Child

Kumiko, Hideki and little Rumi, now five years old, were living an ideal life. With much assistance from Kumiko's father, the family had purchased a beautiful home in one of the city's most desirable suburbs. Hideki had climbed to one of the highest positions in the company, also with much assistance from Kumiko's father. This afforded Kumiko the opportunity to quit her job at the flower shop and devote herself full-time to her family.

On one quiet evening, Kumiko and Hideki sat at the dining room table to have a conversation about their daughter.

"Rumi's teacher called me today," said Hideki. "She told me that Rumi's still not getting along with the other kids."

"It's just a phase that kids go through," replied Kumiko. "I was the same way when I was her age."

"You have to do something about this," said Hideki. "Rumi's teacher told me that she's talked to you about this more than once and you're not taking it seriously. If we don't do something about this then it could lead to bigger problems in the future."

"You still worry too much about things," said Kumiko.

"You're doing it again," said Hideki.

"Doing what?" asked Kumiko.

"Acting like Rumi can do no wrong," replied Hideki. "You act like she's perfect."

"That's because Rumi-chan is perfect," said Kumiko. "She's quiet and obedient, not like all those little monsters that run around destroying everything."

"I want her to do those things," said Hideki. "Because it's normal. That's what kids are supposed to do."

"Are you saying Rumi-chan isn't normal?" asked Kumiko.

"That's not what I said."

"Rumi-chan is normal," said Kumiko. "There's nothing wrong with her. You would know that if you spent more time with her."

"I can't spend as much time with her as you do because of work," explained Hideki. "Even so, she's always with you. She clings to you like she's your shadow. She won't let anyone else get close to her."

"There's nothing wrong with her being attached to me," insisted Kumiko. "I'm her mother. That's how it's supposed to be."

"Is this because of . . ."

"No," exclaimed Kumiko, cutting off Hideki before he could finish his thought. It was clear that Kumiko was now upset because of what her husband had tried to say. "I thought I told you never to bring that up."

"I thought since it had been five years that maybe it would be okay to talk about," said Hideki.

"You think something like this goes away just because a few years have passed? It's going to be with us forever."

"I'm sorry," said Hideki.

"Maybe we should just take Rumi-chan out of that school," said Kumiko. "Find her a better one with better teachers."

"It's the best school in the city," said Hideki.

"I have some errands to run in the city tomorrow," said Kumiko. "I think I'll take Rumi-chan with me. It'll do her good to get away from those kids for a while."

Rumi entered holding a drawing she had made. "I made this for you mommy," she said, handing it to Kumiko.

"Let's take a look," said a smiling Kumiko. The picture was of little Rumi and her mother holding hands. "I love it!"

"How come I'm not in the picture?" asked Hideki.

Rumi turned her attention to her father briefly before giving her full attention back to her mother. "This is a picture of me and you at the park," said Rumi.

"I love the park," said Kumiko. "Would you like for me to take you there tomorrow?"

Rumi smiled and nodded her head.

"I have to call the office," said Hideki before departing.

While her mother marveled at the drawing, Rumi watched with disdain as her father departed.

The next day Kumiko took Rumi with her to run errands in the city. It was the most ideal of days. The sun was shining brightly and the sky was a perfect shade of blue.

Kumiko couldn't help but smile as she led Rumi by the hand. It was the most simple of acts but it meant so much to her.

"Rumi-chan," announced Kumiko. "I have a question for you. What is your favorite food?"

"Melon bread," exclaimed Rumi.

"Melon bread?" asked Kumiko. "That's my favorite too. Here's another question. What is Rumi-chan's favorite animal?"

"Cats," replied Rumi.

"I likes cats too," replied Kumiko. "Do you think we'll see some cats in the park today?"

"We're going to see a million cats," exclaimed Rumi.

"Let's see if I can think of another question."

"I can answer anything," said Rumi.

"Okay, Rumi-chan," said Kumiko. "Who is your favorite person in the whole entire world?"

"Mommy's my favorite person," exclaimed Rumi.

"And Rumi-chan is my favorite person."

After running her errands, Kumiko took Rumi to their favorite bakery to buy melon bread. The pair then visited the local park so they could relax and enjoy their sweet treat.

As the pair sat on a bench and ate their melon bread, Kumiko decided it would be as good a time as any to talk to Rumi about her behavior at school.

"How are things going at school, Rumi-chan?" asked Kumiko.

"Good," replied Rumi, her mouth full of bread.

"Your teacher told me that you don't like the other kids. Is that true?"

"They're a bunch of babies," replied Rumi. "Everything makes them cry."

"You have to try to get along with them, Rumi-chan. Don't you want to have lots of friends?"

"I don't need friends," said Rumi. "All I need is you."

Kumiko wasn't sure what to think or how to respond. Her phone then began ringing, shaking her from her state.

"Hello," answered Kumiko. From the corner of her eye, she found a cat walking nearby, which had clearly caught Rumi's attention. The curious girl hopped off the bench and began following. "Don't wander too far," said Kumiko.

Rumi followed the cat to a short distance away from the bench. It stopped briefly so that it could bathe itself.

"Good morning Mr. Cat," said Rumi. "What are your plans for today?"

The cat finished bathing and departed further into a wooded area. Rumi made no hesitation and eagerly followed.

So wrapped up in her conversation, Kumiko hadn't noticed Rumi wander off until after she had hung up. "Rumi-chan, let's head back home, okay," she announced. There was no answer.

Scanning the area, Kumiko found nary a trace of her daughter. "Rumi-chan?" she called out. "Rumi-chan." After again receiving no response, panic began to set it.

Kumiko headed in the direction she hoped Rumi had gone. Her trek took her to the wooded area. Kumiko's heart sank when she found Rumi's melon bread lying on the ground.

"Rumi-chan!" shouted Kumiko.

Venturing further into the wooded area, Kumiko found Rumi in the distance crouching down with her back turned.

"Rumi-chan!" shouted Kumiko, now running frantically to her. Upon reaching her daughter, Kumiko wrapped her arms around Rumi. "Please don't ever leave like that again."

"Mr. Cat won't wake up," said Rumi, who had been crouching by the cat she had been following. The cat that had been so full of life just minutes ago was now lying dead on the ground. Its neck had been broken.

Seeing this, Kumiko quickly led Rumi away.

That night Kumiko and Hideki had a discussion about the events of the day. Kumiko had spent most of the day concealing how distraught she was for fear that it would upset Rumi. But now that her daughter had gone up to bed, Kumiko was able to allow all of her worry to pour out.

"I only took my eyes off her for a few minutes," sobbed Kumiko. "I didn't think she would wander off like that."

"It's okay," said Hideki. "Rumi was never in any danger. It's a safe park, nothing ever happens there."

"But something could have happened," replied Kumiko. "And it would have been all my fault. I'm supposed to protect Rumi-chan. If she can't depend on me, then who can she depend on?"

"You've been under a lot of stress lately. It's understandable that you would take this so hard. But you don't have to. It all turned out fine."

"It isn't stress," said Kumiko. "I'm just a bad mother."

Unbeknownst to the couple, Rumi was sitting on the stairs and listening intently to their conversation. She was eating the melon bread her mother had purchased for her as a token of contrition for temporarily losing her. The calm demeanor in which Rumi listened made it seem as if she had no sympathy for her mother who was breaking down before her.

"It wasn't your fault," said Hideki. "Your mind was somewhere else. How could it not be? Your mother had just told you that your father's health is getting worse. And we're trying to have another baby. To be honest, my mind has been all over the place the last few months as well."

"We should visit my father soon," said Kumiko. "I think it will make him feel better to see us."

"That's a good idea," said Hideki. "Are you still going to your doctor's appointment tomorrow?"

"Yes," replied Kumiko. "I can't afford to miss it."

A sound on the stairs prompted Hideki to look in that direction. The only thing out of the ordinary was Rumi's Mr. Clown doll lying on one of the stairs.