Lunchtime.Surprisingly, Van didn't talk to me about having lunch together. I was relieved at first,but it made me feel uneasy afterwards.I realized that I must have treated him rudely this morning.I decided to look for him. As I was making my way at the way, I heard a group of girls gossiping."Hey, did you know the reason behind Nao Nishikawa's adoption?" one girl suddenly said."Oh? What is it? Tell us!" asked the other one.I gritted my teeth in anger and frustration. These girls are even worst than a bunch of gossiping housewives.I strained my ear as I hid myself to the wall nearby. I waited for them to speak again."--You all know that my mom is working at our town's Social Services Department, right? She accidentally found out Nao's family background!" the main gossiper blabbered on."Just tell us quickly!" breathed the others.
"Nao seemed to be at ease with you,Van. She's always in her true self whenever she's with you. That's why you have the right to do this." Doctor Nishikawa spoke again."I'm willing to listen, Doctor Nishikawa." Van responded."I went to Tokyo to do a symposium on childcare. One of the medical schools thereasked me to be their spokesperson. After the lecture, one of the activities of that said program is to visit a foster care home. And that where I found Nao. I've never seen a girl looking so frail. Girls at her age should be enjoying their life, but it was different for her, because of what happened to her family..." Doctor Nishikiawa relieves the past."What happened to her family?" Van started to ask."Her father died in a plane crash. Nao and her mother didn't know he left a huge amount of debt, much to Nao's mother shock and despair. Her mother suffered from a nervous breakdown that lead her to ove
Weekend. I'm now making my way towards Van's house. My mother asked me to deliver a box of sweets to Van's family. After a few minutes, I am finally standing infront of Van's family house. Since there was no doorbell, I decided to call Van out. "Van?" I called out, in a loud voice. I was about to call him again when the door finally opened. "Oh, hello there, Nao!" Van's younger brother, Ren, greeted her. "Hi, Ren. My mother asked me to give you all these sweets. And is brother home?I need to return these notes to him." I asked him, while carrying two paperbags. One is for the box of sweets, and the other paperbag is full of notebooks. "He's in his room. Please come in!" he chirped, as he opened the door for me. I timidly walked inside t
This soup is really good!" I commented. I can't help but to feel impressed by Ren's amazing cooking skills. "Did you hear that, Ren? A cute girl praised your cooking!" Uncle Taka happily said, as he slapped Ren's back. Ren started to cough uncontrollably,until his face became red. "Cut it out, Dad! Here, drink some water, Ren." Van said,while giving Ren a glass of water. I smiled as I watch them laugh. It's really nice to see them having fun while eating dinner together. "Hello, is anyone home?" they heard someone calling from outside. The three men looked at each other. "Hey, isn't it Reiko?" Uncle Taka guessed. "Yes, I think it's her. I'll invite her in. Ren, prepare another plate for Reiko." Van asked his younger brother. He stood up and opened the front door. I timidly chewed on my food. What I only k
After they dropped off Nao to their house, Van is now walking with Reiko back to her own residence. Van was talking non-stop about something, but Reiko's mind is flying elsewhere. She can't help but to feel jealous on Van's close relationship with Nao. Reiko had this feeling that the Van she knew changed after seventeen years of being together. They were born on the same year. They went to the same gradeschool. They were also in the same class for three years back in middleschool. And now they go to the same school as senior highschool students. They were inseparable in the eyes of many people.They are known as childhood friends... She started hoping that they could cross the line from being childhood friends into something more special. Reiko started feeling that way when they were in middleschool. Her feelings grew when they were a freshman in highschool, but sh
Few days have passed."This is your last day for this semester, everyone. Enjoy your summer vacation to the fullest, and make many wonderful memories! I know you're all getting impatient, so I'm going to formally end this term. See you again next school year!" their Class Adviser finally ended the class, and left the room.The students enthusiastically cries out and went to their own group of friends to make plans on how to spend their summer vacation.Van suddenly approached me, with a serious look on his face."I need to tell you something. But promise me first you won't get angry." he started."What's with that look on your face? Is there something wrong?" I asked him.I curiously frowned when Van started to walk backwards. He wants to tell me something, but he's trying to walk away from me."What's his deal, anyway?" I thought to myself.I
Meanwhile,at the 3-B Classroom.I almost fell on my seat in utter shock after I heard Van's voice from the school's speakers. I can't believe that Van confessed in public, and everyone in school have heard it! He's crazy to ask publicly ask her on a date!"It was a stupid move, alright, but you have to admit it, you still find it romantic..." her mind teases her.I shook my head wildly, as if shaking all of my thoughts.=======================At the pool area.Reiko's deeply hurting when she heard Van's love confession towards Nao.It took her a few minutes to recover from shock. A tear suddenly fell from her eyes.Reiko stubbornly brushed the tears away.She quickly stands up and she dived into the pool. She tirelessy did a few laps,as if the pain in her heart will be washed away by the water...========================
After a few weeks.The day of the summer festival finally arrives."Aren't you done yet?" I complained,getting tired of sitting straight infront of the mirror.Mika was fixing my hair in a fashionable bun. We are both going to the summer festival while wearing our new summer kimono."Just stay still if you want me to finish!" Mika stated."--Girls, what's taking you so long?" we both heard Mama's voice downstairs."In a minute, mama!" Mika called back.After a few agonizing minutes..."There. It's done." Mika finally said, as she patted my shoulders."Thanks a lot, Mika." I thanked my younger sister.Mika just nodded while looking satisfied at the result."We'd better get going." she reminded me."You're right." I agreed.We both descended from the stairs.Mama walked towards us, while looking proud."You