Later, at the park...
Throwing a glance up and down the street, I cross the road and step into the park.
I've learned to pace myself on such walks, mostly because Lilly's slower speed during our forays into town means I have to consciously slow myself down. That aside, I hope Akira didn't expect me to be immediately prompt.
The looks she gives me as I walk up lacks any hint of acknowledgement or greeting.
What's with that look? I needn't have come, you know.
I know you would. You're that kind of person, after all.
*Thunk*
I lower my brow at her remark as she disposes of the can, emptied by the time I arrived, and a metallic clatter rings out. Akira takes a seat on the old wooden bench and I follow her lead.
*Chock-Fssh*
She takes another can of beer from beside her and opens it before speaking, taking a large gulp. She seems to really like that stuff.
I suppose I don't need to ask what this is about, or rather, who it's about?
I heard from Lilly that you asked about our family.
They share more than phone numbers, that's for sure. I'd probably be very worried right now if it weren't for the total lack of malice in her voice. Rather, her tone sounds almost wistful.
Idle curiosity, mostly.
...I have to admit, I'd never have guessed you two were half Scottish.
She gives a wry chuckle of amusement.
I've heard that before, trust me.
The small smile falls from her face, her eyes looking ahead distantly. Aside from the occasional elderly couple talking as they slowly walk the meandering paths, and the odd aging car, it's pleasantly quiet.
She didn't tell you everything though, did she?
ED: Uh oh...
It was pretty brief. You parents live in Scotland, she hasn't met them since she was twelve, and she wants to meet them again.
It's always surprised me how devoted she is to our parents, for all the good they did us.
The ways she says it sounds almost derisive. She gives a small sigh, as if to quickly brush the feelings away.
Why do you think they left, Hisao?
Why do I think they left?
From what Lilly told me, it was because of work. I guess a pretty decently-paying job was involved as well, given the way your parents seem to live.
So Lilly went to a private school, and that's why she carries herself with the airs and graces of the upper class.
Yeah. Since the business in Inverness boomed, our father decided to move directly to the same city as its headquarters.
That's just the conclusion I'd thought you'd come to, though. You're too good-natured.
You don't think they left for their career?
I'm sitting here bitching to you about it. What do you think?
ED:
Yamaku Academy. I've always felt that place was kinda creepy; like it was an isolated hideaway for those 'proper society' doesn't waant to se nor hear.
ED: That's kinda harsh, man.
They probably just rue the fact that Lilly wasn't old enough to be shoved there by the time they left.
ED: What the hell?
A long silence follows her abrupt and very harsh criticism of her own parents, and Yamaku. Lilly's blindness is hardly something that could be simply ignored for a high-class family attempting to keep up appearances, much less so when a lucrative offer is on the table.
ED: But that's far-fetched. I mean...she might be blind, but she's still rich as hell!
Eventually Akira gives a derisive snort, her feelings coming to a head.
Moving to secure our financial future with his new job posting. Even at the time I hardly believed it.
Not wanting to simply be an avenue for her venting, I gently try to steer the discussion.
ED: Might be a good idea, I'm still in the dark why she's calling you over just to whine about her parents. She's not forced to go, is she?
So you stayed in Japan with Lilly, then?
Either I stayed with her, or she went to live with an ailing grandmother and grandfather.
What about Shizune's family? If you're cousins, then...
Our fathers hate each other. I'd have been more than happy to tell them to go screw themselves and live with the anyway, but Lilly wouldn't have wanted that.
ED: I'm still in the dark why Lilly and Shizune are hostile to each other...can't be their fathers' influences.
I'd also had an offer for a job by then, so we did our best to keep our parents' house in proper shape, and tried to continue our lives as if they'd never left.
So you just lived by yourselves?
Basically. Lilly had school and I had my job, so we weren't exactly languishing.
With her schooling, her study, and having to do chores while I worked, though, I can't help feeling like I failed her. In the end, I tried to be there for her, and screwed it up.
ED: Gotta be tough two girls taking care of one house, with one blind...
...Expecting a nineteen-year-old to be a mother for a blind child. It's ridiculous.
ED: ... *shakes head in disbelief*
So... Lilly and Akira lived alone after their parents moved, with Lilly largely taking care of herself. I guess that explains her apparent independence, compared to many in Yamaku. I may have lived alone much of the time since my parents both worked, but that's... just something else entirely.
Sorry for making you listen to my moaning, Hisao.
I don't mind at all, but... do you mind if I ask why you're telling me all this?
Hmph. You always were curious.
Context, I suppose.
Life isn't a fairytale, Hisao. Some people have to learn that the hard way.
ED: ...True that. Still, ah well. Thanks for telling us all this before you leave.
She takes a long drink from the can in her hand, her face becoming more depressed than distant.
I broke up with my boyfriend a few days ago. After I leave, we're not going to be able to see each other again.
But that's how life is. You can't just set your lief up and expect it to stay that way forever; sometimes stuff happens that you have to roll with, even if it means hurting yourself or others.
ED: Harsh, but true.
She takes a long breath before looking up at the bright orange sky.
Damn... if I smoked, I could take a nice, long drag right about now and look kinda cool.
I want to respond, to help her in whatever way I can, but I feel utterly useless. This kind of situation is one I've never been in, and I simply don't have the experience to say anything meaningful to comfort her. Akira looks over and picks up on this, much to my embarrassment.
I must look pretty pathetic right now, whining about this to someone I barely know.
Hardly, and I'm pretty much an expert on looking pathetic.
She gives a chuckle, the act feeling like a personal victory for me.
You're a good kid, Hisao. When I said that I approved of you being with my sister, I wasn't joking or just being nice.
*Clang*
She picks herself up off the seat with a grunt, one that seems ill-fitting given her age, and throws the now empty can into the bin after one last swig.
It's just unfortunate that doesn't really count for much in this world.
ED: Yeah, nice guys finish last.
When I said that I was leaving for Scotland, I was doing it because a good position opened up in our company's headquarters.
When our folks told me that when we were at their place, though, they also gave Lilly a summons to rejoin them in Inverness.
ED: Oh, I se- wait, what?
Music:
Boneyard
No way...
ED: But she never- the date- and all that!
Her evasiveness when asked about the future... that awkwardness that had steadily grown between us... that uncharacteristic outburst of anger...the cake I bought for her and never finished...
All of them suddenly fit into place. The same family that she reminisced about after Hanako's birthday party, the same family that left her and Akira to themselves after taking flight to greener pastures...
ED: Why didn't she tell us when she got back from Scotland?
Now I feel stupid for never cornering Lilly on what was bugging her. I'd never even considered if something had happened during her trip to her family's home at Inverness. And now, a sense of unease grows in my chest. If her family has summoned her to join them in Scotland, all the way on the other side of the Earth...
Has she... accepted?
ED: No. She will refuse! Come on! We've done so much things together, right?!
That's why I called you down here to talk, Hisao.
Context, huh...
ED: Now we know. We can still talk to her about this. Don't worry...I'm sure she'll stay.
I sit back, my feelings of worry and frustration no doubt written all over my face.
Lilly's strong, Hisao, but she's not infallible.
I guess it's my job to worry about her, being her older sister, but I think that you deserve to know.
ED: Thanks a lot, Akira. I really mean it.
I understand.
You okay? You sound depressed.
ED: He's good at it, don't worry.
No, I'm just... thinking.
ED: Talk to her.
That's good. Thinking is good. Being rash won't get you anywhere.
She looks at her watch, barely moving her wrist.
I've got to go. Will you be okay?
I'll be fine, don't worry. I'll have to talk to Lilly about it and get everything sorted out.
ED: Yeah. You have to. Still, why is she hiding it? Was she even planning to tell us about it? Or did she made up her mind on not going at all?
She gives a smile, but it doesn't feel all that genuine or sincere.
ED: Oh fuck you, she's a big help.
Really, both of us are dancing around the fact that Lilly's on the precipice of the biggest decision of her life and is trying to take the entire burden on herself. And part of that burden is the matter of our relationship. By the time I look up, Akira's already walking off with her hand held up. For the first time in a long while, I finally have an answer to something. Perhaps not even that. But at least I now have the right question to ask.
Will you leave, or stay?