[Five years later... The Karawei Farm, state of Piasu, the town of Darrilyn, country of Ryomania, Eastern Continent, Monday, 12:37 AM, January 5th, 2015]
I sat by the window on a flimsy wooden chair, looking outside from within my bedroom, thinking about that fateful night.
I wasn't like the other kids in the neighborhood, I could recall things better than them, I had a high emotional maturity for my age, I understood why Mom cried when the bills came, even if I didn't know what the numbers meant.
And I was surprisingly good at calculating how many jelly beans there were in a jar without counting them.
The window faced the backyard and the wheat fields behind my house. The afternoon sun shone on, casting a beautiful light on the whole house. We lived on a farm and my family owned a lot of acres of farmland, just past the fence around our house. There was wheat as far as the eye could see.
Me and my parents, my sister, and I all lived on this farm. Eleanor and Alexander Karawei. And Reno Karawei, my older sister. She was not present when I was born as she was sick at home and also had to take care of the house during that storm.
I can't say much about them... They were hardworking, honest people. And they loved me dearly.
Dad was a surgeon, Mom a mortician, but work didn't pan out due to inflation, a change in presidency and rumors of Iris attacks, so when they gathered enough money they moved here and now they're farmers! And that's because we live here in Darrilyn.
Darrilyn is a small town on the outskirts of Havok, which is the biggest city in Piasu. Darrilyn consists of small winding roads, beautiful open fields of grass and crops and lots of hardworking people.
The air is almost sweeter here, quite literally so due to lower pollution.
My parents worked a lot on the farm; at that very moment, Mom was working the tractor outside in the fields.
But I myself was not always hardworking. In fact, I was quite lazy.
Earlier that day, I had gotten a new toy chest from Dad, built by him in his workshop. I considered it cool, just not "THAT" cool.
James Karawei: "This is SO booooring... I wish I had something to do..."
I said as I collected dust off the window with my finger.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door, I turned to see my father entering the room. Alexander had short brown hair like me and baby blue eyes, he was wearing a red shirt and dark jeans underneath his overalls.
Alexander Karawei: "James! If you're feeling bored, go help your mother, she needs help moving the haybales into the barn. Come on, working hard can be tough, but it's important! It's what helps us grow stronger."
He grinned and gave me a thumbs up, I groaned and turned fully to face him.
James Karawei: "Why can't you take care of it? I'm busy..."
He stepped closer and patted my shoulder.
Alexander Karawei: "Looking out of the window isn't work son, now go help your mother."
I jumped off my chair and onto the bed, consequently landing on a pillow which flew directly into his face. He smiled and put it back on the bed.
James Karawei: "Why can't I go to kindergarten? All the other kids get to go! Plus, farmers are weird... And smelly, I don't want to be one forever! I wanna be... a doctor! Or a cop! Or... a superhero!"
I said, rolling around on the bed. He perched lightly on the edge of the bed.
Alexander Karawei: "You're special, James... Most kids your age can't outrun a tractor, or even push a haybale, or... do math. And you know we don't have the funds for that right now... Maybe next month, okay? I promise. Now, go help your mother." He once again, insisted.
I sighed and pushed myself out of bed, aggressively tugging on my blue t-shirt.
James Karawei: "Yeah, I guess you're right..."
I then made my way out into the hallway and turned left to enter the kitchen, on the counter I saw it... The sweet vanilla and strawberry cake that mom made an hour earlier.
The occasion being my birthday.
Dad peeked out from the doorway to my room.
Alexander Karawei: "Don't you dare touch that cake yet young man, your sister hasn't even woken up... I'm watching you!"
He chided, mockingly so, and narrowed his eyes, a hint of a smile on his lips.
James Karawei: "I know, I know... It smells amazing, mom is so cool. Why aren't you more like here?"
He chuckled and stepped out fully into the hallway, leaning on the doorframe.
Alexander Karawei: "Kid, I've been working since six in the morning, your mom just started, now go."
I sighed, again, and made my way outside through the backyard entrance.
Mom was in the field on the tractor, harvesting wheat.
We specifically farmed wheat and hay and then sold those for profit, that's how both mom and dad made a living.
I waved to her, she waved back.
I then went over to the far edge of the fence, the backyard had a flimsy wooden fence and just beyond that were the wheat fields. So I hopped over it and made my way to the back of the property where the barn was. We didn't own any animals, so we mostly used it for storage.
I cracked my knuckles and opened the doors to the barn by myself, I then went inside and made my way to the back of the barn where the haybales usually sat. I grabbed one from below and pushed it upwards and then rolled it outside of the barn. I did this one by one until all ten haybales were stacked nicely outside, making a tower of them.
Mom was stopped outside of the barn by the time I had finished. It only took ten minutes for me to roll all of the haybales.
Eleanor Karawei: "Well, look at my big, strong, man... What's this for kiddo?"
She hopped off the tractor and came towards me, smirking. She had medium-length white hair and gray eyes. She wore a white t-shirt and some overalls, a tilted sunhat rested on her head.
James Karawei: "Dad said you needed help with these, did I do a good job?" I asked, pointing to the tower of haybales.
She pet my head and chuckled.
Eleanor Karawei: "Oh yes sweetie, it's a perfectly good tower. We'll take it down later together."
I looked up at the tower and then back at her.
James Karawei: "Why? What's wrong with it?"
She stopped petting my head and straightened up.
Eleanor Karawei: "Sweetie, we need the haybales stacked three-on-three, next to eachother."
I nodded and rubbed my chin.
James Karawei: "I see... So this means I can go eat cake?"
She grabbed me by my hand and without further warning started dragging me towards the house.
Eleanor Karawei: "Oh yes sweetie, all of it. We both deserve to relax, you did a good enough job."
I didn't question her.
I looked around at the wheat fields as we walked back to the house, seeing houses far into the distance. Darrilyn was a small village in a big land, people from Havok owned land here too, so the houses are built sparingly, creating the atmosphere for a town with long winding roads, the quiet, and maybe a few weird people.
The sun always drew my attention, I followed the beams wherever they reflected... I always liked shiny things.
Mom went around the front of the house while I went in through the backyard, going back into the kitchen and into the dining room.
On the table was the birthday cake and other decorations, confetti, party hats and silly string? There was a single candle on the cake, the number 5.
James Karawei: "I thought birthdays were supposed to be fun... Where are the cool horse riders and gangsters?! Like in 'Mobster-Khan fights Robo-Tron!'"
I sat down at the table and slammed my fist on it. I only rattled a napkin.
My father was already at the table, reading a newspaper, he looked up at me and shook his head.
Alexander Karawei: "You're so silly, James, horse riding mobsters? What, so you expect us to dress up like ancient warriors and ride horses into the house while holding revolvers and swords? C'mon, kid, plus cake is way cooler than horses! I'll go bring your mother in."
He put a party hat on my head and left. I crossed my arms and leaned forward, resting them on the table.
James Karawei: "Well thanks anyway..."
I stuck my finger in some whipped cream in the cake and ate it, faking a pout, but then—
I heard soft and gentle footsteps coming from the hallway leading to the kitchen, and the voice I heard next was far gentler.
Reno Karawei: "Morning Jamie... Up and at them I see. Good boy."
It was Reno, my older sister, she was twenty years old at the time, wearing a white nightgown and... whatever else underneath, she reached out and petted my head, and also adjusted my party hat with a smirk on her face.
James Karawei: "Ah! Reno? Weren't you going somewhere for the weekend? Why're you still here? Bug face..."
I stuck my tongue out at her childishly, she giggled and sat down next to me, her right hand lingering on my right shoulder.
Reno Karawei: "You're the silly little bug here, it's only Monday, James, I leave on Saturday for the interview, I haven't even packed my bags yet."
She paused for a moment, also reaching to put on a party hat that was poorly made by my dad.
Reno Karawei: "But still, I can't believe I managed to get such an offer for Ariston Industries. If I manage to get hired, we'll never have to worry about money or... Anything! Never again!"
She turned to me excitedly and did a fist pump while grinning, probably trying to get me pumped about it.
Reno Karawei:"Isn't that great? We can even visit Aunt Lara whenever we want! And maybe you'll get to become a little mobster-khan yourself~"
She reached out to ruffle my hair again, I blushed and looked away from her.
James Karawei: "You heard that? I don't even like horses... Or mobsters."
I pouted and crossed my arms as I turned fully towards the door.
Mom and Dad walked in, and Mom immediately grabbed a towel off the kitchen counter to wipe the sweat off her forehead.
Eleanor Karawei: "Phew... That was a good warmup for the day. Now let's get this birthday party started, huh?"
She ruffled my hair, and I turned back to the cake, arms crossed and still pouting.
James Karawei: "Mom... Go shower... Stop it... When can I have steak?"
Alexander Karawei: "We're not getting steak, James. Last winter, you ate two whole cows' worth of steak. Y'know, I still miss Betsy, she was our last cow... Now stop complaining, or you'll make us go more bankrupt. Even though you might be right about the smell... You worked up a sweat, didn't you, honey?"
Dad said as he lit the lone numbered candle on the cake and sat down on my left.
Eleanor Karawei: "Well! Excuse me for being the only one doing any hard work around here. I'll be right back. Go ahead and make your wish, sweetie."
She once again ruffled my hair and walked away towards the bathroom. I closed my eyes and thought as hard as I could... My face still, my eyes determined, my nose scrunched, adorably so. I blew as hard as I could.
The candle went out and toppled over on the side. Reno quickly picked it up off the cake and put it on the plate.
Reno Karawei: "So what did you wish for, Jamie?"
James Karawei: "For... extra change!"
I stuck my tongue out at her, and both she and Dad burst into laughter.
I didn't wish for money. I wished for something far more serious, actual change. I wasn't necessarily happy at that time, I felt lonely... estranged, I wanted changes. Not just for me, but for everyone.
Our financial situation was one issue, we used to have many animals on the farm, with time they all went away one way or another. Last year, they had sold a bunch of our many farm animals, but it still wasn't enough.
And also...
Most kids my age couldn't speak as clearly as I could; heck, there were lots of strange things about me that I noticed with time. Both my mom and dad knew, they just thought I was a fast grower.
Like the fact that my pupils are star-shaped. Or the fact that I have a 4-pack of abs at only five years of age. Did I forget to mention that?
Or that one time I outran both my dad and the tractor at the same time... To test my speed of course, it was at full speed, mind you. That's... 25 mph (40 km/h). Even Reno was impressed, and she never usually got impressed by much.
This happened last Wednesday.
It also freaked out Old Lady Dana and her two golden retrievers when they saw it. She's nice. She always brought me and Reno cookies on the weekends.
Later that same day, I started helping out around the house and the farm. Instead of being lazy, I began training and working out without even knowing what I was doing. I was just so... confused, frustrated.
After all Reno was going away, I was finally going to kindergarten soon and just as my parents speculated, I indeed was a fast grower.
[The Karawei Farm, Saturday, 5:32 PM]
I was doing push-ups in the backyard like I have been for the whole week when suddenly Reno came up behind me. It was her time to leave for the interview. For the Ariston Industries building in Havok. Which also took up the center spot of the city.
Reno Karawei: "What are you up to, you little rascal. Working out at this age?"
I jumped at the sound of her voice and fell over, tumbling backwards.
James Karawei: "Huh?! No... I was just admiring the grass from up close. Comparing distances. The ants are very cute and busy and um... shut up!"
She chuckled and laid down on the grass next to me, not caring about her fancy business suit which she bought yesterday.
Reno Karawei: "Well, I'm glad you're doing something productive... Listen, James—"
She put her hand on my shoulder and glanced away towards the setting sun.
Reno Karawei: "I'm leaving for the interview, if somehow they accept me... We probably won't see each other for a very very long time, the conditions are that I remain for work overseas... so please take care of things around here for me, okay? Promise to help out and become the best version of yourself, Jamie. To change... I'd like that too, for us."
Tears fell from my eyes as I listened, I didn't notice.
I instinctively wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. My body moved before my mind did and then I realized... I hugged her even harder.
I didn't know much about Ariston Industries, but I would learn eventually... with time. I did know, however, that 'vacations' weren't a thing for them. I wouldn't see her for a long time.
James Karawei: "I'll be okay... Reno, I—"
The words wouldn't escape my mouth as I looked into her eyes, and she smiled. She knew I wanted to say "I love you".
Reno Karawei: "I'll always love you too, Jamie, to forever and beyond."
A final kiss to my forehead, and she got up and left. I didn't know this at the time, but she cried too, behind her tinted dark sunglasses...
But that's not even the most important event of that day.
[My Bedroom, Saturday, 3:16 AM]
At 3:16 AM, I thought I had woken up from a dream, but it was a false awakening. I was still inside a dream, and I became lucid. Something that very common for me as a child. Suddenly, I heard a voice— A whisper coming from seemingly nowhere within my room.
???: "James... Look down at your right hand."
The voice spoke to me very intimately as if it were coming from within my soul itself.
I looked down and saw—
A beautiful sight, really, a small glowing rainbow orb within the palm of my hand.
???: "You won't understand it now, but you will later. This is truth, all I can offer you James. I love you."
I glanced around my room frantically, trying to find out where the voice was coming from.
James Karawei: "W-what? Who's there?! Why is this thing so pretty and warm...?"
The voice chuckled and, after a brief pause, spoke again.
???: "You know me. Continue being a good boy. Help your parents... You're going to meet some very important people soon, so remain good. I love you. We'll talk again one day James. This is to protect you."
I quickly glanced around my room, but I did not hear the voice again, then suddenly the orb flew up and into my face between my eyebrows.
Now that's when I woke up, I glanced over in the mirror to my left and saw my eyes shining in a faint rainbow glow, with new light.