The room was simple, but affordable. It was about 650 square feet with cream walls and imitation cherry wood cabinets. She imagined the cabinets were meant to draw in an older crowd. It had taken Shiharu the better part of two days to move into her their new apartment, not that her possessions required it. She'd deliberately taken her time. In her mind unpacking was a form of renewal, starting over, letting go…
She carefully arranged her books on the shelf above her futon before moving to the box holding her dishes. She'd saved this box for last. Peeking inside she tenderly pulled out the cup Matsanaga-san had given her, the one he'd replaced the original with. Slowly, she held it against her cheek and sighed. She knew it was childish, but she didn't mind.
"Oi, how long are you going to do that?"
Nao didn't have the cup's full story, he had never asked and Shiharu had never offered it but he had a pretty good idea. Shiharu watched Nao remove his shoes and shrug out of his tan jacket before he shook the remaining raindrops out of his hair.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home Nao-kun." She smiled as she placed the cup next to her mother's picture and the Matsanaga family photo from the zoo.
"Did you finish unpacking? I'm free if you, you know, want help." He still felt guilty that she had dragged the futon up two flights of stairs by herself.
"Oh, thank you but I've just finished." She brushed off the knees of her jeans and stretched her arms over her head. "Goodnight Nao-kun. I'll see you at breakfast?"
"Actually, I scored an extra morning shift for Thursday, unless you're up before five we'll probably miss each other. Anyhow, goodnight, I should be home around dinner time tomorrow."
Shiharu headed for her new room, it would take some getting used to but overall the apartment Nao-kun had found for them was a nice one. It even had a laundry mat below them, it meant she could save the money she'd set aside for the train.
"Shiharu?" Nao was tentative in the words he chose next, "Welcome home."
Nao caught her half smile before she vanished behind the divider. Nao sighed, no matter what the future threw at the two of them they'd face it. He was pretty sure its what adults did. He'd have her quiet support and she'd have his brash stubbornness. He knew he had the better end of that arrangement.
He glanced at the ceiling, then at Shiharu's photographs. What had happened last month? What had that responsible adult done? She hadn't said a word to him about it and he had to reign in his imagination. The fact that the adoring twins were her constant companions in that man's house gave him only so much peace of mind. He made it his personal goal, before the end of the month he'd get the story.
End Chapter One.
A/N: I haven't written a fanfiction for years. A lot has changed, I'm now married and have a five month old son. I'm doing this for my own entertainment but I hope you enjoy it too. I adore this little pure manga, so I thought I'd give it some love. Best of luck to all of you in your lives readers!
~Hana-ya
Teaser:
"Shiharu, Aoi-kun won't wear the tie!"