The Dusk Paradigm | VOCALOID AU | WITH OCS

Fukase | Chapter 20: Grandma Mayako

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Fukase awoke from his short slumber. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Ruko was watching TV with the volume down. "You awake?" he asked. Fukase nodded. "How long did I sleep?" "Only about fourty minutes."

Ruko got up from the armchair and sat next to him. "We got a call informing us you'll be staying with grandma Mayako for about three weeks," he said. "Why!? What about Papa?" Fukase cried. Ruko put his finger on Fukase's lips. "You didn't let me finish. Teto just picked him up from the hospital and she's on her way to drop him off to a help center." he said, "We'll will pick you up and drop you off for school." "Why can't I just stay with you?" asked Fukase. "Kiddo, we have to deal with a baby crying every night. You need some peace and quiet after everything."

Fukase opened his mouth to protest, but realized he was probably right. "Okay." he said in defeat. "Ruko gestured Fukase to get up. "Come on, let's go get stuff from your house."

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I was in my room, stuffing clothes in my bag. Luckily, Daisy and Bella were already at Uncle Ruko and Aunt Teto's, so I didn't need to worry about them. I was looking through my bedside table if I needed anything, but I noticed that freaking picture. It was me, Mama, and Papa. They were smiling, and I looked confused with a finger in my mouth.

I grabbed it and stuffed it in my bag. I grabbed a few things from my bedside table and left the house, Ruko waiting for me in the car. It just happened to be raining today.

Uncle Ruko gave me a big hug before leaving after he dropped me off. Grandma greeted me with a hug and a bunch of kisses on my forehead and cheeks. "Come on baby, it's cold and wet," she said, guiding me inside. "Go throw your stuff in the guest room, okay?" I nodded. Down the hall was the guest room, a bathroom, and another room that grandma never let me in. It had a sign with Japanese written on it, but I'm not that fluent in Japanese, I kinda forgot alot after Mama died.

The house was a bungalow, so it only had one floor. I entered the guest room, putting my things down beside the closet. The room smelled of lime. It was pure white and tidy, grandma always cleaned it good. I went back to the sitting room to see her on the sofa. "Hey, grandma." "Hello baby, you need something to eat? Come on, you look hungry."

"No, I'm not-—" "Oh hush, come here." she said, cutting me off! I sighed and followed her into the kitchen. "You want some macaroni cheese?" she asked. I knew she was gonna make some whether I said yes or no, so I just nodded. Plus, macaroni cheese is my favorite food. She was preparing the food while I paced awkwardly around the kitchen.

She glanced at me with a smile. "Why dont you go have a bath while I cook, okay?" she said. "Okay." I said, making my way to the guest room to find pajamas. I looked at the alarm clock, showing seven o'clock. Was it that late already? Today was long, but it still felt early. I shook my head and went into the bathroom, but paused.

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“Dad, wake up!” he cried.
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I gasped, realizing I spaced out for a minute or two. I put my hand on my chest and panted. Dad...Dad...

I was alone, so no one could distract me from my thoughts. I covered my ears and closed my eyes.

“Dad, wake up!”
“Mama? Mama!”
“Papa? Papa, wake up!”

"Shut up..." I murmured to myself. "Shut up, shut up!" I cried. Grandma knocked on the door. "大丈夫ですか？" she asked. I realized how loud I was, I felt my face heat up from embarrassment. "Uh, yeah! Sorry." I said. She tapped the door. "Baby, are you sure?" "はい、おばあちゃん !" I said. "Okay, be careful." she said. I sighed and calmed myself down before turning the warm water on.

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I examined my wet hair in the mirror, realizing how long it was getting. It was growing past my neck, and it always make my neck sweat! That was really annoying, and I knew it needed a trim but Papa never bothered to trim it for me anymore. "Fukase, supper is ready!" called grandma. I threw my old clothes in the basket and went into the kitchen.

"ありがとう。" I said, taking the plate from her and sitting down. She sat across from me with that usual smile on her face. "You've grown up so much. And your hair is getting long. Would you like a trim after you eat?" she offered. I nodded quickly, my mouth full. "Yes, please!" I mumbled. "Don't talk with your mouth full!" she scolded.

I swallowed and gasped. "I've been needing a cut for months, but Papa doesn't cut it for me anymore."

Grandma chuckled. "You're lucky that I used to be a hairdresser. When your mother was a kid, I always cut her hair and put it in the cutest styles." "Really?" "Of course! Before moving here, our family owned a shop in Japan. We weren't famous, but it was more of a local thing." she explained. I took another bite before speaking again, "So did you teach Mama to do hair? She always cut it for me."

"Bingo!" she grinned. I let out a small chuckle. "Hey grandma?" "Yes, love?"

"How are you so smiley and happy? I mean, I'd probably be sad for the rest of my life if my child passed away, you seem to keep things easy." I said. I knew I probably shouldn't have, watching grandma's face expression change.

"I'm not really happy, I just try to find a positive outlook on life. You and the others are all I have left. Your grandfather passed away a few years before you were born, and then Yuna." she said, taking a bite of macaroni. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." I whispered. "No, it's okay. It's just not easy like you said, It felt surreal seeing my youngest in such condition." she said. I nodded.

"How's school been?" she said, changing the topic. "A new girl came in my class." I said. She smirked. "A new girl, hm? What's her name? Do you like her?" Gosh, I hate when she teases like that. "No, but her name is Vanessa and she goes by Flower." "Really? What does she look like?"

"She's like— pale white. Shes paler than me! Her hair is pure white with purple streaks, and her eyes are like this violet-purple color." "Really? She sounds like a beautiful young lady." "She was a little mean but I know what it's like to be in a new place, so I can't blame her."

It was typical. After we ate, grandma sat me down and trimmed my hair, mainly the back and my bangs.

"Did I ever tell you what it was like in Japan?" she said, out of the blue. I didn't complain, the silence was awkward. "No, but whats it like?" I asked. She cut a chunk of my hair before speaking, "It's beautiful. The trees, the rivers, all the lovely sights. Your mother didn't want to move at all, I had to drag her to the airport!" she laughed.

"People were kind to me and the family. You were only a baby, but we all went to Japan together to see family." Is she serious!? I gasped in suprise! "Really? I don't remember that at all!" "That's because you were one!" she said. "Alright, baby. You're so adorable!" she said, pinching my cheek. "Go look in the mirror."

I got up and looked in the mirror, examining the trim. I felt so much better, now that my hair wasn't covering my neck. "I love it! ありがとう！" I said, hugging her. She squeezed me back before sweeping the excess hair.

"You need sleep, you have school tomorrow. I love you, okay?" she said. "You need me to tuck you in?" I shook my head. "No, I'm fine." I smiled.

She gave me a kiss on the forehead and one last squeeze. "I love you too." I whispered before heading to bed.

I was beyond exhausted. It took me awhile, but I eventually fell asleep.

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“Awh, look at the poor baby getting love from his grand-mommy.” Len mocked, standing in the doorway of the guest room as he watched the kid sleep. Luka was standing behind him. “You gonna kill the old lady next or something?” she asked. Len shook his head. “I’m not sure. She made the one thing I needed gone, and it was funny watching her grieve.” he chuckled.

Luka rolled her eyes and poked the back of his head. “You're fucking edgy as hell.” she teased. Len shrugged. “Nah, just a homewrecker.”