Chapter Two
It takes six weeks – of push-ups until she wants to throw up; of lists scrawled because she can't print never mind write kanji; of illegally increasing the cash on her parent's forgotten credit so she doesn't starve; of lying through her teeth; of panicking – for her neighbors to get used to her running laps around the buildings.
Because what three year old runs laps for fun?
What three year old is alone to run laps around the neighborhood?
A three year old that spent most of her last life in a wheelchair.
Running, walking, standing, are beautiful things to experience.
"Can I help you with that, Ms. Eguchi?" her tongue lisping on the honorific.
The old woman smiles. "Thank you, Yume. Would you care to accompany me to Café Leblanc after we put these away?"
Yume dutifully grabs the heavy grocery bags, straightening and giving the woman her biggest smile. "Ee!"
The old woman laughs loudly, drawing a few gazes. The adults then see the little runner girl and smile fondly, waving when Yume greets every one of them.
Eguchi Maki is the woman who lives across the hall from the energetic three year old. She is the first one to question the girl on her living conditions, so Yume has some healthy respect for the elder. Still, the child lies about her parents and sitter's whereabouts. The older woman seems to know better, and invites the girl to dinner at least once in the week.
From one of their many chats, Yume knows the elder never pushes because the older woman has too much going on in her life already. Her youngest son has the family concerned with his unknown, late night activities. Her eldest son and wife are expecting their first child in four months. It's also coming up to the tenth year without her husband, causing the woman to shed more than a few tears while reminiscing tales over meals.
Yume always makes sure to hug the woman, to show that she cares even if she lies. Yume, in her fear and need of grounding, makes Ms. Eguchi her first life-line this existence. Being a reborn, remembering, soul is hard, but even just one person to live for makes it easier.
The second life-line comes in the form of a blunt-yet-caring government worker, Sakura Sojiro.
"You two again," he sighs, setting down his glass with a small tink. "Don't you have anything better to be doing than coming here all the time?"
"Don't listen to him, ladies," the owner of Leblanc, Mr. Enomoto, says from behind the counter. "And Sojiro, stop trying to scare off my customers."
"Fine," the government worker huffs, not-quite-subtly glancing at the little girl.
Now, one might argue that currently having Mr. Sakura as a friend would not be in Yume's best interest. Yume argues with herself about it all the time. But, no matter that she knows that he knows something is off about her, Yume can't really do anything about it. So, her interactions with the man started out as quiet and cordial.
Then he noticed her trying to sneak a peek at the newspaper and offered to teach her how to do the crossword. They've been friends ever since.
He just doesn't know that yet.
"Can we sit with Mr. Sakura today?" Yume whispers loudly to Ms. Eguchi.
"Well…" the older woman makes a point of looking around the semi-busy restaurant. Then she hunches over, whispering loudly back. "Only if he agrees."
Yume turns her bright, look-at-me-I'm-cute smile on the man. "Can we please sit with you today, Mr. Sakura?"
"Sure, kid," he grunts, chugging back his coffee. "I'm not here for much longer, so take over the bar when I'm done."
"Ee!" Yume nods, letting the man help her onto the bar stool. "What did you have for dinner tonight, Mr. Sakura?"
He tells her curry, and the girl turns to Mr. Enomoto and asks for some.
"Sure thing, little Ms." Mr. Enomoto says with a wink. Yume giggles. "And for you, Maki?"
"Some of that stew for me," the elderly woman replies, taking a sniff. "Been busy, has it?"
"Eh, nothing I can't handle," Mr. Enomoto jokes, flipping bowls in the air for the kid. Yume 'ooh's and claps, highly impressed. "Sojiro was just telling me about his lady friend again."
"Oh?" Ms. Eguchi zeros in on the choking government worker. She smiles widely, all but purring at the thought of new gossip. "Will we be seeing Wakaba soon?"
Sojiro mutters something along the lines of 'and let you scare her kid off, no thanks'.
"Ooo," Yume coos, stirring the metaphorical pot. "Is she nice? Is she going to move into the neighborhood like Mr. Matsu's lady friend did?"
Maki cackles at Sojiro's face. Mr. Enomoto just shrugs to stifle a laugh, setting the bowls down.
"She's not moving here," Sojiro bites out, irritated. He gathers his things, leaving money on the counter and swiping his bill. "And she won't be coming by if I can't get her to talk to me."
Yume blinks up innocently. "Can't you just say hello to her?"
He sighs hard. "It's not that simple, kid." He cuts her off before she says something purposefully childish. "It's an adult problem. Don't worry about it and eat your curry."
"Ee!" Yume nods dutifully.
"Good luck getting her away from work," Maki says, smug smile following the government worker as he stomps towards the door. "Bring her around sometime! I didn't babysit you for years just to keep the blackmail stories to myself!"
"Which is why I don't bring her here!" Sojiro calls back.
A/N: So, apparently I'm on a bit of a persona high and writing binge. Did not think I'd have this chapter ready, but ta da. I want to give a big thanks to everyone reading this story, and to Harukawa Ayame and Guest for your reviews! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!