Removed – Chapter 29

After another grueling session in the dōjō, Jiro decides I need a treat. He sneakily smiles at me, directs me out of the building, and down the street to his favorite onsen spa.

“I want you to soak for at least thirty minutes,” Jiro says to me before we go our separate ways after the front desk. “In fact, don’t get out until Beni comes and gets you for your massage.”

Beni waits at the front desk. She has such a strict demeanor, always business, but her smile is sweet and lights up her whole face when she’s happy. She pins her short hair off to the side over her ear and seems to love red lip balm. I should have her shop for makeup for me. She’s wearing it, but I can hardly tell. Aunt Lomo would love her.

She leads me to my own personal bath room.

“Would you like me to stay, Sanaa? Or do you want to be alone?”

“Come in for a moment. I’d like to talk to you.”

I love this onsen immediately. The room is dimly lit and a hot bath is already drawn in a super deep tub, sunken into the floor. I lay my bag on the padded bench inside and take off Kazenoho, placing the sword on top. The room is warm, so I take off my outer shirt as well.

I need to channel the same professionalism with Beni that I did at my old job. This is just another career, Sanaa. I roll my eyes at the silent understatement.

“Beni, Jiro tells me you’re his cousin.”

“Hmmm, yes, though I think I’m a second cousin on his mother’s side. I’d have to get a family tree to tell for sure.”

The whole Sakai clan shares the same facial features. I do detect a little of Mariko in Beni.

“I like you. You minded your own business today, and that’s something I value. I’d like to keep you around, close to me, if you’d take the job. A kind-of personal assistant?”

“I’d like that, Sanaa.” She smiles, and I easily smile back.

“Do you know my secret?” I wonder how much Sakai has told each of these people following me around.

“Which one, miss?”

This doubles me over in laughter. If only Beni knew how many secrets I keep from almost everyone but my immediate family. Beni cracks a small smile at me again. I peel my pants off and hand them to Beni.

“The secret that I’m the last in the imperial line. I’m supposed to be the next empress of New Japan on Yūsei.”

“Yes. Sakai told both Risa and me.”

Sakai must have been insanely busy yesterday.

“Then you understand I need people I can trust. Can I trust you, Beni?”

“Of course. We’re family now.”

My heart skips a beat. It wasn’t the answer I was expecting, but it’s the correct answer.

“Thank you.” I strip down the rest of my clothes and hand them to her. I will be as comfortable around Beni as I am with Jiro. “Please put my clothes in the auto-hamper and have them ready for me when I’m done with my massage.”

Beni turns to leave but pauses at the door. “I’ll be back to get you for your massage. Please relax.”

I use the shower first to clean up before slipping into the hot bath. Ahhhh. The bath is so deep I can stretch out my legs under me and swish them around in the water. Steam rises from the tub, and the heat works its way into my muscles, unfurling every knot in my legs and back. I wish I could do this every day.

Not doing anything or talking to anyone is a joy, but this long soak is threatening to put me under. Maybe Jiro and I should have gotten more sleep last night. I cross my arms and place them up on the lip of the tub, resting my head on my hands and closing my eyes. I must be doing an excellent job of not thinking because I drift in and out of consciousness until there’s a light knock on the door.

It’s time for my massage.

When I’m done, I change back into my clothes, and Beni leads me to a tiny restaurant on the top floor of the onsen. Jiro is already seated, and he stands up and waits for me to be seated when I arrive. The tatami mats remind me of our trip to the okiya, but low tables and floor cushions are the seating options of choice. I sit across from Jiro and smile at him while taking a sip of water. I’m so relaxed if anyone else saw me now they’d think I was drugged.

“Great, right?”

“Amazing. Just what I needed.”

“I ordered us some food since I was here before you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Thanks.”

He’s looking at me critically, and I’m momentarily confused. “What? Is something out of place?” I touch my hair and my face.

“No,” he laughs. “No. It’s just, on previous dates I’ve been on, if I ordered food my date got seriously offended.”

“Oh. I love when other people feed me especially when I’m tired and hungry, so please don’t stop on their accounts.” I smile and prop my chin up on my hand. Staying upright is becoming difficult. “You ordered at the tempura restaurant too, and I didn’t complain.”

“I noticed.”

Food arrives, and I help myself to the rice balls. “Don’t I need to worry about having Oyama here?” I pause before putting the food in my mouth.

Jiro shakes his head and smiles. “Oyama is in the kitchen. It’s taken care of. And, seriously…” He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I’m happy you’ve been okay with everything. All of the extra staff and security. I thought it was going to drive you nuts.”

“After seeing my mother in the video be so concerned with my safety, I had to concede.”

“We all want to make sure you’re safe.”

He leans a little out from the table, and I turn to follow his line of sight. Beni is waiting out by the front of the restaurant, drinking tea and reading on her tablet.

“So, Beni. What do you think of her?” he asks, grabbing some rice and seaweed.

“Oh, don’t worry. I already asked her to be my personal assistant. You chose right when you had her come today instead of Risa.”

“Risa is… well, she’s not your type.”

“I hope not your type either, Jiro. Risa has a crush on you.”

Jiro stiffens, his glass of water paused half-way to his mouth.

“What? You never noticed?” I squeeze his foot again to loosen him up. “I’ve been in her presence for less than a few hours, and I can tell right away.”

He sighs and closes his eyes. “Yes, I noticed, and I keep avoiding her, but she just doesn’t take the hint. I find the idea repulsive since technically we’re related, but she obviously does not. And no, she’s not my type. Not in the slightest.”

“Well, I’m not sure what else you could do about that,” I say.

“I’m not going to do anything else. You’re here now. That should be the biggest hint in the world. Anyway, even without Risa around, I still think Beni is perfect for you.”

“How is it you know me so well already?” I ask, shaking my head.

“I just have to think about who I would prefer to be around all the time. We’re a lot alike, Sanaa. Beni is kind and keeps to herself, and she’s a brown belt in karate like you. She’s a better choice for you.”

“I love you.” The declaration comes out of my mouth much more serious than I was intending, but the way his face softens and his shoulders fall, it was the right way to say it.

“I love you, too.”

I close my eyes and capture the moment in my head until his foot slides under the crook in my leg at my knee.

Take a deep breath, Sanaa, before you fall over sick with love.

The door chimes in my apartment, and Beni and Mariko are waiting to enter.

“Sanaa.” She steps in and kisses me on the cheek. “I hear my son is living here now.”

No secrets kept in this family.

“Yes, Mrs. Itō, he’s in the shower.” I try not to let my voice crack, but it does. Funny that we never bothered to consult with our families on this, but we’re both too independent to have thought of asking.

Mariko turns back to me when I don’t move from the door, and her hands come to my face with a smile.

“Sanaa, don’t worry. I couldn’t be happier. Both Koichi and I can’t think of anything that would make us more pleased. I only wish we could plan for your engagement as well, but we understand the law. And please call me Mariko.”

She gives me another kiss on the cheek, and I close my eyes and lean into her warmth. I need her love and acceptance. Need it. I already miss my aunts.

“Beni and I were just talking, and she said you’ve made her your jihi.” A blank look must pass over my face because Mariko laughs and puts her arm around me. “Jihi. Lady-in-waiting.”

“Oh! Right. I told Beni Mark would know all these terms I’m unfamiliar with. I should have asked you.”

“You can, if you like. I’m only two floors up. I’d be happy to help you with anything, dear. As it is, I’m here to see you, Jiro, and your new place before we all leave for the party.”

Beni smiles and heads straight for my bedroom. My closet door squeaks open. She’s here to help me get dressed, and though I like her, she’s not Aunt Kimie.

“Hello, Mother.” Jiro emerges from the bathroom shirtless but, thankfully, wearing pants. “Come by for a visit?”

“I wanted to find out how you and Sanaa were getting on in your new place.” She walks into the kitchen and opens up each cupboard, nods and murmurs to herself about each one, and then peers in the refrigerator. “I have plenty of extra things in storage for you. I will have someone go down and bring everything up tomorrow morning. Also, Oyama should buy more food for you.”

I stand and watch Mariko inventory the entire apartment. She thinks we need more towels, blankets, another chair, and another lamp as well. She is already the mother-in-law I will never have. I’m about to object when I remember a saying I heard once, “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” Jiro is her baby. She will always be watching out for us. If only Aunt Kimie and Lomo would come here, too, but moving to Ku 6 meant I will have to go to them.

I’m displaced all of a sudden, like I’m living someone else’s life instead of my own, and despair fills me from my feet to the crown of my head. Jiro comes over to me and puts his arms around my shoulders from behind. “No worries. She did this to Yoichi as well, but it only happens the one time.”

I sigh. “I feel like I don’t know who I am or what I’m doing here. My life is so… confusing.”

“I know. Give it time. You just need some time to get used to the changes. Then it’ll feel like it’s been this way forever.”