THAT LOVE OF MINE

An original story by Mari M. and Sandy Shar

*The events depicted in this story are fictitious. Any similarity to any person living or dead is merely coincidental.

*All rights reserved. The copy and publishing in any platforms beside the official authors’ accounts on Tapas, Wattpad and Patreon are strictly forbidden.

*We have tried to depict Japanese culture as accurately as possible. But for the sake of the story, some minor things had to be adapted. The changes don't really affect the cultural context that much.

Chapter 1 - The calm before the storm

Part 1/6

YUKI

Some habits are hard to kill. For Nakamura Yuki, getting up super early was one he thought he would never break. Even without an alarm, he would wake up at the exact same time every single day, like he had for the past eight years. And while his wake up time was the same, everything else had changed.

His part time jobs used to have him up before dawn. But today, he was lazing in bed. Having woken up at some ungodly hours, like always, he had time to do whatever he wanted. 

Eventually, he dragged himself to the washroom. He styled his hair, brushed his teeth and washed his face. Having been so tight on time in the past, Yuki had become very efficient at these things. Soon, he had nothing to do again. He watched the Japanese morning news coverage as he waited. 

It was April 1st, the first day of a new school year, and it was all the news was talking about. Back to school shopping, traffic congestion expected from returning students, and a shortage of daycare spaces for young kids. All stuff that no longer mattered to Yuki. 

In the past, he would be busy prepping his three younger siblings for their first day of school. Setting out their clothes, making them breakfast and packing their lunches. But this year, his twin sisters, Akari and Aimi, were starting middle school, and wanted nothing to do with him. He couldn’t make their breakfast or pack their lunches, or even help them pick up their school supplies. His younger brother, Daiki, however, would be turning only 10 in the next few days, so he was still very much dependent on Yuki and their dad for everything. 

Yuki warmed up leftover rice and fried a few eggs, only to find a few bites was all he needed. He still hadn’t gotten used to eating first thing in the morning. Luckily, his dad and brother weren’t picky eaters. Wasting food was never an option.

“I had a meeting!!!!” Yuki’s father ran out of his bedroom in a panic. 

“Dad,” Yuki yelled from the kitchen, “Your meetings start in two hours. I’m taking Daiki to school, so don’t worry about that. Just eat something and go.”

Most mornings were like this. His dad was a scatterbrain when he woke up, never remembering what needed to be done and when. It had caused some issues with finding and keeping jobs. Yuki didn’t mind, though. There was a lot going on, and their family had been through the ringer over the past ten years. Each of them dealt with it differently. 

“I made you lunch, but you need to go now if you are gonna catch the train on time,” Yuki said as his dad ran into the room. 

“Right, right. But I need to pick up Daiki.”

“No, Dad, I’m picking him up from now on. And even if I can't, the twins will.”

“What? They aren’t…”

“Dad, they’re twelve.”

“Right.” Yuki’s dad watched him for a moment. “You sure you don’t want to go to college? We can manage without you if needed, you know.”

“I know, dad. College just isn't for me. Once I have my high school diploma, I’ll get a full time job. There is plenty of decent work I can get.”

“Still, if money is the issue…”

“Dad, go. You’re gonna be late.”

His father looked at him with gratitude. “Thank you, Yuki. But please, promise me you will work less. You deserve some time off after graduating.”

“I already am working less. I barely work 4 hours a week now.”

“Well, keep it that way,” his dad said as he glanced at his phone. “Ahhh, now I really am going to be late. Tell your brother and sisters to enjoy their first day, be careful on their way to school, and call me if they need anything.”

Like they’ll listen to me, Yuki thought with a grudge. “Sure thing, Dad., he chimed, waving him to the door. 

“Oh,” his father gasped, as though he had forgotten the most important thing. “Tell them I love them.”

“I will,” Yuki said, hugging his father. “I’m starting to see why you are always late for work on mornings when I'm not home.”

“Then stay home!” his father said, kissing him lightly on the forehead. 

“Okay!” Yuki laughed. “I get it! Now go!”

With that, his father finally left. The house was once again quiet. And Yuki was once again bored. 

“Did you make us lunch?” Akari’s voice called down the hall. 

Well, that lasted all of ten seconds, Yuki thought with a chuckle. “You said you didn’t want me to!”

“Yeah, well, Aimi changed her mind.”

“Don’t blame me!” the near identical voice argued, though it was much softer. 

The girls bickered all the way down the hall, grabbing the lunches Yuki had made them—he knew they would want one—and making their way out the front door. 

“Bye, Daiki! Good luck at your new school!” Aimi called out as she closed the door.

“How come I don’t get any goodbye?” Yuki grumbled. 

There was a sudden yell from down the hall. “I can’t get my tie on right!”

Rolling his eyes playfully, Yuki walked to the room his little brother shared with their father. They quickly dressed; Yuki in his school uniform, with a black gakuran jacket, white button-up short-sleeved dress shirt, and black straight pants. Daiki in his white short-sleeved collared top, and navy blue shorts with a black belt.

“Don’t forget your hat,” Yuki teased, putting the bright yellow short-brimmed hat on his little brother’s head. “There! Now I can see you a mile away!”

“I don’t like it!” Daiki pouted, pulling it off. “Why don’t you need a hat?”

“Hey, I did when I was your age. I’m tall enough to be seen over the hood of a car now.”

“Barely,” his brother noted. 

Yuki wasn’t that short. Not really. But being only 165 cm, and having friends who were over 170cm, made it easy for people to say he was. Even his own family.

“Don’t act like you'll be taller than me at my age,” Yuki cackled as he tackled his brother to the floor, tickling him. 

He giggled until he got the hiccups. “S-hick, stop!” Daiki cried. “I give.”

“Come on, little bug.” Yuki smiled, pulling his brother from the floor. “We have a long ride ahead of us.”

It took fifty minutes to get to the district where Daiki’s new school was. But after the morning's fuss and more arguments about Daiki’s new uniform, they had to run to catch the train on time. When they finally made it to the private elementary school their dad had managed to get Daiki into, Yuki was exhausted. He had to admit, though, it was very impressive. 

The outside wall of the school was painted white and lined with handprints of all colors and sizes. The gate to the school grounds was a polished silver, as though it were brand new. Inside, Yuki could see a lush garden and thick green grass with a small playground nearby.

“Gotta say, this school looks pretty nice.”

“Yeah,” Daiki mumbled. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to go to school here?”

“What?!” Yuki yelled, picking his brother up into his arms and hosting him onto his shoulder. “You can see the schoolyard now right? Doesn’t it look like fun in there?”

Daiki struggled to see over the wall, placing both hands on Yuki’s head to lift himself a little higher. “Isn’t it expensive?”

Yuki placed his brother back on the ground and knelt in front of him. “You’re really smart, Daiki. Dad worked really hard to get into a company where you would have the opportunity to go to a school like this. Remember the test you took? You had to pass that test to get in here. Everything is paid for, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Yeah,” Daiki said shyly.

Yuki hugged his baby brother, then led him over to the gate. A sensei was waiting, letting the children in one at a time. She smiled wide and welcomed Daiki. 

“It’s okay,” Yuki said, nudging him forward. “I will be back before you know it. Now go make some friends for me, okay?”

Daiki nodded. He tried to hold his head high as he marched into the front garden. Yuki couldn’t help but laugh. 

I wonder if I was that cute of a kid when I was his age.

Having successfully delivered his brother to school, Yuki turned around to head to his own. 

The school their dad’s work was sending Daiki to was the opposite direction as Yuki’s school. Nevertheless, Yuki could walk to his school from their home. So even with the long commute, he would be there at least thirty minutes before his first class. His second class would end and back on the train he would be to get his brother. 

Everything seemed to be working to his advantage. Which was unusual, but welcomed. Yuki had spent the last few years pushing himself hard, acting like a second parent to his siblings. It was the first time he seemed to be able to breathe. He wasn’t sure how long it would last, but he was sure he would enjoy every minute while it did. 

Once on the train, Yuki pulled out his phone to see several texts. As usual, they were from Hashimoto Kai. 

Kai: How’s your ridiculous commute? 

Kai: Before you ask, yes, Niko and I are in the same class. All of our friends are, actually. Even Itsuki's girlfriend. It’s gonna be a loud day. 

Yuki smiled, happy for the boys. Kai was, after all, his best friend. The first true friend he’d had in years. Of course Yuki wanted him to be happy.

Niko was Kai’s boyfriend. He was the reason Kai and Yuki had met. He was the first boy Yuki had ever been interested in and confessed to. Despite still being confused about what all that meant, it was thanks to Niko that Yuki knew that someone’s gender didn’t seem to matter to him at least. 

They'd always had a strangled relationship, though. Having met Minori Niko while working at a small café last fall, Yuki had gone from annoyed, to angered, to intrigued, and now... 

Yuki shook his head, focusing back on his conversation with Kai. It was too complicated to think about his current feelings for Niko. He’d rather just ignore them.

Kai and his friends were entering their final year of high school. Yuki, on the other hand, was on a special situation at school.

Over the years of his high school career, he had struggled to stay full time. Taking care of his siblings, working part time jobs and studying had been hard. At times, it had been impossible to remain in class full time. Luckily, Yuki had always attended a school where they were understanding about his situation.

Yuki: Make sure you actually pay attention in class. I know how much Niko can distract you.

Leaving his friend to contemplate those words, Yuki took a pair of wired earbuds from his pocket and started watching viral videos. The train was more packed on the trip back. Adults now made up the majority of the commuters. Most wore business suits or uniforms. 

Yuki closed his eyes. He had finally cut back on his part time jobs, had a real friend to spend time with, and his siblings were old enough they didn’t need him watching over them like a hawk. Finally, he could act his age. The last thing he needed was a reminder of how uncertain his life now was. 

When he finally arrived at his high school, the first thing Yuki noticed was that he knew very few of the students. Expected or not, it didn’t make it any less isolating. He sighed as he entered the familiar halls.

Due to all the jobs he’d had since he was ten, Yuki inevitably fell behind in school. He did the best he could, but it was always a struggle. When it was time to choose between just working and going to high school, his father had finally decided to put his foot down and forced him to attend school. 

“It’s important you at least have the option to go to college later if you want to,” his father had explained.

Despite thinking it was unnecessary, Yuki had obliged. But it turned out to be a lot harder than he had anticipated. Near the end of the last term of his third year, Yuki begane to burn out. He wanted to drop out. Desperate, his father had talked to the principal to try and work out a way for him to still get his diploma. Luckily, his school offered supplementary classes for students who didn’t complete high school to take the Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination, which Yuki could take in the middle of the year.

Since Yuki had nearly finished all his classes and actually had decent grades in most of them, they’d decided that he would take only two supplementary classes in the subjects he had more difficulty with, to better prepare for the examination to come. He still wasn’t planning on attending post-secondary school, but had promised his dad he would at least do that. 

Yuki found his way to his first class. He stayed close to the door as the minutes slowly ticked by. He checked his phone again to find Niko had sent him a picture of the back of Kai’s head as he sat leaning over his desk.

Niko: Kai said he had to sit in front of me so I wouldn't distract him. You said that didn’t you? 

Niko: How am I supposed to pay attention now? 

Yuki: You aren’t. That 's the point!

Yuki: Bet he plan’s to use it as an excuse to “tutor” you later. 

Yuki: I know that’s what I would do.😏

Yuki chuckled as the bell ending the morning class rang. He stood up, stretching as the hallway filled with students and teachers. Once the stream of people exiting his intended class was gone, he made his way in. He found a table at the far back corner with a view out the class window. The warm spring breeze was picking up the cherry blossom petals from the ground, creating a pink wave in the school yard below. Lost in the petals’ dance, Yuki felt his phone vibrate. 

Kai: Stop flirting with my boyfriend by text.

Yuki laughed out loud, startling several of the other students who had entered the class. They looked at him with suspicion, a few giggling between themselves. Grunting, he put away his phone. After all, it was always better letting Kai stew a bit before responding.