Changes by Osaka Naru
copyright 2000: osakanaruchan@yahoo.com
PART ONE
Naru knelt on the floor of her apartment, folding the flaps of the last box with a weary smile. The corners of her mouth barely lifted and it was a pitiful attempt at happiness by anyone’s standards. She glanced one last time around the apartment that had been her home for as long as she could remember--walls now bare and rooms empty. What Naru wasn’t taking with her had been burned. She didn’t want to be reminded of what happened less than a month before.
“Back and ready for more,” Umino called, coming into the room, looking just as rumpled as Naru. His light brown hair which had actually been combed earlier that day was now showing its cowlicks and the sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows, collar unbuttoned, and tie loosened. His round, thick glasses that made him look like a cross between Where’s Waldo and the Tootsie Pop Owl showed flecks of dirt and dust in the light. Naru couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him, pale face lighting up and achieving “very pretty” with the aid of the gesture.
“Last one.”
“Good. Let’s just go home. I’m ‘bout ready to drop dead from all these trips back and forth.”
Naru smiled, her mischieviousness returning around Umino. She glanced at him sideways, sweeping a hand through her auburn hair to get it away from her face. Noticing Umino watching her made her all the more conscience of the motion. “If I wanted to kill you, I could think of something a little more creative then moving boxes in the heat.”
He grinned, leaning against the wall. “I can think of another form of ‘dying’ that can be very creative.”
Naru laughed. “You’ve had a one-track mind since high school.” She stood, bending to collect the final box before looking over at him with large, green eyes that sometimes seemed to fill her entire thin face. “Ready?”
Umino nodded, pushing himself away from the wall to take the box from her. “After you,” he said, stepping aside so she could lead the way out of the apartment. Naru smiled again, always feeling so carefree and secure while around him.
“My protector!” Naru spoke in a joking tone but meant it deep in her heart. She just didn’t quite know how to be completely serious around Umino. Their relationship had been revolving in the same pattern since high school--He assuming the role of best friend, love, comedian, protector, and comfort and Naru allowing him control of her decisions whenever he thought she needed someone to take care of her. Now was one of those times.
“At your service, my lady,” he said, bowing with a flourish and making Naru laugh. If he had a jacket, it would have been on the ground covering an imaginary mud puddle. She smiled, moving past Umino, box clutched tightly against her. He followed her obediently out into the bright noon sun.
“What will happen to the place now?” Naru asked, squinting to get a last look at the building. “Mom’s lawyers said they want me to--”
“Don’t you worry. I’ll handle everything,” Umino said, giving her a lop sided grin when she looked his way. “You just settle in and get unpacked.” He took the final box from her and led the way to his small car. Keys jangled in Umino’s hand as he unlocked Naru’s door, awkwardly juggling the box to open the door for her.
Taking care of me as always, Naru thought, smiling lightly and sweeping her damp bangs away from her forehead as Umino slammed the door and jogged around to his side.
“It won’t take long with the lawyers,” he was saying as Naru tuned back in, gunning the engine to life. “I’ll be back before you even miss me.” Another lop-sided grin was flashed Naru’s way before he continued. “And we can finish unpacking together and then I’ll cook you dinner.”
“You’re too good to me,” she murmured, watching the road.
“Well, I love you,” Umino said simply.
Naru only answered with a tremulous smile, too mentally and physically exhausted to find the words she wanted to say. They continued to the apartment in silence.
“Here we are,” Umino said after unlocking the door of the apartment, box balanced on his hip. “Remind me to get you the spare set of keys from the kitchen before morning.”
“I don’t think I’ll be going to class tomorrow,” Naru said, voice distant as she slipped past him into the small apartment. Her boxes--her life--lay stacked around the living room. Naru surveyed the job of unpacking as Umino set the final box on the counter top and flicked the kitchen light on.
“Curried chicken for dinner or shrimp?” he asked, voice as light and cheery as possible.
“Shrimp,” Naru said automatically, feeling like the fog around her was beginning to lift as she turned and smiled at him. “My Umino-kun. Too good to me as always.”
He blushed a bit, ducking his head to hide the fact and muttering “Well, you deserve it.”
“I’ll be right back,” Naru called, going to freshen up in the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, drying it with a towel, and studying her reflection in the mirror. Maybe it was just the light, but her face looked ghastly pale, green eyes weary, and auburn hair the only splash of color. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat but she still looked sick. Umino-kun must think I’m a walking zombie, Naru thought, trying to remember if she had been acting that way. Nothing from the last month seemed clear. All she could remember was Umino holding her while she cried, and kneeling side by side to begin the packing. The funeral was a blur--a mix of well-wishers in dark suits and Umino’s tear streaked shoulder and comforting arm around her. Naru had been moving in a daze since then and was now just starting to come out of it. She had never stayed overnight at Umino’s apartment before, though they had spent plenty of time alone there. It overlooked the park--the view being the sole reason why he bought the place. The park (and especially the woods) held special, personal memories for both of them from their junior high and high school years. You could do a lot in the park on a lunch break and not get caught.
And now we’re living together, Naru thought, running her hand along Umino’s dresser, stopping to look at a framed picture of the two of them grinning for the camera. She looked at the bed, now their bed, wondering if maybe he would sleep on the couch till she got used to the idea of living with him. Work gradually up in steps. Naru felt like a baby for thinking it, but she didn’t feel comfortable with all the drastic changes taking place so rapidly in her life. Umino would understand--he always was over-considerate of her thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Umino-kun, Naru thought, a few stray tears trickling down her cheeks. Do I really deserve you?
“Dinner is served,” Umino announced, leaning against the door frame. He smiled reassuringly, looking just as tired and worn out as she felt. Naru moved over to him with a smile, tip-toeing to kiss him lightly.
“Perfect.”