5. A Shock to the System - And there's really nothing she can do about it.

   

 “Arigato, Nay-chan,” Allen smiled as she took hold of the big pile of mail.

    “Oh, it’s nothing,” The mail lady responded with a distracted smile. “Nice to see you again. Are you heading back to the States soon?”

    “Ugh, hai,” Allen muttered, her hands raised slightly in a wave. Feebly she watched as the mail lady hustled down the street.

    I wonder how she found out. I mean I don’t even think people at my old school know what happened. Mulling, Allen stepped inside the house. Recalling her last trip to Katane’s office, she bowed her head. That week Katane-nay decided that I would leave for the States immediately to attend the new school year in New York.

    “But,-”

    “No, buts.” Katane raised her hand to stop any further appeals. “I’ve already talked to Aunty Mariko and made the proper arrangements. Plus, Maria has already received your transfer papers.  You don’t have any place at you old school anymore. Go pack, you leave for the states in two days.”

    “Hai,” Allen swallowed as she stood up from the table.

    “This is only for a while,” Katne said as Allen passed her. “A re-treat yes, but only until you're strong enough to come back. And when you do, you’ll be ready to face things straight on.”  

    Allen rubbed her forehead, she could feel a major headache borrowing. Sighing, she glanced up at the say. Come to think of it, that time was about now. Summer.

   

 “Welcome back,” Hanak said as she concentrated on cutting the fruits in front of her. “How did your walk go?”

    “Good,” Allen muttered, slipping the grocery bag and the mail in her arms on the kitchen table. “It’s a bit windy for mid-july.”

    “Hmm, it’s seems like it’s a year for unusual weather.”

    “Ah? Did something happen?”

    Hanka shrugged, “It’s not a big deal, if you think about it, but snow lasted nearly two months this year. And there was a couple typhoons in the last month too. There was that-”

    “What do you think? Red radish or green radish?”

    Ah...”Oi! Don’t ask a question if your not going to listen!”

    “I think I’ll go with the red radish.”

     “Why does it matter!”

    “Hum,” Allen looked up. It’s my turn to cook today,... “Hanka-nay what are you doing in the kitchen?”

    “Me?” Hanaka asked. “Oh, yea. Orihime-chan wanted to have a milk-shake for breakfast.”

    “Orihhime...chan? Did she spend the night here?”

    “Ah...something like that.”

    “It did get pretty late yesterday. It was hours after Ane and Hiyo-ni left for the airport when the last guest left.” (This is the day after Katane and Hiyoshi’s wedding.)

    “I wonder where they are right now.”

    “Probably near Sing-”

    “Hanaka nay-san, the moving truck guys called. Said their truck broke down or something,” Isamu said, padding into the kitchen barefoot with green slacks and a white t-shirt.

    “Moving truck?” Allen asked stupefied.

    Isamu glanced at her as he walked over to the fridge. “Ah, yea. Akira-ni forgot to do it last week. He finally called the guys yesterday, just before the wedding. I can’t believe how careless he’s been. The whole week’s been a nuisance. And now I have to go buy Orihime a dress because she said she’s won't wear the same clothes that she wore earlier this week.”

    “What do you accept. She’s a girl isn’t she,” Hanak chastened the annoyed boy.

    Ducking inside the refrigerator, Isamu replied.“Well, I don’t really see what’s the problem. I mean they’re clean, right?”

    Hanaka shook her head at the ignorance of men. “That’s just not how it work.”

    “Hmm,” Isamu grabbed an apple and walked over to the sink to wash it off. “It’s just annoying. Anyway, sorry for all the trouble this week, One-san.”

    “No, no. It’s fine. I’m sure things will calm down after you’re all settled down.”

    “I hope so.”

    Hanka smiled, “If you remain optimistic I’m sure good things will happen to you. Gambatyo!”

(A phrase that goes something like, "Keep fighting!" It's used to encourage someone.)

    “Hai.”

    

“Did you get your school uniform yet?”

    “Um, no......”

    What the ..!! Why did something feel wrong about this scene! Allem watched with a fascination that neared the horizon of bewilderment.

    “Hanaka-nay,” Allen called out sweetly as Isamu walked out. “What’s the hell's going on here?”

    “Oh, Isamu and Orihime will be living with us from now on.” Hanak smiled just as bright and sweetly. “I thought you already knew that.”

    “Uso!” (lie)

    Hanak shrugged her shoulder innocently. “Because you already discovered one truth, let me tell you the rest.”

    “There’s more!!!”

- Ok, thank you everyone for reading my blogs. I really appreciate it, and knowing that I'm not the only one who reads this is really inspiring. Arigato-Gozimasu!! This entry (<- is that what I should call this?) might have been a little short, and that's because it is. I was going to post more but my computer was hogged by someone else and I didn't get the time to work on it. Anyway, thank you again, mina-san!!

P.S - You guys had better hold on because things are going to get a bit shaky from here. (I promise)