The whispers of a heart [BL]

Chapter 5

Right before we left, Yumi-chan woke up so I was able to properly introduce myself. Since I would be the one picking her up from school the next few days, I really didn't want things to be awkward between us. Thus, a formal introduction and a short chat were enough to ease any possible tension that might occur.

While on our way back to my apartment, Kurosawa-san was the one driving the car. Despite looking quite calm and focused steering the wheel, he kept silently glancing at me from time to time. Finally, after several minutes I couldn't bear it any longer so I turned in my seat and asked what was going on.

"Kurosawa-san, is there something wrong? If you have anything to say, please just say it instead of acting like a stalker."

"Nothing's wrong. And I don't act like a stalker."

"Then why are you glancing at me as if you want to say something, but always deciding against it?"

"Was I being that obvious?" he finally asked, looking sideways at me and showing an embarrassed smile.

"Quite obvious, yes." I said flatly. "Now tell me what is on your mind."

Wow, having to say those words to someone really gave me a strange feeling. It's been so long since I asked someone to speak their mind while around me, that I almost forgot how it felt. The frustration of having to guess other people's thoughts, it's something I haven't experienced in many years. A bittersweet emotion engulfed me, making me smile sadly.

"I thought you might be forcing yourself too much." Kurosawa-san's words brought me back to the conversation.

"What? How am I forcing myself?" I asked in confusion.

"First, you offered to bring me to the hospital, now you're even willing to pick up my niece from school and let her stay at your place. Will you be alright, Masato-sensei?"

Ah, I finally understood. Kurosawa-san was worried about my condition.

"You don't have to worry about me so much. It's true that it will be a bit stressful, but this is an emergency, isn't it? Besides, Yumi-chan is very young, how many willful and negative thoughts can she have? It'll be alright as long as I am careful not to get in contact with her."

With that, Kurosawa-san's mind seemed to be put at ease slightly. He simply nodded and didn't insist on the subject, only promising to come and take Yumi-chan as soon as he could get off work.

It's true that I was also a bit worried, especially about the first day. But as it happened, things went smoother than I had imagined.

Yumi-chan was a good kid. She was quiet and obedient and, just like her mother said, she wasn't a picky eater. The first afternoon we spent together I took her to a small restaurant to eat an early dinner. I figured that I couldn't feed a child, especially Yumi-chan, with instant ramen, or else Kurosawa-san would probably skin me alive.

We ate mostly in silence, exchanging just a few sentences here and there. However, I was surprised by the fact that it wasn't uncomfortable to be around this kid. She was always very attentive not to bother me too much and never shied away from doing things herself or saying thank you whenever I helped her. I began to feel hopeful that these next few days would not be so bad after all.

At that point, I accidentally touched Yumi-chan's hand while helping her put food in her bowl. A childish, resonating voice sounded inside my head. Thankfully for my brains, it was very different from her mother's hyped-up rant.

Wow, mommy was right. This person is really beautiful. I know she said he is a writer but I bet he could be an idol if he wished, or at least an actor.