X
H
X
"Uhm…Hello?"
"LEEE-eaviiing On a jet plane… Don't know When…"
"…Phone for you." Taki winced, limply passing over the receiver and rolling back under the covers.
"What do you want?" I murmured.
"Ooh, put me back on to the girl…"
"I am a girl. You're a..."
"Fabulous agent!"
"…Horrendous singer, I'd say don't quit your day job, but…"
"Be nice. For I bring tidings of great joy…"
"Mm hmm."
"Who's the girl?"
"None of your concern."
"Not this one you're rumored to be strung out on?"
"No. Strung out…? Where do you hear this stuff?"
"Some other girl then?"
"Two seconds away from hanging up…"
"Wait, wait – you do need to know this."
"Uh huh?"
"You've been sold. Your little team is heading for new horizons, making new friends…"
"Sold? I'm going to need you to start making sense soon…"
"Buyer swooped in, must've made our good friend President Abe an offer he couldn't refuse, the deal went through incredibly fast…"
"I'll bet."
"Bet what?"
"Nothing."
"What's your issue with Abe anyhow?"
"Well there isn't one anymore."
"You know I can find out…"
"I'll take my chances. So what's the deal, we're in a new tournament?"
"It's all international! You're heading over in just under a week."
"What?"
"Well, before that you'll go down to Kyoto. Meet and greet. Promo shots. Etc. etc."
"You're serious?"
"Of course. Prepare yourself for the great tracks of the world!"
"I… can't believe this…"
"Well, you didn't have anything to attend to in Tokyo for the next few months?"
"…No…"
"That's what I love about you Tenoh. The perfect commodity – no ties."
"…Sure. Get the details through to me as soon as possible."
I turned off the phone. Sat up. Looked blankly at the receiver a moment. It was a good thing… It was a good thing… I tried to will myself to feel elated, or just feel something. I walked out of the bed towards the shower.
"Good news?" Taki voiced sleepily.
"We're… going overseas…" I closed the door.
X
Taki was radiant in her response, beaming, laughing, planning packing… all of those things I should have been. I just smiled mildly, stirred my coffee, sipped slowly, paid the bill, explained I had (imaginary) errands to run, and would see her on the track. No problem. I was surprised actually. She made the one night stand… or one afternoon-evening-night-and-early-morning-stand… totally uncomplicated.
No drama.
Perfect.
Kuriko was waiting on my doorstep when I returned. Of course.
"Where did you go?" She wasn't even weepy this time.
"Breakfast." I unlocked the door and she waltzed straight in.
"Who with?"
"A friend."
"A girl?"
"Maybe… are you going to call your mother this time, or shall I?"
"You can." She shrugged non-commitally.
"Okay." I shrugged back. "Tea?"
"Yes please." She climbed her way onto the sofa and looked out of the window. She really quite relaxed today.
"Just be a moment, Ma'am." The receptionist impersonation was lost on my company.
I cringed to realize I had committed the number to memory and dialed anyway.
"…This is Kaioh Michiru, I'm afraid I can not take your call right now. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
"Michiru… it's me. Kuriko's here. Safe and… in quite a good mood actually. Anyway… you know how to get hold of me."
I ran a hand through my hair and moved back into the lounge. Kuri looked up interestedly.
"What'd she say?"
"I dunno… leave a message…"
"Oh, that's a real good one…'please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible!'"
"Good impersonation." I laughed. "Heard it a few too many times?"
"Nah, I made her practise when she got her new phone. It was a Christmas present. She had to keeping recording it again 'cos I made her laugh each time."
"Is that right?" I smiled, imagining it…
"Yup. It was a fun Christmas. I got mmm… probably a million presents."
"A million?"
"Probably. I have six grand-parents."
"That'd explain it. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"
"Nah. I had to leave early. Buses leave early usually."
"Guess we're going out then."
"I'll put on my jacket again. Are going to get the ingredients?"
"Uh? I guess…" I gathered my keys. She looked up suspiciously.
"Do you know how to make pancakes?"
"Well… no, not really."
"What then?"
"Cooking?"
"Or baking…?"
"I…"
"Do you know about cookies?"
"I'm sure I could find out…" Assuming the ingredients came with imprinted instructions.
"Okay. Lets go."
I wasn't quite used to walking at the pace of a five year old, and, suddenly unnerved by the currents of crowds, I hoisted her onto my shoulders. Far easier that way. It certainly added to the 'Aww cuute' looks from fellow shoppers. My accomplice happily commanded a list of cookie-related components. Eggs. Sugar. And icing sugar – it's different, you know. Flour. Butter. Chocolate chips. Milk. Strawberry Milk. Princess Sparkle Magazine… all the essentials.
"Are you teaching your big brother how to bake?" The cashier smiled up behind my head.
"Yeah we're doing cookies. He's not my brother. He's my friend, the King."
"Well, you're very lucky." The gaze slid back down to me.
"Ha… hope so. We'll need all the luck we can get." I put in.
"Eh?" My hair was tugged lightly. "You said you could find out how to do it!"
"I know! Of course I can…"
"You can trust him…" The cashier winked and tapped the back of the flour bag. And there was, indeed, a printed cookie recipe. Good luck.
X
Success is sweet. It could have done with some vanilla essence (apparently), but ultimately sweet. We finally had tea and cookies, just like any other civilized, batter-spattered, flour-dusted people might do. Checking the phone indicated there was still no response from Michiru.
"Is your Mom working today?"
"Mmm, nope. On holiday."
"Holiday?"
"With Papa. They took a helicopter."
"Kuriko, I'm serious, is she at the studio?"
"I just said."
"And I suppose you've been looking after the mansion all by yourself?"
"Nah. It's dangerous for kids to be home alone. Didn't you see the movie?"
"Eh… yes, thanks for the lesson in safety…"
"I'm staying at grandma's house."
"Shi- your Grandma?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"The one who has the nice garden."
"Can you remember her address?"
"Yup."
"Kiddo. We've got to get you back there, she's probably going nuts trying to find you right now."
"What about the cookies?" she stuck out her bottom lip.
"I'll wrap them up to bring with you."
"Okay. But keep some also. You half-cooked them."
X
It was clear that the sight that met the woman behind the heavy door was not what she had expected. The initial joy of viewing her Granddaughter was soon mixed with a look of mildly distressed confusion. Gods. This was not the imaginary errand I had envisioned. I tried my best charming smile and offered the plate.
"Hi Grandma!" Kuri-chan piped up.
"Hello Miss… I've only been calling half of Tokyo trying to track you down…" She looked up to me, "I hadn't expected you'd be with…"
"Tenoh Haruka." I offered a hand to shake, then, observing its floury state, quickly retracted it.
"I do know who you are." She returned.
"Right." I swallowed. "Look, Mrs.…?"
"Kaioh." …Oh… Christ.
"I didn't know Mich- I didn't know that your daughter was away… I left a message on her phone, I guess she's out of range…"
"She's with her husband."
"Yeah, I…" I looked down. "Kuri-chan mentioned it, just before we left." I shook my head. "Here, please take these. I'm really very sorry for any concern, Mrs. Kaioh."
She received the plate, nodding soberly. I moved away from the house.
"King!" I turned. The girl ran over, and I dropped to my knee. "Thanks for looking after me today."
"You're welcome. Just make sure you ask before the next time. If your parents agree, I'll even pick you up in my car. It's safer than the bus."
"Yeah, 'cos the bus driver isn't a racer… But I don't think my parents will let me." The words cut icily.
"Why's that?"
"'Cos you are a racer!"
"Yeah. Just be good for your Grandma." I kissed her forehead.
X
M
X
By the time we were on the return journey, the arguing seemed to have run its course into an exhausted silence. I rested my chin on my fist and watched the retreating landscape. Shun was preoccupied with his electronic organizer gadgets.
Resist, resist, resist… It was all I had ever been taught. The rules of high society. Behaving like a lady…a wife… It was just another skill to master. Not to think of her. Not the quiet way she laughed. Not the impossible intensity of her eyes when she meant something. Not the pressure of her body against mine…
X
"Mama!" I smiled for what seemed like the first time in days. "Does Papa know how to fly 'copters?"
"You'll have to ask him when we get home." I picked her up, holding her tightly for a moment.
"Did you have the baby yet?"
"No, Sweetheart, it takes time for the baby to grow... almost as long as the time between birthdays"
"What!? That's years away!"
"About eight months."
"How many sleeps in a month?"
"Usually thirty one." My daughter slapped her forehead in response, clearly unimpressed with the mathematics of the situation. "Did you have a good day?"
"Yep. Went out for a bit."
"Did you?" I directed the question to my mother.
"Indeed. Quite the adventurer, this one."
"Oh?"
"Saw the King." My stomach dropped. My mother raised an eyebrow.
"You…? Again?"
"Mr. Tenoh apparently left a message on your phone. I wasn't aware this was a regular event?"
"No… no I didn't think… I'm very sorry."
"So was he." Her mood defrosted slightly for Kuriko's benefit. "Anyway, you're safe and sound… it's the most important thing."
"Plus we made cookies!"
"Did you?" I almost laughed. "That sounds fun… are you going to say good night to Grandma?"
"Good night, Grandma! Thank-you for ha-ving me!"
"Goodnight, Darling. Sleep well… Michiru?"
"Yes?" I knew the tone well enough.
"Perhaps you have some time free tomorrow to catch up?"
"I'm sure I can…"
"Here at 10:30?"
"I… yes. I'll see you then. Good night."
X
Shun was putting Kuriko to bed. I silently took the phone out to the balcony, crouching in the corner, leaning my head against the railing, looking out into the night sky.
"Hello?" Just… the purr of her voice…
"Haruka…'
"…Michiru."
"I… wanted to thank you for looking after her today."
"She's no trouble… Perhaps to your mother. We met today."
"I feared as much."
"Well, y'know… I'm not everyone's cup of tea. Don't worry about it."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I guess the tabloids precede me. She knew who I was."
"I don't think it's the tabloids that concern her…"
"No? We were only a bit messy…?"
"Oh, I'm afraid she may have some concern that I am carrying your child…" I sighed. There was laughter on the line. Finally I managed to crack a smile. "I'm glad you're so amused!"
"Aw, c'mon, for all the things I do do to get into trouble, now I'm in trouble for a crime I can't possibly commit!?"
"Impregnation, hmm…" I laughed too. "Oh… imagine where that would leave us…"
"Who knows… I could learn how to deal with diapers, I guess."
"And assembling strollers?"
"Wheels? No sweat."
"And painting the nursery?"
"'Course."
"And indulging all my cravings…?"
"…You know I can't help but indulge you."
"…"
"…"
"This is so hard…"
"What's that?"
"Doing the right thing."
"Ha… the right thing always is."
"I suppose…"
"Good night, Michiru."
"Good night… Haruka."
I slumped back and watched the red flickering lights of planes escape into the black of night. I vaguely noticed Shun catch the sight of me, hesitate in his tracks, look down at the phone and pad away again.
X
My mother had put in every effort to arrange the crockery, cutlery and what I assumed were baby magazines, in an inviting manner. I knew better than that. I sat neatly, making my best attempt to hide my unease.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Of course, Darling. You know I love hearing about what's going on in your life." She was slightly stiff.
"Well I… I haven't been in for any check-ups so…"
"Your life."
"The coast was lovely." I sipped, suddenly disliking the heat of the tea.
"I'm sure."
"Hardly a soul in sight."
"Wasn't that a romantic gesture?"
"Yes." I sighed. "Yes, there was a lovely helicopter, lovely accommodation, lovely weather, lovely views… I assume there's something else you want to ask?"
"There's no need for that kind of tone, Dear."
"I'm sorry." I sighed again.
She pushed forth a magazine from the bottom of the stack. One of those tabloids carefully folded to the correct page. 'P.B.T. takes on the world.' I was distracted a moment by the images of her alongside… and kissing that red-headed woman… Takiko? I read the small amount of print numbly. Apparently Shun had sold his part in the team. Apparently a company that had got them into the international circuit had bought them. Apparently she would be overseas for… a while… I looked up.
"I wondered whether you might be interested in this?"
"Yes… thank you. That is… all news to me. I can't believe Shun would…"
"What?"
"I would've thought he'd tell me about such a decision…"
"Why? It's only business, isn't it?"
"…yes, Mother." I shook my head. She clearly wasn't concerned about 'my life.' "Business… I'm afraid I can't stay long today, I'm not feeling very…"
"Michiru, how much are you prepared to lose?"
"Don't… Just don't ask me questions when you can't hear the answers."
"Look at this man. This man you're letting your daughter visit at will. This man who clearly picks up with any woman…"
"Look, she's not like that!" I regretted my slip instantly. I had to look away.
"…What?"
"Nothing."
"She?"
"I didn't mean…"
"You aren't…?"
"I… please d-don't tell anyone. Please promise you won't."
"And why would I want to do that?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry. This isn't a problem. There's no problem anymore."
"I didn't think so. I didn't think so."