Chapitre 24: Her Old Man Was Really Good At Wearing Out His Bones

After five days of work, the long-awaited weekend finally arrived. Hisaki woke up as early as usual. Being a morning person helped. There were a few chores waiting for her before she had to go out with Mayuka later.

Hisaki opened the windows wide to air out the stuffy rooms. A smile bloomed on her face the moment she saw the river from where she stood.

As the morning sun outpoured its light to the earth, glittery sparkles danced on the water's surface.

While enjoying the morning breeze, Hisaki cleaned the apartment, washed her clothes and took a shower. When she was done with everything, the clock had just struck a quarter past nine.

Hisaki grabbed her sling bag. As she locked the front door, she glanced at the last unit on the floor.

"Is he at work?"

During this week, Hisaki walked with Heisuke to work only twice since he mostly covered the evening or midnight shifts. Even though it was not much, she was still delighted with every chance she got.

Hisaki had just recently learned something from her old man. If he was free during the day, he would go to the market or the beach. There were several places that could use extra help thus, he also was able to earn a small income there.

Although it didn't happen every day, Hisaki had to admit her old man was really good at wearing out his bones.

"It's good if he could take better care of himself," sighed Hisaki.

The apartment building was generally quiet. Maybe most people slept in to make up for the tiring working days. Occasionally, the sound of a broom brushing the floor or tap water filling the sink faintly permeated the air.

Hisaki slowly descended the stairs. She promised to meet Mayuka at her home one hour later but, there was something she wanted to do first.

There was a row of phone booths at the nearby bus stop. Hisaki quickly entered one. To prevent her phone bills from soaring whenever she needed to make a long call, it was better if she used public phones.

Hisaki took out a phone card from her purse. She dialed the number that she remembered by heart. After a few rings, the line was connected.

"Hello, it's Chisaka Takuya here. Who's there?"

Hisaki exhaled softly. She called out, "Takuya, it's your sister."

"What? Sister? Is that you? You didn't use your phone?"

Hisaki laughed listening to how frantic Takuya sounded.

"I use the public phone," explained Hisaki once Takuya calmed down. In a moment, her cheerful tone changed, "Well... how's Mom and Dad? Is everything alright at home?"

Both of the siblings had another phone call before Hisaki started working at the warehouse. Takuya reported that Igarashi Keigo was waiting for trials. He also stated that the situation at home was still drearily cold.

"The same old. Grandfather is still fussing about you. He keeps demanding to know where you are but, we do not say anything," Takuya's quiet voice transmitted from the end of the line.

A pang of guilt struck Hisaki's heart. She could imagine how hard for her parents to face her grandfather's constant anger.

Although Hisaki was extremely relieved because she managed to get away from home, her conscience forbade her from feeling too comfortable. Because of her action, more trouble brewed within her family.

"Does Dad still has a problem with the shop?" Hisaki steered the topic to her father, "How's the business? How about the supplier?"

Aside from selling food and beverages, their family shop also sold school supplies. The middle school students often stopped by to buy anything they desired after school hours. Most of their profits depended on foot traffic.

"The problem has been resolved so far but, I heard the supplier asks Dad to buy thrice the amount of usual restock. If not, he'd consider cutting off the supplies again."

Takuya's words incited a faint layer of anger within Hisaki. Their father had been cooperating with the supplier since the first day he opened the shop.

The older man who owned a big business in their town was introduced by their grandfather. Old Mr. Chisaka insisted his son only get the shop's supplies from the businessman.

As Mr. Chisaka was afraid of his father's wrath, he didn't even find other suppliers before finalizing the contract.

"Takuya, you need to speak to Dad. Find out the details of their contract. If possible, persuade Dad to find other suppliers. It's better to have more than one."

At one time in her previous life, Hisaki earnestly asked her father why did they only depend on the businessman to supply their shop. She didn't know well about how a shop was operated but, she did think it was dangerous for her father to only have one supplier.

Her grandfather heard her question. He berated her, saying a woman shouldn't meddle with the outside's matter. She would only create trouble for their family if she continued.

"Sister, I agree with you but, where should we find other suppliers?"

Takuya was ready to go along with his sister's suggestion but, because this wasn't his field of expertise, he was bewildered.

"I'll text you a list of suppliers who should be in the neighboring town. I got the list from my workplace," explained Hisaki.

During the five days of work, Hisaki tried asking Mrs. Koyanagi and Mr. Mayeda about her prefecture's warehouse and retail businesses. Her goal was to find ways to help her father.

By chance, Hisaki learned that her big boss, Mr. Kinoshita actually partnered up with his old friend. While the warehouse owned by Mr. Kinoshita focused on the south region, his friend's turf was on the north.

The north-region warehouse was only thirty kilometers away from her town. It was not too far. In a decade, the two friends' business would grow exponentially with the future changes.

Their current supplier, Mr. Kubo often drastically changed the prices of the goods. Hisaki wanted to try persuading her father to step out of his fear of her grandfather. This might be the first step if their family wanted to live in peace.

The question was, would her father who was excessively filial and obedient listen to her?

"Sister, do you have an interest in the shop?"

Takuya was still confused. As far as he remembered, his sister rarely paid any heed to their family shop.

Hisaki was exasperated. She amusedly scolded her younger brother.

"You silly boy, I just want to help Dad. If possible, I don't want Grandfather leads Dad by the nose forever. Don't you want our family to prosper? And be in peace? It might be late but, Dad has to learn to stand his ground."

"What? Wow! Sister, you've changed so much ah! Do you become so brave because you're away from home now?"

"Stinky kid! Listen to your sister!" Hisaki had an urge to pull Takuya's ear if he was in front of her right now.

"Yes, yes, I'm listening ah."

Hisaki continued talking.

"I strongly recommend the first one on the list, it's my boss' partner's business. They launch a new program for any shops who wanna get supplies from them. If possible, Dad's shop could become a convenience store. They would even help us to find a new store if needed."

If the future didn't change, this branding of convenience shops would become a hit in a decade.

"What? Won't it require a huge budget?" Takuya's surprised gasp hit Hisaki's eardrum.

"Anyway, this might be a good opportunity," Hisaki rolled her eyes, "It even helps if the landlord creates trouble too."

Although the landlord and supplier made trouble for Mr. Chisaka last time because of Igarashi Keigo's instigation, it didn't mean they would stop doing that after the man's imprisonment.

Birds of the same feathers flocked together. The crooked and heinous vultures like them won't hesitate in feeding their greed by sabotaging poorer people.

"Hurm... Then, I'll talk to Dad first. It's better if I go to his shop. Grandfather might erupt again if he knows about this plan."

"Do it discreetly," Hisaki heaved a sigh, "I don't want Dad and Grandfather to fight but, I also don't want Dad and Mom to keep living like that."

How much longer do their parents have to obey an elder who only had nonsensical demands?

Takuya hummed in acknowledgment. He fully agreed with what his sister was worried about.

"Sister, it's exhausting ah. I don't hate our home but, I feel suffocated. That's why I rarely went home before," Takuya admitted honestly. His cheery tone from earlier changed to a solemn one.

Takuya could easily return to their hometown every weekend since it only took three to four hours by riding the high-speed trains. But, he only came home when it was a long break.

Like Hisaki, Takuya also wanted to escape from how stifling their home was.

"It's alright. Let's hope for the better," Hisaki gently soothed her brother as she knew the feeling too well, "Now, find a time to speak and persuade Dad. It's better to try than nothing."

"En... alright. I'll do that."

Hisaki was ready to end the call. The credit inside the phone card had decreased so much.

"Text me if you need to talk to me, I'll call you back."

"Sister, don't you want to talk to Mom and Dad?" asked Takuya before Hisaki could say goodbye.

Hearing that, Hisaki hesitated. After she struggled with herself, she replied quietly.

"Send my regards to them. I'll talk to them later."

"Okay. Take care of yourself too," Takuya didn't push on the subject.

Hisaki put the phone back to its receiver. Even after minutes had passed, she remained standing there.

To be honest, her feelings toward her parents were still complex. Despite their efforts in concealing her plan to run away from the marriage, it was still hard for Hisaki to fully accept them.

Someday, she might.