Side Eighty-One – Emily Jade Oshiro

Side Eighty-One – Emily Jade Oshiro

“Wow, this ryokan looks awesome.” My daughter, Aiko, was saying to her childhood friend and daughter of my best friend, Eri-chan. As they both huddled over the laptop, looking at photographs of the lodgings we would be occupying in Kyoto, I couldn’t help but smile. Ai always was very excitable, that’s for sure. She gets it from me, I think.

That was one thing I had always struggled with, the reserved nature of the Japanese. My husband, Taichi, who even now was sitting at the table frowning, was no exception, though obviously in private he was more open and affectionate than he was in front of our children, or the Mori’s, despite being friends with them since his childhood. I remember meeting him when he was in England for work. He was a pretty cold guy back then, and we didn’t hit it off immediately. Still, as he became a little more accustomed to life in Britain, he did warm up.

Shaking my head, I focused on what was important, which was the happiness of our kids. Well, Eri has always been my daughter too, just as Hana thinks of Ai and Aki as her children. And it’s not as though it isn’t true, is it?

“Look mom, auntie!” Ai was practically screaming. “This is so cool! You even have to take the boat to reach it, cruising along the river! And the restaurants, open air baths, hot springs... wow, it’s amazing! And of course bro got us great rooms!”

Beside my excited daughter, Eri was calmer, giving a small, contented smile. That’s not something I used to see much. Eri-chan was always a taciturn girl, cripplingly shy. Still, Ai used to drag her everywhere, following after her brother. It was pretty heart-warming to see how Aki always used to look after them. I really did think that he and Eri-chan were destined to get married, back when they were kids. After all, she’s really cute, and boys do love a cute, shy girl...

“Look, Aiko.” Eri-chan sighed, a touch exasperated. “We are going there for work, to support Akio. It’s not a holiday. I’m a bit nervous, you know. We’ll be meeting all these important people, some like Akio, and... well, if we make mistakes, it’ll cause him problems. I don’t want that.”

“I know, all right.” Ai pouted adorably, and once more I was struck at how much she resembled me, where Aki was more like his father, and not just in eye colour. Ai had my boisterous temperament and thirst for adventure, whereas Aki was quieter, but deadly serious when it mattered. I was surprised when Aki decided to move to Tokyo. Taichi didn’t approve, saying it was too expensive, but Aki dug deep and worked to support himself through Uni. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, after all, he did save for half a year to help Ai buy her bow for Kyudo, even if what he put together was no more than a token. To think... to think he was just running away from Eri-chan and Ai. My stupid son...

Ai had told me about it, that it was their overdependence on him that had overwhelmed Aki, him not being a strong person. Sure, in a situation like with the dog, when there was no time to think over it or stew in his thoughts, he could be as brave as a lion, like his father. But when that was over, he was surprisingly cowardly. All the more reason I’m surprised now. Although... I always did feel there was something about Aki that was different, special. Maybe that’s a mother’s prerogative?

“Let little Ai have her fun, Eri.” Hana said, looking over their shoulders, peering at the pictures on the screen. “I’m sure she knows how serious this is. But why not be excited? I must say I’m looking forward to a soak in the outdoor bath with Emi and my precious daughters.”

“Well, you’ve got more daughters than you know.” Ai smirked. “Seems like my bro picked up another woman, though this one was expected. I think... there could be one more too, if she grows a spine.”

At that Eri-chan looked displeased. “That girl... I don’t much like her. But Akio does, it seems, so if she pushed, he wouldn’t say no. I do concede she doesn’t seem quite as fake as she did before, but even so... well, I can’t do anything about it now, can I?”

At that Hana looked troubled, as well she might, and Taichi and Junpei exchanged looks. They were both drinking, rather early in the day, but at least it was beer, not the nice spirits Aki kept sending us. Still, as for me... It’s really strange. All this time, I wanted Aki and Eri-chan to get together, make us and the Mori’s a true family. And I’m delighted they have, Eri-chan always looks so happy now. But... I can’t help but be thrilled that my boy is charming everyone left and right. Well, it helps that Shaeula was so cute and nice, and those noble girls are so refined and elegant. What mother wouldn’t want such daughters-in-law? Our grandkids are going to be something else...

“Well, looks like my dream of having a football team of daughters-in-law is going to come true.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

“Well, it’s all very well, but I can’t say I’m too thrilled about it.” Hana said, and I winced. Yes, it’s a sore subject for her.

“I think... we’ll just leave you all to it. we have to pack anyway.” Ai said, deciding to scuttle out, the atmosphere tense.

“Yes, I should pack as well. Mother, mother-in-law, please don’t fight. This... this is for the best.” Eri-chan said, as if to convince herself. “Akio isn’t normal, he’s a hero. Well, he always was mine, but now he’s everybody’s. What’s normal doesn’t apply to him, or to us. After all, Aiko and I, we chose to join him, to fight by his side. So... try to understand.” And with that, the two of them departed, leaving a strained silence behind them.

“So, yeah. Eri-chan sure has grown bold.” I said lamely, and Hana shook her head, annoyed.

“Look, I get it Emi, I do. Your boy, the little Aki we both watched grow up into a fine young man, he’s breaking hearts left and right. As the mother of a son, it must make you pretty happy. But... my Eri, I wanted her to have a normal romance, a normal love, a normal marriage. The sort I had with Junpei, and you with Taichi. Is that so wrong?”

“Of course it is not wrong.” Taichi said, sighing. “There is a reason marriage is between one man and one woman. It’s the proper way.”

“This Boundary.” Junpei agreed. “I still can’t believe it. Another world full of strange creatures and magic overlapping our own. Still, there’s no choice but to believe, is there?”

That’s true. We’ve seen it for ourselves after all. “Yes. I worry about Eri-chan and Ai, that place is dangerous. But then...” I remembered seeing Ai with that fiery bow, and Eri-chan swinging that huge axe, her pretty goth-loli dress fluttering as she darted about at inhuman speeds. Apparently Aki made those clothes, or helped or some such. He must really Like Eri-chan in those sort of outfits. Poor Ai only got a leather jerkin and trousers and seemed rather sore about it. Still, what could she expect? Eri-chan was his girlfriend, Ai was only his sister, and what brother wanted to dress up his sister in cute outfits? Not even Aki was such a siscon.

“... my Eri seems so strong.” Hana agreed. “I can hardly believe it myself. The other day, I asked her to move a chest of drawers for me, forgetting it was still full of clothes, but she lifted it up and carried it like it was her schoolbag. Seeing that makes this real...”

“My aches and pains seem a lot better too.” Junpei agreed. “Ever since the... Chirurgery, wasn’t it...?” At our nods, he continued. “... I’ve felt less tired, with more energy and my bad knee barely hurts at all. I think if nothing else, that’s a great thing.”

“Still, I do not like it.” Taichi frowned. “My son... fighting. He isn’t just responsible for himself anymore. He is responsible for your daughter now, Junpei, Hana. And this Shaeula, and more. If he dies...”

The thought chilled me. I had no wish to think of Aki getting hurt. I had been horrified when he was wounded as a child, fighting that dog. But I was also proud. He stood up for his sister and his friend, despite the risks. But does he need to be the one to stand up here? I’m not sure...

“... if he dies, Eri will be heartbroken. But... secure.” Junpei said bitterly. “It feels rather shameful, taking money from our son-in-law, even if we’ve always been close. Apparently provision has been made should anything happen to him, with Eri and Aiko the joint beneficiaries.”

“Well, our families have always done the best we can. After all, we aren’t exactly wealthy, any of us, are we?” I smiled at Taichi. His job put food on the table, but that was about it. Junpei made even less, and his family had debts from the expense of paying for Hana’s parents to undergo treatment for their illnesses. “Now Aki is just doing what a good son should. But yes, money or no... Eri-chan would be devastated.”

“He will not back down though. No matter what we say.” Taichi declared. “How many times did I scold him and chastise him when he was younger, for taking your daughter out up into the mountains at night?”

“Yes, he did do that a lot.” Junpei recalled, and Hana smiled fondly.

“My Eri, she always loved the stars, and would pester him to take her to the mountains so she could see them. Even now she loves them. The other night she took the telescope Aki got her for her birthday up to do some stargazing. I tried to tell her not to go alone, but she just laughed at me, saying if a bear attacked her she could beat it up. And seeing her in that Boundary, I believe it...”

“Yes, and there was that time you were called into school, Taichi...” Junpei was chuckling. “... when he made the girls that were picking on Eri cry. And that other time, when someone stole Aiko’s outdoor shoes...”

As they told stories of our children, I found myself smiling. Kyoto, huh? I’ve never been, despite living in Japan for so long. Going as a family is nice, even if that family is a lot larger now. It’s a shame that the noble girls can’t come, some naked socialising would help us get to know each other better. Still, Ai said I would get to meet this Hyacinth girl. She’s like Shaeula, right? A Fairy? Brownies, I’ve heard of them. Fairy tales are all real, it seems...

“So, we are all in agreement then?” I said, as the story time finished. If Eri-chan and Ai were listening still, no doubt they’d be even more embarrassed. I’ll have to make a nice dinner to make it up to them. “All that matters is protecting the happiness of Ai, Aki and Eri-chan, as well as the new daughters we’ve made?”

Hana pursed her lips. “As long as my Eri is consenting, I can hardly say no, can I? But if any of these girls hurt her...”

“Akio would not stand for it.” Taichi denied her. “He is a man now, and while he has chosen a reckless, selfish path, much like when he faced the dog, so long as the injuries are only his own, and those he has chosen to love come to no harm, their hearts protected, well then... as a man myself, and a husband who loves his wife...”

I blushed at that. Taichi wasn’t particularly demonstrative, but could be surprisingly affectionate when he wanted to be. A bit like Aki it seems. Romanic dinners, gifts and more. I’m proud of my little boy! I guess there’s hope for that football team yet. I wonder what this girl he liked from University is like? I hear... I hear there was a bad accident. I hope she’ll be okay...

“... I can respect that, and call him a man, if a greedy, reckless one.” Taichi finished, and we applauded the sentiments.

“So in that case, we need to remember, Kyoto isn’t a holiday, it’s work, right?” I said, and everyone else agreed. “Give me that.” I took a beer, ignoring their protests that I couldn’t handle my booze, which was clearly wrong, as being British, drinking was in my blood. Cracking the ring pull, I took a sip, satisfied. “Well then. First, what we need to do is...”