Skye       May

Eiji’s graduation was set to take place on the last Saturday in May, at noon. While Eiji was with his class practicing one last time Skye found herself spending her morning at the Nakamura home, preparing the house for the small surprise graduation party afterwards. She and Sumire fussed around the house, setting up decorations and running out to get things they needed, making sure Takeshi and Kaito stayed out of their way. By the time they finished it was almost eleven; Skye quickly went up to one of the guest rooms to shower and change into her outfit for the day – a deep teal beaded trapeze shaped halter top, light skinny jeans and beaded flats, pulling her hair back into a low ponytail and adorning herself with silver earrings and her favorite silver antique bangles. She met with Kaito and his parents at the front door and they set out in Kaito’s Taurus and Takeshi’s Cadillac CTS, heading for the Graham Civic Auditorium in the Civic Center area, where the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology was holding their commencement ceremony.

  The number of graduates was plentiful – almost 500 – but Skye and the Nakamura family got the chance to cheer early; Eiji Nakamura was the first name to be called of the top ten graduates when the diplomas started getting passed out, and Skye cheered and clapped until he left the stage, full of pride for the young man who had become close enough for her to claim as her own little brother. When the ceremony was over they met with Eiji outside, taking the time to take pictures of the handsome graduate in his cap and gown; Eiji made sure to get at least one picture of just himself and Skye together, much to Kaito’s dismay.   From the auditorium they returned to the Nakamura home, where Eiji’s party awaited him, equipped with his favorite foods and, of course, his gifts.   “Okay, just open ours first,” Skye said earnestly as they watched him approach the gift table, handing the wrapped Apple box to him. “I’m sure there are bigger and better things for you to open afterwards.” Eiji eagerly opened the present, gawking at the sight of the Macbook box beneath the wrapping paper; Skye caught it all on film, beaming.   “Kaito-nii, Skye-chan, you got me a Macbook?”   “Don’t look at me,” Kaito interjected, holding his hands up. “It was all your beloved Skye-chan’s idea.”   “Skye-chan!” Before Skye knew it he was on her, hugging her tightly. “Thank you!”   “You’re welcome, you’re welcome.” There were several gifts pertaining to things Eiji would need for college, as well as a couple Visa gift cards (a hefty one from Kaito in particular). Along with them was a small black box, containing a set of keys with the Chevrolet emblem emblazoned on them.   “Dad, what are these?” Takeshi shrugged, his arms folded across his chest.   “They look like car keys to me, son.”   “To…to a car?”   “No, an ice cream truck,” Kaito deadpanned. “Check the garage.” Without having to be told twice Eiji took off toward the garage and they followed him, out to the sleek black Camaro that awaited them. It was a humorous sight to behold, Eiji’s reaction to the car; he fussed and fawned over the car for ten minutes, his voice at a high volume for the entire duration. Skye recorded it all, standing next to Kaito as she watched Eiji shower his parents with hugs and expression of thanks, his voice most likely ringing in their ears. He wasted no time taking the car out for a test drive, inviting only Skye along; Kaito invited himself to the backseat, unwilling to let them ride alone. They explored what felt like the entirety of the city and Kaito topped his gas tank off before they returned to the house, so that Eiji could get ready for the pool party one of his friends was having.   “Ne, Skye-chan,” Eiji said as they headed back into his parents’ home. “Now I can take you to work.”   “Well-”   “No,” came Kaito’s firm interjection; Skye’s e