Inspired by Yoshizumi Wataru's Marmalade Boy
Chapter 11: Rumi's Decision
"No, Chiyako! You don't understand how much it hurts. Please, can't we try this later?" Rumi pleaded.
"When we're so close? Never!" said Chiyako in a voice that Rumi thought completely lacked compassion. "Do you know how long I've been itching to do this?"
"But —"
"No talking. Just hold still . . .There." With a triumphant grin, Chiyako sat back. "Well?"
Rumi blinked, surprised to find the pain almost gone. "I . . . I can see!" She peered around, examining her hospital room for the first time since her arrival three days before. It was mostly as she expected, tidy and small. There's no way I'm spending the whole of summer break here, she promised herself.
Despite two separate searches, neither Jin nor Chiyako had been able to locate Rumi's backup pair of glasses at her apartment. Rumi suspected they were packed in one of Yayoi's suitcases, probably in Hawaii by now. She'd resigned herself to squinting, when Chiyako discovered Rumi's contacts, purchased with the best of intentions during her final year in high school, but worn only twice because they were such a pain to get in.
Chiyako was, to put it mildly, enthusiastic about the find, and managed to get Rumi to agree to the hour of misery that ensued as they tried to get the blasted things in. Because of the broken wrist, Chiyako held Rumi's eyelid back and performed the lens application, along with the five-minute contact hunt when Rumi 's reflexes managed a blink. For her part, Rumi played the role of completely grateful patient mostly because she did appreciate all the attention, and to a small extent because it was an easy way to lessen her guilt.
The cowardly way, she chastised herself. She had purposely sent Jin out on errands with her mother and father so she could be alone with her former roommate. The plan had been to come clean, confess what she and Youji had been up to and beg forgiveness. She was tired of watching her every word, of worrying about the consistency of every story, of fearing that she'd be caught out and exposed. If they were going to hate her, fine; she could deal with that.
In theory, at least. In practice, Chiyako was making confession rather hard. They'd settled back too easily into the old friendship, the fluid, silly, and utterly delightful conversations of the time before. If only there could be an awkward pause following some reference to the love triangle so Rumi could begin her confession and apology.
"Wearing glasses when you have eyes like this." Chiyako fussed, "What were you thinking, Rumi? But this is only the first step of my plan. Next is some makeup," she indicated a large plastic container which Rumi had mistaken for a tackle box. "Then, when you get out of here we're going to get your hair cut and curled. We'll have to put up barricades to keep the guys away. That is, if you ever get tired of good old tennis captain Hirokazu . . ." Chiyako's voice trailed off. "Not to imply anything, you know."
Awkward pause.
"That will come in handy. I'm going to need infatuated guys to carry my books when school starts. Do you think it will work on my male professors?" She shared wicked smiles with Chiyako.
Idiot! Moron! Coward! She couldn't do it. Or rather, she wouldn't do it. I've lost Youji, she justified to herself, don't make me loose Chiyako and Jin.
Chiyako, oblivious to Rumi's torment, began searching through the makeup supplies. Rumi hoped they weren't all meant to end up on her face.
Maybe she could make it up to Jin and Chiyako in other ways. Ways they might not even notice, over the course of their lives. Running errands, helping with homework, assisting at their wedding, the possibilities were endless.
"Oh, speaking of guys," Said Chiyako, as she started applying foundation. "I talked to Youji last night."
Youji. Deeply engrossed in plans to look after Jin and Chiyako's future kids, Rumi tensed.
"What did he say?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"Not much, he seemed a bit distracted. This blush okay? I told him how you were doing and he wished you well, or I think he did. Yeah, he must have. Anyway, he's hoping to come back to Tokyo the weekend after next and we're planning on hanging out together. Too bad he'll probably miss seeing you and Jin."
"Yeah." Rumi agreed.
What had she been hoping for? Message for Rumi — Get well, sorry I was a jerk and by the way I'm in love with you. Get over him, girl, he doesn't love you.
"Do you want me to pass on any messages? In case I talk to him again?"
"Yes. Tell him —" Tell him he's an idiot, and that I have incredible eyes, and if he had any sense, he'd call me. "Tell him I'm looking forward to seeing him, when I get back, that is."
Chiyako nodded.
"So, will you be able to convince them to let you leave?"
Rumi waited until Chiyako was done with the lipstick before answering. "I should, it's only a broken wrist after all. But the doctors keep harping on the sprained ankle and I can see it worrying Mom. She's afraid that the travel and all the hills back home are going to be too much. They might be willing to transfer me to the Shinguu Hospital, though."
"Is that close to your parents?"
"An hour's drive. But that's part of its charm. See, with it being tourist season, there's no way my Mom's going to be able to visit me every day. Eventually guilt over leaving me alone will win out over the overprotective feelings. Not the most fun solution, but it'll have to do."
Chiyako nodded, applying the eye make; she got a funny look on her face, making Rumi wish for a mirror. "It was weird meeting your folks yesterday. I can't believe you never told them about me and Jin dating."
"Well, I told them Jin and I broke up, but . . ." I was planning on stealing him back from you anyway, no need to confuse Mom and Dad. "I didn't want them to worry that I wasn't able handle personal conflicts. And if I told them the whole . . . situation, then they'd feel awful. So I told them we didn't have compatible schedules and Yayoi was in all my classes. A bit of lie, considering that Yayoi often stayed up 'till four or five in the morning, painting - which meant that even with the windows all open, the turpentine smell was unbearable." Rumi laughed, remembering some of the quarrels they had over it, "Sometimes, to get back at her, I'd set the alarm to ring at 10:00 AM, and then hide it."
"Finding a good roommate can be a major hassle," said Chiyako, standing behind Rumi to brush her hair. "You should have met some of the ones I interviewed."
"What? You mean you still haven't found anyone?" ask Rumi.
"No. One girl wanted to know if she could bring her pet, P-chan. Turns out it was a two-meter long python. Then there was one the one who had a funny hexagonal board and said she'd only move in if we rearranged all the furniture because the place didn't have the right chi. I almost signed on with another girl, but then her boyfriend proposed and that was the last I saw of her."
"We worked out okay, though" said Rumi.
"Yeah, until I stole your boyfriend."
"You didn't steal Jin, or seduce him, or slip him an ancient Chinese love tonic, or any of those dreadful rumors."
"How about the one where I got him drunk, slept with him and am now carrying his love child?" Chiyako said this flippantly, but Rumi thought she detected a shade of distress in Chiyako's voice.
"I hadn't heard that one. I don't see why people are still interested in it. I know I'm not." It's okay, she wanted to say, the past is the past. They'd both made mistakes, they didn't have to dwell on them.
The hair brushing finished, Chiyako came to sit down on the bed.
"Rumi, you're too sweet, you know that. When people hurt you, you don't have to forgive them. You can be mad at me. I deserve it."
Rumi was silent, praying that Chiyako would go on. But the other girl held off, and the moment of silence stretched out.
"Actually," Rumi began, "I was mad at you, especially at first. I . . ." she took a deep breath, the confession rehearsing itself in her mind. I did some bad things myself. I tried to hurt you, and Jin, and I think I succeeded a few times. So you see, I'm not so sweet after all. " . . .was mad at Jin too. And then I got tired of being mad. Staying angry at someone's a lot of work, you know."
She couldn't say it. And with a sinking feeling she knew why.
Chiyako was crying, but there was a dopey smile on her face.
"You're unreal, Rumi," Chiyako said as she leaned over and embraced her. "You and Jin both. You're good in all the ways I wish I was. When I first met you, you know, I thought you were kind of naïve, and I felt so sophisticated. But, I think I was wrong. I think I have a lot to learn about stuff that you and Jin already know. Kind of funny, huh."
"No." Rumi clenched her fist, but very discreetly so Chiyako didn't notice. How could Chiyako speak freely, say things so lightly, when the words just froze in Rumi's throat. Because you think before you speak, said a not so sweet inner voice. You are a properly raised young woman, of good breeding and excellent manners. She knew that voice, it was the same one that kept her from joining the soccer team and made sure she wore skirts that went down past her knees.
"I'm being serious here, Rumi." Chiyako looked straight into Rumi's eyes with an intensity that was almost comical. "Okay, I'm being impulsive, but I do mean it. I'm going to learn to be nicer, to think before I act, to-"
"Hush!" Rumi put a finger to Chiyako's lips. "I don't want you to change. I like your spontaneity. It's what makes you so much fun to be around, it's what I missed since we stopped being friends."
If anything, thought Rumi, I should learn to be more like you. If only she could speak her mind before all the doubts, all the what ifs, all the how-would-it-appear worries overtook her, freezing all the things she wished give voice to.
"I missed you too, Rumi. You know, I think you were my first true female friend."
"I . . . I think you were my first true female friend too, Chiyako." It was true, all though childhood and high school Rumi and Jin had been inseparable, leaving her little room for girlfriends.
Rumi could feel her eyes glistening. She didn't care, and besides, Chiyako was crying buckets by this point.
"I just want us to go back to the way we were. But I also love Jin . . . and with you . . . "
She gave a loud sniffle and Rumi reached for the box of tissues on the bedside table. Chiyako took one and blew her nose in a most noisy and unladylike fashion, and then repeated once more for good measure.
Rumi had to smile. The tension had broken. Her feelings of guilt were pushed back by feelings of tenderness and goodwill, and her next words, while not the ones that she had wanted to speak, flowed freely and earnestly:
"Chiyako, you know, Jin and I were friends for a lot longer than we were boyfriend and girlfriend. I just want him to be happy, and if he's happy being with you, then I'm . . ." Rumi paused, gave up trying to be elegant, and said "happy. Everybody's happy. Everybody can be friends again."
"Do you really mean it? Real friends, not just acquaintances? Talking on a regular basis, hanging out together, sharing secrets?"
Rumi laughed, "We can even keep an exchange diary, if that's what you want."
"No, I'd rather just talk over the phone or . . ." Chiyako got serious, "What I'd really like is for us to be roommates again."
Rumi didn't say anything. Ever since Chiyako had visited her in the hospital the first day she'd wished for this kind of reconciliation. To go back to the beginning and forget all the horrible things she had thought and done to her rival. And now, if Chiyako was serious, she could.
"I know for sure this is my impulsive side talking. But sometimes my impulsive side is right, and I really think we should give it another chance. Look, you want out of the hospital, and everyone's against you going home. So why don't you stay in Tokyo? Move back in with me and if it doesn't work out you go back to staying with Yayoi at the end of break. No hard feelings."
Rumi's heart soared. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded, and, on impulse reached out to hug Chiyako.
"Umm," came a voice from the door, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
Rumi looked up to see Jin, a bemused look on his face. Rumi sat back and, after a swallow to clear her throat, said:
"Chiyako was just giving me a makeover."
"Running mascara fashionable this year?" Jin asked.
"Rumi's agreed to move back in with me." Chiyako said, turning to face Jin. "For the summer at least, while she heals up. And if we can convince the doctor and her parents."
"Hey," said Jin, a wide smile spreading across his smile, "That's fantastic. I'm really glad. Wow!"
"You don't have to sound quite so amazed." Said Rumi.
"Don't blame me, it's not my fault I'm always out of the room when all the important decisions are made. I think it's a great idea, I'll even see about warming your mother to the plan. You know she can't resist my charms."
"Oh really?" asked Rumi.
"Oh yes. I've just returned from an afternoon of 'Jin, you will still look out for my Rumi, won't you?' And 'Jin, make sure my Rumi ends up with a man and kind as you.' And 'Jin, if you ever want my Rumi back, just say the word, I'll make sure she behaves.' And 'Jin, no matter what happens, you're still my son-in-law, really.' The woman is putty in my hands, I tell you."
"Only because you used to bring her chocolates on Valentines Day. She's a sucker for sweet stuff."
Chiyako remained silent, and Rumi thought she had a pensive look on her face. Jin must have noticed too, because his next remark was directed at them both.
"If Rumi stays, then we have to celebrate. I'm taking you both out. Hirokazu won't mind will he?"
Hirokazu Nabishi can go soak his head in a bucket of water for all I care. Rumi almost said it, but there was something about Chiyako's look that stopped her. Jealousy, Rumi had seen the expression enough on her own face, even now, when she thought about how Youji was still smitten with Chiyako.
You promised yourself you'd make it up to them, she reminded herself. No time like the present.
"Or we can make it a double date, all four of us. Only it can't involve too much walking."
"I think we can do that," said Chiyako, visibly relieved, although Jin now had a slightly sour look on his face, which Rumi internally shared.
It wouldn't be for long, she promised herself. Just until Chiyako gets it through her head that she has nothing to worry about from me. That couldn't take too long. Nothing to worry about . . .but-
"Um, guys," said Rumi, winking desperately with one eye, "I think I've lost one of my contacts."
* * *
"Well, this has been an absolute pleasure," said Hirokazu, "But I think it best we not overstrain Rumi, at least not on her first full day home from the hospital. Don't you think?"
"Sounds good," said Jin, "We can just head back-"
"Oh, don't worry about it, Jin," interrupted Rumi, "Nabishi can wheel me back home. You and Chiyako enjoy the day. It's lovely here in the park."
"You sure?" asked Jin.
"Goodness, you're taking this looking after me business seriously, aren't you."
"Well, I did promise your parents, and my parents, and probably half our town, come to think of it." It wasn't a lie, he'd even gotten a call from their old science teacher when news got out that he and Rumi would be staying in Tokyo for summer break.
"That's still not very many people," said Rumi. "But I promise, Ill stay put it this wheelchair and not do anything stupid."
"Don't worry, Koishikawa," said Hirokazu, "I'll make sure she doesn't put any weight on that leg." He smiled in what Jin thought was a rather predatory manner.
"Oh, all right. Take care," said Jin, trying to sound positive.
He watched Hirokazu push Rumi away in her wheelchair, smile still plastered on his face. Chiyako put her hand around his arm and leaned on his shoulder as they watched the two figures recede down the street.
"Okay," said Chiyako when at last Rumi and Hirokazu rounded the corner. "Lets take a walk, and you can tell me what he did to irritate you the most."
"What?" asked Jin, as he chose a route that headed into an Izumi shrine, "And here I thought I was wearing my friendly Jin face."
"Mostly, except those times you grimaced. Don't worry, the way those two were staring into each other's eyes, I don't think they noticed."
"That's a relief." Jin took a deep breath before voicing the thoughts he'd been holding back for the last two hours, "I think I came the closest to losing it when Hirokazu picked up the tab for the ice cream, insisted he be allowed to treat us, and made a big show of making sure we didn't see the bill. It was at most twenty-five hundred yen, and he made it out to be like he was buying us a Kansaki dinner. I mean, really."
"Or when he said, 'We don't have to call a cab, I enjoy a good walk, and it's more economical, don't you think.' I was ready to slap him."
"I kept telling myself, he isn't worth it, he isn't worth it. I'd almost be ready to laugh it off, and then he'd open his mouth again. What can a girl possibly see in a guy like that?"
Chiyako held up her fingers as she counted. "Money, good looks, highly respectable family, and oh, did I mention money?"
Jin's smile dropped and he could feel Chiyako stiffen. She tried to hide it by turning and heading though the towering Torii at the Shrine's entrance, but Jin could tell she was unhappy from the way she was walking, tense and determined. Complaining about Hirokazu was okay, but Chiyako didn't like to discuss his relationship with her ex-ex-roommate. He was positive she knew quite a bit about it, girl talk being what it was rumored to be.
"But what does Rumi see in him?" he asked when Chiyako stopped to buy a charm.
"She's on the rebound, that's all." She tossed a hundred yen coin into the offering case, it bounced once, twice off the wooden grate before hitting the bottom with a satisfying thud. Jin waited while she performed the customary clap and bowed her head. Was this her way of changing the subject? But no, she continued:
"You can't rush things like this, Jin. You just have to let her take her time. Rumi's smart, she'll get bored of a guy like that soon enough. As long as she's happy-"
"But she isn't happy with him." Jin said, hating himself for pursuing the subject, but too grounded in his conviction to let it drop. "She acts like she is, but there are moments when she I don't know, she gets this look."
"Let's walk up the hill, under the Torii," Chiyako pointed toward the path, completely obscured by the red wooden gates. "Don't worry, I'm still listening."
"I think you're right about this rebound stuff," said Jin. "But do you think we could hurry it along a bit?"
"What do you mean?"
"Find another guy for Rumi? Accidentally get them alone together. I was thinking we could set up a meeting and then bow out at the last moment, or get separated. Maybe we could get movie tickets and . . ."
"You have someone in mind?" Chiyako stopped by a stone fox and looked thoughtful.
"Well, don't laugh, but I was thinking about Matsuura." Jin said.
"Youji?" Chiyako said in an odd voice.
"Yeah, they're both in the sciences, they both have great senses of humor, they. . .What's that look for?"
"Youji . . ."Chiyako looked unsure. She took Jin's hand and continued walking, "Youji has a fear of commitment. And I'm not sure it Rumi is his type anyway. What if they went out and then he broke it off? It would be devastating for her."
"I know. It's just that I talked to Hirokazu, Chiyako. He's serious about Rumi. What if she doesn't wise up before he pops the question?"
"What if she dates someone else and gets dumped? That might make her even more desperate. No Jin, you just have to let that relationship take its course and hope Rumi gets tired of Hirokazu before he asks her for a commitment."
"And if she doesn't?"
"You just have to hope that it doesn't come to that." She gave a helpless shrug.
They had reached the top of the hill. It was pretty small, not at all like the mountains they had at home, but it did afford a nice view of the shrine, festive in all its summer foliage.
"I'll hope. But Chiyako, I swear, if it looks like Rumi is seriously considering marrying Hirokazu, I will stop her."
"And how do you plan on doing that, if she's serious?"
There lay the difficulty. "I'll come up with something."
Chiyako said nothing, but her face spoke volumes.
"Okay," Jin went on, "done with Rumi, done with Hirokazu. All my attention is on you. At least for the next," he checked his watch, "forty minutes. At which point you will meet up with Youji and I'll devote myself to learning the fine art of garage model painting."
That seemed to break the tension in the air. Chiyako smiled as she shook her head.
"I still can't believe you let Toshio-san talk you into buying that kit."
"Hey, it's quality guy bonding time. Besides, Toshio says he's sure he can sell it for twice the amount I paid for it. Don't laugh, if you'd let me get the one of the girl in the bunny suit, it would have been four times the price."
She was giggling by this time and they headed back down the path to enjoy the day.
* * *
"That went well," Hirokazu said as soon as they were out of earshot.
"Hmmp," Rumi grunted in reply. She was loath to admit it, but Hirokazu had been correct to cut the double date short. Her pain relievers were beginning to wear off, and in addition to the soreness in her arm, she could feel a headache coming on.
"I meant to say, it was obvious they thought we were a couple. That's what you wanted, wasn't it?"
What she wanted was to get out of the wheelchair. It wasn't comfortable, and it jolted her every time it hit a crack in the sidewalk. She wished Hirokazu would take more care.
"Yes," she admitted, "But it's different now. I don't want Chiyako to be jealous of me, so we have to convince Jin that we're happy to be together."
"Then, I'm holding up my end of the bargain most admirably," said Hirokazu. "Except, I'm not acting. You wanted to continue this pretend dating and I agreed to it, though not for appearance's sake. I'm doing it to spend time with you. But you know that, don't you?"
They had to cross the street at this point, and there was no ramp to roll the wheelchair down onto the street. Hirokazu had to stop speaking as he maneuvered the wheels over the curb. Bump, went the back wheels, sending a shock through Rumi's whole back. She gritted her teeth and they made their way across the intersection.
"You don't have to keep baiting them," she said. They were almost home, where awaited her a cold pack and ice water in the fridge, and industrial strength ibuprofen.
"But it's so much fun. Especially when they try to pretend that it doesn't bother them that I'm rich."
"They're trying to pretend that it doesn't bother them that you're acting like a jerk." Why did everything with Hirokazu come down to money?
He stopped the chair suddenly, causing Rumi to lurch slightly. They were on a down incline and instinctively, Rumi reached to grip the wheel bars. Her cast prevented her from getting a good grip on the left one.
"Would a jerk volunteer to pretend to be boyfriend to impress your friends?" his voice carried an edge she wasn't used to hearing. "Would a jerk lavish you with his money and time? Would a jerk do all this without expecting anything in return? Would a jerk put up with your insults and coldness?"
He started walking again, briskly down the hill.
"I didn't say-" Rumi started.
"No, but you implied it." He said this quietly, but his voice was as cold as ice.
Had she? She didn't recall any particular incident, but it was easier to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Hirokazu." She said, and continued a bit more sincerely, "Maybe this whole dating thing wasn't such a good idea, considering your feelings. Here's my building now. Help me to the door, and we'll call it quits. Okay?"
"What? I didn't mean . . ."
Hirokazu spun the wheelchair around and squatted so he was level with Rumi. Thankfully the ground was flat here, so she didn't start rolling backwards.
"Rumi-chan, I don't what to call it quits. I don't want to stop seeing you." His arrogance was suddenly replaced with concern, perhaps even vulnerability. "I take back what I said. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry, really I am. It's just that I care about you, Rumi-chan.
"No, don't say anything. I know how you feel. And I understand. The way that I see it, we started off wrong. And I was thinking, maybe if we tried to begin again, without the deceptions, it might go better. I just feel like I'm not getting a fair chance here."
"I . . ." Rumi wasn't sure how to respond. He was right, she'd never given any serious thought to him. Could her perceptions, her feelings about him be colored by that? Part of her doubted that, but didn't everyone deserve a second chance?
"All right. Let's start again, Hirokazu."
"Great." He gave a grin that seemed more genuine than usual. "Could you call me Nabishi?"
He gave her a puppy dog expression and she found herself smiling. It wasn't the open smile she gave Jin or Chiyako, or Youji, but it was a smile.
"I suppose, we do know each other pretty well by now."
"Excellent," he stood up and wrenched the chair and Rumi about, "Listen, you must be tired, I'll get you home and — Heh! Matsuura-san, I didn't know you were back in Tokyo."
Rumi gasped, and looked up into Youji's face. She hadn't seen, or talked to him since the day of her accident. He hadn't even sent her flowers, which had made her both angry, and relieved. Silence was better than a generic bouquet with impersonal get well wishes.
He was giving her the strangest look now, his eyes darting back behind her. What was he — Oh, he must be looking at the wheelchair.
"This is just a precaution," she waved distractedly. "My doctor insisted I ride in this thing for the next two weeks. I don't think I can last that long, but they made me promise before they released me. I'd have agreed to anything by that point. Oh, did you know I'm staying with Chiyako?"
She was rambling, but she couldn't stop. There was a strange, serious look to Youji; it made her nervous. Why did he have to show up now? Why couldn't he at least wait until she'd made up her mind about how she felt about him?
"No." he said, answering her question.
He'd come to see Chiyako then, not her. Well, wasn't that what she'd suspected, even accused him of, at the train station. This shouldn't hurt me. But it did.
"What are you doing . . . together?" said Youji, his eyes darting nervously about. "We made up, decided to begin afresh. After all, since I'm not in love with Jin anymore, there's nothing to come between us." She said this off-handedly, or at least she tried to. If Youji wasn't aware that she and Chiyako had made up, then he must have been out of touch with both of them. And maybe she still had a chance.
But no, when Rumi looked up into Youji's face she didn't see love, or even kindness. She saw fear. His skin was ash white, his jaw clenched, he wasn't even meeting her eyes. He's afraid I've told Chiyako about the plan.
"Rumi," Hirokazu's voice maintained its usual silkiness, "I really should be getting you home. It's been a long day and it would be best for you to rest now. Matsuura-san, if you'll excuse us."
Youji grunted what might have been a goodbye, and Hirokazu set off at a quick pace.
"We should . . ." Rumi began.
"Yes, Rumi-chan?"
"We should have told Youji about the plan. . . You know, that Jin and Chiyako don't know anything, and that you and I are together so Chiyako doesn't feel threatened. I don't think he knows." "Oh, I'm sure Matsuura can put two and two together." Said Hirokazu smoothly, as he pushed the chair across the uneven stone pathway up to the doorway.
* * *
Chiyako felt vindicated. For once, she was not late to an appointment. Or rather she was, but Youji was already good ten minutes later than her getting to the restaurant. She checked her watch again; waiting was such a bore. Could he have gotten lost? She was trying to remember the directions she'd given him when she remembered something else: she hadn't given Youji any directions because the plan was to meet at her apartment. Goof.
At least, she consoled herself as she caught the subway, I now have a roommate, so Youji can wait inside. But as she neared her apartment, she saw a distinctly Youji-shaped-object sitting alone at the bus stop. There was a pronounced droopiness to his slouch.
"Youji, I'm sorry, I got the meeting locations confused." Starting with apologies was always a good idea, "But why are you sitting out here like this?"
"Oh, this bench and I are old friends." Youji said, not looking at her.
"Okay," said Chiyako, sitting down beside him.
She didn't want Rumi overhearing their conversation, and here was as good a place as anywhere. Youji continued to stare straight ahead. There was mournful quality to his face, every time he breathed out, it sounded like a miniature sigh.
"Is there something wrong Youji?" she ventured. Secretly, she had been counting on him being the sympathetic ear this time.
"Nothing important," he said dismissively, "What's up with you?"
If he didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't push the subject.
"Well, I have a new roommate," Youji didn't seem surprised, so Chiyako added, "and she's stolen my boyfriend."
"What?" He was looking at her now.
"Just joking, mostly. Rumi and I are living together, and today, Jin as much as t old me that he'd start dating Rumi to keep her from marrying Hirokazu."
"He said that?" Was he smiling? No, it had to be just a twitch.
"He said, if Hirokazu proposed, and Rumi said yes, he'd figure out some way to convince her not to go through with it. I can't think of an easier way, can you?"
She'd been planning on confessing all this to Youji, albeit not so bluntly.
"And if Yamashita doesn't want Koishikawa back?"
"Jin versus Hirokazu?" Chiyako was shocked by the thought. "There really isn't any contest, even if Rumi's acting all gooey-eyes over the tennis captain right now. All you have to do is listen to Rumi and Jin together. They sound like they're married, they know each other so well. They even finish off each other's thoughts. And their parents would be ecstatic if they started dating again."
"Is she really serious about Hirokazu?"
"Seems like it to me. She'd not gushing over him, but she never complains about him either. What am I going to do, Youji? If Rumi gets serious with Hirokazu, then I'll lose Jin, but if Rumi stays single, I'm not sure if that's so good either. That sounds awful, I know. I'm happy to be friends with Rumi again, really I am. And I trust her, and Jin too. . .just not the two of them together."
Chiyako buried her face in her hands. Her fears, when spoken, sounded so irrational. But two weeks of watching Jin and Rumi interact had had their effect. "Maybe you should be having this conversation with Koishikawa." Said Youji, softly. He didn't sound nearly as sympathetic as he used to, Chiyako decided.
"I can't," she tried not to sound whiny. "I don't want him to think I'm jealous, or that I don't like Rumi."
"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"
"I was hoping you'd come up with a plan."
"What, like get Yamashita hooked up with someone less offensive to Jin?"
"Yeah, like that," Chiyako did her best to make this sound like a novel idea. She was rather proud of Jin for thinking it, but having him spend that much time planning things for Rumi left he feeling unsettled. Better to keep Jin in the dark and have Youji set things up.
"It wouldn't be too difficult," said Youji. He seemed interested, and not nearly so despondent as before. "I mean with it would be natural for you, Jin, and Rumi to go out as friends, and then —"
"We just invite some other guy along, get separated, instant date set up. We just need to choose the right guy. Someone funny, and personable, and kind, all the things that Hirokazu's not."
"Do you have someone in mind?" Youji asked, almost sounding excited.
"Yes, and I know it may sound odd, but hear me out. I was thinking Jin's roommate, Toshio Okada." Youji's face fell, obviously skeptical. "Granted, the guy's a bit eccentric, but he is smart, at least he seems to know a lot of interesting stuff, like science, or science fiction. He can be charming, in a bumbling sort of way. And I think Rumi might like him a bit already."
"I didn't know Yamashita even knew Toshio-san."
"Who do you think hit her with his motor scooter? Not the best introduction, I'll grant you, but it does make an impression. He came to see her in the hospital several times; I think he felt it was his fault. Which it was, I suppose, but she forgave him for it. It could turn into one of those Florence Nightingale romances." It sounded even better when Chiyako said it aloud. Toshio-san was definitely the right choice, despite Youji's obvious reluctance.
"I think you're reading too much into Yamashita's generous nature. Even my sister's romance comics require more compelling relationship devices. I mean, what's so special about Jin's roommate?"
"Plenty. Like . . . give me a moment here." Chiyako scowled. "Okay, he's honest. He's not pretending to be what people want to see. And yes, it makes him look a bit goofy, but I think that Rumi would appreciate honesty in a boyfriend. She needs someone she can count on to tell her the truth and not try to manipulate her emotions. Jin did that, even if he didn't mean to, and Hirokazu must be promising her all sorts of things."
"You may have a point." Youji didn't look too happy about this.
"He's a good person. Jin would vouch for him, or at least, if he knew what we were planning. We can't let him or Toshio-san know about this. I don't think we could keep Rumi from figuring something was up if too many people know."
"Then how do you know you can get Toshio to fall for Yamashita?" Youji was certainly playing devil's advocate, Chiyako noted.
"Oh, that's the least of our problems. I've got Rumi wearing contacts and make-up. You'd be amazed at how good she looks. Not only that, but next week I'm taking her out to get a haircut, and maybe a perm. She's not going to have any problem attracting Toshio's attention."
"In that case, do we even need to set her up?"
"All the more reason, Youji. What if she hooks up with an even bigger jerk than Hirokazu? See, we have to move fast, before school starts again."
"If you say so, Chiyako. But I'm only here for the weekend." He stood up and started to cross the street.
"Wait, I was counting on your help, Youji," cried Chiyako. Hadn't he heard anything she said? "Don't you want to help Rumi?"
That evidently struck a nerve. Youji's back straighten, and slowly he turned to face her. She had never seen him angry until now. It did not go well with his features. He looked a bit like the dishonorable warriors of certain woodcuts. His voice was likewise hoarse:
"Why does it always fall on my shoulders to untangle people's love lives? I don't remember putting our any advertisements. I'm not even sure why people keep coming to me, it's not like I've any success in the area." Turning away from her, he continued in an quieter voice, "I'm sorry, Chiyako, I have a lot of other things going on in my life, and I just don't have the time or desire to devote myself to your scheme. I'm sorry."
With this for justification, he started down the street. Chiyako almost called after him, but in a rare bout of self-restraint, remained silent. Rumi had said something about his grandmother being sick. It was selfish of Chiyako for not considering Youji's situation. Still, he'd been so keen in coming up last weekend - but then he hadn't known about Rumi being in town.
Had Rumi and Youji had an argument? If so, it was just as well that she'd nixed Jin's idea about setting them up together.
This was only a temporary setback. She could carry out the Rumi setup by herself. How hard could it be? And in an absolute pinch, she could always call on Jin's help, although she hoped it wouldn't come to that.
* * *
The phone was ringing again. Youji lay in bed and counted the rings. Eight, nine, ten, eleven, just in case she'd counted wrong, twelve, because she was sure he must be home, thir — no, she hung up.
It had to be Emiko. He doubted Chiyako would show that much patience, or persistence. It had been the fourth telephone call since he returned to his apartment.
He should probably answer it, his sister must be getting worried by now. It wasn't as if he hadn't confided in her all the previous times he came down with a broken heart. Considering all the women who had stomped it to tiny pieces over the years, she had a lot of expertise in consoling her sibling.
And there had been some good stompers. Yuriko-chan was his third grade love with the magnificent voice who one day announced to the playground at large that she didn't want to date him anymore because he still slept with a night light on. Or Tomomi, back in eighth grade, who went through his life savings in three weeks of lavish ice cream desserts before moving on to greener pastures. Or Sharon O'Reilly, the Australian exchange student, who, as she later told half the school, didn't even realize they were dating because her Japanese was so poor, she just assumed he was showing Japanese hospitality.
In comparison, a two week crush on a girl who made it very clear that she wasn't interested shouldn't affect him at all. As he hadn't explicitly made a fool of himself by confessing his unrequited love, there was no humiliation this time or even awkwardness. He could even go back to their old friendship. Really, he should count himself lucky.
A week, two weeks top, and he'd be completely over this. Just a brief crush brought on by the shock of Rumi's hospitalization and his sister's overactive imagination. With things happening back home, it was no wonder his feelings got mixed up.
Not that Rumi wasn't a great girl. She was sweet, and funny, and maybe if the circumstances had been different... If she hadn't been so flighty, so quick to change her affections, if she could have just waited two weeks! Was that too much to ask?
But if it was meant to be, why hadn't he rushed back to Tokyo that night when he realized his feelings about her? It was what any lead male in a romance would have done. He should have barged into her hospital room, a dozen roses - bought hastily at the train station - in hand, hair disheveled from his sprint across town, and a look in his eyes that revealed his desire, dedication, and passion in such a way that the girl would have no doubt that he loved her, that he was the only one for her. The image made him chuckle, even in his current state. More likely, he'd stumble into her room, panting and sweating, bruised and wilting flowers clutched in his fist, only to find Rumi and Hirokazu gazing intently into each others' eyes.
What could she see in a guy like that anyway? Had he forced himself on her? Blackmailed her with revealing the plan to Chiyako and Jin? It almost raised his spirits, but no, if that were the case, then she would surely have said something earlier. Unless he'd sworn her to secrecy. Nice delusions, Youji. Come back to reality sometime soon.
If Rumi was with the tennis captain, it was because she wanted him. And Youji only had himself to blame. If Hirokazu convinced her to marry him, he'd expect her to be a perfect Japanese housewife and mother. Submissive, respectable, appearing not to notice his flings and betrayals. She'd be trapped, unhappy, with no way out but —
He was projecting. But he might be right.
Chiyako was right, even if her motives weren't ideal. And he shouldn't have brushed her off. Her current insecurity was proof of his success in the relationship manipulation game. And didn't his involvement with Rumi's plan help him get over his Chiyako crush? Tomorrow, he'd call Chiyako. Apologize profusely, and help her come up with a working strategy. He didn't like Tokyo summers.
The phone started ringing again. He ought to answer it. Emiko would be worried. Despite himself, he began to count the rings. Fifteen before she gave up.
He'd answer it next time. After all, Emiko had experience in dealing with his failed lovelife. And this last failure wasn't any different. If anything, it was trivial, wasn't it?
Copyright Kim Smuga-Otto Feb 2001