REMAID- Welcome Home

Walking all together, we eventually arrive at my grandmother’s home. With a humph, Take puts down Yoru and Rimi’s luggage.

“Well, you all should be okay from here. Let’s all hope we have enough luck that Miura isn’t somehow nocturnal, you know?” Take laughs at his own joke before coughing. “Right, well, I’ll pick you all up tomorrow, unless I’m getting my ass kicked. Adios!” With a wink, Take turns and makes his way home as the sun starts to dip over the horizon. Now left with the company of two girls and a child, I knock on the door and patiently await whoever is inside. The person who answers the door, quite violently I might add, is my grandmother. Her eyes admit to me exactly how she’s feeling before she even says a single word. Though, of course, her words do say plenty.

“Hello my little mother fucker.” She says, her anger clear and easy to read. Her voice is choked, though it sounds too confused for me to make out what exactly she’s feeling. How do I say anything to something as confusing as that? Feeling as though I’m about to face death herself, I put my hands together in prayer. Maybe it doesn’t matter what you say when you hurt and worry someone so much. Maybe the answer is just honesty.

“Grandma, I beg you, please hear me out.”

“I would have loved to hear you out…hmm…24 hours ago you little shit! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?! What’s wrong with you! How dare you worry your fragile grandma!” My words, as incorrect as any others, set her off even more. She moves forward and I feel a chill burn throughout my body as I await the coming of punishment. Instead, though, she grabs me and embraces me, causing a sort of mix of emotions that leaves me unsure how to respond. “Oh, my grandson is a fucking idiot.” She grumbles. Her words feel right. So right.

“Yes grandma. I’m sorry.” I respond, gently hugging her back. With the sniffles, grandma pulls away, and I get to see her teary face. I begin to wonder, maybe I have yet to really consider her feelings. When her daughter is dead, and only now do I see her cry, in response to the thought of losing someone else…maybe I’m doing less than I should be. Maybe…my grandma needs me more than I understand.

Grandma moves her eyes away from me, now instead focused on the two women at my side and the little girl who’s watching with deep interest.

“You got a kid in the few hours you were gone?” Her words break all my self introspection, replacing it with a sudden deep tiredness.

“W-what happened to worrying about 24 hours?” I mumble, watching my grandma smile, wiping the tears from her face. At least in my embarrassment, she finds some peace.

“Someone’s clearly poten-”

“GRANDMA!”

###

Sitting at the dinner table, Mina explains to grandma the current situation. From me finding Rimi, to sticking up for Mina at school, and how Rimi and Yoru needed to stay here for the time being. Her tune seems to change once all the cards are laying on the table.

“Sticking with your girls no matter what, huh? My boy’s becoming such a man.” Grandma shakes her head with a smile, sighing like I’m both some lost cause and exactly how she expects me to be.

“I’M NOT HIS WOMAN!”

“I’m his woman.”

Two different responses come from different sides of me. It’s disorienting, and nervewracking. I watch my grandma raise an eyebrow.

“Now, that’s a story. When did that happen, my love-blind grandson?” My grandma smiles deviously, leaving me even worse off. Mina, meanwhile, looks like she’s going to rip my head off.

“Uhhh…oh, dinner! Dinner looks so good Tanya, haha! Look, dinner, so everyone stop talkingggggg!” Before the conversation can go on, Tanya comes in carrying bowls of pickles, rice, and fried haddock. Feeling relief, I immediately begin to eat to avoid any further discussion. As she sets down my grandma’s bowl, I notice the smile on her face. It looks so sincere and genuine…It makes me remember how she looked when I put her in bed. Once she’s left, I excuse myself, following her into the kitchen. Inside, it’s already so clean, the dishes all collected and soaking in the sink as Tanya washes the counters. Hearing my approach, she turns to face me.

“Ah, Yuta! I hope you’re feeling well.” She says with a wonderful smile that sets a warmness going in my heart.

“Yeah, I’m feeling alright…how about you?” I ask. She cocks her head, realizes my meaning, and giggles. I can't help but think of my mother’s laugh. So similar…

“I wanted to thank you yesterday for what you did. I felt…better than I have in a long time. Though, not even allowing me the chance to agree to it…that’s just mean, hehe~.”

“I knew you wouldn’t. That’s not who you are.” I explain, happy to let the subject of my mother fade from my brain.

“So, you know me that well, huh? You’re lucky you’re right.” She turns her gaze back to the counters.

“I hope you know I don’t plan on that being a one off.” I say, crossing my arms. With that, the air in the kitchen turns concerningly cold.

“No? Hmm, I wonder then…” Tanya’s words trail off, leaving only silence to take their place.

“Wonder what?” I break the ice, hoping something tragic isn’t about to slip out from her lips. Instead, however, something different happens. Something I genuinely did not expect.

“When my shoe will be on your foot.” She bites her lip, seemingly considering whether she should say more. “A kind boy shouldn’t be so kind that he treats himself poorly. I’m not so useless that I can’t do the job I need to.” Tanya explains. Her words of care hurt to hear.

“You don’t have to do it alone though.” I explain, trying to channel all I have in the way of convincing words. She seems unaffected.

“I’m never alone…I have my daughter…and now I have you. Don’t you think that’s enough?” She stops what she’s doing, walking over and taking my hand. Leaning down till we’re eye-to-eye, she makes me promise her something serious. “So, just promise you won’t sacrifice yourself for me. I won’t put a child’s life above my own.” Tanya looks deep into my eyes, worry and thankfulness moving between us.

“O-okay.”