Charmed Over

It's still dark, but I see a faint light slipping through the window blinds. "Right. First day of spring." I prepared as always and left this old empty house bidding farewell to a beautiful person's portrait with a charm inserted at the side of its frame. "I'll be off, everyone." It has been two years since my grandmother died from a heart attack. She took me in after my parents died from a car crash on a business trip when I was three. At sixteen, I have inherited this place to myself and supporting my needs by working various part-time jobs. I am taking the usual route to school chomping on left-over white bread crusts. "This feels a little chilly for spring." I mumbled to myself spacing out like the usual when somebody in a hurry bumps to my side and finally loses balance in front of me. "A cat?" The girl who stumbled before just exposed what's under her skirt. The girl hurriedly ran shouting "Shut up! I'm sorry!". What a funny thing to start my morning. I continued walking but stopped at the sight of something familiar — a charm —and it is something that looked like what my grandmother gave me before she died. Lost in my thoughts, I did not even recognize the girl who dropped it. She wears a uniform similar to the girls in my school, but I don't know her. It was the first time I've seen that person. She looked cute, I think. Short brown hair, a mole on her right cheek, blushed bright like the city lights and looked pretty clumsy. "I guess I just have to hold onto this for a while." I felt myself smirking for no reason. But really? I guess she woke my senses up this morning. I'll just have to hurry up to school. _______________________________________ "Oy, Kira. Would you mind returning these worksheets and journals in the library? We have a council meeting in a few minutes. Sorry for the trouble." Representative Erin asked me. I do not have any part-time work today, so I think it will be fine. I went to the library as asked. It seems empty so I should hurry. I've been staying alone at the house for quite a long time and the thought of possibly seeing ghosts still creep me a little. I heard a loud thud behind a shelf. "Oww, that hurt." Faint sound, yet clear. "Is anyone there?" I went to check for myself. That clearly didn't sound like a ghost. To my surprise I saw a little woman in a panic — opening and closing books — like searching for any slipped papers in a book or a bookmark. "Are you all right, miss? May I help you?" An annoyed and teary-eyed face met my gaze. Wait a moment, she was the girl from this morning. Haha she really does look like a klutz. Anyway, I think I should hand over the charm I had this morning. I was just reaching for my pocket when she hurriedly exit the library. Once again feeling dumbfounded, I scratched my head and picked up the books she left on the floor. I checked the borrowing card and found the recent common name on those books. "Maya Fujitaka" At least I already got the name. She's an interesting person — clumsy and funny. I'm should head home. ________________________________________ I wonder what should I have for dinner tonight. A cup of instant noodles is fine. I should just head to the nearest convenience store and buy one. *Bell rings upon opening the door* "Good evening. Welcome to 7-Seven." Staff with a cap greeted me and I passed through the instant noodles rack. I picked one, grabbed a bottled juice in the refrigerator and went to the counter to pay. The staff raised her head upon asking for the payment and I didn't expect to see that easily flustered face once more. Now I finally let out a laugh. "What the hell are you doing here!? Did you follow me all the way here? I'll call for help!" She's shouting all right, blushing hard enough. It's a funny sight. A real funny sight. "That's where I think you're mistaken, Ms. Fujitaka. Am I right, that's your name?" "You really are a stalker!" She's getting more fidgety and high-pitched. "Calm down. I'm not stalking you. You dropped something earlier this morning and I have been trying to return it to you. You dashed off the moment I asked you at the library so I tried to search for your name. Being here at the store is pure coincidence. I was just buying dinner." "Oh I see." She looked confused staring at my purchase. "Dinner?" I nodded and just paid for the noodles. She didn't say anything else so I looked for a seat and silently ate. For quite some time I felt her brooding stare and left the store. I just went through the doors. It's too dark. I don't think she has anyone to walk with her home. When her shift ended, I heard her loud sigh. She didn't notice me because I was crouching next to the bench just outside the store's doors. "Hey." Just one stern word and she almost freaked out like she just saw a ghost. "I'm sorry. I promise I'm not stalking. It's just that it's really late. My house is this way. Which way is yours? I would not mind joining you." "Oh, I see. Same way. I don't think it's necessary, but all right. I guess... thank... you?" Her voice was fading. I gave a small smile, okay. While walking, I realized that I haven't returned the charm. I reached for my bag's pocket and gave it to her. "Here, I almost forgot." "Thank.. you. I'm sorry about earlier. Uhm, I didn't get to know your name." "Oh. No worries. It's Kira Ichinose." "Ok." *deafening silence* Oh. Dead air. I guess I should say something. This is awkward. "It's okay. In this case, I think I should be the one to apologize. I didn't mean to see the cat and blue stripes." I heard her footsteps disappear abruptly. "You jerk! I'm already thanking you and just ruined this ugh." I let out a good laugh. "Sorry, sorry. Hahaha, I can't control it. I don't think of those stuff. I won't do anything bad." I continued laughing that I can't see anymore from my eye squinting. Just when I thought she's finally silent, she grabbed my collar and hit my head with her bag. "Stupid!" Haha I didn't anticipate that. She walked passed me with her arms crossed. I saw that unibrow and falling cheeks from her frowning. "Sorry, I just thought of clearing the dead air earlier." I can feel she's a lot more embarrassed by now. "I'm really sorry. I don't really have any bad intentions.I did want to have something fun to talk about. Sorry about my choice of topic. By the way, my house is right here. You? Are you still walking ahead?" She was staring at me blankly with wide eyes. "You live there?" I gave a nod. I heard an old man's voice calling "Maya! We saved you some dinner." She was actually just living across. I never knew. So, I left with a wry smile and raised my right arm a little like a bye without a wave. ______________________________________ Maya's POV "Grandpa, are there people living across us all these time?" "Yes, dear. I remember that young boy's grandmother would pray regularly in our shrine and leave chestnuts sometimes." "Sure is dark for a house. But why don't I see any lights?" "From what I know, that boy's parents died a long time ago. Then two years ago, his grandma also died. I think he lives alone now." "That explains the dinner choice", I mumbled softly. "Did you make friends with him?" "I don't think it's like that. But I guess he helped me out today." "Why don't you invite him to dinner tomorrow?" "Huh? Why would I!?" Grandpa isn't at least worried that he may be someone with ill intentions. "I never got the chance to thank the madam for shrine gifts. It's a small thing to give, my child." Grandpa said it with a beaming smile. "All right." After the dinner course, I went for a bath and relaxed in my room. His house is visible from my room. It really is dark. But not even once did I think this person had such a life. He feels like ready to burst laughing at any moment. He was kind of a jerk earlier for making fun of my underwear. Sheeesh. Accidents like this kind of removes the face I'm trying to put up with. It's too difficult to keep my embarrassment each day. He must think I'm a laughing stock all day. *sigh* Anyways, I'm glad I got this charm back. Guess I should really thank him. Grandpa told me this is a precious possession of grandma's family. "Protect this with all your heart." A flashback of grandma's words appear. "I'm sorry for today, grandma. I won't lose it again." And just that, I finally have peace to doze off for the night. _______________________________________ Kira's POV "So the shrine people have a granddaughter. I'm tired. I shouldn't bother with the lights. I'm home". I smiled at the photograph and caught sight of the charm displayed. I took a closer look and touched the red charm next to my grandma's photo. "They really are the same."