Her Life

001.

Note: bold fonts are said in English.

___

Her class is rather normal, they may be second best in the school but they're really a bunch of kids.

Yamaguchi Hana, known as Hannah Clarke in London, is different though, not having friends and being dead silent, students try not to get on her nerves, knowing nothing good will come to them.

The rowdy bunch is later silenced by a peculiar ringtone, which they know is not coming from their phones.

All their attention was placed on Hana's sleeping form, not having the guts to wake her up they began to point fingers.

"you do it!"

"no, you!"

"come on do it! You had the guts to ask her out on a date!"

"but waking her up from sleeping is a different story you fucker!"

Their fight stopped when the said ringtone is not heard but instead is replaced by a voice.

"shut up." just hearing that made them silent and lower their gaze.

Hana Yamaguchi is woken up from her deep slumber and is now talking to her phone.

"what is it?" she immediately asks once she answers the phone, annoyance dripping from her voice.

"M-Ms. Clarke... I'm sorry for disturbing you but please come home immediately. Something happened to your grandmother."

With the mention of her mother figure, she stands, the floor scrapes from her abrupt movement.

"where?"

___

She walks past everyone, not minding the glares she got from strangers she bumps into.

"Ooba-san!" she exclaims entering her grandmother's room. Startling the adults inside the room.

"Ms. Clarke."

Nothing wakes her up from her trance, her eyes lingering on her grandmother's form covered in white.

"What happened?" she looks to her mother figure's caregiver.

"it's a heart attack. Your grandmother has been experiencing a lot of pain lately, but she won't let me tell you. She insists it's her time to go. I tried my best to stop any pain she feels, knowing that she's already decided." Ana explains herself, feeling like she needs to with how intense Hana's gaze is.

"she asked me to give you this."

She stares at the envelope given to her, it's been days since her visit from the hospital. The adults decided that returning her to Japan with her grandfather is the best choice, given that she is still not an adult and that she has no remaining relatives in America.

Deciding that it's time to open it she sighs and takes a knife, slicing her envelope.

She reads...

"

Hana-chan. I'm sorry, Ooba-san is sorry she won't be able to see you off. I'm sorry I won't be able to see you attend high school or meet your friends. I'm sorry I haven't been honest lately.

You have done so much dear, so much that I feel like it's my fault you've matured so early. Always remember none of this is your fault.

I want you to come home with your Ooji-san. He is a good man with dignity and pride. His daughter is your Okaa-san. A very beautiful woman, someday you will also be like her. But please don't rush, let yourself grow on your own.

Ryuichiro has tried to find you numerous times dear. I just did everything to prolong your stay. I'm sorry that Ooba-san is a selfish woman, what can I do? You were so cute as a baby.

Ooba-san is so happy she could see you grow up.

Your Ooji-san may have dark sides Hana, but please know that he is kind. Give him a chance, and your sister, goodness I hope she's doing okay. She is 7 years older than you, so treat her right.

Always find the good in people Hana-chan. I love you and goodbye...

"

That was the end of the letter, her Ooba-san still conveys her feelings even just through a letter. She is also thankful that someone is there for her, finding her and getting worried.

"Excuse me? Someone named Kuroda Ryuichiro is outside for you Ms. Clarke."

For me?

___

"I'm sorry for only visiting right now child. I have been quite busy with our family business, but I traveled here as soon as I heard you were alone." her, what she assumes, grandfather explained. Feeling bad that a young child such as herself experienced such loss for the second time.

"it's fine I guess..." she had been awkwardly sitting in front of him, not knowing what to do other than serve him a Japanese tea and bring him to their Japanese-themed living room.

"you've been living quite well here. Are you sure you want to leave so suddenly from home?" she looks up to see him look at her with such eyes.

She was used to seeing pity in an adult's eyes up until now, people assume she can't take care of herself and decide for her but this man... is different. He had asked her to decide and never went to such length as force her out of the country she grew up in.

"I... this place cannot be called home without Ooba-san," she says in her native language, Japanese.

She remembers how her grandmother insists on teaching her Japanese when she was younger. She grew up talking in that language and learning its history. Inside the house she was told to talk in Japanese, only having a free pass when going out and playing.

She never really understood up until now.

"I see that she's been considerate with our heritage." Ryuichiro can't help but point out.

He had been concerned that Hussy Clarke has been neglecting her being Japanese, now he can wish her a happy life wherever she is.

"yes, she's been persistent with me learning all about Japan and its language. Going as far as learning the language herself. I'm sorry if my pronouncement is rusty, I haven't been talking in Japanese for a while. With so much happening..." her voice became quiet, remembering she has nowhere to call home anymore.

"you are always welcome to join us. Your sister is excited knowing her little sister is now coming home." she tears up seeing her Ooji-san with the most sincere and hopeful eyes she could see.

"yes, I'll come home Ooji-san."