Chapter 4 - First Day

RIHO’S APARTMENT

Riho was busy making herself some sandwiches when suddenly the door opened and Aoi walked in. Riho startled when she saw Aoi at the door and both of them looked at each other for a while

Aoi : I actually forgot that we live together now.

Riho : …

Aoi’s hands were full of his stuffs, work stuff Riho thought. Aoi placed his stuff on the couch and slump himself right away. He let out a long sigh and look at his watch.

Riho didn’t know what to do to break the awkward silence between both of them. Riho just continued cleaning the dishes and ignored Aoi instead.

Aoi : How was your day?

Riho startled when Aoi asked her that. She turned around to look at Aoi and she just stared at him blankly.

Aoi : Was it tiring?

Riho : It was just..fine

Aoi : good to hear that.

Riho looked at Aoi and he looked so tired she thought. Riho thought of what to do because she cant be stoic with him from the start. Riho then looked at the pantry and she knew exactly what to do.

Aoi still had his eyes closed when suddenly he heard a tap sound on the table in front of him. He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw is a cup of tea and a plate of sandwiches.

Aoi : eh?

Riho was already back at the kitchen table, she even had her homework on the table to be done while she’s eating.

Aoi looked at Riho with a blank face. Riho didn’t say anything and she was already doing her homework when Aoi was still looking aat her.

Aoi : This is?

Riho : Your tea and your dinner.

Riho  answered him without lifting her head to look at him. She continued tapping on her phone while doing her homework at the same time.

Riho didn’t know what to say because she was so anxious that Aoi wont eat the sandwiches she made. But then suddenly she saw Aoi took the plate and the tea, and then headed towards the kitchen. Aoi placed his plate and tea in front of her before taking a seat in front of her.

Riho : (looking at Aoi with a blank face)

Aoi : Arigatou (smiles)

Riho : (nods)

Aoi : So, what did you put in this sandwich?

Riho : egg and mayonnaise.

Aoi : My favourite !

Riho : eh?

Aoi : But I rarely make them myself.

Aoi took a bite and suddenly he look at Riho with a disbelief face

Riho : Whats wrong? (shocked)

Aoi : This is the best egg mayo sandwich I ever tasted. (smiles)

Riho suddenly felt her heart seem to skip a beat when Aoi smiled at her just now.

Aoi : What homework are you doing?

Riho was surprised to see how easy-going Aoi is, he kept on making the conversation lively and to her surprise, Riho began to feel comfortable a little bit when they kept on chatting the night away. A great start, she thought.

SCHOOL

Haru : Riho?

Riho was spacing out during their lunch break that she didn’t hear Haru calling her name many time

s

Haru : Riho !

Riho : eh?

Haru : Why are you spacing out?

RIho : My mother is coming this Friday.

Haru : and..?

RIho : And. We’re registering out marriage the next day.

Haru : eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Riho placed her bento on her table and let out a long sigh

Haru : Are you having doubts,Riho?

Riho : Not that I have doubts but it’s just…

Haru : Wait, wait, wait. I know this look on your face.

Riho : What?

Haru : you are scared that you might like him instead?

Riho : Haru! No. I mean like, how am I supposed to live with him with no feelings?

Haru : Izumi-san once said, feelings can be nurtured. Just like how her dango should be nurtured by our love (laughing)

Riho : (sigh)

FRIDAY NIGHT

Riho was busy doing the laundry when suddenly the door opened, the first person to walk in was her mother.

Riho : Okasan!

Riho quickly went to her mother and gave her a very long hug.

Riho : How was your flight ?

Akiko : It was okay. Don’t worry Riho-chan.

Riho : eh, you came here alone?

Akiko : Aoi fetched me from the train station just now. But he went to the konbini to get some snacks for us.

NIGHT

Riho was on bed after writing her diary entry for the day. She placed her diary on her table and look at the wall. Suddenly there was knock on the door.

Akiko : Riho-chan, may I come in?

Riho : Hai hai, come in oka-san

Akiko entered the room and she went straight to Riho. She took a seat beside Riho and smiled at her.

Riho : Why are you smiling?

Akiko : My beautiful Riho, you’ve grown so beautiful don’t you.

Riho just look at her mother and she took her mother’s hands without saying anything.

Akiko : I am sorry if I have placed you in a difficult position. I never wanted to force you to do something beyond your power. But Riho, if you feel---

Riho : No mother, I am fine. It is okay. You worry too much.

Akiko : I remember the first day I held you in my arms, you were so fair and beautiful I cried when I got to hold you. You are the best gift in my life Riho.

Riho : (smiles)

Akiko : I promise you that no one shall ever make you cry. I promise you that(smiles)

THE WEEK AFTER

It was a sunny morning on a Monday, Riho was staring at the sky and she was deep in her thoughts when her phone suddenly rang.

Haru : Are you awake ?

Riho : yes yes I am. Its still earlyyy

Haru : I’ll wait for you at the lobby alright?

Riho : Eh?

Haru : Don’t ask anything. Get ready for school Riho!

Riho was putting on her uniform when she saw the paper on her table. She went closer and look at it again even she had been staring at it for hours since last night.

Riho : First day of a married life isn’t it.

Riho quickly put on her uniform before finally heading to the kitchen to prepare her bento for the day. As she was busy putting rice on her lunch box, Aoi suddenly came out from his room.

Aoi and Riho looked at each other without saying anything. None of them had any idea on what to say or what to do with the fact that they are now legally man and wife.

Aoi : Ohayou..gozaimas

Riho : Ohayou..gozaimas..

Riho quickly get her bento done and she placed them in her school bag quickly. Aoi on the other hand went straight to the toilet and closed the door.

Aoi : First day of a married life isn’t it.