Time and a Half

We left the office building with Takashi shortly after Mayumi introduced me as her little sister. He looked pretty confused the whole way down the elevator. Outside, he’s silent for a few steps but suddenly brings it up.

“I didn’t know you had a little sister. Your father told me you just had an older brother.”

“I just gained one recently!” Mayumi smiles at me. I smile back with a peace sign.

“Like…a half-sister?”

“No, more than that. We’re bound by fate!”

“Ah, I see. It’s like that.” Clearly he’s just pretending to understand. “Then, I’m sure we are also bound by fate in some way.”

“We can see right now.” She pulls his hand to check his palm. After running her finger through his palm for a few lines, she lets go disappointed quickly.

“Nope. I’m not seeing anything compatible between us.” She shrugs.

“Well, men make their own fate, you know.” He looks hurt but covers it up with a smooth line.

“Don’t take fate so lightly! Hmph. What was this date you planed, anyway?”

“It’s hot today so a movie date would be perfect, don’t you say? Do you like Helmet Rider?” I almost burst out laughing. Not the most romantic choice for a first date.

“Ahaha! Sure, that sounds good. I’m sure Runa would appreciate it, too.” She looks to me.

“Yeah, I love Helmet Rider, actually.”

“Great. Movie theaters are one of my favorite places to go. Especially recently.”

“Hm? Surely you mean because it’s hot out and not because of all the lewd movies recently?”

“…yes, because of the heat.” Oh no, he’s losing points with Mayumi already.

“Movie watching is a popular hobby with a lot of people!” I say, trying to preserve his dignity.

“It’s just sitting down. It’s not very manly.” Mayumi rebuts.

“I like to consider myself an art… connoisseur.” I feel like he had to pause to remember the word. This isn’t going too well. I hope the rest of the date goes better for his sake. We walk the rest of the way there without much conversation.

The movie theatre is covered with hand painted posters of new and upcoming movies. While they are very artsy, some of them are very risqué. There is one with a lady covered by many male hands; it looks provocative. I can’t believe they just show these off in public like that. The 1970s were quite the time. Takashi buys both of our movie tickets. We must look like a family of three siblings rather than a strange date. In the theatre, Mayumi tells me to sit in the middle. I reluctantly agree. I look apologetically to Takashi and he mentions something about distance making the heart fonder. He takes everything in stride, I’ll give him that much.

The seats are harder and the floors are dirtier than I’m used to. The picture is a bit grainy as well. I feel like I’m in a cheap dollar theatre. The movie plays and I keep glancing at their stone faces. Are they even having a good time? At least I was enjoying the movie though as I never watched much of the sequel series to Helmet Rider.

The movie ends and we walk outside without so much of a word from the couple on a date. I try not to feel too guilty since I have a feeling it’s not because I’m here that they are so quiet. We were just standing outside the theater for a while. Mayumi was looking at the sky, rather bored. Takashi was not even turned towards us, seemingly lost in thought. I try to lighten the mood.

“Takashi, do you have a cute café in mind for dinner? It would be nice to go somewhere with AC again.”

“Ah, yes. I’m rather thirsty.” Mayumi chimed in.

“Oh yes. I almost forgot to ask if you guys were hungry. I was thinking about the movie.” Please at least remember you’re on a date. “I’ll take you to a real popular spot these days.”

The café Takashi chose was a real retro chic jewel of a place. I knew the 70s were when these cafes were in their heyday, but I was so in love with the aesthetic. The booths were an orange-ish leather with silver ashtrays on every table. There were chandeliers for lighting and classical music in the air. It was packed, and that unfortunately that meant it was very smoky. I dealt with it as best I could. I happily scanned the menu while the couple I was with made small talk together.

“Oh, thank you, Takashi! I’ve been wanting to try this place since it opened.” Finally, something he did was a hit with Mayumi.

“Only the best for you, Mayumi. Both of you pick out whatever you want.”

Mayumi scans the menu with me. “I’m definitely going to try one of those new cream sodas. They look so cute with their green coloring and ice cream on top. It looks so American.” She points to a picture of a melon soda with ice cream on top.

“You’ve never tried one before?” I’m so surprised the question bursts out of me. Whoops. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I just didn’t know those were invented around the 70s. “I mean, even I’ve already tried it. It’s really good; I think you’ll like it.”

“Yay. What are you going to get, Runa?”

I point to another picture. “Definitely one of these parfaits. I love these things.” The Showa style of parfaits really calls to me. The picture shows it on a long glass cup with a large pudding in the middle surrounded by cream.

“Those are both really big and sweet…” Takashi mutters.

“What about it?” Mayumi shoots him a look.

“I mean, but they’re not as sweet as you.” That was almost a save but not quite. Mayumi accepts it anyway. The waitress comes by to take our order as if on cue.

After she leaves Mayumi starts up some conversation. “So, tell me about yourself, Takashi.”

“Um, my name’s Takashi. I’m twenty-two and I’m an engineer at your dad’s company.”

“I didn’t mean give me a self-introduction… I mean tell me like why you wanted to get married to me.”

“Ah yes, your dad was lamenting the fact that his only daughter was about to graduate but didn’t want to go to university so he wanted her married right away. Hiroshi and I were right there so we both volunteered. He put us through some really rigorous tests after that, but I must say, I have no regrets. I’ve really enjoyed this date so far.”

“Oh, you like hanging around me? Even though I haven’t said much?”

“Of course. Imagining you by my side makes me feel like the happiest man alive. What do you think about me? I can afford to buy you as many of the three sacred treasures of post-war Japan as you want: a color TV, a refrigerator, and a washing machine.” I don’t know if that kind of bragging will strike Mayumi’s heart. She already lives a luxurious lifestyle.

“Um, well….” Mayumi looks down at her hands. Her long eyelashes flicker back and forth. Suddenly, she whips out her small notebook and a pencil from her red bag. “First, tell me your Chinese zodiac animal and your favorite color.”

Takashi looks confused again. “It’s the rabbit and purple. Why do you ask?”

Mayumi starts writing his name and decorating it was cute rabbits and the word purple. She tears it out and folds it into a heart. Takashi stares at it for a bit while she’s holding it out to him with both hands and a shy expression. It seems he’s not going to accept it without her explanation.

“This is a lucky charm for love made just for you. If you keep it with you, you’ll definitely find out your love fortune tomorrow.” She says softly. Does she mean she’ll tell him her answer tomorrow? That’s a really cute way of telling him. I hope she’s not just putting it off and she actually has something planned though.

Takashi smiles and accepts the heart. The sound of ripping paper stuns both Mayumi and me. He rips it into a few pieces and throws them softly in the air. They land gently on the table as we can only stare in horror at the faux pas he just commited. “I have enough luck in love to have met you. If I’m too lucky, the gods will surely curse me. By scattering these pieces, I’m simply giving back some luck to the universe. Aren’t I generous?”

I can’t believe what just happened. I look to Mayumi to see how she’s taking it. She looks like a deer in headlights with her mouth open. Her mouth closes. She makes a thinking expression with her hand by her chin and her eyes closed. She must be debating whether that was romantic or hurtful.

“…I’ll pick up the pieces.” Takashi concedes. His plan didn’t work the way he wanted and now he’s picking up shredded paper like a wounded dog.

It’s well into the evening when we finish eating our fancy dinner. My parfait was so lovely I was still thinking about it as we walked out. It was still hot but at least the sun has moved so much that we can rest in the shade of the buildings.

“Since you came by so early, the night is still young. The moon hasn’t even come out yet. Is there anywhere else you wanted to go?” Takashi asks Mayumi.

“I do have an idea, actually. How about the roller rink?” Mayumi asks with a sly smile and her torso bent at the waist. She tries to act innocent, but I know why she brought up the roller rink. She really does love messing with people, doesn’t she? What is she planning?

“Sounds good. I’ve never been, so you’ll have to guide me.”

“Of course I can show you. I’ve been there many times.”

The roller rink has many people skating inside. I’ve never been to one myself so I’m curiously looking around. There are orange plastic bench seats by the rink and brown carpeting. I don’t immediately spot Yutaka, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t here. I could be missing him in the crowd. Takashi rents us some skates and we go to put them on. Takashi and I are not used to the skates and struggle to make it to the rink. Mayumi helps us as best she can. She can roll around in these like a pro. She must have come with her brother a lot.

Unlike me, Takashi gets the hang of them quickly. He skates and chats with her while I lag behind making sure I don’t fall. I’m happy for them. It looks like they are finally hitting it off. We all skate slowly for a while, enjoying ourselves. I move with one hand on the wall at the edge of the circle when I notice a familiar face sitting on one of the benches with a girl his age. It’s Yutaka. I stop and stare. I don’t know what to do. Mayumi comes up from behind me.

“Runa, what are you looking at? Ah! Yutaka is with his crush! Let’s go greet him.”

“I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Mayumi. Wouldn’t that bother him?” I pled with her to change her mind but she calls Takashi over and tells him that’s her brother over there.

“No, it’s fine. It could be like a double date.” But I don’t think they’re dating yet… This must be a delicate time for Yutaka.

Mayumi drags Takashi over to her brother while waving. She calls out to him. The girl puts her hand by her chest in surprise. He doesn’t look pleased when he notices who’s calling for him. I slowly come up from behind them as well. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

“Hi, Yutaka! This is my potential fiancé, Takashi. Introduce me to your friend?”

Yutaka gives her a look before he speaks. “Mayumi, this is Junko.” He motions his hand by the girl. Junko gives a small wave. She looks uncomfortable. I knew this would be a bad idea.

She starts to get up only seconds after we arrive. She pats her skirt and adjusts her bag while speaking. “Ah, well, I should probably get going now anyway. I’ll see you later in class, Yutaka.” Poor girl must not have expected an entourage for Yutaka of all people.

Yutaka reaches out his arm towards Junko but there’s nothing good he can say. “Oh, ok! See you later, Junko.”

Mayumi seems to realize her mistake. “Oh, I didn’t mean to scare her away.” She says quietly.

“No, of course you didn’t. Sorry, I’m leaving too. It was nice meeting you, Takashi.” He gets up in a huff.

“Wait, Yutaka!” She turns to Takashi and me, her face wrought with worry. “Sorry, Takashi. We should end our date here. I need to talk with Yutaka. Runa, come with me.”

Takashi agrees. “Of course. Family is the most important thing. Call me later when you have a chance.”

We change back into our shoes and hurry after Yutaka. She says he must be going back to our house so I follow her down a busy street. We run down more roads and finally catch a glimpse of his back. Mayumi and I are out of breathe but she calls out for him once again.

“Wait, Yutaka!”

He stops and puts his hands in his pockets. His back is still towards us but I see his body shifting through his clothes. He must be debating whether to ignore her or not. Finally, he acknowledges us without a word. As he turns around I see his face is in a scowl.