Nixon's Story

Chapter 5

The drive to Kyoto took about an hour and 35 minutes, in my mind. It was probably longer than that, but looking out the window, and watching the scenery change was pretty impressive. 

But we had to leave Tokyo. On the drive my mother and I had a talk.

""Nixon, I have to tell you something."

"Mmhm?" I asked.

"Your younger brother, Mia, lives with me. And he'll be happy to see you again, so please be nice to him." She said.

"Why would I be mean to him? I haven't seen him since he was four!" I said.

"I know, but he's still very energetic. So, I suggest you teach him while your living there, is that okay?" She asked.

"Yeah... I don't mind teaching my younger brother manors!" I said smiling.

"I'm glad that you're happy, at first I thought you were going to be heartbroken, I was taking you away from your friends, and your father and uncle." He said slowly.

"You know, I always thought that Misha was dad's new partner... Ever since you two got divorced I saw him around the house all the time and thought that, you know, he was dad's toy, and just four days ago he told me that he's my uncle. I always thought he was dad's new partner."

He laughed.

"Oh, Nix, you're so silly."

"And you'll have to get used to that!" I said laughing. Was I pushing through my pain of leaving? Or was I genuinely happy? 

Once we got there, Mom told me that we drove for three hours and 44 minutes, with traffic.

I now live, in Ichihara, Kyoto.

"The streets seem empty," I said quietly. "I'm scared to talk."

My mom laughed.

"Well, it's getting close to the new school year, and you'll have stuff inside for it yourself." He said pointing to the beige house we parked next to.

The whole house was beige with red bricks leading as a walkway up to the house.

"Do you live with anyone besides Mia?" I asked.

"Nope." He got out of the car and went around.

"Nix, can you help?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah." I got out of the car and grabbed three of my bags.

One was my computer; the others were full of clothes.

I followed my mother to the door.

He unlocked it and opened it for me to get in.

I entered the house. It was clean, counters cleared, curtains drawn; chairs tucked in, carpet white and vacuumed, and the whole room was large. From the outside you wouldn't be able to tell.

"Mia! I'm home!" A boy about my height popped his head out of a room. His hair was white with two pink burettes in his hair.

"Hina!" He said happily.

Hina is my mother's name.

I guess Mia came up with a way for calling her well, him something.

He skipped out of the room with a key around his neck.

Hina set my bags down. My younger brother smiled before hugging Hina. Yeah, I'm gonna use Hina.

"Hey baby," Hina said hugging Mia. "Your brother is here." He told him.

He looked at me before smiling happily.

"hi Nixon." He said, slightly nervously. 

Now seeing Mia so close to me, he was almost taller than me.

"I missed you, Mia." I said carefully.

"Is that what you say to me after being away for so long?? Hug me!" He said happily. I laughed.

Mia is still as funny as ever.

I hugged Mia; he wrapped his arms around me and I did the same to him.

"I can't believe you are really here, right now! With Hina and I! Although Hina say's I need to be taught manors.'" Mia said quietly.

I could resist but laugh.

"Oh Mia!" I hugged him tighter.

"I missed my older brother! Only you, not Mika, though. He grew up to be mean." I let go of Mia.

"How is Mika?" I asked Mia.

"Well, he lives on his own now, and is 22 years old. He's mean now! I don't like him! But I have to, he's my brother." Mia said frowning.

"Mia, even though you don't like someone, doesn't mean you don't love them still." I told him.

"Yeah, I know." Mia said, still frowning.

"Well, you two keep getting caught up, Nix, your room is across from Mia's. I hope you like living here." Hina said bringing the bags to my room.

"Mmmm kay." I said.