This is Goodbye

Why? Asuka had so many questions, and they all began with 'Why?', but she knew she wouldn't get any answers. Why did he try to be a hero? Why did he have to be in the shop when the gunman arrived? Why was the gunman there in the first place? Why shoot him in the head? All questions Asuka would be left with until her own death. Asuka stands with her family, alongside Juno as people trickle past them to give their condolences. While Asuka and her family had been greeting guests for a few minutes now, Asuka's aunt and uncle only just now showed up to join. It was their own son's funeral, and these pieces of living garbage couldn't be bothered to show up on time? All the emotions Asuka had been working through began to boil over at the sight of her aunt and uncle greeting guests as though they were actually devastated. What gave them the right to show up late, and try to garner attention if they never bothered to be around in his life? No. They don't get to just show up, and pretend they belonged here. The entire reception area is shocked into silence as Asuka lets out a rage-filled cry, and nearly lunges at her aunt. Thankfully, Juno, Hiari, and her father manage to grab her before she manages to actually get a hold of her aunt. "What gives you the right to pretend that you care?! You never cared when he was alive! Why did you even bother showing up to his funeral?!" Asuka's screams quickly deteriorate into incoherent sobs. As attention is turned towards Nar's parents, Kisho gives them a rather serious look, and speaks in a low, but firm voice. "Perhaps it is best you sit opposite of my daughter." The wording made it sound like a suggestion, but the tone made it sound like more of a threat. The reception continues with Nar's parents distancing themselves from the rest of their family, until the time came for the funeral to begin. The family is seated in the front, right in front of the casket. There's a picture of Nar with a bright smile resting atop the casket, but the casket itself is closed. Asuka knows exactly why. She tries not to think about it, but every time she looks at the picture, she can vividly remember the two bullet wounds in his head, and face. She eventually keeps here head down to avoid having to look at it any more. A speaker from the funeral home gives a generic speech about celebrating life rather than mourning death. Look for the good in the bad, and all that other generic funeral crap. Then, came the eulogy from Juno. "Nar and I were friends since pretty much the moment we met in pre-k. He was always a bit of a goofball, and yeah, he did get into some fights at school, but he was always thinking of others. He was a goofball to make his friends smile, and he fought to protect us. I've probably spent more than half of my life around Nar, and I can say for certain I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't known him. He was practically my brother by the time we got into high school, and I know he was even closer with his cousins. Forming a band with him, and Asuka was probably the best decision of my life. I got to spend more time with my two closest friends, and we had a blast playing music for people all over the world. We had a lot of hardships throughout the years, but every time things got tough, Nar was there to help us pull through. He always had a joke, some encouraging words, some food, or a hug ready whenever we needed it. I know he had a lot of stuff going on in his own life, but he always made it look so easy to stare adversity in the face, and just laugh. I'm gonna miss his corny jokes, goofy smile, and the near-daily visits to Shifty Sai's. Hope you have all the nachos you can eat up in heaven buddy. Save me some for when I get there." It's at this point that Asuka can feel tears welling up in her eyes again. She turns to her father, and is quickly pulled into a tight hug, where she proceeds to bawl into his chest for the remainder of the service. The graveside service was short, and poignant. Nar's parents showed up, but they stuck towards the back of the small crowd, and left not long after Nar was lowered into the ground. As Asuka watched her cousin be laid to rest, she tightly clutched the straw hat he loved to her chest. "I'll take good care of this for you Nar. I'll make sure your niece or nephew gets to wear it some day." With Nar finally laid to rest, the mourners depart. Asuka and Juno return to Juno's apartment for the night, and receive a surprise visit from their friend Mandy. She expresses her dismay that she hadn't been able to attend the funeral, and profusely apologizes for being such a 'bad friend.' Both Asuka and Juno assure her that they understand, and did not fault her for her busy schedule. Afterwards, Mandy ends up spending the night with the two, and they are up into the long hours of the morning reminiscing about all the memories they've shared with Nar. Though they all shed many tears, this time, they're tears of joy, and happiness for the memories they share.