| After about half an hour we're in front of the line and it's our turn. It's a good job too as the sun will be setting really soon. the old kannushi looks at us as if we have a screw loose because we don't have any children with us but he doesn't stop us from stepping up to the trough alongside the Haiden. We wash ourselves as the ritual demands and then step in front of the main sanctuary. Hanazawa Rui drops a coin in the offering box for us both and pulls the bell rope. As the sound of small bells fills the air I clap twice to gain the attention of the Kami so we may pray to them and we both bow our heads. "Please, Kami-sama, grant me and my family happiness and health." I pray. I ask for wisdom, strength and courage to get me through my days at Eitoku, and for energy so I can keep up the pace of working two jobs. I also find myself wondering in the back of my mind what Hanazawa Rui is praying for. We finish almost simultaneously and step back away from the shrine in unison. "Shall we go find Mimasaka-san?" I ask. "Yeh," He answers with a smile, "his little sisters love him to death and are probably smothering him with their affections. Let's go rescue him." As we start to walk in the direction of our arranged meeting place he reaches out to take my hand and, again, I let him. Why is this beginning to feel natural to have my hand in his like this? "Where are their parents? Isn't it their place to be here?" Taking his sisteres out to the shrine for Shichi-Go-San doesn't seem to be something I can see Mimasaka doing of his own volition. "Probably off somewhere on business. Why don't you ask him, he's waiting for us right where he said he'd be." I look up to see Mimasaka, looking resigned, with his litle sisters clinging to him complaining they are bored. His eyes light up as he sees us coming. "There you are!" he calls in greeting. "I was beginning to think you wern't coming." "Does this mean we can go now?" Minu asks petulantly. Mimasaka looks very weary for a second. "Yes, Minu-chan, it does." Her face brightens immediatley. "Let's go." He holds his hands out and each little girl takes one as they join us on the path back to the torii. "So, Mimasaka-san," I begin, "why are you here at the shrine with your sisters instead of your parents?" "They're in Europe." he answers. "My mother's flying home this evening but my dad isn't able to make it at all." "Oh..." Their lifestyles boggle my mind. Even though we're poor, our family was together every day when I was growing up and I can't imagine how things are for the F4. I really can't picture living detached from my family, being raised in a house full of respectful but distant servants. "We're going to have a ceremony when we get home. Mama will be back by then." Minu pipes up, "We're going out to our family shrine and we're going to pray to the ugigami there, then we'll have some fireworks too! It'll be fun." "It really sounds like fun. I'm glad you get to spend time with your mother today." She grins up at me. She's glad too. "So tell me, what are you two doing here? I mean -- really -- why would anyone come here today of all days if they didn't have to?" Mimasaka is looking from Hanazawa Rui to me and back again. "We're here for Shichi-Go-San, just like we told you." Hanazawa Rui answers. "Okay, have it your own way then, but it looks awfully like a date to me." Mimasaka replies with a shrug. I feel my eyes widen as he speaks. He said what everyone else here probably thinks -- that we're on a date. I'm suddenly very aware of my hand, held in Hanazawa Rui's, and feel a blush steal its way across my cheeks. Hanazawa Rui squeezes my hand and, after a moment of silence where nobody speaks, Minu begins to chatter away to me about her day. I'm really glad for the diversion and focus my attention on her. Before we know it we are passing through the torii and crossing the footbridge back over the railway tracks to Harajuku Station. We're waiting on the steps as Mimasaka pages his chauffeur "So what are you two going to do now?" he asks. "We can give you a ride if you want." "What do you say, Tsukushi, want to head back?" Hanazawa Rui asks me. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Mimasaka's reaction to how Hanazawa Rui addresses me. His eyes widen and his brows lift quizzically. I smile because that's kind of how I feel too. "Yeah, I'm getting hungry." I look over at Hanazawa Rui meaningfully and continue. "I didn't have a chance to eat lunch so I haven't had anything since breakfast except a really good cup of tea. I think we should head back." "Hey, I've got an idea." Mimasaka's eyes narrow as he hatches something behind them. "What do you think, Minu-chan.? Why don't we invite them to come and celebrate Shichi-Go-San with us? It'll be a party." The little girl smiles at the thought. "Yeah, it'll be fun if you come. There'll be lots of food and fireworks too." She adds her own persuassion to the mix. How can I say no to that face? Even Nemu, who has been pretty quiet for the most part seems eager to have us join them. "You're dressed the part, Makino, what do you say?" "Well, Mimasaka-san, when you put it like that, how can I refuse...Hanazawa Rui, what about you?" I turn to look up at Hanazawa Rui, standing next to me to get his answer to the invitation. "Food and fireworks sounds good to me." The smile on his lips colours his voice. "Ah, here's our car now." Mimasaka announces as their chauffeur pulls up and we all pile in to the back of the limo. It seems like today is becoming increasingly far removed from how I'd imagined it would be. I'd imagined finally being able to relax after another stressful day at school -- maybe even hooking up with Yuuki, Shigeru or Sakurako for a bit -- but not all this. I spend the car trip talking with the girls, swapping Shichi-Go-San stories. Soon we are sitting head to head, the charms from our furuko poured out into our laps so we can compare them. Hanazawa Rui and Mimasaka are talking quietly among themselves. We pass through the gates of Mimasaka's estate and when we arrive at the house his mother is waiting for us on the steps, looking beautiful with her hair up and dressed in wa-fuku. The little girls squeal with delight when they see her, tumbling out of the car in their rush to embrace her. As the huddle in their group hug, I can't get over how she looks much more like their sister than their mother. I'm going to be 18 and she looks younger than I do -- I still can't believe she's 21 years older than me. She lets go of her daughters and steps forward to embrace Mimasaka. He blushes, but I think it's because there are witnesses, not because he's being hugged. "What have we here, Akira? Guest?" She turns to look at me and Hanazawa Rui. "Hello, Hanazawa-san, Makino-san. Are you here to share our celebration?" I nod in reply, surprised she remembers my name as we've only met once before. "We ran into each other at the shrine...It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing, I hope you don't mind." I answer in explanation. I'm relieved when she smiles. It's a genuine smile, not like the scary, brittle smile of Doumiyouji Kaede. Now why did I have to think of that woman? "not at tall," she replies, "Akira hardly ever has his friends over. The more, the merrier I say, don't you agree girls?" They nod vigorously and she reaches down to hug them both tightly. "Let's go inside, everyone." The house is brightly lit and smells fresh, like it's been aired out all day. We are led through to the dining room where an amazing array of dishes are spread out, buffet style, along one of the walls. We are told to help ourselves to whatever we want and my stomach is growling so fiercely now, I'm afraid everyone will hear it. Hanazawa Rui steers me over to the food. "Tell the server what you want and they'll make up a plate for you." He instructs. "What is some of this stuff? I don't recognize it," I whisper to him, "and I don't want to look stupid if I don't know what I'm asking for." "That," he points to one platter, "is salmon mousse, and that," he points to another, "is 'brie en croute'. You remember the 'foie gas' don't you? You had some at Shizuka's birthday party." He's gesturing to yet another platter. Oh, I remember that all right. I overindulged in the pate-filled pastries and champayne and I was as sick as a dog -- all over Doumiyouji's Armani too. I can't believe I just thought about him again. I take a deep breath as Hanazawa Rui continues to walk alongside the table naming all the dishes for me. Not one dish in this buffet is Japanese. "I guess I'll try a little bit of everything." I tell the server, watching as they set a small portion of each dish on a plate for me. "Thank you." I tell her as she hands me my food. I follow Hanazawa Rui over to sit with Mimasaka at one end of a huge dining table. A servant comes over and pours three generous glasses of wine before moving on to take care of Mimasaka's mother and sisters, who are sitting at the other end of the table, engaged in an animated conversation about today's trip to Meiji Jingu. Mimasaka pushes two of the glasses towards me and Hanazawa Rui. "Here you go, guys." "Um, thank you, Mimasaka-san." "You're welcome, and thanks for coming." He sits back in his chair and takes a sip of wine. "Thanks for the invitation." I reply, before biting down on a small quiche. Mmmm...it's really good. My stomach growls loudly enough for them both to hear and they start to laugh. Oh, God. I'm so embarrassed my cheeks are glowing, but I have to keep chewing. "You weren't kidding about being hungry, Makino." Mimasaka chuckles. "It's not funny." I finally reply when I'm able to swallow the bite. My stomach growls fiercely again to make a liar out of me. I try to look nonplussed but I guess I don't because now they're both doubled over in their plates laughing. Bastards! I take a deep draught of wine to collect myself and quiet my stomach and eventually the guys stop laughing and start to eat. Good, now I can have a moment's peace to enjoy my meal. Wow! Everything is sooo good. |
| Meet the Parents |
| Chapter Four |
| By: Karen McVicker A.K.A. The Real Dedanaan |