One and Only

Ch. 10 Decisions, Decisions

  2 days have passed since Dazai announced the meeting. I spent most of the days in either my or Satoru's dorm resting and playing with my sisters. Suguru and Shoko checked up on me often and kept me company, also offering to help me with keeping Mafuyu busy or taking Himeko out to lunch or to get snacks. Himeko would either decline or insist on bringing both myself and Mafuyu something to try.
  Dazai and Tatsuya kept themselves busy with clean-up from the estate. They were able to salvage a lot of personal items for not only us, but some of the clansmen. They were also able to clear out a good chunk of the rubble. The main houses foundation was still in tact, there were some large holes in the roof and broken windows, but it was salvageable. The garden was completely destroyed, all of our crops were tattered. The right and left wings of the estate were both in bad condition, more than likely had to be completely rebuilt. Well, on the bright side this gives us a reason to update the interiors, maybe expand a bit for future generations as well.
  As for kimonos, they didn't find any that would fit me correctly. Hemming would take too long for the meeting with the Zen'nin's, so instead they're working on having at least one done before the other clans begin sending requests. Of course, Tatsuya had the bright idea of contacting one of the maids from the Zen'nin clan. So, now I know that I am wearing a Kimono, but have absolutely no idea what it will look like.
  I was currently sitting in the communal area of the dorms, catching up on my studies. Shoko was next to me, studying the anatomy of the body and taking notes. Satoru was on the floor, making faces and tickling Mafuyu.
  The trample of feet on the hardwood floor could be heard. Himeko came almost bursting into the room with a bright smile, Suguru walking in lazily behind her.
  "Nee-san, Suguru-nii is taking me to get ice cream! Is there any you want?" Himeko excitedly asked, Suguru was leaning on the doorframe. I put the book I was studying down and smiled at her.
  "Anything would be delicious. Here, let me get you some pocket change so that we aren't spending too much of Suguru-nii's money." I snickered. Suguru just shrugged in defense.
  "No need to do that, I really don't mind. I'll get some for Mafuyu, too." Suguru stated.
  "Oh! Get me some daifuku!" Satoru chimed in.
  "Some taiyaki ice cream would be nice." Added Shoko.
  "Get it yourselves." Suguru refused.
  "Huh?! Why does Mai get some and we dont?! Aren't we supposed to be friends?!" Satoru dramatically cried out.
  "Because Himeko asked, if you want some then pay up. And I'm only going to one place." Suguru held out his hand to your classmates. You couldn't help but laugh. Having the 3 of them and your sisters around had been really great, they help keep your mind off of things and made the place livelier.
  Himeko waved goodbye as she and Suguru left. I decided to take a break from studying and sat with Satoru and Mafuyu. Mafuyu sat in my lap as she colored on a piece of paper.
  "Man, I can't believe summers already almost over. We haven't even gone anywhere fun." Satoru complained.
  "That's true, I was looking forward to going to the beach." Shoko agreed.
  "We always swam in the lake and had barbecue around this time of year. It feels weird not doing it this year." I chimed in.
  "Why don't you? There's probably a place that you stayed at other than the estate right?" Shoko asked.
  "There was, but it feels kind of wrong to do it. My dad was always the one who grilled the meat, and my mom would bring out a cake." I smiled at the memories.
  "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean.." Shoko quickly apologized.
  "It's okay, really. So much has happened anyway, I'd rather focus on getting back to some kind of normal.
  "Your mom would bake a cake for your barbecues? That sounds nice." Satoru stated.
  "Yeah, it was for my birthday." Both Satoru and Shoko just stared at me.
  ".. thinking about it, Mai when's your birthday?" Shoko asked.
  "Oh. Uh, August 30th."
  "You do realize that's in 3 weeks, right?" Satoru pointed at me.
  ".. what?"
  "It's August 11th already." Satoru showed me the date on his phone.
  "What the hell??" I was confused. "I thought we were still in July.." I confessed.
  "To be fair, you were studying and doing jobs non-stop since we started school." Shoko added. I brought my hand up to my forehead, has that much time really already passed? I only have 3 weeks left before my birthday?
  "Oh my god I have to be ready for the inauguration by October 1st." It dawned on me that I had less than 3 months before becoming the Head of my clan. I hung my head in defeat. Mafuyu let out squeals of laughter. My hair was brushing against her arms. I dug through my pocket to find an elastic for my hair. I kept my hair long after my mother died, she always had beautiful long hair. I tied it up into a high ponytail.
  "When is your meeting with the Zen'nin's?" Satoru asked.
  "Do you really think you should be asking that, the girl is already about to explode from stress." Shoko cut in.
  "Tomorrow," I answered. "Don't worry, I'm just glad it's gonna be over with soon."
  "Take some pictures with your Kimono, I wanna see how you look!" Shoko said, sitting down with us.
  "That depends on the Kimono, I don't even know what it looks like."
  "Then how do you know if it's going to fit?" She asked.
  "Tatsuya took my measurements yesterday and called her friend that's hooking me up." I explained.
  "Nee-chan! We're back!" Himeko called out, waving a bag around in her hand. Suguru had the other. She handed me 2 ice creams, a matcha and a plain vanilla. She sat down with a strawberry flavored one. Suguru handed the other 2 theirs and sat down with his own. We all ate our sweet treats and talked. It was a nice way to help me get ready for the shit storm that will be tomorrow.