Chapter Six:
His mind stayed on Akari. He knew from past experiences that once his mind was on Akari, there was no helping it. It had already been several hours since their last encounter, almost an entire day, but in every pause, he remembered wrapping his arms around her, how she looked when talking to Mizuki, grabbing her wrist...
Saying "don't let this be like last time." Leaving Akari-
The tea kettle whistled innocently. "Boy! Slacking off on the first day?!" barked a voice from behind him.
Tohno hastily removed the brown tea kettle from the stove. The warmth from the handle traveled into his hands as he placed the kettle on the counter gently and slid the cup closer towards him. The cup with blue bamboo trees against creamy white was the exact same one as the one he drank out of the other night.
"Come on, hurry along. I want to see how much you know," said the chef, his voice taking on an edge of impatience.
Tohno nodded even though the old man was behind him. He pinched a good amount of hojicha tea leaves between his index finger and thumb into the tea cup, pouring boiling water right after and watched as the now dampened leaves swirled around before settling down. The chef stepped next Tohno and picked up the cup, sniffing it. It faintly smelled like wood to Tohno, though he was inwardly nervous about the chef's thoughts. And to further his nervousness, the chef took a sip, testing the flavor, before taking a drink.
Tohno couldn't read the man's face at all. It was masked very well, devoid of emotions until the man grinned and patted Tohno's shoulder whole-heartedly. "Not bad, boy. Not bad at all."
Tohno found himself smiling in relief at the chef's pleased grin. In amazement, he noted that this smile was genuine. He had been so accustomed to getting through with his life, one day at a time, never changing, never smiling. Always quiet, never expressing his emotions plainly.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur. During the lapse of customers, Isamu as Tohno was taught to call him, instructed Tohno in his job. There was no fixed hours to this job, though Tohno was expected to come before noon and the usual closing time for the shop was around the start of nightfall. The place was to be swept, the tables cleaned immediately after every sitting, in general, the place was to be kept properly.
He was so caught up with brewing the next order of the tea that he flinched when Isamu patted Tohno on the back, calling it a break. The sky had already dimmed to a pretty myriad of colors. Right along the horizon was a thin line of golden, pale blue above that golden lapsed into a shade of blue similar to the oceans at night; not quite black, but not quite blue either. Tohno's arms ached from washing dishes all day long, but it was a pleasant kind of ache. Today's a day worth living, he thought as he studied the sky.
He retrieved his phone to check the time, noting the late hour. He didn't expect a reply from Akari though, but it was there, beneath the digital letters of time.
"This is probably a bad timing... but can I meet you?"
His heart almost stopped.
And suddenly, shivering with anticipation, his hands fumbled to type in the directions to the restaurant.
Her answer was quick. "I'll see you in about 20 minutes."
This was entirely nerve-wrecking for Tohno.
Getting ready for Akari was difficult. Besides having to ask Isamu to prepare one last meal before closing, Tohno couldn't stop wondering if it was a... date. Then he would mentally scold himself because of course it wasn't. Of course it wasn't...
Still, it felt like one. Especially when Tohno found himself prowling the aisles of the flower shop nearby. Interesting enough, this flower shop wasn't limited to just flowers from Japan as he thought it would be. He immediately spotted the cherry blossoms with their soft pink, but it was already wilting, the petals drooping. After minutes of walking and seeing a never-ending supply of flowers, Tohno was ready to give up. His timing was running out.
He was returning back to the front of the store, absentmindedly wondering if Akari would like the cherry blossoms after all, when a patch of white caught his eye. In the midst of all the vibrant colors, there was white. He backtracked and stopped in front of the flower, thinking, careful to avoid the elderly store owner tending to the flowers next to it.
It was simple. Pure white, with five petals, the petals opening outwards and curving in again. It could have been the portrait of a perfect blooming flower. But although it was pretty in an unnoticeable way, it looked common. Tohno was about to walk away except the elderly lady next to him shifted her view to the white flowers.
"Seven mile fragrance."
"I'm sorry, Grandmother?" He wasn't sure if she was talking to him or saying something out loud, though the latter seemed more likely.
"They say it's scent is so strong, it lasts for seven miles." It sounded like she was reciting a verse from a distant memory. "You wouldn't notice a flower like this among all the others. It's just not as showy, right? You don't have to see it to know it's there though. It's scent speaks for itself."
She moved so that she was facing Tohno. "It's my personal favorite," she admitted with a smile before turning back to her flowers.
"May I have this one?" Tohno picked up the scissor on the floor next to the woman and handed it to her. She cut a single stalk from the patch.
"How much for it, Grandmother?"
"Love does not require a payment." Her knowing eyes made Tohno turn away in embarrassment.
"No, I insist. You don't get many customers..."
"And I insist. I was once a young lady too, you know."
Had he offended her by refusing? "I didn't mean to doubt you-"
"Then you will accept this gift," she said firmly.
He bowed deeply. "Thank you."
On the way out, Tohno stopped by what seemed to look like her private desk and pulled out a few bills.
The flower was perfect for Akari. He slipped it into his bag, hoping that it wouldn't be crushed.
Akari was already sitting at one of the tables, joking with Isamu. How she could possibly get along with Isamu so naturally amazed Tohno. Seeing Tohno in the entrance, Isamu gave Akari a tap on her shoulder, pointing to Tohno. Of course, Tohno pretended to not notice as he made his way over to Akari, sliding into the seat next to her.
"Tohno would have made this for you, but he was too busy doing nothing. May the Kami cure his soul out of his laziness." Isamu slapped Tohno on the back good naturedly before leaving the two of them alone.
"Lazy, huh? That's new."
"Isamu's joking," Tohno protested.
Sitting next to Akari, it reminded Tohno of the times they spent together in the library. It was so very long ago.
"What are you thinking of now?" she asked as she sipped her tea.
"The past."
She nodded. "I didn't mean to meet you in such a rush, but I came here to say..."
Tohno looked at Akari. She was gripping her cup tightly, watching the tea slosh from side to side. She didn't look at him.
"Say what, Akari?"
"Goodbye."
His breath caught in his throat.
"So what happened after that?"
They were walking along the streets now. Isamu offered to close up the restaurant, threatening Tohno that he was only going easy on him since it was his first day. Tohno didn't have the strength to say anything, and so merely nodded his thanks.
"Yuuchi apologized. He said... he said that she didn't mean anything..." Akari looked at the street lamp above, the light blinding her momentarily."I don't know what to believe."
"I see." Tohno hated himself for asking this, but he needed to know. Tonight was a night for honesty. He would have liked more time, but time was something he constantly seemed to run out of with Akari. "Do you love him?"
Akari was quiet as they continued to walk. The soft click of her heels against the pavement was accompanied by Tohno's footsteps. Tohno watched the leaves rustle in the wind as he waited for her answer. The breeze seemed to be taunting him.
"It seems like no matter what he does, I always end up coming back. I know he's lying, but... isn't that love?"
"Everyone has a different definition of love."
"So what is yours?" Her question took Tohno by surprise.
"It's bittersweet for me. It's like knowing someone won't be coming back, but still looking for that person. It's knowing without thinking that she's on your mind. Bittersweet, it's... bittersweet, Akari."
"What a lucky girl."
"Where are you staying?"
"At Mizuki's right now. I'll be leaving for the United States in a few days. Oh, the building is right ahead. Goodbye, Takaki-kun." She gave him a sad smile.
"Wait... Akari."
Suddenly, Akari's back was pressed against the brick wall of one of the buildings. Tohno pressed his forehead against hers, his breath hitching as he looked right into her eyes, the distance between them, only inches. "When you're in the United States, if anything happens, run back here. I'll always be here waiting."
"Okay."
Her breath was warm and sweet against Tohno's mouth. He didn't know why he did it, but he leaned in close. Tohno could have sworn that she had leaned in too. He pressed his lips softly against hers, barely touching, he didn't dare to want more, but he did. He wanted so much more of Akari. "I'm sorry."
"Why... why are you apologizing," she managed out.
There was no helping it; he had to tell her now before he could never. "I have loved you for so long... Akari."
Then he dared. All the years of hoping to see her again, only for her to leave once again. He dipped his head down, capturing her lips, kissing her insistently and urgently, all the longing building up inside of him, leaning in closer and closer. His chest was heaving heavily when he forced himself to pull away. Pulling out the flower from his bag, putting the stem in her hands, and cupping his hands over hers.
"I'm so sorry." He wasn't exactly sure why he was apologizing, but that he was. He expected her to turn around and run into the building, but Akari wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder. Tohno didn't know she was crying until he felt her tears soaking his shirt.
"It's alright."
Chapter Notes:
(1) Isamu means "courageous" or "warrior."
(2) Kami is the Japanese word for deities.
(3) Seven Mile Fragrance is an actual flower. It is otherwise known as Common Jasmine Orange.
Author Notes:
To me, the ending seems extremely out of character. I had originally intended for this chapter to be something different, but it ended up like this. Also, I was trying to upload this chapter yesterday (as a special treat for Valentine's Day), but wasn't able to.
So, happy late Valentine's Day~!
(And I still hope that you enjoyed this chapter!)