Chapter Twenty-Five - Fake

“You’re nearly frozen!” My mom feigned concern after I moved around the sofa warily and reluctantly sat where my she’d indicated. “Have some tea to warm you up.” She leaned forward, pouring a cup of tea for me. I scowled at Jun’s smirking face before taking the tea. “I swear this girl! She just doesn’t pay attention to anything sometimes! I’m glad someone like you is her friend, Aria-chan! Maybe you can talk some sense into her!”

“Well, I don’t know about that!” Aria chuckled awkwardly. I cocked a displeased eyebrow at my mother before glancing over at Mio. Mio caught my gaze and rolled her eyes, telling me in no uncertain terms this had been going on for some time.

“So your father is an attorney,” My mom continued on with a kindly-ish smile. “What does your mother do, if I may ask?”

“Oh, uh, she’s an architect, actually,” Aria sipped daintily at the tea, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

“And your uncle is a doctor! What an ambitious family you have! Kasumi doesn’t have any plans yet. Do you Kasumi?” My mom looked my way, her eyes squinting in disappointment.

“I was thinking I might get into art, actually,” I answered, my fingers still numb from the cold as I tried to maneuver the cup.

“I mean real plans, Kasumi,” my mother scoffed. “Art is a nice hobby, but you’ll never attract a husband sitting behind an easel all day. You are too much like your aunt with her vet thing and you know what happened to her. She’s scraping by working in a Chinese restaurant. You should keep your head on straight.” I bit my lip to keep from saying anything. I took a sip of the tea to wash down the blood from my savaged lip, my jaw clenched tightly.

“Kasumi is a wonderful artist!” Mio scowled.

“I’m sure she is,” My mom said with a dismissive smile, meaning not a single word. “You should focus more on your future plans than those of your sister, Mio.”

“She’s fourteen, mom,” I interjected. My mom’s smile never faltered but the look in her eyes told me I’d be a spot on the floor if she had the power.

“I’m aware of how old she is, Kasumi, thank you,” she said, her tone never changing. “So, about what we talked about earlier,” my mom turned back to Aria, the conversation with me apparently over. “We’d love to have you and show you a traditional Japanese New Year.”

“Huh?” What the hell has my mom been doing? I glanced over at Mio who rolled her eyes dramatically. Every time my mother got involved in anything it turned into a massive production and first-rate pain in the ass for everyone. She got involved in planning a sports day once when I was 7 and it turned into such a chore that no one from my class talked to me for two months. Once Michi Fujimura inserted herself into anything she deemed worth doing, it was guaranteed to be horribly overdone.

“I’ve invited Aria to join us for our New Year’s celebration,” My mom patted my knee. “I figured you’d be happy.”

“I am happy,” I was also horribly confused. Why in the hell was my mother doing this? She never cared much for any of my friends before. Not that I ever really had that many, I supposed. I mean, she kissed Emi’s ass because of who Emi’s parents were, but she never invited her over to “celebrate” New Year.

Besides, what did we ever even do on New Year? My mom and dad yelled at each other half the night, Mio slept through dawn, Jun was usually out hitting on anything with boobs and a pulse, and I worked. I wasn’t sure when this “celebration” bit was supposed to come into play or what it actually entailed, but it was definitely suspicious.

“I’ll have to ask my uncle, but I’m sure it’ll be fine, and it does sound like fun,” Aria enthused pleasantly.

“Well, I’m sure you two have things to discuss so I will let you go do your teenage girl things!” My mom smiled what for her seemed warmly. Jun climbed to his feet and smirked at me as he passed.

“I’m so sorry, K-chan!” Aria said as soon as I’d closed my bedroom door behind use. “I thought you’d be here!”

“It’s ok, I’m just not sure why you’re here,” I admitted. I had desperately wanted to avoid having her meet Jun, but that idea had, obviously, been blown apart. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you are!”

“I heard that Saki left,” Aria hugged me close. “I know her and I never got along but I also know how hard it is when friends leave. Or you do, so I figured I’d come over and try to make you feel better.”

“You must have known before I did,” I shook my head. News sure traveled fast.

“Oh, my uncle mentioned it to me this morning at breakfast with the kids,” Aria took my hand and sat down. “Did you get the chance to see her off?”

“Yeah, “I nodded, sitting beside her heavily. “I did. Thank you. And thank you for coming over. It means a lot.”

“Well, I love you,” Aria grinned at me taking my hand in hers and squeezing it supportively. I smiled and leaned over closer to her. For a moment we were within centimeters of each other. I could feel her breath on my skin and see her blue eyes glimmering in the lights of my room. My breath seemed to catch in my throat and my chest constricted. Then my lips brushed gently against hers, then pressed more firmly. My mouth opened and our tongues met. For a long moment there was silence except for our heavy breathing.

“I love you, too,” I whispered as I pulled back from our kiss, my heart pounding in my chest. “And I am so sorry about last night. For…crying at you like that.”

“Pfff,” she waved her free hand dismissively. “I was just happy I got to see you naked.”

“Heh,” I giggled. “Pervert.”

“Like you’re not!” She gasped mockingly.

“I never said I wasn’t,” I murmured, laying my head on her shoulder. “I’m also sorry for my family. They didn’t do or say anything weird, did they?”

“Well, your mom was very friendly. Jun’s kind of arrogant.”

“My mom’s as fake as anyone you’ll ever meet. Speaking of the prodigal son, why were you sitting next to him?” I scowled at the memory.

“Jealous?” Aria teased.

“I just don’t want to catch any of the STDs he’s no doubt riddled with,” I lied. Though was I really jealous? I wasn’t sure, but I was sure that I was not pleased with the entire situation. Jun looked way too comfortable, and Aria wasn’t exactly shrinking away.

“That’s where your mom wanted me to sit and Jun just kind of plopped down next to me,” Aria shrugged.

“Yeah, that sounds like him. What a fucking dirtbag,” I seethed.

“How about you? Why’d you take so long? I called Emi and she said you left like three hours ago,” Aria entwined her fingers with mine. The size and complexion difference between our fingers enthralled me for some reason and I found my gaze drawn to our clasped hands.

“Jealous?” I smirked at her.

“Beyond measure,” Aria nodded.

“Well, after I met Saki, I felt like I needed to think so I went to the beach,” I ran my thumb gently over hers, marveling at her touch.

“You went to the beach. In the middle of a snowstorm, you went to the beach?” Aria shook her head disapprovingly.

“I sat in the lifeguard shack.”

“You’re a dangerous girl, K-chan,” Aria sighed.

“How am I dangerous?” I cocked an eyebrow at her.

“One of these days you’re going to get lost in that pretty head of yours and get swept out to sea,” Aria chastised me gently. “Not everything requires a mental deep dive, you know.”

“It’s not my fault. Sometimes you just have to think things through. Not to mention I didn’t really want to come home and deal with my mom and Jun.”

“Ah,” Aria chuckled. “Now the truth is revealed.”

“Well, if you had to deal with them you wouldn’t want to come home, either, trust me,” I pointed out.

“I can see that,” Aria agreed readily.

“What was up with New Year’s, anyway?”

“Ah, well, your mom asked if I’d ever had a traditional Japanese New Year’s and, having never been in Japan for New Year I said no and so she insisted I come to yours,” Aria straightened an errant strand of hair on my head.

“That is so weird,” I shook my head, thoroughly puzzled. “I can’t remember ever having a ‘traditional Japanese New Year’s before. Honestly, I’m not even sure what one entails. I’d have to ask Emi. What is my mom’s deal?”

“Do you not want me to come?” Aria glanced down at me.

“No, of course I do! The thing is, though, I work on New Year’s at the temple. I have since I became a Miko, so I’m not even going to be around. The temple is quite the place to be, as you can imagine, and there are lots of charms that get sold so we’re all expected to be there,” I shook my head again. “It’s just weird.”

“I’m sure she’s just trying to be friendly.”

“My mom is never friendly,” I retorted. “She is always on the lookout to befriend someone to accelerate her climb into the upper echelons of society.”

“Well, I’m not sure that’s me,” Aria shook her head. “I mean unless you count the upper gross crust of Los Angeles. I wouldn’t consider my uncle and aunt to be upper echelon.”

“The one thing you can always count on is my mom having some hidden agenda. I’m just not sure what it is. Usually she’s pretty blatant about it. I can’t seem to wrap my head around her game this time,” I shook my head.

“I don’t know, K-chan,” Aria giggled. “It seems exhausting living in your house, what with having to keep one eye open all the time.”

“Living in my house you grow a few extra eyes since you never know where and when the knife’s going to come,” I shook my head.

“Sounds creepy.”

“You have no idea,” I shook my head. “Hey! I know it’s last minute, but if you’re not doing anything for Christmas would you want to go out with me somewhere? Maybe we can find a KFC that isn’t completely sold out.”

“That’s an actual thing? KFC?” Aria cocked an eyebrow at me disbelievingly.

“Of course it is. Nothing says Christmas like a cake and some deep-fried chicken,” I enthused.

“Well, I’m busy most of the day with my family but maybe we can do something in the evening?”

“Sure! I’d love that!” I enthused happily. Aria’s phone dinged in the quiet, causing both of us to jump in surprise. She fished her phone out and unlocked it, glancing at whatever message was displayed.

“My uncle’s almost here to pick me up, K-chan,” Aria sighed, tapping out her reply.

“Ah, yeah, well it is getting late, I suppose,” I glanced out the window. Though it was still technically afternoon, the sky was dark and foreboding with snow falling heavily from the swollen clouds. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Thanks,” Aria smiled, kissing my lips once more quickly and firmly. “Only two days left of school before winter break!”

“I know!” I grinned, though I really wasn’t looking forward to it. “I’m not sure why they even make us go to school this week. Seems stupid to me.” Aria’s hand dropped from mine, and I felt immediately bereft, like I’d lost something important as she opened the door of my room.

“Probably something to do with funding or something,” Aria shrugged. “At the end of the day it’s almost always about funding, you know.”

“You’re not wrong,” I nodded as we walked down the hall and emerged into the living room.

“Oh! Are you leaving Aria-chan?” My mother called from the dining room where she was busily pretending to be mother and wife of the year by setting out plates for dinner.

“Ah, yes, I am Mrs. Fujimura!” Aria returned brightly. “My uncle’s coming to pick me up. Thank you for having me today!”

“Any time, my dear, and don’t forget about New Year’s!” My mom waved.

“I won’t! I’ll let Kasumi know in school tomorrow since I’ll be asking my uncle tonight!” She called back, bowing slightly awkwardly.

“Be safe, Aria-chan!” My mom waved again before returning to the work she was doing at the table.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” Aria asked as she pulled on her boots and wrapped herself in her heavy coat.

“Yep,” I nodded. “Get home safe.”

“I will. Keep your chin up, K-chan.” Aria smiled at me warmly.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Bye-bye,” She waved and disappeared out the door.

“Bye-bye,” I whispered, waving slightly in return even though she’d already gone. Oh my God! I thought. I was going to have an actual Christmas date! What should I wear? Where should I take her? These things needed to be planned out, I decided giddily.