Did His Dormant Romance Sense Suddenly Rise?

On a Friday morning a few days later, Heisuke noticed there were some movements coming from the vacant apartment unit. He had just returned from his midnight shift. The door was open wide and he faintly heard the sound of a broom brushing the floor.

'A new tenant, perhaps.'

The unit had been vacated for several weeks. The previous tenant was a salaryman who worked in the neighboring town. He only managed to find housing nearby his workplace last month.

Heisuke covered his mouth as he let out a big yawn. He handled a tiring labor task today as well. Because the supervisor, Mr. Kajiwara put him on the midnight shift again, he wouldn't need to go back to work until 12 AM.

Fortunately, Sunday was his day off. His job resumed on Monday morning.

"I'm home."

The house was quiet. His mother had gone to work at the inn. Her work hours started as early as six in the morning and ended around four to five in the afternoon.

Heisuke found a note left by his mother on the cabinet where they put their clothes.

[No need to buy groceries. Mom will bring some home. Let's have cold soba noodles tonight]

Heisuke faintly smiled. He remembered his mother had been saying they should have this dish as dinner. It must have been one of her cravings.

As usual, Heisuke handled the laundry first while showering. He took some time to tidy their home after that. He tried to do all the chores as much as possible because he didn't want to burden his mother.

Sometime later, a tired Heisuke lay on the futon in the middle of the living room. His eyes fell on the glass wind chime that was hanging outside the opened windows. Whenever the gentle summer breeze blew, soothing sounds echoed from the chime.

'So peaceful.'

That was what Heisuke often thought every time his mind would unintentionally recall the past.

His early childhood was filled with happy memories although his father always acted harshly toward him. It was fine because he had his loving mother. But, everything changed the moment their family was declared bankrupt.

Only hellish days awaited him and his mother. Fortunately, they no longer had to face the menacing man. He was still imprisoned and might not know that they had fleed to another place.

Heisuke lifted up his right hand. He stared at the palm where calluses formed due to the nature of his job.

With this hand, he stabbed his own father.

Heisuke shuddered as the image of the dreadful night flashed in his eyes. He quickly shook his head and let his eyes wander to the corner of the living room. The bright colors that came from there stunned him.

"..."

Heisuke blinked a few times.

"What the hell have I done?"

Heisuke reluctantly sat up from the futon. He grabbed the box that caught his attention.

Inside the box, he saw a garland made of crocheted daffodils. A few balls of yarn in the colors yellow, white and green lay beside the garland together with the hooks.

To be honest, Heisuke didn't understand himself when he began crocheting this garland a few days ago.

His mother casually mentioned that she wanted to hang a garland inside her bedroom thus she requested him to make some. After countless ideas popped into his mind, he chose to crochet a daffodils garland.

'Seriously... what the hell is happening?'

This all happened because of the stupid dream.

Did his dormant romance sense suddenly rise because of the woman in those dreams?

If Shuuya ever caught this uncanny behavior from him, Heisuke was so certain that his childhood friend would just make fun of him.

Heisuke put the box back in the corner. He forced himself to sleep although he knew maybe the dream and the song would haunt him again.

Without him realizing it, the young lady who he deemed as a ghost was actually nearby.

After signing the contract and paying the required deposit, Hisaki started her first day living in the apartment. Mayuka came to help her clean the house. Two men came to bring a futon and other heavy boxes to Hisaki.

She purchased a new set of quilts, kitchen utensils, cutleries, a bag of powder detergent and a pillow as well as some toiletries. She also didn't forget to buy fresh poultry, seafood and other cooking seasonings. The refrigerator was put to good use.

Once Hisaki got her first paycheck later, she planned to buy a few sets of clothes. She only brought three sets of summer clothes and two sets of autumn ones.

The others were too worn-out so she just left them at home. Her backpack also didn't allow her to bring too many things inside.

"All done!" Hisaki exclaimed in excitement.

"Congrats to us!" Mayuka happily chimed in.

The two ladies finished cleaning at noon.

This apartment unit may look small but, it was more than enough for a person to live in it. Although the apartment appeared bare with only a few items, Hisaki was delighted.

If only she was brave enough to defy her grandfather in her previous life, she could achieve the sweet taste of freedom sooner.

Nevermind. It was all in the past. She wanted to focus on the future, the new future.

"Hisaki, sorry that I couldn't stay for dinner," said Mayuka later after she emptied a glass of cold barley tea.

"It's alright. You and your mom should come later," Hisaki smiled in understanding, "I'll make sure to cook delicious food."

"Hehehe! Alright~ I'll go now. If not, I'll be late."

"Be careful on your way home. Thanks again!"

Hisaki sent Mayuka to the door. She stood on the balcony outside as she watched the young lady walk away from the apartment building. Hisaki waved at Mayuka when the latter glanced back and did the same.

Mrs. Ikeda and Mayuka were supposed to have dinner at Hisaki's new place tonight. It was her way to thank the ladies for their hospitality from the first day she arrived here.

But, Mrs. Ikeda needed to stay overnight at the nursing home because a problem suddenly arose. Mayuka was called in for extra hands after she finished helping Hisaki move.

"What should I cook tonight?"

Hisaki hummed as she threw her gaze at the sky. A few seconds later, she slowly turned her head to the farthest unit from hers.

Could she at least have a glimpse of him today?

Hisaki was quite frustrated actually. Her main objective coming here was to find him but, she couldn't even spot his shadow until now!

Since they lived in the same building, would it be too much for her to start befriending him?

"I miss you ah," Hisaki pouted, "But, I don't want you to think I'm a stalker."

If she suddenly popped up in front of him and called him 'husband', Hisaki was certain, totally certain that her old man might think of her as a creep.

A dejected Hisaki took one last look at Heisuke's apartment. She reluctantly returned to her own place.

'It's alright. I'll catch you soon! Huh!'

Hisaki took a long and cold shower to combat the heat. She planned to rest before thinking about what should she have for dinner tonight. She didn't have much appetite right now.

Thus, Hisaki had a peaceful afternoon nap. Unknown to her, her old man also was sleeping at the same time.

They were just separated by a few doors.

At five in the afternoon, Hisaki was already up and feeling refreshed. She filled her empty stomach with two slices of bread before thinking of taking a walk downstairs.

There were a few differences in nearby areas compared to the ones she remembered. Hisaki thought she might as well familiarize herself with them. She shouldn't rely entirely on her previous life's memories.

The neighborhood children were swimming freely in the river. A few of them played catch ball on the grassy field. Their happy laughter exploded in the air, the sound was carried by the summer breeze.

"Ah! My apples! Don't go rolling around ah!"

The panicked voice attracted Hisaki's attention. She quickly looked in the direction.

A woman was crouching on the road with her back facing Hisaki. It seemed like her items dropped to the ground. She was frantically putting them inside a grocery plastic bag.

Hisaki quietly approached the woman. She bent down to pick up the apples she met halfway.

"Ma'am, are these yours?"

The woman raised up her face. Her eyes shone in delight.

"Aiya, thank you, girl."

While the woman took the apples from Hisaki's outstretched hands, she didn't notice the look of surprise on the young lady's face.

This was her mother-in-law!

Hisaki pursed her lips tight. Her eyes twitched as they began reddening.

While she was missing her old man dearly, she also yearned to meet her mother-in-law again.

This kind lady gave her the maternal love she craved for. Hisaki was deeply affected when Mrs. Saeki passed away due to her old age.

"...girl? Are you alright?"

Hisaki was startled. She was met with a pair of concerned eyes staring at her.

"Ah, I'm alright," Hisaki quickly rubbed her teary eyes, "Sorry, the dust got into my eyes."

Mrs. Saeki smiled kindly. Before she could talk again, the sound of things dropping echoed between them. An apple stopped right in front of Hisaki's left toe.

"...my apples."

"I think the plastic bag broke."

Both of them shared a laugh.