Thirteen Years Later...

Thirteen Years Later...

Chapter 1: The School Play

Shuya Nanahara smiled confidently as he read the playbill. He knew his and Noriko Nanahara's daughter, whom they named after his caretaker from the orphanage, was the star of the play, and he knew they wouldn't miss out on it.

Shiroiwa Elementary School Presents

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

Starring

Ryoko Nanahara as Snow White

Nobuyuki Kiriyama as The Prince

Yoko Kiriyama as The Queen

Kenichi Mimura as Doc

Ryoichi Kawada as Grumpy

Nami Yamamoto as Happy

Junpei Yamamoto as Sleepy

Atsuko Motobuchi as Bashful

Eiji Sugimura as Sneezy

Miwako Kuninobu as Dopey

As Shuya and Noriko entered the auditorium, Noriko asked, "Do you notice anyone familiar from years ago? They are truly honored to be here too."

Shuya replied, "Of course. After all, some of them have their kids in the play as well." and smiled before he kissed her on the cheek, making her giggle.

As they took their seats, they noticed a handsome man with slicked back dark hair and a gorgeous woman with long black hair, both wearing black, which was somehow surprising considering that there was a bright, wonderful atmosphere. But then again, they thought they looked elegant in black.

Kazuo and Mitsuko Kiriyama briefly noticed Shuya and Noriko before Kazuo asked, "It's been a while, hasn't it? Thirteen years have passed and Japan's given a fresh start. Miyazaki is certainly a hero to many people."

This caused Shuya to notice and managed to shake his hand. "Wow, Kazuo, you have certainly grown!" he exclaimed with a big grin.

"Thank you." Kazuo replied with a soft smile.

"And so is Mitsuko. She's still beautiful as always!" Noriko added, which caused Mitsuko to smile as well.

"Thank you, Noriko, for the warm compliment. Nobuyuki and Yoko are also in the play in case you didn't know." Mitsuko said.

"Don't worry, my wife and I read the playbill together. Our daughter's in there, too." Shuya said.

"Well, ain't that a coicidence! Our son Kenichi's in the play also!" Shinji Mimura exclaimed with a small grin as he arrived with his wife, Takako Mimura in tow.

"You are certainly fabulous, Takako. Where'd you get the dress?" Noriko asked.

"Oh, I got it from Versace. Love it?" Takako asked, flaunting her athletic figure in the body-hugging dark red dress.

"Of course. It looks gorgeous on you. Say, have you guys heard of the upcoming class reunion in a couple of weeks? I'm really excited!" Noriko said.

"Indeed." A voice replied, and it belonged to Hiroki Sugimura, his wife Kayoko Sugimura clinging at his arm with a bright smile.

"Our little Eiji is going to be so cute when he sneezes!" Kayoko gushed, earning a nod and a smile from her husband.

"Pardon me, you guys! The play's gonna start any minute!" Yoshitoki Kuninobu called out and hugged Shuya as he added, "Hey, good buddy! It's really good to see you again! How's Noriko and Little Ryoko?"

Yoshitoki had always called Shuya and Noriko's daughter Little Ryoko, and had always nicknamed Ryoko Anno, their caretaker from the orphanage Big Ryoko, and both girls had been very friendly the moment her parents introduced her to the older woman. The older Ryoko had always took care of the younger Ryoko, leaving Yoshimi Kuramoto to watch over the kids at the orphanage, whenever Shuya was out on a concert and or Noriko was cooking or presenting her new recipes to the resturaunt she was working at: Petit Four.

"Oh, they're both doing fine. Y'know, you and your wife's daughter are in the play, too." Shuya replied, making Noriko and Ryoko smile.

"Do you think Miwako would make a good Dopey?" Megumi Kuninobu asked as she walked towards Yoshitoki and the others. She had certainly looked much more of a grown up since the years went by.

"Of course! Don't you worry, Megu." Yoshitoki replied with a smile.

Shuya also noticed Kyoichi and Satomi Motobuchi, and waved towards them.

Kyoichi soon walked towards Shuya and said, "My goodness, you've have grown along with our old classmates." with a smile, Satomi following close behind him.

"It's really good to see you again." Satomi added, also smiling towards the others.

"I know. Looking forward to the class reunion in a few weeks?" Noriko asked.

"Of course. I'm quite honored to reunite with everyone else from thirteen years ago, even Yukie and the other girls." Satomi replied.

And speaking of Yukie Kawada, Noriko glanced towards her and her husband, Shogo Kawada. Yukie also noticed her and asked Shogo, "Do you mind if we can talk to Noriko and her friends? I can tell they've grown up."

Shogo nodded and replied, "Okay. Let's go meet them." before they went towards Shuya.

With a small smile, Shogo offered Shuya his hand to shake, which he accepted. Yukie gave Noriko a hug and said, "It's been a while! How have you been, Noriko?"

"Oh, Yukie! It's so good to see you again after all these years!" Noriko exclaimed as they exchanged friendly kisses and giggled.

"You know our kids are in the play, too? So is Kyoichi and Satomi's daughter Atsuko and even Shogo and Yukie's son Ryoichi." A voice said. It belonged to Sakura Yamamoto and her husband Kazuhiko Yamamoto.

"It's quite an honor to be coming to our kids's school play, right, dear?" Kazuhiko asked as he kissed her on the cheek, making her chuckle and reply with, "Of course."

"Well, I guess we should get to our seats, the play's about to start!" Shuya replied, and everyone soon parted ways and headed towards whichever seats they could find.

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The play would eventually come to a satisfying and happy ending.

Ryoko Nanahara, decked out as Snow White, was lying on a small table meant to look like a glass casket. The seven dwarfs, played by the following - Kenichi Mimura, Ryoichi Kawada, Nami Yamamoto, Junpei Yamamoto, Atsuko Motobuchi, Eiji Sugimura and Miwako Kuninobu - were huddled near the casket, mourning the death of their caretaker.

However, there was hope as the prince, played by none other than Nobuyuki Kiriyama, came towards the glass casket and leaned in to kiss Snow White on the lips lightly. She awoke, and the dwarves cheered and celebrated as she was carried away by the prince towards the castle, bidding her small friends farewell.

Everyone in the auditorium stood up and cheered as the entire cast, including Nobuyuki's sister Yoko Kiriyama as the wicked stepmother, bowed before the applause of their parents as well other families and the teaching staff. Once the play has concluded, everyone was ready to go home.

"So, we'll see you and everyone else in a few weeks? This is going to be best class reunion ever!" Shuya asked Yoshitoki.

"Of course! You know it! See ya!" Yoshitoki said before he got into his car with Megumi and Miwako.

Everyone else, including Kazuo and Mitsuko and their kids Nobuyuki and Yoko were whisked off in the cars of their choice, and in the Kiriyamas' case, a limousine. Shuya, Noriko and Little Ryoko also returned home in a stylish car that he bought for one of his past birthdays, and as Ryoko was fallen asleep in her room.

Shuya went towards Noriko, scooped her up in his arms bride and groom style, and entered their bedroom together, closing the door behind them.

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The plot thickens sooner or later in the next chapter, so feel free to review me anytime! See you soon!

With love for my fans,

Chrissy