Fantasy, Meet Reality

Chapter VIII: In Her Shoes (Part I)

            (Hello again, everyone. I pray you are all doing fine. Another chapter of this story for you.

         For those who celebrate it, Advanced Merry Christmas from me to you. I will be spending it in the city, so I'll probably be online but not be able to update at that time.

        Thus, this update to make up for it. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing. Happy reading!)

         Can a stranger truly be so kind? Altruism or naivete´? These thoughts were swarming in Tokiya's head as he contemplated on what just happened.

        He was saved when he was in a dire pinch. Well, whatever... For now, having a roof over his head was something to be grateful about.

       "Natsumi-san, is it really ok for me to be here?" He couldn't help but ask. How couldn't he? Her brother was shooting dagger looks at him.

        "It is," she said. "Ignore him." If only it was that easy. "He's not used to us having a guest." Was it really that? Tokiya had a suspicion there was more to it than meets the eye.

         "I see."What else could he say? He wasn't in any position to meddle with her family's affairs.

        "Onee-chan! Onii-chan! Time to eat!" The cheery voice of Natsumi's sister rang in the air, making Tokiya smile and shake his head. "I mean, is it okay for me to call you that sir?" she added.

         It amazed him how she managed to maintain her disposition, despite their situation. "Of course, you can call me that," he replied, patting her on the head. "May I call you Sayu chan?"

         "Hai!" she replied. "See you two in the dining room!" Before Natsumi and Tokiya could even react, she was already heading there.

         They were about to begin their evening meal several minutes later. Tokiya was ready to dig into the food when...

          "Let's give thanks for the food first," Natsumi said. He watched in awe as she and her siblings said their prayers.

         Guilt... This emotion took Tokiya by surprise. When was the last time he gave thanks for the blessings he received everyday? He couldn't remember.

        As they were eating, thoughts began to invade his mind again. Envy... Why did he feel it towards Natsumi's family? Eating together as family. Something he rarely exprienced before with his own. Yes, that must be the reason.

        "A penny for your thoughts, Takuya san?" Huh? Oh, Natsumi san was calling him. "You seem a bit disturbed."

       He was. But he would never admit it to her. Not with his lifelong training of concealing his emotions. "Not really. I was just thinking of the people at home."

       "Is that so?" she said. "Why?" She then restrained herself from asking, self-consciousness visible on her face. "I'm sorry for being so nosy. It's alright if you don't tell me."

         Her words made Tokiya's mood a bit better. Maybe he just needed someone to share his feelings with, after all.

         "No, I want to do so," he said. He was willing to reveal things which he would never do so,except to his closest friends. But he didn't know why.

         "Go on ahead, Takuya san." So he began to tell her his story. Things which mean the world to him...

        His mother whom he missed so much.How hard it had been to make friends before Hajime and Renji came. The demands people placed on him. To his relief, Natsumi listened patiently as he poured out his heart to her.