That day was going to be important. I knew it and I felt it. I have a kind of an intuition for this sort of thing, so after I had that dream, I quickly got into my uniform and ran down to the kitchen. Although "important" doesn't always mean good, soon the summer holidays would start, so I assumed it wouldn't be a bad thing.
"Ohayô, Hasu-chan!" said my mother. I discovered that she had just made pancakes. My favourites.
"Ohayô, kaa-san!" I replied. I looked around and it took me a second to remember that my father was not there. He had gone to Tokyo for an extraordinary meeting.
"You look very happy today, Hasu-chan."
"I have my last exam today. I'll be free tomorrow!" I said.
"Do your best, right?"
"Of course! It'll be easy."
"That's my little kôkôsei tantei!"
"Little?! I am already 16 years old. Besides, there isn't any other high school detective..." I saw her open her mouth to answer and I added "Papa does not count. He was it in his time, but now it's only me."
"For me he will always be a stubborn kôkôsei tantei, no matter how chief inspector he says he is." she said, winking at me.
"Yeah, yeah..." I finished my pancake with a couple of bites. I picked up the plate and went for my bag. "Ittekimasu!"
"Itterashai!"
Classes passed as ussual. Even more boring than normal. I had my last exam, but nothing remarkable happened. Everything was the same.
That's why I came home a little faster than usual. If there was anything important, it would happen there.
But nothing. Nothing at all. I spent the afternoon wandering around the house and cleaning up a little. But nothing happened. It was a frustratingly normal day.
Then the doorbell rang. My mother opened it and I knew that it was my father by the voice. I went down to greet him and he tossed my hair affectionately. It was not important, because we already knew it would come, but it was a happy moment.
It was during dinner when it happened. My father started a conversation.
"Hasuko, would you like to spend three weeks in Tokyo?"
"In Tokyo? Why would I have to go to the capital?" I asked.
"Some friends from there have to go to a lecture session in America, and they have two small children. They want someone to take care of them during their absence and I thought that maybe you would like..."
"Babysit two small children?"
"Of course, they would pay you all your expenses and you would stay in their house. It would be a perfect opportunity on this holydays."
"And would I have to clean everything myself?" I asked.
"Uh, yes, I suppose you would have." he answered.
"But you could earn some money for yourself." my mother said. "Don't you always say you want to buy more books?"
"Hmm ... Three weeks? I think I could do it." I said. If I did it, I could show my parents that I can take care of myself. "Tell them I accept."
My father smiled, just as he does when he solves a case, and picked up his cell phone. He typed a quick message.
"Perfect! Then you will leave the day after tomorrow... "
"Good! I'll have to pack the suitcase."
I picked up my plate, and said good night to my parents. Then I went up to my room while they continued talking.
Three weeks in the capital, looking after some children. "Not bad" I thought "And it's quite important."