Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Career Kickoff

By the time the Inter-Collegiate Preliminaries came around, Tokyo University had totally dominated again. Everyone's names were spreading through the streets of Japan like a wildfire. After winning last year's Nationals, they intended on keeping their crown.

Mitsumi was now in her mandatory rest period before going down to Osaka. She decided to go grocery shopping while Koushi was working at elementary school. Her classes weren't for a few hours, and she only had one actual class and then personal piano practice. She would have gone to play piano first, but the booths were filled.

She was walking home in the autumn breeze. It was a relief that the weather had finally started to cool down. The streets were quiet since everyone was in school or work. The few people walking around were stay at home moms and the neighborhood grandmas.

"Chie, dear, it's been a little while." One grandma waved from her chair. She was busy sewing a fine piece of fabric and enjoying the ambient weather.

Mitsumi turned her head. "Obaa-san, it has been a while!" She walked over and bowed with a smile. "Have you been doing well?" The girl had a strange attachment to the elderly. She found their stories fascinating and enjoyed giving them company. Their wisdom always meant the world to her.

The grandma set her seeing down gingerly in her lap. "I have been well. I have been working on my granddaughter's yukata for the New Year's." She took pride in her delicate work. "I heard from one of the neighbors that you have been travelling a lot. How is your work?" She gestured to a stool next to her.

Mitsumi had plenty of time and decided that a friendly chat would be nice. She was in no rush for once. So, she took a seat and sat the paper bag in her lap. "It has been busy. I am getting ready to go down to Osaka in a couple days. Hopefully things go well there." She watched the old woman stitch away. "School has been good too. I won a piano competition a couple weeks ago. My Volleyball Teams have been doing well. We get to play at the national tournament again. Oh, and I have something for you. But, I left it at home." She sighed in frustration.

"Bring it by later. I'm home all day." The grandma chuckled. "I don't suppose you have any pictures?"

Mitsumi opened up her phone gallery and slowly went through some of the pictures from recent events. She carefully explained some of the events that were happening, and the people in each photo. "This one is from a high school I recently spoke at! And this last one is a picture of my boyfriend's cooking. He's better than me even though he won't admit it."

"When I was your age, I always admired the enthusiasm people like you have." She smiled at the photos. "I should let you go take care of your groceries. You know where I am, so come on by."

"I'll come back right after I take these home." Mitsumi stood up and bowed again. "It was good catching up with you!"

...

She returned as promised and delivered some beautiful mint green silk she had purchased overseas. Mitsumi had got it as a gift for her honorary grandmother.

"Chie, this is very expensive fabric." Obaa-san raised an eyebrow, "You shouldn't spend your money on such expensive things at your age." She scolded the young lady, but nonetheless accepted the priceless gift.

Mitsumi rubbed her neck, "It wasn't that much. Trust me." She reassured her as best as she could. "I immediately thought of you when I saw it. So, I had to get it." She was relieved when the old lady smiled. "I should get going again. I have class soon."

"Don't think you are leaving empty handed." She stood up slowly and made her way to an outdoor table. "I made some banana bread earlier today. Here." The grandma handed her friend a loaf of bread. "Next time you come, I want to meet the lucky man." She cheekily winked.