Chapter 1: Let's Plan a Trip

(This chapter was not in After Story. This whole story is from Ushio's POV)

I'm sitting at the table with my coloring book and crayons. I'm drawing what's right in front of me-the living room. So far, I've drawn the TV and dresser. Next, I need to draw the doorway and color in everything.

Sanae is in the kitchen making dinner. I don't know where Akki is. He's probably outside somewhere, playing baseball.

I've always wanted to know who my Mommy and Daddy are. I've only seen them in pictures. But no matter how many times I ask, no one will tell me about them.

I know four things about Mommy. I know that she passed away after I was born. Second, she looks really pretty and happy in all of the pictures that I saw of her. Three, she loves the Big Dango Family. Forth, I know that she is watching me from Heaven.

But I don't know anything about my Daddy. I only know that he's alive somewhere…I just don't know where. There's so much that I want to know about him and Mommy.

I got up from the table and walked into the kitchen. I stood next to Sanae and tugged her apron.

She looked down at me with a smile on her face. I love that smile.

"Hello, Ushio." She smiled.

"Sanae, can I ask you a question?" I asked, looking up at her.

"Of course you can! What's the question?"

I had already asked Sanae and Akki about Mommy, so I thought that I should ask about my Daddy, "Can you tell me about my Daddy?" I asked.

Sanae went back to cooking dinner. Everything was quiet for a minute or so.

"I'll tell you what," Sanae said as she turned off the stove and put the food onto a tray, "How about we go on a trip?" she asked.

"A trip?" I asked as I followed her into the living room. She placed the food on the table and knelt down to my size.

She looked me in the eyes, "Yes. A trip with you, me, Akki, and your Daddy." She smiled.

I nodded my head happily. I couldn't believe it-finally, after wondering, asking, and waiting…I was finally going to meet my Daddy.

The next day, me and Akki stayed home. Sanae said that she had to buy train tickets and run some errands. It was Thursday, and we were leaving for the trip next weekend.

When Sanae came home, she used the phone. I was watching TV and I was wearing my favorite dango pajamas.

"It's Sanae! Have you made up your mind about the trip?" she asked the person. Then there was a pause, "Alright. Keep thinking and I'll call you back later!" she hung up. She dialed another number, followed by another pause, "So have you thought about it yet?" Silence. "Then I take it it's a yes?" she asked happily. Another long pause, "That's perfect! Thank you!" she hung up.

Before I knew it, it was time for bed. Sanae and Akki tucked me in the same way they do every single night-they gave me a dango plushy, put the covers over my body, and kissed me good night. Then, they turned off the light and closed the door behind them.

"Good night, Mommy," I whispered, "I love you." I know that she loves me back.

Time flew by, and it was already the day of the trip. I was ready-I was dressed, my hair and teeth were brushed, and my backpack was on my back, already packed. The only thing was missing was my hat, which Akki started putting on my head.

"Ushio, Sanae and I are going out somewhere, alright?" Akki said as he finished putting my hat on.

"But what about the trip?" I asked.

"Don't worry, you're still going." Akki said as he stood up. Sanae left a note on the table, and put two tickets on top of it.

I was really excited, but nervous at the same time. I was nervous because I didn't know what my Daddy would be like. But I pushed the negative thoughts away and tried to focus on the positive.

Akki and Sanae hugged and kissed me good bye. They left and I was alone-but not for long. A few minutes later, I heard the door open, followed by a man's voice.

"I'm here." The voice said, "Sanae, hello?" the voice paused, "Old man?"