Page 44 of Her Fearless Ronin

As we finally parked in front of my building, Jiro’s voice broke the silence. “I’ll call you as soon as Valdez makes contact.”

I nodded, my throat tightening with emotions that threatened to spill over. I knew this was coming, that our time together was running out, but that knowledge didn’tmake the impending goodbye any easier. I turned to face him, my eyes holding his, silently conveying the ache in my heart.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, lingering kiss that held a world of unspoken emotions. Pulling away, he whispered something in Japanese, his voice a soothing caress against my skin.

This time, I didn’t ask what he had said. Somehow, I knew it was something precious, something that belonged to the intimacy of the moment and that whatever the meaning, it would probably break my heart.

I simply nodded, my heart heavy as I opened the car door and stepped out.

The night air felt cool against my skin as I walked toward the entrance of the building. As soon as the heavy door of the hall closed behind me, I leaned against it and let the melancholy wash over me.

I touched my lips, still feeling the ghost of his kiss, and closed my eyes. My heart ached, but I knew that no matter how painful, I had to let him go. I’d prayed for a savior, for a miracle, and I had received it in more than one way.

This savior in dark armor had come into my life like a tempest, leaving meforever changed.

The last two days had felt like an eternity without Jiro. No matter how much I tried to lie to myself, deny it, or distract myself, his absence was a constant ache in my chest. I missed him more than I thought possible; his presence was like a drug I was addicted to.

Oda had been texting me daily, trying to keep my spiritsup with his quirky jokes and overinflated ego. It was working to some extent. He had a way of making me laugh even when I didn’t feel like it. But deep down, I knew he was also playing the role of intermediary between Jiro and me, relaying messages back and forth.

After finishing my shift at the emporium, I went to the bus stop, waiting to catch the bus to the weekly bingo game I hosted at the center. The afternoon sun was warm against my skin, but it did little to chase away the gloomy thoughts that had settled over me.

Just as I was lost in my own world, my phone rang, and I looked down to see Oda’s name on the screen.

“Hey there,” his voice greeted me, playfully teasing. “I was just hoping you’re less sullen than the yakuza who’s been moping in his bedroom for the past two days.”

His words immediately made me chuckle as a feeling of warmth settled in my chest at the realization that Jiro was missing me, too. “Oh, you mean he’s not having a grand time without me?”

Oda’s laughter echoed through the line. “I think his sulking has reached epic proportions. So, how about we go grab some coffee? My treat.”

Coffee sounded like a great idea, and spending time with Oda was always entertaining. “Sure, that sounds nice. But I have bingo in a bit, so it will have to be after that. Does that work?”

“Perfect, anything to get out of this pity party of one.”

I was about to respond when I heard distant rumbling on the other end of the line. It seemed like a muffled conversation was taking place, and I could sense tension in the air.

“What? It’s true. You’re like an emo kid at his first My Chemical Romance concert.” Oda’s voice shot back, followed by some indistinct rambling.

“Ouch. Stop hitting me, man, fuck!” Oda suddenly snapped, the commotion on his end growing more chaotic. “Got to go, beautiful. I’ll meet you at that little café you like in about two hours? Ouch, stop it!”

The prospect of seeing Oda was pleasant, but no matter how petty and childish it was, knowing that Jiro was miserable without me somehow made my heart do a little dance.

When I arrived at the community center, the secretary at the main entrance halted me with unexpected news. “Hope, the admin team is looking for you. They want to see you on the fourth floor.”

Anxiety knotted in my stomach, instantly replacing any thoughts of Jiro with a growing sense of unease. As I rode the elevator to the fourth floor, my mind spun through potential scenarios, each one suggesting that my time might no longer be enough and that the price of my mother’s care was about to increase.

The admin office door was ajar, and I hesitated for a moment before stepping in, taking a deep breath to try and calm my nerves.

When I pushed the door, my heart raced despite my attempt to calm myself.

Jenny, a middle-aged woman with vibrant red hair, greeted me with a cheerful smile as I entered her office. “Ah, there you are, Hope!” Her cheerful tone immediatelyeased some of my stress. Maybe this wouldn’t be bad news after all.

“You wanted to see me?” I asked, my nerves still fluttering.

“Yes, I did. I wanted to discuss your mother’s arrangement with us,” she said, glancing down at the folder in front of her.

I nodded, trying to wrap my head around the situation. “Okay?”

Her smile remained, and she continued. “Well, we received an advance payment for three years of full-time care for your mother yesterday. I’m just wondering if you have a date in mind for when she would be moving in permanently. The room has been held, but we can’t keep it reserved indefinitely.”

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