Friday early evening, February 25th – Waseda University, Tokyo Japan
Hisako and Nanako had given it their best shot. They had even gone straight to the arena – still carrying their luggage. But there was no way to make the trains run any faster, so they had missed the competition. Hisako enjoyed a good Kendo match but it had been Nanako that had been more disappointed that they hadn't made it in time. And Hisako didn't like it when her girlfriend was disappointed… or upset… or angry… or… anything but happy.
"You'll still be able to see Taiga." Hisako weakly offered. She knew it wasn't much but it was the most uplifting thing she could think of.
"Oh Hisako, you big worry-wart. I'll be all right. It's okay for me to be a little blue about this. I'm not such a delicate flower that something like this can keep me down." Nanako said while clinging to the tall model's arm and leaning on her as they walked toward the entrance of the Martial Arts arena.
Hisako smiled in reply, but she did remember when Nanako was a delicate flower whose life could have been lost if not for some tremendous luck. Hisako could still see the girl in the hospital bed, recovering from venomous snake bites. Her hair was matted, her skin was bloated and inflamed from the venom that had been coursing through her veins, and she looked exhausted. But to Hisako, the purple haired girl still struggling for her life, had been the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Even in her sickly and unkempt state, it had been love at first sight for Hisako. Since then, they had made many amazing memories together. But the memory of seeing Nanako at her most frail had never left Hisako. It had become the tall models greatest fear – that something would happen to Nanako. It was a nameless, formless dread that troubled Hisako. Whether the attack affected her sweet Nanako physically or emotionally was irrelevant. Hisako was determined to protect her girlfriend from anything that could make her unwell, or unhappy.
"Hisako! Nanako!" a cheer greeted them as they were about to enter the arena and discovered all of their friends huddled around the entrance and getting ready to leave. The arena was still open and inside, the main floor was being set up for the next event, but the part of the evening's competitions that everyone had come to see was over.
"Taiga! How did you do? Did you win?" Nanako asked excitedly.
"Of course!" Taiga answered the question as if there had never been any doubt.
"I pre-purchased the event video so we can all watch it on tomorrow's flight." Ami said with a barely suppressed snicker.
"Event video… WHAT?" Taiga gaped. She knew that video's of the matches were made so that their form and mistakes could be reviewed and training could be honed to address weaknesses. But she never knew that the video's were available for sale to… Dumb-Chi!
"Just a second… what's this about a flight?" Minori asked. She had thought that the friends could all get together and do something fun, but it sounded like some of them had… other plans already. She looked over to Umeko and saw that her head was hung a bit. So it's something that Umeko knew about… and doesn't particularly like it.
This is supposed to be a secret, but I trust you guys." Ryuuji said to Minori and Taiga, "The models have been invited to Australia for a big fashion event. And, at the same time there is a music festival. So RBB and Aiko-chan will be performing live music too."
"Wow, thats…" Minori wanted to congratulate her friends on getting such a nice gig, but it was really dashing her plans for something of a reunion. But before she could find the right words to finish her thoughts, Umeko put in her own ending.
"… really far away." Umeko was looking down and her fists were clenched. She never did like the idea of her little sister traveling far away, nor did she like the idea of her imouto leaving the country… or flying in general. And this time, Suzume would be doing all three. Ryuuji had fulfilled his obligation though. In fact, he had gone further than what he had agreed to.
Long ago, in a hospital room on an Air Force Base near Tokyo, Minami Umeko – the older sister and guardian of her little sister Suzume, had compromised. She would allow her aspiring model, and under-aged sister to travel for performance engagements as long as Ryuuji was there as her manager, his mother Yasuko was along as a chaperone, and Koigakubo Yuri was along to keep up her studies in the event that the trip interrupted any of her sister's schooling.
Since that agreement had been made, Koigakubo Yuri had married and become Locke Yuri, and Ryuuji had additionally arranged for one of Suzume's school friends to come along for support on her trips. Technically, there was no reason for Yuri to be on this trip since it would all happen within the time of their Spring Break, but that was how Ryuuji was.
Umeko acknowledged that Ryuuji was a good man. She had no doubts at all about sending her little sister off with him. She also knew that Ami, Hisako, Yuri, and Onee-chan were all wonderful people who would do whatever they could to keep her precious sister from harm. Indeed, she trusted the people Suzume was with implicitly. That was never the problem. It was just that… Australia was so far away! Her melancholy was suddenly warmed up by long arms encircling her and wrapping her in a hug.
"I know how much this bothers you, and I really do appreciate you trusting me like this." Suzume said softly into her elder sister's ear.
"It was never a problem with me trusting you… or even the people you're with. It's just… the rest of the world I have a problem with. I just wish you'd stay in Japan… where it's safe." Umeko pouted.
"Wow, that's… so cool!" Taiga cheered Ryuuji's announcement. "How long will you be away?"
"We leave tomorrow morning and we won't be back until March 19th at the earliest." Ryuuji said. He didn't go into the flexible arrangements and that they might not be back until the end of the month. The discussion had already traumatized Umeko once and he had no desire to reopen those wounds.
"What are you going to do with the children? Are you going to take them with you?" Yukiko asked.
"No, they are still a little too young for such a trip." Yuri said sadly.
"Major Charming will be taking them to Tokushima for a stay at the Hisamitsu house." Hisako was well aware of those preparations since she and Nanako lived with Noto and Maya in Tokushima.
"I hope they won't be too cramped." Suzume said. She didn't remember the place being all that large from their previous visit.
"Oh, they will have plenty of room." Nanako said with a smile, "They won't be staying at the apartment near the University where you visited us. They'll be at the main estate where Obāsama holds court."
"Oh… really?" Yukiko's mind for business opportunities switched on and she began to think of possibilities.
"I don't envy The Major making that trip with two infants." Suzume said. As much as she adored the babies, traveling even short distances with them was exhausting.
"He's actually quite good with babies." Yuri defended her husband.
"No matter how good you are with babies, six hours on trains with two infants is going to be tough." Yukiko countered. Not all that experienced with caring for an infant herself, just the idea of doing something like that was terrifying to the hotel executive.
"Actually… that was something I wanted to bring up with you guys." Ryuuji said to Minori and Taiga, "If you have the time… Noto and Maya would like to see you and it would help if you went along with The Major and helped with the children."
"I could pay you a little something." Yuri proposed, "I mean, like long term babysitters."
"Ryuuji-sama's already reserved the Shinkansen tickets to Okayama." Umeko told her friends. "He got three sets, but I can't take the time off from work. So…"
"I'll go!" Yukiko volunteered before Umeko could finish her apology.
"Huh? Don't you have a hotel chain to run?" Ryuuji reminded the hotel heiress.
"I do. But this trip will be mixing business and pleasure. I have long wanted to meet with the Hisamitsu Group and this sounds like a golden opportunity." Yukiko explained, "And besides, I've been building a relationship with my little sisters for a year now and it's time that they show me that they can be trusted not to burn the place down while I take a few days off."
"I suppose you have some softball camp to go off to?" Taiga asked Minori with a slight pout, but immediately brightened when her best friend shook her head.
"Not this time. I was kinda hoping that we could have some kind of reunion…" Minori said with a feeble smile.
"I'll tell you what… If you can keep the first half of summer break open for me, I'll see if I can put together a reunion that we can all come to." Ryuuji offered.
"Really?" both Taiga and Minori cheered.
"Yep! But it has to be the first half of the break, I can tell you now that the second half won't work." Ryuuji insisted.
"I can make that work." Taiga said with determination.
"I think I can do that too." Minori added.
"I'm pretty sure Noto and Maya are free then, but I'll check." Hisako said.
"So… not to keep needling the subject but… what about you two helping with the babies?" Yuri brought the conversation back around to that.
"I'm in!" Taiga said.
"Me too!" Minori said with her usual positive enthusiasm.
.
Saturday morning, February 26th – RAAF Amberley - Ipswich, Australia
Corporal Deena Walker was back in her Service Dress uniform for the second time this year, but this time she was thrilled. Or at least, she wanted to be thrilled. After the grand surprise she got in the Air Commodore's office the previous afternoon, she was still in a mild state of shock. The unexpected conversation was still echoing through the parts of her brain that were desperately trying to figure out if she was awake or if this was all an incredible dream.
.
"So, here she is! The amazing Deena Walker I've been hearing so much about." the older officer said with a smile. He returned the salutes from the Corporal and her Flight Lieutenant, then put his hand out to shake Deena's hand. Only then did he realize that they had no idea why they were there and that the summons probably caused them a bit of worry, "Be at ease you two. This is more social call than anything."
"Yes, sir." both Deena and her supervisor relaxed somewhat, but they were still wary.
"Lieutenant, did you know that you had a celebrity working for you?" the Commodore tossed a magazine to the junior officer.
"Sorry sir, I can't read Japanese." the Lieutenant replied as soon as he looked at the colorful cover and all the unfamiliar kanji letters.
"I can't read a bit of it either, but just thumb through it and look at the pictures." the Commodore said to the Lieutenant but kept his eyes on the tall Corporal who was looking deeply uncomfortable after she saw the magazine. "According to the people that can read it, our young Corporal here had represented Australia rather brilliantly while she was off getting her 'special training' from the Americans."
"Sir?" the Lieutenant finally came across the pictures that the old man was talking about. Just in case he was being unobservant, Deena's face was circled in red in every picture where she appeared. She seemed to be in the company of an American officer and a group of Japanese youths. He didn't know much about the Japanese youths but he did wonder if her involvement with this officer had strayed into a fraternization issue.
"Sir, I can explain!" the words popped out of Deena's mouth from the stress of having all of this exposed before her commanding officers. She didn't even know what she needed to explain, but she just knew that she must have violated some kind of rule.
"Corporal, I told you to be at ease. I'm not asking for any explanations. I was serious when I said that you did a good job of representing our nation, and the RAAF too." the Commodore huffed.
"How is that, sir?" the Lieutenant was still lost.
"Here you go." the old man tossed another magazine to the Lieutenant. This one was printed in English… or at least the bastardized American version of English. It was an issue of the magazine printed for American armed forces in the Pacific and there was Deena's likeness, along with several others, on the cover. "It seems that our enterprising young Corporal found the time to work on a public relations campaign with the Americans, befriend a group of models, help out on a rescue mission, assist in the Pandemic response, and become the big sister of a young Japanese singer who is still in Grade School. And, she did all of this while she was supposed to be getting her 'special training'. Fascinating experiences, don't you think?"
"Yes… sir." the Lieutenant was stunned. Deena had never talked about any of these things and he had never even heard rumors. There had been a few complaints about her putting up posters of Japanese celebrities in her quarters, but nothing to this extent.
"To tell you the truth, if it hadn't been for the magazines, some messages from DFAT, and a rather excited young man from the Japanese consulate asking for you, I wouldn't have believed it myself." the old man laughed.
"Asking for me, sir?" Deena was now worried that she had somehow offended a foreign country… but the Commodore said, and re-said that she had done a good job.
"Yes, well you see Corporal…" the Commodore started to explain, but seemed to switch tracks and suddenly asked a question, "How much do you know about the Melbourne Fashion Festival?"
"Not much, sir. I mostly wear a uniform." Deena admitted.
"Not good, Corporal." the Commodore wagged a finger at her, but said with a taunting smile, "You go hobnobbing about with foreign fashion models but you don't even know of the fashion events of your own country?"
"Sorry, sir." she couldn't bring herself to tell him that she had never had an interest in fashion in the first place. It was the Japanese culture of models and idols that had always fascinated her.
"Well, you have until tomorrow evening to learn as much as you can about that fashion show." the old man said as he handed her several guide books that had been sitting in a tidy bundle on his desk until then.
"Sir?" Deena's surprise couldn't be suppressed from her voice.
"As of this moment, you are the property of DFAT. And, from what I gather, they are handing you over to Ryuuji Takasu and Yasuko Takasu . Looks like a husband and wife team to me. The wife looks pleasant enough, but watch out for that Ryuuji fellow. He looks like a vicious bastard." the old man said as he handed over a form that had their passport photos on them.
Deena took the glossy and looked at the smiling pictures. A flood of fond memories came rushing back to her in that moment. The hand holding the single page began to tremble as all the pent up stress from being in the Commodore's office started to drain away.
"For the record, sir…" Deena couldn't believe she was correcting the Air Commodore, but she simply couldn't let this pass, "Yasuko is Ryuuji's mother. And, despite how he looks, Ryuuji is one of the nicest, most caring men… that I have ever met."
"Well then…" the Air Commodore could see how strongly Deena felt and realized that his hasty words could have been insulting to someone who held the person as a close friend. He could have blustered his way through such a gaffe, but something told him that young Deena Walker was just as impressive as the surprise dossier said she was. Not being a fool, he knew that impressive people like her were the ones you held onto, not alienate. "Should you find yourself in Brisbane with your charges, I hope you will take the opportunity to introduce me to such a fine young man."
"Yes… yes sir!" Deena hastily agreed.
.
The Air Commodore had been honest about being pleased with her. She did, however – feel like she had just gone through some kind of evaluation to determine her true worthiness. After they got out of his office, she had commented to the Lieutenant that the whole meeting had been unnecessary and that the old man could have just given her the orders through channels. Strangely, the Lieutenant just laughed it off as if he had understood some kind of private joke. Then he told Deena not to worry about it. He may have found some humor in this somewhere, but to Deena the whole thing had been quite exasperating.
But now, standing in the Brisbane airport with her single carry-on bag and her boarding pass in her hand, her mind was awash with memories of good friends that she would soon see again.
"Deena? Deena Walker?" a middle-aged man brought her out of her reverie.
"Yes?" Deena looked at the man and didn't recognize him. He was wearing a nice suit, but she was certain they had never met.
"What in God's name are you wearing that thing for?" the man seemed astounded.
"I am a Corporal in the RAAF. This is the appropriate uniform for civilian travel." Deena said dismissively. She didn't care for someone making fun of her country's military uniforms.
"Not right now you're not. Weren't you told that you are on loan to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? You are going to be the liaison to a bunch of Japanese celebrities at an Australian fashion event. The success of this venture is important for our relations with Japanese textile and fashion industries. So I implore you to take this seriously." the balding man said quickly and nervously while he pulled out a notebook from his slender briefcase, "To do that, you will need to look the part and know the personalities you will be dealing with. Now, I've prepared a list and some facts…"
"A list?" Deena returned the older man's nervousness with an amused smile. "Do tell."
"Well, you will probably be interacting with their manager. We believe he speaks some English, and his name is Roogee…"
"His name is Takasu Ryuuji." Deena took over the conversation and decided to go for a shock and surprise tactic to get this government functionary off her back. "He is about a hundred and eighty centimeters tall. He has black eyes, dark blue hair, and is in good shape. He married Kawashima Ami, one of the models, last – no, two Novembers ago and now has one child with her. He started his freshman year at Tokyo University last spring and his English is actually pretty good."
"You… you got everything right except for the date they got married. It was last March." the man said after checking his fact sheet.
"No, that was the public wedding. It was televised across Japan. They actually got married the previous November in a private ceremony." Deena smirked.
"How could you know that?" the puzzled man flipped back and forth looking at the entries in his notebook.
"Simple, I was there." Deena smiled at the man's look of shock. "Now, if you will excuse me, they are boarding my flight."
The man waved as she walked away. For several minutes he stood there with a stunned expression, still clutching the notebook, and looking down the long gantry that led to the plane. Through the other windows, he could see the plane backing away and heading off to it's assigned runway. It was about that time that he remembered that he had tickets to be on the same flight.
.
Saturday noon, February 26th – Melbourne Airport, Australia
Deena's flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was short by comparison to the trek that the others were making from Tokyo. Short as it was, after two and a half hours in the cramped economy class seats, the one hundred eighty-nine centimeter tall girl did need to stretch her legs though. Feeling like she had been forced into a contortionist position for several hours, just walking through the terminal was an incredible relief. She was enjoying the walk so much, she almost missed the attractive young woman with a placard that had her name on it.
That's when she found out that the dolt who left himself back at the Brisbane airport was supposed to be her escort, and was supposed to have handed over everything she would need to handle the next two weeks. Fortunately, in the hours that she was in the air, the people on the ground had been able to make other arrangements.
Unfortunately, she had not been involved in the making of the arrangements and… they were not to her liking. Apparently, the buffoon she had left in Brisbane had reported that she was a visual wreck. As soon as her bags were in the boot, she was whisked off to have her nails, hair, and face done. Exhausted from that ordeal, she was looking forward to some rest in her hotel but the evil vixen that had the car keys had other ideas. So, instead of some much wanted rest, she would spend the next several hours trying on clothes.
.
Saturday evening, February 26th – Okayama Station
The Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama had made the first part of the trip quick and easy, but the adults knew it wouldn't stay that way. Between the Okayama Station and their destination, they would be changing to smaller, local trains several times. And each time they would be moving their luggage as well as… the two infants. The Major was also concerned about the train stations where they would be making their transfers. Stations in the bigger cities were lavishly built constructs with protection from the environment and amenities like restaurants and coffee shops. But the farther one traveled from the city centers, the more the train stations scaled down until they were little more than wooden platforms to keep you from walking in the mud.
Crap, I've become an Urban Elitist. That's no way for a Nebraska farm boy to think! Hell, even their farm areas they have a better commuter train system than what I've got back home. Of course, everybody has a car back home and they drive everywhere… but that's not the point! It ain't right of me to look down on their rural train stations. And it definitely ain't right for me to have become such an urban snob. The major was chastising himself for becoming the kind of twit that he had always loathed, and for letting the situation bring that out of him. His mood may have soured a bit, but looking around at his traveling companions, everyone else seemed to be having a good time. Clearly, they were excited to be visiting good friends and they were letting the journey be part of the adventure. Looking at them with silent admiration he thought, They have the mindset I should have right now. Still, I wish I had a car… if only for the children.
"Major Locke?" a familiar voice called out to him. A short woman in a colorful Furisode Kimono was speaking to him. She vaguely reminded The Major of Noto…
"Hisamitsu Shinako!" The Major's memory finally clicked. She was an extremely capable woman who served the matriarch of the Hisamitsu family and would someday serve Noto, when he took the reins of leadership and responsibility for the family. "I haven't seen you since… Noto-kun's wedding, right?"
"There was the Kendo competition last May, but we didn't really have much time to catch up then." Shinako said politely.
"Ah yes. So, what brings you out here?" The Major wondered if she was on her way to a special event, considering the elegant kimono she was wearing.
"I've come to collect you. I have two cars to bring us all back… unless you would prefer to take the trains?" Shinako's question seemed serious.
"You're kidding, right?" The Major asked.
"Well, I guess it is a bit late for it, but the train ride between here and the closest station to us is very scenic."
"Is it? Well, I shall take that route in the daylight some time, but for now… I am very happy to accept your offer. Thank you very much." The Major bowed to his gracious host.
"Major, please!" Shinako blushed a bit. She was only offering him a ride. The train station wasn't terribly crowded at this time, but for such a respectful bow from the giant American… Understandably, it was drawing a lot of attention.
"Oh, I thought this much would be appropriate since you were wearing a formal Kimono?" The Major gestured to her brightly colored garment with the long sleeves. He knew enough about Japanese culture to know that something this elegant was the kind of thing worn to formal tea ceremonies and weddings, certainly not the western equivalent of jeans and a tee-shirt.
"I… suppose you are correct." She stepped forward to take his arm and, as she did, two men that had been standing behind her came forward to relieve all of them of their luggage. They did not however, attempt to relieve Minori or Taiga of the infants they were carrying. As they all headed for the exit that would take them to the parking lot, Shinako quietly explained, "Actually, this is one of Nanako's creations. It really does look like a splendid Furisode, but it is made of durable but cheap fabric that can be machine washed."
"Interesting…" The Major could see the utility of it, but he knew why Shinako was speaking of it so quietly. There was more to a Furisode than it's beauty and elegance. It was also delicate and required much care for it's cleaning and upkeep. That kind of care wasn't considered a liability, rather – it was part of the cultural pride of ownership for such an luxuriant garment. To take that away by making it out of something that could simply be thrown into a washing machine could cheapen the experience of wearing a Furisode. And that could be a cause of embarrassment. He gave Shinako a deft nod of understanding and said no more about it.
.
The luggage was all loaded into one vehicle while all the passengers got into a large passenger van that reminded Yukiko of the small buses her hotel used for transporting guests to events and transportation hubs. The Major, Yukiko, and Shinako were in the front of the van and enjoying a pleasant conversation while Minori and Taiga rode in the back with the two infants. Both of the babies were sleeping now, but that wouldn't last long. Ryuuji's son was six months old and The Major's son was only two months younger, so they were still very much in the stage of needing diapers and bottles. As needy as they were, the two babies brought smiles to the faces of the two girls now caring for them.
"I can't believe this is Dumb-chi's baby." Taiga sighed while looking at the sleeping boy.
"You should probably stop calling her that." Minori said quietly. There was no reproof in her voice, only a friendly suggestion.
"Huh?" Taiga was so used to calling Ami by the disparaging nickname she had invented that she didn't realize she had done it.
"You called her Dumb-chi because of that airhead facade she used to use, right? Well, she doesn't do that anymore so…" Minori didn't want to say it but there was also the very real possibility that her continuing to use it would put a distance between Taiga and a number of their common friends.
"Oh… yeah." Taiga didn't want to admit that the reason she had come up with that name had more to do with the animosity that was left over from the first time they met… and from that stupid swimming competition. She had claimed to do a lot of growing up while she was living with her mother and to admit to holding a grudge from back then now seemed… petty. Besides that, she didn't want to criticize the swimming competition since it had been Minori's idea to solve their problem with sport.
"You know what they're all saying… about the babies, I mean." Minori asked Taiga to try and change the subject.
"Uh-uh." Taiga shook her head slightly but kept her eyes on little Tatsuya's gentle face and dark blue hair.
"After Noto finishes with college, he plans to move to Tokyo. Then The Major's son, Ryuuji's son, and Maya's daughters will all go to the same school together. And, since it's two boys and two girls… they might eventually date each other." Minori smiled while she wondered just what kind of future might be in store for these little ones.
"Oh, isn't that just so schweeet!" Taiga couldn't help the sarcasm. The overload of saccharine sweetness was too much for her to take. Mockingly, she suggested, "It makes you want to just run out and get pregnant so you can have kids in the same class, doesn't it?"
"No, if we… did that, our kids would be a year behind theirs." Minori ignored Taiga's little tirade. There wasn't anyone in Minori's life that she wanted to have a child with at the moment anyway, but it was a nice fantasy to think that all the friends would some day have children going to the same school with each other. And for the next several years, it would remain a fantasy… at least for Minori. She still had her softball dream to achieve. She might see her own children some day in the future, but Minori had clung to her vow that those pursuits were to be forsaken… or at least put on hold, until she realized her dream. Some day… but as for the present… "It's too late for us now."
It's too late for us now.
The words hit Taiga like arrows piercing her soul. She didn't know what Minori was thinking when she said it, but no blow could have reminded her more of what she had lost… what she had thrown away from her own carelessness. Turning her head down as if intently looking at the infant in the car seat next to her, she saw the child's wobbly features through wet eyes. Despite her tears, Taiga clenched a fist out of sight of Minori and set her jaw in determination. I will not fall into despair with another 'why me' episode! I am past that! Everyone says that Ryuuji and Ami are perfect for each other… fine! Then there is someone out there that's perfect for me too! And when I find that someone, we'll be perfect too and all my regrets will be gone!
It's too late for us now.
Dammit! Taiga's determination was still present, but the wounds were still too recent and looking down at Ryuuji and Ami's child didn't help to shore up her resolve. Thinking of how that child could have been Ryuuji and hers instead, her set jaw started to quiver a little, and the despair crept in… Why me?
.
Saturday evening, February 26th – Twelve and a half kilometers over the Pacific Ocean
"Hey, Ryu-chan…" Yasuko said while fiddling with her wristwatch, "What day will it be when we get to Australia?"
"Huh?" Ryuuji's eyes opened when he tried to understand his mother's question. He hadn't been able to get any sleep on the flight so far, so she hadn't awakened him, but it felt like she had nudged his sluggish brain from the edge of sleep. "What do you mean?"
Well, like that time we went to Hawaii, It was yesterday when we got there and tomorrow when we got back, right? So, since Australia is even farther away than Hawaii, will it be Monday when we get there… or Thursday?"
Ami turned away with her hand over her mouth. Her shoulders shook in silent laughter at Yasuko's well thought out, but incorrect conclusion.
"Time zones are laid out like stripes that go north and south because the Earth rotates along a north and south axis." Ryuuji explained, "When we went to Hawaii, we traveled east and west, so we crossed six time zones. But Australia is south of Japan, so we'll only be crossing one time zone even though the distance is farther."
Yasuko said nothing but looked at her son with obvious admiration and joy in her heart. She hadn't understood a word of his explanation, but he looked so smart when he was talking. She couldn't help herself and threw her arms around him, giving him a big hug, "Oh Ryuuji, I'm so proud of you!"
"Whaa!" Ryuuji was briefly stunned when his mother's unrestrained admiration for her son meant that he could feel the squishiness of her boobs against his arm. It wasn't the first time this had ever happened but it always caused him a moment of embarrassment and distress. He looked over at Ami for help, but clearly, he wasn't getting any aid from that direction.
"Oh Ryuuji, I'm so proud of you too!" Ami imitated Yasuko's voice as she latched onto his other arm and pressed her smaller, but still substantial breasts into him as well.
"Uh guys!" Ryuuji's blush was flaring from pink to red, but his ordeal wasn't over yet. Across his wide chest, wife and mother-in-law grinned at each other and winked. Then, they craned their necks up and kissed Ryuuji on his cheeks at the same time. "AH!"
"Ha ha ha ha!" the stewardess laughed politely, "You three are amazing to watch. But, to answer your question ma'am, it will only be one hour earlier on the same day – when we land. The easiest way to deal with it is to just look at your cell phone."
"My cell phone?" Yasuko asked.
"Yes. After we land, and you can turn them back on again, your cell phones will acquire local carrier signals and automatically switch to the correct local time and date." the stewardess explained.
"Thank you." Ami said.
"Yes. Thank you very much!" Yasuko cheerfully smiled up at the stewardess.
.
In the next row of seats, Aiko-chan was glued to the window and fascinated with watching the cloud tops so far below the plane. Off toward the distant horizon, the sun was setting and the brilliant white puffy cotton ball clouds of a few hours ago were now reflecting rose and lavender colors and casting long shadows. She wanted to see what the clouds would look like under the pale light of the moon, but that would have to be for another night. Their flight would be over long before the moon rose over Australia.
In the seats next to her, Yuri was going over some English exercises with Umeki.
"Did you learn all your English in high school and college?" Umeki asked when they came to a break in the lesson.
"Yes, I majored in Liberal Arts with a focus in English language and literature." Yuri smiled as she remembered her own exciting days as a student.
"So, that's how you became an expert?" Umeki surmised, more than asked.
"Hah! I used to think I was an expert… until I met The Major." Yuri laughed, "I found out quick that it was one thing to know a language through book knowledge, and quite another thing to try and use that language conversationally with a native speaker."
"But… The Major speaks Japanese quite well… better than some of my former classmates. How did he learn to be so good at it?" Umeki asked.
"Immersion." was Yuri's simple answer, "If you are dropped into an environment where you are surrounded by native speakers, you will learn to speak the language conversationally before you learn all the specific rules. That is also why he can speak Japanese much better than he can write in kanji."
"Oh, so that's why, when he is substitute teaching your class, he is able to present the native speaker's perspective as well as the grammer. But he needs help in reading classroom announcements." Umeki nodded.
"Huh? Where did you hear that?" Yuri asked.
"When you were out with your pregnancy and The Major was a substitute teacher for you, he always had a student read the messages from the office aloud to the class." Umeki told her teacher. Then she suddenly remembered one time that it had caused quite a commotion. She looked up at Yuri and saw the look of embarrassment on the older woman's face.
"So… when I sent the message that my water broke and that he should come to the hospital…" Yuri couldn't finish the question.
"Yes, sensei. It was read aloud to the whole class, but…" Umeki hoped that telling her sensei this would help her, "the whole class was cheering for you!"
"Oh… my… gaaaaaaaawd!" Yuri's head collapsed into her hands so that all you could see of her face were her crimson colored ears poking through her long reddish brown hair.
.
In the last set of seats, Nanako sat between Suzume and Hisako. With the two tall models on either side of her, she looked like a pawn sitting between two bishops. But both of the bishops' attention was glued to the tablet in the lap of the pawn. Nanako had a fashion design program up, and was running through some ideas for their performance costumes. Using a stylus, she would make design changes and rotate the 3D models. Hisako had seen her girlfriend working on her costume projects before, but this was all new to Suzume, and she was amazed with the computer models that were being displayed on the screen. Judging from their heights and body shapes, the 3D models were obviously Ami, Hisako, Aiko-chan, and herself – but somehow blanked out a bit. Their hair and eyes were there in their respective colors. Even their skin tone seemed right, but all the rest of their facial features were left blank as if they were tightly wrapped in a skin tone colored plastic sheet.
"Wow, Nanako-chan… that's amazing!" Suzume asked with excitement as she looked over Nanako's shoulder at some bright yellow and white, two-piece outfits, "Is that what we're going to wear at our first performance?"
"No, these are just some ideas I've been playing around with." Nanako scrolled through a dozen different designs. Some were reminiscent of school uniforms, others looked like swimsuits, while others made them look like cheerleaders.
"What about that folder?" Suzume asked about another folder that was next to the open one. She noticed that Nanako looked at Hisako before replying.
"Those are… more complex designs. They're not finished yet." Nanako sounded like she was trying to hide something.
"Oh? I wanna see!" Suzume's curiosity was stronger because of Nanako's hesitance.
"I really shouldn't." Nanako started to close down her tablet.
"She's in high school now." Hisako countered, "It's not like they're that risqué."
"Please?" Suzume begged.
"Okay." Nanako gave in and opened the folder to outfits that would probably never get made, but were the things of her own dreams and fantasies.
"Oooh!" Suzume reached over and started scrolling through the designs of outfits that were obviously in the cos-play genre. "Um… why is Aiko-chan missing from these designs?"
"Seriously? She's still in grade school! I couldn't possibly design something like that for her. She's…" Nanako sounded exasperated but Suzume cut her off.
"Well you better start. Have you seen the kinds of outfits they have idols wearing these days? And to be honest, I haven't seen anything in this folder that is more revealing or risqué than what other idols are already wearing. I think you're being way too conservative with her." Suzume felt odd reprimanding her senior, but it had to be done or Aiko-chan's career would be slighted.
"But…" Nanako looked up to Hisako for support and didn't see that Suzume's fingers had hit the next folder to open it up. She knew something was wrong though when she saw her girlfriend's eyes open wide and face suddenly blush.
"Oh my!" Suzume saw that this new folder only had rendered images of Hisako in it, and they were… extremely sexy. She was looking at an outfit that seemed to be made of leather straps and chains when Nanako suddenly pulled the tablet up tight against her chest. Teasing her senior, she asked, "Okay, you probably shouldn't design anything like that for Aiko-chan, but why were they only for Hisako-chan?"
"You're still in high school! I couldn't make anything like that for you either." Nanako hissed.
"Maybe not me, but don't you think Ami might be interested?" Suzume continued her playful taunting. She knew Nanako was terribly embarrassed by what was revealed on the screen and just couldn't help teasing her a little.
"Ami? No! She would never… I mean… I don't think..." Nanako stammered for a reply. Desperate for help, she turned to her lover before remembering that she too had seen the decadent design that had spawned from her erotic mind. Now she was scared of what Hisako's reaction might be… but only for a second. Hisako was staring back at her but her eyes were filled with lustful excitement. "Hisako?"
Nanako didn't get the chance to say more. Hisako's lips were glued to hers and the model's long arms had pulled her as close as the airline seats would allow. Nanako whimpered for a moment, but her passion quickly rose to the challenge and she was kissing back with all the energy she could muster.
"You… will make that outfit for me?" Hisako said in a brief pause during the kissing.
"No… it was just a fantasy idea. I didn't mean..." Nanako stopped her explanation when Hisako kissed her again.
"You will make that outfit for me." Hisako said it again and this time it didn't sound like a question.
"Um… I didn't mean..." again Nanako's reply was cut short by Hisako's interrupting kiss.
"You will make that outfit for me." There was no doubt that this was no longer a question from Hisako… it had become a demand.
"Yes!" Nanako kissed Hisako this time. Now that she was certain that she hadn't insulted her lover, her excitement was spurred by the acceptance of her favorite fetish.
"Argh! I think I'll go to the bathroom for a bit." Suzume's teasing had seriously backfired. As much as she thought Nanako was being too conservative in her handling of Aiko-chan's wardrobe, she wasn't ready to be sitting next to the wild make-out session going on beside her now. However, just as she started to get up, she saw the indicator lights come on that meant to sit down and fasten the seat belts.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now thirty minutes out from Melbourne. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat-belts at this time. The current weather in Melbourne is twenty-two Celsius and there is a light rain. I hope you have…" the announcement went on and then repeated in English, but Suzume didn't hear any more. She was mortified at having to sit next to the unleashed passion in the two seats next to her.
So this is what karma is? I teased Nanako too much because I thought she was cute when she blushed and now… now I have to sit next to… this! She buried her face in the pillow she had been using and screamed her own embarrassment and frustrations into the fabric and foam.
.
Saturday late evening, February 26th – Hisamitsu Estate, Tokushima Japan
It was late in the evening and a thick cloud cover masked the light from the stars, so the only thing to see outside the van for a while had been the illuminated pavement directly in front of them. Taiga had welcomed the isolating darkness for a while. It had helped to mask the darkness of her mood. But, no matter who might be to blame for anything that happened in her life, the beautiful infants between herself and Minori were guiltless, and looking at them had eventually lifted her spirits. Feeling a little better, she now cast her gaze out into the darkness hoping to see something… anything.
But it remained pitch black outside the windows for some time. Finally, after the two vehicles rounded another bend in the rural road, the occupants of the van could see a small group of lights from up ahead and higher up from where they were. Taiga blinked to make sure that her imagination wasn't just creating something for her idle mind.
"Is that the Hisamitsu Estate?" Taiga asked. Then she immediately winced when she thought how much she must look like a bored child asking are we there yet?
"That is the main house. We have been on the estate property for a while." the driver said proudly.
"Do any of you know how to ride a horse?" Shinako asked the visitors.
"Yes. I learned how to ride English style when I was in middle school." Taiga remembered the roller-coaster days of doing all kinds of little princess activities whenever her father's businesses were doing well. Then losing it all when he lost everything. She had actually been quite good at the equestrian events and was on her way to her first Cross-Country competition, when the cycle of her father's business success took a nasty turn.
"I rode a horse in Hawaii, but I never had any formal lessons." Minori admitted.
"I can ride western style." The Major answered. He had ridden horses in his youth both on his family farm and in high school for rodeo competitions. He had never been good enough to win any awards and it had been an awfully long time since he had last been on a horse, but he still remembered enough that he was sure he wouldn't hurt himself.
"I can ride." Yukiko said simply. When she was a girl, her father had sent her to Osaka to learn the old Samurai horseback style, so that she could ride in parades and other special events. Like The Major, she was certain that she wouldn't hurt herself… on any normal ride.
"Very nice." Shinako smiled and revealed the next day's activities to them, "The weather is supposed to be mild tomorrow and I have arranged a pleasant ride through the hills around the estate, if you would like."
"Really?" Taiga was excited to get a chance to ride a horse again.
"Cool!" Minori had enjoyed her ride in Hawaii and had always wanted to try it again. She had even thought of joining the Waseda University equestrian club, but it would have cut into her softball training too much.
The Major and Yukiko quietly nodded their agreement and left the exuberance to the younger girls. And they were quite enthusiastic too, until they realized that their excitement had awakened the babies. But that didn't trouble either of them too much. Babysitting and taking care of infants was just one of the many odd-jobs that Minori had explored in her busy high school years. And Taiga had actually helped her mother with her newborn step-brother in the year that she was living with her. They had already changed the diapers and started both infants on a new bottle when the van pulled up to the well lit house.
When they looked up to see what awaited them, there was a bit of a shock. Noto stood next to his grandmother. Both of them were wearing Kimonos and they were flanked by several maids. As soon as the van was stopped, the maids approached to help them all out of the vehicle and assist with the babies. The men that had been with them immediately collected the luggage. Shinako stood with the arrivals as they looked up the wide steps.
"My friends, welcome to the Hisamitsu House." Noto said with a genuine smile.
.
Saturday night, February 26th – Melbourne Airport, Australia
Deena looked up at the arrivals board at the airport and knew that she was early. Way too early. She fretted in the fancy clothes that rabid little twit from DFAT made her wear, tried to find a more comfortable position to stand in high heels, and checked the arrivals board again. The plane was still on time, but only a minute had passed since the last time she checked.
Dammit!
Even when the flight arrived at the indicated time, that only meant the plane had reached the airport. It would still be a while after that before she would see her friends. She had traveled out of the country enough to know that they would have to go through several lengthy processes before they would make it to her.
First of all, it would take them some time just to get off the plane. Large intercontinental flights like that were… large. It was a simple fact of logistics that getting that many people off of a big airplane would take a long time. But deplaning would be nothing compared to the biggest hurdle… customs.
It didn't seem to matter where you went in the world, dealing with 'customs' was always a nightmare. Well… it wasn't terrifying, so nightmare might not be the right word. But it was boring and tedious in the extreme. Then, once they were finally done with that, she could see them.
Her friends.
She could see them again.
The incredible friends that she had done so many fascinating things with and had become so close to. There had been letters, and care packages, and phone calls since she had left them over a year ago. Those contacts had been nice, but they only stirred her fond memories and increased the longing in her heart. All of her friends meant so much to her, but there was one… The littlest one…
Aiko-chan had become attached to Deena as if she was the little girl's beloved older sister. And Deena had made a place in her heart for the cheerful little girl as well. Or… the usually cheerful little girl. Deena still remembered that cold December day in Japan. Just after the happiness of watching the marriage of The Major and Koigakubo Yuri, Deena had to tell everyone that she had to go home. It was something she didn't want to do, but it was her responsibility nonetheless. Even after steeling her resolve, she couldn't help but tear up when the time came. Ryuuji-sama had been compassionate and told her to take all the time she needed.
Deena remembered…
.
"All the time… that's what I wish I had." Deena's wish was impossible and she knew that. But her actions were distressing her friends and she could see the worry starting to etch into their faces. I can do this. I just have to… tell them. She reset her resolve and began the speech she had practiced, "As you know, I have been temporarily assigned to the Major, and that's how I have been able to accompany him and visit with you all this time."
"Yeah, you were in Okinawa for some kind of training, right?" Ryuuji-sama said. He looked concerned, but not as worried as the others. And he certainly didn't look scared, like little Aiko-chan.
"Yes," Deena nodded and tried to go on, but she couldn't stand to see little Aiko-chan looking so scared and unhappy. Kneeling down to the young girl, she pulled Aiko-chan into a hug, "but I finished my training and my assignment to the Major is over now."
"What?" Ryuuji-sama sounded surprised.
"What does that mean, Deena-chan?" Aiko-chan's sweet little voice trembled in Deena's ear.
"It means that I am finished living in Okinawa and I am going home." Deena pulled Aiko-chan into the hug a bit closer so the little girl couldn't see the gush of new tears that were spilling from her eyes. She knew that the little one was figuring out what this all meant though. Arms that had been hanging limply were now clutching back as firmly as she was being held.
"Home? N… no…" Aiko-chan didn't want to hear this just as much as Deena didn't want to say it.
And Deena really didn't want to say any more things that would hurt the little girl. But she also knew how much pain there would be if she just suddenly disappeared. So she did the adult thing… she mustered up all her remaining willpower and said the words that she knew would make the little girl cry.
"I'll be going back to Australia tomorrow morning." Deena barely got the words out before she choked back a sob of her own. All the while, desperately holding onto her young friend.
"No! Deena-chan, no! I don't want you to go! I don't want you to leave me!" Aiko-chan's distressed voice echoed in Deena's ears long after her flight home had left Japan. She still heard it after she was assigned to her new base in Ipswich.
…
Even now, more than a year later, Deena could still hear little Aiko-chan's anguished cry.
No! Deena-chan, no! I don't want you to go! I don't want you to leave me!
There had been more words after Aiko-chan's impassioned plea. Words that had been intended to ease her tormented feelings. They may have worked to some degree for the little girl. But Deena was an adult and she knew that she was probably saying a final goodbye to her friends… at least from the perspective of seeing each other in person.
But now… unexpectedly, she was going to get to see them again. Reliable Ryuuji, driven Ami, loyal Hisako, Eager Suzume, the ultimate Onee-chan, and then… the sweetest little girl she had ever met. The grade schooler who had become like a little sister to her.
She would be here soon.
They would all be here soon.
The excitement was palpable. The anticipation was killing her. Could she really be blamed for arriving at the airport a few hours early? After all, she was fed up with waiting impatiently in her hotel room. The problems now were that she had to wait impatiently in the airport, the fashionable clothes she was wearing made her uncomfortable, and time… Deena glanced up at the arrivals board and the plane was still on time, but only a few minutes had passed since the last time she checked.
Dammit!
Soon… Aiko-chan and all the rest of you, I will see you all soon! She looked up at the arrivals board to see that only a single minute had passed since the last time she looked.
Dammit!
.
The flight had been long and tiring for everyone. Whether through good planning or good luck, Ryuuji and his little group had been able to stay together through the arduous deplaning routine. And now, the hurry up and wait ordeal of going through customs would take its toll. By the time they had collected their belongings, every member of the group was exhausted. They looked forward to nothing more than bath and bed. Some of them already knew that they would forgo the bath and just collapse on the bed… as soon as they got to one.
Even the usually energetic ones, Suzume and Aiko-chan were wiped out. Rubbing her tired eyes, Aiko-chan saw other adults carrying sleeping children here and there. One girl that was being carried looked like she was as big as Taiga, although she was probably a lot younger. Not for the first time did Aiko-chan wish that she wasn't so big for her age. If I was smaller instead of bigger, Ryuuji could carry me. She pouted at her misfortune until she heard a gasp that interrupted her mood. Looking up at her companions, she saw something odd.
Suzume and Ami were both looking at a tall blond woman wearing a fashionable summer dress. Their hands were over their mouths, their eyes were open wide, and they looked stunned at what they saw. The woman was looking back at them and she looked like she was crying. But they didn't look like tears of sorrow…
"Aiko-chan?" the tall blond woman said weakly as if she didn't believe what she was seeing.
"Deena?" Aiko-chan's body shook as if a bucket of ice cold water had been suddenly dumped on her. Recognition and realization lit the short fuse to explosive emotion. She took a deep breath of air as her eyes began to swim in a river of joyous tears. Dropping whatever was in her hands, she ran the dozen meters and jumped into the arms of the beloved Aussie giantess. All the while screaming, "DEEEEEEENAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
.
.
Glossary
Air Commodore - O7, equivalent to a Brigadier General
Corporal - E5, a mid level enlisted rank in the Royal Australian Air Force
DFAT – (Australian) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Flight Lieutenant - O3, an officert in the Royal Australian Air Force
Furisode - The most formal kimono. Worn by young unmarried women in Japan, it is made of very fine, brightly colored silk with lively patterns or prints, and has long deep sleeves that can hang down as far as the ankles. Married women would wear an Edo Komon at very formal occasions. The differences are found in the lengths of the sleeves, flashiness of the color, and print or pattern on the garment.
Service Dress uniform - shiny black shoes, dark blue slacks, light blue shirt, rank on epaulets