Chapter Text
I rolled over and checked my phone. 4am. Ugh… I could never get the sleep that I needed. I always woke up around this time; 3 or 4 am. And I never could get to sleep at a decent time either. Sometimes I could feel it taking a toll on my body but no matter how much I tried I just couldn’t get sleep. I would just lay down and just lay there with my eyes open and my mind would eventually wander to him. I missed him so much. I missed him every day but I would only allow myself to think about him at night. Every night I would think of the few short months that we dated and I would smile to myself as tears rolled down my face. Maybe someday I would find love like that again. I sure hoped so.
I eventually, after I was convinced I wasn’t falling back asleep, got up and took a shower and got ready for my morning run. It had become a morning routine now. I would run until I had to prepare breakfast for my mom, her boyfriend and myself. Sosa had been living with us for about 3 months now and he seemed to fit right into our family dynamic. He really did make her happy; there wasn’t a day that my mom wasn’t smiling. It made me happy to see her happy.
I laced up my tennis shoes and I headed out the door into the morning air. I started my normal run route and I just admired the scenery of Iwatobi. Still after all this time living here, I loved it. I loved that it didn’t feel like I had to be rushed to do anything. I loved being near the beach, loved the small town feel, loved having close friends. I’m glad I had started running a few months ago. I had built up my stamina and it always woke me up. Helped me face a day that I wasn’t sure how it was going to go.
I finally got back and started making breakfast. Just a simple breakfast of rice, miso, and eggs. I eventually heard the stir of my mom and Sosa so I put on a pot of coffee. I may not like it but they did. I got the plates ready and the coffee poured and I started rinsing off the dishes I used to cook with.
“This looks delicious as always, [f/n]-chan. Thank you.” Sosa sat down first and then my mother.
“Your welcome. We better eat soon so it doesn’t get cold.”
With a nod we all thanked for the food and began to eat. “So, [f/n], today is your first day of High School. Are you nervous?”
I just shrugged my shoulders. “Not really. All my friends will be there. And Kou is walking me there, so I won’t be totally alone.”
I could see my mom smile. “Well that’s good.”
“Well I better finish getting ready for school. Thanks for eating with me.”
“Anytime.” Sosa assured me. And I headed up to my room to finish getting ready for the day.
While [f/n] gets ready for school
“Sosa…I’m worried about her.”
“Hmm???”
“I’m worried about [f/n]. Have you noticed anything different about her? She doesn’t seem to be getting any sleep. She’s lost that spark in her eyes.”
Sosa sighs, “I know sweetheart. I’m worried about her too but there really isn’t much we can do right now. I know you want to but, anything you do will only prolong this state she is in. You just have to let her mourn this relationship in her own way. Everyone grieves differently; we just need to be there for her right now. To give her the support that she needs.”
“I know,” her shoulders slump, “It’s just so hard to watch my baby girl in pain and there is nothing that I can do about it.”
Sosa strokes her hair and then puts a strand that has fallen behind her ear. “I know sweetheart. I know.” And then he kisses the crown of her head.
“I love you.” She grabs his hand.
“I love you too.”
I grab my bento out of our refrigerator that I had prepared the night before and put it in my bag. I smooth out my skirt and red bow on my shirt and turn to leave.
“I’m heading out!” I call back to my mom and Sosa.
I hear them walking out to see me off. “Okay dear, have a good day.” My mother hugs me and Sosa wishes me well. I turn to head out the door and I feel a touch on my shoulder. I know I shouldn’t have flinched but I just…I just…I just wished it was Makoto. Just once. I swallowed hard to fight back the tears.
“Um, [f/n] would you mind if I talked to you a minute?” I nod to him and my mother heads back to her room. I guess to get ready for the day herself. I swallowed hard and tried to hide my anxiety.
“Sure, Sosa-san. What was it that you needed?”
“You know you can just call me Sosa.”
“Oh yeah…Sorry. Sosa.”
He smiled. “I just wanted to talk to you about a few things. Nothing too major.” I just nodded my head as I sat down. “Okay I just wanted you to know that if there is anything that you wanted or needed to talk to me about that I’m always here to listen. No matter what it is. I know you’ve been through a lot recently and I just want you to know that your mother and I are here to support you no matter what.”
“Okay…I’ll keep that in mind.” I stuttered out. This is getting weird. He then turned around to check his surroundings I guess. It was like he was making sure my mother wasn’t around. “She’s in her room. She’s not watching.”
His eyes got wide, “How did you…”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I just guessed.” I strained my ears a little more. “If my guess is correct, she’s in the shower. She always does that around this time to get ready for work.”
I could hear him chuckle, “You really know your mother’s schedule, huh?”
I blush, “Kinda…yeah.” I could hear him laugh.
“Well you know me and your mother have been together a while right?”
I just nod. “You’ve been really good for her.”
He blushes slightly, “Thank you. Well, I was wanting to ask you a question.”
“Hmm??”
I see him shift and he pulls a box out of his pocket and sets it on the table. Not just any box but a jewelry box.
“Is that??”
“Open it.” And I did. And there laid a beautiful 3 stone diamond ring. My eyes just widened at what I was holding. I was speechless.
“I really love your mother. I’ve wanted to spend the rest of my….” I then spotted some movement at the top of the stairs and closed the box really quick and hid it in my hands under the table.
“Oh! Well thanks for the well wishes Sosa!” I eyed him trying to tell him my mother was at the top of the stairs. I really hoped she didn’t see what I had been holding. I spoke a little louder than necessary. “I’m really glad you feel about my mother that way. I feel the same way.” He apparently got it as I passed him the box under the table. “Well I got to head to school or I’ll be late! Bye Sosa!”
“Oh, yes! Bye [f/n]-chan. Have a good day.” I walked out the door.
As I got a safe distance away. I sighed. That had been close. I couldn’t believe it. Sosa was going to propose!!!! I couldn’t ask for a better step-dad. He was so caring and loving and I knew he could take care of my mom. Remembering his question, I dug my phone out of my bag and sent a quick text to Sosa.
To: Sosa
Me: Yes.
Hopefully he would get it. I put my phone back as I headed to Kou’s house.
I couldn’t believe it! My mom was going to get remarried!