Chapter 14:

No Grandpa!

YADA

“Ru!”

I wake up startled. My eyes are so dry and heavy that I have to rub them vigorously. I was in my room, but I believe I’d just heard Yada's voice calling my name.

It was implausible since she must be in the yard as usual and rarely says anything besides “No!”. Although, a bunch of voices and animal noises coming from outside, making quite a commotion, were all too familiar to me. I would dare even to say this is a déjà-vu.

Nowadays, everyone drops by my house without warning whenever they please.

Yada is being squeezed by Hai, both on top of the bean bag, as expected. Niwashi and Tenchō, the two brand-new lovebirds, were laughing and having matcha tea inside the greenhouse. Baba, Emu, and Bon circled the garden, racing each other. They apparently betted food on themselves.

The couple comes out to greet me.

“Hi, Ru! Hai told us that your garden was finally finished! To celebrate, we brought you a pair of koi and plenty of lily pads for the pond.”

“Oh…” I stop myself from telling them off. “Hmmm…Thank you. You didn’t have to…”

They were being considerate, and it is not like I hate having them here. I’ll let this one slide.

The Yadabridge now serves as an ordinary bridge across the pond, placed between the two reservoirs. I cross to the middle and crouch down to let the two dainty fish, one orange and the other white, into the water.

They appear to enjoy their new home and are already eating some algae. I have to buy flakes later so I can feed them daily.

Then, I spread the lily pads around both sides of the pond. It would be rather amusing if they could attract a few curious frogs.

The fish and the plants had wholly transformed the pond. The once monotonous puddle turned into a charming and seemingly natural habitat for wildlife. It was indeed a magnificent gift.

“You can finally bring your grandfather here, Ru! The garden looks amazing!” Hai remarks, thrilled.

Undoubtedly, the decrepit yard can finally be called a genuine garden. I must admit it isn’t as gorgeous as my grandfather’s, but it isn’t too shabby either. Whatever anyone may think of it, I feel immense pride over it.

I would never in a million years have thought I could create something even close to this. I confess I’m a little ecstatic.

“Hmm-hmm! Listen, everyone! You are in luck. Lunch is on me!”

The three salivating animals appear in front of me, already wearing bibs.

I get the electric grill and prepare some vegetables. The menu is yakiniku and yakitori, so that we can eat outside without cutlery.

Everyone is served, including the little creatures. It’s rather enjoyable spending this Sunday autumn afternoon outside drinking a few cold ones. Nothing beats this. The combination of meat and beer is a match made in heaven.

Meanwhile, my cell phone rings.

“No!"

…

“I'm so sorry. I thought it was someone else… Yes, it’s me. I understand. What? Right… Okay. I’ll be right there. Thank you so much for warning me. Excuse me."

I take off my apron and address everyone.

“Sorry, guys. I have to leave. Grandpa got worse, and unfortunately, I don’t think he has much time left. They even told me that, as of now, it would be too risky for him to leave the clinic. I’ll go there right away. You can stay here as long as you like.”

When I finished talking, I was already closing the gate behind me. I didn’t look back and ran as fast as my legs allowed, tripping several times on my way there.

Will I make it in time? Will I still be able to say that I love him? Hear him one last time? I will never forgive myself if I’m too late.

Speeding through the reception, I arrive at his room, dripping sweat and wheezing like a mule carrying bricks.

“Greetings, Santa! What a pleasant surprise! But isn’t this visit a bit off-season? Or did you come to confirm that I haven’t been naughty? I swear I'm not a gambling addict. It was just this once! It’s just that I had inside information that the tanuki would win the race… Can I still have my present, though?” He choked a bit at the end, but I helped him recover.

Grandpa took me aback. He sounds lively as ever, although I can’t help but notice his paler features and his movements have become less stirring. He doesn't appear to have been eating. Also, was that a coincidence, or does he know Bon?

It doesn’t matter. I'm so relieved. I made it in time.

“No, Grandpa… It’s me, Ru.” I sit beside him and catch my breath.

“Of course, you’re my dear grandson… Oh, but you're out of luck! Your grandmother hasn't come back yet… Do you want to stay here and listen to your old man’s adventures while we wait for her?”

“…Gladly. I’d like to see her, too.”

His memory is increasingly deteriorating, and he lacks the energy to talk. Sometimes, he falls asleep in mid-sentence. I understand that it's hard to take him home in this state, but after going through all that effort, it pains me not to show him the garden.

I hear footsteps, several people rushing, getting closer and closer, until someone pulls the room’s door with all their might.

It's Tenchō. He has dyed his hair and beard white and is wearing a patient’s gown.

Hai and Emu enter as well. They wear surgical masks, caps, and gowns, pretending to be doctors.

“Go, Ru! Take your grandfather to see the garden. I’ll pretend to be him for a while. Nobody will notice if we bring him back fast enough,” says the muscled man, substituting the elder in bed while Hai helps me get him into a wheelchair.

“I haven't seen him in such a long time! When I first met him, he was a scrawny kid like you used to be. You're becoming more and more like him!” comments Grandpa.

Do you also know Tenchō? Well, everyone knows Tenchō around here...

Up to the elevator, we faced no problems. So far, the personnel who saw us thought the two doctors were helping Grandpa. However, when we reach the entrance floor, we are approached by a nurse.

“Dr. Gekai! I was looking for you all over the place!” Talking to Hai, “The surgery is about to begin. Come with me!“

“Yes!” Hai automatically responds.

“You too, Dr. M(Emu)D.”

She grabs them both and takes them away.

I only hope they find the real doctors before they begin any risky procedure.

I’m alone now, and getting past the reception without them asking where I’m going won't be easy. What should I do?

As I’m reaching it, I hear someone crying. It was Niwashi.

“They shot my son!” she’s grabbing Bon, who’s sticking his tongue out, belly up, arms and legs falling as he lays in her lap.

“Ma’am, that's a tanuki and…” The receptionist uses her finger, “…that’s ketchup. As I’ve said before, animals are not allowed inside.”

Security was already on it, so I managed to exit the building surreptitiously, thanks to their diversion.

I pushed the wheelchair so fast through the streets that Grandpa was lifting his arms as if he were on a rollercoaster.

Almost arriving, a child drops a football right in front of us. I steer Grandpa out of the way but fall, badly hurting my back. I can’t get up.

Thankfully, the child and Grandpa are safe. But we couldn’t make it. And we were so close, too. Soon, they’ll find out we’ve run away and come pick him up.

“No!”

Yada?

She pushes Grandpa inside. Then, she comes back, picks me up, and holds me by the shoulder, helping me to walk through the gate.

Grandpa is in the garden, under the ancient ginkgo tree, which has turned entirely golden.

“Ru… Did you do all this?

I know it wasn’t me. You know why?”

He pauses. Baba sits on his lap, and he gently, slowly caresses him. He’s looking attentively at everything surrounding him.

“I know this because this is the garden I wanted to find all my life.”

Yada lays me on the bean bag and stays close, holding my hand. I can’t believe it. He is fully aware of everything.

“I wish your grandma was here to see it. She would be so proud.

That’s a good lady you got right there. Strong like her.”

The wind starts blowing the great tree’s petals all over the garden. They keep swirling around in front of us.