Chapter Fifty-Two
We waited at the door for my mother to arrive with my father at hand, the congratulatory dishes prepared for his return set up in the living room. After all that he'd been through in the last few weeks, he was well-deserving of something better than hospital food.
As they pulled up the drive, Kotoko stood on the tips of her toes looking out the window. The car doors opened and closed and she rushed from the window.
"Here they come!" Kotoko handed Yuuki a party popper.
"I'm home!" My father called as he came through the door, my mother carrying his bag and fretting about him.
Kotoko and Yuuki set off the poppers and shouted their congratulations.
My father clutched his heart. His eyes squeezed shut and he stumbled. My heart stilled and dropped into my stomach. It seemed everything I was doing was in vain.
My mother panicked. Before I could rush to call an ambulance, my father straightened up. He lit up with a joking smile. I was more relieved than anything. His joking meant he felt better and that was all I asked in return for everything else.
"Just kidding! I'm as well as can be." He boomed with satisfaction.
"Don't tease us like that!" My mother scolded and crossed her arms, displeased.
"Sorry, honey."
"That's good," Mr. Aihara said, "It just means that he's back to being himself. Alright… let's celebrate!"
We headed to the living room where dishes littered the coffee table, one space left strategically empty. No one took notice of this space, however, as I hadn't told them anyone else would be joining us.
My father took his seat first and his mouth must've watered at the sight of such good food he hadn't seen in weeks, "It all looks so delicious. Thank you very much." He said.
"It's all your favorites. Eat as much as you like." Mr. Aihara said.
"Oh, you can't imagine how bland hospital food is. It's great to be back."
"Just don't overdo it." I told him on the assumption that he wanted to eat more delicacies than he should. And I'd read up on his illness before having to put down the medical books, so I could tell him very well what he needed to avoid, "You shouldn't drink alcohol right now, or eat anything too fatty or sweet."
"But I just got home, and I want to enjoy myself and relax." He admired the food as though it were suddenly in a place he couldn't reach.
"He's right, papa. Everything in moderation." My mother agreed.
"Right," My father nodded, "On that note, let's start eating!"
"First, a toast," My mother raised her glass and my father followed, "A few words?"
"My hospitalization caused a lot of worry and hardship…" he eyed me in a particularly remorseful way, "and forced some hard decisions to be made quickly. For that, I am so sorry. But with the help of everyone in this room, I was able to make a full recovery and come home safely. Thank you all so much for your support." He choked up, almost crying, "Cheers." We clinked our glasses.
"Now, let's eat," My mother said, "It's so nice to have the whole family together again."
I didn't have the drive to spoil her good mood while she had it, but any minute now, this tranquility would be disturbed.
The ring of the doorbell turned Kotoko around to peek the door, "Huh? Someone's here."
"That's weird. I didn't invite anyone else." My mother started to get up.
I allowed myself one last free breath before destroying the calm atmosphere and forced a smile onto my face for as long as she was here.
"That's because I invited them." I broke away, avoiding her questions since they would be answered in a mere moment.
At the door, I found Chairman Oizumi standing with his hands behind his back, Sahoko following him and baring a bento.
"Good evening, Naoki." The Chairman said.
"Good evening," I said, "Welcome, come on in."
"You have a beautiful home, Naoki-san." Sahoko's eyes wandered around, observing the small paintings that dressed the hall in the way that she observed every piece of art.
I handed out my blank smile, "Thank you. The living room is this way."
"Chairman Oizumi!" My father said. My mother's jaw dropped and she looked furious. I wouldn't allow myself to look at Kotoko.
"Mr. Irie, we were informed you were discharged. Congratulations. Naoki invited us to celebrate with you today." He crossed the room. My father stood and bowed.
"Thank you for coming all the way here." He said.
"I'm glad you're happy."
My mother rushed across the room and dragged me into the hall.
"Didn't I say I wanted this to be a family celebration?" She said in hushed tones.
"That's why I invited them. Whether you accept it or not, they're going to be your family soon." I rejoined the awkwardly still group in the living room.
"Dad, this is Oizumi Sahoko." I introduced them. She'd been talking about meeting my father, so I'd figured today would be a perfect day for that to happen, since he was well again.
"Nice to meet you." She stepped forward.
"Please sit down."
Kotoko moved so the Chairman, Sahoko, and I could occupy the couch. My father went around introducing everyone else.
"This is Naoki's younger brother Yuuki," He gestured at Yuuki who took her in apprehensively, "And this is Shigeo Aihara and his daughter Kotoko. They're good friends of ours."
"So, this is the young lady living with you? I've heard Mrs. Irie is quite fond of you, so I was curious." He wouldn't look away from her, to which she responded with a dazzling smile.
"Grandfather, you shouldn't stare like that." Sahoko said.
"My apologies, I was simply overcome by how cute you are." He finally tore his eyes away from her.
The words echoed within me. They saddened me.
Kotoko smiled wider, if that was even possible, "That's very kind of you!" Her cheeks burned.
From there, I didn't listen to the conversations much. Sahoko's hand-made bento was opened and placed in the empty space I'd left on the table.
"Oh my! You made all this yourself?" My father said.
"Yes, I did."
He took a roll and tasted it, "It's delicious. So savory and refreshing."
I, too, tried some of what she made. But I couldn't taste anything. Nothing I ate these days seemed to have a taste.
"Remarkable…" Mr. Aihara said after his taste, "You made this with sweet sake instead of sugar, didn't you?"
"Yes. I heard about President Irie's heart problem, so I didn't use sugar or fat in anything."
"You truly are good at cuisine for your age…"
Across the room, Kotoko sat unusually silent and as downcast as ever. It killed me. I hoped no one could pick up on it.
I didn't listen to the rest of the conversations, nor did I say much. The meal went by quickly and my father sat back patting his stomach.
"That was a great meal." He said.
I peered over to Kotoko to see how she was doing and Sahoko caught it. She paused and then she said, "Kotoko-san, can we speak outside for a few minutes?"
This took not only Kotoko by surprise, but me. It beat me what she might want to speak with her about.
"Sure." Kotoko stood and led Sahoko out of the room. The look Sahoko gave me before she left confused me. For some reason, I thought she might want to talk to Kotoko about me.
"Anyway, Mr. Irie, we'll be getting going soon. But I did want to talk about maybe having a formal meeting with the parents now that you're out of the hospital." Chairman Oizumi said. I'd had a sneaking suspicion he would fit this conversation in somewhere tonight.
"Of course," My father said, "We should plan that out soon."
My mother left the room. Soon followed Yuuki.
"How does next weekend sound?" The Chairman offered.
My father scratched his head, "Hmm… how about Sunday?"
"Sounds like a plan to me. I'll have to confirm with her parents, but I'm positive they'll be available that day."
They carried on discussing next Sunday and I had no input. When Kotoko and Sahoko returned after a few minutes, all seemed friendly. I guessed I had nothing to worry about.
After that, the Chairman stood and my father saw him and Sahoko to the door.
"I've had a great time tonight getting to know you all." The Chairman said.
"I have as well." My father said. Sahoko stuck by me instead of joining her grandfather at his car.
"Don't overtax yourself, and get better soon. Let's go, Sahoko." He hopped into the driver's side.
"I would like to take a walk with Naoki-san before going home." She said, but I got the feeling it was more than a suggestion.
"Is that so?"
"I'll make sure she gets home safe." I assured.
"Alright then. Bye." He took off down the driveway and out of sight. My father went back inside, and like that, the two of us were alone. We got going on the route to take to her house.
It took a few blocks before she spoke.
"Kotoko is a really nice girl." The statement caught me off guard. I didn't have a reply for it, "She told me she wishes us good luck."
Even just coming from Sahoko, it stung. I swept the sensation under my mental rug. Now wasn't the time for this. It was never the time for this. I was marrying Sahoko.
Sahoko went on since I still hadn't said anything, "I have another question or two for you, Naoki-san, if you'll answer them."
"Of course. What is it?" I said, although, whatever questions she had, I probably wouldn't want to answer.
"You seemed rather melancholy tonight, and you didn't speak much. Why is that?"
My insides screamed to tell the truth or risk implosion. Still, the corners of my mouth lifted into a plastic smile.
"I'm just tired. It's nothing to worry about." It was partially truthful, since sleep continued to slip from my grasp at night.
"Oh, that's good. Why are you tired?"
"Studying company files and such." Again, only a half-truth.
"If you're tired, maybe you should go home now and go to bed. I'm sure I can get home safely by myself. My grandfather can just be over-protective at times." She caught a wisp of her hair and tucked it behind her ear.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked.
"Yes, I am. Make sure to get a lot of rest. Goodnight." She walked ahead without me.
Once back at the house, I walked in to find a dark house, vacant of the life it had held before. I took off my shoes.
Kotoko emerged from the kitchen, "That took a while." She said quietly.
"Where are my parents? Sleeping?" We met at the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah." Between us passed a silence that I saw as my punishment for subjecting Kotoko to all of this tonight.
"I see," I said and started to climb the stairs, "Well, goodnight."
"Wait…" Kotoko said and I faced her, "Sahoko-san really is a wonderful person, isn't she?"
"Yes, she is… pretty and a good cook." I said flatly.
"When I was talking with her, I could tell that she really loves you." Kotoko smiled, but this wasn't a true smile. The rest of her was forlorn, her spirit broken, "With someone like that loving you, it's no wonder you fell for her." She turned her back to me now, presumably unable to hide her despair any longer.
I paused, staring at the back of her head and hoping she wouldn't cry, "You should find yourself a good guy, too."
On the way to my room, I felt I'd destroyed her. Well underway was my own self-destruction as, piece by piece, parts of me withered away.
