Suzue’s Perspective

  “Suzi… Suzi!”

  I was startled awake from my nap by someone calling my name. I looked up and saw that it was Mr. Peters, my teacher who was at the front of the classroom giving a lecture. I must have been making noise in my sleep.

  “Pay attention, Suzi. I’m telling you something important,” he scolded.

  “Sorry.”

  I wiped away a string of saliva with the sleeve of my jacket and listened intently to his words.

  Mr. Peters was a history teacher and usually sounded more disinterested in the material he taught than the students themselves, which did not make for a productive class. But for this lecture, however, his voice was filled with an uncharacteristic passion and vigor that caught everyone off guard. The eyes that were usually so devoid of interest were bright and gleaming. His usual bored expression was replaced with a large smile like his child just one first place in a contest.

  Mr. Peters started off with a simple explanation of current events.

  “As you all know, about a month ago, the nation of Japan was invaded by the Second Empire of Russia. They landed on the shores of Hokkaido and have been wreaking havoc ever since. Japanese and American soldiers have been fighting valiantly every waking moment to protect the island nation. Our president has promised Japan support and protection through these trying times and it is the duty of every American citizen to fulfill that promise.”

  He breathed in deep and looked around at every one of us.

  “I do not view this as my simple duty as a citizen. For me, it is a great honor to prepare you for the part you must play in this war. I must prepare your minds so that you may better prepare your bodies to fight for your country. Upon your shoulders rests the fate of these United States and the fate of the world.”

  Mr. Peters continued with a dramatic slam of his hand against the wall.

  “The time for classes is over! The time for duty has begun! Soon, very soon, you will all graduate and I have but one question for all of you. Will you wait until you are called up or will you enlist as soon as you can? I know that in one classroom, everyone stood up and enlisted all at once. If such a thing were to happen here, I would feel great pride. Yet there are those who say that you are too young to be sent away from your homes. Are your parents so weak that they cannot send their child to defend the land which birthed them? Is a little experience such a bad thing for you? The honor of wearing a uniform is not something to be ashamed of!”

  Everyone was leaning forward, taking in every word he said. The only people in the class leaning back in their chairs and seeming uninterested were myself and my childhood friend Daniella Ramirez. The two of us didn’t need to hear this speech as we already made our choice.

  “Though the honor may be great, you must not become obsessed with the goal of being a hero. You must make yourselves worthy and let acclaim come when it should. I know some of you have personal aspirations. I see that many of you have great promise in the future you desire and I hope that you will succeed. But now our country calls for soldiers! Personal ambition must be thrown aside! I know most of you have fears but you must understand that this is not the end of your young lives. It is, in fact, a glorious beginning that I envy. I mean that with all my heart. I envy you.”

  “I do believe that you all will be valiant enough to see to it that this war will end before the year is over. There will be losses and some of you may be a part of those that have fallen. If that is the case, let us remember the Latin phrase that many brave Romans uttered when they fought: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.”

  “Now, after all I have said, I have one last question. What will you do? Do you understand how much each and every one of you is needed? I can see doubt in your eyes. Cast that doubt aside and go enlist! You, Suzi Kobayashi, have more reason to enlist than anyone else in this class and I wonder what you are going to do.”

  The bell rang, signalling the end of school for the day and we were dismissed to go home. Everyone bolted out of the classroom with Dani and I the last to leave. We weren’t in any rush as we had already made our decision to enlist in the army.

  Despite being born and raised in the United States, I had attended school for a short time in Tottori Prefecture, where my grandparents lived.

  I was the only American girl in that whole town, maybe even the whole prefecture. Yet despite that, I was still able to make friends that I regularly kept in touch with even when I moved back. Dani even met them when she would come to visit with my family.

  Now that I think about it, I was more popular in school in Japan than I thought I would be. I was tall, fairly muscular for my age and played basketball. A lot of girls were obsessed with me for some reason. I suppose that being born in America gave me an exotic feel to them or something.

  I was scared that I would be alone but my grandparents and friends helped me feel welcome. So when the Russian Empire invaded, I took it personally. I was scared for the safety of those friends and family so enlisting would be my way of protecting them.

  My only concern would be how my parents would react. Just walking through the halls of the school and seeing the posters encouraging people to enlist, I already knew what they would say.

  The school was in a patriotic fervor with controversial enlistment posters all over the place. Some students, mainly those in the JROTC program, were already wearing military uniforms. Others were rushing to leave the school to be the first in line at the recruitment center. I, on the other hand, had to stay behind for a moment to speak with my mother who was coming to pick me up.

  But before that, I went to talk with a close friend of mine. Thomas Sledge was someone Dani had introduced me to back in elementary school. He was one of those students in the JROTC program and he always dreamed of being a Marine like his dad.

  “Hey Suzi and Dani! Are you two off to enlist?” Thomas said, waving at us.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t we?” I said.

  “Suzi, are you doing okay?”

  “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

  Thomas rubbed the back of his head.

  “It’s just that this isn’t a decision to be made lightly. Military life is really tough from what my dad said and I don’t want you to make a mistake,” Thomas admitted.

  “I’m not making a mistake! I don’t care what you say! I’m enlisting!” I scowled.

  Dani jabbed her elbow into my side. It was a signal from her to tell me to shut up.

  “Calm down, Suzi. Thomas is just looking out for you so don’t yell at him for it,” Dani scolded.

  “Sorry. It’s just that I’ve been really stressed out lately,” I said.

  “I understand. How’s your family doing?” Thomas asked.

  “We’re all a little shaken up but we’ll be okay.”

  “I hope things get better for you.What about you, Dani? Why are you enlisting?”

  “I’m just trying to make sure Suzi doesn’t get into too much trouble. And to make sure she comes back home,” Dani said, putting her arm around me.

  “That’s good to hear. I shutter at the thought of what kind of trouble Suzi will get up to if you’re not by her side, Dani,” Thomas joked.

  “Hey! Do you want me to get mad at you again?” I scowled.

  “Oh no! So scary!”

  We joked and laughed for a little bit longer until Thomas had to leave. But before he left, Dani had something to tell him.

  “Hey, I have an idea! Maybe we can all meet up for some beer when the war is over!” Dani suggested.

  “The war might not last long enough for us to be old enough to drink,” I said.

  “Don’t worry. My uncle is pretty lenient when it comes to alcohol, so we’ll be able to get away with it as long as we stay home,” Dani said.

  “That sounds like fun! Count me in!” exclaimed Thomas.

  With that, Thomas left and we parted ways. Dani went on ahead to the student parking lot while I went to the main entrance where my mom was waiting. It was easy to spot my mother in the crowd as she was the tallest at 210 centimetres.

  It wasn’t uncommon for me to intimidate people and people often have a similar image of my parents. The reality was that they were both really sweet and caring, especially my mother. She was tall but she was gentle. I remember whenever I would scrape my knee as a kid, she would cry that I got hurt.

  The moment I exited the building, I was blasted by the summer heat. The landscape of Colorado is mostly desert so the air is terribly dry. Still, I prefer it to the humid heat in Japan.

  I walked up to my mom and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Her face instantly turned bright red from embarrassment.

  “S-Suzi! We’re in public! I wish you would stop doing that.”

  “Come on, you like it!”

  “Hmph!”

  I had been kissing my parents on the cheek as a greeting ever since I was a little girl. It was something I had picked up from Dani. I think my dad likes it more than my mom and neither of them do much to stop me.

  I looked over to see someone putting up a recruitment poster. It depicted a man with a bright smile and an outstretched hand. The bottom read “Join the US Marines!” My mother frowned when she saw.

  “I hate those posters. A school has no place for them. I saw you talking to Thomas. Has he been trying to get you to enlist?”

  “No. Thomas doesn’t do that at all. I think he’s been trying to discourage me from enlisting, actually. Come on, Mama, you know Thomas.”

  “I know. I’m sorry, Suzi. I don’t mean to talk bad about your friends. This whole ordeal has got me on edge, is all.”

  “Have you heard from Grandma and Grandpa yet?”

  “Yes, I just talked to them. They said they’re doing fine. They’re actually planning on moving over here if things start getting bad. Your Grandpa said that the one upside to this war is that he gets to see his grandkids again!”

  Damn it, Mama. Please stop talking. Just thinking about telling you I’m enlisting is hard enough but to hear this is making me sweat bullets!

  “Suzi, you’re sweating so much! Take off that sweater. You shouldn’t even be wearing it at this time of the year. You’re going to overheat yourself!” Mama said.

  “Ever since the principal implemented his stupid tattoo policy, I’ve had to cover my arms,” I complained.

  “Well, you shouldn’t have tattoos at your age so I can hardly blame him.”

  Mama pulled my sweater over my head to reveal the reason for me wearing it in the summer. Covering my entire right arm was a tattoo depicting various motifs associated with Amaterasu and Helios. I had gotten it when I turned sixteen, with my parents’ permission of course. They said that my first tattoo had to be above the shoulder and small enough to easily hide. Obviously, I didn’t listen and I got scolded big time. Mama was even trying to wipe it away with a rag.

  I had another tattoo that only covered my left shoulder and it was a simple battle-torn US flag design. Dani actually had a matching one in the same spot.

  I walked into school one day and was suddenly told I had to cover up my arms. The principal had implemented a new rule which dictates that all tattoos that have obscene designs, are larger than allowed, or depict gang-related imagery have to be covered. Apparently, I was the reason the rule was implemented. Not only was the tattoo on my right arm larger than allowed, the principal also thought it was a gang symbol.

  For whatever reason, the principal was very suspicious of me. If he’s greeting students in the morning, he stops me at the front door and checks my bag for anything illegal. He never does that for anyone else. What the hell did I do to get such treatment?

  The only possible explanation was that I looked like a delinquent. I wore black baggy clothes and would occasionally wear black makeup. I had quite a few piercings with my favorite being a piercing in my lower lip that was connected to one in my ear via a silver chain.

  Aside from those things and the tattoos, I was not a delinquent in any other way. I did MMA as a hobby but I never actually fought anyone. I tried to be kind to everyone and got good grades. I was even considered the ace of the school basketball team due to my height.

  “I honestly have no idea why that man is so bothered by me. He never bothers anyone else,” I said.

  “I suppose I can agree with you there. I do find the principal to be a bit creepy.”

  Just then, Mama’s eyes went wide as if she noticed something suspicious. Her nose wiggled as she smelled the air before burying her face into my sweater.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “This smell is… Tobacco?! Have you been smoking?!”

  “Ah, shit.”

  I felt Mama pull on my ear with enough force that it felt like she was going to rip it off. I was lucky everyone around us was too focused on trying to enlist otherwise I would be so embarrassed.

  “I may not be as fluent as you but I can still understand some English! Don’t use such foul words when speaking with your mother! Answer me! Have you been smoking?”

  “Owowow! It hurts! Yes! I’ve been smoking!”

  Mama released my ear and I went to rub it to relieve the lingering pain. I know I said I wasn’t a delinquent earlier but now it looks like I’m lying.

  Ever since Hokkaido was invaded, I have been stressing out over the safety of my friends and family. I could barely sleep and I couldn’t focus on my studies. In an effort to relieve this stress, I had taken the habit of smoking cigarettes. They helped somewhat but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

  “Did you blow your entire allowance on cigarettes?” Mama asked.

  “No, I didn’t, Mama. I just bought one pack off of somebody and it’s lasted for the past month.”

  “Hand it over.”

  I gave Mama the half-empty pack of cigarettes. She looked at the pack with a sad expression. I couldn’t look at her when she made such a face.

  “I know you’re stressed, Suzi. But you’ll destroy your body with this stuff! You need a better outlet. I know! Why don’t we go somewhere this weekend to get your mind off this whole war for a little bit?”

  “Sure, that sounds fun,” I said.

  “Good, now let's go home.”

  “A-Actually, I was going to go with Dani somewhere. Sorry.”

  “You’re going somewhere with Dani? Is it a date?”

  “It’s not a date! We’re just gonna go buy some things or something.”

  “Fine. But be back home before dinner is ready,” Mama said.

  I agreed to those terms and went over to the school parking lot where Dani was. She sat on the hood of her car and waved when she saw me approaching.

  The car was a 1971 Dodge Charger and Dani’s proudest achievement. She had built it piece by piece since she was twelve years old. I had never seen her happier when she finally finished putting it together just as she was old enough to drive.

  I must have had an unpleasant expression because Dani went from happy to see me to concerned.

  “Was your mom mad when you told her?” she asked.

  “Yeah, she found out I was smoking and pulled on my ear really hard. It still hurts.”

  “You know that's not what I mean.”

  “No… I didn’t tell her I was enlisting.”

  Dani sighed as if she was a little disappointed in me.

  “Suzi, you are gonna have to tell your parents you’re enlisting at some point.”

  “I know I have to tell them but I just know they’ll be mad. They’ll probably say I’m selfish for enlisting or that I’m throwing my future away,” I said.

  “You’re not throwing your future away. Remember what Mr. Peters said. That this is not the end but a glorious beginning of our young lives, ” Dani said.

  “Dani, you know damn well as I do that every word in that speech Mr. Peters gave was a load of horseshit. I bet he wrote that stupid speech in a day because he plagiarized it from some old war movie.”

  “You might be right. I thought I recognized a few lines. That man probably misunderstood the message that movie was trying to tell,” Dani said as she entered the driver’s seat of her car.

  I entered the passenger’s side of the car and buried my face in my hands the moment I sat down.

  “Damn it… I wanna die right now,” I groaned.

  “Hey, it’ll be okay! We’re joining the army so you’ll get your death wish eventually!”

  “Don’t say that, idiot! That’s a bad omen.”

  Dani started the car and we drove off towards the recruitment center. She offered me a cigarette that I hesitated to grab but I took it eventually.

  Along the way, we saw posters and signs encouraging people to enlist. A lot of the posters were what one would expect but some of the designs were odd when compared to the rest. The people making the posters knew that anime was really popular in the west. Whenever I would recognize a character in the posters, I couldn’t help but laugh.

  Even if the methods are rather scummy, I have to admit seeing a vague representation of Sailor Moon encouraging you to join the Marines is hilarious.

  When we got to the recruitment center, I was surprised at how crowded it was. I had expected a large crowd just based on how many people at my school were going to enlist but there were others around who were definitely too old or too young to fight.

  A group of older men were going down the line and shaking hands of soon-to-be new soldiers. A bunch of people were recording on their phones and I think there was a reporter. It was a bit odd to see considering how most of those older folks would talk before the war started.

  Back when the war was considered to be just a rumor, a lot of older people would go on about how my generation was worthless. To them we were selfish and incompetent. They talked about how we only cared about posing for social media and the latest fashion trends over family and maintaining tradition.

  Even in peace time and before we were even old enough to get part-time jobs, we were compared to America’s so-called Greatest Generation. People went on about how brave they were to fight at such young ages and to come home to create a prosperous era. They were revered while we were humiliating and our patriotism was questionable at best.

  In terms of culture, we were unrecognizable. Our forebears were raised on traditional values found in Christianity while we were raised on heavy metal, hip-hop, video games, anime. The words of rappers are better known and evoke more patriotism than the writings of the Founding Fathers. Those who were there when the World Trade Center was destroyed on September 11th found their words of sorrow drowned out by those who joke about it. We quote famous scenes from anime and action movies like they’re philosophies to live by.

  The Greatest Generation spent their free-time out of school working with their parents on farms while we played multiplayer shooters late into the night, shouting slurs at each other over voice-chat. They learned how to build houses and fix engines while we learned how to comfortably masturbate.

  Nothing was expected of us but when the invasion started, the whole weight of the world now rested on our shoulders. For many people, such as myself, the war began the moment Russian soldiers landed on the shores of Hokkaido. In the eyes of the older generations, we were finally worthy of admiration even though most of us didn’t really know what we were doing. The only real role models for war were seen in film, and even then we knew they were biased in one way or another. The bravest people we knew were often in no way related to us or even real.

  We were a generation without heroes. Then we were called upon to be heroes. When I look at those in the line to enlist, I wonder how many truly believe in what they’re fighting for and how many are just afraid of how others will perceive them if they don’t.

  Everywhere on social media, you could see it. From politicians to podcast hosts and streamers to one’s own parents, people were ready with the word “coward.” No one knew what awaited them, yet many as young as me found themselves persuaded by the fear of being ostracized, of being a coward.

  I knew what I was fighting for. I was fighting to protect my family and my friends. My motivation could not be questioned. I knew I was doing the right thing.

  After my interview, I was given a paper that my parents had to sign. I was still seventeen so I needed their permission to enlist. I stared at that paper for a while wondering what they would say.

  There was no point in worrying about it at that moment, so I tried to read a book. I didn’t want to get addicted to smoking cigarettes so I often looked for other alternatives to relieve stress.

  Dani took one brief look at the cover of the book I was reading and let out a small sigh.

  “Suzi… We’re in public.”

  “What’s the problem? I’m just trying to maintain my ability to speak Japanese. My parents would kill me if I forgot anything. Isn’t your mom the same way?”

  “My mom gave up trying to teach me Spanish. There’s only enough room in my brain for two languages.”

  Dani and I both learned Japanese from my parents and we could speak the language as if we were natives. I was eternally grateful for everything my mother and father taught me so that I could be comfortable no matter where I decided to live. I still had a few quirks that people would notice. I pronounced some Japanese phrases weird and even a few English words didn’t sound right. Still, my ability to speak both languages fluently was something I took pride in.

  “I know what you’re actually reading,” Dani said, still taking issue with my book.

  “Dani, this is just a regular book.”

  “You’re drooling.”

  I quickly wiped my mouth with my shirt. While I was distracted, Dani reached over and took off the false cover that hid what I was reading. It was an erotic manga about an older woman and a younger girl. The cover depicted the older woman groping the breasts of the younger girl.

  I yelped and quickly tried to hide the book in between my legs while Dani laughed at me.

  “You’re such a pervert!” she laughed.

  “Shut up! Let’s just change the subject. Why are you enlisting?”

  “You’re going. That means I’m going too.”

  “Seriously? You don’t have to come with me. You can stay here and get into a good university.”

  “Nope! It would be boring without you. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

  “Your sole reason for enlisting is to stay with me?”

  “Yep! I made a promise that we’d be together forever when we were kids, didn’t I?”

  I could feel myself getting flustered when she said that so nonchalantly.

  “Idiot.”

  “Suzi, you can be so cute sometimes.”

  “Shut up!”

  After a few minutes, Dani and I arrived home. She dropped me off in front of my house and reminded me that there was no use avoiding telling my parents about my enlistment. She drove away and I walked up to my house, ready to face my mom and dad with my decision.

  As soon as I opened the door, I was tackled to the floor by three identical little girls. They were my six year old triplet sisters, Akiko, Saya, and Yumeko.

  “Welcome home, big sister Suzi!” they all shouted in unison.

  It was a bit of a struggle but I managed to pull the girls off me. After that, they began hounding me with demands.

  “Play with us! Play with us!” Akiko demanded.

  “Then we can paint figurines!” suggested Saya.

  “But give us kisses first!” said Yumeko.

  “Hold it!”

  We were interrupted by my Papa. He was as tall as me, which made him intimidating when one viewed him from a low angle.

  He pointed directly at me and said, “Your mother told me about your smoking habit! Go take a bath to get rid of that stench of tobacco! Until then, you won’t be kissing anybody!”

  At the mention of me not being allowed to kiss anybody, my dad started to tear up.

  “Papa, you’re crying,” I said.

  “I’m not crying! Just go take a bath already!”

  I did as he told and went to the bath to wash. My father spent a fortune remodeling the bathroom into something you would find in Japan. I didn’t understand it at first but I grew to prefer it over a typical American bath.

  Once I was finished washing, I gave the triplets each a kiss on the cheek and they ran off happy. I went into the kitchen to see my parents waiting for me. I knew I was going to get scolded but I still gave them both a kiss on the cheek as I have always done since I was little.

  The scolding that followed was not very effective. Mama was too embarrassed while Papa was in a state of pure bliss.

  Once that whole ordeal was over, I helped my parents make dinner. I actually loved cooking delicious food for my friends and family. I would often do part-time work at my dad’s restaurant.

  When we were finished, I went off to tell all my sisters that dinner was ready. I first went to the triplets, who were playing outside. They were dirty so I had them wash their hands before they ate.

  Sitting on the couch in the living room, my two other little sisters were competing against each other in a fighting game. Eight year old Hatsue and nine year old Kimiko were always competing against each other just to see who was the best.

  “I’ll beat you this time, Kimiko! Take this!”

  “We’ll see about that! You’re no match against my ultimate attack! Here we go! What?! How did you beat me?! Suzi! Hatsue cheated!”

  “Kimiko, the only reason you beat Hatsue last time was because you used the same move over and over. You need to vary your moveset and be less predictable. I’ll teach you some moves later. Now, get ready for dinner, you two.”

  Kimiko turned to Hatsue with a determined look in her eye.

  “Next time, Hatsue, I’ll beat you for sure!”

  “You should consider yourself fortunate that I even let you compete against me!”

  I then went upstairs to find my older sister, Aiko, fast asleep. I kicked her bed and she was so startled that she fell onto the floor. She was in college so I expected her to be tired from studying but personally I think she’s just lazy.

  With the whole family gathered, it was time to eat. Before us were full plates of spaghetti with meatballs. No matter what food it is, it will always taste better when surrounded by people you care about.

  For a moment, I ate without a care in the world. I was surrounded by people I loved and we shared stories about our day like everything was normal. But then I remembered what Dani told me. There was no use hiding it any longer.

  “H-Hey, Mama, Papa. There’s something I have to tell you.”

  “Suzi,” said Aiko. “We all know you’re gay.”

  “What?! That’s not what I was gonna say at all!”

  “Suzi, can’t this wait until later? We’re eating,” said Mama.

  “No! I have to tell you now or I won’t ever be able to.”

  “Go ahead and say what you need to say.”

  “I’m enlisting in the army.”

  Even I was shocked at my words. I never expected to say that so quickly. I thought I would struggle but instead the words just escaped my mouth.

  I saw Mama and froze. She looked like she was about to cry. Papa had a pained expression. I was at a loss for what to say next.

  “Why didn’t you say anything before?” Mama said.

  “You both would have tried to talk me out of it and I know what I’m doing is right.”

  “What about this is right? You’re supposed to go to university and get your degree like how Aiko is doing. You’re throwing away your future doing this!”

  “My future will just be put on hold for a little bit, Mama. Everyone from school is going, including Dani. I don’t want to be left behind.”

  “Suzi, this war is not some adventure that people as young as you should experience! You’re still just a child! You’re being selfish and reckless! This war is a tragedy that should never have happened! Nothing good can come of it!”

  “I know that! It’s just not right for others to risk their lives while I sit at home safe.”

  Mama slammed her hands against the table, making everyone jump.

  “That’s exactly why you shouldn’t enlist!”

  Mama quieted down when she realized how loud she was. Everyone was no longer eating and just sat in silence.

  “I’m worried just as much as you are. I’m scared for my brothers, my mom and dad, and all of my friends. I want them to be safe. I want this war to stay far away from the people I love. That is why I don’t want you to enlist. I want you to stay home where it is safe. Please don’t go, Suzi. Please stay home.”

  Looking into my mother’s eyes, I could tell she desperately wanted me to be mentally fighting with myself. She wanted me to be conflicted in my decision to enlist so that I could be persuaded to stay home. For a moment I was horribly conflicted. There was an intense tugging at my heart that urged me to stay home but I would not falter. I had made my decision.

  I pulled out the document that the recruitment office gave me. I had never seen my parents look so defeated. Mama signed first after a moment of hesitation. Her hand was shaky but she signed it.

  My Papa looked at the paper for a moment before finally speaking.

  “Your mother and I have the same reasons for not wanting you to enlist, Suzi. But I see that you’re determined to see this through. I want you to understand that this is not our decision. It is yours. I expect you to take full responsibility.”

  “I will.”

  With that, they signed the document that granted their permission for me to enlist in the United States Army. In the little time I had left before graduation, I made sure to spend as much time with my family as I could. We went to festivals and other events. I took Kimiko and Hatsue to their first music concert. I spent so much money on gifts for everyone.

  My graduation came and went and before I knew it, I was at the airport with Dani, giving our loved ones the most heartfelt goodbyes. Both of our younger siblings didn’t want us to leave.

  Before we boarded the plane that would take us to basic training, my Mama asked me to do one last thing.

  “Promise me that you’ll come back home.”

  “I promise.”

  I woke up in my room provided to me by the Iron Hawk Adventurers’ Guild, headquartered in the small town of Grandoria, in a world I wasn’t even born in.

  I had moved the wardrobe away from the window so now the light of the sun had brighted up the whole room. I might move that wardrobe back.

  From what I had seen so far, this world was magnificent. The people were better than me in every way, capable of feats I could never accomplish in my whole life. From the soil on the ground to the blue sky above, this world was beautiful but then I remember my old life and what I once had and suddenly I can’t bear to look at it.