Tokyo Ever After: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After #1)(66)

I push back my hood. “You know what happened?”

He scoffs. “Media ban or not, the whole family is aware. The Imperial Household sent a memo.” He smirks, leaning against the door frame. “You dirty, dirty girl. I didn’t know you had a thing for your imperial guard. Now, come in and tell cousin Yoshi all the details. I’ll fix you a drink. What is it Americans say? It must be five o’clock somewhere. I’m sure I got that one right.”

He turns and I fist his T-shirt, pulling him back toward me. “Hands off,” he says with a horrified look. “This is Dior.”

I let go. “Listen, I need you to deliver something to Akio for me.”

Yoshi’s chin goes up. “I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”

“This.” I press the letter into his hands. “Please, it’s important.” I tell him where he lives. “I can’t reach him.”

“Phone was probably confiscated by the Imperial Household Agency.” He turns the letter over in his hands. “What does it say? I’m not sure how wrapped up in your sex scandal I want to be.”

“It’s just to arrange a meeting place. I need to speak with him.”

His face softens. “Izumi. What are you doing? You know nothing good can come of this, right? You can’t possibly think you can date a member of the working class.”

“Sachiko is marrying a commoner.”

“Sachiko is marrying an heir to a rice empire related to the Takamoris. Ryu can support the life she is accustomed to. Takai, takai, takai.” The three words are a well-known cliché, playing off the meanings. Good income, good school, and tall. Ideal characteristics for potential male love interests. He tries to give the letter to me. I step back, refusing to take it.

“Please. For me.”

His sigh is long, resigned. He folds his arms, letter tucked under an armpit. “What happens if he shows? You run away together?”

“If he shows. No running.”

“What happens if he doesn’t?”

Stars will explode. The earth will stop turning. I shuffle my feet, peering at the ground. “I don’t know.” The breath rushes out of me. Japan is Akio. Akio is Japan. I shut my eyes tight, then open them. “Just give him the note. I’m sure he’ll show up.”

Yoshi’s tongue plays behind his cheek. “I’ll take it to him.”

I smile and go in for a hug. “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means.”

He wraps his arms around me. “I know, I know, I am the greatest.” He squeezes, lets go. “And please, I beg you … do something with your hair. You’re not going to win any hearts looking like that.”

“You are the worst, Yoshi. Simply the worst.” I say, but for the first time all day, I’m smiling.

He clutches the letter to his heart. “You’ll never know how touched I am by your words.”

I cross my arms. “I’m pretty sure Reina hates you.”

“Untrue. Blasphemy. She is blinded by her love for me.” He flicks under my chin with the letter. “Happily ever or not with the guard, you’ll be all right. Take it from me. I’ve been in love half a dozen times. You’ll get over him.”

“Sure.” I couldn’t say it less convincingly.

I sprint back to the palace, leaving Yoshi with the letter in his hands. I think about Akio. His generous spirit. His kind eyes. Our kiss. This can’t be the end.





29


I’m early. Mariko is covering me at the palace. In case anyone asks, I am napping. The sun is high and bright by highway sign 40. I’m wearing the same clothes as this morning. I did not take Yoshi’s advice.

I slip my hands in my pockets, check the time. Almost one o’clock. A car switches lanes, slows at the curb, then comes to a stop, red lights flashing. The door opens. I hold my breath. It’s not Akio, just a couple of girls. They giggle and walk off.

Twenty minutes pass. He’s now officially late. That’s okay. Traffic in Tokyo is a bitch. Maybe his mom needed something. Or he couldn’t get through the crowd outside his house. Yeah. That’s it. I cycle through excuses as more minutes, then an hour, ticks by. I watch cars fly past. Funny how life goes on when it seems mine has stopped. It’s 2 p.m. I’ve found a bench a few feet down and curl up on it.

Noora is keeping vigil. She texts.

Noora

Anything?

Me

Nothing.

Me

Tell me the truth?

Noora

Always.

Me

If someone you cared for got you fired from your job, you’d forgive them, right? Even if that job was everything to you and your family? Even if that job had been passed down from generation to generation and it meant honoring hundreds of years of tradition? And leaving it in shame would cast your family in a shadow for all time?

Noora

Oh, honey.

Right. I breathe, barely. It’s painful, like tiny icicles puncturing my lungs. All my hope is gone. I’ve spent everything. I’m fresh out of emotions to charge. Akio is never late. He isn’t coming.

It’s time to pack it up. My body feels heavy and hollow as I walk back to the palace.

Inside my room, Mariko waits for me. She says, “He didn’t show?”