Arisa's Fake Romance

Chapter 11

As I water the bonsais I look at the sakura bonsai, reminded in a few weeks of the hanami party I'm holding. We will walk together seeing all the gorgeous sakura growing to celebrate spring. O-Tae likes bamboo shoots mixed with rice and pink onigiri and sakura mochi for Kasumi. I put anko on the shopping list since the sakura mochi needs that sweet filling and it will make Kasumi so happy. I also can't forget Daiki. He may be my fake boyfriend but he's a real friend. I hope Daiki doesn't embarrass me however. We are in this together and I hope he doesn't blow this fake relationship for us.

I water our second sakura bonsai Kaoru. I call her that because she calls everything fleeting, like the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms.

A mischievous twinkle sparkles in grandma's eyes as I get ready to make tea. "You and Daiki go to the party today. His grandma says his marks are getting better and doesn't goof off as much in class. The tea leaves said you'll have a great time."

I see tea leaf residue on her fingers. Everything else said we'll have bad luck.

She walks to me smiling. "Here's an omamori that wards off evil." I accept it and thank her.

I say, "Thanks grandma. Drama always seems to follow me and I just don't know why."

"They thrive off dramas. They just want what you want. The omamori Tsugu and me got you should keep the dramas away."

Well I hope.

I then tell her, "People from all over the world will be at this party and I have lots of weird friends from Circle. They're good friends but can be kind of embarrassing."

Grandma then mentions, "Like last year when Kokoro had a Sakura party and you yelled at everyone?"

My face warms as I look down and away over to an antique wooden dragon. "Sorry, everyone was so weird and embarrassing."

Wait, I never told grandma about that. Oh, right, grandma knows everyone and everything.

"Anyway me and your grandfather used to travel the world and see many sights. You'll like this party. Don't think of this as a distraction for music."

She takes her phone then says, "Just remember protecting nature is a sacred duty. We all share this world together. When the environment gets worse everyone suffers for it."

Grandma is right, it's a very serious issue. 

After I make me and grandma hot tea I get ready for the party.

Kasumi is here!

"Hi Kasumi! I'm so happy to see you."

I hold both her hands with my hands and gently pinch them.

Kasumi eagerly says, "We are going to Chiyoda!" Then teasingly says, "Ichigaya Station." She narrows her eyes smiling.

I say almost yelling, "Do you have to say it like that?"

"And we'll go again to walk through a wisteria tunnel together. They are beautiful, aren't they Kasumi?"

"Oh yes Arisa! Maybe we can have a concert under one someday too?"

"O ho ho ho ho ho! I don't think they will allow it Kasumi."

A man in a black suit suit walking far in front of us just vanishes from bottom to top after a few seconds. Kasumi's mouth drops to the ground surprised. 

I ask her, "Kasumi did you see that? He vanished right in front of us."

Kasumi's eyes shine and sparkle and filled with wonder. "We saw a ghost together! Where do you think he's going?"

"I don't know but hopefully he can find peace and have a happy rebirth."

That was weird. He was directly in front of us. Usually ghosts only appear for a split second out of the eye's corner. Maybe it was a warning?

A breeze swooshes the pines nearby, and it gets stronger until it knocks my omamori away. I jog down the street following them since they're being carried far. What? Kokoro and Hagumi catch them but how and where did they come from? Wait what are they doing here this early? They are always so random.

Kokoro's eyes widen big as she stares at the omamori. "Hey Hagumi look at this. This is lucky!"

Time slows and my heart races as I desperately yell running towards them, "Don't open those!"

Hagumi squints smiling. "Oh Arisa you're so funny! Then how will we know what's inside?"

They opened them. Cold energy flows through me as I blankly stare forward. My eyes water and cheeks feel itchy. A light and ominous breeze brushes through my hair and the trees.

"Why me?"

Kokoro tilts her head staring at me like she doesn't even know what she did.

"Arisa?" She waves her hand in front of my face. "Don't cry Arisa! Be happy! You'll get to open one someday too."

"But one of those omamori was to protect me from dramas and evil and the other is good luck. So many weird people will be there to embarrass me. In front of my boyfriend too. And there is a rumor Miyu who's jealous and hates me will be there!"

Kokoro stares forward smiling. "You have no need to worry with your friends to make you smile! We saw a ghost, maybe he'll be there too?"

Hagumi sighs, "You did, I didn't and I'm jealous."

I ask, "Was he tall and wearing a suit walking slowly."

Kokoro's eyes widen and eagerly answers, "Yes! Maybe he's going to the environmental party too?"

Kokoro gasp like she just had a brilliant idea. "We should invite him to a concert!" 

That is such a silly idea! I yell, "Are you joking?" 

I calm down. "I mean I think what he needs is something to help him with rebirth."

My steps feel like they weigh a ton. But I must go on, for my agency, for Daiki, and for the animals.

Kokoro says, "We're going to Chiyoda! My dad works there and so does Miyu's. She lives a few houses down the street from me and she's always mean but I'll never give up trying to make her smile! We were great friends many years ago."

"So what are you doing here this early?"

Hagumi answers, "Because we thought everyone agreed to meet at Circle."

I check my phone. "O ho ho ho ho how can I forget."