Let Us Never Say Goodbye by Ai Matsumi (little readers TXT) 📕

thanks.” Whispered Ai. Usagi nodded. Ai shook her head and looked back at Aika and Ren.
“With you I would be married to some rich pretty boy! Without you, I have a wonderful girlfriend, I live nicely and I have a career doing what I love! You would be the same except richer off me!” yelled Aika, looking terrifying even with her bright pink hair.
“I found a lovely young man for you!” cried Ren.
“Ren, I told you this in high school! I don’t like boys!” cried Aika. Aika’s last words rang the house, freezing Ren.
“You’re, you’re gay?” she whispered.
“I told you that like seven times in high school but you wouldn’t listen!” cried Aika.
“How could you?” whispered Ren.
“What?” asked Aika.
“You’re…that!” said Ren gesticulating wildly.
“Gay? Did you mean to say gay? Well I’m leaving! Ren, it was horrible to see you! I hope not to see you soon! Please go fuck yourself.” Said Aika smiling falsely as she stormed over to the door.
“Wait Aika!” cried Ai. Aika stopped at the door and looked at me.
“Yeah?”
“You uh, wanna get lunch?” asked Ai timidly. Aika smiled warmly at her.
“I would love to.”
Chapter Ten

The two girls went to a small café on the corner of a busy street. Aika was drinking a caramel Frappuccino and Ai was drinking an iced coffee. There was a comfortable silence as they sat there. Aika looked into Ai’s eyes for a few minutes.
“So. Who’s the girl?” asked Aika, right as Ai took a sip of coffee. Ai choked horribly and started to cough. She finally stopped after she took another drink.
“What girl?” asked Ai calmly.
“Don’t lie to me. That picture in your pocket and your demeanor.” Said Aika chuckling. Ai sighed and pulled out the picture from her pocket. She unfolded the picture and handed it to Aika. Aika examined the picture.
“She’s beautiful.” Said Aika.
“Thanks. She’s the love of my life.” Said Ai smiling.
“I can see why. So what’re you going to about Ren?” asked Aika taking a sip of her coffee.
“Well, she’s my legal guardian so I don’t know what I can do.” Said Ai sighing.
“Why don’t you move in with me and Haru chan?” asked Aika.
“Who’s Haru Chan?” asked Ai.
“A. for you it would be Haru san, B. she’s my girlfriend.” Said Aika smiling.
“How old is she?”
“Eighteen. We’ve been going out since I was fifteen.” She said smiling nostalgically.
“You seem so much older than me even though we’re the same age.” Remarked Ai.
“Being thrown out to live on your own when you’re fourteen can mature you pretty quickly…” said Aika softly.
“Ren is such a bitch. What’s wrong with her?” asked Ai taking a gulp of her coffee.
“Well, it’s kind of a long story.” Said Aika setting down her mug.
“Can you give me the abridged edition?”
“When Ren was fourteen, her mother, our grandmother placed her in an arranged marriage with a rich young man. She rebelled and tried to resist it. Grandma was soooo angry. She beat Ren and told her over and over again that she was going to get married to him. Eventually, Ren broke and became the way she is now.” Said Aika sadly.
“Was the rich man dad?”
“Yeah. He lost all of his money in the divorce. He started drinking and I haven’t seen him in a year.” She said sadly.
“I can’t believe I missed all of this…” said Ai shocked.
“Darling, you don’t know how much you’ve missed..."

Chapter Eleven

“No, freaking, way!” yelled Ren as Ai dragged her suitcase down the stairs.
“Mom, I don’t care. I’m not going to stay here!” said Ai furiously.
“Where are you going to stay?” Ren bellowed.
“At Aika and her girlfriend’s house.” said Ai moaning, annoyed by Ren.
“I’m not allowing this! I…I forbid you!” said Ren stomping her foot.
“You forbid me? You forbid me? Hah!” shouted Ai. She burst through the front door and down to Aika’s car.
“Aika, don’t you dare take your sister!” cried Ren as Ai got into the car.
“Ren, fuck you.” Said Aika as she climbed into the car. Ai chuckled and leaned against the seat. The car was old and the paint was scratched, it was a sickly dark green, the seats were scratched and covered in paint and the heat was broken. Aika started the car and pulled out of the driveway.
“So where do you live?” asked Ai curiously.
“Downtown. Haru chan and I live apartment 62B. We’re on the sixth floor.” She said.
“I couldn’t have guessed.” Mumbled Ai. Aika chuckled as she took a sharp turn into a quieter side street. She stopped at a neat brick building with stone steps.
“Here we are. Home sweet home.” Said Aika smiling.
“This is much better than your studio’s neighborhood.” Ai commented as she unbuckled and got out of the car.
“Yeah. Haru chan liked this much better then renting a house.” Said Aika handing Ai her suitcase. They walked inside and to the stairs. The stairs were almost straight up.
“Aika, is there an elevator?” asked Ai slowly.
“Yeah but it’s broken.” Said Aika starting to climb the stairs. Ai sighed and started to climb up after her. After the fourth landing, Ai started to lose her breath while Aika still had plenty of energy.
“How long has the elevator been broken?” gasped Ai.
“Two years. I’m happy because they keep me fit.” Said Aika cheerfully.
“Yay!” puffed Ai sarcastically. Finally they reached the sixth floor. Aika walked to the second door on the left and unlocked the door.
“Welcome home.” Said Aika smiling.

Chapter Twelve

Ai walked out of school and sighed, embracing the sunlight. She’d been in Japan for four months now. Akira and Ai had been communicating over the phone but they were growing distant. Ai had cut her hair into a short ear length bob. Ai smoothed down her short blue sailor skirt and white polo shirt with a red tie. She pulled up her knee high white socks grumbling as she did. Ai flipped her phone open and dialed Aika’s number. Ai tapped her foot as it rang. Voicemail.
“Blarg! Aika! Hurry up and pick me up!” I moaned. Suddenly someone tapped on her shoulder. Ai spun around shocked.
“Oh! Hanako san. You scared me!” cried Ai placing her hand over her heart.
“I’m so sorry Aihara sama!” cried Hanako bowing, blushing bright red.
“Oh it’s no problem!” said Ai blushing slightly. Hanako had long blond hair to the middle of her back and brown eyes.
“I heard you talking to your sister. I thought maybe you could use a ride.” Stuttered Hanako.
“Oh thank you! I just need a ride to Fujoshima Bakery. I’m starting there today!” said Ai smiling.
“I’m starting there too! I can’t wait!” said Hanako smiling.
“Neat! Wanna carpool?” asked Ai.
“R-really? You really want m-me to carpool with you?” asked Hanako.
“Yeah!” said Ai smiling widely. Hanako blushed bright red and ducked her head. Ai chuckled.
“Let’s go!” said Ai. Hanako smiled and led Ai to her car.
“So, how old are you Hanako san?” asked Ai perplexed.
“I’m seventeen and a half. I passed the test!” said Hanako smiling proudly.
“Neat!” said Ai climbing into the car. Hanako started the car and pulled out of the school parking lot.

Chapter Thirteen

Hanako took a swig of water and sighed. She was on break after two hours of waiting tables.
“Hanako san! Come with me!” yelled her boss, an older heavy set man.
“Right away sir!” said Hanako bowing. Hanako raced after her boss into the big freezer. As she stepped in, her boss locked the door behind them.
“What’s going on?” asked Hanako shaking. Her boss turned around and smiled maliciously. He grabbed her wrists and pushed her against the wall.
“Hey! What’re you doing?” cried Hanako.

Chapter Fourteen