Long, Lost Summer

I was busy browsing through the pictures from the memory card while using my laptop. There were many stolen shots of President Yoshida, and his daughter Seira.

All the photos were taken from 8 years ago.

Van dedicated half of his life by watching the Yoshida Family. And fate has been really cruel because she’s now living the life of Seira, which is Van’s greatest enemy.

No one would believe that I am Nao Nishikawa. There’s no way Van would believe me.

But come to think of it...

One idea suddenly flashed into my mind.I opened the internet search engine and started typing something.Then I clicked ”search.”

I looked at the long list and decided to browse through it one by one... When I found out the right person that I’ve been looking for, I grabbed my cellphone and

dialled some numbers...

At the hospital.

Reiko suddenly stopped packing her clothes when she noticed Van’s face. She walked towards him and gently touched his jaw.

Van instantly frowned in pain, and then averted his eyes away from Reiko.

”What happened to you?” Reiko asked, in a worried manner.

Van shrugged is shoulders, unable to meet Reiko’s eyes.

”It’s nothing.” he replied.

Reiko sadly sighed.

”You started hiding things from me since I came to Tokyo, Van...” she spoke.

Van lets out a exasperated sigh.

Reiko didn’t say anything else. She just went back on packing her clothes.

The next morning.

Once I made sure that her father have left the house, I decided to ask my personal

maid to bring me breakfast at my room as a part of my plan.

I silently prayed that the plan will go well, without anyone noticing my real intention.

”Seira? Your breakfast is here.” called the maid outside my room.

I opened the door and watched the maid carry the breakfast trolley.

The breakfast tray looks good, but I’m not particularly hungry. I wanted to implement my plan as soon as possible.

”Enjoy your breakfast. I’ll take my leave now...” the maid was about to walk towards the door when I called her.

”How about joining me for breakfast?” I said, with a friendly smile on my face.

The maid wasn’t able to hide her surprise when she heard me.

”But I already had my breakfast, Seira.” the maid shyly answered.

I was a little disppointed at her reply, but I decided to not give up easily on my plan. I have to do it or else, I will loose this chance.

”Oh...Since my father always leaves for work early, we haven’t got a chance to eat breakfast together. It’s hard to appreciate the food when you’re eating

alone, right?” I said, while looking sad.

And my acting seems to be working.

”I-If it’s alright with you, I’ll just stay here and watch you eat.” the maid finally spoke.

”Really? That’s great! We can also chat while eating!” I excitedly exclaimed. I grabbed a chair and asked the maid to sit down.

I was eating my toast when I decided to proceed with my plan.

”You see, I have a friend back in highschool and I wanted to meet him again. I already have his contact details, but I couldn’t go outside that easily since the reporters are always behind my back...” I started with my plan...

The maid was just listening to me, and she looks interested.

I secretly smiled while looking at her. Looks like my plan is going on smoothly...

At Van’s apartment...

”Breakfast is ready!” Reiko called out for Van and Ren, while putting the dishes on

the table.

”Okay!” Ren answered, as he came out from his small room and hurriedly took his

place at the table.

”Where’s Van?” asked Reiko.

”Oh,he’s doing something. Maybe he’s working again.” replied Ren, as he started

eating.

Reiko helplessy sighed.

”I’ll call him.” she said. She made her way to the small room which is shared by Van and Ren.

She knocked twice and then she gently opened the door. She saw Van reading something inside a folder.

”Van? Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?” she inquired.

Van absent-mindedly nodded, while still reading.

Reiko crossed her arms unto her chest, while getting annoyed.

”No. Stop that right now and have some breakfast first.” she lectured him.

Van rolled his eyes heavenward but he followed Reiko’s order, anyway.

”Women...” he muttered, as he took his seat on the dining table and took a sip on his coffee cup. Afterwards, he continued reading the folder again.

Getting really irritated, Reiko snatched the folder away from Van’s hand.

”Hey!” said the startled Van.

”What’s so important about this?” whined Reiko. She read the file name.

”Oh.” said the surprised Reiko.

Van snatched the folder back.

”It’s part of my work.” he said.