Chapter 6: Date With Hama
RECAP: Rei and Kira joined Nana and the twins on a day out. They went to Harumi's workplace to eat where they were also joined by Tatsuya. Later Tatsuya also joined them at the park and for ice cream. On the way to get ice cream, Nana and Rei ran into Hama. Nana apologized to Hama and made a date with him to formally apologize. And now the date…
Rei and Tatsuya whistled when they saw Nana in a black one-piece halter pant suit that scooped down to the small of her back in the rear. Her hair was braided down her back and she had bangs in spiral curls framing the left side of her face. She was wearing black strappy sandals, onyx earrings and had Sei's engagement ring around her neck to complete her look. Kira and Harumi had come over early to help her get dressed and do her makeup.
"So, how do you like our work?" Harumi asked.
"Wow." Tatsuya looked her over appreciatively.
Rei smiled. "Boy, if Sei could see you, he'd probably …"
"Wonder why I'm going to dinner with another guy." Nana finished for him. Although she smiled and there was humor in her voice, Rei saw the sadness in her eyes and heard the slight tremor in her voice as she absently clutched her engagement ring around her neck and toyed with it.
Rei came over and kissed her on the forehead to placate her. "You look beautiful little sister. Hama will be impressed."
"He better be." Harumi chimed in.
Nana shook her head. "I'm not trying to impress anyone."
Harumi sighed, exasperated. "Well, it is time for you to get going."
"How are you getting there?" Rei asked.
"Do you have your keys?" Nana asked.
"Yes." Rei answered.
"Give them to me." Nana held out her hand.
"Wait! You're taking my baby?" Rei asked.
"Of course." Nana replied. "You told me whatever I needed you would support me."
Rei sighed, and they all stared incredulously at Rei as he took out his keys and tossed them to her. "Make sure you take care of my baby. Fill it up with gas, and don't get a scratch on it."
"As if." Nana smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you. You won't regret it. And thank you all for agreeing to watch the twins. I really appreciate it." She kissed her twins and hugged them. "Bye babies. Be good. Listen to your aunties and uncles unless they tell you to do something that I wouldn't want you to do." She glared at Rei, then turned to look at Jiro whose eyes were glassy, ready to spill over with tears. "Don't worry. Mommy will be back soon. And Hiro and Uncle Rei are here with you, okay?" He nodded. Rei held Jiro's hand and then picked him up. Kira picked up Hiro. All followed Nana to the door as she continued her instructions. "They've had dinner and their baths. Their bedtime is 7:30 and not a minute later. Jiro usually falls asleep by 7:15. Make sure that you read to him before he falls asleep. Hiro will stay up as long as you let him. So don't let him."
Rei winked at Hiro, and Nana saw it. "I mean it Rei. He already has your traits. He'll be incorrigible if you encourage him. If that happens, then I'll either let him live with you for you to raise him or forbid you from seeing him anymore."
Both Hiro and Rei pouted. "Aauuuugh."
Nana grabbed her purse and keys. "Let's see. Is there anything else you need to know?"
Harumi pushed her toward the door and opened it. "Just leave already. They'll be fine, and we have your hand phone number if we need to contact you. Now, go have fun."
"Okay, okay. I'll leave first. Thank you again." She kissed her babies then pecked Rei on the cheek, and hugged Kira and Harumi.
Tatsuya ran up to her and turned his cheek facing her. "Where's mine?"
Nana chuckled and kissed him on the cheek and then left. She raced through the streets on the motorcycle enjoying the feel of the wind whipping through her hair and the vibration of the motorcycle beneath her. "It's been too long." She thought. She arrived a little late at the restaurant and saw that Hama had already arrived and was seated. They were at a small Italian restaurant that was dimly lit with candles on the tables. When Hama looked up and saw her, he at first stared. She smiled.
He whistled. "Man you look better every time I see you." He pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit.
"Thank you." She said, sat down, and then appraised him. "You're not so bad yourself." He was wearing a gray cashmere V-neck sweater that accented his broad shoulders and chest and outlined his muscular arms. "Had I known you were so well-built I may have hesitated before picking a fight with you. Anyway, I really am sorry about that." The waiter came and took their order. He was Italian so she ordered in Italian for both of them. Hama was impressed. After the waiter left Nana asked. "So, tell me. Why did you and Rei fight, and how did you become friends later? Rei won't tell me, or rather we haven't really had time to discuss his life here. We have mostly talked about the past."
"Okay, but you have to tell me how you know Italian." Hama requested and then told her how Rei punched an upperclassman for stealing Kira's drawing and used it to win a contest, and then how Hama and his boys went after Rei for messing with the upperclassman. Then how Rei after being beaten fought back and beat Hama and all of his boys. "I admired his spirit, how he took it and then gave back as good as he got. So, I made peace with him, especially after I found out that the sempai he hit had stole Kira's work. That sempai was such a punk. I felt guilty for defending him. So, I made peace with Kashino, and we've been tight every since then."
Nana was proud of Rei. "No wonder he didn't tell me. I take back my apology. You're no better than me. You did the same thing I did, went in half-cocked without all the information. Even though you two made up, you still deserved to be hit for attacking Rei." Nana looked incredulous.
Hama laughed. "You're right, but we were both wrong for not asking questions before acting."
Nana smiled. "True. So I apologize for that, but not for hitting you. You deserved it."
Hama rubbed his jaw. "Fair enough. You have a pretty good punch for a girl."
"For a girl nothing. I have a pretty good punch period." She boasted. "You just better be glad that I was in a good mood that day or you really would have been in big trouble." Nana smiled, and Hama laughed. Dinner arrived at that point, and they ate in silence. "This is good." Nana commented after they ate.
As they were drinking coffee and tea with their dessert, Hama asked Nana questions. "So, what are you doing here? I know you came here to go to school, but don't tell me you moved here to see that punk Kashino."
"Yes, I am. I was worried about him after my … after Sei died." Nana looked away quickly and then turned back with a weak smile.
"How do you know him anyway?" Hama asked.
"His aunt is my godmother. So when they came to the states, I took care of them. We grew up together. I became like the third sibling. They used to call us the Kashino triplets although I look nothing like them, but everyone says that I act just like Rei." Nana recalled.
"You do. You punch like him too." Hama rubbed his jaw again. They both laughed. "So how long are you staying? Until you graduate or longer?" Hama asked.
Nana looked at him soberly. "No, I moved here for good. I'm not returning to the states. I'm never returning to live in the states again."
Hama was surprised. "You mean your family doesn't mind that you will live here for good?"
Nana shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I'm an adult. I make my own decisions. Besides, I had a falling out with most of my family, and Rei's aunt had guardianship of me before I became an adult."
"So that's why you're Kashino?" Hama asked.
Nana smiled. "Part of the reason."
"So you don't think you'll ever go back, not even to visit?" Hama confirmed. Nana shrugged. "But what about the friends you left behind? What about a boyfriend?
"I write to my close friends, and I'll visit them, or they can visit me. And I don't have a boyfriend back in the states." Nana said absently touching her necklace.
"So, there's no one special in your life right now?" Hama asked not knowing why he was curious.
Nana shook her head. "I didn't say that."
"So, there is someone special in your life?" He asked. "Is that why you are here? Is it Kashino?"
"Hell no. I'd never go for Rei. He's like my brother. That would be disgusting." Nana shivered from disgust and then exhaled heavily. "And yes there is someone special in my life, but we're not together. In fact, it's impossible for us to be together. However, he does have a very special and big place in my heart which no one can replace. And I'm not looking for a replacement now or maybe ever. We have a permanent bond which no one will ever replace. Maybe one day I'll be able to make room for someone else to occupy a special place in my heart, but I don't have any room right now, and no one will ever take that place or equal the space he takes up."
"So there is no room in your heart for anyone else right now?" Hama pointed to himself.
Nana was thoughtful and quiet for a moment. "Only as a friend. There is always plenty of room in my heart for good true friends."
"I know this is bold and forward of me." Hama began cautiously. "And we don't know each other well, but do you think that you could consider me when your heart opens up or makes more room for someone special?"
"Since you put it that way, and you know that you are being presumptuous, then if you are still around and feel the same way then, yes, I will consider it." Nana smiled.
Hama also smiled. "Well, I guess that wasn't an outright rejection."
"Well, it wasn't an outright confession either." Nana expressed.
Hama held out his hand to Nana. "You really are like Kashino. I'm glad you are going to be my good friend."
Nana shook his hand. "Me too." Nana motioned for the bill and paid. "Shall we go?" She asked.
"Wait, how are you getting home? Do you need a ride?" Hama asked.
She shook her head. "I'm getting home the same way I got here on Kashino's bike."
"You don't have to wait for Rei to pick you up. Give him a call and tell him I'll give you a ride home." Hama offered.
Nana scoffed. "I'm not crazy. I wouldn't wait for him. I have the keys to his bike, and it's parked right over there." She nodded her head to the right of her. "I'm driving." She took out the keys and spun them around her fingers.
Hama was shocked. "No way. You can ride?" She nodded. "Seriously?" She smirked.
"Of course I can ride. I used to race too. Sei didn't really like or approve of racing so I used to train and race with Rei to help him." Nana scoffed.
"No way. Let's go. I want to see how you handle yourself on such a big hog. You have to be pretty good if Rei let you take out his baby on your own." Hama smiled.
As they were leaving, a certain tall, pretty, lanky boy walked by and recognized Nana. "Kashino." He thought as he remembered where he had seen her previously and stepped back around the corner out of the way to watch.
"Alright, I'll leave first then." Nana got on the bike, put on her helmet, jacket, goggles, boots, and gloves and gunned the motor. She then peeled off turned the bike around making a really low turn and then saluted Hama as she passed by.
Hama was impressed. "Yep, I'm glad that we are friends."
As Nana waited at the traffic light for the signal to change, she checked her right-hand mirror and saw Hama still watching her and then noticed an additional pair of eyes. "Pretty boy." She thought as she peeled off and rounded the corner when the light turned green.
Masao had watched also impressed, but he also recognized the bike. Could it be? Could they be related or could she be that one? Masao grinned. "I wonder." He said out loud to no one in particular.
"You wonder what?" A voice startled Masao from his thoughts as he bumped into the voice. He was so deep in thought that the hadn't noticed that a certain black-clad figure had stealthily appeared in front of him. Without looking up, he walked around the figure and bowed his head. "Excuse me."
"And what if I don't want to?" A female voice replied as she blocked his path again. Masao's head shot up to see the very person he had been wondering about in front of him with an irritated look on her face. She nodded. "I remember you from last time, and I didn't get a good vibe from you then. What are you doing here? Are you watching me? Did you follow me or just happen to walk by and recognize me, or is it Hamazaki sempai that you recognize?" Nana was suspicious.
She's sharp. He thought but then put on an innocent, shy smile, shook his head, and put it down. "No, classmate. I wasn't following you. I just happened by and saw you. I thought I recognized you from the school's registrar's office. So, I was watching to see if it was you, but then I became entranced in how well you handled K … that is the motorcycle, especially since you are small and a female. I was so impressed that I found that I could not tear my eyes away."
"Nice try, but flattery gets you nowhere with me. So, why didn't you speak then?" Nana asked.
"Well, I did not want to interrupt my classmate's date and cause trouble between you and your boyfriend." Masao replied.
"It wasn't a date, and he is not my boyfriend, not that any of that is your business. Anyway, that day at the school why were you staring at me?" Nana interrogated him.
"That … it's because I am new to this area and don't have any friends, and I sort of standout because of my appearance just like you standout due to your unique appearance as a foreigner. I am sorry to stare but you are quite attractive and unique. I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you and maybe make a friend. So, I am grateful that you took the initiative that day to talk to me as you have done today too since I am shy." He put his head down. Then he looked up and continued. "I was going to approach you at school next time and use this as a chance to talk to you and ask if you were the one that I had seen at the restaurant and on the motorcycle."
She looked at him. "Is that the truth?" Her voice grew softer and gentler.
He nodded and kept his head bowed. "Yes."
Nana shook her head and sought his eyes. "That is a load of crap if ever I heard any. From now on don't stare at me, and you better not follow me either. I'll be looking out for you. You stay away from me." Nana could not explain the bad vibe she got from him but it had something to do with the fact that from her vantage point she could see that he was struggling to maintain the innocent, shy aura that he projected while hiding the deep dark empty, vapid look in his eyes. She didn't trust him and hoped that she would never run into him at school because the fact that the look in his eyes was strangely familiar to her and resembled someone that was dear to her creeped her out even more than the boy did. She left just as stealthily and quickly as she had arrived, got on the motor bike and booked it home.
Masao let his true face show as a creepy smile crept across his face. "Yep, looks like school is going to be very interesting."
When Nana arrived home, she asked first. "How are my babies? Are they asleep? Did they behave? Did you read to them? What time did they go to sleep?"
"They are fine. Yes, they are asleep. Of course they behaved. They were little angels. We read to both of them at 7:00. Jiro went to sleep exactly at 7:15, but Hiro stayed up until 8:00." Rumi replied.
"Are you sure? Hiro is quite devious. He'll pretend to be asleep but get up after you leave. I'll just go check on them." Nana left heading toward the back bedrooms. When she went into the twins' bedroom, she noticed Hiro was in the bed facing the wall quietly playing with his truck. His mother smiled knowing he had fooled his babysitters. She went over to Jiro first and kissed him on the forehead and bade him goodnight.
Hiro sat up and yawned pretending to wake up. "Mommy, you're home?"
"Yes, and don't think for a moment that you fooled me. Now, lay down and go to sleep for real this time." She gently scolded him.
"Yes, Mommy, but I couldn't sleep because Mommy was not here." He explained.
"Has Uncle Rei been teaching you how to smooth talk Mommy?" She asked suspiciously. "Because I know that is not true, but you are sweet for saying that. Now go to bed, or you won't get dessert tomorrow." She kissed him on the forehead.
"Yes, Mommy, I love you." He hugged her and lay down. She returned to the living room where everyone was waiting.
"Well?" Harumi asked.
"Well what?" Nana asked nonchalantly.
"How was it?" Harumi asked.
"How was what?" Nana asked. "Oh, it was just as I expected. Hiro was still awake."
"Oooh, this girl." Rumi sighed. "Rei, I swear she is every bit your sister. You talk to her." Harumi folded her arm over her chest and sighed.
Rei and Nana looked at each other and snickered. "Rei, do you have something to ask me?"
Rei nodded. "So, how was my bike?"
"Rei!" Harumi, Kira, and Tatsuya protested.
"Oh, it was great. It handles so well. It is aerodynamically sound and handles the curves even when I'm riding low in the turns." She smiled. "I miss riding and racing, but your father is too scared to let me ride since I have the twins."
"Yeah," Rei was imagining. "Did you fill it up?"
Nana rolled her eyes at Rei and tossed him the keys. "Of course. Did you even have to ask?"
"These two. I swear you guys are blood-related." Harumi huffed. "So, Nana, how was the date? Did it go well? Are you going to see him again?"
"It wasn't a date." Nana assured them. "I owed him an apology for hitting him that time. So, I apologized. That's all."
"So, it didn't work out?" Harumi asked. "You aren't going to date Hama? And after all our hard work." She sounded disappointed.
"No, I had fun, but we aren't going to date. It's not like we won't hang out any way as FRIENDS, but that's all I'm interested in at the moment and probably have time for for a while to come." Nana explained. "And that's what I told him, and he agreed to it. I'm too busy with the twins, school, work, and taking care of those two." She nodded toward Rei and Kira and winked at Harumi and smiled.
"Oh, so did you tell Hama about the twins?" Harumi asked.
"No. I'd like us to get to know one another better as friends first. I don't need everyone knowing my business." Nana told them.
"But Hama is trustworthy." Kira protested
"I'm sure he is, but I want to introduce people to the twins slowly. They have already been through enough with moving to a foreign country, changing languages, and meeting their uncle who will not watch them again if he keeps on influencing Hiro. I swear he acts just like you." Nana glared at Rei.
"What did I do?" Rei pointed to himself.
"I guess it wasn't you who told him to pretend he just woke up when I got here or claim that he can't sleep unless I'm home?" Nana asked sardonically.
Rei smiled. "Guilty as charged. He's smart. He catches on quickly."
"Well, keep it up and either you won't see him again, or I'll let you keep him full time like I told you before." Nana threatened.
"That's okay." Rei said quickly. "I'll be good." The other three all snickered at Rei being put in his place by his little sister.
"That's what I thought. Anyway, thank you everyone for watching my babies. I don't plan on dating or going out too often. So, you don' have to worry about me asking to you babysit often. To repay your kindness this evening, though, how about I treat you to lunch once school starts?" She asked.
"That's cool." Rei and Tatsuya replied simultaneously.
"Awwwww, I don't get to watch the babies again? But they are so cute and well-behaved and fun." Harumi pouted. "Really, I don't mind."
Nana smiled. "That's good to hear, but I'm not trying to have a social life that doesn't include them. So, I doubt I'll be going out that often to need a baby sitter. I plan to focus my attention on the babies, work and school. But I will keep you in mind first when I need a sitter." Of course she spoke too soon not knowing what was in store for her during the upcoming school year.
A/N: Many apologies, I have been really busy, and I have been trying to work on three fics at once, which is straining my creative flow. So forgive me for taking so long. However, as a result, I will be releasing chapters fairly quickly after this.