“Experience, which destroys innocence, also leads one back to it.” -James Arthur Baldwin
“Ulquiorra, dear, remember no reading in the car, okay?”
Ever obedient, the child took to studying the surroundings that resided on the other side of the car window instead, large emerald eyes quietly taking note of each and every detail that passed them by. It had not been too long ago since his family moved to Japan, and so, nearly every experience of venturing outside of his new home was entirely novel to him. Who knew that the culture here could contrast so starkly to what he had always known and grown accustomed to?
Of course, he had read up on it, as soon as his father received news that they needed to move to Japan for his job. Still. Seeing and reading about it were exceedingly different, he found.
But there was still so much more to learn than this. He had to study the language, and although he had made good progress despite his age and the time frame thus far, he only knew just about enough to get by.
Certainly not enough to carry a full conversation, or even half of it. That could take a few more months.
Settling back in his seat, the boy silently regarded the stern silhouettes belonging to his parents. His mother, with her long, soft hair cascading past her shoulders, and his father’s clean cut profile whilst he smoothly switched lanes. As always, it was quiet between the three of them, not that Ulquiorra minded this too much. So long as he had his books with him, those were more than enough to keep him company. Weren’t they?
However, his parents were in an especially good mood today, and he was getting a bit more attention because of it. It made the small heart in his chest flutter, deep green eyes blessed with a rare shine that marked his muted excitement.
But life has a funny way of changing without so much as a warning.
For he had but this moment of tranquillity to cherish, just this one, before it was reduced to blinding flashes of light, screams and crushing of metal.