Thank you for waiting for this update to any readers out there who might be following this story. I hope to update the rest of "Lips Like Blood" in a more prompt fashion.
And those who are following my other works, I am still writing the next chapter of "The Reading List", which I plan to update soon. So stay tuned for that, I hope people are still interested as I know its been a long time, my how time passes quickly…
"This set meal is prepared by a foreign chef. He's French, but he specializes in some sort of deconstructed molecular gastronomy cuisine. He is three Michelin starred but it's such a meaningless title these days. Some of the worst meals I've ever had the misfortune of experiencing were cooked by supposedly the 'best' chefs in the world." Mika speaks as if to herself.
For the second time today , Mika is driving Ayaka around.
Ayaka doesn't know how to reply to Mika's remarks.
"…What are we listening to?" Instead, Ayaka asks
"Stan Getz. " Mika says. "Ever heard of him. "
"Who." Ayaka blinks.
" Its jazz." Mika clarifies. "Do you like it."
"…I'm not sure." Ayaka admits.
They have been listening to this music over the course of the drive. The sounds from the speakers sounds jumbled, distressed, a brash hissing of cymbals, whining of strings and a groaning warbling sax, like the reverberations of traffic, or a animated argument where no one can properly comprehend each other .
It matches Ayaka's thoughts.
Mika turns the volume down on the dial.
" I'm just …surprised to hear that, I guess." Ayaka swallows. "You… don't listen to your husband's music?"
'Of course not, " Mika answers tersely. "Why would I."
Ayaka studies Mika confusedly.
They are silent for a time.
"We can listen to some live jazz, if we go for a drink after dinner." Mika suddenly says.
"Excuse me?"
"I said." The older woman clears her throat. "It might help you make up your mind if you like jazz or not ,if you saw it performed in person."
" You mean we're… going for a drink together?" Ayaka asks surprised.
"Only if you wish. " Mika changes gears . "You are of legal age, aren't you."
Ayaka nods, as if remembering that. "Yes…. I am."
Mika asks. "How old are you again Ayaka?"
"I'm 19." Ayaka answers.
Mika gives her a incredulous look.
"But I'm turning 20 soon." Ayaka adds quickly.
For some reason, Ayaka's age embarrasses her.
To say she is 19, sounds self-deprecating, like in that fact, Ayaka is confessing her lack of comprehension, her inexperience, and indicating just how inconsequential and ineffectual she is .
Somehow being 19 makes Ayaka feel as if it immediately disqualifies her from being taken with any degree of real respect or interest.
But it could be more than her age that disqualifies her from that , she thinks.
Mika faces straight ahead again.
"You're so young." Mika finally comments.
" But you cannot be much older than I am Mrs. Seguchi. " Ayaka swallows.
She doesn't want Mika to see her as a child. Nor does she want them to seem so disparate from each other.
" You won't find out by how much. A lady doesn't tell." Mika speeds up. "A lady doesn't ask either."
"Oh… I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude -" Ayaka whispers.
"I'm kidding Ayaka ." Mika interrupts her. "I'm 27 ."
"That is very young as well." Ayaka says.
Mika says nothing to that.
For a lack of anything else to say, Ayaka comments anxiously. "It seems the traffic is …good tonight."
"Its fine." Mika says.
"Are we going past the speed limit?" Ayaka looks out of the window.
Ayaka can't focus on anything at the velocity they're going.
All Ayaka can see are the lights on the street level like dying sparks, signaling futilely out to her like captive fire flies, flickering and winking like flirtatious stars that the night's blackness is melting into and eventually overwhelming.
The younger woman thinks, strained: change is a velocity, it was the real velocity and she been its hapless passenger for a while now.
So much had changed in the past 24 hours, and more things were changing in this very instant. In a trivial way, she had changed clothes. She was in this car going somewhere else. She was wearing Mika Seguichi's green dress. They were having dinner- even though she was not engaged to Eiri anymore.
A few hours ago, Ayaka had been somebody's fiancée. Now she was no longer, but maybe was it possible, that she still could be. Or more precisely, she had never been. Maybe nothing had changed at all, except her beliefs about herself, that had been false all along.
The jazz music is now a distant but still disconcerting drone.
"It's a Lamborghini . Going past the speed limit is what this car is made for." Mika says. "Seeing the traffic is in our favor, want to see what it can do?"
Ayaka starts to say. "What do you mean -"
The older woman suddenly shift gears, changes lane and speeds up.
The sudden acceleration and jolt of power from the engine causes Ayaka to shriek and fall back in her seat.
They practically zip , screeching down the rest of the street.
When Mika slows down, Ayaka burst into giggles into her hands, half from elation, half from nerves.
She looks up to see Mika is smiling too.
"Its a hobby of mine." She then declares.
"Driving? Or … going past the speed limit?"
"Both. " Mika says, as her smile dissipates. " Sometimes I go out at night and drive around the city when I can."
"By yourself?"
" Usually yes." .
"Why ?" Ayaka asks curiously.
"Why." Mika frowns. " It relaxes me."
"But… you don't have any place planned when you drive around?"
"No. That's the point of it. I like to have the freedom to go wherever I want, when I want, however pace I like. " Mika murmurs. "Don't you ever have that urge Ayaka?"
"No. Not really. I would feel afraid and nervous." Ayaka winces. "To be a girl alone, and just… go around without any plan…"
Mika raises a brow. "That's a interesting statement, coming from a girl who went all the way to Tokyo by herself. "
A lump forms in Ayaka's throat again. "Yes, but…that was under… very special circumstances and … for a very specific reason ."
They are silent again.
Mika sighs. "Yes, I do know that. I'm sorry …. but despite the cause , I … am glad that you're with me right now ." .
"Thank you for saying that … but I'm sure there are many people you would rather dine with instead of me." Ayaka murmurs glumly.
To that, Mika says. "You'd be surprised."
At a stop light, Mika turns to her again.
"But would you please do me one favor Ayaka."
"Oh… of course- if I can. What… is it?" Ayaka says.
"Try and enjoy yourself tonight. You mustn't get so upset around me again. " Mika lilts. "You're far too lovely of a girl to cry. "
Ayaka's eyes widen. "Thank you …for saying that… Mrs-"
"As I told you before. " Mika interupts her, "Its Mika."
The restaurant they go to is cavernous and inundated with candles. The walls are black or mirrored with transparent ornate paintings upon them.
When they come in, the maitre d' knows Mika already.
She seats them at the best table.
"This is a beautiful …atmosphere." Ayaka utters. "Its almost romantic."
Mika looks up from her menu.
Ayaka hasn't looked at the menu closely as its all in French.
" Which makes sense, given that you were going to eat this dinner with your husband." Ayaka adds quickly.
Mika looks back down at the menu. "Yes. It does make sense."
Ayaka wonders: Does Mrs. Seguchi know French? Would she bother to translate it for her if she asked?
She's too embarrassed to ask .
Ayaka then fixes her gaze at the oversized breadsticks lying like a border between them.
"These breadsticks are so impressive." Ayaka whispers.
"Huh." Mika purses her lips. " That's the first time I have ever heard the word 'impressive' in regard to breadsticks."
"Well yes, but I am very easily impressed." Ayaka says wide eyed.
To that, Mika chuckles.
Ayaka puts a hand over her mouth. "Oh no. Did I… just say something wrong?"
"No, you didn't at all Ayaka." Mika is still chuckling. "I'm laughing because it was a very charming thing you just said. "
Ayaka ducks her head. "Oh good… I was worried I might have said something really stupid again."
"Please Ayaka- relax. You haven't said anything of the kind , and I have heard that you're very intelligent." Mika says softly.
"Who told you that?" Ayaka chews her lips. "My parents?"
"No. " Mika chuckles again. "I've heard that from various reputable sources. Or rather its common knowledge. I heard you were a very good student. Aside from being well-liked, and active in the community and well accomplished ."
"Oh yes." Ayaka says modestly." If you mean…I've learned traditional arts, like tea ceremonies and flower arranging and painting , yes, but that started when I was so little, it hardly feels like a accomplishment, more just like part of my upbringing… or like second nature to me now. "
"You should be very proud of that. Do you enjoy it though?" Mika asks conversationally.
"Oh.. Yes of course I do. Its very calming and the ceremonies are lovely and so elegant." Ayaka admits . "Or comforting maybe- those things remind me of who I am and where I come from. I know I've been fortunate to have lived in a such a quiet picturesque place and have had such a sheltered … background …I've never had to struggle really - and everything has always been taken care of for me. So I could devote myself wholeheartedly to my interests, and not have to worry about anything . I've known very little hardship. "
Ayaka says weakly, her head ducking below her shoulders. "I suppose… that shows, doesn't it."
Mika says nothing.
"Sometimes though… you don't realize how beautiful your home is, and how lucky you are to have that, until you're away from it. I… guess I feel …in my element in Kyoto, doing what I've been taught to do. Everything makes sense- and I have all my family and my friends whose families all know each other. Things don't change very much or hardly at all. Everything has its place and its own kind of beauty, and order…and you know who you are, and everyone else knows you, and what's expected of you is clear. Life… is very secure that way- "
Ayaka stops herself.
"But …coming here has made me realize how little I actually know, and just how naïve I really am. " Ayaka winces. "Or it makes me wonder who I would be… removed from my familiar surroundings, without being known for my family and having their support…and when I thought about that- I suddenly felt … very lost and alone, like I didn't know anything at all. And I think… what if everything I've been given was taken away from me? How would I cope ? When I can't even manage to walk in a park by myself-"
At that moment, the sommelier arrives to their table.
Ayaka falls quiet.
He pours a measured portion of white wine from an expensive looking bottle for Mika.
"How is it Miss. Seguchi?" He asks her.
Mika tastes it then nods. "Its very good. Thank you."
The sommelier pours more into her glass. Then he goes to fill Ayaka's.
Before Ayaka can refuse it , Mika gestures to Ayaka and says. "Yes, she'll have some as well."
The waiter gives Ayaka a generous pour.
When the waiter leaves, Ayaka then asks hesitantly. "Do you think … that perhaps …Eiri just needs more time?"
Mika sighs as she was expecting this question.
" Eiri needs a lot of things." The older woman says, as if to simplify it.
"Well. I hope he finds them… Although I'm not sure I can be the one to give him those things. All I can do… is wait for however long he needs, if it is still possible. I know he isn't ready for marriage yet. "Ayaka's eyes bear down at the table cloth. "Maybe I'm not either… even so, I've come and I've pestered you all, and I regret that horribly. I am so sorry Mrs. Seguchi. I know I should have thought a bit, I should have waited, but I've had so little experience and I feel as though a wiser girl would have known what to do, and would have done better. I still feel like I spoilt everything - including your nice dinner-"
Another waiter interrupts them.
This time he delivers a amuse-bouche.
It is a ceramic spoonful of tope colored mousse with a few specks of gold leaf placed daintily on top of it.
"You haven't pestered me at all Ayaka." Mika says softly when he leaves them " And you don't need to keep apologizing. This has been a difficult journey for you, and yes I'm sorry for the way things transpired… but it is my pleasure to receive you as my guest now and make sure your time in Tokyo ends on … a more positive note. So just be yourself and relax…we'll have a pleasant evening. In fact I have always wanted to take you for a proper meal, and talk to you one on one like this. "
"…Why are you being… so nice to me?" Ayaka croaks.
Mika sits back, eyebrows raised. "What do you mean by that Ayaka."
"Sorry- I just don't understand…why you're treating me this way… after what I did, after what happened-" Ayaka begins.
"No. I think that you do." Mika interrupts her sternly. "I think you're far more intelligent than you present yourself as. So why do you think I'm being so 'nice 'to you, as you say?"
Ayaka freezes.
"…I'm sorry to say this…so directly, but I think the only reason that you …are being kind to me right now, and why you said you still want to be my … sister… is that you think … I can somehow still marry Eiri… even after all this and what happened…" Ayaka says hoarsely.
Mika's face tightens.
Her eyes narrow.
" Well, perhaps I could ask you the same thing. Isn't that why you're acting so solicitous to me? After I know for a fact, that you have quite a determined streak Ayaka? " Mika purrs testily. "Is it that you think I have the power to persuade Eiri? That being meek and deferent to me is a better method for your ends, than being overly aggressive as you were to that boy ?"
The restaurant suddenly feels dauntingly, oppressively quiet.
"Um." Ayaka trembles, her eyes clenching shut. "No….no.. I don't… have a method here, or an end… because I know its ultimately Eiri's decision… or it should be. I respect that. I mean you could try but I think… you couldn't force him to fall in love with anyone, anymore than anyone else could, and what other people think about that doesn't affect things. But I know I behaved atrociously and childishly though- and I'm very sorry and miserable and confused about it. I don't even know what to think . Rather I can't think. I still have all these … feelings though and I don't know how to direct them really. And the reason I'm so… deferent and… meek to you.. is because I value you very much and…always will… you do make me feel … . nervous. I can't tell what you think of me right now, but I'm sure its not good at all, so why would you… help me ? I do regret my actions as they probably lowered your opinion of me forever and that's what frightens me the most . So its not a act because with people I don't value…I'm not deferent to …. But I'm sorry for all this, I hope you don't hate me now."
Mika then sighs again.
"Yes, of course you're … right about being respectful towards Eiri, and I certainly would never mean any disrespect towards him. My motives are completely in his best interests." Mika clears her throat. "And in yours too."
The older woman's face softens. " But you don't need to feel nervous or frightened around me. Hate is the last thing I would ever feel about you, and if you do feel that way, it is my fault for not making you feel welcome. I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, especially given all you've underwent lately. As you can see, I was dealing with some stress myself which had nothing to do with you…and I was upset about what happened earlier and I admit I'm disappointed in Eiri. So forgive my prior clumsiness, and perhaps my present clumsiness, but there's a great deal that I wish to say to you now, now that we're here."
"Like what…?" Ayaka utters.
Mika takes a deep breath. " Regardless of what happens or doesn't happen - I believe we have to remain close to one another Ayaka.'
"You mean incase Eiri does change his mind about the engagement?"
"No. Not for that. For you…." Mika stares at the younger woman intensely. " I want to remain of value to you. I want you to be my friend whatever happens, even if Eiri doesn't see the light - but I do hope and pray he does, as to pass an eligible young woman like yourself by would be a tremendous mistake, the worse mistake he could ever make- but however this unfolds, I still want you to accept me as your sister as I said earlier. And that has nothing to do with my brother or my relationship with him , do you understand? "
A blush spreads across Ayaka's face. "Alright… but I'm not sure how… I …can be … a good friend or a sister to you really- unless I'm in your family somehow-"
"Time will show us . Its not that we have to have a predestined course here-but rather, if one has the right will and intent, the way will become clear. I feel there is a purpose that we're here right now. I feel there is a real bond between us Ayaka, I have always felt it, and I am sure that bond will grow stronger … naturally of course. I feel as fate or circumstance has given us to each other in a sense, and that there is something we are meant to learn and share with one another, and that is rare isn't it. So let us be grateful for it." Mika says softly. "As for myself, I am grateful for the fact that we can be supportive of one another-in a free and completely candid way. Never mind what exactly that entails."
" But if it would prove my sincerity, I tell you now. if you ever need anything of me at all, I will do whatever it is in my power to help you Ayaka. " Mika places her hand on Ayaka's hand on the table. "And I do mean anything at all."
Ayaka 's mouth drops open.
" So will you accept this offer? Will you allow me to do this for you, for our sake?" Mika says in a low tone.
"Yes. I… I can try."
"That's all I ask." Mika removes her hand. "Speaking of trying things , why don't you taste the mousse and tell me what you think of it."
Ayaka takes and eats from her spoon hesitantly.
"The taste is strange but not bad- its kind of creamy, sweet maybe? And salty a bit." Ayaka frowns as she savors it. "What … what is this made of?"
"It's foie gras . " Mika says.
Ayaka stares at her.
"Goose liver." Mika clarifies.
"Oh." Ayaka audibly swallows it. " Okay."
Mika asks dryly. "Do you like it?"
"I'm …deciding." Ayaka utters.
"It's a acquired taste." Mika says. " But are you leaning towards yes or no?"
"I'm not sure where I'm leaning." Ayaka entwines her fingers together anxiously."If I am… leaning anywhere . "
" Are you usually this indecisive?" Mika asks.
"I don't know." Ayaka says shyly. " Maybe …you should decide that for me Mrs. Seguchi."
Mika smiles. "You're quite droll aren't you Ayaka."
Ayaka's mouth twists. "Oh, am I? I'm glad you think that. Most people just think…. it's a flaw of mine, being so … unsure. "
Mika rests her own face on her hand. "And what do you think about that?"
"But I would tend to agree with those people. Sometimes I feel like a blank piece of paper. I feel like I don't understand anything, like I'm very … foolish, and… superfluous for that reason." Ayaka adds. "Other times I feel very … adventurous and sure of myself, usually in those times, I turn out to be wrong though."
" That's just being young darling." Mika says gently.
"Then I don't much like being young." Ayaka admits morosely.
Mika lips twitch upwards. "That's a very young person-like thing to say."
"…Did you ever feel …like that? "
"Like what?"
Ayaka's shoulders hunch. "Unsure? Like how I do now? Or like that when you were… my age?"
"No. No I didn't. By necessity, I've always been quite decisive. " Mika looks away. "But for that reason, I don't think it's a defect being open to new experiences."
Ayaka offers carefully. "Like this one?"
"Yes, just like this one.. " Mika raises her wine glass. " Well. To you Ayaka. And to new experiences."
Mika takes a sip.
"Thank you." Ayaka manages to say.
Under Mika's gaze, she slowly raises her glass too and takes a small sip of wine herself.
It tastes pungent , lemony but not bad.
"I decided." Ayaka puts down her glass. " I liked it after all Mrs. Seguchi . I mean this wine… and whatever I had before too."
"I'm glad. And don't be so formal please." Mika rummages in her purse . She pulls out her lipstick.
Ayaka then says. "May … I ask you a strange question."
" Go ahead." Mika says as she reapplies her lipstick. "I'm sure its not as strange as you are thinking."
"When …did you start wearing that kind of red lipstick?" Ayaka asks.
Mika stops.
"That is a strange question." Mika puts the tube back in her bag. "But I suppose you did warn me."
"I can take it back." Ayaka says demurely.
"No, don't." Mika asserts.
She is quiet for a moment as if deciding how to answer.
"To be honest." Mika says . 'I started wearing it after our Mother passed."
Ayaka immediately apologizes. "I'm sorry…. I didn't mean to bring up something so personal."
"No. Its fine. " Mika taps her fingertips on the table cloth. "Your question was very innocent. I just wanted to be upfront. "
Mika's eyes narrow again. "And there's something about you that is quite disarming Ayaka. You make people feel at ease when you're like this. That's a gift , to have that quality - as its something that can't be faked or taught. I'm happy for you. Having that ability, will take you places." .
"What kind of places?" Ayaka tilts her head.
"Any place you choose to go." Mika says. "You can ask me more, being as it is, I so rarely get to talk in depth about my cosmetic choices."
Ayaka asks hesitantly . "Did you start wearing that kind of make up… because your mother wore it too?"
"No, my mother didn't wear lipstick at all. My mother was what you call a 'natural beauty' …and a famous one at that." Mika smiles. "Much like you are Ayaka."
"A famous beauty? Me? " Ayaka shakes her head adamantly. "That's very kind of you to say, but that's must be other people's… opinion I … don't think of myself that way at all- that I'm… particularly… anything… I'm just… there. "
"Yes, we never do see ourselves the way others see us. That's usually because we… know ourselves better than others can. Or maybe we don't." Mika murmurs.
"I do think you're beautiful." Ayaka blurts out. "Surely just as your mother was."
Mika near grimaces.
"Heh. And I would disagree with you." Mika looks away. " My mother and I were very different people."
Ayaka asks, wide eyed. "What do you mean? What was she like? Your mother. "
"My Mother?… She was a very sweet and sacrificial woman… by inclination. She was shy, modest, and acquiescent and appeasing, a little afraid by everything in fact… but it suited her. She didn't have to assert herself . She had her own presence I think. And Mother was far more beautiful than I ever was too. " Mika then smiles oddly. "Mother knew it, but nevertheless she would try to lie to me like any good Mother does , assure me that I was pretty, and I should behave prettily too… not to mess my dress, to speak softer, and smile more. "
Mika 's smile wavers. "But I didn't understand why I should have to do those things Ayaka. I never wanted to be yielding and approachable… I never wanted to diminish myself for any reason, even for beauty's sake. To do so felt uglier , then being considered unattractive. I suppose that's how I felt too. "
Ayaka is stunned to silence.
"So after Mother passed," Mika goes on almost nonchalantly . " I took over her caretaker role in the family. At the time, the red lipstick was a marker of my new -found maturity, a sign of I was putting myself forward as the woman of the house. Yet I… had to differentiate myself from Mother somehow, because I wasn't her. Perhaps that was more the tragedy than her passing itself, this inability of mine…But I had to distinguish myself as different from everybody else, even if it was in a trivial way. And it worked. I didn't feel so plain and childish anymore. It grew to the point that I didn't feel like myself without it on . But I remember my father didn't like me wearing lipstick at all. He said it was too 'mature' for me, and too immodest as well."
"And you… disobeyed him?" Ayaka says.
" In that I did . We all have to have our petty rebellions, don't we." Mika says wryly." I told him if I was old enough to take care of two troublesome brothers, I was old enough to wear the make up I liked too. And I didn't see the point of being modest when I needed to be authoritative , especially given the fact that I was the eldest and had the most responsibility, and was the only woman left around."
" You know to this day, my Father still disapproves of it." Mika then chuckles again , although there is a slightly sour note in it . "He wasn't the only man who held that opinion though…. On our wedding day, Tohma requested that I not wear it. He said he didn't want red lipstick all over his face in our photographs after we kissed."
"So what did you do?"
Mika took a sip of wine. " I chose a particularly dark red color that day."
Its hard to imagine Mika wearing a darker color than she has on currently.
Ayaka then says. "I don't think I would have never done something like that."
"Of course not." Mika says. "You're far too sweet aren't you. "
The older woman puts her wine to her lips.
"Infact. You're the kind of girl our Mother would have approved of ." Mika speaks over the rim of her glass. "You're the kind of girl my Mother would have loved to have as a daughter as well."
A lump coalesces in Ayaka's throat again. Its as if someone has wrought pincers around her heart. Although she doesn't know why she is responding this way.
Is it for herself?
Or is it for Mika this time ?
Before Ayaka can try to formulate any kind of response , she hears someone say "Mika?"
"Misaki..." Mika turns her head.
Standing before them is woman with shoulder length hair and glasses . She is dressed in a skirted suit.
"I don't mean to disturb you-" The woman says abashedly.
Mika starts to stand. "Oh Misaki- no, you never could-"
"Oh no. Please, please don't get up. Like I don't mean to disturb you. You're having dinner." The bespectacled woman beseechingly puts a hand on Mika's shoulder. "I saw you across the room and I just wanted to say hello."
"It's a delightful surprise to see you here." Mika says.
"Yes the same. You look wonderful ." The bespectacled woman smiles
"You do too as always."
"Thank you for saying that. How are you Mika. "
"I'm doing very well, thank you. And yourself? "
"Oh I've been so busy, I've hardly time to know how I am." Misaki laughs softly, and looks up directly at Ayaka. " Who's your lovely friend."
Ayaka looks back startled.
"Let me introduce you. Ayaka Usumi. " Mika gestures to them both . "Meet Misaki Kanna. "
"Hello, how do you do Ayaka." The bespectacled woman subtly bows to her.
"Hello Ms. Kanna." Ayaka says quietly . "Nice to meet you."
Misaki gestures behind herself. "As you can see, I'm here with a friend as well."
On the other side of the resturaunt on the far right, a woman with dyed blonde hair and a red dress, sits at the table by herself. She gazes at them all impatient, and a little wary.
"Yes." Mika says. "I can see that."
"May I ask how is your brother doing?" Misaki asks.
"Oh. You know Eiri- he's the same. "Mika waves a hand. "Anyways, I will allow you to go back to your dinner . It was so good seeing you again-
"Yes , we have to catch up- but I just thought I'd mention-" Misaki nods. " Eiri's new book Cool just came out. As we anticipated, its been a great success. "
"Yes I do know." Mika starts to looks uneasy. "Congratulations."
"Thank you. We've all very pleased, and as its been a long time, we should all get together to celebrate I hope-" Misaki looks at Ayaka again. "Do you read Mr. Yuki's books Ayaka?"
"Yes…I do occasionally." Ayaka utters.
"Then if your friend is in town then, you should bring her along- I'm sure she'd enjoy it- and I'm sure Eiri would like to meet one of his readers- he'd be happy to sign a copy for you-" Misaki starts.
Ayaka proceeds to fall into her hands and groans.
"Oh. My." Misaki steps back apologetically. "I'm so sorry, did I … do something? "
"No no Misaki. Its fine. We'll talk later. " Mika stands and says hurriedly. "Pardon us for a moment."
Mika then, without a word, takes Ayaka by the elbow.
Ayaka limply complies.
She directs Ayaka to the ladies restroom.
There is conveniently a small powder room, with a bench and mirror.
Ayaka collapses onto the bench, sobbing silently.
"I'm so sorry . Misaki is Eiri's editor." Mika tells her as she hands over some tissues. " I had no idea she.. would be here tonight."
Ayaka hiccups. "No no its fine. I just… overreacted for no reason… its no one's fault. I'm sorry though I broke my promise."
"Your promise?" Mika frowns.
"Yes. You said I shouldn't cry anymore… and I just did again." Ayaka sniffs.
"Its fine Ayaka. " Mika sits down besides her. "Who would have expected that to happen? We'll just have to try again."
"Yes… I'm afraid so…" Ayaka mumbles. " Do… do you know his editor well?"
"Yes I used to know Misaki better , back in the day." Mika states. "How else do you Eiri got his books published initially? "
Ayaka shivers. "Is that how? Because she and you were… friends?"
"Partially yes. Even if you have talent, you usually need a personal contact or at least, an introduction to start with . And Eiri was very young when he started his writing career. He finished his first novel at 17- most publishers wouldn't bother to give a chance to a untested teenager. "
"And Ms. Kanna did, because you knew her?"
"I can't take credit for it. I only made the introduction. She took the chance to publish my brother. Fortunately, it worked out."
"Well I'm glad it did. Eiri is very talented…he deserves all his success. I read his latest book. Cool. I … really liked it… Ayaka nods.
She admits. "In fact finishing it was what made me want to go see him."
"Really? Reading one of Eiri's novels precipitated all this?" Mika snorts.
"Well I have always loved to read in general. And I have read his books for years… but his latest one was his best yet. I couldn't put it down. It's about … this cold writer in the city who meets …passionate funny crazy girl , a visitor from out of town, who thinks he's so 'cool', and keeps pestering him. They fall in love. And their families disapprove- and the girl is arranged to marry someone else in the country, although she doesn't love him. They try and continue their relationship in secret. So the writer tries to fight his own feeling of love inside himself and let her go. " Ayaka reports gushingly. " In fact, the writer even tries to commit suicide because he's so heartbroken , but the girl just so happens to come to the city to finds him in time to saves his life … but doesn't know what to do or if he really loves her or if he's stable enough for a marriage. Then the writer writes this masterpiece and dedicates it to her. That convinces the girl that he truly does love her ,and she leaves her forced engagement, and they run away together."
"..." Mika looks unimpressed.
"That's quite a story." She finally says.
"I didn't describe it very well," Ayaka says bashfully. "But it was … beautifully written- like his other books. Haven't you ever read your brother's novels? "
"No. "Mika mutters. "I haven't really. "
"Why not?" Ayaka asks bewilderedly.
"Ayaka." Mika sighs. "I think its best that we not talk about … that anymore. I think we should go somewhere else though ."
"And we can just …leave that nice meal?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll just say I was called away for 'personal reasons'. It was a courtesy function anyways and frankly the rest of the food sounds overly elaborate and there's too many courses . " Mika waves a hand dismissively . "And now I can say I've been there, my job is done. As long as I recommend that other people go there, I'm sure no one will mind."
The older woman adds. " But since you're my guest, I think I'll let you decide where you want to go. Is there any place you would like to eat at in particular? "
Ayaka stares up at her.