Revealed – Chapter 4

Jiro, Sakai, and Yoichi arrive at the izakaya, but Miko and her girlfriends are already at the temple around the corner, getting their New Year’s wishes and prayers in before dawn.

This section of Ku 7 is quieter than the main strip. The streets are swept clean and free of garbage pile-ups on the corners. The block is deserted with most of the shops closed for the holiday and the neon signs extinguished. Jiro looks up to the dome and gauges how far they are from the outer edge of the district. With the ceiling that distant, this area of Ku 7 is deep in the high-rent portion of the neighborhood. The Tanakas must do well for themselves.

They approach the small neighborhood temple, a little shack with a slanted, composite wood roof, and Jiro steps out of the way to let an old woman out of the prayer area. Miko, a tall girl with curly blonde hair, and the small cute girl in her orange kimono are all praying before the Buddhist icons.

Jiro is done with blondes, so he keeps his eyes on the prize. She’s so earnest in her prayers, touching the tips of her steepled hands to her lips while whispering, her eyes closed. When she’s done, she sweeps her long hair back over her shoulders revealing her slim, pale, beautiful neck. This is one of Jiro’s favorite parts of a woman. Mmmm.

Miko sees them first. “Oh, hello,” she says. All the girls turn, keeping their smiles polite.

“Your father said you might be here,” Sakai says, clearing his throat lightly and bowing.

Jiro glances at him and Sakai is watching the girl in the orange kimono. Sakai’s breathing is erratic and the corners of his eyes twitch slightly.

For over a decade, Sakai taught Jiro how to read people, how to catalog the minute changes in posture, the flicks of eyelids, the pulse at one’s temple, the hesitation in a voice. He never thought he’d use these clues to read his own teacher, but Sakai’s feelings are bared open for Jiro. He’s nervous.

“Happy New Year,” Miko says. “You’re just in time. We were about to get our omikuji.”

Miko is sweet and outgoing, that’s for sure. Her smile is warm and hospitable, the kind of smile that invites people to stay and chat. She’s probably the main reason her family’s izakaya is doing so well. Even Jiro is charmed and now secretly jealous of his brother. He gets all the good ones.

But the girl in the orange kimono is smiling at him again, warming his cold and angry heart. She also seems sweet, though she’s not said one word yet. Her face is clean and bright, not plastered with makeup which is something Jiro hates. He likes that she doesn’t seem fussy about her appearance. No jewelry or clips in her hair. Just her little bag, perfectly orange kimono, and cream-colored obi.

He smiles back, and she clasps her hands in front of her, refusing to break eye contact. Oh yes, he likes it when girls aren’t shy. It makes them easier to talk to.

Talk? Jiro’s looking for a one-night stand, not a relationship. Remember?

“We haven’t all been properly introduced,” Sakai says, cracking the smallest of smiles. “I am Mark Sakai. This is Yoichi Itō and Jiro Itō.” Jiro and Yoichi nod but Jiro’s careful to never lose eye contact.

Miko clears her throat, barely a hiccup. She seems uneasy under Sakai’s glare. “I’m Miko Tanaka, and these are my friends, Helena Tambor and Sanaa Griffin.”

Sanaa Griffin. How does a Japanese girl get such a non-Japanese name? It’s certainly not unheard of, but also not what he was expecting. All of the Japanese girls Jiro ever hangs out with in Ku 6 come from strict families with names handed down generation after generation. Sanaa Griffin sounds exotic and different, a blend of the Middle East and England. He’s heard both names before, he’s sure of it.

Sakai sighs behind Jiro, and Jiro does his best to not let his annoyance show. It’s time to admit defeat. He won’t be able to shake Sakai tonight, but Jiro’s not going to let him spoil this moment. In the last five minutes, Jiro flip-flopped between wanting a relationship, to hating girls and their cheating ways, to wanting a one-night stand, to wanting a relationship again. Maybe he doesn’t know what he wants except to tell Sakai to go fuck himself.

“Have you made your wishes yet?” Sanaa asks, and Jiro smiles even more. Her voice matches her demeanor, small and sweet but confident, not a waver to be heard.

“No,” Jiro says. “We just came from the okiya to the izakaya to here.”

“Well, you should now before the shrine gets crowded.” She moves off to the side pulling Helena with her. “We’ll get our omikuji and meet you outside.”

As she’s turning away, Jiro notices a blush creeping up her neck into the space he loves, right below the ear. That hooks him, completely. She is definitely not one-night-stand material. Perhaps she’s a bitch behind those smiles, cold and aloof when not soaked in holiday cheer. He’d like to find out for sure. He could fall for her if there was enough mutual attraction, but he’s not sure he’ll ever have the chance.

He wants the chance. One more chance to show himself and his family he can live this life and have someone to share it with.

Jiro watches all three girls get their omikuji and joins Sakai and Yoichi in front of the idols. New Year’s wishes are usually wasted on him, since, in years past, he was either a kid and wished for stupid and pointless things like good grades in school, or when he got older he would forget to wish altogether because he was too hungover at the temple the next day.

This time he knows what he wants. “Dear gods, please bring me love. If that girl standing outside is right for me, let her love me for who I am. Don’t give Sakai the satisfaction of owning me. I don’t want to be dictated to for the rest of my life.”

Well, now that he’s asked for her love from the gods, he only hopes she’s not some crazy psycho. That would be the last dalliance for Jiro. They may have something in common, but if she doesn’t like him, he’ll never see her again. It’s the least he could ask for.

When they exit to the sidewalk and street, Helena is browsing in the window of the omiyage shop next door, and Sanaa and Miko are waiting patiently to the side. Sakai opens his omikuji, and Jiro peeks over his shoulder to see what his uncle got. Han-kyō usemono: a half curse for lost objects. A half curse for lost minds would be more applicable in this instance. Jiro’s sure the last few months have made Sakai completely crazy.

Sakai steps away without comment, folds the paper, and ties it to the wire. He retreats into the shadows and blends into the background. Jiro will do his best to forget he’s there for a few minutes.

Yoichi steps up to Miko who separated herself from everyone and left Sanaa to stand alone. She’s staring at the little knots of paper already gathered on the wire, holding onto her own omikuji and using her other hand to brush her long hair off her neck.

Jiro takes his paper in two fingers and holds it up to Sanaa. “What do you think it says?”

He’s had enough to drink tonight to kill a small animal and the alcohol is rushing through his veins like fire, setting off his most basic instincts to flirt. He may not be able to take her home tonight, but it hasn’t stopped him from thinking about it and her smile all night.

She closes her eyes, thinking. A poignant, little girl moment that disarms him. “It’s a blessing. I’m sure of it.”

“What about yours?” Jiro nods his head at the paper in her hand, still folded and clenched in her fingers. So many people get curses.

“It’s a blessing,” she says with a smile. “I haven’t had one in years. Just a small one. Tenkyo.” A blessing for moving residence. Wonder where she’s going?

He opens his and smiles. “You were right. A blessing, too. Looks like I’m getting lucky this year.” Jiro turns it to her. Renai: a blessing in romantic relationships. If only he could get lucky tonight and skip going to the Minamoto’s. He’s beginning to wonder just how petite she is under her kimono.

He takes the paper, folds it, and slips it into his kimono. He’ll save it, just in case.

“Jiro, we have one more stop before the night is through,” Sakai says behind them. Fucking Sakai. He should have slipped a sedative into his saké tonight. If he weren’t here, Jiro would go in for the kill and invite Sanaa out for further drinks. She’s interested, he can feel it like the warmth of a crackling fire between them. Sakai is immovable, though. He promised Minamoto.

With a low hum, a soft cool breeze picks up down the street, and Sanaa’s eyes close with a sigh. She turns her face from him and inhales the fresh air. He’s never had a girl turn away from his flirtatious advances before, even for something as nice as this. She is very sure of herself.

“Ah, that’s nice.” Jiro takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Well, it is nice, and it’s not like he’s taking her home tonight. She seems to be good friends with Miko, so if he’s still interested once the alcohol has worn off, he can get in touch through her.

“I love winter.” Sanaa’s smile is soft again, not overly inviting, but polite. He loves winter too, and wants to open his mouth and say so, but instead tucks his hair behind his ears. There’ll be no more conversation because Sakai is boring holes in the back of Jiro’s head. It’s time to go. They’re already late.

“Sanaa, have a happy new year.” He steps back from her towards Sakai.

“Thank you. You as well.”

Jiro manages to make his legs move, one in front of the other, away from Sanaa and her friends. The pull to stay is unbearably strong, especially with Yoichi still there. He’d rather hang out with his brother any day of the week than go to Minamoto’s and talk politics or even be in the same room with Kentaro. Kentaro, the asshole who stole his last girlfriend, when Jiro thought they were going to work things out.

He glances over his shoulder before turning the corner, and Sanaa is watching them go, her mouth quirked up in a little half smile as if to say, “I thought you’d look back.” Confident. Jiro laughs and shakes his head, letting a grin take over his face. He really does like confident a whole lot more than shy.

“What?” Sakai asks. Jiro catches Sakai looking away from Sanaa after they’ve turned.

“Nothing,” Jiro responds, still grinning and walking even faster.

“No, wait, Jiro.” Sakai reaches out and grabs Jiro’s arm before he can get any farther away and looks him in the eyes, reading him like a book. It’s no use lying to Sakai. He can always tell when Jiro is telling the truth or not. “I saw you flirting with her. I hope to the gods to realize you can’t get caught up again. No more dating.”

Jiro’s temper starts to simmer, but he holds it down… barely. “I can have a personal life and still do my job. I don’t need to leave the family all to my brother. Wouldn’t you rather have had your own kids lead this clan than me?”

Sakai stiffens as if he’s been smacked. “That’s not the way it worked out.”

The two men glare at each other before Sakai gives in first.

“Jiro, the last two years have been hell for both me and your parents. You got in too deep with outsiders, and then you tried to renounce your position! You almost gave your poor mother a heart attack.”

Jiro takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. They’ll never let him forget it.

“You have to keep your head on straight,” Sakai says, folding his arms across his chest. “No more girls. If you need to get laid, we’ll hire someone.”

“Ugh. Gods, even I find that crude. Fine. Fine.” Jiro turns and walks away. “But I was just going to ask her out. I could keep it noncommittal if I had to.” Lies. He wants a relationship, dating, laughing, going to movies, a confidant, someone who understands him.

“Do not contact Sanaa. She’s off-limits, Jiro, and you can’t get distracted.” Sakai follows right behind him, making their way towards the next neighborhood over and Minamoto’s restaurant.

“Do you know her? She didn’t seem to know you…”

“I do, actually. I will be working with her in the future, but she does not know me, no.”

Jiro shrugs and walks off again, slowly though so Sakai can keep pace. He kicks at an empty bottle on the sidewalk, sending it into an alley. Control. It’s all about control. His family will control him. He will need to control himself. There are no other options for him anymore.

“Is it that she’s off-limits? Or am I never allowed to have relationships again? Never allowed a family of my own? If anything is going to give my poor mother a heart attack, that will. If the family isn’t crawling with babies by the time we’re on Yūsei, she’ll die of heartbreak.”

Sakai’s face is frozen in straight lines, a sure sign he’s pissed at Jiro and sick of interference. It’s been months since Jiro confronted Sakai about these things, but alcohol has loosened his tongue. A bad idea.

“Both. She’s off-limits, and I’m afraid your job is more important than a family.”

How can such an important job be left to someone like him? Jiro has never been anything but a consummate screw up, hot head, and failure to his own family.

“Die alone and childless. Sounds familiar.” Jiro raises his eyebrows at Sakai and continues to walk in the direction of Minamoto’s. If Sakai thinks Jiro is going to end up just like him, he’s a lot dumber than he looks.

—-

The door to Minamoto’s restaurant squeaks open but no one turns around to see who’s entered. Jiro lets the stale air in his lungs loose. He held his breath for the last block, hoping to the gods he didn’t get any more surprises tonight. But the restaurant is packed, and if he’s careful, no one will notice him for the rest of the evening, which won’t be much longer anyway. He’s tired, his bones are aching, and he’s annoyed with Sakai. The whole evening has been a mess, a prophecy of what to expect for the rest of his life. He might as well go to bed. Scanning the crowd, Japanese people sit and stand everywhere and not one blonde in the whole room. Hopefully she’s not in the bathroom.

“You look relieved,” Sakai leans over to yell into Jiro’s ear.

Jiro should do a better job of covering up his emotions.

“I thought Melanie might be here, but I guess not.” When Sakai’s only response is an eyebrow raise, Jiro says, “I don’t want to see her. We’re very done.”

“Okay. If you say so.” Sakai breaks away from Jiro, making his way across the room to Yoshinori Minamoto, the head of Minamoto clan.

Minamoto is in his element tonight. The rounded man, a stern scowl cut across the width of his face, barely grunts hello to everyone who speaks to him. Secretly, he loves all the attention but would never admit it. He reaches up and smooths out his short, sparse gray hair before inclining his head to Sakai bowing before him.

Jiro huffs observing his uncle’s humble bow, and he scans the room again for tall, blonde women. No one. Good. They are over. Done. Though Jiro would very much like to tell her what a bitch she was to leave him, leave him for Kentaro, right when Jiro had pledged he would give everything up for her. She was probably already sleeping with Kentaro at that point. They were always together when Jiro wasn’t around, going out to bars and the movies. He was so blind.

Even when Jiro did see her, he never once spent the night with her. She always kicked him out of her apartment before she slept or left his after they’d had sex. He suspected she was leaving him for someone else, but she denied it each time. It’s a wonder they lasted the eight months they did. Before her, he was with Amelia, his school romance that ended when her parents found out who he really was. That relationship was also a screw-up of immense proportions. They were both gone on each other, sick with love. Jiro was heartbroken for months when it ended.

“Didn’t expect you to show up.” Kentaro, Jiro’s ex-best friend and Minamoto’s son, stands next to Jiro, shoulder to shoulder, looking at the sea of people in the restaurant.

It’s a nice enough place specializing in Japanese haute cuisine, a lot more upscale but lacking in the charm of Izakaya Tanaka. Jiro used to come here all the time until he had his falling out with Kentaro, and they nearly strangled each other in a fist fight on the grounds of the Minamoto family tea house. In fact, he’s pretty sure he told Kentaro he’d kill him next time he saw him.

“Business is business. You know that.” He’d give anything to have his katana right about now, even if killing his best friend… ex-best friend… would get him killed too.

“I do.” Kentaro nods and aims his eyes sideways at Jiro. “Get a drink and relax. I have no desire to fight with you anymore.”

“How do you know I don’t?”

“Because I saw you walk in and look for her. She’s not here. We broke up over two months ago.”

“I wasn’t looking for her.”

“Yes, you were.”

Jiro’s lip raises in a snarl. “I was looking to avoid her, if possible.”

Kentaro laughs and takes a long sip of his drink. His short spiked hair is perfectly placed tonight, his winning smile turned up to the limit. “Well, don’t worry. When we broke up, she swore she’d never date another Japanese guy ever again. I think she’s through with the lot of us.”

Maybe this means she’ll stay away from Ku 6 for good. It’s always possible he may run into her outside of his home territory but not likely. Nishikyō is a big city. It’s already bad enough he bumps into Eriko in the streets on occasion. Another mistake, but at least he could blame dating Eriko on his parents.

Alcohol is the last thing Jiro needs right now, but if he picks a table next to Sakai with some saké, he may be safe the rest of the night.

“Scared her off for good, did you?” Jiro asks, pushing his hair out of his eyes. He’s so close to laughing and clapping Kentaro on the back. The way things used to be.

Kentaro shrugs his shoulders. “She asked for it.”

Jiro shrugs his shoulders, too. He should care more, but he doesn’t. She left him, completely swinging in the wind. Whatever happened to her after is none of his business.

The chaos in the room is suddenly overwhelming as restaurant staff emerge from the kitchen carrying plates of food. People are talking, eating, and drinking, pointing at every last dish to pass by them. A mixture of both Japanese and English bounces through Jiro’s addled head, the excitement of flirting with Sanaa a distant memory. He’s not allowed to flirt anymore, and these parties will be forever dull and boring because nothing excites him like women. As much as he hates it, he’ll have to take Sakai up on his offer. No. Forget it. Those women won’t want to talk or be social, and though he loves sex — a lot — he loves all the other components of a relationship even more.

“I regret it, you know?” Kentaro mumbles into his drink, avoiding Jiro’s eyes. “And as much as it pains me to say it, I’m sorry.”

Sorry? Why should Kentaro be sorry? His clan is more powerful than Sakai Clan. He’s the one with the dashing good looks and charm that captivates everyone in the room. Kentaro always gets the girl because he’s the sensitive, empathetic type. Jiro’s this way too but only once he’s sure he can trust someone, and trust does not come easy, especially now.

“If anyone is sorry, it’s me. Sorry I didn’t notice she was cheating on me ages before she left me for you. I’m going to get a drink.”