Akira came directly, violating all traditions. What’s that? Did he follow the shape-after he asked his mother to talk to his father to approach the future-is Chie more receptive?

He came on winter night. He hit the door while the cold rain beat fast on the closed veranda, so at first Chie only thought she was wind. The servant knew better. Chie heard footsteps running softly, the crush of the door. Then the waiter brought a call card to the living room, for Chie.

Chie was reluctant to go to her guests; Maybe he feels too comfortable. He and Naomi are reading at a low table set on a rough charcoal. Thick blankets spread on the side of the table so that their feet were tucked inside with heat.

“Who in this hour, in this weather?” Chie asked when he took a business card from the servant’s tray.

“Shinoda, Akira. Kobe Dental College, “read.

Naomi recognized her name. Chie heard a soft air intake.

“I think you should go,” Naomi said.

Akira is waiting at the entry. He was in his early twenties, slim and serious, wearing a black military style uniform from a student. When he bent down hanging straight down, a black hat in one, the umbrella of yellow oil paper on the other hand-chie glanced out. On the sparkling surface of the paving stone bathed in rain in the yard, he saw his shadow like a dark double.

“Madame,” Akira said, “I’m sorry, but I came with an urgency problem.”

His voice is soft, smooth. He straightened and stealing respect peering his face.

In the dim light of his eyes shining with sincerity. Chie felt herself starting to like him.

“I go inside, get out of this unpleasant night. Of course your business can wait for a moment or two. “

“I don’t want to bother you. Usually I will approach you better but I have received a word about a position. I have the opportunity to go to America, as a dentist for the Japanese Seattle community. “

“Congratulations,” Chie said with entertainment. “That is an opportunity, I’m sure. But how am I involved? “

Even recorded a panting reaction of Naomi to business cards, Chie did not know. Akira’s message was delivered like a formal speech, filling it with motherly entertainment. You know how children are talking seriously, so rushed, very much in things that are not important in the minds of adults? That’s how he saw it, as a child.

That’s how he looked at Naomi. Although Naomi was eighteen years old and practiced endlessly in the art that was needed to make a good marriage, Chie did not try to find her as a husband.

Akira blushed.

“Depending on your response, I might live in Japan. I came to ask Naomi’s hand. “

Suddenly Chie felt humidity that night.

“Does Naomi know something about … Your ambition?”

“We have an understanding. Please don’t judge my nomination with the non -compliance of this proposal. I ask directly because the use of Go-Between takes a lot of time. Any method leads to the same thing: the problem of parental approval. If you give your approval, I become Naomi Yoshi.* We will stay at Fuji’s house. Without your consent, I have to go to America, to secure a new home for my bride. “

Enthusiastic to convey his intention, he had stared at his full face. Suddenly, his voice turned soft.

“I saw me surprising you. My humble apology. I will not take more than your night. My address is on my card. If you don’t want to contact me, I will re -apply you in two weeks. Until then, good night. “

He bowed and left. Take the convenience, with easy grace, like a cat that runs away with fish.

“Mother?” Chie heard Naomi’s low voice and turned from the door. “He asked you?”

Naomi’s clear view, his dark eyebrows gave Chie’s strength. Maybe his hopes didn’t make sense.

“Where do you meet someone like that? Imagine! He thought he could marry the heir of Fuji and bring him to America all in the pinch of his fingers! “

Chie waited for Naomi’s ripe laughter.

Naomi was silent. He stands half a full minute staring straight into Chie’s eyes. Finally, he spoke.

“I met him at my literary meeting.”

Naomi turned back to home, then stopped.

“Mother.”

“Yes?”

“I mean having it.”