A missed opportunity

On the train from Kobe to Otaru. Hiroko decided that she had to let go of her Aki. Still, she was expecting to see who this female Aki really was.

Their objective was 24, Toshiki Lane, which was quite near the house of Shigeru's friend. The lane was easy to find; it was next to the newly built highway. The highway is not open to traffic yet. "19, 20, 21, 22..." The Lane was perpendicular to the highway, but the number stopped at 22. Number 24 would be right in the middle of the expressway. "Impossible, the postman delivered the letters. 24 had to be nearby."

Shigeru walked to the middle to the highway, and stopped. He moved his fist in the air, as if knocking an imaginary door. "Helllooo...Anybody home?"

"Stop it, Shigeru! It's not funny."

Then they saw it, 24 Toshiki Lane is behind the 22nd. The name "Fujii Itsu" on the mailbox confirmed this. Shigeru gleefully went to ring the bell. Hiroko pulled at his arm. "Maybe we should just wait here and see what happens."

"Don't worry, everything's going to be all right."

Aki's grandfather popped his head out of the window. "I'm looking for a Fujii Itsuki. Is she home?" shouted Shigeru.

"Aki's not at home right now. Would you like to come inside?"

"No thanks, we'll just wait outside."

Hiroko did not know what to think, or feel. This whole affair was so bizarre. They're going to meet Aki and finding the truth of the matter. She reached into her handbag and took out her memo pad.

Dear Aki,

I'm writing this outside your house as you were not at home. I have come from Kobe to look for you because I'm very curious as to who you are. I'm looking for a Fujii Itsuki, but this Aki is a male, so he cannot be you. I'll be gone now, I guess I don't have the courage to meet with you because of the circumstances that my Aki and I share. Please accept my apologies.

Sincerely, Hiroko

 

Hiroko put the letter into the mailbox. "Are you sure you don't want to wait for her?" Shigeru was disappointed. Hiroko nodded her head.

They decided to spend that night at Shigeru's friend's place which was not too far away. They started walking up the road to find a taxi. Five minutes later, a taxi came towards them. Shigeru waved at it; it did not stop, and continued in the direction of the Fujii's residence. Aki was in that taxi; she had come back from the hospital. Opening her mailbox to check her mail, she found the letter. Having read it, she glanced around to see if Hiroko was still around. Meanwhile, the taxi having dropped Aki, was able to pick up Hiroko and Shigeru. The taxi driver kept glancing at Hiroko through the rearview mirror. "I just dropped this girl who looked so alike to you."

Akiba raised his eyebrows, "Who? Me?"

"No, I mean the lady beside you..."

 

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