Rice and a Riot, Part 2

We separated our mouths from one another. Tears flowed from both of our eyes. Our first kiss. And it was due to me not wanting to hear her berate herself any longer.

“Just shut up.” I said to her, “Please, shut up.”

“I can’t, I really can’t.” She replied.

“Then I’ll shut you up again.”

I pressed my lips to hers, again. Her lips were soft, plump, and tasted like rice. When we separated, she slapped me across my face.

“I’m an evil person. I’m pure evil incarnate.” She stated, “I’m a degenerate, I’m a loser-”

I kissed Misako again.

“Misako. Listen to me, just this once.” I asked her.

She kept quiet. I wiped her drenched face.

“You are not evil. You had feelings and aired them. You did not cause the death of Hitomi, your father did. You were a teenager. You had no control over your father’s actions. I do not blame you. I know in my heart that Hitomi does not harbour any bad feelings for you. Accidents happen. You will not blame yourself.” I explained to her.

She nodded.

“I did love Hitomi, but that was in the past. After all this time...coming to Japan and meeting you, talking to you, going out with you. I had fallen in love with you. I fell in love with you when we went out that day in Akihabara. I'm still in love with you. I am here for you, and only you.” I spoke.

She nodded, tears swelling in her eyes again. I could feel the same begin for me as well.

“I will not hold anything back from you, I will only tell you the truth. I want you to do the same, if you love me.” I said.

I could see her stutter, hiccup, and collapse under pressure.

And she broke down, she threw her arms across my neck:

“I love you, David! I love you, so much! I didn't know that I would fall in love with you again! I fell in love with you when we were kids...and now again! I didn't know it was you! I've finally met you... in Japan! I didn’t know you were my first love from all those years ago! And now, I’ve fallen in love with you twice! All over again!” She screamed.

I began to sob; I couldn’t hold myself back. 

Misako placed her head into my chest, crying like a newborn baby. I held her so tight I could feel every inch of her body decompress within my hold.

“Let’s get through the grief, together. It will be a riot of emotions, but let’s get over it, together.” I said softly into her ear.

At least an hour of crying and sobbing and holding each other had passed. Our eyes were red, our tear ducts were depleted. I did not want to let her go, so I did not loosen my hold, not one bit. At one stage, I’d heard Missus Tanaka enter, but quickly leave when she saw us embrace. I’d not expect us to have our much-needed conversation at an izakaya, but there we were. I could feel boulders of emotions lift off from Misako, she was letting go of her self-hatred. Another thirty minutes of embracing had passed, and we did not utter a word to one another.

“If you’d allow me, Misako, let me be with you. Be my Girlfriend.” I asked.

“Why? Why, David?” She pleaded.

“Because I love you. I want to experience everything with you, your ups and downs. You were there for me, holding me from falling into despair. You and Hitomi were my first ever friends, holding me from falling into despair. Now, I want to be there for you, now. I want to always be there for you.”

She snuck her head into my chest, her arms wrapped around my neck. I held her tightly, ensuring I would never let her go.

“If you’re willing to put up with my anger...”

“I already have.”

“If you’re willing to carry me...”

“I have, and will continue to do so.”

“If you’re willing to love me…”

“I do, and will forever more.”

And we kissed a final time. Her lips quivered. She tasted like a new woman, she was a wine I couldn't hold myself from tasting.

As we seperated our mouths, I saw her smile; a genuine, kind-hearted, Misako-smile. I could not help but be elated, I was beaming with true, un-adulterated happiness. I wheeled her out of the izakaya, greeting Mister and Missus Tanaka.

“Thank you very much, for your hospitality and kindness.” I thanked them.

“Please come back, you two.” Missus Tanaka had tears in her eyes as she replied.

The night was dark; it was almost two o’ clock in the morning. But it was a night that we needed, a night we needed to express ourselves. A night to begin healing.

“I forgot to get Yuki snacks.” I said as we were on our way home.

“She won’t be that…mad.” She snickered.

“I need to up my defences when we get back.” I replied.

The house was dark, all of the lights inside were out. We walked inside carefully, as not to make a noise. But to our surprise, Misako’s mother and sister sat in the main living room, their eyes red, as if they’ve been bawling their insides out. When they saw us, Misako’s mother and sister leapt on us.

“You’re attacking so late in the evening?!” I recoiled as Yuki curled into me.

“We’re sorry, my daughter! We’re so sorry!” Misako mother said, with tears streaming from her eyes.

“What’s the matter, mom?” She asked.

“We didn’t know, sis, we didn’t know your pain you had.” Yuki cried.

The two of them hugged me and Misako.

“How did you both know?” I asked.

“We...We were following you two… from your date onwards.” Misako’s mother admitted.

‘They were the ones in the theatre in our ROW.’ I thought.

“Mom!” Misako yelled, “S-so, you heard…everything?!”

“We left when you both k-k-kissed.” Yuki replied.

I looked at Misako, our heads exploded in embarrassment.

“It’s okay, David! You can buy my sweets tomorrow! Even though you broke your promise!” Yuki cried.

“You BETTER NOT BE CRYING OVER SWEETS!” I screamed.