HER WEDDING RING!
There's not even a trace of it.
This is not good.
What do I do?
"Uhm! Yeah, I can see that you've got your manicure done. It's good."
"Is that it?"
"What else am I supposed to notice?"
She pouted for a while and then sighed.
She seemed to be disappointed.
"Never Mind. You're no fun. Have a seat."
"Uhm..."
"I won't take no for an answer. We have a lot to catch up on, don't we?"
She glared at me with such ferocity.
"Yeah, I guess we do."
You don't get what you always want.
And with that exchange, she turned her back towards me and proceeded to finish off the remaining dishes.
Her silhouette was mesmerizing, even if she was doing some basic chores.
I was lost in that sight for some time.
Time flew by and I had no awareness of my surroundings.
Rinko-san finished her chores and turned towards me, and noticed that I was totally spacing out.
She took some water in her hand and splashed it on my face.
I had regained my senses.
She placed a cup of green tea in front of me, while she took the cup of black tea.
"You seemed to be fixated on me. Is something wrong?"
She asked me while sipping her tea.
"No, no. There's nothing wrong. It's just..."
"Hmm?..."
Doesn't seem to be convincing.
"How do I say this?... It's just you were captivating, for some reason."
"Aww! How cute. "
She pulled my cheeks and started playing around with them.
"Am I that captivating? I do feel good for my age. Still, if it's from you, then it really feels special. "
"You don't look that old even though you're ....."
Now she started pulling my cheeks harder.
"Arghy.... I ga....gan't sweak properly. "
"Don't you know you must never talk about a woman's age."
I separated my cheeks from this tyrant.
"Say's the woman who just asked for a date with a young teen."
"What's wrong with that? I really love you, and I don't even regret asking you out."
Uncle, I'm really sorry. I hadn't heeded your advice. Please rescue me.
"Sorry, no can do. I'm loyal to my girlfriend!"
Please, let her not be aware of this.
"Girlfriend?!"
"Yes!"
"Who is she?"
She was curious now.
The intensity in her tone was high.
"I barely know her, so I can't just introduce her straight away. Maybe someday I'll bring her around."
She clenched her fist for a moment and then relaxed.
"Hmm, is that so? I'm curious to see how far it goes."
"Well, if all goes well, I think I'll marry her at the end of the year since I'll turn 18."
"Wait?! You're planning to get married?"
She got up from her seat in an instant.
There were things that could still surprise her.
"Well, it's just a thought, you know. There are a lot of factors to be taken into consideration. Still, that's what I'm hoping for. Anyway, what's with that reaction?"
" You just said something so sudden, and your eyes tell that you actually mean it. I don't like this. No, I refuse to believe this. I will not accept this."
I'm not your toy you know, nor your pet.
Please listen to what you're saying.
"Like mother, like daughter."
"Huh?"
"I said you both are the same. It's been over 3 years, and yet you both cling onto me, and question my choices, and are very observant about my personal life. Give it a rest."
"But..."
"Look Rinko!"
I slowly got up from my seat and glared at her.
"The bond I share with this family is special and sacred, and sadly something that cannot be cut-off. And I truly adore and care for you both."
"Then..."
"That being said, I can't repay your love by loving you both back. I just can't."
"Why?..."
"Because that'd be too cruel upon both of you. I don't think I need to say this but, every time you're close to me and look after me, a part of you always remembers the person you've lost. It's clearly evident. And that would be an endless chain of guilt and suffering upon you both, and I don't intend to impose it upon you both."
Those words caught her attention.
I can't let this moment slip.
"I still am not very good with all this stuff, so didn't come to the wrong conclusion. I do remember everything you guys have done for me and all the memories we've shared, beautiful or embarrassing ones, whatever the kind. So in a way, it's just a token of gratitude from my end, to repay your kindness. It may be cruel upon you, but that's how it is."
She was quiet for some time.
I could hear the clock ticking in the living room.
The sound of sipping the tea filled the entire room.
After what felt like an eternity, Rinko-san responded.
"Why? I just don't understand why. Is this the end for us then? Just like how you're referring to Yuki-nee as Haruni-senpai, will you do that the same to me. Will you just reset everything? That's just too cruel. I don't like it."
It felt like I was having a conversation with someone of my age, like a classmate.
"I can't accept it. I won't. I refuse to. Nao!..."
"Stop it will you?"
I sounded irritated.
She lifted her head in surprise.
"I'm not Naofumi Katsuki. I'm Naofumi Nifuji! Don't confuse me with someone else."
She was speechless.
She took some time to process what I just said and replied back.
"Nifuji? Isn't that your Aunt's family name? Why are using that name?"
"Things happened. Right now, I and my mother, your best friend, are at war with each other, if I had to phrase it."
I sighed and continued.
"It's been over 3 years since we last met. What do you think I was up to? I've crossed boundaries and burnt a lot of bridges and done some other stuff that I don't think need to shine any light upon. All in all, I'm guilty. The Nao you knew once, the Nao you raised again, I don't have anything in common with them. I hope that's clear to you."
She wanted to say something, but she held back.
Safe to say, there's nothing else to tell anymore.
"What happened? Is it too much that you can't even share it with me?"
She was on the verge of breaking down and crying.
As guileful as she is, Rinko at heart is a kind and very sensitive woman. And she always looked after me just as much as she did to Yukiko, sometimes even more. But that in itself is a double-edged knife. She's slated to burn out herself with that burden, and that's something I can prevent.
I went around the table and stood close to her.
She was still crestfallen.
I raised my arm gently and held her face, and wiped her tears off.
I pulled her in close and gently caressed her and hugged her.
"It's my sin and I alone shall atone for it. Forgive me, for I can never burden you with that."
She held me tight and didn't let me go.
There was a faint voice.
"You said you wanted to end everything, and yet here you are, so close to me and gently caressing me. What are your intentions?"
I just pulled myself back and went towards my seat and grabbed my tea.
I sipped the remaining tea and went towards the sink.
I turned on the tap and let the water flow gently.
I waited for a while and started washing my cup.
"Wait, you don't have to do that."
"Must be lonely right?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, with the way things are now, you must feel lonely right. I presume Uncle's always late for dinner and Yukiko locks up herself inside her room, and without your best friend to have a leisure chat, it must be rough."
"Yeah, it sure is."
"Don't you feel like you want a hug sometimes?"
It felt like she connected all the dots together.
"Wait, is that what that was for?"
There was a look of astonishment on her face.
"Yes, partly. That and the fact that I couldn't let a beautiful woman cry alone. It is my job to step in as a gentleman and take care of her."
Though I wonder how I spurred out those words nonchalantly, I went ahead in the flow.
"The woman who taught me that is a very strong and admirable woman, but over time and time again, only I know a side of her that is actually what defines her. She's a weak girl playing the role of an adult, a mother, a wife, and a mentor, and sometimes wants to just submit herself and let herself free from those chains."
"And yet, she doesn't accept that. It takes a lot of courage to keep moving forward, and I respect that part about her. That's why I wanted to caress her, and so I did."
She chuckled.
"What does that even mean?"
She was smiling.
"I like that smile. I missed it a lot. I want to keep on smiling like that."
She regained her composure.
"If that's the case, then you'll have to keep on visiting me."
"You're asking for the impossible."
I remarked.
"Well it's you I'm talking about, so even the impossible is just an excuse."
"You think too highly of me."
"I raised you, so at least I'm confident about that."
"You don't learn, do you?"
"You're a good pupil, but a bad mentor."
She started to laugh out and enjoy herself.
"It feels weird keeping this side of you to myself."
I shouldn't have said that.
"Ohh! Why is that? Are you suddenly admitting your feelings for me, even though you have a girlfriend? Are you sure you want to date me and her at the same time. It's quite surprising, but I am confident that I can beat this girl."
"Your confidence is really scary."
"Is it?"
"But I'm sure that you can't beat her."
"What do I do? The age factor is really a disadvantage for me."
"Only the age? And not the personality?"
"Hmm...Nao! Is something wrong with me?"
I have stepped on a landmine now.
"No, no. There's nothing wrong. I have different tastes, that's all."
"Just for the record, I'm still against this. I will not accept your relationship."
"Yeah, good luck. I'll make sure to send the wedding picture to your mobile. It's still the same number right? Not that it would matter. I'll send it to Uncle Takeshi, he'll deliver it to you."
"You know, I'm being serious."
She was starting to get a little annoyed.
"So am I!"
I replied back.
She raised her eyebrow.
"Oh, is she that good?"
"Look, I feel uncomfortable talking about this than I need to. So, I'm leaving now."
I checked my phone, it was already 12:30 PM.
Damn.
That was fast.
I went to pick up my stuff.
"Wait, why don't you have lunch here?"
"I can't trouble you with that. I'll take my leave."
"Beef stew and Fried Steak."
"So, do we need to shop? Or do we have the ingredients here?"
"I thought you were leaving?"
"Only a fool would say no to that."
"Glad to hear that. Alright, let's get moving."
"Where?"
"Shopping!"
"Shopping?"
"Yes. I can't wait to go shopping with a young boy while holding hands like a couple."
"A couple? Wait a min..."
She went inside to tidy up herself, and dress up for the occasion.
Dress up for the occasion?!
This isn't right.
I was just supposed to stop by and go away.
Why am I entering a shopping arc with a mature woman?
"Hey, Nao! Do I keep the wedding ring on or take it off?"
What is she even asking!!!
"Keep it!"
"Awww...Please?!"
"No!"
UGH! WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO!!!