Road Trip! Part 5

The next day had come to soon. It was late afternoon when we began our drive from Misako’s mother’s house back to Tokyo. We’d decided to try an extend our trip a little longer by driving back to Tokyo. We said our goodbyes to Yuki, who was teary eyed:

“Come back soon, please!” Yuki said with snot in her nose.

“We will, that’s for sure, little sis.” Misako said, stroking her hair.

“You…!” Yuki began, looking at me, “Look after my sister.”

“I will, don’t worry.” I replied.

But something from the previous evening; an idea, had emerged in my head. I did not find the right time to speak to Hiroshi or Misako about it, I was afraid to. I had to ask them before we were back in Tokyo.

“Come here, little Yuta!” Misako’s mother said, pulling the little boy into her arms.

“I’ll miss you, Aunty.” Yuta said.

“You and your family are always welcome here. Please tell them I said so.” Miss Ishihara said.

Yuta sped off into the car, excited for our trip back into Tokyo. Miss Ishihara then looked at me, and nodded.

“You’re a good boy, David.” She stated.

“Thank you, Miss. For everything. And thank you for allowing us to stay.”

“Just no rings on my daughter’s fingers when you come visit again.” She teased.

“Of course, not yet…anyway.” I teased back.

“David!” Misako yelled in embarrassment.

Yuki and Miss Ishihara walked inside their home. And we made our way inside the car. I decided it was time, there and then, to speak to them. But first:

“Hey, Yuta?”

“Yes, kind gentleman?” He replied.

“I think I forgot my phone inside; can you go get it? I’ll buy you another toy-gun.”

Yuta did not even have to think of a response, he shot the car door open, and sprinted into the house. Misako and Hiroshi noticed my antics.

“Why’d you send him away? Need to speak about something?” Misako asked.

“Yes, and it’s about Hitomi.” I replied.

They kept still, then they both nodded.

“I think I know where the Hitomi’s pocket watch is. If my hunch is correct.”

“You do?” Hiroshi asked.

“Misako, I’m sorry to be asking you this…But after the car accident, did you recover the car that crashed into the lake?” I asked her.

She took a moment to respond as she recalled the terrible day.

“Yes. It was recovered. Why? We found all the valuables that were lost in the crash.”

“That’s where I think you’re wrong.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“You said that you received your pocket watch after the car accident, right?”

“I-I did, yes. On my fourteenth birthday.”

“And where exactly did you get the pocket watch? Did you get it in Osaka, or Tokyo?”

“I found the box in…my room…here in Osaka.” She gasped.

“It means Hitomi had brought the box with her from Tokyo. But because of your fight at the house, Hitomi had forgotten to tell you about it. And since you didn’t live in Osaka, and stayed in a boarding school, you never came back to finding the box until your fourteenth birthday. When you came home for your birthday.”

“That-That makes sense. That makes so much sense!” Misako replied, flabbergasted.

“But how does that relate to you knowing where Hitomi’s pocket watch is?” Hiroshi asked.

“I think, she had her own pocket watch with her, when you both drove back to Tokyo. I think when you crashed, it may have been lost, somewhere in the lake.”

“So…the watch?” Hitomi asked.

“Is somewhere out there, still by that lake.”

‘Yes!’ An unknown voice said within me.

They both sat in silence.

“Should we…?” Hiroshi asked.

“I think we have to. If you are fine with that, Misako.” I asked her.

She stood still, thinking and thinking and thinking.

“We made a promise, to find it. Let’s go find it.”

“I’ll take the road that leads there, just direct me, Misako.” David said.

I rolled down the window of the car, screaming out:

“Yuta! I found my phone in the car! Don’t worry, I’ll still buy you a toy gun!” I yelled out.

Yuta marched back out the house like a soldier on a dangerous mission.

‘Please, let’s find it…’ I wished to the gods.