After the incident Yumi became even more reserved, focused more on her studies and training so that she would forget all the pain she had in her heart. As the years went by, she was even sadder as she saw that her grandmother was getting old and that would end in a way she wasn't at all willing to witness. Takashi did his best to make her comfortable.
She was about to enter a public college, she was going to do physical education because she loved playing sports and maybe she could have her own students? Her parents had left an inheritance and as she would not spend on her college could she invest the money to open her own school in the future. I would love to create a place where I would have classes, be it swimming or karate.
Her grandmother started helping in the flower shop too, of course, doing simple jobs, she wanted to take some of the pressure off her granddaughter as she had a lot of other things in her life to organize. The girl had refused to stop practicing her karate classes, she had just stopped swimming since she knew she wouldn't be able to practice both and focus on her classes.
─ What's up, excited? ─ Takashi said with a smile. ─ Are you ready to drink liters of beer and do unforgettable things?
─ I don't drink beer, you know that. And if I get a friend, it will be a miracle.
─ Ah, come on, it is impossible to continue this clowning ... I doubt anyone will ignore you. Of course, it is impossible to make real friendships with the entire room, but you will make it with some. I even have friends from college who I talk to today, we always go out to drink.
─ I don't know...
─ Teens suck, in college things are different. You will learn a lot there since you have always been a lonely girl, I want you to go to some parties at least, young lady, and to come back before 23 hours ─he said in a serious tone as if he were the girl's father. ─ Study and have fun, don't stay stuck in the books as you have been until now! I'm not telling you to become one of those crazy people who only spend their parents' money pretending to be studying, but someone who can do both. Make friends ... go shopping, to the movies, I don't know! Just have fun.
─You make it look so easy ...─ she sighed, sadly.
─ I was never this charming and popular boy with girls, in college I was just another one, but did that shake me? Of course not! I was only more motivated to become that beauty here ─he pointed out to himself.
─Hahah ─ gave a short laugh and looked at Takashi. ─ You know, it may not seem like it, but I already have a friend ... I think.
─ Seriously, who?
─ You ─ making the other person shocked by that. ─ You became a very important person to me, especially after the death of my parents.
─Oh Yumi...
─ I don't know what I would do without you, Takashi, you are a very dear person in my heart.
He left where he was and went to the girl to pull her into a very strong hug. Yumi smiled at the act and returned it with the same intensity, she was happy to have at least Takashi as his friend.
─ It is decided! Now I will be your older brother, I will advise you and help you with everything, not to mention that I will choose the right guy, not everyone will be with my little girl ─ stared Yumi without undoing the hug.
─ And the story of '' have fun '', did you change your mind?
─ You can have fun, but I don't want you pregnant, much less dating any kid. Even if it's the person your wire is connected to, you'll need to get through me first!
Yumi bit her lip with that subject, she was always stuck when "thread" was put on any conversation. She wanted to talk to Takashi about it, however, but didn't know how to explain it, not to mention that didn't want to receive any kind of pity look or something. But his heart said something else, she felt he needed to tell the truth, he could no longer tell his grandmother for fear that she would have some kind of attack. Good heavens, she needed to talk to someone and as he wanted to help her with everything, well, who knows, maybe he could also help with that?
─ Well ... I don't have a thread.
─ How?
─ I said I don't have a thread.
─ How?
─ Takashi, I already spoke twice.
─ How the hell don't you have a thread? ─ said, pulling away and facing the girl.
─ My thread is strange, all frayed and messy it looks like I took a pair of scissors and pricked everything.
─ What the fuck, do you know the reason for this?
─ No, I searched all the places you can imagine.
─ Have you ever been to a doctor to, I don't know, see the reason for this?
─ I didn't go. I would end up becoming a laboratory rat or the doctor would not believe me, as I very much doubt anyone would take my word for it. It is not possible to show the thread to anyone ... they would think that I am lying to get attention.
─ This is very unusual, I never heard anything like that ... But does it make you sad?
─I ... I ... don't ─ said, staring at the floor.
─ Look, I will be honest, not everyone wants a thread ─ called Yumi's attention. ─ Many people are uncomfortable with the subject of '' my soul mate '', not everyone wants to find them, I don't even care. If I get a nice girl I won't leave her just because I found the "woman of my life", I know that many say wonders, but I don't care. If being with someone who is your destiny is the best thing in the world, well, I don't care, I'm happy the way I am.
─ I'm glad to hear that... I felt pressured with myself.
─ Don't worry about it, you are young and you have a whole life ahead of you.
─ But what if I stay with someone and they exchange me for their destiny?
─ So, that person is an idiot! You're going to lose an amazing woman for something dubious.
─ Thank you, Takashi.
─ For nothing, your big older brother is here for this. If some asshole changes you for this reason, just tell me who it was and I'm going to go after this unfortunate!
─ Don't worry, I'll make a point of asking beforehand if he would stay with me if he found his soul mate. I don't want to be abandoned much less suffer.
─ So forget about your strange thread, pretend it is something you are an incredible woman who does not need any man to reach the top!
─ You are right! I can't be whining and wondering why my thread is like this, I'll get on with my life and conquer my dreams and you and grandma will help me with that.
─ Of course I will, can you no longer see me looking after this store?
─ You are the manager, it is the least you should do.
─ Even so, I could be a relaxed manager, but I am very helpful!
─ Now let's get back to work, I don't even know how no client arrived while we were talking.
─ I should thank you, we would only end up talking about it at the end of the shift and you could lose the courage to say about the thread.
─ That, I am sure, would end up losing all courage.
A noise from the door caught the attention of the two, which indicated that a new customer had arrived. Takashi already opened a smile when he saw that she was a beautiful woman, however, he stopped and noticed that his wire was connected to that woman he stopped and remain static. Yumi found the reaction strange, after all, he always hit on the girls, so why was he acting that way?
─ You ... you ...
─ No.
─ But we ...
─ But we're nothing, I don't know you, girl.
─ You are my other half!
Yumi got stuck with that; opened and closed his mouth several times, they had just talked about it and by coincidence of fate Takashi's soul mate appears in the store. She alternated her vision between the two to notice their expressions. She was a little sorry for the girl, since she knew what her considerate brother felt about the wire. She sighed and tried to think what to do at that moment, she was a customer anyway.
─ Eh ... well, what do you want?
─Let's talk, please, we can get to know each other better ─ gave the boy a small smile.
─ I don't want to talk to you, if you entered the store it is for the flowers or vases and not for a human being.
─ Why don't you want to talk to me? Are you by any chance dating this brat?
─ I don't owe you any satisfaction. If you don't want to buy anything, please go away.
─My god, what a fucking day ...─ Yumi said, moving away from the two who started to argue.
Yumi prayed that it would not disturb future customers and that that girl would not be too hurt, deep down she wanted them to talk, she didn't want Takashi to treat the girl that way, they could get to know each other better and maybe start a relationship. Only she remembered that he was never in one. Things would be even more complicated.
─ Really, what a horrible day.