Chapter Two
1996
Life for me is...less than brilliant at the moment. Noriko is still jobless and the rent has gone up. The neighbours keep complaining our music is too loud. Ryuichi and I argue a lot. Noriko keeps talking about moving house. My mother died. I often come home from work to find the house a complete mess, and Ryuichi sitting in the middle of it, crying.
The only time I can escape it all is when I'm with Mika.
But even that has a problem now.
I...I think I'm falling in love with her brother.
I keep thinking about him, even though I've only seen him twice. She talks about him a lot, and I can see him in my mind, smiling at me. So I am seeing Mika less; for my own good, as it keeps my mind off Eiri, and for Ryuichi's sake too. When we argue, it's usually about how I'm seeing Mika too much and he doesn't like it. So I say something about not being able to see my friends because he 'doesn't like it'? And then we start shouting and he storms to our bedroom, so I can't go there, so I go to my piano's room and play it very loudly and violently. Sometimes, when he's really mad, he shouts through the wall telling me to shut up because my shitty playing is annoying him.
That happens all the time now. I hate it. But I can't help it. And the only way I can think to avoid it is...well, breaking up for a while. And even though I don't want to do this, I have to. I just...need to get away.
"Ryuichi."
He looks up.
"Ryu...we need to talk."
We are being alright with each other at the moment, so I motion for him to come sit in my lap. "I know...things haven't been great with us lately, and I think...I think we should have...like, a break for a while..."
He turns around and looks in my eyes. "You mean...go in different rooms or something?" I shake my head slowly. "I'm going away for a while...I'm going to America, Ryuichi, for half a year. I think...that's best..."
He doesn't say anything for ages, and I watch the tears welling up in his eyes. Then, very suddenly, he slaps me incredibly hard.
"I HATE YOU!" He screams. "You fucking bastard, go to fucking America! Just get the fuck out of my life!" And he goes, slamming the door after him.
I press my hand to my cheek. It hurts.
But I don't cry.
I have to do this.
It's what's best.
I think...
*
"F-father..."
"What is it, Mika?"
"Is it alright if...if a friend stays here for a few nights? Only, he...needs a place to go..."
"...Alright. If it will make you happy."
"Thank you, Father."
*
"I'm leaving now." It's a few days after I told him. Noriko is crying. She didn't think I'd actually go. Well, I'm not leaving for America for two weeks yet; Mika was kind enough to let me stay at her place until then. "So...I'll see you..." Ryuichi hasn't spoken to me since then, and it doesn't look like he will now either.
I get a weird feeling as I close the door of the apartment. It's like I'm shutting the door on an era. And I have a horrible feeling that everything's going to change, maybe not for the best. I take a taxi down to Mika's house. She told me it was a temple, actually, and her father is a monk. We pull up very soon. I didn't know it was that close. I take my suitcase up to the door and knock gently. A young boy, who could be Eiri's twin were he older, opens the door. "Ah! You must be Oneechan's friend. She's waiting for you." I nod in thanks, and find Mika standing in the doorway. I suddenly feel...overcome, like I really need to cry. I don't, but hug her tightly. "Thanks." I say quietly.
When I feel a bit better, she shows me to what will be my room. It is, to put it crudely, fairly bog standard, but it'll do. I presume her's and her brothers' rooms are nicer. Which reminds me.
"Is...Eiri around?" I ask cautiously.
"He's out back," Mika points, "He's just having a fag."
"He smokes?"
"Yes, but please don't tell my Father..."
I say of course not, put my case down, and go outside. Eiri is sitting on an old fence, as Mika said, smoking. His face looks...older, wiser, maybe.
"Go away, I don't want to talk to you."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just-"
He turns around, startled, and jumps off the fence. "T-Tohma! What are you...Why...Why are you here?"
"Mika didn't tell you? I'm staying for a few weeks, before I go to America."
He crushes his cigarette on the floor and runs over to me. "You're going away? Why?" "I just need some time for myself." He looks so cute, and I have a sudden urge to ruffle his hair. But I don't.
I can't.
I...
Can't.
*
I can hear them talking, Tohma and Eiri. Well, sort of. They're muffled through the door, and I can't actually make out exact words, but I can hear it when one of them starts shouting or goes quiet, and I can tell who's talking. Suddenly they go quiet for a really long time. I wonder if I should knock on the door and see what's wrong, but then Tohma says something. Ah! He's coming to the door!
I make it look like I wasn't eavesdropping. Tohma comes out and gives me a kind of sorrowful look that makes me feel sad too. He motions for me to sit with him in his room, and I do so. "Mika-san..." He takes my hand. I feel a pleasant tingle up my spine, but it seems like he's got something important to say, so I ignore it. "Mika- san, I was speaking to Eiri-kun...He...He would like to come to America with me."
Whatever I was expecting, it wasn't that. I pull my hand back, which surprises him and me. If he ever touched me before, I would make it linger as long as possible. But this...I'm... "He...I think...Why?" It's the only thing I can say. Why? Does he hate me? Tatsuha? Our Father? Why does he want to go?
"He has told me he's being bullied at school."
The second thing that comes as a shock. "Why?" I still can't find any other words.
"His looks, mostly. And he hasn't...matured yet. Do you understand?"
I nod slowly. I suppose...I never even thought about that. I'd gotten used to the way he looked, but now I think about it, he doesn't...he never really looked very Japanese...Father often asks him to dye his hair or something...I guess...he'd fit in in America.
I realise I am breathing very fast. Not just because of the shock; Tohma is sitting so close to me. I want to hold him and kiss him and...I...
"What do you think, Mika-san? He asked me to come to you first, as Useugi- san listens to you more."
I swallow. My throat is really dry.
"What about...school and...prices...flight...things like..." I am finding it so hard to talk. "I know someone who lives over there. He's a private tutor, his name is Kitazawa Yuki-sensei. And don't worry about the price. I am renting an apartment there where he can live with me, and the flight is no problem."
I just...can't take it all in. Eiri...why do you hate us?
"Mika-san."
He's so close. I can feel his breath on my lips. He's...oh my god...he's going to...
He's going to kiss me.
I have waited so long for this moment in my life, and it's so much better than I ever imagined. I put my hand on his neck and pull him closer, even though there's no space between us. He mumbled something into my lips, but I don't hear and I don't care.
Seguchi Tohma is kissing me.
Me.
If I was standing up, I would've collapsed long ago.
He pulls away suddenly, and gets up, but doesn't go.
"Anything..." I whisper. "I'll do anything for you...Tohma..."
*
Kami-sama!
I can't believe myself.
I can't believe I kissed her.
And what's even worse...
I said Ryuichi's name.
And I was thinking about Eiri-kun.
I'm...god, I'm sick...
"Tohma?"
Just...leave me alone...I don't deserve for you to be around me...
"What...did she say?"
I bury my head in my hands. "Yes." I say blankly. "She said yes."
He wraps his arms tightly around me and says "Oh! Thank you, Tohma!"
"Get OFF me!" I shout at him, pushing him back. He hits the wall. I'm just making it worse. I just...
Kami-sama...
*
Things change the week before they leave. Eiri becomes much happier, like he used to be. Tohma, on the other hand, barely talks at all, and he looks like he hasn't had much sleep. He was always polite, but now he's always apologising and saying please and thank you when he doesn't need too.
Me too...I'm not as happy as I should be. The two people I love most in the world are leaving me. I doesn't matter how many times I tell myself they'll be back in a few months, it seems like forever.
I wish they weren't going.
But...
I'm just a selfish bitch.
Aren't I?
*
We're at the airport.
The mood is less than thrilled. Everyone except Eiri is depressed. Noriko came to see us off. Ryuichi still won't call me. Our flight's being called. My arms and legs feel like lead. I'm wondering if this was a bad idea.
Noriko hugs me so tightly I can't breathe.
"You'd better come back, alright?" She doesn't let go for a good 3 minutes.
Mika is very distant. I think...this might sound conceited, but I think she's so shocked, she can't cry. She stares into space until I come over to her. She's grown, I think, since I first met her. She's almost as tall as me now. Maybe when I come back, she'll be taller. I don't know. I need to kiss her. I can't, I can't, I shouldn't...but I have to...Noriko and Eiri aren't expecting it...the mood gets even lower.
I bet Noriko will tell Ryuichi.
I pull away quickly and pat Mika on the shoulder awkwardly. Last boarding. We go. Eiri gives me a strange look, and grips my hand tightly. I'm so tired, I can't even be bothered to tell him not to. We board the plane.
I vaguely remember taking off.
The next thing I saw was Eiri telling me we were landing.
I'm so tired...
We get a taxi to the apartment. I drift in and out of sleep all the way. It's late, but it's still busy. Eiri looks sleepy now as well. Eventually, we arrive. I drag the two heavy suitcases upstairs and Eiri takes the shoulder bag. Thank god it's only two flights up. I drop the cases as soon as we get in. I don't even look around. I wander until I find the bathroom, take a piss, then find the bedroom. We'd agreed to get a fold out sofa for me to sleep on, as there's only one bedroom in the apartment, and until then I'd sleep on the couch, but I'm just so tired I flop down on the double bed right there. Eiri lays beside me, twining his fingers around mine. He falls asleep straight away.
And a few minutes later, so do I.
When I wake up, he's snuggled right up in my arms, still fast asleep. He so adorable, and - no. No, I can't think about that. But...
Wait. Think about this. Ryuichi will probably never look me in the eye again, let alone be my boyfriend. Mika is just my friend. I have no feelings in that way for her. So, technically, I am single. And so is Eiri, as far as I know. Maybe...maybe, just in America we could...I mean, secretly, of course...
No. No, he's too young. And so...cute...
"Nn...Tohma?"
"Yes, Eiri-san?"
"Is this a dream?"
"...No...At least, I hope not." I smile at him. He smiles back, then flops back onto the bed. This is going to be nice, I think. A nice break from everything. A change. Change is good. Today we can just wander around the apartment building, get to know some people, then tomorrow I'm going to arrange Eiri's tutoring and see about applying for a job, and everything will be perfect.
I get up slowly, taking my time, taking in my surroundings. The bedroom is big and pale and silky. The carpet is soft under my bare feet. It feels the same all over the house, except in the kitchen where there are wooden floorboards. Everything about this apartment is big and grand. I feel glad Eiri is with me; it must be easy to get lonely here. I go into the kitchen and see if there is any food in the fridge. The landlord has kindly left us a large bottle of water, some bread and milk and butter. I butter a few slices of bread and chew on one as I make my way back to the bedroom.
I can heard Eiri rustling around the room, up now. I take him his 'breakfast' and he eats it gratefully. Neither of us speak for a while, but the silence is not awkward. It's pleasant, as if we don't need to talk because we are both feeling quite content.
After my small but strangely filling breakfast, I fumble in my suitcase for a clock. 11:00! I don't think I've ever slept in this late. I put it on the bedside table, and just as I do, the doorbell rings. Eiri and I look at each other. I shrug and say, "I'll get it."
It turns out to be our neighbours from either side, welcoming us to the building. I invite them in. On the left flat is an ageing American couple, Mary and John. On the right flat are two British girls who tell me they only moved in a month ago. They're staying for a year to earn money as nurses (apparently the pay is much better here), then returning home. I am surprised how much English I remember from my school years. I'd been brushing up the last weeks I was at Mika's, but I'm finding it quite easy to understand what they're saying.
"Who is it, Tohma?" Eiri walks in in his pyjamas, rubbing his eyes. He stops dead when he sees my small audience, bows nervously and says "G-good morning." with a very thick accent. We used to have classes after school that taught us how to perfect our accents, but obviously they don't do that any more.
"Oh, you're not from around here?" Mary asks curiously.
"We come from Japan." She seems a little...I don't know, annoyed maybe? I wonder why. "Is this your son?" Eiri looks visibly peeved. He always looked young for his age.
"No, he's..." What? What can I say? Oh yes, this is my friends brother, who I just happen to fancy? "He's just my friend." That's totally inadequate, but will have to do.
"What are you saying, Tohma?" Eiri doesn't understand. I explain who these people are and he laughs when I say Mary though he was my son. Kelly, one of the girls, asks our names, and I tell her, mentally kicking myself for being so impolite.
I make tea for everyone, and we all sit and have a really good conversation. It reminds me of my chats with Mika. Mary and John tell us about things that have happened to them over the years. They has really exciting lives. I wish my life is as good as theirs. Kelly and Sarah tell us about the little village they come from in England. It sounds so different from Japan, so strange. I tell them about my love for music. Eiri sits and listens patiently, trying to pick up any words he knows.
After everyone leaves, Eiri and I do the washing up. This place is so...pleasant. The traffic down below reminds me of Japan. I do miss home, but...I'm looking forward to my time here. It'll be fun, I can tell.
Yet...yet something at the back of my mind is telling me something's going to go wrong...
I ignore it.
Time passes. There is nothing to do, so while Eiri is unpacking, I find my telephone book and dial one of the numbers.
"Hello?"
"This is Seguchi Tohma. I rang you before about lessons?"
"Ah, yes! For, let me remember...Useugi?"
"That's right, Useugi Eiri."
"Splendid. So when does he want to start?"
"As soon as possible."
"Great, bring him around on Monday then. You have my address?"
"Yes. Well, I'll see you on Monday then."
"Goodbye."
I put the phone down.
Kitazawa Yuki...
He seems nice enough.
1996
Life for me is...less than brilliant at the moment. Noriko is still jobless and the rent has gone up. The neighbours keep complaining our music is too loud. Ryuichi and I argue a lot. Noriko keeps talking about moving house. My mother died. I often come home from work to find the house a complete mess, and Ryuichi sitting in the middle of it, crying.
The only time I can escape it all is when I'm with Mika.
But even that has a problem now.
I...I think I'm falling in love with her brother.
I keep thinking about him, even though I've only seen him twice. She talks about him a lot, and I can see him in my mind, smiling at me. So I am seeing Mika less; for my own good, as it keeps my mind off Eiri, and for Ryuichi's sake too. When we argue, it's usually about how I'm seeing Mika too much and he doesn't like it. So I say something about not being able to see my friends because he 'doesn't like it'? And then we start shouting and he storms to our bedroom, so I can't go there, so I go to my piano's room and play it very loudly and violently. Sometimes, when he's really mad, he shouts through the wall telling me to shut up because my shitty playing is annoying him.
That happens all the time now. I hate it. But I can't help it. And the only way I can think to avoid it is...well, breaking up for a while. And even though I don't want to do this, I have to. I just...need to get away.
"Ryuichi."
He looks up.
"Ryu...we need to talk."
We are being alright with each other at the moment, so I motion for him to come sit in my lap. "I know...things haven't been great with us lately, and I think...I think we should have...like, a break for a while..."
He turns around and looks in my eyes. "You mean...go in different rooms or something?" I shake my head slowly. "I'm going away for a while...I'm going to America, Ryuichi, for half a year. I think...that's best..."
He doesn't say anything for ages, and I watch the tears welling up in his eyes. Then, very suddenly, he slaps me incredibly hard.
"I HATE YOU!" He screams. "You fucking bastard, go to fucking America! Just get the fuck out of my life!" And he goes, slamming the door after him.
I press my hand to my cheek. It hurts.
But I don't cry.
I have to do this.
It's what's best.
I think...
*
"F-father..."
"What is it, Mika?"
"Is it alright if...if a friend stays here for a few nights? Only, he...needs a place to go..."
"...Alright. If it will make you happy."
"Thank you, Father."
*
"I'm leaving now." It's a few days after I told him. Noriko is crying. She didn't think I'd actually go. Well, I'm not leaving for America for two weeks yet; Mika was kind enough to let me stay at her place until then. "So...I'll see you..." Ryuichi hasn't spoken to me since then, and it doesn't look like he will now either.
I get a weird feeling as I close the door of the apartment. It's like I'm shutting the door on an era. And I have a horrible feeling that everything's going to change, maybe not for the best. I take a taxi down to Mika's house. She told me it was a temple, actually, and her father is a monk. We pull up very soon. I didn't know it was that close. I take my suitcase up to the door and knock gently. A young boy, who could be Eiri's twin were he older, opens the door. "Ah! You must be Oneechan's friend. She's waiting for you." I nod in thanks, and find Mika standing in the doorway. I suddenly feel...overcome, like I really need to cry. I don't, but hug her tightly. "Thanks." I say quietly.
When I feel a bit better, she shows me to what will be my room. It is, to put it crudely, fairly bog standard, but it'll do. I presume her's and her brothers' rooms are nicer. Which reminds me.
"Is...Eiri around?" I ask cautiously.
"He's out back," Mika points, "He's just having a fag."
"He smokes?"
"Yes, but please don't tell my Father..."
I say of course not, put my case down, and go outside. Eiri is sitting on an old fence, as Mika said, smoking. His face looks...older, wiser, maybe.
"Go away, I don't want to talk to you."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just-"
He turns around, startled, and jumps off the fence. "T-Tohma! What are you...Why...Why are you here?"
"Mika didn't tell you? I'm staying for a few weeks, before I go to America."
He crushes his cigarette on the floor and runs over to me. "You're going away? Why?" "I just need some time for myself." He looks so cute, and I have a sudden urge to ruffle his hair. But I don't.
I can't.
I...
Can't.
*
I can hear them talking, Tohma and Eiri. Well, sort of. They're muffled through the door, and I can't actually make out exact words, but I can hear it when one of them starts shouting or goes quiet, and I can tell who's talking. Suddenly they go quiet for a really long time. I wonder if I should knock on the door and see what's wrong, but then Tohma says something. Ah! He's coming to the door!
I make it look like I wasn't eavesdropping. Tohma comes out and gives me a kind of sorrowful look that makes me feel sad too. He motions for me to sit with him in his room, and I do so. "Mika-san..." He takes my hand. I feel a pleasant tingle up my spine, but it seems like he's got something important to say, so I ignore it. "Mika- san, I was speaking to Eiri-kun...He...He would like to come to America with me."
Whatever I was expecting, it wasn't that. I pull my hand back, which surprises him and me. If he ever touched me before, I would make it linger as long as possible. But this...I'm... "He...I think...Why?" It's the only thing I can say. Why? Does he hate me? Tatsuha? Our Father? Why does he want to go?
"He has told me he's being bullied at school."
The second thing that comes as a shock. "Why?" I still can't find any other words.
"His looks, mostly. And he hasn't...matured yet. Do you understand?"
I nod slowly. I suppose...I never even thought about that. I'd gotten used to the way he looked, but now I think about it, he doesn't...he never really looked very Japanese...Father often asks him to dye his hair or something...I guess...he'd fit in in America.
I realise I am breathing very fast. Not just because of the shock; Tohma is sitting so close to me. I want to hold him and kiss him and...I...
"What do you think, Mika-san? He asked me to come to you first, as Useugi- san listens to you more."
I swallow. My throat is really dry.
"What about...school and...prices...flight...things like..." I am finding it so hard to talk. "I know someone who lives over there. He's a private tutor, his name is Kitazawa Yuki-sensei. And don't worry about the price. I am renting an apartment there where he can live with me, and the flight is no problem."
I just...can't take it all in. Eiri...why do you hate us?
"Mika-san."
He's so close. I can feel his breath on my lips. He's...oh my god...he's going to...
He's going to kiss me.
I have waited so long for this moment in my life, and it's so much better than I ever imagined. I put my hand on his neck and pull him closer, even though there's no space between us. He mumbled something into my lips, but I don't hear and I don't care.
Seguchi Tohma is kissing me.
Me.
If I was standing up, I would've collapsed long ago.
He pulls away suddenly, and gets up, but doesn't go.
"Anything..." I whisper. "I'll do anything for you...Tohma..."
*
Kami-sama!
I can't believe myself.
I can't believe I kissed her.
And what's even worse...
I said Ryuichi's name.
And I was thinking about Eiri-kun.
I'm...god, I'm sick...
"Tohma?"
Just...leave me alone...I don't deserve for you to be around me...
"What...did she say?"
I bury my head in my hands. "Yes." I say blankly. "She said yes."
He wraps his arms tightly around me and says "Oh! Thank you, Tohma!"
"Get OFF me!" I shout at him, pushing him back. He hits the wall. I'm just making it worse. I just...
Kami-sama...
*
Things change the week before they leave. Eiri becomes much happier, like he used to be. Tohma, on the other hand, barely talks at all, and he looks like he hasn't had much sleep. He was always polite, but now he's always apologising and saying please and thank you when he doesn't need too.
Me too...I'm not as happy as I should be. The two people I love most in the world are leaving me. I doesn't matter how many times I tell myself they'll be back in a few months, it seems like forever.
I wish they weren't going.
But...
I'm just a selfish bitch.
Aren't I?
*
We're at the airport.
The mood is less than thrilled. Everyone except Eiri is depressed. Noriko came to see us off. Ryuichi still won't call me. Our flight's being called. My arms and legs feel like lead. I'm wondering if this was a bad idea.
Noriko hugs me so tightly I can't breathe.
"You'd better come back, alright?" She doesn't let go for a good 3 minutes.
Mika is very distant. I think...this might sound conceited, but I think she's so shocked, she can't cry. She stares into space until I come over to her. She's grown, I think, since I first met her. She's almost as tall as me now. Maybe when I come back, she'll be taller. I don't know. I need to kiss her. I can't, I can't, I shouldn't...but I have to...Noriko and Eiri aren't expecting it...the mood gets even lower.
I bet Noriko will tell Ryuichi.
I pull away quickly and pat Mika on the shoulder awkwardly. Last boarding. We go. Eiri gives me a strange look, and grips my hand tightly. I'm so tired, I can't even be bothered to tell him not to. We board the plane.
I vaguely remember taking off.
The next thing I saw was Eiri telling me we were landing.
I'm so tired...
We get a taxi to the apartment. I drift in and out of sleep all the way. It's late, but it's still busy. Eiri looks sleepy now as well. Eventually, we arrive. I drag the two heavy suitcases upstairs and Eiri takes the shoulder bag. Thank god it's only two flights up. I drop the cases as soon as we get in. I don't even look around. I wander until I find the bathroom, take a piss, then find the bedroom. We'd agreed to get a fold out sofa for me to sleep on, as there's only one bedroom in the apartment, and until then I'd sleep on the couch, but I'm just so tired I flop down on the double bed right there. Eiri lays beside me, twining his fingers around mine. He falls asleep straight away.
And a few minutes later, so do I.
When I wake up, he's snuggled right up in my arms, still fast asleep. He so adorable, and - no. No, I can't think about that. But...
Wait. Think about this. Ryuichi will probably never look me in the eye again, let alone be my boyfriend. Mika is just my friend. I have no feelings in that way for her. So, technically, I am single. And so is Eiri, as far as I know. Maybe...maybe, just in America we could...I mean, secretly, of course...
No. No, he's too young. And so...cute...
"Nn...Tohma?"
"Yes, Eiri-san?"
"Is this a dream?"
"...No...At least, I hope not." I smile at him. He smiles back, then flops back onto the bed. This is going to be nice, I think. A nice break from everything. A change. Change is good. Today we can just wander around the apartment building, get to know some people, then tomorrow I'm going to arrange Eiri's tutoring and see about applying for a job, and everything will be perfect.
I get up slowly, taking my time, taking in my surroundings. The bedroom is big and pale and silky. The carpet is soft under my bare feet. It feels the same all over the house, except in the kitchen where there are wooden floorboards. Everything about this apartment is big and grand. I feel glad Eiri is with me; it must be easy to get lonely here. I go into the kitchen and see if there is any food in the fridge. The landlord has kindly left us a large bottle of water, some bread and milk and butter. I butter a few slices of bread and chew on one as I make my way back to the bedroom.
I can heard Eiri rustling around the room, up now. I take him his 'breakfast' and he eats it gratefully. Neither of us speak for a while, but the silence is not awkward. It's pleasant, as if we don't need to talk because we are both feeling quite content.
After my small but strangely filling breakfast, I fumble in my suitcase for a clock. 11:00! I don't think I've ever slept in this late. I put it on the bedside table, and just as I do, the doorbell rings. Eiri and I look at each other. I shrug and say, "I'll get it."
It turns out to be our neighbours from either side, welcoming us to the building. I invite them in. On the left flat is an ageing American couple, Mary and John. On the right flat are two British girls who tell me they only moved in a month ago. They're staying for a year to earn money as nurses (apparently the pay is much better here), then returning home. I am surprised how much English I remember from my school years. I'd been brushing up the last weeks I was at Mika's, but I'm finding it quite easy to understand what they're saying.
"Who is it, Tohma?" Eiri walks in in his pyjamas, rubbing his eyes. He stops dead when he sees my small audience, bows nervously and says "G-good morning." with a very thick accent. We used to have classes after school that taught us how to perfect our accents, but obviously they don't do that any more.
"Oh, you're not from around here?" Mary asks curiously.
"We come from Japan." She seems a little...I don't know, annoyed maybe? I wonder why. "Is this your son?" Eiri looks visibly peeved. He always looked young for his age.
"No, he's..." What? What can I say? Oh yes, this is my friends brother, who I just happen to fancy? "He's just my friend." That's totally inadequate, but will have to do.
"What are you saying, Tohma?" Eiri doesn't understand. I explain who these people are and he laughs when I say Mary though he was my son. Kelly, one of the girls, asks our names, and I tell her, mentally kicking myself for being so impolite.
I make tea for everyone, and we all sit and have a really good conversation. It reminds me of my chats with Mika. Mary and John tell us about things that have happened to them over the years. They has really exciting lives. I wish my life is as good as theirs. Kelly and Sarah tell us about the little village they come from in England. It sounds so different from Japan, so strange. I tell them about my love for music. Eiri sits and listens patiently, trying to pick up any words he knows.
After everyone leaves, Eiri and I do the washing up. This place is so...pleasant. The traffic down below reminds me of Japan. I do miss home, but...I'm looking forward to my time here. It'll be fun, I can tell.
Yet...yet something at the back of my mind is telling me something's going to go wrong...
I ignore it.
Time passes. There is nothing to do, so while Eiri is unpacking, I find my telephone book and dial one of the numbers.
"Hello?"
"This is Seguchi Tohma. I rang you before about lessons?"
"Ah, yes! For, let me remember...Useugi?"
"That's right, Useugi Eiri."
"Splendid. So when does he want to start?"
"As soon as possible."
"Great, bring him around on Monday then. You have my address?"
"Yes. Well, I'll see you on Monday then."
"Goodbye."
I put the phone down.
Kitazawa Yuki...
He seems nice enough.