March Blossoms

Spring will be here next month. Yumi finished up her homework at her desk. This was going to be her last year at junior high. She already had her dream high school in mind. Things were looking up.

There was a knock on her door.

“Yeah?” Yumi asked.

“I’m coming in,” her mother said. The girl turned as the door opened. Momma stuck her head inside.

“Dinner will be ready soon,” she said.

“Okay,” Yumi said. Momma backed out of the room. Yumi stopped writing in her notebook. She let her mind wander off for a long moment. Five whole months. Toshiki was practically family now. Her parents didn’t mind. He had gotten used to her.

Still, it wasn’t enough.

She still hadn’t had an answer. Yumi couldn’t push it. It had to come naturally. But why did it have to take so long?

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Dinner was nice. They all sat at the table. Yumi sat next to Toshiki.

“So, how is dinner?” Momma asked.

“Good,” Poppa said.

“I like it,” Toshiki said. Yumi nodded as she chewed. Momma’s eyes lit up.

“I’m so glad you like it!” she said. How could they not? Her cooking was that good.

“So Yumi,” Poppa said. “Have you decided what school you want to go to next year?”

“Uh-huh!” Yumi said. She stretched her arms above her head.

“How is work?” she asked.

“Good,” Poppa said. “And you?” He looked over at Toshiki.

“Oh. Good,” he said. He took another bite of chicken karaage. The flavor exploded in his mouth.

“Can I have more?” he asked.

“Sure,” Momma said. Toshiki got himself more chicken.

“Are you doing anything this weekend?” Momma asked. Yumi took a moment to think.

“I don’t know,” she said. “You guys?” Her parents looked at each other.

“Not much,” Momma said. “Just staying home.”

“Heh,” Yumi said. Toshiki took another bite of his chicken. His girl did the same.

That was how dinner went. Yumi sat back as she watched her parents and boyfriend. Everything was perfect. The girl smiled to herself. Could every day be like this? She took another bite of chicken. So good!