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Chapter 23: Mishima's 14th Birthday
I look again at the calendar in my room. It's break now, and will be for a couple more weeks, including over Mishima's birthday. Fortunately, we're both in Tokyo this time. On White Day, I decided I would give Mishima a birthday gift that encompassed my memories of her and which expressed my feelings. After sleepless nights of thinking, I finally decided yesterday. I searched the phone book and the Internet, and finally found it, a store in Tokyo that sells music boxes where you decide what song the box will play.
Although they should both be at work, I make sure neither of my parents are home before I head for the train station with my map of the district where the store is. When I arrive, I walk in, and am surprised at the array of music boxes.
"Can I help you?" I look up and notice an employee looking at me.
I put my hand behind my head and say, "Well, actually, I'm looking for one that I can paint on."
"Paint on?"
"Yes, I'd like to paint it myself."
"Hmm, ok. Please wait here, I'll be right back."
The saleswoman returns soon after with a white box with gold colored patterned trim around all the sides.
"Well, it's not completely plain, but my supervisor told me you should be able to paint over it easily."
She gives it to me and I inspect it carefully, it's not exactly what I'd expected, but I like the trim, it makes the sides look like frames, which is good for what I plan to do.
"Okay, I'll take this model."
"Yes, we'll need to go to the counter."
"Sure."
I follow her over and she points to a book.
"Here's the selection of songs you can choose from."
I open it up, and find the song I've been looking for.
I look up at the saleswoman and say, "I'd like the box with song A4325-113, Katun no Sadame, please."
"That will be fine."
I pay for the music box, and the saleswoman says, "It will be ready in 3 days. Please remember to bring your receipt with you when you come to pick it up."
"All right, I'll be back."
After an anxious three days, I return to the store and pick up the music box. I bring it home, thankful that I have the house to myself. I place the box on my desk, and listen to the tune playing before I begin to paint.
Although it took a few days, I finally finish. I look at my work, pleased. On the front and back, I've painted the picture of the bird that I did for her White Day gift. The sides on the outside are painted with an array of irises and sunflowers. On the top, I painted the scene of Mishima at the beach the first time we met. The music components take up most of the space inside, but what is underneath the top is what I put the most effort into. Part of it is a painting I've made of the photograph from the Kyoto trip, and the rest of it, I've painted flowers that spell out, in English characters, Mishima Reika, I love you. Even though it may seem bold, I decided to go for it, and deal with the consequences, whatever they may be.
I smile, and decide now is the right time to call Mishima. I dial her number and wait a few rings.
"Mishima residence."
"Mishima, it's Kamina."
"Kamina-kun? How nice to hear from you!"
"It's good to speak with you too, Mishima. I'm actually calling regarding your birthday."
"My birthday?"
"Yes, it'll still be over break, but I want to give you your gift."
"Oh, you can give it to me when the semester starts, I don't want to trouble you."
"No, no, it's not any trouble at all! I was thinking we could meet up on your birthday and I would give it to you."
"Ok, that sounds fine, Kamina-kun. Where and when would you like to meet?"
"Do you already have plans for that day?"
"Well, I'll celebrate with my family at night, but I don't have any plans other than that."
"Ok, let's meet at 2 pm at the ice cream shop we went to last April after the movie. Is that all right?"
"Yep, Kamina-kun, sounds good, I'll see you then!"
"Ok, good bye, Mishima."
"Bye, Kamina-kun!"
The days pass by slowly, and finally, Mishima's birthday arrives. I look at my watch, and realize I should be going soon. I look in the mirror one more time and grab my wallet and the wrapped gift as I run out the door.
I arrive at the ice cream shop, and see Mishima standing outside, I smile as I notice she's wearing the yellow dress again.
She waves as I approach and says, "Hello, Kamina-kun!"
I smile and respond, "Hello, Mishima, happy birthday. It's nice to see you again."
"Thank you, it's great to see you, too, Kamina-kun."
"Shall we go inside, Mishima?"
"Sure!"
I open the door for her and smile as she walks through. We head to the counter and order and, after
we get our ice cream, we go and sit down at the table we sat at last April.
"Ah, this brings back memories, doesn't it Kamina-kun? It's hard to believe that we were right here
almost a year ago, the time has flown by so quickly."
She looks away and says, "Ah, what am I saying."
We eat our ice cream while Mishima tells me about what she's done over break. I'm starting to get nervous, what if she doesn't feel the same way, would it ruin our friendship? I begin to question my decision, but realize I should have confidence.
I notice Mishima is done, so I ask, "Mishima, would you like to open my gift now?"
She shakes her head yes and looks excited. I take the gift out of the bag and give it to her. She carefully opens it and gasps when she sees it uncovered. I hope that's not a bad sign.
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, Kamina-kun," she says as she looks up at me. She inspects it carefully.
"Oh, it's the picture of me at the beach, and you've painted the bird and my favorite flowers! The trim is beautiful too, it almost looks like the sides and top are framed, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does."
After inspecting the outside, Mishima opens it, and the music box starts to play. She listens for a few notes.
"Oh, Kamina-kun, it's playing Katun no Sadame!"
She listens to it for a little while, smiling with her eyes closed. She's about to close it when she notices the artwork under the top.
"Ah, it's the picture of the two of us from the Kyoto trip, and you've written something in English here with flowers, haven't you. Let's see, it says 'Mishima Reika…I love you…'"
I see her arms shake and watch as her eyes fill up with tears.
"Mishima?"
"Kamina-kun, I love you too, I've cared for you all along."
We smile at each other, and I think how happy I am that she feels the same way.
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