The Guardianship Interview

After that incident, Miu lost her job at the restaurant. New opportunities had to be filtered through the caregivers and audited for approval by several departments. So it was weeks later, and Miu was still facing a lack of new money coming in. Her savings had flatlined and all she could do was wait. But her mind was preoccupied. Today would be her first guardianship hearing.

She and Yuki had been as proactive as possible, which had allowed them to start scheduling procedures and interviews before she turned eighteen. With any luck, it would mean that the day she turned of age, they could formally submit for guardianship transfer.

It was a Thursday afternoon, and the cold was coming. Grey rain fell from the red clouds that strobed overhead. Some of the rain was actual water. Some were small shards that cut and nicked all who dared to be exposed. Numerous umbrella manufacturers had produced new reinforced umbrellas with hardened fabric to block users from such barrages. Miu made her way from the train station to the civil courthouse under one such umbrella.

Inside, it was muted and cool. Old wood and darkened tiles greeted her as she was escorted to the waiting room. Nerves caused her to alternate between tapping her foot, chewing on her nails, and fidgeting with her eye patch. A small flutter kept the spasms in her stomach from ceasing.

Yuki would not be with her today. This was purely a review of her as a guardian.

The doors opened, and she was invited in to speak to her interviewers.

It was a small, musty room, with fax machines and stacks of folders visible in the corner. The simple light fixture above them was corrupted by a blooming shard that stretched its red edges out like an explosion. A single table was at the center, with two adults on one side, and a single plastic chair waiting for her on the other side. As she sat down, the chair’s creak echoed off the undecorated walls.

“Now beginning the hearing for Moekawa Miu. October Twenty-First, Twenty-Twenty Five.”

Miu shifted her weight as she looked to the adults.

“Ms. Moeka-”

“-Miu,” she interrupted.

“Is your family name not Moekawa?”

“It is. But I've never had a family, so just Miu, please,”

The man’s reaction was indecipherable, and Miu felt a sting of regret for interrupting him.

“I’m sorry,” she replied.

He smiled a tired smile and continued.

“Ms. Moe- Ms. Miu, you are here today for your formal interview for guardianship over Dokuyama Yuki, correct?”

“Yes.”

“In your own words, tell us why you wish to be Dokuyama’s guardian.”

Miu inhaled and focused. Images of Yuki’s former laugh and his tired, empty eyes danced in her mind. Once, he was a child. Once, he clung to happiness. He was always kind to everyone, even those who hurt him. He forgave quickly but would harm those who pushed too far. His eyes always closed when he smiled. His face was contorted to the right, just like his arm, but she thought that was beautiful.

“Yuki is… the best person I’ve ever met. Life has been very cruel to us. Long before the shards arrived, things were very hard. But Yuki. Yuki always smiled. He was… is a kind, soft, gentle person. He is everything that is good in this world, and he deserves to be happy. He deserves to not be alone.”

Their pens scribbled notes without any words being spoken.

“And you are aware that as guardian, you will be expected to maintain a spotless record? We have your file and know you have several disciplinary marks in your childhood.”

“But I’ve been better. I’ve been good. For years, I kept my head down. I’m trying. I’m trying so hard. I had a job, but I lost it, but I’ll get another! I won’t ask the government for anything. I’ll find a way on my own!” she said.

“Well, you would still qualify for the Child-Raising Allowance. It’s been reduced due to recent funding reprioritizations, but there is still something there. And the prefecture’s allowances are available. If you wish.”

“I won’t get in trouble for asking for help? If that makes me less likely to get Yuki, I’ll forsake all of it. I’ll find a way.”

Her nerves were clear as she spoke and blinked her eyes.

“Miu, it’s okay. It’s okay to ask for help. Those services are there. Use them. Even if they’ve been defunded in recent years, they are there for people like you. You would be given a liaison that could help you navigate that.”

Help was a foreign idea to Miu. Alone. That’s all she had ever felt. The very idea of asking for help felt like a death wish. But she was receptive.

“...And I could use that to help care for myself and Yuki?”

The adults nodded.

Tears burned and screamed once more, and Miu’s trembling hand rose to her eye patch. She turned away from them to hide her face as she lifted her patch to dab the crystallized tears that were painfully cutting down her cheek. Drops of blood mixed in with the tears and Miu dabbed both away with a handkerchief.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“It is okay, Miu. You have endured a great deal. Take your time.”

She didn’t want to take her time. She wanted Yuki. So she bit down on the back of her lip and steadied her breathing. The tears could wait.

“I’m okay,” she replied.

“Now, if you are awarded guardianship, explain your daily plan to us. Do you have living arrangements lined up? There is funding for child raising, but there is little for those who age out. You will be expected to provide for yourself in most cases.”

“I have several apartments bookmarked. Once I age out, I’ll stay in shelters until I find a place. But I will start the day I get out. Maybe even before if I can. I have savings for key money. I have printouts of how to get Arcan utilities activated. We would live close to Yuki’s school to make it easier for him. I’ll go with him to school every morning, then go to work. And I’ll work weekends if needed. I’ll figure it out.”

“It sounds like you have figured a great deal out already. Have you had adults helping you?” asked the man.

“No, only Yuki. He’s very smart and organized. He has a binder of our plans…”

“That’s good of him.”

They sincerely smiled, and it threw Miu’s focus off slightly. She was not used to softness or approval. Preparing for this moment had involved her expecting to be grilled and tested in every possible way. But these adults seemed compassionate and neutral. Their smiles seemed honest. For the briefest moment, another flicker of hope appeared.

The man tapped his pen and cleared his throat.

“Well, that’s enough for me. I commend your efforts, Miu. You are a noble young woman. I will submit my approval notice today.”

“I will as well,” said the woman.

Miu gasped as a choke locked her throat.

“Really?” she said through tears.

Shaking hands rose to her face as she slumped forward in exhaustion.

“Really? You’ll approve us? Really?”

Sobs of relief came even though she tried to stop them. They were going to be together.

A soft, maternal hand met her shoulder.

“You’re going to be okay, Miu. It’s going to be okay. We will vouch for you. There are a few more steps and a joint interview, but I have faith you will both do great. You will be a good guardian.”