Chapter 34

Taking My Girlfriend to Meet My Parents, Part 3. 2007/01/12 22:55 After ten-plus hours in an airplane, the craft touched down safely in an international airport within America. After passing through customs (Y-ko having survived the process handily), we walked to the lobby, where we would meet my parents. As they weren’t there yet, we sat on a bench to wait. Either out of relief at making it through the customs gauntlet unscathed or trepidation at the imminent meeting with my parents— Y-ko was slightly more wound up than usual. The stereotype is that people from Tokyo don’t like to use much broth with their soba! Now we’re moving on to puns? The sentiment is appreciated, however. Wait, now it’s not a pun? This is so embarrassing! This conversation is driving me crazy! It was your ordinary bottled broth from the store! In fact, so were the noodles! The entire thing was bought at the grocery store, which would mean that my preparation had absolutely no effect on the taste! How is any of that “secret”? It’s all coming from a bottle of seaweed noodle broth. Thanks, Yamasa Corporation, for your fine line of soy sauce–based products! As our usual frivolous repartee carried on, I received a call on my phone. … It’s from Dad. Beep— Beep— Conversation over. … Aha. She’s nervous; she’s nervous! It’s nice to see this side of her for once. Our eyes met. Yes. My geeky, fujoshi girlfriend. … Well, at least she’s aware that it could be considered a problem. Of course, she wouldn’t be a secret fujoshi if she wasn’t aware of that. Yep. It’s going to be a monumentally draining task to hide something like that your whole life. She ought to take some of the weight off her shoulders. Here we go. I stood up and grabbed my luggage. Pointed my finger at a couple that had just entered the lobby. Y-ko and I started walking toward them. They seemed to have spotted us as they were now walking in our direction. Who is she kidding? She’s cool as a cucumber right now. And then we arrived at my parents’ side. … It’s been quite a while since I saw them, as a matter of fact. … Uh, excuse me? I’m talking to you, so you could afford to throw me a glance or two. Clearly excited, they stared straight at my girlfriend. … I suppose I should do the introductions. —What happened to acting like your natural self, Y-ko!? You’re acting like some kind of Goody Two–shoes! … And look at that! I can see that look in my parents’ eyes! It’s that well done, my boy! look! … Though thinking on it now, Y-ko’s always had a talent for disguising herself as someone else. This is probably small beans to her!