"The problem with heroes is that we admire them, but we don't want them to be our parents. We want them to be someone else's heroes."
– The Story of Ming Lan
3 August 2017
Osaka, Japan
"Oh, Oscar!" Emiko's mom exclaimed, startled as he appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "I didn't know you were still awake. Did we wake you? I'm sorry."
It was 12 a.m., the cool air circulating through the dimly lit living room. Two suitcases were laid open in front of Emiko's mom. Nearby, Emiko's dad walked over with a few travel-sized toiletries. Books and half-folded clothes were scattered around the suitcases. The faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, likely from a candle Emiko's mom always lit. The soft hum of the refrigerator in the adjacent kitchen added a soothing background noise to the scene.
"Oh, no, no. I was talking to my mom over the phone. I just came down to get a glass of water." Oscar's eyes surveyed the living room, a question forming in his head. "Are you guys... going somewhere?"
"Yea, there seems to be a flu outbreak in Kyoto right now, and they are low on manpower. Obasan and I are going there to support them. It was a last-minute call," Emiko's father explained, gesturing to himself and his wife as he handed her the toiletries to pack.
"You don't mind us leaving, right? I'll still get Kotoko's mom to check in on you guys. I'll call when I'm free too." Emiko's mom looked apologetically at Oscar, who was still standing on the last step of the stairs.
"Oh, yea, that's okay. How long will you guys be gone?" Oscar asked as he finally stepped off the stairs.
"Maybe a month at worst," the mom replied, looking at her husband for confirmation, to which he nodded.
"Oh, then would Emiko be home alone for the next three and a half weeks?" Oscar asked again, concern lacing his voice.
Emiko's mom slowly nodded her head. "She'll be fine. I think she has gotten used to it already."
'Used to it? Was this how things usually were for Emiko? Was she alone here most of the time?' Oscar thought to himself.
◇
After finishing his chat with the Tsuruga couple, Oscar was making his way up to his temporary room when a crack of light from the level above caught his eye. It wasn't like that just now.
Oscar took the stairs up and walked to the door leading to the rooftop deck, then slowly ascended up the next flight of stairs.
When he reached the deck, he saw a small figure leaning against the grey railing. The girl's raven hair and oversized pyjamas fluttered in the wind as she stared off into the distance.
Oscar had to admit, the night view of Osaka, even from a roof four levels high and away from the busier side of the city, was nothing short of breathtaking. The city sprawled out below, a vast expanse of twinkling lights and neon signs in vibrant hues of blue, red, and green. Above, the sky was a dark, inky blue, dotted with a few scattered stars that managed to shine through the city's glow. It was summer, yet the air was cool and crisp as the soft wind blew.
Emiko suddenly let out a few sneezes, snapping Oscar out of his trance. He slowly walked over to her and draped his jacket over her shoulders.
Emiko jumped, snapping out of her thoughts.
"Thanks," Emiko said softly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she gave him a small smile before returning her gaze to the city. Oscar couldn't help but smile back, his heart warming at the sight of her but...
YOU ARE READING
Daarin | ダーリン | Oscar Piastri
Fanfiction|ON GOING| 7 years ago, an exchange programme brought them together, with a documentary on the side. And here they were again, 7 years later. Just like when they were 16, but... it was different this time. Start: 15 July 2024 End: Book 1 of the stri...
