Yumi Dreams

She seems so innocent. But Yumi was a bit off. Not in a bad way though. Why was she so interested in Toshiki? She didn’t have an answer. Not a sound one really. It just happened. And everyone let it. For some reason. Why Toshiki didn’t try to leave? Hm…

“What?” Yumi asked. He shook his head.

“Nothing,” the veteran lied. He put his hands behind his head. Yumi tilted her head. She looked so innocent. But she might as well be in her twenties. She already acted like a housewife.

“Are you sure you’re fifteen?” Toshiki asked.

“Uh-huh,” Yumi said. She looked through the many spices in front of her. The stew bubbled on the stove. The girl picked out what she wanted.

“You’re going to love this,” Yumi said. “My New Year’s curry beef stew.” She smiled and giggled. Well, Yumi was a good cook. Sometimes, she and Momma cooked together. Today, Yumi was solo in the kitchen.

“Let me help,” Toshiki said.

“No, it’s fine,” she said. “I have it.”

“You sure?” he asked.

“Yes. Thank you,” Yumi said. “Now, please. Just… Go somewhere else.” Toshiki nodded.

“Oh, right,” he said. The veteran got up and walked out of the kitchen.

“Thank you!” Yumi said. She went right back to making the stew.

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Toshiki can’t make her out. Who was Yumi really? He couldn’t pin down an exact reason. She seemed so innocent. Her big heart had him worried.

“Aren’t you worried about being taken advantage of?” Toshiki asked.

“Uh-uh,” Yumi said at the table. The veteran looked confused.

“Why is that?” he asked. She smiled with a spoon in her hand.

“I can tell who is nice and who is not nice,” she said. It sounded so naïve. She didn’t really know the world. Her parents kept her innocent. Meanwhile, Momma and Poppa ate quietly. They were too laid-back for his taste. It almost crept him out. The veteran tried not to make eye contact with them. Toshiki cleared his throat.

“So… What is everyone doing today?” he asked.

“Not much,” Poppa said.

“Same,” Momma said. Yumi cuddled up next to Toshiki.

“We’re going on a date, silly,” she said. He had a blank stare on his face.

“Huh?!” he asked. Her parents smiled at the “couple.” They were okay with this? How?

That was another thing. Why was this okay? Her parents go along with this? Why didn’t they stop this? This morning was no different. He didn’t know how to bring up this odd situation. Would he come across as rude? Yumi smiling at him wouldn’t let him think. He forced himself to smile.

“Sure!” Toshiki said. Yumi giggled. Her parents said nothing. Momma smiled. Poppa finished his stew. Toshiki tried to make himself eat. Something needed to change. He needed answers. Maybe this date would give him some. And then… Well, he would try to figure it out from there. Toshiki finished up his stew.

“Is there any more stew?” he asked. Yumi grinned.

“Sure,” she said. The girl got up and walked into the kitchen. Toshiki looked down at his empty bowl. Well, at least the food was good.