The One I Call Usagi-san...

Tragic Rainfall

Misaki's POV

The storm seems to be getting stronger; hopefully, the power doesn't go out. *ding*That scared me but "The cake is finally done!" I race towards the kitchen as soon as I set my manga down. I take out a stool and begin to climb up to get the mittens. They were green ones made for me. "Now I won't burn myself just like mom did." Yep, last time my mom tried making muffins but got burned in the process of taking them out and I was not in the mood to eat floor muffins.

 I take the cake out and placed it on the counter. It was pretty heavy but I was strong enough to hold it. "Hmmm...how do you make frosting again?" I look around the kitchen to find the book I was given for Thanksgiving. Thanks Nii-chan! " Ah! There's the book. Now let's get to making the frosting!" It took me forever to find the recipe since I stupidly skipped the chapter page. Whatever. At least the corner pages were labled. I read over the recipe and took out the supplies. "Milk; check! Sugar; check! Butter; check! Looks like I'm ready!" I carefully followed the instructions with the pictures provided. Nope I ain't dealing with Kanji right now. That can wait till school.

The kanji was too much for me to handle and I doubt Akihiko would be back.

"Welp, I need a mixer! Where are you hiding?" I took the stool I used previously and placed it underneath the cabinet to reach the higher one. "I see you!" I grab it and walked over to the cake, placing the ingredients beside it. "Aw man...the outlet is too far in front of me!" I reach my little arm as far as I could but was unsuccessful. "I swear. If I stay this height forever..."

In the end, the only solution was to climb over the counter to plug in the mixer. "Yes! Nothing can go up against me." I giggled at myself as I mixed all the ingredients together and waited till it became a soft, creamy texture. I poke my finger in it and placed the small amount in my mouth. "Delicious! Now...where's the food coloring?" 

I see it beside the cake and grab it. I just need green and red. During that process, however, the coloring was too close to the hot plate the cake was sitting on and I accidentally burnt myself. "Eep!" I threw my hand back along with the food coloring, which splashed all over the counter. "Aw man. I knew I should have closed it!"

I turned my head to look for a dirty rag. I found one and began cleaning the stained furniture. "I don't think we have any soap right now...maybe I'll call mom to get some." I look at the clock and noticed it was 10:00. Hmmm...it can wait till tomorrow. The cake is almost done anyways and they'll be here any minute.

*thunder*

Will this storm quit tormenting me? Kami-sama, you really like to scare me don't you? 

With the frosting I had, I mixed the green in the frosting, as well as the red food coloring. I made the cake red and on the top of the cake, I made green Christmas trees. I found the sprinkles in the cabinet and decorated the trees as pretty as I could. I don't remember my mom buying any sprinkles from the store but might as well use them.

After I finished, I placed the cake onto another plate so that the hot one could cool down a bit. I placed it in the middle of the table in the living room so that it was the first thing my parents saw. Now I had to play the waiting game, which I hated.

Any minute they'll arrive...I patiently waited for them to return. It was already 11:00. As I approached the living room, the sound of distant sirens could be heard. I hope the people out there are okay. 

I glanced back at the clock and it read 11:15. Maybe they had to wait in a really long line or something. A flash of lightning woke me up from my thoughts as well as the sound of heavy rainfall. Woah, that scared me Kami-sama. What's gotten into you today? Did I do something?

After painfull moments passed as boredom progressed, I eventually got tired of waiting and went to my room. It's really quiet in the house right now...maybe I'll call Shinobu if he hadn't left yet that is. I dialed his home phone and waited for agonizing seconds until someone finally picked up. 

"Hello?" It was a female's voice. "Uh...hello? Is Shinobu there?" I asked as I waited for her response until she finally spoke. "Sorry honey. He left for the airport about an hour ago. Since the storm is really bad, he might be at the airport as of now." 

Welp...there's no way of talking to him right now. "Thank you for answering me. If you do get the chance to talk to Shinobu, please tell him hi for me; Misaki Takahashi." She giggles a bit. "So, you're the friend he keeps bragging about then? He doesn't have many friends at his school so I was a bit shocked when he came back from school on his first day. He kept talking about this Misaki kid and it made me happy to know he found a friend."

I can see why. "He brags about me? There's nothing to brag about though. I'm just a normal boy. Someone who enjoys being around others. Nothing special." She giggles again. "Not with the many things he's told me about you. I'm Shinobu's sister by the way. If you ever need to talk to Shinobu, let me know. I'll be happy to send him a message for you."

I smile brightly and replied with a thank you. She hangs up the phone as we said our goodbye's. I let out a deep sigh and stared back at the clock. Where are they? I had the urge to open the door to just wait for their car. But one) it was pouring and I had a 50% chance of getting struck and two) someone started wiggling the doorknob. Wait what!  I got scared and hid behind the couch, hoping the person didn't see me.I grab my trusty spatula from the countertop and went back to my space. 

As I peeked over the couch, I was greeted with a soaked Takahiro, who looked out of breath. "Nii-chan!" I grabbed a towel and ran up to him. I started patting him dry and asked "Nii-chan? Why are you soaking wet?" I look up at him but no response. He had a look of shock and no movement in his eyes. "Did you not ride home?"

I started to shake him lightly but he wouldn't budge. "Nii-chan?" I started calling out his name but he was unresponsive. "NII-CHAN!" Takahiro's head snaps to my direction as I saw tears begin to fall down his cheeks. "Nii-chan? Are you okay?" I had the sudden urge to cry as well since Nii-chan was crying. I hated seeing him cry when he is clearly in pain. "Are you in pain?"

I felt the hot tears fall off my cheeks as I waited for his response. He simply nodded a no. "What's wrong Nii-chan? Tell me! Nii-chan, where are you hurt?" He pulled me into a tight hug and simply cried into my shoulder. His hot tears seeped through the fabric of my shirt. I let him have his moment as I waited for him to speak.

"Misaki..." I reply in hesitation. "Yes, Nii-chan?" He raises his head to speak to me and puts both his hands on each of my shoulders. "Nii-chan, are you okay?" I look up at him with my best pleading eyes. "I'll take care of you as best as I can. Don't worry about anything anymore. I'm still here."

What? I was really confused now since I was unsure what he was implying. "Nii-chan, what are you saying?" Nii-chan looked me in the eyes. "Don't worry Misaki, I'm still here for you. No need to worry. I'll settle everything with our fami-"

"NII-CHAN YOU'RE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG!" That was the first time I raised my voice at him but it was for a reason. Tears began to flow down his cheeks as he pulls me into a tight hug. "Misaki...our parents...have passed." 

My eyes widen in shock and I stood there without moving. What? Passed? When? Where? Where are they now? They're here right? They can't leave?  Is it...my fault?  Where is this darkness coming from?  Am I alone? Why am I feel-. I began to feel dizzy and fell into Takahiro's arms. I closed my eyes as I let the darkness take me away. "MISAKI!" was the last thing I heard before I entered complete darkness.