I was in line to go on the ship when the realization finally hit me. Mama and Hirachi were gone. I would probably never see them again. Surprisingly, no tears came, just an empty feeling in my chest from loneliness. But I knew it was for the best, and I let out a shaky sigh of relief. 

There were 10 lines at the dock, each with an officer at the front checking tickets. To the right of me were the buildings and business skyscrapers of Japan. To my left was the giant ship that was used for cargo and transportation of passengers. It was white at the bottom, some kelp stuck to it, then two feet were painted red, and the rest was blue with portholes. Then, the next layer was a deck, then a smaller deck, and then a restaurant took up half the top and the boat captain headquarters took up the other half. This must've been the biggest ship ever to come here. 

I was so memorized by my transportation, I barely noticed I was going to be next. I took note of the captain before I was up. He was a young man, with a clean shaven face, and surprisingly had an american face. 

"You have a good trip, sir," he acknowledged the person in front of me. He looked forward until his eyes rested down on me. "Sir," he nodded his head. I gave him my ticket and he checked it. "What brings you to America, young man?" He continued to check the paper. 

Um... How should I answer this? I can't say I'm running away! "Pleasure. I've always wanted to see America."

"And how long are you planning to stay?"

"Indefinitely." Huh. Vocabulary class did come in handy.

"Uh huh." He nodded his head, handing me my ticket. "And where is your adult?"

"I'm traveling alone, sir." 

"Alone?" he asked, surprised. "Son, you need parental supervision." 

"Well, the man sold me the ticket, didn't he?" 

The captain stared at me hard. "Son, where's your mother?"

"I don't know." It technically wasn't a lie. She could be in the kitchen. She could be spying on me. She could be sleeping. She could be on a walk. I didn't know. 

He stared at me for another 15 seconds. He flashed his smile and said, "Welcome aboard."

I gratefully walked off. And only then did I realize. He let me go, and I was a Mix. He definitely wasn't from here which means it was true: Mixes weren't a thing in America. So I was free. I was finally no longer considered an outcast. 

Even though I was a depressed from the separation, the easy pass onto here really brought my hopes up. Maybe I'd have a good time. I lugged my one suitcase with me to a "Check-In" desk on the same floor the dock connected to. I waited as the second person in line until a chirpy lady took my ticket. 

"Welcome aboard, Mr... Um... Kishimoto," she nodded. If she noticed my heritage blend, she didn't say anything. "You'll be staying in our Princess Suite for this 12 day trip, docking in Los Angeles."

"Um... Princess Suite?" I asked. Oh come on! This was awkward enough. 

"Yes, complements from... A Mrs. Kishimoto." She nodded her head. "Here is your room key, and here are some breakfast coupons." She handed me 8 papers. 

"Isn't this 12 days?" I asked, 8 passes clearly weren't enough. 

"Yes, you'll have to pay for 4 days. Anyways, take the elevator down to level 2, this is three, and then follow the room signs. Enjoy your trip. Next!" She yelled. I was obviously dismissed. Jeez, the service here. 

Finding the room was easy enough. I followed her directions and made it to there. The second I got in, I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against it. "Woah," I marveled. The room was carpeted with a queen size bed, way bigger than any one I had ever slept on, a flat screen TV, a couch, a dining table, a small closet, a huge bathroom, and one heck of a view. Even a balcony! 

I sat down on the bed and smiled, until I remembered why I was here and who bought this for me. The cash I had, plus the cost of this room, must've used up all of our savings. 

I quickly opened the suitcase and pulled out the wad of cash Momma had given me. I opened it to find $10,000. How much money had I taken from my mother? Inside the money was a folded letter. I opened it, excited to see what my mother wrote, when I realized it wasn't in Japanese. It was in English, my actual first language. 

I gasped when I saw who it was from. 

Dear Kenji, 

I told your mother only to give you this if you ever got into a situation where you had to run from Japan. I tell you this with great sadness and horror at my own actions, and hope that you can at least do the honors of believing me. I understand if you cannot forgive me. If you can, then I see what you got from your mother. I love that about her. 

I am your father, Kenji. My name is Aspen Macron and I admit to having an affair with your mother. This resulted in you and I know your mother hasn't regretted it for a day. She loves you Kenji. And you must do everything in your power not to get caught. This letter can't be very long because if they catch me, there is nothing I can do to make sure I don't go to jail. 

I wish I could take you back to America with me. I wish I could take your mother too. But there are things going on here that I don't want you guys to experience. 

This part of the world is confused. The people are going rogue and turning against each other. Forces are feeding useless propaganda to the people, and I don't want you guys to be a part of it. The Reestablishment is one of them. I'd kill myself before I was ruled by that Paris Anderson.

I know it's too late if you're already on a boat or plane to America, but I want to warn you son. Only trust those who you know you can. I find that women are more trustworthy, and secrets are best kept with them. Make the most female friends, Kenji, they're much more useful then the men. Men will sell you out and make you stand out for your differences. The women will protect you. Find yourself a family and hide with them. 

I trust your mother. I met her following that rule, and hopefully you can find your happiness with a women and actually stay together. If it's true love, she'll do anything for you. And you'll know it.

I got a chance to see you when you were born. You have my face and your mothers asian eyes. Do not ever take that as a bad thing. EMBRACE your differences. 

I must go. I love you, my son. I hope you can forgive me. And I hope we can meet eventually, though it is highly improbable. 

I have to go. 

P.S. Enjoy the money, and don't worry where it came from. I didn't rob a bank, I own it.

With enormous love, 

Aspen Macron.