23. - Getting to Know. You, I and Them.
5:00 pm, and more than they walked around, four hours in the malls of Osaka, since afternoon.
Both had so much fun that day, sharing a lunch, knowing everyone's taste in clothes, colors, furniture and food.
Kaori felt like a girl, never had so many shopping bags in her hands, with everything: Clothes, shoes, perfumes for her, for her kids, toys, sweets, some decorations for the home and more goodies. Francesco also had his stuff in various packages, had changed his clothes in a fitting room, now wearing a blue jean, a black T-shirt with brown jacket, expensive sneakers of international brand combined all. It was a casual but elegant.
-I can't wait to see the children's face when they see this. I just hope we do not lose half of the bags on the subway train, haha. - Kaori commented as she walked in front of Francesco.
- The subway train? No, we will ride to your home in taxi. Or better, go by taxi from here to school and we'll go in it to your home. -
- That is a bit expensive... - She whispered and turned around to look at him, walked a couple of steps back.
- Kaori, don't say that, does not bother me, and will be more comfortable for everyone. You know? I've noticed that you as long elude me anything, with negligible excuses in between. It makes me feel a bit useless. - He said in a tone a little disappointed, but he was not angry.
- Really? Oh, sorry, I did not... I did not realize. I'll not do it again. - She apologized, pausing a moment her walk, looking at him.
-All right, and I'm glad. - He smiled slightly.
- By the way... You look very handsome... – She tried to cheer him up with a compliment.
- Thanks, I knew it. - He smiled proudly. It worked.
- I thought I heard a Luccia talking... Oh, and I hope you've bought underwear and bring on. -
- Haha, of course, do not worry about that. - Despite the laughter, was serious.
- Um ... Hey, thanks for everything. -
- It was a pleasure, cara mia... -
She blushed shyly, and after a moment, they both looked in both directions, looking for a taxi that would take them on their journey.
They found a vehicle minutes later, the truth is that Francesco was right, no matter how expensive it was, it was much more comfortable traveling like that, with the bags in the trunk and sitting without weight on their arms.
When they get to school, asked the taxi driver, who was parked in the street, to wait a moment to take them all home.
Kaori and Francesco down and stood waiting outside the building near the huge concrete wall, next to the big gates where gleaming a bronze plaque with the name of the school. The plaque read: "Naniwa Elementary School."
The elementary school side was a structure away from the high school, only united by a grille kind pergola giving visibility to both courtyards. Children under age have forbidden talking to the elder during lunch hours and breaks, if only one of the hours agreed, it was the longest break during the meal.
A rhythmic but slow and almost boring tone bells, says that is time to go home, it was 5:45 pm. As precise as ever, and the children began to leave the place, some in a hurry, others in the group would get some ice cream or a snack before get home, others more calm and with nothing more in mind than get to do homework or rest. A teacher at the gates waiting for them to say the same words than everyday: "Care to go home, see you tomorrow."
Luccia and Lucciano always went together, were in the same classroom, so they went down the stairs from the third floor, they changed school shoes to normal shoes, took their bags to go to meet their mom, they knew that Kaori's was waiting outside, as usual.
- Care to go home, kids. See you tomorrow. – The teacher said that said good bye from her place at the gates, slightly tilting her head with a smile. She told the same way with all students.
-See you tomorrow, Sensei! (Note: The word Sensei in Japan is applied to various types of teachers, people that teach, since martial arts masters, even the school teachers and doctors. ) - Was the answer in unison of the twins, and leave the building, looked to both sides.
A look to the right next to the bronze plaque, made them both smile, to discover that their parents were there, together.
-Mom! Dad! - Shouted again at the same time and ran to meet them.
Luccia jumped pleased, especially hugged Francesco waist. Lucciano stood aside from his mom and took her hand.
- Dad, you came to see us in school, I am very happy. I thought you'd expect us at Grandpa home. - The girl could not stop celebrate that meeting.
- What, your grandfather? Haha... Yeah, I mean, no. - Francesco looked upward a pair of seconds and made a small smile pressing his teeth a little, remembering what had happened that morning with Jin. - Well... I decided I had to know the place where you and your brother study in case mom needs some help next time. - Answered looking at Luccia.
- What a great idea, daddy, you are very intelligent. – The little redhead said, still holding Francesco's waist.
- You have said that, piccolina (My little girl), and you know the best? You've inherited it. - Hugged his daughter with one arm at her shoulder height and both made a vain smile, approving each talk.
- Oh. Could you two stop bragging? The taxi did not wait for eternity. - Kaori stopped their show.
-All right, do not get mad... - The Italian after saying that, whispered to Luccia a few sentences. - Do not worry, princess, she's just jealous of our perfect harmony.
- Right, that should be. - The girl fully supported her father.
-I said let's go, now! - Kaori had heard them.
- Too bad temper... - Francesco muttered. - But I like it.
- Taxi? Do we go by taxi, mom? – Lucciano asked.
-Yes, your father hired transport to take us home. We will go comfortably. - The redhead replied, gently pressing Lucky's hand, and walked with him to the street to do not does wait the taxi driver.
While Francesco went with Luccia, put the girl to the back of the car with her mother and brother, and he was co-pilot.
- Hey Kaori. Would you move on to look for the package to your grandfather home? - Asked the Italian racer, looking at her in the rearview mirror.
- Huh? No, I think I will do it tomorrow, unless you have something important to take out of your bag now. But with all you bought, I doubt it. - The redhead replied, giving him also look in the mirror.
- No, I have nothing to take; here I have my documents and visa, so no problem. - His tone was relaxed, and another reason he said that because wanted not to see Jin again, at least for that day.
- What did you buy, Dad? - Luccia snooping.
- I'll show you when we get home, okay? – He said.
-Yes! - She moved a little restless.
Half an hour later, the taxi came to the residential neighborhood where Kaori and the twins house was, the taxi driver parked next to a typical western facade, with a small garden surrounded by a white picket fence, five feet tall. A small concrete walkway separating two sections of the garden, with lawn that looked recently cut and watered.
Francesco paid the fare to the driver, and Kaori helped down the shopping bags and packages from the trunk.
-Children, can you help me with this, please? - The redhead asked.
-Wow! Many things. What is this? Is that entire dad bought? - Luccia asked again.
-You'll know at the time, now please, let's get these things inside. - Kaori repeated, giving to them not heavy packs, when she stood in the hallway outside the door, looked up and down the garden. - It seems that Soujiro -san was here to mow the lawn; I thought I had said him to come tomorrow, because I was not sure what day I would return home. Well, anyway I'll pay him. - After thinking aloud, left the bags on the floor and began to search her key in the pocket of her coat.
When Francesco was saying good bye to the taxi driver, he realized that all took something, except him, then helped Luccia.
- Let me take that, princess, a lady should not carry so much things, and more when you have your daddy to save you. - After saying that, he took the packets of her hands, but was lighter.
- Thanks Dad. - She smiled at him.
-Ha! Ha! - Kaori laughed sarcastically, she had the most bags, but in that moment she was no need to seek a gentleman, because she opened the door of the house and was taking it all inside.
Luccia and Francesco looked each one and shrugged, Lucciano was behind his mother, carrying some things. Everything left on a black couch that was in the living room, and other bags on a little table. But not before removing street shoes and put on a pair of slippers each. The Italian racer had not forgotten that rule, but he was the only one who did not have slippers, so he had to go barefoot in the house.
Only entering he saw it was a modest middle-class home, as his mother's house in Porto Corsa, family atmosphere that made him feels very relaxed, and because it was more western style.
Except for the small space at the entrance where shoes were, the living room was next to a small dining area, undivided by walls, also with American style kitchen, Kaori's room was a short walk down a hallway to the left side, and inside that room she had another in next door, which was her own bathroom, which she called HER "Sanctuary" because it was the only place in the house where she enjoyed a moment of her thoughts, her inner world with a bubble bath or a quick shower. The bathroom was also oriental.
Children also had their own bathroom which was on the top floor, each with their room. The further back room on the first floor, which supposedly corresponded to the guests, she had become it in a laundry, right there stood a cord running through the place, Kaori dried the clothes there on rainy days .
Whole house with pastel colors wallpaper, yellow, lavender and light blue.
- Nice home. - He said.
-Thank you, later I'll show you the other rooms. Get comfortable. - She offered it to Francesco.
- Thank you. - He sat in a chair next to the couch that was busy for all purchases.
Kaori looked at the children as she hung her red coat on the rack by the wall of the living room. Revealing a new wardrobe, low-cut black blouse and down a jean skirt, the color of her coat, nobody had noticed that because her coat covered her all.
- Are you hungry?
-Yes! I have great hunger. - Lucciano immediately answered.
- Me too. - Luccia followed. -Ah! Mom, you look really beautiful.
- Yes, but what happened to your work clothes? You always come back home with it. – Lucky repaired, like his sister, the new outfit from their mother.
-Your father gave it to me. Is not that nice? And my work clothes are in one bag... - Began to grit her teeth and gave a little smile. - Or at least, the pieces. - Whispered. –
Francesco cleared his throat. He also brought up something new, but none of the children said any word of it, perhaps because they assumed that their dad would be changed before leaving Jin house. Although more than anything made that sound to Kaori, to indirect warning that their children do not see in even shopping packages, the redhead's dress work was done shreds by a sloppy affair happened in the karaoke room, if they found it was obvious they were going to start making thousands of questions.
Better, she changed the subject.
- All right, now, go wash and change clothes, I'll make dinner. And I have a lot to do, because we are guests. - Announced the redhead.
- Guests? - Asked the children at the same time, looking very curious to their mother.
-Yes, the boss of your dad come to visit us, so I want you two to behave like a lady and a gentleman. And if you have homework to do, please start before eating, do not want you both to sleep later. -
- Yes Mom! - Returned to speak both at the same time and Lucciano went upstairs to his bedroom.
Luccia was jumping to where Francesco was and took his hand.
-Dad, come with me, let me show you my room. -
- Oh, my pleasure to accompany my beautiful princess. – The racer smiled, and with their hand taking, followed his daughter up the stairs to the second floor. - Right back, Kaori, I will come to help you with dinner. Okay? - He said to the redhead before going upstairs .
-All right... - She answered, she assumed he left with the desire to cook what he wanted in the café restaurant at noon. And she was curious to test the culinary seasoning of Francesco.
Before Kaori could go by the ingredients of the dinner, someone rang the doorbell. The redhead went to answer the front door, she doesn't think that Giuseppe could be, because it was too early for the meeting.
- Who could it be? - She got curious and changes her gesture down the eyebrows, was not looking forward to receive visits that interrupt her work at home, had still much to do.
Opened, and met Jin there, who brought the bags that they were left at his home.
-Grandpa! What a surprise, please come on, in. - Kaori invited him, she was happy to see him.
The old man had serious expression, raised a hand, showing open palm in front of her, as saying: "Stop ":
-No thanks, I just came to give you what you left at my home, and if you wondered who cut lawn, did not Soujiro -san, I did. - Jin explained.
Soujiro -san was an old friend of Jin, who lived in the same neighborhood as Kaori, he always did the daily work of his neighbors often not occupied. The redhead was not good gardener, then from time to time Soujiro -san came and cut the lawn.
-Thank Grandpa, then… How long are you here? If you took care of the garden then, I guess you came long ago right? - She was a little curious about the attitude of the older man.
- Yes, around two hours ago, I was with Soujiro -san taking some tea and talking about old times. From the window of his house, saw you coming back, so I came. But honestly I will not go in; because I know that your stupid Italian racer is there. - Jin talked about Francesco.
-Please Grandpa, do not be like that with Francesco, he has been very good to me and the children. I still understood your point but... -
- Then tell him that explain you this. - He paused her, and gave to the redhead the train ticket the racer threw away that morning. Jin had taken after he left his home angry.
-It's a one way ticket from Suzuka to Osaka. So what? - She did not understand.
- When you left today with the kids, he got rid of it, is completely new, do not think the train inspector has overlooked a passenger, let alone someone like him. Or he had two tickets? Why have two? -
Yeah. Why? Kaori still did not understand anything, but if what his grandfather said was true, on the one hand, she shrugged. The redhead took the ticket from Jin s hand and put it in a pocket.
-Well, I'll talk to him about it... You really do not want to go in? - She asked again.
- No, my little, just call a taxi, wait at home of Soujiro -san, say hello to the kids for me, okay? See you later. -
-Yes, thank you very much for everything, grandfather. - The redheaded said goodbye to Jin and closed the door when she put the bags in the house and he left, he was thinking about what he had said at the ticket, but did not think was a big deal, that like everything else, had a reasonable explanation. Then Kaori returned to her first duty that evening: The kitchen.
To be continued...
Disclaimer:
-Kaori, Luccia, Lucciano and Jin are characters that belong to me like this story. (c) Shadoru.
-Others characters belong to (c) Disney. PIXAR.
