Kaori had three younger brothers and was the only girl.
Since her mother was in poor health, she helped with household chores, took care of her siblings, and attended school from an early age. Her daily routine was quite busy, but she enjoyed helping and, above all, seeing her mother happy.
But one day his mother fell ill, was hospitalized, did not survive heart surgery and died.
It was then that Kaori saw that she had to be strong, because her father, her younger brothers and her grandmother who lived nearby, everyone was shaken and felt the loss of their beloved Kaachan.
Kaori was 14 years old and it was with great effort that she completed elementary school and gave up on high school to do all the homework and give attention and care to her 11-year-old brother Koji and the 7-year-old twins Kei and Kenji.
Time passed and when the boys no longer needed as much care, Kaori got a job as a saleswoman in a clothing store.
Shortly after, her father announced that he was getting married. Everyone was surprised. But he assured her that she was a good person, his co-worker at the company where he had been since he was single... So everyone thought she was his age, but when they met her they were even more surprised, because she was much younger than him.
The father got married, continued living in the same house and the routine didn't change, with Kaori preparing lunch before leaving for work and on the weekends her brothers had to help her with the cleaning.
As soon as he finished high school, Koji prepared to go to work in Japan. Kaori wanted him to continue his studies and go to college, but he was determined and even promised to invite the rest of his family to live with him in Japan one day. “How big my brother dreams,” Kaori thought.
And with a lot of effort and dedication, Kaori studied at night and completed high school, also took a computer course and started working in an accounting office.
But at home the situation was complicated, because the father's new wife quit her job, but continued to do nothing to help with the housework. She was always nagging the twins and when their grandmother came to visit, she said she didn't understand what Bá was saying. In short, she filled her time going to the gym, the hairdresser, Pilates classes, and going out with her friends.
Neither Kaori nor the boys told their father about this, who was busy working at the insurance company and earning extra money on Saturdays at a friend’s mechanic’s shop.
After almost two years living in Japan, Koji called his sister one day: “Hey Ká, I’m talking about Shigoto,1 it’s tough here, you know?” Kaori was happy to hear her brother’s booming voice, who was calling during his break at the factory.
“What’s up, Kojinho, genki?”2
“Genki yes!!! I'm calling to tell you that I’m getting married.”
“Really? But how? So suddenly!”
“I met Mili as soon as I got here. We're going to get married in July, when Mili's birthday is. But I don't think there will be a party...”
“What a shame! There won’t be a party?”
“But Ká, you need to come without fail, okay? Now I’m going to hang up, otherwise I’ll get scolded by Kacho3...”
It was half past midnight and Kaori was thinking: “So he met the girl two years ago... let’s hope it was the right decision. May God bless them!”
She had been saving up for some time, thinking about one day traveling to Japan. Not to go to work, but to visit her brother and have some fun, because, after all, she thought she deserved it after dedicating herself to her family for all these years. To tell the truth, she didn't even know what a vacation was...
The next day, Kaori held a meeting with the family to inform them of Koji's decision.
“If Koji has decided, it's decided. He has always been sensible, correct and responsible,” said the proud father.
“I miss my grandson so much! I wonder if he has grown any more than when he was here? One day we’ll all go to Japan, right?” asked Bá anxiously.
“That's it! Let's go to Japan, let’s go! I want to go to Akihabara where there’s Super Potato!” said Kenji excitedly.
“Hey boy! We’re talking about going to visit your brother, not to have fun. And you, instead of playing games, need to study. Japan is for later, you hear?” Kaori said, looking firmly at Kenji, but deep down enjoying his excitement.
For Koji's wedding, the family then decided to send Kaori to represent them.
Everyone contributed to the purchase of the wedding gift and it was time for Kaori to get her passport and finalize the preparations for her first international trip. At work she had asked for a vacation.
But what she didn't even imagine was that a big change was about to begin in her life!
Notes
1. Service
2. “Are you okay?”
3. Head of section
© 2025 Laura Honda-Hasegawa
