Saturday morning I had a dream, or rather, I remembered the past. I thought back to the day my mother slapped me. Final grades had been posted and it was confirmed that I was going to graduate my middle school with the second highest marks, this was a good indicator that I could get into a good high school. My mother also got a promotion that day, she would become the dean of music and the arts at Tokyo University (the position she now holds). As her child, I essentially had a free career path laid out before me, and for relatively cheap, all I had to do was stay the model student I always had been. To anyone else this might have sounded like a dream come true, some were probably jealous of my position, but I hated it. Day in and day out my mother wanted me to be better, I had to play music perfectly, get the best academic scores, I had to push myself to the limit, I couldn't hang out with friends, or do other extracurricular activities, I had slowly drowned in sheets of music and expectations. That night at dinner, the course of my life changed.
We went to a fancy restaurant to celebrate and discuss what our futures would now be like. The people who went were my aunt, mother, step father, and myself. We were placed in the back of the restaurant with very few people around us. Aunt Kokoro and Siren (step father) were across from one another, and me and my mother were sitting across from one another. I was next to my aunt. "All of these items look amazing! Kyomeowta, get whatever you want ok." My aunt said leaning next to me, "stop calling me that, I'm not a kid anymore." As we ordered our food, my mother told me, "Kyoyota, I signed you up for a new music program since your current one stops teaching after middle school. I have also signed you up for an entrance exam at Ongaku High school." (A prestigious private high school specializing in the arts), "you will take the exam this Friday."
I looked at my mothers dead fish like eyes, she had no expression on her face, and I froze in telling her my honest thoughts. We sat in silence. The food arrived after about twenty minutes, the waiter set down the plates in front of us. Maybe it was the break in silence, or the thought that since we were in public nothing bad would happen, but as the waiter left.
"Mom, I don't want to go down the path of music any longer, I want to go to Hanab-" My mother slapped me across the face. At that moment she only processed my words, not why I said them, or my feelings on the matter, she only heard the words before slapping me across the face. It was a hard slap and it came unexpectedly, I dropped my fork, and there was a red imprint on my face.
I was stunned for a moment only looking in the direction of where she slapped me. My aunt immediately stood up and grabbed my shoulder, "Asa!! Why would you hit your own son?" The answer was obvious. I insulted her, I insulted the thing that she has loved far longer than before I was born. To my mother, it must have felt like I slapped her kindness in the face, so she hit me. "Kyoyota, apologize." My mother demanded me to say. My fear of her must have run pretty deep because, "I … I" My aunt grabbed my shoulder tighter, not in a painful way, but to stop me from saying anything. "Asa! Do you feel nothing towards him? He said he wants to go to Hanabira, so let him stay with me since you obviously don't love him!" My aunt tried to pull my mothers attention towards her to keep the heat and pressure off me. My mother paused for a moment.
"Fine, if that child somehow manages to get into Hanabira then he can stay with you, until his grades slip. If he fails to get into the school, then he stays with me, and you, sister, are to leave this family alone." My mother said this while passing by my aunt leaving the restaurant. I slowly titled my head back to the table.
I woke up being grateful that my sister wasn't there to witness that drama. Something I didn't really think about at the time. Yuuki's words popped into my head, "you're her older brother though, you should try to talk to her. I am sure she will be happy if you give her some attention." I thought for a moment before getting out of bed, I got dressed, and headed over to building 001, my aunt's place. She opened the door, she was wearing a nice white sundress with flowers and accessories, even on her days off she wore nice clothing. "What is it Kyomeowta? You don't look that well, are you sick?" She put her hand on my forehead. "Mind if I come in?" As I entered I sat at her kitchen table, she got me a cup of tea. "I need to ask a pretty big favor." I said with a serious tone and expression.
"I would do anything for you."
"I was selfish … I left Mei in that household all alone, without any kind of warning. I didn't even say bye to her! I don't know if she hates me, or what she thinks of me … Please, if Mei agrees to it, take her to see my school's welcoming festival."
"Ok" She was almost instant in her response, "if she agrees, then I will take her. Neither you nor I are on speaking terms with my sister; however, I can try to call her later."
"I got it, I will call the house phone, that way you don't have to do more than needed. I just wanted to know if you were willing to take her, I will let you know when to pick her up. Thank you."
"If calling them is too hard for you I can do it. I can tell you have really grown in the last month, I am proud of you." I was truly grateful to my aunt, I left a moment after I asked this favor of her. I headed back into my place and pulled out my phone. I slowly dialed the Arianagi house phone number and clicked the call button. At the final ring, which felt like an eternity, someone picked up the phone.
"Hello there young mater Kyoyota, it has been far too long." My nervousness faded away, as the family housemaid, Annie, picked up the phone. Within that house, she was the only one I was close with. "Hello Annie, I have a favor to ask. Can you see if Mei wants to see the Hanabira high welcoming festival with me and Aunt Kokoro? It will be held between noon-7pm this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday."
"Consider it done, I will ask the young mistress now and give you her response."
"Thank you, also please call me Kyo, I don't care much for formalities."
"I wasn't sure if that request had changed since you left, I will do that from now on." About three minutes passed before Annie got back to me on the phone. "Brother?! Are you there!?" For the first time in almost a month I heard my little sister's voice. "Hey there Mei! How are you?"
"I really really really" she breathed in, "realllllyyy want to go!"
"Great! Aunt Kokoro will pick you up and we can hang out, does that sound ok?"
"Yup! Hehe! Here is Annie." I heard her tell Mei to head back to her room. "Annie, how do I convince my mother of this?"
"Please don't fret young master Kyo, I have a plan for that, but it will only work Friday."
"One day is fine with me, thank you Annie. And please don't add 'young master' that defeats the purpose."
"My bad, it will not happen again young master Kyo … oops, I did it again. Well if you will now excuse me." She hung up before I could say anything back to her, I really did miss my conversations with her. I am glad that neither Annie nor Mei seem to be mad at my leaving. I sighed in relief. I informed my aunt that Friday would work best. I was looking forward to next week.