Right before we left, Yumi-chan woke up, so I was able to properly introduce myself. Since I would be the one picking her up from school the next few days, I really didn’t want things to be awkward between us. Thus, a formal introduction and a short chat were enough to ease any possible tension that might occur.

While on our way back to my apartment, Kurosawa-san was the one driving the car. Despite looking quite calm and focused steering the wheel, he kept silently glancing at me from time to time. Finally, after several minutes I couldn’t bear it any longer so I turned in my seat and asked what was going on.

“Kurosawa-san, is there something wrong? If you have anything to say, please just say it instead of acting like a stalker.”

“Nothing’s wrong. And I don’t act like a stalker.”

“Then why are you glancing at me as if you want to say something, but always deciding against it?”

“Was I being that obvious?” he finally asked, looking sideways at me and showing an embarrassed smile.  

“Quite obvious, yes.” I said flatly. “Now tell me what is on your mind.”

Wow, having to say those words to someone really gave me a strange feeling. It’s been so long since I asked someone to speak their mind while around me, that I almost forgot how it felt. The frustration of having to guess other people’s thoughts, it’s something I haven’t experienced in many years. A bittersweet emotion engulfed me, making me smile sadly.

“I thought you might be forcing yourself too much.” Kurosawa-san’s words brought me back to the conversation.

“What? How am I forcing myself?” I asked in confusion.

“First, you offered to bring me to the hospital, now you’re even willing to pick up my niece from school and let her stay at your place. Will you be alright, Masato-sensei?”

Ah, I finally understood. Kurosawa-san was worried about my condition.

“You don’t have to worry about me so much. It’s true that it will be a bit stressful, but this is an emergency, isn’t it? Besides, Yumi-chan is very young, how many willful and negative thoughts can she have? It’ll be alright as long as I am careful not to get in contact with her.”

With that, Kurosawa-san’s mind seemed to be put at ease slightly. He simply nodded and didn’t insist on the subject, only promising to come and take Yumi-chan as soon as he could get off work.

It’s true that I was also a bit worried, especially about the first day. But as it happened, things went smoother than I had imagined.

Yumi-chan was a good kid. She was quiet and obedient and, just like her mother said, she wasn’t a picky eater. The first afternoon we spent together I took her to a small restaurant to eat an early dinner. I figured that I couldn’t feed a child, especially Yumi-chan, with instant ramen, or else Kurosawa-san would probably skin me alive.

We ate mostly in silence, exchanging just a few sentences here and there. However, I was surprised by the fact that it wasn’t uncomfortable to be around this kid. She was always very attentive not to bother me too much and never shied away from doing things herself or saying thank you whenever I helped her. I began to feel hopeful that these next few days would not be so bad after all.

At that point, I accidentally touched Yumi-chan’s hand while helping her put food in her bowl. A childish, resonating voice sounded inside my head. Thankfully for my brains, it was very different from her mother’s hyped-up rant.

‘Wow, mommy was right. This person is really beautiful. I know she said he is a writer, but I bet he could be an idol if he wished, or at least an actor.’

Really? An idol? How on earth did I end up being compared to an idol now?! Honestly, what is it with these people? Can’t they say something normal for once. Am I really that beautiful?

‘But I like daddy best. Daddy is more handsome than him. Daddy looks manly, especially when he hugs and kisses mommy.’

Well, finally someone normal. At least she thinks I don’t compare to her daddy, just as it should be.

‘But I guess he works just fine for uncle Rin.’

I take that back. How is this normal?! And how exactly do I ‘work’ for your uncle Rin, child? Is there a trend lately that I do not know about?

‘En. Uncle Rin can be the manly one. He can do the hugging and kissing, just like daddy.’

This is bad. This is really bad. For the first time since I made the offer I began to truly worry about the next few days. I felt like there was a conspiracy happening around me, like a net being thrown on top of me loosely at first, only to catch me tighter later.

After we left the restaurant, we headed for my apartment. Luckily, it wasn’t far so we could walk there. We didn’t talk much and I avoided getting too close to her, both for my own benefit and hers. I didn’t want to come across as a weird, perverted uncle.

Five minutes before we reached my place, I decided to strike up a conversation. After all, I didn’t know what Yumi-chan usually did at home after getting back from school.

“Uhm, Yumi-chan, is there anything you like to do at this hour when you are home? Like watching TV or reading?”

“I usually do my homework, but since I got injured, the teacher said I don’t have to do it for a while.”

“Ah, yes. Your mother said you were excused from school while your wrist heals. Wouldn’t you like to stay at home instead of going to school?” I asked with a smile, thinking of all those children who liked nothing better than to skip school and fool around.

But to my surprise, Yumi-chan shook her head seriously. Her reply stunned me a little.

“No. I prefer going to school even if I cannot write. I can still follow the lessons. If I skip a few days, it will be difficult to catch up.”

What a serious child, I thought. Completely different from other children her age. Could it be the inheritance she got from her grandparents who were teachers? Or perhaps Amami-chan was a rather strict mother, though she really didn’t look like one?

I thought for a while, then remembered someone. Surely, as a girl, Yumi-chan should have the same inclinations, right? At least it was worth a try. Therefore, I took a deep breath and spoke again.

“Yumi-chan, do you, by any chance, like to color pictures? Having just the left hand for that shouldn’t be an issue, right?”