Sister Visit
-Noiz-
I live for this once a month. My phone rang on my nightstand. I grumbled to
myself as I reached for my phone.
“Wha?” I asked, half-asleep.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” a woman said on the other line. “Did I call too early?” My eyes
widened as the words flooded my head.
“Choki?” she asked. “Oh, no! It’s fine.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“No, no,” I said. “I’m up now. What’s on your mind?”
“Not much. I just wanted to say I was in town for a week.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I got in last night. How have you been?”
“Good. And you?”
“I’ve been good.”
We ended up talking for god knows how long that morning. It got me to thinking.
When was the last time I saw my sister? I thought it was time for a visit. I
looked over the calendar at the wall. I couldn’t help but smile.
Perfect, just in time for spring break.
I jumped out of bed and got dressed. Already, I had my routine planned out for
the spring break visit. I needed to bring gifts and cakes. It wouldn’t be just
Choki I was visiting. Tami will want me to get her something too. As I headed
out of my room, I looked at my clock.
10:00 a.m.
I should be back in the countryside by the afternoon.
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The train ride felt relaxing. I bought two cakes in the bakery in the city. Tami
likes cake that isn’t too sweet but is really soft. Choki has a weakness for
chocolate. I made sure to get the right amount. The lady behind the counter
smiled at me.
“Special occasion?” she asked.
“Visiting the family,” I said. “I haven’t seen them in so long.”
“I see,” the lady said. “I will have your cakes coming right up.” My train ride
to Karuizawa reminded me of when I first came to Japan. I didn’t have the money
to stay in Tokyo at the time. So, I had to stay with a host family in the
countryside and work in the city. I only moved out when I had the money to live
on my own. I looked out the window. Geez, how long has it been? The last I saw
Choki was that she was going to work in America. I heard that she even has a new
boyfriend. Tami’s probably going to ask me when I will get a boyfriend too.
I smiled and shook my head.
I will have to save that when I get there. I closed my eyes and dozed off on the
train for the rest of the trip.
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Oh, it feels good to be back! There were people here, but it wasn’t as crowded
as Tokyo. Karuizawa was on an off-season at the moment. I looked down at cakes
in my hands. A smile spread across my face. I couldn’t wait to see the looks on
their faces. I matched down the path with my cakes and my luggage.
By 3:49 p.m., I reached the old house. I giggled to myself as I knocked on the
door.
“Coming!” I heard Choki say. I couldn’t help but
smile. Five… Four… Three… Two… One. I
looked up when the door opened. My dear sister stared at me as she covered her
agape mouth.
“Hello,” I said. Choki broke down squealing and hugged.
“Easy there!” I shouted. “You’re going to crush the cakes!” Choki looked up at
me.
“How long are you staying this time?” she asked. I tried to hug her back with
full arms.
“All of spring break this week,” I said.
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I just had to see you when you called me. Is Tami-san in?” I
tried to look into the house.
“No,” Choki said. “Mama went out to shop for dinner.”
“Excellent,” I said. “She’s going to be so surprised to see me!” I walked with
Choki, my luggage, and the cakes into the small house with visions of what
dinner would be tonight.
Coming Home