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Chapter 7
Nagisa #2 was getting busier.
Takako was still asleep after drinking all night long. Even though Ayumi was working hard all by herself, Brian and AJ spent their time at the bank since it was air-conditioned. This free service made them forget everything about work.
"AJ, is this appropriate?" asked Brian who finally noticed the weird stares that were thrown at them.
"Why? There is a beautiful receptionist here. Let's stay longer."
"What about Nagisa #2?"
"Boss will be there. Don't worry."
"But he told me this morning he has an important thing to be done and will be out until evening."
"Really? Don't worry. We still have Takako."
"Youske told me that she is still asleep. She was drunk, remember?"
"That means, the only person left working at Diamond Head and Nagisa #2 is Ayumi."
"Oh, shit. I told you go back after the errand."
"What are you waiting for? Let's go!"
When they both returned, Ayumi screamed her lungs out at them. They apologized and promised Ayumi that that day would be Ayumi's Day. They would treat her like a queen and do all the jobs.
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Masaru was actually out to pick up someone. A strange woman by the name of Michie came. Ayumi told the guys that she came here every year at around this time.
Although this was the first time Michie met Brian and AJ, she started to order them to clean up Diamond Head as if she was the owner of this resort.
"The spring is not yet here and we have to do spring cleaning," AJ complained. Michie who overheard his remark hit him on the head.
"Stop talking. You've no time to talk nonsense. After cleaning the floor, go and clean the windows."
Brian and AJ thought that she was stern and exuded an air of strictness. They thought she had no rights to order them but they had no time to complain.
Leighanne arrived at Diamond Head to visit Brian but instead, she had to help to clean up Diamond Head too.
"But she is just a guest," Brian stood up for her.
"She's your girlfriend. A girlfriend should share what her boyfriend was doing," said Michie.
"Don't worry, Brian. I can do it," Leighanne volunteered to help because she didn't want to look like just another girl who came to the beach to have fun. Even Ayumi was forced to do all kind of chores. The only one who was having a good time was Michie. Leighanne was ordered to make the meals while Michie stood by her to see whether she was doing everything correctly. Leighanne was the only one who didn't complain and did what she was told to do.
"That old man! I wonder where he hides. Selfish old man. He went away just like that without giving us a word of warning," said AJ. The furious AJ threw the rags on his hand and sat down.
"Hey AJ, get up and start working. She'll be here soon," warned Brian.
"I don't care. See, I'm tired. I'm not a robot."
"Attention!"
"Speak of the devil," AJ mumbled as he stood up.
"Who told you to rest?" Michie asked as she punched him on his stomach. AJ whined in pain.
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The next day, Michie woke everyone up early in the morning to clean the seaside. Everyone was startled by the noises made by her. The only one who didn't wake up was Masaru, who knew that this would happen and have earplugs in his ears. Leighanne was the first to get up to make breakfast. Michie praised her for the good works she had done.
All of them were standing under the hot sun, cleaning up the seaside. Youske and Yuko who came over to seek for Ayumi were also forced to help out. When Takako walked pass the beach, she saw the group working and tried to take another route to avoid been seen by Michie. However, Michie spotted her and she had no choice but to join.
"Quick! We must finish this before lunchtime. Ganbatte! (Work hard!)"
"Aunt Michie, why do we have to do this?" Ayumi asked.
"This beach belongs to you and you must do your part to keep it beautiful. So that the guests will come back again."
Everything was going fine after a few hours until Michie's hat flew into the ocean. For some unknown reason, she started screaming hysterically for help. Everyone looked at her direction - each wondered what happened. Brian and AJ heard this ran over to help Michie but Masaru made it first. He dove into the sea, got the hat and returned it to Michie. She kept saying 'thank you' and broke into tears.
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While having dinner, everyone was still wondering why the strong Michie broke into tears when her hat flew into the sea but no one dared to ask.
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When Michie went up to her own room, Masaru told everyone that Michie lost her son to the ocean.
"Her son was different. Normally a child will be scared to get into the sea. But he did it the first time he saw the ocean. He was a brave child. But Michie starts to hate the ocean since then."
This affected Ayumi. Waves of sadness washed over her. Over in Ayumi's room, Ayumi asked Michie why she didn't tell her about this.
"If I had told you this, you might grow up to hate the ocean too. I don't want you to hate the ocean because this is the place where you spend your days."
That night, Leighanne told Michie that she had to go back to US the next day. Leighanne also said that Michie was someone she felt proud of. She would not forget her. The two then said their farewells.
It was already midnight but Brian and AJ were still chatting in the dining room when Michie joined them.
"Brian, you have a very nice and responsible girlfriend. Sorry for giving her so much troubles."
"No. Don't say that. Want some beer?"
"Sure."
"I've something to say. But I hope that you won't mind and listen with your heart opened."
"Yes?"
"I think that your son had guts. It was very brave of him to go into the ocean alone even though it was his first time seeing the ocean - something I couldn't do, even now."
Tears were welling in Michie's eyes. Brian felt bad for Michie. He thought AJ shouldn't say such things to Michie but at last agreed to what AJ said.
"Yeah. Your son is now in the ocean. Then why do you hate it? You should love it because it is taking care of your son now."
"Your country is surrounded by ocean. Living here, you can't hate the sea all your life," AJ added.
Michie couldn't say even a word and left to go back to her room.
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Before leaving, Michie went up to Ayumi's room to say 'goodbye'. She then saw the note pinned on Ayumi's notice board.
" 'WE ARE THE BEACH BOYS'. I see. The two wonderful guys down there were brought to you together with this note."
"I believe so," Ayumi smiled.
"Really, they are indeed special. You're much more cheerful than last year. Tell Aunt Michie which one you have your heart on?" She then put his arm over Ayumi's shoulders.
"Iie…(No…)" She knew she was blushing.
The taxi was waiting outside the resort. Brian and AJ helped Michie to load her luggage into the booth. The five looked on as Michie opened the car door. But she didn't go into it. Slowly, she walked towards the sea, took off her slippers and stepped into the sea. Everyone was shocked and worried. Just then, she turned around, flashed a smile and showed the victory sign. They were relieved and happy. This was a kind of answer to what Brian and AJ said that night. She was starting to love the sea.
Michie requested the taxi driver to take a route where she could see the ocean all the way to the railway station. Breathing in the refreshing sea breeze, once more she felt like a mother. Suddenly, she felt at ease.
"Michie! Michie!" She turned around and saw AJ's white car behind. She then ordered the taxi driver to stop the car. Brian got off with Michie's hat in his hand.
"You've forgotten this. It has the smell of the sea on it."
"Arigato. (Thank you.) Bye!"
"Bye, Michie! You still owe me
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