"So, who was she?" Katie asks.
She and Rain are sitting at a cafe on their fourth date. Rain had mercilessly pestered her for dates since the first time they had met at Thanksgiving dinner. He did not want to take chances in case Kyoko or her stooge (Shin) came back. So far neither had made an appearance since Kyoko had left.
"Who was who?" Rain asks. He knows, of course, that she is asking about Kyoko. But telling her he knows would only damn him. So he plays the innocent a while longer.
"Rain, you have been here almost three years now. In all that time you have never been to a social gathering - no parties, no dinners, and no friends. Even when you visit the bar, you drink alone. Do you think that in a town as small as Danville, people would not notice if a person like you was spotted having dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town with a beautiful woman? And that said woman most likely spent the night with you? And said woman disappeared soon after?"
When Rain does not reply, Katie sighs and continues.
"I mean I was not spying on you or anything. People who noticed would never bring it up in front of you even though they are dying to know. But I grew up here and I don't have that luxury. All I want is, if I am being used for something, just let me know?"
Rain smiles ruefully and covers his face.
"Here I was thinking that I made sure to focus 100% on you when I am with you," he says hoping his charming smile would gloss over the fact that he hadn't answered.
Katie narrows her eyes at Rain, "You know I am thirty-two years old. Lizzie got married at 24 and has two kids. And I don't even have a boyfriend. Do you know why?"
Rain had wondered about that. It was not that Katie was not beautiful. She was tall and had gorgeous waist-length hair. Long eyelashes and full lips. There was always an intense yet kind expression on her face that said that she would do anything in her power to make the person she loved happy. He feels very guilty at deceiving this woman. But why was she still single?
"I don't know. Why?" he asks.
"I don't want a relationship. I don't want to get involved with anyone. Ever since I remember, I have always wanted to be alone - relationships, friendships, love, company all seem such a huge amount of work to maintain with very little in the way or reward. That's why when you asked, I said ok. See, I thought you were like me - wanting to be alone. And as much as I don't want any relationships, I was also growing tired of Lizzie and everyone else telling me to settle down. I thought, if I do settle down with someone like you, perhaps it would work out. You live your loner life and I live mine and no one else bothers us. "
Rain wonders, 'Perhaps that would actually work out for me as well?'
But Katie continues, "However, I cannot really date someone, who, it turns out, I don't really know all that well. I thought I had you figured out. But you weren't a loner by choice. When you went out with that woman, you shattered that illusion. Now I am giving you a chance to explain who she is. If you tell me that that woman was an exception then perhaps we can go from there. Otherwise, these superficial coffee dates are at an end."
Rain walks wearily back to the burger shop. Ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to tell Katie the truth. She had left saying, "Don't ask me on a date again, Rain. Not unless you are serious about it."
'And what exactly is the truth I could tell her?' he wonders. 'That a celebrity actress used me as a stud and threw me away or my wife who I ran away from came back not for reconciliation but revenge?'
He was under no illusion that Katie would have dumped him no matter which truth he decided to tell her. She was strong and independent and probably better off without any involvement in the mess that was Rain. He enters the restaurant and stops. Sitting in the corner with his back to him is Shin. Rain can recognize him from his unique hair.
'Why is he here? Where is Kyoko? Is he here spying for her? Maybe I should go back and try to convince Katie to continue being my "girlfriend" somehow. But wait, why should I pretend? She was the one who dumped me after using me.'
He checks his watch. He still has a few minutes left of his break thanks to Katie cutting their date short early. He walks over and sits down in front of Shin. Facing him, he sees that Shin has a notebook and a pen in front of him and is concentrating furiously.
"A chocolate milkshake," Shin says without looking up.
"I am still on my break but shouldn't you eat something more nutritious for lunch? Like vegetables?" Rain asks.
"Vegetable?" Shin considers then says, "Like fries? Or onion rings?" He looks at Rain mock-quizzically.
A smile twitches at Rain's lips. "Perhaps sweet potato fries? I think they are healthier than potatoes. Something to do with potassium or something." he says.
"Alright then," Shin says happily. "Potassium fries."
Rain smiles. "I'll get you some when my break gets over. What are you doing here?"
"I am trying to write a story."
"What type of story?"
"It is a murder mystery about how things that happen in a remote town in America have a big impact in Japan."
Shin appears very young and wide-eyed as he says that, as though he can picture the story. Rain can't help but be drawn in.
"Really? And how do they? Have an impact I mean." he asks.
"That's what I haven't figured out yet. Maybe some potassium will help."
This time Rain laughs out loud. And then wonders when was the last time he had actually laughed out loud like that. Shin's lightheartedness was infectious. Rain could see why Kyoko kept him around. Perhaps the inordinate grief he had given her was one of the reasons she had to turn to Shin in the first place. In that case, did Shin know about Kyoko and Ren?
"Where is Kyoko-san?" he asks.
"I don't know, actually. I hope she comes back soon, though. I am feeling just a tad abandoned here," Shin laughs.
Perhaps it is because Ren was an actor or because Shin has such an effervescent aura that the tinge of anxiety the accompanies his laughter stands out like a sore thumb. Perhaps Rain could take advantage of Shin's weakness and probe him. See if he knew who Rain really was.
"I hope so too. 'Cause if not, I would be so heartbroken." Rain says theatrically sad.
Shin thinks, 'Oh such a mistake to underestimate this man. I thought he simply wanted to find out where Kyoko is and that is why he was chatting with me. But... However, if that is the case. How about this?'
"You still love her then?" he asks."Why else would you be heartbroken?"
"No," replies Rain a little too quickly.
Inwardly Rain winces, ' I answered too quickly. He is going to know I am lying. But then was he asking because he knows about Kyoko and Ren or was he asking because he knows about Kyoko and Rain? Oh, such a mistake to underestimate this lad.'
"She was just my celebrity fantasy you know. I never thought it would actually come true." Rain continues, trying to fix the situation.
"And was it as good as you had imagined?" asks Shin not missing a beat.
Again Rain senses the trap, 'Rain, who was Kyoko's fanboy, should not have any problem boasting about it. But Ren could not bring himself to talk about his wife like that to a third person. But was Shin really a third person?'
"You mean you guys never...?" Rain gestures acting surprised. Rain continues to prod Shin but Ren wonders if he really wants to know the answer to that.
Shin gives Rain a considering look. "You have such a dirty mind, uncle. Is that what you imagined between Kyoko-san and me?"
"Well, I mean.." stammers Rain.
"Kyoko-san would not do that. She is not the kind to two-time anyone."
At that moment, Rain knows that Shin knew all there was to know about Ren and Kyoko. Once was luck, twice was a coincidence, but it was now three times than Shin had spoken with double meaning. Shin knew.
"You are much too young to understand adult things like that." Rain replies.
"Speaking of adult things," Shin replies, and Rain tenses up. "How about you get me that nutritious meal that you promised? Your break is over, isn't it? Your coworker over there is giving nervous glances in our direction wondering whether to interrupt us or not."
Rain replies getting up, "So it is. One sweet potato fries, coming right up."
The first round of verbal sparring is over. But both Rain and Shin wonder, "Who won?"
"So, what's the tally?" Kyoko asks Shin on the phone.
"Four dates. It's time for Plan Two," replies Shin.
Kyoko sighs. They had discussed this. One date with girlfriend meant Ren was over Kyoko completely and trying to move on. Two dates meant he was desperate to move on. Three or more and he really could not move on. Which meant it was time for plan two.
"I know you don't like Plan Two." Shin's voice comes over the phone.
"It's not that I don't like it. I mean, that too. But I just don't know if it will work."
"It will work. I know 'cause I met him."
"You what? Shin, we discussed this. You were not to make contact with him."
"Relax, it's fine. I just needed to get a pulse on this guy. But boy is he tough. Can't say I fault your choice." Shin laughs.
"That does not make me relax at all!" Kyoko replies alarmed. 'Just what did they talk about?'
"Come on. I'd like to think I actually helped confirm the status. Just make sure all the prep is done on your end."
"It's done. I am all set on this end."
"Next Friday then?"
"Next Friday."