On the next day I headed to the bakery again as I met the manager
He was a tall, mature looking guy
"Welcome Tanaka san, sit here please"
I did as he offered me several things "So, about your prize … would you like a vacation? Extra money? Or a trip to somewhere of your choosing? … And If you have a specific prize in mind please inform me"
I took a moment to think … well … I need the extra money for my damn brother … but I bet the trip would be nice …
You don't get an opportunity like that everyday but for the money I'll just earn it sooner or later
"How many tickets can I have for the trip?" I asked
He answered: "Well, the income of yesterday was pretty good thanks to you and your coworkers. That's why you will be given as many as you want. As long as it is a reasonable number"
"Okay then … I want two tickets … but I haven't decided to where yet … I'll tell you soon … thank you"
I said that, bowed then left …
Knowing exactly who to give the other ticket I headed to where Naoki lives
As I was about to ring the bell I noticed that the door is opened so I entered
It was just like I imagined … though it was a small modest apartment but it was so clean and organized …
Haha and it smells like lemon
I didn't know that he still uses lemon air freshener
In London, when I was little I used to go to his house all the time and as soon as I enter I seek for that lemon air freshener and start spraying everywhere nonstop
I couldn't help but to smile as I remembered the old happy memories
I stopped spacing out and searched for Naoki … I looked in the living room, the kitchen and the bedroom but he wasn't there
Oh … I guess he's taking a shower
I decided to wait for him …
After a while his phone started ringing …
It rang for a long time then stopped … but it started ringing again …
Few minutes later it rings with a different sound … I guess it's a message …
I couldn't hold myself from checking it …
It was from his father …
"Saying okay then ignoring me won't work you know … everything is already prepared and you're going to marry her no matter what excuses you give … If you didn't get back to London within a week I'll bring you by force"
These words made all my happiness fade away …
Sorrowfully, I headed to the roof …
What's this painful feeling in my chest?
I should be happy for him … instead of crying my eyes out …
It was two shocks for me …
I dunno which is worse …
Is it going away back to London or getting married?
I don't want to be separated from him …
And I don't want him to get married either
Just imagining him being with his bride is painful ………
But I don't understand why ……
I wonder …… If I really have a father complex …
____________________
*Naoki's P.O.V*
I finished my shower then got out as I noticed Shiroi's shoes …
Since when she's here?
I feel bad for keeping her waiting …
I looked around but I couldn't find her …
I saw my phone opened on the table so I picked it up ……
Oh no … ! I guess she read that …
I headed to the roof knowing that she's definitely there …
As expected I saw her in crying in a corner
………… I'm the worst …
I headed to her then crouched and pat her head gently
"Haha you haven't changed one bit … roofs have always been you hideout whenever you feel like crying"
____________________
*Shiroi's P.O.V*
I'm pathetic ……… so pathetic …
No matter how much I try to act strong … I always end up being helped …
No matter how much I try to separate myself from others and get isolated … I always end up seeking for the hand that will pull me up …
But when it comes to them … I just stand still doing nothing at all …
I asked with a low emotionless tone: "Why did you hide that? Am I not worthy to tell me? Am I that valueless to you?"
"Stop it Shiroi! Don't say that … you're so important to me … I just ---"
I interrupted him: "(I just didn't want you to be worried or sad) right? … pretending that everything's fine not to make me worried or sad … that doesn't make me happy you know … it just makes me feel so useless …… I never hide anything from you but you always do … just like my father … you always think about me before yourself … stop doing that ……"
"I just ………… don't wanna lose you" I sobbed as I covered my eyes with my sleeve
He hugged me "calm down my little Shiroi you're not going to lose me … I'm not going anywhere"
"What about your father?"
He pat my head as he answered "I'll persuade him somehow"
He added: "Don't worry I'll never leave you Shoroi ……… now will you smile for me ~ ?"
I nodded then wiped my tears and smiled
"Oh by the way what brings you here all of a sudden?"
"Ah yeah I almost forgot … the bakery manager is going to give me two tickets for a trip of my choosing … so I was wondering If you can come …" I said looking away
"As long as it'll make you happy I can do anything" he smiled
I scratched the back of my neck … "um then … where do you wanna go?"
"You choose … anywhere is fine with me"
"Okay then I'll think then tell you"
YOU ARE READING
Like the snow
RomanceTanaka Shiroi is an orphan who has lost a part of her memory after her father's death and has been acting coldly towards everything ever since She faced a lot of troubles as she lives in her own apartment all by herself because of some family proble...
