Chapter 7 - Rock Angel

School just ended and Sakura was top in the nation. Everyone was so proud of her! Sakura didn’t see what the fuse was all about. She just did her best and nothing more. She was embarrassed about the whole thing.
Shinichi walked up to the girls with a smile. “You all did good this year! Looks like I have to get you each something.” He said as tears rolled from his eyes. He now regretted making that rule. Anyone who gets 95 to 100 on their final grades would get one thing they wanted. Of course, within reason.
He asked each one, starting with Rini. She wanted some new vinyls. Yukako wanted some new clothes. Kiko wanted some new toys from her favorite Anime. He turned to Sakura, thinking it’d be Manga or Video Games. “What would you like Sakura-chan?” He asked.
She thought for a moment. Her eyes light up. “An Electric Guitar!” She said excitedly.
“Now that’s going to be awesome Sis! Rini said with a smile. “I can teach you how to play.” She rubbed her head.
Shinichi laughed! He wasn’t expecting that. “Ok, you win.”
Later, Rini and Sakura went to Club Dam for some Karaoke. When they entered, Kumagai greeted them.
“Welcome back Ono-san and Watanabe-chan!” She was so happy to see them. “I got some great news for you guys!” She said with excitement. She pulled a flyer out. “There’s a Singing contest this Friday and I think Watanabe-chan should try out!” She really wanted her to try. She loved her singing. It was what made her happy to come to work.
Sakura was curious about it. She looked up at Rini.
“I think that’s a great idea! You could win it with your voice!” Her eyes were sparkling!
Sakura could see they both thought she could do it. She wrote her answer down. “Why not? This is going to be fun!” Her face said it all!
It was Friday and they were at Saidaiji Ryokka Park. There was about 50 people shoe had signed up. Sakura got her lucky number, 42. The contest was about to start.
“Good luck Sakura-Chan!” Rini cheered!
It was a little slow with so many people. One by one, they would sing. Then it was her turn. She walked up to the stage. She took a deep breath and nodded to the crew. She choose ‘Dare Mo Wakara Nakute II (Toki No Wana)’ by Show-Ya.
She sung with passion like she always does. She also was dancing and enjoying herself. When the song ended, the park erupted! The judges gave her a perfect score! She was bowing and walked off the stage. Rini and the others attacked her with hugs! She was very embarrassed.
At the end the judges came to the stage. “Thank you all for singing for us! She said with a cheer. “Let’s give them another round of applauses!” The Crowd went wild! They announced the 2nd and 3rd place winners.
“And now for the Grand winner in 1st place is…” She pleased. The crowd went silent. “Sakura Watanabe!” She cheered. The whole park went crazy!
Sakura was standing on stage in Awe. She didn’t think she did anything different then the other singers.
“How do you feel?” She asked and put the mic to Sakura’s mouth.
Sakura was a little scared and used her note pad. “Thank you all for enjoying my singing. I’m so happy!” She showed it to the judge, who has a little confused. She read it to everyone. There was a loud cheer for her.
After everything was done, Sakura was with her family. The judge came by. “Is your voice feeling better now?” She asked Sakura with a smile.
She was a little complexed. She responded with her note pad. “It’s fine, thank you.” She smiled and bowed.
Everyone laughed. Now she was really confused. Rini came to her rescue. “Sorry about that. Sakura doesn’t talk to people. She’s a mute.” She said trying not to laugh again.
“But… she just sang for us..” She was trying to make sense of it.
“She only talks to family. She does even do that all the time ether.” She smiled and winked at her. Sakura smiled too.
“Ok… that’s different.” She was still trying to understand it. “Well, I’m Au Go from the NHK World, and I’d love to have you come on the show.” She handed Sakura her business card. “Would Tuesday be ok?” She asked.
Sakura looked at her mother. “That would be fine. Can Rini come with her? She can be her translator.” Emiko said.
Au looked at Rini. “She can use sign language.” She said with a smile. “Also, if you have her sing a song, She’ll be happy to do it.” Rini added with a wink.
Au finally laughed. “you are one weird kid. I like that.” She smiled. “I’ll see you Tuesday at 11 AM.” She waved good bye, and left.

Chapter 6 - Angelic Voice

Welcome to Club Dam! What can I get for all of you?” A young girl asked.
“We’ll take one room, please.” Rini asked and paid.
“Thank you.” She smiled. “You’re room is 42.”
They walked over to the room and went in. Sakura looked around the room. There was a jukebox, a stand with two mics, and a book.
“Ok Sakura, what you do is look in the book to see what you want to sing. It will have the number of the song and the lyrics in it” Rini told her as she showed her the book. “Then you push the button here on the jukebox to start the song. Then, you sing.” She smiled. “Ok, you’re up first!” She was happy. She wanted to hear her sing.
Sakura picked up the book and looked around for a sec. She was so nervous! She was going to do her best. She then saw a song she liked from an Anime. “Konya Wa Hurricane”. She got ready and pushed the button.
The song started and surprised her sisters with it. She took a deep breath. She started to sing. She put her whole soul into it. The girls were stunned! They couldn’t believe that was Sakura! She was dancing and singing perfectly. Rini was flabbergasted.
When the song was over, Sakura looked up to she her sisters bewildered. They all cheered at her!
“Where did you learn to sing like that?” Yukako asked in awe.
“You’re awesome sis!” Kiko gave her a hug.
“I know you had it in you! I just didn’t know that was in you.” Rini smiled at her.
Sakura was blushing. “I like to sing when I’m alone.” She said. “Sorry to hide it.” She was so embarrassed.
“Well, I think you need to do another one for us.” Rini said with a sly grin. “It’s your punishment for hiding it from us.” She winked at her.
Sakura started to sing another one. They were so happy to hear her sing. They then took turns singing. They were all having fun. As they were leaving, the girl at the desk stopped them.
“Which one of you was that singing so beautifully?” She asked.
“That was Sakura.” Kiko said and pointed to her.
“Wow, you’re really good! I heard you when I passed by the door.” She gave her a big smile.
Sakura pulled out her notepad. “Thank you very much.”
This girl looked confused at Rini.
“She doesn’t talk to people. That’s just how she is.” Rini smiled and winked.
They left the girl wondering what that was all about. They were laughing about it as they walked home.
“That poor girl!” Yukako said laughing.
“Sakura-chan, I think you just made her day.” Rini said and rubbed Sakura’s head.
Sakura was laughing too. “Sorry, I still can’t talk to everyone yet.” She said softly.
When they got home, they told their mom and dad what happened.
“Mom, I think she takes after you with the singing.” Rini Said.
Emiko smiled. “I don’t know about that. Her father was a singer.” She giggled at the memory.
“You’ll have to tell me about him sometime.” She said.
“Well, she could take after you dad.” Yukako said sarcastically.
“And what does that mean!?” Shinichi asked unhappily.
“Come on dad, you know you can’t sing. Unless you count sounding like a dying cat.” She said starting to laugh.
Everyone was laughing now. He looked like the rug had been pulled out from under him. “Emiko-chan, our daughters have no respect for me.” He dramatically said with tears.
“It’s okay dear. They just wanted to be honest with you.” She started laughing with them.
Shinichi just stood there. They all went up to him and gave him a hug. “Well, at least I know you love me.
That night Sakura slept good. She was singing in her dreams. She woke up in the morning, full of energy. She got ready for school and headed out. as she walked to school, she started to sing to herself. She always leaves early to school. She likes to get there an hour early. It’s peaceful at that time.
She decided to go to the music room. No one was there. She then started to sing some songs from “Show-Ya”. She was really enjoying it.
Miki entered the school and heard someone singing. “Wow, Someone has a nice voice.” She said to herself. She was able to hear it. The Teacher’s lounge was close to the music room. After a while, she wanted to know who it was.
She got up and walked over to the music room. The singing had stopped, and she walked into the room. No one was there. She looked over and saw the other door closing. She had just missed her. “I’m too late.” She said disappointedly. She shrugged and went back to her desk.
Sakura went outside to meet her friends. She didn’t notice Miki had almost seen her singing. She then went to her class with her friends.
“Good Morning class!” Miki said with a big smile. “Real quick, I heard someone singing in the music room this morning. Anyone know who it was?” She asked.
Everyone was surprised to hear that. Sakura was beet red with embarrassment. She couldn’t bring herself to say it was her.
“Well, if anyone knows her, please let her know she’s amazing!” She said with a big grin.

Chapter 5 - Choices.

Emiko picked the phone up, “Moshi Moshi, this is Emiko Ono. How can I help you?” She said softly.
"Hello Ono-san, this is Miki Sensei.” She said enthusiastically. “I just got Sakura’s scores back and would love to come over to talk with you two.”
“That would be great!” She was so happy. “I think Sakura-chan will be so excited to hear.” She said with joy.
“Ok, we’ll be right over. Thank you.” Miki hung up the phone. “Let’s go, Nii-san!” They got their things and headed out.
Emiko was excited. She went looking for Sakura. She found her reading in her room. “Sakura-chan, Miki Sensei is coming over. She has your scores!” Emiko could see her eyes light up. “Let’s go wait down stairs for her.” She waved to her.
Sakura got up and went with her Mother down stairs. 15 minutes later, the door bell rang. Sakura answered the Door.
“Hello Watanabe-chan, can we come in?” Nii asked.
Sakura smiled and bowed. They followed her into the living room. They set down on the couch.
“Thank you for having us. Miki said.
“You’re welcome! It’s are pleasure.” Emiko responded. “Would you like something to drink?” She offered.
“We’re one, thank you.” Miki said with a bow. She then pulled out the folder. Her hands were shacking with excitement. “Here we go. Well Sakura-chan, we have good news for you!” She pause and opened the folder. “Your IQ score is 142!” She was beaming with joy! She finally got to tell her!
“Is that high?” Emiko asked.
“Well, kids normally score around 90 to 110.” Nii answered. “Sakura-chan is one of the rare ones! “She was so thrilled to give that news to them.
Emiko and Sakura looked at each other and smiled! Emiko gave her a big hug. “so what does this mean for her?” Emiko inquired.
“That’s the good news!? Miki said jubilantly. She looked at Sakura. “Sakura-chan, with this you could start High School if you wanted or maybe even college!” She was overjoyed! “ But, it’s all up to you. Want do you want to do?” She asked with a smile. Everyone looked at her.
Sakura folded her arms and then put her chin in her right hand to think. She closed her eyes. She started to think what she wanted. There was still a lot she wanted to do. She really didn’t want to leave her friends behind. She also wanted to enjoy a full school life.
She opened her eyes and put her hands down. It seems like it took her ages to decide. “I’m sorry.” Her voice caught everyone by surprise! This was Miki’s and Nii’s first time hearing her talk. “I don’t want to leave my friends behind.” She started to cry. She bowed her head. “Please let me stay where I am!”
Emiko gave her a hug and smiled. She then looked at Mii and Miki. Everyone was in tears.
“Sakura-chan, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Please stop.” Miki felt bad. She knelt down and gave her a hug. “Ssshhh…. It’s okay. If that’s what you want, that’s fine. I won’t make you do something you don’t want to.” She patted her on the back.
Sakura looked up at her and smiled. “Thank you sensei!” She gave her a big hug and cried tears of joy.
They were walking to Miki’s car. “I didn’t expect that. Miki said in awe.
“Yay, I’m happy for her. She really is a sweet kid.” Nii said bewildered. “So… was that you’re first time hearing her talk?” Nii looked at her.
“Yes it was. She has a nice voice. Sad she’s unable to use it more often.” Miki said with sadness.
“Why doesn’t she talk?” She asked wondering.
“I asked the same thing. Ono-san said it might be because of the break up of her and Sakura-chan’s dad. Other then that, she doesn’t know ether.” She answered puzzled. They got into the car and drove off.
Emiko was so happy with Sakura. She so proud of her daughter. Just then Rini, Yukako, and Kiko walked in. Rini could see that Sakura had been crying. “Is everything okay?” She asked a little worried.
“Yes, everything is fine.” Emiko assured them. “I’ll explain what happened.” A short while later, the girls were stunned! They then gave Sakura a big hug!
“You’re amazing sis!” Rini stated. “With this news, we’re going to a special place.” Rini gave her a wink. “Mom, I’m kidnapping Sakura! We’ll be back later!” She smiled.
“Okay, have fun!”Emiko said with a giggle.
20 minutes later, they stood in front of “Karaoke Club Dam Okayama Maruyama Stare.” Sakura’s eye went wide! She was Happy to be here. She never done this, so she was ecstatic to try!
“You ready?” Rini asked her smiling. “Because you’re going to sing with us, and I won’t take no for an answer.” She looked at her and giggled. “or I’ll tickle you as a punishment!” They all laughed. Then they walked up to the doors and went in.

Chapter 4 - A Season of Joy

4 Months Later

Emiko was at the school. She was there to talk with Sakura’s Sensei, Miki-San. She had Momo with her. She got to teaches’ lounge and walked in.
“Hello.” She said with a bow.
Chinami looked up and called out to her. “Ono-san, over here.” She said and got up to greet her. “Hello, I’m Chinami Miki. It’s nice to meet you.” She bowed.
“I’m Emiko Ono. It’s great to meet you too.” She bowed in return. They both set down. “How is Sakura doing?” She asked.
“She’s doing really good!” She happily replied. “She’s doing better then the whole class.” She said excitedly.
Emiko was happy to hear that. “What do you mean by, “Better”?” She asked in wonderment.
Chinami thought how to best describe what she has seen. “Well, she seems to be always ready for more. At times, she will help the other students that need help.” She said with a smile.
“Is she talking with them?” Emiko had to ask.
“No she’s not. But the way she writes it down is really easy for them to understand.” She said with a grin. “I’d like to test her and see where she is.” She asked with a bow.
“That’s fine, just make sure you talk to her first. Please let her decide what she wants to do.” She said. She didn’t want her to feel like she had to.
“I will, thank you.” She bowed her head.
A few days passed and she was ready to test Sakura. She called her in to take it.
“Hi Watanabe-chan, this is Nii-san.” She pointed to a young lady with green hair and blue eyes. “she will be giving you a test. This test will tell us how smart you are.” They both smiled and Nii bowed. “Of course, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.” She said happily.
Sakura thought about it for a moment and wrote down her answer. “I don’t mind. It’ll be fun!” She was curious about it too. She was smiling.
“Okay then. Nii-san, she’s all yours.” Miki Sensei walked out and left them there.
Two hours later they were finished. Miki came to see how things went. “How’s she do Nii-san?” She inquired.
Nii’s eyes showed wonder in them. She had so much fun with her. “Everything went amazing!” She could barely contain her excitement. “She know a lot more then I thought she would.” She just couldn’t wait to see how she did.
Miki was shocked by this. She know Sakura was more advanced than the other kids, but this… was a surprise. “Thank you Nii-san. I can’t wait to hear how she did.” She bowed.
“You’re welcome!” She returned the bow. “Nether can I!” She left.
Miki then looked out the window at Sakura in awe. “What will the future have inshore for you I wonder.” She said to herself.
Later at home, Sakura told everyone about the test. “It was fun! Nii-san was funny!” She started to laugh.
“Why was that?” Rini asked while laughing with her.
Sakura thought of why and started to laugh again. “She would ask me questions, then she would be so surprised by my answers, she’d laugh!” She couldn’t help it. She still found it to be funny.
Rini was so happy that Sakura finally started to talk to her more. They have been working hard with her. She really only talked with the family. Even if it was just a little bit. She thought it was weird that Nii-san would react like that. She really wanted to know how Sakura did.

Two Weeks Later

Miki’s phone went off. “Moshi, Moshi! This is Chinami Miki. What can I do for you?” She asked.
“Miki-san, this is Taka Nii. Are you free so I can come see you?” Her voice was ecstatic.
“Yes, I’m free now.” She replied.
“Ok, I’ll be right over!” She hung up the phone.
Miki was so surprised. She couldn’t wait to hear the news.
20 minutes later Nii came into the office. She had a hug smile! She walked straight over to Miki’s desk and set down. She had to catch her breath. She then looked Miki straight in the eyes. “ You’re not going to believe this!” She put-on the folder and pushed it over to her. “Open it!” She said as she giggled with excitement.
Miki opened it and gazed over the results. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped! “ Is… is this really her score?” She was in disbelief!
“Yes. That’s what it is.” Nii said with a reassuring look in her eyes.
“How can a 6 year old have an IQ of 142!” She was flabbergasted!
“What should we do?” Nii asked excitedly.
“Ono-san wanted us to let Sakura choose what she wants to do.” She thought about it. “I think we need to ask Ono-san and Sakura about it.” She was beside herself.

Chapter 3 - A Glimmer of Hope

A year has passed and Sakura is now three and a half years old. She is now a quiet girl now, that doesn’t talk much. She doesn’t play with her cousins as much either. She now likes to draw and watch Anime. She finds it relaxing. She’s learning how to read and can’t wait to be able to read manga by herself.
Emiko and her parents are a little worried about her. They don’t know why or how she has become like this. Yumi and the others have hide their actions well. No one suspects them at all.
Even though there are some sad things happening, a chance of happiness is coming. Emiko has been dating someone for the last six months. He’s name is Shinichi Ono. He’s a Police Detective. He has Dark blue hair and Orange eyes. He has three daughters. Rini is the eldest at 14 years old. She has long silver hair and Orange eyes. Yukako is the middle one at 10 years old. She has blonde hair with Orange eyes. Kiko is the youngest at 6 years old. She has light blue hair and light orange eyes. They all love Sakura.
This night they are all going out for dinner. They headed out to Tempura Restaurant Ninja to eat. While they were eating, Shinichi got down on his knees. He pulled out a ring and, “Emiko Watanabe, will you marry me?” The whole place went silent.
Emiko was stunned! “Yes!” She leaped into his arms, knocking him down. The whole play erupted in cheers!
“Sakura, we’re going to be sister!” Kiko said as she hugged her. Sakura gave her a big hug back and smiled! Kiko was used to Sakura not talking.
When Emiko and Sakura got home, she told everyone! Everyone was so happy for her.
“Congratulations my dear!” Akina said while she gave her caught a hug.

2 Months later

It was a beautiful day. Emiko looked so beautiful in her dress. Sakura and the girls were all wearing blue dresses. Everything went perfectly! The best thing is, that Shinichi had gotten a job in Okayama. He will be working at the Okayama East Police Station. This is good because it was close to their new house.
A year has passed and things are looking up. Right now they are at the Hospital. Emiko has gone into labor. They are all in the waiting room. Waiting for the good news. They been there for a while now. Rini brought her mahjong set and they have been enjoying an intense game. This was the game that they loved to play. Sakura learned how to play from Rini and loves it! Right now, Sakura is in the lead. Just then, Shinichi came in!
“It’s a Girl!” He said with a huge smile! They were all taken over with joy!
“What’s her name, Papa?” Asked Yukako.
“Her name is Momo.” He was so happy! “Do you want to see her?” He asked.
“Yes!” They all said in unison. They went to see Emiko. When they entered the room, there was Momo in her mother’s arms. She has Pink hair and green eyes.
“She’ll have some pretty hair when it grows in.” Sakura said.
“She will, won’t she?” Emiko smiled.

1 Year later

It was the first day of school and Sakura was excited! She was going to “Okayama City Municipal Saidaiji Elementary School”. She still had a hard time talking. She was going to have a hard time with that, but she didn’t mind. She know how to write, if she need to use it.
She was now in her class and her sense was happy to meet her.
“Hi, I’m Chinami Miki!” She said with enthusiasm. “What’s your name?”
Sakura opened her month, but the words wouldn’t come out. She just couldn’t do it. She then pulled out her writing board and wrote it down. “I’m Sakura Watanabe.”
Miki-san was caught off guard for a minute. Then she remembered the note she got.
“Oh, so you’re the little girl who can’t talk.” She smiled. “That’s fine. Pleased to meet you!” She gave her a hug.