"I wonder what 2020 will be like", Natsuki was thinking out loud. I had invited her for dinner. She came directly after school and we had so much free time to chat.
"I don't know, don't ask me. I'm not a time traveler. There's still half a year left", I said, stretching my limbs while lying down. She was in her sportswear as always. I noticed she had hung the small yellow teddy bear I had gifted her, as a keychain in her bag.
"When I think of 2020 I get this strong feeling. I don't really know nor can I describe it but it feels… ominous", she continued. I was silent. No one was home yet. It was just the two of us and the silence became awkward.
"Where are your parents?", She asked. "Dad's at work. Mom went to a relative's place, I guess", I answered. I called Natsuki for dinner but Mom wasn't at home. I didn't know what to prepare.
"Wanna prepare dinner with me?", I invited Natsuki to help me. Her eyes lit up.
"I've never done this in my life", she said as we went down the stairs. She was talking in a musical way.
I took out the vegetables, gave them a quick wash. I took out two knives and peelers. She looked out of place. The way she was holding the knife and the potato was wrong.
"You were not kidding when you said you've never done this, huh?", I commented.
"Mom never lets me inside the kitchen. I've never been able to enter all the rooms in my mom's house. I only go to my room and the bathroom which are both on the second floor. Even when I'm alone I stay in my room. I don't belong in my house. I want to turn 18 and leave mom", said Natsuki, trying her best to cut the potatoes.
"Hmm", I didn't know what to say.
"Marry me, then. We can live together. I don't have a job yet but I will have a job soon. You can continue college and we'll work hard together", I sounded serious. I felt embarrassed after saying that. I looked at Natsuki and she was totally out. Mom and Dad were standing at the doorway and judging from their expressions they had heard what I said. I covered my face with my hands. This is the worst.
"You kids go to your room. We'll take care of dinner", said Dad. On hearing their voices, Natsuki became redder. She greeted them and I had to lead her to my room.
"What was that…just now?", she said, covering her face.
"I… just didn't know what I was saying", I replied. She peeked at me from between her fingers.
"You haven't even asked me to be your girlfriend yet and you just straight up went to marriage", she sounded excited.
"Graduate from high school first", I smirked. "Wanna play games?", I shifted the topic.
"Wow, you're so good at it. You should go pro", she said energetically. I did nothing but play games for the last two years anyways. She was the worst gamer I had ever come across.
"Have you ever played games?", I asked.
"Yes, I used to play games with Nii-san", she said. We fell silent.
"You don't mind, I called your brother a bully?", I said after a while.
"He was a bully, right? At first I was skeptical about my brother being a bully but I do remember him being someone else entirely after he joined high school. So I believe you. Anyways you should be the one hating me for being a bully's sister", she was embarrassed.
"I don't know what he did to you but I'm sorry ", she said. That made my heart warm.
"You're not him. Although you look alike. Maybe that's the reason… nothing. Speaking of bullies, what happened to Ando?", I shifted the topic again.
"That sicko got what he deserved. His face is bruised", she laughed. "And you know what?", She continued, "He can't recall who did that to his face".
"I wish I was as strong as you", I admired her will and strength. "All that happened in my life was because of my weakness. I couldn't protect anyone. I couldn't protect myself".
"Marry me, then. I'll protect you and be your strength", she was playing my own move on me.
"I have scars that can no longer be healed. They will keep reminding me of the past. I'll forever be caged", I rubbed my stomach.
"Show me your scars then. I'll judge whether or not they can be healed ", said Natsuki without thinking much.
I took off the plain blue t-shirt I was wearing. She didn't say a word. She traced my scars gently.
"I thought you were talking about scars metaphorically", she continued touching and tracing the scars.
"It was your Nii-san and his friends who did this to me. I was sixteen and I was subjected to hell. I was weak. It all stopped after I put someone else on the altar. I sacrificed her life. Maybe whatever that happened to my life is Karma", I smiled with my eyes closed to stop my tears from overflowing.
"These scars might not go away anytime soon but I promise, these will be the last of your scars. I will protect you",
I heard mom calling. Dinner was ready. We had dinner without much conversation. My parents were hiding their smiles. They were teasing me with hand signs. After dinner, I decided to walk her home. It had been a long time since I did that.
"Will you help me heal one of my scars, Natsu?", I asked. She agreed without much thought, "But how can I help?", She questioned. "I want to talk to Fuyuko-sensei", I smiled. I caught sight of a surprise toy vending machine. I sped up towards it. I put the money in and was about to press on a pink and black surprise ball, Natsuki hugged me from behind and I pressed another one instead. It was a yellow and pink surprise toy.
"For you", I said, handing her the ball. She opened it up without hesitation. There was a toy plastic ring inside.
"We were talking about marriage a lot, weren't we?", She giggled. It was adorable. I took the ring from the ball and was on my knees.
"I hope this will suffice for now. Will you marry me in the future, Nakamura Natsuki-chan?", I was waiting for her response.
She gasped. "I don't know. I might fall in love with someone else. I was just kidding", she said playfully. She gave me her hand, "Yes, I'll marry you". I put the toy ring on her ring finger but it was not going in. I put it on her pinky instead.
"So it's a proposal and a pinky promise, huh?", She looked as happy as ever. I dropped her home.
I was about to leave when she said the same words I had said, "Will you help me heal one of my scars, Haruki-san?".
"Yes, what is it?", I said.
"I want to see my dad", she said, and went inside. I left.
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