Chapter 1 - Reinia Strauss (1/2)

Every day is a normal boring day.

School, work, home, sleep.

Reina Strauss has lived her life following this everyday routine ever since middle school when her father left her and her mother. Abandoning her father's last name and changing it to her mother's, Reina has been working to support her mom and herself. In her summer before she started her last year in high school her mother committed suicide. It was sudden and unexpected.

Before, her mother had never shown any kind of weakness, no tears, no relying on a man, and has always been Reina's pillar of support. After losing her mother, Reina fell into an unstable state. Since she was still a minor and judging that it was not safe for her to be alone, she was forced to live with her father in Japan. No other relative would take her in.

During her flight to Japan Reina had calmed down. Becoming resentful and saddened her emotions a jumbled mess. When she landed in Japan her father greeted her with a big hug but she refused and dodged it. Sensing her rejection of him her father led her to the car in silence and said nothing more.

Not a word was passed between them during the car ride. As they neared his house a woman near her mid thirties could be seen outside waving at them. Next to her were two small children, hiding behind her floor length skirt as the car neared.

The woman smiled warmly at Reina as she stepped out of the car. In English with a heavy Japanese accent the woman introduced herself,

”Hello, my name is Ito Akane. My son's name is Haru and his sister is Asahi. Children say hello.”

She gently pushed the twins out from behind her. Reluctant at first both of then looked at their mother with questioning eyes. Faced with their mother's menacing smile both of them greeted Reina.

”H-hello... my name is Ito Asahi.” The sister mumbled quietly.

”M-my name is Ito Haru...” The brother added in a soft voice.

With their introductions done they quickly dashed behind their mom again. Peeking out ever so slightly to look at Reina to see her reaction. Out of courtesy Reina introduced herself to them.

”My name is Reina Strauss. My last name is Strauss not Ito and I won't be changing it.”