Himari immediately went back to the neighborhood where she lived. She rented an apartment unit there. The building was only two stories tall and her unit was located on the second floor. Although it was quite old, the environment nearby was clean and peaceful.
The packed food had been forgotten by her because of the man's intrusion. Himari had no choice but to throw the spoilt food away. Her heart hurt when she thought of how much they cost.
Because her stomach grumbled nonstop, Himari stopped at one of the breakfast bars nearby to the apartment and had breakfast there before going home. She didn't eat anything last night because she was waiting for Jun. Then, her plan to eat in the hotel room was disrupted by that mysterious man.
"Here, Himari," The friendly auntie of the bar served her a breakfast set, "Enjoy your breakfast."
"Thank you, Aunt Saya," Himari smiled back.
She started to enjoy the breakfast.
Himari opened her phone. There were countless calls and messages from Jun and a few from Nanako. She ignored the ones from him and chose to call Nanako.
"Nanako."
Nanako was quick to answer her call, "How's your night at the hotel? Did you cry?"
Himari thought back of the strange night she had just passed through. She replied honestly, "I did cry but something happened so, I have forgotten to cry afterward."
"What do you mean?" Nanako sounded dumbfounded.
Himari chuckled softly, "Nothing. You're working right now, en? Let's talk again later."
"Ah, yes. I'm going to follow my leader. Bye-bye, Himari. Text me if you're feeling upset!"
"Bye-bye."
Himari finished her breakfast and paid for it. She had so many things to do today.
Since she had broken up with Jun, she wanted to clear her small apartment from the things he had given her.
Jun was a good boyfriend. Throughout the years they were together, he always celebrated her birthday, the days special for couples and even randomly giving her gifts. Himari didn't care about it but his actions did soften her heart. It showed that he had always been thinking of her.
As for her side, Himari rarely bought him anything but whenever she cooked something delicious, she would set aside a portion for Jun. It was enough to make him happy.
But...
From now on, she no longer had to keep a share for him.
Himari made her way to the apartment. Little children were playing by themselves. They were currently on spring break until the beginning of April.
Once the school started, it would be the beginning of her entering the working field. Himari would be teaching English at an elementary school in the neighboring town. Because the distance wasn't too far, she would continue living here until she could save up more money to move out.
Although Himari had to juggle her time studying and working part-time jobs, she placed greater importance on her education. She especially excelled in English. Because she didn't find any job interesting, she thought it was better if she applied to be a teacher.
She didn't why, she would always feel in awe whenever she was able to grasp whatever her teachers were teaching.
"Himari!"
Himari was startled. Her eyes widened in surprise once she saw Jun was standing at the gate of the apartment building.
"What are you doing here?" She frowned.
He was supposed to be at the airport!
Jun ran to her. He was still wearing the same clothes as last night's. His whole appearance was a mess.
"Where did you go? Why did you just come back?" Jun almost yelled as his frustration reached its peak.
Himari straightened her back. Her gaze was sharp as she stared at the man towering above her, "I don't have to report to you where did I go, aren't I?"
"Himari... Himari... Don't be like this. Let's talk, okay?" Jun lowered his voice. His reddened eyes were close to burst into tears, "Don't break up with me, en? I promise to be good to you. I won't let my family bother you again... So, don't leave me..."
His voice and words pricked Himari's heart. Despite the sharpness of her gaze, only she herself knew her spirit was close to breaking down.
"Do you know what you're saying?" Himari asked coolly.
"Yes! Yes... Anything, I'd do anything!"
"Would you leave your family if I asked you so?"
Jun froze. He blinked his eyes confusedly.
"Himari, that..."
Himari let out a sigh, "Jun, I really don't want to end things messily with you. At least, let's have a peaceful breakup, okay?"
She really didn't want to taint the beautiful memories they had once shared together with a bad end.
Moreover, she couldn't deny that Jun indeed was a good man.
"I don't agree!" Jun yelled.
"The moment I took a step back from our relationship, either you like it or not, you have to face it."
"Himari, don't be like this. I won't..."
"YOU BITCH!"
SLAP!
Both Himari and Jun were caught dumbfounded when a screeching voice drowned their voices. The voice was followed by a sound of a hand landing heavily on a skin. By the time they could react, Himari's face was already reddened with a handprint.
"Mom! What are you doing?"
Jun quickly subdued his mother from charging forward to Himari. The woman yelled again, ordering him to let her go.
"No wonder you're not at home all night! You came looking for this bastard child! Do you know you could miss your flight? Do you want to destroy your future because of her?!"
Himari lightly touched the part where Jun's mother slapped her. Her face grimaced in pain as the burning sensation spread from the area.
The last thread of her patience snapped.
"I've broken up with your son. Don't come to me again. Let's take this slap as what I've owed you all these years."
Himari's voice was so cold. Her eyes chillingly staring back at Mrs. Fujihara who was still insisted to make trouble for her.
"Himari..." Jun was horrified.
Himari turned around. She walked past them to get to the staircase. From the start until she reached the door of her apartment, she never looked back. She didn't even care when Mrs. Fujihara was throwing insults.
Click.
Himari rested her back against the door. The cold and calm expression on her face broke. Tears began springing out of her eyes. She slowly slid down until she fell on the floor.
Her cries began to fill the room.
It sounded so heartwrenching as her heart broke into tiny pieces.
Himari didn't know how much time had passed. By the time she finished crying, her eyes were already swollen like peanuts. She dragged herself from the door and slumped down on the bed.
This was really the end.
There was no going back.
Himari closed her eyes. She turned over and lied on her side. Her long hair cascaded on her face, covering the swollen part of her cheek.
Jun, I wish you happiness. May you found a new love who could make you happy.
Days passed by in a blink of an eye.
It had been a week since her breakup with Jun. Himari spent her days doing the things that she liked; cooking, strolling around the river and reading books.
It was hard at first but, she gradually let go of her sad feelings. What made her touched was when the neighbors and their children came checking on her because some of them saw the unsightly scene of Mrs. Fujihara slapping her.
"You've done yourself a great favor, Himari. If you got married into that kind of a family, you'd only trouble yourself."
"Aye, child, you'd find another good guy. For now, focus on yourself."
"Sister Himari, do you want candies? I love eating candies whenever I am sad."
Their support was enough to make Himari stopped drowning in her sorrow. Ever since she lived here, her neighbors were all good to her especially because she came alone from the countryside.
"Thank you, all," Her heart was warmed by their consideration.
On the eighth day, Nanako finally came back from her work trip. The first thing she did was to drag Himari to her studio apartment.
"Are we having a sleepover?" Himari laughed when Nanako appeared in front of her door the first thing in the morning. It was obvious that she came here directly from the airport.
"I got a day off tomorrow. Let's go to my house and watch Sakura Academy Prize tonight!"
"Ah! It's tonight?"
Himari rarely went online. She didn't realize the national prestigious film award would be held tonight.
"Yes! I have to watch my Ishizaki Ryuu! Gosh! I hope he would be crowned as the film emperor again! It would be the best birthday present for him!"
Himari laughed again. She deeply understood how infatuated her best friend with the actor.
"Okay, okay," Himari could only agree, "Let me pack my things first."
Himari let Nanako treated herself as her friend went to get a bottle of water in the kitchen. She didn't pack much. She only needed a set of nightclothes and clothes for tomorrow.
En?
Himari paused when she saw something from a corner of her sling bag. It was the card that was left by that man of that night.
She had forgotten that she tossed the name card and note inside this bag without looking at it again. Himari thought back for a second and put it in between her diary.