Tokyo Ever After: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After #1)(44)

I shake my head, stupefied. “How … how long will you be gone?”

He sighs. “Sixteen days.”

This math is easy. My flight home is in a couple days. I open my hands. “I guess this is goodbye, then.” I start to stand.

“Izumi. Wait. Stop.”

I sink back into my seat and lift my chin high.

“I’m doing this all wrong.” He grasps a heavy silver pen and fidgets with it. “I don’t want this to be goodbye.” He clears his throat. I sit perfectly still. “I wonder if maybe we should extend our time together.” His eyes level with mine. “I’d like you to stay.”

I suck in a breath. I’m not being kicked to the curb? This is unexpected … and not such an easy decision on my end. The girls and I had big plans for the spring, packing in breakfasts at Black Bear Diner and polar bear swims in Castle Lake before we leave for college and go our separate directions—Glory to the University of Oregon, Hansani to UC Berkeley, and Noora all the way to Columbia. I’d planned to stay local at College of the Siskiyous, near my mom. Months are all we have left after a lifetime together.

I frown. “I can’t miss graduation. You could come, I guess,” I blurt out. Don’t know how mom would feel about that. Maybe it’ll be a surprise. Everyone loves surprises, right?

He dips his chin. “I’d need to check my schedule.”

“Of course,” I’m quick to say. “If you have time.” It sounds snippy.

“I’ll speak to my secretary.” He pauses, taps his pen. “You haven’t answered my question. Will you stay?”

“I don’t know.” I hesitate, still reeling from the last twenty-four hours. It’s been a roller coaster. Do I stay on the ride, not knowing how it ends? Right now, I’m just trying to catch my breath.

He regards me carefully. “Izumi-chan, may I ask why you came to Japan?”

I lace my fingers together and stare at the samurai sword behind his desk. The blade is polished to a high sheen. I can see part of my reflection, the gentle upturn of my eyes. A dragon curls around the hilt. Originally, I thought coming here was to get to know my father. But it’s bigger than that. “I came to figure out who I am, where I come from.” Find somewhere I belong.

“History is important,” he says. He thinks for a moment, coming to a conclusion. “Stay. Mr. Fuchigami suggested Kyoto, and I think it’s an excellent idea. You’ll see the countryside and continue your lessons. When I return, we’ll attend the emperor’s birthday together. It’s a national holiday and there is a big to-do. You’d meet your grandparents.”

I twiddle my thumbs, feeling the pull of his promises, but I’m still upset. I can’t shake Mr. Fuchigami and my father making plans for me behind my back. I suddenly understand Yoshi’s desire for distance from the imperial family. It’s hard not to feel like a pawn on a chessboard. Chamberlains moving you about. All these men deciding what is best for you. “I should talk with Mom.” I wait a beat. Really contemplate it—Kyoto, a part of the country I haven’t seen. I know my search isn’t over. This opportunity is too big to let go of just because I’m pissed. You know, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, that whole thing.

“Okay,” he says slowly. Clearly, he was anticipating more excitement. He doesn’t have a lot of experience with teenagers, I guess. All I can say is: welcome to the jungle, buddy.

“Is that all?” I stand.

“That’s all.” He stands, too. “I’ll be leaving for the airport in…” he checks his watch. “An hour.”

“I’ll let you know what I decide.”

We face off.

“All right,” he says.

“All right then,” I parrot, then leave, spine straight and unforgiving.



* * *



In my room, a breakfast service has been laid out next to the floor-to-ceiling windows. I pluck up my phone and settle at the antique table. I dial my mom and peek under the silver dome—Wagyu tenderloin served with scrambled eggs, black truffle and chives. All delicious, but I can’t find my appetite.

Mom answers on the first ring. “Zoom Zoom!” Her voice is happy.

“Mom,” I say.

“Oh no. What’s wrong?”

Just by my tone, she can tell something’s up. Man, I miss her. “My father asked me to stay in Japan, and he wants me to go to Kyoto,” I expel in one breath. Outside the window, a crane swoops and lands in the water. I definitely don’t scan the lawn to check for Akio. “Mom? You there?”

“I’m here.” She sounds uneasy. “Just needed a moment. Your father wants you to stay?”

“Yes.” My stomach churns.

“I see. Well … what do you want?”

“I want to stay, I think?” Should I tell her about the wedding? My father? Our discord? It’s on the tip of my tongue, the whole messy story. But then, I picture her reaction, the worry on her face. How hard it would be for her to know I’m hurting while I’m an ocean away.

“I’d feel more confident if you didn’t pose that as a question.”

With my finger, I trace the edge of the crane’s neck through the glass. Why’d you come to Japan? my father asked. “I want to stay. I know it means missing more classes, but I haven’t had enough time here.” I stop. Pause. Collect myself. I can hear her breaths through the line. I wish I could see her. Map the expression on her face.