Byakko

Prologue

"Why do you have to leave?" The young girl questioned the boy sitting across from her in her room. The small Asian boy glanced up from the puzzle. "I'm not sure, Harriet. My father never told me." He responded with a light voice. The girl named Harriet only sighed. The boy was always shrouded in mystery for a twelve-year-old. "But...Mister Yamamoto said you two were going home back to Japan, right? Had something happened? James?" Harriet pressed on, hoping that she would receive an answer. James flinched when she called out that name. It was his English name once he and his father moved to England.

"I don't know." He restated, his tone getting a bit colder. He hoped that if he didn't reveal too much, she would let it alone. But, he appeared to be incorrect. "But what about school? You would have to start over!" She exclaimed, no longer interested in finishing their puzzle together. School; the nightmarish battleground he had to endure every day. Being from the Japanese empire after World War Two had its disadvantages. Everyone would deem you as a potential killer or a monster due to your mother country's evil deeds in the past. He was unsure why he, a boy from a different generation, had to suffer the prejudice from his peers.

Due to this, he did not have many friends. Harriet seemed to have been the only one who looked past his ethnicity and saw that he was no more than the introverted boy. It made him wonder if she only befriended him out of pity. Granted, she was a year or two younger than him and did not yet know of what his country's history held. "I can handle not being in school. No one wants me there anyway." He finally answered, putting a piece in its place. Harriet frowned, not getting the answer she wanted. "But-" Before the girl could interject, a blonde woman opened the door and smiled down at the two. "Harriet. James. Come downstairs to get lunch." She announced before disappearing from the doorway.

James almost immediately stood to his feet, holding out his hand for his friend to take before leading her down. The three adults had already settled down at the table, lunch awaiting them. James had let go of Harriet's hand and moved to sit close to his father, picking at his food. His father only stared down at him in pity. He had to take his son away from home, from his school, and his one true friend. "It's a shame you have to leave, Emory," Arthur commented, gently patting Harriet's head. Emory only nodded, his brown eyes flickering up to meet Mr. Thomas's. "It is, unfortunately. Hopefully, all goes well for both of us." He responded, glancing back down at his son.

"Will you two adjust? I'm sure you haven't been back home for so long." Mabel added, giving the boy a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure. Not much has changed, I hope." Emory stated, not wanting his neighbors to worry for them. Harriet stopped chewing and looked up at the older man. "But why are you going back?" She chimed in, her voice annoyed. Mabel stared in shock at her daughter's outburst. "Harriet Olivia Thomas! You do not shout at the table! About personal business, no less!" She chastised. Emory only chuckled. "It's alright, Mabel. Well, little Harriet. I got called back to work by the emperor. I cannot simply leave James here." He answered with a light-hearted tone. "But, he can-" "I'm going." James interrupted, his tone blunt and chilled. Emory immediately gazed down at his son, who only stared at his empty plate.

"I guess that's the cue for us to get ready to get on the plane." Emory broke the silence to lighten the atmosphere. "Oh...right! Yes, you should be getting prepared." Arthur spoke up, watching the two stand. "It was nice to see you two again for the last time until you return." He added, leading the two towards the door. "I'm sure we will see you again, my friend," Emory commented, helping James into his raincoat and boots. The two men exchange their farewells before the Yamamotos headed out into the city. James stared at his feet, watching his reflection in the puddles of rainwater. "Wait!" A tiny voice called out towards him, causing him to stop.

Harriet was dashing after him, her raincoat crudely worn around her shoulders. "You never said goodbye." She called out after finally catching up with him. James's eyes slowly rose to stare at the girl before him. "Sayonara." He stated, moving to turn away to follow his father. "But...James-" She attempted to call before he whipped back around, anger in his eyes. "Don't. Don't ever call me 'James' again. Stop following me." He harshly demanded. It hurt him a bit that he had to raise his voice at her, but her constant pestering that him leaving made him feel worse. Staring at the teary teal eyes of the young girl, he spun back to stomp after his father, never seen again.