Takagi: Start Again

Part Seven:

'I couldn't speak. So many questions in my mind. H-how could she know Nishikata? Did she hear something about him? She had to, there's no way she could know more about him then I do.

"So is it a deal?" 'She seemed demanding and I was afraid that I would be forced to give away the only thing that kept my life in order. The one thing that I felt I had left. In a world that was so cruel Chi was the one thing it had given me that I never wanted to let go.'

'I finally let out words.' "How do you know Nishikata!" 'She started to grin.' "It doesn't matter Takagi. The point is I have information that you have wanted for years!"

'I was now shaking. Even at 32 years old, I was still very childish. And because of that I couldn't help but show my honest fear of knowing what she had to say.'

"I don't have all day Takagi!" 'What should I say? Do I accept? No! I have to start acting like an adult, I have to handle this or else she is gonna take Chi away.'

"I need to have proof that your offer is sincere before I can come to a final answer." 'She didn't seem very happy about this so I pulled a face that made me look demanding.'

"Very well then..." 'She pulled out a small letter from her shirt pocket and waved it around.' "As you can see this letter is from him..." 'I was skeptical. After all if Chi was her real daughter then she would try whatever means necessary to get her back.' "I'll give you this letter for free. I can tell your skeptical it is real, even though we were rivals in kindergarten, I guarantee that this is real. That's my promise." 'I could tell she wasn't lying.' "If you have any more questions for me you know what to do. Meet me here again if you want to talk. I put a small sheet with that letter that has my number on it." 'She then looked at me firmly.' "Decide, or I'll get the law involved!" 'I swallowed hard.'

'After she left me, I took no time tucking the letter into my pocket and running over to get Chi. Once we got home I shooed Chi and went into my room, locking the door. Alright, time to see if she was lying!'