One Week Later
I was sleeping like I had no regrets in life.
Flat on my stomach, face buried into my pillow, blanket half-kicked off because it was already warm in the morning. My window was wide open, letting sunlight spill into my room in that annoying way that made it impossible to pretend it was still night.
Then—
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
I groaned.
Another sound followed—metal clanking, boxes thudding, voices talking loudly outside. Way too loud. Way too early.
"Ugh…" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
My hair was a mess, tied up in a loose bun that probably came undone in my sleep. I pushed myself up slowly, my head still heavy, my body refusing to cooperate.
My bed was right next to the window. I scooted closer, dragging the blanket with me, and peeked outside with one half-open eye.
"What the heck is going on…?"
A truck was parked right outside the neighboring house. Another car was pulled up behind it. Men in uniforms were carrying boxes back and forth, some of them shouting directions.
"…Moving?" I blinked.
That house?
I stared harder, finally waking up.
The place had been quiet for as long as I could remember. I was pretty sure no one lived there anymore. Or at least… no one new.
"Did they move out?" I muttered. "Or is someone moving in… all of a sudden?"
I leaned forward, resting my arms on the window frame.
From my angle, I could see the delivery men hauling boxes inside. Furniture, too. It definitely looked like someone was settling in, not leaving.
Then I spotted someone familiar.
"Oh."
Standing a bit away from the noise, talking to one of the workers, was Uncle Peter.
My dad's old friend.
He visited sometimes—mostly to talk business, sometimes to borrow tools or complain about work. He usually lived alone, always busy, always tired.
"Why is Uncle Peter here…?" I whispered.
Then I noticed someone standing beside him.
A girl.
She looked around my age.
My sleepiness vanished a little.
The boxes the men were carrying… they were probably hers.
"So… she's moving in?" I frowned. "With Uncle Peter?"
I rubbed my eyes again, just to be sure I wasn't imagining things.
She had long, clear black hair that fell straight down her back. She was wearing a simple white shirt and black jeans—nothing flashy, but it suited her in a quiet way.
Even from this distance, I could tell her skin was… really clear.
Unfairly clear.
She turned slightly, talking to Uncle Peter, and laughed at something he said. I couldn't hear it, but her smile caught my attention anyway.
"…Huh."
I leaned my chin on my hand, still staring.
Who was she?
A relative? A niece? His daughter? I didn't remember Uncle Peter ever mentioning having a kid.
The girl glanced around the neighborhood, her eyes passing over the houses… and for a split second—
I froze.
"…Did she just look this way?"
I ducked immediately, heart jumping for no reason.
Why am I hiding? It's my window!
I slowly peeked out again.
She was still there, watching the workers move boxes, completely unbothered. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"…I'm overthinking," I muttered.
Still, I couldn't stop looking.
A new girl in town. Right next door.
For some reason, a strange feeling settled in my chest—curiosity mixed with something I couldn't name.
I trudged down the stairs, still sleepy. The smell of something delicious hit me immediately.
"Nanny?" I called softly.
She looked up from the stove and smiled warmly, eyes crinkling just enough to make her look gentle and comforting.
"Good morning, Mayu. You're up early today," she said, setting a plate on the dining table. Steam rose, carrying the familiar scent of my favorite breakfast.
Without thinking, I hurried over and sat down.
"You made this?" I asked, my voice muffled as I started eating. Golden fried egg, garlicky rice, tender slices of marinated beef.
She nodded, watching me with a small, fond smile.
"Of course, my dear. Just the way you like it. Eat well, okay?"
I smiled. "Did you eat yet, Nanny?"
"I did. Don't worry about me. I just like seeing you enjoy your food," she said softly, voice like a lullaby.
I chewed, then asked, "Where are Mom and Dad today?"
"They went out on business. You know how busy your father is, and your mother had a few things to check on as well," Nanny replied calmly.
I nodded, savoring another bite. "Mmm… this is really good, Nanny. Thank you."
Her smile widened, proud. "I'm glad, sweetheart. Eat slowly, okay?"
Leaning on the counter, drying a plate, she added gently, "Oh dear… I heard about that crash in the mountains last week. The storm must've been terrible. Along the Crescent Pathway, they say a giant rock—or maybe part of the cliff—fell and made a giant hole."
My fork froze midair. "Wait… a rock?"
She brushed back her hair. "Yes, dear. Be careful if you ever go near there again. Mountain paths can get treacherous after a storm."
I nodded slowly, the memory of last week's… incident creeping back. I chewed quietly, trying to convince myself that I was lucky I didn't get hit by it.
After breakfast, I flopped onto the couch in the living room, letting the sunlight wash over me.
Warm. Lazy. Perfect for doing absolutely nothing.
Nanny had left a small plate of cut-up apples next to me. Sweet, crisp… exactly how I liked them. I snacked quietly while the television played in the background. Nothing interesting, of course.
I picked up my phone and unlocked it, half-hoping for a message.
Nothing.
Well… almost nothing.
A message from Mom: "Mayumi, your father and I will be home in a day or so. Take care of yourself!"
I sighed, sliding the phone back onto the couch. Great. Just a reminder that I have no friends.
I stared at the ceiling. I didn't want to play games. I didn't want to scroll through social media. I wanted to do something. Something fun. Something… different.
"Hmm…" I muttered. "What could I even do today?"
I chewed on an apple slice, staring outside anyway.
"Maybe I should go for a walk," I whispered to myself. "Check out the woods… see what's left of that mess from last week's storm."
I stretched, tossing the empty plate aside. The TV kept talking, but I didn't care. My mind was already planning, imagining what I should do this vacation.
Curiosity. Excitement. Maybe a little trouble.
Yeah… I hope today might actually be interesting.