35 years on this planet and this is the first I have faced a terrorist.
"I love you."
My hand froze mid air with the cigarette in between my fingers. My face just gazed in shock at the high schooler in front of me. When I got the call that the younger sister of my ex-wife wanted to meet with me I thought it would be to hear more about the divorce, not this.
"Um, what was that?" Maybe I heard wrong.
"I love you." Nope. Did not hear wrong. "It's destiny."
Three years ago I met my ex-wife's parents and her sister, now 17 year old Takatsuki Shinobu. I do not know much about her since she left for overseas right after me and Risako were married. I thought she hated me.
"Sooo, were not you overseas at, where was it again?"
"Australia."
"Why did you come back so early?"
She took a sip of her ice tea. "I was on holiday when I heard you and Risako had divorced. I knew for sure it was destiny." How is this destiny?
"…." What do I say? "Ah, it must have been quite difficult for you to be in another country that long. Jet lag and a different culture must have been hard to adapt to. I do not mind if you need someone to talk to but would not it be better to talk to your sister?"
"Like I could tell her about my feelings for you."
I tried laughing her off. "I think you just need a good drink. I can recommend a place to go."
"Stop making fun of me." Her piercing blue colored eyes felt like they were burning me. I could tell she was serious but I really could not believe her.
"Look. I am the ex-husband of your sister and also 35 years old. How about you stop making fun of this old man."
"I willingly got on a plane from Australia last minute and called you out here. I do not have time to make fun of you."
Ugh. She is serious. I sighed, my head falling into my hands. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"Take responsibility."
What is with that?
Week Later, Mitsuhashi
"You want Shinobu to stay with me?" I could only stare at the dean of Mitsuhashi, my boss, and my ex father-in-law.
He nodded, "I have a 2 week school conference and while I am there I would like Shinobu to stay at your place?"
"Would not it be better if she stayed at your place?" You live in a mansion!
His face scrunched and he started massaging his temple as he sighed. "It would but…well during that time…Risako is…well she is coming and not…by herself."
"Oh her boyfriend is coming?"
"Yes and Shinobu has strongly disagreed to this. At the same time I do not think it is wise for her to stay at a friends and I do not trust a young woman like her at a hotel."
"But I have been getting home later and—."
"Please! You can lighten the workload by giving it to Kamijou!"
"She has no interest in Bashou." Plus she threatened to destroy my cigarettes the next time I did that. It has happened before.
"I am sorry to cause you trouble because of my family! This will be the only time!"
The dean is a good man. Even now because of the fact he set Risako and I up and then we divorced after she cheated on me he still feels responsible.
But it does not help that it has been a week since I had that sit down with Shinobu.
"I do not understand that girl. She came back home all of a sudden and when I ask her she gives me no response. Honestly, even though she is my daughter she is not as straightforward as Risako. I hardly understand her at all." He grabbed my hands. "Please try to talk to her in my place. You are the only grown male in her life. Thank you Miyagi-kun!"
Ok. So I agreed to watch my boss's daughter for two weeks after she confessed to me. She still is in high school so am I supposed to look after her?
I hate complicated situations.
Evening, Miyagi's Place
"You can sleep in the spare bedroom. The bedding will be in the closet and feel free to use anything around." I directed the young girl to the guest bedroom. She set her small duffle bag on the bed, muttering a thanks. I did not miss the fact she was not looking me in the eyes. "It's clean for a single guy."
Ignoring the jab I headed for the kitchen. "Would you like some dinner?"
"I can make it." I did not make it three steps before she zoomed past me to my fridge, grabbing a head of cabbage.
Hm. I would have figured for a priviledged girl she did not know how to cook. Well, she is a girl; I remembered Risako could sort of cook so maybe Shinobu would be better. I grabbed my newspaper and a cigarette, planning to leave it to her then.
CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP!
BANG BANG SIZZLE! WOOSH!
WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING?
I turned just as she dumped a large amount of soy sauce on the fryer. "YOU'RE GOING TO BURN DOWN MY KITCHEN!"
So. Cooking was not her forte after all (I have never seen so many cabbage dishes). "I'm sorry. Throw it away I can go buy something else." She moved to leave but I stopped her with a sigh. "It is fine. Food is food." I grabbed what is supposed to be cabbage stir fry and took a bite. Pretty gross.
She sat down with a sulking face. "I will do it again properly next time." If I let you.
Even though she seemed prideful, she gets hurt easily. "Well, anyway, how was Australia? You see a lot of kangaroos? Koalas? Did you have any boyfriends? I heard foreign men were extremely attractive and—." SHIT!
She narrowed her eyes at me. "You need to take responsibility."
I feel another headache coming on. "You do understand I used to be married to your sister and your brother-in-law."
"You divorced her and it is not like we were related by blood."
"I also am 17 years older than you. Does that not creep you out? I could be old enough to be your father."
"Great. Even more of a reason to take responsibility."
Why are girls so difficult? "And how shall I take responsibility."
For the first time tonight she looked me straight in the eyes. "I want you to fall in love with me."
