CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Laytner-MacLean Penthouse
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
Japan
November 30, 2006
The group with Hitoshi and Kyoshii were some of their children. Katsuro and Kiko decided to make the trip to Tokyo and brought along their daughter Mami, much to Carol's delight. Mami had become a friend of Carol's during their time in Osaka and the two continued to text and comment on each other's social media since then. Chiasa and Sam were there too, with SJ and Kenny. Bikky was happy that Kenny was there. Bikky also liked SJ a lot, even if SJ was an adult. Ryo had noticed during their time in Osaka, SJ treated Bikky like a younger brother, and Ryo and Dee decided they were glad to support.
Ryo was surprised that Luna and Ken made the journey. The poor man was in his seventh month by now, Carrying triplets, but both said once they realized they were included in Akira's invite, they were not going to miss it.
Shoji and her husband, Yoshikazu had taken an earlier train from Kobe to meet up with her fathers and siblings in Osaka to travel to Tokyo and be part of the day. They had their two youngest, 10-year-old twins Hiromasa and Hotoka with them. They would have also brought Yori along, but the 16-year-old had an exam that day that could not be missed. Yuuto also wanted to come along but ended up on assignment in Hiroshima covering the defacement at the Peace Memorial. With them, Saburo's sister, Masami, also came along, managing to get on the same train when it stopped at Kyoto.
Ryo realized the number of children was growing and Bikky's room probably wouldn't be big enough. He pulled Dee to the side to mention it, and a few minutes later, Dee grabbed Dafydd and Tsubasa to help him and Ryo rearrange some of the furniture. Rick, Saburo and Yoshio joined and soon they had the couches and chairs that were in the space outside the tatami room set up in the main area, providing more seats for adults to sit and be part of conversations. Ryo pulled out some mats, pillows and futons from the closet in the Japanese room to scatter around the now empty space, along with a few zaisu, while Dee went to get the children in Bikky's room, telling them they had a new play space. There was the patio, which had plenty of space, but it was starting to get chilly and left it up to the parents to decide.
After some discussion, the patio doors from the main living room was opened, and the children were told they could play outside for a while but had to stay where they could be seen from the living room. Bikky and Carol, along with Mami, SJ and Kenny, offered to sit outside for a while, so the children could be supervised.
Around 12:30, Takahiro arrived with his husband Shigeru, Yasu and Fumio, Chouko and Yuuki. Ryo found it amusing watching the two Shinto clergy and a nun as they sat together, finally having a chance to speak in person and having a great time.
Dee was also watching them, and with amusement came over to him, said low, "So a Shinto priest, a Shinto priestess and a Catholic nun walk into a bar…."
Ryo started to laugh. "It would have to be an Irish bar," he commented.
"Of course," Dee agreed with a laugh. "What other type of bar would we get Mother into?"
"What's scary is they are all your family," Ryo added with amusement.
"Yeah, no kidding. I'll take them." Dee's attention went across the room, where Saburo stood with Hitoshi. Hitoshi called for Takahiro, who went over to join his brother and nephew with Mother also joining them. "I wonder what's going on there?"
"Dunno," Ryo said, "but Hitoshi doesn't look happy there, and until now I don't think I saw your uncle anything but happy."
"Definitely not happy. And from the way eyes keep shifting in my direction, I think I'm right in guessing it's about my grandfather."
"I agree. Takahiro usually had a sunny personality whenever he was around. He's not looking very sunny right now."
They watched as Sakura walked over to her brothers-in-law and son and joined the conversation.
"Oh geez," Dee commented. "That looks like an elder family discussion there."
"Your elders," Ryo pointed out.
"Exactly. Which means, I'm going to have get more lectures from my uncles for my stupidity, which won't be fun, and my grandfather is going to get a new asshole ripped, which will be a lot of fun."
"Your grandfather doesn't need anymore, he's an asshole enough," Ryo grumbled. "From what I learned from your stunt is that your family doesn't outcast, but I think if your grandfather keeps up his shit, they might make an exception and he'll be the one outcasted. Not you." He looked at Dee.
"I am starting to feel that way. I know my grandfather gets a lot of slack from the family because he is the patriarch, but something tells me his luck is running out. Oh oh, brace yourself. They're all coming over here."
"Dee," Hitoshi stated as they neared. "I just found out why you sounded so strange when I called on Ryo's birthday. Whatever my brother says or does, remember that he doesn't speak for me. And pretty much most of our family, if not all. You're stuck with us, like it or not. I do hope you like us."
Dee nodded. "I do." He started to smile as he looked at his great-uncle, "I love you. That's why it hurt so much."
Takahiro placed a hand on Dee's shoulder. "I had no idea what my brother was up to. In fact, we just found out about his trip to New York. I am appalled that he kept such big news to himself. Sure, Dafydd kept the news about his finding you quiet for a week, but he had good reason. He fully intended to tell us, starting with your father and he wanted to do it in person, and have the proper proof just in case it was needed. That is a good reason for secrets, and we all gained from it. What your grandfather did is opposite."
"What's going on here?" Dafydd asked, as he joined the group.
"We are letting Dee know that our actions are not dictated by what your grandfather says," Takahiro said to Dafydd. "Your grandfather knew that when he said such terrible things to you, Dee. He also knew that you are still new to the family and are just getting to know us. If you knew us longer, he could not get away with those threats on you, because you would know better. And that was what it was. Threats, even if they were unsubstantial ones. He played that card to force you into contacting your grandmother on his behalf."
Sakura folded her arms. "If he thought that would make things better, he was wrong. Even if he managed to get you to call without saying those horrible things, I would have loved you for it, but then give him a piece of my mind for making someone else do his work. That is not the way I believed we do things in our marriage." She let out a sad sigh. "To be honest, we were working things out, but I was not going to let him off easy. He had to work a little harder at getting things back to what they were between us, and with that one call to you, he opened the gap wider." Her eyes filled with tears. "I just don't know what I'm going to do with him now. He's going to have to start working harder at proving he's worth holding onto. Changes are going to have to be made, such as he finally has to drop the word 'gaijin' from his vocabulary. Especially in relation to people in our family. There might have been a time when Fujioka was pure Japanese, and that was the way it was then. It is not so anymore. This is a different world and our family reflects it."
"Some of my own grandchildren are African-American and born in Los Angeles, even if they are now living in Japan. One of my son-in-laws is African-American," Hitoshi said. "And I never once had a problem when Chiasa brought Sam home for the first time. Your grandfather might say it was because I was living in California at the time, but if I had a problem with Americans, I wouldn't have decided to live in San Francisco for so long. The only reason we returned to Japan is because Kyoshii got an offer in his field that he could not pass up. So it meant our family moving back to Japan."
"We have Koreans and Americans in our family, and among the Americans, includes you, Daisuke," Sakura stated. "We are all still family. We are still Fujioka. No one in our family should ever get called gaijin again. And that's just one big change my husband is going to have to accept."
"I didn't mean to cause all this trouble," Dee blurted out.
"Ah… none of that," Hitoshi warned him, holding up his hand.
"You did not cause anything but much happiness when you came to Nagoya with your twin. Remember that, and nothing else," Saburo stated. Heads all nodded in agreement.
"Listen to your father," Sakura said. "He is a very wise man. He must get it from me."
Everyone in the group started to smile at her comment.
"Now, about your invitation for us to join you for New Year's in New York," Takahiro started. "My brother believes that he runs Hinotsuke Jingu, when it is I. I will listen to his suggestions and if it is a good one, yes, I will do it, but that is my decision. It is his decision to make sure everyone in the family spends New Year's Eve and Day at the shrine. Yes, it is busy, and the help has been appreciated. And we have done this for so many years, we do it without thinking. However, the truth is, that the shrine will not fall to ruins if some of our family does not participate. People will not be turned away at the torii. All will still go as usual at the shrine. I can even request some students to volunteer to help out, if needed. Every year I usually have to turn away community volunteers because we get enough. This year I can allow a few more to sign up to help. You have been told no by members of this family because they feel it is too late to leave me hanging. I believe in some cases it was also in fear of the wrath of Ryoichi Fujioka if they decided not to be in Nagoya this New Year's. Unfortunately for me, it is too late to find a suitable chief priest to be at the shrine this New Year. Perhaps the next one, but I hear you have promised to join the rest of us in helping out?"
Dee nodded. "Yes, I have."
"Then the year after that, we have New Year's in New York?" Takahiro asked. "Of course, we will. From now on, we switch where New Year's is spent as a family. How does that sound?"
"I think I like that very much," Dee agreed.
"For as long as we're living in New York," Ryo added. "Not in the next few years, but I suspect sometime down the road, we'll end up living here."
"Yeah," Dee admitted. "I get that feeling too. But we still have too many responsibilities to make that decision now."
"I respect that," Saburo stated. "No one is forcing you to move here because of us. When the time comes, it should be because you and your family want to live in Japan."
"Of course," Dee agreed. "But I have a son who already has expressed interest in going to university in Japan, for at least a semester. We do know we will be coming here as much as we are able, because we want Ryoko and Darin to not only know their families in Japan, but since they are half-Japanese, we want them to know Japan." He shrugged and looked at Dafydd. "Besides, based on how I felt saying goodbye to my twin, and my fathers, for a short time, I don't want to think about how it's going to feel when we go back to New York."
"You are going to have to deal with that probably in early January," Saburo said, smiling. "We still have to work things out, but it was just decided that some of us will come to New York for not only your party, but to spend the rest of the holidays with you."
"Really?" Dee asked, looking surprised.
"Who is going?" Dafydd asked.
"You are," Sakura said to Dafydd. "You, Momo and your boys. I think it would be nice if you spend winter vacation in New York. I will also come along, as well as your fathers. And anyone else who wants to join us."
"Yasu mentioned wanting to go, and I will release her from obligations this year if she decides to join the family who is going to New York," Takahiro said.
"We will start making plans," Saburo said.
"Ryo, when will your grandparents need a final number?" Sakura asked.
"My grandmother has hired the same woman who did our wedding and Carol's birthday party, so I would say at least the week before," replied Ryo.
"We'll have a number way before that," Sakura said. "We also decided that I will talk to your grandfather before he is ready to leave for Nagoya tonight. I don't want that hanging over our meal. I want just happiness and love for this meal."
Dee leaned over to hug his grandmother. "Thank you, Obaasan. I am lucky to have you as my grandmother. I love you."
"Not so lucky with the grandfather you're stuck with, I'm afraid, but I do hope I make up for it," Sakura said as she kissed Dee's cheek. "I love you, too, Daisuke."
Dee looked at Takahiro as he pulled away from his grandmother. "Thank you, Uncle Takahiro. I wish you could join us this year, but I look forward to spending next New Year's helping you at the shrine." He looked over at Mother.
"Oh, don't look at me like that. They are your family," Maria said. "I have always said that what you believe in has to be your choice. If you are praying in a shrine or a temple, at least I know that you are praying."
"Your mother is very wise," Takahiro stated. "Besides, many who come to our shrine to pray and give thanks, also go to mass in churches. It is not up to me to judge, only to provide spiritual guidance."
Maria giggled. "I should be concerned about Dee straying from the One True Path, but I never was able. That is the way for me, but I admit when it comes to Dee, I am probably tainted by my family."
Dee pointed to his mother. "She was the one who suggested getting a Wiccan High Priestess to officiate our wedding once I gave her our reasons for deciding not to marry in a church."
"I understood Dee's and Ryo's reasons completely. The Catholic Church is still not very forgiving to the LBGT and Carrier communities." She let out a heavy sigh. "From what I've been hearing around the church lately, I fear it might align with the ACC, and that worries me."
"So you start up your own Catholic Church with Father Patrick. The way it should be," Dee joked.
"If this is true, you might be getting your wish for me to retire soon. From the Church, that is, but not from my work," Maria said.
"Mother, when I ask if it's time for you to retire I mean work. You've worked so hard all your life, it's time to enjoy what came of your work," Dee stated.
"If that means you and your family, yes, I would love to have more time for it, but unfortunately the way things are going, my work is far from done," Maria said. "But I might be doing it as an ex-communicated nun."
"If the Catholic Church goes Anti-Carrier, I don't want to have anything to do with it, if it comes to that. And I certainly don't want you involved either," Dee stated. "It won't change what we believe, but how we believe."
"That might have to be the way. At least Shinto won't have that problem. There wouldn't be Carrier shrines if that was the case," Maria said.
"That is very true," Takahiro stated. "I fear we took up too much time in a huddle. We should go back to mingling."
"I think my grandmother would agree it was for very good reasons, and then some." Ryo was surprised at what Maria had to say about the Catholic Church, but he could see it coming to that.
"Before we do, Mother, about what you said, then you should let me take you shopping so you have clothes when that time comes," Dee commented.
"I might let you," Maria admitted.
Just as they started to break-up and go over to other guests, the phone rang again. Dee answered the phone and hung up after replying.
He went over to Ryo. "My sisters are here."
"Then go let them in. Then we can see if Kumi will faint or not," said Ryo.
Dee laughed as he went to let his sisters in.
"Surprise!" Tomoko, Ayaka and Tsukiko exclaimed as the elevator door slid open. To Dee's surprise, Ayaka stood front and center, holding up a white puppy.
The puppy looked at Dee, and started to yap happily, wagging his little tail.
"We brought Mochi from Nagoya," Ayaka exclaimed as she stepped off the elevator and handed the puppy to Dee.
Tsukiko held up a paper shopping bag. "And I brought mochi from Nagoya," she added with a laugh.
"I brought my wife," Tomoko said with a smile.
"And I brought kishimen, since you can never have too much of it when you are away from Nagoya," Kumi exclaimed.
Dee laughed as Mochi licked his face. "I would give you all a hug, but my hands are a bit full now."
"It's okay, oniisan," Tsukiko said. "We can hug you." And his sisters did just that.
"Ohh, this is a very nice place," Ayaka said.
"At least the genkan is," said Tomoko. "This might be the best part of the apartment," she joked.
"I'll let you decide," said Dee, waiting for his sisters to take off their shoes.
When they entered the apartment, Kumi was standing behind the couch in front of the doors, her back to the newcomers. While Dee found himself in a huddle with some of the senior members of his family, Nobu had returned from helping his mother down in the ballroom kitchen, leaving Akira, Hoshi and Moriko to finish what they were working on before they were able to join the others for a while, and now with Tsubasa was further bonding with Saburo and Dafydd over Japanese music.
With a grin, Dee managed to make sure Ayaka stood right behind Kumi when his youngest sister called out in a happy voice, "Hello everybody. We are here!"
Kumi turned around to stare right into Ayaka Fujioka's face, only a mere couple of inches from hers.
"You must be Kumi," Ayaka said. "I noticed you from Ryo's photos. I'm Dee's sister, Ayaka. I am happy to meet you," she said in Japanese.
Kumi let out a gasp, a squeal and launched herself at Ayaka. "Oh my God! I can't believe I'm meeting you!"
Ayaka returned the hug, holding the suddenly shaking woman tightly. "Dijoubu Kumi. We are family now, since you are Ryo's cousin and I am Dee's sister."
"Yes, you are right." Kumi pulled away. "Thank you." She bowed. "Forgive me. I knew you are Dee's sister, and I knew you were going to be here. I just didn't expect to be so close and my mind blanked."
"It's fine," Ayaka assured her. "We will be friends. I promise. You will be okay." She hugged Kumi again.
Dee was laughing, not only at the exchange, but at his husband who was recording the encounter for posterity. Looking at their guests, Dee asked, "Anyone else plan to hyperventilate or anything when I introduce them to my sister Ayaka?"
"Dee!" Mother warned him. "Behave." But she could not help laughing with delight.
"He has a point, Mama-san" Dafydd said in amusement. "It's rough being an idol. Isn't that right, Dee?"
"Shh," Dee said, flickering his eyes toward Mother and then back to his brother. "Hey, Kumi, meet my other sisters, Tomoko, and her wife, Kimi, and Tsukiko. And then my sisters should go say hello to my mother."
"Mama-san is here?!" Ayaka exclaimed with big wide eyes.
"Yes, she is," Dee replied with a grin. "Along with some of Ryo's family and Carol's aunt."
Ayaka immediately left Dee's side with an excited call of, "Mama-san Maria!" and engulfed Dee's mother in a tight hug, which Maria happily returned.
He watched as everyone else did just as he said. He continued playing with Mochi as he watched each of his sisters hug Maria with glee.
"What do you have there, Dee?" Maria asked in amusement as his sisters moved on to say hello to Ryo.
Dee walked over to Maria and held up the puppy. "This is Mochi. Dafydd's dog had puppies and somehow Ryo and I got roped into taking this one with us when we go back to New York. Why he's here today, I don't know." He looked at Ayaka.
"He said he missed you all and wanted to see his new family. He didn't want to wait until you came to Nagoya for my birthday party," Ayaka replied with a sweet smile and then giggled.
Saburo started to laugh. "I guess it didn't help that Kiyoshi and Tatsuya were insisting that we take Mochi with us so he could be with his family?" He looked over at Ayaka, who had been present when Saburo and Yoshio were getting ready to leave for Nagoya Station with their grandsons and Sakura.
"Oh, he's adorable, Dee," Maria exclaimed. She held out her arms. "May I?"
Dee nodded and handed Mochi to his mother with a smile.
"You're taking one of your brother's puppies. I think that's sweet," said Elena. "But thanks for that. Stefan's been making noises about a dog and now has Dani with him. When they see the little pooch, they're going to start up."
Ryo looked at Dee's family. "Did my aunt scare anyone yet?" he quipped.
"Oh, don't you start with me, Ryo," Elena warned.
"Just checking," said Ryo and laughed.
"Your aunt has been keeping us entertained," Yoshio said. "She reminds me of a female Kennosuke."
Dee started laughing. "That's what I thought when I first met Uncle Kennosuke, but I'm damn happy to have them both in my life."
"Keep talking yourself out of that hole, Sweetness," Elena remarked.
"What she said, Daisuke," Kennosuke commented but started to laugh. "But I am enjoying getting to know Elena and Rick."
"Oh, I'm Daisuke to you today, huh?" Dee said in amusement. His father's twin brother had taken to mostly calling him Dee, but sometimes would call him Daisuke. According to Kennosuke, they were both his name and he answered to both, so why choose just one to call him by.
"Yup. Got a problem with it?"
"Not at all, Uncle Kennosuke. I'm just trying to keep track, that's all."
"Elena, there are still a couple of puppies not taken," Yoshio said with smirk, making everyone laugh.
"I did not come to Japan to bring back a puppy," Elena commented.
"Oh, Elena, look at that little fella. He's so adorable," Rick stated, and went over to start to gently scratch Mochi behind his ears. It caused the puppy to start wiggling happily in Maria's arms, and making everyone laugh.
"Mochi's the only white pup of the litter, but they're all cute," Dafydd stated. "And we do still have a couple that needs good homes."
"But your puppies are in Nagoya and we're not going there this weekend," Elena stated. "Or anytime soon."
"We are. Next week," Ryo said and started to laugh more when his aunt glared at him.
Dee looked over when he heard fussing and found Chiasa with Darin. He looked at his watch. "Oh oh, I think it's lunchtime for him. I'm pretty sure Ryoko will start up soon."
"Just get their bottles ready," Masami said, who had Ryoko. "I don't mind feeding this little darling."
"Same here," came from Chiasa.
"Oh wait," Saburo said. "I forgot to give these to you last night, but we just got them in the store, and I think my grandbabies are ready for it." He got up and went across the room to the Japanese room, where he had slept with Yoshio. Dee felt bad when they first suggested it, but his fathers assured him that while they had a nice comfortable bed at home, they did not mind sleeping the traditional Japanese way when travelling. A few minutes he returned, carrying a couple of boxes.
He handed one to Dee and the other to Ryo. Ryo opened the box and pulled out a bright blue translucent bottle decorated with cute puppies with handles
"They can start getting used to holding their own bottles," Saburo explained. "These are the latest style and since I was going to see you, I grabbed a couple."
"So eventually we can let them feed themselves, instead of having to hold both baby and bottle?" Dee asked.
"Exactly. They both have good grips, so it shouldn't take too long to get them used it to it," Saburo explained. He pointed to the box Dee held. "That one is pink with kittens."
"Thank you, Papa. I'll sterilize these and give it a try," Ryo said, taking the box from Dee. He indicated across the room. "Look, Carol's introducing Ayaka to Elina."
Dee started to laugh. "At least Elina won't start hyperventilating and go all fangirl on her."
"Nice for a change," Ryo agreed and laughed. He held up the boxes. "Thank you again for these, Papa."
"Yes, Papa. I can see advantages to them," said Dee.
The kitchen in the penthouse, Dee and Ryo discovered, was used by Maria and Elena, who told Akira they wanted to make side dishes, choosing what they knew Dee and Ryo loved. Saburo and Sakura were also invited to make a couple of dishes in the kitchen. Maria assured them, Japanese would be fine, because Dee was also going to add his yakisoba, which she said was an addition since Dee returned from Japan. Elena said that Ryo liked to have gyoza. Instead of the two men making those dishes, Saburo and Sakura decided they would make the two dishes. Earlier in the day, Sakura showed Dee and Ryo her methods for making mochi in the mochi maker, while Momo made the red bean paste. Yoshio made some fancy jelly and fruit desserts. The sweets were set up around the living room, along with rice crackers and the leftover pan Bikky and Carol had bought the day before day, along with all the cakes Maria and Akira had bought for snacking. They were not going to have lunch that day because of the feast for their dinner later that day but did not want their guests to starve until then. The mochi Tsukiko brought was put away because Dee's sister insisted it was for when they were in Tokyo without family. The mochi and kishimen were for Dee to think of his family.
The next couple of hours were spent with those making something for dinner cooking in the penthouse kitchen, as everyone else mingled in the living room and on the patio, the various family members getting to know each other. Dee and Ryo took those who were at the penthouse for the first time on a tour. At one point there was a delivery. Akira had put in an order for various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to be delivered to the penthouse to add to the tea and coffee.
At one point, Dee took his turn to keep an eye on the children who wanted to play on the patio. He was sitting on one of the comfortable seats along the wall, enjoying a cold beer. Mother came out, holding Darin and sat down next to him. She had a hooded panda blanket on Darin so he wouldn't get cold.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Mom?" Dee asked, smiling at his mother.
"Oh, very much so," she replied with a bright smile. "I can't believe I said no at first to come to Japan and meet your family."
"I can't believe you changed your mind and eventually said yes," Dee stated, "but I'm glad for that."
"So much has changed since the last time we were both in Japan," she said with a sigh. "I'm so happy for you, Dee. This is such a lovely place to live in while you're in Tokyo. You need to make it more your own and it will be even more lovely."
"Ryo and I had been talking about that, but we're so much on the go, I don't know if we'll have a chance before we leave for New York."
"A good start would be getting some of the photos you've been taking printed and buy some frames and put up around the penthouse," Maria suggested.
"That's an idea. We'll probably switch out some of the furniture at some point. Not all of it. There's a lot Ryo and I like and want to keep, but we just want to add a couple of pieces of furniture that we selected. We'll probably add something from my grandmother's collection when we have a chance to pick out what we want." When Mother looked at him in curiosity, he explained, "Apparently my grandparents have possession of many antiques that have been passed down the family. Well, what wasn't selected by other members of the family. She wants Ryo and I to pick out a few things. We'll keep in mind picking out something to keep here, as well as take back to New York. I'm also getting an Edo period shoji screen, but we decided to hold off on that being sent to New York until we know what we'll be moving into."
"How are you really feeling about that, Dee?" Mother asked. "I know how much you love that apartment."
Dee shrugged. "I thought at first it was going to be devastating." With a small smile, he indicated the living room full of family. "But now thinking something bigger would be a better idea, so Ryo and I are both pretty excited about it. But we're not going to rush and buy something right away just because we have to be out by April. Ryo's grandparents said we can stay at their apartment in the city, if we need, for however long it takes. They want to make sure that we get exactly what we will love."
"I'm glad you have that option, because they are right."
Dee started to laugh. "I made a joke with Ryo that we might have to find one of those townhouse mansions that has a ballroom to fit everyone from our families. And he's worried that I might not be wrong. But I don't want something that screams money. I just want something that we'll love living in and have room for visiting family. My fathers' house is pretty large for Japan, but even with all the rooms, it doesn't feel large. It just feels like a family home. The same with Ryo's grandmother's house, and my grandparents. My grandparents' house is more like a compound. It's huge, but it's very warm and cozy."
"It sounds like you have a good idea of what you want to end up with. I'm glad you can make renovations, too, so you do have that perfect home." She cuddled Darin closer. "This is a beautiful view. And there's Tokyo Tower right there."
"Do you want to go while you're here?"
"Yes, please. I would love that very much. I would also love to go to Yokohama."
"It's all familiar enough, but there's a lot that changed. Most for the better. That whole area by the Landmark Tower is really built up now with lots and lots of shopping and restaurants," Dee said with a laugh. "And then there's Daiba, over the Rainbow Bridge there," he added, pointed to where the bridge was. It was hard to see but soon it would be getting dark and lighted bridge would be visible.
"Oh, I know. We went through Daiba from the airport. I was surprised to see so many fascinating buildings."
"We'll take a trip to Odaiba too, so we can get a photo of you with the Tokyo Statue of Liberty," Dee offered.
"I think I would like that very much. Is that where one of those futuristic boats goes too?" she asked.
"Yes. There's an idea. One day we'll start at Asasuka and the Sky Tree, and then we'll take the Himiko to Odaiba. Depending on the time, we can probably stop at the Shinodome on the way back from Odaiba. Nobu said that there should be a great holiday illumination display there. They just turned on the lights this week."
"Did you see the lights at Tokyo Station?" Maria asked.
"No. There's lights at Tokyo Station too? We were there last night. I did notice that there were holiday decorations, but no illumination displays."
"Nobu said it's on the Marunouchi side. He said we need to walk from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace."
"Then that's what we'll have to do. Just let me know if we're tiring you out going to all these places before you leave on Sunday night."
"I think I'm going to have too much fun to notice I'm tired until I'm in bed," she said. She stood up. "I got this little one covered for the chill, but I should have grabbed a shawl for myself. I should go back in anyway and check on the sweet potatoes."
Dee checked the time. "It will probably be time soon to head down to the ballroom. Did you get to see it yet?"
"Not in person, but I did see photos from Akira's party and heard more about it." She leaned over to kiss Dee's forehead. "I'm so happy for you, Dee. You have a wonderful family. If I didn't know that already, I would have seeing everyone who came to Tokyo to be part of today's meal."
"That does make it special, knowing Ryo and I have people from all over here today to celebrate Thanksgiving with us in Tokyo." Suddenly he looked up in concern. "I trust the kids at the orphanage are going to have a good Thanksgiving."
"Ryo's grandparents ordered turkeys and some side dishes to be delivered. Barry and Darla decided to take their Thanksgiving Day to the orphanage and oversee that everything goes well. And of course, Father Patrick will be there."
"That's good. I knew that Ryo's grandparents were going to buy food for the kids and Barry taking the family to have their Thanksgiving at the orphanage, but I think this is the first Thanksgiving in forever that you're not there."
"I'll admit I was worried about that too, but we are blessed to have friends and family willing to step in and help. I can concentrate on enjoying today and the rest of a long weekend with you and your family."
"I'm glad. We do need to make sure you come back with something for the kids to make up for you not being there today."
"I am sure I will," Maria said with a laugh.
Dee finished his beer and looked inside to notice Ryo letting Nobu in with a food cart. "I think I should start getting the kiddies inside and ready to head down to eat." He stood up and hugged his mother. "See you inside."
After Nobu had come up with a food cart to bring what was made down to the ballroom, everyone started to head to the ballroom for their meal. After getting the last of the children inside and locking the patio doors once he was inside, Dee went over to help with putting the food on the cart, while the remaining adults started to round up the children.
Ryo, Tsubasa and Kumi were among the first to leave, getting a call from Akira to assist in getting the tables set up. Sakura was next to go down with Dee's sisters, Masami and her fiancé and some of Hitoshi's family. Bikky and Carol decided to also go, taking charge of Tatsuya, Kiyoshi, Kento and Aya. Next Momo sent Dafydd down to assist with Luna and Ken joining them. Elina and Maria also decided to get on that elevator, along with Rick and Elena. Dani and Stefan seemed interested in Saburo and Yoshio judging by the questions the two children were bombarding them with. Dee's fathers took the questioning in good nature, answering everything and took charge of them, promising Elena and Rick they won't forget to bring the children down, which made everyone laugh.
After Saburo, Yoshio, Kennosuke and Hanako went down, taking Dani and Stefan with them, Dee got a call from the front desk that there was another guest downstairs. Dee noticed that Yoshio was carrying Dani, who was happily chatting away with Dee's fathers when they left.
It was Ryoichi, and Dee told the desk clerk to send him up, knowing that his grandfather might have a bit of a wait for the elevator, since the next group was already heading into the genkan and someone already probably called for the elevator to come up from the ballroom floor. Dee wondered if maybe he should have told the desk clerk to send his grandfather to the ballroom. Ryoichi could have then taken any of the public elevators up, instead of waiting for the large group to migrate from the penthouse to the ballroom before it made its way down to the lobby.
When Ryoichi finally arrived at the penthouse, to Dee's surprise, his grandfather had a large insulated bag with an equally large glass container.
"What is it?" Dee asked as his grandfather took the container out of the bag and handed it to Dee after greeting him.
"Southern greens," Ryoichi replied. "I know you showed curiosity about my southern cooking, so last night I made up a batch."
"It smells good," Dee said, remaining polite only because of the dinner Ryo's grandmother had gone through so much trouble to put together, and get guests from New York to join them. His grandmother made it clear that they were going to have a wonderful meal and Ryoichi would be handled later that night. "Thank you."
"Obāsans are expecting us to start heading down to the ballroom," Momo stated, coming up to Dee and Ryoichi, giving him a harsh glare. She took the container from Dee and set it on the cart. "You are going to enjoy these, Dee," she added. "It's always a treat when Ojiisan does some America southern cooking."
"I'm looking forward to it," Dee said.
"Do I not get a tour of your Tokyo home?" Ryoichi asked Dee.
"Sorry, Ojiisan, but we can do it after dinner. Perhaps if you arrived a little earlier, there would be time. But you know Obāsan. And Ryo's Obāsan is very much the same." He gave his grandfather a smirk with a little evil glint in his eyes, deciding his sister-in-law had the right idea. "Almost everyone is down in the ballroom, meaning the rest of us are expected to start getting down there."
He swore he saw his grandfather shiver a little, and not in a good way but then his grandfather knew his grandmother much more than Dee already knew. He bit down a chuckle. He was being polite, more than what he felt his grandfather deserved, but everyone was warned by Sakura to behave until she bought up the subject after they enjoyed their meal. And if they had to be nice to Ryoichi to have an enjoyable meal, then that's what they would do.
Mother and Akira had backed her up, so they were all playing nice. It did not stop them from giving him the evil eye every now and then. It was a good thing Ryo had already left for the in the ballroom, helping to set up the tables just before Ryoichi came up to the ballroom, because away from Akira and Sakura, Ryo might have been tempted to be just a little extra evil. His temper was always short, much shorter than Dee's, whenever someone in his family was hurt.
Dee and Momo, along with Nobu were put in charge of getting the dishes made in the penthouse down to the ballroom, and make sure everyone else made their way down to eat. They could have asked the hotel staff to help, but Akira decided to do things as if they were all at someone's home. If everyone could have fit in the penthouse's dining room, they would have eaten there, but even the large dining room could not fit everyone.
"Ryoichi," Hitoshi said, coming over to them with Kyoshii and Takahiro, "so you decided to join us after all. For a while there, we weren't sure you were."
"I got held up with business," Ryoichi stated. "I left as soon as I was able to. Today is not a holiday in Japan, after all and business goes on, and then I had to take an important call before I could leave. I take it you have someone to cover the shrine for the day?" he asked Takahiro.
"I do have back-up for when I want to take a rare vacation," Takahiro replied. "There are other priests there who left training many years ago and can run things without me for a few days. The shrine will survive, Ryoichi."
"We're taking the food down now," Dee said, his eyes on Momo who started to push the cart toward the door to the entryway. "Which means, we all better be behind it and ready to eat."
Nobu rushed over to help Momo, who ended up sliding the door open for Nobu. Dee suddenly wondered how they were going to get the cart down the two stairs without losing anything and rushed over to find there was now a board set up acting as a makeshift ramp. Nobu must have set it up after Ryoichi arrived because it wasn't there when Dee let his grandfather in.
"We can fit a few more people in the elevator for this trip," Nobu said.
Dee decided to send Ryoichi along with his uncles. The last of the families joined Dee when the elevator came back up to their floor.
Dee missed the exchange between his grandparents when Ryoichi had finally arrived, but it had to be spectacular because his grandfather was properly whipped into shape.
As they ate, they had music playing in the background including popular Japanese music, American and British rock and some country. Dee was discovering that his grandfather's selections of country music a few times during karaoke at both parties were not just because his grandmother liked how he sang them, but that Ryoichi actually did like country music. He did prefer mostly the older classics, but over dinner, Ryoichi admitted to keeping up and had a few favorites from current country artists, especially Garth Brooks. It gave Dee something in common with his grandfather that maybe someday they could sit down and have a normal conversation about. He was certain there were more things in common, but it seemed most of time around his grandfather, they were at odds with each other. At least Dee felt out of sorts around his grandfather. The one day he was actually being civil toward Dee, there were so many other family and friends, it was impossible to sit down and take advantage of it, except in conversation in passing. There were a couple of times when his grandfather joined whoever in the family was sitting with Dee at a table and joined the conversation, but it still wasn't a one on one conversation.
Conversation for most of the meal was for the three families who were now united to continue getting to know each other and share funny or touching stories. Sakura did know Mother and Akira already through phone and video calls, but it was completely different to sit down at the same table. Mother ended up sharing some stories about Dee when he was younger. She made sure to include when Dee came home one day when he was eight years old, announcing that he was going to learn Japanese. It surprised her, and she was worried it would involve spending money on a tutor but could not say no when she found out it was an offer from a new friend and his Japanese mother who had recently moved to New York from Japan.
"I never did ask you," Saburo asked Dee when Mother was done, "but was it your friend who got you interested in Japan?"
"No. I reached out to him in school first because he was Japanese," Dee admitted. "I was already interested in Japan from Speed Racer and the Godzilla movies." He waited while everyone laughed. "Then there was also in the orphanage's library a set of books with pictures and stories from different countries around the world. I think I read the one on Japan so many times, I can still repeat it."
"By the time Dee was 14, he found a magazine stand around 57th Street in Manhattan and would go there every month to buy Japanese music magazines. At least I hope he bought them." She looked at Dee, knowing what he was into during the time.
Dee shrugged. "Well, most of the time," he admitted. Looking at Saburo and Yoshio, he said, "For a few years, me and my friends did some things I'm not proud of. Mostly stealing small items from stores. Sometimes it was because I didn't have the money, but there were other times we did it just for fun."
"It stopped after Jess died, I noticed," Mother stated. "I feared it would get worse, because I know he was the one keeping you from doing worse, since he was out and about more than me, and caught you a few times."
"Between Arnon and Jess, I had a wake-up call," Dee said. "Suddenly it didn't seem like fun anymore."
Dee had told his fathers and grandmother about his friend Arnon and how Jess had died, so no one asked questions about it. He guessed that his grandfather and uncles were let in on what happened, because they also nodded their heads with understanding.
"That's when I set my sights on going to college in Japan as an incentive."
"And that's what you did," Takahiro remarked.
"Yes, I did," Dee said.
Ryo started grinning, his eyes on Dee. "What?" Dee asked his husband.
"Were you interested in me at first because I said I was part-Japanese?" Ryo asked.
Bikky started to laugh. "You only admitted that to me and Dee back then because we both knew you were half-Japanese."
"This is true," Dee said and laughed. "It might have gotten past the others, but we knew the truth."
"And you both latched onto the name Ryo immediately," Ryo pointed out. "Dee never called me Randy when we first met."
Dee shrugged. "And I think I called you that about 3 times since. You seemed more a Ryo than a Randy to me."
"Same here," Bikky agreed.
"I just went along with those two by the time I met you and Dee for the first time," Carol said.
"So what about Dee?" Elena asked. "Does he look more like a Dee or a Daisuke to you, Ryo? Bikky?"
"He looks like Dad to me," Bikky said, laughing more.
"Good answer, kiddo," Dee remarked, amused.
"Both," Ryo replied. "I was surprised at first when we found out, but I was stunned at the time that we were actually finding out Dee's real name, with his twin brother standing there with me. But once the shock of Dafydd and Dee being twins wore off, if I think about it, I'm not surprised at all that he's a Daisuke. It fits him. It doesn't surprise me that he's half-Japanese. I do admit to still be surprised to find out he was born in Japan."
"Speaking of being born in Japan," Ryoichi said. "One of the reasons why I got here later than I intended is because I got word that we can work on your dual citizenship. Is it possible for you to come to Nagoya the day before Ayaka's birthday so I can take you, Ryo and Bikky to have the process done? You probably will not get your Japanese passports right away, but you and Ryo will have paperwork you can use to get Japanese driver's license, and Bikky a Japanese photo ID. When you return to Tokyo from that weekend, you should also go to the local government office and register your residence here. You don't have to, but it is advisable."
"Why register?" Maria asked.
"Japanese people register at the local municipal office for where they live," Dee replied. "And if they move to a new area, it's best to register again. Even non-Japanese living in Japan on special visas should do it. Which reminds me, I think I might still be on the registry for Isogo, Yokohama." He started to laugh. "I probably should change that now."
"Oh, does that mean according to the Isogo registry, you're living with Ken and his family?" Ryo asked with amusement, making others laugh.
"Does this mean you'll be Japanese residents?" Elina asked.
"It means that Daisuke will be a Japanese national, reclaiming his right of being born in Japan," Sakura explained. "But with the special permission my husband requested, he may also retain his American citizenship."
"And since Ryo is his husband, and Bikky is his legal son, they too will become Japanese citizens, just not Japanese nationals, since they weren't born in Japan," Ryoichi further explained. "Carol, I know you are considered family, but I cannot include you."
"That's okay, Fujioka-san," Carol said. "I understand."
With a wicked smile, Hitoshi said, "But if what I've been hearing actually happens, then when you marry Bikky, you should be allowed dual citizenship."
"That is true," Sam said. "When I married Chiasa, even if we were living in Los Angeles, I ended up getting dual citizenship the first time we went to Japan."
"This is true," Ryoichi stated. "I did try for Carol, since everyone sees her as family, but my government contacts decided that only should Carol marry into the family that she will obtain dual citizenship. And of course, Darin and Ryoko will also be Japanese citizens, and you will leave the office with all paperwork for them."
"How is this going to work then?" Mother asked.
"It means that we don't need to enter Japan on visas," Dee replied. "We'll enter Japan using our Japanese passports, and then enter the US with our American ones." He took his mother's hand in his. "It also means that I agreed to some terms my grandfather gave me, and before you worry, I don't have any problems with it."
"What did you agree to?" Mother asked.
"That in the US, life goes on as usual with me being Dee Lane Laytner-MacLean, only I know have a very huge family back in Japan. But when I'm in Japan, my legal name on my passport, driver's license and any other official documents will be Daisuke Fujioka. Ryo has agreed to go by Ryo Fujioka. Which also makes Bikky, Darin and Ryoko Fujioka too."
"Victor Fujioka will be on Bikky's passport," Ryo pointed out in amusement.
"Did you have to point that out, Pops?" Bikky said, making a face. "I prefer Bikky."
"I know you do," Ryo said, "but Bikky is not your legal name, so you can't use it on your Japanese passport and ID. In America, you are legally Victor Laytner-MacLean."
"I know. I had a couple of teachers in that other school who insisted on using it. But not everyone here knew that," Bikky said.
Masami started to laugh. "Oh, we all knew that, Bikky. Tomoko included that on the fact sheet she sent out to the family when we first found out your father was alive."
"I knew that when I came over to your grandfathers' house to meet you all," Kennosuke remarked. "I found out around the time Saburo and Yoshio did."
"Hey, now that I have a twin brother who's going to be American and Japanese, do you think I can get dual citizenship based on that?" Dafydd asked with a teasing grin. "I can have Dee Fujioka on my American passport."
"There might come a time when that could happen," Ryoichi remarked in a serious tone, "But your name would still be Dafydd Fujioka."
"Couldn't I maybe have a Japanese first name?" Dafydd continued to tease to everyone's amusement.
"NO!" came from Saburo, Sakura and Ryoichi, making everyone else laugh.
"Daisuke has dual names because Maria did not know his name when he was found, and he needed a name," Sakura said.
"I know," Dafydd remarked, still looking amused.
"If I had found something with Daisuke Fujioka on him, or in the carrier, then that would have been the name I would have given him," Mother stated. "But I did what I could with what I had."
"Wait, does that mean you have two birth certificates?" Bikky asked.
"He doesn't have his Japanese one yet," Saburo said, "but I do have the original document." Looking at his father, he added, "I suppose I should request a copy when I get back to Nagoya."
"You'll never get it in time for next Friday if you request it on Monday," Ryoichi said. "I had already put in the request this morning and was promised I will get it special delivery by Wednesday."
"I can only have one birth certificate, regardless of which country I'm in," Dee stated, starting to feel confused. "And it should be the one from when I was born. It's my real birth certificate, unlike the one I've been using which basically states I was found and has the date I was found and no parents. So, how does that work for me?"
"It is a complicated situation, I know," Mother said, "but you are right. Your true birth certificate is the one issued when you were born, now that you have access to it."
"It was brought up during my request," Ryoichi said. "And your unique circumstances are understood, so as long as you continue to go by the name Mother Lane-san has given you in America, then it will be allowed for you to use that document in America to align with your official documents. Should one day in the future you decide to go by your birth name in America, then you should use only the one issued at your birth."
"If you never decide to use your birth name in America, it is okay," Saburo assured Dee.
"It's for official purposes," Dee said, glancing at Mother. "But business as usual with the people regularly in my life here, those who call me Dee still should and those who prefer Daisuke are also welcome to continue doing so."
"Dee is a nickname for Daisuke," Yoshio pointed out. With an amused look, he looked at Dafydd. "When Dafydd was in uniform, some of the younger kids called him Officer Dee."
Dee started to laugh. "I have also heard that." He looked across the table at his twin brother and smirked, while the rest of the Fujiokas laughed.
"Saying Dafydd for Japanese is difficult, so I got used to hearing the Japanese pronunciation, including some in our family who were unable to if they tried, or they didn't try," Dafydd said, "For children it is extra hard, so the little ones who got to know me started calling me Officer Dee, and it stuck."
Dee started to laugh. "And now that you're a detective, you're Detective Dee to some of those kids."
"Why do the children call you by your given name, Dafydd?" Moriko asked in curiosity. She used the Japanese pronunciation. It would be normal custom for children to call an elder by their family name plus 'san'. Or by his title.
"When I was in uniform, I patrolled an area that was a bit rough comparing to most of Nagoya. The police went through extra measures to reach out to the youngsters in the area. Get them to trust the police, so they would come to us when they saw something wrong. It meant establishing a great deal of trust, especially if a child needed protection. So we allowed the children to call us Officer and our given names. Later, after my promotion to Detective, whenever I found myself back in the area for a case, the kids who remembered me knew I wasn't Officer anymore, so I became Detective Dee."
Dee barked out a laugh. "You used kids as CIs."
"It was quite effective," Dafydd defended. "You'd be surprised how many people, included criminals, tend to overlook children. They seem to not realize that children are much more aware than what they are given credit for."
Ryo nodded his head in agreement. "That's true. But I don't know if I would feel comfortable using children as criminal informants in New York. Japan is a different world when it comes to crime."
Dee looked at Bikky. "Well, we have at times used this one's friends to help us out."
"Yeah, to get him out of the latest jam he got himself in," Ryo said, making Bikky duck his head, and Dee and Carol laugh.
"Detective Dee," Dee mused and laughed more. "Isn't he Chinese?"
"Shut up," Dafydd remarked as their siblings laughed.
"Maria named you wisely using what he had, because she did give you what could be your nickname," Hitoshi said with a smile.
Mother smiled at him. "Thank you, Hitoshi, but honestly, I do not care what name Dee decides to go by now or in the future." She looked directly at Dee. "If you decide never to give up the name I chose for you, make it because it is what you truly want, and not because you are afraid of hurting my feelings. Whatever name you decide to go by, you will still be my son, and Saburo's. A name is not going to change that."
Dee took a deep breath. "I understand, Mother. But right now, I'm happy with the name I've been using all my life, but should that ever change in the future, I like the name I was given by my fathers very much too. Even if I don't use it in America, I am still proud to be a Fujioka." He smiled at his father's family.
Everyone clapped, with smiles on their faces, including Ryo's family.
Being that it was a Thanksgiving dinner in Japan, after they were done eating, the karaoke machine was turned on.
Dee was content to sit with Mother, Akira and Sakura, and watch his and Ryo's family do karaoke. He had no plans to sing this time, but after a while Mother seemed to have other ideas.
"Dee, I would really love to see you do a song with your father, especially since you both love that TUBE group so much," she said.
"You have several videos, Mother," Dee said.
"I think your mother wants to finally have a chance to watch you while she's here, which is much better than watching a video," Sakura stated. "You should have Dafydd join in too."
"I would also love to see Dee, Ryo, Dafydd and Ayaka do Dee's song," Mother said.
Dee's head swiveled and he stared at Mother with his jaw hanging. "Who told her?" Dee asked everyone sitting at the table with them.
Akira made a fake gasp and put her hand up to her mouth. "Oops. I was not supposed to tell her the story behind that video?"
Mother laughed at Akira but then turned her attention to Dee with a stern look. "I was wondering when it would finally come up. My son the Japanese pop star and he never wanted to tell me. And here I thought you shared everything with me."
"It was nothing, Mother," Dee defended. "It was more like a part-time job."
"You did a tour for almost a year," Sakura pointed out. To Mother, she said, "I wasn't supposed to find out, but there were loose lips going on around here."
"I hear if it wasn't for one of Dee's school friends who was invited to the party, we would not have known," Mother said with amusement. "Of course, the first thing you should have done, Dee, if you didn't want the truth to come out was do a couple of songs with your friends at the party."
"They didn't do their hit song at the party until the friend told us all," Akira said.
"At least enough to get Dee and his friends to open up about it," Ryo said.
"And then Ryo, Bikky, Carol or someone just loves to mention it," Dee stated. "Like Dafydd and Ayaka."
"Why did you feel like you couldn't tell me?" Mother asked.
"We really didn't tell many people," Dee said. "Which is why we wore the make-up." He started to grin wickedly and added, "Plus you might have guessed where all the extra money for the orphanage was coming from if you knew."
"I suspected it was from you somehow, but it makes sense now. I hope you didn't put all the money you made into the orphanage," Mother said with concern.
"No. I kept some to make the last year of school easier. I also used some of the money to get my first apartment in New York after I graduated," Dee admitted. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then started to laugh. "I left some money in a Japanese bank in Yokohama, because I was hoping to make it back before now."
Ryo looked at Dee. "How much did you put in there?"
Dee shrugged. "About 300000 yen. Now that I have access to it, I don't really need to touch it."
Dafydd came over to join them with an amused look. "Ojiisan is going to sing next. I saw the song he's doing." He grinned at Sakura. "He's pulling out the big guns."
"What song is he doing?" Sakura asked.
Dafydd sat down at the table. "You'll see."
A few seconds later, Ryoichi took a microphone and the first strains of "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell started up.
Dee's jaw dropped while Ryo looked equally surprised, while those in Dee's family sitting near them started to laugh.
"He knows he's in the doghouse," Kennosuke remarked with a laugh. "He does that song when he knows it's going to be hard to make my mother swoon. And I think it's working."
"I'll let him get away with it for now, but that won't stop me from having some words with him later," Sakura said.
They watched as Ryoichi sang the song, turning his attention for most of the song to Sakura, who smiled at him. Everyone had to clap when he was done. The man could sing, Dee had to give him that. It was no wonder he was able to sing well, along with his other siblings and Saburo.
Ryoichi approached their table after his song was done. He took Sakura's hand and kissed it.
"That was lovely, Ryoichi," Sakura said as he sat at the table. "What time are you leaving tonight?"
"I am not," Ryoichi replied. "I am to go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow morning. I should have gone today, but His Majesty allowed me to participate with today's festivities."
"Is it about the defacement in Hiroshima?" Dafydd asked.
"It is. I will most likely have to go to Hiroshima after." He looked at Dee and Dafydd. "It was requested that I should bring you two with me to speak to the Emperor, if you agree. The Prime Minister should also be in attendance."
"Ryoichi, Daisuke has his mother here, and I'm sure he wants to take her for some sightseeing tomorrow and not get caught up with that Prophecy Twins garbage," Sakura warned her husband.
"It will not take long. We can go very early and then Daisuke will have the rest of the day with family and friends. Ryo, you are also requested. The Emperor is very interested in hear your thoughts about the ACC and what they meant with the statement released when they took credit for that atrocity in Hiroshima."
Dee found himself nodding, remembering their discussion the night before when they heard about it on the news. If he was able to do even a little in helping with the ACC strike in Japan, then he was willing to go along with his grandfather. He did look over to Mother. "Does that sound okay to you, Mom?"
"Of course, my darling. This is something that has become very important to us, so you and Ryo go and see what assistance you can give. It might even be enlightening and have something to bring back to your unit," Mother said.
"If it's okay with Mother, than I'm okay with it," Ryo said.
Dafydd shrugged and sighed. "I guess that means I'm in too." He looked at Dee and said, "You are aware that means you are going to have to talk to our Emperor and Prime Minister."
Ryo palmed his face. "Oh God. That is much higher than a mayor and some council people."
"Trying not to think about it, Dafydd," Dee said, his voice a little strained.
Ryoichi smiled at Dee. "You will do fine, so do no worry. Before we get to the Imperial Palace, I will show you how to greet His Majesty and our Prime Minister."
"I hope I remember the ultra-polite Japanese," Dee said. "I haven't had a need for it in, well, ever."
"Do your best," Ryoichi said. "Considering your situation, they are lucky that you will be speaking any Japanese and they will forgive you for any insights."
Dee looked at Ryo and Dafydd. "I guess we're going to the Imperial Palace first thing tomorrow." He let out a sigh. "Now that's something else I didn't figure we'd be doing when we decided to come to Japan."
The group decided to stay down in the ballroom until those who were leaving that night were ready to go. Dee was sorry to everyone leave that evening but was amazed they had come to Tokyo just to spend the day. Dee felt grateful for having a family who would do that, and guilty that he had for a while, he had doubted them.
He doubted no more.
And the next day, if he played his cards right, he could use the situation in Hiroshima to get some answers he needed and possibly even permission to share and use to their advantage with the unit.
For now, it looked like Ryo, Dafydd and Ayaka were about to gang up on him, so it looked like they were going to do, "It's Gonna Be Me" for Mother's enjoyment.
