I was in a rush so it's a little short. Gomen
A Sienna Floor
"I'm... I'm Shirokawa Narumi. My house is only a few blocks from here, can you walk okay?" Ryuichi nodded, while Narumi dug out her handkerchief and handed it to him.
They walked in silence across the park. She was careful to keep the umbrella over both of their heads as much as possible.
He just looked so forlorn.
"By the way, your name is?" She prodded.
"Ryuichi."
Ryuichi, huh? Was that his first name? It didn't sound like a family name. She wondered if she could get his last name out of him.
"Ryuichi-san, are you lost?"
He never answered.
His expression was so serious when she asked him that question; she wondered just how old he was anyway. Studying his profile he looked like he was probably in his late twenties or early thirties, but before... She could have sworn he looked far younger than that.
She sighed. It must have been the pink bunny rabbit. Yes. She smiled. That had to be it. It's not often that you see an adult with such a cute plushy.
It didn't take long for them to get to her little house. She led Ryuichi inside and set his wet things in the alcove, and got him a towel.
He was dripping water everywhere, but it didn't really matter. She had a dark wooden floor for a reason. Easy cleaning. Well except for waxing every once in a while, but she usually paid someone to do that.
She let Ryuichi wander about her living room while she fixed some hot chocolate for them both.
When she came back with two mugs, she noticed Ryuichi standing enraptured with a single picture on the wall. She could feel the smile spreading her face.
It was one of her favorites too.
One of her students had given it to her. It was a crayon portrait of her class with a rainbow behind them. Many people had asked her why she had framed it and hung it in her living room, but to her it was the most beautiful thing she owned. After all it was a gift from one of her precious students.
"It's a precious memory." She said as she handed him the cup of coca. She watched, as he looked at the large rabbit plushy. The bunnt was soaking wet. "Is... is that one of yours?" She prodded.
She watched as Ryuichi could only bring himself to nod. Gently she took it from him, and examined it. It was a much loved plushy, that was obvious from the worn fabric. It was indeed very precious to him.
"Can I have this for a bit?" He looked like he was going to protest. "I only want to get him dry, and do you see this?" She pointed at a tear at the back of its head. "It needs to be fixed before it gets any worse. I'll take good care of him for you."
"He... he's named Kumaguro."
She smiled at that. Other than his name that was the first words she had been able to get out of him all night. She would definitely take good care of the little rabbit.
"By the way, is there anyone that you need to call? You can use my phone if you need to."
She watched as his expression became filled with sorrow.
How alone was he right now? She wondered. Didn't he have anyone at all?
It made her think back on her life. She had moved from a small country village outside of Osaka, to Tokyo with no one to rely on.
"You can stay here tonight then."
Wait a second! A part of her screamed what was she doing. He was a stranger that could literally be anyone or anything. She didn't know if it was safe or not. Yet another part of her, said that it would be okay. He needed somebody, and anyway she needed a friend to.
She wondered if he even had a job though. Oh well, something would work out. The house was hers so at least she wouldn't have to be chewed out by a landlord for an overnight visitor at least.
Chapter 3