NekoBirthday

 ***Bittersweet Farewells in Kansai***   A taxi was parked in front of a sizable home in the middle of nowhere in the Kansai District. On the long stairwell down from the front door, a young lady in a loose sun dress and open toed heels sat with a couple of large roller luggage decorated with dozens of stickers from travels and hobbies. In the muggy heat of the summer, she hugged her knees as she waited.   Her father, Dr. Mikamura, watched from the shade in the threshold of the door, not enjoying her somber mood. This was, after all, a time to be overwhelmingly happy. His pride and joy was off to university earlier in her life than many o