Mizu was in awe seeing new and bright things outside the window of the running train. The bright pink flowers of fully bloom Sakura tree, the sparkling blue water of the sea, the conical mountain with snow cups on the top, the red tori gate she saw in the distance, the shrines, the skyscraper buildings that even her eyes can't see the top, and the crowded people wearing gallant clothes much better than the people she saw in town. She was so overwhelmed seeing new things that she can't stop her mouth to gape open.
Today she seems to look like an ordinary kid.
Yuri and Taiga, the married couple was smiling sweetly seeing her enjoying the scenery with them.
This kindhearted couple was living in District 20. A place where people live in prosperity and harmony. Their small house was only one story, build strong with cement, modeled in western type house. There's a wide space in front where a beautiful garden full of different flowers in bloom were planted. The ground was full of Bermuda grass, making the ground covered in green. It has a splendid landscape. In just a glance, you can tell it was being taken care of very earnestly.
"Is this my new house?" Mizu was gaping with astonishment. To her, this kind of house was already like a mansion. Ten times much better than the old one.
"Welcome home~," both of her new parents said while holding her rough hand, tightly. This is too much warmed.
To live in a strongly built house, without worrying about the water linking in the roof during the rainy season and the freezing snow during winter. To ride an extravagant train, seeing the enchanting scenery of land and sea, and the tallest buildings. To eat sweets and soft ice cream. To have candy in the pocket. To bath in a proper shower room with soap and fragrance shampoo, not just in a river. To dress cleanly without any patches or holes. To have a personal room and comfortable bed, Mizu wishes she can show and share these with Kuro and the kids. She felt guilty to be the only one who can experience this upcoming comfy life.
Mizu follows the delicious smell coming from the kitchen, making her mouth drooling and stomach grumbling. Stepping outside of her room, there she saw a set of food place nicely on the small wooden table, preparing by her Aunt Yuri, who was still wearing her frill light blue apron while merrily chatting with her husband. Seeing her peeking they stopped and laughed softly, "Come here Mizu…"
She jolted and shyly went towards them, seated in a prepared small chair solely for her. Looking at these delicious dishes in this close distance makes her eyes sparkling in delight and drooling was in the intense flow. Before she can dig in, the married couple prayed first while closing their eyes, she stared into them blankly, but still follow their doings, clasping her hands together and afterward dig in.
"Um-mm~" she expressed, this is the most delicious food she'd ever taste, making her melt. This is the first proper meal she ever has after her Mother did the last time. Remembering those happy rare memories, wishing it every day to happen once again, made her cry, as for now and in the future, it won't be happening again, as her real mother was already gone. She was yearning for that moment, but now it will just remain on her wish and will never be granted.
This made the couple to panic asking what's wrong or does the food taste bad. Mizu is just shaking her head vigorously. Later, she faces them with that wide warm smile, "Thank you… it's delicious," a visage full of her emotions and gratefulness, acceptance, and moving forward to a new life with a new family.
The couple instantly embraces her tightly, "You can call us, Mama and Papa." Yuri said in a low sweet voice while brushing softly her long hair.
Mizu looked at them in blinking, and mouth open, trying, "M-m-aunt!" "Uncle…" she then shyly looked down, she still can't call them that way.
The couple just chuckled softly, seems the first attempt is failed. But they know, later on, Mizu will be comfortable calling them as their new parents.
In one month…
Mizu was legally adopted as Sodomaki's daughter. Now, living as Mizu Sodomaki. Taiga her adoptive father was a police officer, Yuri her aunt and adoptive mother was a florist and love gardening. She also found out her mother Hana was been kicked out by his own father as she loves to go to the night party without their permission. Rebelling for giving all the attention to her younger step-sister, and for divorcing her own mom and finding another woman. She stabs Yuki in the leg giving his father a reason to outcast her. For years they have no news for her, and she never goes back. But her Father regrets what he decided out of anger, he loves her so much that even with his last breath, he mentioned her name.
Then Hana died without asking for forgiveness for her Father, nor see each other again. A tragic story between a father and a daughter, related fully in blood.
Mizu was taught by her aunt on how to read and write and she learned it quickly in a short time. Everything they do is something new to her. Every weekend they visited the slums and Mizu was so excited every time that day will come. Yuri also teaches the kids along with Mizu to read and write, sometimes reading them a fairy tale story. Her husband Taiga was constructing the kid's hideout with woods to build it stronger, to withstand against the storm and snow with the help of they do picnic or fishing on the riverbank. Also, they've always visited her mother's grave.
Mizu mirthfully told her peers' stories of what she saw outside the slums and showed them pictures she captured in the camera, the kids were listening attentively with amazement. And of course, she will never forget the things they want. She was able to buy it by helping her aunt in their flower shop. The day spending with her peers was always the most enjoyable ever.
Standing on the platform, waiting for the train to come and going home. Looking at the back of her aunt and uncle, their presence was warmth like the morning sun. Ever since then, they still waiting for Mizu to accept them as her parents wholeheartedly.
Inhaling a plentiful of air, she exclaimed with all her thankful feelings, "Ma! Pa! Thank you so much!" hugging them tightly in the back. Yuri and Taiga were stunned, her voice was repeated several times in their mind. This was the words they are desperately waiting for their child to call them, "Ma" and "Pa". They were filled with overflowing happiness, and hug Mizu back while crying loudly like a kid, not minding the number of people watching them.
Mizu's longing for the love of a parent, and a mother, was now fulfilled by their presence. She was so lucky to meet them and the wish of the couple to have a child was also fulfilled by her. As if they were destined to be met. For a while, they embrace each other tightly.
+
Learning everything, teaching with her so unbelievably fast. The couple decided to enroll her in a school by passing the Alternative Learning System exam. In just her first take, she was allowed to attend school in a grade level, corresponding to her age.
Though with a group of kids her age, Mizu didn't befriend anyone. She was then known as an icy individual, alone, and isolated to everyone. She has this in mind that she hates their guts, through observing them in the corner, she found out that these individuals were full of plasticity. Acting and pretending to their friends as if they were real friends but the truth is they are backstabbing to each other.
Some don't know how to help their own group in times of dire situation, instead, they just laugh at them when they were being scolded by a teacher or they just watched when something horrible happened to their so-called friends. Others bully the weak and praise the strong, admired the superior, and stepping on the inferior. But no one dares to bully her, for a reason that they are afraid of Mizu. The school has a bunch of spoiled brats. Mizu and those kids have different worlds and they will never be clicked to her.
Those kids in the slums were her only precious friends. Wherever she goes, no one can replace them.
In a blink of an eye, it was already 5 years.