*** Takeko-chan (Kan-Chan POV) ***
Ume looked stunned. The sakura blossoms dotting her shoulders and hair confirmed what had just happened. You hear about people with manifest spiritual guardians, but in the three years I’d been Kao’s assistant, this was the first time I’d met one.
Ume stopped in front of the shrine screen, holding a partly consumed bottle of sake. An offering I assumed, though she looked like she might have been drinking, and stared at the three of us seated at the kotatsu. Without context, she announced, “She says I’m conscientious and amusing.”
That was all Ume said till she walked toward us and stopped in front of Tomo. “She says she’ll help fix our fortunes if I do something for her.”
Shishi shrank, a look of resignation on her face. Ume noticed and spoke directly to her. “Please, have a little more faith in me.”
Ume then resumed where she had left off. “Hanayome-shin said, ‘It is better for bamboo to bend than to imitate the cedar.’ But I wouldn’t bend. I told her I keep my promises, and she said that I was conscientious and loyal. Not the response I expected, especially after she smashed up the car. Then she said I was amusing. I was the first spouse since the Great Eastern Asian War who was conscientious or amusing. — She called me Takeko-chan.” Ume gave her head a bemused shake.
“Bamboo, it was something my grandfather called me when he arranged my marrying Hanayome-shin. He told me ‘If you don’t have timber, bamboo will have to do.’”
“What did she ask for?” Tomo finally said.
“You’ll have to ask her yourself. Part of it’s about you; She likes you. I’ll just say I have a building project in my future. Ask her about the rest.”
“My turn for a question,” Ume said. “When do we leave for the temple?”
“Tomorrow, we don’t want to risk night travel. Kan-chan agreed that’s best.” and nodded toward me.
“Good.” Ume raised the sake bottle. “I’m told this is good. Shall we?”
*** Small Talk (Ume POV) ***
When I awoke the following morning, the smell of Fuwafuwa cakes chased away fragments of dreams about worms staring up at me out of a sake glass.
I had to get rid of that cursed saquila. Who knows what might grow in my drains if I poured it out? And I couldn’t throw it away because some innocent would pick it up. Hopefully, Mikito-sensei could deal with it.
When I stumbled out of the bedroom into the living room, Shishi jumped up from the kotatsu where she was sitting, almost upsetting the thing on it, and greeted me. “Why did she have that huge smile?” I thought. “Was she a morning person? What a dreadful thought.”
The smile was soon explained when she bounced over and excitedly told me, “Tomo let me stir!”
“Stir?”
“Stir the batter. He’s actually being nice. Mika would’ve threatened me with the spoon, but he offered to let me do it.”
“What are you, a little girl?” I thought, but managed a weak smile, and said, “I can’t wait to try them.”
“Sit down, and I’ll get you some.”
While waiting for my first batch of pancakes, I smoked my morning peche, alone. The silent Kan-chan didn’t count. She didn’t smoke and got self-conscious when I tried to talk to her. She’d get along with Tomo.
Shishi soon dispelled those thoughts, bringing me a plate of fluffy cakes. Watching her walk from the kitchen in her tight black jeans almost made up for missing her company. Almost, I still missed my morning smoke with her.
“Good?” she asked.
“Very,” I responded.
The rest of the morning went like that until it was time to go. Shishi pampered me and helped Tomo. I even heard them laughing together at one point. It made me happy they were suddenly getting along, even if I was a little jealous.
The four of us set off with the sun well above the horizon in a clear winter sky. The drive wasn’t far, about half an hour. Tomo drove since he was less likely to be drawn into Muko. As our guest, Kan-chan, sat up front with him, and before I knew it, I was in the back seat with Shishi.
“You think we’ll make it there without trouble?” I asked awkwardly. At home, I could just relax, but this felt different. I felt like I needed to entertain her or be witty.
She shrugged, “Probably. — You want a cig?”
“You don’t have to do that. I can get my own,” I said.
This was a pattern, wasn’t it? She’d been lighting my smokes ever since the Sen no Taki incident. Paying her debt. Sometimes I’m dense.
“I like it,” she said, putting the Pianissimo pack into a small purse.
What the heck, she was carrying a pack of my smokes?
“Makes me feel useful,” she continued. “Be nice if you didn’t smoke those dreadful things, but I’ll cope.”
An awkward silence followed, which ended with her saying, “I’m always telling you stories. Why don’t you tell me one? I’d like to learn more about you.”
“What would you like to know?”
“Tell me about meeting Tomo. You two are an interesting couple.”
Upfront I heard an amused snort from Tomo.
“Hum, me and Tomo.” I wondered if I should admit I was so drunk that I didn’t remember much.
Dodging that issue, I said, “Why doesn’t Tomo tell that story?”
“Hey Tomo,” I called toward the front, “I’d love to hear your version of our first meeting and try not to deflate my ego too much.”
“Is that what you really want?” Tomo replied. “No promises about protecting your ego.”
“I can stand it,” I said, hoping for the best.
*** Yakiniku Tabetai (Tomo POV) ***
*** 人の金で焼肉食べたい ***
Why was Ume worried? I suppose being drunk and propositioning a complete stranger might be embarrassing, but I thought it was endearing, and I’d needed the affirmation that I wasn’t a total freak.
I glanced at Kan-chan, wondering if sharing such a personal story in front of a stranger was okay. It wasn’t something you usually do.
She noticed my look and said, “Please, I love stories. Other people’s lives are so interesting.”
That decided, I started, “I met Ume at an idol show my husband dragged me to. It was a big affair as far as underground idol shows go. I forget the unit’s name, but they were very popular and lots of people were hyped to see them. Under different circumstances, I’d have been thrilled as well.”
“Meeting my estranged husband was not one of those circumstances, though. He must have thought if we had a good time, I’d remember what a great guy he was, call off my transition, and dutifully come home.”
“As soon as we met, though, hubby flipped out at me wearing overalls and a Hawaiian-print shirt. What did he think I’d wear to show a like that? — Gokigen Teikoku that was the name of the group.”
“GoTek?” Shishi interrupted, yanking me out of the story. “He thought rockabilly-punk was going to make you feel feminine?” I’d obviously hit on a topic that interested her, a combination of Ume’s history and music. I looked over and Kan-chan was listening avidly. It was nice having an interested audience.
Encouraged, I continued, “Not a brilliant choice, but I wouldn’t have come if it had been girly music.”
“What has gotten into you?” He said, reaching out and touching my hair, which I’d cut short.
“Don’t touch,” I said and knocked his hand away.
“I’ll touch if I want. You’re my wife.”
“Not for long,” I thought, but said aloud, “Only because you knocked me up, so don’t touch.”
“And these clothes, what are you, a Yankii now? I know you like to work on cars, but do you need to look like a kuzu ningen?”
I began turning away, muttering, “Who’s the garbage person here?” when he grabbed my shoulder and spun me back around.
He leaned down. I could smell the soju on his breath. “You’ll never see Keita again.” Then he stormed out. It was a threat he’s done his best to keep.
The show had been a futile effort on his part. There was no way I’d turn back. I’d only stayed in the relationship that long because of Keita. Hubby had been blackmailing me with custody for months. He knew no court would give a trans custody and had milked it for all it was worth. But I couldn’t take it anymore and left.
Maybe I’m heartless, but I figured since I was there, I’d try to enjoy the show and drink a few brews to forget my ex. I was feeling pretty good by the time GoTek finished “I Want to Eat Yakiniku With Someone Else’s Money.”
All that cheering, jumping, and arm waving made me hot, so I went to get another brew. On the way there, I passed a tall woman screaming her approval of the music. I nodded, saying, “They’re banging tonight.”
In response, she said, “Totally. I wouldn’t mind eating meat on someone else’s dime.”
“Who wouldn’t?” I said and looked for a polite way to escape.
She continued with the abruptness of a drunk, “When the show’s over, let’s get some yakiniku. I’ll pay. I’ve been in the States a few years and don’t know anyone and family is…” She made a thumbs-down sign, while punctuating her words with song lyrics.
Nothing seems to be going right.
No one to rely on, no girlfriend, no friends
I want to eat yakiniku with other people’s money!
“Only I guess it’ll be with my money,” she giggled.
If she was a guy, I’d instantly suspect a come-on, but the tank-top and jeans left no doubt she was a woman. Then I noticed the rainbow belt. It could’ve been because it was cute, but she didn’t seem the type to do cute. Nothing cute about her, butch is the word I’d use.
“What the hell,” I thought. I could use a free meal. Hubby had left me resourceless. “Sure, if you’re just lonely and that’s all you wanted.”
“Burned. I’m open to more, but really, I’m mainly lonely. I figured you might understand. After all, we’re both… ah… you know…ah… trans.”
Any doubt about her sobriety departed. Sober people don’t out themselves and if they have a shred of courtesy, don’t out someone else.
But she was right about one thing. I wouldn’t have to worry about being judged; told it was all in my head or penis envy; or some other rot. But first, I needed to get one thing straight. “I don’t do sex. Not with anyone, ever again.”
Ume looked relieved. “That’s okay. I find it kind of a mess, too.”
Then she broke into drunken song again.
Just a meal; it’s a banquet on me,
I’ll be nothing but happy.
She was looking at me with her dorky grin. I never could say no to that look. And that’s the end of the story.
*** Roast (Ume POV) ***
Shishi looked at me. “She does have a dorky grin, doesn’t she?” which prompted Kan-chan to clap.
Wow, I wasn’t catching any breaks today.
Who knows where the conversation would’ve gone from there, but Kan-chan interrupted. “You smell that? Hot metal.”
I sniffed and looked at Shishi. “It’s starting again, isn’t it?”
She nodded, “Yeah.”
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Note: It’s been a few “mundane” chapters. It’s about time for some supernatural shenanigans.
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Story by Nara Moore
Twitter/X:@nara_moore
Mastodon: sakurajima.moe
WordPress: Josei Yuri and Paranormal Romance
Art by Mai-sensei
Twitter: @Maiisheree
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