Chapter Text
It is an ordinary afternoon in the shopping district and the last day of vacation before school starts, prompting me to start working part-time when it does happen since my uncle says my education must come before work. There were hardly any customers around the shopping district, and it didn't help that Junes took away the bulk of them. Because of it, most of the stores here, even the pharmacy, had no choice but to close, and others are on their last legs, all except a few places, including my uncle’s metalwork shop. I can’t say much about Junes since my older brother, Kai, has been working there since last year. My job at the metalworks shop was simple. I am essentially the greeter and occasionally cashier, but I would be at the forge making rings, and weapons on even fewer occasions, so that’s nice. If Uncle Daidara were working on a weapon, I’d be behind the counter. Otherwise, he would take it from there. He would ask them what they wanted, sell them what he had to offer, and if they traded him materials, he would become inspired to make weapons, armor, or accessories out of the given materials, then sell them. I continued to stand behind the counter, looking out the door to see if anyone would enter or pass by. I soon looked back to my uncle to see he was making a weapon, this time, a sword, and judging by the blade’s length and curve, a katana, but how he was making it seemed off.
“Do you need me to get you anything?” I asked.
“Maybe a bottle of water,” he said.
I knelt to open the miniature fridge behind the counter to grab a water bottle before placing it on the shelf by the anvil and returning to my spot.
“After I finish this, we’ll close up shop and head home,” he said.
“Okay,” I said with a nod. “It’s a shame Hideki-nii wasn’t here to help.”
“I don’t blame your brother, though; everyone needs a break from work now and then,” Uncle Daidara commented. “I’m surprised you haven’t taken much time off yourself over the break.”
“I did spend the days I did have off of work with Kanji.”
“How is Kanji-kun?”
“He and his mother are doing good, and as for why I spent most of my break here. Someone has to help out here. Why not me?”
“Heh, I’ve been working here just fine before you boys started living under my roof, but I appreciate the help.”
I nod and return a smile he gave, “Anytime.”
He worked on the sword, and I turned my gaze back to the door.
“So, how’s the katana coming along?” I asked.
“Good,” he replied as he was grinding it. “The blade is fake, though.”
Oh, that makes sense.
“I don’t know if people would buy an imitation katana, well, unless it’s parents with weapon-crazed kids,” I said.
My uncle chuckled and said, “Maybe.”
I continued to look at the doorway, knowing he’d still have to make the handle and wrap it. I see someone pass by, but that is it. No one entered the store. Once Uncle Deidara finishes, we begin to close up the shop, and we walk home after we finish.
“Are you ready for school tomorrow?” my uncle asked.
“I am, but I don’t look forward to it,” I replied.
“It happens,” Uncle Daidara said.
I nod, and once we get home, I take out my keys and unlock the door before entering.
“Remember to go to bed at 22:00 at the latest,” he said.
“Okay,” I said with a nod before turning on the tv.
Kai-nii must have been watching the news again before his shift since that’s what’s on currently. The segment was still about the affair between TV announcer Mayumi Yamano and a councilman secretary named Taro Namatame. I would not be surprised if his wife intends to file for divorce.
“His wife, enka ballad sensation Misuzu Hiiragi, revealed to this station that she will likely pursue damages.”
Good to know I was somewhat correct, but I’m sure it’s already common knowledge. It also sucks that it’s caused Yamano not to be on air and laying low while this is going on.
After seeing that, I changed the channel to see if this cop show I would watch was on, and it seemed the episode had just started. I had missed the beginning where some random person discovered a body; because it was where the team was already investigating the crime scene. One of the local cops didn’t appreciate that they were there, which could only mean one of two things. Either he wanted to solve it himself or did it. I continued to watch the episode, and while there were other suspects, it turned out I was right. The cop did it. He tried getting away, but he was subdued and apprehended. I know it happens out there, but I hate that it does. After the episode, I realized it was late, so I turned off the tv, brushed my teeth, changed into nightwear, and went to my room.
Before going to bed, I looked at the photograph beside my computer, and while I could barely see it, I knew it was of my mom’s smiling face. Just a year before… no, best not think of that when I'm already down. I sigh and set up my futon before laying down.
I am not looking forward to tomorrow.