Kobe, Japan
April to July 1997
Kurotani apartment - Aoiyama Elementry School

"Hiroshi! Sayuri! Fuyuki! Are you ready? You will be late for your first day of school!" Umeko says from the kitchen.

She is making lunches for her kids. Umeko has wavy dark brown hair(goes to her waist and kept as a bun), tan skin, and brown eyes. She's wearing maroon kimono, red obi, and white socks.

"Mom, I am ready, but I am not sure if Sayuri and Fuyuki are ready too." Hiroshi says as he enter the kitchen.

Hiroshi has tan skin, short black hair, and brown eyes. He's wearing blue short sleeve shirt, brown knee lenght khaki pants, and white socks. He is carrying his black bookbag.

"Can you check on them?" Umeko ask.

"Hai...." Hiroshi reply before heading to his sisters' bedroom door. He knock a few times and wait for an answer. Then Sayuri quickly open the door.

"What is it, oniisan?" Sayuri ask.

Sayuri has shoulder length wavy dark brown hair, brown eyes, and light tan skin. She's wearing short sleeve red shirt, red khakis shorts, and white socks.

"Are you and Fuyuki ready? Mom is waiting for us." Hiroshi answer.

"Tell mom that we're almost ready." Sayuri says to him.

Hiroshi nod before returning to the kitchen. Sayuri closed the door and look at her younger sister. Fuyuki is sitting on her bed. She has brown ear length straight hair, brown eyes, and pale skin. She is wearing long sleeve purple shirt, blue knee length pants, and pink socks.

"Fuyuki, whats wrong?" Sayuri ask.

"Are they going make fun of me?" Fuyuki ask.

"Well....if your classmates does try to bully you.....let me and oniisan know, ok....Fuyuki?"

"Hai, nee nee...."

Both sisters grab their red bookbags and exit their rooms. Fuyuki does have to worry for school. Her father, Akira, is a burakumin while her mother, Umeko, is an ainu. Akira works as a funeral director and Umeko works at Arima Onsen. Since both burakumin and ainu are somewhat dislike, Fuyuki already grew distrust of people. Anyway, As they enter the kitchen, they met with their mom and older brother. Hiroshi is already eating his breakfast.

"Sayuri. Fuyuki. Here are your breakfast. Now please hurry." Umeko says to them as she place their breakfast on the table.

Sayuri and Fuyuki sat down at the table and ate their breakfast. After 10 to 13 minutes, Hiroshi, Sayuri, and Fuyuki finish their breakfast. Soon enough, the kids and their mom put on their shoes and left the apartment. The Kurotani kids rarely sees their dad, Akira, because Akira left the apartment around 5am and won't be home until around 9 or 10pm most of the time. The Kurotani kids don't seem to mind. So, they exit their 10 story apartment and heads to the the train station. The train station is 7 blocks from their apartment building. As they went on the train and went to their seats, Umeko began talking to her kids.

"Everyone, this morning...I am only to walk to your school and pick you after school, BUT you three need will go to and from school for now on...." Umeko says to them.

"Hai mom." Hiroshi and Sayuri says in unsion.

"And Fuyuki, please stay with your sibilings." Umeko says to her.

"Hai, mama." Fuyuki reply meekly.

After riding for 5 minutes, Umeko and her kids gets off on 4th stop. They then walk to Aoiyama Elementry School for 4 blocks. As they enter the front yard of the school, Hiroshi and Sayuri quickly head to the large board(locate at the front of the school) and see which homeroom teacher they will get.

"I have Asano Mitsuo sensei." Hiroshi says to Sayuri.

"And I have Sawaki Noriko Sensei." Sayuri reply back.

Hiroshi and Sayrui says their goodbyes to their mom and little sister before heading to their classrooms.

"Well.....let find out who is going to be your teacher, Fuyuki...." Umeko says to her before walking up the board.

After a few minutes, Umeko manage to find Fuyuki's name. Fuyuki is going to have Morimoto Yuko.

"I found your name, Fuyuki."

"Who is my teacher, mama?"

"Her name is Morimoto Yuko and she is going to be your kindergarden teacher. Let just hope that Yuko sensei is nice."

"Okay."

Umeko and Fuyuki walk to Fuyuki's new classroom. As they enter, other students are playing games together. Then they are approach by Yuko sensei.

"Hello. How are you? My name is Morimoto Yuko." Yuko says to them.

Yuko has brown eyes, light skin, and black hair(goes to her midback). She is wearing short sleeve green shirt, blue jeans, white socks, and sandals.

"Hello, Yuko sensei. My name is Kurotani Umeko and my daughter, Fuyuki, will be in your class." Umeko reply.

Yuko bend her knees so she can be Fuyuki's eye level.

"Hi Fuyuki chan. My name is Yuko sensei. I hope we have fun this year." Yuko says to her new student.

"OK...." Fuyuki reply.

"Kurotani san, the kindergarden students have to wear pale blue shirts, blue pants or shorts, and bright red hats."Yuko says to Umeko as she tood up.

"Oh...."Umeko reply.

"Don't worry. I will give them the new clothes after school is over."

"Arigato."

Umeko says her goodbyes to her daughter before leaving her all alone. Yuko then told Fuyuki to hang her backpack before joining her classmates. Fuyuki did what she id told but when she approach the students, she felt really shy and quickly heads to her seat. All day, Yuko did ask Fuyuki to play with her new friends but Fuyuki simply drew. When school is over, Yuko gave each of her students their new uniforms. When Umeko came to the classroom and pick up Fuyuki quickly approach her.

"Kurotani san....can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Yuko sensei?"

"I was wonder if Fuyuki have always been shy....."

"Well....it is a first day and she's probadly get over her shyness."

Umeko then bow slightly before she and Fuyuki exit the classroom. When all her students are pick up, Mitsuo and Noriko enter the classroom.

"Hello, Yuko san." Noriko says to her.

"How is your first day?" Mitsuo ask.

"It is alright except there is a small problem." Yuko reply.

"You already have a problem student?" Mitsuo ask.

"But it is only the first day of school." Noriko says to her.

"But she is not a problem student." Yuko says to them. "Kurotani Fuyuki is just a shy little girl."

"You have a Kurotani in your class?" Noriko ask.

"Yes.....is that a problem?" Yuko ask.

"I have Kurotani Hiroshi in my 6th grade class." Mitsuo reply.

"And I have Kurotani Sayuri in my 3rd grade class...." Noriko answer.

"I didn't know Fuyuki has oder sibilings." Yuko says happily.

"Since you are first year teacher at Momosaki Elementry, we have to explain about the Kurotani family." Noriko says.

"Are you aware that the Kurotani kids are half burakumin?" Mitsuo ask.

"No but I have no interested in her background, guys." Yuko stated.

"Okay, but do you know that their father is a morticion?" Noriko ask.

"So what? People die everyday...." Yuko stated once more.

"BUT are you aware that their father and grandfather could be part of the Yakuza?" Mitsuo ask.

"You know what? I am leaving and going home." Yuko says to them before exiting her classroom.

As soon as Umeko and her kids enter their apartment and took off their shoes, Hiroshi, Sayuri, and Fuyuki quickly heads to their bedroom. Umeko heads to the kitchen and began making dinner. After 20 minutes or so, Hiro enter the kitchen.

"Mom, can I ask you something?" Hiro ask.

"What is it Hiroshi?" Umeko ask.

"Can my friends come over this Saturday?"

"After you study for 2 hours, Hiroshi."

"But why I have to study on a Saturday?"

"Look, Hiro. Your father and I simply want you and your sisters to go to a good Juinor High and High schools. So....study for 2 hours so you can have your friends over."

"Fine, mom."

Hiro heads back to his bedroom and Umeko continue cooking dinner. After 2 hours, Umeko finally finish cooking when her husband, Akira, enter the apartment.

"Hello Akira. How is your day?" Umeko ask.

"The usual." Akira answer as he took off his shoes.

Akira has black hair(goes to his shoulders), brown eyes, and light tan skin. He's wearing dark blue suit with a black tie and white long sleeve button up shirt.

"Well, dinner is ready, dear." Umeko says to him.

"Alright." Akira reply.

"Hiroshi! Sayuri! Fuyuki! Dinner is ready!" Umeko calls for them.

After a minute or so, Akira, Umeko, Hiroshi, and Sayuri heads to the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"Sayuri, where is your sister?" Umeko ask.

"She is our bedroom." Sayuri answer.

"Please get here." Umeko says to her.

"Alright." Sayuri reply before exiting the kitchen.

After a minute, Sayuri and Fuyuki enter the kitchen and sat down. As soon as they began eating dinner, Akira spoke up.

"Hiroshi. Sayuri. Fuyuki. How is your first day of school?" Akira ask.

"Noriko sensei is a so so....." Sayuri reply.

"Mitsuo sensei is kinda strict, but he is okay." Hiro answer.

"And what about you, Fuyuki?" Akira ask his youngest child.

"Yuko sensei is okay...." Fuyuki reply.

Akira simply nod before he and his family continue eating their dinner. For the first week of school, Fuyuki did not want to make any friends. Yuko did ask Fuyuki to play with her classmates, but Fuyuki simply draw pictures at her seat. Yuko did told Umeko about Fuyuki, but Umeko told her that she will talk to her husband. When dinner is over, Hiroshi, Sayuri, and Fuyuki watch some tv shows. Since it is Friday night, the kids will stay up until 12am. That is when Akira and Umeko decide to go to their bedroom and began talking about Fuyuki.

"Akira. In the past week, Fuyuki's teacher kept telling me that Fuyuki refuses to play with her classmates." Umeko says to him.

"If Fuyuki doesn't want to make friends, just leave her alone." Akira answer.

"But Fuyuki need to interact with kids within her age group."

"I do understand that, Umeko, but Fuyuki might us if we force her to do something that she doesn't like."

Akira and Umeko conitnue to talk for a while before they decide to go to bed. When Saturday finally came, Akira went to work and Umeko won't get to work until 2pm. So, she made a small breakfast for her kids, clean around the apartment and make sure that Hiroshi is studing for 2 hours. Hiro finish his studying by lunch time. He quickly heads to the kitchen and join his sisters and mom for lunch. Around 12:30pm, Hiro's friends, Eiji and Kenta, came over.

"Mom, my friends and I will be heading to the park." Hiro says to his mom.

Hiro is wearing short sleeve blue shirt, blue shorts, and white socks.

Kenta has short black hair, brown eyes, and light pale skin. He is wearing short sleeve green shirt, blue shorts and white socks.

Eiji has short dark brown hair, brown eyes, and light tan skin. He is wearing short sleeve orange shirt, red shorts, and white socks.

"Alright but be home around 6:30pm, Hiroshi."

"Hai." Hiro reply before he and his friends left the apartment.

"Hey mom. It means that me and Sayuri will be home alone?" Sayuri ask.

Sayuri is wearing a non sleeve bright orange shirt, red shorts, and white socks.

Fuyuki is wearing long sleeve green shirt, purple pants, and blue socks.

"Yes and I know you girls are still pretty young but you guys need to take care of yourselves anyway." Umeko explain.

"Oh....okay then...." Sayuri reply. "But can I invited my friends over to the apartment?"

"Yes, Sayuri." Umeko answer.

Sayuri heads to the home phone and call her two friends, Manami and Ayako. Fuyuki grab the remote and change the channel. Within 30 minutes, Sayuri's friends came over to the apartment.

"Fuyuki, you can watch some tv. My friends and I will be hanging out in our bedroom, okay?" Sayuri says to her.

"Hai." Fuyuki answer.

Manami has soulder length straight black hair(kept as ponytails), light tan skin, and brown eyes. She's wearing non sleeve pale pink shirt, pink demin shorts, and white socks.

Ayako has midback straight black hair(kept as a low ponytail), light pale skin, and brown eyes. She's wearing short sleeve pale orange shirt, pale blue shorts, and white socks.

Sayuri, Manami, and Ayako heads to the bedroom. Once Umeko finish cleaning the kitchen, she heads to her bedroom and change in the dark purple kimono, orange obi, and white socks.

"Fuyuki. I won't be home until 8pm. I will bring some dinner after my work ok?" Umeko says.

"Hai, mama." Fuyuki reply.

Umeko says her goodbyes before putting on her sandals and exit the apartment. Fuyuki continue to watch her shows for over an hour before heading to the kitchen. She manage to open the fridge and took out a juice box. Fuyuki return to the living room and watch more shows for 20 minutes. Fuyuki is then awaken by her old sister.

"What is it, nee nee?" Fuyuki ask as she rub her eyes.

"We have decided to go to the grocey store." Sayuri reply. "You have to go with us since mom will going to get mad at me if you're all alone in the apartment."

"Okay....." Fuyuki says meekly.

The girls put on their shoes and exit the apartment. Sayuri has to hold Fuyuki's hand even though the grocey store is a 15 minute walk from their apartment. As soon as they enter the store, Sayuri let go Fuyuki's hand and went went with her friends. Fuyuki walk around the store for a few minutes until she found some fried ramen, carton of milk and some rice balls. That is she bump into an older boy(13) name Toshio.

"Gomen nasai....." Fuyuki mutter.

"It is alright." Toshio reply back as he picks up Fuyuki's stuff.

Toshio has shoulder length black hair, tan skin, and brown eyes. He is wearing teal short sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and sandals.

That is when Sayuri and her friends quickly approach her.

"Fuyuki, why you went on your own?" Sayuri ask.

"You let go of my hand and went with your friends without me." Fuyuki reply.

"Well....I am sorry if she's troublesome...." Sayuri says to Toshio.

"She wasn't at all." Toshio reply.

Sayuri bow a bit before she, Fuyuki, Manami, and Ayako heads to the cashier and exit the grocery store. Toshio soon grand katsudon, couple of bento boxes, couple of coffee cans and bottle of water. He then heads to the cashier and exit the store. He walks for 20 minutes to his 8 story apartment building. He lives in the apartment on the 5 floor. As Toshio enter the apartment and close the door behind him, he can hear loud music from his older sister(Rina)'s bedroom.

"Oneechan, please lower your music..." Toshio says loudly as he took off his sandals. You know the neighbors will get mad at us."

"And your point is?" Rina ask back as she exit her bedroom.

Rina has dark brown wavy hair(goes to her midback), tan skin, and brown eyes. She is wearing hot pink spagetti strap and knee length demin skirt. She is the first year at Sakuratani High School.

"Anyway....why you are so dress up?"

"I am going to see Koichi kun."

"But oneechan.....did mom and dad says that you cannot see him anymore?"

"Yea? So what?"

Otani Koichi did graduated from a local high school, but never went to an university. He works at a local car shop. Their parents,, disapprove their relationship. Their, father, Akio, works at the business company and their mother, Keiko, works at local flower shop.

"OK....you better be careful then...." Toshio says to her.

"Alright. See you later." Rina says to him before putting on her heels and exit the apartment.

Toshio grabs the katsudon and bottle water and heads to his bedroom. As Fuyuki, Sayuri, Manami, and Ayako enter the apartment, Sayuri and her friends heads to the girls' bedroom and Fuyuki went to the living room with her fried ramen, carton of milk and some rice balls. Around 4:30pm, Hiroshi and his friends enter the apartment.

"Welcome back...." Fuyuki says to them.

"Is mom or dad home?" Hiro ask.

"No nii nii....."

"Hiro can we go your room and play cards?" Eiji ask.

"And can we call our parents?" Kenta ask.

"Yea guys." Hiro reply before heading to his bedroom.

Fuyuki continue to watch tv for an hour and finish eating her food and drank her milk. She heads to the kitchen and put her trash in the trash bin. That is when her father enter the apartment.

"Welcome back daddy...." Usagi says to him.

"Is your mother home?" Akira ask as he took off his shoes. He is wearing the black suit with a black tie.

"No. She will be home around 7pm or 8pm. She will also bring dinner too."

"Alright then. I will be in my room..."

Fuyuki simply nod as she watch her dad to his bedroom and close the door behind him. Around 6pm, Eiji's Kenta's Ayako's and Manami's parents came by and pick up their kids. Then around 7pm, Umeko came home with dinner.

"Everyone, I'm home." Umeko says loudly before heading to the kitchen.

Fuyuki, Sayuri, and Hiroshi quickly heads to the kitchen.

"Guys....where is your father?" Umeko ask her kids.

"He is in the bedroom." Fuyuki answer.

"Can you please get him, Fuyuki?" Umeko ask.

"Hai mommy..." Fuyuki reply.

Fuyuki exit the kitchen and heads to her parents' bedroom. She knock a few times and wait for a moment. Then the bedroom door open and Fuyuki made a face. Her dad is a smoker and doesn't like the smoker's smell.

"What is it, Fuyuki?" Akira ask.

"Mommy is here with dinner. Are you hungry?" Fuyuki ask back.

"I will be out in a few."

Fuyuki simply nodd before heading back to the kitchen. When Monday came, it is break for the students at Momosaki Elementry school. As usual, Fuyuki is sitting at her desk, drawing her pictures. As for Yuko, she has heard stories from other teachers about the Kurotani family. Yuko approach Fuyuki and sat next to her.

"Hi Fuyuki chan. What are you drawing?" Yuko ask.

"Pandas and Polar Bears." Usagi answer.

"It is a nice picture."

"Thank you."

"Please tell why you don't tell me why you talk with your classmates."

"I don't know."

"Does your parents like to social with their friends?"

"Mommy like to talk to people, but not daddy. He rather to be alone."

"I see then."

Yuko excuse herself and exit the classroom. When school is over, Hiroshi and Sayuri pick up their Fuyuki from her kindergarden class and head to their apartment. As always, their parents are not home. As they enter the apartment and took off their shoes, Sayuri and Hiro heads to the kitchen.

"Fuyuki.....do you want some rice balls?" Hiro ask.

"Hai nii nii." Fuyuki reply.

"Fuyuki, please don't bother us. We have homework." Sayuri says to her.

"Hai nee nee." Fuyuki reply again.

Once they ate some rice balls, Sayuri and Hiro heads to their bedrooms as Fuyuki went to the living room. As she sat down and turn on the tv, Fuyuki took out her workbook from backpack and place it on the coffee table. Fuyuki look over the pages she need to do. She want to ask her older brother and sister for help, but they have their own homework. So, she did her worksheets on her home. Around 6pm, Umeko finally came home.

"I am home...." Umeko says as she took off her shoes.

"Welcome home mommy." Fuyuki reply.

"Where is your brother and sister?"

"In their rooms.....doing their homework."

"Okay. Before I start dinner, I will give you a bath."

"Hai, mommy."

Umeko and Fuyuki heads to the bathroom and Umeko gave her a bath. After the bath, Fuyuki is change into short sleeve pink shirt and purple pj bottoms. Umeko did told Hiro and Sayuri to take baths too before heading to the kitchen and began making dinner. Fuyuki finish some pages in her workbook before putting it in her backpack and heads to her bedroom. When she enter the bedroom, Sayuri is writing in her notebook.

"Sorry to bother you. I just want put away my backpack." Fuyuki says to her.

"Alright, Fuyuki." Sayuri answer.

Once Fuyuki puts away her backpack, she exit the bedroom and return to the living room. Dinner is ready around 7:30pm. Fuyuki, Sayuri and Hiro quickly heads to the kitchen.

For the past two months, Yuko often told Umeko and Akira that Fuyuki refuse to interact with her classmates. Umeko did often nag Akira about Fuyuki's situation, but Akira simply shrug it off. Even Sayuri try to include her baby sister with her friends. but Fuyuki ends up playing with her toys all alone. So, Umeko decide to take Fuyuki with to work. So, on Saturday morning, Umeko woke up Fuyuki around 7:30am.

"Mommy....why I have to go?" Fuyuki ask.

"You need to get out more, Fuyuki. Anyway, let me change you." Umeko says to her.

"Hai."

Fuyuki gets out her futon and walk up to her mother. Umeko change Fuyuki out her pjs and change into non sleeve orange shirt, blue shorts, and orange socks.

Fuyuki heads to the living room as Umeko heads back to her bedroom and change into a pale blue kimono, brown obi and whites.

Umeko soon heads to the kitchen and made a quick breakfast for Hiro and Sayuri before making quick small breakfast and lunch bento boxes for herself and Fuyuki. By 8:10am, Umeko and Fuyuki exit their apartment and heads to the train station. Once they are at Arima Onsen around 8:45am, Umeko led Fuyuki into her small office.

"Fuyuki, can you please stay here while I talk to my co workers?" Umeko says to her.

"Hai, mommy." Fuyuki answer.

Umeko exit the office, leaving Fuyuki all alone. Fuyuki took out her book and crayons from the bag and began coloring. She has been coloring for over an hour when her mother came back. They ate breakfast together before Umeko took Fuyuki with her. Umeko talk to the customers while Fuyuki stay really close with her. By lunch came around, Umeko took a break and made a quick lunch for her and Fuyuki. By the time she brought the lunch to her office, Fuyuki is drawing.

"Are you hungry, Fuyuki?" Umeko ask.

"Hai, mommy." Fuyuki reply.

"Okay here is lunch."

Both of them began eating lunch, but within 10 minutes of Umeko, the co worker name Kiyoko enter the office. Kiyoko has black hair(goes to her shoudlers), brown eyes, and light pale skin. She is wearing pale gray kimono, black kimono, and white socks.

"Umeko san, there is a strange man at the front of the onsen." Kiyoko says to her.

"Really? Fuyuki, please stay here and wait for me." Umeko stated.

"Hai, mommy." Fuyuki answer.

Kiyoko and Umeko exit the office and heads to the front of the onsen. Fuyuki continue eating her lunch for the next few minutes when she heard the shootings. Fuyuki stop eating and head inside the closet before closing it. Fuyuki wasn't sure how long the shooting, but she jump a bit when the police officer open the closet door quickly.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" the officer ask.

Fuyuki did not bother to answer the officer's questions. So, the officer pick up Fuyuki and quickly exit the office and onsen. She is still fairly confused and wanted to ask the officer where her mother is. Officer then place Fuyuki in the back seat of the police car stay with her. That is when her father and older sibilings approach the crime scene. Akira quickly notice Fuyuki sitting the police car and ran towards the car. Hiro and Sayuri also began follow their dad.

"Excuse me, that girl is my daughter." Akira says to the ploice officer.

Akira has to some proof that Fuyuki is his daughter. Police officer gives him the thumbs up and let Akira take his daughter. Before the police officer leaves them alone, Akira stop him.

"Sorry to bother you again, but excatly happened here?" Akira ask.

"The man named Yamaguchi Kazuki began making threats about killing little kids. He then stopped by two women from the onsen. Before the women can reacted, he shot them. They were killed instantly. He then shot few other people before killing himself. No one knows why he acted like that." Police officer explain. Police officer excuse himself and left them alone.

"Dad, what about mom?" Sayrui ask.

"Is she going to be okay?" Hiro ask.

"She isn't okay. She is gone." Akira told them.

Akira and his kids head back home so Akira can make the preprations for his wife's funeral.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Please read and review if you are not busy.