Across The Years (CITRUS)

One - An Old Photo

No One's POV

Yuzu was in her 2nd month of her 1st year abroad in England when she stepped into the shop that would change her life. Recently having graduated from Hollywood Art's high school, she won a scholarship to attend a prestigious private arts school named Broadlands college. It was located in a small community, called Herford which was located just outside of London.

Things had gone well and she had settled in her small flat that was over a bakery. Besides spending her time involved with school work, she would frequently in her spare time to explore the town. A town which prided itself on a small-town feel, being located so close to London proper. 

On this particular Sunday afternoon, she wandered into an antique shop that was located just off the downtown. She hoped to find something gothic-looking to decorate her rather plain flat with. It was a small shop and was packed with antiques, floor to ceiling. Yuzu wondered just how they could fit so much in.

But on this visit, not much caught her eye. An antique end table did, but once she saw the price of 300 pounds, her interest quickly waned. She had only about 55 pounds to spend. 

"Nothing caught your eye yet, Miss?" Said the elderly shopkeeper in a cockney accent.

"No," Yuzu said with a shake of her head.

"Are you looking for something specific?"

Yuzu shrugged. "Just decorating my flat. Seeing if anything looks interesting."

"Well just let me know if you have any questions." The man said, leaving Yuzu to her task.

Eventually, Yuzu wandered over to a table with a sign, "Newly arrived." She was about to turn away when a small photograph in a gold frame caught her eye. It was a very old picture of a young woman in a long white dress covered with lace. She was holding a bouquet of flowers and her hair was done up with a flower in it. It appeared to be a wedding or some kind of formal portrait.

Yuzu would have put it down, if not for one thing. The woman's face. It was the most beautiful she had ever seen. She looked somewhat Hispanic and had cheekbones, perfect lips, and a set of dark eyes that caused her heart to beat like mad. Yuzu found herself unable to look away from the woman. Though one thing bothered her about the photograph, the woman in the picture looked sad. Loneliness was the first word that ran through the blonde's head.

"Why do I think she's lonely." Yuzu mused.

In any case, it bugged her that this beautiful creature was unhappy. Yuzu who was openly lesbian since high school, couldn't remember ever seeing such a beautiful face.

"Who are you?" murmured Yuzu quietly.

Thinking she opened the back of the frame so she could examine the back of the picture for a name. Yuzu just had to know this woman's name if anything. But luck was with her, as written on the back in pencil was

Aihara Mei - July 1869

"Aihara?" Yuzu said as she thought. "Japan is not far off, perhaps she's part Japanese." The thought that this lady would have Japanese blood only deepened the mystery. Yuzu put the back of the frame in place, turned it around, and smiled.

"Hello Mei. Would you come home with me?" Yuzu said to the picture. It was labeled 7 pounds. Yuzu wasn't sure why, but she just had to have this picture. It was more than the fact that this woman was stunningly beautiful, it was much more. But Yuzu just wasn't sure why.

Picture in hand, Yuzu walked to the cash register and put it down.

"Found something I see." He said as he looked at the frame.