THEM

We had fixed Hitomi’s pocket watch, doing the same to ours. Building the final components for the pocket watches were made simple thanks to Hitomi’s design schemes stored on her old laptop. We had offered the watch to Mister and Missus Mitamo, but they had declined; they said that it was our choice to make on what to do with it. Misako and I finalized that I was only right to return it to her. Our university life was nearly over, and the ceremony for graduation was soon approaching. We three had studied into oblivion, Hiroshi included. Misako decided that she would work with Mister Mitamo in his store, and to hopefully one day grow it. Hiroshi planned on working for his father, to live the comfortable life. I on the other hand, wanted to study further. I received a bursary from the University of Yale in America to continue my studies there. I had not yet accepted the offer, but Misako urged me to accept it. She’d told me she would wait for me to return, no matter how long it took. But I could not let that happen, I wanted her with me.

My father had left for Britain some while ago, but he told me he planned on retiring from work. Though I knew he wanted to retire so he could visit Misako’s mother, which made me ill to the core. But I was happy my father found someone else, he out of everyone I knew, deserved to move one, to find someone else. I’d learned the previous week that Miss Ishihara booked a flight to go and see my old man, I was afraid of the repercussions if I would be known as the “Guy who’s dating his step-sister.”

“We’re here.” Hiroshi said as he pulled over the car.

Misako and I peered out of the window of the car, we had arrived at Hitomi’s resting place. A beautiful garden that housed tombstones and plaques to the deceased.

“Thanks, Hiroshi.” Misako and I thanked him.

“I’ll be waiting for you in the car.” He informed us.

“You won’t come with?” I asked.

“Nah, this place gives me the creeps. Besides, its only proper that you two go.”

“Sure.” Misako agreed.

We disembarked the car, and I pushed Misako through the garden pathways. She directed me as we went.

“If I remember, they put her ashes under a big, big tree.” She told me.

“That’s nice.”

We continued down the path. And we finally reached a massive, blossoming tree that stood almost seven-stories tall.

“There.” Misako pointed.

Her tombstone stood stoic, and two stone-boxes sat beside the it. I carefully rolled Misako closer to the tombstone. And I read it:

‘Here lies Hitomi Mitamo. Beautiful and caring daughter, big sister, best-friend. She bought love together, no matter the time of day.’

Below the engravings, a quote was listed:

‘I will watch over you: I will watch over my family, friends, and strangers. For I love them all. – Hitomi Mitamo.’

She had a beautiful way with words. I could feel myself tremble at her resting place.

“I wish I could have met her.” I told Misako.

“I believe you have. She’s watching over us right now as we speak.” Misako said with teary-eyes.

I held Misako’s hand as I knelt; taking Hitomi’s pocket watch out from my pocket.

“We thank you, Hitomi. We thank you for bringing us together.” I said to her gravestone.

“We love you, very, very much, Hitomi.” Misako ended.

I placed the pocket watch inside one of the boxes beside the tombstone.

We took our time before we went back to Hiroshi, admiring and praising Hitomi’s life. As we entered the car, I spotted Hiroshi quietly sobbing in the car.

“Need a tissue?” I asked him.

“Nah...Nah. I’m good. I’m just going to miss you.” Hiroshi responded.

“I still have both your phone numbers, we will be in contact.”

“It’s not the same.”

“I know. I was trying to find a positive in the dark.”

“Just don’t get a new best-friend, pal.”

“I won’t ever find someone like you, that’s for sure. You’ll be safe.”

“That’s assuring.” Hiroshi responded, smiling.

I looked over at Misako, who wept silently.

“I will be back.” I spoke.

“You better, I won’t forgive you if you don’t come back, David.” She wept.

I held her hand, assuring her of my conviction.

“When I do return, maybe we’ll get married.” I said.

“Then you’ll never be able to run away.”

“Of course, why would I run.”

Misako wiped the tears from her face, she held strong; smiling at me.

“Then it’s settled. We will be waiting for your return.” Misako added.

I nodded.

“Of course.”

The travel back into town was solemn. The end of a chapter was nearing. I didn’t want it to end so soon. I wanted to do more, say more. But I knew the bursary was an opportunity nobody wanted me to miss out on. Misako would hate me if I discarded the opportunity just to be with her. I was in shambles, I wished I could be in two places at the same time. I made the promise, to work as hard as I could. So that when I would return, I would be able to see them again. I also wanted to marry Misako. But I left that for a later date in time.