Between Him and Her

Chocolate Lava Cake

"Matsumoto-san?" asked Liya in disbelief.

"Liya-san," Ryuuhei began but jumped into rampant Japanese that Liya was forced to put up her hand to stop him.

"Honto nii, nihongo wa wakarimasen desu ga..." Liya said quietly.

Ryuuhei looked at her. "Come into the car. I take you home."

Liya knew that he was going beyond his means to be nice to her so without causing any more scene she got in through the passenger side.

Ryuuhei let out a sigh and shifted gears to move forward.

After a while of silence, Liya quietly said, "Thank you."

He replied, "I am sorry."

Liya slowly turned towards him with question eyes. "What do you mean?"

He was silent for a minute that made Liya think maybe he didn't understand her question. She was going to ask him again when he answered.

"I didn't answer your mails."

"Ah," Liya said quietly and sat looking forward.

Ryuuhei gave her a sideways glance. It was dark outside, but the occasional street light would illuminate her tanned features.

He said again and this time much slower, "I didn't answer your mails. My English is bad."

Liya gave her complete attention to him a small smile playing on her lips.

"Your English is as good as my Japanese," she said lightly. Liya waited for him to listen, understand and respond. It was a good thing that she was used to teaching ESL students. Her knowledge of knowing how and when and where to slow down and focusing on comprehension had developed this innate sense of making the other person comprehend when she used English.

Ryuuhei chuckled understanding her meaning. He looked at her. It was a sudden realization for both of them that they had shared a moment. Liya understood then, and there they should never have spoken to each other through the mail.

The silence that followed was companionable and light-hearted. Up ahead Ryuuhei noticed the signboard for Saizeriya - a family restaurant. He turned the car into its parking lot.

He looked at her, "Coffee?"

Liya moved her body forward to see the restaurant. It was her first time seeing one like this. She smiled at him and said, "Yes, please."

Getting out of the car, they both walked side by side quietly. He opened the door for her which was unusual. They didn't do so in this culture. But given his age and consideration, Liya was touched and bowed her head in thanks and went in ahead. The server standing at front paused to ask Ryuuhei how many and led them to a booth.

After being seated, the server informed them of the drink bar and the nomihodai. Drink as much as you want from the drink bar that was arrayed with various sodas and teas and coffee.

Ryuuhei took Liya to the drink bar to show her the different drinks. She was especially fascinated by the melon soda. It was a fizzy melon flavored drink. Her eyes sparkled. Ryuuhei chuckled and asked, "Oishii?" (delicious?)

She nodded her head vigorously. "Oishii desu."

Returning to their seats, they pursued the food menu. Liya pointed to a chocolate lava fudge cake with excitement, and he ordered the same.

"Liya-san.." he began. But she put up her hand to stop him.

"Please call me Liya," she smiled at him encouragingly.

"Thank you," he bowed his head. Getting the honor of calling someone without honorifics was important step. She bowed to him as well. He said, “I am sorry.”

Liya tilted her head at him and asked, “Why?”

Ryuuhei looked at her. He found it disturbing that she was staring at him especially with her big chocolate brown eyes through her eye glasses. It was a startling contrast to her skin tone. The whites of her eyes were clear white that made her brown eyes with the specks of light brown make them shinier. “I was…” he stopped and looked down at his phone. After a moment Liya realized that he was looking up a word. She waited patiently for him.

“I was uncomfortable. I didn’t want to make Liya-san uncomfortable too.” He said.

Liya laughed, “It’s okay. Daijoubu desu. But you are here.”

Ryuuhei nodded and said, “I can talk little English.”

Liya nodded and replied, “I can talk little Japanese.” He smiled.

“Your Japanese is good.” He said. To which she shook her head and said, “I can speak a little but not good.”

Ryuuhei said, “Iie, Liya-san no hatsuon wa pitarii desu.” (Your pronunciation is perfect.)

Liya acknowledged him. “I want to practice my Japanese. Will you help me, Matsumoto-san?” She asked without thinking. She cursed inside for putting him on the stop.

He looked at her. So she continued, “You help me with Japanese and I can help you with your English.”

Ryuuhei considered for a moment. He didn’t want to promise anything. Talking to Liya itself was a step that he hadn’t thought of doing at all. Practicing English was not a must for him. He was 40 doing the same old job that he had been doing for a long time skipping any type of administration work. He had lost any sort of motivation since his son’s death.

Liya looked at him expectantly and her eyes probing his facial expression finding any visual signs of agreement.

Ryuuhei assented his head, “Yes.”

The server came at that time with their desserts and they both gave their attention to the fudge cake.

“Matsumoto-san..” Liya started. But this time, he stopped her with his hand up. Spooning a piece of cake in his mouth, he sipped his coffee. “Please call me Ryuuhei.”

Liya nodded and said, “Ryuuhei, you play the guitar very well.” He thanked her.

He asked, “Do you play music?” Liya tilted her head thinking.

“No, I don’t play any instruments. I sing.”

Ryuuhei smiled and said, “You listen to music every day.”

Liya chuckled, “Yes, I do. I like music.”

For some time, they ate interspersed with inane questions in between bites.

He invited her for the next practice session that the band had on next Tuesday. Liya immediately said yes.

At the end of their dessert, Ryuuhei asked for the bill. When Liya had offered to pay her share. But he disregarded her request and paid in full. She smiling said thank you.

Ryuuhei turned to her suddenly and said, "You have beautiful smile."

Liya felt her cheeks burning to receive the compliment with a quiet thank you.

With glittering eyes, she looked at him, "Next time, coffee is on me." Ryuuhei didn't understand the expression so she said, "Next time, I buy coffee." He smiled and gave her an ok using his hand.

Liya thought to herself, never had chocolate lava cake tasted so sweet.