If you read "Autumn's Bounty," I apologize for not focusing on that as of late. I want to try and deal with this story first to convert it into a book. Do the old "Filing off the serial numbers" cliche.
Plus, that will be a long one, and I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate some Airi stuff and the plot. Also, the ending I have planned may piss people off. And people keep complaining about the kids, and honestly, it's taking its toll because it feels like no one is happy, so it's draining my inspiration. *sighs*
And, of course, I hope everything lives up to expectations. I found a few visual novel games on Steam that will somehow appear on Yuzu's personal computer, which Mei will discover.
I hope you're all doing okay.
Oh, and my new gaming PC arrived. So far, so good. I should have saved the money, though, as I could have commissioned a comic strip for the amount of money I spent on this PC.
Update 29-01-2022:
My mom lost her house and family drama, debt issues, and many other things. In the past week, she had a minor stroke on the 24th, and my GF's grandpa was taken off life support the next day and passed; many other things have just made me too drained mentally, emotionally, and physically.
So this is all I can come up with now. It's short and not my best, but I hope you like it.
Chapter 18
The following week had passed by quicker than Mei thought possible, which was both a blessing and curse depending on who you asked. To Mei, it was the latter.
Not only because her workload had gotten astronomically larger due to a last-minute commission on a piece of cover art for a comic, but her team lead on the gaming project had loved her idea of the pirate theme. They'd tasked her with designing some mockups to pitch to the design team for possible inclusion into the game, whether in the form of additional content or currently planned content, once they came to a decision.
At first, Mei had protested, citing a few other projects that required her attention, one of which being a comic idea she'd been mulling over since she was younger. But with the promise of a bump in pay and extra overtime was tempting. So when they offered, Mei requested that they update her contract for Mitsuko to look over, which they delivered on in record time.
It only took Mitsuko an hour to find the updates, and after she'd confirmed it, Mei signed the paperwork and began to work on the concepts using everything from movies to Yuzu's pictures as inspiration.
The downside to this meant that there was a possibility that she'd have to skip out on her and Yuzu's first official date, which in some ways made her relieved.
Over the past few days, the warm sunny weather they'd been enjoying had shifted to bitter cold, and Mei was hearing reports about a possible blizzard coming in the next few days. Regardless of her wanting to spend time with Yuzu, Mei didn't want to risk their safety and health, not to mention Himeko was running late from an out-of-town job, and Mei was worried about her making it home safely.
But luckily, Himeko's employer had let her leave early in case of the weather, and she and Mei spent the evening she'd come home catching up and introducing Himeko to a few more of Mei's favorite foods.
At least, that was what Mei intended, but unfortunately, that plan didn't yield the intended result.
Instead of a back and forth between the friends, Himeko ended up having a little too much to drink, and Mei ended up, once again, quietly listening to Himeko's complaining about her clients spoiling their pets and ruining their chances at winning the awards they wanted. Luckily they rarely held Himeko responsible, and the stories were humorous. Hence, Mei felt content being a soundboard and enjoying some high-end izakaya-style food, sushi, and soda until it was time to head home.
The following day though, despite Himeko's insistence that Mei tell her what happened while she was away, Mei ended up getting absorbed in her work. Between meetings, revisions, and everything, she'd barely slept and hardly had any time to discuss her plans with Yuzu or check-in with their friends.
Luckily, Yuzu was understanding, and with Mei's permission, ordered her dinner one night, and they had a sort of semi-date over video chat while Mei worked.
It wasn't what they wanted, but they rolled with the punches. Yuzu, on her end, ate what looked like a series of roasted chicken kababs, beef kababs, rice, and something else that Mei couldn't identify. It looked good, but when asked how she was able to eat all of that, Yuzu covered her mouth as she laughed and, after swallowing, said, "I've been in training, remember? I gotta eat to help my body recover. Protein before and after workouts and carbs after too. On top of that, plenty of water and sleep."
"Sounds like a hassle," chuckled Mei after finishing shading a hat on one of her possible pirate characters before taking a bite of her roasted lamb with roasted vegetables and rice. "But I won't stop you; you seem like you enjoy it."
"Most of the time," replied Yuzu before taking a small bite of rice and pointing at the screen, an anxious look on her face. "How is it? I know you said you were up for anything, but I didn't know how you felt about lamb or even Greek food, for that matter. I didn't mess up, did I?"
"It's delicious," coughed Mei as a bit of spice went down the wrong pipe. She sipped some water and gave Yuzu a slight smile after a couple more coughs. "I've never had Greek food before, and this is very good. I'd like to have it again sometime. Hopefully, at the actual restaurant because it's a hassle not trying to destroy the plating job they did while trying to get it onto one of my plates. But other than that, I am content."
"You should have just eaten out of the containers like me," smirked Yuzu, holding up three containers followed by a large growler filled with water. "Less mess to clean up."
"Pardon me for having some class," huffed Mei, trying to sound snobbish, but her mask cracked, and a smile slipped through.
"I'll believe that when I see it," teased Yuzu after finishing off what looked like some cheese-coated eggplant. "Remember how you looked when we met at the bar? Very classy."
"Well, I've seen your mugshot and a friend of yours knock you out in one punch," retorted Mei with her brand of sarcasm. "So you're not one to give lectures about what is and isn't classy."
They both stared blankly at each other, both waiting for the other to make the first move until finally, the two of them broke at the same time and began laughing at the stupidity of their staring contest.
With the tension resolved, they went back to eating and working for a bit, and when she got another break in her work, Mei couldn't help but notice the high-end headset Yuzu was wearing. She'd seen sets like that before and had researched the brand when she was trying to figure out what to use but decided she preferred wireless. While recharging was annoying, Mei was more than satisfied with her earbuds since her ears were cool, and in her opinion, the fewer wires, the better.
But she wasn't ignorant about them. Matsuri has several pairs, and she'd used those as a reference when she had to dry that style for comic work.
Mei, however, was curious about Yuzu's as she knew they were expensive, much too expensive for things like work calls, so when she asked Yuzu what they were for, the blonde blushed and said, "Umm, they're for when I game. I have a set for business calls too, you know to look professional, but sometimes I play an online game with Matsuri and Harumin, so I needed a set. They were expensive, but they sound great and have a retractable microphone, look."
Yuzu gripped the small thin microphone on the side and pushed it into the speaker before pulling it back out and saying, "It's useful for if I don't want to talk to anyone. Or if I'm playing a game or watching a movie in my room late at night and don't want to disturb Henry or the neighbors by yelling. Which is what I do most days anyway, making the microphone mostly pointless."
"Do you play any other kind of games besides the online ones?" Mei had asked while working on a revision while doodling an idea for an original comic concept on a spare piece of paper. "I don't know much about games. I mean, I do, and I don't. Most of my work involves the preproduction end, so I don't do the test playing or anything, but I'd like to see if they have a unique art style. I could always use the inspiration, and I'd be willing to buy them if you could show me how to play."
"I can give you a small list if you want. But I don't buy a lot of games either. Most of what I play belong to henry," Yuzu's face grew even redder as she explained herself. "He's got an eclectic style, but they're usually easy enough to pick up. For the ones I buy..."
Mei noticed Yuzu's face grow even more flushed as she spoke.
"Some of what I buy...well...they're kind of hard to explain, so I need some time to think about how to explain them to you and whether or not you'd want to play them."
"All right," was all Mei had said, and she gave Yuzu a quick smile that made Yuzu smile back. "How about next time I come over or, if you come over here, you can show me them, and maybe I can finally get a look at those costumes. The pictures are great but seeing them on a body helps with me fully understanding how they're supposed to move and function."
"Sure, do you want me to bring Harumi over so we can model for you, or would you rather just see the outfits?"
"I'm fine with a modeling session," explained Mei calmly, though she felt her ears begin to burn. "What date wor..."
Before she could finish, there was a loud thud, followed by echoing barks, and Mei knew what had happened before Yuzu even asked her question.
"What was that," asked Yuzu, her efforts to look over Mei's shoulders proving futile while trying to find the origin of the noise filtering through Mei's microphone was. "Did you get a dog or something?"
"It's my friend Himeko," explained Mei with a sigh. "The one you met at the restaurant. She trains and breeds dogs, so that's why you're hearing barking. She probably tripped on the rug, so I better check on her. Give me a minute."
Yuzu agreed, and after muting the call, Mei walked to her door to check on Himeko, only to open her door just as Himeko slammed her door shut.
Based on the reaction, Mei was confident Himeko had overheard the two of them, and if Himeko was fine enough to run away, Mei figured she didn't need to check on her and returned to her call.
Despite the interruption, the rest of the meal went splendidly, and when they were both too tired to continue, they confirmed their date for that Saturday if the weather held up and bid each other a good evening.
As she went to bed, Mei had difficulty falling asleep. She tried to figure out how best to approach the conversation and what Himeko had heard but eventually, sleep won out, with Mei giving in and falling into a heavy sleep.
The following morning, Mei's luck came through Himeko had opened up about walking by on her way to her room and tripped over one of the dogs, causing them to bark and Himeko to run down the hall as fast as possible she could.
"So you weren't listening in," asked Mei as she pulled on her jacket and a beanie.
"Not intentionally," explained Himeko as she fastened her coat. "I did hear something about modeling, but I know that's part of your job, and besides, she's got a boyfriend, so it's not like it's anything inappropriate."
Seeing the reassured smile on Himeko's face was almost enough to stop Mei from explaining what was going on. But she figured it was better to rip the bandage off and finally explain almost everything that had happened between her and Yuzu. All while they ordered their coffee from a nearby shop as they walked down the street toward Mitsuko's shop.
"So, he's her little brother," inquired Himeko after taking a sip of her frappuccino and shivering as a cold blast of wind blew down the street. "I should have gotten something hot to drink."
"I told you," chuckled Mei after sipping her coffee and stuffing her free hand into her jacket pocket while they continued to walk toward the tattoo parlor where Mei was getting the next batch of work done on a few of her tattoos and some touch-ups done on a couple of others. "But yes, he's her little brother, adopted, in case you were wondering. If I were to guess, he's been living with her and her parents since he was very young. Her mother and father said that..."
"You already met her parents," squeaked Himeko, stopping in her tracks. "Why? How? When did you meet her parents? You two aren't even dating, so there's no reason for you to have met them!"
"It's not like we planned it," snorted Mei before taking another sip. "They just showed up while we were having dinner and talking. After that, everything just spiraled out of control. Besides, it's not like I need to be dating her to meet her family. I've met plenty of my friend's families without being romantically attached to them."
"I suppose," grumbled Himeko, annoyed at Mei's response. "But you two haven't even figured out what's going on between you. So why did you stay and meet her parents if you weren't even serious…."
"I never said we weren't serious," scoffed Mei, tossing her empty cup into a street recycle bin. "I just said we hadn't discussed everything we wanted to because we were interrupted. Besides, it's our decision on what we mean to each other, not yours, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop talking to me like one of those 'relationship experts' magazines and newspapers hire to spout out generic advice. Honestly, I thought you had more sense than that, Himeko."
"I do," bit back Himeko, tossing her mostly empty cup into the same bin before pushing her gloved hands into the depths of her jacket as she shivered. "And I'm not quoting a magazine or anything like that. I'm just worried you're making a bad decision. I've heard you two on the phone, and I know you text a lot, but there's a difference between being around someone physically and talking to them on the phone and..."
"But isn't that how our friendship has been since we were kids," retorted Mei, stepping off to stand under an awning so she and Himeko could talk to each other. "You and I only ever saw each other over vacations or when our families happened to have business in the same country. Yes, we had letters and even video chat, but you living in the house has been the longest you and I have been around each other, and even then, you're off on trips for jobs, so how is this any different?"
"It is different," sniffed Himeko as she jumped up and down while rubbing her hands, trying to get warm. "Our families have a history with each other, and even though we didn't see each other a lot, we're...well, we have more in common than you and her."
"In what way," snorted Mei, sipping her coffee. "Our lives are completely different. The way we both dress is about as far apart as mine and Yuzus. We have little in common regarding education, save for having gone to highly accredited schools. Our work lives have little to no crossover, and our family lives aren't exactly what anyone would call similar. so I'm curious as to what about our lives you think have so much in common that gives you the right to butt into my love life."
Himeko stopped for a moment and stared at Mei, her lower lip disappearing into her mouth as she chewed on it as she focused on the sidewalk while trying to come up with an answer.
Meanwhile, Mei finished her drink, checked her phone, and sighed, "I'm running late for this appointment. Do you still want to come, or are you..."
"I want to come," said Himeko quietly, avoiding eye contact. "I'm interested to see more of your friend's work. I don't get it, but it's important to you, they're important to you, so I want to go. Do you want me to come with you?"
Mei let out a sigh and did her best to sound reassuring as she said, "I do, and despite my frustrations, I'm glad you got home safely, and I do miss you when you leave for work."
Himeko flinched a little as Mei took her hand but settled when she felt Mei squeeze it and smiled, saying, "I miss you too, Mei. I know how lonely you get. I get lonely too; we have that in common at least."
"I'd like to think our penchant for remaining alone isn't the only reason we are friends."
"There's also our taste in literature," offered Himeko with a smile. "Plus, we like a lot of the same foods, shows, movies, and then there's..."
Himeko took a minute to list off many other things she and Mei still enjoyed or attempted to enjoy together, even if their interest in the subject had waned over the years. So long as it was important to one, it was important to the other.
When Mei chuckled at how much Himeko had remembered, the shorter woman blushed, coughed, and said, "So, yes, there are many reasons we are friends. That's why being apart for so long doesn't affect us, which helps us when we feel alone and isolated."
"You feel like that a lot, don't you," inquired Mei as they walked down the street.
"Not as much as I used to," corrected Himeko while walking beside Mei. "But it wasn't easy, especially after college and everything."
"I figured you had friends back in Japan." Mei was surprised to hear this news, considering how much Himeko talked about her and her friends in school. "When we were in school, you gave me constant updates about what you and your friends did. And ever since you came here, you're always smiling and laughing at something whenever your phone goes off, and you take a lot of calls in Japanese, and they sound friendly enough."
"Some are my friends from home, but most of my calls are from my clients," explained Himeko with a chuckle. "They're always showing me the progress of their dogs, asking for tips, sending me bonuses for taking time out of my schedule and stuff. I'm also in regular contact with vets, so I don't give the dogs something that'll make them sick or confirm medical paperwork before a show. And in regards to those calls, well, it's not so much about my job as it is people messaging me pictures of places they're visiting back home or asking me when I'm coming back and not wasting my time with putting dogs in shows and torturing them by breeding them."
"I forgot that can be considered a problem," sighed Mei as Himeko's grip tightened. "But it's not like you're breeding them non-stop, and you don't plan on making it a regular thing for them, correct?"
"Yes." Himeko nodded and smirked. "Well, my dogs have had one or two litters each. I have to check, but I'm planning on stopping soon. I know it's not smart or healthy to encourage pure breeding. Not to mention that constantly doing it can affect the mother's health and the pups. But I love my dogs, and I wanted people to have dogs like them, so...you know..."
"You don't need to explain yourself to me," consoled Mei with a smile. "I know you have a good heart, and I'm happy that you're responsible, so if they say anything about you like that again, I'll get involved if you want me to. I won't let anything happen to you."
"I know, Mei," whispered Himeko, her face growing a shade darker despite Mei not looking at her and squeezing the taller woman's hand tighter. "That's why I love you so much."
"I love you too, Himeko," replied Mei fondly, though she remained oblivious to Himeko's expression. "Despite our differences. You're my best friend, and I'm never going to stop caring about you."
Mei turned and faced her friend, noticing the bloodshot eyes and what looked like the beginnings of a runny nose on Himeko's previously composed face.
"Are you okay," inquired Mei as she began looking through her pockets for a tissue or handkerchief. "If you were this cold, you should have said something. We need to get you inside before you get sick. Here. Can you still feel your legs? Do I need to get you a cab?"
Mei handed Himeko a small pouch of tissues and waited as her friend dabbed her eyes and blew her nose as she made a sound that sounded like a strangled mix between coughing and laughing.
"I don't need a cab Mei," rasped Himeko as she threw away her used tissues. "But I'd like to get someplace warm. We'll take a cab home, though, if that's okay?"
"Of course, we will," said Mei looking worriedly at Himeko's legs and the slight bits of bare skin that were showing just beneath the hem of her skirt. "Come on; we're almost there."
Himeko let out a squeal of surprise as Mei grabbed her hand and began pulling her down the street, making their way hastily but politely past other pedestrians.
Himeko yelled for Mei to slow down, but she didn't. Mei's mind was focused solely on getting Himeko into the parlor and warmed up.
Eventually, Mei managed to get them there and pushed the door open so quickly that the bell above the door let out a loud bang instead of its trademark soft jingle.
"What the hell was that about," asked Matsuri, looking up from her design book while Kayo and a few others stared at Mei in alarm. "Are you guys being chased or something? Do we need to call the cops?"
"No," said Mei shaking her head, "nothing like that. Himeko is just not dressed for the cold, and it does not agree with her."
Matsuri stared at Mei, then at the glaring Himeko, glared back, and after examining the pigtailed girl's clothes, nodded in understanding and said, "Put her in one of the chairs. I'll grab a couple of blankets and a hot drink for her. What's your poison?"
"Poison..." began Himeko, only to have Matsuri interrupt her.
"What kind of drink do you want? If it's tea, it's mostly bagged tea. We also have a pot of coffee, and I'm sure I have some canned soup we can warm up somewhere. Take a moment and think about it while I get the blankets."
While Mei helped HImeko into one of the empty tattoo chairs, Matsuri walked into a door out of sight and appeared seconds later with a couple of warm blankets.
Looking around, Himeko noticed nobody paid her any mind. Instead, they continued their work as if this was all completely normal.
Once she was bundled up nice and warm, Himeko looked at Matsuri while Mei went and began looking for drinks and asked, "Why are you being nice to me?"
"Because you're Mei's friend," said Matsuri as she looked at Himeko's fingers and pulled out a pair of knitted gloves from her back pocket and handed them to Himeko. "Here, put these on."
Himeko did as she was bidden and slid the gloves on just as Mei returned with a hot cup of black tea with a small amount of cream and sugar. It didn't smell as aromatic as the ones back at Mei's home, but she appreciated it and the taste wasn't that bad.
"It's okay," asked Mei nervously as Himeko sipped.
"Just what I needed," said Himeko appreciatively. "Thank you, both of you, and tell your friend that I appreciate the kindness."
"What else did you expect coming here," snorted Matsuri after Mei excused herself to go talk to Kayo. "I know I can be a bitch, but I'm not cruel. Long as you treat Mei, Yuzu, and anyone involved with respect, you don't have to worry about me or anyone here giving you trouble."
"I understand," said Himeko, understanding the meaning behind the words. "Then, if you're okay with it, I'll extend the same rules toward you regarding Mei."
"I half expected you too. Now stay here and warm up; I gotta get back to work," answered Matsuri with a wink before turning and walking away.
While she sat there, Himeko felt herself beginning to warm up. While she understood she was in a safe space, she didn't want to risk anything happening with her dress, so Himeko remained hidden under the blankets and watched as Mei began getting her tattoo worked on.
As she waited, a few customers left, and a few more entered, with only two catching her attention.
One of them was a young woman with dark skin, brown hair, and a smile beaming out from beneath her scarf and knitted cap. She was tall and dressed in a puffy coat and waved at everyone while the man next to her remained quiet, but he greeted the people who greeted him politely before noticing Himeko.
He gave her an awkward wave, and she waved back, remembering the laughing fit he'd had when Matsuri had commented on her eyebrows looking like caterpillars, and despite her not wishing him to come over, he did. She straightened up and put on a strained but welcoming smile.
"Hello," said Henry as he sat down next to her and watched as the woman who'd entered with him began talking happily with Kayo about something. "You're, Himeko, right? Mei's friend?"
"I am." Himeko noticed how his hands flexed as he began rocking a little and giving her awkward glances out of his peripheral. "And you're Henry, Yuzu's brother?"
"Yeah," he said, nodding vigorously before stopping. His rocking stopped, but Himeko noticed his hands were still flexing, and it looked like he was scratching his jeans.
"Are you okay?" She pointed at his hand. "Do you have an itch?"
"No," Henry shook his head and gave what looked like an attempt at an embarrassed smile. "It's just something I do when I'm nervous or around loud noises and outside was getting loud before we came in. I wanted to wear my headphones to keep the noise out because it was cold, but I was walking with Danielle, and since I like talking to her, I couldn't wear them. But now my ears are cold, and I don't like it when my ears are cold. They hurt."
"That's a good point," said Himeko, not seeing fault in his logic but a little confused about the headphone. "I don't like a lot of noise most days either. I have dogs, and some days they don't stop barking. And my ears are cold too and are hurting because they're warming up. But why do you need headphones?"
"Because I get mad if I hear too much noise," explained Henry with an annoyed snort. "I don't like hearing everyone talking and the cars and all the other noises because then I don't know where to focus or I can't hear the people or things I want to hear, and I don't like being mad. When people get mad, they hurt others, and I don't want to get so mad that I hit people. Yuzu does that sometimes when people make fun of me, and my mom used to do that when I was little."
"Your and Yuzu's mom," inquired Himeko, a bit concerned by this revelation and how frustrated he was becoming.
"No," said Henry shaking his head again, and his hand began moving up toward his head, but he grabbed it with his free one and slammed it back on his leg, surprising Himeko though not as much as him moving on without acknowledging his action. "My birth mom did after my dad died. She'd hit me and yell at me if I asked questions or needed her to explain stuff. She said I should have known or did stuff the way I wanted to, not how she said I should. But Ume, my other mom, and Goro, my other dad, didn't hit me. They took me places, answered questions, and showed me how to do a lot of things. But they'd also sometimes tell me to stop or yell a little, but they didn't hit me, and they always apologized. That's why I came over here, though, to apologize for laughing at you. Even though it was funny, I was told that laughing about a person's looks can hurt people's feelings and make them mad, so I should apologize. So, I'm sorry."
"Oh." Himeko was a little taken aback by this bluntness, sudden change in topic, and the confusing and roundabout way he apologized. She wasn't sure if he'd apologized before and was hesitant in what to say. He seemed genuine in a way, and it looked like this was difficult for him, so she figured it was the right thing to accept it, given the effort he was putting in. "Well, then I accept your apology, Henry. That's very kind of you."
"Okay," said Henry with a shrug though Himeko could notice his movements had grown less frantic. "Umm, do you want me to stay and talk, or can I go back over and talk to Matsuri and Danielle?"
"I'll be fine over here, Henry," said Himeko, a little amused but also disgruntled by his lack of interest in her now that he'd accomplished his goal. "You go and talk with Danielle. But also, do you think HImeko's hair color makes her look a little like a flamingo?"
Henry gave Himeko a puzzled look, then looked at Matsuri and screwed up his eyes for a minute, and shrugged, saying, "Not really. Flamingos have lots of different colors. Matsuri's hair is just one color."
"It was worth a shot," sighed Himeko, disappointed at being denied her vengeance. "But you go and talk with your friends and take care of your sister and Mei. I hear they're quite fond of each other."
"I always take care of Yuzu. People think I don't know how to take care of her or Mom and Dad, but I do," said Henry, surprising HImeko with how upset at his inferring she thought he didn't know how to help his family before once again shocking her with what he said next. "And if you need help, I'll help you too because you're Mei's friend, so that makes you my friend. Even if I don't know you, and you're supposed to help friends."
Without another word, he got up and walked over to where Danielle and Matsuri were talking, noticing the way that Danielle effortlessly slipped her arm around Henry's. As she watched Matsuri show off a picture she'd been working on to Danielle, Himeko felt a familiar pain resurface when he seemed to flinch briefly at the touch before pressing himself a little closer to her.
