A Single Tear

Chapter 1

Layers and layers of snow piled up at my feet, my breath slowly slipping away from me. I struggled to keep my book at my side, as I lost my grip each time I vigorously lifted up my foot. I sprinted until I saw the train, determined to make it home today. I turned the corner and watched as it started off, full of people. People that were much more lucky than I. My thoughts angered me as I threw my bag against the floor and slumped back against a lonely bench turned white from the blizzard. I tucked my book under my jacket, and leaned back. It was cold, just like then...

My three sisters and I had been raised in Kamagaski, Osaka. We were always on the streets, but with the help of a generous shopkeeper, we were all sent to school.
The snow had been coming down lightly. It was Akami's day to scavenge for food--but it was cold. Really cold. And all she had was a jacket.
Being the oldest, I offered to go two days in a row. I had my coat, and I figured it wouldn't be very hard, considering how lightly the snow was falling. I grabbed the last apple, and went on what I thought would be a quick trip.
I walked to the market with urgency. I didn't trust my two other sisters with Akami. I loved her, but they looked for any reason to hurt her. She had always been a target in our family. Her wide eyes, long blonde hair, and that little bit of blush she had were enough to set Miku, the second oldest, off. Miku would say to Akami, "Your deep blue eyes don't mean anything but emptiness."

"She's just jealous," I'd say, "She thinks she should be pretty just because of her name."
Miku was beautiful, though. The way her trimmed black hair caught the light when she walked, how one look at her could make any boy blush, but more than anything, her eyes. Those dark brown eyes caught the gaze of everyone. The way you could get lost in them was what made them so appealing. Never were we able to identify all the colors in them. A hint of green, some gray, maybe even some blue--but no matter how long you looked at them, you'd never find even a speck of happiness.
Himei, the third oldest, was just cruel. I never saw her even attempt to love anyone, especially not Akami. Himei was cold, rude, and never had the will or theability to love someone. She had long black hair and those same dark brown eyes that could of been beautiful if they weren't always so scrunched up.

Akami went missing that day, six whole years ago. I came to Tokyo to continue my search for her. My two other sisters hesitantly followed along, annoyed by my perseverance and excited for new opportunities.
"Hey! Miyagishima!"

I was snapped out of my trance as I heard my name called. I sat up, and slapped on my usual emotionless face. "Hi, Satou," I said in my most quiet and neutral voice.

I admired Satou. Not only was he adorable, but he was never afraid of anything. His messy light brown hair reached just below his ears, complimenting his usual yellow jacket. He always had a huge smile on his face, and an adorable little blush right above his cheeks.
Out of the whole college, he was the only person who ever managed to have a full conversation with me. The way my nose was always in a book and my put-together black attire was enough to keep people from talking to me. One day, Satou had come up to me, and asked me about my book.

"It's called 'Every Day'," I had said hesitantly, "It's a really good book about identity."

"Cool! I want to read it! Who's it by?"

His enthusiasm had surprised me. The way he actually seemed interested in what we were talking about, and the gentleness he spoke with. A gentleness that showed he wasn't trying or going to bother me, and a gentleness that told me all I needed to know to realize he cared.

"What are you doing out here, Miyagishima? It's so cold! And all you have is a jacket? Here! Let me get you a coat. I had a friend once who got really sick after being outside all day in the cold. I couldn't even see him for Christmas! And we had fried chicken and everything!" His words trailed off as I sat waiting for a coat. The time seemed to be passing slower than ever, my memories and the situation I ended up in yet again weighing down on me."Here you go!" He said enthusiastically, handing me a much-too-large bright red coat.

"Thank you," I responded, grabbing my bag and turning around to walk off in my own direction.
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I walked along the snow covered bricks as I approached the door, dreading that I had to come here. Slowly, I raised my hand to the door, and knocked. I waited for a while before I saw shadows shuffling around. For a second, I regretted coming here, and started to turn away. But, suddenly, the door flew open.
"Oh, look who it is, Himei!" She said, turning back to me, with a devilish smirk growing on her face, "We sure haven't seen you in a while, Daitan."
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Alright! That's it for chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed. If I get enough feedback, I'll upload chapter 2 (or if I get bored of waiting). So far, I only have chapters 1 & 2 done, so if you have ideas, give me them after chapter 2 is uploaded(if it is). Thanks for reading!

--Leah