Chapter 20: Chapter 19: Playland (Part 1)

[Tuesday, May 14th]

I can’t sleep.

I’m not sure if its because I took a nap right after dinner or what, but the fact remains I’m wide awake, and it’s now Tuesday a little after two in the morning. As usual, Chinatsu is sleeping with me, using me like her body pillow.

A lot has happened in the short time since I woke up from my coma. Eleven days, no, twelve now, since it's after midnight, even though three of those were spent back in the hospital.

It still hurts a lot that Mother and Father are dead, but at least I’m with people I’ve always loved, The Kobayashis have always been my favorite people and I’ve always been really close to Chinatsu. It makes me very happy they decided to adopt me and Chinatsu is my sister now. Much better than being in an orphanage or with some greedy, lecherous so-called relatives.

I don’t really like the fact I have to hide who I am, what else can I do though? Like Mom said the other day, there are people who would hurt or kill me to get at Mother’s and Father's research.

I find it amazing that all of this is over me turning down some idiotic boy’s confession. Simply because I turned him down doesn't mean that he and six of his friends can chase me all the way into my house. I mean, I try to be pleasant to everyone, but I wasn't all that cute. I still have no idea what he hoped to accomplish by doing that. I doubt I will ever know either. That said, I want him to stay the hell away from me.

I still can’t believe I did something as dumb as drinking those nanites. It’s simply incredible the changes they made to me. I used to have shoulder length black hair and eyes, with no boobs and an overly thin body. It wouldn't have been strange if people thought I was a boy who was crossdressing.

Now, I have long red hair, green eyes and fairly big boobs with an excellent figure most girls my age would do anything to have. No matter how you look at it, I’m extremely cute. Well, Chinatsu said I’m gorgeous. I imagine that is what a lot of people would probably say too. I don’t know that I would go that far, but I do believe I’m far prettier now than I used to be.

Moving my hand, I place it on my abdomen.

Come to think of it, on Saturday Dr. Sato told me I was fertile. I had never even gotten my first period before I drank those nanites. When Mother took me to see a doctor, he said I was a late bloomer and it was nothing to worry about.

Dr. Sato also said I should be having my first period soon. I know it’s normal, but I can’t truthfully say I’m looking forward to it from everything I’ve heard from other girls. Headaches, stomach cramps, lower back pain, and being moody.

Ha! Moody? I’ve been moody since I woke up from the coma already. I suppose I ought to talk to Chinatsu about that. Better safe than sorry and I will have a better idea of how to deal with it.

Startled, I sit bolt upright in bed, causing Chinatsu to slip off of me.

OMG!!! No way!

“Sora-nee, is everything alright?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. I’m sorry I woke you up. I woke up and was thinking. I guess I was a little surprised when I thought of something. Nothing's wrong, promise.”

Sitting up, she looks at me while clearing the sleep from her eyes .

“Nothing all that important either, just kinda thinking about everything that has happened. Hard to believe it all happened in less than twelve days. Well, from my point of view anyway.”

“If it’s not all that important then you can talk to me about it.”

“I just find it hard to believe that all of this started with me turning down a boy’s confession.”

“Huh? Mind explaining that a little better. I guess I’m still half-asleep.”

“Oh, that’s right. I never really told you much about it, did I? Abe Hiroaki confessed to me during lunch the day all this happened. Of course, I turned him down. He was one of the boys who would constantly pick on me. He was also one of the boys that tried to strip me to prove I wasn’t a girl, so I couldn’t even begin to understand why he would confess to me. I know I wasn't all that cute and I was flat as a board, even most of the 1st years had a more developed body than I did. Not all that surprising when I hadn’t even had my period yet. Anyway, after school, he and some friends of his chased me home and I had to hide in my basement. The rest you know.”

Chinatsu looks at me as if she is a little confused. A moment later the expression disappears.

“Oh… So, that’s what happened. I meant to ask you about that, but with everything that was going on it kept slipping my mind.”

“It doesn't really matter anymore though. I was also thinking about what Dr. Sato told me Saturday. I still find it hard to believe I’m fertile. The chances of that are pretty low after all. The chances for the both of us being fertile are almost infinitesimal, yet here we are. What startled me was it just occurred to me that I will be able to have children. I’ve never even been in love before. It just seemed that the cart was being put ahead of the horse, that’s all. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“Uh, Sora-nee, you know it’s best to never tell anyone that, right?”

“Oh, why’s that?”

“There have been quite a few girls that have been kidnapped after they let it slip they are fertile. They told us this at school. Some people are desperate to have heirs after all.”

“I suppose I missed that class. Okay, I won’t tell anyone. Chinatsu, do you remember the doctor telling me I should have my first period soon?”

“I do, why?”

“Would you mind teaching me how to deal with it? I would rather not be caught unprepared. I’m sure they told us in school, but for some reason I just can’t remember a single thing they told us, and Mother would never talk to me about this.”

“Of course I will Sora-nee. Even if you didn’t ask me, Mom would be happy to help you too.”

“I know, I’d simply rather ask you than Mom.”

“I’m fine with it. Come on Sora-nee, let’s try to go back to sleep. I have a feeling today is going to be rather busy.”

After I lay back down, Chinatsu lays her head on my shoulder as she snuggles up close to me.

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

A knock on my door wakes me. “Girls it’s time to get up. Sora when you get dressed would you mind helping me make breakfast?” Mom asks me.

“Okay, I’d be happy to Mom. Be down in a few minutes.”

I glance at the clock on my desk, it’s shortly after 7:00. Looking out the window, it looks like it’s going to be another gorgeous sunny day. ‘I don’t want to be stuck inside today. I want to do something with Chinatsu,’ I think to myself.

Rolling over, I look at Chinatsu, who is miraculously still asleep.

“Good morning little sister. Time to get up.”

“Nnn~ I don’t wanna get up yet.”

“Hmph. Fine then, sleep all day. I’ll see if Mom will let me go to Playland all alone then.”

“Huh? What? Playland? We haven’t even talked about that.” She says groggily.

“Of course not. I didn't even think about it until Mom woke me up and I looked outside. It’s a beautiful day and I thought I wanted to go to the waterpark like we talked about Saturday. We did go to the trouble of getting new swimsuits for it after all. Mou~ I want to go play with my sister! I’m tired of being cooped up at home or in the hospital!”

Chinatsu starts giggling. “Okay. Okay. Let’s ask Mom after breakfast. Sound good?”

“YES!” I exclaim happily, hugging her tightly to me.

“Oh! I need to get a move on. I told Mom I’d help her make breakfast. Thanks Chinatsu, I love you.”

I kiss her cheek and hop out of bed, but I would’ve had to be blind to miss her smile.

“I love you too Sora-nee. I’ll see you downstairs.”

I skip over to my closet to pick out something to wear for today. Hmm… Something easy to move in, cool, and cute.

After looking through what I have for a few minutes. Aha! That will do nicely! I pick out a pale pink halter top and a navy blue pleated mini skirt. I think it will be too warm to wear thigh socks today, so I will go with the pink ankle socks we got me the other day as well.

After dressing, I put on my watch and the necklace with my parents’ wedding rings on it. Brushing my hair to smooth it down, I wonder how I should do my hair for swimming. It should be something that will stay put while swimming, but not be uncomfortable either. I can’t just leave it loose, it would get in the way and end up a total mess. I guess I could put it up, but as long as my hair is, it would come down too easily while swimming.

I glance at the clock in front of me. ‘This is taking too long, I need to go help Mom. I’ll ask her and Chinatsu about it after breakfast,’ I think while heading downstairs to the kitchen.

“Good morning Mama.”

“Goo… Mama?”

“I can’t call you Mama?”

“No, that isn't it. Where did this come from? You usually call me Mom.”

“I… Hmm… I dunno. I just felt like calling you Mama, but if you don’t like it, I won’t.”

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“No, that isn't it sweetheart. You can call me Mama if you want to. It just surprised me, that’s all.” She tells me with a huge smile and gives me a quick hug.

“Do you mind making the pancakes? I’ll start the bacon and eggs.”

“Sure.”

It still feels rather odd for me not to feel so anxious all the time. It’s almost like I had been wearing a very heavy backpack for a long time and it was suddenly taken off. It feels as if something is missing, but I’m sure that will pass with a bit of time for me to adjust.

I remember everything from my sessions with Airi yesterday. I’m still livid over what Akiyama did to me and threatening Mother and Father. If Dad is right, Akiyama probably had something to do with their deaths. Now that I can remember what happened, I have no doubt in my mind that he did. It makes me glad that that we have the death penalty here. I want to see him hang for everything he has done.

Ugh! I promised myself yesterday I wouldn't dwell on this for right now. He will be dealt with before long anyway.

“Hey, Mama?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you teach me how to make your cream stew? Oh, and how to bake bread too?”

“Of course. I plan to make them this weekend. I’ll teach you then, alright?”

“Sounds good to me. I’ve always loved your cream stew and fresh bread. That’s one of the reasons I want to learn how to make it.”

“What’s the other reason?”

“Nothing special. I just want to make it for everyone sometime. I know that’s a ways off though. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to cooking. Simple things I can do, but I want to be as good of a cook as you are someday.”

She chuckles. “Sora, when I was your age I couldn’t even make toast without burning it. You’re doing very well.”

“Well, I guess that comes from Mother and Father working all the time. When I didn't eat with you, I would’ve been stuck with Cup Ramen or pre-packaged dinners if I hadn't taught myself to cook. Those get old fast when you have to eat them a lot.”

“Good morning Mom.” Chinatsu says as she walks into the kitchen.

“Good morning. Would you set the table please? Syrup and butter too, we’re having bacon, eggs, and pancakes today.”

“Sure. Did Dad already leave for work?”

“Yes, he went in early to try to catch up on some of what he put off yesterday.”

“I wish he hadn’t done that Mama. I know he said I’m more important, but I still feel bad that he has to go in early over me.”

“Mama? When did you start calling Mom that Sora-nee?”

“I don’t know why I did, but I felt like I wanted to call her Mama when I came down earlier. It’s not a problem is it?”

“Nope. I was just curious is all.”

“Sora, you are far more important than work. Your Dad would do the same if it was you, me, or Chinatsu. That’s just how he is. Okay everyone, let’s eat, looks like everything is ready.”

After we eat and are cleaning up, I look at Mama next to me to ask her a question. “Mama, I would like to go to the waterpark today with Chinatsu. It’s a beautiful day and honestly, I’m tired of being cooped up in the house or in the hospital. Seriously, other than shopping or the hospital I’ve been stuck in the house. Can we go, please?”

Mama sighs. “I can’t blame you for wanting to go out, but truthfully, I’m afraid Akiyama might try something. I know your father scared him badly, but people like him don’t give up easily. If I could go with you I'd feel better about it, but without an adult with you two I’m rather hesitant to let you go for now.”

I was worried she would say something like this. Hold it! Mayumi is an adult, what if she can go with us?

“Mama, do you remember the nurse I told you about? Mayumi Tashiro? What if she can go with us? Can we go then?”

“Sora, I don’t…” She stops what she begins saying when she sees my crestfallen expression.

“Alright Sora, give her a call, but I want to meet her before I make a decision, alright?”

“Thank you Mama. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. Let me get my phone and give her a call.”

I run out of the room and up the stairs to get my phone.

[Chinatsu’s POV]

“Mom, I understand where you’re coming from, but if he wants to do something he will. It won't matter if Sora-nee is here in the house or anywhere else and you should know that. Didn’t you say you want Sora-nee to lead a normal life?”

“Chinatsu, I know what you are saying, but I couldn't handle it if something happened to her.”

“She’s fine Mom. Better than fine, you saw how she was during breakfast, tying her to you isn't going to keep her safe. It's only going to make her miserable in the long run. You heard Dad the other day, he has people watching us around the clock. That means they’ll be watching over us at the waterpark too. I’m going to say this, even though I’m sure you already know it yourself and it might even make you mad at me. If you were going to keep her tied down at home, you should’ve never allowed Airi to do that to her. At least then Sora-nee wouldn’t have cared about it because she would’ve been too afraid to leave the house.”

“Chinatsu, that wasn't fair. All I want is for her to be safe and…”

She takes a deep breath and sighs. “I know you’re right. It’s not as if I don’t know that I can't watch over her twenty-four hours a day. She’s eventually going back to school, we don’t have much of a choice there. I’d still prefer that an adult be with you two. Even without Akiyama in the picture, you two are very beautiful girls and I don’t have to tell you how some men are.”

I laugh and shake my head. “No Mom, you don’t. We have our cell phones and don’t forget the watches Dad gave us too, so I’m not overly worried about it. Plus, as I said, we have people watching over us as well. I’m very sure if something bad started to happen that they would step in.”

I hear the ‘thump, thump’ of Sora quickly coming down the stairs. When she walks into the dining room, she is all smiles with her green eyes almost glittering.

“I talked to Mayumi, she said she was free today. I told her that you wanted to meet her before making a decision. She said that she would be here within the hour.”

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

[Sora’s POV]

While we are waiting for Mayumi to arrive, Chinatsu is helping me fix my hair. Basing it on the assumption that Mom will let us go with Mayumi to the waterpark, Chinatsu is doing a very tight french braid which she is going to make into a bun and pin into place once she has it done.

Suffice it to say I won't be trying to do this on my own for quite some time. There aren’t all that many steps to doing a french braid, but with my long hair there are a lot of sections in it. Although, in the end, I have to say I think it’s going to be a really cute hairstyle for me from what Chinatsu told me.

“All done Sora-nee. What do you think?” She asks me and I look in the mirror.

“Wow! I like it, it’s really cute.”

I stand up and hug her. “Thank you Chinatsu. I really appreciate you doing things like this for me.”

“You don’t have to thank me for this Sora-nee. I’m happy to help you anytime, you know that.”

“I know, but if I didn't, I’d feel like I’m taking you for granted and I never want to do that. You’ve always been there for me no matter what. All those times you took up for me when the boys would pick on me for being flat chested or ugly. I have no idea how many times you have helped me. After Mother and Father died you stayed by my side. You’ve always been my sister as far as I’m concerned.”

“Sora-nee you’ve done just as much for me you know, so I don’t want to hear about that anymore. You know I’ve always considered you my sister too, okay?”

“Mhmm.”

“Sora-nee, did you use a different body wash?”

“Hmm? No, I use the same one you do, you know that. Why?”

“You smell like cherry blossoms, with a hint of vanilla mixed in. It’s really nice.”

“Well, I’m glad you think so, but I haven't done anything different.”

I giggle when something occurs to me.

“What is it Sora-nee?”

“Oh, just me being silly I guess, but I thought that you’re the only one who would ever notice something like that about me.”

As I finish what I was saying, Mama's voice comes from downstairs.

“Sora!! Your Father is on the phone and wants to talk to you!”

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