“Mom, Dad, I’m home!”
“Mommy, Daddy, I’ves come home to sees yous! (Said in a child’s voice)
“Duck!”
“AHHH!!” A young boy yelled as he flew over Ayu and I.
“Was that Shin? Man they are getting more violent by the week!”
“I guess Shin is challenging my Dad again…”
“Yeah, I guess. Lets sneak to your room before Shin notices us…”
“Ello…! Might there be any ramen in those bags you have there? Practically miso?” Said Shin
“Hi Shin…Don’t you have some training to do?” I said
“You know, wax on, wax off, wax on….”
“Yeah, yeah I get it, buzz off…don’t worry I’m good as gone. (Just soon as I ruin Sensei) Sensei! Say your prayers! You are good as gone!
“Well, that got ride of him.” Said Ayu.
“I guess…”
My dad runs a dojo for martial arts and Shin is my Dad’s apprentice. Being the only daughter of a master judo is not easy. He is always trying to get me to train with him, my mom and dad wanted a boy, but when I was born the doctor said that my mother couldn’t have any more kids because she had a hard time with me. So he is always after me to take over the family business. But the thing is I have other plans for my life…
“Linikoko, please come here.”
“Yes? What do you want?”
“Mr. Timiha said that you would be delivering a package for me?”
“Oh! Yes, here it is.”
“Lovely, thank you dear.”
“What is it?”
“It is a ancient crystal from the depths of Japan. Said to have mystic powers.”
“Ah, I see, well at lest it’s pretty.”
“It’s that and much, much more.”
“Okay, whatever dad. I’m leaving now…”
“Okay, have fun.”
…………
“Hi mom!”
“Hi baby, how are you doing? Did you have a good day?
“Yes, mom. We had lots of fun!”
“That’s nice dear, I’m glad you had a great day. So Ayu, have you been a good girl? Keeping out of trouble?”
“Yes, I’ve been good, haven’t had any write ups this week!”
“That’s good to hear. You two have fun; don’t make too much a mess tonight.
“Okay mom! We won’t!”
My mom is just the nicest, she one of those mom’s who always there for you when you are just about to cry. Though, she has had it rough too. First off with not being able to have any more children, but she often gets ill…So we are always having to take care of her. If I had one wish, I’d use it on her, to make all her problems go away. I love her so much, but sometimes I wish I could just make her wear some clothes that are more up to date. She always wearing kimonos, but no one wears them anymore, except on special occasions. Every time I ask her to wear something I bought her, she says “Thank you, but no thank you. My mother wore these kimonos and defended them with her life, so I too will do the same.” I really don’t get why you would defend something to the death, especially like something as clothing… but what do I know.
“So Ayu, how are you and Simi-san?”
“Good, but he has been acting all weird, like he don’t want to … like you know…”
“Well… maybe he’s stressed or something.”
“I don’t know, maybe… So Lin Ling, what was up with you with that guy at the Kami Oka? I mean you were, like all over him!”
“I don’t know… He was…”
“Don’t say cute Lin Ling-san, if you don’t want people to say stuff, you can’t be dating someone like that! You know I love you, but Lin Ling… you know what… they say.
“I know, but still. It’s not everyday you find someone who shares the same interest.”
“(Sigh) If you like him that much… I’m going to regret this, but if you really like him, go ahead and date him; I’ve got your back.”
“Oh! Ayu-san! Thank you! I will never forget this!!”
“Lin Ling-san, no thanks needed, I am your friend; your sister, if not in blood then in spirit! Friends ‘til the end, right?
“Hai!”
“Now time try on those “much” needed clothes we bought!”
(Both laughing)
“Yesh, very, very needed!”
(Laughs more)
…A few hours later…
“Linikoko… Do you ever think that there’s a deeper meaning to life? Like you are to experience something very important before you die?”
“Sometimes I do, but I really don’t believe that it really matters. I mean, if we are supposed to experience something big, then let it happen, but if not, don’t let it dangle above us. I don’t like to be tormented…. but I do find some beauty in life and I take that and turn it into art… What about you Ayu? What inspires you?”
“I don’t know…maybe friendship. I mean, life wouldn’t be the same if you and me weren’t friends.”
“I suppose…”
“Yeah… Well, sweet dreams Lin Ling.”
