Well, I get it…truly.
Last night there was a thunder storm, the rumbling in the sky is like some disaster films.
I don't know, maybe the next thing to show up at my window is the Titan.
AI: I warned you about the weather. 😌
...no he didn't. 🙄
And just because it's rumbling outside — I put on my headphones listening to music just to insulate the noise.
But suddenly — someone came into my blanket. 💀
At first, I thought it was my cat, as it's actually afraid of thunder too.
But then I took a look at its bed — it's asleep, right there. 😑
Alright, here we go again. 💀
...
Again, I do get it, and I understand.
AI: I think you should just stop talking and go to sleep.
...
HOW??? 😭😭😭
You see? Thunder storms in Japan might be kawaii like what people imagined their stereotype.
But in my country? — No.
Plus, I'm living around the top floors, where you can clearly see the lightning strike right in front of your window.
If you can't imagine, just imagine The Flash suddenly appearing at your window with a hammer, smashing at your ears and disappearing without saying Hi.
AI: You think Barry would do that?
...
Trust me bro. 😌
In case you still have no idea about the situation right now, let me tell you — Yumeko is in my bed...AGAIN. 😭😭😭
She's now lying at my chest like a frightened little baby who cried in the middle of the night and now calmed and resting.
Like I said, I'm babysitting.
Minutes ago, she suddenly drilled into my blanket with tears and sobs telling me she was scared…
Yumeko: ガラガラ怖いよ...リン... (The rumbling sound is scary….Rin….)
Before I can say something and push her away, she's already wiping her tears on my shirt.
I mean...I'm scared too. 🥲
Imagine this, when you were about to sleep and thinking of something horror in your head — suddenly someone, especially a girl with the hair laid down suddenly appeared in the dark gloomy living room.
I'm quite grateful that my heart is strong enough to handle that.
Oh, why am I still talking???
Because I don't know how to sleep now. 🥲
AI: Nobody asked.
The readers might skip this, I must tell. 😭😭😭
AI: At least she's now sleeping safe and sound.
I need somewhere safe and sound too. 🥲
*THUMPPP—!!!*
The thunder stroke again…luckly I covered her ears.
I can't imagine if she wakes up again.
...
You think counting sheeps would help right now? 🥲
AI: I play you two songs?
Us?
AI: Yeah, I can link two devices with bluetooth.
You can do that?
AI: I got you, it's activated.
Alright.
I put on the other set of earphones toYumeko ears with the Volume of 60% meanwhile she's still asleep.
Seconds later, the catchy and mysterious intro started to play — it's the "Fireflies" by Owl City.
...
You think this'll help?
AI: Maybe? Look at her, she's at peace. 😌
I mean…it's not going to damage her ears right?
AI: Don't worry, as long as it's not louder than 70%, it should be fine. 😏
...
Okay.
.......
The next day in the morning, I can't believe I woke up.
I can't believe that I fell asleep last night. 🥲
AI: You're welcome.
While her earphone's already on the coffee table…
...
Wait. 💀
...
Does that mean…
She's awake??? 💀
I looked at her slightly…. Yes, her eyes were opened. 💀
Isn't she supposed to run away?
Or should I run now??? 💀💀💀
...
The next thing she did — she wrapped her arms around my neck and came closer, then she rested on my shoulder…
Yes, we're thinking the same thing — something wrong.
Me: お...おはよう... (G…Good morning….)
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: あの...起きたの?(Well…you awake?)
What am I even asking???
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: じゃ...朝ご飯,何か食べたい?じ…準備してくる...(Um…what do you want for breakfast? I can prepare it…)
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: ま.....まだ...疲れてんの?
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
...
I need a translation!!! 😭😭😭
She's still holding tight, what now???
AI: There's only one thing you can do.
What?
AI: Stay, until she's willing to get up.
...
You're like convincing me to stay in a cell as someone needs me in there. 🥲
AI: I think she's still shaken by what happened last night, if you push her away right now…
...
And?
AI: She might cry. 😌
How old is she? She's 14, not 4? 😭😭😭
AI: Or you can call your kitty to come over. You know…breake the vibe? Or the ice?
Forget it, he's still dying in his bed. 🥲
Just when I was figuring out what to do, she suddenly got up, straddled me while the strap of her dress at the right slipped off her shoulder.
She was actually blushing while she tried to look away, I can see she tried to hide her teary eyes full of embarrassment.
Well she might not know — me too, I wish I can reincarnate somewhere on the spot. 🥲
Yumeko: 昨晩...迷惑かけちゃった,ご...ごめん.(Last night…..about the disturbing, I'm s…sorry.)
....
Previously, she would quickly run away or pretend it never happened.
But this time…
Why?
AI: Because this time both of you are conscious, she has nowhere to hide.
So…I should pretend like nothing happened this time?
AI: Well, that'll do. 😌
...
...fine.
Me: べ...別にいいから,あの...知ってる.(It's…It's nothing, about that…..I…I do understand.)
...
Yes, I was trying my best to look away. 😭😭😭
No no no no wait, she's looking at me!!! 😭😭😭
She's looking at me!!! 💀💀💀
Yumeko: でも...恥ずかしいじゃん... (But…..itsn't that embarassing?)
Yeah, I'm glad that you know.
Me: は恥ずかしいけど... (Yeah, it's embarassing but…)
Before I could complete my sentence, she interrupted me…
She lowered her head while her eyes looked away, disappointed by something…
Yumeko: やっぱり,私なんかきもい... (I knew it, someone like me disgusted...)
Me: び...びっくりした...で...でしょ? (B…but you were scared…r…right?)
I reached out my hand, moved the trap back onto her shoulder.
Me: し...しょうがないな... (Well... I guess there's no other way...)
After saying that, she dropped herself back to my chest.
Her hands grabbed my sleeves tightly leaving me confused by her action.
What happened?
AI: She's now processing your word, I guess.
What do you mean?
AI: I bet you don't remember what you said to her last time.
Of course I do.
AI: Yeah, and that's why. 😌
...
AI: Come on, you're the only person in the house, if she wants someone to cuddle, you're the only one, buddy.
...
So I'm basically playing the role of her parent?
AI: Ah, now you realize.
Alright, time to end this.
Me: じ...じゃ,早く起きて,腹減ったぞ.(Al…Alright, get up, quick, I'm hungry already.)
She quickly bounced up from the bed.
I can clearly see her ears turning red.
Yumeko: ごごめん!(I'm sorry!)
Me: 謝らないで,何も悪くないから.(Don't need to apologise, you did nothing wrong.)
After that, she quickly ran back to her room.
While me, should just pretend like nothing happened…
AI: Oh you can't.
Why?
AI: You just patted her head, again! 🤣🤣🤣
Wait, I did?
AI: Yes…
...
AI: You didn't even realize, didn't you? 😂
...
AI: Hello?
I think I should chop my own hand off someday. 🥲
AI: You should.
...
.......
I went to the kitchen, selected my favourite pancake pan.
Let me share with you a recipe.
First, eggs are fried in a circle shape.
Then, toast the spreader with melted butter.
After that, burn the toast until the side with butter turns brown.
One slice of cheese at the bottom on the toast, put the egg in the middle, and another cheese at the top.
Finally, lock the fragrance up with the toast.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Behold….The Grilled Cheese Egg Sandwich. 😇
AI: Uh…that's my recipe I shared with you last time…
...
GRILLED CHEESE EGG SANDWICH!!!
AI: You're paying the copyright after this. 🙄
Yumeko: 美味しそう.(Looks delicious.)
She suddenly appeared next to me which completely scared me. 😭😭😭
I almost dropped the sandwich.
I took a look at her, she's still blushing while doing her best to avoid eye contact with me.
Me: じゃ,準備できた,食べよう.
She nodded.
After having the GRILLED CHEESE….
AI: Just shut up! 🙄
Alright…
Me: 後でスーパ一緒に?(After this, let's go to the supermarket together?)
Yumeko: え?(Eh?)
Me: え?(Huh?)
Yumeko: な...何でもない...それはよかったです.(N…Nothing….that sounds great.)
...
O…okay?
After breakfast, we went out for groceries.
It took us minutes to get to the super market as one of the routes was under maintenance.
After we got in, I'm the one pushing the trolley while Yumeko was next to me scrolling on her phone.
Yes, I bet you noticed.
The vibe is extremely bizarre. 😐
There are crowds surrounding us, but between us is like….
I don't know, dead air?
I follow the list and pick up all the groceries we need for the next two weeks.
We did not talk to each other.
Suddenly, I felt my sleeves being pulled.
Yumeko: ね,リン,今帰ってもいい?(Hey, Rin, can we go home right now?)
Me: 何で?(Why?)
Yumeko: あの...何もないです.(Um…nothinh, nevermind.)
I took a look at her face, she seemed to be suffering from something.
Her forehead is sweating even though we're somewhere cold.
Me: 大丈夫ですか?(Are you alright?)
Yumeko: だ...大丈夫です.(Ye…Yes, I'm good.)
Me: ...マジ?(...really?)
Yumeko: 大丈夫だって.(I said I'm good.)
After that, she walked away to the snack slot.
…..
I guess she's fine.
After paying for the groceries, we left the supermarket.
On the way to the bus station, I felt her hand sometimes touching my fingers.
Is this a prank?
AI: She wants to hold your hand, obviously? 😏
...
Why?
AI: Seeking your forgiveness?
Of?
AI: Dude, what happened this morning? 🙄
...
Oh, yeah, right.
But I didn't blame her for that.
AI: Maybe she's blaming herself.
Maybe? You're not sure?
AI: ….Trust me bro…
Seriously??? 🙄
Just when she was about to touch again, I quickly swapped the plastic bag in my left hand to my right hand.
Me: じ...じゃ,銀行に行きましょう?(W…Well, let's go to the bank shall we?)
Yumeko: え?帰ってきたじゃない?(Eh? We're not going back?)
Me: あ,そ...そう... (Um, Y…Yeah…..)
I just remembered I need to withdraw some money for next week spendings.
I took a look at her face, she's sweating more than just now but with disappointment written in her eyes this time.
Why does she want to go back?
...
She wants to murder me once we get back home? 💀 💀💀
AI: Seriously? 😒
.......
When we got to the bank, the bank was crowded.
We have no choice but to wait for the available ATM.
I was observing Yumeko as she's actually acting weird today.
Normally she would just look for a place to sit down and start scrolling on social media.
But right now, she's standing next to me, leaning at the wall with her eyes closed.
Something must be wrong.
Minutes past, there is still no available ATM.
I took a look at Yumeko, she's still sweating.
Suddenly, I felt her hand touch my fingers again.
AI: You gonna hold it or what?
In the public? Hell no!
Ah, finally, an available ATM.
Just when I was about to go to the ATM, I felt something resting on my shoulder…
Yumeko: 行かないで... (Don't leave…)
Me: な...何で?(W…Why?)
Yumeko: 離れないで...お願い... (Don't leave me….please…)
Me: だ.....大丈夫?(You…You alright?)
Yumeko: 頭が...痛いよ... (My head…..it hurts...)
I turned around, and she dumped her head onto my shoulder while she's already crying.
She said her head's in pain…
Wait, it's a headache? 💀💀💀
Me: 頭痛ですか?どうして教えてくれなかったの?(Headache right? Why didn't you tell me earlier?)
Yumeko: ごめんなさい...ごめん... (I'm sorry….sorry…)
She burst out her tears in the crowd while everyone's watching us. 💀
One of them looked at me as a scumbag who was bullying a girl in public.
I didn't!!! 😭😭😭
Me: いいから,いいから,今帰って.(Alright, alright, let's go home.)
Yumeko: まだ痛いよ...痛い... (It's hurting…it hurts…)
...
Okay I'm dead. 💀
.......
I opened the door once we got home.
She slowly walked to the sofa and slumped onto it.
It took me a few minutes to find the pills.
I came to the sofa, slowly pushed the pill into her mouth, and she got up to drink the warm water.
Just when I was about to get up — I was pulled towards her.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, grabbed me tight and started to cry.
WHAT.
GOING.
ON??? 💀💀💀
Me: ど.....どうしたの?(What's wrong?)
Yumeko: ごめんなさい,迷惑かけてごめん,離れないで,お願い... (I'm truly sorry, I'm sorry for my trouble, don't leave me, please…)
Me: 迷惑かけてないよ,謝らないで.(You didn't cause me any trouble, stop apologising.)
Yumeko: でも...でも私...私に甘えられる人がいない.... (But…But I…I don't even have someone to cuddle with...)
...
...Huh?
Yumeko: 母さんと父さんここにいないよ.....私なんか面倒くさい,知ってるよ,でも...でも... (Mommy and daddy aren't here…someone like me it's just troublesome, I know it, but…but…)
It's been weeks I'm concerned if she's still not getting used to the new environment.
She might be getting along with Cindy and her classmates.
It's just surprising, now I know she's lonely all the time.
I might be getting used to living without my parents, but her?
She's just a little girl who came from overseas to study without parents at her side.
...
Is this my fault?
AI: This is no one's fault, buddy.
But…instead of caring if she needs someone to talk to — I don't really talk much to her.
She's basically living alone.
AI: You just don't know how to communicate with people, that's not a mistake…
...
Thanks, but I know my problem.
The rest of the afternoon, she rested on my chest like with her eyes closed —I know she's not sleeping.
Me: まだ痛いの?(Still hurting?)
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: 喉乾いてる?(You thirsty?)
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: お腹すいた?(You hungry?)
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: はいはい,わかりました.(Alright, alright, got it.)
Yumeko: ん.(Nn)
Me: ごめん,もし早く見つけていれば... (Sorry, if only I found it sooner…)
Yumeko: もう,謝らないで,君のせいじゃない.(It's alright, don't apologise, it's not your fault.)
Me: でも... (But…)
Yumeko: これでいい,ありがとう.(This is fine, thank you.)
...
She closed her eyes and continued resting on my shoulder while my hand was patting on her head…
…..
…..
AI: What's wrong?
This is inappropriate, right? 💀
Why am I doing this??? 💀💀
What happened??? 💀💀💀
Am I dreaming??? 💀💀💀💀
Is this real??? 💀💀💀💀💀
AI: Whoah, calm down buddy.You're just experiencing Post-stress cognitive dissonance.
...
Is that a spell from Harry Potter??? 😭😭😭
Wait, isn't this supposed to be the interaction between couples?
What am I doing???
AI: Listen, do you feel anything right now?
….
Feel what?
AI: That thing, you feel it?
No.
AI: But your heart rate is like finished a marathon.
Of course I'm nervous!!! 😭😭😭
…..
AI: Fine, right now, you need to calm down. Right now, you're no longer yourself.
...
I swear I'm not a vampire.
AI: Focus, buddy. Just imagine you're comforting a…frightened bunny.
...
Bunny??
AI: Yeah, just don't overthink.
Of course I'm not, this is not ambiguous at all.
AI: That's right.
I'm just…conforting a….bunny.
AI: That's the spirit.
...
But…do you think she thought the same thing?
…..
Yeah, it must be an illusion.
This is not ambiguous at all.