That had been just at the start of spring, so some of the flowers had only just begun to open. She thought then that the garden looked old and meaningful. At the time she’d wanted to find out more, but decided against asking for further details when Mr. Fujita launched into an hour-long discussion of the koi carp and the materials they’d used to build the pond. He looked so pleased with himself that she didn’t dare interrupt.
“Did my dad show you this garden?” Hiroshi asked, breaking her thoughts. He pointed to the door to the garden.
“Yes, I loved it,” she told him with a wide smile.
“Been there recently?”
She shook her head.
“Good.”
He released her so that he could open the door. As soon as he did they were immersed into a brilliant bask of pink light that stole her breath.
She looked around them and saw that soft lights had been placed carefully around the koi carp pond to give the illusion that the pink light was actually coming from the field of pink oriental lilies surrounding it.
“I know how much you like pink, and I kind of felt bad for telling you not to wear it when we went to the tracks.” Hiroshi smiled at her.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, taking in the vision. The garden had changed dramatically since her first visit, with the lilies now in full bloom. “I love those flowers.” She’d seen them in a flower shop in town a few weeks ago and decided that they definitely trumped long-stemmed roses by far.
“Well, that’s a good thing for me to know.”
Her eyes met his. It was so easy to get lost in the way he looked at her.
She wondered what he was thinking when he looked at her like that. What did he actually think of her?
The force that drew her to him only grew stronger each time she saw him. She enjoyed spending time with him, and had become fascinated with his warm personality and brilliant sense of humor that could keep her laughing for hours. She admittedly even liked the way he teased her, and that she couldn’t tell when he was being serious or not. That edge of mystery just made her like him even more.
She loved his charm and that confidence he had that weakened her. She liked that he was thoughtful and definitely romantic, and seemed to know what she would like, even if she’d never tried it before, or mentioned it.
“Come sit with me?” He reached out his hand to her and she took it, allowing him to lead her over to the little wooden bench that had been painted a glossy white. It offered a perfect view of the pond, the lilies surrounding it, and the beautiful white-flowered Kobushi Magnolia tree behind that. Savannah appreciated the peaceful feeling that filled her as they sat together.
It was ironic, looking back over the weeks that she’d been here, she’d spent more time tongue tied and brain twisted when she was around Hiroshi than she cared to count. But tonight he’d offered her more comfort than she’d ever felt in her life. Comfort and peace.
Like it was okay to just be her. She was so used to that not being good enough, or lacking in some way.
She might have had her meltdown yesterday when she talked to Sakiko, and worried that she couldn’t compare herself to the gorgeous women she’d seen Hiroshi with, but he’d never made her feel like she needed to be anyone besides herself.
There was so much to think about—her life, her writing, the magazine, what she was going to do about her crazy attraction for Hiroshi—but right now it was just good to take rest in the feeling of comfort.
“Did my dad tell you the story about this garden?” Hiroshi’s voice broke the stillness of the silence.
“He said that the walls were made of river rock, and I think I could tell you everything you need to know about raising koi carp.” She giggled looking across at him.
He shook his head and rubbed his temples. “You’re kidding. That was what he told you?”
“Yes. And also that it was the only place on the grounds free from ghosts because they don’t like the Magnolia.” She shrugged sheepishly. “He wasn’t being serious though. Not like you when you scared me half to death on my first night here.”
He laughed and patted her hand. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s fine. You’re forgiven.”
“Thanks.” He straightened up and turned so that he could face her properly. “This story you’ll like.”
She got more comfortable, resting against the back of the bench and tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Look at the pond.” He pointed ahead of them. She looked and saw how the silver moonlight graced the water, making it sparkle. It was beautiful with a twinkle here and there, probably caused from the ripples created when the fish moved. “Night is the only time the moon can be with the pond.”
She loved how he gave life to the moon and the pond, like they were people. It was common across a lot of Japanese folk tales and she wondered if he was going to tell her one. She loved anything like that. Savannah smiled at him, urging him to continue.
“My grandfather built this garden and the pond to symbolize his love for my grandmother. When they first met, he was just setting up as an electrician in Kamagasaki, the poorest area you can imagine, and she was from a very noble family in Osaka who would never accept her marrying anyone outside of nobility. The only way they could see each other was by arranging to meet at night by the pond at the edge of the forest. Anywhere else would risk someone catching them. He would always bring her a pink oriental lily, her favorite flower.” He paused with a smile, then continued, “The pond was the most beautiful site in the forest, and when the moon shone over it, it would always look like it was covered in diamonds. He said that whenever he saw it, his heart would soar and lift his soul just from the thought of seeing my grandmother. They met like that for ten years, always meeting at moonlight by the pond. One night my grandmother’s father caught them and forbade them to see each other. She was sent away, and it wasn’t until years later that my grandfather found her. At that time my grandfather’s business started to flourish, and that gave him the recognition that enabled him to ask for her hand in marriage.”
Her heart warmed as Savannah listened, completely captivated.
“When they came here he built this garden and the pond to look exactly like the one in the forest. The only difference being the lilies. My grandfather told me he planted exactly a hundred and twenty. One for every month they’d dated in those ten years. He designed it all to represent everything that she was. Full of life and love. She died before I was five so I don’t remember her, but he said the only comfort he had was when he came out here, at night when the moonlight touched the surface of the pond. He was the moon and she was the pond. He felt closest to her then, just like when they were dating, and the only goal they had was to be together.”
His eyes sparkled against the soft moonlight that outlined his sharp features.
“That was beautiful.” It was beautiful, because it was real, and she was in awe that he shared it with her.
He sighed and gazed ahead of them. “My grandfather used to tell me his stories all the time.” His voice held a hint of sadness that stood out to her. He seemed to be trying to conceal it with a chuckle, but she still noticed.
Over the past few days, she’d gotten to know him a lot more, and she’d paid so much attention to every little detail about him that she could tell when something wasn’t quite right. “Are you okay?”
Her question seemed to surprise him making him look back at her. “Yeah, um. Sure.” He offered a small smile.
Hiroshi was thinking about the day his grandfather died. Not exactly the mood he wanted to end tonight with, but it popped into his head.
He thought Savannah would love to hear the story of his grandparents, and she definitely seemed to. It was just that it was hard to talk about anything to do with his grandfather and not think of that dreadful day.
He looked at the incredibly beautiful young woman sitting next to him and was almost scared by how she made him
feel. Like he didn’t have to try to be this person who was always striving to show everyone that he’d changed.
Savannah knew him as the person he was now, but everyone else judged him against the person he used to be. The person who thought it was more important to enter a car race than say goodbye to his beloved grandfather. The person who had always been a disappointment to his father.
“You look a little…” she began but trailed off, probably uncertain of what to say. He noticed that with her. She seemed to take care in what she said to him.
“I didn’t get to say goodbye to my grandfather when he died.” The words came out of his mouth before he could think about it, almost like his aching heart was bursting to talk. The wealth of concern he saw in her eyes made him continue. “I guess I just miss him sometimes. Especially when I tell one of his stories.” It was more like when he thought about the stories. That was actually the first time he’d physically told anyone one of his grandfather’s stories, and it was only because it was her. The women he was used to dating would never appreciate them. It simply wouldn’t interest them at all. Not in the slightest. But Savannah was different. She seemed to care.
“I’m sure that he would be happy to know that you remember him with his stories.” She squeezed his hand gently with the daintiness of hers.
He thought about it for a moment and realized she was right. It would indeed make his grandfather happy to know that.
“And the amount of stuff you told me the other day when we were in Kyoto. I think I’d have to find an amazing tour guide who’d charge me the Earth for half the knowledge you gave. That was him, too, right?”
He nodded. “If…he was here he’d never believe that I took you to sight see in Kyoto. Or, that I even remembered anything about the moon and the pond.”
“But you did.” She nodded. He looked at her, staring deeply into her eyes and found a comfort there that made him want to stay forever.
And right there and then he felt like he could tell her anything, so…he did. “I was racing the day he died.” Just saying the words released something within him that he’d been holding onto for so long. He’d never told anyone that. Not even Jake. And while his father might have guessed that was what he was doing, Hiroshi never actually confirmed it.
He looked at her and continued, “I had an obsession with being the best and beating Kowalski.” At the mention of Kowalski’s name her eyes widened slightly. “My grandfather hated that I lived life so carelessly. He hated that I didn’t want the company and that I was so reckless with everything. I knew how sick he was and it was a miracle that he made it from one day to the next. I had a choice of either seeing him alive one last time, or racing and continuing to be the best. I chose to race.”
There, that was him. His deepest secrets and thoughts exposed.
With that confession, he searched her eyes for some form of judgment but found none whatsoever. Instead, affection glowed in her eyes. “I never thought he was going to die. I just thought everyone was overreacting. But it’s no excuse, right? That’s why I don’t race anymore.”
Most people just assumed that he’d taken his grandfather’s death hard, but there was so much more to it than that.
“Hiroshi,” she breathed, squeezing his hand again. Her eyes were filled with sadness and understanding. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He gathered himself. He should stop talking about this now. This wasn’t how he wanted their date to end.
“From what you’ve told me, I doubt that he’d want you to beat yourself up.” It was sweet of her to say that, and she was probably right. His grandfather had said that holding onto guilt was like allowing death to kill you slowly. Since his death, guilt had worn Hiroshi down, weakening him to no end.
He gazed at her and thought he’d never had anyone offer to comfort him the way she just did. “Thank you. But hey,” he smiled and tried to think of something to say that would bring back the lighthearted atmosphere they had when they first arrived. “I didn’t bring you out here to wallow in my sorrows. I thought you’d like the scenery.”
“I do.” Her eyes never left his. “I love it. It’s very pink. Very me.” She offered a reassuring smile.
“So, is there anything else you like? Apart from anything pink, trying on Okame masks, coconut-flavored ice cream, writing, traveling and not-horror movies—not even the kid-friendly ones.” He was trying.
“You.”
“Me? What me?” He’d lost his focus and didn’t quite realize what she meant.
“I like you,” she told him in that cautious tone he’d grown accustomed to.
Hiroshi knew that she liked him, but there was something more meaningful to hear her say it. It was also the most forward she’d ever been with him since they’d met.
“I like you, too, Savannah.”
That made her smile. Then she did the most amazing thing he’d ever experienced. She propped herself up onto her wrists, leaned forward and kissed him right in the center of his forehead. Her soft, full lips lingering there for a moment like a gentle whisper on his skin, and the sweet, fruity smell of her enchanting him.
It was a kiss for his tired soul to melt into.
Of all the times that he’d kissed her over the past few days, this was the kiss he’d felt the most. This was the kiss he’d felt more than any other in his life.
He thought she looked just like an angel as she moved to sit back, and the gentle breeze lifted her velvet mass of hair about her face.
She smiled up at him then laced her arm through his, snuggling her petite frame closely against him, smiling to herself.
* * *
Hiroshi didn’t know how he was supposed to survive in Washington without seeing her for the next few days.
Sleep caught up with him on the flight, but as soon as the plane touched down, Hiroshi went straight back to thinking about Savannah.
He had to force himself to focus and listen as Jake rolled off the meeting schedule and all the things they had to do. They were going to be crazy busy. But that was good. He needed busy. Busy meant the time would fly and take him back to Japan.
Back to her.
She’d given him a newfound strength he’d never anticipated, and that would give him the energy and the drive he needed to do what he had to do and get back to her.
Hiroshi hated to imagine what could have happened if he’d stuck to that no distractions mantra he’d been on since…well, for too long. Now look at him. Things had developed so quickly between them. And everything else was just falling into place. Finally, they were falling into place.
He and Jake made a lot of progress over the next few days that passed. By Wednesday he’d met with ten university officials and drew up investment plans and student training contracts where each course would run over a semester. That way the students could pick which semester they wanted to do their placement in, and they could also fit in more students in any given academic year. It worked well for the high level of interest they had. There was a chance of developing a year-long course, too, but he’d think about that at a later date.
He proposed that the first intake would be next year for the autumn semester, but hinted at a summer program if all plans were finished and ready to go.
It was the first time in years that he felt useful, and more importantly, like he was doing something he really wanted to do. On Thursday he decided to get lunch in town where he could message Savannah privately. The time difference made it difficult to call, but they messaged daily to keep in touch. It kept him going and he couldn’t wait to see her on Saturday.
On his return, he walked through the park and thought about what they could do. They wouldn’t have much time, but he was sure he could think of something fun. Maybe they could go to Kawachi Fujien and look at the wisteria garden. He’d bet Savannah would love the tunnel of wisteria domes and trellises with the flower clusters hanging down from the tips of the vines. If he played his cards right, they could go. But that would m
ean leaving even earlier on Friday night, and they had a meeting that could potentially run over. Maybe they could do that another time. He’d think of something she’d like.
He adjusted the collar of his jacket as he approached the Fujita Tech building. His building was very different in the shape and structure to the one in Japan, as it took up two complexes and had an annex. It, too, rose with the rest of the skyscrapers that surrounded it, but it was more colorful with dashes of white and burgundy on its structure and around the logo.
Four more meetings today and then he could rest. He walked past a hot dog stand and resisted the temptation to get one, even though he’d just had lunch. The first meeting was in twenty minutes, and he didn’t want to smell like mustard and onions. Maybe he and Jake could grab one later. He went inside the building, taking the elevator to his floor. Bernie was in the reception area standing behind the desk. She held the phone to her ear, pressing it against her thick dark curls.
He knew something was wrong when she sneered on seeing him and pushed out her dark red lips in an over exaggerated pout. Instead of going straight to his office he did a beeline towards her desk.
“What?” he asked.
She removed the phone from her ear and covered the receiver so the person on the other end couldn’t hear. “That woman is the devil. I don’t know which breeze blow her dis way, but she must have flown straight outta hell.” Bernie was going all Jamaican on him, and that had to mean someone had truly annoyed her.
Hiroshi didn’t know what woman she meant. “Who?”
“One of yuh little string alongs.”
Oh.
Bernie was actually his grandfather’s secretary and he was only too happy to pass her on to Hiroshi because he knew she had a firm hand with everything and liked her outspoken ways. The first day that Hiroshi had met her, she’d told him off. Yes, she’d told him off. That was also the first time she’d mentioned string alongs. Her term for the “empty headed, un-classy, half-naked women that flocked towards him.”
I Only Have Eyes For You Page 20