Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Emiko
I got to see my new classroom today and I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to decorate. I’m teaching high school science and I know I can’t do little kid decorations. But I can still make it a fun environment for my kids to learn in. I’m a firm believer that if you don’t keep them engaged, they’ll just get bored and tune you out.
We also picked up the supply list for the twins. They’re so excited to go shopping for their school things. My parents are here for another week and have promised the twins new backpacks. My brothers promised them new shoes. This will be the first year they’ll pick out their own stuff.
“Are you ready to go shopping?” I ask the twins.
“Yes! Are we getting our shoes first?” Miyuki asks.
“Do you both want to get your shoes and clothes first? Or school supplies?”
“Clothes. Cause that’s not as fun as picking out the other stuff.” Miyuki giggles.
“Hey! You said you were excited for new shoes!” Kentaro laughs as he scoops her up and tickles her.
“I like new shoes, Uncle Ken. But clothes is boring.” She laughs.
We all laugh and get into the car to head to the mall. We’re doing our clothes shopping in the next town over. It takes us a couple of hours to find everything we need. Then we head back to Wintervale to do our school supply shopping.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve found out that the handsome pharmacist is Rhett Vandenberg. I’ve talked to his younger sister, Felicity, she’s adorable. And Rhett…well I haven’t mustered up the courage to introduce myself to him yet. So I just watch him from wherever I can. Yes, I feel like a stalker.
Today might be the day I have to talk to Rhett. I need bandaids and some supplies from the pharmacy area. I mean I don’t need his help finding what I need. But I want to meet him. I wish I knew if he wanted to meet me. Felicity has hinted that he’s shy and needs a little push from me. But I’ve only dated one man and I don’t know how to make the first move.
As we walk into the country store, Felicity comes up and gives me a hug. She then greets my family.
“Let me know if you need help finding anything. I put aside some fun tablets for the kids.”
I smile at her. “Thank you so much.”
I wander around a little, after the last few weeks, I know where most things are here. But I’m trying to get the courage to go and see if Rhett is working. I try to peek around the corner to see him and I find him looking at me. And instead of going over to him, I turn and walk the other way. I’m a chicken.
Felicity comes up to me with a huge smile on her face. She takes me arm and turns me around.
“Where are you taking me?” I laugh.
“I’m helping you and my brother. You can both thank me later. Or name your first born after me. Either works.”
“Did you—” I start to say.
Rhett
It’s been three weeks since the first day I saw Emiko. And I still don’t know how to strike up a casual conversation with her. What the fuck is wrong with me? I don’t even know.
I look up from my window and see Emiko peeking around the corner of an isle. I smile at her. She’s fucking adorable. Just as I’m about to jump over the counter, she turns and walks away. Maybe she doesn’t want to know me? I mean I see her looking at me as much as I look at her when we’re close. But she’s never run the other way before.
Then I see my sister dragging her over to me. Emiko looks terrified.
“Rhett, this is Emiko. Emiko, this is my brother Rhett. You two should’ve met a few weeks ago. But for some reason you haven’t. I think it’s because you’re both shy and so I’m here to make sure you meet. You’re welcome.”
Before I can respond, Felicity runs off. My sister is crazy.
I smile at Emiko. I put my hand out to her.
“Hi. Felicity isn’t wrong. I’ve wanted to meet you for a while,” I blurt out. A little too loudly.
Emiko chuckles. “I’ve wanted to come and meet you too.”
I look down and realize I’m still holding her hand. It’s a really nice feeling. And I don’t want to let go.
“Can I help you find anything?” I ask her.
“Sure. I need to find some things that are on my kids’ school supply lists.”
“What grade are they in?”
“They’re in the first grade, Morgan Taylor is their teacher.”
I reluctantly let go of her hand and grab one of the first grade lists. Then I hop over the counter to join her. Instinctively, I grab her hand again and lead her to the area where the supplies are for the first grade class. I always keep things together for the parents so that they don’t have to search for things. They just have to pick what they want.
“This is the first grade area, you have your choice of colors and brands. Do your kids have favorite colors?”
“Kaito likes blue and purple, Miyuki likes green and red.”
I start pulling everything I can in those colors. I’m pretty sure I’m grabbing more than they need. But I don’t care. I want them to have as many supplies as they need.
“That’s more than the list says.” Emiko smiles at me.
“I know, but they’re kids and you never know if they’ll need more things.”
As we’re grabbing more off the list, Emiko’s family comes over to us.
“These are my parents, Kiyoshi and Keiko. My brothers, Kentaro and Tadashi. And these to munchkins are Kaito and Miyuki.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet all of you. I’m Rhett.”
“Are you from Wintervale?” Tadashi asks.
“Born and raised. My grandparents came here and never left.” I chuckle.
“Do your parents still live here?” Kiyoshi asks.
“We lost my parents five years ago. But my siblings and I all live here.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. This store was what they loved, so my siblings and made sure to keep it going.”
“Felicity is your sister?” Tadashi asks.
I nod. “She’s the baby. Lukas is the oldest, he’s the one that makes all the popcorn. Then there’s Paxton, he’s a carpenter and runs the hardware side.”
“I love that you all work together to keep your parents’ store going.” Keiko smiles at me.
“It’s the best way we know to honor our parents. They sacrificed so much for us.”
Emiko’s family seems to like me and that’s a good thing. I have a feeling that if they didn’t, I’d have no chance of being with her. And that’s all I can think about. Being with Emiko.
I spend the next hour helping Emiko get everything the twins need for school. The only thing left is their backpacks. That’s where Felicity steps in and helps out. I feel like I’m following Emiko around like a lost puppy. And I probably am.
“Ask her out,” Felicity whispers to me.
“What if she says no?” I frown at her.
“Trust me big brother, she’s not going to say no. I’ve been watching you two stare at each other like there’s no one around. She feels the same way you do.”
I want to believe my sister, but I don’t know. I can see a sadness in her eyes and I don’t want to push her.