| [private] christmas surprise | ||||
| 04:22pm 25/12/2006 | ||||
That's when I remembered my conversation with Kaho-san. I drank some water and made two cups of green tea with honey, just in time to serve him one when he groggily sat up. We exchanged ohayos, and other delicate small talk that first-time lovers use the morning after - did you sleep well, what would you like for breakfast, that sort of thing. We also told each other Merry Christmas, and he presented a pair of authentic Hawaiian pearl earrings, tinted a natural shade of pink. Then he asked me what was wrong, because of course they were most beautiful things I'd ever seen and any woman would have looked at them and called herself a fool for doing what I needed to do. How can I be with such a perfect person, such a kind and handsome man with a glamorous job who brings me beautiful exotic presents, and throw it all in the trash before we ever have a chance? How can I scare him away like this when the smart, sensible thing to do would be to keep my mouth shut and just hope hope hope that one day he'll ask me? Kaho-san said it was just as stupid to assume what he wants. There's no other way to know but to ask. So I closed the box, looked him straight in the eye, and told him everything. I told him about Kane, and how I'd been a bride-in-waiting ever since his sudden death on the eve of our wedding. I told him about Seiji, and the hurt and betrayal when I realized he could never want the same things I wanted. I told him about Kaho, and the ache in my heart whenever I held her baby girl in my arms. I told him I wanted a family, and that if my needs scared him, or was too much for him, then I would understand if he took the beautiful pearl earrings back and just left forever. No twenty five year-old needs to be saddled with the demands of an old woman like me. He said he wouldn't mind having a kid. Just like that, barely seconds after I'd finished unloading my heart, like he was discussing what he wanted for breakfast. I asked him if he was serious and he assured me he was, those blue eyes as calm and direct as I'd ever seen them. I was so flustered I went downstairs to make more tea, and for the rest of the morning we only talked about Hawaii and other mundane things. Now he's gone, to visit with his mother's family in Tokyo, and I'm still sitting in here in total shock. Does he mean it? And if he's that casual about it, would he be any good at it? Does it matter? Deep down, do I really want a child so badly that it doesn't even matter if a father is there to help? Such an idea goes against everything I was taught in my upbringing, but I know it's not impossible. Sonomi-san did it. Kaho-san is doing it, sort of. And though my life isn't perfect at least I know I've got my store, my livelihood, and my home. I'll be forty before he or she even starts kindergarten. Maybe, just maybe, this is what fate had in store all along. Or am I mad for even considering it? |
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| buy a toy | ||||
shocked| [action] progeny | ||||
| 04:24pm 08/12/2006 | ||||
Not too long, she'd assured me, swaying slightly as she spoke. Just for a couple of hours until - It's alright, I soothed, and put a gentle hand on her shoulder that would steer her back to the bedroom. You know I'm happy to help. She subsided and disappeared into her dark den of a bedroom, leaving us alone at last. "Mayu-chan..." Just like the last five times, she perked up and waved her arms when I peeked over the edge of a taut blanket. "Can you see me? Can you? Peekaboo!" "Goo!" Almost lurching off the carpet in her excitement, she stretched chubby little fists toward me as if her tiny fingers could somehow grasp me and pull me to her. "Uh-oh... Mayu-chan is going to catch me. Oh no!" I tipped forward just enough to let my long black hair fall around her, which she grabbed and yanked enthusiastically. It's so long and her arms are so short, however, that she couldn't even pull it hard enough to hurt, and we laughed together. Babies love my hair; part of why I've never cut it. "Who's a strong girl? Who's a smart girl? Who's a pretty girl?" Mayu responded with a stream of mismatched syllables that I took to mean she was one, on all three counts. Strong and smart I didn't quite know about yet, but it was clear even at this early infant stage that little Mayu was going to take after her mother in looks. That perfect skin, wisps of brilliant red hair... lucky little girl. If I had a girl, what would she look like? I rolled over onto my back and swept Mayu into the air, while she squealed in delight. Would my little girl get my hair? I hoped so, as I'd always thought it was my nicest feature. My eyes? They're very plain and ordinary, especially compared to foreign blue ones. What about my chin, would she get my chin? How much Japanese would be in her face if she was one-quarter New Zealander? "Silly," I mumbled, not to the baby. She gurgled anyway. Five dates with a twenty-five year-old and already I was picturing our future baby, making plans I knew full well he'd have no interest in fulfilling. Okay, I didn't know that, as Kaho-san had so astutely pointed out, but the odds were not good. Why would someone that age with a blooming career want what I did? Mayu waved her arms, probably looking for my attention that had wandered. I could ask, of course. I could ask and scare away the man that makes my stomach flutter like a trapped butterfly, or I could wind up with a little Mayu-chan all on my own. He was away, right now, having flown over to Hawaii for some kind of shoot, but was due to return any day now. Maybe, somehow, I'd get my courage up. "Goo-gah!" "Yes, Mayu-chan, I promise I will. Who's the sweetest baby in the world?" |
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| buy a toy | ||||
contemplative| [action] robbing the cradle | ||||
| 11:58am 22/11/2006 | ||||
It was the sort of situation my young customers were not equipped to discuss, but I thought I would go mad if I had to listen to another of his wheedling messages on my voicemail. Something had to be done - either to end it or accept the situation. It was Kaho-san that bore the brunt of my anxiety, blurted out over a cup of tea we were enjoying in a cafe by the Tomoeda plaza. "I'm dating someone ten years younger than me!" There. It was out, not just churning inside of me anymore. Kaho raised her eyebrows just slightly, and I cleared my throat. |
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| 20 toys| buy a toy | ||||
distressed| [action] mrs. robinson | ||||
| 03:36pm 17/11/2006 | ||||
Kisho fished another chunk of crab out of the bubbling pot and helped himself, unmindful of Maki's riveted gaze. "Hot, though. Very muggy." "You've been to so many exotic countries and seen so many things. Why did you ever come to boring Tomoeda?" "Oh, I wouldn't say it's all that boring. Just because there are paved streets and ice cream stands doesn't mean people can't be involved in life-or-death struggles. You're a case in point. Anyway, this is where my mother's family lives. It's where I always stay when I'm in Japan." "Then, your mother is Japanese?" "Yup." He polished off the last of his green noodles with enthusiasm, and Maki realized she'd only half-cleaned her plate. Was she such a slow eater, or was he accustomed to downing his food very quickly? "She was studying abroad in New Zealand when she met my father. That's where they live now, but I like spending time in the mother country. I've found it's useful to cultivate a second language when you know it." "Your father is from New Zealand? How wonderful. You must speak very good English too, then." "Accent and all," he assured her, and winked. She struggled not to blush. "I don't speak any second languages. I learned some English in school, of course, but it was never very good and I've forgotten all of it by now." "I'm always available for practice. If you're ever going to get out of Japan, it's a useful language to know." "And why would I go out of Japan?" "To come see India with me, of course." The struggle was lost before it even began, and Maki had to look anywhere but those blue eyes. "Don't say such silly things." "It's not silly. It's a beautiful place. There's no reason for you to not love it." "But- I-" We don't even know each other! "I've never even left Japan. I've hardly ever even left the Tokyo area." "All the more reason." "I'm not going to India," she declared resolutely. "I have a shop to run, my life is here." Kisho propped up a chin in his hand, slouching rather impolitely over the table. "Isn't it boring, always being in the same place? Don't you want to see something new?" "No. I like routine, I like getting up at the same time every day and doing the same things. It makes me happy." "Maybe you just don't know what you've been missing." "You're very arrogant, at times, do you know that?" "When you push through a race riot to take photos of assault and murder, you have to be. If I don't think I've got every right to be there, then they sure won't." A tiny sigh escaped her. "Kisho-san, you live such a strange life." "I know. Isn't it great?" "We really have nothing in common. I'm very grateful to you for your help with the shop, and that's why I agreed to dine with you, but I don't think anything is going to come of this." "Oh?" He looked surprised. "Are you saying you're not attracted to me?" "Er, well... not exactly, but -" "Good, then I'll keep trying." Exasperated, Maki sat back against the booth cushions with a groan. "You act as though I'm some exotic prize. You should know that I'm very plain and boring." "Not the way I see it." "Don't you meet a lot of beautiful women in all your travels? Wouldn't they be more fun?" "A gentleman never kisses and tells," he said lightly, grinning, then shrugged. "I don't meet all that many, actually. Most of the places I go to have an overabundance of men, and not very freshly-washed ones either. In some places, I could be risking death if I made any moves toward the local girls. I was never very interested in them anyway. Maybe my job has enough adventure for me. A woman that's sensible, level-headed, and as normal as my life is not... well, she would be something worth pursuing." "Even if she doesn't want to go to India?" "Even if." Why didn't he ever get uncomfortable when they shared these long gazes? Flustered, Maki looked away. "You know, a wife probably wouldn't like it if you were always leaving home to go photograph another wild and dangerous place. You might not be the type to settle down." "Oh, she'd get used to it. My mother didn't like it either, but she got used to it." "And your father?" "Was angrier that I dropped out of college, more than he was worried for my safety. But then I started bringing home some real paychecks, and showing him my stuff in magazines, and he was impressed. They're both fine with it now." "How long did that take?" "Oh, a couple years, I guess. But then I won some award last spring, and when I brought that home, it seemed to clear up the last of the tension. Parents are suckers for those things." She almost smiled, then hesitated. "They just learned to accept it last spring?" "Yeah, I guess." "But you said it took two years." "About." "So, you really haven't been a photographer all that long." "Oh, a little longer than that. I didn't exactly rush home to tell them right away, you know. I spent my first summer vacation in college backpacking in the Outback, and when I was able to sell the photos to a local magazine I knew I'd found my true calling. I dropped out and started taking photos all the time, but didn't tell them the truth until spring of the next year." "That's terrible," she chided, but her mind was spinning with math. Half of one year, plus two years, plus another - "How old are you, Kisho-san." "Twenty-five." He perked up when he found a mushroom still lurking in the bubbling stew, and helped himself. "Why are you making that face?" Making a face? "You're... what?" "I'm twenty-five. What, do I not look it? People sometimes tell me that - must be all the exposure to the sun and wind. I'm still pretty handsome, though, don't you think?" "You're twenty-five," Maki whispered, faintly. "You- you're a child!" "Hey, now." "Do you know how old I am? Do you?" "Sure, I saw it in the records. You're thirty-five, just had a birthday in June. Mine's in January." "You knew... I am ten years older than you, Kisho-san, ten!" "Sure." "I'm- I'm an old woman!" "If it makes you feel any better, you certainly don't look it." He grinned in that rogueish way, but this time Maki was not in a mood to be flustered. "I could have baby-sat you when you were born." "But you didn't, and anyway the age difference doesn't matter so much now. We're both of school, we both have careers, who cares?" "But -" "I've seen more countries than you have." "So?" "And you've seen more years than I have." "And that's why -" "It all balances out. See?" Without warning he leaned over the table and dropped an uninvited kiss on her cheek. "That's why we're going to be perfect together." |
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| buy a toy | ||||
uncomfortable| [action] we can dance if we want to | ||||
| 03:08pm 05/11/2006 | ||||
For all her gratitude, Maki could have killed Sonomi for pushing her into Kisho's arms like that. What on earth did she think she was doing? Hadn't she explained, a million plus times by now, that she was through with men? His hand closed in a gentle but firm grip around her wrist and unwillingly she was pulled forward, away from the safety of female friends and onto the 'dance floor'. "Congratulations, Maki," he murmured, once one hand was in hers and the other on her waist. She blushed and averted her eyes. "Everyone's been saying that all night. I really didn't do anything; Sonomi-san did all the work. You should congratulate her." "I have. But no matter what she did, you were the one with your shop and home on the line. You were the one taking a risk by fighting instead of just taking the city's check. You can and should be proud of that." Again she could feel her cheeks heating up, and hoped it wasn't visible in the dim light. "I still don't understand why you're so intrigued with my problems." "I told you, I like interesting stories." "And that's why you came last Friday? That's why you talked to the magazine? Just because you 'like stories'?" He chuckled. "Not at all. A pro photographer doesn't become a part of the story, no matter how interesting it is. I took a hit on my credibility by getting so involved." "Then, why?" "Because I like you." So much for getting control of the blush. Maki's heart thumped when he pulled her a little closer, piercing her with foreign blue eyes. "The minute I saw you in your shop's doorway, I knew you were special. I haven't been able to stop looking at you since. So what do you say? Did I get on your good side by helping save Twin Bells?" "I..." Maki warbled hopelessly, "I really do thank you. It was - you were such a help. But I just can't; not right now." "You said you needed to concentrate on saving your shop. The shop is saved; you're out of danger." "I'm out of danger," Maki echoed, not least of all because she simply loved the way those words sounded. She'd been repeating the same thing all week, and still hadn't tired it. "But I still don't think I'm ready. I just got out of a really bad relationship, and I- I'm not ready to go back to dating." "When did you get out of this really bad relationship?" "Er, May." "Five months?" His eyebrows arched. "That really was a bad relationship. Or maybe it was just the way it ended that went so badly?" Something about his tone made her eyes narrow. "What do you know about it?" "I have connections. I was checking out records of your appeal process at City Hall and heard from the clerk that you were dating Hirashiwa, one and same as the Hirashiwa manhandling things last Friday. And since I know the letters announcing the plaza went out in April, it doesn't take much to guess why you ended." She'd closed her eyes by then. "It's rather embarrassing." "Well I'm a little appalled at your taste, but you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Hirashiwa is the one whose political career is ruined and won't be able to show his face at any social function for months. That's what he gets for treating you like he did." "Please, stop." "Stop what?" "Trying to win me over by saying all these things!" Maki planted her feet firmly to the floor, standing still in a sea of dancers. "You're making it so hard! Why can't you just listen when I tell you I'm not ready?" "Because," he answered amiably, not in the least affected by her raised voice, "I've taken pictures of children starving in Africa and protestors taking bullets in Sri Lanka. Death comes swiftly and without warning, Maki. You don't want it to come before you've had a chance to do everything you wanted to do, just because you weren't ready." Maki flinched at the vision of Kane, but found herself nodding. "I know." "Then won't you at least agree to dinner?" He wouldn't want her to be alone. She knew that, she'd known that for a long time. "Alright. Just once. As a thank you for all your help." "I'll take whatever I can get." And without warning, he leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her cheek. It shouldn't have made her flush and tingle like that. Should it? |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [action] vogons beware | ||||
| 08:57pm 27/10/2006 | ||||
It wasn't the stock she was seeing anyway, it was the neverending stream of happy memories she'd made in this store. How happy she'd been when she first found this little gem, tucked in between the park and the local school, and knew this was the place for her fresh start. The kindness and enthusiasm of her first customers, how quick they were to make her feel welcome. Becoming a part of the town, volunteering for festivals, decorating the flat and just generally - finally - making a home for herself when she hadn't had one in so long. The years here, she was only just beginning to appreciate, might have been the best in her life. And so on this clear morning after such a sleepless night, Maki took a deep breath and mentally rehearsed the things she would say. I know you did your best, Sonomi-san. I'm really grateful for all your help. And at least we were able to become friends through all this, so that's something, right? Sakura-chan, Chiharu-chan, Tomoyo-chan... I can't thank you enough for all the time and work you wasted on me. I'm so sorry it didn't work, but it means more to me than you'll ever know. Kisho-san, you were very nice to try and help. I really hope I didn't put you out of your way. Another gust tossed the trees and she swallowed, determined to keep her chin held high and eyes dry until it was done. She'd always known that she might lose this fight; it was no good breaking down in tears now. After all, she could have done what her neighbors did and sold without demur. It might have been the smart thing, it might have been the reasonable thing, but if she'd done that then she might never have known how strong Maki could be. The familiar luxury sedan pulled up to the curb with a swish and from it emerged Sonomi, looking startingly vibrant and energetic in comparison to Maki's thoughts. "Ohayo! Up bright and early, are you? I bet you didn't even sleep last night, so I brought us both some coffee. The gourmet kind, so drink up. You'll feel better." She pushed a steaming paper cup into Maki's hands, paying no attention to her open mouth, and took a generous sip from her own. "Mmm, hazelnut. Tastes fabulous." "Er, Sonomi-san, I just want you to know that I know you did your b-" "Shh." Sonomi held up a peremptory finger. "No talking until they get here. Then I'll listen to what you have to say." "Until who gets here?" "You'll see." The older woman shot her a wicked grin over the rim, and turned away. Her very body language prevented Maki from trying her speech again; Daidouji Sonomi was a woman that just couldn't be disobeyed. In any case, it wasn't long before they were joined by Naemi-san from down the street. "Ohayo, Maki-san, Daidouji-san. Isn't it a lovely day?" Her eyes sparkled, bright as a bird's, and Maki smiled wanly. "Very nice, Naemi-san. Did you pack up any of your stock?" "My heavens, no. Maybe the rest of the street did, but I have a little more faith." She winked impishly at Sonomi, and though Maki couldn't quite see, she could swear Sonomi winked back. What was going on? "Ohayo, Maki-san!" Kita-san arrived with the same flourish Sonomi had, dressed to kill and with cell phone attached to her ear like always. "And did I say ten? No, I did not. I said nine. Nine. So unless you want to miss the story of your life you better get that petite butt down here. Now!" "Sonomi-san, what's she talking about?" "Soo~oon," her friend replied in a sing-song voice, unable to stop grinning. A few people had wandered up the street, but instead of walking past her shop and turning into the park they stopped, and she could see some of them pointing to her window. "Sonomi-" "Shh!" Maki lapsed into silence, but it wasn't an awkward one. The minutes ticked by and more and more people began to appear on the normally quiet street, often in pairs but sometimes whole crowds at a time. A van pulled up and a man with a TV camera got out, and a primly dressed woman. Kita-san hurried to talk to them. "Ohayo, Maki-san!" "Chiharu-chan?" Her oldest customer nodded and beamed before throwing her arms around her in a hug. "What are you doing here?" "To be with you, of course. Takashi and I wouldn't miss this." Her husband had come along, and shot Maki a reassuring smile before Chiharu reclaimed his hand and they backed away. Other girls were arriving now, girls Maki hadn't seen in years, customers that had grown up and were carrying toddlers of their own. Naoko-chan arrived and waved, already surrounded by a cluster of girls Maki didn't know at all. Then it was Sakura-chan, holding hands with her Chinese fiance, and Tomoyo-chan with a dark-haired girl she didn't recognize. Older people were filling up the sidewalk as well, people in suits with briefcases and explaining into the phone that they'd be late into the office today so please take messages. "Sonomi-san..." "Okay, now you can talk." "Who are all these people? I-I don't even know half of them!" "Oh, just some interested spectators," Sonomi replied airily. "We got their names from the petition the girls were passing out. Oh, and also from Tokyo Monthly, who had all those letters written in. Plus their friends, and friends of friends - you know how that thing goes." No, really, Maki didn't know how that kind of thing goes. Silent and astonished, she watched the crowds spill off the sidewalks and fill the street, knowing she must find the words to thank Sonomi-san but unable to speak. A pair of tears slipped down her cheeks. "Don't you dare," murmured someone who was not Sonomi. Kisho patted at her face with the cuff of his jacket and stepped back with a grin. "You wouldn't want the photos on the front page to show you crying, would you?" She opened her mouth but no words came out, a harsh scratch in her throat precluding speech. There wasn't time anyway; the low murmur of the crowd was drowned out that minute by an ungodly roar of engines. Everyone turned to see a trio of garish bulldozers rumbling around the corner. "Bout time," Sonomi sighed, and checked her watch. "I hope they move it along, I promised everyone that we'd be done by lunch." "But-" "Nope, let me do the talking here. Trust me, I'm good at dealing with jerks." Sonomi's grin had turned slightly rogueish and she moved forward through the crowd, away from Twin Bells and closer to the would-be demolition crew. Everyone was watching their approach, but no one shouted or booed or did much more than wave an occasional homemade sign. For all their apparent interest, it might have been a crowd of people waiting for the crosswalk sign to turn green. And yet, Maki also sensed they wouldn't be easily moved. Everyone was simply waiting. The bulldozer switched off with a grating whine; its driver staring open-mouthed at the mob. "What's going on here?" "It's exactly what it looks like," Sonomi informed him sweetly, her powerful voice carrying easily though it didn't seem she was forcing much effort into her volume. Sonomi was a natural public speaker. "We've decided we don't want these shops torn down, so we won't be moving until you leave." The bulldozer crew considered this. "But it's my job." "I'm so very sorry. But we're not leaving." "Now look, lady -" His pitch and belligerence went up a notch and he raised a finger to point, which had the unexpected result of the other two hundred people on the street to take a step closer. Instantly the belligerence disappeared and he sat back down. "This is my job. I have to do this today." "No, I don't think you do. Not if your bosses decided to call it off." The bulldozer crew looked at one another, totally bemused, and finally their chief shrugged and produced a phone. "I'm calling him then. He won't be happy." I'm sure he won't." He dialed, and another low murmur circulated throughout the crowd. Energy was rising, in some subtle way Maki couldn't explain. This wasn't the frenzied behavior of protest mobs she'd seen on television. But they were drawing closer to one another, without any overt communication, subconsciously packing themselves tighter for the coming confrontation. None of the demo crew elected to speak to Sonomi after the phone call, probably nervous about what would happen. Maki felt a little sorry for them, just men hired to do a job, but she'd didn't feel at all sorry for the 'bosses' that eventually arrived on the scene. Seiji, of course, was in charge, and along with him was his friend on the Renewal Committee. Her polished and immaculate ex-boyfriend took one look at the crowd and shot Sonomi one of the nastiest looks she'd ever seen. "What's going on, here? Do you really think this stunt is going keep my city from doing what it wants? Don't you know you're interfering with government business?" "So were the Hungarians," Sonomi replied dryly, which meant nothing to Maki but she thought Seiji scowled. "Daidouji-san, I will ask you just once to disperse these people and get out of our way. You don't have a choice - I've brought enforcement." He gestured to the patrol car that had accompanied his. Five uniformed policemen had already emerged, shuffling before the giant crowd and looking slightly ill at ease. Kisho hurried to the edge of the crowd to take a shot. "Oh please, do start pushing around the people," he invited loudly, words directed more at Seiji than at the actual officers. "Always makes for a great shot - front page material, you know, and I get paid more for that. Can't you just see the headlines? 'Tomoeda Gives No Ground to Citizens Trying to Save Shop'. It'll be all over Tokyo." "And weren't you trying attract families from Tokyo?" Sonomi commented, as if the thought had just occurred to her. "Wasn't this whole plaza idea something to do with bringing them here to build their homes? I don't think many will be inclined to do that if they know you can take their homes for your own use." "For the last time, it's not my use, it's for the city!" "Really?" Sonomi gestured to the hundreds behind her. "Tell them that." "We don't want it!" someone called out from the crowd, echoed by Chiharu-chan, and then again until the air was thick with shouted rejections. Seiji actually took a few steps back, looking a little less angry and little more nervous. Privately Maki gloated. "This decision isn't mine to make. That belongs to the mayor." "Really? How interesting. Then why isn't he here?" "I'm his deputy mayor, I'm his right-hand man." "Not good enough," Sonomi dismissed. "We're not leaving. And if you're not even going to try and make us, then you better call him out here. It's about time he faced the public about this." A rallying cry from the protestors backed up her point rather eloquently, and Seiji couldn't pull out his cell phone fast enough. Fifteen minutes later, a fancy car rolled up and a man that Maki thought looked vaguely familiar stepped out. Where had she seen that face? "Ohayo," he greeted the crowd amiably, and she noted that he had a voice suited for public speaking as well. "My colleague informs me there's a bit of trouble." "More than a bit," Sonomi replied sweetly. "You've been rather silent on the subject until now, but I'm sure you know the conflict between Tomoeda and the shop owners on this street?" Maki thought he looked a little blank, but he nodded anyway. "And now your bulldozers are trying to knock down homes and shops that people still live in. People that don't want to give them up." "Hirashiwa-san told me they've all been offered a generous price." "Offered but not necessarily persuaded to sell," Sonomi corrected. "They don't want to leave. They're not taking the city's money." "They don't want to leave?" he echoed, and cast a sideways look at Seiji. "Why not?" "It's their home," she answered, though the question seemed directed at his assistant. "Would you want to leave yours?" "Ah. Hmm." Seemingly unfazed by the rolling camera and intent gaze of the crowd, he put his hand to his chin and considered the question. That was when the memory clicked, and Maki recognized him as an old customer. It was that very same posture he'd adopted when searching for a toy to give his grandaughter. The mayor was one of her customers? "Mr. Mayor, a lot of people have come out here today, to show you and the rest of the city government that they don't want to live in a place that can take their homes and businesses. These are the people that vote for you, the people that hired you. What will you say to them? Do you want the plaza that badly? Will you tell the bulldozers to cut through this crowd and mow down our shops? Or will you go back to City Hall, and leave Maki Matsumoto and her friends in peace?" She never knew Sonomi could speak so eloquently. Back straight and chin held high, the woman held forth between the mayor and the crowd like she'd been waiting for this all her life, like she was born to wield power and move minds. Vaguely, Maki wondered if Sonomi shouldn't run for mayor herself one day. "Your reputation is well-deserved, Daidouji-san," he admitted, with a wry grin. "That's not much of a choice at all, is it? If these people don't want it, it doesn't happen. Pack it up, boys." The bulldozer chief shrugged and revved up his engine, Seiji's mouth fell open in stunned disbelief, the mayor stepped forward to shake Sonomi's hand and saw a few private words with her, and all around her Maki heard her friends erupt in screams of delight. Why was everyone so happy? It didn't sink in for a full minute. And when it did, no power on earth could have kept her from crying those tears. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [phone call] darkest before dawn | ||||
| 12:35pm 25/10/2006 | ||||
Shh, it's alright. You're scared, it's understandable. I didn't mind. It was silly of me to cry. (hiccup) You've never let me down yet, and I know you haven't given up. I think I just panicked. I think you did too. Course, if you knew what I knew, I doubt you would be wasting good mascara on some silly tears. What do you mean? Mmm... let's just say that I didn't quite keep my promise when I said you'd be involved in all the planning. Kita-san's been talking to the paper, and Tokyo Monthly, and we've got a little surprise for you. But we're not telling, because we just know the look on your face will be pricless and that makes for good photos. What? Sonomi-san, please, just - Nope, no can do. We made a pact. Just trust me on this one, Maki-san, it's going to be fine. Can't you trust me? Of course, but I - Whoops, my 1:00 is here for a lunch meeting. Gotta go, doll, but keep that chin up. Talk to you later! click |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [action] focus | ||||
| 04:21pm 18/10/2006 | ||||
"Hello again." "Afternoon," he replied amiably, momentarily transfixing her with that foreign blue gaze again. "How's life?" "You seem to know very well what's going on in my life," Maki replied rather primly, almost coolly. More to tear her eyes away from those eyes than for any actual need, she pretended to busy herself with straightening some toys. "Certainly enough of it was in that magazine article." "You have an interesting story, Maki. I like to tell good stories, so helping put that article together was fun. You're welcome, by the way." Don't look, don't look, don't look. "I didn't ask you to do that." "Sometimes you can find the most help from places you never expected," he pointed out calmly. "I ought to know, after traipsing around the third world as much as I have. Letters have been pouring in from all over the Tokyo area about your shop, since that issue was released. I think TM has gotten almost a hundred, just in support of you." She was startled into turning around. "Really?" "93, to be exact. My friend who wrote the article just called to tell me." "I didn't know..." "She was going to call you, but I told her I'd tell you personally." Something fluttered in her stomach and Maki looked away again. "Why? You needn't have bothered; you got your photos last time. I'm grateful for your help, really, but I don't want to put you out of your way." "I wanted to see you again. I came to ask you out for dinner." The fluttering in her stomach gave a jolt, and she would have dropped that stuffed animal if she hadn't returned it to its shelf three seconds earlier. There hadn't been so much as a hitch in his voice, so straightforward and direct, as if he were informing her of the weather. She, meanwhile, was having a hard time breathing. "Uh..." "Kisho," he prompted, when her voice had trailed off. "Yes, I knew that. Kisho-san, I... I don't think so. I, uh, just got out of a really bad relationship-" "I'm asking you to eat with me, not marry me." Inwardly she winced at his choice of wording and found herself shaking her head. "I- I just don't think it would be very good for me to see someone else right now. And- and anyway, I need to be concentrating on my shop. Not... other things." A long moment of silence stretched between them, and bizarrely Maki wished she had the courage to turn around and see what was going on in those eyes. He might have been without manners and a little too fast-moving for her taste, but he obviously wasn't a bad person. She didn't want to hurt anyone. When a hand rested on the shelf next to hers, she almost jumped out of her skin. She hadn't even heard him get up. "Fair enough," he murmured, almost right into her ear. "When's the demolition scheduled?" It gave her chills just to think of it, that black Friday that was rapidly approaching. "October 27th." "It won't happen," he assured her. "And when it's over, and this place is safe, I'll be here. I don't mind waiting, but I will have dinner with you. Maki." Somehow, it didn't even seem strange that he ignored customary honorifics. Humming slightly under his breath, Kisho breezed out of her shop with only the tinkling bell to indicate anyone had ever been. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
awkward| [action] hijacked | ||||
| 03:08pm 06/10/2006 | ||||
"Maki-san! What's going on?" "Good afternoon, Sonomi-san," she replied sedately. "I don't know, other than a normal business day. Is something wrong?" "You mean you haven't seen it?" The magazine she was waving about hit the counter with a smack and Sonomi was quick to flatten the pages. "There! Where did this article come from? And the photo?" Maki got a sinking feeling when she looked at the photo, which wasn't of her shop or any girls protesting but a disturbingly close shot of her own face. "You mean... this wasn't one of Kita-san's press releases?" "No! She's the one that called me, and she's confused as anything. You haven't gone behind our backs, have you, and found some other publicist?" She put her hands on her hips in a mock display of anger. "Sonomi-san, don't be silly. You know I wouldn't know who to talk to." "Then where did it come from? And how did it ever end up in Tokyo Monthly? Kita's the best, but even she couldn't sell them our story." That sinking feeling was going deeper. "Um... there was this photographer that came by-" "Who?" "I can't remember his real name," she confessed. "Just the nickname he gave me, Kisho. He had a western name and blue eyes, so I think he was half-Japanese." "And you just let him take your picture?" "He didn't exactly ask," Maki pointed out, cheeks warming a little at the memory. "And he didn't say much about what he'd do with it - I think he did mention a magazine, but I didn't really take him seriously. Is this a problem? Really, I didn't mean to make trouble for you or Kita-san-" "Nonsense." Sonomi waved a hand, now wearing a bemused grin. "Maki-san, this is the best thing that could have happened. The article's a stunning piece of work and this is bound to grab the attention of half of Tokyo. Maybe under the scrutiny of more than just Tomoeda's citizens, our city hall will fold." "Oh. Well, wonderful. That's good news." "It's fabulous," Sonomi corrected. "Oops, gotta run - I just wanted to check in quickly and get some answers on this mysterious piece of work. Oh, and I'm sure you'll want to keep it, so take my copy. Let's have lunch on Sunday, shall we? I'm off!" She left the store as quickly as she'd come, with only a waft of her expensive perfume and the magazine to prove she'd ever been. None of her customers looked like they needed assistance, and Maki couldn't bear to wait. Eagerly she folded back the pages and started to read. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [action] viewfinder | ||||
| 05:09pm 19/09/2006 | ||||
"Excuse me..." Maki stuck her head out of the doorway and faltered when he looked her way, taken aback by a brilliant blue gaze. "Ano- did Kita-san send you? Are you one of her photographer friends?" "Don't know her," was his cheerful reply, those foreign eyes studying her with an appraising air. "I do know you, though. You're the famous Matsumoto Maki." "I- beg your pardon?" "Owner of Twin Bells, am I right?" He nodded toward the logo on her window. "I've been reading about you in the papers; I've got friends in the Tokyo press office. I haven't seen a photo of all these hand-prints, though. Too bad, great colors. Perfect for photography. Was it your idea?" "Um, no." Feeling a little lost, Maki shook her head. "One of my customers - she's an old friend, and an art student. She had the idea while they were all here protesting." "Protesting? The school girls with signs?" "Yes, that's them." A little sadly she glanced at the empty sidewalk. "But they all had to go back to school when classes started. I'm glad the newspaper was able to publish pictures of them before they went, they were such angels to come out and support me." Something clicked and she was startled into looking up, just in time to see him lower his camera. "Did you just-" "Yup. It was such a good shot I couldn't resist. Your eyes were sad but you were smiling. You have a beautiful profile, too." Immediately she could feel a warmth blossom on her cheeks. "I'm sorry, who are you?" "Daniel Bailey, freelance photographer," he answered promptly, as if he often announced himself in that way. "In Japan most everyone calls me Kisho, my Japanese name. I hope you will too." "Alright," she answered automatically, then realized her question had still gone unanswered. At least, her true question. "But what are you doing?" "I'm taking pictures. It's what a photographer does. I just got into Tokyo last week and I saw a friend of mine putting your press release into the layout. It's an interesting story: hardworking woman versus the powerful city, a grassroots uprising against the forces from above. Reminds me of something I saw in Uganda, but this isn't quite so bloody. Fortunately." "I should hope not- Uganda?" "Last year. Messy place. There's a lot of beauty in Africa, but the people there have made it ugly. It's a shame. I sold my photos to National Geographic and was able to pay for the trip, at least, but I didn't enjoy it. I only like to take pictures of beautiful things." Again Maki blushed. "And what do you intend to do with photos of my shop?" "Don't really know... I might just give them to my friends in Tokyo for the paper. A magazine I know might be interested. Maybe I'll just keep them. I like your story, Maki, it's a strong one. A story people could get passionate about, and have, if I'm seeing your window in the right light. You should be proud to be a part of it." "I just wish it would all go away," she contradicted. "It's done nothing but worry me to distraction for months." "But you're fighting it." "Of course." "So it's done more than that." Kisho cocked his head slightly and pinned her to the door with his unnerving blue stare. "It's made you strong." A strange moment passed, in which Maki's stomach flip-flopped like it hadn't done in years. Like it hadn't done since the day she met Kane. A corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile. "I've got to go, I have some deadlines looming. But I'll be back. I want to see what happens next in your story." And just like that he zipped his camera into a case and walked away, disappearing around the corner as quickly as he'd appeared before her window. "I want to see what happens next too," she whispered. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [action] second impressions | ||||
| 06:11pm 12/09/2006 | ||||
I was surprised, rather pleasantly, to arrive at the Blue Arena on Monday and find that I already knew someone else in the class. That pretty teacher, Mizuki-sensei, was already by the edge of the pool and winding a stray tendril of hair into a knot at the nape of her neck. Our eyes met and I felt as though I had to go and say hello, in spite of my chronic bashfulness when it comes to wearing a swimsuit in public. "You're the shop owner," she said, thoughtfully, before I had a chance to open my mouth. "Matsumoto?" "Yes, that's right. And you're the teacher with the adorable baby." I tried not to let the wistful note in my voice show too much. "Where is she now?" "Mondays are day-care days," she explained, a touch of relief in her eyes. "Mondays and Thursdays. I happen to think she's adorable too, but there are just days... well, I need a break. I used to be in a prenatal swimming class in England and I thought this might be fun. Certainly I need to shed the last of this pregnancy weight." Ruefully she rubbed her belly, for no reason that I could see. If she thought she was fat, I'd sure like to (or might not like to at all, actually) see what she looked like before. Self-consciously I tried to keep from staring at her long legs. "I've seen you in the newspaper," she added, interrupting my flow of thought. "You're having some trouble with the city." The tiniest of huffs escaped me and I nodded, glancing at our fellow swimsuit-clad classmates as an excuse to look elsewhere. "Yes, that's right. It's all gotten a lot bigger than I ever expected and- well, I guess that's why I'm here. Because I need a break too. I'd rather not talk about it." I half-expected her to go on about it anyway. Dearly though I appreciate Sonomi-san's help, and that of the girls, the fight has been the topic of every conversation I've had in the past three weeks, and it was wearing. Mizuki-sensei, however, simply nodded. "Alright." A woman clapped to get our attention and asked for everyone to get into the water, spacing ourselves evenly. She was a chirpy young thing, ridiculously thin, and the moment she started giving instructions I felt inordinately clumsy. Mizuki-sensei seemed incredibly graceful by comparison, but at least she was new too and we giggled together when we made the same mistakes. By the end of class, after an hour of exercise, I was ready to drop. "You do it so well!" I complimented, as we all splashed out of the pool. She shrugged and smiled. "Taking care of a baby is a regular work-out in itself. And there was my class in London." "You lived there?" "Yes, for several years." Without really thinking about it I stayed by her side on the trip back to the changing room, dried off and dressed in my clothes, all while listening with fascination to her stories about living abroad. I've hardly left the Tokyo area in all of my lifetime, and never Japan. Mizuki-sensei was turning out to be an amazing woman, and enviously I pictured the charm and sophistication of London as she described it. It wasn't until I noticed her putting in her earrings that she had returned no jewelry to her fingers; her hand was absent a wedding ring. Or even an engagement ring. I have an old-fashioned upbringing that puts marriage before the baby carriage, and instantly my mind was filled with questions. But it would have been impolite to ask, at only our second meeting. So I simply smiled and nodded and continued our conversation, which lasted throughout the bus ride from Blue Arena to one of the local Tomoeda stops. I really did enjoy her company, and I was looking forward to our next class together. Not just for the companionship, but for my curiosity. Would anyone raise a child on her own on purpose? |
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| buy a toy | ||||
curious| [narrative] I'm flying | ||||
| 06:42pm 07/09/2006 | ||||
So this is what I've been missing? I felt a power when I spoke so sharply to Seiji that day, something above and beyond the drive to protect my shop. I didn't just win an argument, I won out over my old self, the Maki who was so desperate to belong in a relationship she would have never snapped at - let alone threatened - such an eligible man. I don't need Seiji. I'm an unmarried woman at 35 and I'm okay with that; at least I know what's important to me and that I have friends loyal to me. I am Matsumoto Maki, and that's enough. Eight long years after Kane's motorcycle accident, I am finally independent. With the exhiliration this revelation brought came a restless energy. I cleaned my shop three times over, made lemonade and cookies for the girls outside, and Naemi-san, and sent bouquets of tulips to both Sonomi-san and Kita-san. And still I felt frustrated, as though there was so much more I could be doing but just didn't know about it. Kita-san told me I should try aerobic dancing, when I complained, and she raved about how much she loved her pop-music class. When she described her chic and trendy gym I decided it didn't sound like quite my scene, but she had a point about exercise. I've begun every day with a personal yoga session for as long as I can remember, but something more demanding might be in order. Something that won't be terribly unkind to my aging knees and hips. And finally I found the answer, browsing through the paper - water aerobics. The Blue Arena has just begun a morning class for women and published an ad, featuring several ladies my age chin deep in water and beaming at the camera. They look nice. It looks fun. This is something I can do. I'm starting to think there's a lot of somethings I can do. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
excited| [action] confrontation | ||||
| 12:25pm 03/09/2006 | ||||
"This has gone too far, Maki." He looked every bit as handsome as she remembered, hair and tie immaculate in spite of the rather hot weather and his chin held high. Maki faced him with the same posture, gaze unflinching. "Oh?" "Those men are friends of mine, hardworking men who are trying to run a business. You had no business publishing their names in the paper like they've done anything wrong; they're getting nasty calls from people they don't even know and their business could suffer." "Their business could suffer," Maki echoed. "What a terrible thing. I can't imagine being faced with that." Seiji looked exasperated. "As you have been told repeatedly, as everyone has been told, we are not planning to destroy your shop! Why do you keep acting as if that's the case?" "Because it's my shop, and I don't care if you're planning to raze it or refinish the floors with solid gold - I own Twin Bells and anything that happens to it happens because of my decision. Not yours." Seiji smiled grimly. "Funny how you never showed so much passion about anything when we were dating." "I suppose there was really nothing about our dating worth getting excited about." He lost the smile. "You've got nothing but an emotional argument, Maki. And whether you've got Daidouji Sonomi bankrolling your campaign or not, whether you've got teenagers prancing around with signs and peititions or not, this city is going to get what it wants. You can't stop it." "I think I can. You're not so invincible as you think you are, Seiji, a lot of people in this city are angry at your government. Do you really think you're going to make it to mayor when I've made sure everyone knows your part in this? That you're willing to sacrifice a local toy shop to line the pockets of your contracter friends?" Inside Maki some small part of her reeled at the cool words leaving her mouth. Was this really her, innocent and politically clueless Maki Matsumoto, speaking? Sonomi-san must be having more of an influence on her than she realized. Seiji was looking more than a little flustered. "If you've nothing more to say, I suggest you leave my shop. I'm sure you don't want any of those girls out there to know you're partly responsible for their lost weekends. You might get paint on your clothes." "Give it up, Maki. You're not going to win." "We'll see," she answered calmly, as he turned and left the shop. Throwing a scornful look at Chiharu-chan and the others, he made a wide circle around the girls and returned to his car. And Maki? Wasn't scared at all. Instead, she was overcome with the urge to go running through the park and shout. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
angry| [newspaper article] the empire strikes back | |||
| 11:21am 27/08/2006 | |||
|
- Takenaga Shizuka Tomoeda has its eyes on the prize, Matushita Michio declared on Friday. Director of the Renewal Committee charged with beautifying the city, Matushita has no intention of dropping plans and abandoning almost a year of the committee's hard work. "I was gratified to see our college students marching in protest," he went on to say. "It makes me happy that our young citizens are so involved and care enough to do something about it. But their energy is misdirected; we here at the city are not trying to destroy Matsumoto's shop or any other. They're welcome to move anywhere else they like, and we will pay the costs of their move. Tomoeda appreciates its businesses and doesn't want to hurt them." The mayor could not be reached for comment. His deputy mayor, Hirashiwa Seiji, explained that the proposed reconstruction would do a lot to improve Tomoeda. "Right now it's so disorganized. We have some shops around the central plaza, which is too small to handle our civic activities. And we have some shops over by the school. It makes so much more sense to relocate all the businesses to one area and plan a central civic area by the school, keeping commerce separate. The end result will be streamlined, efficient, and beautiful, which is what Tomoeda needs. We're in competition with a lot of other Tokyo suburbs to attract families." In spite of very-visible protests on the part of college students, the city does not intend to change its plans or negotiate a compromise. Demolition of the Ginza street is scheduled for early October. |
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| buy a toy | |||
| [action] girl talk | ||||
| 04:33pm 23/08/2006 | ||||
Daidouji-san arched an eyebrow. "Cried? That wasn't quite the reaction I was hoping for." "Tears of happiness, I mean. And surprise too, maybe guilt... I thought they'd forgotten about me, you know. They were all my best customers when I first moved to this town - your daughter used to buy something from my shop at least once a week. But they got older, grew out of stuffed toys, and then they graduated. One of them even married. They all moved on and I thought they'd forgotten about me, but then this came out and there they were. With signs and everything. I was so - overwhelmed, I guess." It was making my eyes water again just to think of it, how Sakura-chan and all the others appeared in my doorway wearing identical looks of determination and disappointment. Why didn't you tell us, Maki-san? We would have helped sooner, if we'd known. "Well, you were wrong and that's a good thing," Daidouji-san declared firmly, tossing back a liberal amount of wine. "I'll admit Tomoyo was a little annoyed with me too, for not telling her, but she's hardly in a place to be talking. Seems like I've hardly seen her since she began college." A shadow crossed her face, and I smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure it's a difficult transition. But we- all parents have to go through it." "Isn't that the truth. Still, we had a very... interesting talk over breakfast the other day and at least I know she's doing well these days." There was an odd look in her eyes, like some lingering stunned disbelief, but before I had a chance to inquire she shook her head and it was gone. "Kids... never know which they're going to go, do we? Do you have any?" I winced and took to studying my drink. "Er, no. I always did want children, I just love them. It's why I own a toy store. But I, ah, couldn't quite find anyone to help me out." "A pretty girl like you? I can't believe that!" "There was someone... recently. But I realized that he wasn't quite suitable after all, when he put his career ahead of me." "What does he do?" "Future mayor." "Ahh." She nodded with a very understanding look, and finished off her glass. "No need to explain. Abandoned you at the most vulnerable time, did he? Dropped you for his own selfish ends?" "It seems you have some experience in this area." "Don't I, though?" She grimaced, then shot me a wry grin. "I guess I was just lucky enough that he stuck around long enough to give me Tomoyo. As for you - I wouldn't worry. There'll be someone." "I don't think I could even handle 'someone' right now. It ended so badly... ugh. I don't want anything to do with men for a very long time." "Join my daughter's club." "What?" "Nothing!" Daidouji-san leaned forward and patted my hand, looking conspiratorial. "Let's not talk about depressing things like men and breakups. Let's talk about what a fabulous success this press release was, and then gush about how it's only the first step. Now that the girls have put themselves on your sidewalk, Kita will make sure some photos get sent into the paper. 'Local girls say save the shops', she'll call it. What do you think?" "I think it's lovely, Daidouji-san." "Oh, and I really think we've spent enough time together that you can call me Sonomi, Maki-san." "Me?" I flushed at the thought of calling such an important woman by her first name. "But I'm just-" "A friend. Not an employee. And since most of those that call me Daidouji are, I'd rather you didn't. Just Sonomi is fine." A friend? Really, she thought I was a friend? It had been so long since I had one, my own age that is, I'd almost forgotten the feeling. Again I was blinking back tears. "Hai, Sonomi-san. Thank you very much." |
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| buy a toy | ||||
happy| [newspaper on every Japanese character's porch] | |||
| 05:25pm 18/08/2006 | |||
|
- Takenaga Shizuka It's not a question most of us spend much time wondering about, but lately that hasn't been the case for Matsumoto Maki. Owner of Twin Bells, the popular local toy shop, she's always been an active participant in city festivals, paid her taxes, and felt lucky to call Tomoeda her home. And it seemed Tomoeda felt the same in return, when it named Twin Bells one of the top ten small businesses in the city. Now Tomoeda has changed its mind. In April Matsumoto, along with her neighbors on the quiet Ginza street, received a letter from the city government informing them that their shops were forfeit, and to be sold to the city government at a predetermined price. 'Right of way acquisitions', they call it, and nobody in city hall particularly cares if the owners want to sell. Tomoeda's city council intends to tear down Matsumoto's shop and all the others so that it will have room to construct a new and eagerly anticipated city plaza. "The city plaza sounds lovely," Matsumoto commented. "But this shop is my life. I really don't think I should have to leave just because the government told me to. Why can't they tear down city hall instead and build the plaza there? It shouldn't be the decision of a few men who gets to keep their home and who doesn't." This reporter contacted Matushita Michio, director of the Tomoeda Renewal Committee and driving force behind the new plaza blueprints. "This plaza will become a central focus of Tomoeda's commercial district," he stated. "It will be beautiful, spacious, and last for decades. Schoolchildren and other participants in our city activities really need it." When asked if the city could indeed take anyone's home for the project, he explained it was necessary or it would never be built. Upon hearing Matsumoto's question of whether city hall should be torn down instead, he declined to comment. Matsumoto is not taking this lying down. She has repeatedly appealed to Matushita and then eventually the city council, only to be rebuffed time and again. As it currently stands, Twin Bells is scheduled to be demolished with the rest of the street by the end of October. Unlike some of her neighbors, however, Matsumoto hasn't started packing. "All I want is to keep what's mine," she declared. "It's all I have, so I'm not going to give up without a fight. You wouldn't give up your home, would you?" |
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| buy a toy | |||
| [private] twirl | ||||
| 03:43pm 10/08/2006 | ||||
In anticipation of the August heat I tied my hair into a loose knot at the nape of my neck, and noted in passing that it did a lot to modernize my look. I examined my reflection... and it made me smile. For the first time in I can't remember how long, I was happy again. |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [action] council of war | ||||
| 06:36pm 08/07/2006 | ||||
So she practically melted with relief on Thursday when Daidouji-san herself called, giving a hasty explanation of her busy schedule and asking if they couldn't meet on Saturday afternoon. Well, that was fine but - "Saturday afternoon?" "Kita-san works best on weekends," was Daidouji-san's dry response. "And not at the office, either. Do you know the little tea shop a block from my building? We'll meet there for lunch." And that was all, without a word of explanation of who Kita-san was or why she mattered so much to this meeting. Still, Maki was relieved - doubly so that Daidouji-san had not forgotten her and that she would not have to worry about wearing a formal business suit. She made do with a nice blouse and linen skirt instead, and arrived at a prompt 12:30. Daidouji-san was already there, and waved her to the table. "So glad you could make it, Matsumoto-san." As if this wasn't Maki's top priority in life these days? "...and it's nice to see you again. Sorry that I haven't been able to contact you, but I was waiting on Akiko-san's analysis of the information you gave her and the two of us had to have a long talk. It's her professional opinion, and I concur, that a legal battle with the city just isn't feasible." Maki could have crumpled with despair, hearing the decision announced so flippantly, but Daidouji-san didn't even give her a chance to whimper. "I'm not altogether surprised, so I briefed Kita-san on the case last week. I suppose you didn't know that over 99% of conflicts are resolved out of court? Forgive me for being blunt but the level of business you work at gives you no taste of what goes in the corporate world all - the - time. Threats, intimidation, faceoffs... it's really all part of a day's work." Now Maki had absolutely no idea what they were talking about, but she nodded anyway. "And that's why I've asked Kita-san to get involved, to-" "Save the day and your ass," someone interrupted, dropping into the third seat with a breezy smile. A woman in a crisp business suit with an impossibly short skirt and sunglasses that she didn't seem inclined to remove had just joined them, and Maki stared. "Kohana Kita, Matsumoto Maki," Daidouji-san introduced primly. "Kita-san is my publicist. She makes sure that-" "That the Daidouji name is all over the papers at least every three weeks, without fail. Every time this company does something, I'm the reason you hear about it." "Oh. Er, hello." "So the city is after your shop, huh?" Kita withdrew a compact and lipstick from her purse and began touching up her makeup. "Sons of bitches. Don't you worry about it, though, Matsumoto, because this is the kind of thing I just eat for breakfast. Every single goddamned thing they've done to you is going to be on the front page of the paper, and when I'm through they'll feel like such idiotic assholes they'll give up and leave your place alone." Maki spent a large percentage of her waking hours in the company of young girls, and it had been a long time since she heard such language. Blushing, she smiled. "I can see why Daidouji-san called you." "Cause I'm the best at what I do." She snapped her compact shut and shot another flashy white grin in her direction. "I was thinking up some slogans on my way here, some kind of catch-all motto that will sum up the protest. Tell a newspaper man what to say and they'll reprint it word for word... they're that lazy, you know. Something like, 'It could happen to you.'" "Or, 'Here now, where next?'" chimed in Daidouji-san. "Why not your home?" "Raze City Hall for the plaza!" Maki turned her head back and forth, feeling a bit sandbagged as the two women traded ideas like the tennis ball in a match. "Um-" "Don't worry, Matsumoto-san," Daidouji-san said seriously, "I full intend to give you final approval to anything Kita-san comes up with. This is your mission, after all." It was as if she could read Maki's thoughts, and Maki smiled gratefully. "Now, let's order and start brainstorming. This city isn't going to know what hit it." |
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| buy a toy | ||||
| [action] mustering to war | ||||
| 05:15pm 14/06/2006 | ||||
Suzuki Akiko was a very bright and energetic lady who talked very fast, moving rapidly from point to point down her notepad while Sonomi nodded and Maki tried her best to follow. She'd studied abroad in America, for a short while before law school, and spent several minutes talking about something in that country called Kee-low. Maki wasn't at all sure what it was, but it was apparently very bad and might cause some trouble in their own fight. Akiko's conclusion was that a court battle would probably not be the best route, but that depended on whether they could muster up a class-action lawsuit. At which point both she and Sonomi turned to Maki and asked if any of her neighbors felt the same way about this city acquisition as she did. Flustered and embarrassed, Maki had to admit she didn't know. Seiji and everyone else in town hall seemed to think she was so odd, for resisting the sale, that it hadn't occurred to her if anyone else was 'odd' as well. Akiko shook her head and told Maki she must conduct a survey right away. Were they willing to sell? Did they care? Or were they ready to join forces with Twin Bells and fight the takeover? So on the next day, late morning, Maki swallowed her shyness and went on to do exactly that. She had a stack of Akiko's business cards to parcel out if shopowners were interested in learning more, but other than that she was on her own to explain her cause. It didn't go quite as well as she'd hoped. The seamstress and dry cleaner next to her shop were thrilled to sell, as they'd been falling behind on rent and had been considering moving elsewhere anyway. The tea shop manager said essentially the same thing. A picture framer felt it was just the sign he needed that it was really time to move back to his family in western Japan. Owners of the bird store, shoe store, and print shop, on the other hand, weren't happy to give up their stores but hadn't thought to try and fight the city. All of them looked dubious when Maki explained there was an organized resistance now, but she gave them Akiko's card anyway. Last on the street was the flower shop, a charming little place that sported awnings and sidewalk displays of the blossoms, but one Maki had never occasion to enter. She hadn't had someone to buy flowers for in a long time, and now looking a bushel of chrysanthemums, a regular gift from Seiji, made her stomach curdle. Gamely she ignored them and tried to find the owner. "Hello? Anyone here?" The shop appeared empty, but when she spoke a gray head popped up from behind a bouquet of geraniums. "Yes, hello! Welcome! Can I help you?" "Oh, er, hello." Maki blinked, taken aback by the overload of cheerfulness from such a little and old woman. "I'm sorry to intrude on your work, but I own Twin Bells just up the street-" "The toy shop! Lovely little place, always enjoy looking at your new window displays. Wish there was just such a shop in the town where my son's family lives, poor little tykes could use a place like yours, I should really remember to pop around sometime before I go on one of my visits so I can bring them an armload." "Thank you," Maki replied, after a confused second or two. "Um, actually, my shop is sort of the reason I'm here. You see, I've been having a bit of a problem with the city-" The woman slapped her trimmers down on the table with a loud clap that made Maki jump. The smile had abruptly disappeared, and a fire flamed in the old woman's eyes. "Oh, yes... I know what sort of problem you've been having. Think they can just walk away with our stores, do they? Tear them down, really? Demolish everything I've worked for for the past fifty years?" Maki's heart lifted, and she found herself nodding rapidly. "Yes! Yes, that is the sort of problem I've been having, and I even went to the city council-" "So did I! And I told them they'd have to run their bulldozer right over me if they wanted to tear my precious shop down so badly. Quite a lot of nerve, those boys had, telling me it was about time to retire anyway. As if a lot of children stamping paperwork knew what work really was." Maki giggled. "So you went to protest as well? So did I, but no one told me that another person did the same-" "Hmph. Doesn't surprise me." "Does... that mean you're willing to fight? Because I've been speaking with a nice lady named Daidouji Sonomi - you might have heard of Daidouji Toys - and she's willing to help me. She's not afraid to stand up to the city, and she's even got a lawyer and everything." Hastily Maki fished a card out of her pocket and offered it. "You can call her, if you like, get some more details, but-" "That's alright, dearie, no need." The woman's hands, suprisingly smooth and limber for their age, closed over her own and folded it over Akiko's card. "I'm with you. Meet with your fancy friends and you decide what needs to be done, I don't much care for that sort of thing. But you can tell them that I won't be selling my shop, and I'll say so to whomever asks." "Er- hai. That's so wonderful to hear, I'll be sure and report this back right away! Oh, what's your name?" "Haida Naemi des, but call me Naemi. All my friends and customers do." "Of course. Matsumoto Maki des, but please do call me Maki. All of my customers do as well." "I had a feeling that was the case." She grinned impishly, and all at once Maki felt so grateful that she decided she simply must buy something. "I think perhaps I would like to buy a half-dozen tulips, as long as I'm here. No, make it a dozen." "Right away! For anyone special?" "No- well, yes. For the woman who's helping me. She could probably afford a lot of flowers, but... I want to do something nice for her." "In that case, they're on the house." Naemi pressed a trim bundle of dusky pink tulips into her hand, tied with a burgundy ribbon. "Please come back soon, and tell me all about the news." Maki thought she would burst with delight. Hugging the tulips (carefully) to her chest, she nodded. "I will!" |
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busy| [private] happy birthday to me~ | ||||
| 11:25am 12/06/2006 | ||||
Just one month ago, I thought that I'd have someone in my life to celebrate my birthday with me, after many long years of enduring it alone. I thought maybe, just maybe, someone would finally buy me the nice gift instead of leaving me to purchase it myself, that I could have someone to share that nice dessert with. But he's gone, and I couldn't bring myself to repeat such a pathetic ritual even one more time. So here I am, thirty-five and no closer to being married than the day Kane died. To make matters worse, there seems to have been a rash of engagements among my young customers lately - first Chiharu-chan and now Sakura-chan are/will be married to the respective loves of their lives before they've reached the age of twenty. I so very much want to be happy for them, but my heart is crying at the injustice of it all. I just haven't found the right man, all the magazines assure me, but I know that's not true. I did find the right man, he just died. And maybe that's it. Maybe that was my one chance at real love. Now I'm just looking for the second-best man. And my time is running out. |
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