Strawberry Kiss

one

chapter one:
minima maxima sunt

Changing school and home is all a tiring process. The bond you have forge in the country you call home is, sad. The sceneries that you have memorize will all just be a memory and not an everyday sight. Sadness erupted inside of my being, as much as I want to stay—unfortunately, I have no say. It's all my father's choice as he is an adult, and I'm not yet.

He does listen to what I have to say, but sometimes, he doesn't have a choice. So here we go, onwards to an another country. And here we are, away from the airport and onto our rented apartment that my father had prepared beforehand. The city buildings were quite a sight, but the scenery that unfolded in the taxi's window was all foreign to me.

It, yes, erupted curiosity and amazement. But I have problems right now, and I have no time to get myself accustomed here. Right, I have to enroll myself in a high school near our apartment while my father find a job. Which he assures me that he will have in no time at all. I doubt that.

Of course, new country means new language. I grew up learning two languages, but this country's language isn't part of those languages I've learned. So before my father moved us here, he taught me his hometown's language: this country's language. And little by little, I learned it. "Arigato, m-mister.." My father was quick to translate what I have just said, to which the driver smile at me before bowing; as saying thank you and retreating to his taxi.

Well, I can't speak it very well. I still forget things—can't help it. Yes. I am now currently in Japan—Kamakura to be more specific. My father is japanese before he married my mom, who is a half Filipina and half English.

I stare at the apartment building, which was nowhere as big as our home in England, but looks good. "Let's go inside and greet the landlady." I nod and follow his lead—dragging my baggages. As we enter the door, we were greeted by darkness. Well, a bit. Did they even know what lightbulbs is?

A boy my age came and said the following words in japanese. I couldn't comprehend what he was saying really, it was fast. He is talking fast. "Oh! They you are! My mom informed me you'll be arriving at somewhere in seven." My father translated, and that's when the boy notices me. His face imitate a glow.

He cleared his voice before looking up to me. "H-hi, my Lady."

I was staring at him, and tries hard to not laugh at his broken english and weird japanese accent coating his english greeting to me. But I applaud his hard work. "We need to see our room, right now." I spoke in Japanese that shock him.

Good lord. This guy's really weird, but funny nevertheless. After his initial shock, he lead us upstairs—second floor, to our apartment room. Which was spacious and has two rooms, a singular bathroom, a kitchen, and a mini living room. And I can see myself eating in the living room, in front of the television.

"I hope you live in prosperity while you're here." He said again, which my father thanked him. In the corner of my eye, I can see him looking at me. "And welcome to Japan, I hope you enjoy your stay." He said before closing the door.

I let go of my baggage and walk towards the window of the living room and saw a balcony. I look at the scenery behind our apartment before I could here Papa sitting down on one of the couches. He gives a sigh before speaking in english.

"I'm sorry again, Hyacinth, you have a good life in England but then... I just don't know what your mom is really thinking honestly." He said, and lacing in his voice is deep sadness as he mentions Mama.

"Its okay, Papa. I've already told you, didn't I? I'm okay. This place's amazing, and country's nice too. I mean, I've always wanted to see some cherry blossoms, it might be late now, but there's next year." He look up to me, so I smile at him to assure him that I was fine. 'Was.' But I need to always remember, small things matter.

Why did we move from England to here in Kamakura, Japan? Its Daphne Marianna Campbell–Mizuha, my Mama's last will.