アジア音楽の国母

“And now, I’m here for nothing. Thanks a million, Weitzman.”

“Your tsundere nature is as charming as always, senpai.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you.” 

After that little trick of mine, a few nights ago, this bloke, Mindaugas Smetona has come to see my dear Reishi out of nowhere and out of worry.

“So you’re like Reishi’s senior or something, Mr Smetona?”

Seems like all those Japanese class I’ve been taking has finally paid off at some point.

“Indeed, we’ve met in artistic criticism class. He’s a total Gordon Bennett.”

“That had saved your cute bum countless times.”

His talking style is kinda bold and majestic. Must have been born into a wealthy family. I mean, just look at his coat. It’s all blue, huge and furry.

“Perhaps, you should consider your selection of hearsay more wisely. Words are silver, silence is gold.”

“How does that make any sense, senpai?”

“Just breathe no words or I’m going to belabour you.”

“Once a tsundere, always a tsundere.”

“What was that?”

The conversation keeps firing up and up. I’m thinking that maybe I should let them catch up. However, we got a customer.

“いらっしゃい！”

“あぁ！　日本語で話す人ですね｡ あのー、すみません､このところは酒場ですか？”

It's a lady in an old-fashioned women's disguise. Scarf overhead, brownish coat and round sunglasses. Yeah, classic. I doubt that she was sent from the forbidden land. She is too eye-catching.

“はい､はい！何を飲みたいですか？お客様さま｡”

“アイリッシュコーヒーが1杯をください｡”

I literally have no slightest idea of what they're talking about right now. 

“Alice-nii! We've got a customer. Have you finished cooking our dinner yet?” 

“There! It is done. Bœuf au vin for two, please enjoy.”

“Smells wonderful. Thank you, nii-san. いただきます｡” 

The food was served but before my darling Reishi could have a first bite.

“Mmm…, How succulent. Give me another bite, would you.”

His first bit was stolen by a man next to him and Alistair doesn't seem to care. He's tending to the lady customer.

“Senpai, how could you!”

“Halt your whining and feed me already. Ah………” Mindaugas open his mouth eager for more.

“Now, I don’t know if I should feed you or kiss you instead, Senpai. Your lips are so irresistible, you know that.”

“Perish the thought, you disgusting mongrel. As if I would allow that to occur.”

“But senpai, you did, remember? The Valentine's Day? At the campus?” Reishi mischievously smirk.

“Oh, don't you dare.” Mindaugas grind his teeth with anger. “Utter a word and you’re dead.”

“What happened on Valentine's? Did you two make out or something?” I asked.

They both blushed. So, I’ll take that as an answer.

“Uh…… Yeah, that is correct, mummy. We kiss and make up, alright. Oh, it was the sweetest kiss ever.” Boasted, Reishi.

Did he just call me mummy? Oh my god, I’m so over the moon.

“Don’t you exaggerated. It was just a cheek kiss. Nothing more.”

“Excuse me, may I say something?” Interrupted, the lady customer.

“Yeah? What is it, Madame?”

“I think, maybe, you two should be honest with each other.”

“What do you mean? Miss…”

“Teng.”

“Miss Teng. You know there is no UV light inside of this building.”

“Oh, I see.” The lady get rid of her disguise showing her silky black hair and her face which giving me a vibe of a benevolent philanthropist.

“No way! You are………”

“Teresa Teng! My, pardon my vulgarity.”

“The empress mother of Asian music. What kind of trickery is this?”

“Ah, what?” Exclaimed, both Mindaugas and I. “Who is she supposed to be again?”

“My name is Teresa Teng. I am a singer.”

“Oh, that’s why.”

“He’s a fan of 80s Japanese.”

“And this one was raised by a Japanese man.”

“Wait, that doesn’t make any sense.…… Does it?” The Lithuanian boy and I face the questions to each other.

“Come on, Mimin. Miss Teng here is a woman of talents. She can sing in many languages and that includes Japanese too. I really like your new song, Miss Teng. 空の小雨 is amazing.”

“Thank you.” 

“But you know, my favourite one is still the classic. つぐない｡ Papa- Alice-nii, what’s your favourite?”

Oh my god, I could die now. He’s so adorable.

“I would say Aijin and Hong Kong.”

“By the way, Miss Teng, what are you doing here in Aquitaine? Having a holiday?”

“I’m afraid not. I have a concert here as a fundraiser for an orphanage here. And a meeting with Mr Bythesea.”

“Oh no, that man.……”

“You know Mr Bythesea?”

“Yeah, how could we not. He’s a regular, that clown.” 

“But I don’t…” mumbled, Mindaugas.

“No offence, Miss Teng but he gonna be your downfall.”

“Why is that?”

“Yeah, why is that?”

That voice……

“Oh, shit.…… good evening, Bittersea.”

“It’s Bythesea. How many times do I have to tell you that!” Yelled, Bythesea. “Madame Teng, nice to finally meeting you. So are you ready to talk business?”

“Well, I believe my time is due now. I'll have my leave then. I need to search for somewhere to sleep. Thanks to you, Weitzmann.”

“Isn’t Nyx-san own a hotel, Mummy? Eh -I mean Mi-nii.”

“Yeah, I’ve been there before.”

“Mummy, could you take senpai to the hotel, pretty please?”

Oh my God, puppy face! Puppy face! Puppy face! How could I resist this face? I’m such a magical wonderful mother, aren't I?

“Of course, dear. Let's go, Mr Smetona!”

“Oh, very well, let us be on our way.”

“Be safe, Mimin.”

“Alright, spit it out, Weitzmann. Who is this ‘Mimin’ of yours?”

“You know I’ve been wondering the same thing.”

“It’s both of you. But specifically you, senpai.”

(美=beauty=mi=Mi-nii’s name +Min(daugas)=Mimin=Beautiful Mindaugas)

“Another labyrinthine conundrum from you again? wonderful. Let us proceed, Monsieur.” Mindaugas sweep his furry coat around before fast exiting through the door.

“I'll be back soon, sweetheart.” I said then I’m hopping to catch up with the Lithuanian boy and leading him to the castle.

“Say, Monsieur. What is Reishi to you?”

“What’s with a sudden question, Mr Smetona? Are you concerned about him?”

“Well, of course, I would be concerned. As he has mentioned he and his pointy ears did aid me for numerous times back in those days. Caring, coquettish and gallant. That is a typical Reishi I know. I always think of him as my own little brother.”

“Only just a little brother? It doesn’t seem like it to me.”

“It couldn’t be. Although if it was before, I might have a little thought of it as something more but now………”Mindaugas sighed. “There’s merely no possibility.” His hands touched his face and that’s when I see it.

“You’re engaged, aren’t you?” I pointed out to a craved-wooden ring on his wedding finger. 

“Indeed, I am. He mayn’t be a gentleman like Reishi. But despite everything that we’ve been through, I wholeheartedly believe he’s the one for me. Even though he’s a Neanderthal.”

“Have you told Reishi yet? About all this.”

“I intended to. Over an invitation card.”

That’s no good. That’s no good. I got to do something.

But as far as I’m realised. I’m already one step inside the castle.

“Hey, little horror. Nice timing.”

“Oh, Mr Nyx. You’re already back. What about the case in Thailand.”

“Our client was murdered.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Least, the wife hired us to find the murderer. Supposed it’s not a waste, I guess.”

“Yeah, it’s good to have you back, Mr Nyx. I miss you.”

“Miss you too.”

*Ouch!*

“As if.” I was hit by Mr Nyx. “Here, take this.”

“What’s this? A keychain?”

“It’s a flip phone. I already added contacts for you. Rub, Maman, Doc Ann, mine and Alice.”

“Thanks, Mr Nyx. I’ll treasure it with all my magic.” 

“Good boy. Remember not to give number to anyone at random, ‘Kay?”

“Noted. My number will be for you only, Mr Nyx.”

“…You’re annoying.”

“Ahaha…” I giggled. “Oh, yeah, Mr Nyx, this is…. Wait, what!?! Where did he go?”

“You mean Mr Bluebird. Baekyong’s already take care of him.”

“Okay then. I think I’ll just go home. Ta.”

“ Wait, heard you adopted Reishi. What’s with that?”

“Not officially, but kinda…… Yeah. He’s somehow reminded me of myself when I was his age. You know, ambitious, reckless, stubborn, and all those rebellious teenager’s traits. It may lead him to downfall like I was. He’s all alone. Madly workaholic. Too reckless as I was.”

“So you took him in?”

“Yeah.”

“Gotta agree. That kid is a workaholic, alright. How’s he settling in?”

“Quite well, magically. No complaining, sometimes helping Alice with chores and stuff when he’s home as well.”

“ ‘Kay. I’ll tell Rub that. Buh-bye” 

“Wait, what? Ruby asked.”

“He just worried about Reishi is all. Thought you might be picking on him.”

“What! ME?!?! I would never…..”

*Bzzz Bzzz*

“Urgh. Bear with me, won’t ya?” Sighed, Mr Nyx, before answered his phone. “Yeah? Ah-huh. He’s right here with me. I’ll hand you over.”

“Yeah, This is Mikita.”

“Hey, listen. Miss Teng and I need a favour. You think you can perform an opening show for Miss Teng’s concert? The ones we hired got into a quite serious accident. So…..”

“Yeah, sure. Magical Mikita, to the rescue.”

*On actual stage day, the opening show is about to start.*

“Hey! What in the magical world is this!?! I thought I was supposed to be performing tricks here not singing some lovey dovey song!”

“He said that you are a musician.”  Clarified, Miss Teng.

“A magician. I’m a magician.”

“Come on. What’s done is done.”

“It’s you, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it, Bittersea?”

“Sorry I’m not sorry, cherry pie.” Bythesea whispered to my ear. “I’m sure you’ll be just fine out there.”

“Yeah, just watch me, Bittersea.” I walk out to the audience with an overflowing confidence.

………………..

“Please hold my umbrella for a moment  

I think I drop my heart ‘round here somewhere.

Oh, it’s there with you.🎶🎶🎶🎶”

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

“Thank you! Thank you everyone. And now, Miss Teresa Teng, Atonement!”

“窓に西陽があたる部屋は　いつもあなたの 匂いがするわ🎶🎶🎶🎶“

“How was that for a magician, huh?”

I left immediately after the opening. back to the shop to check on Reishi. Hopefully, he’s alright. He’s become awfully speechless these days. Specifically, since the day that posh boy left.

“Reishi! Mummy’s home.”

I can barely see things in here. Where was the switch again? Ah, here.

“Ahh!!!! Reishi, sweetheart, what are you doing alone in the dark?”

He isn’t answering so I walk over to him. There, I see a card; Mindaugas Smetona heart Basuki Asmara. Wedding invitation.

Oh, no! 

“Mummy, 僕は悪いでしょう。うるさいでしょうね、僕。”

“No, no, no. Anata wa ichiban ii ko desu. kiite kudasai. Daijyoubu desu. Otoko  wa iroiro takusan aru. Nakimasen, Reishi san.”

I don’t think I say it right but hope it will make him feeling better. 

“そうだな……“

What’s that supposed to mean? 

“ねえ、愛してるかい？”

“Yeah, aishiteru too.”

Reishi leans over to my face like he is expecting a kiss. Desperation can make something like this happen. So I act fast. 

*chuu!*

“Always be my lovely child, Reishi.” I gave him a kiss on his forehead.

“Yeah……Yeah.” Wiped away his tear, Reishi. “Of course, Mummy.”

“Aww, come here. give me a hug.”

“You know what mummy.”

“What?”

“You’d better working on the grammar. Your grammar is the worst.”

“Thank you very much, sweetheart. Maybe I should have you study my language instead.”

“Dobroho Panku”

 “No, no. It’s ‘Доброго ранку’ and no, no, no. It’s almost six. It must be ‘Доброго вечора’ ”

“Working on your Japanese first, mum. And I will perhaps working on my Ukrainian.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah, pinky promise.”