Chapter 11: Nagisa’s Family 2

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Translator: Soafp

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June 8, 2024. Saturday. 8:02 a.m. I’m 16 years old. Kai-chan’s death anniversary. The first anniversary.

When I entered the living room, my aunt was frying eggs. Sizzling. The eggs, filled with water and covered with a lid, were making a delicious sound. I sat down without saying good morning. Chuchu. Even at my age, I still suck my thumb. Even at the breakfast table, I suddenly found myself sucking the thumb on my right hand.

“Here you go, dear… Here you go, Nagi-chan.”

My aunt placed the bowl with the rice on the table.

“Well, shall we eat? …Thanks for the meal.”

“Thanks for the meal.”

“…”

NHK was broadcasting a television drama series. I think it was about the first female judge. I didn’t know what it was about and I wasn’t interested, but it was just the right thing to distract me from my aunt.

“What time should we leave today?”

My father says while mixing the natto. He looks very happy.

“Let’s leave before 10 and eat something delicious over there.”

My aunt says happily while munching on pickled radish. She speaks as if she’s going on a picnic or a drive.

“You’re coming, right, Nagi?”

My father calls out to me with anticipation. I visit my brother’s grave on the outskirts of Tokorozawa every month on the anniversary of his death, with my mother. So, I don’t look at them, but I speak. It was the same scene where the heroine was calling her mother.

“I’ll pass. I’m going to my mother now.”

“Nagi.”

My father calls my name with a sigh, as if he’s disappointed. My aunt agrees.

“Today is an important visit to the grave, so let’s spend it together as a family.”

“Family?”

…Family? What family?

I let out a sharp breath.

My family is Kai-chan and my mom. There’s no one else, and I don’t need anyone else.

“That’s why I’m going, to mom’s place.”

“Nagi-chan, we are your family. Why won't you ever stay with us?”

What a liar. You think I’m an unwanted child. Just a difficult person to handle, a cheeky little girl who only gets in the way of the relationship between you and your dad. That’s what you think.

…You're just like Mom. Like she was back then. When she left me behind. When she took Kai-chan away from me. When she found me at that spot on the edge of the campground.

I left the living room, hearing my aunt’s voice behind me. So I changed into my uniform as if I was running away, and ran out of the house.