LOVE OR DEAD
CHAPTER 28: GOODBYE NAOKO

Asahi enters to see Kawaki who is smoking while sitting on the sofa. Asahi sat in front of Kawaki while giving an A4-sized brown envelope.

“This Young Master is data from miss Yoshiko Kobayashi”.

“You saw him, he is very similar to Chiyo. Are they both the same or different people?”.

“To be honest from the data I got, Yoshiko Kobayashi is a different woman. She is the younger sister of Naoko Kobayashi, they grew up in an orphanage. Their mother was a pel@cur who moved – move. In 1999 there was a major fire at the orphanage, since then the two brothers have separated. Miss Yoshiko Kobayashi was not found at the time. I don't know since when they came back to life with”.

“So is it true Yoshiko Kobayashi has the same face as Chiyo without any relationship?”.

“Nona Chiyo is the only child of Sanjo family. They don't have another child, it's been confirmed”.

“Investigate Naoko Kobayashi, we have to find her red thread”.

“Good Young Master..”

“Oh yes, make sure the cafe where the woman works is still observed. Don't give them a loophole to cover up the truth we should know”.

“I've asked our men to keep watch there, to monitor the motion – screech target”.

“We have to get the lost rabbit, any way”.

On the other hand, upon arrival I was in the apartment sitting limp in my room. It was as if all my energy was spilled into this disguise.

I removed all the clothes from my body, I went straight into the bathtub filled with water. I rubbed my whole body, but the disgust didn't go away. I cried with the sound of water flowing from the faucet. “Chiyo..this is just the beginning of the beginning, calm down. You have to stay sane for the sake of your survival” I said inwardly as if cursing myself.

The next day…

I woke up early to make breakfast and provisions for Naoko, this is the first time I did it.

“Good morning Yoshiko” said as he sat on the chair and picked up chopsticks and dinner table.

“Good morning my dear brother, how about your sleep last night?” I sat down and gave a bowl of rice to me.

“Very good, it seems my work is getting crazier. Huft but I can still handle it” I admit.

“Good, I'm glad to hear it” added me.

“Today you did not leave for work?” tanyakanya.

“I've asked permission to skip, I want to go on a date” I replied with a lie.

“Really? Good then, introduce him to me. I have to see what kind of man is dating my dear sister” he said excitedly.

“Maybe next time, we are still the beginning so still shy – shy” me.

After Naoko left for work, I immediately tidied up the house and prepared to leave.

I searched some districts in Tokyo, met some real estate agencies. I went to the suburban area of Shitamachi – Tokyo, found a building with 4 simple floors. A real estate agent drove me to see the room.

The room is quite small, only a room with a toilet and kitchen but there is already furniture. So I don't have to carry anything, just bring clothes. There was a window leading to the road where at the end of the road was a clean river. The environment is quite beautiful, he also showed the 5th floor where a roof is used as a match of hydroponic vegetable plants.

There was a man in a ripe brown skin who was picking up tomatoes and lettuce leaves, wearing a brown apron. He was about 40 years old, his hair was long under his shoulders. From behind it looks like a girl.

“Oi..Azura!” greet the staff to him.

“Oi...you brought prospective tenants?” tanyanya while approaching us who stood at the end of the stairs.

“True, he will rent here on the 3rd floor of room 33” replied the agency staff.

“Good, that's just the rest of the empty rooms here. Miss you are very lucky to get it, here the majority of women. Floor 1 special male – male while the rest all female” he told me.

“Let's just relax, there's a shop owned by Aunt Sachi down the street. A store selling bento, he needs a young woman like you to help him. Oh yeah what's your name?” tanyakanya.

“My name is Yoshiko Kobayashi, thanks for the information” I replied.

“Ya..Call me Azura, I am the owner of this building. If anything – what call me” he added.

Judging from his attitude he was actually friendly and kind, but his way of speaking was rather cold and indifferent.

I felt like I would fit in here, and I started packing all my clothes. After that I prepared dinner for Naoko, I wrote a short letter that I slipped on her dresser.

I've bought a new number, so I can use it after leaving Naoko. I don't want my number tracked by Kawaki's gang, I'm sure he's already started moving to spy on – of my eyes.

Naoko went home for about 21:00 nights, and we had dinner together. He took out the wine he had stored in the hanging cupboard on the stove. We sat down on the fur carpet in the living room, enjoying the wine he had stored.

“Naoko..”

“Hmmm..”

“Is it true you have a sister?”.

“Yes, her name is Yoshiko Kobayashi. We grew up in an orphanage, after my mother abandoned us. But in 1999 the orphanage we lived in was on fire, with many fatalities at the time. Yoshiko was not found, since then never saw it”.

“I'm sorry I asked you this, making you remember that sadness”.

“It's okay, I'm glad you asked. At least someone wants to hear my sad story. Hihihi..”.

I hugged her, in my heart for the first time I had a sister and was sad to be parted from her. But this is better than being dragged into the maelstrom of my life full of tragedy.

At dawn, I opened her room staring at her in deep sleep. I looked at him in silence, then walked slowly sneaking out. I realized staying with me would add more bad luck to him, as long as Kawaki still haunts me. Even though my steps are so heavy, but this is the path I have to go through.

Goodbye Naoko, even though our togetherness is short I am grateful to be your sister. I love you so much.

It turns out Naoko was aware of my departure, she was crying under the blanket.

Flash On

That night, when Naoko wants to sleep, she sits in front of her dresser. As usual she wore face and neck cream as well as her hands and feet. He saw a piece of white paper tucked in a pile of samples of a face mask. Then he took it and read it.

“Naoko…

I'm sorry I couldn't be a good sister for leaving you. I know my life is going to be more complicated and you can't handle it. I chose to go live my own life, I met a nice guy who helped me. Please don't worry about me, I'm doing very well in making this decision.

Please apologize to Hayami, for not saying goodbye directly. I hope you get married soon and are always happy. Thank you for accepting me with despair in my life. I love you guys, don't call me.

Goodbye goodbye…

From your dear sister,

Yoshiko”'s.

As Naoko's tears trickled in silence, she folded the paper and put it into a make-up box in the bottom layer. In the middle of the night, Naoko approached me in my sleep. Kissing my forehead while keeping her cries.

Flash Off

My tears welled up along the road, I sat in one of the seats in the carriage. I covered my face with a blue hat and looked down. I held tightly to the suitcase I was carrying, as well as the backpack that was on my lap.

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