Her Captain, The Gamemaster

Leaving Everything She Knew Behind

~Back to Present~

I stare at my reflection just a little longer, looking at my red eyes, my nubby skin still puffy from crying and the small marks from where the rivers of my tears once flowed through. I close my eyes to ease the irritation and I begin to get changed into my pajamas. I slip my legs through the pants and pull up my sleeves but just as I begin to button up my top, I pause.

'These were a gift from Soo-ah when we moved in together,'

I think back to that small memory in the back of my head, bringing it forth as I remember the events of that one day.

~flashback~

'LI-AH!' the familiar voice of a 12-year-old Soo-ah echoed down the hallways of XinShan Elementray School. She made her way on my right and automatically begins talking. As usual.

'We're graduating soon!'

'Mhm,' I think, knowing she can understand me.

'Do you have any plans for after graduation? Like your middle school or something?'

'Maybe, maybe not,'

She gasped upon looking at my expression. 'HUH?!? WHERE?!?'

I say nothing but I know my eyes betray me.

'Japan, huh?'

I nod mentally while turning to exit the school gates.

'I mean, our Japan branch is pretty athletic. XinShan's branch there specializes in A.I technology and volleyball, right?'

'and pharmaceuticals, but yes,'

Nodding at my 'reply', she continues. 'So you're gonna go to that really strong one in Tokyo?'

I pause for a second, contemplating my choice. 'Maybe,'

'Well, you'd be really good no matter where you go,'

'I don't want to bother my family by going somewhere so far and expensive,'

'I doubt they'll mind. Your family doesn't mind anything you do and they'd be proud. Besides, you're rich,'

'You mean, they don't care about anything I do? And I'm not rich,'

'I get that your parents are busy all the time but you know they care. And you are rich. Your money's social security is attracting social security,'

'My family is old. That's it. Our money is untouchable for even me and can hardly count as being ours,'

'Well it is yours. You have uni funds right?'

'Yeah, but I want to earn a scholarship, not rely on money and reputation,'

'I guess that makes sense,'

There was a pause.

'I think I want to go to Okinawa'

'HUH. You mean that really cold island in North Japan?'

'Yeah,'

'Why?'

'It's quiet out there. And you know I can't do well in extreme weather but at least I can do something about the cold. I can't do anything about the heat,'

'Hmm, ok,'

There was another pause.

'Where are you going to go?'