Changes by Osaka Naru
copyright 2000: osakanaruchan@yahoo.com
PART II
The pair spent a quiet evening at home, watching TV and snuggling on the couch. Umino talked through most of the shows but Naru didn’t mind. She liked listening to him talk. He actually had very good, well-thought out points if he took the time to be serious. Most people thought of him only as a goof, but Naru had always seen more to him than that.
“Getting late,” Umino said, tightening his arm around her shoulder briefly and kissing the top of her head. “Ready for bed? I know you’re not going to class tomorrow, but I still have work.”
“Um, I wanted to talk to you about that,” Naru said hesitantly.
“What’s wrong?” Umino asked, looking down at her as she scooted down a couch cushion to face him.
“I-I. . .Would you--” The words stopped, Naru’s mouth hanging open but nothing coming out. She wrestled with the words that wouldn’t come for a moment before shaking her head, trying to smile. “Forget it. Let’s just get ready for bed.”
Naru took her nightgown into the bathroom adjoining the bedroom to change while Umino laid out his yellow cotton pajamas on the bed. She lingered over brushing her teeth, sweeping back her hair with a pale hand but leaving it down, falling around her shoulders. When she shyly re-entered the bedroom, Umino was dressed in his pajamas, looking as if he couldn’t decide to sit on the bed or remain standing. His wide, questioning eyes met hers, glasses resting on the dresser top.
“You look. . .great,” he breathed, smiling appreciatively.
“Thanks,” Naru said with a shy smile, brushing her hair back nervously. “Ummm, we need to talk.”
“Sure. About what?” Umino asked, sinking down on the edge of the bed. Naru sat next to him.
“About this.”
“This?”
“Sharing the room,” Naru said in a breathy, nervous voice. She looked at him, face pained with her fear and uncertainty. “I hate to say this--to even ask you this--but could you. . .um. . .sleep on the couch?”
“Sleep on the couch?” he parroted, eyes wide with confusion. “What’s wrong with slee--”
“Umino-kun, I don’t feel comfortable,” she said quickly, taking both of his hands earnestly in hers. “It wouldn’t be forever. Just a week or so. Till I feel more comfortable.”
“I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you, Naru-chan.”
“I know that,” Naru replied, squeezing his hands. “I do and I feel so babyish for saying this but it doesn’t feel quite right just yet, Umino. I’m not settled in. Give me a week?” she finished, eyes brimming with tears.
He sighed, nodding slowly. “A week.”
Umino went to brush his teeth while Naru turned down the covers. When he returned, she handed him a pillow with a sad smile.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“I love you,” Umino said automatically.
Naru smiled, a few tears tracking down her cheeks. “I love you too.”