Warmth Part I Chapter 8, an azumanga daioh fanfic

Part I

Chapter 8

*pant*

She rounded the corner with practiced ease, her feet moving gracefully as she jogged up the sidewalk.

*pant*

Her view of what lay ahead was obscured, the sun long gone at this late hour, and the only visible light in the vicinity was provided by the occasional street lamp. As she passed under them her figure would become illuminated for a brief moment and then suddenly vanish, the darkness of the night enshrouding her like a cloak once more.

*pant*

She took a quick glance at her watch, its blue-lit display informing her that she had been running for about fifteen minutes so far, the time just having drifted past eleven. It didn't matter to her, however, that she was out exercising at such odd hours, a moonlit run something that she often did whenever she found herself unable to get any sleep. Once in awhile the difficulties of the day would refuse to leave her mind when bedtime came around, causing itself to become quite distracted as it attempted to solve all her worries instead of just seeking the rest that it needed. The runs, then, helped those anxieties to digest properly, the remedy simply consisting of a mix of clean air and a good sweat.

Tonight, however, she was having doubts on whether the jog would alleviate the issues that presently hounded her. The thoughts that had kept her awake on this occasion were much more troublesome to deal with than the usual, all of them pushing her to the point at where she had become completely obsessed with their irritating details. She couldn't just simply set them aside in order to be handled for another time, because the turmoil that they were creating in her had proven far too impossible to just simply ignore, to go to bed with.

And, while the troubles that she struggled with were quite intricate in their nature, made complex by the layers of history and emotion that were woven into them, they had been brought back into her life by the most simplest of things, by just a brief, ordinary phone call that she had made under an hour ago.

*pant*

"Hello, dear!"

"...hi, mom. I was just returning your text. Sorry to call so late."

"Oh, don't worry, dear, don't worry. I was working late anyways, but I'm leaving at the moment, so this is good timing."

"Oh...great! I just got home myself."

"Hmm, really? What were you up to?"

"Oh, um, nothing much…I was just some running errands."

"I see...well, that's fine. Anyways, dear, it's been quite awhile since I've heard your voice."

"Y-yeah...sorry, I'm just, you know, busy these days..."

"I know how it is, dear. Things are so hectic nowadays for me, too! It's just been client after client lately."

"...but I know you like that, mom. You've always needed to have something to work on."

"Yes, I know. It's funny, sometimes. I'll complain to your father about having no free time, but really, I think I'd go insane if I did have some."

"Yeah, that's true...um, so how is dad?"

"He's doing fine, dear. Speaking of which, we both wanted to know what you'd be up to next weekend."

"Next weekend?"

"For your birthday, of course. That's why I texted you."

"Oh...oh! You just wanted...to see what I'm doing for my birthday? That's all?"

"Well, of course, dear. Your father and I want to visit you then, but we don't want to interfere with your own plans."

"…right, right! Yeah, um, you know, I'm just doing the usual. Some of my friends will take me out and all that."

"That sounds like it'll be fun, dear. So, on what day were you all planning to do that?"

"Um...next Saturday, probably. Everyone's busy on Friday, so they wanted to do it then instead."

"Ok. Well, how about we visit you next Sunday, then? We'll take you downtown for some really fine dining."

"Oh, yeah, sure, mom, but…let's not go anywhere too fancy this time. You guys always spend too much on me for one night."

"Come, now, don't sound so frugal! You only get one birthday a year, so we should always make the most of it."

"Ok, ok..."

"Sound a little more encouraged about this, dear."

"I...I am!"

"Is something wrong?"

"N-no...I'm just...a little tired. It's been a long day..."

"Ah, ok. Well, in any case, I'll make reservations for us then. Maybe around six on Sunday? Does that work?"

"Sure, mom."

"Good, good. So, would you like anything specific this year?"

"Huh?"

"A gift, dear."

"...oh, right. Um...you know, mom, what you and dad get for me is always fine..."

"Ah, you never want anything in particular, dear. How fun is that?"

"Well…I just don't...really need anything I guess. I don't know. I guess…I could use a new phone or something, since mine's a little old..."

"That's it? Come on, you're always so practical with these things."

"Y-yeah…I just don't need much, you know."

"Hmm...well, that's fine, dear. Do you have a specific one in mind?"

"Ah...I'd have to look. I don't know much about phones and stuff..."

"Alright. Well, you just pick whatever you like, ok? I'll get it for you, don't worry."

"Ok, I'll do that...um...was that all you needed, mom?"

"Needed?"

"To talk to me about, I mean."

"Ah, yes. I just wanted to iron things out for next week."

"Ok...um, if that's set, then, I should probably go to bed since-"

"Well, hold on, dear."

"...yeah?"

"Since I have you on the phone anyways, how about we catch up on things a bit?"

"…c-catch up?"

"Yes. You never really keep me updated on how your life is going anymore."

"...well, um…things are…you know, the same and all…so, I don't want to bother you, because I know you're always really bus-"

"Oh, nonsense. I always want to know how you're doing, dear. I mean, it doesn't have to be over the phone. Just a little email now and then would be fine."

"…y-yeah, ok…"

"…well, so, how are things going then, dear?"

"G-good…we can talk next Sunday, can't we?"

"Well, yes, but, I just want to talk to you alone, dear. We never really have any one-on-one talk anymore."

"Yeah..."

"...so oblige me a little, dear. How is your swim team doing?"

"Oh, um, they're doing great. The practices are winding down, since we only have an outdoor pool."

"So you'll have some free time soon, then?"

"Well…no…we still meet occasionally just to exercise, and I also help manage other clubs."

"Ah, I see. How about your classes, then? How are those going?"

"Oh…same old thing, you know. Kids being kids, and all that, and I deal with them…"

"I know, I know. They can be such a handful. They really aren't as behaved as they were back when I was a schoolgirl."

"Yeah…but…I still love them. They're my students."

"That's so good to hear, dear. If you didn't care for them, then I would imagine your job being much more difficult."

"I know…um, mom, it's kind of late and I have to be up early..."

"Oh, come now. When's the last time we chatted? I thought you'd be happy to talk to your mother."

"I am! I am...it's just, I'm pretty tired..."

"Just a few minutes, dear. I was looking forward to your call all day, you know."

"...yeah, ok."

"So, what else is new? What's keeping you busy outside of work?"

"Ah…well…I still help run an intramural league for the town…"

"Is it going well?"

"Really well…lots of participants, and we always have a good time. It's a hassle to manage sometimes, but, I get some money out of it, and exercise. And I guess I just like the work…it's a lot of hours so I guess it's sort of a second job, I guess."

"Excellent, dear! You know, that makes me very happy to hear!"

"R-really...?"

"Yes, of course. I mean, that's how I raised you to be, dear. To always be productive. That's exactly the kind of attitude that I expect to hear from my daughter, you know? To commit your time to the city like that."

"Y-yeah...I...well..."

"What's wrong, dear?"

"Nothing! I'm, just...um, really glad to hear you say that..."

"Hmm?"

"That you're happy...with what I'm doing..."

"You've always been a good worker, dear. You don't need my approval for that."

"I know, but, still, I'm just not used to...hearing that...from you..."

"What, dear? If you're saying something, it's coming through very quietly."

"Ah...nothing..."

"...I see. Well, what else is there..."

"Um..."

"...so, have you been going out with anyone recently?"

"...argh."

"What? You're mumbling again, dear."

"Ah...I didn't say anything...um, I couldn't hear you, actually..."

"Ok. Well, maybe my phone is acting up...anyways, I just asked if you've been dating at all lately."

"D-dating?"

"Yes. Dating."

"Ah..."

"...I just want to know how your relationships are going, dear. I remember you were seeing someone last year…but that didn't work out, did it?"

"No…"

"Right, right. Well, how about lately then?"

"Ah...well…"

"...yes?"

"Um...well, I've been pretty busy for a while now. I haven't really had much time to meet anyone new…"

"Hmm, I suppose you do have a lot on your plate. But, still, it's a bit of a shame to hear that, dear."

"Why is that?"

"Well, you know, dear…"

"…w-what?"

"Well, I was just thinking, that...since the last time that I talked to you about one of your boyfriends, well, I'd have imagined that you'd have put in more of an effort into finding someone again. That was quite awhile ago, I think."

"…please, mom, don't bring this up now."

"Dear, I haven't brought it up in almost a year, because I decided to give you some space for a bit to see how you'd fare."

"…but...it's-"

"And, honestly, dear, how can I even bring up this topic when you keep avoiding contact with me?"

"W-what? No...that's no-"

"Look, dear. I know you get upset when I ask you about your relationships, but just hear me out. I really want to have a good time with you next week. I really do. But I know this issue has put some distance between us over the last year, so I wanted to discuss it with you tonight before your birthday, so that we can come to terms on some things and have nothing bad between us on Sunday, ok?"

"But...discuss what?"

"Your future."

"..."

"At least one of us has to think of it, dear, and since you don't seem to be doing that..."

"...please, mom, it really is lat-"

"You can go to bed after I'm done, alright?"

"..."

"See, dear, this is the entire problem."

"What problem...?"

"Your maturity level."

"What?"

"Do I really have to explain it? I've been telling you this for the longest time..."

"I don't...I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come, now. I mean, just look at us here. How often do we ever talk anymore? Why do you always make it such a laborious affair whenever I want to ask you how your life is going?"

"B-because...you..."

"Because what?"

"..."

"Because you aren't adult enough to deal with the reality of your problems? That's what I feel."

"I...I am an adul-"

"Do you think you are? Then why did you lie to me?"

"W-what?"

"Dear, you've always been very easy to see through for me. You weren't really running errands tonight, were you?"

"I-"

"Were you out drinking again?"

"N-no!"

"At one of your friend's places, then."

"What..what doe-"

"Are you still hanging around with Tanizaki? You were probably at her house."

"I...that's not-"

"Am I right or wrong?"

"You...y..."

"I'm right."

"..."

"And here we are again. This is the problem, Minamo. You're still just a child, hanging around with your childish friends while you retain your childish antics. You're just going to keep wasting your life with people like her and never put forth a serious commitment to start a family and have a real future."

"..."

"I mean...another birthday goes by, and then another, and you still act like you're in high school. I think all the men will start to pass you up soon, don't you agree?"

"N-no!"

"You don't agree?"

"I…I just...w-why do you always, make such a big deal about this...?"

"Why? You're my daughter, and I want to see you succeed in life."

"But...I am succeeding! Just because...because I'm not married ye-"

"Well, let's put some things into perspective, dear, so you can understand where I'm coming from. I think most of your friends from school are married now, aren't they?"

"I don't know...maybe..."

"Alright. Now, seeing as that you're my own daughter, it baffles me as to why you can't accomplish something that they've all done years ago. I mean, how many times have you tried so far? How many relationships have you gone through with nothing to show for it?"

"...I'm...I'm just not in a rush. I just want to find the right person, that's all..."

"You've been saying that since college, dear."

"That...that's-"

"I'm going to be a little frank with you, dear. I've been letting you do what you want for a year now, and, well, it's just shown me that you still haven't really changed that much since you were in school."

"Wh-"

"You've always been so finicky about things. Isn't that usually the reason why all those boys keep breaking things off with you? Because you're so indecisive about them?"

"Well, no, it's, well-"

"Don't you think that it's time that you finally grow up, dear, and drop these juvenile habits of yours? How do you expect to get married when you're still not a real adult?"

"That's...not true..."

"Minamo...seriously, look at yourself. You're still always so indecisive about everything. You still always let the most trifling things get to you. You're still so stubborn when it comes to admitting that you're failing at something, and on and on and on. Does all of that really sound like the behavior of an adult?"

"...n-no."

"Exactly. And that's what you aren't married yet, dear. Because at the end of the day you're still an immature little girl."

"..."

"So, listen, Minamo. Tonight, I really want to have this talk with you again, for the last time hopefully, because it needs to be done. I'm not going to let you run away from this for another year while you keep on wasting your time, and I don't want to have this in the air between us when we meet next week."

"...you don't...you don't know wha-"

"Just listen to me, dear."

"N-no, you listen to m-"

"Listen, dear."

"Y-"

"Be quiet."

"..."

"We're going to have this talk whether you like it or not. Now, listen. You know that I know you better than anyone else in the world, don't you, Minamo?"

"..."

"Right?"

"...y-yes."

"So, what did I always tell you when you were young, then? Remember, I told you that you're always much too indecisive about things, and that really hasn't changed."

"..."

"You just need to get some courage and move on with your life, dear. It's like you don't want to leave your crib. I mean, all you need to do is just find someone to marry finally and just get it over with, or do you look forward to being an old maid?"

"N-no..."

"Then if that's so, stop wasting your time, stop lying to me about things, and stop acting like such a juvenile when I confront you about all this. I push this on you because I want to see you finally get a husband and put this chapter of your life behind you, but that's not going to happen unless you stop being a child and stop hesitating about leaving your schoolgirl days behind."

"..."

"I mean, how many times have I had this conversation with you now, Minamo? And remember what you always keep telling me? To leave you alone about all this?

"Y-yes..."

"And I did! And since then, has anything really changed?"

"...no."

"Exactly. It's been a year, and, all you've done is disappoint the both of us again. It's getting embarrassing for our family now, Minamo. Some of your relatives even think that I've raised you incorrectly since you don't have a husband yet. I mean, dear, you're going to be twenty eight next week. How much longer are you going to be single?"

"I...I don't know…

"I've really tried, Minamo. I've done my best to try and make you someone respectable. And I've been patient with you. I really have. I know you hate talking about this subject, but really, avoiding it like you always do just shows your age level still. It really is childish."

"I…I know. I'm sorry…"

"Yes, yes, I know, dear. Listen, you know I love you, alright? I'm just being honest with you. If you really believe that you've grown up, then you understand that there's no need to sugarcoat the truth, yes?"

"Y-yes, mom..."

"Good. Anyways, dear, we both know your problem. You have to grow up still. That's the only way you're going to be able to get married finally. You need to stop playing around and just accept the fact that you need to move on from the schoolgirl mentality that you still seem to have. I know change can be frightening, but it has to happen. Do you agree with me?"

"Yes, mom..."

"Ok. I'm glad that you understand that you still have to mature a bit in some areas of your life, but it also makes it clear to me that you still do need my help for these sort of matters."

"..."

"So, I'm going to help you out with this too, alright? You're still a bit incapable of managing a relationship properly, so let me see if I can set something up for you."

"..."

"I've been thinking about this for a while, actually. What I'll do is ask some of my acquaintances if they've got any boys who are looking to settle down. Maybe in a few weeks I can arrange something between one of them and you. A lot of them are quite well off, actually, so this might be the best course of action for you."

"..."

"So let's get this done for you, ok, Minamo?"

"...ok, mom."

"You know that I'm always here to help you out, right?"

"Y-yeah, mom, I know."

"Alright. I'm sorry to bring this up tonight, dear, but it's really been bothering me for such a long time. And I really do want to have a good time with you next week, Minamo, so I wanted to get all of this out of the way before that. Just promise me that you'll give the arrangements I set up some very serious consideration, ok? "

"I just...want to have a good time with you, too..."

"I know, dear. Don't worry. I promise I won't mention this for awhile again, ok? But will you consider what I've told you seriously?"

"I will, mom..."

"Good. Alright, then, I'll let you go now, dear. Remember, next Sunday at noon, so be ready! Ok?"

"Ok, mom."

"Alright, then, dear. I'm going to get in my car now. Good night."

"Bye m-mom...night..."

*click*