Beginning Of Part 2

Chapter 36: A Reason To Smile

Four Years Later.

"Okaa-san," I called out to her as I entered the library, buttoning up my overcoat. "Okaa-san, have you seen my..."

"Have I seen what, Tsubomi?" Okaa-san asked, her eyes glistening with tears. "Did you misplace your beanie again?"

"Okaa-san, what's wrong?" I sat down beside her on the sofa. "Why are you crying?"

"I just got off the phone with Atsuya," Okaa-san began. "Your obaa-san... she did not wake up this morning..."

I stayed silent.

"I know how much your obaa-san meant to you," Okaa-san continued softly.

Hahaha...

"She did..." I lied, feigning hurt.

"Will you be alright, Tsubomi?"

I should be the one asking you that.

"Yes," I nodded. "May I please be excused? I need a moment..."

"Take your time," Okaa-san said, understandingly.

Entering my bedroom, I closed the door behind me, and idly stood in the middle of the room with a heartless grin. "You're wrong, okaa-san... she never meant shit to me!"

As I unbuttoned my overcoat, I laughed. "If only you knew how much joy it gives me."

Suddenly, my cellphone started ringing.

I tossed the overcoat on a chair, and pulled out the cellphone from my back pocket. "Hello?"

"Hey, Tsubomi-chan, it's Daichi."

"Hey, Daichi-chan, how is everyone back at home?" I sat down on my bed.

"Grieving, but that's expected."

"Hmm, you don't sound like you're grieving."

"I'm not," Daichi-chan said bluntly.

"That makes two of us."

"Three, actually. Ma-chan is currently having a difficult time concealing her merriment in front of others, especially her okaa-san."

"I can only imagine. Tell Ma-chan I said hi."

"I will, later on when I go back inside. I had to excuse myself from everyone for a breath of fresh air, but mainly it was to get out of obaa-san's house. I couldn't stand seeing all the portraits of her."

"Self-conceited much?"

"Probably, but it doesn't matter anymo-"

"HI, TSUBOMI-CHAN!" A female's voice beamed energetically.

"Haha, let me guess... Ma-chan?"

"Yup! How have you been?"

'Ma-chan!' Daichi-chan shouted in the background. 'Give me back my cellphone!'

"Nah," Mayumi-chan responded flatly. "Your otou-san is looking for you by the way, Daichi-chan, he needs to ask you something."

'Fine, I guess,' Daichi-chan grumbled.

Mayumi-chan sighed, "Our oji-san wants him to give a small speech at our obaa-san's funeral."

"What?" I laughed. "You can't be serious, Ma-chan."

"I am, and he won't be the only one..."

"Oh? Who else?"

"You."

"What?" I gasped. "Who came up with this idea?"

"Shiro-ojisan."

"Why?" I frowned. "I have nothing nice to say about that woman!"

"I know, Tsubomi-chan. The original plan was just to have your okaa-san and Atsuya-ojisan speak, but Shiro-ojisan explained it would be better for the grandchildren to speak of their obaa-san as well. I wasn't told to do it because my okaa-san wasn't picked to speak at our obaa-san's funeral, so I guess I'm lucky, huh?"

"You suck, Ma-chan."

"I take that as a compliment, hehe."

"Ugh, I guess I should start figuring out what I'll be saying and whatnot. I'm sure Daichi-chan will have a list full of ideas I could borrow."

"Uh, you mean lies, right?"

"Obviously, Ma-chan," I laughed.

"Hehe, so... whatcha been up to? It's been awhile since we last talked."

"Indeed it has. Well, I was going to go over to Ellie's house to-"

"Oh my god, are you two official?" Mayumi-chan interrupted. "It's about damn time, Tsubomi-chan! What took you so long?"

"No! We're just friends, nothing more."

"Uh huh. Step one: Denial."

"I mean it!"

"Whatever you say, Tsubomi-chan," Mayumi-chan giggled. "Just know I'm rooting for you two. Sooo, what were you gonna do at her place?"

"Platonic things!"

"Boooo, how boring!"

"Time's up! Thank you for keeping Tsubomi-chan busy. Now, go away." Daichi-chan said.

'You're welcome!' Mayumi-chan said.

"So, you were gonna 'platonically' snuggle up with Ellie-san for the winter, hmm? How romantic," Daichi-chan teased. "I overheard Ma-chan; and I agree, what took you so long?"

"Ugh, you can be just like Ma-chan, you know," I grumbled.

"In certain situations, yes." Daichi-chan laughed. "But in all seriousness, what is she to you exactly?"

"She is... a good friend."

"Heh, someone hesitated."

"Okay, let's change the subject! Do you have any idea more or less on what you're going to say for your speech?"

"I'm just going to wing it. How about you?"

"I guess I'll just wing it too then," I sighed. "I honestly don't have anything nice to say, but I suppose just this once..."

"Hmm, think of it as acting in a theater. Dress accordingly, act well, and you're set."

Easier said than done, Daichi-chan.

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks."

"Hey, Tsubomi-chan... how is your okaa-san by the way? I almost forgot to ask..."

"My okaa-san is oddly calm... too calm for a situation like this. I'm surprised she isn't sobbing right now."

"She isn't the only one. My otou-san is behaving the same way; and I agree, it is odd. The only one sobbing here is Masami-obasan."

"Really? What about Shiro-ojisan and Hanako-obasan?"

"Shiro-ojisan is trying to behave like my otou-san, but I don't think he'll last; and Hanako-obasan is just sitting there with a blank expression. Hmm, I wonder what's in her mind."

"You could ask."

"I rather not. Just to be on the safe side."

I chuckled, "Alright. But your curiosity will end up winning you over soon, you know."

"Haha, I know."

"Tsubomi, I need to have a word with you," My okaa-san knocked on the door.

"Daichi-chan, I need to go. My okaa-san is calling me." I said as I stood up, and walked to the door.

"Okay, I'll talk to you later Tsubomi-chan. Take care."

"You too, Daichi-chan."

I inserted my cellphone in my pocket, and opened the door. "Is everything alright, okaa-san?"

"Yes," Okaa-san nodded. "I came to tell you that I have already bought the airplane tickets to Tokyo. We leave tomorrow in the afternoon."

"Oh... is my otou-san coming with us?" I asked.

"No," Okaa-san replied. "Only those related to your obaa-san are allowed to attend."

"I highly doubt your otou-san will want to go anyway," Okaa-san continued with a sigh. "Start packing, Tsubomi."

"Okay... Um, do I use the small suitcase?"

"No, use the large one you have, and fill it up completely."

"Huh?" I looked at her confusedly.

"We're going home, Tsubomi."

"Home?" My eyes widened. "But, okaa-san, I can't-"

"It has been already decided between your otou-san and I," Okaa-san interrupted me. "Your itoko-san is more than ready to work on his own without your otou-san's help. There's nothing keeping us here anymore."

"Wait, but what about your position here?"

"My itoko-san, Taro-chan will be taking over. I will be taking over your obaa-san's position in Tokyo from now on."

"I understand..."

"Good. I'll see you later on for dinner." Okaa-san turned around, and walked towards the stairs.

I closed the door, and sighed.

A part of me wants to stay here... but it can't be helped...

I turned around, and walked towards the dresser, picking up the photo that was leaning back against the mirror. I gazed upon the photo for a moment, and smiled.

...and yet, there's another part of me that wants to go home.

Suddenly, my phone vibrates.

Ellie: Hey, Tsubomi, are you coming?

Tsubomi: Ellie, I'm sorry...

A/N: Can anyone guess who is the girl in the photo? :P

Tsubomi is now 16 years of age (Yaya is 18). It is during the winter break, (That is where I am starting at). Once spring rolls around, Yaya will be graduating Spica.