The Letter to Misaki
Chapter 1 Part 3: This week we meet!

"Good night, Manabe"

And he smiled under the sun which made some glare in his hair.

Our distance is separated by this turnstile. Like the boundary between heaven and earth, like honesty and lying.

What would happen if he married that person...

Will he not deliver any more mail? Who will replace it?

Then...what will I do?

I remember, from the beginning the reason why Chika worked was because she did not agree with her father's matchmaking plan.

Why Chika disagrees with the matchmaking, there must be a reason.

I'd better not interfere more than this.

"Then I go home first"

"Eh? You came here just to say that?"

"Yes.argh! You hit me twice!..."

He hit me around the shoulder. He had much faster reflexes, so I couldn't dodge.

Although it is now scorching, but the clouds in the summer look brighter. Very lovely.

Moreover, Hiroi dojo is located near the forest, the atmosphere here looks so integrated with the scenery.

The sound of insects and wind, meet here. Very calm.

"Well, I'll go home first.If you need help, just call me"

I don't know why I told him that, spontaneously coming out of my mouth.

Like there was such a hunch, more or less.

"Wait!"

Just as I intended to go home and turn from her, she held me back.

Yeah, I feel like this is gonna happen. I don't know why that is.

"Actually, I need help.if you don't mind"

Different from before, this time he looked so agitated. He rubbed both his hands.

I just saw Chika for the first time like this. Ask for help sincerely. Even since we were classmates, he always asked for my help with punches.

"Yes? If you need a punching bag, I'm sorry I can't help.almost!" Suddenly Chika hit.

"Not that! I don't like to hit anyway! So I don't need that!"

I want to say that there are some parts of my body that hurt from being attacked by unknown people.

Perhaps so, and he had a powerful and quick punch. I doubt if he's a boxing athlete or a karate athlete.

I turned.

"It's over, right? Then I'll see you"

"Well..."

I heard the doubt in that voice.

Even so, I did not stop and continued walking. Leaving Chika standing behind the fence.

"—Evening is ready!"

Sound from the kitchen. Hearing that, I did not leave immediately and remained seated at the study table.

What I do is just imagine what happened before.

I know that taking care of people's business is not good, but it's just that it always comes to mind.

About Chika's matchmaking.

I was just wondering if anything would change if he approved of his father.

If he married someone he didn't like. Will he be happy?

Who is the one who was betrothed to him?

What will change...

"My letter.oh yes, it's gone"

I mean expired? Or maybe that coock's lifespan is over?

Same point. I will have to wait for Thursday again for a new letter.

But long time too, now days...

I see a calendar..What day? Oh yeah, friday.

That means 6 more days for that. And the summer holidays are still 2 weeks.

"What have I done during this holiday..."

And subconsciously I began to fall asleep at the study table...

...----------------...

"—Good morning, brother"

"Hmm?"

Morning already?

Hmm, I fell asleep on the floor again? What did I do last night?

"Ah, I forgot dinner..."

Despite realizing that, I did not feel hungry at all. But that doesn't mean I won't eat breakfast.

Which is more important...

"Why are you coming again, Futaba?"

Futaba came in casual clothes along with a sling bag as usual. Her hair was short as usual.

But why did he come again?

"Again?" Futaba said while confused.

"It's thursday. Like I promised, I'll come every Thursday. You're forgot?" Futaba continued while putting her bag on the table.

"What?"

Thursday? Wait, the feeling yesterday was just Friday. He came yesterday too.

When I looked at the calendar, I was surprised there to signify it was Thursday.

What the hell's going on?

"Futaba, you came yesterday, right?"

"Huh? What did I come for yesterday? I told you, Thursday I came. As I said"

What's going on now? I don't understand anymore. Something is strange.

I remember that the day after receiving the letter, Futaba came here. Which means yesterday was Friday. It should be saturday.

At that time.of what date.but surely he came.

"Why else, brother? You were suddenly surprised to lose 900 yen. Is there any other punishment that you get?..also you like to sleep on the floor huh?"

"No, just..."

I can't explain it to Futaba. I also don't understand what's wrong.

Like there was a day missed. I'm less sure either. Or just a hunch?

"Oh, brother, have you got a new letter?"

Considering it's Thursday, so I should have gotten a new letter.

Hmm, that's right too.

"...Wait, I'll take it outside first"

"Hmm? I checked the mailbox and it was empty. I thought you took it"

"I just woke up, you know"

Impossible, Mariko and aunt took a letter that clearly had the name of the recipient there. Even if the letter is without an address.

If so, they should have given it to me.

Is Chika late to deliver the mail? No way, he's been on time.

Maybe it's...

"Futaba, wait for me here for a second. I'll be back"

"Ah, where are you going, brother? Wait, I'm coming!"

I mean, I took the jacket and I meant the hat and closed the door after Futaba came out.

"Where are we going?" Wearing his shoes, Futaba asked.

"Take the letter directly from the person"

"Eh? You know Misaki!? Who her? Where does she live?"

"We're leaving!"

"Wait on! I'm not done!"

...----------------...

Morning, Hiroi dojo.

I've been coming here a lot lately. This is the third time I've been here.

Without waiting, I pressed the bell beside the gate.

"Wait a minute..."

Like the first time I came here, there was a sound from the bell. He told me to wait.

Then someone pulled my sleeve.

"Is this Misaki's house? And was that Misaki's voice? She's your acquaintance?"

It was Futaba who followed me from home.

I also wonder how and where Misaki's house is, but now...

"ah! It's Manabe boy. How are. You came yesterday too. Come on, come on in"

Yesterday? The feeling I met with Chika. Did he tell his mother I was coming?

Suddenly Futaba came forward and bowed to her mother Chika.

"Good morning, Missaki"

"Aah!"

"Eh?"

I was surprised, Chika's mother was also surprised.

"—I'm sorry. Aunt Chihiro. I got carried away"

Futaba looks down while apologizing to Chihiro's aunt, or call her mother Chika.

As I just found out, Chika's real name is Chihiro Hiroi.

A 40-year-old woman, housewife. He is currently wearing a kimono.

"You often use kimono well... by the way kimono it...?"

The kimono that Aunt Chihiro used was no stranger...

Remembering that, I remember the time she received a new kimono from the courier. Also when he wiggles the fence of the house.

Even so, it is summer now.

I don't think kimono is suitable for summer, because it has a thick material.

I was in the living room. Futaba who was seriously looking around sat next to me. He was like a kid visiting a museum.

For some reason it seems like there is less, not as usual.

"Is everyone off? I don't hear any more noise like I used to, Hiro! Hiro! Hiro!' That's so..."

Yes, there is less. At times like this, there is usually a noise from inside the training room. The voice of the person practicing.

Even though it was still early in the morning, they should have started training earlier. I suppose.

"Oh..now everything is preparing.so everything is on holiday"

Preparations?

"If you may know, what preparation is that?"

I tried asking Aunt Chihiro.

Suddenly...

"Preparation for Chika's wedding"

From the door of the other side of the room came a heavy sound which was then followed by the form of a large man.

As he folded his hands he approached us who were sitting.

"Who are you?"

And then ask us. Maybe more precisely to me. I could see his eyes with focus looking at me.

He was almost two meters tall and he was also big. The Hakama he uses raises the line of his muscles. How outrageous!

(Note: Hakama is a garment often used in judo or kendo)

Is this a judo or karate dojo? I'm confused because he doesn't show such traits.

"These two are Chika's friends. He's Manabe's girlfriend Chika and Futaba's sister's friend"

"Wait!"

Aunt Chihiro introduced us to this big man.

At least choose one of them! Friend or Girlfriend!

And why did Futaba get a safe role?

That's not what matters now!

I turned to look at the big man.

"Daughter?"

The big man muttered and continued to look at me from earlier.

"Let me introduce, he's my husband. Ginga Hiroi's. The dojo owner and his father Chika. Hope you are familiar, yes. Drug"

After saying that, Aunt Chihiro left us and headed to the kitchen.

Waitaminute! Don't leave us here alone with this creepy guy!

Right then, the big man was sitting in the chair opposite us.

Futaba continued to look around while feeling amazed by the interior of the house, as if she did not feel what was happening.

Or is he shifting his eyes?

Maybe that's why he's looking at me right now.

"So you're Chika's boyfriend?"

He started with a difficult question.

How should I start?

"Actually..."

"So it's true"

I haven't said anything!

He took a teapot and poured it on the cup on the table. After that took out his cup and gulped down from it.

After that, he put the cup back on the table.

Then say something.

"I heard from Chika that she has a boyfriend. I asked her if she had a boyfriend and she replied, "maybe". So you're the one"

Damn you Chika! You got me in trouble!

After pouring water on the cup, he took his cup and sipped it again.

After taking a sip, he again placed the cup on the table. And put it on the table again.

He went back on.

"But even if you're here, it can't change the decision you've made. Chika is getting married to my best friend's son. Everything has been decided"

He took another cup and gulped back some water from it.

"But Chika disagrees with the decision. Chika has to marry the person she likes"

I said my opinion and after that I took my cup and took a sip from it.

"While he disagrees, how else. This is an old tradition of our dojo. If the successor of the dojo is female, then she should marry another possible dojo successor"

He once again took the cup and gulped it back down.

Futaba took out her cup then gulped down the water from the cup before putting the cup back down and again busily paying attention around.

He really didn't want to be seen with this guy.

"You're just her boyfriend, aren't you? What can you give me? Can you guarantee her future is bright? More importantly what's your job?"

Before that I want to say, that I can't guarantee that I'm his girlfriend. I wasn't her boyfriend at the beginning.

He picked up the cup and gulped it back down before putting it back on the table.

From the beginning I can say what? I'm just a regular High School student. I have no definite goals and no future.

I'm not even Chika's nobody. Only acquaintances who often meet when receiving letters or also at school.

I took my cup and tried to sip it for a bit longer than usual.

As I took a sip, I saw Futaba standing up from the chair and looked like she wanted to say something.

"Manabe's arrival here is to challenge you to a duel!l"

I spouted all the water out of my mouth.

"Uhuk! Uhuk! Uhuk!...What!?"

What did this boy say!?

"Duel?"

The big man held his chin while seemingly thinking about the offer Futaba said.

As long as that happened, I pulled Futaba to sit down and whispered something to her.

"What did you say!? You made him misunderstand!"

"Isn't that what you're here for?"

"No! You're just quiet anyway, you better shut up until the end!"

The big man took the cup and again took a sip of water before putting the cup back on the table.

"Hmm, interesting. Well, I accept the offer. We're competing this week. The requirement of the match is to wear a karate uniform and be on time. If you win I'll call off the match"

This time he took the cup and left it in his hand.

"If you lose, you'll have to be a member of Hiroi's dojo"

"Agreed!"

"Woi!"

Futaba immediately stood up and said that before I could stop her.

Then the man stood up while carrying the cup with him.

"All right, I'll see you Sunday. Young boy"

And then he went to the place where he first appeared.

When his presence was lost, the tense air suddenly disappeared along with the calm atmosphere that appeared.

"They're just presenting us with water"

Futaba who was excited to propose the idea of a duel, now even protested about drinks while sitting.

I'm sorry I brought it here! He's not helping at all!

"Woi load, we're home!"

"Hey, that's rude!"

Before we stood, from the side of the kitchen door came another.

"Wait a minute!"

Aunt Chihiro ran over to us who intended to go home.

The sound reminded me of the bell near the fence.

"Eh, where's Ginga?"

The ginga? Oh, Chika's father.

"She just left"

I pointed to where the man was going

"Isn't it.wait yes"

Saying that, Aunt Chihiro gave something to me.

"Your goal is here for this, right?"

That's a letter.

Right, it was a letter from Misaki.

"Aunty found this dumpster. There are many other letters. When the aunt tried to take care of it, there was a letter for Manabe. What if something is important and not sent to the person...?"

I took the letter from Aunt Chihiro.

"Thank you, auntie"

And then fold the letter before putting it in the pocket.

Today is Thursday, just 2 days before Sunday. I'm not sure it's enough or not but...

"Auntie, can I ask for help?"

"Eh? Can really. What should aunt help?"

Even Futaba might be able to help despite her burden.

But atleast...

"Auntie, help me learn karate from the beginning!"

Saying that, I bowed deeply to Aunt Chihiro.