Chapter Five

This town is nothing but a boring shithole. Isn't there anything fun to do?! Everything about this town annoyed her to her very core. The family I'm staying with are just as bad. Everything here can go to Hell, for all I care! Chika was disgusted by everything she looked at, everything she heard. The annoying cicadas chirped away in the last days of summer, their loud blaring going oblivious to the town's people. Chika almost scoffed aloud at the thought of summer. I thought I'd at least have a month of summer when I came here, but no! Leave it to this place to have their summer break earlier. And those damn bugs! I can't even hear myself think for five seconds! She hated the insects the most, even more than the people. Her annoyance increased as she came upon the convenience store and its bright colors. Her family had made her get a part time job to work for her own things and support the family. Biologically, they had two kids, a 21 year old son and a 13 year old daughter. The son, Yuuichi, was their main provider alongside his mother, while his father stayed home. Heaving an annoyed sigh, Chika entered through the sliding glass doors.

"Good evening, Yasui-san. You're here early." Her coworker greeted her formally. "Our manager assigned you to stocking today. It's pretty quiet, so I won't need much help up front."

"Okay, I'll get started once I clock in. Thank you, Ishida-san." Chika responded with no hint of the falseness in her polite reply. "Let's do our best today!" She added. Truthfully, Ayami Ishida wasn't that bad, Chika actually liked her company. If you ignore her name being similar to Aya's… Aya did annoy her. Unlike Ayami, Aya was weak, too afraid to stand up for herself. She was a coward. Saturday will do her some good. Maybe then she'll learn to stand up to me.

Chika clocked in, using the outdated time cards the store still used. She was glad she didn't have register duties today, sparing her from dealing with people. She worked from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. until the next two workers took over. She never had free time, her after school hours took up by cramming school and her nights devoted to work. She was rarely home and when she did get home late at night, the others had already gone to bed. She spent the weekends after school and Sunday's with the family when she was off work, which felt like a chore in itself. Pleasing people is a pain in the ass. The teachers, workers, family, everything… I hate all of them. She thought bitterly as she restocked the packaged food they sold differently everyday, glancing at each product as she placed them neatly on the shelves. Thanks to all this bullshit I have to do, I'm stuck with convenience store food. It wasn't horrible, but she pretty much lived on whatever her store sold. She studied in the mornings with Nanami, the parents' favorite child, leaving no time to actually make her own lunch. Their father did cook, but he wanted them to make their own school lunch like Nanami did every night. Not everyone has that luxury, "Father." Her lunch was down to whatever she bought from the store that night and her breakfast and dinner were resorted to leftovers or snacks that she kept in her room.

The five hours of work was as grueling as ever. Only a handful of customers came in, getting off of work from whatever jobs they had. Chika gave the customers the usual, "How are you today?" and "Did you find everything you need?" She even gave them a fake smile. It was what every customer wanted to hear from a young person. A 16 year old girl with a promising future and a bright personality, in Chika's case. She couldn't be more thankful when she'd clocked out for the day. Thank God tomorrow is one of my days off. The store only let her work three days a week, but even that much was enough for her. "See you Thursday, Ishida-san!" She called before exiting the store.

The walk home was even more excruciating than work. By foot, it took 30 minutes to get to her home, deep into the countryside. Only houses lined the area, some over 80 to 100 years old. The rest of the area was fields or gardens of vegetables. Her own house was beside an old rice paddy field, having not been tended to for several years. For once, she was thankful for the sight of the ancient house. It was at least 80 years old and more traditional than her home in Tokyo, a suburban structure in Azabu City. Sometimes, Chika missed the days before she traded her bright and festive house for the wooden one she was forced into now. With a sigh, she quietly entered the house, removed her shoes, and went straight to her room. At the sound of her arrival, Tadashi perked his ears up from his place in the kitchen and followed her. Tadashi was the family's Shiba Inu, the only family member that appreciated what Chika did for them.

Once Tadashi entered the room, she closed the door behind her. She'd changed back into her school uniform in the store's restroom before leaving work and now it was in with the rest of the laundry. Damn it… this day was way too long. Longer than the others, that is. Chika thought miserably as she arched her back in a stretch, certain she heard some part of her body pop and crack. She collapsed onto her bed, ruining the silver and white sheets and blankets she'd neatly made up that morning. Truthfully, it was a futon that she made into a bed, but it was good as anything. Why do they want me to go to school every single day? Four and a half hours is not enough time to sleep… Almost regretting getting up, she changed out of her work uniform into an old white T-shirt and a pair of blue cotton shorts the same length as her uniform's skirt. She quickly added the uniform to the laundry for cleaning and returned to her room before anyone could hear her.

This time, Tadashi was laying on her bed in wait, wagging his curled tail happily at her return. "Thanks for waiting, Tadashi." Ironically, he laid next to a life sized Shiba Inu plush she'd gotten at a store in Tokyo with the dog keychain she kept attached to her school bag handle. Though Chika would never admit it to anyone, it was a comfort to her and she slept with the plush every night, even before Tadashi came into her life. It was better being with a real dog now, but she knew it wouldn't last. Tadashi was the one thing she'd miss when she left Akita next year. She laid down onto her bed with both Tadashi and the plush dog she'd named Hikari. It wasn't a creative name, but she imagined the plush as a girl dog and as the light of her life. She sometimes wished Hikari was real. She covered them all with a blanket, Tadashi nuzzling his fluffy ginger and white head under her chin.

"Good night, Tadashi. If only humans were like you…" Chika sighed as she put a hand onto the fur of the dog's scruff and closed her eyes.

Chika's short slumber was interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. She almost ignored the idol song that made up her ringtone and went back to sleep, but Tadashi's whimpering caused her to get up. She picked up her cell phone, fumbling groggily with the buttons until she pressed the answer button. "Hello?" She answered, her voice slurred from sleep.

"Chika-chan? Are you sick?" Aya replied through the phone.

"Huh? No, I'm fine, sorry…. I didn't get home until 1 a.m." Chika answered, running her free hand through her tangled hair, slowly blinking as she freed a knot of hair.

"You had to work again? That must be really hard… my parents won't let me get a job because they think it'd affect my studies. I want one though." Aya sounded sympathetic but it wasn't much help to Chika. Trust me. You don't. She thought bitterly.

"Anyway, would you like to walk to school with me? Kao-chan said she had to check out some stuff at the library on her way." Aya asked.

Ah, yes. I see I'm the side bitch. Chika thought in annoyance. "Of course I would!" She replied without the inner annoyance.

"Great! I'll see you then." Aya hung up afterwards.

Chika placed her phone back on her bedside table and let out a heavy sigh as she laid back onto the bed. "Tadashi… be glad you're a dog." She closed her eyes, wanting to return to sleep again. Tadashi happily licked her face in response, as if he was glad he was free of work and school. "Ugh, fine… I'll go to school, okay?" She muttered to her dog. "I'll bring you some stuff when I get home." She promised before sitting up and heading to join her foster family in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Chika. Miyu washed the laundry before she left work. Your uniform should be dry now." Tomohiro, their father, greeted her. "Do you want some breakfast?"

"No, that's okay. I'm meeting a friend so I better leave early." She grabbed a packaged bentou that she'd bought from the store for lunch and got her uniform from the neatly folded laundry. She returned to her room and changed, her hands quickly buttoning her blazer and tucking her black tie underneath it, then picked up her school bag. She said her goodbyes to her foster father and sister and gave Tadashi a pat on the head before rushing out the door.

Aya waved at her as Chika approached. They met at a history museum that met midway from Aya's apartment and Chika's house, one that Chika had only been in once with her brother. Another girl was with Aya, undoubtedly her sister, who looked at Chika through narrowed eyes, as if she wasn't expecting Aya to meet someone. The girl whispered to Aya before walking away without a word to Chika.

"Wait, Mayu-" Aya's voice trailed off with a sigh. "Good morning, Chika-chan. I'm sorry about Mayumi. She's not fond of strangers…"

"It's okay! I'd much rather speak with you alone anyway." Chika replied, her glossy lips curved into a smile. It's strange… I've never met Aya's sister and I already relate to her. I wouldn't want to talk to people either. She thought as she glanced at the distant figure of Mayumi. "So… about Saturday, are you still up for it?"

"Oh, yes, of course. Kaori-chan was talking about it with me yesterday…" Aya replied with an uncertainty in her voice. Just say no, dumbass!

"Alright then. How's the song going?" Chika decided to ask, testing her friend's limits. "Practice has been going well for me." That was a lie, she hadn't practiced since the last time they performed, but she had to say something.

Aya's uncertainty drifted into a form of uncomfortableness, her eyes avoiding Chika's emerald gaze. "Well… it's been okay." She replied anxiously.

"That's okay, Aya-chan." Chika placed a hand on Aya's shoulder. "Why don't we practice together on Sunday? We'll be staying with Kaori-chan anyway."

"Sure!" Aya's spirits brightened at the suggestion. "I've been having a hard time studying, so… it's been difficult. Kaori-chan isn't in English or choir, so she can't help much. My sister is in another class too."

"I'll help you, you'll be fine!" Chika reassured her. Why the hell am I agreeing to this?! My workload is bad enough and now I'm a tutor! But… Aya is still my friend, no matter how weak she is. She added regrettably. I guess helping her wouldn't be horrible.

After school, Chika departed with Aya and headed to the pet store. Maybe I should save up for a bike… walking is a pain in itself. The town didn't have a train station and the only cars the family owned were for Miyu and Yuuichi's work. Her exhaustion from that morning had increased tenfold, and she wanted nothing more but to return to her bed at home.

The pet store was an old looking building, almost as old as her family's house. When she entered, the smell of straw mixed with the animals themselves hit her nose. There was a musty atmosphere to the store, its ancient architecture being brought into the light from the heat. An old lady was sweeping the wooden floor, only glancing up at the dinging of the bell Chika activated when entering.

Chika didn't want to disturb her, proceeding to the dog aisle. She'd picked up some food, dog treats, and stuck a plush toy of a bone in with it. I'm paying for it after all. It's for Tadashi and he's practically my dog anyway. The lady had finished sweeping when she'd approached the checkout.

"It'll be 3280 yen, please." She told Chika with a raspy voice as her bony fingers tapped on the cash register. Chika had enough, much to her relief, and paid the elderly cashier. "Would you like some help with carrying all that? That bag is heavy."

Chika shook her head. "No, but thank you. May I look at you animals?" She knew she'd never be allowed to adopt her own pet, but she still liked to look at them and wish they were hers. When the cashier nodded a reply, Chika placed her items next to the counter and headed to the row of cages that housed the animals. The store kept two stacks of kennels for the dogs and cats, a table with two large cages for the rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, and a large cage of different exotic birds.

She first stopped at the dogs, naturally. The first dog was in the top row of kennels. A pomeranian, its fluffy white fur hiding any of its actual body, wagged its tail eagerly at her. If only I could adopt you. Chika thought regretfully as she slipped her fingers through the bars. The dog playfully nipped at her hand, as if wanting her to free it from its confinements. Next to it laid an elderly Shiba Inu, fast asleep in its kennel. Its food and water bowl had laid untouched it seemed. Poor baby… She felt a pang of sympathy for the senior dog. Dogs are much better than people. It's a shame that this dog will have to die here… She couldn't bear to see the poor dog like that, so she turned to the hamsters and rabbits. Two rabbits were nibbling on lettuces and tiny tomatoes, their ears twitching at the sound of Chika's footsteps. The hamsters and guinea pigs were playing amongst the thick layer of straw that lined their cage, while some ran on a wheel or drank water from the straw of a plastic container. The birds were nothing special other than their wide array of colors and size. The only one that caught her eye was in the corner of the store, separated from the rest.

A white dove sat in a rusted circular cage. It was like some cage seen in old movies, dangling from a rusted pole. Chika looked deep into its dark eyes, the bird cooing nervously as she stuck her fingers through the door.

"You like that one?" The elderly lady's voice asked, startling her.

Chika turned around, quickly removing her fingers from the cage. "I didn't know you were there…" She gasped, feeling her rapid pulse start to slow down.

The lady showed a toothless smile, amusement glittering in her wise eyes. "When you get my age, no one even knows you're on the place. I get such amusement from scaring young people like you while doing it."

"Are you mocking me?!" Chika demanded, unable to be polite at that moment.

However, the woman simply let out a croaking laugh. "Of course not. Anyway, this bird is a beauty, isn't she?" She turned to the dove, her expression somewhat nostalgic. "She's been here for over 5 years now."

"What… What happened to her? Why is she still here?" Chika asked, unable to hide her shock. The bird had a mystical sense to her, something she couldn't comprehend.

"We found her with an injured wing. Look closely at her and you'll see. No one wanted her because of it." The lady replied solemnly, opening the cage door to stroke the bird's head. "I've been wanting to get her a bigger cage, but we haven't got any shipments in for them."

She's right… Chika looked closer at the bird. Its left wing was crooked and misshapen while its right was perfectly normal. "Can she fly?" She asked out of curiosity.

The lady nodded. "She can read people too, see their future. And I know what she reads. We have a connection."

"Really?" Chika narrowed her eyes. There's no way this old lady expects me to believe such crap.

"You don't believe me?" The lady smiled at her again. "No one does until it's too late. This bird only reads the bad truth. Only one person has tried to adopt her, but was denied. It's the one thing I regret. But, she's reading you too."

"If she's done that, then what'd she say?" Chika challenged her, slightly annoyed at the old woman's cockiness.

"She knows what you're doing, who you've been with… and she wants you to rethink your decisions. Let dead things stay dead. Proving your worth is not something to die for, girl." The lady replied, her voice a rasping croak.

Chika didn't even listen. I'm not going to let a senile old hag tell me such nonsense. She's a freak. Instead, she gathered her things and left the lady with her dove.