After September 23rd

Mikaela's Memory Fragment

"Kiyomi"

"My little raven, stay still for 20 seconds max, please?" My mother asked as I rocked back and forth, "I need to button up your jacket,"

I fell back and laughed. My mother smiled and quickly buttoned up my jacket.

"Here, do you want to take your backpack?"

I shook my head and grabbed my dinosaur.

"Don't let go of my hand, okay?" She said and placed my headphones on my head.

My mother stood up and held out her hand. I glanced at it and walked ahead. Sebastian drove us to the monthly Yuki family dinner event. My mother sighed once we arrived, and I repeated her actions. She found it funny and smiled, giving me a peck on my head.

I stood next to my mother and watched her talk to my grandmother. I couldn't hear a word they uttered until my mother and grandmother kneeled in front of me. My mother motioned to remove my headphones, and I listened.

"Hello, Mikaela, how are you?" My grandmother asked.

I took my notecard out of my backpack and showed her.

"You're doing well?" She smiled happily, "Good to hear it,"

I nodded.

"Is she talking more now?" My grandmother asked, "To you?"

"I am," I said and held my mother's hand.

My grandmother smiled.

"She's talking," My mother bragged, "Only to people whom she's comfortable with. She's a chatterbox with Sebastian and me,"

I nodded proudly and held Sebastian's hand as well. He smiled sweetly at me.

"Yes, it's true, my young master loves talking about Tara Stokes, the color blue, and the books she asks me to read to her," said Sebastian.

"I'm so proud of you, Mika," She smiled.

I took a card and thanked her. My grandfather called everyone to the table. I ate in silence while the family talked.

"So, Delaney," Ms. Paisley began, "What school is Mikaela in?"

"None. She's being homeschooled," My mother spoke.

"Homeschooled?" She repeated, "My Kiyomi is attending a great private elementary school in Tokyo,"

"Good job, Kiyomi," My mother smiled sincerely.

"You should really think about enrolling little Mikaela into a good school," Ms. Paisley continued, "How will she take care of the family business without a good education? My Kiyomi is so ahead, I wouldn't be shocked if she ended up at the University of Tokyo,"

Ms. Paisley laughed and hugged my second cousin, Kiyomi. I looked over at my mother, she smiled sweetly at me, and passed me my cup.

"Thank you so much for worrying about MY daughter's education," My mother clapped, "But she's doing just fine, she's learning at her own pace, and I am very proud of her,"

"Really? But she's six with the reading level of a two-year-old," Ms. Paisley laughed, "My Kiyomi is-"

My mother stood up and threw her wine glass at Ms. Paisley. My family gasped while I drank my juice. It was the first time I ever saw my mother lose her temper. She never scolded me harshly enough for me to be frightened of her.

"Delaney!" My grandfather screamed.

"Keep talking about my daughter, fucking bitch," My mother threatened, "And you won't have tongue to do it ever again!"

"Ms. Delaney," Sebastian called.

"Delaney! Paisley is only trying to help!" My mother's cousin screamed.

I covered my ears and watched as the adults argued. At the same time, my great-grandfather watched unamused.

"Haruo, control your daughter. She just threw a wine at my daughter-in-law,"

"My daughter didn't do anything wrong," My grandfather shrugged, "She defended my granddaughter,"

"Sweetie, please sit down," My grandmother pleaded, "For your baby's sake,"

I watched the older kids, my second cousin Kiyomi and her older brother, stare at me and whisper to each other. I was quickly swept away, and, in confusion, I began to kick whoever grabbed me.

"Shh, it's okay, my little one,"

I wiped my tears and saw my grandfather kneeling in front of the couch on which he had set me down.

"It's okay now," He smiled.

"S-S...Sorry," I mumbled.

"No, my little one, don't apologize," My grandfather began, "You did nothing wrong,"

"I...I am not" I stuttered, "Kiyomi,"

"No, you're not," He smiled, "I don't want a Kiyomi, I want a Mikaela, so don't worry about anything other than to grow up happy and healthy,"

"Himawari,"

"Himawari Cosmetics can go to hell for all I care," My grandfather smiled, "You and your mother are all we care for. You have so much ahead of you, my little one,"

I nodded and hugged my grandfather.