Our World

by Ash Mio

  “Yeah. I’m here to fit you for the cultural festival.” I say shakily. He stays quiet.

  “Everyone is really worried about you. The girls haven’t chatted all day. They just work on stuff for the festival,” I’m rambling. He only stares quietly.

  “I also brought you something. “

  My hands shake as I take out a piece of paper and read it to him. Will this work?

  “I, Hoshimura Hikari promise not to break up with Will Thompson for a year. If I do, I promise to never pet another dog again or read another shoujo manga again for the rest of my life.” I finish and hand him the contract with my signature.

  “For you.”

  He stares at me and then starts crying. But he’s laughing too. “Stupid Hikari. You didn’t have to do this.”

  “I did. I had to do it because I do really love you, and even if it’s for a year, I want the both of us to be okay. I don’t want you worrying on your own or thinking you’re alone. I love you.”

  I start tearing up as well. “You should never underestimate the power of two idiots in love.”

  Will pulls me into his chest. “I love you too Hikari.”

  We cried until our faces got gross and we decided it was time to stop. I help Will out of bed.

  Will tried on the butler outfit and we marked the adjustments needed. He looks at the contract and smiles. “Hikari, can we change this one year part to “never?””

  I blush. Does he know what he’s implying?

  “No. I might get sick of you someday. The most I can go up to is 5 years.”

  “70 years.” He says.

  “10 years.” I counter.

  “50. Final offer.”

  “Cheeky bastard.”

  Since he was able to eat now, I peeled him some tangerines and fed it to him. “I also brought you cakes, but I had to bribe Ryo to let me into the house.”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad it worked.” His face began to brighten some.

  I left early so that Will could sleep. Ryo smiled at me as I left. “Thanks cake boss!” He gave me a thumbs up. Buy a kid a cake and suddenly you’re the boss of all cakes.

  I walked home thinking about Will’s face. It finally got some of its color back. He said he wanted to graduate a whole year early and come back in the summer. That was entirely too much for him, especially all alone. When I got home, a thought struck me. There is something I can do besides promise him on paper. There was a third option that would be a little difficult but doable. I have to work fast.

  Mom was doing the laundry. She was practicing a scene from a yakuza flick.

  “Hold out your hand.” She spreads her palm out and holds her own hand.

  “Please no!” She changes to a high pitched voice.

  “Cut a finger off you bastard!” She pretends slice her finger and folds her pinky down. She makes a dramatic gushing noise. Silly woman.

  “Mom, can I talk to you?”

  ……………………………………………………..

  The cultural festival went well for our class. We got a lot of customers wanting to look at our costumes. Will was in top shape to greet the customers and I was helping in the kitchen.

  “Wow Hikari. These cookies you made are delicious.”

  “I never knew you could cook.” Well at least they weren’t staring and pointing anymore.

  “I want to eat more of Hikari’s cake!”

  “Sounds like the perfect wife.” Shun commented. Emi smacked him on the back of the head.

  We finished off the festival with a bonfire. The teachers and locals usually help us with this part. Will and I watched from the rooftop. People were dancing around it.

  “Will, I was thinking…I want to study abroad.” His eyes turned to me.

  “Hikari…”

  “If I submit my paperwork now, I could make it just in time. I probably can’t go for as long as you, but I could go for a semester in the states, then we’d only be apart for 6 or 7 months instead of a year if you graduate only a semester early. It would give you more time to do all the work and you wouldn’t have to rush.” I say quietly.

  “But how would you afford it?”

  “I could get a scholarship. I do have the top grades in our class. Plus, I could sell some of my rare manga collection. My love of shoujo manga is about to pay off.” I put a peace sign.

  He looked like he was going to cry again.

  “You already made a promise to me and that’s enough for me. I won’t make you sacrifice that much just for me.”

  I walk towards him and held his face in my hands. “I’m saying that I won’t be apart for a whole year. I know we’d make it, but I don’t want to. I want to learn more about you, where you live, your school, and your customs. Everything.”

  The tears starting coming down. “Damnit. I’m too emotional whenever I’m with you. The fuck is with all this crying?”

  He laughed. “Same here.”

  ………………………………………………………………………….

  The time slipped quickly through our hands.

  On the wall, there were pictures of our time together. There was a picture of us eating watermelons at the beach.

  There was the picture of us watching fireworks. Will was wearing a yukata (kimono like clothes).

  There on the wall was a picture of a Christmas party at my house. Mom bought chicken but she made the cake. We invited Ryo, who nearly cracked his teeth on the cake.

  After I asked Mom to go study abroad, she’d told me I was a stupid son and cried on my shoulders for hours. She came around eventually after I told her I could meet celebrities (probably).

  The dog café is doing well. Shimura –san hurt her back, so I was allowed to work there. Oda-san told us to come back and work for them when we got back from the states and to bring him a celebrity’s hair so he could sell it online.

  Emi and Shun’s relationship has progressed. It was obvious that they liked each other but were just too shy or stubborn to admit it. Emi would make study guides for Shun and sit next to him whenever there was group work. She would bring him snacks when he was practicing his batting after school.

  One day after exams, Will and I saw them near the school.

  ”Emi! I like you. Please go out with me.” Shun yelled loudly.

  Emi was shocked. “What?”

  “Please!” His head was bent down low.

  “Okay.”

  Shun picked his head up surprised. Emi wasn’t looking at him in the eye. “You’ve really matured recently, so okay let’s start dating.” She blushed.

  He yelled excitedly. “Yes!”

  I looked at Will.

  “Good for them. Now I don’t have to feel bad anymore.” Will smiled. What does that mean?

  “But Shun really needs to start studying for exams though. Emi is third in our class.”

  “If he starts studying now, he can make it into the same university she does.”

  “Shun…might need a few tries….”

  “Yeah….”

  We held hands and walked home.

  The time passed by.

  And before we knew it, it was almost January. We’d be leaving in a few days. I was barely able to get my visa approved and learn English in time, but it worked out. I’m staying at Will’s house since I was able to apply for Will’s school.

  Today is New Year’s Day. We’re going for a shrine visit.

  “Pull the bell and clap twice. Then make a prayer for the New Year.”

  We clapped and Will made his wish.

  “Please, let me stay with Hikari forever.”

  “Stupid you’re not supposed to say it out loud. I already said we won’t break up for at least 50 years.”

  “50 years is too little time,” he smiled with his eyes closed. His hands were still together.

  “Guess, I’ll ask that your wish comes true.”

  The time passed by so quickly that before I knew it, I was in the states.

&
nbsp; Ch. 15 Hikari

  School in the states is very different from Japan. Students move between classes instead of teachers for one. The teaching style is also more involved than listening and taking notes. People weren’t very interested in me after the first week. They focused more on their own studies or social circles instead.

  The biggest surprise, however, was that Will didn’t have many friends and wasn’t popular with girls. I thought he’d be sitting in the center of a harem of girls, but he was mostly alone at his desk sending me hearts through text messages. The girls thought he was “hot” but a “wet blanket.” I asked Will what that meant. He only laughed and said it means someone who’s not fun to be around.

  “English is strange.”

  My English pronunciation has improved according to Will, and my reading and writing is proficient enough to get me through the semester.

  There are no dog cafes in the states, so I had to get my fill of fluffiness from Will’s dog, Ginger. “Ginger, you’re so cute.” Her cheeks were so warm and soft. Her tongue stuck out happily.

  “Want some dinner Ginger?” She started wagging her tail wildly at the mention of dinner.

  “I’ll get you dinner and make some for Will too.” She barked and shook her butt.

  “What are you doing Hikari?” Will had just woken up. He had bed head from his nap.

  We spoke to each other in English and Japanese interchangeably, so that both of us could get practice.

  “I’m making dinner for you.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I can treat you to dinner. You’re a guest not a maid.”

  “I like feeding you.”

  “And I like eating your food.“

  “So just eat it then.”

  “Fine. Have it your way.” He put his hands around my waist. “What’s on today’s menu?”

  “Today is Mediterranean couscous with chickpeas, tomatoes, and salmon.

  “Sounds good.”

  I feed him a little bit of couscous. He approves.

  “You know, my mom is so impressed by your cooking that she comes home on her break just to eat.”

  “I know,” I laugh. “I think you guys should learn to cook more.”

  “Did you used to eat by yourself?” I asked as he energetically spooned couscous on his plate. “Yeah sometimes. Me and Alex weren’t close yet, and my dad was always on business trips.” He got a second helping of the salmon.

  “Speaking of Alex. He wants to meet you. He said he’d treat us to some Korean BBQ.”

  “Okay. I really want to meet your brother.”

  “Just a heads up, he might hug you when he meets you.”

  “….Oh okay….”

  Alex did hug me when I met him, and his boyfriend Sam shook my hands. I was at least getting used to the handshake. I’m still not so used to American skin ship though.

  “Hikari, welcome to America!” Alex gestured with wide open arms. He was much more energetic than Will. His aura was a bit wild compared to the tranquil atmosphere around Will. He wore rings and had piercings on his ears. Part of his head was also shaved.

  The two of them showed us the area, which was full of fascinating shops and high end clothes stores. We walked around the piers which were lit with bright lights, and then went to the restaurant. Alex and Sam held hands as they walked. They even kissed openly and no one really paid them any mind.

  “Surprised?” Will asked.

  “A lot.”

  “It’s not always like this everywhere. You’ll get chased out in other parts of country.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Sam put the meat on the grill to cook. “It’s all you can eat, so eat a lot.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So Hikari, what was Will like in Japan?” Alex asked excitedly when we had gotten the cooking started.

  “He was pop….popular.” I couldn’t think of the words. Damn these ending “r” sounds.

  Alex laughed. It was bright like Will’s.

  “Really? That’s hard to believe. I mean he does have a nice face, but his personality is so aloof.”

  “All the girls confessed. They gave him…letters. Lovu (love) letters.” I really had to use my English vocabulary on that sentence. Will won’t teach me how to curse though. Stingy. He said I couldn’t pull English curse words with my cute face.

  “Hikari, you don’t have to tell him that part.” Will was embarrassed.

  “I want to hear more!” Alex said excitedly.

  I had to think. “Will is also popular at the dog café where he worked. There were these pictures and they sold out-“

  Will covered my mouth with his fingers. “We’re still working on his English, so he doesn’t know what he’s saying.”

  I gently moved his hand and spoke in Japanese. “What’s wrong with telling him that your pictures sold out? The customers were pushing each other for one like you were some pop idol. “

  Will shook his head.

  “Alex probably just wants to hear how you were doing in Japan since you didn’t tell him much.”

  Alex and Sam stared at each other wondering what we were saying.

  “It’s too embarrassing. I don’t think I could live it down.”

  A thought came to me. This could be my chance. “Will you teach me English profanity?”

  He thought about it for a second. “Only one word. Well one sentence.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  He whispered something in my ear. It sounded like a strange sentence. It didn’t sound like it made sense grammatically.

  “What does it mean?”

  He smiled. “You can ask Alex, but whisper it.”

  I leaned over to Alex and repeated what Will had said. Alex burst out laughing, and told me what it meant in my ear. My face and my hands completely turned red.

  Alex laughed again as he told Sam. Sam cut the barbeque and chuckled a bit. It was the first time I saw him laugh.

  I buried my face in my hands. My face was getting hotter by the moment.

  “There’s no way I could repeat that!”

  Will laughed brightly with his teeth fully showing and pat my head while he pulled me close to him. “Sorry, you’re just too cute not to mess with.”

  I frowned.

  Sam showed us how to make a lettuce wrap by stacking the meat, kimchi, garlic and then sauce.

  “This is for you,” He said and fed it to Alex. He ate the wrap and put two thumbs up.

  Will made me one too. “Eat it in one bite.” The wrap was huge. It was twice the size of the one Sam had made. Needless to say, I couldn’t eat it in one bite like you’re supposed to. My cheeks were stuffed.

  Will took a picture and said he needed it for “memories.”

  If I knew how to curse, I would. Stupid Will.

  We left the restaurant full and happy. “That was so freakin’ good.” Alex yelled.

  “We should try making it at home,” I suggest to Will.

  “Yay! Hikari’s Korean BBQ! Mom would definitely like that.”

  He gave me a piggyback ride on our walk back to the car to make up for teasing me.

  “You’re so light Hikari even though we just ate a whole cow.”

  “You’re just ridiculously strong.” I ruffle his hair.

  Alex looked at us and smiled. “You guys are so happy in your own gay little world.” He said. “It’s nice to see.” Sam put an arm around him.

  Will turned to Alex. “You know what mom said to me when she met Hikari? ‘Guess I’m not getting any grandkids.’” He imitated his mom’s mannerisms.

  “She also pinched my cheeks like I was a little lost kid.”

  “Mom’s over 6 feet plus heels. She looked like a giant compared to you.”

  “She’s too funny,” Alex laughed.

  “You both should come visit us.” Will suggested.

  Sam and Alex looked at each other. They were unsure for a moment.

  “We will.” They smiled. I’m sur
e they knew they’d be accepted now.

  …………………………………………………………..

  Slowly but surely, my time in the states was beginning to wind down.

  Will and I spent all the time we could together. We studied. We held hands at the lake, went sightseeing, went to the beach and even went to Hollywood. In the spring, we went hiking.

  “We don’t have cherry blossoms here, but we have mountains full of wild flowers. “ We were on a windswept hill covered in yellow flowers.

  “It’s beautiful.” I commented.

  “It is. It makes me want to see the cherry trees again.” Will said.

  “Then come back. They’ll be waiting.” He just held my hand silently.

  The months changed and then 6 months had passed. It was summertime: time for me to go.

  “Don’t just order take out. I left you all those recipes.”

  “I know.” He put his forehead on mine and held my face.

  “Don’t forget to take Ginger on walks. She’s gotten fat.”

  “Yeah.” I had so much more to say, but the words were choked back.

  Will closed his eyes. “I know you gave me the next 50 years, but I’ll give you the next 100, so wait for me.” He held me tightly.

  “Boarding call for flight 221M to Narita.” The announcement came too soon.

  Will didn’t let me go.

  “Boarding call..” the automated voice came on again. I held his warm back and tried not to cry as I looked at him. I ruffled his hair.

  “You’re like a kid. It’s only 6 months dummy.” His face didn’t show a hint of a smile. He was completely somber. I lifted myself on my toes and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  “Since you gave me 100 years, I give you that. It only seems fair.” He finally smiled a little.

  “You’re going to be late. Your mom’s bitter tea is waiting.” I laughed and waved goodbye.