I had bought an issue of Night-Time Job Search Magazine at
the corner store. Holding it in my hand, I was walking toward home.
Yuri: “I have debt of… $500,000…”
This
had all happened within the last few days. My father, who had his own business,
solemnly broke the news to my mother and me.
Father: “It might be impossible to sustain my business.”
It was not a very large
business, but I thought he was doing reasonably well. After graduating from
university, I had started working for a publicity agency as a secretary, and
was never involved in it.
Yuri:
“I had no idea that it was in trouble…”
Honestly, even after he told me
he had gone under, I never really understood. However, what I did know was that
I had the huge liability of repaying the $500,000.
Yuri:
“I was told that I had no legal responsibility to repay it, but I refuse to
default on the debt.”
I was the only child, so my
parents’ debt became my debt. Even if I claimed no obligation to repay it, no
bank r loan company would accept that.
Yuri:
“Humm… after explaining the situation to Satake who I thought of as my
boyfriend, he stopped returning my calls. Even though I never intended to ask
him for money.”
I thought about my parents and
the unhappiness I heard in their voices every time I called. I took out the
magazine I had just bought and flipped through a few pages while walking.
Yuri:
“I’ll keep my current job, and work at another part time job… even though it’s
prohibited. I have no other choice... a cabaret club… no, I’m 28 years old,
which is too old for that job… how about hostess jib? That requires a person
who has a nice figure… can I do that?”
If I questioning myself like
this, I would never be able to pay off the $500,000. It was not and
exceptionally large amout of money compared to say $1,000,000. Instead of just
thinking about it, I had do something.
Yuri:
“It might be better for me to get a job at a night-time construction site,
maybe as a traffic guard…”
*Bang*! Something bumped into me hard and I fell flat on my
butt. The magazine flew out of my hands.
???:
“Are you alright?”
Yuri:
“Y-Yes. I’m sorry…”
When I raised my head to look at
the source of this calm, caring voice I saw a serious-looking man standing
there wearing an expensive-looking suit.
???:
“… You dropped something.”
Yuri:
“Oh… I’m sorry.”
He picked up the magazine I had
been flipping through and passed it to me.
Yuri:
(I didn’t want to be seen reading this kind of magazine especially not by such
a good looking man as this.)
My face bright red, I accepted
the magazine but I felt him looking at me and glanced up. The man standing
there in there in front of me was staring straight at me.
Yuri:
“…Ah…”
???:
“Oh… I’m sorry.”
Yuri:
“No, it’s ok…” (…Wait a minute. Have I… met him somewhere before?)
???:
“… are you hard up for money or something?”
All the pleasant thoughts I had
about him vanished when I heard that.
Yuri:
“What did you say?”
???:
“You’re reading this kind of magazine, so you must be.”
Yuri:
“No, but…” (Why is he asking me that when we only just met? Maybe he is in… a
less reputable line of work?)
I was about to glare at him and
run away, but I felt that same strange feeling again.
Yuri:
(I have the feeling that I’ve met him somewhere before? Also, there is no
denying how handsome he is. I shouldn’t stare so intently at him!)
???:
“Hey! I asked if you are hard up for money.”
Yuri:
“No, I’m not. Don’t make fun of me! I don’t need money.”
???: “Really? Then what is the magazine for.”
Yuri:
“T-This is… is none of your business!”
???:
“Or maybe it is.”
Yuri:
“Huh?”
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar