The Letter to Misaki
Chapter 1 Part 4: Good luck!

"33...34...35...36..."

"Let's continue, brother!"

Friday as usual.

Right now I'm in the back yard of Hiroi's dojo.

I thought it was going to rain because it was cloudy, it was just my hallucination. It's still summer.

Because of the stupidity Futaba did yesterday, I was forced to duel with her father Chika.

The problem is we're going to fight karate and I don't know anything about karate.

Since I was a child, I rarely exercised. My physical strength was standard, or maybe substandard.

Therefore, I asked Aunt Chihiro for help to help me train.

I think it might teach me something, but...

"Hey, why do I have to clean this place?"

The backyard of Hiroi's dojo is quite wide and borders directly on the forest. From here I could hear the river.

Because it's summer now, it's insect time for activity.

"Don't say much! Fast work!"

Futaba who today wears a one-piece dress with a sling bag, stands on the other side of the yard while feeling like the foreman is trying to organize.

This child is nothing but a burden!

This time, we tried to clean this page that had not been maintained for a long time. Yes, we should.

Futaba reasoned that she was allergic to dried leaves, saying that it made her uncomfortable. That's why he won't help.

"Oi, the leaf allergy is a lie, right? Besides it's still summer, the leaves haven't fallen yet. We're just cleaning up some trash and tidying up the grass around"

I swung the broomstick and pointed it at Futaba.

"It's your fault, after all, to say to duel with him, right? It's supposed to be a duel between you and Chika's father"

Then I said that.

As usual, Futaba who just stood there just said another reason.

"Say if you're scared..."

"Here you!! Don't run!!"

Against the talkative Futaba, I tried to run after her.

"Hehehehehe, coward"

"You're the coward for running from me!"

Seeing him being chased, Futaba ran towards the forest.

Before he went deeper, suddenly a voice sounded from the direction of the dojo.

"Are you guys done?"

It was Aunt Chihiro who was carrying a tray of snacks and drinks.

Seeing that, Futaba subconsciously passed me and ran towards Aunt Chihiro quickly.

"Ah, wait!"

Damnit damnit! This is the weakness of people who are lazy to exercise, easily tired when doing heavy things even if only temporarily.

Running was quite draining.

Tired, I walked slowly towards the two of them.

"So how's the job?"

Aunt Chihiro asked Futaba.

"Done! I've finished her job auntie!"

"I did it all from the beginning! Also the work is not finished because you are not helping!"

"Yes yes, I understand. I deliberately didn't work so you could focus on practicing"

Shit, I can't say anything!

You fried fish! What dah!

I just found out that Futaba's personality is like this. Is he often like this with Mariko? Don't tell me that Mariko imitates Futaba's nature!?

Suddenly Aunt Chihiro chuckled at the behavior of the two of us.

As Futaba devoured one of the snacks, Aunt Chihiro placed the tray on the grass.

Futaba followed the tray and sat down on the grass. Then Aunt Chihiro looked like she wanted to say something while pointing towards the forest door.

It was the door of the forest where Futaba had previously run towards him.

"A long time ago there was a legend that said that around here there was a two-tailed cat. The cat has two souls. One soul is calm and quiet. The other one is wild and chaotic"

Aunt Chihiro said that with a hint of nostalgia evident from her eyes.

"Fortunately, the aunt often played with the cat. In autumn and winter, the aunt plays with a calm soul. In summer and spring, a wild soul accompanies aunty. That was when I was a kid"

In Aunt Chihiro's eyes, there was a hint of disappointment and sadness. Looks like something happened.

Two-tailed cat...

"Now my aunt has never seen that cat since 10 years ago. I don't know why that"

"Has the cat been caught?"

While chewing the food, Futaba asked innocently raising her hand.

"Haha.no. Auntie sure it's not like that. There must be something going on"

Well that might happen. It makes sense for someone to kidnap a cat like that.

"Is aunt sad?"

Futaba asked again innocently.

"Yes, that's how it is..."

Aunt Chihiro replied with a light smile.

"Alright, auntie went back to the kitchen to make lunch. Continue the work, yes"

"Good!"

"Don't talk while eating.good aunt Chihiro"

I reprimanded Futaba who never stopped chewing.

Aunt Chihiro chuckled and then turned and left.

At that moment, I noticed the forest gate that Aunt Chihiro had pointed at earlier and was speechless looking at the place.

"Ah, the cake's up"

I threw a broomstick at Futaba and went back to work.

"—Kerja~ Work~ Work~"

Saturday as usual.

As usual, it is summer. How many times have I said this?

For sure this is the right time to vacation to a cool place, such as the beach or garden.

"Kerja~ Kes~ Ker~"

"Stop singing!"

"But I'm trying to encourage you"

Futaba, as usual, sat watching me on the other side of the place while I was cleaning the dojo.

The task this time, or maybe training then is to clean the dojo. Such as sweeping and mopping the floor. You probably know better.

"But why is this dojo quiet?"

Futaba opened the door and sat there while saying that. Letting light through the door.

"Where do I know. It was said before when we visited Thursday, right?"

Aunt Chihiro said that all the students were off because there was preparation. Maybe this is a good opportunity to clean this place up.

But...

"It's not a practice at all!"

I threw the mop on the floor and said it out loud.

"I mean punches and fists, kicks and slashes? I need to learn that!"

Saying that, I moved as if I was punching something.

How am I supposed to deal with Chika's father like this?

"You're just complaining now? You've cleaned up all the places you were told to and you're just complaining now?"

Futaba from the other side replied to my question.

"That's not the problem now! The thing is, how do I beat Chika's father! I've never studied karate before. Even any martial arts, never!"

Hearing that, Futaba approached me and then reached for my shoulder.

Then say something...

"May you survive, brother"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear that from the one who yells at pitting people to a duel!"

Damnit damnit! If only this kid hadn't been so noisy back then, maybe I'd be sleeping at home by now.

After all this is not the job of the letter, maybe I don't need to follow the challenge of dueling.

Speaking of letters, I haven't opened the letter from yesterday. If it's not wrong, it's still tucked in my pants pocket.

Just as I was about to take the letter out of my pocket, Aunt Chihiro came from the other direction of the room.

"How's the job?"

As usual, Aunt Chihiro came to ensure the fruits of our labor. Not my training.

Oh yeah, I just thought about this.

"Auntie, where is Chika? I haven't seen him since yesterday"

In fact, you could say, the atmosphere in the dojo was very quiet. Chika hasn't been seen since the last time I met her.

Aunt Chihiro just smiled a little.

"Now where is he"

And just say it as an answer.

As if remembering something, he put his hands together and then started saying something.

"From that, can you help auntie?"

From those words, he started to knot his hands and looked like he still wanted to say something.

"There are some items in the warehouse that are still used. Can you take it and bring it here?"

—That's what happened.

"This is the warehouse?"

Futaba asked me something.

"Wear it"

I reply as I can.

I can't remember what time it was, which is definitely noon.

The warehouse in front of us was not far from the dojo. You could say a little into the forest.

Slightly dusty and overgrown with some vines. There are even long bean sprouts!

Futaba tries to remember the message from Aunt Chihiro.

"Hmm, we were told to bring all the boxes containing umeboshi"

(Umeboshi is a dried pickled pickled made from ume fruit).

While hearing that, I opened the door of the warehouse with the key given.

"We? Then you have to work too"

"Ah..no, suddenly my hands hurt!"

"Woi, do you want your hands to hurt?"

As the door of the warehouse opened, we were greeted by the sight of items piled into disarray.

"Wear the nanya again, let's quickly find umeboshi"

Futaba's looking on the right side, I'm looking on the left. The light from the door was not enough to illuminate this place, so we fumbled to look.

"Well, there's a comic here. Look, sis!"

"Woi's working seriously.I can't see it anyway, it's pretty dark in here"

Some of the boxes are still covered. I don't want to have to open it all.

"Well..."

"Hmm?"

I heard something from outside.

"You hear something, Futaba?"

"What?"

I'm sure, heard something from the outside.

"Maybe it's a two-tailed cat?"

"Where is possible"

We continue the search.

—Up until the afternoon, we found two boxes containing umeboshi and brought them to Aunt Chihiro.

"Thank you, you two"

After saying that, Aunt Chihiro returned to the kitchen.

Finding an object like this, it looks like looking for a needle piled hay.

We opened up all the boxes that were closed and found things that we were not supposed to find.

"I'm traumatized..."

Futaba said as she tried to forget what she found.

"I don't know what you found, but you seem so scared. What's that about?"

"No! I don't want to remember it anymore! Please!"

I left Futaba alone and went back to the dojo to take my hat.

Perhaps so and I saw how the afternoon sky formed.

As I was heading towards the dojo, from there was someone.

It was Chika! What the hell is he doing?

He's wearing a karate uniform. He was sitting, apparently talking to someone.

I approached slowly.

The person Chika was talking to was the man I had invited to a duel, none other than her own father.

They seemed to be talking about something serious.Chika's face was disappointed.

What are they talking about?

Before I could get close to eavesdrop on their conversation, another voice sounded from the opposite direction.

"Sister! Where're you?"

With a response, I immediately left the two of them in silence.

I'll take my hat tomorrow.

"Where are you from?"

"Come"

Then we walked back home.

—Happy sunday!

That's what I want to say, if today I don't duel with the man in front of me.

I just remembered if I hadn't prepared myself for this at all!

I mean I haven't practiced at all! All I do is clean up and.clean up!

If you say that the most important thing is to prepare mentally, I want you to take my place now.

"You can do it, brother!"

On the other hand the dojo, Futaba who as usual wears a sling bag tries to give spirit. I'm not sure that would help.

Next to Futaba, there was Aunt Chihiro who was calmly sitting down. Even I saw snacks and drinks there, is this a show for him!?

"Happy sunday, young man"

Chika's father said that.

As expected of the dojo owner, always calm in various situations.

Inversely with me, I could feel my hands shaking. I even sweat before the game.

Is it because it's summer or because it's my first time wearing a karate uniform.

Or maybe something else.

Right at noon today at twelve o'clock, the match will start. While waiting for someone else.

"The boy is old too"

Chika's father said as he looked at the wall clock that showed 11:55. Five minutes before I take this guy to a fight.

Chika is scheduled to come to watch our game, but until now has not come as well.

If it's like this, whether or not he wants to be there will start the game.

When I think like that, I think it would be great if he wasn't here. I mean, I don't want him to see my weak side.

As I thought that, I lifted myself up and stood up.

"We'll start now"

And stupidly said that.

It had started from that moment, inevitably having to be saved.

If I win, the match will be void. I don't intend to be a hero to him. But this all just happens, and I can't go against that stream.

Just like that letter.

"Well, if that's what you want, young man"

Chika's father stood up and tightened the belt. And started taking the horses.

At the same time, I also prepared myself by clenching both hands and preparing to punch.

"You're whenever you're ready, young man"

Without pause, I drove as fast as I could and unleashed a punch.

"!?"

Damnit damnit! He dodged!

Within that distance, he also unleashed his punch. But I managed to avoid.

Goody! It turns out that cleaning exercises pay off!

Quickly, he unleashed a punch once again from the unguarded left side.

I tried to dodge, but this punch managed to hit me right on the left side of the stomach.

"!?"

Damnit damnit! The punch is so hard!

The punch made me feel pain.

"I lost immediately..."

Slowly I lost consciousness...

"—Congratulations, sis! You won!"

When he woke up, Futaba said it was right in front of me.

I sat down and realized I was sleeping on the floor.

"What's going on?"

"wear nanya. You won"

"Win?"

I looked around and found Chika's battered father lying on the floor.

Me win? How-to?

"Congratulations, son of Manabe"

Aunty Chihiro's small applause rang out, gracing my victory.

But what happens when I pass out?

Futaba looks happy with that, while holding my shoulder on both sides.

I looked at my palm and found nothing there.

"How about we celebrate your little victory?"

Aunt Chihiro said as she stood up and prepared herself to head to the kitchen.

I looked at the tray he was carrying and saw that some food was left.

It didn't take long for me to faint. Even so, I'm still not sure.

Just as I was about to stand following Futaba and the others, I saw my hat neatly tucked away on the shelf.

I put it near the chair. As usual, I picked it up and put it on my head.

"Yes"

Suddenly the voice came from the door behind me.

Turning around, I saw Chika standing up while folding her hands.

Oh yeah, where'd he come from?

Before I could ask like that, he preceded me.

"You won, yeah"

And say something like that.

I'm confused how to say it.

"I didn't think you turned out that strong"

His voice grew smaller and smaller, and then he turned to back me.

"Yeah"

I don't know what he's doing, but he took a breath before he came to me.

Later then...

"Yes!"

"Aragh!"

He hit me right in the stomach. The punch wasn't as hard as his father's but it still hurt.

"Why did you do that!"

I still don't understand what's going on with this kid!?

But it seems like his mood is good. As long as it was, he seemed to want to say something he really wanted to say.

In such a moment, he smiled sincerely.

"Thank you"

Without a pause, he continued.

"I will definitely not lose to you!"

Then he left without waiting for a response from me.

No losing? Meanin?

Before that, I have to think about something more important.

How do I take care of Chika's father?