246 Chapter four, 2017, dark and bitter: 5 (1/2)
Almost a week after the awful evening at the Stockholm Haven café, February thirteenth, Christina walked down a street with Noriko at her side. They were heading for Noriko's home to make chocolate. Noriko for Nao-kun, and she for Ulf. At least that was Noriko's plan.
Christina heard from her steps how listless she was. By now sharing her life with Ulf had faded to something bleaker than a hope.
”Noriko, is there really a point in me doing this?”
Ryu called her his larger than life midget sister, and Christina saw why. She had an endless amount of energy.
”If I tell you there is, then there is.”
”Why? Why are you trying so hard? You even tried helping me while you were still in love with Ulf. I don't understand.”
They came up to the gates outside Noriko's house.
”Because you're a genius teenager and a moronic fifty year old.”
'Huh? Excuse me? Did she just tell me to grow up? Her?'
The lock clicked, and Noriko swung the gate open. ”After you.”
Christina passed her in silence and waited for Noriko to open the door. After that both girls went inside, dropped their shoes and walked to the kitchen area.
”I don't see how making chocolate will change anything,” Christina started.
Noriko silenced her with a look. ”You sound like my father,” Noriko said. ”Mom told me rituals are important. That you shouldn't get hung up on them but respect them anyway. They have meaning.”
She put two bags on the table. Christina helped her with the third.
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”Meaning, maybe.” Christina sat down on a stool and tidied her hair. ”We don't even celebrate Valentine much in Sweden.”
Noriko looked around and smirked. ”You're not in Sweden now. Everyone in school know it's Valentine tomorrow. They'll feel it. Urufu as well. He...”
”Will notice how important it is. I get it.”
Noriko rummaged around in the cupboards and pulled out utensils she needed for the evening's work. ”Look,” she said. ”if it doesn't mean anything, then you just spent an evening with me learning how to make home-made chocolate and he gets something sweet to eat, and...”
”Something bitter,” Christina interrupted. ”He likes his chocolate dark and bitter,” she said when Noriko gave her a questioning look.
Noriko shrugged and took out two bowls. ”Bitter, sweet, doesn't matter. Important thing is, if he doesn't care he just gets a treat, and if he cares he'll understand the love that comes with it. You made it for him. You spent this evening for his sake.”
”OK I'll make him some chocolate. It's the last straw.” Christina took a deep breath. ”I'll make you a promise. If he likes it I'll take a break from modelling and mend what we broke. I'll make him understand. I'll even ask him to say he loves me. Beg him if needed, because I need to hear those words from him.” Christina was speaking faster and faster as if she had just found her way home again after being lost.