arc1 · 013-ch13

Episode 13: Soramine Umi

Side: Soramine Umi

Mama collapsed. I was sleeping at night when I heard ambulance sirens, and as the sound got louder and louder, it stopped right in front of our house. Wondering what had happened, I got out of bed and went downstairs to find a stranger in the kitchen, with Onii-chan standing next to them looking deathly pale.

I watched as Mama was put on a moving bed and loaded into the ambulance. I was also put in the ambulance and taken to the hospital. I remember Onii-chan holding my hand the whole time. My Onii-chan, who's actually really smart but has been a shut-in forever.

When we got to the hospital, Onii-chan and I sat in chairs the whole time Mama was being examined by the doctor. We were silent for dozens of minutes. I actually wanted to talk with Onii-chan since he'd come out of his room for the first time in a while, but it wasn't the right atmosphere.

After waiting for a long time, the hospital room door opened and the doctor came out. We both listened to what the doctor had to say. The doctor said Mama's body wasn't doing well. Onii-chan asked the doctor if there was any way to cure her, and he looked relieved when he learned that something called a potion could heal her.

But apparently this potion thing is super expensive. I wish I could work hard and earn money too.

After that, Mama woke up, so we went to see her. Of course, we kept it a secret that Mama's body wasn't doing well. We both forced smiles and talked, but seeing Mama looking so pained made it really hard to hold back tears. It was the same for Onii-chan—once we left the hospital room, we both cried.

After the hospital staff took us home, I fell asleep right away. I think Onii-chan probably stayed up late preparing for what comes next. But even so, when I woke up past noon, there were onigiri ready for me. Three onigiri of different sizes and shapes. Because I can't eat that much, you know.

After eating two of the smaller onigiri, I was doing laundry and cleaning when Onii-chan woke up. He said he was going out to buy something. Would he be okay?

Onii-chan was getting ready to go outside, ignoring my worries. When he stopped at the front door, I asked "Are you okay?" and he answered in a trembling voice, "You don't need to worry about anything." I was really worried, but somehow Onii-chan looked cool at that moment.

In the end, Onii-chan came back safely, carrying a really big box. Before I could ask what he'd bought, he ate the dinner I'd made and immediately shut himself in his room. But since Onii-chan had the most confident expression I'd ever seen on him, even though I didn't quite understand, I had a feeling things would work out.

▽▽▽

The next morning, after eating the fried eggs and lopsided onigiri Onii-chan made for me, I changed into clothes that had gotten a bit too small and left the house. It takes about ten minutes to walk to my elementary school. I walked there on my own, step by step.

"Good morning, Umi. You were absent yesterday—is everything okay?"

"Good morning, Satsuki. I was feeling a little unwell yesterday."

"Is that so? Are you alright?"

I met my best friend Satsuki just before the school gate, so we entered the building together. I kind of kept Mama's situation a secret.

"Oh my, Umi-san. You're wearing those shabby clothes again today. Ohohohoho!"

The rude voice that greeted me as soon as I entered the classroom belonged to Takako Ijuuin from my class. She looks down on everyone because her family is rich and picks on me whenever she gets the chance. Satsuki says it's because she's jealous of me being cute. I don't think that's true, though.

"I do laundry properly every day. Unlike you, I do it myself."

"Ohoho, haven't you washed your clothes so much they've shrunk? Your ankles are showing. Pu-pu-pu."

Takako was saying mean things. I do wash them properly, but I can't do anything about the size. I know we don't have money to buy new clothes, so this is one thing I just have to endure.

Thinking she'd won because I went quiet, she returned to her seat in high spirits. She didn't have to come all the way to my desk just to say that.

"Umi is cute, so don't worry about it!"

Satsuki, who had been watching this exchange, cheered me up by patting me on the back. Yeah, I'm grateful I'm not alone. But I don't want Satsuki to be hated because of me either, so I wish she wouldn't get too involved with me.

Being irritated from the moment I woke up left me feeling frustrated all day while attending classes. Oh, by the way, the math test we got back during class—I got the highest score in class.

Come to think of it, Onii-chan said he was starting work today. Mama's not here either, so I was worried and planned to head home right after school, but at the entrance, Takako came at me again. What is this girl's problem? Did she really chase after me?

"Oh my, are you leaving already? What are you going to do going home so early? Ah, could it be you're going to wash those shabby clothes again?"

"Poor people have it rough! Fugh!"

The one chiming in was Maruko Maruyama, one of Takako's lackeys. Her parents work under Takako's parents, so she can't stand up to her. Maybe because she's a bit chubby, she has piggy nostrils.

"You should just have your dad buy you some... oh wait, he's not around, is he?"

There was another one. The one saying nasty things in that screechy voice was Tomiko Togashi. She's another one of Takako's lackeys.

"What do you want?"

I was in a hurry, so I got irritated and my words came out harsh. I'm a little sorry about that.

"Oh no, since Umi-san doesn't seem to have many clothes, why don't we all go shopping together next Sunday?"

What is she talking about? Why would I have to go shopping with Takako, who's not even my friend?

"Huh? I'm not going, though?"

I naturally declined.

"Oh my, have I been inviting the wrong person?"

"She doesn't have money to buy clothes, does she? Fugh."

"Just because she's a little popular with the boys, she's getting full of herself!"

The three of them were all throwing nasty words at me. It's true we don't have money, but they don't have to say it right in front of me.

"Hey! Stop it! If Umi's not going, then I'm not going either!"

While I was being attacked by the three of them, Satsuki, who had chased after me, stepped in to stop them. Ah, but Satsuki doesn't have to be a victim too.

"Oh my, what a lovely friendship. But if you hang around Umi-san, the poverty might rub off on you too, Satsuki-san."

"Hah? Like that could happen. More importantly, I won't forgive you if you make fun of Umi."

Ah, Satsuki is more angry than I am. I actually feel bad about it.

"Takako-sama, if Satsuki doesn't go, the boys will... fugh."

"Th-that would be a problem, wouldn't it."

Ah, I overheard that. I see, Satsuki is good at sports and treats everyone equally, so she's popular with both boys and girls. These Takako girls don't matter, but our boys would be disappointed if Satsuki didn't come. That's sad...

"Okay. I'll go. So let's go together, Satsuki."

I don't have time to argue about this. I want to get home quickly and make dinner for Onii-chan, so I'll just say I'm going and end the conversation.

"Huh? Umi? You don't have to force yourself."

"It's fine. I'm not forcing myself. I'll get some allowance from Onii-chan."

Of course there's no way I'd get an allowance, but if I don't say something like that, Satsuki-chan won't accept it.

"O-hohohohoho! Then let's all go together nicely. Next Sunday!"

"Don't be late! Fugh."

"You can bring as much allowance as you want... if you have any, that is."

It seemed the discussion was settled, so I said goodbye to the worried Satsuki and hurried home.