You have us. We will always support you!

WAKE YOUR DREAMS

You have us. We will always support you!

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Kiyoko and Zehan arrived at Aunty Fanny's house.

Hiroshi was setting up the ornamental bamboo decoration by the front gate. He gave a cheerful smile as Kiyoko approached him.

"Happy New Year" Kiyoko said with a bow.

"Happy New Year" Hiroshi returned back the gesture. "Where is that brat?"

"Zehan is parking the car. He will be here in a minute."

"Go inside. Mom has been waiting all morning for you two."

Kiyoko nodded her head and walked inside the house. On entering the living room, she saw Tomo Watanabe sitting on the sofa watching the news on the television.

"Happy new year, uncle" Kiyoko said.

"Happy new year, Kiyoko" Tomo Watanabe wished back at her with a smile. He was wearing a traditional kimono.

"Why did you change the channel?" Aunty Fanny shouted and snatched the remote controller from Tomo Watanabe.

"You were not watching…" Tomo Watanabe protested. But he quiet down and took the newspaper from the table.

"Kiyoko, you are here! Sit down." Aunty Fanny pulled Kiyoko and made her sit on the couch and sat beside her.

She changed the channel. The music show showed Japan's most famous J-pop and enka singers in various performances. This was the most famous TV show to watch during the New Year.

"Isn't that boy so handsome, Kiyoko?" Aunty Fanny said. Tomo Watanabe glanced at the television for a moment and then continued reading the newspaper.

"Yes…" Kiyoko smiled.

"Did you have the buckwheat noodles I made? That Hiroshi made such a fuss delivering that dish to your house."

"It was tasty. Thanks Aunty."

Aunty Fanny smiled and patted Kiyoko on her chin.

"Let's arrange the dishes. Kiyoko come help me a bit." Aunty Fanny said as she rose up from the couch.

"Can I change the channel?" Tomo Watanabe asked.

"No!" Aunty Fanny yelled.

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Kiyoko and Aunty Fanny were arranging the special bento boxes. Every dish on the bento has special meaning in welcoming the New Year.

Aunty Fanny put a sweet black soybean piece into Kiyoko's mouth before she ate a piece herself.

"Tasty?" Aunty Fanny asked.

Kiyoko nodded her head.

"Aunty, did you fight with uncle?" Kiyoko asked.

"No…Why did it seem like that? We are always like that. Don't worry!"

"Then it's good."

Aunty Fanny chuckled before she said,

"When I came back to Tokyo after the divorce, I was depressed. I literally had to gobble down those clinical depression pills every day. The restaurant was going through losses and I had doubts that I won't be able to support my two boys on my own."

Aunty Fanny stopped a bit and then she continued.

"I tried to give up on everything but at last I could not. I couldn't…after I looked at their smiling faces."

Aunty Fanny put a shimmered shrimp in her mouth.

"Kiyoko, it's important to move forward. I am not telling you to forget your past. No one can. Overcome your past. You have us. We will be always supporting you!"

Kiyoko nodded her head and said," I will. Thanks Aunty!"

"We all have some bad experience. They make us strong to move forward."

Aunty Fanny nudged and patted Kiyoko's head.

"And don't cage your problems to yourself. If you share with your close ones, they will always try to help you. Right…?"

"Yes." Kiyoko smiled.

"I will dress you up into that kimono after the lunch." Aunty Fanny put a sweet dumpling into Kiyoko's mouth and continued arranging the bento boxes.

Zehan sat down on a chair beside Kiyoko.

"What are you two talking about?" He asked.

"It's a secret." Kiyoko said. Aunty Fanny grinned.

Zehan tried to grab a dumpling from the plate.

"Hey! How dare you! Can't you wait for the lunch?" Aunty Fanny yelled.

"But you two were also eating…" Zehan mumbled.

"That's different. We are arranging the bento boxes that mean we are working. We deserve it." Aunty Fanny said.

"Huh?"

"We tasted the dishes. Any problem…?" Aunty Fanny said.

"I can taste it too…"

"It's already tasted. Go away!"

"Huh!" Zehan growled.

"When are you two going on your after-marriage trip?" Aunty Fanny asked.

"Trip…?" Kiyoko mumbled.

"Have you two not decided?" Aunty Fanny asked.

"I have planned it." Zehan said nonchalantly.

"Huh?" Kiyoko was shocked.

"It will be a surprise!" Zehan grabbed a shrimp and hastily gobbled it up.

"Hey!" Aunty Fanny yelled. "Go away!"

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Meiji Shrine is located near the JR Yamanote Line's busy Harajuku Station. Beside the shrine there is a large forested area within the densely built-up city.

After spending two hours at the Shrine, they drove back home.

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END OF CHAPTER 38