"The story your mother told you?" an adult asks the twin children.
"Yes, the story about the stars we see are planet shines due to the light in their hearts," The older child answered. "We want to hear more." The older child continued, and the other twin nodded.
"In one of the stars, four people decided to travel across the stars to find a way to prevent war from their home.
The four travelers encountered and learned many things on their travel but cannot find the answer they seek. Until one day, they heard about the Legend of a powerful weapon, the Keyblade. It's a weapon that can only be wielded by a person with a strong heart. It boosts the growth of the wielder's physical body and magic, strong enough to destroy stars. It is also able to open anything, including the door that separates worlds. The Legend stays constant throughout their travel, convincing the four to believe in it. The four seek the Keyblade, hoping to be strong enough to prevent the war that can destroy their home. As they study more about the Keyblade, they learned that it can also open the gate towards the legendary place called Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts is a paradise for everyone. Its gate lies in a Heart shape moon. That only appear once the magical weapon has a wielder. The four now seek the Keyblade, so they can go to Kingdom Hearts and at least save the residents of their home."
"Did they find the magical weapon?" The older twin asked.
"Yes, but only after facing multiple hardships..." the adult told the 13 struggles the Four travelers experience. "With the withe the magical weapon in their hands, they spare no second and open the gate to Kingdom Hearts, end of the story." The adult concluded.
That's it? What happened to them and they have a magical weapon that can open everything. They did not even try to open the television?" The younger twin tugs his twin's cloth, "Can it open the candy jar?" The older twin asked for his sibling.
The old man chuckled, "You only care about the weapon and not Kingdom Hearts?
"But, we are happy at home, with you and mom. We don't need to go to Kingdom Hearts." The older twin stated, and the younger twin nodded in agreement. The older twin continued still insisted on their previous question.
"I'm sure it can, or else it won't be a key that opens everything, but you can't eat the candies or watch television without your mother's permission," the dad answered.
The children grumble, but their dad asks them to promise, so they did.
"Our heart is our guiding key. Not knowledge, emotions, nor anything else." The adult stated, and the two children followed along.
"Go to sleep now before your mom scolds me." The adult tucked them to their bed, "Love you both." The twins return the gesture.
The dad left the room, a woman is waiting for him outside, she said something inaudible other than the dad's name,
Sora...
...
I open my eyes. I was blinded by the light. Once my eyes adjusted, I recognize that I'm in my room at Mistral. My room's door opened.
*Neo's multiple emotion at once noises*
She runs towards me to hug me. So I hug her back.
Multiple footsteps can be heard climbing up the stairs.
"Sora Bro!" I saw Aiden at the door. He went closer to hug me, but Neo stops him. "Oh yeah, Sora Bro, how are you?"
Aunty said you have multiple broken bones.
"Yeah, I'm fine. No discomfort at all. I feel nice, actually." I appreciate Neo's concern for my injuries, but she already tackled me when I woke up.
So...Nevermind.
Behind Aiden was Emerald. She just stands there staring at me but tries to evade eye contact.
Then another set of footsteps can be heard. It's Mom and Big Sis.
"Mom, sorry for—" Big sis hugged me so fast that my body hurts. Seriously, Big Sis, Mom's supposed to do this.
"Ohh Sora, you don't know how worried we were when we learned that you're comatose. It's been nearly 5 weeks. We thought you would never—NO! We know you would wake up—" Big Sis muttered while crying.
"Summer, let us all leave and let the mother and son talk." uncle Tai said, then lead everyone outside.
"But I want to talk to Rara," Ruby said.
"Not now, Ruby. You can talk to Rara later, ok?" Yang said. Ruby is sad, but she nodded.
The door clicked as it closes. The silence remains along with mom and me in my room.
Mom stares at me, but I can't look at her eyes directly. I feel so bad, I wasn't able to keep my promise to her. "I'm sorry, ma, sniff, I can't keep all of my promises."
"Look at me, son," She ordered.
I slowly looked at her. I saw in mom's eyes are not disappointment nor anger, but relief and love. She smiled at me then hug me.
"Sor—" I cut my own words. I smiled, then hug her, "Love you, Ma. I'm back."
"Love you too, my dear," She replied.
We stayed like that for a few minutes, dry our tears, then she sits in front of me.
"Sora, there's something you need to know. Jo—"
"Ma! They haven't found Dad, right? I can saw it with my Vision. There's only a hand inside the coffin. There's a chance, dad is still alive. So NO! I won't attend." I replied.
"... Ok," Mom stands up then leaves the room, "Rest well, just call me if you need something," she said before closing the door.
The door clicked before silence took over the room once more. This time with nobody to break it.
I lay down on my bed. Dad's alive, I'm sure of it. My heart is told me.
A few hours later. Late afternoon.
Knock-Knock echoed to the room.
"It's open," I said.
"Sup hoodie! Ahh!" Yang waved her hand, almost spilling the instant ramen. Luckily Neo was able to catch it.
"WOW! That's so cool," Ruby said.
Neo did a stance, and Ruby claps for her.
I stood up to get the instant ramen from Neo's hand.
"Is this for me?" Neo and Ruby nodded.
"Thanks." I head pat both of them.
Slurp~Slurp~
"I even thought of a good pun." I heard Yang murmured.
Slurp~
She stares at me, annoyed.
"So what's with the hoodie nickname?" I asked.
"Because you sHOODIE ZIPPING the soup while it's still hot! Yeah!" Yang said confidently with a goofy face.
"Ahahaha!" Neo and Ruby laugh with me.
"You get it!" Yang's eyes lit up.
"Nope, but you're funny." I giggled.
Slurp~
"Don't laugh if you don't get it!" She irritatedly punches my arm.
"Ahh!" Yang screamed.
I accidentally drop my instant ramen spoiling the ground. Luckily I ate more than half of the instant ramen.
Neo's hands were still on her hips was surprised.
Ruby gasp "Oh no, Yang," Ruby shook her head with one hand on her mouth and the other pointing at Yang. Neo mimics Ruby.
Yang panicked a bit.
I stood up.
"Ahh!!! Sora, where are you going?" Yang asked.
"I'm going to get the rag and broom to clean the mess, why?" Yang sigh in relief? "If you want to stay here, make sure to not step on the mess," I said to Neo.
"Okay," Ruby said and nodded with Neo.
We went to the bathroom closet.
"So what was that?" I asked Yang.
"With what?" She replied.
"What are you panicking about? It's just spilling food. It's not like you broke something expensive." I continued.
"You don't know, mom. Mom is like a super mom. She's super at taking care of us and loving us but, she's also super at teaching us, if we're wrong, then a consequence is a must." She makes me face her. Put her face closer to me then said, "Don't tell mom about it, Ok?" in a somewhat threatening and begging tone.
"Yeah, sure. It's not a big deal." I step back from her. "How about Ruby?"
"A cookie will do the trick," she grins and
I just smiled.
We went back to my room and noticed Neo and Ruby sleeping on my bed with their stuffed toy.
"Well, I guess they're tired," I said.
"They have been playing since this morning," Yang said.
"I'll clean up the mess. Just fix their sleeping posture," I said.
I wipe the mess then go back to the bathroom to wash the rag. I went back to my room again.
Yang is sitting with Neo and Ruby on my bed. My bed can fit three adults side by side, let alone kids.
I sit on a free space of the bed.
"So when will you guys go home?" I asked.
"Tomorrow morning after the burial." She answered.
"Ok," I respond.
"So... Why didn't you go downstairs?" Yang asked me after some brief silence.
"Will you believe me if I tell you that I think dad's not dead." I did look at the sun setting.
"I do." She said without hesitation.
"Why?" I looked at her, surprised.
She just smiled.
Neo and Ruby replied with a Snor instead.
"Wow, they snored in sync." We started in sync, then we continued talking.
...
I felt my body shaking.
"Yawn...Huh?"
"You 4 sure are in sync." I heard a familiar voice.
"Mommy!" I saw Ruby jumping to someone.
"Big Sis?" I looked around. I noticed that I'm on my bed with Neo, Yang, and I guess Ruby.
"I don't want to ruin your sleep, but we're going home now." She has a playful smile on her face.
"Ahh!" Yang screams and pushes me away.
Giggle...
Mom and Big Sis tried to stop laughing.
We went downstairs and said our farewell.
When Yang's family left.
"Mom, where are Em and Aiden?" I asked.
"They're at your dad's... burial." I stood there in silence.
I saw Yang roll down her window and yelled "I believe in you!" as their car drives away.
"Mom, where is it?" I asked.
"... It's at the artificial waterfall near our backyard." She answered.
"Ok," I replied.
I ran towards the waterfall. Yeah, I will go to the waterfall! I don't acknowledge it as dad's burial.
Even though it's near our backyard, it's still 30 minutes of walking. I run it for less than 10 minutes at top speed needlessly. While catching my breath, I saw Aiden a few meters away from Emerald. Emerald looks like she's barely standing there, and the whole world was going against her. I walk closer to her.
"You know I should be the one depressed, not you," I said. Emerald did not move, but I can see that she's in pain.
"Hey Em, why do you have high respect for dad?" I went side by side with her.
"Sir Joichiro saved us... I included, Even though I'm nothing but a rat and a theft. Thrown by my parents, leaving me nothing. Emerald is a name I gave to myself, and Sustrai is what they called me. I did bad things to sir Joichiro, even though all he did was help us, street children, he helped me. I never care about the future. I just want to survive. All because of sir Joichiro I care about life. I owe him everything. That's why I want to be of use. Now he's gone. Why does he need to die?!" Emerald said after a long silence. She's trying to hold her tears.
I want to hug her, but I hesitated. I don't think it would be helpful, so I just pat her head.
"You're definitely not a rat, and if you do bad things in the past, you can't change it. So just start doing good things from now on. To do that, you must accept that you're alive, not for others but yourself, and dad never left. Everyone's hearts are always connected. We just tend to forget it because we cannot physically touch it or see it, and only through our hearts can we remember. Now feel and listen to your heart. I think dad wants you to be a free person who can choose what to do good things by herself. So choose, will you be my," friend, "sister?" She's surprised but nodded instantly. She hugged me then cry.
What the... I accidentally asked her to be my sister instead of a friend. Well, It's not bad. I have another little sister.
I walk back home with Aiden while carrying Emerald on my back. She fell asleep after crying for a few minutes.
"So, how was your dad?" I asked Aiden.
"Dad's alright. He's busy with Yuna fixing problems with your dad's company. They filed cases against Schnee Dust Company. With the clues gathered to your dad. They can't be accused of murdering uncle Joichiro due to lack of evidence. Many people who've been wrong before, especially the one that was helped by your dad's company, file cases to them as well."
"Yeah, but that won't be enough to close the company, right?" I asked, slightly worried about Granduncle Nick's hard work.
"Yeah, it's not. Unfortunately, no solid evidence was gathered towards Jaques Schnee that can't invalidate his alibi. Dad makes sure that the innocent workers, or at least people who did their jobs legally, won't be affected much. Courtesy towards the previous owner of the Schnee Dust Company. Admit it or not, as the company that monopolizes the dust industries, the majority of the people of Remnant need to rely on them, but a lot of businessmen will take advantage of it. They will lose plenty of assets and probably won't be able to monopolize dust industries." He said.
I don't understand everything Aiden told me, but at least I know that Granduncle Nick's hard work won't be in vain.
"About your dad—"
"I'm fine, bro." I cut Aiden.
"By the way, I saw you sigh in relief a while ago. When I asked Em to be my sister," I said in a teasing manner.
"How did you—I don't know what you mean," He tried to fake it.
"Don't worry as your brother. I won't steal your crush," I said.
He was about to shout, but he noticed that Emerald was still sleeping. So he just walks a bit faster and maintains a certain distance between us.
"But like her brother, you need my approval first," I grinned.
As a result, Aiden ignored me. I walk in haste so to caught up beside him.
"Come on, bro, as long as she likes you, I don't mind. Just make sure to not make her cry or else." I said loud enough for him to hear me but not too loud to wake up Emerald.
He moves further away, then keeps on saying, "I'm listening." I stopped, and we continue to walk in silence.
In the backyard, we hear mom said that we should clean ourselves. Since mom will start cooking lunch. Emerald wakes up a few steps away from our backyard. After I and Aiden bathing, the girls are still not done. They use the master bedroom's bathroom while we use my bathroom in the hallway on the second floor. We help mom with serving the food. Right after serving, the girls went down like they are intentionally waiting. It turns out that Aiden will live with us, leaving him under Mom's care.
We turn my bed into a bunk bed, and we bought another bunk bed for my sisters. After a few weeks, the adoption papers are finally settled. So Neo and Emerald are officially part of the Yukihira family. We decided to be homeschooled because I told mom that I want to be stronger, train with uncle Kiyoshi, and prepare to enroll in Beacon. I told mom what dad told me. The other three also express that they want to get stronger and tag along to learn the truth with me. She accepts with few conditions. Two of them are that we won't train until next summer and we must pass a written test before summer. We live in oppressing silence that slowly dissipates turns into peaceful life. We can stay like this and enroll in a combat academy like other kingdom citizens, but we all want to be stronger and protect each other.
We learn that Neo was the smartest among us four, with me being the second due to my strong memory, then Emerald and Aiden next with nearly the same average. We finally pass the test a month before summer. Emerald learns to open with us, and she loves teasing and arguing with Aiden. Neo learning to be cheeky with Ruby. At least that's what Yang told me. All in all, everything is good, and I enjoy life. The day finally came its summer once again.
We all woke up and went down to greet mom. We heard her talking with somebody else. She was talking to Uncle Kiyoshi and a huge man.
*Neo happy noises*
"Good Morning, Ma"
"Good Morning, Aunty"
We all give her a hug and a kiss.
"Good Morning, uncle Kiyoshi and Sir. I'm Sora, he's Aiden, my best friend, and these two are my little sisters Neopolitan and Emerald." We all bow simultaneously.
"Good Morning Kiddo, the last time I remember this little ice cream is your only sister. Now you have another. I only bought two souvenirs. Since your the oldest, it will be for them, first." Uncle Kiyoshi gave Neo and Emerald an identical bracelet.
"Take it, Em," I said before Emerald can decline.
"Thank you, Uncle," Emerald states her gratitude.
*Neo Thank you noises*
"Ohh, by the way, this is my friend, Cedrick Hale. He will train Aiden Stones." Uncle Kiyoshi continues.
"What?" Aiden reacted.
"You will be trained by Cedrick, Sora will be trained by Kiyoshi, and I will train both Neo and Emerald." Mom said, emitting a dense intent.
TO BE CONTINUED.