Ever since my mother has entered the hospital, I visited her twice daily.
And on my every visit, I would wish that upon my opening the door of her hospital room, I'd find her sitting upright in bed and watching me tenderly, as though she had simply woken up from a slumber.
'I'm sorry, Hime. I over-slept,' she would tell me, with a sheepish smile, and I would smile back, and say, 'It's okay. Did you take proper rest?'
I yearned to have this conversation with her. I yearned to hear her voice. I yearned to see an expression on her face. I yearned for a response on her part, even the smallest one.
Placing myself in front of the window as usual, with my back turned on the outside, I gave her a complete account of my first day at Shigeizumi High School.
After I was done, I agitated my head from side to side in self-pity, moaning out, 'Ah! I know what you're going to say! - "What an unusual way to start the school year!"- Isn't it? And that was my first day in a new school! I have become a "slave"- that's the word he has employed.' I grimaced, then sighed. 'And I, who wished to avoid these two delinquents!'
I looked up at her again as I said this last part, and putting my forefinger up, I stated, 'Now, I know what you're going to tell me: "You're always judging people too quickly, Hime!"'
Hanging my head, I let out another sigh.
'Anyway... I'm going to be courageous and give it the best of myself,' I declared, finally, putting my fists up in resolution, and wearing a brave face. 'After all, what happened is my fault!'
Moving up to her bed then, I placed my hand over hers and bent down to kiss her on the forehead to say goodbye to her.
The visiting hours were now over, given the time the clock was indicating.
As I slipped the door of the room open, and stepped outside into the corridor to leave, suddenly, I bumped head-on into someone who was walking-by the room.
Instantly, I began to apologize, but only for me to freeze and pale when I looked up and saw that it was the director of the hospital!
When I managed to find my voice again, I reiterated my apology, giving him another bow.
'It's okay,' he said, blankly. 'You've changed school?'
My eyes widened at him in surprise.
He has noticed that I used to wear a different uniform before?
'It's a good school,' he stated. 'Study well!'
And on these words, he continued his walk.
I stared after the dark-haired man for a whole minute, still very surprised, before I headed for the staircase, my thoughts drifting off to my home town and my arrival in this city.
I was born and grew up at Monden. It is a small town situated several kilometers towards the east of Kokubunji. I had never known any other place than Monden. On her side, my mother was born in this city and this is where she grew up. When she went into a coma, and I came to live with my grand-parents, I discovered Kokubunji for the first time, and I joined the local high school. Thus, this was the second time that I had changed school in less than a year.
Obā-san was closing the shop, when I reached home sometimes later. Ojii-san usually returned home quite late from work, and we rarely had the chance to take dinner all together during weekdays.
After I had freshened up and ate my dinner, I left for work.
I worked as a part-time cleaner in a company. I was the only youngster there; all my colleagues being middle-aged women. They have always been very kind to me. They taught me everything that I ought to know, and I helped them with their own work as much as possible whenever I could to show them my gratitude.
YOU ARE READING
Tsunagari
RomanceWhen Hime Kirigakure, who recently moved in the City of Kokubunji, is sent on an errand by her grand-father to the Shigeizumi Mansion, little did she know that her life was about to take a fateful turn. She becomes acquainted with the young master o...