Chapter Forty-Seven: Traditional Garb

"Hey, what are you and Mom doing next weekend?" Ash asked Miyuki randomly amidst their weekly study session.

She folded her arms and squinted at him. "You're supposed to be studying. Your test is only one month away, you should be focused on that."

He rolled his eyes. "Come on, it's one simple question, just answer it."

"No," she said firmly and pushed her chair away from the table. "Those sample questions aren't going to answer themselves." She stood and looked across the library table at Ash.

"Where are you going?" He asked, sounding perturbed.

"I'm getting water," she snatched her water bottle from the table, "And I'm removing your only distraction at the same time...Me." She spun on her heel and took a few steps in the direction of the nearest water fountain. She glanced behind her to find Ash still glaring at her. 'WORK' she mouthed.

When Miyuki returned several minutes later she found Ash more distracted than when she had left him. He was now staring out a nearby window watching the snow melt in the afternoon sun. It had snowed on and off for the past week. Today, it was finally warm enough to begin melting, just in time for more snow the following evening. His eyes were glazed over, clearly lost in thought.

"Ash," she scolded, just above a whisper.

He snapped out of it, shaking his head slightly as he did so. When he looked at Miyuki, the inside world was green from staring at the bright snow for so long. He could barely make out the shape of her as she glared at him.

"What's got you so distracted?"

"Next weekend. What are you and Mom doing?" He asked for a second time.

"Uhh," she groaned, "I'm not answering that until you get some solid work in. We'll talk about it over lunch."

"No," Ash said firmly, "Eiji's coming to lunch and it's-" he looked around the library as if Eiji would jump out from behind the nearest bookshelf. He lowered his voice and continued, "Well...it's a surprise, so that's why we have to talk about it now."

As the green tint brought on by the bright snow faded and color returned to the world, Ash could see in Miyuki's eyes that he'd won her over. She snapped her laptop closed and looked into his eyes.

"Okay, fine. Mom is working Friday night but she's off Saturday and Sunday." She opened her planner and glanced at her color-coded array of assignments and extracurricular activities. "And I have a paper due that coming Monday and a test to study for…" She looked off into the distance, mentally planning her schedule. "But if I skip that meeting...work on….hmm...maybe I'll have time…" she muttered to herself. She leaned on her elbows and looked back at Ash. "Why? What are you plotting?"

A small smile danced upon his lips and glinted in his eyes. He shoved the mock test questions he was answering out of the way and leaned across the table excitedly. "I want you both to come shopping with me."

Miyuki pulled away several inches in confusion. "Shopping?"

Ash nodded.

"Don't get me wrong...that sounds fun...but what for? How is that a surprise for Eiji?"

"For wedding stuff," he clarified casually.

She leaned back in. "What kind of stuff?"

He lowered his voice to a near whisper. "I want to wear a traditional kimono but I want it to be a surprise so Eiji can't help. And obviously, white boy," he pointed to himself, "is gonna need some help picking one out."

A huge grin spread across Miyuki's face, distorting her eyes in a way that only pure happiness could. If they weren't in a library she would have squealed and clapped.

Ash continued. "And Eiji's gonna be out of town next weekend. He's doing a story in Osaka with Ibe-san, so it has to be next weekend."

Miyuki nodded in understanding and whipped out her phone. Ash peeked at the screen to find her writing a quick text to Aki. [Don't make any plans for next weekend. I'll explain later,] it read. She set the phone aside. "Okay." She glanced back at her planner. "Okay," she repeated, mostly to herself as she tried to figure out how to get all her homework done to free up the weekend. With her eyes on her planner, she said, "Okay, but you'll have to help me with some homework. How's your calculus?"

Ash smirked. "Excellent."

She met his eyes. "You sure? I'm in the top ten of my class right now, I don't wanna slip up now."

"Miyuki, I'm great at math, I won't screw up your ranking, if anything I'll improve it."

She didn't look so convinced.

"You couldn't have forgotten I have a genius IQ, Eiji loves to remind everyone."

She stared at him a moment longer before saying, "Yeah, but I was never sure if that was real...like are you actually a genius or is that just an exaggeration?"

"No, I actually am," he said with neither an ounce of teasing nor gloating in his voice.

Her eyebrows rose, yet she didn't seem too shocked. It was obvious he was smart, so it wasn't too surprising. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah," he stole her planner. "So...calculus and...Let's see...Organic chemistry? I could help with that too."

Her mouth fell open. "You're good at Orgo?" He nodded. "I hate Orgo! Everyone hates it!" She pouted. "But I can't take you up on that. That's what my test is in. I have to do that homework or I won't do well on the test."

"Hmm," he looked back at the planner. "Well, what about English? You have an assignment due Thursday. What's that?"

She swung the planner back to herself and then flipped open her laptop to check her syllabus. "Oh. We have to read this short story and write an analysis of the literary techniques and imagery used. The Yellow Wallpaper is what it's called. I guess you could do that. Besides, I know you love to read."

Ash nodded, "Got it. Just email me those assignments and I'll do 'em. That should give you time to study and write your paper."

She nodded. "Okay." With the logistics sorted out, she finally let herself feel the excitement. "Okay!" She slapped her hands on the table. "Are you gonna get black or grey?" She gasped with the dawning of another option, "or WHITE!?"

A librarian, who'd previously been sitting behind a large desk and a book of her own, looked over her spectacles and shushed Miyuki. Miyuki turned bright red and the librarian rolled her eyes before returning her eyes to the pages of her novel.

"I don't know yet," Ash whispered in response as if nothing had happened, "I don't know any of the traditions. That's why I'm having you and Mom come along."

"Oh...yeah, sorry." Miyuki's eyes glanced back at the librarian. Above her desk hung a large clock. Suddenly aware of the time, Miyuki shook the exciting plans from her head. "Ash," she said firmly. "We have to study! We only have an hour before we meet Eiji. Now, focus," she whispered intensely. She dug into her purse and pulled out headphones. Before Ash could argue, she placed them in her ears and returned her attention to her own studying.

Ash finally gave in and focused on his mock test questions.

"You could come, ya know?" Eiji said to Ash as he packed his suitcase for his weekend assignment in Osaka. "To Osaka."

His suitcase sat on the foot of the bed. He pulled several freshly ironed shirts and pants from the closet, folding them carefully before placing them in the case. Scattered around the room were various electronic devices, such as his camera and laptop, charging before his early departure the following morning.

Ash leaned against the headboard with a copy of The Yellow Wallpaper in hand. "I've gotta stay to keep an eye on the Little Man," Ash replied casually.

Eiji folded another crisp shirt, "I'm sure Miyuki would jump at the chance to house sit and keep an eye on him for us." He added the shirt in with the others, "Ha, hell, we could even pay her to make it worth her time."

Ash's eyes returned to the reading assignment, "Nah, she told me she has a bunch of homework this weekend, we shouldn't add to her stress."

Eiji returned to the closet and fetched a pair of dress shoes to add to his suitcase. "It's not like she can't do her homework here, though."

Ash paused for a moment. He didn't want to give away what he was plotting but he also didn't want to offend Eiji by staying home. "But you're going with Shunichi. I don't really want to share a hotel room with him, that's kinda weird. And I don't wanna make your company pay for an extra room when the two of you could just share."

"We're already getting two rooms. They aren't making us share." He moved to his dresser to fetch socks and underwear, as well as some more casual clothes for his free time. "You'd have to get your own train ticket, but that's not a big deal." He threw in the last of the clothes and zipped up the case. He would put the electronics in a separate bag in the morning. He moved the case to the floor and then sat next to Ash. "Well?" He gave Ash's knee a nudge.

Ash looked up at him, trying his best to keep a neutral expression. "It's fine, I don't want to distract you from your work."

Eiji studied him silently. After a moment, he concluded, "You don't want to come." His voice was even, but his eyes were disappointed. In earnest, he'd been dreaming of a spontaneous and fun weekend get-away, even if it would be mostly work-filled.

Ash set The Yellow Wallpaper aside. "No, it's not that I don't want to come."

"Then what?"

"I can't," he replied simply. "Honestly I wish I could, it sounds fun, but I can't."

Eiji visibly relaxed at his words. He cocked his head. "Why? What do you have going on?" In jest, he put a hand on his hip, "You're not having an affair, are you?"

But Ash didn't seem so amused, "No. Don't even joke about that."

"Sorry. I know you'd never do that. I was only teasing," Eiji said sincerely. "But what are you doing?"

"It's a surprise."

Eiji's eyes widened and a smile spread across his face, not much different than Miyuki's had been. "A surprise? For me? What kind? Can I guess?" He asked in rapid-fire succession.

"What? No, you can't guess. I didn't even want to tell you this much," Ash replied hastily.

Eiji's head cocked again. Ash bit back a smile. He always thought the gesture made him look like Buddy when he heard the word 'walk,' or 'treat.'

"But you haven't told me anything," Eiji argued.

"Yeah, well, I didn't even want you to know there was a surprise." He flipped onto his side as if he were rolling over to go to sleep, despite all the lights on and still being dressed.

Eiji climbed up beside and rested his chin on Ash's shoulder, "Come on," he pleaded, "just a hint?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No." His voice was stern but, through closed eyes, he was smiling.

Eiji kissed his jaw and then retreated to his own pillow. "Fine," he relented. "Will the surprise be ready when I get back?" He asked curiously.

"No. It's a more...long term...surprise."

Eiji's chin returned in an instant to Ash's shoulder. "So it's something for the wedding...or maybe the honeymoon."

Ash's eyes snapped open and flashed to Eiji. "Damn it, Eiji," he said bitterly with a half-smile that betrayed his words.

Eiji cackled at his victory and placed a kiss upon Ash's cheek. "I'd say sorry, but it'd only be a lie." He flopped onto his pillow.

In an instant, and without warning, Ash was standing. With pouting footsteps, he bumbled loudly into the bathroom. Eiji laughed as the door slammed shut. Water ran behind the door and Eiji knew Ash was getting ready for bed, so he dressed in pajamas and took Buddy out one last time before bed. When he returned, Ash was in bed, lying with his back facing towards Eiji's side, with his eyes closed. Eiji turned off the lights and he and Buddy both joined Ash in bed.

"Well, goodnight then," Eiji said matter-of-factly.

Ash rolled to face him. "I can't believe you got that out of me," Ash grumbled.

Eiji smiled, "I still have no idea what it could possibly be."

"Good," he said simply. Then his voice changed to something sweet and soft. "Hey. Make sure to wake me before you leave tomorrow," he added. Eiji's train left at 4:30 AM and Ash didn't trust himself to wake up at 3 AM, even with Eiji's alarm.

"You sure? It's gonna be early."

"I know. But I won't get to see you all weekend, I want to be able to say goodbye."

Eiji smiled sweetly. "Alright."

Surprisingly, when Eiji's alarm blared at 3 AM, Ash was the first of them to force himself into a sitting position. Back in New York, he was no stranger to going to bed at this time, but waking up early had never been a strong suit of his. Still, he forced himself up and out of bed before Eiji. Eiji typically wasn't one to snooze his alarm, but even he had his limits. He snoozed the alarm twice before joining Ash downstairs. Ash was tempted to do the same, but he knew himself too well. If he let himself sleep through the snooze, it would only be harder to get out of bed. And he didn't want to risk them both oversleeping.

So, Ash let out Buddy and started the coffee by the time Eiji came down the steps with heavily squinted eyes.

[Why are all the lights on?] He complained sleepily in hoarse Japanese. He shielded his eyes like a hungover delinquent as he stumbled to the sofa.

"It's to wake you up," Ash grumbled in reply. "Coffee's gunna be a," he yawned before completing the sentence, "minute."

Ash slumped over the counter, his cheek pressing into the cold, white marble, as his eyes meticulously followed each drop of falling coffee on its way to the glass pot. His eyes burned from the bright lights and lack of sleep, but he knew if he closed his eyes, he'd be gone faster than an anesthetized patient.

On the sofa, Eiji's head fell to one of the decorative pillows. One arm shielded his eyes from the overhead lights and one rested on Buddy who had also decided it was too early to be awake.

A few minutes passed and the coffee pot chirped. Ash filled two mugs and made his way to the sofa. He sat on the cushion beside Eiji's head.

"Hey. Coffee."

Eiji grumbled something about it being too early but sat up all the same. Acting of their own accord, his hands reached for the mug Ash held out towards him.

[Thanks.] Eiji sipped his coffee with closed eyes.

"Eiji."

"Hmmm?" he asked, still not bothering to open his eyes.

"Is Shunichi picking you up?" Ash asked. Eiji sipped more coffee but didn't respond. "Eiji." When there was still no response from his sleepy fiance, Ash shook his shoulder gently, making sure not to spill his coffee. "EIJI."

"Huh?!" Eiji sat up straighter and finally opened his eyes, wincing in pain at the light. "What?"

"You're on autopilot. You need to wake up. I asked if Shunichi is picking you up."

Eiji rubbed his face with the hand not occupied by coffee. "Uhhh...No," he answered finally. "No, I'm driving myself to the station."

Ash frowned. "No, you're not driving. I'll drive you. It's not safe for you to drive, you'll crash."

"I'll be fine," Eiji argued. He lifted his mug, "After this and a shower...I'll be fine."

Ash studied him. "I'll be the judge of that," he decided.

By the time Eiji was showered and dressed he was clearly more awake, but Ash seemed far from satisfied.

"I'm driving," he decided as Eiji packed his electronics and carried all his luggage to the front door.

"Ash, it's fine, really. I know how much you hate getting up early."

"I also hate worrying that you're unsafe," he said flatly. "Besides, I'm already up."

He was already slipping on his shoes and coat. Buddy, upon seeing Ash's shoes, began to jump and wag his tail excitedly, expecting a walk.

"Wanna come with us, Little Man?" Ash asked the now nearly full-grown dog.

Buddy barked enthusiastically in reply. Ash grabbed Eiji's suitcase and his car keys and opened the front door.

"Car," he told Buddy.

Buddy bolted out excitedly and waited patiently for Eiji and Ash at the passenger door of the convertible. With the luggage in the trunk, they all piled in, Buddy hopping to the back. Buddy watched the streetlights curiously as they drove and Eiji's head nodded to the window.

"Hey," Ash said sternly. "Don't fall back asleep."

"I won't," Eiji grumbled.

But the world was still dark and even more silent in with the snow, and sleep was so tempting. So he did, and what seemed like only mere seconds later, he awoke just as Ash pulled up alongside the station. Eiji slapped his face lightly multiple times, willing himself to shake off the drowsiness.

"There's Shunichi," Ash said, pointing to Shunichi approaching the station with his luggage rolling behind him. "I'll be right back, Buds," Ash told the dog in the back seat as he stepped out of the car. He helped Eiji with his luggage to the platform.

"Keep an eye on him, he keeps falling asleep," he said to Shunichi. Eiji opened his mouth to argue but soon closed it. Ash was right, he'd likely doze off and if there were any transfers along the way, he'd likely sleep right through them on his own.

Shunichi laughed. "I'll make sure he doesn't get left behind."

"Thanks." He placed a hand on Eiji's shoulder. "Call me later. Oh and text me some pictures of Osaka, I've never been."

Eiji smiled sleepily. "It's only two full days. I'll be back Monday afternoon." He set down his luggage to hug Ash. "But I'll miss you too."

Shunichi fiddled with something on his phone in a meager attempt to give them some privacy.

"I love you, Ash," Eiji said sweetly and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips.

"Love you," Ash said in reply. "Call me later," he repeated like a college boy departing from a loved one for an entire semester.

"I will," Eiji whispered humorously.

"Alright," Ash hugged him once more, "Well, Buddy's in the car so…" he shoved his hands in his pockets, "I'll talk to you later. Have a fun trip."

They said their final goodbyes and Ash returned to the car. He let Buddy climb into the front before driving back home. By the time he arrived back, the sun was beginning to rise.

"We're not going till eleven," he muttered to himself as he climbed the stairs. He set an alarm and flopped back into bed. Later, he'd go with Aki and Miyuki to select a kimono for his wedding day, but for now, he'd finally let sleep claim him. However, even with Buddy right beside him, the bed was too cold and far too lonely without Eiji. Suddenly, he didn't know how he ever managed without him.

"Ashu. Shoes," Aki said, catching Ash by his arm before he could enter the dressing room.

He looked down at his feet and then back up at Aki. "What?"

"We don't wear shoes in dressing rooms," Miyuki chimed in.

"Huh? Oh, right. Sorry." He slipped off his shoes and proceeded to step behind the changing room door.

Aki and Miyuki waited nearby. On the other side of the thin door, they could hear Ash struggling with the kimono.

"There's so much fabric," he complained to himself. "I don't know if I'm doing this right."

Aki smiled, "I will fix it when you come out."

"Oh, so you just know it'll be wrong?" he asked loudly. "Shit," Ash muttered under his breath as the silky kimono jacket slid from his grasp onto the floor.

Aki looked at Miyuki and they shared a knowing smile. "Yes," she responded.

Ash was trying on the traditional male wedding apparel, which included multiple elements, all of which were completely foreign to him. Aki would be greatly surprised if he managed to wear it all correctly.

After ten minutes of struggling, Ash finally emerged from the fitting room. "Okay, help me out." He held his arms out so that Aki could assess everything he'd done wrong.

She smiled sweetly and immediately reached for the Obi belt cinched around his waist that was tied incorrectly. He knew it was wrong, but he had simply tied it in a bow, unsure what it was actually supposed to be like. Aki untied it and instantly began tying it for him.

"Wait, wait, wait," Ash complained. "You're going too quickly, I can't see what you're doing."

Aki smiled and undid her progress. "Like this," she said. She moved her hands slowly, letting Ash take note of the proper tying technique.

"Okay…" he said slowly as he watched her. When she finished, he made a mental note of the finished product. Then, he untied it and attempted to tie it by himself. Aki gave him a few pointers along the way.

"ASH!" Miyuki exclaimed excitedly, a bit too loudly for the small store. "You're a natural!"

After all the ties and bowties he'd fastened during his time with Dino, tying was a specialty of his. Aki adjusted a few more aspects of the three three-pieced then patted Ash's shoulder.

"Looks good," she remarked.

The store owner, a little old woman no taller than 4'8" with a gray bun and tiny half-moon glasses, made her way to the back where Ash, Aki, and Miyuki were.

[That fits you very well,] she remarked in a soft voice. [The black looks lovely. Do you like the color or would you like me to show you some others as well? I have a nice dark grey one in your size.]

Ash turned towards the changing room mirror, examining the black three-piece set. [Does it come in white?] He asked, remembering Miyuki's words from the library.

In the mirror, he saw Aki's face scrunch in discomfort, making it obvious he'd asked something taboo.

The store owner cocked her head in confusion. [But you're getting married?] Ash nodded. [White is for your bride,] she clarified for the clearly clueless American. [Men wear white where you're from?]

[Oh, uh, sometimes,] he said awkwardly. [I just- thought it would be fun. Do you make any in white?]

A grave expression fell over her face as if he asked her to commit a crime. [Oh no, only black and shades of grey.]

[Do you take custom orders? I could pay you.]

Aki and Miyuki looked deathly uncomfortable, but Ash hardly cared about tradition.

The store owner shook her head slowly. [I'm sorry, I don't do that.]

[Is there a place nearby that does?]

[No, that's very untraditional. No one in Izumo would do that for you. Your best bet would be a more contemporary shop in Tokyo.]

Ash placed a contemplative hand on his chin. [Tokyo, huh?] He glanced at Aki. "Wanna go to Tokyo?"

Her jaw dropped. "Tokyo? When?"

He shrugged, "Now-ish." Miyuki's hands flew to cover her mouth in an attempt to silence a squeal of joy. "That is, of course, if you think Eiji will like white. I think he will, but I'll trust your opinion."

"Ashu...I...yes...I mean...he will...Today?"

Ash smiled at her slur of stuttered words. "Yes, today. Do they allow dogs on the train?"

"Ashu...No…we'd have to fly...long trip by train."

"Okay, then we fly." He looked at Miyuki. "I'll pay you to stay with Buddy."

"WHAAAAAAAA! I wanna come!"

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ash, Aki, and the store owner shushed in unison.

She slapped her hands back over her mouth. [Sorry,] she whispered.

"I can't leave Buddy all alone. Plus, you have an Orgo test to study for."

Miyuki pouted. "You'll pay me?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Aki shoved her shoulder. "Miyuki," she scolded. "He will not," she decided, shooting a look at Ash.

"I will too," Ash insisted stubbornly.

The store owner coughed to remind them all of her existence. They all looked at her.

[Oh. Sorry. I'll get changed. Sorry for the commotion.]

Ash changed and tipped the owner even though he didn't purchase anything. She looked greatly confused but gratefully accepted it.

As they walked home, Ash was already looking at flights to Tokyo.

"Okay," he thought aloud, "it's noon now...there's a flight at 2:30...We'd get there by like 5 at the latest...Miyuki could drive us to the airport….and I'd show you everything for Buddy...give you a key...before we leave. We could get dinner with Dad...book a hotel room...shop for a kimono in the morning...leave on the 1:15 flight...and be back tomorrow around 3." He looked up at Miyuki and Aki to find both their mouths gaping open. "Sound good?"

"But I want to come," Miyuki whined.

"You have a test. Besides, I'll pick you up a souvenir."

"Fine," she grumbled. "And I can stay at your house?"

He nodded. "Just don't make me regret it. No house parties," he teased.

Miyuki rolled her eyes. "I would never."

"I know."

He turned to Aki. "Mom?"

The shock had worn off and a giant smile replaced it. [Ashu...you are something else.] She hugged him tightly around the waist, her cheek pressing into the puffy fabric of his winter coat that Eiji had bought him. "I will pack quick and then we leave."

Just two hours later, Ash and Aki ran to catch their flight. Just barely making it, they laughed breathlessly as they took their seats.

Aki looked around.

"What?" Ash asked with a laugh.

"Someone will think I am running away with you," she said humorously.

Ash cocked an eyebrow. "Do you want them to?"

Aki laughed. "Ashu, no!" She shoved his arm. "I am taken!" She announced, jokingly scandalized.

Ash's face softened. "So you are."

[Why'd you choose to take me over Miyuki?] She asked, her tone suddenly much calmer and softer.

Ash shrugged. "She really does have to study. Plus I thought it'd be fun to have a mother-son trip," he told her casually.

Aki frowned first as the words hit her. It then morphed into a small smile and tears turned her eyes glassy. "Ashu," she said softly.

Despite being somewhat predictable, her tears surprised him. "Hey. Why the tears?"

She wiped at her eyes. "I am just happy I can be your mom." She wrapped both her arms around one of his and laid her head happily upon his deltoid.

He bonked his head lightly on hers. "Now they're really gonna think you're running away with me," he teased.