.
The bell rang and Rikona left with Lin while Hanoashi left with Hayle. "Actually, There's something I need to show you," Hayle noted, before taking Hanoashi's hand.
"What is it?" Hanoashi asked as she was lead upstairs to the window where the garden spot was.
"We're not really supposed to be up here," Hanoashi added.
"They said it was fine for a little while," Hayle smiled at her reassuringly. "A part of me wanted to witness this with you when we got to first grade together, but...well..."Haley then let out a small sigh. "Hanoashi, your like my best friend, you can't exactly blame me for wanting you to stay, can you?" she whispered.
"A large part of me wants to stay," Hanoashi whispered back. "But my father has recovered enough and so I need to go back to his place. And as much as I hate to say it...a part of me is looking forward to going home. Still...I wish I could have the best of both worlds."
"But this school's district doesn't reach into Nishmari, does it," Hayle guessed.
Hanoashi shook her head. "No, it doesn't," she added, before pulling her hand away. "We're going to be late!" she gasped.
"No, we won't be," Hayle flashed her a knowing smile.
Oh boy...what does that mean? Hanoashi wondered. However, she relaxed and gazed out at the garden.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Hayle smiled.
"Yes, it is..." Hanoashi sighed wistfully.
"Something wrong?" Hayle asked.
"Just thinking how much I'm going to miss Aunt Shelia's garden," Hanoashi sighed.
"Surely she'd let you over to visit," Hayle mused.
"Yeah, she will," Hanoashi lied, the lie stinging in her heart, but she pushed it down. "As much as I like doing this, we really ought to head to class."
"A few minutes more?" Hayle begged.
"Fiinnneee..." Hanoashi droned. We're already late anyways...
"You don't like it?" Hayle squeaked in alarm.
"I do like it, it's just that I don't like being late," Hanoashi chided.
"And as I said before, don't worry bout it," Hayle smirked.
Arriving in their class a few minutes later Hanoashi felt as though her jaw dropped. There was a banner with a goodbye Hanoashi Amelia Katoni on it, and not only that, but Lin, Asuza, and Rikona, and were there.
"We wanted to throw a small party for you since you'll be leaving us this evening," her teacher noted. "It's not much, and we'll all be going to our respective classes within an hour, but I hope you like it," he smiled.
"It's great Sensei, thank you so much," Hanoashi smiled.
"Alright everyone, a bottle of punch and a pack of cookies each!" he smiled as he handed out the food, making sure to give Hanoashi a more appropriate pack of cheese crackers. "Everyone ready?"
"To Hanoashi!" the class and friends coursed, before proceeding to eat their little snack.
Once everyone finished, Kuto raised his hand. "Hanoashi, would you like to give a little speech?" he asked.
Nodding, despite feeling nervous about being placed on the spot, she stood up. "I'd like to thank you, all of you, for being the best friends and classmates a girl could ever ask for," she smiled, trying to quash down her nervousness. "When I came here I had just lost my mother, and really didn't have anyone aside from my precious cousin Rikona," Pausing she and the brunet's gaze met, both filled with gratitude. "All of you made me feel welcome during my darkest time...so thank you."
The class clapped for her, and her Sensei smiled. "Great speech miss Katoni," he smiled. "Now you all may mingle for a bit, but remember that we'll have to wrap this up in an hour."
That hour came and went by fast, and before long Hanoashi found herself in the normal line of things. As time came for PE, she and Hayle found themselves walking again.
"You know...it won't be the same," Hayle whispered.
"Yeah...I mean I'm going to miss the harder classes and exercise routines, not to mention the uniform, but my friends...that's a harder thing to swallow," Hanoashi sighed.
"Will we never see each other again?" Hayle asked, and turning around Hanoashi found that she had tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She quickly hugged her in response.
"Don't cry Hayle...of course we'll see each other...someday," Hanoashi smiled reassuringly, trying to fight down her own emotions which were threatening to show themselves. "Tell you what...let's make this PE session one to remember, alright?"
"Alright then...we'll be at the pool first though," Hayle smirked.
"Right..." Hanoashi noted, trying to squash down the memory of what had happened during their little beach disaster. "At least they are no cone snails in the swimming pool..." she muttered under her breath.
Placing on her swim uniform, she let out a nod as she followed Lin, Rikona and Hayle out into the swim area.
"Not much of a chance for male pervs to stare at us from out here," Lin smirked.
"Pervs?" Hanoashi asked.
"Oh my gosh how to you not know what a perv is?" Hayle gasped.
"She's joking, right?" Rikona sighed, before gasping as the Irish girl shook her head in response. "Well cousin, a perv is short for perverted, which is what someone does they're not supposed to against the opposite gender," she explained.
"Oh, like bullying?" Hanoashi guessed.
"Er...you could call it bullying..." Lin shrugged.
"Anyways, we really need to get in line," One of Lin's classmates called over.
"Hold yer horses, we're coming Rin," Lin muttered. "You gonna try and swim the lane?" she added to Hanoashi.
"For memories sake," Hanoashi nodded in determination, before they went their respective ways, Hanoashi falling in behind Lin.
"Hayle's clear, Hanoashi, you're next!"
"Right!" Hanoashi nodded, before jumping in and swimming. I can do this! She thought determinedly, effortlessly making it to the quarter way point. However, she found herself imagining cone snails by the half way point, and barely made it to the end.
"Hanoashi you did it!" Hayle cheered, but as she helped her up, Hanoashi let out a shudder. "You're okay, right?"
Hanoashi gazed at her numbly.
"Hayle, perhaps you ought to take her to the garden," their teacher suggested. "Just be sure to put your uniform on first. I'll let your teachers know."
"Right...come on Hanoashi..." Hayle guided her into the dressing room.
Her dark green eyes glancing around, Hanoashi paused, her higher cognitive fuctions finally...well fuctioning again. "Why are we in the garden?" she asked.
"Don't tell me you just noticed?" Rikona gaped.
"Huh?" Oh...right...I'm sorry, I screwed everything up..."
"Don't even finish the thought, if anything it probably wasn't even a good idea to have you go to the pool if you're still affected by cone snails that much," Lin chastised.
"Lin...maybe you're right...but I don't want to be like this. Maybe I'll never want to go to the beach," I don't she paused to tell herself, "ever again, but I want to be able to swim with my friends and family at lakes and streams and pools."
"That's an admirable goal, but you barely made it to the end," Hayle frowned.
"I'll get better in time," Hanoashi promised.
"Are you in any pain?" Rikona asked.
Hanoashi shook her head. "No...I just imagined a bunch of cone snails a quarter of the way through and everything was just...instinct and fear after that."
"You do know that cone snails in a swimming pool is irrational, right?" Lin scoffed.
"Play nice," Rikona growled.
"She's fine cuz," Hanoashi smiled weakly. "Yeah, I know, but still..." she paused as Kuto and Shelia entered the room. "You any better?" Shelia asked.
Hanoashi nodded. "I think so," she noted.
"It's time to go home you four," Kuto informed gently.
"I took that long to recover?" Hanoashi squeaked.
"We were actually worried it might take longer," Kuto admitted.
"I guess this is goodbye then," Hayle nodded, before her and Lin simultaneously hugged her. "We're gonna miss you," Lin whispered.
"You guys," Hanoashi whispered, her eyes widening.
"Pretty sure we're girls," Lin scoffed playfully.
"Cheek!" Hanoashi returned in laughter. They pulled apart soon, and as she began following her aunt and cousin out of the garden, she glanced back to see Lin and Hayle waving at her. She waved back in response one last time.
"You'll miss them, won't you?" Shelia asked as she helped the two into the car.
Absolutely, but it has to be this way, no matter how much we don't want it to be," Hanoashi sighed.
"You'll get to keep the uniform at least," Rikona noted.
"Keep the uniform?" Hanoashi gasped. "I can really keep it!?"
"Of course, while the swimsuits are rentals, the uniforms are bought and purchased, so yeah," Shelia smiled. "Consider it a memento of sorts."
"Memento?" Hanoashi asked.
"Something you keep to remember something by. Souvenir, photo, things like that," Rikona shrugged.
"Oh...now I get it," Hanoashi noted. You learn something new every day! She smiled to herself.
She found herself waking up after some time, Rikona quietly watching an early race. "How long have you been up?" Hanoashi asked as she walked over and sat next to her.
"Two hours, the Mountain Dew Southern 500 is on, but almost over," Rikona shrugged.
"I always did like Nascar more then most of the other race cars, they look normal, but the pretty designs and advert covered cars just add to the charm."
"I always liked the look of the F-1 and Indi cars more, but I agree about the decals on the Nascar...well...cars," Rikona smiled.
"So, what kind of racing series are you going to race in?" Hanoashi asked.
"Don't know, but I think I'll go for the required series only," Rikona admitted.
"But you like racing!" Hanoashi gasped.
"It's true that I share my families love for motorsports, but I'd rather stay alive and become a nurse instead of risking my life for a few years...or Maus forbid a few decades for that manner" Rikona shrugged.
"Same...though with me it's become a stay at home mother, or daycare worker or English teacher," Hanoashi admitted.
"So what series would you like to race in?" Rikona asked, her light green eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"I highly doubt I'd start in it, but if I had to make a career of it I'd like to race in the craftsman truck series," Hanoashi shrugged.
"A truck gal," Rikona laughed. "Yeah, that'd be pretty cool, but I'm thinking some sort of sprint or modified for myself," she added.
"You'd have to be in America for that, right?" Hanoashi asked.
"Most likely," Rikona shrugged.
"And John Cole wins the race!" the announcer noted.
"So now what do you want to do?" Rikona asked.
"Chess?" Hanoashi smirked.
"You betcha!" Rikona smiled.
Ayase let out a small sigh as she finished the last of the cleaning. "Geeze...talk about a dust storm, and Shelia-sempai was here just week before last!" she muttered, before allowing herself to sit down for a small break.
Still...this is the best gig I've had in ages, and I'll get to watch over little Hanoashi year round, so that's a plus, she smiled to herself, closing her eyes as she remembered all the times she'd babysit the Irish-dutch girl. Yu-Sempai always knew how to raise em, she smiled, though she couldn't help but shed a tear at the lost of her best friend and sempai.
"There's no time for that..."she muttered after a bit as she rose up and exited the house, locking the door behind her as she whipped her tears. Time to pick up Drake-sama...though knowing him he'll keep insisting that I just call him Drake...Maus he must be going through hell right now...she muttered as she started up her car and drove to the hospital.
Arriving she saw that he was waiting for her, and as she pulled up he let himself in. "Good morning Ayase-san," Drake smiled.
"Morning...Drake-sama..." Ayase noted before bowing slightly, growing a little bit nervous.
"Relax...and it's just Drake with me," he smiled.
"R...right," Ayase noted as she took a deep breath and drove out of the parking lot. "I presume that you have a grocery list?" she asked.
"Mentally, I'll write it out for you when I get home," Drake noted, before he began to cough.
"Please rest your voice," Ayase begged, feeling a bit of sweat drop from her face.
"R...right..." Drake sighed.
"Hanoashi...Rikona...Breakfast time!" Shelia called as she knocked on the door.
"Coming Mom, Aunt Shelia," The girls chorused and followed her downstairs where the usual affair was waiting for them. The morning ritual of giving thanks and then eating took place.
"You pack up yet?" Shelia asked.
Hanoashi shook her head. "Not yet, I'll do it after breakfast if that's alright," she smiled.
"That's perfectly fine," Shelia smiled.
The two girls finished their breakfast, and Rikona was about to head on our when Shelia called out. "Rikona, did you forget that you have to ask for permission to go outside from now on?"
"Sorry mother! May Hanoashi and I go out?" Rikona squeaked.
"Hanoashi can if she wants, however since you forgot to ask..."
"Yes mother, I understand," Rikona nodded, her face showing a bit of shame as she gazed downward, clearly silently kicking herself for not asking.
"Well...since you clearly seem apologetic, fine," Shelia noted. "Just for a walk, no playing," she added.
"So basically you enter the pool, and once you've submerged it will take you to the area you wish to go. Just remember...you cannot enter any buildings, so if the one you wish to see is in one...well...no dice. And don't stay too long, we're only allowed to do this to reassure ourselves of the living, not to spy on them."
"Thanks Kazutani," Yu smiled she made her way into the poll, pausing to glance around as she nodded to her grandfather-in-law. While she had family in the Matsumino, she had made herself more so at home with the Katoni so to speak. I'll be back soon, my little ones...Yu sighed, thinking of the twin boys who died with her. I'll always feel guilty about not thinking of you at that time...my sweet little boys... she sighed, before walking deeper into the pool, feeling the water flow over her head.
Instantly she was taken to a familiar area, in a garden so to speak. Hanoashi! Her heart jumped for joy as she saw her daughter and niece walking around the garden.
"So, since you want to become a stay at home mother, any idea of what you'd want to name your daughter?" Rikona asked.
She's so mature! Yu thought, impressed, before she noticed something. Wait a second...that's caution, like they got into trouble or something recently. She let out a sigh, pushing away all the memories of the times She and Shelia had gotten into trouble as kids. As curious as I am about that I'm not here to spy...but perhaps I can stay just a little while? Surely a few more minutes won't hurt, right?
"Never really thought of it before," Hanoashi shrugged. "Maybe...Raisu for a girl...then maybe Autumn if I'm blessed with a second one."
Seriously Hanoashi...Rice? You'd name your daughter Rice? I guess you got that from your father...Yu half laughed, half groaned. Still. Raisu does have a nice ring to it if I do say so myself...and I love the way you refer to having a second daughter as being blessed with...
"Those are nice names," Rikona noted.
"Though I'd have probably named one Rikona if we hadn't met, you have such a nice name,"
Hanoashi smiled at her.
"Thanks...but I'm glad we met," Rikona smiled back, though giving her a bit of a look.
"Relax, I wouldn't have it any other way cousin," Hanoashi smiled.
Good! Yu smiled. Shelia was always a bit worried about what would happen once we introduced them to each other, but I was right in the fact that we don't have to worry.
Unless they get too close...thank Maus they are both girls...Yu shuddered, remembering how close Shelia and her were growing up.
"What about you Rikona, any names you're thinking of?" Hanoashi asked.
"Not too sure yet...maybe Shiori?" Rikona shrugged.
"Hey you too, don't forget that you can have boys as well. It's not fair to think of only the girl names," Yu muttered, knowing that they couldn't hear her.
"Right...why does that sound a bit familiar to the English word for apologize?" Hanoashi asked.
"There is Saori," Rikona pointed out.
"I'd hate to be called that in America," Hanoashi muttered. "I mean people would probably thing I'm apologizing or something. Or a sorry Katoni..."
Don't say it like that...Yu moaned. Smiling in contentment, she moved on to her next target, hoping that he was outside.
Smiling at the small American suburb, she watched as her son Nova was playing in a park with a mix of boys and girls. He seems happy at least, she smiled to herself, content to watch him play until she school bell rang and he went inside.
Drake will mostly be inside for the next year year...at least Ayase is looking out for him. Actually, I'd kind of like to see them get together, but the logistics wouldn't work out, what with Drake being unable to work and all. Still, I hope that she stays in with Hanoashi, it'd be good for her to have an adult girl constantly in her life. And Rikona could do with a good father figure now that I think of it. Grandpa Wayne is trying...as imperfect and insufferable as he is...
Letting out a deep sigh, she focused again, wanting to see if she could find her, the one who should have been with her sisters. Nothing. Guess she's being kept inside...again...Yu slumped dejectedly. All this time I suspected I had another girl alongside Hanoashi...but finding out for sure was a deep shock to me. If Drake, Nova, and Hanoashi find out...no when they find out...
Shaking her head, Yu stepped out of the pool. "Thank you for showing me, but I really should return to the twins now." she noted.
"Hopefully they'll pass the trials of life," her grandfather-in-law nodded with a slight smile..
"I can only hope," Yu smiled weakly as she began to head toward her home in Kuroguard.
"Huh..." Hanoashi noted to herself quietly.
"Is something wrong Hanoashi?" Rikona asked.
"I think I felt mother's presence for a bit...but I'm not too sure..." Hanoashi shook her head. "Just my imagination. That...or I've really been missing her lately without really realizing it."
"Subconsciously," Rikona noted. "That's the term when you feel something that's not there, or doing something without thinking about it."
"You think she's watching over us?" Hanoashi asked.
"If she's allowed too, however even if she isn't then I'm sure that she's thinking of us and awaiting the day when you can be reunited," Rikona then let out a small sigh. "I really wish I could have known her more. There's only so much these old photos can say about a person."
"Did you know of mom?" Hanoashi asked.
"Yes, but not of you or Nova...or even Drake for that manner. Mother used to say that Yu went to do her own thing and that she'd take me to meet her later. Never really knew what to make of it until..." Rikona paused and let out a dispondant sigh. "Anyways, we really ought to pack up, remember?"
"Oh, right..." Hanoashi trailed off. "Wish I could stay longer...but father is waiting for me..." she added.
"Is it wrong that I'd like for us to live together as sisters?" Rikona whined.
"Not at all," Hanoashi smiled at her indulgently. "But it wouldn't be fair to father if I stayed here. And besides, we still get to see each other from time to time, and talk on the weekends," she added.
"I guess your right...it's just that I always wanted a sibling and..."
"I get were you're coming from," Hanoashi nodded. "I always wanted a sister, and I'd love to have Nova back with us. Still..."
"Kona, Hanoashi, time to help with chores!"
"Coming!" Hanaoshi called out, before taking Rikona by the hand and guiding her into the house.
Ayase carried the first set of groceries in, trying not to glance at the sad glance Drake was giving her. Seriously, while I can appreciate the sentiment, you don't have to beat yourself up over this...she noted, but knowing full well that Drake was kind of hard to get out of these ruts. Maus only knows how patent Yu was with him, she sighed as she began placing the sherbet in the fridge, before moving on to the eggs and stuff.
"Sure there's nothing I can do to help?" Drake asked.
"Rest so that you're in good shape when Hanoashi arrives tomorrow," Ayase noted. "And that includes your voice," she added sternly.
"That's an odd way of telling me to shut up," Drake laughed.
"Oh track up, you know I'd never tell my employer to quote on quote shut up," Ayase bantered in return, before placing the empty bags in a larger sack and exiting the house to get the next bundle.
Probably going to have to go out again to get Hanoashi the stuff she wants, and it's going to have to be cheep, so she'll have to adjust to not having certain things. At least we're not having to deal with both Nova and Hanoashi, just one kid is a financial headache to begin with!
She carried in a whole slew of sandwich making material, followed by a ton of cheep tv dinners and a few other things, before sighing and sitting on the couch, gazing at Drake. "Really, this is nothing, so don't worry about it," she smiled at him.
"A lady shouldn't have to carry the groceries in like that when there is a man in the house," Drake argued.
"And a six year old girl shouldn't have to see her father more ragged than he is because he is too Maus damned stubborn to rest when he's told to," Ayase noted sternly. "And besides, you're paying me in case you have forgotten, so it's fine."
"If I had the money would you remain in my services for a decade or two," Drake bantered playfully.
"At that point we'd practically need to get married," Ayase muttered. "And we really don't feel comfortable about that, if you recall."
"True," Drake agreed.
Ayase let out a small sigh as she remembered the conversation. Stupid Midriti, bringing up that conversation. Granted, I am glad we got it over with, but still...it wouldn't really be fair to either of us in the end, and it'd be purely for Hanoashi's sake and who knows how she'd react to it. Even if she'd be find with it though it's not something that we want to pursue...or is it?
She let out a small sigh. "I'd be willing to, but it'd just be too unfair for the both of us, you know?"
"I know. But if I need a babysitter for Hanoashi you'll have first dibs, alright?" Drake smiled.
"As long as I'm still babysitting," Asaye smiled weakly. "I like little Hanoashi, actually. And I'm going to spend this year getting to spend every moment I can with her...within reason of course."
"You do know that you'll be seeing her at her worst at times, right?" Drake inquired.
"I know. All little kids have a bit of the ole sin nature in them, even I wasn't perfect growing up. Actually, it took a lot of effort for me back in middle school, what with the record reset and all."
"Yu never told me you were a troublemaker back in grade-school," Drake teased.
"I simply never told her," Ayase confessed. "And I owe her so much...for inspiring me to keep my promise to my..." she shut her eyes and shook her head. "Sorry...not ready for that story," she apologized.
"It's alright, I can tell that it's hard on you," Drake smiled, before he made a small coughing noise.
"We should lay off the conversation," Ayase nodded.
"Perhaps," Drake coughed. "Try and rest, you deserve a good break and there isn't anything else you can do till dinner." He added, his voice turning into a rasp.
"You'll need Sherbet at this rate," Ayase muttered darkly. However as she walked upstairs to her room, she glanced back at Drake. Would be nice for her to have a mother again though...she thought sadly. Makes me feel a bit guilty...but drake and I simply want what the other cannot give in a relationship...