CH 15

Chapter 15 – Urushibara Family Visits the Moriyama Family

Weekend Saturday.

Today, Mama and I are going to Moriyama-kun’s house to apologize.

I’ve made friends with Moriyama-kun and we’re continuing to have a good relationship, but with his parents it’s a different story. To be honest, I’ve been nervous and scared since this morning.

I wonder if they will throw salt on us.

Or maybe they will splash a glass of water on us.

If I only get a lecture, I’ll be happy.

When I was worried about this, Mama said, “Himeka-chan, you’re still as negative as ever! You need to get your head on straight!” she said.

We’re now walking to the address given to me by Moriyama-kun, relying on the navigation system on my smartphone.

The apology souvenir is a high-quality dorayaki.

They cost about 700 yen each.

It’s absolutely delicious.

I’d like to try it, but as expected, I can’t say that from my standpoint.

It’s 15 minutes earlier than the appointed time of 11am, but I can see the house of Moriyama-kun, our destination.

Rather, I could see Moriyama-kun standing in front of the house.

When Moriyama-kun also noticed us, he bowed his head in a careful posture.

“Good morning! Sorry to bother you on your day off!” He greeted us loudly.

In response, Mama ran to Moriyama-kun and I hurried after her.

“You must be Moriyama-kun. Nice to meet you, I’m Himeka’s mother. I’m sorry for asking so much of you.”

“Ah! I’m Ichiro Moriyama! I’m also indebted to you, Urushibara-san!”

Moriyama-kun still looked nervous in a careful posture.

“Good morning, Moriyama-kun. Even though it’s your day off today, I’m sorry.”

“No! It’s all right! Ah, it’s a small house, but come inside!”

“Yes, then excuse me.”

Moriyama-kun opened the front door and entered, we followed by.

Moriyama-kun did not go up to the house but called out inside.

“Mom! Urushibara-san is here!”

Then, Moriyama-kun’s mother walked up from the back, sat on her knees and bowed.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you today. I’m Ichiro’s mother. I know it’s a small space, but please come in.”

Then, Mama got down on her knees on the mud floor of the front door and lowered her head.

“I’m so sorry that your precious child has been injured!” She apologized, and I hurriedly got down on my knees and bowed my head.

Moriyama-kun’s mother saw this and started to panic. “T-There’s no need to go that far! You’ll get your clothes dirty! Please stand up and come inside!” She urged us to get up.

When I was shown into the living room, a girl was there and introduced herself as Moriyama-kun’s little sister Haruko.

She seems to be a junior high school student, she looked a lot like her mother, and was a very cute, smiling and charming girl.

After we introduced ourselves again, the five of us sat facing each other, and Moriyama-kun and I explained the situation at the time of the incident, and he described the progress of his injury.

Mama and I repeatedly bowed our heads and said “We’re sorry,” but each time Moriyama-kun’s mother would rush to stop us, and we were never shouted at or abused in any way.

The atmosphere was rather welcoming and hospitable.

The whole discussion took about half an hour, by which time both Mama and I had relaxed.

Then, Moriyama-kun’s mother said…

“I’m preparing lunch, so why don’t you join us? It’s been so long since Ichiro’s friends have visited us, so I’ve gone all out. Today is special sushi! Do you like sushi, Himeka-chan?”

“Eh? EHH!? S-Sushi, is it…?”

I like sushi, I love it in fact. But can I say that here? I came here today to apologize, right?

Mama panicked and said, “Oh, no! Please, don’t worry about it!”

Then, Moriyama-kun’s mother, not to be outdone, said, “Eh… You’re going home~? I was looking forward to having lunch with you~”

And Mama said, “Um, well… I understand. We’ll accept your kind offer…”

“Really!? You will join us for lunch!? Then I’m going to start preparing the meal♪” she said happily and went to the kitchen with happy little leaps. How cute.

Mama and I looked at each other and we made eye contact.

“I’m sorry about my mother. She was so happy that I invited my friends over, she got so excited… I’m embarrassed.”

“She’s a cheerful and fun mother. I have to learn a lot from her.”

“Eh? No, Urushibara-san’s mother is very reliable and incredibly beautiful, but my mother’s cheerful personality is her only merit.”

Mm-hmm?

He said Mama is “incredibly beautiful.” I’m somehow bothered by that.

As I was listening to the conversation between Mama and Moriyama-kun with my ears perked up, Haruko-chan spoke to me.

“Himeka-san, you are a classmate of my brother, aren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Is my brother at school still a loner, trying to keep a low profile?”

“Hmm, yes. But only at school. Outside of school, he chats with me too, and he seems really happy when he plays with Dozle, and even that time he tried to protect me, he’s a very strong and kind boy.”

When Haruko-chan heard my story, her eyes widened and she froze with a surprised expression on her face.

“Haruko-chan? Did I say something strange?”

“Ah! No! Himeka-san! Would you like to go to my room now? I have something important to tell you!”

“Eh? That’s fine, but…”

When I glanced at Mama and Moriyama-kun, they were both happily chatting, so I decided to go to Haruko-chan’s room.