Ch. 27: Another Friend

The next day, it's the weekend. Chiyo planned to spend her day wisely. First on the list is to clean-uo her room. Then a bit of light reading and then cook for lunch, to let her mom rest a bit. Then make some desert for lunch and dinner, She decided to make pudding from scratch today. Then in the evening, watch some movies and review her notes from school. The weekend was fun for her this way. After preparing lunch, She took her phone and watch the video in how to make pudding. She followed the steps but feels that her end product is still unsatisfactory. There's still some visible bubbles in the pudding and the caramel aren't enough. at least for her. She wanted pudding with lots of caramel, so she felt it's not enough. "It's okay, Chi. You'll do better next time. But didn't you make too much. I know you made some for dinner but what about the rest?"

"I made some for Kenta-kun, Yura-chan, Aki-nii and Ryu-nii."

"Hmmm... And the rest is for?"

"A new friend we made. She's in hospital right now but she'll be discharged soon... Her name is Chisato Kobayashi." Chiyo said, smiling. Even though, there isn't much enthusiasm unlike when she made friends with Yura, She's still thankful to have another friend surrounding her. In a world as dark as this, Family and friends are the only light that stops her from taking her own life and end all this. Yumi smiled at her daughter, Happy she's making more friends than she expects. "I'm happy for you, Chi. Now, Oka-san and Oto-san feels relieved that you're not alone anymore."

"Ehh... But I was never alone. I have Oka-san with me and Oto-san, too." Yumi smiled at her daughter's words, she can't help not hugging her little princess.

Kenta and Yura arrived at the Ryugasaki's a few minutes after lunch and Chiyo served them the pudding, asking how it is. Ryu arrived a few minutes later, but Akihiko wasn't with him. "Ryu-nii, Aki-nii is still busy with school? He hasn't visited for a while now." Ryu cleaned up his pudding before answering. "Yeah, he's extremely busy. His parents are a nightmare when it comes to responsibilities, They expect way too much from your Aki-nii. Doesn't he still calls you at night? How 'bout you ask him how he is, then?"

Chiyo nodded to the suggestion, then they resumed hanging out. Chiyo informed everyone about her conversation with Chisato last night and her decision to be friends with her. Yura seems happy with the idea, Kenta and Ryu kept their opinions about it. They played with Chiyo's new gaming console that Yoshi bought for a bit then later said goodbye. Chiyo then resumed her plans for the day but evening came and her bit of a light reading is done, but Aki-nii still hasn't called. Chiyo decide to send a message to Akihiko but the message was still unread for a long time. Chiyo fell asleep worrying about how busy Aki-nii is and if the kid had taken any rest at all.

Chiyo woke up the next day, the first thing she did is check her phone but the message is still unread. Chiyo spared no time in sending an inquiring text to Ryu-nii but later regret it, remembering how Ryu-nii always like to sleep in whenever he's not busy. Chiyo got up and quickly took a bath, with a decision that she will visit Aki-nii today.

It's Yoshi's day off today, so he expect to spend some quality time with his daughter today. But to his surprise, Chiyo already has plans. "I'll go with you. Hime, You're a girl. You can't casually visit a guy in his home like this. Wait for me to change clothes." Yoshi is tired everyday with his new responsibilities at work, reducing his hyper and quirky mood to a lot. But one thing doesn't change, And that is his overprotectiveness towards his girls. Yumi and Chiyo are his most precious treasures. No one can have them!

Chiyo and Yoshikazu arrived at Akihiko's house, Chiyo pressed the doorbell at the gate and waited. They waited for a long time but no one answered. "Did you even make sure his home?" Yoshi asked his daughter. Chiyo lowered her head and doesn't know how to answer. Yoshi just sighed at his daughter's reaction and looked around. Then he saw the brat walking towards them in a suit, looking like so mature. "He's here."

"Aki-nii! Where have you been?" Chiyo surprised Akihiko. Akihiko didn't expect to see Chiyo and her father after going home from a meeting. "Good afternoon, Yoshi-san. Chi... Did you sent me a Line? I'm sorry, I was busy. I haven't checked my Line since yesterday..."

Yoshi silently observed the brat from head to toe, Seeing how expensive his suit is. Yoshi can't help but feel a seed of doubt sprout in his heart about this brat's identity. Chiyo shook her head at Akihiko's apology and raised her small bag into view. "It's okay. I know you're busy. I just want to check on you and send you this..."

"You look so tired. You should find time to rest, Aki-nii..."

"Do you want to go inside?" Chiyo turn to her dad for his permission. "No need, You seemed so tired and busy. Let's go, Hime. Let's go shopping and eat out. I want to buy your mom a gift, too." Thinking how spontaneous her visit is, Chiyo also thought not staying is the right call. Chiyo smiled and said her goodbye, then she followed her dad after giving Akihiko the pudding that she packed. She waved at Akihiko as she left. Akihiko waved back with much reluctance. He didn't realize how much he missed Chiyo until he finally saw her again. He felt the visit was way too short. But knew that the visit was sudden and he's so busy, too. He wanted to squeeze a small time to visit Chiyo in his schedule. But doesn't know how to do it. He went inside and carefully stored the puddings in the refrigerator. He felt sad that he can't eat it now because of another appointment he needs to attend to. He's rushing the work already as is, Just to make it to his graduation. At time like this is where Akihiko loathes being born in his family.

He sat at a stool in the kitchen, trying to rest his legs. "I miss you, Chi..."