CHAPTER 4
Kazan and I would have a usual routine as I was getting used to living there. In the mornings, he would wake up first before waking me up. He would then show me make his favorite breakfast, which is mine as well: Tamago Kake Gohan. He would always make the best foods for me. After breakfast, I would always clean the dishes for him. Even though he told me it was not necessary, I would quietly keep insisting to be fair in his home. We then bathed (in our own rooms of course), and we would put on our attires before leaving his home for a walk. The second day that I stayed here he left me alone at his home because he went to the shop to buy me a kimono so that the two of us could go out, and buy some more clothes for me. We both talked about each other as we walked on the trail beneath us. We would then head for the clothing shop, where I saw the most beautiful kimonos that I have ever seen. Kazan would buy me 2 and let me pick some accessories that would accompany them.
We would then walk back home. It would be around lunchtime, so while Kazan would work on our food, I would be trying out the kimonos that he had purchased for me. I would go into the kitchen, asking him how I looked.
"You look lovely as always Sakura!"
After lunchtime, my tutor would come in. I know that Kazan had grown aware that I was unable to read things from books and labels, and the non-stop stuttering as I would speak sometimes. So he hired someone to help me with that problem. Sensei Goro is how I would address him. We would spend the rest of the afternoons with him. He taught me to read and write in the three Japanese systems. Once our session would conclude during nighttime, he would give me peach gummy candies as a reward for my hard work. I bowed to him as thanks as he left the door. I once overheard Sensei Goro talking with Kazan, that I was a fast learner, and that our sessions may end soon than expected.
For dinner, we would eat many different things, but one thing that I loved was his noodle soups. Eating them with him would make me happy before going to bed. He would tell me stories and tales, before putting me to sleep.
A year has passed, and I was 12 now.
Like a regular morning, I would wake up as soon as the sunlight flooded into my bedroom through my windows. I yawned, and I sat up to rub my eyes. My gaze drifted off to the side and landed on something wrapped in cloth next to my futon. I reached my hand and I picked it up before neatly undoing it.
It was a hairpin, and the flower design was so beautiful! I stood up to grab a hair brush and I brushed my hair so that by the time I finish, the pin would look better on me. Although, I was unable to figure out how I could have styled my hair, so I simply braided it and placed the hairpin above the base of my braid. I got dressed, and I stepped outside of my bedroom to smell something amazing coming from the kitchen. I saw Kazan boiling something in a pot. He must have heard my footsteps, because he turned his head over my shoulder, smiling.
"Good morning Sakura, it seems that you like the gift that I left you," He says, with a chuckle. I nodded, and he turned his focus back on the pot, he was stirring something.
"It is such a lovely gift, Master Kazan. I will wear it forever!" I heard him exhale a laugh.
"Dear I have told you many times that you do not need to call me that," He says, I reddened in embarrassment. "Although, I understand your motive why."
It is because he is the man who rescued me. So I have more than respect to give him. He is not my father, I wish he was.
I approached, seeing what he was making.
"We're not having eggs for breakfast?" I asked, and saw him shake his head.
"Today is the day where I brought you here to live with me. It has been a year now, so I thought you should eat your favorite," He says, he finished stirring the noodles. "Which also means, that today is your birthday."
He was right. I did not forget that I have been with him for over a year, but I forgot my own birthday. I reddened, and he laughed. I saw Kazan serving an amount to a bowl, and then another one.
"Come along now, it is time to eat now," He says, walking toward our table to set down the bowls. I was going to sit down, but he stopped me by placing his shoulders behind me. His hands were going through my hair: He was adjusting it so that the pin would fit in more properly. It felt more secure now, and it feels that it will not wobble when I walk.
He pats my shoulders, indicating that he was finished and I nodded in response before the both of us sat down on the chabudai cushions to eat.
"Thank you for the food," I mumbled before grabbing my chopsticks, and I slurped onto the noodles. My taste buds were blessed, his foods are delicious as ever.
I did not see what Kazan has done, but I heard a snap. I looked up at him, and I see what looks like an old camera in his hands.
"W-What was that for?" I asked in embarrassment. "You could have told me to pose at least."
"Just forming memories, little Cherry Blossom," Kazan chuckled, shuffling the camera away by his lap.
"Sensei Goro will not be coming in today," I heard him say, I set my chopsticks aside.
"Why not?"
"Within months, you have managed to read and write very quickly," He says with a smile. "He told me that you are a quick learner and that you are the best student he has ever had."
I found it almost hard to believe. My father has always convinced me that women are unable to do anything great as men like him. So, I learned how to read and write within a few months? It made me happy that I had proved him wrong.
"That makes me happy to hear," I said with a smile, and Kazan stretched his arm to shuffle my head.
We continued to eat, and after we both finished I took his bowl along with mine to the sink for me to wash. The rest of the afternoon felt like fun.
Nighttime came from around the corner, and Kazan sat aside me as I lay down on my futon. My hairpin was rested on my hairdresser. I looked up at him as he placed his hand over my forehead with his eyes closed.
"I-I'm not feeling sick," I blurted with embarrassment. "In fact, I have eaten very healthily because of you."
"I know that," He chuckles, and pulled away his hand to pinch the tip of my nose gently, jokingly. "I was praying for you to have good luck and fortune in your future you."
"... Ah," I mumbled with a nod and shuffled to lie down on my side. "But I think I already have that Master Kazan."
"Master-" He stopped his words to chuckle. "What do you mean?"
"Because I'm living with you," I said, closing my eyes. "I am lucky to have you as a guardian. As long as I'm here I don't want anything else."
... I had to open my eyes because there was more silence than the night itself after what I said. I saw him, quietly looking at me before tugging a smile on his lips.
"You are such a kind child Sakura," He leaned over, and shuffled his hand on my head, I giggled. "You know, I am lucky to have you as a child myself dear. I will always take care of you."
"I know that," I nodded. "I will take care of you too when you're old."
He filled my bedroom with laughter.
"Alright, good to hear," He stood up smiling, and headed toward my sliding floor. "Go to sleep now Sakura."
"Yes Sir," I obeyed playfully, and I closed my eyes once again. I heard him mumble something as he exited.
"You are my good luck and fortune."