" Today I am going to visit grandmother after 2 years. I hope she will be fine. I can't wait to squeeze her with my arms and hug her so tightly. She is the only one who understands me. And yeah I will ask her about this strange feeling too, I've been feeling for a while now. Inoue was talking to herself as she got ready for the trip. She came down murmuring and extended her hand asking her mother for lunch.
"Don't get lost in the train again like you used to. You really got us in a big trouble that day when you were a kid." Her brother said, bringing the book off the shelf. "Ichika-Chan have a safe Journey," her father, patted her head. "Sure, Dad." And she left. She stepped outside the door, looking up at the sky she screamed happily "Magome I'm coming" (her grandmother lives in a small village called Magome it's near the Nakatsugawa city, Gigu prefecture Japan ) "Ha-ha, she seems so excited today ? Is not it, dear?" Inoue's mother heard her daughter's scream and said "Yes, you are right" He replied giggling . They both blushed while making eye contact " Ah, I guess I should study in my room" Fumihito went on because he was getting bored of seeing his parents flirting with each other while making faces in broad daylight.
" Inoue! We are here." Sato called her, waving her hands and jumping. She was calling her standing on the opposite side of where Inoue was. Hey there guys sorry I'm late again "Her curled brows expressed how embarrassed she felt for being late again." It's ok Inoue. We know how lazy you are! "Sato patted her shoulder and said smiling." okay, let's go. Our train has arrived" said Hina, taking her step forward. They were about to step inside the train meanwhile Inoue stopped them from behind asking "Wait where is Takemichi?". Hearing her question, they both turned back and then Sato replied "Gengi ? He said he had to help his father at the shop. So, he would meet us at Magome Station." (Takemichi's father has a vegetable shop. He sells the freshest vegetables in his area) "Oh! I see" she murmured and they got on the train.
" I want two cabbage, sir. I am going to make delicious cabbage rolls tonight. So, please give me the freshest ones" a random lady asked a vegetable shopkeeper. Sure, mam. Just wait a second." "Genji! Bring two fresh cabbage. We have a beautiful customer, Gengi! " He was Takemichi's father. " Yes, dad" he replied out loud. He was furious because his father had put him at work. When he had to go out with his friends. He picked up two cabbages from a carton and brought them to his father. He took it and gave it to the woman. Takemichi looked at her (the woman looked disgusting) yet her father told a sweet lie. She took the vegetables and left. "You said we had a beautiful customer at our store and she is the one who looked beautiful to you ? " Takemichi said, crossing his arms. " Ah! Son, you know, we are the shopkeepers, we must treat our customers well, otherwise they will never choose us. Life is also like this" His father's words really touched him. He thought about himself and Inoue , and said, " Does this means loving someone is also a trade. If we love someone then that person also needs to love us back? "He asked turning to hide his tears . His father understood what he wanted to say . " No, love is not a business. If you love someone, you should love him/her as much as you want, without expecting anything in return. In this way, you will not feel sad even after knowing the true feelings of the person you love. But you should tell them how you feel, so that they can know how lucky they are to have someone like you. Like I loved your mother. But before I could tell her anything about my feelings, she left us." His father said with a smile and also looked quite sad. Takemichi's eyes shed tears as he headed towards the stairs. "I am going to pack my bags. I have to catch my train before it's too late." His father understood what he was feeling, so he smiled and nodded. Sayako are you looking at him ? Our son is growing up, " he murmured. He went up and started putting his things inside his bag vigorously, meanwhile a notebook fell down by itself from among his things. "This book" he picked up murmuring. I don't think I've ever bought a book like this. Wait a second there's someone's name." He found a name written on it. He tried to get a closer look and found the name "Minamoto Akihiko" written over it. After reading that name. He felt something strange and was amazed because all of a sudden someone's blurred face appeared infront of his eyes. "Wait now I remember Mr. Takahashi was asking about this man that day. Who is he? And what is our relationship with him?" He was surprised, he looked at the clock. And he realized that time was running out. So, he hurriedly left the room keeping that book among other things inside his bag.
" Are you sure that he will come?" Inoue asked Hina. "Oh! You are still worrying about him, of course he will." She replied. Here Takemichi got on a moving train. "Hey, that's dangerous. Don't just jump in a moving train like this "A man said from behind" Ah ! Pardon me . But this is the last train to Magome. That's why I don't want it to be missed too." Takemichi replied while scratching his neck. He turned back and found a familiar person standing in front of him. " Takemichi ??" He was Fuji Amuro, one of the 10th grade class 2 students. He was the twin brother of Namie Amuro . He was in the same class as her. "Fuji-kun, what are you doing here?" Takemichi asked "Ah I'm going to Magome to meet my old high-school friend Botan" "Okay... but what happened to your face. It's like some cat has scratched your face" "It's a long story man but I'll tell you in a nutshell. You know my sister Namie right ? She loves Botan and I didn't tell her, I was going to meet him. So, she tried to stop me by scratching my face but finally I managed to make an escape . " " Oh, is that so ! I feel sorry for you, " Takemichi replied, making a strange face . " Thank you." He cried as he said but his facial expressions were normal. "Ah!" "Btw, why are you going to Magome?" he asked him back "I'm going to visit Inoue's grandmother with my other friends Hina and Sato. We'll all meet at Station." "Wait, Hina-Chan ? She's also going ?" "Yes, do you have any problem with that?" "No-no, it's nothing." he replied blushing and his voice quavered. Then why did your face turn red all of a sudden?" Takemichi questioned again. He didn't answer him back just inclined his head and tried to hide his red face. "Ah ! I think we've arrived" Takemichi peeped outside the train's window.
As they were moving ahead while leaving the train, suddenly someone's shoe came flying and jolted Takemichi from behind. "Shit, who did this to me?" He got really angry and looked back, he found Sato with Hina and Inoue. "You, airhead, do you even realize how late you are ? We've been waiting for you for about 20 minutes and you "Sato screamed angrily" Wait, I can explain. I had to help my dad and pack my stuff too. Therefore, I got late. "He was really nervous and scared too . So, he said everything in a hurry." And see who I met on the train!" To distract them from the topic, he started talking about Fuji, like how he met him at the station. " He was also coming here so I accompanied him " " Fuji-Kun ? Namie-Chan's brother. Aren't you? " Inoue queried " Yeah, you are right " After answering back to Inoue he looked at Hina. So, that he can talk to her too. But she went ahead saying " Inoue I'm going ahead, cause I don't want to get scolded from granny Chio for getting late. Join me if you don't want to hear her scolding too." "Fuji was very disappointed to be ignored by the love of his life. "Hey, wait Hina, we're coming too." They all shouted together and followed her, "See ya again, buddy ," Takemichi said, patting his shoulder and left . Fuji nodded smiling and stood back as he had to meet his old high school friend. Then they all took the bus and reached their grandmother's place.
They were standing in front of her grandmother's house and were about to step inside. "Wait there, don't take one more step," said someone coming from behind. They turned around . They found Granny Chio standing and glaring at them. "I guess no one can save us from her now." Hina whispered. "Yeah." out of fear Takemichi swallowed some spit . "It's all your fault," Sato stroke his head from the back . " What are you two whispering ? Sorry I can't hear you. If you want to say something, come forward and say it," said Grandma Chio, crossing her arms. " hello, granny. It's been a long time since we met. Btw it was all Takemichi's fault, he came late and made us wait at the station for 20 minutes." Hina pointed Takemichi.
"As expected. Gengi so, it was you." Grandma Chio stared at him for 5 minutes and then said "You'll be punished, you'll have to be my rival in my kendo practice until you guys leave," "What?" Takemichi was really shocked to hear that because he knows very well that no one can beat her in Kendo. Sato did not know that Grandma Chio could also play kendo as she was meeting her for the first time. Takemichi and Hina were Inoue's friends since kindergarten. But Sato joined them two years before in 8th grade. So, after hearing the word "Kendo?". She got excited, her eyes twinkled. So, she proceeded to ask her " Hello Granny Chio I'm Sato Himari one of Inoue's best friends. I'm the state level champion in Kendo. Can you replace Takemichi with me as your rival." "No Sato, don't do it, you don't know. How good Grandma is at this game." Inoue was horrified because she knew well how wonderful her grandmother was. "Don't worry Icku-Chan, I won't be too hard on her. If she wants to fight with me. Then I won't stop her "Grandma Chio giggled for a while and then continued her talk " You boy, thanks to her, you are no longer my rival but yeah don't think that you won't get punished. So, from now on your punishment is, you alone will clean everyone's dishes until you go back." She pointed to Takemichi. "What dishes? No, you can't be so cruel. I am such a small kid and how can you be so harsh on a child like me." He started his overacting again but after a second he realized that instead of him everyone had already gone inside the house. And the passers-by were laughing seeing his strange behavior while stopping. So, out of embarrassment he opened the entrance gate and went inside steadily.
Here Grandma Chio and Sato were standing in front of each other. Wearing their armors and with a kendo stick in their hands. Inoue became more frightened at the sight of Sato's confidence and Granny Chio's smile. "I hope everything goes well," she murmured to herself.
To be continue....