Forgotten Sonata
By: Ryokoluv17
1941. Pearl Harbor. 1945. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 1952. Reconstruction of Japan.
"Sasami, please bring out the hors-d'oeuvres! The ladies will be here any minute!" Ayeka feverishly made her adjustments to the living room. Wednesday evenings were very dear to Ayeka, for it was her book club meeting and a time to pry into other lives over tea.
"Here they are! Do I have to go into hiding in my room, again?" Sasami pouted.
"Needless to say, Sasami. You are not of age yet. Once you are, you can engage in our literal discussions." Ayeka shunned the little girl, as she places the vinyl down. Soft Classical music filled the room.
"Literal discussions? Don't you mean discussing other's marriages and the next shopping outing." Tenchi enters the living room, scanning the area and sighed. "I can't take another one of Kiyone mishaps with men and Mihoshi...we just need to keep her away from the China." He scratched his head turning to the little girl.
"Sasami, you and I can go and get some ice cream. How about it?" Tenchi rested on his knees teasing the crown of her head.
"Oh, perish the thought, Tenchi. You are not going to get out of the book club discussion that easily. I am sure Sasami can find something to entertain herself. Be a dear and turned those flowers a bit." Ayeka instructed him. Sasami walked out the room defeated, sitting on the step of the one-story home. She grasps a pebble from the corner of the step, tossing it across from her. Their residence was one of the several homes built for soldiers of the Japanese Self-Defense force and their families who had to relocate to the city of Tokyo from their war-torn towns. It was then Sasami spotted a dark sedan, approaching a home a few doors down. Sasami tilted her head as curiosity bait at her.
"Sasami, how are you?" Sasami turned sharply to the women approaching from the corner, they were stealing glances at the newcomers too. Sasami dodges the women who could not help themselves from their snooping.
"Ms. Kuramitsu, Ms. Makibi. Nice to see you again." She acknowledged them as they rushed into the home. Her smile dwindled as she spins around to snoop on the newcomer once more.
"This was the big secret you and mom were holding from me? Such a disappointment!" The amber-eyed woman moped at the sight of the home. She scanned the lush premise noticing a little girl peeping out from the wooden columns. "With nosey neighbors." She mumbled more to herself, holding her bucket hat with her right hand as the wind pick up, her wavy cyan hair motionless to the breeze.
"Ryoko, consider yourself fortunate to be the daughter of a medical practitioner and wife of a Colonel. We did not have to be on the waiting list." Ryoko's bloodstained lips grinned at her husband. She turned to the home at the head of the compound. The girl with two distinct pigtails had disappeared.
"How could I forget?" Ryoko uttered sarcastically making her way to the steps.
"High-end car, designer dress and a man in uniform." Ayeka rattled off as she peeked through the blinds.
"Why would they want to live here?" Mihoshi questioned peeking below Ayeka.
"It is a military town, it's only right that they will live here," Kiyone spoke annoyingly.
"But neither Ayeka or Tenchi has military connections." Mihoshi retorted innocently. Tenchi frowned at her words.
"I can hear you." Ayeka snarled. "Let's be clear. My honorable father-in-law builds these homes for soldiers and their families. So, we [Masaki's] do have great significance."
Tenchi sighed as he closed the book. "Is this the literal discussion you were explaining earlier?" Ayeka scoffed walking back to the table.
At that moment, Sasami was in the middle of running to her room, when Ayeka called out to her.
"Sasami, did you get the woman name?" Ayeka sweetly baited her sister.
"No, but she was really beautiful." Sasami shrugged naively at Ayeka.
"We shall introduce ourselves in the morning. How does 0900 sound? I have to bake some oatmeal cookies tonight I am sure she would love them." Ayeka pulled out a notepad jotting down ideas. "What about you two?" Ayeka pointed the pencil at the two.
"Fruit Basket!" Mihoshi declared excitingly. Kiyone nodded in agreement. "And I have some brand-new towels that I don't need."
"Then it is settled. I wonder if she is interested in being a part of the book club? Number 4. Ask about book club" Ayeka jotted down another reminder.
"I am sure she would rather spend time doing other things." Tenchi rose from the table. Ayeka glared at his retreating form, gasps and snickers escaped the women behind her.
"How dare you find that amusing? The both of you out now! How dare you?!" Ayeka rushed the women out who were still having laughing fits.
The Next Morning
"Slept well? Because I didn't!" Ryoko fixed her husband a stare as she turned back to the stove.
"I don't wish to argue over this again." He retorted sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper.
"Hotsuma!" Ryoko shouted, dropping the plate in front of him.
"Ryoko!" He roared back. He groaned in frustration. "Just think of it as temporary. We are going through a reconstruction period. This place is livable compared to the outer parts of Tokyo."
"Why couldn't we stay in Paris?" Ryoko sat on her knees looking at her husband pleadingly. He dropped the fork, placing his wife on his lap.
"We could not. There was a coup d'état in French Indochina, a couple of years ago. And those responsible are in my medical command." Ryoko frowned and rose from his lap.
"What are you saying?"
"I will have to be in Saigon soon. Initially for a month and possibly for a year for the trial." He admitted.
"Vietnam?! You can't!" Ryoko covered her mouth drawing close to sob on his shoulder.
"I am sorry to keep leaving you. You know mission always..." Hotsuma consoled her.
"I hate when you make me cry." Ryoko sheepishly looks at him. "Fine. Eat up. I will go and water the plants, and check on Luna." Ryoko closed the door behind her, 'Maybe I will get used to living here.' Soft chirps alerted her that she was not alone on the new changes in her life.
"Luna. We have been through a lot. Daddy will be leaving us soon. No surprise, but we will always have each other, right?" She smiled at the bird as she waters the plants. She heard the sound of running and picked up her head.
"Tenchi you slowpoke! Hurry up or I will be late!" A little girl shouted a few feet away from the porch. Ryoko noticed it was the little girl from yesterday. Sasami turned and saw Ryoko looking at her. Feeling bashful, she rushes back to Tenchi and hide. Ryoko cleared her throat as she continues watering the plants. Tenchi peered up, he could not help to stare. Her eyes were like gold at the end of the rainbow. Her wavy hair bounced as she moves around the patio. It felt like time slowed as he took in her intoxicating appearance. She is beautiful. Tenchi watches her disappear into the house.
Ryoko picked up the dishes her husband left behind as he placed on olive Tunic Jacket. The sound of his boots filled the entryway. Ryoko helped fixed his jacket, running her palms over the breast pockets.
"I am coming back, you know?" He smiled kissing her forehead. Ryoko nodded.
"Hello?" A voice and knock came from the front door. "Anyone in there?"
"A Welcome Wagon?" Ryoko muttered as she opened the door.
"Good Day, I am-Oh my." Ayeka paused as she takes in the sight of the tall man beside Ryoko. "I am Masaki, Ayeka. We were just stopping by to welcome you to the...neighborhood."
'Very handsome.'
"Forgive me, but...your eyes..." Ayeka began causing Ryoko to quirk an eyebrow at her.
'This bitch is flirting with my husband right in front of me. Some nerve!'
Hotsuma darted a glance to Ryoko, knowing she was about to rip the woman to shreds. "My Father was European and mother is Japanese."
Ayeka nodded with understanding. "They've made such a handsome son."
Kiyone pursed her lips, bringing the reason to why they were there. "I am Kiyone Makibi and this is Mihoshi Kuramitsu." They bowed. Hotsuma smiled graciously as Ayeka handed over the container of cookies to him still in awe. "Pleasure to meet all of you. I am Hotsuma Ohara and this is my lovely wife Ryoko." He drew Ryoko to him, kissing her on the temple. "I must be going now. I am sure Ryoko is grateful for your visit." He bowed to the women who watched him leave in awe.
Ayeka turned to Ryoko only to hastily push her into the entryway of the home, with Mihoshi and Kiyone follow suit. "You need to keep him close. Women would sink their paws into him. Lucky woman, are you. " Ayeka removed her shoes, stepping into the living space. Ryoko folded her arms as she watched the women look around the home.
"In case you did not know. My husband Tenchi Masaki and my father in law constructed these homes on the property. He should be returning from dropping off my little sister. In fact, there he is! Tenchi, Sweetie!" Ayeka called out from the door waving at him.
"You will get used to it." Kiyone stood beside Ryoko. "She is like this 24/7."
"Good to know." Ryoko retorted nonchalantly stuffing her hands in the pockets of her apron.
Ryoko and the two other women, watched from the patio as Ayeka pulled her nervous husband up the steps.
"Miss Ryoko. This is my husband Tenchi Masaki. Say hello!" She urged pulling him closer. Ryoko and Tenchi locked eyes briefly.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Ryoko." Tenchi uttered he offered his hand.
"Likewise." She shook his hand.
'Her hands are impeccably soft. How perfect is she?'
'He has a nice smile.'
"Oh dear, I forgot my notepad." Ayeka hands patted her dress pockets. "Anyway, what family are you from?" Tenchi rolled his eyes sighing.
"Hakubi." Ryoko declared.
Ayeka eyes widen as she tightened her hold on her husband's arm. "Oh, Gracious. The physician? This is great, the girls and I are volunteers at the military hospital."
"I see. My husband and I are scheduled to be there in the morning for a tour." Ryoko admitted looking to them.
"I will see you in the morning, then. Come along ladies!" Ayeka smiled. "Dear, I will see you this evening." Tenchi nodded.
"I am sorry, she is very outgoing. Speaks a mile a minute when she is excited." Tenchi chuckled scratching the back of his head.
"It's okay." Ryoko smiled. 'My absolute sympathies'
"What is the name of your bird?" Tenchi peered up at the caged bird.
"Luna. She's a Japanese Waxwing."
"Luna is a nice name." He retorted tapping the bottom of the cage.
"Don't…" Ryoko uttered, "She doesn't like that."
"Sorry." Tenchi sheepishly smiled heading to the steps.
"I best be going now. Nice meeting you, Miss Ryoko. See you around."
'I wish I can stay longer.'
'Please just call me Ryoko.'
"Same…Mr. Tenchi Masaki." Ryoko watched his retreating form scampering away.
"She's awfully attractive," Kiyone admitted as they sat on the steps.
"Yes, exceptionally beautiful," Ayeka muttered. 'A Marilyn Monroe Wannabe'
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