She looks good. She looks ridiculously good.
I can’t tear my eyes away.
Philosophical question #3 : Is just a single look from a girl (not any girl in particular, of course) supposed to render you completely and utterly speechless ?
What are you waiting for, Kaya ? she says, pointing a spatula at me. Come. I made this for you.
I don’t remember when she woke up. I am still curled up back against the window, my back aching, but now the dawn sky is pink and disgustingly bright.
Have I mentioned I am not a morning person ?
I take a seat next to Ren.
With flowery green oven mittens, Veah reaches into the ovenand swears, jumping back. Onore. Kusotare. She hisses in pain as she lifts out the tray. Motherfucker, that burned !
Well, I say. As a general rule, ovens are hot.
She places a bun in the shape of a cherry blossom onto the plate in front of me. There you go, smartass. Eat.
It’s food and . . . it does look good.
Fine, I mutter, lifting it tentatively.
Just as I take the first bite, Ren says casually, You moan in your sleep.
I choke.
Was it good ? Veah asks obliviously, and for a moment I have to wonder whether she is talking about the moaning or the breakfast.
Um. I don’t remember, I say, thinking about the way her mouth trailed down, and down, and down . . .
A sudden blush crawls up my cheeks.
How do I face Veah now, knowing that I’ve . . . I’ve . . . dreamt about her ?
Like that ?
I almost climaxed in my sleep, just because she was
Kaya ! my common sense snaps.
Oh, you meanumthe food ? I answer automatically, deliberately ignoring Ren. It’s really great.
I take a bite of the dessert, and it is soft, sweet and heavenly.
This is good, Ren says reluctantly, eating his own.
You know how to cook ? I ask with amazement.
Oh, yeah, for sure, Veah says smoothly. I’m practically a professional. I watched two episodes of a show with Gordon Ramsay. Now I’m not only a great cook, but I’m well versed in American insults.
Watching Gordon Ramsay does not make you a good chef, Ren says.
This squid is so raw I can still hear it telling SpongeBob to fuck off !
Gordon Ramsay didn’t actually say that.
Veah shrugs, and I see a wicked glint in her eye. It’s a good insult, no ?
Ren takes another bite of the sweet bun. Yeah, because how often do you encounter raw squid ?
Oh, shut up and eat, Veah scowls.
I like this side of her, I think. When she isn’t in life-threatening, run-like-hell, The-Japanese-Mafia-Are-Hunting-Us-Down situations, she can be . . . fun.
What you’re eating now is called a nerikiri, Veah says. It’s a Japanese wagashi. One of my favourite desserts. And she suddenly seems shy, asking me this, but How good is it, honestly ?
It’s really good, I say truthfully.
I made it myself, Veah says proudly, and it’s honestly endearing how excited she is now. I know you like sweet things, so . . .
Oh, I say, realizing she has made these delectable little buns for me. Um. Thank you.
I am 100% not blushing.
Even still, my conscience whispers, A pretty girl woke up early to handmake dessert for you . . . and you’re not sure if she likes you ?
My common sense adds, Fucking moron.
Which leaves us with
Philosophical question #4 : If a certain (nonspecific) pretty girl watched Gordon Ramsay to learn how to cook because she knows you like food, what does that mean ?
That gives us . . .
Philosophical question #5 : Does she have feelings for you, or are you a lesbian ?
Today, we’re going to see Skullcrusher, Veah announces, as ordinarily as if she were telling me about a dentist’s appointment. I got some clothes for you. Get ready.
I look down, realizing I’m still wearing the hospital outfit. Plain white pants, a plain white shirt.
Skullcrusher. I shiver.
Veah tosses me the clothes, and I hear the sound of the front door opening.
Mai shuts the door behind her, practically hopping with glee. You will never believe what I
The instant she sees Ren, her eyes darken.
What is Shrimp Dick doing here ?
Ren shakes the curly black hair from his eyes. Stop saying that.
Would you prefer Ramen Noodle Dick ? Perhaps that would be more accurate.
Really ? Because last I remember, that wasn’t what you were saying while I was inside
Do not finish that sentence, Veah says.
Please listen to the scary Yakuza ex-boss, I add.
Mai opens her mouth to speak again, but her eyebrows pull together in confusion when she looks at me. Ex-boss ?
I am still smiling, still unaware
What do you mean by the ex-boss ? Ren says.
I shake my head, still smiling. She’s a runaway, isn’t she ? That’s what she told me. She used to be a Yakuza boss, but
No one says a word.
My sentence trails off.
Veah ? I say, focusing on her. It’s true, isn’t it, what you told me ? You’re not still a Yakuza boss. Even Imai said you weren’t, and how could he . . .