Upon entering the office, I found mama seated next to an empty chair, her penetrating gaze engaged in a fierce battle of wills with a beleaguered middle-aged man. The man's defensive posture betrayed his disquiet, further underscored by the presence of an elegant woman draped in a crimson kimono. Mama's raven hair was neatly arranged in a tidy bun, her posture radiating confidence.

"Excuse my intrusion," I murmured, adhering to politeness.

Mama's golden eyes softened, and a smile bloomed on her lips. "Lyn, sweetie, Principal Mori and I were discussing arrangements for you to study abroad in Switzerland. I've secured an exceptional tutor, and we'll be leaving next on Monday." She said with a voice of absolution.

"Ms. Yan," Principal Mori interjected, "this is a highly unusual situation. I'm concerned that such a drastic change could disrupt young Ms. Lyn's education. Moreover, two years away from school is an awfully long time. How can we ensure your tutor will maintain her progress alongside her classmates?"

My heart faltered. Studying abroad? For two years? I shot mama a pleading glance. "Mama, what's going on? What does Principal Mori mean by 'two years'?" A lump formed in my throat.

Mama's warm gaze instantly transformed into an arctic chill, as her golden eyes, gleaming like twin suns, bore into Principal Mori with a firestorm of unspoken fury. "Principal Mori, thank you for your input, but I believe it's time for you to leave. We'll discuss the rest privately. And thank you for lending us your office."

The principal stammered, "Well, I'll just... go get lunch! You two can take your time. Ms. Yan. Miss Lyn. Please excuse me." He hastily retreated from the room.

Mama's expression softened as she regarded me with genuine sorrow. "Lyn, I wanted for you to be able to finish your schooling, normally, but––we’re just out of time."

"But why, mama? Couldn’t you go alone? I could stay with Feng's family and—"

Mama grasped my shoulders, hesitating with her words. "It involves… a family matter. We're not actually going to Switzerland. We need to return to the place where you were…born." She pulled me into a tight embrace, tears as streaming down my cheeks.

"Lyn, I’m…” Mama hesitated, steeling herself before continuing. “You and I are different from the people of this world.”

It was no secret. Mama had homeschooled me until my second year of middle school, but when I met Tai-Tai, I realized our differences. Tai-Tai had a "normal" family, while Mama never mentioned my father. And Tai-Tai's mother didn't give him pills that made him leap three meters in the air, like something out of a fantastical story.

Mama released me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's time for the truth, Lyn. We'll talk when you return home tonight. Go bid farewell to your friends, honey. I promise you'll see them again when this ordeal ends."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

My world was shattered, leaving me to navigate a storm of emotions. As I stepped back into the school's bustling hallways, the once-familiar sights and sounds felt like echoes in a foreign land. With heavy steps, I sought out my closest friends, bracing myself for the bittersweet task ahead.

I told my friends about the bad news and that we'd talk more after school. Time crawled by, each moment an agony. Part of me wondered if life would have been easier without meeting them. I felt a confusing mix of anger and fear toward Mama for keeping secrets, but I knew she had her reasons.

Sitting on the newly cleaned hardwood floor, I gazed at the mirror wall, feeling out of place. Where did my straight blonde hair, big blue eyes, and double eyelids come from? Tai-Tai and Feng had distinctly Japanese features, while Mama shared their appearance, save for her bright golden eyes. Was my father a foreigner? Was that why Mama never mentioned him? Did it have something to do with the secrets she kept?

When Feng and Tai-Tai arrived, I struggled to maintain a brave facade. "Guys, I have some news," I began, my voice wavering ever so slightly. "I... I have to leave. Mama says it's about family matters, and we'll be gone for two years."

Shock and disbelief crashed over their faces. Feng's eyes filled with tears, her voice quivering, "Lyn, you can't be serious. There must be some mistake." Tai-Tai, usually so unflappable, wore an expression of pure shock. "You're leaving us? Just like that?" He shook his head like a protagonist in an anime show, facing a twist of fate that would change everything. "There has to be something we can do."

Facing the mirror, I noticed the vacant expressions of Tai and Feng, and my tears began to flow. "You don't understand. Mama's serious. She told me to say goodbye to both of you." I owed my friends an explanation.

“I’m not like you two. I’m different, and it’s not just that I look different. My mom and I aren't even Japanese! Have you ever wondered why my mom is the priestess of a two-hundred-year-old temple? I have. Where are we from? When did we move here? Who are my grandparents? Who was my father? I don’t know anything!”

I took a moment to calm down. Tai was just concerned for me, and it looked like Feng was getting frightened. I held up a hand to indicate that I had more to say. "She’s been keeping something secret from me my entire life. Something big. I know it. This is my chance to learn more about my past and my family. It’s just… I’m going to…” My voice began to break. “To miss you guys.” I bit my lower lip and buried my head back into my knees, as quiet sobs and ragged breaths escaped me.

Feng embraced me from behind. "Lyn, please don’t go! I love you." As unsophisticated as her gesture was, it was exactly what I needed. I twisted around to face Feng and gestured for Tai to come closer. Embracing the two in a group hug, I put on my best smile. "I love you guys too. Don’t go getting into too much trouble without me," I said in a stern tone.

"Screw that, Lyn. In two years, I’ll be captain of a new and improved judo club," Tai declared with a cocky grin, swiping his thumb under his nose. "If you play your cards right, I’ll even save you a spot for when you come back."

"Lyn, umm…" Feng grabbed my head and kissed me on the cheek. "Lyn, you idiot! That's not what I meant," she said in an entirely uncharacteristic confident tone. Putting a hand on my cheek and blushing, I gave her an ear-to-ear smile. "Who are you, and what did you do with Feng?" I asked before the three of us broke into laughter.

How was I supposed to leave without knocking Tai down a peg, and did Feng just ask me out? I would have to leave these questions unanswered. It was time to go. I took a few steps back from my friends and posed confidently. "I’m heading out. See you guys!" I yelled with forced enthusiasm as I turned around to run home.

As I darted away, their voices echoed behind me, a bittersweet symphony that tugged at my heartstrings. I knew I was leaving behind a part of myself, but it was a necessary journey to unravel the mysteries of my past. And with every step, I held onto the hope that one day, I would return to the friends who had become my family.