Chapter 16:

The smile I want to protect

After all, I think I feel a bit lonely

We were taking a train for a longtime, Akari-chan was resting her head in my arm while I rested mine in hers. I was watching how slowly the road was changing from the big city to a more rural place, I could see more dirt and trees. We arrive at our stop and we start walking around. Akari had a gloomy face but every time I saw her she smiled at me.

—You don’t need to force yourself.

—I’m not, I’m just a little nostalgic, Yukki, I usually come here everytime it’s my aunt’s birthday but I haven’t been able to do it this last years for the same problem…

—I’m sure she’s not mad, show me that imposing Akari-chan that almost call the police.

—Like this?

Akari made a serious look and stared at my eyes, I jumped a bit and she grabbed my shirt towards her.

—I could get used to this.

—Have mercy, thank you…

We were passing a lot of places; I could see some old people working to remove the snow off the plants.

—Even still, I didn’t know you would live here, I wish I had that kind of childhood.

—Well, it’s very boring sometimes, but it’s more relaxing than the city.

—Yeah, that’s why I live a little far from it.

—At least not as far as me —Akari laughed a bit and was looking around now with a small smile.

—You’re really beautiful, you know? Akari

—Jeez, again with those sneaky attacks… —Akari was playing with her hair puffing out her checks

I laugh for a bit and continue our way to her aunt’s house. When we arrived at the house, she knocked on the door, and a couple of minutes later, a lady came out, she was maybe in her 50’s or late 40’s. She had long hair, black like Akari-chan.

—Akari! —Akari’s aunt left the door and hugged her tightly —. You didn’t tell me anything.

—Hehe, sorry auntie.

Akari put her aunt a few centimeters away and I took a step closer.

—Hi…

—This is Yukki Ryoma… my boyfriend.

—Oh, so this is the guy who made my Akari get out of that hellish job. I’m Chiyo Kasumi, nice to meet you, kid.

—Uh… nice to meet you.

—He’s a good-looking kid, you find the big prize don’t you think?.

—Ah haha.

I could only laugh nervously, Akari-chan was laughing along with Kasumi-san. When we enter the house we take a sit, having rice cookies and some hot cocoa.

—Still, I can’t believe you didn’t call me or anything to help you out.

—I’m very sorry auntie, I was in a very dark place, I didn’t want any help, if not for Yukki, I maybe…

—Let’s not talk about that, either way I’m glad you’re alright, thank you again, Yukki, I don’t know what I would do if I lost my nephew, I already went through a lot when my sister died.

I look at Akari and hold her hand smiling at her.

—I don’t know if I could, but I promise you I would do anything I can do for Akari, she’s very important to me, and I can’t guarantee anything, I’ll keep an eye on her the rest of my life so she never does anything like that again.

—Hum, I hope that’s true, kid, you have grown up at all. After all, people tend to change, I just hope you’re the right person to be along my dear Akari.

—I’ll do my best!

Kasumi-san smiles at me and stands up.

—You come here for another reason, right, Akari?

—Yes… here, Yukki.

Akari held my hand and led me to another room. There it was a small room, with a small shrine, with the pictures of a man and a woman, there were some display cases where I assume they were some of the belongings of the couple that are in the photos.

Akari let go of my hand and approached the shrine, she sat down and started praying. I did the same.

—Hi Dad, Mom, I’m sorry I couldn’t be here for the last couple of years, my life wasn’t at all great after you left Dad… I became obsessed with becoming someone you would praise, I worked really hard but… that was only destroying me in a slow pace, my house was a mess too haha, I’m sorry for that. I know you are worried to Mom, it pains me a lot that you are not here anymore to guide me, and I really miss both of you with all my heart, I would try to make things better this time, I have people that can back me up but I just didn’t want to see it, I make my aunt worry about me too, and I receive a lot of lectures from your old coworkers Dad, it was funny now that I can remember… but… —the voice of Akari was begging to broke more and more to the point she was talking between sobs and cleaning her tears out—. I love both of you, I’m sorry for being a troublesome daughter… I can only hope that you are really proud of me, whenever you are, I hope you two are happy, and I’m sorry, I’m very sorry...

I pat the head of Akari letting her cry all she wants. When she calmed down a bit I nodded at her and looked at the portrait of her Mom and Dad, I took a deep breath and began to talk.

—It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Yukki Ryoma, I’m 22 years old, I’ll soon be 23… I’m your daughter’s boyfriend… uhm… we have a really peculiar way of meeting, your daughter it’s really beautiful, and I couldn’t stop but looking her while she was drinking coffee like if it was some princess, we didn’t have the most friendly first encounter, since I was being a little creepy towards her, but we soon enough become friends after she beat me up in some games, I heard that you make her a beast, sir, she really is very good, I wouldn’t be surprised if she won a tournament before or if she enters one now, she will be beat the competence.

I was smiling and I took Akari’s hand.

—We meet even now and then we were still friends, but it was one week that I didn’t receive any response of her, I thought that I didn’t have the right to bother her with my presence, but my sister breaks me out of my shell, and I run to see what happened to her, I was really worried I try to remember everything she told me once and I finally arrive at her apartment. She was in a very bad state, I almost broke out in tears when I saw her, but I controlled myself and focused on giving her the most reasonable treatment, I was relieved when we visited the doctor and find out things were not going to escalate to something big.

I let go the hand of Himeno and I bow, making a dogeza.

—I love your daughter, and I plan on making her happy, the happiest woman in the world, I know I’m still a young boy who ambitions and strength may not go too far, but I’m sincere when I say that your daughter makes me the happiest man on the earth, I love her, I really do, but I would never replace the love that you have towards her and the love that she was towards you, I’ll work hard, I’ll we have a better job, and I’ll make sure nothing of this happened to her again, I would never forgive myself if I let her be in the same situation.

—Stand up, boy.

Kasumi-san entered the room smiling and put her hand on her waist.

—You heard the boy, sister, and you too, Ichigo.

I stand up and look at Kasumi-san. Akari stood up too and held my hand.

—Only time will prove what you just said, boy.

I nod and Akari smiles and hugs me.

—The food is ready, you two are staying.

—Eh? I don’t know… —I look at Akari and she laughs.

—That wasn’t a question, Yukki.

—Of course, it wasn’t, now, before it gets cold —Kasumi-san said.

After eating we left and sat down in front of a river. I was resting in Akari’s tight clothes while she was petting my head.

—This is really relaxing; I almost don’t want to go back to my house.