The First Phase of Kintsugi

No one spoke for the entirety of the ride home as everyone wrestled with acceptance. To their credit, and to Hazuki’s relief, no one challenged him. It was as though they had all shared the realization that Naoe had reached. By now, the sun was setting, but dusk was cold and colorless as Gifu’s mysterious mountains faded into the horizon behind them. Naoe’s hand never left Hazuki’s even as she fell asleep with her eyes facing the window.

Matsumoto and Shinji were dropped off at their destinations. Shinji spoke first.

“Guji shared a few texts for guidance. He trusts I can handle the ritual when the time comes. I will be prepared. Please reach out if you need me in the interim,” he said with a solemn bow.

“I’ll invite you over for tea soon!” replied Sayane in a forced happy tone.

“I would like that,” Shinji answered as he left.

“I would as well,” replied Matsumoto as he fumbled with his keys.

“Hazuki, please…” Matsumoto stopped himself and gathered his thoughts.

“The Inabe City Agricultural Park thanks you for all of your volunteer time, but now humbly requests you take some much-needed time off,” he finally stated with a sad smile.

Hazuki grinned and bowed.

“Understood. I will keep you updated. I’m sure Naoe and I will be in the grove very soon,” Hazuki replied as Naoe smiled.

“I’ll want to see you and the tree again every day, I’m sure,” Naoe agreed.

“That will be lovely,” replied Matsumoto as he closed the van door.

Then it was just the four housemates, driving home in reflection.

Keys unlocked the front door, and all of them stepped back into the house they had only been away from for a half-day, but were all now completely changed people. Inside the house, everything was pleasant and unchanged, yet it somehow felt larger. Walls seemed expanded, and spaces felt roomier. It was nice. Naoe scanned the space with analytical eyes as though trying to memorize every detail. Sayane finally spoke.

“Naoe, I want you to stay with us. If you’d like. Please stay here as long as you want, with Hazuki. We won’t mind in the slightest,” she said as she crossed her hands before her waist.

“Thank you, I would like that,” replied Naoe.

Hazuki bowed to Sayane and Arthur. Arthur did not speak at first, but walked forward and patted both of them on the shoulder before making his way to his and Sayane’s bedroom. He stopped before entering and finally made up his mind to speak.

“I am sorry. For both of you,” was all he could say.

“Please let us know if you need anything,” he added.

“I’d like to have another meal with you both, if that is not too much,” replied Naoe.

“Certainly. Would you like to eat here or go to a restaurant?” asked Arthur.

“I’ve… I’ve never been to a restaurant… I don’t know…” answered Naoe.

Hazuki smiled.

“Well, let’s do a restaurant then! That would be lovely! And I’m not sure either of us has it in us to cook tonight,” admitted Sayane as she looked at the clock.

“How about we all rinse off and change, then go into town? There’s a lovely kaiseki spot that we like to go to for dates,” added Arthur.

Hazuki grinned and looked at Naoe.

“Would you like to formally go on a date with me? I asked you on an unofficial one all those years ago when we hung out after school at the park, but this seems more official,” he smiled.

“Official first date? I would like that,” Naoe replied with her tired smile.

“Naoe, why don’t you shower first, then I can help you get dressed. Do you want to wear your kimono, or see if I have something you’d like?” asked Sayane.

Naoe and Hazuki looked at one another in debate and inquisition.

“I… I think I’d like to wear modern clothes. Please help me pick something out,” asked Naoe.

Sayane clapped.

“Oh this will be fun!” she smiled as she pushed Arthur into their room and closed the door.

Now it was just Naoe and Hazuki.

“Is a shower the one where I stand up and the water falls from above me?” asked Naoe in sincerity.

“Yes,” grinned Hazuki.

“I’ll start the water for you. Would you like it warm again like your bath? Or cool?” he asked.

“Oh! Warm!” she replied as they moved down the hall.

Showering was just as delightful for Naoe as her bath had been. Feeling the warm water cascade onto her skin while the steam built in the enclosed space was a delight. Sayane provided a robe for Naoe to wrap in before joining her for some time in the closet. Hazuki quickly rinsed in the shower and then returned to his room, where, to his surprise, Arthur was waiting with a suit and dress shirt.

“I bought this for a big investor meeting, but it doesn’t fit me anymore. You’re taller than me, but it should do pretty well on you. And even if the pants are slightly too short, I’ve heard that’s in style now,” said Arthur as he handed the clothes to Hazuki.

“Really? I used to get picked on for having pants that were too short,” Hazuki said as he reflected on the lankiness of puberty.

“I guess everything comes full circle eventually,” Arthur fake-grinned as Hazuki held the pants up to his waist.

“I won’t ask you to reconsider, or act like I fully understand what you and Naoe are going through. I know I would do anything in my power to protect Sayane. So all I can say is please let me know how we can help,” said Arthur.

Hazuki hesitated.

“I think this is all we need. I honestly thought we wouldn’t be returning here after today, so we’re both still in a little bit of shock. But this will be nice. And, I would like your help with my trust and a few other things. I’d like to make sure my affairs are in order,” replied Hazuki in an unsteady voice.

“I can do that,” answered Arthur.

“Thank you,” replied Hazuki.

Arthur inhaled.

“Well, I assume something happened in the ceremony that allowed us to all see Naoe now. I hope that applies to the rest of the world, because if the restaurant can’t see her, this is going to be an interesting dinner,” grinned Arthur.

“Well, it wouldn’t be the strangest thing to happen, well, even today,” Hazuki laughed with a sigh..

Arthur excused himself and Hazuki dressed in the first suit he’d ever worn. It did fit well, if not a little short. Down the hall, the bedroom door opened and Sayane’s head peeked out.

“Ohhhhh boyssssss….” she called.

Hazuki stepped out of his room. Arthur was waiting in another suit, and then the bedroom door opened. Sayane stepped out in a shawl that hung over a fitted black dress and matching heels. Her smile was visible from down the hall as she motioned to the door, and out stepped Naoe in a lavender grey long-sleeved dress that came to her ankles. A silk belt tied around her waist and matched her headpiece. Her hair was down and draped over her shoulder. She had on lipstick and makeup for the first time. Hazuki struggled to speak.

“You look incandescent,” was all he could say.

“Incandescent! Nailed it! Big word!” cheered Sayane as she hugged Naoe.

“Do you like it?” Naoe asked.

“I love it as much as I love your kimono. You look incredible. It’s just so fascinating to see you in modern clothes like this. And your hair and makeup! You are…” Hazuki paused.

“Incandescent?” Naoe asked.

Hazuki smiled.

“You are the most beautiful thing to ever exist in my world,” he replied.

“And you look so handsome. Your shoes match your cane! And your hair is done so well!” said Naoe.

“Someone once told me girls like a man who puts a little effort into his appearance,” said Hazuki.

“Smart girl,” smiled Naoe.

“We’ve got to work on our compliments, dear,” Arthur whispered to Sayane.

“Never called me incandescent…” joked Sayane as she nudged his ribs.

Dinner that night was perhaps the happiest dining experience Hazuki and Naoe had ever experienced. The restaurant was beautiful, with natural wood finishes accented by soft, low light and dark stone. Conversations were quiet and intimate. Windows on the perimeter showed a forest treeline nestled against the hill right behind the dining space. Arthur ordered sake for the table along with the Sakizuke before the Nimono and Mukozuke were brought out. Courses continued with Naoe sighing in delight numerous times as flavor flooded her palate like never before.

Courses continued with small plates coming out for the table in a steady flow. Hazuki and Naoe asked the server dozens of questions as they tried to understand the complexity of the flavor profiles and the origin of ingredients. Even the chef came by to chat after over an hour had passed. Then deserts and matcha arrived for the conclusion, and everyone at the table exhaled in fullness of body and heart.

“That might have been the best meal we’ve had here yet,” sighed Sayane as she rubbed her stomach.

“Truly delicious,” agreed Arthur.

“I think that’s the best meal I’ve ever eaten,” sighed Hazuki.

“Well, I know it was for me,” laughed Naoe.

It was a sincere laugh. As Hazuki listened to its gentle tone and realized Naoe was genuinely happy in that moment, not worried about her scar or her burden or the grove, he longed for a lifetime of these moments. Knowing they would never come, Hazuki decided then and there to find a way to give Naoe as many of them as possible in the coming weeks. What he did not know was that in her mind, Naoe had already thought the same thing, but was trying to work out what to do in the absence of money or understanding how the modern world truly functioned.

It was with that in their minds that they said goodnight to Arthur and Sayane a few hours later. Naoe entered the room first so that she could undress and change into some fresh sleep clothing from Sayane. Once Hazuki joined her and removed his suit and dress shirt, he realized Naoe was observing his bare skin.

“I wanted to watch,” she bashfully admitted.

“That’s okay, I don’t mind,” he said calmly as he slid a pair of sweatpants on and knelt to join her on the futons.

“I had an amazing night,” Naoe said in gratitude as her fingers ran through his hair.

“I did too. I left this morning thinking I wouldn’t get another meal with you. Instead, we have the best meal of our lives,” said Hazuki.

“You were honestly okay with thinking that when we set out?” she asked.

“I wasn’t okay with it. I made peace with it. I’ll never be okay with the time we have. Even forever wouldn’t have been enough. But I am grateful for what we have left,” Hazuki answered.

“Yes. To have one last spring with you is more than I could have hoped for. I want to do so much with you in that time. I want your last days to be full of whatever you wish,” said Naoe.

Hazuki smiled.

“I was thinking the same thing. Seeing you in those clothes, eating so well, smiling in pure joy, I want you to live as many moments like that as you can. You deserve all the happiness we can find,” said Hazuki.

They smiled to one another.

“What would you like to do?” Hazuki asked.

Naoe thought about it. Freedom was a foreign concept for her, and as she lay there, approached by it as a concept, she was overwhelmed.

“I don’t know, in all honesty. How about you first?” she asked.

Hazuki thought for a moment, then smiled.

“I want to take you to the ocean. Let’s go see the sunset over the horizon. I’d like that, if you would,” Hazuki proposed.

Naoe blushed and smiled.

“I’d love that.”