Connecting the Dots

-Toshiki-

How did I not see it before? It makes so much sense. Hear me out on this. I think Yumi might be connected to my love somehow. I don’t know how. I am still working on that. I mean… it makes sense in a way. Yumi is just like her. Her smile, her laughter, her face, her…

Yumi isn’t a normal girl. She acts… She acts like an old woman. Almost like she’s in her late twenties. But she’s only fifteen. Her parents act like this is normal.

“Do you think she’s… you know…” I began to ask.

“What?” her dad asked. I froze.

“Uh…” I said. How was I going to do this? I didn’t want to sound rude. I opened my mouth. It didn’t help that he’s staring at me. I threw my hands.

“Never mind,” I said. I can’t even explain it myself. Her dad raised an eyebrow.

“What about her?” he asked. Oh shit. How do I get out of this? I didn’t think this through, did I? Fuck.

I nervously laughed. I was so happy when the phone rang.

Now, I am still trying to figure Yumi out. That can’t be her. The math doesn’t add up. Yumi would have been twelve when the war began. Or at least when I joined. So Yumi was alive when my girl and I were alive. That rules out reincarnation.

I just don’t get it. What is going on here? It’s going to drive me insane.

Grrr!

There was a knock on my door. I lifted my head.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“It’s me. Can I come in?” Yumi asked. I stiffened up for a moment.

“Is this a bad time?” she asked.

“No!” I quickly said. “You can come in.”

“Thank you,” Yumi said. “I’m coming in.” I watched as the door opened. She walked in with a tray.

“I brought you some tea,” Yumi said. I smiled.

“Would you like to drink with me?” I asked. She smiled back at me.

“I’ve got cookies,” she said. That was all it took. We ended up having tea and cookies on my futon. I couldn’t tell her what I thought yet. I don’t know how she will take it. I don’t even understand it myself.

That didn’t stop me from opening my stupid mouth.