She never expected Van to look this serious. "So, what's your story, Van? Oh, I'm sorry, maybe you don't want to talk about it..." "--Everyone in this town knows my family's story... It won't hurt me anymore if I tell you my story. Are you willing to listen?" asked Van."I'm willing to listen." I nodded in return.Van took a deep breath, and afterwards, he started retelling his lifestory.. "My mother died when I was barely 12 years old. Ren was 10. And she died because of me..." Van began.I could see the muscles on his jaw tensed. But I still didn't dare to speak.I patiently waited for him to continue."--it was my father and mother's wedding anniversary that day. I wanted to surprise her at her workplace. And after that we would buy a gift for my father and go home together. She's actually working in the next town from here. And it would take us an hour to reach
I could hear Van's laughter behind me, as we walk our way inside the empty school building.We started walking at the quiet hallway. We first stopped at the library."As you can see, this is our library. Most of the stuff here are really old, but there are lots of interesting books to read on. And let me tell you a secret... Whenever I have a chance,I sneak out some books without permission from the Librarian. Now that I think about it,I need to return them beforegraduation." he relayed."Oh my goodness, the poor librarian must have been worried about those missing books. You should give it back as soon as possible!" I reprimanded him.He closed the Library door and we continued walking again.After we finished touring the first floor, I followed Van upstairs which lead us to the second floor."This is my brother and Mika's classroom." Van said,while opening one room which has 1-B placard o
After a week.I nervously made my entrance at Naha High school.I can see the students who were all looking at me curiously as I walk past them."It's rare to see a new face in town." I overheard a group behind me."My mother saw her once with Doctor Nishikawa. Could she be--?" the other one spoke."Haven't you heard the news yet? She's the adopted daughter of Doctor Nishikawa!" exclaimed the third girl."I don't care what you all think...Just leave me alone!" I angrily said at the back of my mind."Hey, wait for me, Nao!" somebody called my name, and it made all the students turn their heads towards the school gate."Oh, there's Van again. What is he up to this time?" said the other group of male students,while laughing at the same time.I sighed miserably."Why do you have to show yourself at a complicated time?" I groaned in di
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