Amber is very concerned that she and Arimi didn't speak much during their flight back to Japan. The American is still foggy about the details of what she plans on saying to her parents. Every time Amber tries to go over the conversation, Arimi says the same thing. "I know my parents. They just need to made aware of the facts and be secure in my safety." Amber doesn't know what all the facts are. Their limo arrives at the Kirisawa Manor an hour later. Amber gapes at the immaculate home. She shouldn't have been surprised. Arimi's condo in downtown Yokohama is very posh. Why should her parent's home be any less? They are allowed access through the security gate and pull up to the stone steps that lead to the front entrance. Her parents greet them at the top of the porch and welcome them inside.
Hiro and Yayoi Kirisawa kneel beside each other facing Arimi and Amber, also kneeling on the opposite side of the antique ebony tea-table. Attendants serve the tea and biscuits and leave the four to enjoy their visit in privacy. Amber notices how ornate and polished Yayoi displays herself. Her hair is jet black and pulled tight into an intricate bun in the back of her head. She is wearing a burgundy, tailored suit and her pale skin shines with gold and jade jewelry. Her face looks pleasant but conceals a coy demure as she softly cools herself with a dragon-bedazzled fan for show. Hiro is wearing a plain blue kimono. His large sleeves are rolled up and his white headband is damp. He had been working in his welding shop. Amber looks over at Arimi who is silently sipping her tea. Her overall dress is muted compared to the colorful outfits she usually wears. And Amber is wearing a red dress shirt and wide-legged black slacks, and yes, her hair is bone-straight. Yayoi rests her fan in her lap and delicately cradles her cup of tea. She begins the conversation, addressing her daughter. She speaks slowly, her voice lilts. It is easy for Amber to understand her Japanese.
"So, my lovely daughter has graced us with her presence. I am so delighted to see you are doing well. How long has it been since you've come to see your poor mother?"
"Far too long Mama. You look as radiant as ever. And Baba, I see you have been working hard in your shop. You look very happy."
"Indeed I am my daughter. Business is good. Your mother and I have missed you." Hiro turns to Amber. "Amber-chan, it is always a pleasure to host for you. I hope your bookstore has been flourishing."
"Yes Kirisawa-san. Everything is going very well. I thank you again for your valuable knowledge. Kirisawa-sama, thank you for your hospitality. Your home is very beautiful." Amber bows slightly to each of them.
"Please, call us Hiro and Yayoi. You are very special. You are our daughter's only beloved friend. You are like family, Amber-chan." Yayoi offers kindly.
"Thank you, Yayoi-sama, Hiro-san."
"So, tell me Arimi, last time we spoke you had taken a sabbatical from guiding tours and have been traveling the world." Hiro says.
"It is not so extravagant, Baba." Arimi says. "Amber-chan and I have been to London and Dubai seeking our exotic merchandise for her shop. I have been staying with her in New York and have been helping her in the bookstore. I have learned very much."
"It is very good to travel when you are young. But you must plant your roots someday, my dear." Yayoi turns to Amber. "I hope she has not been a burden to you Amber-chan"
"No never! Arimi is so very helpful. I would not have survived the last two months without her friendship."
"How wonderful." Now that the pleasantries were out of the way Yayoi was eager to get to the point of this abrupt visit. Her daughter was an independent spirit, never showing interest in her parents' lifestyles of hard work and regality. The last time they saw Arimi was in handcuffs. The police were kind enough to escort her here, at her father's request. She slept in her drunken stupor for two days. She thanked her father, then left. For Arimi to show up so early in the morning and so sober put her mother on edge. Yayoi places her cup on the tea-table and grips the handle of her fan. "So, what fateful wind has blown our daughter to our doorstep this time?"
Arimi stiffens at her mother's words. Amber doesn't understand the phrase. Yayoi is speaking somewhat faster now.
"Yes, Mother. There is something of great importance I would like to share with you." Arimi says in English.
Yayoi's nose twitches slightly. "Arimi, I understand you want to accommodate your American friend, but we will all follow the rules of this house."
"Yes Mama." She looks at Amber who smiles slightly, encouraging her to go on. "Mama, Baba, after much thought and inner turmoil, I have assessed my current opportunities. With great sorrow and hopeful aspects I have decided to move to New York."
There is a long silence. Yayoi covers her mouth with her fan but her eyes shrink to sharp, daggers staring at Amber. She wants to say something badly wants to blame Amber for her misguided daughter's decision. But she will not act out of order. She faces her husband and exhales loudly out of her nostrils for him to speak. Hiro sits quietly with an expressionless face. Amber looks at Hiro. He exhales, puts up his hand. His mouth wrinkles a bit trying to keep his composure. Then he starts to laugh. Arimi looks up at him, very confused.
Hiro continues to laugh. Everyone else is perplexed. He reins himself in, wiping tears from his eyes. "Arimi! You are so somber and serious! Why would you need our blessing to do this? "
"I will tell you why!" Yayoi fumes. "She is just a child, Hiro; our only child. Yes we only get to see her every blue moon, whether it's in the sky or a beer bottle." She cuts her eyes at her daughter. "We let her live an imaginary life. She has no real skills. How will she take care of herself?"
"With a friend like Amber near, I am sure she will be safe."
"Amber has her own life. What does she want with a flighty immigrant?"
"Please!" Amber speaks up. The Kirisawas look at her. "Forgive me. I do not want to be rude…"
"To late Amber-chan, but do go ahead anyway." Yayoi huffs.
Amber swallows. "Arimi is no burden. She is very dear to me. I have no other friend like her there. We will be a blessing to each other."
"How very sweet, Amber-chan, but our daughter is destined for much more than being a shotty sales clerk in a second-hand shop. What about her future? What about a husband? What about children?
"My dear wife, this is a new day." Hiro explains. "Young people are carving out their own destinies. Let us think of her happiness."
"Happiness has nothing to do with responsibility." Yayoi sneers. Amber has said this once before to Raphael. Hearing it again sickens her stomach.
"Hiro, how long will we allow our daughter to squander her allowance on binge drinking, ridiculous clothes and fast living? She will not be pretty and slim forever. She is ripe for marriage now" Yayoi pouts a bit. "Since I was not able to give you a son we have to make sure she marries well so we know our money is given into capable hands."
"Mama, the era for arranged marriages is over! I do not wish to marry for money! This is not what I want!"
"Enough of these lies!" Yayoi shakes her fan open and flaps it quickly beside her face. "Hiro, it is time for you to rein your daughter! Arimi, you like your condo. And you like your useless college degree that lets you work like a peasant. You like your one hundred thousand yen a month allowance that lets you live like a spoiled brat. All of this takes money. Who will buy you fancy clothes and feed you delicacies in New York for free? If you do not start speaking sensibly these will all be taken away from you. This discussion is over. You will not step one foot out of Japan. You will attend etiquette classes and prep yourself to marry. Our family line will not die because of your whimsical escapades!
"Yayoi, do not be so extreme." Hiro says.
"You are my husband, Hiro. Wherever you lead I will follow, but do not forget how your empire began. My father saw great promise in you and invested much into your artistic weapons company. It would be a dishonor to accumulate this comfortable life for our only child, just to have her throw it in the trash. Do you not agree Kirisawa?" Yayoi addresses Hiro very coldly. He does not speak. He may oppose with his wife's reasoning but her talons around his neck make him act otherwise.
"Baba?" Arimi says.
"Your mother and I want the best for you. We would rather die than to let you live out of reach from our care."
Arimi sees that her mother has some type of hold over her father. She straightens up and looks over to Yayoi. Arimi is strong. She has Amber beside her and Michelangelo in her heart. No matter what happens today with her parents she will go back to him. "Take it all. I never wanted your money, only your love. I thought you gave me these things because you love me. Now you are using your wealth as a snare. I would rather be free than drowning in your fortune."
Good for you Arimi, Amber thinks.
"Love… is that all you are wanting from us? Or is that the reason you are leaving?"
Her mother's words send shiver's down Arimi's back. She cannot hide her hesitancy. He mother chuckles, lowering her fan.
"Husband, I believe I've found the diamond in the rough. Our daughter is fleeing our country for love. Or maybe it's the fact that her visa can't keep her there forever. And her police record will prevent her from gaining citizenship so easily. She'll need to marry. Tell me, what is the lucky American's name that has stolen my daughter's heart?"
Amber's fists clench. Arimi would never say it, would she? Would she go so far as to say who Mikey really is? They would lock her up for insanity and find some way to deport Amber permanently.
Yayoi revels in her discovery. "Such a foolish child! You go on one little holiday to New York and are convinced you've found your soul mate!"
"You are right Mama. I did find my soul mate. Now that I have, I will never leave them."
"Shameful! If what you are saying is true, he should be the one sitting next to you instead of you beloved friend. That wretch should be here on his knees begging us for your hand. This boy you have undoubtedly opened your naïve legs to is no man of honor. He is not worthy of you if he cannot even show his face!"
Arimi was in tears. Her mother had no idea how impossible it would be for Mikey to do what she commands. He is completely worthy and her parents would never know. Through quiet sobs she finds her voice, challenging her mother. "We will not be separated! I love… I love…"
"Me! She loves me!" Amber shouts. She shocks everyone, even herself. She is so unfamiliar with traditional Japanese proposals and blessings, but she does what she thinks is right. She does it for Mikey. She bows low to the ground, placing her hands in front of her, palms down. She has seen her turtles do this so many times, in respect to their father. "Kirisawa-san, I humbly ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. I am a very successful business owner. I can take care of all your daughter's needs. I can protect her and will love her all the days of my life. She is the most precious woman in my life, and I need her in my family." What in the hell was she doing? In a fit of desperation she just proposed marriage to her brother's girlfriend. She stays in that lowered posture until she is acknowledged.
Hiro clears his throat and Amber settles on her knees once again. She looks over at Arimi who has stopped crying; her eyes are bulging and her jaw is dropped. Amber reaches out her hand. Arimi takes it.
Yayoi sees this sign of affection and roars. "This is an outrage! What have you done to my daughter, you lowly bitch!" She throws her teacup at Amber and she swiftly dodges. The cup crashes into the wall. Amber sits quietly eyes fixed on Yayoi as she continues her barrage of insults. "You disgrace my house and desecrate my daughter with distorted feelings! You impudent slut! American Devil! You penniless bastard, gold-digging whore! Amber remains silent, looking at the now disheveled Yayoi, unflinching. Yayoi looks to leap over the table when Hiro stifles his wife by grabbing her shoulders. She murmurs something to him Amber cannot hear.
"Silence you crazy woman, before you lose all respect in my eyes! Do you want to push our daughter away forever?" Hiro looks at Amber with pure embarrassment he shakes his head.
"She has already severed herself from us by laying with this woman." Yayoi breathe harshly, showing signs of defeat. Hiro hushes her and she resets herself, kneeling properly beside him.
" Arimi, Amber-chan do you know what you are asking?" Hiro inquires.
"Yes Hiro-san. No money, no inheritance. Just your blessing and your hearts to carry with us on our way home." Amber speaks softly.
""You have destroyed any future for this family, American! And YOU are totally cut off if you do this, Arimi! You do not have my blessing!" Yayoi stands. "As for my heart, it is utterly broken. Take what pieces you want and go!" Yayoi shields eyes with her fan, symbolizing the broken trust.
Hiro stands, Arimi and Amber stand as well. They wait for him to speak. He takes Yayoi's hand. She has started to cry and hides her face completely behind her fan. Hiro stares at Amber for a long time, making her uncomfortable but refuses to avert her eyes. He bows is head slightly. Amber is about to bow in return but he shakes his head to one side, stopping her. What is he saying to her? He wraps an arm around his wife and speaks slowly. "Let me make myself clear, Amber Grant. I have welcomed you as a daughter because of your uncle, my dear friend Brian… but in this house I can never welcome you as a daughter-in-law. I can see we will not change your minds. Take Arimi and go."
Arimi bows low to her parents and walks silently to the foyer with Amber hand-in-hand. The put on their shoes, walk out the door and get back in the limo. Arimi speaks to the driver. They head toward her condo. Arimi is a shivering bunch of nerves. She starts to cry and sniffle silently beside Amber. Amber is coming down from the initial distress of what just happened. She licks her lips and speaks softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Arimi, are you serious about Mikey? If you're not, it's best you tell me now. If you decide to stay in Japan I have to stay too. Raphael says I can't come home without you. You'd have to marry me either way."
"O Amber-chan!" She hugs her tightly. "Amber-chan you are amazing! I would never stay here. I belong to Mikey. I will return home to him with you by my side!" She laughs and cries unison.
"What've I done? You know the guys are going to flip once we tell them what we have to do to keep you with us."
"I am sorry, Amber-chan. I have disturbed your life so much. I am a burden!"
"Stop it Arimi-chan." Amber had never called her that before, but it fits so well now. "My brother loves you very much. I would do anything to make him happy. You're very important to me as well. I love you little sister and I want you in my family. Ok?"
"Ok."
They reach Arimi's condo that afternoon. Amber calls Raphael once more, assuring him that she and Arimi are fine. They would have a lot of work to do in the next week. Arimi packs all of her clothes and other personal belongings. On Monday, they send her boxes ahead of them through the mail. On Tuesday, they setup flyers around the city and post online, promoting the selling of her furniture. On Wednesday Arimi has all of her medical information transferred to Amber's doctor in the states. On Thursday Arimi works her last day as a Tokyo tour guide while Amber visits her business connections, buying new wares for her bookstore. On Friday, Arimi sells the majority of her furniture. She and Amber slumber in sleeping bags. On Saturday morning the utilities are shut off. They exit the building posting a 'for sale' sign on the door to contact the Kirisawa's accountant for inquires. Amber and Arimi take a cab to the Airport, both full of joy, finally on their way home.