Creating a new family (Chapter 3)
Previous Chapters: 1 // 2
Characters: Since I forgot to introduce the characters I will do so now. I hope it will clear some things up. If you have any more questions you may ask all of the time of course. I'm happy to hear from you.
Ohno Satoshi: He is eight years old at the beginning in the story. His parents are both Japanese but they are the second generation of the family that lives in Germany. So Satoshi is the third generation. He speaks a little bit of Japanese and understands it relatively well but he is not absolutely fluent. He can't write it because he never learnt as he wasn't really interested in it and it was hard enough for him to learn writing as it was. He speaks mostly German with Nagase and the people around him. But Nagase sometimes uses some Japanese phrases that Satoshi likes and is used in. He is in second year of grade school in the moment.
Nagase Tomoya: He lived in an orphanage in Japan. His mother left him there because she thought children too much work. She promised him when she visited once or twice a year that she would take him back one day so he was never being open to get adopted. He grew up and visited Berlin when he was in his late teens/early twenties for a year back in college. He liked the city and decided to live there in future. So he changed his major and ended his studies in Germany. He is a social worker specialised in working with the police and with traumatised kids or kids with behavourial problems. He is 28 right now.
Lara Schmitz: She works for the youth welfare service but is only fresh out of school. Satoshi is her first case. She wants the best but mostly doesn't really know how to interact with children and tries very hard to do as they told her in school. She only has a minor role in this though. But she will appear now and then.
“I didn’t think I would see you here today,” were Lara’s first words, when Nagase entered her room with Satoshi in tow. The man smiled a little and pushed Satoshi forward.
“I thought it would be best best if we could discuss everything about housing him today. It would be better if Satoshi could settle down soon. He seems to be a little tired,” he explained and the woman nodded once.
“That’s true. Please sit down. Do you want to have something to drink or some cookies?” she asked friendly and Nagase brought Ohno to a stool in front of the desk before sitting down in the one next his.
“A coffee would be great.”
“Nothing,” Ohno mumbled and Nagase sighed.
“I think a glass of water would be fine if you’ll get thirsty. Better safe than sorry, no?”
Ohno shrugged and Lara nodded leaving them alone for a moment to get the drinks.
When they settled down once more Lara looked a little unsure how to proceed and Nagase had to smile at that. He liked people who were trying hard.
“I talked with my boss and he said it would be okay if you live with Mister Nagase for the time being, Satoshi,” she explained smiling a little when Satoshi sagged in relief and took his glass of water.
“But we will meet from time to time to talk a little and see what happens next. It’s important to find a permanent place for you to stay.”
Satoshi eyes slid to Nagase for a moment before he nodded.
“Okay.”
She nodded once writing something down. “We will talk to your teachers about what happened so you won’t have to.”
He nodded looking a little helpless and she sighed.
“I’m sorry I can’t do much more, Satoshi. I will be here, if you need someone to talk and I will help you the best way I can but there are things that must be done. And finding your way to a normal life again is one of them. And after such happenings it’s obligatory for you to visit a child therapist.”
Satoshi’s eyes widened and he looked at both adults.
“Why?”
“Because you need someone to help you,” Lara said.
“But can’t Mister Nagase help me?”
“I’m sure he will, Satoshi. But you have to speak with someone about what happened. With someone professional and it will be better if that’s not one of us.”
“I don’t want to talk about what happened. I did that already. I don’t want to think about that anymore,” Satoshi said a little panicked and louder than necessary and Nagase squeezed his hand once to calm him down.
“I know. And you don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can talk about or do other things if you want, but Miss Schmitz is right. You have to see someone even if it’s just once. It’s to help you, Satoshi-kun,” Nagase tried to explain to him.
Lara kneeled down in front of the boy and took his hands in hers.
“It’s only for as long as you need. And it might help when you are back at school. You can talk to the therapist about being back and try to work out what to do in your future. It will help to convince everyone about what is best for you later. Where you should live and how.”
“Do I have to go there forever?”
“No, you don’t. I promise it will be okay. We work together with a very nice lady. She is a little unique but very nice. Perhaps you’ll even like it there.”
“Okay,” Ohno mumbled and hung his head beaten.
“Don’t look so down, Satoshi. If you work with us you’ll even get pocket money from us,” she tried to lighten his mood, happy when she saw a little smile.
“And it would be best if you’ll write down a list of things you want from your home. We’ll get them for you. Your clothes, toys and other things.”
“Do I have to go back there?”
Lara shook his head and put her hand on his head patting his hair.
“No. We will do those things. Don’t worry about anything but yourself.”
He nodded in thanks and she smiled a little.
next
I hope that was okay ^^.