Sachi-onee-san

“Huf…huf…huff.”

I ran away from there. Sweat running down the whole body.

I know it was not a good thing to do but I didn't know how to react after all that.

While walking towards my original destination I kept recalling the fog around the onee-san.

I can still reach my sale with some time to spare, so there was no need to rush.

But still, it was months when I last met someone with that fog.

I could see them from the time I was a kid, not as clear as now but some faint outlines.

As I grew up they became more clear, I could see many other types of fogs and some creatures. Some small as a sparrow while some big as giraffes.

Those who were covered by the fog seemed depressed,sad, on the verge of crying or highly arrogant among the ones I saw.

I figured out what they meant when I first used my smoke heating type magic against one of my friends in middle school.

Middle school huh..

Those days….were good…

“Ah,Look who's there!” Someone shouted from behind.

I looked back and noticed it was Hiraru-san who shouted with Sachi-san and Asami-san.

“Konichiwa.”

“Konichiwa.” Everyone greeted me back.

Asami-san looked at me, covered in so much sweat that some parts of my shirt became see-through.

“Ara Ara, did you run all the way here?”

“Y-yes, from the park to here.”

“No wonder you are covered in so much sweat.” Hiraru-san commented.

“Let's go to the store, it's cool there. The sale is also going to start in 10 minutes.” Sachi-san looked at her phone.

While chatting we all entered the store and did enjoy the sale war after I had rested a bit and the sale started.

<>

When all of us buyed what we wanted we decided to go back.

Hiraru-san: We did buy a lot today.

Sachi-san: It's all their fault for also giving discounts on other things, it was a good surprise though.

Asami-san: Now we don't need to worry for anything at least a while~

Me: I also got some fresh vegetables and meat for Shigeo’s friends to eat at sleepover.

Hiraru-san: But they will be sleeping at our house first.

Me: It's your house first !? Thanks for looking after Shigeo Hiraru-san, I apologise for increasing your work load.

Hiraru-san: Don't say it like that, he is like my own child.

Asami-san: Yes! Who wouldn't want to see his killer smile. I can't wait till next Saturday when he comes~~.

Sachi-san: We also love when he comes so even if it increases a little of our work, the smile on their faces is enough to make our day. And they are also going to do it at your house so just repay us by looking after our children also.

Me: I will Sachi-san! humm…So next Saturday they are staying at your house, Asami-san.

Sachi-san: Didn't Shigeo tell you?

Me: No. I didn't go home after the school was over so I don't know.

Hiraru-san: Well, this Saturday the sleep over is at my house,

The next one is at Asami-san’s house (Asami-san tilted her head and gave me a smile).

And on the 3rd Saturday it will be at your house.

Sachi-san: I also wanted to hold it at our house but my husband and I are not going to be at home on all these Saturdays in this month so we can't.

Me: Is that so….. Oh! I recalled Sachi-san, you said you wanted to talk about something with me.

Sachi-san: Yeah yeah there is, let's head to our cafe. Will you be coming, Hiraru-san and Asami-san?

Hiraru-san: My husband is taking us out for dinner today so I have to go back early.

Asami-san: I have to take care of laundry, I also can't come~

Sachi-san: can't be helped, then next time. Bye.

We headed towards the cafe.

<>

The cafe was run by Sachi-san and her niece. I did come here a few times with Sachi-san and others and only met her niece like two or three times.

We were sitting across a table on the couch.

Sachi-san prepared coffee for us.

“Does your school allow working part time?”

“Yes, it does Sachi-san.”

I lifted the cup and started enjoying the coffee.

After taking a sip from her cup Sachi-san questions

“Would you like to work here?”

“Huh??!!”

I almost dropped the cup.

“Me??” I put down the cup and pointed at myself.

“Yes, you Shigeo’s and lemon’s nii-san and Tatsu’s son.”

“B-but I don't think I can talk to someone else let alone serve them and take their orders.”

“You can't go on living like this forever, you also know that some day you have to get over your fears.”

As Sachi-san took another sip of coffee I went and took another dip in the sea of thought of mine.

What Sachi-san is saying is true, sooner or later I have to get over my fear of other people.

But it's not easy as it may sound to get over it. It is not that I fear them for no reason and never tried to interact with them and have a prejudice.

I know from all the interaction I had after getting this scar, for how they will treat me and react.

The eyes which look with pity but still want to maintain distance from me. The way the expression changes when they see what's behind the hairs.

It's the silky web of expression and words from those humans which tangled me in this fear named feeling.

I hated them and didn't want to be involved with any of them.

Still, a corner of my heart wanted to be normal again. That's why the words came out without thinking

“I-...I don't think most of the customers will like to be served by me.It will also affect your cafe reputation ... .I don't think I should work here.”

“Look-”

With a clak the door opened and a onee-san came into the cafe.

It was not the door for customers to come in from, it was the door which led to the changing room.

Undoing her ponytail, she glanced at us.

“Oh,Sayuri!”

“Oba-chan! You are back from shopping.” She walked closer to us.

“Yeah, got some good meat for tonight.”

She looks at me and goes,

“Oh! He is the maegami-kun(bangs-kun)!”

Maegami-kun??! I thought only two other people called me by this name.

“I a-”

"Yup, the kai-tomo–kun(Shopping friend-kun) i told you about.”

Now I am Kai-tomo,huh…

“Oba-chan talks about you a lot, sometimes makes me wonder what magic you did on her” while saying it she casually sits beside me on the couch like it was her seat to begin with.

“N-no, i d-di-did’nt do anything.” She is close!

Trying not to spill the coffee in my cup I took a sip to avoid her gaze.

“Sayuri, don't make him nervous. I told you he is not comfortable talking with strangers.”

Sachi-kami-sama Thanks!!

“But I am not a stranger.” she scoots over a little, enough for me to speak out the words properly.

“You are. Anyway, I brought him here so that I can ask him to work here.”

“Oh! Thanks !! you see we are having more and more customers recently, it is hard with just the two of us. It will be a great help!”

“A-Actually i-”

“He said he doesn't want to.” Sachi-san replied.

“Huh??! Why?” Her eyes looked at me as she asked.

I was nervously playing with my fingers under the table.

“If there is a problem with working at our cafe please don't hesitate to tell us.”

“N-No!! I-its not that.”

“Ah! I guess it's something personal, sorry.”

After a moment of silence I looked at Sachi-san, she just gave me a smile with a nod as she was telling me to trust Sayuri-san that she will not laugh and make fun of me.

Clenching the hands underneath the table I trusted sachin-san and asked

“Doesn't being treated differently scare you Sayuri-san?”

“...It sure does.”

“That's what happens with me. Just a quick glance at what is behind my bangs and their behavior changes like the direction of wind. Me working here will only make you lose your customers.”

I waited for a reply.

“...if you don't mind..Can I take a look.”

Now that I have come this far it would all have been for nothing if I didn't show her.With a hesitation I combed back my bangs and showed my burned marks.

A blank mind. Closed eyes. And waiting for a reaction or reply.

“It can surprise one but other than that it's all an exaggeration.”

“Huh?..b-but most people avoided me after seeing it.”

“Then the peoples you met are scumbags.”

“Eh!?”

“And I don't think everyone treated you the same way, right? There should be at least some people who were kind and behaved normally towards you”

She was right. Though there were a thousand reactions, not all of them were sour and bitter.

The images of Sachi-san,Asami-san,Hiraru-san were the first ones which came to my mind.

The next one was Uragao-san and her friends.

“Y-Yes”

“Anyways, the cafe owners are the ones offering you and Oba-chan doesn't choose just anyone. Now it only depends on what you want to do, whether you accept it or not is your decision but I know one thing that Oba-chan wants you here.”

Leaning a bit forward Sayuri-san questioned,

“So what's your answer?”

“I-.....I will gladly”

The only thing they responded with was their smile.