The Same Love And Care Had To Be Reciprocated

In the morning, Mrs. Ikeda went to the nursing home. It was her fifth year as the director overseeing the assisted-living facility.

The nursing home was on top of a cliff overlooking the majestic blue sea. Most of the elderlies who resided there came from well-off families. The medical care of the facility was top-notch considering this era.

Mrs. Ikeda's maternal aunt opened the nursing home with herself in mind. She was a wealthy yet single elderly lady. Because she loved the view of the town's coastline, she purchased the land on top of the cliff.

The first director was a middle-aged male doctor. He was a respectable and capable man who also offered free services to the residents of the town and nearby villages.

Because he had been through the dreary war period, he knew the importance of easily accessible and affordable medical care.

After the passing of Mrs. Ikeda's maternal aunt, he retired and appointed Mrs. Ikeda as his successor. Even before that, he had been training her for this reason.

"This is the morning market. On the right, you will meet the dry section while on the left, it's where you get poultry and seafood. There's a corridor where we can have fresh meals from different food stalls."

Mayuka brought Hisaki to get to know the neighborhood where they lived.

They passed a few blocks of family homes, a playground and small shops before they arrived at the morning market. It was a twenty minutes walk.

The weather was so hot even though it was still early. It was unavoidable due to the tropical climate of Kaagawa City. It was the reason this place was known as a summer paradise to tourists.

From this distance, Hisaki could hear the sound of waves rolling to the shore. Sometimes, loud cheers and honkings of boats echoed in the air. Tourists from all over the place came to have fun in the summer at the beach.

"This market looks just the same as before."

Hisaki unintentionally made the remark. She was genuinely surprised to see not much had changed.

It seemed like the vendors and the association kept this market to its original structure even after sixty years in the future, her original timeline. Maybe the only one that was different was the signboard of the market, the paint color and the addition of technologies.

"Have you been here before?" asked Mayuka in confusion.

"Ah, I mean... I saw Mari showing me a photo of it," Hisaki was startled. She quickly changed the topic, "Oh ya, I think I wanna get some yarn balls. Do you know where could I buy them?"

Mayuka thought it was strange but, she didn't press on the matter. Maybe it was true that Mari took a photo of the market. That girl had been here a few times already.

"If you wanna buy yarn, we have to go to the business district over there," Mayuka pointed in a direction, "Why are you looking for them? Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?"

Hisaki's eyes gleamed softly, "I learned crocheting from someone. My skill is still lacking but, I enjoy doing it during my free time."

"I tried picking up knitting before but, I was too impatient. I wanted to quickly finish a piece so, it ended up ruined," Mayuka eyed Hisaki in admiration, "Last night, you said you want to look for a job. Do you have any other skills?"

"Well, I could cook, sew and clean. I could do some accounting and bookkeeping too," Hisaki smiled faintly, "I actually envy you and Mari, you know. I wasn't allowed to continue my study."

Both of them talked as they left the market. They were heading to the business district.

Mayuka heaved a sigh listening to Hisaki. She shrugged with a helpless look, "Mari has told me about it. Would you consider doing it since you're away from your family now? Or, you could go to night school here."

Mayuka's words stunned Hisaki. She inadvertently stopped her steps.

"It sounds like a good idea," Hisaki's lips curled up, "I don't think I could get a scholarship after rejecting it before. Maybe, I should get a certificate first before thinking further."

Since she got to restart her life, shouldn't she be making full use of it?

Hisaki didn't desire to be a well-known figure in the academic field or shock the world with a new discovery. Accumulating massive wealth also wasn't her goal. She just simply wanted to do what she couldn't in her previous life.

"It's a pity ah," Mayuka sighed again, "I heard your grades are good. If only your family permitted you to study."

"What to do?" Hisaki shook her head, "My grandfather has been pushing me to get married since I graduated high school. The man he chose for me is bad news. Some girls in my town dropped out of high school to marry early."

Fortunately, Igarashi Keigo wouldn't be able to harass her in this life. She would never be bound to him ever again.

"It's the same everywhere," Mayuka pointed out in regret, "Although I'm a college student, many people said it's pointless. They said my place is in the kitchen."

Hisaki had to agree with that.

At this time, most women's lives only revolved around their maiden families, husbands and their children.

Once women reached the legal age, they were expected to quickly marry and provide everything they could offer to their husbands and their families. It was frowned upon when some chose to marry later to focus on themselves.

Successful career women were rare during this time, unlike the future she had lived through.

To Hisaki, it was not a bad thing for women to do things to their families.

When we dearly loved someone, we tended to give our best of everything for them. But, the same love and care had to be reciprocated.

During their blissful; marriage, Hisaki didn't have to do the chores alone. In fact, Heisuke did almost everything because of her wrist injury.

Her old man never complained to her, unlike the criticism she had to face from her grandfather and previous husband.

Ten minutes later, the young ladies arrived at the shop selling various kinds of craft supplies. Hisaki was glad the price for one ball of yarn was quite cheap. She chose five different colors before getting other items.

Yellow, white, light purple, green and peach.

"What do you want to make?" Mayuka was interested to know.

"Maybe a cardigan," replied Hisaki smilingly, "I think I can finish it before the peak of autumn if I work on it one hour or two every day."

Actually, Hisaki only knew basic sewing before but, she learned to crochet after meeting Heisuke.

Her old man had advanced skills in crocheting. Behind his rough features, he was someone who enjoyed manipulating loops of yarn to create blankets, sweaters and even toys.

Hisaki loved to shower praises on Heisuke because, at certain times, he could get so shy. It was so charming and funny to see his ears reddened while he struggled to keep on a poker face.

Despite the condition of her right wrist making it painful for her to crochet, she insisted to learn. She often had to take multiple breaks because Heisuke didn't allow her to strain herself for a long time. Using the knitting aid didn't satisfy her.

Even though Hisaki had the last letter Heisuke penned for her, she still regretted not having any of the crochet bunny toys or flowers he made for her. All of them were displayed inside a glass cabinet in the living room.

Heisuke also taught her many other things. When she mentioned she knew to do accounting and bookkeeping at Mayuka earlier, it was also thanks to her dear husband. She also learned a bit of English from him.

Her old man was simply a genius! It was a pity that life was too hard on him.

Both of them exited the craft shop fifteen minutes later. Hisaki had a conversation with the owner who asked if she was new in town. The middle-aged lady told Hisaki to come again if she wanted to see some of the shop's art projects.

"Ah, Hisaki, you said you could do bookkeeping and accounting, right? Does it mean you know to do other clerical jobs too?"

Halfway down the road, Mayuka suddenly asked Hisaki that.

"I could," Hisaki nodded.

During the time Hisaki worked at the nursing home, she often helped the clerical staff whenever they needed her. Since she wasn't a registered medical staff with the necessary recognition, she could only do menial tasks.

"It's great, then!" Mayuka exclaimed happily, "My dad's friend is looking for an assistant clerk. He says it's fine even if the candidates do not have any qualifications. If you'd like it, I can recommend you to him."

"What? Really?"

Mayuka nodded, "The pay is good. I think it'd be great for you. At the same time, if you want to apply for a night class, you could go for it. My dad's friend tends to support his own subordinates."

Hisaki was delighted. Wasn't this good news?

"When should I go for an interview?"

Mayuka grinned, "As soon as can be!"