Chapter Five: Isaac:

I studied upon to noon when my stomach started to growl. At first, I did my best to ignore it. No, I can’t eat until I’m finished. It’s not time to eat yet. I can hold out a little bit longer. I buried myself deeper in my books. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

Alright, you win! I’ll go get something to eat. I set aside my study material and went downstairs to the kitchen. I peeked around for the whole trip in hopes of not running into any of them. Something is telling me not to stay here too long. But yet, I feel that somehow I don’t really have a choice. I don’t know my way around Hiroshima and I don’t have much money for a train ride back to Tokyo. I don’t even know how long nee-san is keeping me here. Why did she even bring me here to Hiroshima in the first place?

I managed to make it down to the kitchen without being seen. Now what to eat? I glanced over at the clock on the microwave. 12:10 already? I shrugged to myself. I might as well have lunch. I opened the fridge and took a look around. To my dismay, there wasn’t much already cooked for me to eat. Most of everything inside was just ingredients and drinks. I frowned at my options here. I kept looking, however. I finally got lucky when I looked in the very back. Off to the far right sat a container of onigiri. A little smile came onto my face.

I hope they aren’t going bad, I thought. I reached forward and took out the container. Before I could fully stand up, I became aware of someone standing behind me. I glanced over my right shoulder. A black man’s face eyed me.

“Do you know whose rice balls they are?” he asked. I turned to him with big eyes.

“No!” I yelped. “I’m so sorry! I was so hungry and there wasn’t much in the fridge! And… And… And…” I bowed down as fast as I could. “I’m so sorry!” The black man laughed at me.

“We eat microwave meals for lunch here,” he explained. “Leftovers are breakfast and we all take turns doing the cooking for dinner.” I looked up at him.

“So, where is everything?” I asked.

“Cabinets,” the man said. “Next time, ask.” I looked at him still uneasy.

“Okay…” I mumbled. The man gave me a little smile.

“And yes,” he said. “You can have one.” I bowed with relief.

“Thanks!” I said. I opened the lid and took one out.

“Next time ask,” he said.

“Yes,” I said. I took a bite and chewed away happily. “Oh thank you!” I wailed. “I was so hungry upstairs!” The black man gave me an odd look.

“Excuse me, but who are you?” he asked. I looked up at him.

“Kichiro,” I said, “I’m Akemi’s younger brother.” The man perked up when I said those words.

“Oh!” he said. “So you’re little nerd boy she brags about!” A sweat drop formed on my forehead. Again with the nerd thing? What did she tell them? The black man stuck out his hand to me.

“Name’s Isaac,” he said. I shook his hand reluctantly.

“So you’re Isaac,” I said.

“Yes,” he said. I nodded at him.

“Hey boys!” we heard someone behind us. We looked over to see Akemi peeking in on us. She gave us a small wave. Isaac grinned and let go of my hand.

“Hey, Baby Girl!” he cheered. Isaac came over and hugged my sister. Akemi giggled aloud.

“Isaac!” she whimpered. “Why did you slip in without telling me?” Isaac kissed her on the head.

“I’m sorry, sugar,” he said. “I’ll greet you more personally later.” Akemi looked up at him with big eyes.

“You promise?” she asked. He kissed her on the forehead.

“Of course,” he said. I cleared my throat at them. Akemi and Isaac looked up at me.

“I’m sorry, did you want something?” Akemi asked. I shook my head.

“No, I’m good,” I said. “Thanks for the onigiri.” I walked out of the kitchen to head to back to my room.

“Oh yeah, I met up with Yumi at the bus station,” Isaac told my sister as I walked away, “She says she’ll be over soon. She just needed to pick up some things for dinner.”

“So she’s cooking tonight?” Akemi asked.

“Yep,” Isaac replied.

“And how’s her mother?” she asked.

“I didn’t ask her,” Isaac said. They went silent as I closed the door behind me. A confused thought crossed my mind.

Wait a sec! Doesn’t Isaac have a girlfriend? I turned to the door. Wait; did that mind that he was two-timing with my sister? She wouldn’t allow that, would she? I almost wanted to ask to settle my mind. I shook my head. No, it’s none of my business. Just need to study for the entrance exam for Todai and get in. Maybe once I get in, Akemi will have no choice back to let me go back home. I just paused at that thought. Somehow, I don’t even think it would be that easily. I looked up at the ceiling.

Hitomi-chan, what do I do now? Then, someone pounded at the door. I felt the knocking at my back.

“Yes?” I asked.

“I brought you some sheets for the bed,” Cassius said on the other side.

“Good,” I said, “Just leave it out there.”

“Alright,” he said. I didn’t move until I heard his footsteps leave the outside. I slowly opened the door and peeked downwards. Blue and white sheets, huh? I dropped my shoulders and lowered my hard. Oh well, I might as well unpack since I’m going to be here for a while. I picked up the sheets and took them into the room with me before closing the door.