LOVE OR DEAD
CHAPTER 34: MEETING HIROSHI

After grandfather's death, Jiro again leaves his family to join the Endo clan. Me, aunt and grandmother who now run the store, even without grandfather day – days we began to recover from sadness.

In September where Japan enters autumn, some of our bento menus also adjust one of them there is an additional Sanma fish. Many customers like it, we are also quite busy serving customers who always queue.

In the afternoon, when the shop was closed, my aunt invited me to stop by her house. Where the house is not far from the store, about 1 km. We walked with my grandmother to enjoy a busy afternoon that day.

Upon arrival at Sanchi's aunt's house, I was served some kind of traditional Japanese wet cake. Instantly my eyes glazed – the glass stared and ate the cake. I remember my father, mother and all the workers at Momo Michi.

“Not what?” ask aunt.

“No, I only remember my family when I ate this cake” I replied while wiping away the tears that had dripped on my cheeks.

“Where your family lives, it's been a long time I've wanted to ask you this. But it seems like you are very secretive about your personal life. Then I undo my intentions” I'm Sanchi's aunt.

“My family is away from Tokyo, they sell traditional cakes. We haven't seen” in a long time I said honestly.

“Why don't you visit them, surely they miss you” too said aunty.

“Yes, maybe because I was busy surviving in Tokyo so I couldn't meet them. But I'm happy enough to meet you guys” I said.

“Meet them when you are free, although Jiro left us but within a year he came home several times to visit us. Son, time cannot be repeated. That's how Grandpa told” said grandma while holding my hand.

That afternoon we chatted for the first time after grandfather's death.

In mid-September, yellowing leaves begin to appear falling. Bibi got an order for 200 bento boxes for the University of Tokyo. At first I hesitated to deliver it. I knew Hiroshi was there, but even so I had to help Azura.

Azura borrows a car from her brother to send bento.

The first time I set foot in the most prestigious University in Japan, I just realized the bento order for medical faculty. It turned out that there was a seminar in the hall organized by the medical faculty.

“Yoshiko...I walk fast, let go once you today” scold Azura to me.

“Iya..sabar dong, this I bring also a lot of” lamented me who walked down the corridor to the hall.

Arriving in front of the hall, the door was closed and a student wearing the name tag of the committee met us.

“Thank you for coming on time” said while taking one tie of bento pile.

He led us to the room next to the hall, where the organizers were gathered.

“Please put a table at the end of sana” said one of the short-haired women shoulder to shoulder to me.

Azura and I put the bento that we brought on the table, the woman started handing out to the organizers.

“Fumi..I take the rest of the car, you here help share bento” said Azura.

“Alright” I said although I was a bit was – was must be in the room.

A male student with a seductive face, approached me “You are beautiful too, a girl as beautiful as you sure can make bento?”.

I just kept quiet while distributing bento to the others.

“One time arrogant, mentang – mentang beautiful yes. This courier but arrogant once” he quipped.

“Taki..don't try to tease him, better help us bring bento to the hall!” sniffed the woman who had helped me.

Behind the stage, we put bentos for the speakers and crew.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw the man walking towards me was Hiroshi. The man I had been waiting for for a long time, longed for his smile and his warmth. I also turned my face away.

“Hiroshi..you were so cool on stage as speaker” praise the woman.

“Thank you, all thanks to you guys who made this show. So I prepared myself as best I could for the success of this show” Hikaru said.

“This bento for you, eat and rest” said the girl thrusting bento.

The woman approached me “Nona...Where is your friend still not coming?”.

“Then I called briefly” said I who stood on Hiroshi's back.

I called Azura, “You where, this is all divided live the rest of the bento that you took”.

“Alright, hurry here” said I was cut off with my wrist pulled from behind.

Hiroshi took my hand and we looked at each other.

“Chiyo” call him.

“Sorry you were wrong man” I said politely.

“You cannot deceive me, since I was a child I have lived with you there is no way I could have mistaken people” he said.

“I'm sorry I'm not the person you mentioned” I said as I let go of my wrist.

“Don't lie, look in your eyes can't do it” snick Hiroshi.

I walked out as Azura came in carrying the bento, Hiroshi followed me out.

In the corridor he ran after me and pulled me into his arms.

“I miss you, Chiyo”.

“Let go of me sir, I'm not Chiyo”.

“Why should you lie to me”.

“I didn't lie to you”.

“I keep looking for you, I'm right – feel crazy without you. Don't be afraid I'll protect you”.

“Let me go sir!”.

I pushed her body to the floor.

“Do not disturb me, or you I report to the police station. I'm not the person you mean. Please stop your fantasy to me” my elak then walk quickly to the car park.

I crouched down beside the car holding back my tears, it felt like my heart was hurting to not be able to tell the truth. I wanted to touch her face, ask her how she was, but it was all gone.

Azura got me crouching while holding back the cry, my ears were instantly pulled.

“For what you even play drama with ants there, I've been looking for you since last” protest.

“AAAAAUUUU!!!” screaming pain.

“Why did you pull my ear?” just pissed.

“You are not helping bento, instead make sadness drama with ants – the ant. Do not pura – pura sad because run from duty, let's go home” his scolding.

I know he tried to change my mood, at least he made me realize that sadness is only a waste – for now. I have to successfully move on to become Yoshiko Kobayashi.

On the other side…

Hiroshi approached his female friend who became the committee.

“Akane..Can I ask for the phone number of the bento seller you shared earlier”.

“Oh...you like the taste of bento, so you want to order it again?”.

“It feels good, I want to buy it for my family event”.

“Wah son conglomerate, still love this simple bento. Amazing, all right then. This is the number, the shop is remote if you want to go there”.

“Thanks for much information, when – when I bought bento”.

“Don't bento, grilled meat can”.

“Baiklah”.

Hiroshi feels God has given him a way to find Chiyo. He also kept the phone number of aunt Sanchi's shop. In her heart she is determined to save Chiyo on the run.

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