Tutti, Pt 1
Tutti, adj: All together, usually used in an orchestral or choral score when the orchestra or all of the voices come in at the same time.
Eimi trailed behind Koushiro, who stared at his mobile as they walked. They were meeting Jyou at his brother's Tokyo apartment to check his test results. After great deliberation, Eimi and Koushiro decided to arrive twenty minutes before the results went live. It was early enough that Jyou wouldn't fret over them being late, but minimized their exposure to an anxiety-prone man at critical stress levels.
"Here we are," Koushiro murmured. Eimi craned her head to view the apartment mansion. It was a high end complex, befitting a successful doctor like Kido Shin. The balconies were spaced far apart, hinting at large units.
Eimi drew a deep breath when they stepped into the lift. Koushiro tipped his head as he pocketed his phone. "Are you alright?"
Eimi suppressed a sigh. "He'll pass," she said. "I know he will... So why am I nervous?"
Koushiro briefly held her shoulder. "Because you care. I suggest we try to appear calm, however."
Eimi imagined Jyou pacing the empty apartment and managed a tiny grin. "Good idea."
Shin's front door opened almost instantly at their knock. Eimi desperately swallowed a laugh at the frantic expression on Jyou's long face. "H-hi," he stammered.
A wry grin creased Koushiro's face. "Hello."
"Hi, Jyou!" Eimi cried. When she hugged him, he administered a few jerky pats on her back. "How are you holding up?"
"I've felt better." Jyou's voice cracked like a teenager's. Eimi grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the apartment.
"Everything's fine," she said. "We'll be celebrating soon."
Koushiro placed a tote bag in the corner of the entryway, and sake bottles clinked against the cake container within. When Jyou remained rooted to the spot, Eimi prodded him. He turned in clunky stages, like an old time animation, and led them into Shin's apartment.
The entryway opened to a spacious living area. Pale gray curtains blocked the busy Tokyo views, but allowed light to filter through. The space was sparsely furnished and clutter free, like an apartment in a magazine.
"Wow," Eimi said. "Koushiro-kun, Shin-san decorates like you."
"By which you mean not at all," Koushiro translated. "Simplicity is often praised, you know."
"If he's anything like me, my brother only comes here to sleep. He's at work now."
"I'm glad you were able to take the day off," Eimi said. Jyou grimaced.
"I worked the night shift. I would have lost my mind otherwise."
"Don't worry," Eimi replied, knowing that this was as feasible as telling him not to breathe. "You've been working towards this forever. We know you'll pass."
Jyou's joints seemed to creak when he fell onto the black leather couch. His laptop was open on the glass coffee table, ready and waiting to deliver his fate. "Thanks," he grunted.
Eimi moved to sit beside him, but redirected midway. She pretended to examine Shin's living area while she contended with a surge of awkwardness. Was it weird to plop down beside Jyou now? Should she sit on the arm chair and leave the spot on the couch beside Jyou for Koushiro? Was she over-thinking like a madwoman?
There wasn't much to see beyond the sofa, the media console and television, a bookshelf with medical texts and neat piles of medical journals, a few end tables, and a well stocked bar cart. Shin did, at least, have a few framed family photos, along with some pictures of friends and a woman she assumed was his girlfriend. Thankfully, Koushiro sat beside Jyou, and Eimi circled to the armchair.
Koushiro glanced at his watch. "How are you feeling?"
Jyou's head plopped against the sofa's backrest. "You know how I'm feeling."
"Um." Eimi cast about for a distraction. "So, you're meeting your family for dinner?"
Lifting his head seemed to require great effort. Sighing, Jyou slid his glasses back up his nose and shut his eyes tight. "Yes. That's why I'm staying with my brother. Sorry I can't make the dinner with your friends, by the way."
Eimi held her hands up, palm out. "We understand."
Koushiro's heavy brow knit. "Pardon me if this is out of line, but... Wouldn't you rather check your results with your parents? Your mother is a housewife, yes?"
Jyou's ashen face contorted with a grimace. "This means as much to them as it does to me. I love them, of course, but… I can't handle the pressure right now. I just... I want you two for this."
"We're honored," Eimi replied. "How much longer?"
Jyou swallowed hard enough to be heard from a yard away. "Ten minutes, thirty-five seconds. Four... three..."
Eimi shared a look with Koushiro. They needed to distract Jyou, lest he work himself up to an aneurysm seconds before one of the biggest moments of his life thus far.
"Um, how is the private practice hunt going?" Eimi asked.
Even as he spoke, Jyou's eyes remained trained on his laptop's time display. "It's daunting. It's hard to take time away from work to check out practices with openings, and of course, I don't have the energy for the search. But... I still think it's worth it."
"Can we help?" Koushiro asked. "Obviously, you have to choose the best fit for yourself, but I could research practices with openings."
"No, that's-" Jyou paused, blinked, and tore his eyes away from the screen at last. He stared at Koushiro, then at Eimi. A rueful grin slowly formed.
"Actually... Yes. Yes, please, I would love some help." He paused, then sheepishly scratched his head. "That's what we need to do, right? Look out for each other and reach out."
Somehow, Eimi resisted the urge to leap up and hug both men. "Yes! And you can stay at my house any time to look around, or just for a break. I'll take care of food and whatever you need at home, so you can focus on searching." She tipped her head as she considered what else she could offer. "I don't know if I can send homemade meals in the mail..."
A weak laugh slid out of Jyou. "Eimi, please. You still need to focus on yourself... But I'll gladly take up your offer to visit."
Koushiro prodded the conversation to the practices Jyou had visited. They all jumped when an alarm went off a few minutes later. Color drained from Jyou's face as his jaw went slack. With shaking hands, he dug his phone from his pocket and silenced the alarm.
He stared at Eimi in something like shock. "It, it's time."
Eimi couldn't help herself; she stood, pushed Jyou's shoulder, and sat in the too-small space between him and the end of the sofa. Koushiro shifted closer to Jyou's other side, reached for the laptop, and placed it in Jyou's trembling hands.
"Well?" Koushiro asked. Eimi watched a lump plummet down Jyou's throat like a dropped stone.
She grabbed his shoulder and squished in. "It's okay, Jyou! You'll make it. We know you will!"
"It's just a formality," Koushiro said. Like Eimi, he gripped Jyou's shoulder and smiled. "You're as good as there already. There's nothing to fear."
Jyou's senses seemed to return in an instant, like flipping a switch. He pulled the laptop in and began typing, muttering as he riddled his login with typos.
Oh, dear. I hope he knows his password. Eimi thought she was smiling, but her expression was closer to hysteria. She didn't doubt for a moment that Jyou had passed, but her heart beat like the wings of a hummingbird. In that moment, all she wanted in the world was for Jyou to finally, finally achieve his dream.
Jyou clicked the sign in button, and Eimi's fingers dug into his shoulder. The mouse pointer trembled as he navigated to the tab for test results.
"You've got this!" Eimi squeaked. Jyou's response was closer to a groan than any words she knew.
The page loaded, with a number at the top and center. Eimi stared, not knowing how this test was graded. "And that's... Good?" Koushiro asked.
Jyou tried to respond, wheezed, and tried again. "Y-yeah. That- That's- I did it."
Bubbly, joyful laughter burst from Eimi's chest. She threw her arms around both men. "Jyou! Congratulations!"
Koushiro edged back enough to unsquish his face from Jyou's collar, where Eimi had pulled him. "Congratulations!"
For a moment, Jyou just blinked at the laptop. Then, he threw an arm around each of them and pressed inward. Koushiro exclaimed and dove after the laptop, which tumbled from Jyou's lap.
Eimi gasped for breath as Jyou's grip tightened. "I don't believe it! I don't-" He broke into frazzled, almost delirious laughter. "All that work, and finally- Finally-!"
Jyou's dream of being a doctor stretched back to early childhood, well before Eimi met him. "I'm so, so happy for you," Eimi said, wiping her eyes. "How do you feel?"
Jyou ripped his glasses off and placed them on the coffee table beside the laptop. "I have no idea! It's unreal."
"It most definitely happened," Koushiro said. "We can both confirm, should you find yourself unsure."
"Oh!" Eimi untangled herself and hopped to her feet. "Hold on!" She bounced to the entryway and came to a skidding halt. She grabbed the tote bag and returned, placing it on the coffee table.
Eimi dug in and extracted a bottle of Jyou's favorite sake. "Let's have a toast!"
Jyou wiped his eyes and put on his glasses with a watery laugh. "Are you playing host at someone else's apartment?"
Eimi froze en route to Shin's kitchen, where she meant to find serving ware. Caught red handed, she groped for a way to deflect. "Er. No? No, I'm celebrating!"
Koushiro sighed, but he was smiling. "I'm afraid it gets worse. She baked you a cake, too."
"What- Eimi! My family is taking me out to dinner- We're drinking and eating everything bad for us, which is a big deal for a bunch of doctors- Oh!" Jyou stood abruptly, and Koushiro swayed at the sudden disruption of balance on the sofa. "I need to call my parents!"
"You do that," Eimi said. "We'll prepare the drinks."
Jyou nodded, then moved further into the apartment. He disappeared down a hall, and a moment later, a door clicked shut. Koushiro stood, lifted the tote bag, and joined Eimi in the kitchen.
"I'm so glad," he said. "I never doubted, but... Thank goodness."
Eimi opened and closed cabinets, searching for glasses. The initial burst of giddiness was beginning to calm, allowing room for other thoughts. "Mm. I just hope that, now that he's a fully licensed doctor, Jyou will start taking care of himself. He always promised me he would."
Koushiro leaned against the counter and grinned. "Well, I suppose it's incumbent on us to remind him. It's encouraging that he accepted our help, and that he's still serious about switching to private practice."
Eimi placed three small sake cups on the counter and smiled. "Passing this test is huge, and I'm so proud of him, but… It's still just a step on Jyou's path. I'm sure there's a lot that we could help with, if he's willing."
Koushiro's dark eyes warmed, then closed as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "In the spirit of supporting one another, perhaps Jyou could take a look at you?"
The temptation to be irritated couldn't withstand the surge of pleasure resulting from Koushiro's affection. Still, for good measure, she said, "I just saw my doctor."
Koushiro opened the sake bottle and began to pour. "Jyou and I will feel reassured if he checks on you, too."
Eimi huffed, but she already knew that she'd allow Jyou to examine her if he asked. Being fussed over felt awkward, and the constant reminders that she wasn't completely healthy weren't enjoyable. But slowly, she was learning that being generous didn't always mean giving to and working for others. Sometimes, it meant yielding, and accepting what they wanted to give you… Even if it was a few pokes with a cold stethoscope and nagging advice that Koushiro would zealously enforce.
"You're lucky I love you," she announced, with faux resignation. When Koushiro burst into laughter, she blinked, wanting to join in without seeing the joke.
This time, he kissed her on the lips and lingered over it. "Yes," he murmured, still smiling. "I most certainly am."
From somewhere down the hall, a doorknob turned. Koushiro moved away from her and lifted the cake container from the tote bag. Eimi stared at his back, heart pumping, equal parts delighted and frazzled. When he glanced at her, amusement warmed his eyes, and heat rushed to Eimi's face. Luckily, Jyou appeared before Koushiro could fluster her even more.
Jyou was speaking to Koushiro, so Eimi took the time to fold this moment into her memory. When it was carefully stored, she gathered herself and focused on Jyou, eager for their little celebration.
XXX
Eimi followed Koushiro down the busy Tokyo sidewalks, sticking close to him as he navigated with his phone. The sun was falling, breaking the oppressive summer heat and tinting everything orange. Pedestrians marched along, moving her inexorably forward.
She almost walked past the restaurant, flowing with the crowd and already tiring from this morning's excitement and the anticipation of seeing her friends. Koushiro called to her, snapping her out of a daze. She moved from the middle of the pack towards the edge, speaking apologies that went ignored until she broke free.
"Have you been here before?" Koushiro asked.
"No," she said. "I've never heard of it."
"I saw the website. It seems… modern." Koushiro opened the door for her, and she murmured her thanks as she passed through to the reception area.
The building was plain on the outside, but the interior was dim and gave an immediate impression of trendiness. The only light came from a chandelier that resembled a piece of abstract art and dim sconces on the walls.
Wow. Is this one of those hip foodie spots with a thousand drinks? She squinted into the dim room, struggling to discern details.
"Eimi-nee!" A smile blossomed at the sound of Takeru's voice. He waved as he approached, and Eimi rushed to meet him. After a few more steps, his arms were around her, pulling her in and nearly knocking the air from her lungs.
"Oof!" Eimi complained. He squeezed even harder, crushing her into him. She was almost light headed when he finally eased back, still holding on to her shoulders.
A huge grin split his face, sharply at odds with his watering eyes. "I'm so glad to see you. You look great! How do you feel?"
Eimi hesitated, unsure what to make of the compliment. She still didn't think she looked like her pre-septic self. It felt like her insides had been swapped out for a smaller, more fragile version of her, such that her skin and features no longer hung properly. "I'm doing well," she replied after a pause. "I tire easily, though. I wish I had more energy tonight."
Concern filled those big blue eyes. "Ah… I know you don't like the city. I told Aniki that we should stay on Odaiba, but I think he wanted this to be special." He lowered his voice and leaned in. "You know he's a softy like that."
Eimi arched a single brow. "I take it he's here."
Takeru released her, but slung an arm around her shoulders. "Yep. You're the last ones."
"Oh! Are we late?" She gestured towards Koushiro, who hovered awkwardly behind her.
"Nah, not late. It's just… We're all anxious to see you in person after…" His mouth twitched, and he shook his head and extended a hand to Koushiro. "Nice to see you, Koushiro-san. Thanks for staying with Eimi-nee."
Koushiro shook his hand and smiled, likely relieved to be invited into the conversation. "How are you?"
"Are you kidding! I'm great!" A sweet, boyish gleam lit Takeru's eyes, warming Eimi's heart. "It's so good to finally see Eimi-nee. Thanks again for helping set up web chats, but there's nothing like the real thing." He squished Eimi against his side, and she laughed and nudged him. He ignored the tacit request for space and marched ahead, steering her towards the others.
Familiar faces materialized from the darkness, revealing her friends grouped near a wall. "Eimi!" Taichi cried, beaming. "Koushiro! Glad you could make it."
Koushiro moved around Eimi to shake hands with Taichi. "It's rare for everyone's schedules to align. I'm glad."
Eimi lost track of their conversation as Hikari stepped forward, hands clasped on her lower belly. A shrill sound slid up Eimi's throat. Hikari wasn't showing the last time they met in person, and she hadn't noticed it over web cams. But now, her tiny baby bump was showcased in a tight maternity dress.
This time, when Eimi nudged Takeru, he released her and joined his brother. Eimi scooped her cousin into a hug, being careful of the baby. "Hikari! You look so amazing!"
Slender, willowy arms wrapped around her. "So do you," Hikari whispered. Like Takeru, her eyes were dewy when she pulled back. "It's so good to see you. How are you?"
Eimi repeated her previous report, but her focus was beginning to blur. Her eyes were adjusting to the dark, and they shifted from Koushiro to the group he was standing with. Taichi had pulled him over to Yamato and Takeru, who stood beside Sora, who stood beside…
Eimi swallowed hard and tried to return her attention to Hikari, but it was no good. Mimi was dressed in a black, slinky dress. It shimmered against the dim backdrop, an alluring contrast to her skin, which seemed to attract the dregs of light. A glittering necklace called attention to her collar and the dip between her breasts. Everything about her was as Eimi remembered from the wedding: her flawless style, her effortless presence, her heart-shattering beauty.
Koushiro extended a hand as he greeted her. Mimi stared at him with expressive mahogany eyes that warmed as seconds passed. She embraced him, ignoring his prompt to shake hands. Eimi tried to hear them, desperate to know what they were saying, but a roar filled her ears, like standing beneath a waterfall. A truth that Eimi had sensed, but ignored, solidified in her brain, stringing into words at last:
A woman like Mimi wouldn't just replace her. She could obliterate any memory of her, as if she had never existed at all.
"Eimi-nee?" Hikari's sweet, beloved voice pulled Eimi back to herself. With intense effort, she tore her gaze away from Mimi and back to her cousin. Hikari's face screamed her concern. "Do you feel unwell?"
"N-no," Eimi stammered. "A little tired? But fine." Hikari tipped her head, then followed Eimi's treacherous glance back to Mimi. Hikari lifted a delicate brow, and suddenly, Eimi remembered a conversation with her at Le Petit Palais.
"How could anyone follow Tachikawa-san? You've met her. To call her beautiful is an insult. It's not just her appearance. She's... She's magnificent."
Hikari's hand slid into Eimi's and squeezed. "Don't worry," she murmured. "We all agreed not to say much about you and Koushiro-san dating, since Tachikawa-san is here. But we're all so happy for you both."
Guilt stabbed her, and Eimi failed to suppress a wince. It was her own comfort that she was worried about, not Mimi's, and that made her feel small and petty, especially since she had pushed for Mimi to attend. Hikari shook her head, leaned closer, and dropped her volume even more.
"Don't worry about that, either. Koushiro-san knew what he was doing when he chose you."
A fluttery sensation touched her heart, a momentary reprieve from nerves, dread, and guilt. Eimi was struggling over a response when Sora saw her and brightened. Eimi's facial muscles pulled and clicked to produce a smile, like a rickety mechanical device.
Sora approached and hugged her, a soft embrace that almost felt maternal. Eimi's eyes stung, adding confusion to her hurricane of emotions. What was it about Sora that made her seem so safe, so… mom-ish? A deep ache spread over her, homesickness for something she couldn't name.
Sora squeezed her hand before stepping back. "It's so good to see you, Eimi-chan. You look so well!"
Eimi shook her head with a smile. Sora was a natural beauty whose kindness amplified every asset. Eimi always thought she was lovely, but tonight she almost glowed, as if lit from within. That elusive something was also present on Sora's wedding day, but Eimi still couldn't name it. Her best guess was a shining mixture of joy and gratitude.
Although she was still struggling, Eimi tried to ground herself. She hadn't seen her hodge podge family together for far too long to spend tonight in distress. "You look amazing," she said. "Is that a new dress design?"
Sora's garnet dress was a stunning summary of her brand: traditional with a stylish edge, daring but tasteful. Sora held her arms out, clearing Eimi's view of her clothes. "Yes! I've had so many ideas lately. Speaking of which, I was hoping you might be willing to come to my studio tomorrow? I have some prototypes I would like you to try on."
"Huh?" Eimi shared a look with Hikari, who stood beside her. She expected to find her surprise mirrored, but Hikari just smiled, leaving Eimi to explain herself. "Er- Of course I'll help if I can, but… You know I can't shop in Japan, right? I'm too tall and big."
"Curvy," the other women corrected as one.
Eimi shrugged. "Point remains, if you build a dress around my dimensions, you won't have much luck moving it in Japan. Maybe you should ask Tachikawa-san?"
Hikari tittered as Sora grinned. "You know my brand is international. I'm designing gowns for a collection to show in the states and Europe. Mimi-chan often models for me, and of course I'm grateful, but I want to see how my dresses look on you." Her smile shifted, turning a little nervous. "And maaaaaybe see if you'd be willing to model them in the previews for my website gallery?"
"What!" Eimi squawked, voice breaking. Every head in their group turned to her, along with some belonging to strangers. Heat flooded her face as Taichi approached and threw an arm around her shoulders, leaning on her and inserting himself into the conversation.
"What what?" he asked. His smirk announced that the dim lighting didn't hide her rampant blushing.
Mimi smiled and walked around Taichi, giving Eimi a one-armed hug. "Eimi-chan!"
Yamato nodded at her, his trademark frown easing. "Hey. How do you feel?"
Eimi made a sputtering sound that was lost beneath Mimi's chattering. "Babe, you look great! I never would have known you were sick!"
Somehow, Eimi managed to push through that awful 'deer in headlights' sensation, but the result wasn't promising. "H-hi T-tachika-"
"Mimi-chan!" Mimi interrupted. "I've told you a zillion times to call me Mimi-chan!"
Eimi's gaze roved over the party, searching for a safe place to settle. Her eyes landed on Hikari, whose sympathetic smile eased some of Eimi's panic. Eimi focused on her cousin and tried to draw a deep breath without being obvious about it.
"Thanks again for the flowers you sent," Eimi said. "They were beautiful."
"You're welcome," Mimi replied. "God, I am so sorry you went through all of that. Koushiro-kun told me he's been looking after you." Perfectly-sculpted lips dipped into a scowl. "Is he treating you right? After all you did for him, he had better!"
Eimi inched back, knocking into Taichi. "He's been wonderful-" she began, face heating with irritation.
Mimi's pleased laughter threw Eimi off balance, ending her annoyed tirade before it began. "That's great! You deserve the best! Sora-chan, did you ask her about the photo shoot?"
Eimi looked from one woman to the other, allowing Sora to see her desperation and confusion. The designer smiled apologetically. "We were just talking about that."
Taichi poked her between the ribs, startling a yelp from Eimi. "Is that why you squealed like a piglet?"
"Taichi," Yamato and Sora sighed. Eimi pretended not to hear Takeru's laugh and Hikari's giggle.
Mimi eased back and linked arms with Eimi. "I saw your new music video. The song? Amazing! But those videos are your time to shine! You had actors do almost all of it!"
Eimi's shoulder's bunched. "I, I don't like being in them."
"That's just because you don't know how to work it. Remember what I said at Sora-chan's wedding about finding you a new photographer? I figured first I would teach you what to do in front of a camera. Sooo, since I'm here, you can help Sora-chan with her dresses, and I can help you present yourself better. Two birds, right?"
Eimi cast an appealing gaze around the group, her best attempt at waving a 'help' sign. Most offered sympathetic smiles, except Yamato, who stroked his chin. "That's a good idea. From what I can tell, Fear in Love has taken your career to another level. If there was ever a time to step up your presentation, it's now."
"You've got all the materials," Mimi said. "I know you're probably not running at one hundred percent yet, but I can still give you some pointers. There's no reason why you can't kill it for the camera."
Eimi was stuttering over a reply when a host approached their group. She sighed with relief when he announced that their table was ready. The group moved forward, and Eimi slid to the back of the pack, hovering near Hikari. "What just happened?" she whispered.
Warmth lit those beloved eyes. "Everyone is so happy to see you up and walking. Forgive us if we go overboard, okay?"
Eimi nibbled her lower lip. "There weren't any mirrors in the ICU, and the one in the normal hospital room was so small that I didn't bother with it."
Hikari flinched and looked away. "Onii-chan and Koushiro-san refused to set up video chats with you until you were out of the ICU. Even then…" Hikari grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Thanks for meeting us. It's such a relief."
Eimi had no clue how to respond, so she settled for squeezing back. Her head spun, twirling from feeling to feeling so quickly that she didn't know where to land. Would she ever stop whirling long enough for that to be a concern? She followed the others like a duckling, clinging to Hikari's hand and squinting in the darkness.
The hallway to the side of the reception area led to an open room in the same style, dimly lit with modern light fixtures. The host showed them to a long table, seating four people on either side. Hikari maneuvered so that Eimi sat between her and Koushiro. Takeru took the last spot on their side of the table, next to Hikari. Mimi sat opposite Takeru, and Sora took the space beside her, leaving Yamato opposite Eimi and Taichi opposite Koushiro.
In lieu of candles, little squares lit with LEDs provided light. Takeru picked one up and held it over his menu, and Eimi giggled. "How the hell did you find this place?" Taichi demanded of Yamato as he squinted to read his menu. After a few seconds, he muttered a curse and pulled his phone from his pocket.
"Try the food before you complain," Yamato said, sounding nonplussed. "My manager recommended it."
In the gleam of his phone's display, Taichi read a few appetizers. "What the hell kind of food is this?"
Yamato didn't look away from his menu. "Something something fusion, probably."
"Ooooof course."
"Would you rather go to Le Petit Palais again?" Yamato asked. Taichi's mouth snapped shut, and Yamato grinned.
A giggle sounded from behind Hikari's menu, and Eimi cracked a smile. Despite her misgivings about Mimi's presence, she was beginning to relax, soothed by her friends. Still, she perused the establishment's cocktails before the food.
Hikari glanced at her menu. "Alcohol?"
Taichi scowled. "Don't give her a hard time. Get what you want, Eimi. Wait- are you still on meds?"
Eimi flinched and lifted her menu, hiding behind it. "No. It's been safe for me to drink for about a week, now." Hikari nodded and relaxed, indicating that safety had been her concern.
"Perfect! I'll buy you a whole damned bottle, if that's what you want."
Eimi lowered the menu, displaying her scowl. "I can pay for-"
"Yeah," Taichi said, shrugging. "But you're not. Not tonight."
The group chatted as they viewed their menus, and Eimi mostly listened, drinking in the voices and presences around her. By the time they ordered, Eimi was almost calm, and she suspected that the cocktail she requested would help her along.
When their drinks arrived, Takeru clinked on his glass with a fingertip, enough noise to draw the table's attention without disrupting other patrons. He grinned at the lot of them and grabbed his drink. "Can I make a toast?"
Yamato frowned. "What are you up to?"
"Aniki!" Takeru cried, pressing a hand to his heart. "I'm not always up to something, you know. I just want to say a few words."
"Oh my god." Eimi snickered as Yamato cupped his forehead.
Takeru cheerfully ignored his brother's input and raised a glass. "So, there are two things I want to say. One: I'm grateful that we're all together. It's been way too damned long. And two: here's to Eimi-nee!"
Heat rose to Eimi's cheeks. Yamato lowered his hand, expression cautiously hopeful. "Is that all?" he asked.
"Yep!"
"Well hell," Taichi laughed. "I'll drink to that!" He lifted his glass, and the others followed suit. Eimi turned to Hikari, hand curled around her cup.
"Do I- Am I supposed to-"
"Yes, you too," Taichi drawled. Flushing, Eimi joined the toast. When the clinking ended and the glasses were at rest, Taichi stirred his drink and said, "It's been forever since I've seen some of you. We should talk about what we're up to. Oh, and Yamato, thanks for setting this up, even if you chose some weird new age place."
"Do you know what new age means?" Yamato muttered, but Taichi ignored him.
"Should I start?" Taichi asked. There was a general murmur of consent, and Taichi grinned at Eimi. "First, Eimi and I are planning to share an apartment in Odaiba. I'm hoping to make it easier for her to visit, so she'll be around more often."
"Really?!" Hikari's voice hit a volume that Eimi rarely heard from her. She gave her cousin a sheepish smile.
"Yeah. I still plan to live in my house, but I'm hoping to come here more often. It will come in handy when I tour and record, and… Well, I want to be around more."
Sora turned to Taichi with an excited smile. "Did you plan this?"
"Yep!" he replied, grinning. "Hikari's kid is going to need their auntie, right?"
"Aunt?" Eimi echoed.
Koushiro's brow furrowed. "The baby is Eimi-san's cousin, once removed."
"Koushiro-kun!" Mimi cried. "That's not the point. If Hikari-chan and Takeru-kun said Eimi-chan is an aunt, then Eimi-chan is an aunt. Right?"
Hikari's hand landed on top of Eimi's. "Exactly."
"Oh." Eimi's lips twisted into a wobbly smile. She had always thought of the baby in relation to Hikari and Takeru, not herself. That was Hikari's child, not… Not her niece or nephew. A spark of pleasure burst into her heart and ignited. "Wow, I… Thank you!"
Taichi rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. "Thank you, she says. I hope you don't mind me being around more often, too, even if you end up bumping into me more at our apartment."
Eimi blinked, struggling to think through her shock. "What do you mean?" Sora asked, voicing the question blaring in her head.
Taichi flashed a silly grin at their congregation. "I've been talking to people at work, trying to find a way to spend more time in Japan and less time traveling to the far corners. Apparently I have enough seniority now to specialize, limiting my destinations." He paused for effect, and Eimi resisted the urge to take the bait.
"Onii-chan?" Hikari prompted, taking pity on her brother. Taichi grinned and slapped a hand to his chest.
"You're looking at an official Japan-France relations ambassador!"
"Is that a thing?" Yamato asked, but Mimi's gasp claimed the group's attention.
"That's great!" she cried. "Does that mean you spend more time in both places?"
"Right! So I'm either where my family is, or where my girlfriend is. I'll be spending a lot less time in planes overall, too."
"That's amazing!" Sora said. "Congratulations, Taichi."
"Thanks. I kinda have Eimi to thank; she pushed me to look into my options."
Eimi wasn't sure when she did that, but Taichi passed the spotlight onto Koushiro. When he realized the group was looking at him, he lowered his glass too fast, causing it to loudly clink against the table. "Oh, um- Yes. As most of you know, I took a semester off from teaching to focus on a research project for my university. So when Eimi-san took ill, I was in a position to help her. I've been living with her for a few weeks now."
"How has that been going?" Sora asked.
"Koushiro-kun has been amazing," Eimi interjected, knowing that Koushiro might undervalue his efforts.
"It was bumpy at first," Koushiro sighed. "I have to thank Sora-san for her advice and Eimi-san for her patience."
Takeru leaned forward to see around Eimi and Hikari. "Are you returning to your school in September? Or will you stay with Eimi-nee, now that you're dating?"
Takeru's mouth snapped shut, and Eimi suspected that Hikari poked him beneath the table. Color crept to Koushiro's face. He and Eimi had told everyone over video chats ahead of time to spare Mimi's feelings, and clearly, he wasn't prepared to discuss it in front of her.
"Um." Koushiro rubbed the back of his neck and fixed his eyes on the table. "I miss teaching. My university would rather I continue researching, but I requested to teach at least one class. I'm considering a Tuesday/Thursday class schedule, so I can work from home most days."
This time, it was Eimi's turn to blush. She hadn't pressed Koushiro about his plans for next semester, since she didn't want to think about him returning to his apartment. She desperately wanted to ask if 'home' meant her residence or his, but this was neither the time nor the place. With tremendous difficulty, she folded that question into the back of her mind.
Meanwhile, Koushiro cleared his throat and bravely pushed on. "While that's all for me, I would like to say that Jyou passed his medical licensing exam. He's looking into switching from working at a hospital to a private practice. Given the way he's overworked himself, it seems like a wise decision."
"Shit, really?" Taichi asked, eyes widening. "That's awesome. He looked like crap at the hospital. I think slowing down a little is a good call."
"Wow!" Takeru cried. "That's a lifetime of work! Did he cry when he saw his passing score?"
"Takeru," Eimi sighed. "Honestly, I think he was overwhelmed. He's celebrating with his family tonight."
After a brief pause, Hikari tapped her shoulder. "Your turn, Eimi-nee."
Eimi blinked at her cousin, then shrugged. "Well… I graduated from my meds. I'm feeling so much better, except for fatigue. I still… can't sing yet, but I've been working on new songs off and on. My manager is planning a celebration party for Fear in Love. I'm hoping Taichi and I can find an apartment before then, so Aegis and I can stay there during the party."
"That's great!" Mimi said. "You deserve a party!"
Eimi managed a tiny grin. "Thanks, but… I think it's mostly a publicity thing. I don't really like them."
"Huh?" Mimi tipped her head and scowled. "But a party just for you is so much fun!"
"I know," Eimi replied. "I'm happy that people want to celebrate with me, but… It's just not my thing." Eager to leave the spotlight, she said, "What about you, Hikari?"
Hikari settled her hands on her baby bump. "Everything is great. Takeru and I are moved into our new apartment, thanks to help from Onii-chan, Yamato-san, and Sora-san."
Startled, Eimi twisted in her chair to better see Hikari. "You moved?"
Hikari placed her hand on Eimi's and smiled gently. "I didn't want you to stress over it, or come to Odaiba to help. You're recovering."
Taichi snorted. "She's right. Anyway, movers did most of it. We just helped pack."
Eimi nodded and tried to sort out her expression. Being excluded was hurtful, as was being told what she could and couldn't handle. Still, she was under doctor's orders to take it easy, so she tried to accept Hikari's explanation.
"What's your new place like?" Mimi asked.
Takeru grinned. "Bigger, mostly, thanks to Eimi-nee. There, ah, might have been some culling of books and papers before the move." Yamato snorted, hinting that Takeru had reduced his collection more than a little. Suddenly, Eimi was grateful to have distance from the moving process. Just imagining Takeru's theatrics over re-homing his precious books was exhausting.
A heartwarming smile touched Hikari's face. "We've been setting up the nursery and picking things out. So far, the pregnancy is smooth."
"How are you getting by at work?" Sora asked. Hikari's glow of pleasure morphed to a wry grin.
"It can be hard to get through the day. I get tired, and the kids definitely sense it."
Taichi frowned. "Don't push too hard. Can you get any help?"
"I've been discussing it," Hikari replied. Taichi leaned in, most likely to argue, and Eimi sighed with relief when Mimi intervened.
"Are you having a boy or girl?" she asked. "When is the baby shower?"
Hikari's body language tightened. "We're going to find out next week. Baby showers aren't typically done in Japan…"
"I know," Mimi continued, undaunted, "but I've been to some in the states. They're fun! There's presents and games and cute little baby clothes!"
Eimi could hear the gears turning in Hikari's head, her introversion warring with the desire to be polite. "Uh… I'll consider it."
Perhaps sensing Hikari's discomfort, Sora asked, "Have you negotiated wedding discussions with your parents?"
Hikari's expression went carefully blank, and Takeru smothered a laugh with his hand. "It's, ah, it's been a lot," he supplied. "Our mothers have been pushing hard for the wedding to happen before the birth." Eimi nodded. The rate of childbirth outside of wedlock was low in Japan, so this stance, while frustrating, was predictable.
"I'm still hoping to keep it simple," Hikari said. "And I hope you can all make it. It's likely to be short notice, though…"
"We'll be there," Yamato said.
Takeru slung an arm around Hikari's shoulders. "Don't worry about our mothers. You should have whatever kind of wedding you want."
"That's right!" Mimi cried.
"Anyway…" Takeru patted Hikari's back and eased away. "My job has been going well. I guess I've started to adjust, because I've been writing again. My existing poems saw a spike in popularity after Eimi-nee's song released, so my books have been selling more. How about you, Mimi-san?"
Just like that, Mimi went vibrant and animated. "It's been so fun, lately! I've been traveling and working with collaborators- Sora-chan, for one, her upcoming collections are amazing- and also Madame Bellerose! There's a fashion show in Tokyo in a few days, which is why I'm in town. Oh yeah! I was also approached about my own cosmetic line?!" She cupped her forehead, eyes wide and gleaming with excitement. "God, I don't even know what's going on anymore! Thank god I have assistants."
"Damn!" Taichi laughed. "That is a lot to keep track of! Congrats!"
Eimi grabbed the seat of her chair. Just the thought of all of that activity made her lightheaded. "That's amazing," she said, and meant it.
Mimi grinned and flashed a peace sign. "Thanks! Oh, and you all know I'm dating Desmond now, right? He's my photographer, the big guy."
After a general round of congratulations, Sora leaped in, moving the conversation away from a potentially awkward topic. "Like Mimi-chan mentioned, I designed a lineup of bridal and bridesmaids dresses while I worked on my own. They'll be launching in a few weeks, along with a women's formal wear collection. That's why I'd really like your help modeling tomorrow, Mimi-chan, Eimi-chan." She offered Hikari an apologetic smile. "I really want you to model for me, too, Hikari-chan."
Hikari took a dainty sip from her teacup and grinned. "Unless you designed maternity dresses, I'll sit it out."
Damn, Hikari. Eimi grinned and shook her head, wishing she had an easy out lined up.
Taichi cocked an eyebrow. "You're barely showing."
"I think you should model, too," Mimi said. She shot a look at Taichi. "But it's your choice."
Sora smiled. "There's no pressure. Yamato?"
Yamato lowered his drink. A huge smile stole across his face, and Eimi blinked, confused. It wasn't like Yamato to grin at nothing. "My band decided to delay touring for a while. We're working on new material and recording. But also…"
Eimi didn't have language to describe the rush of pleasure that overtook Sora and Yamato's faces. Yamato wound an arm around Sora's waist as she cried, "We're pregnant!"
Eimi barely heard the delighted exclamations around her. She sat, stunned, vaguely aware that her face hurt. She soon realized that she was smiling wide enough to admit an appetizer plate into mouth. Her senses returned, and she absorbed her friends trying to hug Sora and Yamato all at once, with Mimi crying into Sora's shoulder. Eimi, Hikari, and Koushiro remained seated, all wearing dopey grins.
"I'm so h-happy for you!" Mimi choked. Sora wiped away a tear of her own and kissed the top of Mimi's head.
Taichi grabbed Yamato's shoulder, eyes twinkling with delight. "Congrats! That didn't take long!"
"Shut up," Yamato grunted, grinning enormously.
"Congratulations," Koushiro said.
"Yes! Congratulations!" Eimi echoed, suddenly recalling what the situation called for. "I'm shocked! I didn't notice at all!"
"We're not far along," Sora replied. "About six weeks. I know most people wait longer to announce, but… Well, for now, we're just telling you and our families. We're planning on a general announcement around twelve weeks."
Takeru wiped his wet eyes. "I'm so happy our kids will be born close together." Since he wasn't bawling and Hikari didn't seem surprised, Eimi assumed that Yamato had already told his brother and future sister-in-law about their upcoming niece or nephew.
They chattered about babies and families with an air of almost delirious excitement. The food arrived, and Yamato pointed out that it was delicious, which Taichi graciously ceded.
Eimi spent the evening in a bubble of joy, all discomfort long forgotten.
Author's Note: SURPRISE! Sorato baby!
In the next chapter, Tutti Pt 2, Mimi spends some quality time with Eimi. Please look forward to it! Things are winding down, but we miiiight meet some babies before Seeking Resonance wraps up.
Thanks for reading! Please do tell me what you think!
PS: I have exactly zero clue how doctors become doctors in Japan, nor how Japanese college semesters work. My portrayal here is almost certainly inaccurate! I'm focused on the interpersonal stuff.
