Aiko and I were very young when we became friends, she was always quiet and kept to herself, but she was very fun to play with. We loved playing hide and seek. She somehow could stay hidden for hours while I tried to find her. We both liked the same cartoons and snacks. She was definitely my best friend.
I wanted to be like my mother when I grew up, she helped me with my homework, she made the best stew ever and she always had a smile on her face whenever I was around and she was just the best. I don't really remember my father, but my mother often spoke of him. She said he was a kind, righteous man who worked hard for what he had and served our nation- in his service he never returned.
I remember it vividly, it was the day we graduated from elementary school during spring. We had a great day at school, with the colourful flyers and banners celebrating our graduation. At the fair, Aiko and I went to every stall, ”Let's go play the shooting game! I really want that stuffed panda.” I played the game trying so hard to aim at the target, Aiko stood next to me cheering me on even though I missed most of the shots. With only one shot left, I looked at Akio and she looked so hopeful. I won the panda!
I walked back home, carrying the toy tightly in my arms.
Returning to an empty house, I figured mother must have gone shopping. Turning to look at Aiko I called out, “Hey- what are you doing there in the corner, let's go! I'm sure Toji and everyone would be waiting for us at the playground."
She turned around with a smile plastered on her face and nodded at me.
Hours passed and we became hungry.
The setting sun cast an orange veil over the city, "Aiko! today was so much fun, I only wished they would have included you in the games as well though, but don't worry I will surely convince them to let you play next time!"
When we were at the playground she always stood alone far away, I always asked my friends to include her in the games but they would just look at me and laugh.
She looked into my eyes with a saddened smile, "Next time….? I sure hope they do, but it's alright. I'm happy just playing with you.”
As we neared our house I could smell the faint smell of mother's cooking and that only made me hungrier. We ran home, the door open already open, mother yelled from the kitchen, "Go wash up for dinner"
I did exactly that, I washed my hands and face and went to the kitchen to help set up the table, "Aiko why don't you wait at the table? I'll bring everything."
I took two plates from the cabinet, barely being able to balance all this and take them to the table. My mother walked in with a tray of steaming hot food and placed it down. She looks very content with her efforts. As she sat down she took the teapot and set out the cups, I looked at the cups and asked impatiently "What are these?"
"They are cups for our tea darling, what else would they be?”
" Yes, I know that. But why are there only two for the three of us?"
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