@Haruko: You will find out soon enough!
@haruhi16: What is Haruna going to do?
@luckymmsg: Thank you so much for the kind words!
@kahem: Well, Yuko can't leave because of her grandfather...
Day 10: December 23rdUtsunomiya, Tochigi"Takamina, can you please pass me the markers?" Yuko asked as she pointed to the set of markers that were sitting on her desk.
Minami picked up the markers and passed it to Yuko. "Here you go."
"Thanks. I'm sorry that you have to help me with this on your vacation."
"It's not a problem. It's quite enjoyable actually." Minami paused then added. "And I need a break from all the sightseeing Mii-chan is making me do."
Yuko laughed. Yuko was working on the preparations for the children's fair that the supermarket was sponsoring. Mii-chan and Minami had stopped by the supermarket and they decided to help out for a little bit before they headed off on more sightseeing. Haruna and Mii-chan were at the local print shop making more flyers for the event while Yuko and Minami worked on the posters in the office.
"It's very nice of you to help out with the Children’s Fair. Not only do you sponsor the event, but you also help out with the organization, too!"
"The community centre does a lot of work for the children in the neighbourhood. The kids are very cute and I enjoy spending time with them. Besides, it's also like promotion for the supermarket too."
"Do Yuki-san and Atsuko-san help out at the community centre too?" Minami asked.
Yuko nodded. "Yukirin and I usually help out with the community events. Acchan actually volunteers at the centre. Once a week, she would teach the children how to bake."
"That's wonderful of Atsuko-san. I wish I could have the time to do some volunteering work."
"I guess it's hard when you have a demanding job."
"Maybe that's life in Tokyo!"
"And you guys must be really busy. I wanted Nyan Nyan to stay longer, but she said she has to go back to Tokyo right after Christmas."
"Actually, we are not that busy right now because of the holidays. We do have some interviews scheduled after Christmas, but not that many. I guess Paru just has a lot of arrangements to look after since she will be going to London soon..."
"What?" Yuko asked, surprised by the news.
"Ahh..." Minami put her hand to her mouth when she realized that she had just told Yuko something she shouldn't have.
"What do you mean Haruna will be going to London?"
"Ah... That... Um..."
"Just tell me!"
"Paru has been promoted and she will be transferring to the office in London."
"Nyan Nyan is leaving..." Yuko sat in her chair, shocked.
Minami looked at Yuko in worry. The other woman was staring at the ground with an empty expression.
Just then, Haruna and Mii-chan walked into the office. They put down the flyers that they were carrying onto Yuko's desk and Mii-chan turned to Minami.
"Takamina, are you ready to go?"
"I... Ah..." Minami answered as she looked at Yuko.
"C'mon, I don't want to waste more time! We still have more gyoza shops to try!"
Mii-chan was a big fan of gyoza, so she instantly fell in love with Utsunomiya, which was famous for gyoza. She and Minami had gone to a few gyoza shops the last two days but they planned to visit more shops today.
"I..."
Mii-chan pulled Minami up from her chair and turned to Haruna. "I know you will probably be eating dinner with Yuko tonight anyway, but don't wait for us!"
Haruna shook her head in amusement at Mii-chan's eagerness. "Okay."
"Well, we’ll see the two of you later!" Mii-chan pushed Minami out of the office.
Haruna watched them leave, then turned to look at Yuko. She noticed that the smaller woman was very quiet and was just looking blankly at the ground.
"Yuu-chan..." Haruna walked closer to Yuko and placed her hand on Yuko's forehead. "Are you not feeling well? You look pale."
"Nyan Nyan, I..." Yuko looked up at Haruna.
"What's wrong?"
Yuko shook her head as tears started to run down her face. Haruna noticed that Yuko’s hands were shaking.
"Yuu-chan, you are scaring me." Haruna's heart raced as she tried to think of what to do. "Umm, let me take you home. I think you need to rest."
"No!" Yuko suddenly broke out of her trance. "No, I don't want Jiji to know that I'm not feeling well. He will worry."
"How about going to my hotel room? You can rest for awhile there."
Yuko looked up at Haruna silently for a moment before nodding.
Haruna guided Yuko from the chair and helped her put on her jacket. After telling Yuki what was happening, the two of them left the supermarket. Once they were outside, Haruna quickly hailed a taxi and they arrived at the hotel 15 minutes later. Haruna led Yuko to her room and helped her removed her jacket. She guided Yuko onto the bed and placed the blanket over her.
Haruna gently brushed Yuko's hair. "Get some rest, okay? You will feel better afterwards."
Just as she was about to walk away, Yuko grabbed her hand and held on to her.
"Stay with me?" Yuko whispered softly.
Haruna nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. "I will stay right here."
"Don't leave me?"
Haruna shook her head. "I won't leave. Just rest, okay?"
Yuko nodded and closed her eyes. Haruna leaned back against the bed and continued to hold Yuko's hand. She watched as Yuko's breath evened out as she fell asleep.
"I'm here, Yuu-chan. I'm always here, even if we are apart, I'm always by your side." Haruna leaned down and gently placed a soft kiss on Yuko's forehead. "No matter what happens, my heart is always with you."
Day 10 EndNote: Someone's in trouble...
Topic: (Kojiyuu) Where The Heart Is - COMPLETED (Read 27534 times)