
"How's your baby doing?"
My reply made him surprised. "What baby? I don't have a baby!" he said, taking his eyes off me. He lies.
"Koizumi, I'm sorry for causing all this to happen to you."
Koizumi laughed cynically, then shook her head. "So, you already know that I'm pregnant. You intentionally called me here just to humiliate me? Yes, I'm pregnant with Seiji's son. He promised he'd be responsible, but it turned out... You satisfied now?" Tears fell on his cheeks.
"He doesn't like me!" Furthermore, the two of us fell silent, while a cold wind pierced each of our bodies. I know it's very hard for Koizumi and she can't bear this alone. "Have you told your parents?" my many.
"It's no use, 'cause I'm gonna drop it."
"Don't!"
Koizumi looked at me with her watery eyes. "Would you give birth to a boy like that?"
"You like him a lot, don't you? I mean Seiji." I advanced towards Koizumi who was suddenly silent. "The child in your stomach is your descendant, Koizumi. Would you kill him?"
"I... I envy you so much, Ayase-chan," Koizumi started sobbing.
"Me?"
Koizumi nodded. "You always make the right decisions. You dare to face Seiji alone. You also have people behind you to protect you."
Don't know what to say, I just kept quiet. Just this time someone said they were jealous of me. I think it's all just luck. If Tora doesn't come, I might end up with her.
"Cinderella's performance was like that too. You're so pretty in that dress. And you saved the storyline when I tore your shirt off. Really am... You make me jealous!"
I let Koizumi take out all her chatter. If he wants to hit, I won't dodge or hold him. But what am I supposed to do now? I was not used to facing people who were crying, so I became misbehaved. I am not a person who can speak sweet words to please others.
Finally, Koizumi calmed herself down. The girl took a deep breath and threw it away slowly.
"I'm sorry, because I don't know" I said.
"From now on you're just apologizing. You really make me sick" Koizumi said.
I must look like a fool to him. The one who invited him here was me, but now he was the one who dominated the conversation.
"But I'm glad to be able to tell you everything, Ayase-chan," Koizumi smiled.
"Eh?"
"I forgive you. I also apologize for my bad attitude and my friends. Youre right. I shouldn't have dropped my womb. This baby is innocent. Alright. I'm going home now" said Koizumi.
"I'll be with you talking to your parents" I said.
Koizumi. "no need. I had to try myself" he said with a smile, then turned around.
I think I managed to repair my friendship with Koizumi. At first, I thought Koizumi was acting mean to me just for her own satisfaction, but it turned out that my guess went far. I was the one who subconsciously caused him to do that. In fact, I also had a share of the cause of her pregnancy. There is always a reason for everything that happens. I didn't expect Seiji to be one of the most evil people in the world. I'm lucky Koizumi would forgive me.
Despite her young age, Koizumi decided to give birth and take care of her baby. Not like my mother who left me. But, now I feel relieved because Grandma and Dad's family took care of me. If I lived with Mom, I would probably be the same.
I daydreamed with my thoughts until I suddenly felt a chill in my head. Instantly, I saw small white grains floating down in the air. Snowy. I held it with my hand. The grains fell on top of it, then melted exposed to the heat on my skin. The snow reminds me of my hometown, Hokkaido.
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"You want to go home?" misaki asked when I visited her again the following week. "How long?" His face seemed to want me to quickly return from the village.
"Maybe it's only been three days. I just want to see Grandma" I replied.
"Curtain! The hometown will only make you not want to go back to the city" said Tora Kucing.
Me and Misaki looked at him. "Do you have a hometown?" ask Misaki.
"Of course I have! But I never came home."
"Why?"
Tora the cat did not answer. "Easy! Don't talk about this anymore!"
"Why is he so angry?" muttered.
"When are you leaving?" ask Misaki.
"Two weeks away."
"Well! So sudden!"
The incident with Seiji still looms over me a bit. I think this is the right time because I want to release my fatigue in the village. The doctor forbade me to take Misaki out of town for fear of her health. Moreover, the location of Grandma's house is a bit far from the hospital.
I have asked the Class Guardians for permission to return home long before departure. At first, I thought I had to persuade her, but it turned out that the 29-year-old woman immediately gave her permission. He said I worked hard on Cinderella last year. His style of speech is very gentle, but it has a purpose in it. Looks like he has a crush on Taguchi-sensei.
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"Are you going home?" koizumi asked who really wanted to come, but the conditions were not possible. His stomach is starting to look a little swollen. The girl plans to resign from school in 3 months. She told her parents about her pregnancy and was scolded. But in the end they understand because here Koizumi is a victim. They are even waiting for the birth of the baby.
"I miss my grandmother" I smiled.
"What's your grandmother like?"
When I was in Harajuku last year, I didn't want to tell you about my family, but I think I can tell you now. And Koizumi seems to want to know.
I'm grateful that everything went well. During the 80 minutes on the plane from Tokyo to Hakodate, I was thinking about Tora. I say goodbye to Misaki, but not to her. We haven't contacted each other in weeks. Maybe he was busy with his job. Maybe he won't bother me at school. Maybe he's sick. There are so many possibilities that you can't find the real answer.
Grandma's house is located near Hakodate Port. In winter, Hakodate is not as cold as other cities in Hokkaido because it is close to the sea. I was picked up by Uncle Kazuya at the airport, then escorted to Grandma's house. We passed through slippery roads caused by snowfall. Uncle Kazuya was not a pleasant-talking person, the same as me, so we didn't talk much in the car.
When I arrived at Grandma's house, I was greeted by Uncle Yuji who was chatty. Sometimes I think of it as Osaka. His style of speech was straightforward and loud, as if he was feeling exuberant with himself. Grandma was in the kitchen when I came in. We warmly embrace. He cried to see me without his glasses. "You look beautiful" she said. Grandma looked healthy and fresh, even though her eye bags looked big. Maybe he's sleep deprived. Only Aunt Koharu is not around. No one knows where Bibi is, but we all understand that that's what she wants.
We all had dinner together at Grandma's. This time the menu is seafood. Grandma knew I was a big fan of fried shrimp, so she made a lot just for me.
"My kids always ask you how you are, Tomomi," said Uncle Yuji. "Once in a while go to my house. My wife will be so happy."
"Yes, Uncle Yuji. Maybe tomorrow I'll play at your house. I want to go to the temple to pray for a while" I replied.
That night, I slept with my grandmother. We talked about a lot of things before going back. He looked pityed when I told him about Misaki. Of course I didn't talk about Seiji and Koizumi, because that would worry him. I may not be allowed to return to Tokyo.
"What is Tora called, what kind of person?" ask Grandma.
My heart hit my chest hard. "Oh... He was tall, mustachioed and bearded, wearing earrings, his hair was thin" I replied. There's no way I'm telling you that Tora is actually a Yakuza. Grandma could have fainted.
Grandma chuckles. "Looks like he's a good guy."
"Yes, Grandma. He's so nice."
"Do you like it?"
"Eh? Ah..," I stammered. "Hoaayams... I'm already sleepy. I slept first, Grandma. Have a good night" I said, ending the conversation, then closed my eyes.
🎑🎑🎑🎑🎑
On the 2nd day in Hokkaido I used to visit a small temple near Uncle Yuji's house. In winter like this, only a few people come to the temple. I tossed a coin, rang a bell, and made my wish in my heart. May my values be satisfactory, may Koizumi's pregnancy be smooth until she gives birth later, may Misaki be completely healed so no need to take medicine, may Tora be successful in her work, may all my family members be healthy.
"Hatchi!"
I heard a man sneezing from behind me. Did I pray too long until he had to pretend to sneeze so I could leave? Finally, I also finished my prayer. I turned to get off the temple steps. That's when I found Tora among 4 people dressed alike, a suit and black pants. I was surprised to see them all.
Tora noticed my presence. He was just as surprised as me. "Tomomi?"
Hearing her voice say my name made my heart flutter.
"You know him, Tora?" ask one of the men standing in front of Tora.
"Yes, Aniki. He's my friend" replied Tora.
"I remember you!" chirp the fat man who was next to Tora. I recognized him as Tora's boss in the stripper club. The bald fat guy who said he wasn't interested in me. "It turns out you guys are, yes" he laughed. "Your name's Tomomi? My name is Goro."
Hesitating, I smiled at him. "Nurse Tomomi. Greetings," I said kindly.
"Let's Tomomi." Someone called my name from behind them all. His voice was heavy and deep. Then, without warning, they went away to make way for the man.
"Kumicho!" one of the men in black.
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**connect to chapter 9!
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matt ne**...