Solo Childhood's Past: Dreams Not Forgotten

[Lady N]

Childhood's Past

"Look at it, humanity has come far but we can still do so much. If you look past the grit and the mistakes of the past. The forefront stretches so far out into an incredible future. I can see us traveling the stars my daughter"

A spring breeze.
The smell of cologne made a very specific statement.
Yet another new city to see.
Another skyscraper reaching out for the dream.

A huge world, for young eyes...

And yet those eyes focused on a small device, a portable computer with a small Nexus logo upon its back casing. One would not dare call this a laptop or tablet... no this was a Nexus Voyager a sophisticated product that was right at the forefront of the global tech race across the globe. Small fingers moved across it as a rather complicated 3D model was being constructed. A band was wrapped around a small girls head as the machine used her brainwaves to assist in aiding her "work".

A firm yet protective hand came upon the child's shoulder.

"Chelsea... Little Tails!"

"Y-Yes father!? I'm sorry, I was so close! I almos-... I will put away now."

The small girl, Chelsea, put her Voyager into her bag and looked up at her father for approval. That which he gave with a nod warm smile and squeeze of her shoulder. Chelsea would look out towards the city with him now. She wasn't sure why they were there, but usually, her father goes on these trips and takes her along. Today he was looking at a towering building that would soon be yet another Nexus Corporation branch.

This was a doubly important trip though because...

"This is a pretty interesting building you know, usually I would avoid branching out again post the recent acquisition, but we are beginning some new projects and some locations have better prospects for them. Not that I expect you to understand that one yet little one. ...Wanna get a better look?"

Before the soft-speaking girl could say a thing she was lifted into the air and placed upon the tall man's back. His dark suit getting marked by the dirty soles of the girl's shoes But he wouldn't show a care. His focus was on showing her the world he worked on every day.

"Wow! The building is so tall, The store is so far... woooah, be careful father or I'll fall. Okaasan will be real mad at you!"

"Don't worry, you think a Nexon drops anything hahaha, Okaasan would kill me for certain!!"

The man would hold his daughter tightly by the legs and the two would stare into the city skyline for a while, with the great building in central view. Eventually after what felt like an eternity... A door swung open and a man in sunglasses and broad shoulders emerged.

"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you. We have... very bad news Matthias."

The father and daughter would look to the large man that had a somber look on his thick-boned face. Chelsea didn't know what to make of it

But Matthias Nexon did.

 

[Lady N]

Childhood's Past

"I'm sorry Mr.Nexon... we did everything we could. The artificial heart was a failure."

"...she's dead Matt."

Matthias said nothing. Chelsea recalled only a silent nod.

It was the day of her mother's passing. Ryoko,an ex idol that once toured the world until finally marrying the successful billionaire in his prime. As if in karmic retribution for their marriage Ryoko became sickly soon after. After several years it was discovered she had a disease that would inevitably end her life.

Chelsea remembered her father funding projects to cure her and trying to ensure Chelsea wasn't aware but even at a young age. She was never a "stupid" after all. It didn't help when tabloids always asked how Ryoko was doing at every opportunity either.

"Okaasan... sniff... ...mommy..."

"Her heart. How about the girl?"

"Oh, she's doing fine. The transplant was a success."

"Tsk... god decided then didn't he Ryoko?"

"I didn't know you were a religious man sir?"

"Hah, I'm not but she was. This time... I choose to be. Leave me. I want some time alone with my daughter."

"Of course."

That day went on as if nothing had happened. the world felt nothing as one lived and one died. Only those who were close cared, and eventually would move on The news covered it of course. A short bit here and there, maybe a headline by those that really chased that Nexon clickbait. Chelsea recalled what her mother chose to do. Give up her heart to someone who needed it. In exchange for an artificial one... and it ended with her death. Years earlier than it could have been.

It was then that music became a much smaller part of Chelsea's life until it was brought back by her aunt's harsh discipline. Her father left her with her from time to time. Choosing to give the girl less of a life traveling around with him for business and preferring family over servants to care for her.

Learning to be a traditional Japanese woman.
Chelsea hated it.

There were very few family members on either side for one reason or another. Matthias was the one to become rich. He lifted her aunt up being the irritable sister of his wife. She however hated him and blamed him for her sister's death. A woman that kept Chelsea from her father and hated on him every chance she got...yet he still left her there. It was the only thing Chelsea did not understand about him and why he did that. Even after she grew.

It was thanks to her aunt that Chelsea never lost the skill that she inherited from her mother. Talent with the voice. She simply never chose to be outward about it. Chelsea was a quiet one by nature and preferred to keep it that way. Connecting with others just wasn't something she knew how to do...

A trade of lives.
One who lived on, while one did not.
Her mother's kindness and father's ambitions.
Chelsea R. Nexon has not forgotten to this day.

 

[Lady N]

Childhood's Past

"Hmph."

An older woman with a stern expression analyzed an ornate cabinet with several exotic decorations. Vases statuettes, and other collectibles that likely cost tens of thousands or even millions to acquire. Some were even gifts for brown nosers to Matthias Nexon as he continued to grow his brand and influence in the world of global elites.

A somewhat crooked finger of the woman's hand runs over the fine wood. She glances at it.

"Lazy child! Get in here immediately!"

Footsteps were heard and then a black-haired girl emerged. She had grown some but was still shorter than many of her peers during her brief time at Nexus Academy.

"Yes, auntie."

"What was that? You will speak only in Japanese in my presence understood?!"

"Hai, obasan!"

"Good. That 'father' of yours may have ruined your mind but I will keep you on track. Someone in this family needs to.!"

Chelsea nods and then quickly bows.

Only for a finger to be thrust up to her nose and a swift slap across the face. Which she immediately started to rub as she winced but didn't back up. This was just another day...

"There is dust on this. Do you expect us to get a maid?"

Chelsea nods but then it changes to a head shake hastily.

"We will not. You should be capable of cleaning any home you are in to perfection. What sort of wife that carries the Owari name would you be if you cannot do such a simple task?!"

I don't care about the Owari, I am a Nexon...

The thought of defiance almost brought a smile to Chelsea's face but she resisted. Over time, a blank expression became easier and easier. Something that was for fun with her father to act like a business mogul, was now becoming a coping mechanism.

A duster was thrust into her hands.

With a soft sigh, she got to work. There was more to this then it appeared and she was sharp enough to know. All of these items held no value to her aunt. However, they were priceless to her because they reminded her of her father who had vanished recently. This forced her to do well and if she broke anything, it would only be her pain...

There were many little 'trials' like this day to day now. All to drill in some idealized yamato nadeshiko persona into her. Every time she was left with this woman, it was the same. She hated it but her father wanted her to be with family. Now... she had even less choice. This stuff was now a mandatory aspect of her life.

Her mother had run from this she remembered hearing once. These two were such different people. It certainly didn't make the Owari name desirable to the young Nexon, and she was happy her mother threw it away in marriage.

Too bad her aunt didn't agree.

There were some benefits. Learning to cook, clean, stand perfectly, perform tea ceremonies, and sing all came from this. Her mother never forced singing on her. Allowing her to focus on chasing her father's pursuits and gain interest in technology and building the future. The extremely strict and abusive manner of education only left her bitter towards her aunt.

"You think too highly of that gaijin. He could not understand the significance of the woman he married! Pfft, how she saw anything in him? Money? Ha, the Owari have all the power they need! Why did Ryoko choose to betray our father? ....why did he not choose ME!? I UNDERSTAND, unlike that fool of a sister!"

These rants were also normal. It used to be an in-joke between a father and daughter about their kooky relative but now it was a ritual. Matthias's parents were poor and died young. Hence him being a self-made billionaire. However, Ryoko's father still lived in Japan and... well Chelsea didn't know anything besides what her aunt ranted about. Her parents didn't like talking about the Japanese branch of the family. The concept of greater family simply didn't exist for the Nexons. So the loss of each of them was much more strongly felt.

Just a little longer, and her father will return, and she'll go on trips to see all his new buildings and projects. Anyday now... Nexus would never be lost to her...