Chapter 1

third person pov

Erika Miyagi stood at the edge of the large sea, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The sea stretched out before her, a serene expanse of endless blue. The rhythmic rise and fall of the waves created a gentle, soothing melody, their crests curling and breaking with a quiet grace before retreating back into the vastness. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the familiar streets, signaling the end of another summer day.

Tomorrow, she'd be leaving for college, a prospect that filled her with both anticipation and pure joy. College is the only way out, a place where she could reinvent herself, away from the prying eyes of the small village of Ogimi, where everyone knows her, and she knows everyone.

But before she could embark on this new chapter, she faced the immediate headache: meeting her roommate. She is so grateful that she found such a cheap lease on what looked to be a luxury apartment, the only issue is she didn't know her roommate at all.

Her mind raced with possibilities and what-ifs, each scenario more nerve-wracking than the last. Would they get along? Would they share the same interests? Or would it be a nightmare of clashing personalities and constant tension?

As she walked home, she noticed the air was warm and fragrant with the scent of blooming hibiscus flowers and the earthy aroma of freshly tilled soil. The purply-blue-pink hues of the sunset painted the sky, reminding her that new beginnings, much like the end of a day, were both beautiful and inevitable. As she strolled back to the heart of her village, Mrs. Tamaki greeted her with a warm smile.

"Haisai." Erika said, politely smiling at the woman, with a small wave. Mrs. Tamaki is Erika's mother's best friend. She has known her since she was just an embryo in her mother's stomach.

"What are you doing out so late?" She replied with a playful tone, "You got into a fancy college and now you're too good for a curfew," She laughed to herself, smiling down on Erika waiting for her to join in on her laughter. "Does your mother know you're out at this time?" The woman asked as she crossed her arms. She became more serious with each word. Mrs. Tamaki's glare pierced into Erika.

Erika looked up, meeting her gaze, "Mrs. Tamaki I don't have a curfew now that school is out, I just prefer to be home at sunset."

"Okay, get home safely, your mother must be awake awaiting you" Mrs. Tamika said as she waved Erika goodbye.

"Guburii Sabira" Erika replied. She walked towards her home, which was only a minute away. Each step she took was accompanied by the gentle crunch of gravel beneath her feet, a soothing rhythm that matched the unhurried pace of her life here.

Finally she arrived at her home. She grabbed the keys out of her pocket, but before she was able to finish unlocking the door, her mother opened it.

"Haisai, Eika." Ayako said with an apathetic tone.

"Haisai, mama." Erika bolted into the house, heading straight to her room. She closed the door quietly behind her.

She turned off the lights before finally collapsing on her bed, with nothing more than a lone blanket keeping her warm.

Though suddenly she heard a loud banging coming from outside her door.

"Erika, have you finished packing yet? Your flight to the United States is tomorrow" Ayako questioned behind the door. She knocked aggressively, impatiently awaiting her daughter's movement.

"Almost. I still have a few things to sort out." Erika replied as she got up and opened the door. Annoyance graced her face whilst she turned on the bright lights, she knew her mother was about to scold her.

"You should have been more prepared. This isn't a vacation; it's a major move. You can't just pack at the last minute, Erika." Ayaka loudly told Erika. It being so late at night Erika couldn't help but wince at the raise in tone from her mother.

"I know, Mama. I've been busy with other things, too. It's not like I'm slacking off." Erika slightly argued. Immediate regret hit her as she realized her mother wouldn't give up without a fight.

"Busy with what?" Ayaka scoffed, "Hanging out with your friends instead of focusing on your future? You know how important this is." Ayaka rhetorically asked. All Erika could think about was the fact that SHE got into Yale, not her mother, her. She knows what she's doing.

"Of course, I know. But I also wanted to say goodbye." She said as she moved her gaze from her mother to the floor.

"You need to start prioritizing better, Erika," Ayaka moved to her daughter's view, "College in the United States is going to be demanding, and you can't just drift through it."

"I get it, mama. I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle it." Erika said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"You are still a child, you're only 17, moving across the world from your family," Ayaka sighed and rubbed her temples, "Have you at least talked to your roommate yet?" She questioned her.

"Yeah, her name is Catherine. We chatted online, and she seems nice." Erika replied as she bit her lip, in fear of her mother's response. Erika actually had only talked to her once, and that was simply to address signing the terms of conditions of the lease.

"Nice isn't enough. Make sure you know if she's serious about her studies, you know what they say about those Americans. You don't want to be distracted." Ayaka scolded, leaving Erika enraged. Erika was no stranger to the high road. She constantly had to take it with her family, especially her mother.

"Okay" Erika said blankly with little expression. Ayaka continued despite her apathy, "I just want you to be careful, Erika. It's a different culture, a different world. You have to stay focused and not get sidetracked."

"I know." Erika replied with the same tone as before.

"And don't forget your important documents. Passport, visa, everything needs to be in order. Have you double-checked?" Ayaka anxiously asked.

"Yes, I have. I'm not careless." Erika responded with anger spiking her voice.

"It's not about thinking you're careless. It's about making sure everything is perfect because this is your future." Ayaka stated.

"I understand. Really, I do. But can you trust me to handle it?" Erika questioned, a plea peaked through her question.

"Trust is earned, Erika. Just remember, this is a crucial step, and you can't afford to mess it up." Ayaka warned for the millionth time.

"I won't. I'll make it work. Just as I did all throughout my school years." Erika remarked back at her mother.

"I hope so. Just make sure you're taking this seriously." Ayaka stated.

"I am, mama. Believe me, I am." Erika said ending the conversation.

Ayaka looked away from the young girl. She sighed deeply and turned off the lights, finally shutting the door.

Erika's new found peace made her eyes close shut, although she could not fathom sleeping. The excitement of leaving the small village, with small minds such as her mother's, was a huge weight on her mind. Yet the anxiety of moving from the small village in which she's never left, with the people she's always known, weighed on her mind.

Her eyes, sadly, would not bear the same weight, and she remained awake, awaiting the next morning.