Chapter Three: The Newspaper Boy.
1067 Words
The next morning.
"Good morning, Doctor Nishikawa!" one energetic voice suddenly woke me up from my deep slumber.
I stared at the ceiling, half-awake and half- asleep, while trying to recollect my thoughts.
"-How's your father? Is he taking his medications regularly?" I heard my adoptive mother's voice.
"Yes, it's all thanks to you, he's feeling a lot better now!" answered that annoying voice again.
I curiously stood up and pulled open the window's curtain.
I saw Doctor Nishikawa talking to a tanned-skin boy who's about my age. Or maybe a little older. He has this unique aura that can brighten up a gloomy atmosphere.
I then glanced at his bicycle's basket and I saw a stack of newspaper inside.
"A newspaper boy." I whispered to myself.
As if in a cue, the boy glanced up and he accidentally met my gaze. I couldn't look away as I froze because of shock.
We continued staring at each other for a few minutes before I came back to my senses. I hurriedly pulled the curtain close and leaned at the wall.
"-I should be going now, Doctor Nishikawa!" the boy finally bid goodbye.
"Extend my regards to your father for me, okay?" said Doctor Nishikawa.
"Will sure do." the newspaper boy answered in return.
My hand suddenly flew unto my chest, and I was surprised to feel the strong pounding of my heart...
"W-What's happening to me?" I asked myself,while feeling confused.
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Van parked his bicycle infront of the printing press office. He was whistling as he's making his way inside the small building.
"Good morning, everyone!" he greeted the all the staff as he walks in.
"Oh, good morning to you too, Van!" the secretary greeted him back.
Van sat on the chair and smiled at the old secretary, who treats him like her very own son.
"I've already delivered all the newspapers..." informed Van.
"All of it?" the secretary raised an eyebrow at him.
Van did a thumb's-up sign.
"All of it." he responded.
"Good work,Van! But tell me, is it really okay with your father that you're doing part-time job and studying at the same time?" the secretary worriedly asked Van.
"He's perfectly alright with it. As long as my studies are not being affected, he supports me in every decision that I make." answered Van.
"That's good to know, then. We would really like you to continue working for us." the old secretary nodded approvingly.
Before Van could answer, someone suddenly joined their conversation.
"Morning, Van!" a tall, pretty girl greeted him.
"Morning, Reiko. By the way, have you finished all of our summer homeworks?" inquired Van.
Reiko made a face.
"Not yet...How about you?" she asked in return.
"Well, you must have been really busy, being the sole heir of the family business." Van stated.
"Hmm... You can say that." Reiki nodded in return.
"Lady Reiko's busy with ther training as the future head of the Noritomo Household." the old secretary piped in.
"It must be really tough on you, Reiko. Alright, how about this... I can help you with your homework tonight, once I finished all my work at our snackhouse. Oh, by the way, I have to go now since my father asked me to do some errands for him." Van announced, as he quickly stands up.
"Wait, are you going to come back here later to help me with my homework?" Reiko called after him.
"Just drop by the house later!" Van hastily answered,then he dashed out.
Reiko saw Van off. Once his childhood friend was out of sight, she wistfully smiled.
"See you later, Van." she whispered.
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I closed my eyes as I try to relax my whole body while listening to the sound of the ocean waves. the relaxing effect of the ocean. The sound of the waves, the chirping birds, and the gentle blow of the ocean breeze made me feel calm.
It's so peaceful here and I would really want to stay here forever...
I decided to step out from the house after I read Mika's note in the kitchen.
Dearest Nao,
I'm with Mama to help her at the clinic.I've decided not to wake you up. See you later!"
-Mika.
And with that, I immediately grabbed my jacket and went to the backyard to get my bicycle.
It's my only chance to see the ocean again without Mika who's been following me wherever I go.
It's not that I hate her, but I want to have a peaceful time on my own.
Doctor Nishikawa-san and Mika have been very warm and welcoming. I wanted to open my heart to them, but there's something inside me that keeps on holding me back...
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At the same time.
Van's already making his way home after doing some grocery errands for his father. They need these ingredients at the snackhouse since it will be lunchtime soon. Many people will eat lunch at their snackhouse, so they have to get ready.
He abruptly stopped his bicycle on his when he saw three burly guys waiting at the
middle of the road. They were deliberately blocking the way...
"Oh? Here's our guy, Van!" one boy snickered at him.
"Fancy meeting you here." said the other boy.
"I guess it's our lucky day today!" added the other one.
The first guy who greeted him walked towards Van and stared at his bicycle's basket...
"You did some shopping,huh?" he sneered at Van.
The other boy followed his friend as he eagerly rummaged through the grocery bag.
"Is there something to eat here?" he asked Van. He frowned in disappointment when he saw the raw vegetables, eggs and some packs of seasoning.
Van was just silently watching them.
"This is all rubbish!" the burly boy enunciated. He was obviously frustrated
because he wasn't able to find any chips to eat.
"What a waste of time." muttered the boy's friend.
The burly boy smiled at his companions.
"Then, why don't we have some fun?" he suggested, as one idea came into his mind.
All of them grinned at each other. The leader of the group opened the plastic container packed with fresh eggs. He grabbed one and raised it in the air.
"Why don't we start with this?" he pronounced, and threw the egg on the ground.
Van tightly gripped the bicycle as the boys started laughing as if there's no tomorrow...
- Writer
