16 Have You Woke Up, My Sleeping Beauty?

The spacious bedroom inside the duplex condominium was quiet. From time to time, there was the sound of fabric rustling coming from the bed where a slender figure was lying on the mattress. Her silky black hair splayed on the pillow, creating a contrast against the white pillowcase.

Yuina slowly opened her eyes. A muffled groan escaped her lips as she gradually returned from her dreamless sleep. Her eyes fell on the empty side of the bed where a certain someone occupied last night.

She reached out a hand and gently patted the empty space. The bed felt so cold without any lingering warmth, showing that he had long gone before she woke up.

Yuina rolled on her back. She sat up. Her movement was slow as her body felt so sore.

Then, her gaze fell on the bedside table as she caught a waft of a nice smell.

A stalk of champagne rose was placed on the table together with a card.

Yuina took the card, ignoring the rose.

'Have you woke up, my sleeping beauty? I'll contact you once I've reached the hotel. I'll miss you, my love - Your cuddly handsome bear'

Yuina smiled faintly. She looked at the wall clock.

He wouldn't contact her for at least twelve hours.

Yuina tossed the card aside. She carefully got out of the bed to head to the washroom.

She didn't realize when did she sleep last night. The last thing she remembered was Ryuu saying he would help her to take a bath.

The fresh and clean silk nightgown on her body was the evidence of his care.

Yuina silently freshened up. Then, she pushed open the door of the built-in wardrobe. Her heart was pounding hard as she got nearer and nearer to the vanity table.

Her hand pulled the bottom-most drawer. After a moment of hesitancy, Yuina brought out the small black box that sat silently at the end of the drawer.

Once the lid was removed, a stack of medicine appeared in her line of sight.

Yuina took a tablet. Her hand was trembling as if she was touching fire.

Should I take it?

But, the last time... I didn't take it and nothing happened.

What if, this time, if I didn't take it...

I would have a child?

Thus, fulfilling his long-time wishes?

Yuina closed her eyes. She pushed the box away from her.

No matter how many times it had happened, she still couldn't get used to swallowing the pills.

Only guilt followed her the times she let the pills entered her mouth.

Yuina crouched on the bench of the vanity table as a sense of helplessness shrouded her heart.

Soon, another brand new week arrived.

Himari was busy with her usual routine. Even so, she made sure to keep an eye out for Chobi.

Ever since Chiharu said she always found Chobi in the kindergarten section during the morning, Himari went to check it out by herself once she got the free time. She couldn't rest assured until she saw him for herself.

As long as he didn't cause trouble, it was fine.

Every time she went to the school in the morning, Chobi was still lazily lounging on the balustrade right in front of her apartment door, bathing under the morning sun.

Himari felt so suspicious.

Did Chobi start his morning patrol right at the moment she left?

Even though both sections were within the same ground, the kindergarten section was separated by another gate. It was to prevent the children to wander to the elementary school section.

Himari saw a few children talking near the water fountain.

"Good morning, Teacher," The little turnip heads respectfully greeted her even though they had never seen this teacher before.

"Good morning," Himari greeted back, "Teacher's looking for something. Have you seen an orange cat here?"

Chiharu wouldn't possibly the only one who had seen Chobi.

A little girl with a braided ponytail quickly pointed to the left side, "I saw one there."

"Does Teacher mean Little Orange?" Her friend asked.

"Little Orange?" Himari asked him back.

That was what Chiharu called Chobi as well. Did all these children befriend Chobi?

Following where the child pointed at, Himari finally saw her own fat cat who was nestling comfortably next to the flowerbed. His bright and voluminous orang coat looked so much like the orange pot not far from him.

Her lips twitched.

Chobi didn't have any decency to hide or run away. He cast a leisure glance at his Mama before he turned around to continue sleeping.

"Meow~"

Oh, he didn't totally ignore her. Before he resumed sleeping, he did greet his mother once.

"Teacher~ Teacher Kato~"

A familiar little dumpling rushed to Himari's side. Her grape-like eyes shone with luster. She was obviously happy to see the one who held the throne of Goddess of Cooking in her heart.

"Chiharu, good morning," Himari was a bit taken aback by the dumpling's enthusiasm but as she recalled that Chiharu had been outgoing ever since they first met, she brushed it off.

This little girl was really different from her brother who tended to be quiet and withdrawn.

"Is Teacher Kato here to meet Chiharu?" The girl smiled widely, showing her cute array of teeth.

"Hehe, Teacher is here to look for Chobi," Himari was honest in telling her purpose to show up here.

Himari looked again at the fat cat of hers. Chobi turned his head away with his eyes closed, totally ignoring the commotion around him.

"Does Teacher want to take Chobi away? Please, don't," Chiharu's bright smile drooped while her shoulders slumped down. She looked so pitiful with her eyes moistened.

Under the glistening eyes of the little dumpling, Himari suddenly felt as if she was committing a crime.

"Eh, no, no, I won't take him away. Chiharu can keep playing with him," Himari waved her hands.

"Then, could Chiharu go to Teacher's house to play with Chobi?" In an instant, the pitiful-looking dumpling perked up.

Himari, "..."

Didn't this girl feel awkward to come to a stranger's house?

When she was little, Himari would always find excuses if her mother wanted to bring her to someone else's house.

"Guys, the class would start soon!"

The shout made Himari startled. She quickly looked in the direction of where the voice came from.

A young female teacher walked to where she and the little turnip heads stood.

The kindergarten teacher looked like she was a few years younger than Himari. Maybe she had just recently graduated.

"Excuse me, are you a teacher from the elementary section?" The kindergarten teacher carefully asked Himari.

"Yes, I'm an English teacher for the third grade," Himari smiled softly, "I'm sorry for being here. I'm looking for..."

"Teacher Kato's looking for Chiharu!" Chiharu announced in a loud voice.

"...Looking for you?" The kindergarten teacher was baffled.

"Hehehe," Chiharu giggled, "Teacher Kato is Chiharu's friend~"

She said it as if it was something to be proud of.

Under the kindergarten teacher's confused look, Himari quickly responded, "I'm the homeroom teacher for her brother's class. We've met a few times before."

"Oh, okay..." The female teacher nodded absent-mindedly.

"Then, I'll go now," Himari took the opportunity to go back to the teaching building of the elementary section, "Chiharu, follow your teacher. Bye-bye, everyone."

"Bye-bye, Teacher Kato~" Chiharu waved at Himari with both of her hands.

"See you again, Teacher," The other carrot heads bowed respectfully to Himari.

Himari gave the one last glance before she disappeared from the gate to the elementary section. She didn't notice how the kindergarten teacher was eyeing her with suspicions.

"Ah! I'd be late!"

Himari quickened her steps. She had to be in the garden for the English class with Class 3-3. Instead of the usual lesson in the class, she wanted to bring the students out while enjoying the beautiful garden of the school. It'd make them more attentive due to the change of scenery.

"Teacher Kato," Daichi was the first one who spotted her.

Himari smiled, "Is everyone here?"

"Yes," Daichi nodded. All of his classmates had taken their seats in groups of five, "Teacher, should I distribute the papers now?"

"Yes, you may," Himari placed down her books on a garden table, "Thank you, Daichi."

Daichi grinned. He and the vice class monitor began distributing today's lesson workpiece for the students.

All of them were elated as they enjoyed the cool spring air. They waited for Himari's next instruction before doing their work.

"Well, as you guys see, spring has arrived," Himari stood up, clasped her hands on the back of her hips and looked around the garden that was blooming with flowers, "What do you guys think when I mention spring season?"

"Sakura!" A boy excitedly answered.

"Spring festivals!"

"Of course, it's hanami! Flower-viewing is the best~"

"Hahaha, you only know how to play," One student laughed, he was followed by the others.

"So, can you grasp what I'm trying to say? For this class, write a short story about what do you love about spring. No more than one hundred words," Himari sat down on the wrought-iron chair, "You are allowed to sit anywhere else as long as it's within this vicinity. And, come to me if you need help."

"Okay, Teacher~"

A third-grader in a private school like this could easily master basic English for elementary students. Himari knew a few of her students already got their own tutors for each subject. She planned to have them relax for today while having a class outside.

While Himari wandered from a table to the next to watch over them, Izumi's eyes fell on her without her realizing it.

The boy pursed his lips tight. He stared at his empty paper.