chapter 6

What a great weather~

Mother told me to retrieve the uniforms, so Im off to the store where we had ordered them. Blue sky and white clouds extend wherever I see, and the great sun has risen right above me. Its the perfect day to make an excursion.

Hnng~ it feels pleasant.

Theres n.o.body around, and I stretch my limbs wide. I want to take a nap by the river during such weather, but then I realize that Ive just woken up earlier. I had been taking such a pleasant sleep, but Mother woke me up at noon.

Well, I have to go and retrieve the uniforms anyway.

Saving the afternoon nap for another time, I walk towards the uniform store. I was given a map to the store, but I already know the place since the previous [me] went to the same store at middle and high school.

Relying on my memories, I walk for a while until I find the place where I remember it. Maybe because so many years have pa.s.sed since I was separated from this town, it took me much longer than I thought to reach here. Now that I think about it, if I add my age and the past [me] together, its 30 years isnt it?

(So from my mental age, Im an auntie thats over 30 years old.)

Thinking about it gives me mixed feelings. On the other hand, my body is that of a teen, bursting with youth and energy.. Ahaha.

E-excuse me! I am Hayase. We have ordered some uniforms from you.

In order to stop myself from thinking further about it, I vigorously open the store door.

Its heavy.

Carrying the large, heavy plastic bags with both my hands, I sluggishly tread the path home. With this weight, I feel as if my arms will get pulled apart. If I knew this would happen, I wouldve pulled Saki along even if she resisted. Although, even if she was here, she would just say something like, I cant carry anything heavier than a pair of chopsticks~

And Mother shell just make me pointlessly tired, so no.

Uuh its heavyy

While Im confident with my strength, Im not too sure about my stamina. Exhausting my energy in no time, I let go of the bags and take a rest. Carrying that heavy thing have created smarting marks on my palms.

Haah Im tired.

While I am regulating my breath, an acquaintance comes into my view.

Good afternoon, what a coincidence.

Uhyoo?!

Jolt! My heart throbs loudly, making a strange sound.

There stands a young girl who I just met yesterdaythe one that resembles my childhood friend. Thrust by the sudden encounter, my whole body stiffens from surprise that I cant make a proper response. On top of it, my heart is pounding noisily.

Aah, this throbbing heart I see. This must be lovewait, no no no no, am I an idiot?! Calm down, me! Even though this girl really looks like her, shes a totally different person in the first place! I dont have to be so fl.u.s.tered! I shake off the confusion from my head, and I feign composure. Although I believe it is far too late by now.

Umm, g-good afternoon.

It seems I have surprised you again. Im sorry.

I-its my fault for getting dazed like that! Dont worry about it! Yup!

As she apologizes, I fl.u.s.ter as I tell her that shes not at fault. Troubling her two times in a row like this makes me feel so guilty.

Are you out shopping?

Yup, Im on my way home after retrieving our uniforms. Theyre pretty heavy, so Im taking a break right now.

I point at the plastic bags on the ground and make a wry smile. She notices the uniforms inside them, and she looks a bit surprised.

Those uniforms are you enrolling in that school?

Yes, what of it?

To tell the truth, Im going to the same school.

Heeh~ I see! We might be in the same cla.s.s then.

Fufufu, I suppose so. Ah, if you dont mind, I will help you carry the uniforms.

Y-you dont have to! This is quite heavy!

My home is in that direction anyway, so please let me help you.

Uh then, I appreciate your help

Shes shown her goodwill, and it would be rude to reject her. So, I end up receiving her help. Anyway, it saves me half of the burden that I need to carry.

Leave it to me! Then, Ill be carrying this one

She is lifting one of the two large bags, but

Upsy, daisy!! ~~aaAaaah?!

The bag returns to the ground with a thud.

S-sorry, one more time

Once again, she picks up the bag. This time, she manages to stand while being unsteady on her feet. She must be forcing herself to carry it. It makes me feel sorry to look at the way she is trembling.

all right, lets go!

I appreciate your feelings.

In the end, I am carrying one bag on my own, and the other together with her. Feeling ashamed, she gives me her earnest apology. Her gesture alone already makes me feel happy, though. Besides, I am grateful that she is here to help.

We somehow carry the uniforms together, and we finally arrive at my home. Uuh, my hands are numb, its like theyre gonna break into pieces.

Ah, this is my home. Thank you for helping me.

I convey my grat.i.tude to the young girl who have helped me with good grace even though weve met just yesterday.

This is, your home?

Yes, what of it?

She looks surprised for some reason. I tilt my head, confused.

My house, is next door.

Eeh?!

So, the one who Mom mentioned this morningthe girl who is the same age as meis her? The world sure is small. I look at the nameplate of the house where she points at, and I drop the bag to the ground.

Kurasaka?

My whole body takes a sudden drop in temperature. My throat feels parched, and I gulp down my saliva. My fingers, my knees, theyre trembling. Even though its still daytime, I feel that my surroundings have turned dim somehow.

Yes, now that I think of it, I havent introduced myself yet. My name is Kurasaka Tsubaki.

She smiles as she makes her self-introduction.

hh

It didnt cross my mind that you would be the one who moved next door yesterday. Its nice to meet you.

Wow its such a coincidence I am Hayase Hinata. Lets get along as neighbors.

Did I, manage to smile properly? I wonder if she notices something strange about me. I hope that she doesnt know that Im trembling.

We talk for a bit afterwards before parting. I leave the uniforms that Ive brought to Mother, and I hurriedly return to my own room. I throw myself to the bed, and I bury my head into it.

How? Why?

No way. Its impossible.

My mind is full of chaos, and I cant think straight. No matter how I think about it, I cant get to understand.

Is this fate?

I put my thoughts into words, and I heave a sigh. Since Ive come to this town, its highly possible that Ill meet her family. Although, I never expected that it would be right next door.

Kurasaka.

It could be that they just have the same surname, but I drop that thought. Yeah, after all, that girl looks just like [her]. There is a feeling that I cant put into words welling up inside me, like its going to overflow.

.

After a long time, I mumble the name of my childhood friend. My sound is so soft that I cant even hear it myself, but I can feel my chest jar for a bit.

Wake up, Hinata! How long are you gonna stay asleep?!

Slowly opening my eyes, I see the sight of my mother (37) wearing the new uniform that I just brought home yesterday.

Aah, so its just a dream.

This must be a dream. Yes, its a dream no, maybe it would be more appropriate to call it a nightmare.

I cant bear to look anymore than this, so I go back to sleep. I hope that Ill get to see a nice dream instead of some nightmare this time.

Just. Wake. Up. Already!

Fwap! I am deprived of my mattress by force. Sheesh, so persistent. I open my eyes again, only to see that Mother is really wearing my uniform. Aah, so its not a dream I wanted it to be a dream

Hey!

Why are you wearing my uniform?!

I suddenly wake up. I am forced to.

Because I wanted to try it on. Does it fit me? Say, how does it look?

No matter how I look at it, you only look like a middle-aged woman doing a cosplay! Okay? Take it off now!

Noo~ Maicching~

Stop doing this the first thing in the morning, you young-girl-wannabeee!! While enduring myself from shouting that out loud, I get up from bed and change my clothes right away. When Im done, Mother suddenly comes near to stare at my face. I step back in surprise.

W-what?

Your face, looks horrible.

How rude.

Arent you the one who bore me with this face?!

My mistake. You look really pale, you know? Did you sleep well? Do you feel sick?

Im okay.

And whose fault do you think it is?is what I refrain myself from saying. I look at the clock, and I see that time is close to noon.

Your breakfast-lunch is ready. Hurry up, okay?

Ill be there soon~

Mother leaves the room peacefully, and I start changing. Just when I thought to leave as soon as I finish changing, I can hear someone knocking the door, whom I am sure is Saki. After all, Mom would just barge in instead of knocking.

Come in

I give her my permission. As I wonder what it is about, my little sister enters the room, wearing her new middle school uniform.

Look, doesnt it suit me really well?

Twirl, she turns around once and strikes a pose.

Ooh its cute, its cute. As expected of my sister~

Why are you saying it like that? You dont sound like you mean it its irritating!!

Kick!

Ouuch!!

Seemingly unhappy with my praise, she launches a low kick against me. What kind of girl would kick her own elder sister? But I hold myself from saying anything because it will just escalate things further. Hmm, I suppose itll be better if take this more seriously

Yup, it suits you very well. You really look cute.

Ah, I know, right?

G.o.ddammit, I want to kick her back.

Sailor uniforms all look the same anyway. It doesnt look all that different from your uniform, does it?

Eeh, there are some differences. Look, like this part, or this line over here.

She is desperate to show where the differences are, but I still dont get it. Maybe because I have a crude personality, I dont really fuss over fas.h.i.+on, clothes and the like Besides, I had worn that uniform for three years in the past, so its also perhaps Ive grown used to seeing them.

Haah, even after I try to explain, it seems that Onee-chan still doesnt understand.

Sorry for being an elder sister that doesnt get the difference. Anyway, it seems that the meals have been prepared. Lets go.

Youre no fun

Leaving behind Saki, who is puffing her cheeks, I depart from the room.

My~ Is that true~?

Yes, it is.

?

Thinking to wash my face, I am heading towards the washroom when I hear the voice of Mother talking with someone. I wonder if its a guest, so I peer into the room and I see the girl from next door.

Curious as to why the girl is here in our house, I am listening in to their merry conversation. But Mother, with her intuition too keen, spots me.

Oh, youre finally awake, Hinata. Gee, youre such a sleepyhead.

Good morning, Hinatsan.

M-morning.

She greets me with a smile, so I give her a greeting, too, in reflex. Anyone is bound to stiffen up when they are suddenly being talked to.

Its already noon, though~

Mothers sarcasm (in a murmur) is ticking me off for a bit. Well, its a common occurrence, anyway. More importantly

Why is Tsubaki here?

Oh my, since when did you get acquainted with Tsubaki-chan?

I met her on the day we moved in, and she helped me carry some things yesterday.

My, my~ Were sorry for the great trouble.

Not at all. I am weak, so I couldnt help much in the end.

Its all right~ Thank you. Hinatas strength is abnormal, so you dont have to mind about it, okay~

Shes saying everything without reserve. It seems that Mother has taken a liking to Tsubaki, seeing how she enjoys talking with her so much. Looking at Tsubaki, she doesnt seem to be bothered by it, either.

I went out to the veranda this morning, and I saw Tsubaki-chan airing her laundry. So, I brought her in.

You mean you kidnapped her? Im sorry you had to go along with my mothers whims.

Please dont worry about it. It is fun talking to Emiko-san.

Emiko is Mothers name. Because she doesnt like being called Auntie by teenagers, she must have told her Call me by my name or something.

My, my, shes really a good child, isnt she?

Ok, ok.

Leaving behind Mother who is looking fascinated, I go to the washroom to wash my face.

When I return from the washroom, I find Tsubaki sitting in the room alone. Mother and my younger sister are nowhere to be seen.

Ah, Hinatsan.

Tsubaki spots me and calls my name.

Where is my mother and younger sister?

Emiko-san is in the kitchen. Saki-chan seems to have gone away somewhere to play.

I see, thanks.

Offering my grat.i.tude in return for her information, I take a seat to her opposite. After that, I stay silent while wondering what I should talk about, but the silence makes the air somewhat heavy.

This is where I should be asking her some questions. Although there is a mountain of things that I want to ask, what is it that I should ask first? What are the things that I can ask? My mind is messy and I cant seem to say anything because of it.

(Eeih! Instead of thinking too deeply about it, Ill just ask the things I want to know!!

U, um!

Yes?

Err, um

Its good that I have broken the ice just with my spirit alone. But since I called her without anything in mind, the words that I want to say are caught up in my throat.

I mean, what is your hobby?

What finally comes out of my mouth, is the phrase that is often used in a marriage interview. I am ashamed of myself for not being able to make a more appealing question, or at least put in some clever words. On the other hand, Tsubaki doesnt seem to mind as she takes a short while to think before answering.

My hobby is drawing.

Do you do landscapes? Or portraits?

Neither, I am poor at drawing realism. So I like drawing characters that would be fitting for picture books or the like.

Heeh itd make me happy if you would let me see them next time.

Eh, eeh?!

Tsubaki makes a surprised look, as she turns a bit red.

Y-you dont need to show me if you dont want to.

I wont force her if she doesnt like the idea.

No, I mean, its embarra.s.sing, but I will show you next time.

Thanks, Im looking forward to it.

Im curious about what kind of pictures she draws, so Im happy to know that shell let me see them.

What is your hobby, Hinatsan?

Lets see making confectionery, I guess

Ive tried various things, but due to my fickle nature, I never got to do anything for long.

Making confectionery is the only hobby that Ive been indulging in for a long time. At first, it was just me trying to make my childhood friend say that its delicious. But, I got worked up midway; the more I made, the more I came to enjoy it. Now I have even started to make my own recipes.

The cookies that you gave me yesterday were very delicious.

Is that so? Thanks.

Making them is already fun by itself, but hearing others say that its delicious is all the more reason I cant stop.

The next thing I like would be sleeping, I guess.

Although Im not sure if I can call it a hobby, being able to take a leisurely nap gives me a happy mood.

By the way, Tsubaki, you live alone with your mom, right? Do you do your own ch.o.r.es? Meals, for example.

Yes, Mom is busy at work, so Im the one who does the housework.

What an astonis.h.i.+ng story. Shes so diligent despite being so young. I see, now I understand why Mother likes her so much.

After that, we talk about various things, we change our phone addresses, then Mother brings meals for us to enjoy together.

That was a feast

Thank you for the meal. It was very delicious.

Dont mention it, it was nothing much.

Then, I should be returning home now.

My, are you leaving already~?

Mom, you cant stop her like this. Aah, geez, dont make that kind of face, either. Youre troubling Tsubaki.

Havent they talked for long enough? I stop Mother from trying to stop her with her grumbling. Tsubaki looks happy, yet troubled from our banter; she is showing a complicated expression as she laughs.

I will come again, if you dont mind.

Gee~ no one would mind. Youre very welcome to, so come here anytime, okay?

Yes!

Tsubaki stands up, so I follow suit.

Oh, Hinata, where are you going?

To the bookstore. Theres a book that I wanna buy.

I recall there is a new release on my favorite recipe book today, so I am going to buy it.

Was there a bookstore around here? Say, do you know where it is?

Of course I do. The bookstore in this town is hard to find, so only the locals would know about it.

Um, would you mind if I guide you there?

But, you already helped me out yesterday. I feel guilty to trouble you again

The bookstore here is slightly difficult to spot, which is quite troublesome. Since I am free anyway, please let me be your guide.

She smiles as she displays her concern to me. Her smile is like that of an angel no, the Holy Mother herself.

Uuh, so dazzling!

Shes such a good girl that I cant look at her directly!

Eh? Eh?

Sorry about this, Tsubaki-chan~ Will you take care of this child for me?

I-I understand.

Shes in your care.

Its too late for me to bring up that I actually know the place. So in the end, its been decided that Tsubaki will become my guide.