Chapter 4
The bell rings, and the students flood from the school. Naoyuki follows Haruko and Kotaro out and down the walkway. Off to the left on the sidewalk stands the high school boy; he’d been showing up so often that they expected to see him. Naoyuki nods a greeting to the boy and continues down the sidewalk after his friends.
“I’m so glad we got to work on that play in class again,” Kotaro says. “Class is more fun that way.”
“It’s the last time, though,” Haruko says. “We have to present it in front of the class tomorrow.” Both she and Kotaro notice Naoyuki’s face go pale as he stiffens suddenly.
That’s right, Kotaro recalls. He doesn’t like getting up in front of the class.
“Oh, don’t worry, Naoyuki,” Haruko says in hopes of calming him. “It’s not like you have to do it alone. We’re with you. Besides, it’ll probably be me who messes up.” After she sees that Naoyuki is more at ease, she adds, “Just in case, though, maybe we should meet at my house to go over it one more time. After all, I’m sure my mom would love to have you.”
Naoyuki gives her a sad smile and turns away. What was that face? Haruko wonders.
Finally, they arrive at Naoyuki’s house and climb up onto the porch. Naoyuki knocks on the door, and Shizuyo steps out. Naoyuki bows briefly to his classmates before he steps past her into the house and starts kicking off his shoes.
“I see you’re back again,” Shizuyo says to Naoyuki’s classmates.
“Hi, Mrs. Kondo!” Haruko greets her.
Shizuyo frowns uneasily and says, “Please, I’m not Mrs. Kondo. Just call me Miss Shizuyo,” she says. She smiles again and asks, “Do you want to come in for a minute? Or maybe you’d rather come over later for a visit? It’ll be our pleasure.” Naoyuki shoots his teacher a surprised look.
“We have to ask our parents first,” Kotaro replies.
“But we’ll definitely come if they say yes. Besides, we have a play to practice!” Haruko adds.
“Sounds good, then,” Shizuyo says cheerfully. “If you’re coming, just give us a call.” She jots their phone number down on a piece of paper and hands it to Haruko.
“Okay!” Haruko replies with a smile as she and Kotaro turn to leave.
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Later that night, Shizuyo gets to work cooking in the kitchen and tidying up the house. “Naoyuki!” she calls. “What are you doing? Your friends are coming! Help tidy up, would you?” She watches him trudge toward her, ruffling his hair and grunting. She starts washing dishes in the kitchen when Naoyuki stomps to the sink and yanks at her hands. “What’s your problem?” Shizuyo cries. “Don’t tell me you’re throwing a tantrum just because I asked you to help me with the housework, ‘cause that’ll get you grounded real fast!” Naoyuki yanks her arms again as he shakes his head vigorously and starts making an awful fuss. “No, what?!” Shizuyo cries. She takes her hands out of the soapy dishwater and turns toward him. “This is for your friends! What’s the matter?!”
Naoyuki stomps in frustration and moans, then turns toward the living room when Shizuyo grabs him by the shoulders to keep him from walking away. Startled, his eyes snap wide open, and he starts screaming and pulling away from her, slapping wildly at her arms in protest. “Don’t hit me!” Shizuyo says crossly, a warning tone in her rising voice. Naoyuki yanks her hair, and just as he brings his hands down to hit her arms again, Shizuyo grabs his wrists instead. “Stop it!” she yells. Naoyuki suddenly breaks out in tears. “Tell me what’s wrong,” Shizuyo pleads. “I want to understand you, Naoyuki! Let me understand you! If you won’t talk to me, then at least write, or something! Let me help you!” As soon as she lets go of him, Naoyuki runs, crying, up to his room.
When Shizuyo comes into his room a few moments later, she finds him rocking on the bed, holding his legs in, his head buried in his arms. She sits down next to him and gently asks, “What’s wrong?” Naoyuki still won’t look at her, but he holds up two fingers in reply. “Two words?” Shizuyo asks. Naoyuki clutches his side as if he is in pain. “What’s wrong?! Are you hurt?” Shizuyo cries out in alarm. Naoyuki holds his hands up again and signs quotation marks to her. Relieved, she realizes that it was part of the charade. Then she frowns worriedly. “What hurts, Naoyuki?” she asks. As she reaches out to touch him, he suddenly pulls away from her. Shizuyo sighs and stands up. “Well, what do you want me to do?” she asks. “They’re already coming; it would be rude to turn them away now. Do you want your friends to see you like this?” Naoyuki, of course, doesn’t respond. She wasn’t expecting an answer. “Naoyuki...” she murmurs with a frown as she watches him curl up again and hide his face from her. She turns and leaves the room.
This wasn’t supposed to happen, Naoyuki thinks. They were just supposed to be acquaintances; it was supposed to stay in school. Now they’re coming to my house, and they’re gonna ask questions. They’re gonna want more, and I don’t have anything to give. I don’t want to lose any more. He clutches his knees and cries.
