Thirteenth Lie
"Waah! Cute! So cute!" Kaori exclaimed as she picked up a black kitten that she and Tsubaki saw.
"It looks like the kitten is a girl. She does not have any collar, maybe she doesn't have any owner?" Tsubaki concluded as soon as she inspected the kitten.
"Really?" Kaori's eyes sparkles, "Hey, Tsubaki, do you think I can bring this cute little thing home and adopt it?"
Tsubaki who is weak to puppy eyes of Kaori, reluctantly nodded. Well, there should be no problem since it looks like the kitten does not have any owner.
They are already on their way home when they the black kitten. They went to every shops that they like and ate everything they want, pampering themselves.
"Will your cousin allow it?" Tsubaki wondered. Kaori is already engrossed to her new pet.
"I don't think that will be a problem. She's cute and no one can resist this cuteness!"
'Well, Kaori, I don't think that is the problem though'Tsubaki retorted internally.
"….that's great, isn't it?" and Kaori only nodded and then Tsubaki, who suddenly had an idea, grinned. "Why don't we take a picture together with the kitten?"
"Oh! That sounds great!"
Tsubaki took her phone and went to Kaori who is hugging her new pet. They stick close looking at the camera of her phone.
"1, 2, 3 sushi!"
"Give me the picture too, okay?" Kaori asked after they posed for the picture.
"Of course!"
Tsubaki will not let Kaori know that she will also use this photo to make the other two boys jealous.
**
"I'm home!"
"Kaori-chan, welcome back! Did you enjoy you da---- oh my. What a cute kitten you have there." Akane smiled fondly at the sight.
"Hehehe~ isn't she cute? Tsubaki and I saw this fluff child while strolling and I decided to adopt it since she looks like she doesn't have any owner." Kaori said while patting the kitten, "Onee-chan, do you think Onii-chan will let me keep this child?"
"Of course." Akane answered without any hesitation "As long as it will make Kaori-chan happy then Hiro will let you know."
Hiromi and Akane are still in let-Kaori-have-her-way-as-long-as-it-is-not-dangerous mode. Even their other relatives reminded the couple to not be too hard on the young lady as she's already have a lot on her plate. Hiromi was quite worried because if they became too lenient, Kaori might grow up spoiled. However, it was a relief that Kaori is not a selfish girl. She's already mature and selfless, so much that sometimes it makes his heart restless. He's afraid that maybe Kaori is keeping her emotion deep down her and doesn't want to open up just not to burden anyone. She is a good and pure child. Hiromi and Akane is thankful for raising Kaori like this.
Kaori mentioned that she decided not to join the violin competition the morning after they went to visit Akane's parents. Hiromi and Akane looked at her with a trouble expression but Kaori dismiss it saying that she doesn't feel like playing Mozart's or Bach's works. They do not know much about violin hence they cannot understand what she means by that so they just let her do what she wants. At night, Hiromi talked to Akane as he admit that he's worried about Kaori after all. Akane understood her husband's sentiments as she is worried too. Kaori's parents already talk how she loves playing violin and joining any recital that she can join and hearing her earlier that she will not join, alarmed them.
"Kaori-chan, if you want something, please do not hesitate to let us know." Akane said as she pat Kaori's head, feeling her soft hair.
"But, I am already okay. I have my own money to buy the food I want though?" Kaori tilted her head, confused.
"Of course, Kaori-chan loves food." Akane chuckled, "But it can be anything, if you want someone to talk to, or you want to go somewhere for vacation, please do not hesitate to let us know. It is fine to lean us you know? We are your guardian right?" Akane smiled fondly to Kaori who shyly nodded.
Akane always feels sorry as she can't bear any child for Hiromi but it is a blessing that they have Kaori now. Of course, it might sound cruel if she says that having Kaori with her is a blessing especially that the reason why they became the guardian of Kaori was because of her parent's death but for her Kaori is a blessing. She knows Kaori since she was a kid as Hiromi introduced the little Kaori before to her and since then she adore and love Kaori like a little sister. Now, she treats her as her own daughter and Hiromi treats Kaori that way too. Akane and Hiromi does not have any much knowledge about raising a kid but Kaori is a mature young lady and they do not need to worry anymore but they also wish for her to be a little bit selfish and bother them always because that's what a daughter always do right?
However, that is not the way her parents raise her. Sure, they gave everything she wanted but they taught her not be greedy in petty things. Kaori grew up with music and most of her requests are related to music, seeing her holding a kitten makes her looks like her real age. On the past few days, Kaori is always smiling in front of them but Akane once noticed her looking so lost and that breaks her heart. She knows that the child does not want them to worry but it can't be helped if they know that she's pretending. She never cried in the funeral of her parents, they never saw her tear and Hiromi is already frustrated.
Akane suggested to bring Kaori to a specialist who can help her open up but Hiromi didn't consider the offer saying that Kaori might feel offended if they bring up this topic to her. Akane told her husband that it is for the best and they will support Kaori.
"No, it can't be. Kaori-chan… does not need a psychiatrist."
"Dear, please. I know it is hard but this is for Kao-chan.." Akane knows that Hiromi is being denial but he needs to know before it's too late.
"Akane, you do not understand. Kaori-chan is a violinist, she's known in their world and if we bring her to a psychiatrist, it will only bring shame to that child."
"But we need to do something about her mental and emotional health. Kaori-chan is having a hard time and she won't open up to us. I don't care what other people will say, but Kaori-chan is more important than them, don't you think so? If you're really conscious about other people, then we can go to States and have her treated there." After all, it is hard to find a good psychiatrist in their country and this is a taboo topic for most people.
"Get treated?! No! Kaori-chan is not sick! She's not sick that can be treated. Akane, we are her guardians now. We are her parents now. If we consult to a psychiatrist and our relatives learn this, I am sure that they will take Kaori-chan from us. She will surely be taken away from us. Okay? So, please, she's our only daughter. Kaori-chan is my only child, please stop talking about this. We should do our best to have Kaori-chan open up to us."
Hiromi looks so desperate right then. Akane feels guilty as she knows that she cannot give him a child and Kaori is their only chance to be the family that they always dream of. She loves Kaori so much that it is fine if she'll be taken away from them as long as she can get the help she needs. But Hiromi won't buy it. Hiromi won't allow it. Akane wept that night. Akane wept for being powerless.
She wept for Kaori.