FOUR- Polarized (Yoshida Masanori)

The sun shone on my face. My eyes adjusted in the presence of the glaring sunlight. My eyes instead tried to focus on the girl right in front of me.

‘Well. she’s having fun…’ I thought.

I hid my face under the hood of my jacket as I noticed the people’s irritated, confused looks. I didn’t like attention. My heart is already pumping so fast, so loud that I can hear it. My felt my eyes twitch as I watched her go around the streets of Shibuya which was enveloped in noise, her eyes filled with curiosity and wonder and just…a love for life.

How naive…

I felt my lips curl into a small smile before returning to its distasteful expression.

Why do I hate her so? As she stared at buildings, their sizes, shapes, and forms. As she looked through the windows of coffee shops and restaurants. As she waved at every person she saw. As she received smiles and admiration. As she disregarded the questioning glares around her.

‘Some are clearly annoyed y’know…’ I thought, but I didn’t want to tell her that. I sighed and tried to get closer to her instead. I don’t know but there’s something about her presence that intrigues me. She waved toward a bunch of preschool kids and they waved back. They ran around her in circles laughing all about. One of them came toward me and smile. I tried to smile but the kid ended up being intimidated by the expression.

“Ah~!” Rie exclaimed patting the kid’s head. “This boy is not scary!” she comforted, “He just has to…”

Suddenly, she grabbed my hood and pulled it down, revealing my tired-looking face. “See?”

“Hey!” I hissed, but I exhaled and looked at the kids who stared at me.

The child nodded and looked at me, “Mister, don’t you sleep?”

I shook my head, “Barely..” I responded.

Another child, a little girl about half my height came toward me, her dark eyes sparked with concern, “Daddy tells me that sleep is good for you… So… please sleep.”

“...Why don’t you mind your own-”

“Ahem!” a voice sounded, Rie stood there pouting. A sighed.

“I…I’ll try, okay?” I looked at Rie who smiled coyly. The children laughed happily as they waved goodbye and went their way. The two of us continued to walk forward.

“Never knew you were good with kids…” I blurted out.

She shrugged, “I never knew either… They just looked so adorable that I couldn’t hold back on my affection…”

My mind drifted into thought as the memory of the paintbrush resurfaced, ‘Did this thing impart basic human values to her? Interesting…’

That time I was genuinely curious about what I might see later on.

A smile crossed my face after a long time….

—-

“Hana Textiles…” I mouthed. A humble two-story building whose windows were a gateway to many colours, shapes, and styles. It was always packed, even at this hour.

“These are…textiles?” she asked, “Thought they were clothes…”

“Same thing.” I resoinded in a monotone way. I held the door open for her and gestured for her to get in. She did so with a smile. The place hadn’t changed since the last time I was here. Bunch of clothes on racks and mannequins. Many colours. Many varieties. Many types of cloth. “Be covered up when you need to. From hot savannas to mountains”. A very odd slogan but it works. It’s a small business that Akagi-san’s been running since her great, great…many great grandparents’ time. It has prospered throughout the ages. I pulled my hood closer to me while scanning my surroundings. I saw Rie looking all dreamy.

“Like what you see?” I asked,

Rie nodded excitedly, “Just anything here would be better than this pure white dress”

“Hey! Dresses are hard to draw-” I heaved a sigh, “Just… Look through what you want. I have money… Just be quick… I want to get out quickly before-”

“Nori-channn!” a voice exclaimed. The thing I’ve been dreading the most was running toward me at full speed. The people were taken aback and some even snickered.

‘Oh shit-’

Her grip was super powerful considering her skinny appearance. My head hit the floor and pain shot at my legs as the crutches hit the floor.

“I–Stop! I can’t breathe-”

Instantly, Akagi-san stood up and dusted her clothes off. “Oh-sorry!” She extended her hand and I took it. The look on her face changed when she saw the crutches. Rie took my hand from the opposite end and placed it on her shoulder.

“What happened to you!” Akagi-san asked, “I’m so sorry! Come with me, I’ll have some tea ready. You look tired…”

She handed me my crutches and I got to the point where I can walk again. Let go of Rie’s shoulder. “Thanks, Rie,” I said to which she smiled and nodded.

I followed Akagi-san outside the store. Her apartment was right above the store. Just an elevator to the second floor of the building and you get there. The place was not much but it was indeed cozy I’ll give her that. The house was filled with clothes and fabric…and a lot of caffeine. She has an odd liking for that bitter thing. It was more of a studio apartment than anything. She looked almost like a shut-in with all that stuff lying around to be honest.

“Sorry for the mess… I was hard at work last night designing and creating clothes for the brand. Take a seat anywhere. I’ll get you coffee right away.”

“Hana-chan’s asleep?” I asked.

“Hana?” Rie asked, “Who is she?”

“Akagi-san’s kid.” I replied, “She’s like…four?”

“Six.” Akagi-san said, handing us a cup of coffee each.

“It’s been that long?” I asked.

“Yeah… Nori-chan, I added sugar to yours since you don’t like it bitter.”

“Thanks.” I sipped it and noticed her gaze shift toward Rie.

“Oh her?” I asked, “She’s…a friend of mine. It’s hard to believe but yeah.”

“Why’s she with you at this time of the day?”

“Her parents passed away recently and she doesn’t know this place well since she only moved recently. So she’s living with me since I’m the only person she knows so far.”

Akagi-san looked at Rie with a pitying look. “I’m sorry for your loss… It must be hard for you, huh?”

Rie quickly shot a glance that read ‘Really?’. I looked at her with an affirming look. She looked back and nodded solemnly.

“I loved them a lot y’know. I don’t have any other relatives either. And I’m an only child… To see them gone is…”

For a girl who had just be ‘born’ several minutes ago, she was one fine actress. I don’t know how she even pulled off that teary-eyed look that she was doing.

Akagi-san seemed to have bought that story. She placed a hand on her head “It’s alright… It’s going to be fine, okay? I know!” her eyes lit up, “Why not live with me instead? Hana-chan always wanted to have a big sister and besides, he’s a guy. Who knows what he might do to you?”

“Hey!” I exclaimed in protest, “It’s already hard dealing with her. The few minutes before this were a pain!”

“Hey! I wasn’t the one acting all antisocial moments ago. Where did that reserved tone go, huh?”

My blood was boiling for a second but my mind instantly forgot about it hearing Akagi-san laughing, “You both really do get along don’t you? What’s your name?”

“I’m Miura Rie… Nice to meet you!”

“Akagi Chiharu. I’m glad to find out that he has friends.”

I then noticed Rie who looked at me as if waiting for a command.

“What are you looking at me for?” I asked, “You want to stay here? Go ahead. You want shelter from me means that you will have to deal with me every day. I’m not sure you’d not like that either. Don’t you hate me already? I’m sure you do and I don't want you to force it either-”

“What gave you that idea, huh?” she protested, “You considered giving me shelter even though you are not good at dealing with people. Sure you’re short-tempered and your personality needs some work but you have good intentions so I don’t care. Besides, I know now that you have a soft spot for certain people alone…”

“Huh?” I asked, confused, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She looked at Akagi-san and then back at me. My eyes slowly widened due to realization.

“You treat her with care, evening asking if her kid is fine.” she started, “You watch your tongue when you speak and you even described her as your ‘surrogate mother’. That’s enough proof…”

Akagi-san’s eyes winded and a grateful smile crossed her face, “Nori-chan.. You really think of me that way?”

I covered my then red face with my hands. My face felt too hot, “Alright… I-I get it alright?” I said pleadingly, “Please stop-”

“It’s true..” Rie said.

I looked toward Akagi-san waiting for a response. I sighed, “Well, what else am I supposed to call you, huh? My own parents don’t even give two shits about me. Did they even care when I ran away? Nee-san didn’t even come visit even once. You even bothered keeping tabs on me even after I ran away from those guys…. You…”

I felt a stream of tears threatening to emerge but I felt myself being pulled closer, “It’s all going to be fine, Nori-chan. You hate them? I’ll take care of you instead. You live here too then. There’s enough room for you AND her here. This place isn’t as crummy as you think. Especially because I own this whole apartment complex…”

My eyes widened with shock, “You WHAT?! Since when?”

“Since…always? Wait you didn’t know?”

“You could’ve chosen a better apartment than here then. Any of the other floors could be better.”

“I like it small and cozy. Don’t judge my tastes, young man… But I digress… Are you willing to stay here?”

I considered it. I mean, it’s better than being alone in that depressing place. Well, it’s depressing because I made it that way… I hate that place anyways. It’s a complex my parents rented for me. That’s the last parently thing they did. I guess they felt bad for excluding me from their lives. I would like to forget that place…

“Gimmie a few hours.” I said with a sigh, “I have quite a few things.”

“Alright then, I have another apartment connected to mine. Use that…. I’ll call the movers too.”

“Rie, I have a spare bed for you…. You do want to stay here, yeah?”

Rie nodded, “Yes, I’d be honoured to.”

Akagi-san grinned, “Great! From today, you’re my kids.”

A faint smile crossed my face. But then I noticed her glance go to my legs.

“I… I fell off a high place and now I need to use crutches for a while…”

Akagi-san sighed, “Take care of yourself for God’s sake. I don’t want you hurt badly!”

I nodded, “I will… Sorry..”

Suddenly I remembered why we came here in the first place, “Oh yeah, her clothes got burned in the accident. It was a fire… You know, that one that happened two days ago?”

“Her parents passed THAT recently? Why didn’t you think of coming sooner?”

“I was in the hospital…” I said, “Of course I couldn’t. Besides, she came the same day I got discharged which was…yesterday.”

“Ah… I see.” Akagi-san said, “Well, I do run a clothing store~ You come to the right place. There are tons here. Just take a pick.”

Rie laughed, “Honestly, all of them look so beautiful, I won’t be able to decide…”

“Awww!” Akagi-san hugged her tightly, “It’s people like you that make this job worthwhile! Nori-chan, why can’t you be more like her.”

I heaved a sigh and got up after finishing my coffee, “Alright, I’m leaving. If I spend the rest of today, I’ll be done quick.”

“I’ll call a cab for you.” she said.

“Nah, don’t bother.” I said, “I’ll walk. The weather is sorta nice today.”

“Alright then, stay safe.”

I waved as I opened the door to leave and the two waved back. “Take care, you two.”

“We should be telling you that…”

I dismissed that remark and took the elevator downstairs.

I couldn’t help but smile…