Episode 17: A Thank-You Note
The next morning, I was woken up by Mito-san who was folding up the blankets.
" Hikari dear, you are the last one up. Did you return to bed late, last night? "
I felt my cheeks heating up.
It was true…
We had talked practically the whole night…
I had only managed to get four hours of sleep…!
" Uh, yes I did. Sorry about that, Mito-san, " I answered, rubbing my eyes.
" No, it's alright. I've already laid out my spare clothes for you for the day, " the woman said.
" Thank you, Mito-san. I'm sorry for troubling you so much, " I told her, politely.
The twenty-five-year-old shook her head and smiled warmly at me.
" Today, we're going to go shopping in town for your clothes. Only just the two of us. " Shopping? " I echoed, staring at her, bewildered.
" Yes, I'll buy you some clothes for your daily wear. "
" Then what about your shop? " I asked her.
Mito-san waved her hand at me dismissively.
" Don't worry about the shop. I'm sure the boys will be able to handle it just fine on their own together with my mother. "
I returned her smile as I helped her to clear up my make-shift bed.
" Sure, I'll be glad to. I've never gone shopping with anyone before, " I said, thrilled.
Then, I washed up and dressed for the day in the loose-fitting blouse and skirt, which barely wrapped around my much too slender waist, which Mito-san had laid out for me.
I laundered Kurapica's handkerchief and made sure that it was fresh and dry.
" Uh, Mito-san? Could I have a piece of paper and a pen, please? " I asked her.
" Why do you need them for? "
" I need to write something out, " I answered, hoping that she would not ask what.
The woman nodded and smiled, pointing at her desk.
" Everything that you need is all there. Feel free to use them whenever you wish, " she told me.
" Thank you so much, Mito-san! "
Very quickly, I jotted down a thank-you note for Kurapica in my precise handwriting.
Kurapica-san,
I would like to thank you for the handkerchief as well as for buying me the candy apple. I did not know that you knew about my favourite. Also, for hearing me out last night. You are a really good listener. Maybe, sometime you could tell me about your own problems. I would be really glad to be your confidant. But all the same, thank you so much for everything!
Hikari.
I folded up the piece of paper and slipped it into the handkerchief. I had forgotten to give my thanks after everything he had done for me so at least, I could give him this thank-you note. Then, I went downstairs to have breakfast with the rest of my friends and slip this note over to him.
" Good morning, Hikari! " Gon greeted me, cheerfully.
" Morning, Hikari! " both Leorio and Killua greeted me next, in unison.
" Good morning, " Kurapica said, simply and went back to reading the newspaper.
" Uh…good morning, everyone, " I announced bashfully.
I went to take my place at the table, beside Gon.
When no one was looking, I promptly slid the handkerchief containing the note over to Kurapica, just as I was passing his chair.
" Hikari, we were just talking about you, " Gon began, just as I was about to tuck in.
I nearly dropped my spoon.
Did he tell them…?
Did he tell them what I've just confided to him and him alone…?
Quickly, I glanced at Kurapica but he seemed to be riveted in his reading.
" Uhm, talking about me? " I echoed, tentatively, suddenly feeling uneasy.
Gon nodded.
" Kurapica told me all about what happened yesterday at the festival. About you being a Kuruta Tribe member. "
I nearly sighed in relief as I felt my body slacken.
" What about it? " I asked him, scooping gruel, using the spoon and feeding myself.
Just then, Mito-san and her mother entered.
" I'll tell you all about it later, " Gon whispered to me before he bit into his toast.
" I have something to tell everyone, " Mito-san announced, winking at me.
" What is it, Mito-san? " Gon asked his step-mother.
Mito-san smiled, " Both Hikari and I are going shopping in town later this afternoon to buy her clothes since my spare clothes just don't fit her well. So, I want all of you to help my mother handle the shop while I'm gone. "
There was a series of groans coming mainly from Gon and Killua.
Leorio, on the other hand, was already on his feet.
" Whatever, my lady wishes, I will gladly go through even the fires of Hell just to see to it that it will granted for her. "
" I'm not your lady, Leorio, " Mito-san muttered under her breath. " It's only a simple request and already, he's making a big issue about it by exaggerating. "
I giggled at Leorio's 'manly' behaviour which he took on to impress Mito-san but clearly he was not making any progress at all. I could see plainly that the woman was not impressed.
" Get another woman, Leorio! " Killua teased.
" Killua! " Mito-san exclaimed. " Don't be rude! "
I heard chuckling coming from Kurapica.
However, when he saw me watching him, he quickly hid his face behind the newspaper.
I stopped laughing and stared at the newspaper in mystification.
What's wrong with him…?
I shook my head and then went back to eating my breakfast.