When You Smile - Complete

Chapter Eleven - Apologies

Chapter Eleven – Apologies

It was Friday afternoon.

It had been three weeks since she had spoken to her Father. He’d gone on another business trip two days before she’d planned to speak to him again. And that extinguished her chances of apologising to her Father. She wasn’t going to say it to him over the phone and she wasn’t going to write a letter. She had to do things the right way. And that meant waiting for two longer than usual weeks until he would get home.

The Friday before the camp.

Her Father had returned several minutes prior to her courage building up enough for her to leave her room and walk slowly down the stairs. Her heart was breaking. As she walked, Kiba remained by her side. A pillar of support. She walked into the living room and her Mother looked up, but her Father was reading the newspaper and hadn’t noticed her presence.

“Dad?”

Naoko looked up, surprised to hear the voice. “Miya.”

Miyako felt the tears build as the bottled up guilt overflowed and she stood in the doorway, silent streaks of liquid trickling down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I’m so sorry.”

Without hesitation, Naoko put the newspaper down and stepped over to embrace her, allowing all of her weight to be placed on him. “Me too, sweetheart, me too.”

“I love you, Daddy.” Miyako whispered.

“I love you too, kiddo.” Naoko replied. “And I promise: I’ll accept him with open arms the moment that he finally asks you to stand by his side.”

Miyako nodded minutely. “Thank you.”

“That camp starts on Monday, doesn’t it?”

Miyako nodded. “I need to be at the school earlier than usual too.” She replied. “What time did the note say Mum?”

“Seven o’clock.” Tamie replied.

“Then I’ll make sure that you get there on time.” Naoko said, kissing the top of Miyako’s head.

The phone rang throughout the house and Miyako only had time to turn towards the kitchen when Naoko slid by her to answer it.

“I’m proud of you, Miya.” Tamie said softly.

“It was tearing me up inside, Mum. I can’t be happy unless I’ve resolved everything.”

“So you won’t be happy until Tezuka-kun has resolved everything?”

Miyako looked at her in shock, but slowly she nodded. “Yeah.”

“Miya.” Naoko called.

“Hai~?” Miyako called.

“Tezuka-kun, for you.”

Miyako skidded out of the living room and took the cordless phone from her Father and placed the receiver to her ear. “Moshi~ moshi~.” She greeted.

Tezuka chuckled at her excited tone. “Moshi moshi.” He replied. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, and you?”

“Yeah, fine.” Tezuka replied. “You’ve spoken to – ?”

“Hai, everything’s fine now.” Miyako replied. “I feel much better now.”

Tezuka hummed. “Maybe you’ll be able to focus on tennis a little more now?”

Miyako giggled. “Yeah, I’ve been a real pain, but…well…I’d never had such a conflict with my Father before. I’d never felt so broken inside.” She admitted, explaining what she couldn’t in person.