Before you start, here are some Japanese translations for you:
ichi, ni, san, shi – One, two, three, four
che – darn
kiiroi – yellow
-pi, -P – suffix used to show endearment
meijin – master
bishojo – pretty girl, beauty
oyasumi nasai – good night
“Ichi, ni, san, shi. Ichi, ni, san, shi…” the girl with the slate-blue hair chanted, in time to her jogging, as she circled the wide track at the park. Her shoes brushed against the pavement, making little contact as she attempted to bring down her friction a bit, and increase her speed. Success. She dug her right toe into the ground, and sprinted forward, as she dashed ahead like a silver bullet. Breathing heavily, she raced on, as she approached a curve, and rose onto the ball of her foot, and spun to the side. As she pushed her left foot forward, though, her right leg gave way behind her, and the girl went sprawling to the ground, landing on her left cheek. She pinched her eyes closed as her head hit the concrete, and she winced in pain as a thin trickle of blood slipped down her forehead.
“Che…” she mumbled, clearly frustrated. Shifting her right arm to the side, she pressed her palm to the ground, and pushed herself up. With her other hand, she pushed a few loose strands of hair out of her face, as she squinted her clear sea-green eyes, and looked up at the sky.
“High noon…” she murmured. She stood upright, brushing herself off, as she turned away and walked to a nearby bench. Collecting her belongings, she threw her bag over her shoulder, and started to walk off.
“I’m home!” The soft voice rang out in the silence of the apartment. A second passed, and then four tiny white feet sped towards her to greet her. The quiet hum of a cat’s purr was heard, and the girl reached down to pick up the little orange tabby. Stroking her soft little head, she placed her bag next to the door, and closed it behind her. After another moment of patting her kitten, she placed the little animal on the carpet, and headed into the bathroom to wash off her cut. The little cat followed. As she opened the door to the powder room, a muffled meow was heard behind her, and she laughed a bit as she turned around.
“Kiiroi-pi, you want to help?” She smiled, then stepped up to the sink, as she turned on the tap and lightly splashed her face with the lukewarm water. Picking up a washcloth, she dabbed at the wound lightly, and finally removed the last remains of the blood. She tossed the cloth into the laundry hamper and turned off the faucet. With another towel, she dried her face, and looked at herself in the wide French mirror. She smiled a bit.
“Hee…” She untied the bow which held back her blue-gray tresses, as her hair fell down to her waist. Reaching back and to her left shoulder, she pulled her hair forward and around her neck. She laughed a bit, as she turned to the side, and gazed at her reflection.
“Heehee! Kin’iro Kamiko, Meijin Bishojo!” She laughed at the corniness of her own joke, then tossed her head to the side as she flipped her hair back behind her. Kiiroi-pi meowed again.
“Okay, okay, I get the message…” Kamiko picked up the kitten, setting her on her shoulder, and walked over to the bed. She sat down at the edge, as she looked out the window before her. The sun was just beginning to set, and as shades of pink, purple, and gold filled the sky, Kamiko smiled.
“It’s so pretty at sunset…” she whispered, as Kiiroi-pi purred in agreement. Scooping up the little kitten in her arms, Kamiko then moved to the head of the bed, as she laid her head upon the pillow, and Kiiroi-pi next to her. The rhythmic, almost melodic purring of the cat soon lulled Kamiko to sleep.
“Oyasumi nasai… Kiiroi-pi,” she murmured softly, before drifting off into peaceful slumber.