Dusk set out and in came the dawn. The first ray of sunlight is always a special sight to behold. It's as if you are watching the beginning of a wonderful fairytale.
It was 5 AM. I happen to just wake up. And catch the sun lighting up the musky world. It was a weekday. And as expected, the bus was fairly empty. There was still a couple of hours left before my destination arrived.
I tried to fall asleep again. But I couldn't. I tried for a couple more minutes and later sighed. In the end, I woke up and pulled out my bag, and started reading the manga from where I left yesterday. One-shots are pretty handy in this regard. I didn't have to get too invested to worry about how do I catch up to it. With that being put aside, I was deeply intrigued by this one-shot manga. The story wasn't that interesting but it was the idea and the art illustrations that pulled me in well. I lost track of time and before I knew it, my stop was closing in. I packed in all my stuff, double-checked to make sure that I hadn't left anything behind, and finally got down at my stop.
I took in a deep breath. The smell of the wind in the village is always a nostalgic feeling. I was far away from home, and yet, this felt warmer than my house ever did. I looked around and all I could see was the green rice paddy fields around me. The smell filled me with a sense of easiness. And joy. I was back home. That's what it felt like. A homecoming. I was back home.
I passed along the fields and entered the small remote town. I was greeted with a lot of smiles. The people here are kind to any stranger. This would be the best place for criminals to rest easily. Now that's not what I had in mind but whatever. I guess there's no helping it once you enter a certain train of thought.
I made my way through the main streets of the town and went further ahead where the number of houses started to decrease. And after a few hundred steps I finally stopped it. That's where it was. I started to walk with a little bit of enthusiasm. Obviously, the nostalgic vibe was kicking in. Unknowingly my pace had increased a bit, and before I knew it, I was staring at the nameplate of the home.
Nifuji!
That's right! This was my home!
I rang the bell once!
I rang the bell again!
I waited for a while. But there was no response.
Strange!
Where is she? She's supposed to be at home. Unless it's not her home anymore. No! The nameplate is still intact. That means she's still here. Is she sleeping? No, she's not that kind of a person. I just I'll just go ahead.
"Excuse me!"
I exclaimed the basic etiquette I was expected of whenever I visited a new place. I slid the door open slowly and looked around. There was a pleasing aroma.
Ah!
I knew what it was. It was something I could never forget. I slowly removed my footwear and tiptoed along the wooden floor, to the end of the hallway. I slowly entered the kitchen, placed my duffle bag near the entrance of the door, and slowly crept closer to the source of the aroma, or to be more precise, to the mastermind of this creation.
I suddenly wrapped my hand around my eyes, and pulled her close to me. She was frightened.
"Who's there?! Who are you?"
"Well miss, I have come to take your belongings. Now would you please oblige and help me make this process easier?"
She was quiet for a while before answering.
"Yes! I...I understand. Please, don't do anything. I beg you."
"Ok!"
I slowly loosened the grip around her.
"If you understand that's go..."
And before I knew it, I went airborne and went to the ground! Hard!
"Ouch!"
"Nao?!"
Oh right! How could I let it slip my mind that she was a former taekwondo nationals representative, and was also the reason why I picked up taekwondo. Meet Katsuragi Nifuji. My Aunt! My mother's younger sister.
"I see that you've still got the edge."
"What are you doing here?"
"Geez! You toss me over and the first thing you do is interrogate me instead of apologizing to me? That's harsh! On so many levels. I'm hurt!"
"Well, it's your fault that I'm hurt. At this rate, I'll be afraid of women and live my life alone. Will you take respo...."
Argh!
Before I could finish my sentence, she started pulling my cheek hard.
"I'm zo...zorry. Flease spare me!"
Tch!
She clicked her tongue in respite.
"What are you doing here?"
"Um...It's a long story."
"Fine. Let me rephrase it. How long are you planning to stay here?"
"Uh...As long as I realistically can?"
"And how long is that?"
"Minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 3 weeks."
"Hmm...that would be a bother, so go back home!"
"Oi! Oi! Oi! Aunt! That ain't happening!"
"If that's the case, then sleep on the streets, for all I care. Just get out of my home!"
Tch! I guess humanity is really on the brink of extinction! We are androids at this point.
"Fine! I ain't gonna live like a parasite. I can survive on my own."
"I'm not gonna stop you if you think that I'm gonna stop you after this drama."
"That's expected. Even I am serious."
"Oh, is that so? Fine. Suit yourself."
"But before that, can I ask for something?"
"Sure, I think you deserve that much for the suffering you've put yourself through."
"Could I get a taste of your curry?"
And just like that, I was thrown out of her house.
I knew this was gonna be tough.
But I need to ask Aunt to train me!