A creative writing detour: a personal writing and posting challenge

An Obento for my Naoko (Precious Child)- original short story

On a warm spring day, rows of cherry blossoms bloomed in full. The soft pink petals drifted gracefully down to the ground, colouring the brown brick pavement with bright colours. It was the first day of daycare for many kindergarteners. Children held their parents' hands as they walked following the crowd of students and teachers to the entrance ceremony. Some of kids were running ahead of the group, with their parents frantically chasing them down. Within this group of children, a dark-haired girl with braided twin tails walked by her father's side, her head down dejectedly.

"Kaa-san wouldn't want you looking sad on your first day, Nao-chan," said her dad, with a smile on his face.

"But I wanted her to come," the girl whined. "It's my first day after all."

Her father got down on his knees and placed his hands on her shoulder reassuringly. "Kaa-san would've love to come to the school with you but..." The man paused before continuing with a sad smile, "She's doing it for your good." Despite her disappointment, she nodded. "Good girl." He patted her head before getting up. "Let's do our best to cheer up!" They continued their way to the medium sized building ahead.

*

"My name is Shimura Naoko," said the girl as she bowed to her classmates. "Nice to meet you."

"Good job, Naoko-chan," said a short brown-haired woman, smiling. "You may sit anywhere you like."

Naoko looked around the classroom as the rest of the children finished their introduction. The classroom was small with 6 small yellow tables and 4 green kid-size chairs, arranged facing one another. Some of the kids were already sitting in the small chairs. Naoko decide to sit next to the nearest table as the rest of kids introduced themselves.

"Welcome everyone," said the woman. "My name is Hanasawa Makina and I will be your teacher this year. You can call me Hanasawa-sensei. We will start by singing a nice little song."

Naoko glanced around nervously. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see a smiling boy. "Don't worry, Naoko-chan, we relearn this song every year."

She smiled gratefully at him, nodding her head in thanks.

"I'm Takao Ryoutarou by the way," said the boy, grinning from ear to ear. "You can call me Ryou if you'd like. Nice to meet you." Naoko nodded shyly in greeting.

*

The day went by peacefully. Naoko bounced, waiting excitedly to tell her parents how she made her first friend. When she found her father walking toward the kindergarten, her bright smile dimmed a bit as she noticed that her mother didn't come with him. Not wanting to disappoint her dad, she lit up again and ran out to him. "Otou-san! Otou-san! Guess what?! Guess what?! I made a friend today!"

Her father laughs heartily, rubbing her hair affectionately. "That's nice! Good girl!" she smiled proudly up at his dad, noticing the relief on his face. "I'm glad you had fun."

*

"Naoko-chan," the teacher said softly, getting down to her level. "Where is your Okaa-san? Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she is." Said Naoko quizzically. "Why wouldn't she be?"

The teacher hesitated before waving her hands nervously, "Nothing's wrong! Nothing's wrong! Don't worry about it!"

Naoko looked quizzically at her, wondering why she would ask. What she didn't know was the rumour of her mother neglecting her.

*

It was an ordinary day at the daycare when Naoko was called to the principal's office. She was surprised and confused at first when she heard the news of her father's hospitalization. While she was worried about her father, Naoko was excited at the idea that her mother would pick her up at the end of the day. Waiting at the entrance to the daycare, her eyes widen with surprise when she spotted her mother. Her mother, wearing a black suit and tie, came with her wheelchair and a worried and hesitant expression on her face.