Chapter 26: Summer Draws To A Close
Only own my OC
Today Michael spends some quality time with Nanako, so this chapter might be a little short.
On with the show!
I regretfully woke up the next morning feeling like shit. Yesterday really took a lot out of me. What with seeing Kanji's speedo, his junk, and making out with Marie, I'm suprised I was able to wake up. I decided to just say home and rest. But my plans were interrupted by getting a phone call from Yu. "What is it Yu?" I ask in a pissed off and sleepy tone. Seriously why did all of my friends call me at the crack of dawn? They know I'm not a morning person.
"Sorry to call you so early. But I need you to do me a favor." He said. What could Yu possibly want, and how could I help.
"What is it?" I ask.
"I need you I help Nanako with her homework.
What the others? Why do you want me to do it?" I whine.
"Well I'm working at te hospital tonight, Youske and Teddie are working all day, Chie has family in town, Rise's grandma left her in charge of the tofu shop, Kanji was busy, and Yukiko has to help at the inn. You're the only one who wasn't busy." Yu explained. When he's right he's right.
"Okay. When do I need to come over?" I ask.
"Just be here by about seven." He said.
"Okay, I'll be there tonight." I agree. Who knows, maybe this'll be good for me. I've never had a chance to really talk with Nanako.
"Thanks, Michael! I owe ya one!" He thanked me. I hung up and rested as much as I could before I headed to Yu's tonight.
Time skip: 12 hours later
I got dressed and grabbed my keys and headed to Yu's place to help Nanako with her homework. I got on my bike and headed out.
I knocked on the front door. I was welcomed by the little girl herself. "Hi, Mr. Michael." She greeted. Felt weird being called mister.
"Come on, Nanako, I'm your friend. Just call me by my name." I tell her.
She nodded and said in a cheery tone "Okay, Mikey!
"Did Teddie tell you his nickname for me?" I ask. She nodded and I thought of more ways to kill Teddie. Him calling me that was enough, I didn't need another person calling me that. "Just checking. Well let's get started, shall we?" She nodded and we got started on her homework.
It didn't take that long considering she's in what first grade or second grade. It was pretty easy to know that 12 times five was sixty. But while I helped her with her homework I couldn't help but think of how strong she is. I mean this girl lost her mother at such a young age, I lost mine when I was thirteen and I was a crying like a baby. I could only imagine how this little girl felt at the time, or now for that mater. I wanted to talk to her about it but I didn't want to risk making her sad. After we finished her homework she asked me if I wanted a drink before I left. I just settled with regular water. "Thank you for helping me with my homework, Mikey." Nanako thanked me calling me THAT name again.
"No problem, Nanako. It was my pleasure." I say as she hands me a glass of water.
We sat in silence for a few minutes before she asked "Did you lose your mom too?" I was shocked to hear her ask that. I processed what she asked for a few seconds before I looked down and said yes. "I'm sorry." She apologized noticing my sadness.
"No it's fine. I just don't talk about it so much so I'm not used to someone bringing it up." I reassure her. "I was about thirteen. I may not have been that young but I still hated knowing she was gone." I say fighting back tears.
"I don't remember my mom very much but I still miss her." Nanako said.
"Well weather or not you remember, when you lose your mother you can't help but feel sad." I explain. "If you don't mind me asking... How do you feel now, I mean not having your mom?" I ask.
I thought I crossed the line and made a HUGE mistake, because after I asked she started crying. My thoughts changed when she ran towards my position a buried her face in my chest and cried her eyes out. "I miss my mom so much!" She said into my chest in between sobs and hics. I wrapped my arms around this poor little girl and rubbed the back of her head and patted her back in order to comfort her.
"Shhh. It's okay. It's okay. I know it hurts. Just let it all out." I say in a soothing tone. At this point I was crying a little too. After about three minutes or so she pulled away and started wiping her remaining tears. I put my hands on her shoulders and asked "Feel a little better?" She stared at me for a while on confusion for a while before she nodded. "Good. Remember it's okay to miss your mother. And it's okay to cry over her every now and then. It just shows that you love and miss her. Understand?"
"Yes. Thank you, Mikey." Nanako thanked.
"If you ever feel like talking about your mom, give me a call and I'd be happy to help you out." I say ruffling her hair. She nodded with an innocent smile on her face. With all that done I grabbed my keys and left. I saw Nanako wave goodbye as I left.
As I laid on my bed I said to myself "A little girl like that shouldn't have to live without a mother. Life without a mother, is hell."
Sorry about the long update but things have been pretty hectic in my life, but now that school's out I can update again. Sorry if this chapter was a little rushed but I just wanted to get something up today. Don't worry I will never abandon a story I write I'm not gonna be one of those writers. Anyway next chapter (ironically) school's back in session.
Next time: Watermelon and Returning to Hell