OUTSIDE Kaede, Misaki and Sayoko both bowed their heads in apology before the man her father wanted her to marry.
“We are so very sorry for causing a scene.”
“Not at all. I’m glad I could witness such amusing…ah, er, I mean, such a lovely couple radiating happiness. I’m especially glad about how it turned out for you, Sayoko. If I compare you before and after Misaki came, it would be as if you were a porcelain doll sitting across from me in that room, and now the woman I see before me is brimming with life—it’s clear as day which one is happier. Cliché as it may be, I wish you all the happiness in the world,” the man spoke warmly, gesticulating gracefully with his hands in a way that was the very picture of an adult.
He was handsome too, with chiseled features. Mia’s father had also been a looker, so she thought she was used to good-looking men, but she still ended up inadvertently staring at the man who possessed a different type of male beauty than her father. Was it the elegance he radiated, maybe? The object of her gawking silently directed his gaze away from the couple to look down at Mia, the corners of his pretty eyes arching upwards.
“Do you mind telling me your name?”
“M-Me? I’m Mia Oonari.”
“Mia… A lovely name for a lovely young lady. My name is Sensui. If you ever have the need for gorgeous bridal attire, please visit my store. I will personally seek out an arresting garment worthy of your beauty. If possible, I would like us to further our relationship in the direction of exchanging nuptial cups someday. …But that is a talk for another day. Let us take the time discussing it once you are a bit older, hm?” Sensui lilted with a sweet smile on his face and handed Mia his business card.
“Nuptial cups? Bridal attire?” Mia took the proffered card, stunned by the out-of-place expressions she didn’t understand the intent of.
Meanwhile, the elderly man who had been waiting on the heir to the kimono store pointedly cleared his throat from behind them, “…Master Sensui, please try to exercise your wit in moderation. Leading an innocent young girl astray does not befit a gentleman of your caliber.”
“Lead astray? What a terrible way to put it, considering my relatively honest intentions. Haha…”
“That is precisely what ‘leading astray’ means,” the elderly man muttered exasperatedly just before a black-lacquered car arrived to pick up his master. He opened the back door for Mr. Sensui, and the latter stepped inside.
“Goodbye. Ah, since we have had the pleasure of getting acquainted, I would be delighted if you were to invite me to your wedding. I am after all getting close to the age where I would love to share in other people’s happiness on their special day. Until then, please take care,” the man said, a pleasant smile still gracing his features.
Then the door closed, and the car took off. Misaki, Sayoko, and Mia silently watched it go.
“What was that Sensui man trying to tell me in the end, I wonder? Was he trying to get me to buy a kimono from him?” Mia mused with her head cocked to the side quizzically, leisurely examining the business card he had given her.
Misaki jerked back in shock. “Seriously?! Ah, well, I get the distinct feeling Ren will eat me alive if I say too much. Maybe it’s better for everyone if you stay in the dark,” Misaki sighed, almost rolling his eyes, and glanced back at Restaurant Kaede.
Sayoko’s parents were still inside. Her father felt too weak to move, and her mother, speaking to her husband softly, had asked Misaki and Sayoko to give him some time and space. Sayoko’s mother had also been opposed to her daughter’s relationship with Misaki, but probably not as much as her other half. Maybe witnessing Misaki’s resolve earlier had affected her somehow, because there was tangible warmth now in her eyes whenever she looked at her daughter’s significant other.
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your father. I feel bad about making him seem like the only person in the wrong, and in such a public setting too. I’m sure he had his reasons.”
“Doncha worry about it. I believe he’s getting his just deserts for relying on his daughters too much. …But it’s fine. My sisters seem happy now; it’s not as if it’s all doom and gloom. I mighta found a modicum of happiness with Mr. Sensui if I had married him. But I’d much rather be with you. …Thank you so much, Misaki. Your words have brought me great joy.”
The two clung to each other in a tender embrace. They were a hallmark of a couple of happy lovebirds.
“I am so glad it worked out,” Mia whispered, a broad smile lighting up her face.
✦ ✦ ✦
BEFORE they knew it, evening came. Mia and Misaki faced Sayoko on a platform in Kyoto Station, waiting for their train to arrive. If they left now, they would be able to arrive back in Tokyo by nighttime.
“You came all the way to Kyoto, issa a pity that you can’t stay and see more of the city,” Sayoko lamented, earning herself smiles from Mia and Misaki.
“Mia, thank you so much for taking Misaki here.”
“Don’t mention it. You have thanked me so many times already, and look at all these things I received from you.”
A paper bag Mia held contained all sorts of Kyoto souvenirs courtesy of Sayoko: rice flour crackers flavored with sugar and cinnamon called Yatsuhashi, baked dumplings made of roasted sweet bean paste in soft dough wrapping called Ajari-mochi, Kyoto-style pickles, and dried young sardines. It also included oil blotting paper from a famous local maker and ornamental boxwood combs, with enough to share with Aya.
Sayoko tightly clasped Mia’s hand. “Next time, please come to Kyoto with lots of time to spare! I’ll show ya around.”
“I most definitely shall.”
“I’ll drop by here again very soon too. Next time, I’ll pay a proper visit to your house to pay my respects to your parents. There’s a lot I need to talk to them about.”
Misaki hadn’t even finished his sentence when the bullet train arrived. Unwilling to part from Sayoko even for a short time, he draped his hand over her shoulders, tucking her into his side. He gave her a light peck on the lips, and hopped onto the train.
Sayoko, her cheeks a pretty shade of pink, waved them off. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. …See you soon!”
Her smile unfurling like a flower bud breaking open, just like the first time Mia had seen it, she watched the train speed by, disappearing into the distance.