I leaned forward. “And what would a teacher like you need all that money for?” My back started to sweat, the straps of my bra digging into my damaged skin as my chest heaved with deep breaths.
“That’s none of your business,” he snapped, looking around to make sure no one heard him. Sitting himself back down at the table, he lowered his voice. “You were always such a nosey bitch, Mei-chan. You should stick to digging in the dirt.”
“Hey,” Yasahiro interrupted, his face a mask of hostility I’d never seen before. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that.”
“Well, well. You two must be dating for you to defend her honor like this. Though she doesn’t have much left. Are you sleeping with her?” Sickness roiled in my belly as he forged on. “You must have more of a tolerance for ugliness than I do. I could barely look at the scars on her back without feeling ill.” He shrugged his shoulders as he stood up. “I could only sleep with her for a few months before I was done with her. Good luck to you.”
As Tama turned to go, all the color left Yasahiro’s face and his hands balled into fists. I didn’t think confronting Tama would be bad, but I was dead wrong. It was a thousand times worse than what I imagined would happen tonight. I never thought he’d even admit to dating me, much less make me out to be some kind of leper. This was a disaster.
I grabbed my coat and Yasahiro’s scarf and launched from the table, hoping to distract him from a fist fight.
If he followed me. And I couldn’t even guarantee that anymore.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Wait, Mei-chan!” I glanced back at Yasahiro as I reached the door. He pulled out his wallet and threw a pile of yen on the table, but I was too far ahead of him to care about paying my share.
Outside, I looked left and right, orienting myself. Should I try to walk home from here? Or should I force Yasahiro to drive me? I doubted he was in worse shape than me. He stopped drinking as soon as Tama started talking.
I chose his car and headed in the direction of his house.
“Wait,” he called from behind, his steps hastening.
“Shhh,” I said, turning around and shushing him. “Be quiet. I need a moment to think.”
I had been so willing to let Tama slide the last week, not even considering him to be a suspect, because I remembered the sweet boy I was in love with eight years ago. I didn’t believe he could ever be cruel or do anything wrong. He approached me to date, he told me he loved me first, and he was gentle and kind when we slept together. He did cheat on me, but I considered it a fault of being young and stupid, not malicious. How could I reconcile that boy with this awful man?
A car bleeped and an engine starting caught my attention. I focused on Yasahiro’s hatchback running a few meters in front of me.
“Get in,” he said from behind. I opened the door and slid into my seat, buckling my seatbelt and waiting for him.
He got behind the wheel and gripped it with his hands until his knuckles turned white, his breathing labored. I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind, but he was definitely angry.
“Are you okay to drive?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” He loosened his hands and shoulders, shifted the car into gear, and headed in the direction of my house.
We sat in silence again, the only sound the car’s gears changing, until we were one light from home.
“I guess you and Tama used to be a couple.”
I sighed, my breath fogging up the windshield. He leaned forward and wiped it off.
“It was a long time ago — eight years ago — and I didn’t think it made a difference with anything. He cheated on me, so it’s not like I held out hope we’d get back together. It’s hard enough being in the same room with him most of the time. Now I never want to see him again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, pulling into my driveway and turning out the lights on the car.
“We’re not dating as far as I can tell.” He opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “Why didn’t you tell me about Amanda?” He groaned, closing his eyes. “Because it seems to me, an old boyfriend of mine, eight years in my past, is nothing compared to a drop-dead gorgeous and famous movie star that you’ve seen as recently as six months ago, and you were engaged to.”
I waited, watching him, hoping he’d turn to me and say he was sorry or deny it or something. But he kept his eyes closed.
I grabbed my purse from the floor of the car. “And that’s what I get for googling.”
“Wait…” He started but I stopped him with my raised hand.
“Don’t worry about it, Yasa-kun. It doesn’t matter. We’re not dating.” I gestured between us and he narrowed his eyes at me. “Being friends with me won’t ruin your reputation or anything. Most people in this town felt bad for me because he cheated on me. Dammit, he was there when I fell into the fire pit and never gave a care about my burn scars before.” My voice cracked, the truth pouring from my mouth before tears appeared. “Or at least, he didn’t seem to. He’s obviously a skilled actor and liar. I never had a clue.”
I opened the door to leave the car, but Yasahiro opened his door too, ran around the car, and blocked my path to the house.
“I didn’t tell you about Amanda because…” He sighed, a plume of cold air billowing between us. “Because you walked into my restaurant and you didn’t know who I was, didn’t care what I cooked, or how much money I made. You made fun of me and then you challenged me.” He laughed. “Most women try to flatter me. That’s what Amanda did. She sucked me in with her good looks, money, and charm. I didn’t realize just how empty she was until much later.”
What did I believe? Did I believe the photos and news stories about how they were perfect for each other and so in love? Or did I believe the man in front of me who’s been honest with me so far?
“She doesn’t matter anymore either.” He reached over and grasped my fingers in his. “She’s not the one I want to be dating. You are.”
“Me? Why me?” The incredulity in my voice surprised even me.
“Why not?” His anger surfaced again. “You’re funny and honest, and you remind me of my friends in France, but you’re still Japanese. You understand what it’s like to come from a place like this.” He swept his hand towards the fields on the side of the house. “Just like me. I may be doing all right for myself now, but I’m the son of a soy farmer. I know this life. I get it.”
“I could never compete with Amanda.”
“I’m not asking you to. That’s over. She’s Amanda, and you’re you. Two totally different people. And I like it that way.”
Silence brewed around us. I stared at his hand holding mine, and the two sides of my brain warred against each other. I desperately wanted to hear how he thought we were alike, and yet I believed he was a liar to think we could be the same. I wanted more details as to why he would want to date me, and yet I couldn’t handle the shame of hearing my positive traits out loud. I wanted him, but I wanted to be left alone.
“We never spoke about what I would win if I won the slow food haute cuisine challenge,” he whispered, and I broke into a laugh, my words on his lips.
“What? What kind of prize are you looking for?”
He squeezed my fingers. “A kiss.”
I tried to hold back a smile as my heart thumped erratically in my chest. “A kiss?”
“Not just any kiss — a real kiss — from a woman I want to be dating.”
“Like this?” I dropped my purse on the gravel driveway, put my arms around his neck, and connected my lips to his. I didn’t make it platonic. I made the kiss intimate. I kissed like I hadn’t done in years. I plucked from every daydream I’d had about being this close to him and channelled all my hopes, fears, and anxieties into my lips on his. His surprise lasted only a moment before his hands pulled me in and pressed me to him. Mmmm, he tasted like curry, lime, and beer, and the scent of sandalwood melted me so that our mouths opened and the kiss went even deeper, d
igging out any last denial I had of wanting to date him. I thought I couldn’t date him because I didn’t want to be humiliated. Now, I understood that he already knew me, knew my family, and knew my life. I thought I couldn’t date him because of Amanda. Now, she was a challenge to overcome.
Forgetting my earlier resolution not to get involved, I changed my mind about everything. I wanted the dates and the kissing and more. I was ready to prove to Mom, to him, to the whole town, that I could make something of myself.
I tilted my head, got one last real connection between our lips, held the feeling in my head and body, and then pulled away. He stumbled forward, his lips trying to seek me out, but I covered mine with my hand and laughed.
“There. There’s your prize. If you want more, you’re going to have to woo me. I’m not some poor farm girl that goes out with just any guy.” I shook my head at him as he tried to come close again. “I may be broke and jobless, but I know my worth.”
He pulled himself together and upright. “God, I love that about you.”
“What?” I asked, picking up my bag.
“Your directness.”
I flipped my hair and smiled. “I was born without the coy gene.”
He laughed. “Wooing? You want to be wooed?”
“I do. I’ve never been wooed, and it looks like fun.”
“Challenge accepted,” he said, folding his arms over his chest. “I happen to be very good at wooing.”
“We shall see.”
I walked past him and waved when I reached the door. “Good night, Yasa-kun.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
On Saturday morning, I couldn’t pull myself out of my head to concentrate on the tasks in front of me. Mom made eggs and rice for breakfast with seaweed and I only stared into space. I relived the kiss over and over in my head, until my insides squirmed so much, I had to stand up and walk around to return to normal.
“What is with you today?” Mom asked, eyeing me as I walked back and forth in the dining area. “Are you sick?”
I took a deep cleansing breath and sat back down at the table.
“Maybe a little love sick. Actually a lot love sick.”
Mom set down her chopsticks.
“Yasa-kun asked me to date him last night.” My face broke into an uncontrolled smile. If I had more sense, I would’ve acted like it was no big deal, but it so was.
Mom squealed, clapping her hands together. “Oh, I hoped for this from the beginning! He used to ask all types of questions about you, always looking at your photos.” She glanced over her shoulder at the wall that separated the living space from the kitchen, covered in framed photos, her prized possessions. “I didn’t want to tell you about him in case I jinxed it.”
I slipped back in time and remembered all of my conversations with Yasahiro, all the little mentions of how he knew this or that about me. Huh. I was set up! And I didn’t even see it coming. It’s possible he had been planning to woo me from the beginning and I played right into it with the challenge. Wow. I never saw it coming.
She smacked my arm, regaining my attention. “And what a gentleman! Asking to date you. I’m glad he didn’t turn into one of those awful Western men.”
I rolled my eyes at Mom, shoveling some food in my mouth. I’d watched enough American TV shows to know that Japanese dating practices were strange in comparison. Here, men or women declared their love first and then asked to date. In the U.S., it was the opposite. I never understood that. How could you go on dates without saying you liked the other person first? It didn’t make sense.
Of course, I’d jumped way ahead of the game by kissing him last night, but that was necessary. He’d won the bet after all, and I never went back on my word.
I didn’t tell Mom, though. She’d probably faint.
“He’s a gentleman. I’m sure I won’t step into his apartment for another few months.” Though I wanted to because I was curious about the space. That side of town had the most gorgeous buildings and bordered on the park. I used to stare at them all the time growing up.
“Great. Then you must invite him here. All the time. No use playing coy, Mei-chan. You’re already twenty-six. Time is ticking.”
“Thanks, Mom. That’s just what I need, a reminder of my fading youth. And I don’t play coy ever.” I smiled, remembering how I said the same thing to Yasahiro last night.
“Text him now and ask him over tomorrow.” Mom pushed my phone at me across the table.
“Mom,” I said, warning in my voice. “Don’t meddle.”
“Meddling is my way, and as long as you’re living at home, you’ll do what I tell you to do.”
I grumbled, knowing she was right. No one gave their mother a hard time when they were living at home. She paid my bills and gave me a weekly salary for working around the farm, so there was only so much leeway I had.
I swiped my phone on and realized I’d never called him or texted him. Hmmm, our dating life was not off to the best start.
“I don’t have his number.” I turned off my phone and set it down, hoping this would put Mom off. She pulled her own phone out of her kimono and turned it on, though. Damn.
“I have it. Here you go.”
I sighed as I put the number in my phone and dialed, figuring I should call the first time. The phone rang, and he answered, his voice hesitant.
“Hello?”
“Yasa-kun, hi. It’s Mei.” My face burst into flames with Mom’s attention on me one hundred percent.
“Mei-chan, hi! I just realized I don’t have your number in my phone. How did that happen?”
I giggled, and then hated myself for being so girlie. Pull yourself together, Mei!
“I’m just glad the stupid thing works after it took a bath. I, uh, wanted to make sure you have my number so you can, you know, get a hold of me or text or whatever.” I stammered all over the place, like, suddenly, my brain was unsure anything happened yesterday, and I would look like a fool.
He laughed. “Do you miss me already?”
My face burned so hot I feared it would melt off. “Maybe.”
I turned to Mom and her eyes were wide and starry. She looked more in love than I did. I waved at her to leave me alone, but she whispered that I should invite him over.
I cleared my throat. “Anyway, my mom is sitting right here, and she suggests you come over tomorrow. If you want to —”
“I’d love to! How about I bring something for lunch?”
I covered the mouthpiece and whispered that to Mom. “No!” She blurted out. “I’ll cook lunch. He cooks enough.”
He laughed again and the sound coated my brain in stupidity. Had I mentioned that I become inane and dumb when I’m gone for someone? Well, it was the truth.
“I heard her. I’ll come around noon. Okay?”
“Okay. That sounds perfect.” I closed my eyes and pulled myself together. “Great! We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
We hung up the phone at the same time, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I anticipated calling him and him denying last night ever happened. It wouldn’t be the first time.
My phoned buzzed with a text from him. “I’m glad I can text you now. I don’t need to be at Sawayaka until 16:00 tomorrow, so I can come for a while.”
“I’m already looking forward to it,” I texted back, trying for honesty and directness, which he liked.
“Me too.”
I put his number in my address book and turned it off.
“Mmm, mmm, Mei-chan. You have it bad.” She rubbed her hands together in glee. “I’m so happy!”
“Don’t plan the wedding yet, Mom. I’ve only known him a whole week.”
After breakfast, we piled into the car and headed out. Mom had hitched a ride with Senahara at 8:00 and retrieved the car from the town lot since I was in no condition to run. My brain was too clouded with visions of kissing and hand holding and the possibility of sex. It had been too long since I had romance in my life, and it
made me clumsy and awkward.
Autumn grew colder every day and spending time outside got more difficult as the winter approached. We hadn’t had a hard frost yet, so the farm still required a lot of work until that happened.
We met up with Goro outside the house of the first person on our list, a woman named Shika Hachiman.
“I don’t know this woman, unfortunately,” Mom said, blowing warm air into her hands.
As we approached the door, I scanned the surroundings. The building, a one-family home, occupied a small plot of land. Even though it was freezing outside, a line of laundry hung on the upstairs balcony and a cat sat there, staring down at us. No car, but there was a bicycle. Whoever lived here could get up and down the stairs and take care of the property.
Goro rang the bell, and we all stood together and waited.
“Hello?” An old woman cracked the door a small amount, saw Goro in his uniform at the front of us, and opened it further. “Is there a problem, officer?”
Goro smiled, immediately putting her at ease. “None at all. My friends and I have a few questions for you about your visiting nurse service, and we wondered if we could come in and talk to you for a bit.”
“Of course, of course,” she said, nodding and opening the door to us. We entered, slipping off our shoes in the genkan. I took a deep breath and smelled rice, but nothing else. She kept the place neat, no piles of anything stacked against walls like in Senahara’s house. We walked past the bathroom and kitchen to an informal living area with a kotatsu and TV on but muted. “Please sit. Can I get you some tea?”
“Thank you,” I said, bowing.
“Please let me help you,” Mom said, following the old woman into her kitchen.
Goro and I sat at the kotatsu, and I placed the box of sweet bread we brought on the table.
In the kitchen, Mom and Hachiman spoke to each other.
“I think I know you,” Hachiman said. “Have I seen you at the market?”
The Daydreamer Detective Page 18
