Winter: Christmas, part 2

"Don't cut me a large slice," Naoki ordered an hour later. "Now, read the next quotation aloud."

Kotoko quickly swallowed a bite of cake and read, "'Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used syn-on-ymous-ly. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.'" She turned to him expectantly.

"You've gotten much better," he praised. "This professor certainly has eclectic taste in authors: Dostoevsky, Austen, and now Thoreau. Go on."

"'Friends will be much apart. They will respect more each other's privacy than their communion,'" she obediently read.

"No, it's 'PRIV-acy'," he corrected absently, taking a bite of cake.

"Are you sure?" Kotoko questioned him as she studied the word closely, tapping her fork against the plate. "I know that Taketo-kun told me to say 'PRI-vacy'."

"Of course I'm sure…" he began, then asked, "Where did Taketo learn English?"

"He lived in the United States for several years."

"Oh, that's it." Naoki looked back at the paper. "My tutor was from London. Either way is correct. Just find out from the professor if he has a preference." He straightened the pages and handed them to her. "That's the end of it. Looks like you were able to use my birthday gift to you after all."

"Yes, thank you, Irie-kun." She gave a seated half-bow. "Are you sure you don't want more cake?"

"No, I'm not that fond of sweets, remember?" He stared into the flashing lights of the Christmas tree. "Kotoko, why are you so insistent on taking higher levels of English classes? Is there something you're planning to do with it, career-wise?"

She tilted her head and observed him. "You know, I started taking them to be closer to you," she admitted, "but now I would like to have more options for the future, perhaps even work or study overseas."

He turned to her. "So you have decided on a career path, then?"

Kotoko gave a rueful laugh. "No, not yet. Tagging along after you all those years put me behind in the decision-making department compared to others. I mean, Jinko wants to be the editor of a music magazine. Her boyfriend has a CD coming out and is trying really hard to become a famous musician. Kin-chan is making progress to be a professional chef, and even Yuuki-kun has lots of plans for his position as your right-hand man at Pandai." She sighed and rested her chin on her fist. "All I did was daydream about you."

He snorted softly. "I know."

"For example," she continued, "if you were to become a pilot, I'd want to be a stewardess. If you were to become a pro golfer, I'd want to be a caddy. I was just revolving around what I thought you would be in the future and had no goals that were my own to dream about."

"And now?" Naoki asked.

"Huh?"

"Taketo is in law school. Are you planning to be a legal secretary? Maybe use your English if he goes back to America?"

"I've never thought about that." She said softly, "I think I stopped those kinds of silly dreams when I gave up on you."

"Really?" He shifted then spoke hesitantly. "Kotoko? Can I tell you something that I'm not ready to tell my parents?" Her eyes widened and she nodded. "I'm thinking about…starting over, in the medical department at the university. I want to become a doctor."

"What?" she breathed softly. "Why…?"

"After Yuuki's incident, I observed the workings of the hospital. I'm not sure if I'm suited for it or not, but it's the first time that I've really felt an interest toward a profession."

"So, why did you decide to tell me?" Kotoko asked, leaning toward him slightly.

Naoki thumped her on the forehead. "You're the one who suggested it, doofus." At her blank look, he prompted, "To make children like Non-chan all better?"

She rubbed her head, smiling as she recalled the conversation. "Yes. I told you there was nothing that you couldn't do, once you put your mind to it."

"You're the same, Kotoko," he said, eyeing her intently.

"What?" She laughed. "Don't compare me to a genius like you, Irie-kun."

"You may not be smart, Kotoko, but you're stubborn. Once you get an idea in your head, you stick to it relentlessly."

She laughed again, more heartily. "That may be so, but first I have to get that idea in my head and find what I want to do with my life."

He scooted his chair closer to hers. "Let's try something." With their gazes locked, he cupped her jaw in one hand, swooped in and kissed her gently. As he pulled away, he smiled at her and asked softly, "Since I'm planning to be a doctor, do you feel like being a nurse, Kotoko?"

She stared at him speechlessly for a moment, then jumped up, knocking over the chair. Covering her mouth in shock, she retreated rapidly and noisily up the stairs.

Naoki leaned back and sighed, rubbing his mouth with a knuckle. "Well, I wasn't expecting that reaction." He covered the food and rinsed the dishes in the sink. Then he picked up his jacket, tie, and overcoat and exited the family home.

Huddled on her bed, clutching a small wrapped box, Kotoko heard the sound of the front door open and close. She sniffed loudly.

"Why, Irie-kun?" she cried softly. "You had four years to do that. Why now?" She drifted off into a brief uneasy sleep that was interrupted by the noise of the returning family. She sat up and wiped the remnants of tears from her face. After a few minutes, she heard a soft knock on her door. "Yes?"

Mrs. Irie stuck her head in. "Kotoko-chan? I saw the light. Are you still up?" She rushed over to her. "You've been crying!"

"Ah…just a little," Kotoko admitted, turning the box over in her hands. Mrs. Irie's eyes focused on the movement.

"What is that?"

"Oh!" Kotoko looked down. "It's a gift from Take-kun. He told me not to open it until Christmas day."

Mrs. Irie looked at the clock on her desk. "It's after midnight now. Go ahead and open it!"

As Kotoko slowly peeled away the wrapping, Mrs. Irie considered the evidence in the kitchen. Two plates, two forks, two cups—and her son had departed the party early. His oh-so-casual question earlier in the month now made sense: "Is Kotoko going to the Pandai party?" There might still be a chance…

"Look!" Kotoko's smile was back, although not at its usual brilliance. She held up a silver chain with a sparkling snowflake charm. "Will you put it on me?"

She held up her hair as Mrs. Irie fastened the clasp then turned the charm over in her hands. Mrs. Irie put an arm around her shoulder. "Oh, Kotoko!" she thought to herself. "I have a feeling that your life has just become more complicated!"