The Move

I stood outside on my porch with two of my good friends from highschool, staring at my phone screen at the date and time. July 4th...I special day not only for America but for myself as on this day I would always spend the day popping fireworks with my mother and father and celebrating his birthday. 

"Hey, Motosaki," One of my friends called out to me, watching me closely. 

"Hm..?" I answered, lowering my phone and looking back at him. 

My friend stood up from his seat and walked toward me, gently placing his hand on my back, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Just wanted to tell you that we've had a great summer together. One of the best summers... y'know even though Aisha isn't here in America with us anymore."

I let out a soft chuckle and lowered my head, a soft sigh escaping my lips. "Yeah, I agree. I really enjoyed this summer, even though this will be my last summer here. Just wish that things could've been different..." 

"Yeah, we still feel bad about what happened with your parents...but we can use this moment to pay our respects one last time. Pop a few fireworks together one more time before you move to Japan," My friend comforted, gently patting my back. 

"Yeah, let's make the most of this...and cherish the memories we had of them while they were still alive. It's what they would've wanted," My other friend said, a warm smile playing on her lips as she stood up to join us. 

I looked at my two friends, smiling at the both of them before glancing at my phone again, staring at the wallpaper of me and my father together. "Yeah...let's do it. One last show for the road...and thank you for everything, Jane and Michael.." 

With that, the three of us went to my car to get the fireworks from my trunk. Popping the trunk open, we saw all of the fireworks I bought for today. We took them out and began to set up in an open area in the street, Michael taking out his lighter and took the opportunity to spark up the first firework. 

We watched as the firework ignited, flying up to the skies above and exploding seamlessly in beautiful arrays of green and white. Jane happily took the next firework, lighting it up and watching it fly up with joy. Her firework exploded, releasing colors of blue and red, a joyous laugh escaping her lips. 

Jane handed me the lighter and a firework, smiling sweetly at me. "Here, you get in on the fun as well."

I took the firework and lighter, a soft smile curling on my lips. "Okay.." 

I set up the firework on the ground then lit it up, watching as the firework zoomed to the sky and exploded, releasing an array of five colors: blue, purple, pink, red, and yellow. The sight was beautiful, my eyes shimmering as I watched the sparks fade away. 

The three of us spent the majority of the night popping fireworks and laughing together, my initial sadness momentarily forgotten as I spent time with my two best friends. We laughed and joked together, Michael and I playing pranks on each other with fireworks like we did as kids. 

Soon, the night came to an end and the three of us said our last goodbyes to each other before returning to our homes. I walked into my house and looked around one last time at the place, a soft exhale escaping my lips, a few faint memories playing in my head of the happier times in the house.

"Goodbye old home...I loved my time in America, but I have new roots to explore and a career to study abroad. I'll miss you...mom and dad," I said softly, walking toward the couch and laying down, closing my eyes then slowly drifted to sleep. 

{Chapter 1: The Move} 

The next morning arrived, the sun rising and casting its warm glow through the blinds and illuminating the house. I grunted softly as the gentle glow hit my eyes, causing me to wake up from my slumber. I squinted my eyes, using my hand to block out the sun rays and sat up on the couch. 

I grabbed my phone from the table and checked the time. My eyes widened as I noticed the hour. "Oh shit, it's already 10:30?! I'm gonna be late!" 

I hurriedly got up from the couch and put on my shoes, hopping to slip them on correctly. I grabbed my keys off the table, storming out of the house and hurried toward my car, getting inside and starting it up. Before driving off, I made sure all of my luggage and belongings were in the car. 

"Alright," I said softly, putting my car in reverse and backing out of my driveway. 

Before taking off, I glanced around at my neighborhood one last time, smiling to myself then drove off to the airport. As I drove, I noticed Jane and Michael standing outside waving to me, and I waved at them back, knowing it would be the last time I see them again for a while. 

The drive to the airport was long, but a smooth ride the entire way despite the occasional traffic. Once I made it to the airport, I parked my car in the lot then got out, grabbing my large rolling suitcase and hurried into the building.

I ran toward the front desk, seeing the receptionist at her post and hurried toward her. Making it to the desk, I was huffing, catching my breath. I placed my plane ticket on the counter, meeting her gaze. "Hello...miss... I am here... for the flight to Japan." 

The receptionist smiled at me then looked at the plane ticket then began to check the database. She glanced back at me and let a soft giggle escape her lips. "Sir, you're actually here very early..~ The plane actually doesn't leave until 5 PM." 

"Wha— I could've sworn that..." I began, a bit too embarrassed to speak, my cheeks becoming slightly rosy from embarrassment. 

"You must've been thinking about the morning flight that left about 20 minutes ago. You ordered the evening ticket, so your flight doesn't leave until later on," The receptionist said, smiling at me then heard her phone ringing. 

I was relieved that I wasn't late but felt slightly embarrassed for getting my times mixed up. I thanked the Receptionist and made my way toward one of the seats, sitting down and taking out my phone to text Aisha, letting her know that I wouldn't be in Japan until 5 AM. 

As I waited, I spent the majority of my time texting back and forth with Aisha, the two of us excited to see each other again after spending two years apart from each other. I began to feel a familiar excitement bubbling inside me, unable to contain myself and sit still at the thought of reuniting with Aisha. 

Soon, the hour came for my flight to begin taking passengers and a melody played on the intercom. "Attention all passengers, the flight for Tokyo, Japan is now accepting passengers. Please present your tickets and thank you for flying with us at Main Aerial Lines!" 

I stood up from my seat and began to join the line of passengers, waiting for my turn to board the plane. My excitement became an all time high, this was the final step before I began my new life in Japan.

As I boarded the plane, the cool blast of air conditioning hit my face, a welcome relief from the warm summer air outside. I shuffled along with the line of passengers, holding my carry-on tightly by my side. The cabin buzzed with the soft murmurs of conversation, the occasional sound of wheels clacking against the floor as people stowed their luggage in the overhead compartments.

Finding my seat near the window, I slid my bag under the seat in front of me, then settled into my spot. I glanced out the window, the airport still bustling with activity on the tarmac. The flight attendants moved swiftly, giving directions to passengers as they prepared for takeoff.

The excitement that had been bubbling within me earlier started to mix with a nervous energy. This was really happening. I was leaving everything I'd known behind. My parents, my childhood home, my friends—everything. And ahead of me, a whole new life in Japan, a country I hadn't visited since I was a kid.

As the plane began to move, I felt a slight tremor under my seat, the wheels rolling toward the runway. My fingers tapped restlessly against my leg. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Aisha's face popped into my head. It had been two long years since we last saw each other in person. Would things be the same between us? Would she still recognize the same Motosaki?

The plane jerked as it sped up on the runway, and soon enough, we lifted off into the sky. My heart dropped slightly as we ascended higher, watching as the ground below shrank into tiny dots of cars and buildings. I sighed softly and leaned back, the steady hum of the plane's engines oddly calming now that we were airborne.

I pulled out my phone and opened the conversation with Aisha. I hadn't responded since I told her about the flight. As I typed a quick message, a flight attendant passed by, reminding passengers to switch to airplane mode. With a final message—"Next time I text you, I'll be in Japan :)"—I turned off my phone and tucked it into the seat pocket.

The hours began to pass. I watched as the plane moved through the different stages of the flight: food service, dimming lights, quiet periods where most of the passengers fell asleep. I tried to distract myself by watching a couple of movies on the in-flight entertainment screen, but my mind kept drifting. The world outside the window was vast and empty, just a sea of clouds beneath us.

At some point, I must've drifted off, my head resting against the window. I dreamed of old memories—of my parents, of summers spent with Jane and Michael, of the last time I had seen Aisha. A blur of faces and places, all swirling together, as if my mind was trying to process the fact that I was leaving them all behind.

When I woke up, there was an announcement from the flight attendant over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon begin our descent into Tokyo. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for landing."

My heart raced again. This was it.

I glanced out the window, seeing the sprawling lights of Tokyo far below us, the city stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was almost surreal, the sight of it so vast and so different from anything I was used to. I could already feel the magnitude of the change I was about to face.

The plane descended smoothly, touching down with a soft thud as the wheels made contact with the runway. My grip on the armrest loosened, and I exhaled the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

As the plane taxied to the gate, I stared out at the unfamiliar sight of Narita Airport. The signs in Japanese, the distinct architecture—it all hit me at once. This was my new life. I wasn't just visiting Japan. I was here to stay.

Once the plane came to a stop, the passengers slowly started standing, collecting their belongings and filing out of the cabin. I grabbed my carry-on, feeling the weight of my luggage not just in my hands, but in my chest. My entire world was in this suitcase now—everything I was bringing with me to start over.

As I stepped out of the plane and into the terminal, I was greeted by the sights and sounds of a bustling airport—announcements in Japanese, travelers rushing to and from flights, families reuniting, and tourists snapping photos. I stood there for a moment, taking it all in.

I felt a wave of emotion rush over me. Excitement, nervousness, maybe even fear. It was all tangled up inside of me, making it hard to focus. But through it all, there was a glimmer of hope. The hope that this new chapter in my life would be something worthwhile. Something different, something better.

I took a deep breath and checked my phone for the time. 5:15 AM. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the airport was already wide awake. I shot Aisha a quick message.

{Me: Just landed. I'm here.}

Her response was almost immediate.

{Aisha: Welcome to Japan, Motosaki. Can't wait to see you! <3}

I smiled to myself as I made my way through the airport, heading toward baggage claim. There was still so much ahead of me, but at least I wasn't alone.

Once I grabbed my luggage, I began to wander around the airport, scanning my surroundings for the exit while texting Aisha to see if she was around. My phone buzzed as I awaited her reply, but before I could read the message, I heard someone call out to me from behind.

"Motosaki!" The familiar voice rang through the crowd, stopping me in my tracks.

I froze for a moment, that voice tugging at something deep inside me. I turned around, my eyes landing on a figure I knew all too well. "Aisha…"

Aisha Ayami, an 18 year old girl that I am quite fond with and my childhood friend. She looked exactly how I remembered her. She had wavy, voluminous auburn hair that framed her face beautifully. The hairstyle gave her a soft, flowing appearance, with long bangs falling naturally around her forehead and cheeks.

Her large, expressive eyes were one of her most striking features, showing depth and emotion. She wore subtle, yet elegant makeup that accentuates her eyes and enhanced her natural beauty. She was wearing a light blue top with delicate details, such as lace or ruffles, around the neckline, giving her a gentle, feminine look.

She also had a black jacket draped over her shoulders, adding a casual, relaxed element to her overall appearance. She accessorized with dangling earrings and a necklace with a cross pendant, the same necklace that I gifted her on her 16th birthday.

For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in. It felt surreal—seeing her again after all this time, standing there like no time had passed. But it had. We'd both grown, changed in ways that couldn't be seen on the surface. Yet, in this moment, everything felt exactly the same.

I hurried toward Aisha, closing the distance between us in a few strides before pulling her into a tight embrace. "Aisha… I've missed you so much."

She hugged me back, just as fiercely, her fingers gripping the fabric of my jacket like she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. "I've missed you too… more than you could ever realize."

We stood there, holding each other for what felt like an eternity. It wasn't just the joy of reuniting. It was the relief of knowing that despite the time and distance, our bond hadn't faded. After a moment, we pulled back slightly, still holding onto each other but now with matching smiles.

"You still wear the necklace," I said, lightly touching the cross pendant around her neck. "I was worried you might've forgotten about it."

Aisha's eyes softened, her smile growing wider. "I never take it off. It's my good luck charm, especially when you're not around."

I chuckled softly, feeling warmth spread through my chest. "I'm glad to hear that."

We finally let go of each other and began to walk toward the exit. As we made our way through the airport, our conversation flowed naturally, like it always had. It felt like no time had passed between us at all, and yet there was so much to catch up on. She filled me in on everything that had happened since I'd been gone—school, friends, family—but there was an underlying excitement in her voice, the anticipation of us being reunited at last.

Soon, we stepped outside, and the cool air of Tokyo greeted us. Aisha led me to her car parked in the lot. "Here, let me help you with that," she said, grabbing one of my suitcases and tossing it into the trunk.

I placed the rest of my luggage in the backseat, shutting the door behind me as I climbed into the passenger seat. Aisha slid into the driver's side and started the car, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet space between us. She turned toward me with a playful smile. "So, are you ready for this new adventure, or are you already missing America?"

I leaned back in my seat, staring out at the cityscape as it unfolded before me. "I'm ready… I think," I replied, glancing at her. "I just don't know what to expect."

She chuckled softly. "Well, I'll make sure you settle in smoothly. After all, I'm your tour guide now." She winked at me before turning her eyes back to the road. "First stop, home. You're going to love it."

As Aisha navigated the streets of Tokyo, I watched the city lights flicker by, each one pulling me further away from my old life and deeper into this new one. It was strange—exciting and terrifying all at once. But with Aisha by my side, I knew I wasn't facing it alone.