One And Only Ichi (Yuiitsu Muni No Ichi)

Fated

"Are you sure you're alright, Ichi? I can just bring your breakfast to your room." Mrs. Sato nagged adorably.

Ichi looked a lot better despite still lacking a bit of color. "I'm fine, Mrs. Sato. I missed eating with you two anyway." He said with a smile.

"Is that so? Let's eat then." Mrs. Sato sat down then turned to Fumiko who was just emerging from her room, already in her uniform. "Will you hurry up? Ichi's hungry! And he has to take medication on time!"

Fumiko frowned at her mom as she occupied the seat next to hers then instantly changed her expression once she turned to Ichi. "You're looking much better, I'm glad."

"You should be!" Mrs. Sato snapped. "After you dragged him out, you're lucky he's not dead!"

Ichi chuckled awkwardly. "Mrs. Sato, it was me who asked—"

"Ichi, you don't have to cover for her." Mrs. Sato said in a matter of factly manner. "I know my own daughter. She's a loose cannon, always making you clean up after her!"

The mother and daughter butted heads. "Who did you really give birth to?!" Fumiko questioned angrily.

"Sometimes, I ask myself that exact same question!" Mrs. Sato exclaimed.

Ichi lifted his bowl of porridge as the two slammed the table interchangeably. He scratched his head but ended up smiling as he watched the two crazy women that has become his family.

Fumiko had an irritated face when she arrived in school. "Why do I have to go to class when Ichi's sick. Tsk! I want to take care of him."

"Fumiko."

Fumiko heard a familiar voice and turned to its direction. "Chiharu."

"Can we talk?" Chiharu asked with a gentle smile.

The two settled down in the room where the English club usually hold their meetings. Fumiko was a little uncomfortable.

"Um, Chiharu..." She said, rubbing her arm uneasily. "S-sorry about last time."

Chiharu shook her head. "It's okay. I'm sorry if I did anything that caused you to misunderstand."

Fumiko waved her hands in front of her. "No! No! It was my fault. I was being too possessive of Ichi. Now that I think of it, I don't even have the right to be." Fumiko sighed.

Chiharu smiled. "Fumiko..."

"Hm?"

"I didn't lie to you." Chiharu said and dug into her bag's front pocket. She pulled out the lipgloss that Fumiko threw out and handed it back to her. "I think you underestimate how Ichi feels about you."

"What?" Fumiko asked, staring down on the cosmetic then at Chiharu.

Chiharu leaned back, in deep thought. "You might not notice it but Ichi's always looking at you. When you're not around, he looks for you and he notices the slightest changes when it comes to you." She turned back to Fumiko who was speechless. "I can't know for sure what he's thinking but what I do know is that no one can replace you in his life. So just be more patient, okay?"

Fumiko nodded, teary eyed. She and Chiharu exchanged smiles and spent the rest of the morning before first period catching up.

"I'm home!" Fumiko announced but she was taken aback when the first person to greet her was Ichi. "You're here." He smiled all sparkly.

"Hm?" Ichi leaned closer to Fumiko, making her cheeks burn. "You're wearing that again."

Fumiko cleared her throat and tried to play it cool. "It's just 'cause my lips were chapped."

"I really like it on you." Ichi remarked.

Fumiko froze as her heart began to pound violently in her chest. "Th-thanks."

"Mrs. Sato made your favorite for dinner, I'll just set the table." Ichi told her but Fumiko grabbed his arm to stop him.

"I'll set the table." She said with blazing determination. She stormed in and arranged the table in lightning speed.

Mrs. Sato appeared from the kitchen. "What's gotten into her?" She asked Ichi.

Ichi shrugged. Then he smiled endearingly as he watched Fumiko which Mrs. Sato took notice of.