Project Eden

Project Eden Chapter 1

It was a rainy morning in my village, and I was getting ready to go to school. My father, Hitoshi Katawa, works at a farm, so we don't have that much money. Still, he could afford a small car even though we were in so much debt. I was lost in my own thoughts when he called me back to reality.

Hitoshi: "Hikari! I've called you three times now! Come on, get ready, or we will be late."

Hikari: "In a minute, Dad!" I said, as I quickly ran downstairs to eat my breakfast.

Hitoshi: "So, Hikari, mind explaining why your grades keep dropping so low?" My father asked, making me nervous as I was not ready to explain the kind of thoughts I've been having recently.

Hikari: "O-Oh, t-that's because I haven't been paying much attention in classes. They've been pretty hard for me." I said ,trying to make and excuse, but to my father, it was easy to read me like a book.

Hitoshi: "Hikari, you know you can talk to me about anything ,right?"

Hikari: "Y-yeah,dad,i know" I looked, down trying to hide my face.

After a moment of silence, my father gently placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch a mixture of comfort and concern. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, and I struggled to find the courage to open up about the storm raging within me.

Hitoshi: "Hikari, we're a family. We face challenges together. If something is bothering you, I want to help."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt the warmth of his understanding. It was as if a dam had burst, and I couldn't contain the emotions any longer.

Hikari: "Dad, it's just... everything feels so overwhelming since Mom and... and everything changed."

He pulled me into a tight embrace, allowing me to release the emotions I had been holding back. As the weight lifted, I found solace in his presence, a glimmer of hope in the midst of my struggles.

Hitoshi: "I miss her too, Hikari. We all do. It's okay to feel this way, but you don't have to face it alone, now let's get reay cause we have a huge day to fight."

I looked at him, smiling, knowing how much he supported me and how he would be there... or at least I thought so for over 10 minutes...

As my father drove through the streets, a colossal light suddenly loomed before us. I glanced at him, smiling, appreciating the unwavering support he always provided. But in that moment, something shifted. For a brief, haunting moment, his screams were silenced.And then... it all went black.After what felt like an eternity, I regained consciousness. The car, now engulfed in flames, was a charred wreckage. I found myself in an ambulance, the aftermath of a collision with a truck that had recklessly veered into our path. Frantically searching for my father, I couldn't locate him. It was then that I noticed paramedics rushing to the car, delicately extracting someone and placing them on a stretcher. The person's head appeared to have suffered a devastating impact, and as the truth sank in, I recognized the lifeless figure as my father.In that heart-wrenching moment, tears streamed down my face. I had not only lost my family, but also the pillar of support that held my world together. The magnitude of the tragedy unfolded before me, leaving me with a profound emptiness—an indescribable sorrow that echoed the loss of everything I once held dear.

After some time, I gathered the few belongings my father had left me. It wasn't much – just a key to a house and a letter. I sat down, unfolding the paper with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. My father's handwriting danced across the page, each word a bittersweet echo of the man I had lost.

"My dear Hikari,If you're reading this, it means I'm no longer by your side. I want you to know that my love for you transcends the boundaries of time and space. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes it takes us down paths we never imagined.I've left you a key to a house in Tokyo. It's a place I've always wanted you to experience, a city pulsating with life and opportunities. Inside, you'll find memories of us and the chance to create new ones. Embrace the journey that lies ahead.Enclosed you'll also find a photograph – a person who played a significant role in my life. Your journey in Tokyo is not just about discovering the city; it's about unraveling the connections that bind us all.Live, learn, and love, my dear. In every challenge, find the strength to rise. You are resilient, and the world is waiting for the light within you.With all my love,Hitoshi"

As I read his words, a mix of sorrow and hope welled up within me. Tokyo, with its neon-lit streets and hidden mysteries, became both a daunting challenge and a beacon of possibility. Clutching the photograph, I couldn't help but wonder about the person who had left such an indelible mark on my father's life. The city held the answers, and with my father's words as my guide, I embarked on a journey to Tokyo, where the past and the future intertwined in the tapestry of my life.