The Third Miya: Isuma

LXIII

i have no reason for including Tayo the Little Bus ft. ENHYPEN but yk what? Everyone listen to it. It's a masterpiece 10/10 recommend. 

OKAYAMA

OKAYAMA PREFECTURE

JAPAN

OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Tamiko stood on the balcony, staring at the small sliver he could see of the Asahi River. The city was spread out before him as thousands of people carried on with their daily lives. He took one last sip of his now-cold coffee, trying to savor the flavor.

He had worked at the hospital for four months and was supposed to return to Tokyo the next week. He'd turned in his official resignation notice a week ago and his apartment was almost completely packed up. He wondered if Aoki and Sakura had cleaned up their toys at home. Probably not.

His phone rang. Tamiko swiped the screen to see it was his home phone requesting a video call. He immediately answered. "Aoki? What's up, kid?"

"Tamiko, Sakura-chan's crying!!!" Aoki exclaimed. His spiky black hair was sticking up in his every direction and he was pouting. Tamiko immediately straightened, running a hand through his hair. "What? Why?"

"No, I'm not!!" Sakura appeared on the screen, dried tears on her face. Her hair was still in the braids Tamiko had done for in the morning, which made him smile. Sakura yelled, "Tamiko, Ao-nii is LYING!! I am NOT crying!!"

"Really." Tamiko tilted his head and pretended to squint. "What's that on your face, then?"

Sakura's hands immediately went to her cheeks. Aoki announced, "Sakura-chan asked me to call you- hey!"

Sakura grabbed the phone from Aoki and ran away. Tamiko laughed as she insisted, "No, I didn't!! I didn't cry because I missed you!!"

Her lip began trembling. Tamiko smiled. "Sakura, do you want me to come home?"

"Yes!!!" Aoki said immediately. "I want to go to the park!"

"And I wanna read a book with you!" Sakura exclaimed. Tamiko checked his watch. "I'll try, okay? Aoki, take care of your sister. I'll be home soon."

Aoki perked up. "Okay!"

"Altan-kun!!" Sato- Tamiko's superior- approached him from across the rooftop. "Oh, are those your kids?"

Sato was staring at Tamiko's phone. Aoki and Sakura waved shyly. Tamiko looked at them, then back at Sato. He smiled. "Yeah. They're my kids."

TWO MONTHS EARILER

Tamiko was seriously going to quit.

He'd originally applied for a position at the hospital as a way to get away from Tokyo and clear his head, but this was too much. He had been working overtime every night and often spent over 15 hours straight at the hospital. He hadn't gotten more than a few hours of sleep for weeks.

At least he was getting paid. 

A lot. 

The people he worked with were likable enough. He'd made a few friends in Okayama, but he was desperately homesick. He missed his friends and family. He missed his home. He missed the grocery store close to his apartment building that he frequented. He missed spending his days in the small café nearby, spending hours studying and surviving on coffee and pastries. 

"Altan-san, I need help!!" Sato, his boss, yelled across the room. Tamiko stood and walked over, finishing an email on his phone. "Yes?"

"Can you go through these?" Sato shoved three separate folders into his arms without waiting for a reply. "I want them back before you leave."