The tiny pub in the midst of a sprawl of apartment complexes was not terribly popular with the neighbors. On weeknights it was generally deserted, save for one mid-September evening when a table for four was occupied by two young women and a large bouquet.
"Elizabeth, they're beautiful." The shorter woman exclaimed, her long light brown hair falling over her shoulders as she leaned forward to stroke a velvety iris.
"I know, but I'm worried that he's feeling guilty about that." Picking up her drink she waved dismissively at the cast that still enclosed her left foot. "He doesn't understand that I'm just fine, except for the inconvenience."
"Okay, so you hurt yourself, he gets worried upset, then apologizes with beautiful flowers and a note that brings tears to my eyes on the fourth reading and you're worried? Hello? I'd say he feels that he's failed in his self-appointed duty to keep you safe, and that if he were feeling guilty he'd hop on a plane." She tilted her head and looked at the bouquet, nestled in its own chair. "Maybe he's trying to tell you that he's not horny enough to need the excuse yet."
"Jennifer!" Elizabeth brandished a single crutch in a mock threatening manner. "Don't make me use this." Dissolving into girlish laughter, the pair made themselves comfortable.
* * *
Dear Satoshi,
I want to take a yardstick to my students. Well, not really, but they're getting a little bit irritating. I have three classes now, one of the teachers is having a baby and got confined to bed-rest until after Christmas. None of her pupils listen to me, and I think the boys just come to my office hours to hit on me. I know they probably don't really care about chemistry, but can't they at least pretend? Oi! It looks like I'm not going to get to take a weekend off to go out riding with Jennifer. That's too bad, I was looking forward to it. My research has hit a slow point and it's driving me up the wall. I wish I could go out and run, but the doctor at the clinic says I need to wait for at least another week. I feel like a caged animal.
~Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth,
Aie! Why are they giving you more work? Can't they see that you're ill? I wish I could help you. I trust you though. If you need help, I know you'll ask the right people. Speaking of winter breaks, do you have any plans? I know Yuu was going to come home to Japan and spend time with Miki and all of us. Maybe you could come with him? I know we're going to go to Hiroshima to visit Meiko, and maybe go skiing. I'd dearly love to see you again, please think about it. ~Satoshi
Liz-chan!
Hello! Do you know Brian Grant? I'm his brother, Michael! Miki is busy studying, but she asked me to write you so you wouldn't think she'd forgotten you. I'm really excited, Toryo had its fall festival last week and I got to go. It was so neat to see everyone all dressed up and performing. Miwa-san was there, he served desserts in one of the booths, but I forgot which. I took a picture of him all dressed up, and I'll send you a copy once I get them developed. Is Brian doing okay? Are he and Jinny happy? I think you should come over here for winter break, Miwa-san doesn't seem as happy without you around. Plus, you could bring Yuu, and that would make Miki happier. I like to see her happy. Gotta go study, bye! ~Michael
Michael,
Hi, yes, I met Brian Grant, he and Doris are very happy, Jinny's dating Yuu's roommate, Bill. He's actually in one of the classes I'm teaching this semester. I told him it was his own fault for not studying the first time he took chemistry. I like teaching him, and everyone. I got the picture of Miwa-san, he looked wonderful, thank you. I think Yuu was already planning on coming home, but I've got other plans, I think I might have a job interview this winter break. I'd love to come to Japan, honto nee, but this is a bad time. Keep studying hard, keep an eye on Miki, Yuu really goes nuts whenever he thinks something's wrong. Thank you for writing.
~Elizabeth
Miki,
Gomen, this is really short, I haven't studied any Japanese since I wrote you last. Everything is really getting busy, especially now that October's almost over. I may not be able to write much, or at all for a little while. I'm really sorry, but there's so much going on. I'll be better soon, I promise. Take care of yourself! ~Elizabeth
Miwa-san,
Gomen, I have plans over winter break already, I can't go fritter away time with Yuu and his family. Thank you for asking me. ~Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
What's wrong? You of all people should never call me "Miwa-san!" Please, call me, or I'll call you. Something's wrong, I can feel it. ~Satoshi
* * *
"Brrrring!" the shrill noise of the telephone echoed through the empty room, just has it had done that morning, and the night before. When the answering machine had recited its trite and cheery message a deep male sigh filled the room.
"Elizabeth, where are you?" Sadly Satoshi hung up his phone and slumped back against his bed. Two weeks had passed since she sent him a letter referring to him as "Miwa-san" and not "Satoshi." He didn't know why she had suddenly changed, but now, as she was impossible to get into contact with, it was eating him up inside.
Decisively he picked up the phone again and dialed Yuu's number. He hadn't wanted to involve Yuu in this, but there didn't seem to be any other options. Luckily someone was in the room, because it was picked up almost immediately.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is Matsuura Yuu there?"
"Yes he is, may I ask who is calling?"
"It's Miwa Satoshi."
"Thank god you've called!" Yuu's roommate, Bill, burst out, "We've all been very worried about Elizabeth."
"What?!"
"Wait, here's Yuu." Satoshi could here Bill telling Yuu who was on the phone.
"Satoshi? Is it you?" Yuu asked anxiously.
"Yes Yuu, I'm still me." Satoshi teased a bit before saying in deadly earnest, "What's happening with Elizabeth?"
"She's really withdrawn the past few weeks. We thought earlier that she was trying to take it easy on her foot, until it healed, but we were wrong. Ever since she got her little brace off she's been either in her office, or in her lab. Doris says she's only sleeping a few hours before getting up very early to run. I haven't seen her since last week, and she didn't even notice me. She was talking to one of her students. Bill's told me that in his class, one of the ones she assumed after school started, she's just been telling students to come by her lab whenever they have questions. He's seen her lights on all night on more than a few occasions, and someone mentioned that they'd gotten help around three in the morning."
"Heaven help her. Why is she doing this to herself?" Satoshi's shattered voice made Yuu's chest ache. He remember how Miki had run herself down trying to earn money for their trip, and how much it had hurt him when she collapsed. With this in mind he was willing to do almost anything to help Satoshi.
"Satoshi, I wish I could answer that for you."
"Thank you Yuu, but she's the only one who can, and I can't get in contact with her for any time at all. Maybe she thinks I've stopped caring about her."
"Wait, I think I have an idea." Yuu sounded almost pleased with himself.
"Please, tell me."
"She teaches a class tomorrow morning. I'll sit in on it and ask her to call you after class. If nothing else maybe she'll tell me why she's been too busy to contact anyone, especially you."
"Do you think it will work?" Satoshi asked.
"All I can do is try, right?"
"Yes, good luck, should I call you tomorrow then?"
"Yes, her class is over at nine here."
"All right. Thank you Yuu."
"Any time Satoshi."
After Yuu hung up the phone he dialed Miki's number. It rang for quite a while before the machine picked up.
"Miki, it's me, I just called to say that I missed you and that you're very special to me. Take care of yourself. I love you."