Chapter 5: Wax On, Wax OffAll around me is a flurry of activity. Hostesses I normally see poised and serene, floating in formal silken kimonos, are bustling about in loose cotton, their hair in ponytails and bouncing as they run.
Thick, cushioned exercise mats are being dragged out over the floor. Bo staffs appear from somewhere, as do ancient, but sturdy-looking attack dummies made of hemp and wood.
The hostesses are a blur and the café is being transformed into a gymnasium before my eyes.
“Miss Nakamura,” I say, turning to face her. “What…um, what should I be doing?”
“Change back into your formal clothing, prepare a tray and meet me in tea room number seven. We will practice the way of the tea there.”
“Tea…? Miss Nakamura…?” Once again, I look at the preparations being made all arou
