Debra Wallen had expected her day to be filled with the usual drudgery of an Interns life for Fashion Blitz magazine. She never expected to be interviewing one of the world’s newest and biggest fashion designers this day. Not only was the woman a force to be reckoned with but a true mystery as well. Debra would be the first person to ever had a one on one interview with Ren Nagata.
Debra Wallen had expected her day to be filled with the usual drudgery of an Interns life for Fashion Blitz magazine. She never expected to be interviewing one of the world’s newest and biggest fashion designers this day. Not only was the woman a force to be reckoned with but a true mystery as well. Debra would be the first person to ever had a one on one interview with Ren Nagata.
Offices of Rococo Victorian Fashions, Present day.
Debra Wallen, seventeen-year-old high school journalist interturn for Fashion Blitz magazine; sat nervously in the outer waiting area of Rococo Victorian fashions. The brain child of Ren Nagata, fashion designer to the Lolitas of the world. The woman that Debra was here to see, and interview for Fashion Blitz magazine. A woman who was as big a mystery as her impact on the fashion industry. The woman who had brought Lolita fashion from a small niche market to a true international phenomenon.
Ren Nagata first appeared on the fashion world stage six years ago. The crazy part about the young and enigmatic woman was she wore her own designs. She practiced what she preached with her designs. Ren was a true Lolita, straight out of Japan. The problem was, other than Ren being from the Harajuku area of Tokyo, no one knew anything about the extremely feminine young woman. At the tender age of eighteen, she appeared out of nowhere, fully grown and fashionably beautiful.
Debra still couldn’t believe that she was even being given the chance to interview the mysterious Lolita. She had gone into work this morning as usual expecting to spend the day running around fetching coffee and filling reports for the real reporters. Only to have her boss ask her what school she went to. When Debra answered King’s Hills High, he sent her to Mrs. Celso’s office, the owner and editor. All Mrs. Celso told her was where to go, when to be there, and who she was to be interviewing. When Debra asked why her, Mrs. Celso snapped at her. Saying that if she couldn’t handle the assignment then she was fired. Debra jumped up saying she could get the job done and left the crazy woman’s office.
An hour later Debra was being escorted through the seven-story building to the private office area of Ren Nagata by one of the biggest security guards she had ever seen. One of the reasons that Debra was so nervous was the number of Lolitas she saw. Everywhere she looked there was at least two in every office. Even here on the Executive Floor the secretaries were all dressed in the height of Lolita fashion. What was crazy was the varying types of Lolitas she saw. There were Gothic, Punk, and Guro Lolitas in one office while right across the hall were the Sweet Lolitas right next to a pair of “Princess or Hime” Lolitas. She even saw a few ‘boy Lolitas and Lolita Princes’ working with some Wa Lolitas. By the time she reached Miss. Nagata’s office Debra’s head was spinning from the many styles that she saw.
The only style she had yet to see was the Aristocratic Lolita. Debra didn’t have much longer to wait. The Gothic Lolita secretary looked over at her and smiled. “Miss. Wallen you can go in now. Miss. Nagata is waiting.”
Debra stood up and grabbed her bag along with her briefcase heading for the door. “Thank ma’am. Before I go in can I ask you a quick question?”
“I’ll save you the time honey. I am a life style Gothic Lolita. No, Miss. Nagata doesn’t make any of us dress like this. We do it for our own pleasure.” The young said with a mile-wide smile. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been asked those questions before. She become used to answering them for her boss.
Debra was surprised that the secretary answered her questions without her even asking them. Debra couldn’t understand how the young woman knew what she was about to ask. Yet she answered as if she had been expecting Debra’s questions. “Um… thank you ma’am. You have a pleasant day.”
“You too, Miss.” The secretary said to Debra’s disappearing back. Once the doors to Nagata’s private office closed behind the girl the secretary chuckled and looked over at the other secretary for the CEO. “Miki, I almost feel sorry for the girl.”
“If she can’t handle OUR boss she’ll never make it in the industry, Shelly. You know how nice Miss. Nagata is better than anyone else in the company does.” The Princess Lolita looked over at the doors to their boss’s office. “Any idea why the boss is giving an interview after all these years Shelly?”
“Not a clue, Miki. All I know is Miss. Nagata came in yesterday in a really foul mood with that magazine the girl is working for. She just told me to call, and I am quoting here, that blue-haired, bible-thumping, rich assed, no-taste having, walking fashion disaster, dried up, worn out, cunt Brenda Celso. I don’t know what Celso did to piss off the boss, but it was big. I heard her screaming at the top of her lungs and threatening multimillion-dollar lawsuits.”
“Oh my god! You mean to tell me that you haven’t seen the cover of Fashion Blitz?” Miki asked her friend.
“No. You know I can’t stand that rag. Why? Should I have?” Shelly asked.
“Good lord Shelly! You really need to pay better attention to the rags. That crazy old bat over at Fashion Blitz stated the only person who should be allowed to interview Ren Nagata is a high school intern working in the mailroom. That’s why that young girl is in there right now. Miss. Nagata had Tom over in IT do a data base search of Fashion Blitz’s employees. Looking for just such an intern.” Miki started to giggle. “I saw the list of their interns and just knew that Miss. Nagata was going to put Celso in her place. That girl is the top of her class in her high school. She won that local junior reporter award. What’s it called?”
Shelly gave out a soft whistle and looked back at the door to their boss’s office. “You mean the Ira Joe Fisher for newest outstanding young journalist. And those dipshits over at Fashion Blitz had her working the mailroom?”
“Tell me about it. Talk about your waste of talent. I just hope the boss goes easy on the girl. You know how she can get at times.” Miki said as she too looked over at the door to their boss’s office. “Did you see that horrid outfit she was wearing?”
“I know. I mean what fashionably conscious young girl wears a skirt suit? And those shoes! My god! Those looked like they came out of the nineteen-forties. Sure, I know that the retro look is in with some of these kids, but a throwback to the forties office attire for women is a little much.” Shelly commented on the Debra’s clothing.
As both women giggled at Shelly’s little joke Ren Nagata was having a similar thought as well. ‘I wonder who dressed this child? Her great grandmother?’ she had looked the girl over when she entered her office. There was something about the way that Debra carried herself that screamed lack of self-confidence in Ren’s mind. ‘Much the way I was when I first met my grandparents.’
“Please take seat Miss. Wallen.” Ren said as she stood up and walked towards the in suite kitchenet. “Can I offer you tea, or a bottle of water?”
Debra blushed at first when Ren looked her over as if she was sizing her up like a piece of meat. “Um… water please ma’am?”
Ren smiled to put the young girl at ease as she reached into the refrigerator and grabbed her a bottle of water. Ren fixed herself a cup of tea then returned to her chair behind her desk waving for the girl to sit down. Ren could tell that the girl was scared to death at doing something to offend her. Ren decided to put her at ease and get the interview started.
“You must be bursting with questions, Miss. Wallen.” Debra nodded her and reached into her shoulder bag pulling out a pad and pen. “I guess your first question is why did I asked for someone like you?”
“To be honest, yes ma’am. I’m sure there are far more experienced reporters at Fashion Blitz that could give you a much better interview.” Debra answered.
“I know there are far more experienced reporters with your employer Miss Wallen. Just as there were far more experienced fashion designers in the world when I first started. Just like you I was looking for my first real break. Six years ago, I was given that break by another great fashion designer. This is my way of repaying that karma. The way I see it is simple. Nurture our young as they are our future.” Ren let a small smile grace her face. Debra couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
This woman was giving her the chance of a lifetime as a way to repay her good fortune. Debra quickly moved onto her first real question of the interview. “Miss. Nagata, I know that you have probably been asked this in the past, but there is so little known about you. Exactly when did you discover your talent for design? I mean no disrespect, but the Lolita style was such a small market. What drew you to export the style in the first place?”
Ren leaned back in her chair and smiled at the young girl thinking. ‘Yes, this one will go far. She cut straight to the heart of the interview while remaining respectful. Though I think I need to do something about her style.’
“Um… I think the best place to start that story is at the beginning. But first why don’t you come with?” Ren reached over and hit her intercom button. “Shelly, call down to the stash room. Let Alexei know that I need one Goth, one Hime, one Punk, and one Aristocrat set out size four junior miss.”
“Right away Miss. Nagata.” Shelly answered back quickly. “Does he have a time frame ma’am? And are there any color restrictions?”
Ren thought about her secretary’s questions as she looked over at Debra. “Fifteen minutes and he is to stick with winter colors for everything.”
“Yes, ma’am. One crash makeover.”
Debra was trying to figure out was going on as Ren stood up and walked around her desk. Taking the confused girl by the hand. “Why don’t we start with a little education on the Lolita lifestyle and clothing to answer your question Miss. Wallen.” With that Ren led the girl out of her office and back to the elevator. “I think that if you’re going to write a piece on Lolita’s you should understand what it means to be a Lolita.”
“Isn’t it just about dressing in more feminine style? A call back to the Victorian and Rococo age of design?” Debra was confused by the way the interview had gone.
“Oh no, Debra. May I call you Debra?” Debra just nodded her head at Ren’s question. “It is far more than just dressing up. In fact, it more of a way of lifestyle. You don’t dress for other people. You dress for yourself first. You see the term ‘Lolita’ comes from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel of the name, which is about a relationship between an adult male and a young girl, named Lolita. The term is sometimes used to refer to a sexually attractive young girl, but the fashion seeks to distinguish itself from this interpretation. For most Lolitas, the look is emphatically not about being ‘sexy’ or appealing to men’s ideas of what a woman should look like. It’s about reclaiming a traditional version of elegance and femininity. Lolita fashion should be empowering never degrading.”
As they entered the elevator Ren hit the button for the first floor. Turning to Debra she waved her hand at herself. “Take a look at me for example. What I am wearing is often referred as an Aristocratic Lolita.”
Debra truly looked at the way her host was dressed for the first time. There are no cutesy prints, lace, over-the-top frills, or bows. Her skirt was ankle length. Debra could tell that Ren was wearing a corset by her small waist. Debra could also tell that for Ren high corseted waists on skirts is common. As were the fitted jacket with tail and frilly shirts. The whole outfit was topped of with a top hat and veil. Her hand were covered in lace gloves. From head to toe Ren Nagata’s outfit was a deep, rich, almost black purple while her shirt was a contrasting brilliant ivory white. The choker that graced the woman’s slender neck matched the deep purple of her dress and jacket but was outlined in white with an antique broach. Debra could tell by the way Ren was dressed that she was a lifestyle Lolita.
“Do you ever wear a more casual look, Miss. Nagata?” Debra asked politely.
Ren chuckled and smiled. “The answer is, yes, Debra. I don’t always go out at the height of fashion.” Ren gave her an airily smirk. “I do have a more casual look for the days I don’t feel like dressing up. Though it is still in the Lolita style.”
“Excuse me, Miss. Nagata, but how can that be?”
Ren chuckled outright this time. “It’s tough to dress up like a Lolita every day, Debra. But if you want to really “be” a Lolita and not just costume-up for a cosplay or Anime convention, you can learn to integrate more basic elements into your look for a day-to-day Lolita style. There are various toned-down versions of the basic Lolita style, while still retaining the basic elements of the look. A simple skirt and simple hair accessory to pair with regular t-shirts and shoes. Taking the time to throw a single little “girly” element into your look to make it more pronounced. Mostly, you'll want to avoid long pants. Take the time to do your hair and make-up, as if you were dressed in your most elegant finery. Even if you're just rocking a t-shirt, your Lolita spirit will still be on display.”
“Wow. I never really thought about it like that.” Debra looked “Um… I know this sounds a little crazy, but is there a guide to being a Lolita?”
“If you truly wish to understand more about Lolitas then I would suggest that you read the Gothic and Lolita Bibles. There are a variety of these “Bibles” for Lolitas, the first ones were published in Japan in the early two-thousands, which have recently been translated into a variety of languages, English included. They feature photographs, style descriptions, and a variety of lifestyle guides. These books are common and popular among Lolitas and those interested in the style. The easiest place to find them is on Amazon. They’re only in paperback though.” Ren smiled as Debra scribbled away in her notebook. Ren could tell the girl was fascinated by the Lolita lifestyle and truly wanted to learn more.
“Um… I don’t know how to ask this next question without sounding rude Miss. Nagata.” Debra wanted to ask about the young men she had seen in the office area dressed in what could only be Lolita fashion. “It is about the young men you have working here. Are they um… well… um…”
“Are they gay?” Ren asked the question for her. Debra nodded her head. “I do employ a few gays, Debra, but it is not a prerequisite for Boy Lolitas. The truth is that it is very rare to find a Boy Lolita that is gay.”
“The only reason I asked ma’am. Is the number of Boy Lolitas that I saw in your offices. I was kind of surprised.” Debra figured that she should be honest with Ren.
It took Ren a few minutes to figure out what Debra was talking about as she only had three Boy Lolitas working for her. And they all worked in the shipping Department on the ground floor. They never came near the upper floors. Then the light went off in her head. “Oh my! I am sure that the girls in my Boy Lolita division will be getting a real hoot out of hearing this. Those young ladies always love to push the boundaries for that line.”
Seeing the confused look on Debra’s face Ren knew she needed to explain. “While Lolita is often thought to be pretty ‘girly,’ some looks incorporate masculine styles and ‘boy clothes’ into the look, Debra. It’s a cool way to shake up people's expectations and play around with the style. There are some Lolitas who do the whole sailor or nautical theme. Sailor collars, dark blues, and whites is what makes this style. Nautical symbols such as ship anchors and wheels make very cute additions. Like most Lolita styles the same bell-shaped skirt is expected, quite often this skirt may be pleated, and the outfit may often include a puffed-short-sleeved blouse with pockets. Then there is what we call the Kodona or ‘boy style’. It is another common sub-genre of Lolita fashion. This has feminine touches, such as feminine shoes and accessories with short capri-style pants that cut off at the knee and usually have details on them such as lace-edged cuffs or ruffles. Other common additions for ‘butching-up’ the look are suspenders, ties, bowler caps and long socks. The more extravagant styles can include things like spats, canes, top hats, and other Victorian accessories.”
“Wow! I never realized the vast differences between styles among Lolitas. Um… up in your office you had your secretary call someone. Who are we going to see?”
“We are going to see your personal stylist Debra. No young lady should be dressed in such an outdated style. I take it your style is influenced by your mother?” Ren had figured that the young lady was dressed by one of her elders.
“No ma’am.” Debra blushed at how close Ren was to who had helped her dress and picked out most of her clothing. “My parents passed away when I was only six. My grandparents raised me. My grandmother has a slightly dated sense of what is proper office attire I’m afraid. But I just can’t well tell her how wrong she is, I owe her so much. Her and papaw are all I have.”
“It seems that you and I have a great deal in common, Debra.” At the girl’s look of confusion Ren smiled. “I too was raised by my grandparents.”
The elevator doors opened on the first floor. Ren took Debra by the hand and led her over to the showroom. As they walked through the doors a Dark Princess Lolita greeted them both. “Ren, why on earth have you thrown my staff into a tizzy? We don’t have time for you to go changing the spring line up.”
In answer to the woman’s question Ren just stepped to the side and pointed to Debra. The response was immediate. Alexie started shouting orders. “Stephany, Tabitha, undergarments, size three, no size four, junior miss. Full complement for a Dark Princess. I want dark blues, reds, purples, and bright whites. Stevie put the Goth, and Punk back. Gorgio wash, dye, and set, with purple highlights.”
Debra was swept up by the sales people and beauticians as they set to work on her makeover. She could not believe that she was being given a full makeover under the direct care of Ren Nagata’s personal stylist. If this was the price she had to pay for the interview, then she was willing to pay. Besides she could always change back after she got the interview. She did wonder what Ren meant by them having something in common. Thankfully Ren sat down in a chair next to her as she was having her hair washed, dyed, and dried.
“Earlier Debra, you politely asked me what drew me to export the Lolita style in the first place. The answer to that is not an easy answer. You see I need to take you back in time to Fort Knox, Kentucky. For me it was the third posting in the first fourteen years of my life.” At the stunned look on the young girl’s face had Ren close to laughing. “That’s right, Debra. I was an Army brat.”
“I thought you were Japanese, Miss. Nagata?”
“I am Japanese, Debra, but my father was an American serviceman when he met my mother serving in Torii Station military base. Run by the United States in Japan. It is the home of the US Army. It is located close to Okinawa, in Yomitan. My mother was the oldest daughter of a civilian contractor that worked on the base. Remember when I said we had a great deal in common?” Ren smiled sadly when Debra nodded. “Well, I too lost my parents at a young age. I was thirteen when they were killed by a drunk driver trying to out run the High Patrol.”
Ren sighed and leaned back in the chair. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to those first few months following the death of her parents. As she did so Debra pulled out the small cassette recorder her grandmother had given her for just such a situation. Ren knew that her staff would keep what was said here to themselves. As for Debra she could tell by the way the beauticians were acting that she might not want to record what Ren was about to say. The decision was taken out of her hands when Alexie took the recorder and pressed the record button.
Ren didn’t care, as she was one-hundred-thirty-one miles and fourteen years in the past. The place was the Fort Knox post movie theaters. The time was just after nine pm and the movies were changing. She was there with her best friend in the world Tommy Long and she was still a young boy by the name of Raymond. A time when no one knew his secret and he was happy being the son of Steve and Mishi Rockwell.
The front steps of the Fort Knox Post Cinemas, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 2100: August 2004.
Raymond Rockwell and Tommy Long exited the movie theater in great moods. They had just seen Alien vs Predator at the early showing. Both boys enjoyed going to the movies on base as it was cheap entertainment and during the dog days of summer someplace cool to relax. They often shared the theater with base trainees from over at the training battalions. For the two US Army dependents or BRATS, life was good. For Raymond it couldn’t have been better. His dad was eight months into this posting and his mom had gotten a job on post which meant they wouldn’t be moving.
Ray didn’t know what his mother did, but it was in the Provost Marshal’s Office. Which was kind of funny seeing as how his father was the First Sergeant for the local MP company. Something that they had celebrated with a trip to Red Lobster. His father’s promotion to E-8 First Sergeant was twenty years in the making. Thirteen of which Raymond had been witness to. Raymond remembered the long hours his father put in studying for the next Promotion Board, or College course at their home’s kitchen table. Not that his mother was a slouch in the brains department. On the contrary. Mishi Rockwell was as smart as she was beautiful.
Raymond looked over at Tommy, his newest friend. “Looks like we’ll get home just before curfew. If we leave now that is.”
“Pretty much. We got maybe forty minutes before sunset and the Mud Puppies bust us for being out past curfew.” Tommy bitched.
“Hay! No busting on my dad’s troops there, buddy boy. It’s not their fault the Post Commander is a dick. I still can figure out why he signed off on that order.” Raymond felt he should defend his dad’s officers.
“I hear ya man, but that doesn’t make it any easier on us. I do know why the GC signed that order. It all started about three to four weeks before you moved in. A bunch of the high schoolers were busted out on one of the tank gunnery training ranges.” The second that Raymond heard this he wanted to wince. The ranges Tommy was talking about was a live fire range. There could have been live main gun rounds for a tank out there. “They weren’t doing anything wrong really. Just having a little bonfire party and drinking some beer. I still don’t see what all the fuss was over. It’s not like they were trying to break into the ammo bunkers.”
“Jees, oh Pete! Tommy can you get any dumber?” Before Tommy could punch Raymond, he explained what those teens did that was so stupid. “THOSE are live fire ranges. They always have live rounds stored out there in the bunkers. The training battalions use them for more than just the tanks man. They use them for everything. There is no telling what kind of unexploded shit is out there on those ranges.”
Tommy turned white as he realized what Raymond was talking about. There was always stories of kids and teens finding unexploded ordnance on military posts. The stories were usually true as were the tragic endings for those stories. Neither boy wanted to think about the last time a kid found something that went boom in their home killing the whole family at the dinner table. Instead they walked over and got their bikes out of the rack and started the ride home.
As they entered their housing complex Tommy broke off from Raymond heading toward his family’s house over in officer country. Raymond just waved to his friend as he head for his new house. This was the fifth house in he had lived in, in his short life. As Raymond approached the house he spotted the MP radio patrol car in the driveway. Knowing that his mom and dad were supposed to be at some fancy dinner over at the CG’s house Raymond peddled harder. “It’ll just be my luck that dad sent a patrol car to pick me up.”
As Raymond approached the car a young Second Lieutenant climbed out on the passenger side while a Staff Sergeant exited the driver’s side. Raymond knew this was not good. Thinking fast he cataloged everything he might have done wrong for the past week. Coming up with a blank for them to be here Raymond approached them causally. The Lieutenant was the first to speak.
“Excuse me young man but are you Raymond Rockwell?”
“Yes, sir, Lieutenant. How can I help you?” Raymond knew that respect for the rank went a long way with the military.
“We need you to come with us.” The Lieutenant said and point towards the car.
“You’ll have to forgive me sir, but unless you can give me a solid reason for getting in that cruiser then I’m going inside and calling my father.” Raymond knew his rights. He also knew what he could and couldn’t do on a military post.
“This concerns both of your parents, Raymond.” The Staff Sergeant said sadly. “Look, kiddo, we really need to take this back to the station.”
Raymond could tell by the Staff Sergeant’s attitude that it was bad. Whatever was going on he knew he had to go with these men. “Just let me put away my bike Sergeant. I don’t need my dad bitching me out about leaving it out and unsecured. Okay?”
“Sure son. Take care of your business.” The Staff Sergeant said with a sad smile. The man knew that the news awaiting Raymond would be devastating. How do you tell a teenager he just became an orphan? Once Raymond had his bike put up the two MPs drove him over to the Provost Marshall station. The Staff Sergeant hung back as his Lieutenant escorted the boy inside. He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a pack of Lucky Strikes cigarettes and lit one up.
An E-4 Specialist walked by the Sergeant. “Yow Sergeant Killer, what’s up?”
“You know that TA over on Rout One-A?”
“Yah, everyone has heard about that. Is it true that the new Top and his wife were involved in that traffic accident?” The Specialist asked.
“Yup. You saw that kid the LT was escorting?” The Specialist nodded his head at the Sergeant’s question. “Well that was their kid. The bitch is, there is no Family of record for the Top and only the family for the wife is in Japan.”
“OH SHIT! Talk about a cluster fuck waiting to happen. What will happen to the kid?” The Specialist asked with more concern than would be expected.
“Don’t know Miller. I’m not in the loop on this one.” The Staff Sergeant took a drag of his cigarette then exhaled. “Do me a solid? Pass the word to the rest of the patrol. Whoever ran Top off the road doesn’t see the inside of the courtroom.”
The young Specialist turned cold and gave the Staff Sergeant a nod. “Coroners Justice, Sergeant. I got it, and so will everybody else.”
The Sergeant just smiled as the Specialist walked over to his patrol car. He knew that somewhere out there a drunk driver was about to have a very bad day. One that may end up with a trip to the Coroner’s office. The Provost Marshall and local boys in blue may not like what was about to happen to the suspects in the accident but that was just the Fog of War in his mind. Justice would be served one way or the other. Military Police were not the same when it comes to someone killing one of their own. They can be more than willing to take the law into their own hands.
Inside Raymond was lead to the office for Lieutenant Colonel Richard McCloud. Raymond knew that whatever was going on it was really bad for him to be in the Provost’s office at this time at night. As he waited for the man to show up. Raymond heard more than one MP talking about taking matters in their own hands about what happened to Top Rockwell and Mrs. Rockwell. Raymond turned and stood up when Lieutenant Colonel McCloud walked into his office.
McCloud took one look at the boy in his office and sighed. As much as he loved his job there were times like this that he truly hated it. It was his duty to inform the families of his soldiers when they died in the line of duty. This was a given in a war zone and families were usually prepared for the event. But how do you tell a teenage boy that both of his parents were killed in a senseless accident. This was one duty Lieutenant Colonel Richard McCloud was woefully unprepared to care out.
He knew the kid was about to go through an extremely rough time in his young life. The kid’s size and looks weren’t going to help him either. The biggest problem was going to be finding his extended family. Until then he would be spending time in a foster home. This was one time where the civilian laws were going to trump whatever the military wanted. First though he had to tell this kid he was now an orphan.
Raymond looked up at Colonel McCloud and saw something in the man’s face that he never expected to see. Pity. Raymond really knew something was wrong now. “Sir, where are my parents? Why haven’t they been brought in?”
McCloud placed his right hand on Raymond’s shoulder and leaned down. “Son I don’t really know how to tell you this, so I’ll get straight to the point. Your parents won’t be joining us. They were forced off the road and killed earlier this evening by a drunk driver. We’re still hunting for the drunk. One way or another that person will see justice for what they did.”
Raymond felt his world fallaway at this news. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Raymond looked down at his hands as they started to shake with anger. His parents were dead, he was now an orphan, and the sorry sack of shit responsible for his pain was still at large. Raymond didn’t even notice the first drops of tears as they fell onto his quaking hands. McCloud did though and whispered to the very distraught boy. “Let it out son. You go ahead and let it all out.”
It didn’t take long after hearing those words that Raymond let the pain, rage, and anguish out in a howl that filled the Provost Marshal’s office. Out in the NCIC the Duty Sergeant gave his RTO a dirty look as the Specialist went to say something. “Not one fucking word Stone. That kid has every right to be upset. I’m surprised he’s this composed. Whatever happens if that drunk shows his ass on this Post he doesn’t see a Court Marshal. Pass the word.”
“You got it, Serge.” Specialist Stone keyed the radio. “All units drop down to channel two. I say again drop down to channel two.” With that simple order Stone set in motion a set of motions that would bring about the street justice for First Sergeant Rockwell and his wife.
Raymond cried for the better part of twenty minutes before he could finally dry his eyes. When he finally looked back up at Colonel McCloud his voice croaked. “What will happen to me, sir? Can I even go home for now?”
Colonel McCloud gave the boy a sad look. “I’m sorry son, but by law we have to turn you over to Child Services. Until then you’ll be staying here. If you have to spend the night, we’ll make room for you over in the Enlisted Barracks.”
Before Raymond could ask another question, the Duty Sergeant knocked on the door jam. “Sir we just got a call from the townies. The suspect had a single car TA. The meat wagon is in rout to take him into custody as we speak.”
“Thank you, Sergeant. Any word on the Child Advocate?” McCloud asked with some relief. At least the drunk wouldn’t be getting out on bail or seeing the inside of a cell. The man was dead and that was the end. Justice served in his mind.
“About that, sir. It seems that the local Child Services Advocate wants to talk with you before trying to find a place for Mr. Rockwell.” He point to the Colonel desk phone. “She is holding on line four sir.”
“What’s the problem Sergeant? Why would they need to talk with me first?”
The Sergeant sighed. “Sir, it has something to do with finding a home to place Mr. Rockwell. The local foster homes are full or will only take preteens.”
Colonel McCloud could tell there was something else that his Duty Sergeant wasn’t saying, and it had to do with Raymond. Reaching over he picked up the receiver and hit the button for line four. “Lieutenant Colonel Richard McCloud here. Who do I have the pleasure of talking with? Thank you, Ms. Honeysuckle I hope that you can help me out. You see we have a dependent who has just lost their parents in a traffic accident. Yes, the dependent is a minor. He’s fourteen. What in the name of hell does that have to do with the price of tea in Shanghai? Look Ms. Honeysuckle by law this is a civilian matter. No, we can’t just put the boy with a family on Post. What the hell is your problem? Just do your job and find the boy a foster family. I don’t care what you have to do. What do you mean it’ll be a few days if not next week? Damn it lady I told we cannot do that by law. No, we are not going to just put the boy in a holding cell. What are you nuts? Okay we can do that. Understand that you will be out here in the morning and I will want answers. Goodnight.” When McCloud returned the receiver to its cradle he slammed it down.
“Gods be damn, lazy, good for nothing, moving hard target, absolutely worthless bureaucrats. I couldn’t find a lazier assed REMF if I tried.” Raymond looked up at the PM with wide unbelieving eyes. He had never seen or heard a PM raise so much hell over anyone like this before in his young life. For Raymond it would be these Officers that were always the finest of examples for all Army Officers in his young eyes. “Sergeant get me the DO and have him report back here immediately.”
“Yes sir. That’ll be Captain Marks, sir. I’ll go ahead and call over to our barracks. I’ll let the QC know we need a room and bed for Mr. Rockwell while we’re waiting on the Captain. I’ll also arrange for a meal-ticket and get one of the patrol units to take the kid back to his place, so he can pick up a change of clothes along with his toilet kit. He’ll need that in the morning, sir.”
“I’ll take him home myself Sergeant. The other suggestions you can carry out.” McCloud turned to Raymond. “Come on, son. Let’s take you home and get those supplies. I have a feeling that you’re going to need them.”
The young boy stood up as if walking towards the gallows. Raymond knew three things for now that were his main concern. One, the person who had caused his parents’ deaths was now dead themselves. Second, the Army would take care of him for the foreseeable future. It was like his father always told him, the Military take care of their own. And thirdly his secret would remain his for now.
At just after midnight Colonel McCloud escorted a very tired Raymond Rockwell into the 566th Military Police Company Barracks. The CQ or Charge of Quarters for that night was a young Corporal by the name of Lisa Martian. The twenty-year-old MP took over escort duties for Raymond the moment McCloud and Raymond walked through the doors. She could tell the boy was close to dropping out. After showing Raymond where his room was Lisa left the boy alone to unpack. Raymond quickly unpacked his clothes for the next weeks. After that he grabbed his shower kit then went and took a quick shower. Once showered he laid down on the single bed in the room and fell into a very fitful sleep. In the morning the new CQ showed Raymond where he could get something to eat. Some of the soldiers in the CONONE Mess-hall gave Raymond a strange look before going back to their meals. Other than that, no one bothered the boy. The few MPs that were eating in the mess-hall knew who he was made sure that no one bothered Raymond.
Over the next five weeks Raymond’s days were filled with a blind mind-numbing drudgery as he waited for the State to find him a place to stay. That or a member of his extended family to take him in. He already knew that it was hopeless looking in here in the States. The only person on his father’s side, an Aunt that could take him in had already informed the Child Services Agent that she couldn’t. That was four days ago. The real bitch was the local CS Agent couldn’t find a foster home for Raymond anywhere. They all said that he was too old. One though said that they couldn’t deal with a half-breed in their home.
The biggest problem though wasn’t finding a foster home. No, it was trying to handle all the details of the funerals for his parents. The boy was overwhelmed with all the many forms and insurance policies that had to be taken care of. If not for the Judge Advocate Office Raymond would have been lost. They had assigned a young Captain during the fourth week to help the boy. It was this Captain that found his parents Wills and emergency contact information.
He quickly contacted his father’s sister. It was only then that the reason behind her turning Raymond away was brought to light. Raymond’s aunt was currently a resident in a long-term health center. The woman was paralyzed from the neck down. She had been this way for the last five years and in no condition to take care of a teenage child. With the last of the Rockwell family now out of the picture the young man went in search of his mother’s family. It took the Captain getting ahold of the State Department to find them. Mishi Rockwell had been born Mishi Nagata in the town of Yomitan in Okinawa, Japan. The State Department was finally able to make contact with Raymond’s grandparents two days ago.
Raymond was sitting in his usual spot in CONONE at lunch time when Captain Jason Hill found him. One of the things that amazed the young Army Captain was the way the boy had comported himself over the last five and a half weeks. Most early teenagers would have been throwing an emotional bitch fest over the death of their parents, not being able to move about freely, or even having to stay in an Army barracks. Not Raymond though. He had held his head high from the fourth day. Even when they held the memorials for his parents he refused to take anyone’s pity. It was if the boy was willing to take on the world with no one by his side. Just to prove that he was worthy of his father’s name. Even the Provost had commented on how the boy was acting. Stating that he hoped his daughter married a young man as fine as Raymond Rockwell. That was high praise coming from Colonel McCloud.
Walking up to the table that was filled with three Military Police Specialists and Raymond, Captain Hill smiled down at the boy. “Excuse me gentlemen, but I need a word with Raymond. Would you mind?”
The Specialist sitting across the table from Raymond stood up grabbing his tray. “No problem, sir. We’ll catch you later Ray.”
“Sure, Specialist Davis. You guys be careful out there. And remember to watch each other’s backs.” Raymond told them in much the fashion his father would have. He watched as the three young men bussed their trays and left the mess-hall to carry out their afternoon patrol duties. Raymond envied the three men as they had something to fill their days, whereas all he had was endless waiting. Waiting to find out what the worthless bureaucrats had for him to deal next. He had come to truly understand Lieutenant Colonel McCloud’s attitude towards bureaucrats. “What can I do for you this afternoon, Captain? More insurance paperwork.”
Sitting down across from Raymond Hill placed his briefcase in the empty seat next to him before smiling. “Nope. Today is a day that I have been working long and hard for Raymond. We found your family. Well, to be exact, we’ve found your grandparents.”
For the first time in almost six weeks Raymond saw a ray of hope in what has been a dark time in his young life. “Really sir? You’re not pulling my leg, are you?”
“I would never make that kind of joke, Raymond.” Hill was dead serious as he went on to explain what would happen over the next few days. “Now, over the next few days there a few things that need to happen. The first of which is we need to get your quarters squared away for your grandparents’ arrival. By ‘we’ I mean the both of us. They and you will be staying there until the final arrangements for your parents can be made. While that is happening, your quarters will need to be packed up and clean for final inspection by Housing.”
“Captain, any idea of where the Household Goods should be sent?”
“That will be up to your grandparents. I can tell you that most of it will be placed into storage until they can decide on how it such be dispensed.” Hill stood up and motioned for Raymond to do so as well. “Time to get a move on Raymond. We don’t have a lot of time to get ready for your grandparents’ arrival.”
“Um… sir I know this is going to sound crazy. What happens if it is not my grandparents but one of my mother’s brothers or sister? Do I still go with them?”
“Nothing will change Raymond. The only difference will be your aunt or uncle having to take responsibility for your wellbeing.” Little did Captain Hill know just how far his simple answer would go wrong. Even as he and Raymond were cleaning Raymond’s on post house, Yoshi Nagata was flying nonstop from Tokyo International Airport to Cincinnati International Airport. No one could know the impact of that first meeting on young Raymond’s life that Yoshi Nagata, the youngest child of Eiji and Kazue Nagata, and baby sister to Mishi, would have on that fateful day.
For the next fifteen pages the pictures only had his mother in them. They were taken all over Okinawa, Japan. In the last five pages there was a young girl with her mother that Raymond had never seen before. The girl had to be in her mid-teens say around fourteen or fifteen. She looked like a teenage version of his mother. With one big exception, well two. One the girl’s hair was dyed purple and she was dressed in an outlandish over-the-top feminine style. Raymond found himself hoping to see more pictures of the teenager. At the end of the first album there was an eight by twelve picture of his mother and the teen dressed in a similar fashion. Across the bottom was a typed message that read ‘The Nagata Lolita Sisters’.
Raymond now had a name for the style that his mother and aunt were wearing in the picture. A style that had enchanted him at first sight. Running his hand over the picture as a tear ran down his cheek. It was long before the tears were running freely and for the second time since his parents’ deaths. Raymond mourned their passing that night. It took the young boy the better part of an hour to regain his composure. Closing the album Raymond looked at his watch and saw that it was dinner time. Setting the first album on the room’s desk the boy headed out for dinner.
As Raymond walked to CONONE the memory of his mother and aunt dressed as Lolitas haunted him. He tried to push the thought of dressing in such a feminine manner out of his head. He knew that his secret was safe for now. He had made sure of that earlier when packing up his room at the house. The footlocker that held his secret stash of clothes for ‘Rain’ his girl-self was locked and on the bottom of the pile in the garage that held his mother’s clothes. Raymond thought about how close he had come to being busted by Captain Hill.
As he ate his dinner his mind was not on the conversation going on around him. The truth was, he couldn’t get that picture of his mother out of his head. She and his aunt were so feminine in that picture. He wondered if his aunt still dressed that way. “Most likely not. She’s probably grown up and started dressing like mom.”
“What was that Raymond?” Specialist Lisa Mitchel asked him.
“Oh, nothing, Specialist Mitchel. Just talking to myself.” Raymond thought his lie would hold up to closer inspection.
“What about? You haven’t been yourself tonight. What’s on your mind kiddo?” Asked Specialist Terry Brown. Brown was Mitchel’s patrol partner. The two MPs were a real Mutt and Jeff team-up. Terry stood over six-foot tall and weighed around one-ninety. Lisa on the other hand barely made the height requirement for females to be MPs.
Raymond sighed but thought fast. “Captain Hill found my mom’s family two days ago. And, well, someone is flying in to take custody of me. I just don’t know what to expect. I mean they’re from Japan like my mom was, but well I haven’t been there since I was like three years old. Dad’s last duty assignment was in Italy.”
“Do you speak Japanese Raymond?” Asked Lisa as she placed her hand on Raymond’s shoulder. Raymond nodded his head yes and smiled. “Then just relax and be yourself.”
“Yah little guy. I don’t think I’ve heard a bad word about you in the past six weeks. Even that jerkoff Stone over with K-nine likes you.” Terry said trying to cheer Raymond. It worked to a point.
“Thanks guys. Though I’m going to take what you said about Stone with a huge grain of salt. That monkey-nut only likes his partner Thor.” Raymond’s referral to the big Belgian Shepard had the two MPs chuckling.
As Raymond was finishing his dinner the two MPs were called away on their radios. They wished him luck and Raymond told them to be safe. The radio call was a 135, or domestic disturbance in the port housing area. Raymond’s dad had always told him that domestic disturbance calls were always tricky. Doubly so on military bases where the chances of firearms being involved increase. Then there is the add fact that in every house on post, there is at least one trained killer.
Raymond finished his dinner alone and bussed his tray. Returning to his room in the barracks Raymond picked up the second album and started to look through it. He found himself looking at pictures of a young blond woman wearing a cheerleader outfit for a high school. It didn’t take Raymond long to figure out who the girl was. On the seventh page there was a picture her with Raymond’s dad. The girl had to be his father’s younger sister.
As Raymond flipped through the album he got a feel for the other aunt he had never met. He realized sadly that he most likely would never meet her. With her being in a long term healthcare center the chances were not good. Raymond knew that long term meant that his aunt had severe health issues. As much as he wanted to know his aunt, Raymond had to face hard truths that she may not live much longer. The last picture in the album showed his father’s sister sitting on a bright blue motorcycle.
Closing the album Raymond wiped away the tears and opened the last album. The first picture in the book let him know right away that this album was really special. This was his parents’ wedding album. For the next two hours Raymond just stared at each picture in the album. He could tell that the wedding was held in Okinawa. He didn’t know exactly where in Okinawa, but he knew it was there. His mom used to tell the story of their wedding once a year on their anniversary. There was one picture that gave Raymond the answer to where the wedding was held. It was taken in front of the Torii Station Nondenominational Church. As he looked through the album he got answers to long held questions.
His alarm clock going off at 0600 woke him from a dead sleep. Sitting up Raymond rubbed the sleep from his eyes and cracked his stiff back. He had fallen asleep looking at his parents’ wedding album. Closing the album Raymond grabbed his toiletries a change of clothes and ran down the hall to take a quick shower. Raymond chuckled to himself as he entered the men’s latrine and shower area. He remembered his dad calling it the three S’s: shit, shower, shave. Raymond waited patiently until the first sink came open. He didn’t need to shave like the other young men but did brush his teeth. He quickly moved onto the first shower to open. Raymond felt that he was accepted by these young men who wore the uniform of a US Soldier.
None of them gave Raymond a second thought as he joined them in taking care of his morning routine. They ALL knew that the boy was First Sergeant Rockwell’s only kid. That he had no where to go for now. Most of the male MPs had come to look on Raymond as if he was their little brother and treated him that way. More than a few of the female MPs felt the same way, much to Raymond embarrassment.
After taking care of his morning business and dressing in jeans, a long sleeve shirt, teens shoes, Raymond headed for CONONE. Even as he was sitting down with his breakfast Captain Hill was greeting a young woman at the MP Patrol Desk. Yoshi Nagata had arrived in Elizabethtown the night before. By all appearances Raymond’s aunt every bit the stylish Japanese business professional. Captain Hill found himself wondering what type of life lay ahead for his young charge.
“How may I help you ma’am?” The desk Sergeant asked the clearly civilian business woman in his Operations Center.
“Good morning, Sergeant. I am looking for a Captain Hill. I was told that I could contact him here.” Yoshi answered coldly. “He is supposed to be taking care of my nephew Raymond Rockwell.”
“I’ll take it from here Sergeant.” Hill said as he stepped up to Yoshi holding out his hand in greeting. “Captain Hill at your service Miss. Nagata.”
Yoshi looked down at his hand before reaching out to shake it. “Yoshi Nagata, Captain. Where is my nephew? I was expecting him to be with you, sir.”
Hill grimaced as he was not expecting such a cold greeting from the woman. “Raymond is currently having breakfast over at CONONE mess-hall, Miss. Nagata.”
“In that case, sir, why don’t we join him?” Yoshi knew that she just threw the man a bone. One that Captain Hill quickly picked up.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll drive us over.” Hill led Yoshi outside to his POV and drove them over to CONONE. As the Captain and civilian left his AO the desk Sergeant looked over at his Radio Telephone Operator.
“Talk about your cold fish. Heckle, get a hold of your partner at CONONE. Let him know that Captain Hill is on the way with Raymond’s aunt. Have him warn everyone that she is an ice-cold bitch.”
“Sure thing, Sergeant. Only I’m leaving off the part about her being an ice-cold bitch.” Heckle looked over the desk at the station door. “That was just a very scared Japanese business woman out of her element.”
The desk Sergeant thought about what Heckle just told him and how they differed in their opinions. Maybe Heckle was right about Top Rockwell’s sister-in-law. Yet there was something about the young woman that bugged him. Then it hit him as he watched the replay of the video surveillance. He started to chuckle.
“Heckle, that was no business woman. You were right about her being scared and out of her element though.” The desk Sergeant just hit the live feed button.
Over at CONONE Captain Hill was parking in the reserved slots for Duty Officers. He had talked to Colonel McCloud about getting a duty car until he was able to hand off Raymond to his family. That had been the final hang up on trying to place Raymond with a foster family. When the local Child Services Agent who was working Raymond’s, case found out that he still had living family they quit trying to place him in a home. The bitch went so far as to say that the foster homes were for children without family. Captain Hill lost his temper with the woman and had to go before his Commanding Officer over his outburst.
Captain spotted Raymond at his usual table surrounded by his usual breakfast companions. There was one new MP with him, that had his own companion, that may cause problems for Yoshi. The new MP had a K-9 partner. “Miss. Nagata, please stay behind me until the K-nine officer has his partner on the leash.”
“I understand Captain. I have no wish to be bitten.” Yoshi was visibly scared of the German Shepard. She had good reason, as K-9 partners were known to react first at the sight of strangers approaching their handlers in a hostile manner. Yoshi noticed that the young boy, sitting with the MPs, showed no fear of the dog. “Is that my nephew sitting there, sir?”
“Yes ma’am. That’s your nephew Raymond.” Captain Hill answered with some pride. “He has made friends with most of the members of the five-six-six MP detachment. He became kind of like a little brother to most of them.”
“He has not been too much trouble for you, yes? He has been good boy?” Captain Hill could tell that the young woman was having a slight problem with English. “He has not brought dishonor to my sister and her husband memories?”
Captain Hill stopped and looked over at Yoshi. “Miss. Nagata, I can assure you that Raymond has been a credit to your family. He has handled the situation as a proud and honorable young man. At no time has he brought dishonor to your sister or her husband’s memories. If anything, he has tried to honor their memory by being on his best behavior. I wish that more young men acted as maturely as Raymond.”
“Thank you, Captain. I must admit that I know very little of my nephew. My family has not had much contact with my sister and her husband for the past few years.” Yoshi was doing her best to communicate her feelings and those of her family to the Army Captain. She wished she had paid more attention in her English classes in school. Instead of learning just enough to get a passing grade. “When may I take him home? Is there more that needs to be done for my sister and husband?”
“Almost everything has been taken care of as far as your sister and her husband are concerned, Miss. Nagata. There is only the final disposition of the remains to be taken care of. As for the household goods you have until the end of the week to make arrangements for shipment. Raymond and I have been packing things up and cleaning up the house getting it ready for Housing to come in and give the finale inspection.” As Captain Hill explained what needed to be done the MP with the K-9 got up and left bussing his trays as he did so. “I believe that we can head over now, Miss. Nagata. No offence but I did not want to push the boundaries for Sugar.”
“Excuse me, Captain. But why would you not want to use Sugar?” Yoshi asked in confusion. Only to have Hill chuckle. “Did I say something funny?”
“Miss. Nagata, Sugar is the name of the German Shepard that was with the MP.” Captain Hill’s explanation took a few seconds to sink in before Yoshi giggled. The idea of naming a police patrol dog Sugar hit her funny bone. It also struck at something deeper that she found very appealing. Her Lolita spirit. Hill chuckled as Yoshi giggled. “I see that you found the wicked side of humor in the name.”
Yoshi just nodded her head yes as she fought to regain control. “Is there Spice to go with Sugar, yes?”
The translation didn’t come out the way that Yoshi wanted but Hill got the reference. “No ma’am, but I’m sure that someone has thought about making the suggestion.” Looking over at the table he noticed that Raymond was by himself now. “It seems that your nephew has spotted us and asked his dinning companions for privacy.”
Hill couldn’t have been more right if he had tried. Raymond spotted the two of them as they entered the mess-hall. He had grown accustomed to watching for Captain Hill over the last few weeks. Normally he dreaded seeing the young Captain as it usually meant more paperwork for him to go over. Today though there was a very pretty Japanese young woman escorting him. Raymond never took his eyes of the young woman. There was something about her that set him on edge. Something wrong with the way she appeared and carried herself. When they got closer Raymond thought he was seeing a ghost. The ghost of his deceased mother. It took him a few seconds to realize that this woman was much, much younger than his mother and no ghost.
Standing up slowly Raymond never took his eyes off of Yoshi. Then bowing slowly as his mother had taught him Raymond greeted his aunt. “Aisatsu no obāsan, tsuini anata ni au no ga tanoshīdesu.”
Yoshi was caught off guard by the very formal way that Raymond greeted her. She had not expected him to know Japanese as he had been raised in American schools. Yoshi returned the boy’s bow with one of equal depth and duration. “Kon'nichiwa, reimondo watashi wa, kono yōna machijikan no sutansu no shita de awanakereba naranakatta koto o mōshiwakenaku omotte imasu.”
“Excuse Raymond, Miss. Nagata, for reasons of legality I must ask that while I am in your company to please use English only.” Captain Hill said as he placed his briefcase on the table. Then reaching over pulled out and held Yoshi’s chair.
Raymond wanted to pound the Captain for making such a monumental screw up in diplomacy. Thankfully his aunt just sighed and looked over at him. “No need for make the uncomfortable of the Captain Raymond.”
Raymond nodded that he understood exactly what his aunt was driving at. On more than one occasion he and his mother would drive the neighbors up the wall by holding conversations in Japanese. It was an inside joke between them for as long as he could remember. While his father taught Raymond German, his mother taught him Japanese. Both from a very young age.
“Excuse me Miss. Nagata, it is not that it makes me uncomfortable. The reasons is that until you have been give official custody of Raymond I need to be able to report that there has been no untoward forms of coercion. This is a purely legal stand point. One that is there for both your protection and Raymond’s.” Captain Hill had laid out a very plausible excuse, but it was still an excuse. “I hope that you’ll understand? I do not want anything to stand in the way of you taking custody.”
“Relax Captain Hill. If my aunt doesn’t want me, I’ll be fine. The insurance paid out finally and is in the bank account you, setup for me.” Raymond had figured that one way or the other he was finally done with living on post. With more than a million and a half in the bank he could take care of himself just fine.
“Raymond, show respect for Captain Hill. He has earned that from you and more. Do not disgrace our family.” Yoshi corrected him quickly. “As for me not wanting to take you home. You are wrong. Your grandparents cannot fly so they send me. You go home with me, as soon as all is done properly.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Raymond dropped his head. He knew that he was in the wrong. He did owe Captain Hill a lot for all he’s done. “I’m sorry for the attitude sir.”
“Raymond, you have nothing to apologize. You’ve put up with more political red tape than anyone should have to.” Captain Hill, gave Yoshi and Raymond a friendly smile as he opened his briefcase. Raymond groaned seeing him do this, as it usually meant the next hour was going to be spent with paperwork. “Relax kiddo. This is all good paperwork and it will only take fifteen minutes.”
“Um… Captain Hill the last time you said the paperwork would take fifteen minutes at this time in the morning. I missed lunch and had to order in my dinner.” Raymond gave the man a quirky smile.
Captain Hill blinked then remembered what Raymond was talking about. “Hey, I paid for that pizza feast. I still can’t believe you put down a whole triple meat large carnivore from Armor Hill pizza.”
“Is that a big pizza?” Yoshi held her hands out to show about a 12-inch pizza. Raymond smiled at his aunt and moved her hands so that they showed the size for a pizza double that size. Yoshi looked down at where Raymond had moved her hands with wide eyes then up at her nephew. “There goes my food bill.”
The slip was accidental, but Raymond caught the implicates fast. “I’ll try not to eat you out of house and home aunt Yoshi.”
“Um… Raymond could you please translate for me?” Hill asked.
“My aunt Yoshi commented about the cost of food at home going through the roof and I promised her that I won’t eat them out of house and home.” Raymond didn’t feel like telling the Captain that it was only his aunt who was worried about the food bill. He had a feeling that the reason for his aunt being here and not his grandparents was not that they couldn’t fly.
Hill just chuckled as he set a small stack of papers down in front of Yoshi. “Miss. Nagata these are the forms that you need to sign to take full custody for Raymond. If you need a translator I can arrange for one to be sent over.”
“Oh, no need translator. I can read English far better than I can speak it.” Yoshi answered with a smile then turned to Raymond. “Besides, I trust my nephew to translate for me if there is need.”
Raymond couldn’t believe his ears. This woman had just met him, and she said she trusted him. Then he remembered how he translated her slip up. He made sure to protect the family’s honor by making a joke out of what was a very uncomfortable situation for his mother’s family. He had a feeling that he won’t be living with his grandparents but with his aunt or one of his uncles.
“Thank you for your trust aunt Yoshi. I will not shame our family.” Raymond looked over at Hill before he could say something. “I was just telling my aunt that I will translate what she needs me to, to the best of my abilities, sir.”
Hill sat there for a few seconds. Then chuckled. “Raymond if you ever decide to go into business for yourself start off as an official translator. Your skills will be highly marketable. In either the commercial or political fields.”
Yoshi let a small smile play at the corner of her lips at the young Captain’s compliment for her nephew. ‘Yes, my nephew would go far as a translator. He already shows a knack for diplomacy. I will have to be sure to nurture his language skills.’ She thought to herself as she read over the documents. After signing on the bottom line of the first five pages Yoshi stopped and reread the finale page twice.
“Excuse me, Captain Hill. This last page does not make sense to me.” Yoshi handed it to Raymond though. “Raymond-kun, please look at this page?”
Raymond bowed his head and answered with a smile. “At once, Obasan Yoshi.” Raymond went over the last page as Yoshi instructed him. It didn’t take him long to figure out why his aunt wanted him to read the document. It was a formal request for adoption by whoever picked him. If he let his aunt sign that document, he would lose his military dependent status and with it all of his benefits. “Captain Hill, I thought that I was eligible for dependent status until I turned eighteen.”
“You are Raymond. Why are you asking?” The confused look on the Captain’s face had Raymond showing him the adoption request. He looked over the request and smiled over at both Raymond and Yoshi. “Okay I can see where the confusion is. Raymond you will still be a US Army dependent and have access to your benefits. This adoption is to allow your mother’s family to take you outside of the country to raise you.”
Raymond thought over what Captain told him and nodded his head. “I trust Captain Hill not to screw me over aunt Yoshi. If his explanation is the truth, then we can have the JAG office verify it. Have him call his CO.”
“No offence, Captain Hill. Could you call for your Superior please?” Yoshi asked Hill pleasantly. Hill just smiled and pulled out his cellphone.
A short conversation with the JAG office and Hill turned to Yoshi. “Colonel Hickman will be here in a few minutes, Miss. Nagata. He was expecting my call. We figured that either you or Raymond would question the adoption request.”
Colonel Hickman showed up in less than twenty minutes. During that time Yoshi questioned Raymond on his schooling, what other languages he spoke, what his mother told him about Okinawa. Little things trying to get a feel for the boy. What she really wanted to do though was get the paperwork done and back to her hotel. She wanted to make an international phone call to her boss. Though Raymond didn’t know it yet, he had just solved a major problem for his aunt and her boss. She just needed to figure out how to make it work.
Yoshi’s boss was a very traditional Japanese man in certain regards. Yoshi took in Raymond’s over all appearance. He was maybe five-three to five-four, one-hundred-ten pounds, and took after her sister Mishi in the face. Raymond’s longish black hair, almond shaped eyes, and small size all lent themselves towards Raymond appearing very feminine. ‘He would make such a beautiful Lolita or even a geisha. I wonder how he would do in a senpai and kōhai work relationship?’
As Yoshi was feeling out Raymond he was doing the same with his aunt. Raymond could tell that she wasn’t comfortable in the very conservative business suit. Nor was she comfortable with the whole proper business executive look. When Yoshi pushed a lock of hair behind her left ear with her fingers, Raymond spotted a purple highlight. Not very pronounced but there none the less. ‘She still dresses as a Lolita at her age. Well at least back home she does. I wonder if she has any of her normal clothes here with her? I would love to get a look at them. Hell, I would love to see how I looked in them. She probably only has business suits with her though.’
Colonel Hickman sat down with Yoshi, Raymond, the moment he found them. “Captain Hill have you explained the situation with the adoption paperwork?”
“I have sir, only Miss Nagata has a few questions concerning her nephew’s dependent benefits. Sir, I will be honest this one topic that I feel you would be better off explaining.” Captain Hill answered the Colonel.
“I see. Well young lady what do you want to know?” Yoshi bristled at the Colonel’s brisk manner. “Well I don’t have all day. What are your questions?”
Yoshi looked over at Raymond and asked. “Is this man really Captain Hill’s superior? If he is, is there someone else we can deal with?”
Hickman glared at Yoshi then Raymond. “Well, what did she just say, soldier?”
Raymond was the one to bristle this time. “Colonel, I don’t know where you learned your diplomacy, but you need to take a refresher course. Captain Hill who do we report Colonel Hickman’s attitude to?”
“Just what does that mean? I don’t have time to be wasting on what is a straight forward legal proceeding. Your mother’s family has to adopt you boy, or you don’t leave the US. Instead you’ll be placed in the foster care system until your eighteenth birthday. Your foster parents will have total control over the insurance money to be used for your care.” Colonel Hickman was basically telling Raymond that he either let his aunt adopt him or get thrown into the system with no say in the matter. Either way he was going to lose his dependent status.
“Aunt Yoshi, as much as I hate to say this I have to. You need to sign that final page. Either you adopt me, or I go into the foster care system with no say in what happens to me. With you I at least get to stay with family.” Raymond quickly informed his aunt of the situation.
Yoshi gave the Colonel a harsh look then signed the adoption paperwork. Colonel Hickman picked up the pack and looked it over. When he got the bottom of each page he signed on the line below her name then notarized each one. Captain Hill wanted to say something but was stuck with having to follow his Commanders orders. Hickman stood up and looked at Hill.
“Get those filled by COB, Captain. This office has wasted enough time in handling this matter.” Looking over at Yoshi, Hickman continued to give out orders. “Be sure to clear out the Rockwell residence by fourteen-hundred Friday, Miss. Nagata. This command can no longer hold back a much-needed asset for a civilian. Be off the base by fifteen-hundred Friday or I’ll have the MPs escorting you off.”
Raymond couldn’t believe the man’s attitude and just stared as he walked away. “Aunt Yoshi, please forgive me. I don’t know what got into the Colonel.”
“You have nothing to apologize for Raymond-kun. I know his type. One of these days his karma will come back to bight him later. Tell me how close you are to being finished with packing your family’s possessions?”
“I can be finished this afternoon aunt Yoshi. Maybe three to four hours at most.” Raymond felt he should be honest with his aunt.
Yoshi just smiled then turned to Captain Hill. “Captain Hill, please to inform your superior that we shall be done and off the base by this time Thursday. Also, now that I have legal custody of my nephew we shall be staying at my hotel until we leave. I see no reason to stay at my sister’s old home.” Standing up Yoshi looked over at Raymond. “Come Raymond we have work to do.”
Raymond didn’t know what his aunt was up to, but his earlier training with his mother had him showing asshole and elbows. Even as they exited the CONONE mess-hall Yoshi was raising holy hell. “Arrogant assholes. Not that it matters. Your grandparents had planned for this situation. I have the number for a firm that will pack and ship all your family’s possessions by the end of the day.”
Raymond looked at the soldiers around them as his aunt hailed a taxicab. It didn’t take her long to get a cab or to reach his old home. On the way his aunt called the moving company. A half hour after they arrived at the old bases house a large tractor trailer pulled up in front. Raymond watched as the four men and one woman began loading his family’s possessions into the trailer. While the men were lifting the heavy furniture. The woman was packing the rest of the small stuff with him and his aunt. By fifteen-hundred hours that afternoon the last box was loaded into the cargo container on the trailer.
After a quick stop at the home of Tommy Long to allow Raymond to say goodbye to his friend Yoshi took him by the MP barracks. It didn’t take him long to pack up his few clothes and possessions and load them into her rental car. Everything fit into the two footlockers that Yoshi picked at the Post Exchange for Raymond. After saying goodbye to the friends Raymond made among the MPs Yoshi headed for the Provost Marshal. Yoshi checked in with Captain Hill and received the paperwork that cleared his adoption. At sixteen-hundred hours Raymond and Yoshi followed the truck out the main gates of Fort Knox. As they passed through the gate Raymond felt that a part of his life was coming to a close. He was left with a very unknown and frightening future. It was that fear of the future that had Raymond opening up to his aunt Yoshi for the first time.
*from here on all conversation is to be assumed as Japanese*
“Aunt Yoshi, when you said that my grandparents had a plan in place for me. What did you mean?” Raymond asked her as they drove her rental car towards her hotel.
“Your grandparents are very old Raymond-kun. They are in their late sixties. Too old to be raising a teenager. Before I left Tokyo, it was decided that you will come and live with me. The reasoning behind this was I am closest to your age.” Yoshi smiled as she started to explain what her grandparents wanted to do for Raymond. Yoshi chuckled for a few minutes. “Do you know that you and I are close to the same number of years apart as your mother and I were.”
“Um… aunt Yoshi, just how many years apart are you and mom?” Raymond asked politely.
“Your mother was exactly twelve-years older than me. Before you ask there is fourteen years between us. The same number of years between me and your oldest uncle, Jiro. On the other end of that scale is your uncle Juro who is only ten years older then you’re now. Before you ask why your grandparents felt that it would be best for you to live with me the answer is simple. Your uncle Juro is still in college. Your uncle Jiro has a wife and two toddlers to support. Your uncle Mistu has five more years to go before his enlistment is over. That leaves just me. The twenty-eight-year-old, single, Takeshita shop girl of the Harajuku district of Tokyo.” Yoshi started to giggle. “Or so your grandparents and uncles think. One of these days they’re going to find out that I actually OWN five of those Takeshita Doori shops and another three more in Omotesando Hills.”
Raymond’s eyes bulged out of his head hearing his aunt owned eight shops in one of the most high-end shopping districts of Tokyo. She had to be loaded. What Raymond couldn’t figure out was how she made her fortune. “Wait a minute Aunt Yoshi. You said that you work for a traditional Japanese man earlier.”
“Oh, I do work for a traditional man, Raymond-kun. I just own the shops that he sells his clothing line out of. I work for one of the trendiest fashion designers in all of Japan. All I carry are his designs.”
“Um… so you like own your stores but have an exclusive contract with your boss. Is that how it works?” Raymond was trying his best to understand the situation.
“Exactly Raymond-kun. That is very perceptive of you. Now, I have a question for you. Other than English and Japanese do you speak any other languages?” Yoshi was hoping that he did. The more skills Raymond had the better her chances at selling her idea to her friend and boss Takashi Shimizu.
Raymond turned a little sad. “Dad was teaching me German. I’m not as good with it as I’m my Japanese. Specialist Donnelly started teaching Hangugeo; I mean Korean. He spent two tours of duty over there. I would have liked to learned some more, but I doubt that will happen now.”
Yoshi smiled as she heard this. “Raymond-kun, just how good are you at learning languages? I mean do you find it hard to understand other languages?”
“I don’t really know. I just kind of pick them up.” Raymond just shrugged his shoulders as he answered Yoshi’s question.
The manner of his answer and the way Raymond shrugged his shoulders had Yoshi doing a double take. It wasn’t the only time that day she had done so either. From the first time she laid eyes on the boy she thought she was looking at her deceased sister. There were little bits and pieces of his father in Raymond’s face sure. Yet for the majority of his appearance took after his mother. Yoshi took them to a Ryan’s Steakhouse for dinner before heading back to her hotel for the night. The two of them continued to talk through dinner learning more about the other.
Even at back Yoshi’s hotel Raymond continued asking questions of his aunt. Trying to get a feeling for her and his extended family. A little after midnight Yoshi sent him to bed stating they had a lot to do in the morning. She waited for Raymond to fall asleep before stepping out of the room. She took her keycard and cellphone. Down in the lobby Yoshi made her first call of the night.
“Hello?” the woman answered on the other end. “Whose calling?”
“It’s me mom.”
“Yoshi, dear. It’s good to hear from you. We were expecting your call yesterday.”
“Sorry, mom. I got in late here and still had a long drive ahead of me. Fort Knox is over two-hundred kilometers from Cincinnati. With no direct train or bus connection. I had to rent a car and drive.”
“I understand Yoshi, but I doubt your father will.” Yoshi heard her mother sigh on the other end of the call. “You know how he gets when it comes to you girls.”
“I know mom.” Yoshi sighed. Then turned to business. “Mom I arranged for Mishi, and Steve to be cremated. I’ll have their ashes with me when we arrive in Tokyo at the end of the week. I had to used that shipping firm dad suggested.”
“Thank you for doing this for us, dear. Your father wanted to handle this himself, but with everything going at that new building site. He just couldn’t get away. How is Raymond handling all of this?”
“He is doing alright mom. I sent you a picture of him earlier.” Yoshi knew that her mother and grandfather hadn’t seen their grandson in ten years. So, sending the picture was one of the first things she did. Once she had the chance.
“She definitely takes after Mishi. Why she could be your baby sister, Yoshi.”
“MOM. Raymond is a boy.” Yoshi was happy that her mother spotted what she already knew. She still had to make sure to correct her mother though.
“I know that Yoshi, but you have to admit that HE does look like Mishi. Too much like her for his own good.” There was thoughtful pause on the other end of the line. “Yoshi, be honest. With his looks do you really think that Raymond will fit in here or should he stay with you?”
Yoshi smiled. Things couldn’t have worked out better if she had planned it. Her mother was already thinking along the same lines as her. “To be honest mom, no. With his small size and pretty face he is going to be a target for the bullies. Especially for those American dependents from the bases.”
“Will he even fit in with the local teens in Tokyo? If what you say is true. No you’re right. With his looks he will have few problems in Tokyo.”
“I take it that you’re looking at his picture I sent with a closer eye. Just think about it mom. Even without makeup or having his hair styled, Raymond looks more like a girl than most of the boy Lolitas that I know. People are going to think he is gay no matter what happens. I think the best thing is for Raymond to stay with me in Harajuku. The schools in this area are a little more open minded. Which for Raymond will be a big help.”
“Tell me Yoshi. Does my grandson even speak Japanese?” And there was the old attitude towards outsiders that Yoshi’s mother grew up with.
“Mom, this is one time you need to put that attitude on hold. Raymond is your grandchild and a true credit to our family honor. You may have had your beefs with Steve, but he loved Mishi and she loved him.” Yoshi almost snarled but kept her temper in check. It was hard enough dealing with her parents at times, but she didn’t need to piss them off for not showing respect. “Raymond is a good kid mom. He speaks, reads, and writes Japanese better than the professional translators that I deal with most of the time. He does have an Okinawa inflection but that I put down to Mishi’s teachings. He also knows how to behave like a good Japanese teenager. One raised in the old country, mom.”
“How much of the old ways does my grandson understand, Yoshi?” There was a note of true worry in her mother’s voice. “Is he going to have problems fitting in?”
“No ma’am. I think that he will fit in quite well, mom. If anything, I feel that he will adjust faster than any of us would ever expect.” Yoshi was the one to sigh this time. “Mom, I know this is going to sound a little bit off. I think that Raymond would make a perfect kōhai. For either myself or Takashi.”
Yoshi’s mother was quiet on the other end of the line before saying anything. She was thinking over what Yoshi just told her. “Does Raymond have any skills that Takashi would even consider useful?”
“Mom, think about it? Raymond already speaks two languages other than English. He is fluent in both Japanese and German thanks to Steve and Mishi. He has already started on his third language thanks to one of the GI’s he has been around.” Yoshi knew that she has to sell her mother on her plan. “Raymond learns languages the way that I see fashion trends. I wouldn’t put it past him to be able to speak no less than four languages by the time he leaves school.”
“I see. How good is he as a translator, Yoshi?”
“He has already kept me from making a few mistakes mom.” Yoshie knew that her mother couldn’t see her smile but that didn’t matter. Her mother could hear the pride in her voice for Raymond. “He could go far. Very far as a Government approved Translator. I do not lie mom, he is that good.”
“Could he work for your father?”
“Mom, Raymond knows when to translate verbatim and when not to. His integrity is extremely high for one so young. Yet, at the same time his diplomacy is far beyond anything that I have seen. He has already shown me that he knows how to navigate difficult legal situations.” Yoshi let her pride fil her voice for Raymond. Her mother was silent after hearing this for so long that Yoshi thought that she hung up on her. “Mom you still there?”
“Yes dear. I’m still here. I’m just thinking.” After a few moments her mother came back. “Yoshi, go ahead and contact Takashi. I’ll let your father know that you’re taking Raymond in. He will be YOUR responsibility from now on. He shall be your kōhai only Yoshi. Understand? Not Takashi’s. Teach him well, my daughter.”
The phone went dead in Yoshi’s ear. Her mother had hung up on her. Yoshi knew that her mother had just placed the raising of her nephew in her hands. Whether Raymond succeeded or failed was all up to her now. “Well, I have no one to blame but myself. I just hope like hell Takashi well go along with my plan.”
-----tbc-----
Chapter 3
Cincinnati Ohio, present day.
Debra couldn’t believe what she had heard over the past hour. It had to be a prank. There was no way that Ren Nagata was ever a boy. Yet she could tell by the way Alexie and his assistances were acting it was the truth. What Debra couldn’t figure out was why Ren had such a hatred for her boss. She would get her chance to ask when Alexie spun her around to face the mirror.
“Well, Ren, what do you think of your newest project so far?” Alexie demanded.
Ren took one look at the teen’s new makeup and hair color. “I think she would look much better with a French twist. Don’t you Alexie?”
Alexie stepped back and scratched his chin. “You’re right. It will give her just the right amount of sophistication.”
Seeing her chance Debra asked the question that was on her mind. “Miss Nagata, I know that you have probably been asked this before. Why do you have such animosity towards Mrs. Celso?”
Ren chuckled and smiled at the girl’s bravery. All while thinking ‘I need to keep an eye on this one. She will go far.’ “The answer to that question is not an easy one to explain without giving you a good deal more background. I will tell you that it has a lot to do with my senpai and how your boss set out to ruin their name. All over a stupid disagreement about teenage fashion trends.” At the look of disbelief on Debra’s face Ren chuckled. “You heard me correctly Debra. Your boss set out to ruin a person’s career over an argument about fashion. You may not have heard this, but she can be very petty.”
Debra didn’t say anything because she had heard that about Mrs. Celso. In fact, she had heard of her targeting those she felt deserved it. That she would do so over something so petty didn’t jive with Debra’s view of the world. Debra was still naive enough to believe that reporters and editors are supposed to be unbiased. Ren just sighed as she saw the look of disappointment in the teen’s eyes over her hero and boss.
“Debra, allow me to give you some advice.” Ren waited for Debra to nod her head. “First off, if you remain a reporter never let your personal feelings interfere with writing a story. Stick to the facts and respect the person you are interviewing. Remember there are going to be times that your interviewee will be at one of their lowest points in life. The second piece of advice I’ll give you is to keep politics out of your reporting. No matter your personal politics leave them at the door. Let your role models be the greats, such as Frances Lewine, Eldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum, Patricia Raybon. These women were all trail blazers in your chosen profession.”
“Wow. I never really thought about what you just said, Miss Nagata. Um… may I know where you came by this advice?” Debra asked timidly.
Ren chuckled. “It was no grand revelation Debra. In many ways my views towards the press has been influenced by my father’s view point and those of the troops he served with in the Army. As you can guess, most military personnel have a very low opinion of the press. The main reason behind this is because all too often reporters ignore those two pieces of advice.”
“I see.” Debra really did see what Ren was talking about. “I promise to always keep your advice close to mind Miss Nagata.”
“I’m sure that you will Debra. I see you going a long way as a reporter. Not as a fashion reporter though. I saw the fire in your eyes when I mentioned Frances Lewine. Not that I blame you, she was an Associated Press White House correspondent; not to mention being president of the Women's National Press Club. She was a true trailblazer for women in the world of reporters.”
Alexie turned Debra around to face the mirror for the first time before she had a chance to ask her next question of Ren. “Presto, the caterpillar climbs out of her cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. Now we just need to dry her wings and spread them for the world to see.”
Debra couldn’t believe the girl in the mirror was her. Gone was the plain, flat light mousy brown hair and pale skin of just a short half-hour ago. In their place was a stunningly deep rich brunette with purple highlights. Debra’s normal understated makeup had been washed away and replaced with a more dramatic look. Her eyes were now accented by ‘bedroom eyes’. Her small lips were made to look fuller and darker with the use of a deep red lipstick and liner. The foundation was a light ivory that brought out her cheek bones thanks to the light rose colored rouge.
In an awe filled voice that was barely above a whisper Debra slowly raised her hand to her face. “Is that really me?”
“Yes, dear. That really is you.” Ren chuckled beside her. “Just wait until Alexie and his assistants finish. I can guarantee that even you won’t recognize yourself.” Ren smiled as she saw a light in Debra’s eyes. “Let me guess. This is the first time that you have stepped away from your grandmother’s influence on your style.”
“Yes, ma’am, Miss Nagata. To be honest this is the first time that I’ve ever really changed how I look.” Debra answered truthfully. “Um… I don’t want to sound inconsiderate but how much do I owe?”
Alexie gasped while Ren just chuckled. “Young lady this is on my dime and time. There is no way that a mere Intern could afford my services. No, no. You are to be one of my greatest challenges. It is I who should be paying you young lady.” Alexie huffed and turned Debra over to Stephany, Tabitha the clothing style specialists. “Now you go with these lovely girls while Ren continues with her story.”
With a gentle push from Alexie, a soft tug for the girls, Debra found herself in the backroom changing area with Stephany and Tabitha. Ren just smiled and chuckled as she followed the trio into the backroom. Pulling up a stool Ren took a seat to watch Stephany and Tabitha work. “Where were we? Oh yes. I had just met my aunt Yoshi and was getting ready to leave the US.”
“Miss Nagata, how where you first accepted in Japan? I’ve heard from my oldest cousin in Yokohama that outsiders aren’t typically welcomed with open arms. With you being a Japanese American didn’t you face even more opposition?”
“Oh, I did run into that attitude at first. But I had one advantage over most visitors and immigrants to Japan. I spoke Japanese without an accent.” Ren just smirked at Debra’s facepalm moment. “Don’t worry, Debra. You’re not the first person to forget about my less than conventional upbringing. After all most American children don’t grow up speaking two or more languages. Nor are they exposed to more than one country’s culture.”
“So, your mother taught you more than just her native language but the customs as well?” Debra asked.
“Mother went out of her way to teach me about her family’s customs and culture. She knew that there was always the chance that my father could be reassigned to Okinawa at any time. She didn’t want me to be handicapped the way that a lot of other Army BRATS were by not knowing those things.” Ren let the joy at the memory of her mother fill her face. “It was my mother’s teachings that led me to my Senpai.”
“Miss Nagata, could you please explain that term for me?” Debra asked as she grunted from the corset that Tiffany had wrapped around her torso was tightened for the first time. “Do I really need a corset?” she complained.
“As the old saying goes. We must suffer for our beauty, Debra.” Ren chuckled then went on to continue her story. With the tape recorder in her hand Ren pushed the record button. Once more letting her mind drift back to her earlier years in her aunt’s care.
Okinawa, Japan, Sunday 3rd, 2004
Raymond and Yoshi landed shortly after nine in the morning at Naha Airport. Better known as Naha International Airport. The past week had taken its emotional toll on Raymond. Between the funeral for his parents, then the cremation, and finally the move to Japan. It had taken all of young Raymond’s hard-earned self-control just make it through the long flight from Cincinnati. His one solace was the three photo albums in his suitcases. Yoshi had found Raymond going through the albums one night back in their hotel room. It was the one with all the pictures of his mom, dad, and aunt Yoshi. Yoshi told the stories behind each picture.
It wasn’t long before Raymond was laughing at some of the stories behind those pictures. It was one of the few times over the past few months that Raymond truly laughed. Yoshi knew that the first few days in Okinawa would be stressful for the young man. First there would be the wake for his parents. It is normally held as soon as possible after death, a Japanese wake is called tsuya, “passing the night”. All the funeral guests would be in black. Men would be wearing black suits with white shirts and black ties, and women wear either black dresses or black kimonos. It would be held at Yoshi’s parents’ home in Okinawa.
Yoshi’s mother had already purchased a new suit for Raymond. Not to mention a new kimono for Yoshi. Raymond’s father was well respected among Yoshi’s family. Yoshi had contacted Steve’s sister before arranging for Steve to be interned in the Nagata family grave. A typical Japanese grave is usually a family grave, or haka, consisting of a stone monument, with a place for flowers, incense, and water in front of the monument and a chamber or crypt underneath for the ashes.
The funeral proper, called kokubetsu-shiki, would take place the day after the wake. It would be similar to what happens at the wake, yet the two ceremonies differ slightly as the deceased receives a new Buddhist name kaimyō; “precept name” written in Kanji. This name is said to prevent the return of the deceased if their name is called. The length of the name depends also on either the virtue of the person’s lifespan. The kanji for these kaimyō are usually very ancient, and sometimes with esoteric meanings. For Raymond this was already taken care of by his grandparents.
The cremation had been taken care of by the US authorities. This was normally the third step of the grieving process. Yoshie knew that Raymond wouldn’t have been able to handle the relatives picking the bones out of the ashes and transferring them to the urn using large chopsticks or metal picks. Known as kotsuage, this is the only time in Japan when it is proper for two people to hold the same item at the same time with chopsticks. At all other times, holding anything with chopsticks by two people at the same time, or passing an item from chopsticks to chopsticks, is considered to be a major social faux pas as this will remind bystanders of the funeral of a close relative. The bones of the feet are picked up first, and the bones of the head are picked up last. This is to ensure that the deceased is not upside down in the urn. The hyoid bone, which is located in the neck, is the most significant bone to be placed in the urn.
Another part of the burial taken care of by Yoshi’s parents and Raymond’s grandparents was the grave. The date of the erection of the grave and the name of the person who purchased it may be engraved on the side of the monument. The names of the deceased are often but not always engraved on the front of the monument. When a married person dies before his or her spouse, the name of the spouse may also be engraved on the stone, with the letters painted red. After the death and the burial of the spouse, the red ink is removed from the stone. The names of the deceased may also be engraved on the left side, or on a separate stone in front of the grave. Often, the name is also written on a sotoba, a separate wooden board on a stand behind or next to the grave. These sotoba may be erected shortly after death, and new ones may be added at certain memorial services.
Memorial services depend on local customs. Usually, there are a number of memorial services following the death - for example, daily for the first seven days, or a number of services within the first 49 days, or on the 7th, 49th and 100th day, depending on the local custom. Most commonly observed are the Buddhist service on the seventh day after death, shonanoka, and the 49th day, shijūkunichi. In many traditions, the urn containing the ashes is interred in a ceremony called nōkotsu on the 49th day, and the family stays in mourning until this day.
After that, there is a memorial service on the Obon festival in honor of the dead. The festival may be held in the 1st year, sometimes in the 3rd and 5th, 7th and 13th years, and a number of times afterwards up to either the 39th or the 50th year. One popular sequence follows the days of the Thirteen Buddhas.
A picture of the deceased is also placed at or near the family altar in the household. Also, in the first year after death, no traditional New Year's Day Postcard is sent or received. The friends and relatives have to be informed of this beforehand so as not to send a card.
Yoshi was surprised by Raymond’s desire to understand everything that went into his parents’ funeral, and the morning process that was involved. Raymond had been filled with questions on the customs concerning the dead in Japan. Yoshi had, had more than one late night talk with her mother and father on how to approach the topic. They were a little worried over the way that Americans cremated the bodies. The main difference was that the bones of the deceased were ground down unlike in Japan where they were left whole and placed in the urn. They understood that they had to abide by the different laws concerning the handling of the dead.
Raymond saw it as just another step on the long road of his new life. Raymond knew that he had a long way to go, and Rain would have to stay hidden until he was able to go out on his own. The only problems they had was at Customs when entering Japan. The Agent there gave Raymond more than a little grief over his paperwork. The man didn’t want to believe that he was there on a long-term visa.
“How did you get this visa young man?” the man demanded.
“My parents died, and I have been sent to live with my mother’s family, sir.” Raymond sighed. Fighting to keep his temper.
“Where will you be staying while in Japan?”
Raymond was really starting to hate the other half of his heritage by this point. He had been kicked around from pillar to post for the past two months. The boy was getting to the point of not caring who he pissed off anymore. “I’ll be staying with my aunt in Tokyo after my parents’ funeral, sir.”
“Why aren’t you staying with your father’s family?” the man demanded before asking. “You have some kind criminal record?”
That was the last straw and Raymond snapped. “Look you overpaid jackass. The only family I have left is my mother’s. My paperwork is in order. All you need to do is stamp it and tell me to have a nice day.”
The Agent smiled and then waved for two guards. “Detain this boy. He is trying to enter the country on a false visa and passport.”
Raymond was about to blow his top again when Yoshi stepped up to the counter. Yoshi asked the two guards in a polite and respectful tone “Excuse me, gentlemen. May I know why you are detaining my nephew?”
“Did you say this young man is your nephew, ma’am?” One guard asked her.
“Yes, I did officer. I am also his legal guardian.” Yoshi pointed to Raymond’s paperwork in the Custom Agent’s hand. “It’s all there in his paperwork with his visa and passport. The Agent just has to read it.”
“This paperwork is forged.” The agent huffed. “Take them both away guards. While I contact Immigration to have them deported.”
Yoshi reached into her purse and removed her id along with her passport. She smiled as she handed them over to the guards. “I believe that you will find all of my documentation is in order gentlemen. As for my nephew’s paperwork being forged that is nothing more than this man’s bigotry showing through. Check for your selves.”
The second guard grabbed Raymond’s paperwork out of the agent’s hand and began reading. It didn’t take him long to see that Raymond and Yoshi were telling the truth. Reaching up to his radio he called for the Agent’s supervisor. The agent’s supervisor showed up took one look at Raymond’s paperwork and stamped his passport then visa. Handing them back the man wished Yoshi and Raymond a good day. As they walked away with their luggage Raymond heard the supervisor ordering the agent off the customs line and to report to his office. Raymond guessed that the agent was about to get his ass chewed out for his attitude. This was confirmed by his aunt giggling like a schoolgirl beside him.
“Pompous ass. One of these days the hardliners will learn that the world is changing, and they must change with the times.” Yoshi chuckled.
“Um… aunt Yoshi, what was that all about? I mean the way that Custom Agent was acting it was like he wasn’t going to let me enter the country.”
Yoshi sighed. “Raymond, I know that this is going to be hard for you to understand, but there are a good many Japanese that still wish for the days of isolationism. They believe that Japan does not need the outside world to survive.”
“Let me guess. My being here is a reminder that they can’t. They would happily show me the way to the plane to take me back to the US. If not outright buy me the ticket for the flight.” Raymond sighed. “Aunt Yoshi, it’s still not too late to send me back to the US and a foster home.”
“You are my nephew Raymond. That will not be happening. Besides, your grandparents would disown me, then have me stoned in the town square for abandoning you.” Yoshi leaned over and kissed Raymond on the cheek. “Besides, I have come to like the cute young man that is my nephew.”
Raymond just blushed at being called cute by Yoshi. Something that she spotted early on in their relationship. ‘He still blushes at being called cute. If I didn’t know better, I would swear that he enjoys it. I wonder?’
As they exited the airport Yoshi turned her thoughts to the matter at hand. They still had a long way to go before reaching her parents home. Her original plan of flying into Tokyo first had been overridden by her mother and father. It had taken some work, but she had gotten a direct flight into Naha from Cincinnati via Tokyo. Now she had to get them a car. The next hour and half was going to be a pain in the ass. Yoshi was thinking about the fastest rout to her parents’ home when Raymond handed her a map with the rout highlighted.
“Just grab the fifty-eight north. It runs close to the shore and we’ll miss the traffic for the main gate at Kadena Air Force base.” Raymond just smiled at the look on Yoshi’s face. “What can I say? Mom sucked at giving directions. So, dad taught me how to read a map before he taught me to read the alphabet.”
It took Yoshi’s brain a few seconds to catch up with what Raymond what saying. When it finally did she burst out laughing. “Your mother was an extremely intelligent woman Raymond, but you’re right. She would get lost in her own kitchen.”
“Why do you think I learned to cook? I would have starved before my eighth birthday. Man cannot live by takeout pizza alone. Despite what the guys in the barracks said.” Raymond joked. “Then again dad was no Wolfgang Puck either. He could barely boil water for coffee and Top Ramen Noodles. His idea of a proper meal was an MRE with the packaging opened for you. Oh, and a full canteen of cold water.”
The more Raymond joked about his parents the more Yoshi laughed. It was good to see that the young man was starting to come out of his shell around her. Yoshi, knew that he was hiding something but didn’t want to push Raymond to find out what. She had a good idea of what he was trying to hide by his mannerisms at times. They were just a little too girly for him to not be either gay or a shisutaabooi. Then there were the times when he would show a very masculine streak. The two sides of her nephew were constantly keeping Yoshi on her toes. Though she could see that, the masculine side was, more often than not, forced.
It didn’t take them long to rent a car and find it in the parking lot. Yoshi was happy that she had taken care to get her drivers license a few years ago. The cost of a taxi from the airport to her parents’ home would have been astronomical. Not that she couldn’t afford it, but she would need the car for their time on Okinawa. As they drove along the western coast of the island Raymond looked out the window at the ocean. This was one of his few times seeing the actual ocean. All of his family vacations with his parents had been to places like Orlando, or the Grand Canyon. They had never gone to one of those oceanside resorts. Mainly because his father flat out hated those places.
“Aunt Yoshi, before we head back to Tokyo, can we spend the day at the beach?” Raymond asked quietly as he stared out the window at the ocean.
The request surprised Yoshi. “Sure, Raymond. We can do that. Your mother always like the ocean. I’m a little surprised that you’ve never been to the ocean though.”
“Oh, I’ve been to the ocean, aunt Yoshi. It’s just that most of the beaches in the States are so over commercialized that dad hated the places. I think the only beach we ever went to was Flagler beach in Key West. That was a few years ago when he was TDY to NAS Bocachica for two months.” Raymond sighed as he thought about that time. “It was during the summer. Never did find out what he was doing there. Then again dad kept a lot of what he did to himself.”
The note of sadness in Raymond’s voice grabbed at Yoshi’s heart. “I guess I’ll never know what all he did now. He used to always say that he would tell me one day when I asked him. He always said it had something to do with protecting assets still in the field or undercover.”
“That sounds like your father, Raymond. He was always a man of honor. One who knew and understood the cost of duty.” Yoshi wanted to hug Raymond just then but couldn’t because she driving. “I don’t know if you have ever heard this saying. Honor is light as a feather, but duty is heavy as a mountain.”
Raymond chuckled then sighed. “I’ve heard it before aunt Yoshi. It was one of dad’s favorites. He would always drop something like that on his troops before they went on patrol. He had this massive book of sayings like that on his office desk. I packed it away with the other books from home. I used to grab one or two of them and just read for days in my room.”
“When the boxes and other whole baggage arrive, we’ll go through all of it together Raymond. We’ll put all of your parents’ books in your room.” Yoshi knew that Raymond had been missing something other than his parents. Something in that whole baggage. “Is there anything else in the boxes you want to keep at the house?”
Raymond wanted to say. ‘Yes, I want to get my footlocker with all of Rain’s clothes’ but was pretty sure that Yoshi would freak out hearing that. Instead he just shook his head no saying. “I’ll let you know when everything gets here.”
“Well, only the boxes and footlockers will be coming to the house. The furniture, household goods, and your father’s workshop tools, will be going directly into storage. I know that sounds a little cold, but I just don’t have the room at my home for everything.” Yoshi gave Raymond a sideways smile. “My apartment has only two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchenet dining area, and a small living area.”
“I know that this is going to sound a little presumptuous of me, aunt Yoshi. But isn’t that awfully small. I mean shouldn’t you have something bigger? From what you told me, you own like eight what I assume are high-end clothing stores.” Raymond scratched the back of his head. “Would have thought that you owned a regular house. Not an apartment like you were saying.”
At first Yoshi was angered by the boy’s attitude until he explained his reasoning. When she heard his reasoning, Yoshi chuckled. “Raymond a small apartment like mine is normal in Tokyo. Space is at a premium after all in Tokyo. A place where they build up and not out. Why they even went so far as to engineer additional space by creating islands. Examples are the 115-acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. One of the first is Odaiba. A large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. It was initially built for defensive purposes in the 1850s, dramatically expanded during the late 20th century as a seaport district and has developed since the 1990s as a major commercial, residential and leisure area.” There was a note of pride in Yoshi’s voice as she talked about her home. Now, Raymond’s home.
“Wow, aunt Yoshi, you really know your history. Did you want to be a teacher or something like that in school?” Asked Raymond with wonder.
“Nope. I just really like history. I couldn’t be a teacher if I tried.” Yoshi giggled. “I kind of lack the patience to teach.”
“So, what did you want to be in school?” Raymond asked.
“Would you believe that I actually have my dream job?” At Raymond’s disbelieving look Yoshi chuckled. “Okay, I guess I should tell you the truth. After all you’ll be seeing me in all my glory the first day back to work. You know that picture in the back of that one album. The one of your mom, and me.”
“Yeah. The one titled ‘Nagata Lolita Sisters’ or something like that?” Raymond asked politely. Trying to downplay his interest in the picture. Not that Yoshi was fooled, not one bit.
“You know exactly what that title is Raymond. You’ve sat and stared at that picture for at least an hour every day.” Yoshi chuckled at the blush that came over Raymond’s cheeks. “As you know my stores cater to a select clientele. Namely Lolitas.”
“Let me guess. You’re a Lolita yourself, right?” The smirk on Raymond’s face was all Yoshi needed to see to know that he was kidding. The only problem was Yoshi wasn’t kidding and she was about to drop a bomb on her nephew.
“More like I’m still a Lolita and one of the WEALTHIEST in all of Tokyo. Not mention one the top models for the number one Lolita designer, Takashi Shimizu.” They pulled to a stop at a traffic light and Yoshi looked over at Raymond. “Raymond, can I ask you a very personal question?”
“Sure, aunt Yoshi. Whatever you want to know.”
“I noticed that you hide your ponytail on the inside of your shirts. Just how long is your hair?” This fact was important to Yoshi’s plan.
To answer his aunt’s question Raymond pulled his ponytail out of his shirt. Raymond let it fall over his shoulder and into his lap. “When I stand up it falls just above my hips in a low ponytail.”
“You know, your mother had a ponytail that wasn’t longer than that at your age. If I remember right it just reached the top swell of her butt.” The light turned green and Yoshi pulled out. “Mom is going to go nuts when she sees that hair.”
“Grandmother is not going to make me get it cut. Is she?” Raymond was more than a little worried over having to cut his hair.
“I doubt it Raymond. Your long hair makes you look so much like your mother that your grandmother may ask you to grow it longer.” At Raymond’s stunned look Yoshi smiled as she entered the highway. “Did you know that you look a great deal like your mother at that age?”
“Um… no. I’ve never seen any pictures of mom when she was younger.” There was a wistful note in Raymond’s voice. It had gone soft and velvety. The tone alone had Yoshi fighting to keep her eyes on the road. The quality though was almost more than she could keep up with. It was as if a ghost had sat down in the seat next her. The ghost of her fifteen-year-old sister Mishi.
“Raymond, please take your hair out of the ponytail?” Yoshi asked him just as quietly. She didn’t want to let the moment go by being to load.
Raymond didn’t see the harm in his aunt’s request and did so. “Is this what you wanted Aunt Yoshi?” He asked as he shook his hair out.
The simple back and forth flipping of his long hair had allowed it to spill over both shoulders and down his back. Yoshi took her eyes off the road for a few seconds to really look at him. What she saw made her gasp for breath. Snapping her eyes back to the road Yoshi looked for a spot to pull over. The rest stop a half mile down the road was her new destination. Not for the first time Yoshi saw the uncanny resemblance to her dead sister in her nephew. Only this time it was closer to a ghost sitting next to her that drove Yoshi’s decision to stop and settle her nerves.
“Are you alright aunt Yoshi?” Raymond asked in worry as his aunt practically dove into the rest stop. He could see the tears forming in her eyes as she pulled to a stop breathing hard. Yoshi was close to a full-blown breakdown. She lost it when Raymond pulled her into a hug whispering in her ear. “Let it out aunt Yoshi.”
For the past week and half Yoshi had fought to remain composed and in control for her nephew. The loss of her older sister and brother-in-law had hit the young woman harder than she wanted to let on. It had been Mishi who had pushed Yoshi to step out on her own and explore her options as a young woman. It had been Steve who had staked her the startup capital for her first shop. Unlike her parents, it was Raymond’s parents who had supported Yoshi’s desire to become the business woman that she was this day. It had been their idea to seek out a mentor in the fashion industry. It had been Mishi’s contacts and Steve’s influence with the military that brought Takashi into the young woman’s life. Raymond sat there holding his aunt as she cried for her lost sister and brother-in-law for the first time in his presence.
A half hour later, Yoshi sat back, smiled at Raymond and wiped her eyes. “Thankyou, Ren. I needed that in more ways than I thought.”
“Um… aunt Yoshi, who is Ren?” Raymond asked quietly. He knew that it was someone special to his aunt. He had a feeling that it was an old lover. He was proven right.
“I’m sorry, Raymond. I didn’t mean to call you by that name.” Yoshi sighed as she looked out the window. “Ren was my roommate and first love in college.”
“What happened to her?”
“She was disowned by her family when they found out that she was in love with me. Ren took her life a few days later.” Yoshi fought to keep the pain out of her voice over that injustice, she failed miserably. “Your mother held me the same way that you just did, when I found out.”
“What does the name Ren mean?”
“Depending on the kanji either lotus or love. Ren is a unisex name in Japanese. Why are you asking Raymond?” Yoshi had an idea but didn’t want to push.
“Well, I think that it would be easier for me to fit in here, if I had a name that was a little more traditional for Japan. I know that Raymond will standout like a sore thumb. I kind of like the sound of Ren.” Raymond was hoping his aunt would go for the idea for two reasons. The first he had stated openly. The second was it would give him a more feminine soundly name for Japan.
Yoshi smiled and hugged Raymond once more. Then pulling back she kissed her nephew on the forehead. “I like the sounds of that Ren.”
What Yoshi didn’t say just then was that she had been thinking about Raymond’s name from the time they first met. How it would be so much easier to introduce him to people if he had a less masculine name. Especially in her line of work. The only thing that would make it easier on her was if Raymond was a girl. She knew that with his delicate and feminine features he would have problems fitting in as a boy. She didn’t want to tell him that he looked so much like a girl.
“Thank you, aunt Yoshi. I like the sounds of the new name myself. Ren Rockwell.” A frown crossed Ren’s young face followed by a small smile. “No, that is not quite right. Ren Mishi Nagata sounds better and more natural.”
Yoshi didn’t want to tell hm that both of those names while unisex were normally only given to girls. Basically, due to their less than masculine connotations. After all Ren means lotus and love, while Mishi means strong, and graceful. Not something most boys would like to be called. The problem would be how to introduce Ren to her parents. With his, no her long hair and pretty face she could decently be one of her greatest models. She knew that Ren’s looks would draw in her mother. While at the same time put off her father.
“Ren, for now let’s keep your new name between us. At least until after the burial for your parents is over.” Yoshi was trying her best to not destroy the confidence in her nephew or was it her niece. As she pulled out of the rest stop Yoshi though about how to bring up the topic of Ren dressing a girl to be one of her models.
“I understand, aunt Yoshi.” Ren said then smiled at her. “I think I can get by as Raymond until we get to Tokyo.”
Yoshi had to do a double take when Ren flashed her that smile. “For a minute there I thought that you were your mother with that smile. She always did have a wicked sense of humor. Mishi always was one for a good practical joke.”
“I know all about mom’s practical jokes, aunt Yoshi.” Ren blushed at one memory that happened less than a year ago. “Would you believe that last year at Halloween she suggested that we go to the MP battalion’s party as a pair of geishas?”
“Did you do it?” Yoshi asked with a smirk. Ren look at his aunt and could tell that she wanted to know more about that time.
“We did. I still have the kimonos that we used. I packed them in one of the footlockers.” Ren blushed bright red at admitting this to his aunt.
“Well, don’t just sit there. Tell me about the party.” Yoshi practically begged.
Ren chuckled and blushed even harder. “It was last year at Halloween. We were still stationed in Würzburg, Germany. Dad was still awaiting his promotion to First Sergeant. Anyway, his Commanding Officer at the time felt that the families of his troopers needed to celebrate Halloween in a safe way. His solution was to hold a post wide party at the post gym. The party was announced two months prior, so mom had plenty of time to order the kimonos for her and me. Mom made a traditional style costume of samurai armor for dad.”
Yoshi smiled as she could see what had happened before Ren even got to the punch line. “Let me guess. She didn’t tell you that your costume was more than just the kimono?” The twinkle in Yoshi’s eyes followed by a giggle let Ren know she had figured out his mom’s prank. “Where did she get all the right makeup? Did you look like a proper geisha? Did anyone spot you as being a boy?”
Ren was honest with Yoshi. “Nope, all she told me was that we were going to the party as a traditional family of the Tokugawa shogunate. I don’t know where mom got the makeup from, but we did look like real geisha. No one even guessed that I was a boy. I actually won the award for best costume.” There was a note of pride in Ren’s voice towards the end of the story.
As they drove Yoshi smiled Ren had just opened the door for her next question. “Did you ever dress up as girl before that?”
“No. That was the very first time.” There it was the second opening that Yoshi was looking for. This time Yoshi didn’t let it pass her by.
“Ren, what if I told you that you could make a good deal of money by being a model and translator for me? Would you be interested in something like that?”
“What kind of model?” Ren asked slowly.
“Do you think you could pass yourself off as a Lolita?” Yoshi knew that it was now or never. “Not just any Lolita, but a Goth or Princess Lolita?”
-----tbc-----
Chapter 4
Home of Nagata Family, Yomitan, Okinawa
Ren couldn’t believe what his aunt Yoshi was asking him. She had just offered to make his dreams come true. Hell, she was offering to actually help him become Rain. Well not so much Rain, but Ren. Letting him become the girl he always felt he should have been. The one problem was she wanted Ren to be a Lolita. He had put off answering his aunt’s question right away. He just asked her if he could think about it for a while. Yoshi just smiled and said yes. Take all the time he needed.
When they pulled into the house Ren was a little surprised by what see saw. The house was surrounded by an eight-foot wall capped with red tile. It was like something out of his favorite anime shows. Then again, most people don’t want to watch a cartoon show about the granddaughter of a yakuza crime lord playing the part of a high school teacher. Ren always laughed at the antics of Kumiko Yamaguchi as she went out of her way to keep her secret as the acting head of the Oedo Yakuza clan.
Yoshi sighed as her brothers Jiro, Juro, and Mistu stepped out to greet her. Jiro was first to pull her into a hug. “God, it’s good to see you home safe Yoshi. Mom’s been going crazy with worry over you being in America all alone.”
“Good to see you too little brother.” Yoshi chuckled as she was passed to her oldest brother Juro. “Hey bro. Did you miss me?”
“Momoko and the kids will be glade to see you home, safe and sound, Yoshi. Did you have any problems with the Americans?” Juro Nagata was the oldest of the Nagata boys. He was also the most successful of the family or so everyone thought. Yoshi just smiled at her older brother and shook her head no. “Good. I’ve got everything lined up for Raymond to enter Orai Boys Academy.”
“Hold on there, Juro. You might want to ask if Yoshi has a plan in place first.” Mitsu ordered his older brother. Raymond could tell that his uncle was a military lifer. Someone that would never leave the Japanese Self Defense Force.
“Mitsu tell me one time that our sister has ever planned anything. She has never looked beyond what is right in front of her nose.” Juro snapped. Only to have Yoshi bristle at his attitude. Ren could tell that his oldest uncle was a hardcore traditionalist. Ren knew that he would cause problems if given half the chance. “It would be best if the boy came to live with me or with you Mitsu. Preferably you. As you are closer to the type of man his father was.”
Yoshi just sighed and then smacked her brother across the back of the head. “Juro, put a sock in it already. Mother and father have already stated that Raymond will be coming to live with me. As far as me not having a plan why don’t you stop and think beyond your success for once.”
“Just what does that mean?” Juro was practically jumping down Yoshi’s throat.
“Simple dear brother. Unlike you I own eight HIGH-END stores and make a very comfortable living at it. You on the other hand are nothing more than a low-level factory floor manager. You barely have enough room for you and family in that house you’re renting. I OWN my apartment in Harajuku. Of my eight stores five of them are Takeshita Doori shops and the another three are in Omotesando Hills.” Yoshi was on a roll now and wasn’t hitting the breaks. “And just where is Mitsu going to put up a teenage boy? The barracks?! Get a clue already. He’s still in the Army and has more than five years to go. As for Jiro he’s in the same boat. Only he’s still in college. Besides, I owe his parents for everything they did for me.”
Ren’s uncle Juro took a step back then finally turned to face Ren. “Does the boy even speak Japanese?” Then he asked of Ren in English with a heavy accent. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Ren bit his tongue and remembered his manners. With a deep bow he replied in fluent Japanese. “I speak read and write, Japanese fluently, uncle Juro.”
Yoshi smirked at the stunned look on her brother’s face. She knew that Ren had just given her brother a lesson in manners. One that he will not soon forget. “Juro, I believe that you owe your nephew an apology.”
“Yoshi is correct Juro. You’re being an ass.” Jiro told his older brother before turning to Ren. “Welcome to Yomitan, Raymond.”
Ren, bowed to his uncle. “Thank you, uncle Jiro. I hope your studies are going well? I believe that you’re studying to be a diplomat.”
Jiro was shocked by how much Ren knew about him. “I see Yoshi has been filling you in on each of us. By chance do you speak any other languages?”
“Just German for now, uncle Jiro. I’ve started learning Hangugeo thanks to an Army Specialist back at Fort Knox. And a teaching app.” Ren looked down as he answered his uncle. Ren knew that it was best to keep certain things to himself. At least for now. He and Yoshi had talked about that very topic during the flight. “Uncle Mistu I hope that you’re enjoying your duty at the Gunma training grounds.”
Major Mistu Nagata chuckled and returned Raymond’s bow. “Why am I not surprised that you know about my posting to the Gunma training grounds? You have done your parents proud Raymond. I wish my translators did half as well as you.”
“I won’t be too hard on your translators, uncle. I have several advantages they do not. First, I have, had the opportunity to study for longer than they have uncle. Second, I’ve had some of the best teachers to study under. Third, I also started much younger than the average person does.” Raymond told his uncle with a smile nicely down playing his abilities with languages.
Mistu, and Jiro chuckled as Juro just scowled at Ren. He was already thinking of how he could distance himself from his unwanted nephew. Unlike his brothers, and mother, Juro was of the mind that Yoshi should have been married off after her graduation for her kōtōgakkō or her secondary high school. It was bad enough that Mishi had married the American but then they had to go and encourage Yoshi’s fantasies to become a business woman. Now, his family has to deal with the dishonor of dealing with their half-breed child. One that looked more like a girl than the boy he was supposed to be. Especially one that looked like his dead sister.
“He needs a haircut. I won’t have no nephew of mine walking around looking a damned shisutaabooi. I expect you to take of this Yoshi.” Juro ordered Ren’s aunt Yoshi while glaring at Ren as if he was a bug.
“Can you pull the stick out of your ass Juro? Just for a few days. After we get Mishi and Steve interred you can go back to being your usual Corporate ass kissing self. Remember that you are not yet head of this family.” Mistu snapped before turning back to Ren. “Raymond, please forgive your uncle Juro. It seems that he has forgotten how to treat family.”
Ren bowed to his uncle. “Uncle Juro, has no need to apologize to me uncle Mistu. I know that I am the outsider here. Just as my father was the outsider.”
Yoshi covered her mouth with her left hand to hide the giggle that attempted to escape her. Ren’s subtle jab at her brother Juro was enough to get the point across that Juro was the one in the wrong. Yet Ren was giving him a way out saving face. One that Yoshi knew her brother couldn’t pass up. Once again Ren was showing his diplomatic skills to their fullest.
“You are no outsider, nephew. I must say that your understanding of Japanese is quite amazing. May I know who taught you?” Juro knew what Raymond had done for him.
“My parents were my main teachers, uncle Juro. The men and women of my father’s units were some of the others. It is amazing what one can learn just from spending time with others in a foreign country.” Ren just smiled as he explained his knowledge of languages and how he came to have it. Yoshi just giggled at the way Ren kept reminding her brother that he was not the big wig he thought he was.
They were interrupted before Juro could make an even bigger ass of himself by the arrival of an elderly couple. The cold hard stare that the woman gave Juro put an end to the discussion. “Yoshi, I thought I told you to call when you landed.”
Yoshi bowed deeply to the woman. “I am sorry mother. I felt it was better to avoided the traffic around Naha first before calling. After that I will admit to forgetting to call. Raymond and I got swept away in our talk of the surrounding countryside.”
The elder woman returned Yoshi’s bow. “You are forgiven Yoshi. I can see how you could become distracted by answering Raymond’s questions.”
The old man that Ren assumed was his grandfather looked him over. “Welcome to our family home Raymond. We had hoped that you would visit us one day. This is not how we wished for that day to come about.”
Bowing deeply to the elder Nagata, Ren kept his voice respectful. “Thankyou, grandfather. I am honored by your welcome and hope to continue to bring honor to your family name. My mother’s stories of her home failed to do it justice. The beauty that surrounds one here is amazing. I am sorry if my questions of Okinawa caused aunt Yoshi to fail her duties. I will endeavor to ensure that never happens again. I wish my life to be a tribute to my mother and father.”
Light Nagata was many things but impolite was not one of them. Returning Ren’s bow Ray let his feelings be known to the rest of his family. “You have already honored our family by returning your parents to us, Raymond.”
“It was my duty to carry out sir. Honor dictated that I bring my parents, home.” Mitsuko Nagata hid her smile at the way Ren had flipped the tables on her husband. The thought of ‘Yoshi was right he knows how to be diplomatic and respectful.’ Flashed through Mitsuko’s mind even as Ren was finishing.
Mitsuko smiled then bowed to Ren. “Welcome child. Bring your burden inside. It is almost time to begin tsuya. Yoshi, you have your old room. I’ve placed Raymond in his mother’s room across the hall.” Mitsuko looked over at her three sons. “You three can bring in their baggage.”
With that the elder Nagatas led Raymond inside their home ending all further debate on whether or not Ren belonged in their family. Light may have been a traditional Japanese man in many ways, but when it came to running the house and family he almost always bowed to his wife’s judgement. One of the few times that he ever put his foot down on how things were done was when it came to his daughters. It had concerned his oldest daughter Mishi and her marrying an American serviceman.
Light might not have agreed with the marriage Mishi’s to Steve Rockwell, but he still loved his daughter. Over time he had come to respect Steve and accept him as a son-in-law. When the news of their deaths had first reached them Light was crushed. He had done everything in his power to smooth over the paperwork to bring his grandchild home. Every contact he had made over the years as a construction contractor had been used to their full effect. If it had not been for the delays caused by faulty wiring being delivered to his current jobsite, Light would flown out himself to handle the matters in the United States. It had been Mitsuko who had suggested their daughter Yoshi over their sons. Now he was glad that he had.
Unlike his sons Light had already spotted the less than masculine traits in his grandchild. He had no personal feelings one way or the other in regards toward homosexuality. He in fact employed several openly gay men and women for his construction crews. They were in fact some of his most valued employees. He had seen the pictures that Yoshi had sent his wife earlier and had made the same comment about his grandchild looking so much like his mother. He had even voiced the same worries as Mitsuko over bullies in the surrounding area. Mostly over the American dependents that went to the local school. So, when Mitsuko had suggested that their grandchild would be better of with Yoshi, he had agreed whole heartily. In his mind it was the best outcome for all concerned.
Mitsuko on the other hand had other thoughts on her mind as they led her daughter and grandchild into the house. Main that she may have made a mistake in getting her grandchild a black suite and tie. The more she looked at her grandchild the more she thought she was seeing a ghost. The long black hair, and Asian features of the child made her think of Mishi at the same age. If his hair had not been a ponytail she would have sworn that her oldest daughter had returned from the land of the dead. She would have to have a word with Yoshi once they were alone.
Yoshi just followed behind Ren as they entered the house. She knew that her mother had things well in hand. As they took off their shoes Yoshi noticed that Ren wasn’t wearing socks in the normal sense. He was wearing nylon knee-highs. The smile that came to Yoshi’s lips was quickly and almost ruthlessly crushed. She didn’t want her mother or father to know her plans for Ren just yet. She knew that if her parents thought that she might be influencing ren in anyway they would take over custody for Ren. There wouldn’t be anything that she or Ren could say or do to stop them.
Ren didn’t think twice about removing his shoes at the genkan. Genkan are traditional Japanese entryway areas for a house, apartment, or building—something of a combination of a porch and a doormat. It is usually located inside the building directly in front of the door. The primary function of genkan is for the removal of shoes before entering the main part of the house or building. He grew up following the tradition in his mother and father’s home. For him to do otherwise seemed disrespectful in the home of his mother’s family. Ren knew that the custom of removing one's shoes before entering the house is believed to go back over one thousand years to the pre-historical era of elevated-floor structures. Ren also knew it has continued to the present, even after the westernization of the Japanese home, which began in the Meiji period.
As Ren’s grandmother showed him to the room he would be using for the next few days he noticed a few things about the house. For starters the house was built in a square with a central courtyard inside. The four halls of the house were built right next to the edge of the property. There was a covered walkway running around the inside of the halls. The back hall was where the bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and toilet were located. Ren could tell that the house was bigger than most traditional homes in Japan. He could also tell that his grandparents were not working class stiffs, not by a long shot. If anything, the sheer size of the house and the way that it was built spoke of hard won wealth by his grandfather.
He bowed to his grandmother as she slid back the shoji to his room. As he stepped in off the rōka, wooden floored passages that are similar to hallways that are on the edge of houses, and out of his slippers he was surprised by the size of the room. He had never seen a six-tatami-bedroom before. In one corner was a chest, or tansu. These were first used in the 700s in Japan. This armoire had doors that opened and drawers. Tansus were used for clothing storage and was generally very utilitarian, though sometimes these chests had iron banding or decorations. Hanging on the front of it was a brand new black suit and tie. In the center of the room was a double futon, while long the back wall under the window was a built in desk.
Mitsuko smiled that way her grandchild acted. When her daughter had told her that Raymond acted as if he was raised in a traditional Japanese family she had been suspect, to say the least. Yet everything she had seen of her grandchild put that thought to bed. The more she watched the more she realized that Raymond displayed the actions of a teenage girl raised in a traditional Japanese family. As she thought about this it made sense to her, as her grandchild’s only exposure to the Japanese culture was from his mother. She finally noticed the one foot square package that the boy was carrying.
“Are those your parents’ ashes, Raymond?” She asked politely while pointing at the package in Ren’s hand.
“Yes ma’am. The urn is inside grandmother. I felt it was best to hand carry them.” Note of sadness in Ren’s voice grabbed at Mitsuko’s heart. She practically rushed inside the room to pull Ren into a hug as the boy finally started to cry.
“Hush, child. You are home now. We will not let you be abandoned to the system. You are my grandchild and that is all that matters.” Mitsuko rubbed Ren’s back as the teen wept for his dead parents. Ren had been holding back his grief for his aunt Yoshi. He had been doing everything he could to not let the loss drag him down into the pits of despair and overwhelming depression. Once Ren had regained his composure Mitsuko kissed him on the forehead. “There is a robe in the tansu that you can use. Go take a shower followed by a hot bath. Then get some sleep. I know you have to be tired from the long flight.”
Ren just nodded his head and moved to do as he was told. Mitsuko just left the boy to take care of his shower and bath. As she closed the shoji Mitsuko took one last look at her grandchild. She had to stifle the gasp of shock that came to her. It was not her grandson that she saw but her dead daughter as Ren shook his hair out of the ponytail he had worn until now. In a voice barely above a whisper. “You have not left us, have you Mishi.”
Closing the door before her grandchild could saying anything Mitsuko rushed to find her husband. She found him in with her daughter Yoshi. They were talking quietly about the very topic she had come to face them with. Light was asking about Ren. “Tell me Yoshi, is my grandson gay, shisutaabooi, or toransujendā? I must know so that I can help him. It does not matter to me one way or the other Yoshi. You should know that by now. Just look at my office staff. I swear I couldn’t get half of what I do get done without Natsu or Nori’s help.”
Mitsuko had to laugh at the mentioning of Light’s two personal assistants. Natsu was a confirmed dōseiaisha or same-sex-lover. While not as restrained as Natsu, Nori was without a doubt one of the most beautiful toransujendā or transgender women Mitsuko had ever met. That they both ran her husband’s office like a Feudal Lord and Lady was always a point of hilarity for Mitsuko and Light. Not even the most masculine of construction workers though ever gave them any crap. They were well respected by all of Light’s employees.
Yoshi smiled at her father for picking up on what she had taken days to figure out. “Papa, I feel that he is toransujendā. I know that Raymond prefers the name Ren over Raymond. We were talking about it on the way here. That was why I got so distracted mama. I could really use your advice right now.”
Mitsuko was about to answer when she heard the shoji to Ren’s room then close. She turned and looked back at where her grandchild was walking toward the bathroom. Ren’s movements, build, and manners were all screaming to the world girl. In big bold capital letters for all to see. She waved for Yoshi and Light to join her on the rōka. When they did Yoshi hid her smile behind her hand as she knew what to expect when she saw Ren. Her father though had to grab the frame of the shoji for support at what he was seeing. It was not his grandson that he was seeing but his oldest daughter’s ghost walking into the bathroom.
“Yoshi, have you made arrangements for my grandchild’s schooling yet?” Light gruffly demanded of her. “Because if you haven’t then we need to find a school that will allow my granddaughter to be herself.”
“Not yet, papa. That is just one of the many things that I need help with. I do not know where to even start. I do know that I will need to get her in with a doctor first. Then there is the whole deal with getting her name changed, not to mention everything else that entails. I don’t even know who I should contact, papa.” Yoshi was almost whining by the time she finished.
Light sighed and hugged his daughter. “Don’t worry Yoshi. I know who to talk with. Nori will be here tonight for the wake. For now, do you think that, what was the name that you used?”
“Ren, papa.” Yoshi answered quickly.
“Thank you, dear. Do you think that Ren will be more comfortable in a kimono than the suite your mother purchased?” Light Nagata was not one to waste time once he was confronted with a problem. He had always been one to take charge and find solutions. It was one of the many reasons why his construction company was so sought after in Okinawa. That and he had a reputation for bringing in his projects on time and usually under budget with quality workmanship. But even this was a whooper of a twist for Yoshi to warp her mind around. “I did not stutter Yoshi. Would Ren be more comfortable in a kimono? I expect an answer.”
“I believe so papa, but where are we going to get one for her on such short notice?”
“We still have the ones that you and Mishi wore for your grandfather and grandmother, Yoshi. One of them should fit Ren nicely.” Mitsuko answered with a smile. “Go make sure that Ren washes her hair. I’ll go dig out the kimonos.”
Yoshi just smiled then hugged her mother. “Yes mama. Papa, what will we tell my brothers? You know that Juro will raise objection.”
“Let me deal with your brothers.” Light Nagata growled as he turned and head for where his sons were currently in the house. “I have had enough of your brother Juro’s attitude to last a lifetime.”
Ren was just about to start lathering up his hair when he heard the shoji to the bathroom open then close. He instinctively reached for the towel that was hanging from the hook to cover himself. “Relax Ren, it’s just me.”
The voice of Yoshi had him turning to face her while covering himself with the towel. “Aunt Yoshi, please, I’m trying to bathe here.”
“That is why I’m here Ren.” Yoshi answered with a smile as she dropped her robe. Hanging her towel on the hook next to where his was Yoshi reached over and took the towel he was using to hide behind. “Relax Ren, it’s just us girls in here. Besides, you don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.”
“Um… aunt Yoshi what if grandmother comes in?” Ren was really worried now.
Yoshi smiled to put her niece at easy. Yes, she had seen through Ren’s Raymond disguises to the girl underneath. “Ren, I know that you’re a girl at heart. As for you grandparents, there is no need to worry. They are both very open minded about LGBT lifestyles. They also both spotted what I have.”
“HOW?” Ren practically screamed in fear. He would have if not for his self-control.
“They saw you walking from your room to here on the rōka. You failed to walk like a young man would. They saw the girl that you are, even from the back.” Yoshi told him honestly. She was not yet ready to rub Ren’s nose in his gender identity. “So, are you really a girl under all the bluster?”
Ren looked down at her hands at the shampoo there and started to cry as she nodded her head. Yoshi pulled the very distraught teen to her and hugged Ren for all she was worth. Yoshi knew that the teen’s secret was now out in the open, and she had a place to start. Kissing Ren on top of the head she leaned back. “Come on kiddo, we need to finish getting cleaned up. Your grandmother has a surprise for you.”
An hour later the two walked out of the bathroom washed and refreshed from their long trip. Yoshi followed Ren back to her room. As Ren pulled the shoji open she was brought up short by what was waiting for her in the room. More like who was waiting for her in the room. Mitsuko, and her aunt Momoko were sitting on the floor with two kimono racks between them. On each rack hung a solid black kimono. Only these were no ordinary kimonos, they were Mofuku. A mofuku is formal mourning dress for men or women. Both men and women wear kimono of plain black silk with five kamon over white undergarments and white tabi. For women, the obi and all accessories are also black. Men wear a subdued obi and black and white or black and gray striped hakama with black or white zori. The completely black mourning ensemble is usually reserved for family and others who are close to the deceased. Other than the fact that one was smaller than the other the two outfits were identical.
The three older women took Ren by the hand and led her inside the room. For the next hour they helped the teen dress in the mofuku that her mother had worn for her grandfather’s funeral years before Ren was born. Whenever Ren tried to ask a question her grandmother would just place a figure over Ren’s lips. Ren got the hint that she was to say nothing for now. When her aunt Momoko started to apply makeup to her face Ren started to feel scared. That was until her grandmother smiled and hugged the teen whispering in her ear that it was alright. That her grandfather had approved. By the time they were done Ren hair had been pulled up into a tight bun at the back of her head. While her face took on the appearance of a modern Japanese teenage girl. The more that Momoko worked on Ren’s face the more Ren’s feminine features showed. All three of the Nagata women were stunned by Ren’s finished look. All three would have sworn that Mishi had returned from the dead.
Even Yoshi who has spent more time around Ren than all of them was having problems not seeing her dead sister in Ren’s face. If it had not been for the deep green of Ren’s eyes no one would ever think that she was not fully Japanese. Ren’s aunt Momoko had used her skills with cosmetics to bring out the color of Ren’s eyes. Momoko had pushed her skills to style Ren’s hair into an appropriate style for the wake. The bun was tight, and her bangs fell to the right.
Once she was done, Ren helped her aunt Yoshi to get ready. Soon all three of the Nagata elder ladies and Ren were ready to face their guests. Momoko stopped Ren before they left her room. “Ren, do you have a picture of your parents together?”
Ren looked around for her suitcases. “I have my parents wedding album in my suitcases aunt Momoko. There is a picture of them together in that. Will that do?”
Mitsuko smiled and answered. “That will be perfect Ren. Do you know which suitcases it is in? Or do I need to have your uncles bring them all in?”
Thinking quickly about which suitcase the album was in Ren smiled. “It’s in my medium travel case, grandmother. The one with the blue ribbon on the handle.”
Mitsuko smiled and walked over to the tansu opening the doors. Inside was the aforementioned suitcase. “Is this the one dear?”
“Yes ma’am. That’s the one. Let me get that for your?” Ren moved quickly and pulled out the suitcase. Within a few moments she had the suitcase open and the photo album in hand. She ran her left hand around the outer edge of the album. “When I first saw this album, I didn’t know what it was. This is their wedding album.”
Ren opened it up to show her relatives the first picture inside. Momoko had never seen the wedding pictures of her dead sister-in-law. Only Yoshi and Mitsuko had seen the pictures as they were in part of them. Mitsuko placed her hand on the bottom of the page. When she sighed Mitsuko looked Ren in the eyes.
“Your mother was so beautiful that day. And your so hansom in his uniform. I remember the day that Mishi first brought your father home to meet us. Oh the fighting that followed was worthy of the Gods.” Mitsuko chuckled. “Your grandfather was so upset over his baby girl falling in love with an American. A military man no less. I thought that we were going to have to call for the emergency response teams. Oh, my, I’ll never forget that day.”
“It couldn’t be no worse than me coming home that one time with pink and yellow hair mom. Or when Mitsu brought his girlfriend with all the tattoos home. Or Jiro’s roommate that had the orange hair.” Yoshi joked.
“My dear, of all our children only Mishi ever pissed off your father the way she did. It wasn’t so much that she was marrying an American GI. It was the fact that he never asked for permission first.” This was all news to Ren and she was soaking up the stories of her relatives’ lives. What was shocking was that her father would propose before getting permission from her grandfather. Seeing the disbelief in Ren’s eyes Mitsuko just chuckled. “Yes, dear. Your mother and father were a pair of radicals in their younger years.”
The four of them sat there flipping through the album with Mitsuko or Yoshi telling the stories behind the pictures in the first half of the book. When they got past the wedding pictures Ren was the one to tell the stories for the pictures. It was in the last few pages that they found the picture they would use at the funeral. It showed Mishi with Steve in uniform holding her from behind in front of the 566th MP Detachment sign at Fort Knox. Ren gently placed her hand on the picture.
“I remember the day this picture was take. We had just arrived at Fort Knox. Dad wanted to see where his new unit was on post. We drove for two hours looking for the Provost Marshal’s office and the MP Detachment Head Quarters. Dad had made the mistake of coming in through the South Gate at Fort Knox. When we finally found the Detachment HQ he pulled mom into a hug out front of the Unit sign. He told me to get the camera. He said he wanted a picture to remember the day. I took this one. The next day we all went back and took one more.” Ren flipped the page to show the second picture. It show them standing side-by-side in front of the sign. “This was the day he took charge as the First Sergeant for the five-six-six.”
Yoshi looked over at her mother and nodded her head. Mitsuko gently lifted the picture from the photo album. The older women all noticed that it was the last picture in the album. Mitsuko handed the picture to Momoko then pulled a handkerchief from inside her kimono to wipe away the tears that threatened to ruin Ren’s makeup. “We understand the pain dear. We miss them too. Just remember that so long as someone remembers them they are never truly gone. When the time comes you will sit and tell your children of your lovely mother, and hansom father. Of how he swept her off feet like the dashing rogue that he was. Oh, yes, Ren. Your father was a true rogue of the first order.”
“He was also one of the most honorable men I have had the pleasure to know.” The voice of her grandfather had Ren spinning on her knees. Light Nagata walked in off the rōka and knelt next to Ren. He placed a hand on Ren’s shoulder. “I have been waiting patiently to meet my newest granddaughter. I became worried that you might have changed your mind. I know that your father would not want to you to hide any longer. Trust in me dear. I know what I’m talking about.”
“Do you really think that my father would have accepted me, sir?” Ren asked with a quivering lip. This meant more to her than anything else.
“I know he would have dear. He was not a closed mind person by any stretch.” He started to chuckle then pointed at Yoshi. “He put up with your crazy aunt when I couldn’t. He even helped her get her start in business.”
Yoshi took issue with being called crazy by her father. “HEY! I’m not crazy. I’m delightfully demented, slightly eccentric, and totally in the fashion grove.”
Light just chuckled at his daughter then patted her on the head. “We know dear. Ren please have patience with your aunt. We are counting on you to keep her from going too far around the bend and into true insanity.”
Ren giggled at her grandfather sad almost pleading look. “I’ll try grandpa.”
“Good girl.” He looked over at the picture in Momoko’s hands. “May I?” was all he asked as he took the picture to get a better look. “We were so proud the day your mother called and told us your father made First Sergeant. Was this taken in front of his last unit?”
“Yes sir.” Ren answered quietly. She almost didn’t trust her voice to answer.
“It will be perfect for the wake.” With that he stood up and held out his hand to Ren. “Come along we have guests that are due to arrive soon.”
Ren took his hand and let him lead her towards the front of the house. Ren was worried about how her uncles would receive her as they neared the living room. If it had not been for her grandfather and grandmother Ren would have run at the first chance. As they entered the living room Light Nagata called for his sons’ attention.
“Boys, allow me to introduce your niece, Ren. Juro if you have a problem remember that she is part of this family. I am still the head of the family. You are free to leave after the funeral and have no further contact with her. But you will show her and this family respect by keeping your opinion to yourself. Am I understood?”
All three men bowed to their father. Jiro, and Mitsu both walked up to Ren first. They each hugged her and welcomed her to the family. Juro looked at Ren with wide eyes and wonder as he approached her. With trembling hands, he cupped her chin. “If not for the eyes I would swear by all our ancestors that I was looking at Mishi.”
Yoshi, Mitsuko, and Momoko had walked in as he was staring at Ren’s face. When Jiro heard his oldest brother’s comment he took a long hard look at Ren. Jiro’s response was to hit Mitsu and point. “He’s right. If not for the eyes we would be looking at Mishi. Only she would have to be about fifteen.”
“You idiot that is how Mishi looked at fifteen.” Mitsu snapped gruffly. Mitsu saw that Ren was becoming uncomfortable with all the attention. “Juro, Jiro, both of you knock it off. You’re scaring the poor girl.”
Juro just pulled Ren close and hugged the shivering teen. “Sorry Ren. It’s just your appearance caught me totally off guard with how much you look like your mother.”
When he pulled back Ren sighed and looked her uncle Juro in the face after swallowing down her fear. “I think I understand uncle Juro. You’re not the only one to telling me how much I looked like mom.”
Looking around at her family Ren decided with her secret now exposed to just get it all out in the open. “On more than one occasion mom and I were confused as sisters. The one time we dressed as geisha for Halloween everyone just knew we were sisters. Mom always thought it was funny.”
“I imagen that she would, Ren. Our oldest sister had a wicked sense of humor.” Mitsu chuckled. “Her pranks got me into trouble more than once. Not too mention the number of times that Juro was the butt of her jokes.”
With that the three uncles and one aunt gathered around the teen and told her stories of her mother’s jokes. While they were doing this Light Nagata placed the picture of his oldest daughter and only son-in-law in a black picture frame. Mitsuko, and Momoko joined Ren and the others on the floor. Light just took his time as he setup the family alter for the wake. He knew that the priest would be there shortly to bless everything. The family had arranged for the two types of offering incense to be ready on the alter.
There was Makko or incense powder that takes a little skill to know how to use. First using the thumb, index, middle of your right hand, you take a pinch of the powder incense. Then lowering your head slightly bring it to your forehead before sprinkling them into the incense burner. This is repeated between 1-3 times. The number of times for this process depends on the religious sect. Then there was Senko or incense sticks. As with the Makko there is a certain way in how they are used. First you pick up the incense using your right hand and light it with the candle. The number of senko may number 1-3, depending on the religious sect. Use your left hand to put out the flame, being very careful never to blow it out. Place it into the incense burner. Again, depending on the religious sect, the incense will either be laid down or set standing up. Place your senko slightly apart from others and toward the rear section, to prevent smoke from clouding together. Also, this allows other attendees following you to have enough space to place their own incense. Unlike his wife and children, Light Nagata was not as spiritually inclined. But he did respect those that were. That was why he had arranged for both types of incense to be there for the guests.
Light had arranged for Nori and her husband to greet all the visitors to the wake. At just after six that evening the first guests started to arrive. Ren was surprised by the number of people who came to his parents wake. They came from all walks of life. There were business men with their wives. Construction workers and their wives. Military servicemen, both officers and enlisted, from both the Japanese SDF and the US Army. Ren must have heard ‘You must be grieving terribly.’ or ‘I offer my condolences.’ Over two hundred times that night. When the last guest finally left around two that morning Ren was dead on her feet.
Mitsuko had Light carry their granddaughter to her room where she undressed the teen and got her ready for bed. Once Ren was tucked into bed Mitsuko left the teen to sleep. As she was closing the shoji Light looked in over her shoulder. “She is so much like Mishi that it hurts. I hope you’re ready for another generation of hellions love. A generation lead by this one.”
-----tbc-----
Chapter 5
Offices of Rococo Victorian Fashions, Present day.
Debra stepped out of the changing room and got her first look at her new self. The young Aristocrat Lolita in the mirror was not what she was expecting. The girl that looked back at her was anything but dower. In fact, she was heart stopping beautiful. Debra had never thought of herself as beautiful before. Yet, in less than three hours she had gone from plain to this stunning beauty before her in the mirror. In a voice barely above a whisper she looked over at a smiling Ren.
“Is that really me?” Debra was still having problems matching the girl in the mirror with the girl in her head. “That cannot be me?”
“It is my dear.” Ren assured her then turned to Alexie. “You never cease to amaze, Alexie. Have you sent her prescription down to Glass-masters?”
“Amanda is waiting for you as we speak, Ren. I told what style we’re going for and she informed me that she has twenty different pairs to choose from.” Alexie answered Ren’s question with her own smile as she handed Debra a parasol. “Go with Ren, dearie. Time to replace those ugly RPG glasses with something far more becoming for a young woman. One that is sure to take the news world by storm.”
Ren picked up the parasol that was sitting next to her chair and stood up with a smile. “Come along Debra. We have one last stop to complete your look.”
With that Ren led the young girl out the door of her shop and onto the streets of Cincinnati. Debra was at first a little scared by going out in public dressed as she was but gained confidence with each step she took. Drawing strength from the woman beside her. There was something about Ren Nagata that just screamed strength and self confidence to all those around her. She just exuded sexuality.
As they walked down the street Ren smiled at the passing men and women. “Remember, Debra, that being a Lolita is not about being sexy for others. Though the term is sometimes used to refer to a sexually attractive young girl, the fashion will always seek to distinguish itself from this interpretation. For most Lolitas, the look is emphatically not about being "sexy" or appealing to men's ideas of what a woman should look like. It's more about reclaiming a traditional version of elegance and femininity. Lolita fashion should be empowering. Being a vision of loveliness is just a fringe benefit.”
It took Debra a few seconds to understand what Ren was getting at then remembered what her boss said in Fashion Blitz’s last month’s article. Brenda Celso had pointedly called the Lolita fashions as a deliberate attack on women’s equal rights and an attempt to return women to the status of sexual objects for men. Something that Ren Nagata and her clients would fight tooth and nail over. Debra was fast learning that her boss’s point of view was slightly skewed. The more that Debra thought about her boss the more she wondered what the real reason was behind her animosity towards the Lolita dress and life style.
“Miss Nagata, I have to ask. Do you know the reason for my editor’s animosity towards the Lolita style? I know that you only agreed to this interview after last month’s article attacking the style.”
“I was wondering when you would come around to that question.” Ren chuckled. “It goes back to when your very ‘business savvy’ boss worked as a model. The designer she walked for had branched out into the Lolita world. The show was a phenomenal flop. Of the twenty models that walked that show only three models recovered from that disastrous event. Your editor wasn’t one of them.”
“Why is that, ma’am?” Debra had never heard that her boss was once a model. Not that Brenda Celso was unattractive, even in her late forties. On the contrary Brenda was still quite beautiful. “Was it a matter of timing?”
“Yes, and no, Debra. Like all things in fashion timing plays a good deal in how styles are received. I personally blame the designer Brenda walked for. The woman had no sense of coordination for her models.” Ren waved her hand at herself then at Debra. “For example, look at the two of us. Neither of us have the body type to really pull off the Guro and Punk styles. Now you could very easily go the ‘Sweet’ Lolita route with very little work, pull of as natural. Something that I would have to work very hard at to achieve as a natural look. Yet the both of us can pull off the Aristocratic Lolita easily. Then there is the ‘Dark Princess’. Which for you is a very natural look.”
Debra had to think about the Lolita looks that Ren had named. There was one that she couldn’t understand, the Guro. “Excuse me Miss Nagata. But you named one look that I am unfamiliar with. The Guro look. Exactly what does that entail?”
Ren noticed that the young girl had her tape recorder out again. She smiled and thought to herself. ‘She most will definitely bear watching.’ Ren giggled as she thought about how to describe Guro. “A ‘Guro’ Lolita tries to portray a ‘broken doll’ sort of look, gruesome yet innocent, Debra. They usually use white clothes with blood splats as their first choice. How gory is always up to the individual, and can range from using some simple bandages, a sling, or some blood splatters on their clothing. Thankfully, both the Guro and Punk styles have waned in popularity over the years. I know that it may sound gosh of me, but I have always found the two styles rather unsettling, especially the Guro.”
“Thank you, for explaining that ma’am. Earlier, you said that your girls in the Boy Lolita section would have laughed at me for mistaking them as boys. You called that one style Kodona. Is there a large market for this style?” Debra asked.
“Very much so. Even now, I have a whole spring line-up for the Kodona style. Of all the styles though it is one of the hardest to design for.” Ren explained. “It takes a delicate balance to truly pull of the Kodona style. Especially for a young lady with a build similar to yours.”
“Um… what do you mean Miss Nagata?” Debra asked quietly.
“Debra, as beautiful as you are your small size and slender build is not conducive to the Kodona style. Now, given a few more years I can very well see you coming into the style as you round out a little more.” Ren looked just down the street to the corner. “Ah, we’re almost at Glass-masters. I’m sure that we can find you a nice selection of frames for your glasses.”
“Miss Nagata, please I cannot allow you to spend any more money on me.” Debra whined. As the reached the corner Ren placed her hand on Debra’s shoulder.
“Debra, please. Let me do this for you dear. I’m having so much fun.” Ren giggled and pulled Debra in close. “Besides, it’s only money. I’ll never be able to spend it all on my own. Why not help me get rid of some of it?” Debra couldn’t help herself. She started to laugh right along with Ren as the older woman pulled her inside of the optometrist clinic. “Amanda, where are you?”
“Right here, Ren. Keep your panties on.” A woman in her late twenties walked out of the backroom. She had long black hair and stood around five-ten. She took one look at Debra and sighed. “No wonder why Alexie called me earlier.”
Amanda grabbed Debra by the hand and pulled her over to the countertop. “Let me get some measurements then we’ll look through the selections. I know that we have something here that will work better with her new style and that lovely face.”
Debra followed along as she had been doing all morning. She was amazed when Amanda placed 24 pairs of antique style frames on the counter. Until Debra picked up the first pair she would have sworn that the frames were antique. They were in fact reproductions of 1880-1960 styles. Debra found herself guided towards the Victorian era reproductions by Ren. It was almost as if the older woman was taking her under her wing as her apprentice. The more she was around the enigmatic older woman the more that Debra found herself being drawn in by her mere presence.
‘It’s like I’m the moth to her flame. If Ren asked for me to become her apprentice, then I’ll gladly let my self be drawn to her flame. I just hope that I don’t get burned out before I learn all that I can.’ Debra let the thoughts play through her mind as if they were prophetic. Little did she know how true her thoughts would be.
Amanda placed her hand on Debra’s. “Young lady, I see you going far in this world. You just pay attention to what Ren has to teach. Just place your trust in her and she’ll never lead you astray. I promise.”
“I’m sorry ma’am, but as much as I would love to do that, I can’t. I still have to answer to my current employer over at Fashion Blitz.” Debra had kept her voice low to match that of Amanda’s. She was sure that Ren being on the other side of the shop was unable to hear them.
“I wouldn’t worry about that dearie. If I know anything, it is this. When someone attacks Ren Nagata’s reputation they better pray that she holds back.” Amanda gave Debra a wicked smiled. “Just as your old editor is about to find out.”
“What does that mean, ma’am?” Debra was more than curious about Amanda’s comment.
“What the good Amanda is trying to tell you and failing miserably to do is this, Debra.” Ren’s voice carried a note of mirth from across the room. “Your previous employer should be opening the summons notices just about now. The first one will be informing her that her services as editor are no longer needed by Fashion Blitz magazine. The second one will inform her that she no longer has controlling interest in said magazine. The third notice will inform her that she doesn’t have enough shares to even hold a seat on the Board.”
“Who owns Fashion Blitz now Miss Nagata?” Debra really wanted to know. As the answer to that question held the fate of her Internship. Something that she desperately needed just then. She may not want to be a fashion reporter, but it was a stepping stone on her path to her real goal.
“Dearie, you’ve probably been spending your morning with the new owner.” Amanda patted Debra on the hand as she told her this bit of news. “Isn’t that right Ren?”
“Is that true Miss Nagata? Did you really buy out Mrs. Celso?” Debra was worried.
“No need to worry your pretty little head about that Debra. I am not the new owner of Fashion Blitz. All I did was talk with a few of the former owners. After a bit of encouragement, they saw through Mrs. Celso’s deceptive business planning. They really did not like the direction of where the magazine was headed. They took measures to regain controlling interest in the magazine. I merely helped in the success by providing a convenient distraction for the former editor.” Ren smiled as she explained everything to Debra. “This has been a long time coming Debra. Remember when I told you earlier never to let your personal feelings or beliefs influence a story?”
Debra nodded as Ren glanced down at her pocket watch. “Your old editor did exactly that, a lot. Now, she is paying the price. As for your internship you’ll find that it has been transferred to Rococo Victorian Fashions. I know that is my company, and not a periodical publication. I do however believe that you will learn more from working with my people than just making coffee runs and delivering the mail for a bunch of no talent morons.”
Debra couldn’t help herself. When she heard the crack about no talent morons all she could think of was Bob Withers and Lisa Carter in editing. Two of her biggest tormentors back at Fashion Blitz. They had both come to the magazine from more reputable network outlets. Bob had once been a reporter for a well known newspaper in New York. That was until he crossed the line an published the name of a minor who had witnessed an attack by a dangerous street gang. His mistake got the kid killed and the paper suited by the parents. Lisa on the other hand had once been an investigative reporter for a major television network. She had been disgraced by trying to defend a known rapist for bigger and better ratings.
“Um… what will happen with other editors over there? There are a few of them that are as bad if not worse than Mrs. Celso.” Debra felt that she should tell her new employer everything she knew about Fashion Blitz. “There are also a few reporters that have it bad. They want to make a big splash. Get their name in some major byline for the main-stream media.”
“How many? And what are their names?” Ren almost growled.
Debra knew then and there that the so called former ‘owners’ was in truth, Ren Nagata. Amanda’s words from earlier became clear as day to Debra. Ren Nagata truly was not someone to screw with, ever. She didn’t play fair nor did she take prisoners.
“I don’t know if I should tell you Miss Nagata. You said that you weren’t the new owner.” Debra figured that now would be a good time to get the truth.
“I’m not the sole owner, Debra. Just one of the majority owners.” Ren answered truthfully. Ren just tell her that she owned the controlling interest in the magazine. It was the truth, after a fashion. “I do have some input as to whom maybe on the staff. Especially among the writers and editors.”
“Yes, ma’am. I think I understand.” In truth Debra had no clue as to what was going on. Still seeing as how Ren’s company were now her employer as an intern she would be honest with Ren. “There are two reporters that are real loose cannons. Bob Withers and Lisa Carter. They’ve both gone way over the line to get their stories published. They’ve said more than once that they’ll do whatever it takes to get back into the major leagues.”
“How far over the lines have they gone?” Ren growled this time.
“Far enough to be fired from their former positions at more reputable news organizations and outlets. Bob even got the subject of his article killed by revealing their identity. I don’t know the full story on Lisa, but I know that it was bad and involved a minor.” Debra would have sworn she saw flames leap behind Ren’s eyes as Ren’s anger spiked.
“What about the editors? How many of them are loose cannons?” Ren asked barely above a whisper. Debra could tell that Ren was still pissed off.
Debra thought about what Ren was asking and knew exactly who she was talking about. She also knew that she had no real loyalty to the editors of her former employer, Fashion Blitz. “Dan and Terrie Miller on the New York desk, Steve Leads on the L.A. desk, and Sasha Danbury on the Paris desk. All four worked for one of the bigger fashion magazines at one time. They don’t care what their reporters send them. So long as it is more gossip than truth.”
“Humph, it looks like I’ll have to have a few words with the personnel department. I think it’s time for a few changes in the Editorial departments and in the reporters pool over at Fashion Blitz.” Ren got a faraway look in her eyes. “Yes, I think I’ll have to make a phone call to Caroline before the day is over. Thank you, Debra. You have given me a good deal to work with.”
Ren turned to look at Amanda. “I trust you to keep quiet Amanda.”
“Of course, Ren. I am many things, but stupid is not one of them.” Amanda stood up and walked over to her register. “I’ll just put this on your company account at the usual rate. Will that be all for the day?”
“Yes, that will be all for today, Amanda, but add twenty percent to the bill for your timely response to my request. I know that I took you away from one of your other clients.” Ren smiled as she slid the receipt back to be retallied.
Amanda just retailed the total adding the twenty percent before handing back to Ren for her signature. “All taken care of. As for my other clients I don’t have any until later this afternoon. Sadly, we may have to sell out to Eye World or one of the other big name chains.”
“Why is that, ma’am? You would figure that you get a lot of walk-in business. I mean you’re right next to Fountain Square and in the heart of downtown.” Debra could only see the upside of the location.
“That is true, Debra. This store is in a prime location.” Ren answered for Amanda. “The problem isn’t the walk-in business. They actually have a great deal of walk-ins. The problem is they don’t have enough appointment based business.”
Seeing the confusion on the young girl’s face Amanda moved quickly to explain. “Optometrists are an appointment based business, Debra. While the walk-in business covers our daily operation costs it is the appointments with our Optometrist that are our money makers. Those appointments make up more than ninety percent of our profit margin. Unlike, Eye World or another of the chain stores, we rely on our Optometrist to bring in the rest of our clientele.”
It took Debra few seconds to understand. “Oh, I see without the Optometrist to perform the examinations you don’t get new customers. It is the new customers that bring in return business later on. Is that how it works?”
“Exactly young lady.” Said a man from the hallway leading toward the back of the shop area. “You have a remarkable business sense for one so young. Most people your age fail to grasp the delicate balance that must be maintained between new and repeat customer base for a business.”
“Um… Thank you, sir.” Debra really had no answer to the strange man’s comments. She also couldn’t help the blush that rushed to her cheeks. One of Debra’s biggest problems was knowing how to respond to compliments from strangers. It was something she was unaccustomed to receiving.
“You’re quite welcome young lady.” The man replied then turned to Amanda. “Amanda, there is a family coming in later this afternoon. There will be a pair of twins in the family. Be sure to have a wide selection of the pair-frames for them to select from. Oh, and the twins are girls. If that helps?”
“THAT is two pieces of information that is always helpful, Doctor. Not that we have just new customers but the type of customers. Namely, twins and girls.” Amanda turned to look at Ren. “Ren, as much as I would love spend the afternoon talking. I really must get busy. I have a lot of work to get done if I’m going to be ready for a family with twin girls.”
“I understand, Amanda. Come along, Debra. We have taken up far too much of Amanda’s time.” Ren said with a smile as she turned to the door. Debra quickly moved to follow her. She still had an interview to complete. Even if she didn’t know who it was for anymore. The more she was around Ren Nagata the more confused she became.
“Thank you for all your help, Miss Amanda.” Debra said as they were heading for the door. “I hope you have a good day.”
Amanda just waved to the two as they walked out the door. “There goes a fine example of a mentor taking in their new apprentice.”
“I take it that Ren has found another convert to the life, Amanda?” The doctor said from behind her. “Are you ready to deal with another?”
“I knew that Ren was up to something when she left the house this morning, Adam.” Amanda sighed. “If I hadn’t spent the last four years sleeping with her I would’ve missed the clues. I knew that she was pissed over what that bitch Celso said about us and her company in that rag of a magazine.”
“Is that why she used you to purchase the majority shares in that so called rag?” Adam chuckled at the shocked look on Amanda’s face. “Oh, please Amanda. I figured that Ren would use you to go after Celso. So, tell me how does, it feel to be the next CEO and Chief Editor for Fashion Blitz?”
“First off I am not the Chief Editor. Thankfully that problem will fall to someone far more capable than me. Ren hasn’t told me who, but they have years of experience in the field. As for me being the CEO for that magazine, that won’t take effect until the first Board meeting in January. Until then no one is to know.” Amanda gave her friend a smile over that last bit of news. “Care to tell me how you figured out that Ren and I bought out Fashion Blitz?”
Doctor Adam Horsfield just chuckled. “Amanda, I sat there at your table having diner the night that article came out. I have known you two ladies for the better part of two years now. Ren Nagata may be your S.O. but she is also very readable. It is both her strength and weakness. I knew that she would do something to retaliate I just didn’t expect her to buyout Fashion Blitz. Well, at least not until I watched the stock report this morning. Then there was your little slip out here.”
“Okay, you got us. Now, how did you figure out Ren was taking in a new apprentice?” Amanda figured she might as well state the obvious.
“In the past two years I have watched Ren take some poor unsuspecting young girl under her wing and guide her onto bigger and better things. When Alexie called and told you that Ren was on her way with a new girl I put two and two together. Only I didn’t come up with four, but the National Budget when it comes to you girls.” Adam chuckled.
“Well this time you made one mistake, Adam.” Amanda looked at the door to the shop. “There is something different about this girl.”
“How so? She seems just like any other young intern that Ren has taken under her wing. What’s different this time?”
“Over the past three years Ren has taken a liking to four such young girls. All four of them are now in college as you well know. What you don’t know is that Ren has never before just dropped one of them head first into the deep end of the Lolita lifestyle like she has with this one.” Amanda kept looking out the door to the shop. “I don’t know what is in that girl’s background, but whatever it is, it is important enough for Ren to take notice.”
“I take it that you were more than a little surprised at seeing the new girl dressed as she was?” Adam asked as Amanda just nodded her head. “Do you think it has something to do with the way Ren was raised?”
“I can only believe that it does, Adam.” Amanda never took her eyes off the door. “The scary part is that I believe Ren will finally be forced to face her past for once. She has far too many ghosts in her closet to just keep ignoring them.”
The worry over her lover was load and clear in Amanda’s voice. Clear enough to grab Adam’s attention. Of all the people in the world Adam owed Ren and Amanda the most. They had been the ones to stake him the startup money for his own optometry business. He met the two women at a Business Guild mixer just short of three year ago the first time. Back when he worked for one of the chain stores. Then two years ago during another Guild mixer Ren approached him with an offer he couldn’t refuse. The rest as they say was history. He was still amazed that the fashionably feminine, highly successful, and extremely wealthy Ren Nagata had started off life as a trouble young boy raised by an aunt that was more like a sister.
“Tell me something, Amanda. When did you first meet Ren?” Adam had always wanted to ask his two friends that question.
“It was shortly after her parents had been buried in Okinawa, and she had moved in with her aunt Yoshi in Toyoko.” Amanda chuckled. “I remember the first time I saw her. I would have sworn that she was a naturally born girl. What with the way she walked, sat, even ate, it all just screamed girly-girl of the first order.”
“Can I know what you were doing in Toyoko?” Adam asked.
“My dad, was the corporate liaison for a major electronics firm here in the States to their partners in Japan. He and mom had been there from the time that I was five. I grew up running the streets of Toyoko. My mom and dad used to joke that I spoke Japanese before I learned English.” Amanda chuckled. “I think they were right at times. I did have a Japanese accent for the longest time whenever I used English.”
Adam chuckled at hearing this about the very prim and proper Amanda Sullivan. A woman that he come to know love as a dear friend. If anyone had ever told him that Amanda had an accent that was not English in nature, he would have laughed in their face. The idea of that was just too far fetched for him to grasp. Then there was the woman that she was in love with. Ren Nagata spoke English with absolutely no accent, not even a Midwestern or Southern accent like a good many BRATS.
“How did you girls meet? I mean she had to be two grades lower than you were. After all she is three years younger than you.” Adam really wanted to know this.
“That’s the funny part. She was in the same grade that I was when we first met.” Amanda smiled at the memory of that long ago time. “She had tested out of almost all the lower classes with top scores. She only missed having the top score in one class by two points. The school we attended had to place her in a higher class. Ren may act like a goofball at times, but never doubt that it is just that, an act. Her aunt Yoshi had her I.Q. tested one time. The results were scary.”
“Just how scary could they be? I mean I’ve never seen her act all superior around people. If anything, I find her to be rather down to earth.” Adam was confused by what he was hearing from Amanda.
“Adam, I know that this sounds crazy, but Ren has a Super genius I.Q. I mean she is up there with Oppenheimer, Einstein, Shallenberger, Stanley, Tesla, Timoshenko and Zworykin. Just to name a few. Ren was a member of Mensa before she stepped foot on the graduation stage for our school. By the time she graduated middle school Ren could already speak English, Japanese, German, and Korean. By the time she graduated high school she learned Russian and French. She has continued to learn languages over the years. The last time I checked she speaks eight different languages.” Amanda turned and looked at Adam. “Make no mistake Adam, Ren is always one of the smartest people in the room. It doesn’t matter where that room is.”
Adam was pulled up short by this revelation about Ren. He had always known that she was a very intelligent woman but never the extent. Then again, no one really knows much about Ren and her past. The only person who really knew anything about Ren Nagata was the woman she spent the last years of her life sleeping with, Amanda Sullivan. Not even Adam knew Ren as well as Amanda.
“How long did you live in Japan, Amanda?”
“From the time I was four until I turned nineteen and went off to college.” Amanda finally turned away from the door to face Adam. “My dad’s company paid for all four years of my college tuition. I just had to go to school here in the states. That was four months after I graduated from high school. I didn’t see Ren for another six years. We finally ran into each other at her first fashion show.”
Adam started to chuckle. “I sorry, Amanda, but I just had this picture of you dressed in the height of Lolita fashion. And as cute as you would look like that I just can’t help but to laugh. Sure, I can see Ren that way as that is her normal. But you’re just too prim and proper to pull off the look.”
“Don’t be so sure Adam.” Amanda giggled. “I only dress like this around the office. You should see me on the weekends and around the house.”
“Wait a minute, Amanda. You forget that I’ve been to your home. I never seen you dressed in anything resembling the Lolita style.” Adam figured he had her. He was wrong in more ways than one.
“Adam, do you remember the outfit I wore the last time you were over for dinner?” Adam nodded his head yes thinking about the bright yellow skirt with white ‘Hello Kitty’ t-shirt, knee-high striped socks, and chunky Mary-Janes. “I don’t do the whole Aristocratic look like Ren does. I go for the more traditional ‘cute girl’ or sweet Lolita look outside of work.”
“Well I’ll be damned.” Adam said with a smirk. Then he thought about all the times he had seen Amanda outside of the office. “Did Ren introduce you to the style?”
“Nope. It was her aunt Yoshi. That woman could get just about anybody into the style given enough time.” Amanda chuckled at a memory. “I remember the first time my parents saw me all dressed out. Dad flipped out and mom just chuckled. They couldn’t figure out if I was rebelling or losing my mind. The truth was I saw the style for the first time and fell in love. I just had to try being a Lolita.”
Adam chuckled at the sight of a teenage Amanda confronting her parents for the first time all dressed up as a Lolita. “I bet it went over like a ton of horseshit on the alter of their professional appearance.”
“In more ways than one.” Amanda chuckled. “It took them a while, but they finally accepted my new look. Especially after they met Yoshi.”
“Just how much of an influence was Ren’s aunt on you and her? You have never really talked about Yoshi Nagata. What was she like really?” Adam asked.
Amanda giggled as she thought about Yoshi Nagata. “Ren’s aunt Yoshi is a force of nature. She is a real spitfire. She broke from tradition and started her own business just to prove she could do it. She was the one to encourage Ren in her designs for Lolitas. But the person that she feels that she owes the most to was the man that helped both Yoshi and Ren with their start in the business. Takashi Shimizu, at one time the top Lolita fashion designer in all of Japan.”
“How, did Yoshi meet such a brilliant member of the fashion industry?” Adam wanted to know with real interest. “Even I have heard of him. Didn’t he commit suicide?”
“He did. After an article written by that bitch Brenda Celso destroyed his career in the industry. I know for a fact that Ren took his death extremely hard. It has taken her six years, but Ren finally has her revenge.” The note of worry had returned to Amanda’s voice. “I just hope that little girl can help Ren as much as Ren helps her. Because if she can’t I have a feeling that Ren just might slip back into that dark place she was six years ago.”
“I take it that this Takashi Shimizu was more than just a mentor and more like a father figure to Ren than anything else?” Adam knew he was onto something. He may have specialized in optometry but like all med students had a basic knowledge of psychology. Something he needed when working with some of his clients who were suffering the onset of blindness or other disabling sight related issues.
“Takashi Shimizu, was her mentor, and more.” Amanda turned to look back out the shop door. “There is a special bond between a Senpai and their kōhai. Especially when that relationship is between a male and female. Even more so when the male is the senpai. Takashi had taken Ren under his wing first as nothing more than a model for his ‘boy Lolita’ line. It became something else within a matter of weeks. The only reason why I know, is because I was there when it all happened.”
“It was like a storm rolled over our part of Tokyo.” Amanda had gotten a faraway and lost to time tone to her voice. “It swept up our class and carried us all along in a fashion blitz that took the world by assault.”
“How many of your classmate went the Lolita route?” Adam asked in a joking manner. Only to have Amanda smile in a way that caught him off guard.
“More than thirty percent, believe it or not.” Amanda reached up and pushed a small lock of hair behind her left ear. “We were quite the sight on graduation day. I know that this is going to sound crazy, but almost all of our old classmates still shop at one of Yoshi’s stores in Tokyo. We still get invitations to weddings, births, and just about everything else under the sun. Even though we live here in now.”
“Have you two accepted any of those invites?”
“A few over the years. Mostly we go when Ren has a show in Japan. It saves on the cost of tickets that way. That, and she can write them off a business expense.” Amanda giggled at the thought of the last trip they had to Japan. “The last time Ren moved her Spring line forward by two weeks, so we could be there to walk a friend’s wedding for her. Terry made such a beautiful bride.”
“I may not be up on Japanese names, but I know for a fact that Terry is American.” Adam pointed out.
“And she is American. Or at least she was. Terry was like me in Tokyo. The dependent of an American businessman living overseas. Only Terry never left Japan. She went to college there, got her doctoral degree in pediatric medicine, and is now a practicing doctor and citizen of Japan. She met her husband while in college. They have twin boys and a baby girl.” Amanda’s jealousy over her friend’s family showed in her voice. Adam was wise enough not to push the subject. At least for now.
“What happened with your parents? Are they still in Japan?” Adam figured that was a safe topic for the change. He was right.
“Dad retired last year. He and mom are living in Yokohama now. It seems that mom wanted to stay after visiting the U.S. two years. They still had their visas and decided to stay. Dad still does consulting work and mom works as a translator for the Japanese Government now.” Amanda got a funny look on her face before laughing. “The funny thing is mom only learn Japanese out of survival. She only put up with living there for the money dad earned with the company he worked for. Now, you couldn’t get her to live Stateside if you paid her.”
“Amanda, earlier you said that you were worried about Ren confronting her past. Why? From the sounds of things Ren had a relatively peaceful up bring.” Adam was now worried for his friends. “What am I missing?”
Amanda got extremely quiet and pain filled her eyes. “It happened during our first year of school together. I know it still haunts her to this day.”
“What happened, Amanda?” Adam almost demanded the answer that he knew was coming. He had seen the signs in some of his emergency room patients. More than once he had to treat someone for injuries to the eye and orbital cavities. A good many of those injuries from violent assault cases. Women and men brought into the ER by EMT’s and police. “Who assaulted her?”
“Ren was attacked by a pack of thugs off a British Navy cruiser. They had made port call in Tokyo harbor earlier that afternoon. They were drunk when they attacked Ren. The only good thing that came out of that attack was Ren didn’t have to face them in court. The laws over there protect victims a hell of a lot better than over here. That and the men were all military, so they faced Military Tribunals instead of civilian courts. I know her uncle used every contact he had to get them before the Japanese Military courts. It had something to do with SOFA.” Amanda told him barely above a whisper. “They’re all still behind bars in a Japanese prison.”
“My God!” Adam knew that Ren was always skittish around men. Now he knew why. Female assault victims tended to carry their attacks emotionally far longer than men, with the exception of rape victims. Then it doesn’t matter what the sex is, the attack stays with them forever. “Please tell me that she was only beaten.”
“Sorry, I can’t do that Adam. Those monsters raped her both orally and anally for the better part of three hours before getting creative.” Amanda fought back the tears that threatened to fall as she remembered that terrible time in Ren’s life. “The police found her with a beer bottle rammed halfway into her rectum, knife slashes over her arms, legs, stomach, and back. The bastards had broken both of her feet, the long bones in her legs, and five ribs. She had to undergo emergency surgery to save her life. They had castrated her before leaving her for dead on a park bench near Tokyo harbor.”
“How did they find the men?” Adam knew that in these types of attacks the suspect is hard to find under the best of circumstances. With no way of identifying her assailants they should have gotten away. Especially with a ready escape available like a British Naval Cruiser.
“One of the nice things about Tokyo is the CCTV coverage. They were caught on camera entering the park carrying Ren. Then leaving the park without her. If it hadn’t been for a passing couple Ren would not have been found until morning. By then it would have been too late. The couple were out walking their dog when they found her and called for the police.” Amanda turned back to Adam. “Ren’s attackers never made it back to their ship. They were arrested at the docks trying to board a tender to take them back out to their ship.”
“I take it that their uniforms were covered in evidence?” Adam asked.
“Blood, tissue, and a shit load of DNA. The Tokyo police could have thrown the whole law library at them and never missed.” Amanda then admitted to how the attack could have even happened. “To this day I wish we hadn’t gone to that Karaoke café.”
“Hating yourself for having fun as teenagers is a fast way to a padded room.” Adam told her harshly. “You girls were only having fun. Those animals didn’t have to attack Ren. They are, and were, the ones in the wrong.”
“Adam, if I hadn’t begged Ren to go out with me that night she wouldn’t have been anywhere near that part of town. If I had just left that café with her when she wanted to, she wouldn’t have been alone at that bus stop. If she hadn’t been at that bus stop she wouldn’t have been attacked.” Amanda was almost in tears now.
“How long have you held all this guilt in Amanda?” When Amanda didn’t answer right away Adam guessed. “Since the attack I’m guessing. Are you and her seeing anybody?”
“We’ve both been seeing Doctor Wright over at UCM’s Women’s Health Group.” Amanda sighed. “I know there was no way to prevent what happened to Ren. I’ve known for years now. I’ll tell you the truth. The real reason I came back home to go to college was so that she won’t have to see my face. I just knew that she blamed me for what happened to her. As for her aunt Yoshi, I still doubt her word that she won’t gut me at first sight.”
“Damn. I know that you listed Ren’s injuries, but for some reason I just can’t picture them all at one time.” Adam was still trying to wrap his head around how Ren even survived the attack. “How long was her recovery?”
“Almost four months. She spent most of that time in the hospital. Between the emergency surgery and three follow up surgeries she was on bed rest for the first two months. It took the last two months for her to just relearn how to walk.” Amanda gave Adam a truly sad look. “I know that Yoshi and her family went totally ballistic over what had happened. Her grandfather threatened to sue the British Naval Office in International Court. If the Japanese SDF hadn’t gotten involved things would have gotten ugly in a major way.”
“How did they get involved? I thought that the attackers were British sailors. Wouldn’t that have given them some kind of protection from prosecution?”
“The Status Of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, between Japan and the UK military allows for the Japanese government to prosecute British Military under their laws for infractions of the law. Only instead of facing a civilian courtroom and judge they can also face a Military tribunal. The same thing applies to our own military forces in places like Japan, Korea, or Europe.” Amanda knew that the explanation gave Adam the needed information to piece the rest of the story together.
“Do you think that new girl will really help Ren?”
“I can only hope so, Adam.” Amanda looked back out the shop door. “Even if Debra doesn’t help Ren, Ren will help her. I don’t know what is troubling that girl, but Ren will find it. Once she does that you know how Ren gets. She won’t stop until she’s either dead or fixed the problem.”
“Her only problem is she can’t fix her own problems, is that it?” Adam asked her. Amanda wanted to deny the accusation but couldn’t. “How old was she when the attack happened Amanda? Sixteen, seventeen, years old?”
“She had just turn sixteen. I missed her birthday party, and to make it up to her I took her out to that café. I know that no one is at fault but those monsters. Any way now you know one of the reasons for why we don’t celebrate Ren’s birthday.”
“By the gods it’s no wonder she hates that time of the year. Isn’t that about the same time as when her parents were killed?”
“In the words of a beloved man of science ‘Eureka!” Amanda didn’t want to bring up that painful time in Ren’s life. “Her parents died two months after her fourteenth birthday. The attack happened five days after her sixteenth birthday.”
Adam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All that trauma around the same day. A day that should be one of celebration was instead of a day of nightmare memories for one of his best friends. “Let Ren know that if she ever needs to talk. That she can call me anytime of the day or night.”
“I will Adam.” Giving him a reassuring smile Amanda returned to work. “But I think that she’ll be holding that favor back for young Debra. I have a feeling that there is something in the background report that Ren ordered. Something that is just as dark and almost as frightening as the attack on Ren. Like I said before this Debra Wallen is not like the others. She is far too much like my sweet Ren.”
“How could you tell? She seemed like any other teenage girl that I have met? What could be so terrible in her background that only you could spot it?” Adam asked.
“It was in her eyes Adam.” Amanda sighed. “You’ve hear the old saying ‘that the eyes are the windows to the soul’ right?” Adam nodded. “There is a lot of pain behind the eyes of that girl. Pain and misery.”
-----tbc-----
Amanda had just taken her seat in her homeroom class when the bell rang. Her best friend Josie looked over at her smiling. “I see you’re running late again Amanda. What was it this time, girlfriend?”
“Oh, shut up, Josie. I’m not late.” Amanda snapped as she smoothed out the collar of her uniform. “God, I hate these stupid fuku uniforms.”
“What’s got your panties in a twist girl? You’ve never been this pissed off before.” Josie whispered so that Jane Miller the Class Rep won’t report them to their teacher. “You’ve never let being a little late get to you like this.”
Keeping her voice barely above a whisper Amanda admitted to what had her so mad. “The Head Mistress stopped me in the hallway as I was coming in this morning. We got a new student joining our class today. I get the pleasure of showing her around the school. Isn’t that supposed to be the Class Reps job?”
Before Josie could answer Jane Miller their Class Representative to the Student Council walked up to Amanda. “Sullivan, did Head Mistress Sasaki tell you that you’re to escort the new girl?”
Amanda sighed and held her anger in. “Yah yes she did, Jane. Now, bugger off already before I put my foot in your ass.”
“Look, Amanda, we don’t need the new girl getting a bad idea about our Class.” Jane started off only to have Amanda snap.
“How can she not get a bad idea of our Class? Fuck’s sake Jane get a God damned clue, already will you? We’re Class 3-E. The losers of the school.” Amanda had gotten dead into Jane’s face as she snarled out her anger. “You can stand there and get all preachy about how we need to improve our grades and shit. Or you can do something about getting us some teachers that actually give a fuck for a change.”
“Miss Sullivan, Miss Miller,” Both girls turn to look at the front of the classroom at their teacher. “That will be quite enough ladies. Now take your seats.”
Both girls glared at each other before bowing to their teacher and taking their seats. Once they were seated their teacher waved for a young girl to step into the classroom. The second Amanda saw the Japanese girl she knew that this was the girl she was supposed to escort around the school. That meant the next student to be introduced would be her albatross. It also ruined her mood even more as the girl was really cute. Even in that stupid uniform. Some how the girl had been able to take the fuku style uniform and make it her own while still fitting within school guidelines. The more Amanda looked at the girl’s uniform the more she was able to take in the subtle differences that made it look cute on her.
“Class I would like to introduce our newest student to Goto-Kono Senior High. Miss Ren Nagata from Elizabethtown, Kentucky.” Their teacher said grabbing Amanda’s undivided attention. She now knew why their Head Mistress wanted her to escort this girl around the school. Miss Sasaki figured that they would have something in common being from the same area. “Miss Sullivan thank you for offering to be Miss Nagata’s guide for the day.”
Sadly, Amanda knew that it was a colossal waste of time. She had never set foot in the USA, let alone been anywhere near Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Sure, her dad’s company was headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky but she had never been there. Hell, her parents had even been back to the states since she was five. Her dad’s work didn’t require him to travel back and forth. He may work for Louisville Doppler Radars and Radios, but they had him here to work on the radars and radios that had been placed in Tokyo International Air traffic Control Tower. Amanda’s dad was the lead corporate liaison for the company in Japan.
Knowing that she couldn’t get out of the assignment Amanda stood and bowed to her teacher. “I’ll do my best Ojima-sensei.”
Ren bowed to Mrs. Ojima then turned and walked down the isle to take the desk next to Amanda’s. Bowing slightly to Amanda. “It is a pleasure to meet you Amanda-san.”
Amanda could tell that her teacher and head Mistress were both massively wrong about where this girl was from. There was no way in hell that this Japanese teenager ever set foot in the US. Let alone Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She is way too mannerly for any part of the United States, but especially the Midwest. Then there was the fact that the girl didn’t have any type of accent.
“Are you sure that you’re from Elizabethtown, Kentucky?” Amanda asked bluntly once Ren had taken her seat.
“Oh, I am American. Only the staff seem to think that Fort Knox and E-town are one and the same.” Ren smirked before sticking out her hand in a whisper. “Ren Nagata, one-hundred percent Army BRAT at your service.”
Ren’s wise crack got Amanda to giggle which drew a look of displeasure from their teacher. Ren quickly stood up and bowed to Mrs. Ojima. “Please forgive me Ojima-sensei. I asked Amanda-san if she knew when lunch was as I have not yet eaten today. I did not mean to cause a disturbance to our lesson.”
“Please hold any such questions until between classes Miss Nagata. We do not conduct our classes in the manner that you are used to in the United States.” Mrs. Ojima turned back to her lecture notes. “Now, before we went on break we were discussing the leading causes that lead up to the outbreak of World War One. Today we will be going over Japan’s involvement in the First World War.”
For the next half-hour Ojima went over the Japan’s involvement in the First World War until Ren raised her hand, then stood up and proceed to correct Mrs. Ojima. Amanda was amazed that the new girl Ren was actually able to give a better explain of Japan’s involvement than that of Mrs. Ojima. Amanda and a few others sat in stunned silence as Ren stood up and CORRECTED their teacher at one point.
“Excuse me Ojima-sensei. But I believe that you are slightly misrepresenting the impact that the Japanese people had on the First World War.”
“Oh. And how would you describe their impact on the war, Miss Nagata?” Ojima let her ire over being corrected by a student fill her voice.
Ren just gave the woman a small smile. “While the distances prevented the Japanese Army from directly influencing the battle fronts in Europe. They did have a massive impact on the War in the Pacific theater. What most of the world forgets is Japan participated in World War I from 1914 to 1918 in an alliance with Entente Powers and played an important role in securing the sea lanes in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans against the Imperial German Navy as a member of the Allies. Politically, the Japanese Empire seized the opportunity to expand its sphere of influence in China, and to gain recognition as a great power in postwar geopolitics.”
Mrs. Ojima was slightly perplexed by Ren’s answer. “Please explain your answer Miss Nagata. Go into as much detail as you can over the next half hour.”
Mrs. Ojima may have thought she had Ren but failed to see the trap that had been set by the teenager. Ren just smiled standing there and then began to lecture on the First World War in the Pacific Theater. Much to Miss Ojima’s displeasure.
“Japan’s military, took advantage of the great distances and Imperial Germany's preoccupation with the war in Europe. They used the opportunity to seize German possessions in the Pacific and East Asia, but there was no large-scale mobilization of the economy. It was Foreign Minister Katō Takaaki and Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu who wanted to use the opportunity to expand Japanese influence in China. They enlisted Sun Yat-sen, who was at the time in exile in Japan, but they had little success.”
The more Ren talked about the part Japan played in the First World War the more her classmates paid her attention. Even Ojima was forced to show respect at the American teenager’s grasp of the topic. “The Imperial Japanese Navy, which at that time was a nearly autonomous bureaucratic institution, made its own decisions to undertake expansion into the Pacific. It captured Germany's Micronesian territories north of the equator and ruled the islands until they were transitioned to civilian control in 1921. The operation gave the Navy a rationale for enlarging its budget to double the Army budget and expanding the fleet. The Navy thus gained significant political influence over national and international affairs.”
Ren had gotten into a real swing now that she wasn’t getting the stink eye from Ojima anymore. “The Versailles Peace Conference in 1919 saw Japan’s representative Saionji Kinmochi sitting alongside the ‘Big Four’ leaders; Lloyd George, Wilson, Clemenceau, Orlando. The Peace Conference granted Tokyo a permanent seat on the Council of the League of Nations. While, the Paris Peace Conference confirmed the transfer to Japan of Germany’s rights to Shandong. As for Germany’s more northerly Pacific islands they came under a Japanese mandate, called the South Pacific Mandate. Despite Japan’s prowess on a global scale, and its sizable contribution to the allied war effort in response to British pleas for assistance in the Mediterranean and East Asia, the Western powers that were present at the Treaty of Versailles rejected Japan’s bid for a racial equality clause in subsequent Treaty of Versailles. Japan nevertheless emerged as a great power in international politics at the close of the war.”
Ren turned slightly as she went into the rest of her impromptu lecture. “Sadly, the prosperity brought on by World War One did not last. Although Japan’s light industry had secured a share of the world market, Japan returned to debtor-nation status soon after the end of the war. The ease of Japan’s victory, the negative impact of the Showa recession in 1926, and internal political instabilities helped contribute to the rise of Japanese militarism in the late 1920s to 1930s. Between these factors and the failure of the Western Powers to deal with Japan on an equal footing racially lead to the rise of the Nationalist movement during this time.”
The bell rang interrupting Ren’s lecture. Mrs. Ojima gave Ren a smile. “Thank you, Miss Nagata for that very informative discussion on this mornings topic. May I know where you gained your background on the topic?”
Ren looked down at her feet before answering. The strong, outgoing, confident, teenage Japanese girl had fled the room. In her place was a shy, awkward, self-conscious, teenager hiding a lot of pain. “My father taught me, Ojima-sensei.”
Mrs. Ojima had been briefed on the circumstance that had brought Ren Nagata to her school. She also knew that any references to Ren’s parents was forbidden on the part of the teachers. The Head Mistress had warned them all that she would fire the first teacher to break that rule. Mrs. Ojima wasn’t going to be that example. “Thank you, Miss Nagata. I hope that you will be able to bring a more insightful discussion to our classes in the future.”
With that Mrs. Ojima left the classroom. With this break most of the girls clustered around Ren. As did Amanda only she was the first to say anything. “Thanks for covering Ren. You didn’t need to do that though.”
“Wrong me amigo.” Looking to make sure that Ojima had left the room Ren gave Amanda a sly look. “That old bat was looking at gunning you down, so she could saddle me with someone else. I don’t want some bootlicker showing me around. I want someone who will become a friend first.”
“Wow! You shot from the hip. I like that. I don’t know how you pulled off that prime and proper bullshit but you sure fool Ojima-sensei. Where did you learn to act like that girl? You sure as hell didn’t learn it on no Army post.” Amanda smirked. She knew enough Military BRATS to know that much.
“My mom taught me.” Ren whispered. The pain was still too raw for Ren to talk about the death of her parents and how her mom taught how to act.
Amanda was many things but stupid and insensitive was not one of them. “Oh, sorry to bring up bad memories. I didn’t mean anything by what I said.”
“Forget about!” Ren quickly said in a bad New Jersey accent. “Now, where’s the rat squad hang out? I got enough beefs at my old school with them that I don’t need any here. Besides, my aunt Yoshi would skin me alive if I got in trouble.”
“You live with your aunt.” Amanda gave Ren a strange look. She knew enough about the American Military thanks to her friends here at the school to know that they always look for the closest family for dependents. If Ren was here with her aunt that meant her father and his family was also dead or unable to take care of her. “Sorry, about your parents, Ren. If you ever need to talk you can come to me.”
“Thanks Amanda.” Ren sniffled then wiped her nose. “Right now, I just want to get settled into school and get caught up on my studies.”
“Speaking of that, how come you’re in our class? I mean you’re what fourteen fifteen?” Amanda asked politely. “This is a Sophomore class.”
“This is where the Head Mistress and the Staff felt I should be placed after they saw my test scores.” Ren shrugged her shoulders. “They said something about being only five points from a prefect national score. Whatever that means.”
The four girls that had been eavesdropping on their conversation fell out of their chairs at hearing Ren’s scholastic score. Jane Miller who was one of them jumped up in Ren’s face. “You have got to be kidding me? FIVE POINTS OFF PERFECT?”
“Yeah, so what? I don’t see what the big deal is? I could care less.” Ren told the girl with a snarl. Ren figure that if she put on the juvenile delinquent act the rest of the girls wouldn’t go looking to hard into her personal life. “I mean it wasn’t that hard. I had harder subjects while in DOD schools.”
Amanda saw right through Ren’s act but backed her play any way. “Yo, chill, sister. Butting heads with our classmates is a sure fire ticket to the Head Mistress Office. Not good on your first day.”
Amanda could tell that Ren was fighting with her self and how she wanted to deal with her new classmates. “Sorry, guys. It’s just been a tuff couple of weeks for me. Forgive me?”
“Sure, if you’ll tell us how you were able to score so high on the placement tests.” Megan Marshal asked her. “I mean no one has ever come that close to a perfect score. At least not on the National level like that.”
“I don’t know how really. I grew up bouncing around the world with my parents thanks to my dad’s army career. To make sure I didn’t fall behind my mom and dad tutored me during each transfer.” Ren got a faraway look in her eyes that pulled at Amanda’s heart and soul. She could see the pain of these memories in the young girl’s eyes. “They were both really smart and had college degrees in different fields.”
“So, you like had your own college tutors thanks to your parents?” Ohmie Ito was the next to ask Ren a question. “Where did they get their degrees?”
Ren didn’t want to answer but knew that sooner or later her classmates would pester her until they had their answers. “My mom got her master’s degree of science in Criminal Justice from Southern New Hampshire University. While my dad got his master’s degree in military history from the same university. They both wanted to do something with their educations when my dad retired from the Army.”
The quiet way that Ren answered Ohmie’s question really grabbed Amanda’s attention. Before she could stop the other girls from asking the question Jane Miller jumped all over the chance to put the new girl in her place. “Speaking of which, why aren’t you over with the rest of the BRATS at Douglas MacArthur? What are mommy and daddy trying to keep their little princess from learning bad habits?”
The smack sounded like a whip crack in the suddenly quiet room. Amanda was ready to deliver a second blew as Josie stepped between her and Jane. Amanda wasn’t the only one to suddenly be ready to pound their Class Rep. In fact, more than half the class was ready to hang Jane by her Mary-Janes. Ren though just clenched her fists in a cold and silent rage. If anyone had cared to look into Ren’s eyes, they would have seen the burning barely contained fury. It was a good thing that Yoshi had made sure Ren had no weapons in her bookbag. Because Ren would have gutted the girl and not given it a second thought.
“Back off now, Jane. You may be our class rep, but you’re still out of line.” Josie was dead up in Jane’s face. “You do not have the right to ask that question. Nor do you have the right to know anyone’s private life. You can only take that you’re just doing your duty as Class Rep horseshit so far.”
Jane looked over at Amanda and snarled. “You’ll pay for that slap, bitch.”
Amanda just smirked and returned the glare. “Bring it on bitch.”
Jane just spun on her heel and walked away. Ren looked over at Amanda. “What’s up that British bitch’s ass anyway?”
“She’s been the top cunt in our class for the last two years.” Josie sighed as she looked over at Ren. “That was until this year. Look, Ren, the best thing you can do is just stay away from the cunt. Especially until you can get transferred to one of the other classes and out of Three-E.”
“Okay, guys. What the hell does that mean?” Ren asked with a puzzled look. “Just what am I missing here? What does me being in the Class have to do with anything?”
“Ren this is the class that the Head Mistress and the rest of the staff put the misfits, social outcasts, and delinquents. All of the girls in here fall into one of those three categories. All except Jane. She’s in here to act as the Class Council’s and the Head Mistress’s spy.” Amanda explained with look of pain.
Ren just chuckled. This drew the other girls’ attention. “Then I guess that I’m in the right class after all. I’m probably the biggest misfit of us all.”
“I doubt that. You’re the biggest girly-girl in here. You fit right in with the rest of the school.” One girl said with a look of discomfort. “This is the class that they put the LGBT girls. You know the lesbians, and bisexual girls.”
“What about the transgender girls?” Ren asked politely.
“Honey child there hasn’t been a t-girl in this school in the last six years. Well, I shouldn’t say that. We HAD a t-girl for three months last year, at least until she transferred to Fukuda High for the rest of the year.” Kathy Steward answered.
“Yeah, Shelly was really cool. Did anybody find out why she transferred?” Another girl asked from the other side of the room.
“I tried talking with her over summer break.” Amanda said before angerly giving the girl’s answer. “Shelly was getting bullied by the other classes. Not in school, but everywhere else. Online too. It got so bad her father burned all her pages.”
“Damn that’s harsh. No wonder she bailed when she did. I’m surprised that she even stuck around for as long as she did.” Amanda said quietly.
Before the girls could talk some more the bell rang for the next class to begin. They all rushed to take their seats as the teacher for the next class entered the room. Amanda knew that Ren would have a hard time in this class. Japanese language skills. So, did almost every other girl in the room.
Amanda leaned over and whispered to Ren while the teacher had her back to the class. “Ren if you have any problems, I’ll do what I can to help.”
Ren just giggled and smiled over at Amanda. “I doubt that I will need much help Amanda-san. I’ve been speaking Japanese from the time I could walk. I may be an Army BRAT, but my mom taught me about her home country. A long with the language and it’s costumes. Trust me, I’m more Japanese than American at times.”
“Miss Nagata, I know that you are new to our school but please remember your manners. I will answer all questions at the end of class.” Amanda wanted to bust out laughing as she knew that Mrs. Endo was trying to catch Ren out.
Ren just stood up and bowed deeply to the new teacher. “Please forgive my rudeness honored sensei. I was just informing Amanda-san that I would not be needing her help. I grew up speaking Japanese and living in a Japanese home.”
Ren’s answer caused Mrs. Endo to look like she just sucked on a lemon-lime icing covered turd. More than just Amanda had to hide a giggle fit behind her hands. Mrs. Endo though did not find Ren’s apology funny at all. The woman was so pissed that she disparately wanted to punish the upstart smartassed American teenager for daring to standup to her. Yet she couldn’t as the girl had been both respectful and correct in her speech. The only other girl in the school to have pissed her off like this was that little bitch Rukia Kuchiki in Class 3-A.
“Take your seat Miss Nagata. We have much to go over today.” Mrs. Endo ordered before turning her back on the class. Ren just returned to her seat. The funny part was that the rest of the class never saw the slight smile playing at her lips. Amanda spotted the smile before Ren could cover it. The thought of having this new girl in her class seemed to being a similar smile to her own. Over the next three periods a pattern developed. One that Amanda quickly picked up on.
Ren was going out of her way to shutdown the teachers before they had a chance to screw with her. It was as if she knew about the teachers’ habit of targeting the new kids to find out just how much they knew. Amanda and the other girls were constantly fighting to remain straight faced. The one time that they all did fail was during their English Class. Their teacher for this class was from the United Kingdom and spoke proper Queen’s English. Ren’s use of a thick and very obvious fake New York accent had to greet their teacher had better results than she could hope. For starters, Mrs. Doolittle winced in obvious pain hearing this murder of her home nation’s language and secondly rounds of giggling from her classmates.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Doolittle caught onto Ren’s joke faster than the class would have liked. Mrs. Doolittle gave Ren a witty smile saying. “Thank you, Miss Nagata, for that very entertaining example of your home nation’s most recognizable accent.”
This of course got Ren’s new class mates laughing even harder. Only Amanda could see that Ren was disappointed by being caught out by Mrs. Doolittle. With a slight bow of her head to the teacher Ren answered. “Yes ma’am. I won’t do it again.”
“Thank you, Miss Nagata. Though I may call on you for demonstrations of other uniquely American accents if you are able.”
“I can provide you with you examples of a two Southern, a Midwestern, three Northeastern, and two Southwestern accents, Doolittle-sensei.” Ren quickly answered. “For any of the Pacific coast accents I’m afraid that I cannot help you.”
“That is more than I could have expected, Miss Nagata.” Mrs. Doolittle was actually surprised that Ren was offering to help in this manner. “Open your books to chapter five class. Today we’ll be going off the formations of paragraphs.”
At lunch time Amanda joined Ren who had a traditional Japanese box lunch called bento. Amanda could tell right away that this was not a store bought bento, but homemade. Amanda was actually a little jealous of Ren. She never had a homemade bento before. Her mother just bought the prepackaged ones for her to take to school. Ren’s bento was a typical sashimi style bento only it had three slices of salmon and four slices of abalone with no tuna. It also came with four pieces of crunchy roll, two dumplings and steamed rice. Amanda really want to snag one of the crunchy roll pieces. Another thing that made Amanda jealous was the way she worked her chopsticks. It just showed that Ren really had grown up in a Japanese home.
“Damn girl. Where did you learn to use a pair of chopsticks like that?” Chiral Michaels asked. At Ren’s blank look Chiral giggled. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet Ren. Ninety percent of this school is made up of foreign dependent students. The main teaching language is English. There are only twenty-six actual Japanese students in our total Class. With a grand total of one-hundred-four in the whole school. Most of which are only here because their parents work in the International Community.”
Ren started to chuckle. “I hate to tell you guys this but if we’re going off of that criteria for school admittance. Then I’m right where I belong.” Ren picked up a piece of salmon, dipped in soy sauce before sticking in her mouth. A few chews Ren swallowed with a smile. “You got to remember that I’m an American Army BRAT. Besides my aunt Yoshi really wants me to go to this school.”
“Um… Ren please don’t take this the wrong way. But is your aunt Yoshi, Yoshi Nagata of the fashion shore owner?” One of the girls asked Ren quietly.
“Oh, come on, Casey. There is no way that Ren is related to Yoshi Nagata. I mean Ren is rocking that fuku uniform I’ll give you that, but there is not one sign of her being a Lolita.” Amanda answered for Ren.
“I hate to tell you this Amanda. You’re wrong. My aunt Yoshi is Yoshi Nagata Owner of Nagata Lolita Designs.” Ren smirked before popping a piece of crunchy roll in her mouth. After swallowing. “I can’t do much with the uniform, but I am a Lolita. I even work for my aunt as a model and her kōhai.”
“WOW! You must have all the inside info on the new Takashi Shimizu lines.” Another girl asked Ren. The girl was practically bouncing in her seat. “Oh, I’m Mary Keller. If you need to know where anything is just ask.”
“She’s also our resident gossip expert.” Another girl told Ren. “If you want the four-one-one on somebody Mary’s got it.” the girl held out a hand. “Kim Slone.”
“Nice to meet you girls.” Ren looked over at where Jane Miller was eating her lunch. “Now can anyone here tell what I did to piss off our Class Rep?”
Amanda sighed. “Don’t take this the wrong way Ren but when you told everyone that you got a score that was five points off the National best you really slammed Jane.”
“Okay, once again, what is up with my score being so fucking important? I couldn’t care less one way or the other.” Ren sighed.
“It’s because until this year Jane’s score was good enough to place her in the other classes.” Kim told her. “You see, your standing in this school is based solely on your academic test scores. If you’re in our class that means Jane’s chances of ever getting moved to one of the more acceptable classes are almost nil.”
“I still don’t get it. Why would my scores have anything to do with her being stuck in our class?” Ren was really confused.
“The National Tests are only held twice a year. At midterms and end of the year. Until then Jane is in here with us. The losers in the eyes of the school body. Each year has one class that is filled with the lowest scoring students or trouble makers like me.” Kim answered with smirk. “Yeah, I got busted for fighting in the first week of our freshman year. That along with my juvie record kind of got me stuck in this class. Amanda is our confirmed nonconformist.”
“Proud card carrying member of the Liberalist Feminine Party at your service. If you join us today, you’re eligible for our new t-shirt with our logo and saying printed on it. Welcome to the Dark side. We have milk and chocolate chip cookies at all our meetings.” Amanda joked.
“Damn girl that just ain’t right.” Ren shook her head as she chuckled. “You would get along with my buddy Christen just fine.”
“Thank you, I hope I can meet this enlightened individual sometime.” Amanda sniffed airily. Which of course got the other girls giggling. Amanda couldn’t keep up the act and joined them in their laughter. “Say Ren you want to join us after school for tea and cakes at the local pastry shop?”
“Sorry guys, but my aunt is taking me to the Yasukuni Shrine after school. I need to do something for my mom and dad today.” Ren got extremely quiet as she talked about her father and Amanda picked up on it fast. Only she wasn’t fast enough. “We’ll be making a few other stops today as well. I think they’re the Memorial Park for the Tokyo War Dead, the Tokyo Memorial Hall, and the Cenotaph for the City Air-Raid Victims of the Pacific War.”
Jane Miller overheard one of her hot topic buttons getting pushed. “Which one of you, skanks is going to the Yasukuni Shrine?” she demanded.
Ren just looked up at her and glared. “I am. Why cunt?”
Amanda could tell that Ren wasn’t your normal Army BRAT just by the way she has been acting. When Ren flipped her chopsticks sideways to hold them in a knife-like manner Amanda slide her chair back out of the way. Before she warned Jane. “Jane, do yourself a big fucking favor. Walk away before you get hurt. Not all of us have problems with Japan honoring their war dead and veterans.”
“That is just so typical of you Sullivan. Taking the side of another war mongering military slut. Just so you can try and get in her panties.” Jane snarled. “Fucking carpet muncher. Why won’t you just drop out already?”
“You know something Jane, I was just going to hand out the life altering ass beating that you so desperately need. Instead, I’m just going to put your ass in the morgue.” Ren growled out as she snapped her chopsticks. Several girls moved at once to get out of Ren’s way. Only Amanda moved to block her. “I’ve had enough of that cunt’s mouth Amanda. Get out of my way.”
“Not going to happen Ren. I can’t let you waste your time beating the shit out of her.” Amanda looked over her shoulder at a now very scared Jane Miller. “Besides, you can’t fix stupid, not even with duck tape.”
“Let go Sullivan. I can handle this little girl.” Jane said as she popped her knuckles. “Besides, I think she needs to be taught her place.”
“Jane, if I were you. I would shut up and do as I told you.” Amanda snarled. “Because she won’t be the only one beating the crap out of you. Look around and take a real good count of the number of girls wanting a piece of your ass. The only reason you’re our Class Rep is because Mrs. Ojima appointed you. You don’t have any friends here. Class mates only at best.”
Jane could tell that she wasn’t wanted and took the hint to leave. Amanda turned back to Ren. “Sorry about that Ren. Jane has a big time problem with anyone who even thinks about paying respect to veterans or the those who died in the last war. Do the rest of us a favor and give us a chance to prove we’re not a bunch of idiots?”
“I know you’re not Amanda. I just don’t understand what her whole beef is with me paying my respect to our veterans.” Ren sighed out.
Amanda looked at her friends. “Looks like I get to tell you what’s going on with Jane and the Shrine. You see there are some major controversies surrounding the Yasukuni Shrine. It’s a Japanese Shinto shrine to those who died while serving the Emperor of Japan during wars from 1867–1951. Most of the controversies surround the civilians involved the with the service and government officials. Yasukuni is a shrine to house the actual souls of the dead as kami. While this activity is strictly a religious matter due to the religious separation of State Shinto and the Japanese Government. The priesthood for the shrine has complete religious autonomy to decide whom and how enshrinement may occur. The current clergy believe that enshrinement is permanent and irreversible. One of the big trouble spots is the enshrinement of individuals that were found to be war criminals by the International Military for the Far East. With the approach to the war museum considered by some to be nationalist. People like Jane’s family, the Chinese, and Koreans, have called the Yasukuni Shrine a microcosm of a revisionist and unapologetic approach to Japanese crimes of World War II.”
“I can understand the Chinese, Koreans and some of the other South East Asian countries having a beef like that, but not Jane. I mean you can tell that she is a Brit.” Ren said to the gathered girls.
“You remember that school she mentioned?” Kim asked to have Ren nod her head. “Well that school is the one that most of the Embassy kids go to.”
“So, what does that have to do with her hating on me and the Yasukuni Shrine?” Ren was really perplexed now.
“Her daddy works in the British Consolette. Just like her grandfather did, and her great grandfather. One of the Consolettes that have been pushing to get the Shrine closed. That or show how the Japanese played a larger part in the war crimes of World War II.” Amanda explained the major contention for the Shrine and memorial. “See the Yasukuni Shrine operates a war museum of the history of Japan. The problem is some observers have criticized the museum as presenting a false revisionist interpretation of history. There’s a documentary-style propaganda video shown to museum visitors portrays Japan's conquest of East Asia during the pre-World War II period as an effort to save the region from the imperial advances of colonial Western powers. There are displays portraying Japan as the victim of foreign influence, most especially Western undermining of trade. One of the major problems with the museum is it has no mention of any of the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army, including the Nanking massacre.”
“I get it now. I think, let me know if I’m wrong.” Ren took a deep breath. “Jane’s grandfather fought the Japanese during the Second World War. Her family has been stuck here ever since working in the embassy in one way or another. And because the Yasukuni Shrine operates a war museum that, in her eyes, gives a false impression. Anyone who visits the Shrine is wrong regardless of their reasons. Never mind the fact that the Shrine is protected by the constitutionally religious separation of Shinto and the Japanese Government.”
“Yup, you got it in one.” Casey answered quickly. “How did you figure that out?”
“When my dad was stationed in Europe, we visited a few of the war memorials there.” Amanda saw that Ren had a faraway and forlorn look in her eyes as she talked about her parents. “There are more than a few memorials over there that are just as controversial as the Yasukuni Shrine.”
“I don’t mean to pry Ren, but why are you living with your aunt and not your parents?” Kim asked politely. “We can see that you really do want to be with them.”
“Is it because they’re at some kind of hardship duty assignment?” Amanda asked.
“My parents were killed by a drunk driver a little over two months ago.” Ren whispered. “My aunt Yoshi and my mom’s family were the only ones who could take me in. Even then it took the Army and US government over six weeks to straighten everything out so that they could.”
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the rest. Amanda quickly apologized for the gathered girls. “Sorry for being a bunch of nosey asshats, Ren. It’s just that we normally don’t get military BRATs in this school. If you need to spilt after school, we understand. Forget about that cunt Jane. We’ll deal with her.”
“What has my dipshit cousin done this time?” A new girl asked Amanda in a polished English accent. Ren turned to look at the new comer. “Rebeca Miller, Class President, and Jane’s worse fucking nightmare.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Ren Nagata. Newest student to Goto-Kono Senior High.” Ren said with a slight smile. “And apparently your cousin’s newest enemy.”
Rebeca chuckled at Ren’s description of herself. “Okay what you do to piss off my oh so lovely cousin on the first day?”
“She only missed having a perfect score for the Nationals by five points for starters. Oh, and doesn’t care about her national standing. Then manages to shutdown Ojima’s plan for replacing Amanda as her school guide before it ever gets started. Speaks Japanese as if she grew up speaking it. Has the never to be a military BRAT and attend our school instead of MacArthur.” Amanda smirked as she listed off Ren’s accomplishments so far for the day. “I haven’t even gotten to the good stuff, yet.”
“Damn she did all that on the first day?” Rebeca asked with a smile. Only to have the gathered girls just nod their heads as Ren blushed. “You go girl. I can’t wait to see what you do on your second day.”
That brought a round of giggles from the other girls as Ren just blushed even harder. Rebeca placed her hand on Ren’s shoulder. “Just let me handle my cousin, Ren. I know how she gets at times. The only thing that would piss her off even more was if you were going to visit the Yasukuni Shrine today.”
“Um… actually I am going to visit the Yasukuni Shrine today with my aunt. When she found out she kind of went ballistic on me.” Ren looked at the other girls before looking back up at Rebeca expecting to see the same hate that Jane held. Only to be surprised to see understanding instead.
“Trust me, Ren, I understand how my cousin gets. Sadly, she has been pumped full of the family history bullshit. About how our great grandfather stood up to the Axis Powers and their fascist movements. Just ignore her for the next two months. After that you won’t have to worry about her.” Rebeca told Ren.
Amanda picked up on what Rebeca was saying faster than the others. “Where is she going Becca? Over to MacArthur.”
“Nope. She’s going home. Her dad has been recalled to England. That means we will no longer have her company after the Holiday break.” Rebeca gave everyone a mile wide smile. Right before she started to giggle. “My mom and dad said they can’t wait for the New Year to start. For the first time in six years we won’t have to deal with my aunt, uncle, and bratty cousins.”
Ren gave her a strange look. The reason is she never really had any close family other than her mom and dad. “Is that normal? I mean family not liking each other?”
“Doesn’t your family fight Ren?” Rebeca asked her.
“I only just met my mom’s side of the family recently. As for my dad’s side I only have one aunt and she is in a long term care facility.” Once again Ren got quiet as she talked about her family. “I never really had much contact with my extended family until the past few weeks. My dad’s career kind of made it nearly impossible.”
The other girls understood better than Ren expecting, especially Amanda. “We kind of understand where you’re coming from Ren. Most of us here at Goto-Kono have never visited our parents home countries. Gretchen over in Class two-B has never even seen a windmill. Yet she’s from Holland. She even has Dutch citizenship but has never set foot in the country. She’s spent her entire life here in Japan.”
“I thought that this was a school for the children of Corporate Execs and Embassy Staff. You make it sound like it’s a boarding school of some kind?” Ren said looking around at the other girls.
“In some ways it is boarding school. Only it’s one where the students get to go home at night to be with their families.” Rebeca told Ren with a smile. “I should say our immediate families. With the exception of Jane’s parents, I never met any of my other uncles or aunts. I know that we have two uncles and one aunt back in England. Not to mention all four grandparents. What about you? Any aunts or uncles?”
“Oh man does she ever. Her aunt is Yoshi Nagata.” Kim was practically bouncing as she told Rebeca this juicy gossip.
Rebeca’s eye widened at hearing this. “IF you don’t start spilling the beans on the new Takashi Shimizu’s winter lineup.”
Ren held up her hands laughing. Once she regained control Ren turn deadly serious before holding up her right hand. “Sorry guys but I’m under an oath of secrecy, with the threat of banishment if I should reveal any of Takashi-sama’s designs. As much as I would love to help you out, I just cannot tell you that the new winter line will be featuring heavy wool wraps as an accent. Nor can I point to the use of powder blues and ice whites in tribute to the season.”
Ren sat there with her hand raised and eyes closed telling all about the new winter line that Takashi was soon to release. Her antics had the other girls in giggle fits. Only Amanda and Rebeca could tell that her behavior was forced. That Ren had taken the chance to change the topic and ran with it. Neither girl was going to ruin Ren’s ploy at escaping a painful topic.
When classes resumed Ren was back to her outgoing self once more. Amanda was happy to see her return to this lighter, happier, self. Their last three classes were Math, Biology, and Social Studies. All three of which Ren stayed relatively quiet but still participated in each class. Their teachers noticed that Ren was a very bright and serious student. Something that was missing from the class before. For Ren the day could not have gone better. She made her first new friends, had fun in class for a change, and best of all learned that she could fit in with people of her age group. She just had figure out how to keep them from pestering her about Takisha’s upcoming fashion designs.
-----tbc-----
Chapter 7
The Westin Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, present day
Debra could not believe that she was being led to the restaurant floor of the Westin Cincinnati. When they approached the hotel the doorman just smiled at Ren welcomed her by name and opened the door as if she came there every day. Then she thought about where Ren Nagata’s offices where. She very well could come here every day. Debra had not yet lost her wonderment over the woman known as Ren Nagata. There seemed to be so much more to the woman than just the fashion designer or Lolita.
When the Maître d'hotel saw Ren enter the restaurant she rushed to greet her. “Welcome back Miss Nagata. Your usual table or one closer to the Square?”
“One closer to the Square, please Lisa. As you can see, I have a guest with me.” Ren told the young woman with a smile as she pointed to Debra. “Oh, and we’ll be expecting the rest of our party to arrive shortly.”
“Right this way ma’am. I have three tables overlooking the Square. One sits directly across the Fountain. The other two have angle views of the Square.” Maître d’hotel smiled pointing out the three obvious sunlit tables.
“We’ll take the center one Lisa.” The young woman just smiled and led them to the suggested table. Once there she set out two menus. Ren took one chair while Debra took the other. Once they were alone Ren looked out at the fountain. “Debra what do you know of our city’s most iconic symbol?”
“I wrote a report on it in middle school. Let me think.” Debra hadn’t expected to be questioned on the Tyler Davidson Fountain. “I know that it has two formal names. One of which is The Tyler Davidson Fountain. Mainly because of how it came about. After the death of his brother-in-law and business partner Tyler Davidson, Cincinnati businessman Henry Probasco went to Munich, Germany in search of a suitable memorial to him. Many years before, artist August von Kreling had collaborated with Ferdinand von Miller at the Royal Bronze Foundry of Bavaria to design a fountain to rival the great fountains of Europe, but which would glorify mankind rather than fanciful creatures and mythic deities. When Miller could find no patron to sponsor the fountain, the designs languished until Probasco came to him with an interest in a similar theme. Probasco requested the addition of four figures with animals that would act as drinking fountains, which Miller's sons Ferdinand and Fritz designed. The original miniature model is now located in the Cincinnati Art Museum. I cannot remember much after that.”
Ren smiled at the blushing teen. “Still you have a remarkable recall. The other name you’re trying to remember is The Genius of Water. It is regarded as the city's symbol, not to mention one of the area's most-visited attractions. It was dedicated in eighteen-seventy-one and is the centerpiece of Fountain Square, that lovely hardscape plaza at the corner of 5th and Vine Streets in our downtown area. Originally, and for more than hundred-thirty years, it was located in the center of 5th Street which was Fountain Square's original configuration, immediately west of Walnut Street. Then in two-thousand-and-six, renovations were undertaken to the Square, sadly the Fountain was temporarily removed. When our fair city reinstalled the Lady she was relocated to a much wider space near the north end of the reconfigured square, closer to the Fifth Third Bank Building and away from street traffic.” There was note of pride in Ren’s voice for the renovations for the Square and the Fountain. “Did you know that the fountain is turned off only for the winter months. Yet it is turned on again every year in time for the first home game of our beloved Cincinnati Reds. Which is the oldest professional baseball team in America.”
“No offence Miss Nagata, but how is it you know so much about Cincinnati? Oh and I thought it was the Atlanta Braves, that was the oldest continually operating team in Major League Baseball; enfranchised in eighteen-seventy-one as the Boston Red Stockings or Red Caps in National Association.” Debra may not be a major fan of baseball, but her grandpa never missed a game.
“Debra, I have always been a student of history. I find it fascinating to just walk quietly through the museums of a city. Why I can take you right now to The Cincinnati History Museum and show you this city’s urban history. The museum features a recreation of the Cincinnati Public Landing from the mid eighteen-sixties, it even has an exhibit covering Cincinnati's role in World War II.” Ren looked down at the Square. “As for who was the first professional baseball team it was not the Atlanta Braves. Believe it or not that honor belongs to the Reds’ and their founding organization the Cincinnati Red Stockings.”
“The who?” Debra asked in confusion. She had never heard of the Red Stockings.
“I see that I need to educate you in more than just fashion, Debra. I am surprised though that your grandfather didn’t teach of our hometown team’s history.” Ren smiled to take the sting out of her rebuke. “I think we’ll visit the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum sometime. Now as for who the Cincinnati Red Stockings were. In eighteen-sixty-nine, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became America's first professional baseball club. The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players was established in eighteen-seventy-one as the sport's first ‘major league.’ It is from this team that our current Cincinnati Reds come from, making them the oldest professional baseball team. The name change was due to the then Red Stockings expulsion. It was in eighteen-seventy-six, that Cincinnati became one of the charter members of the new National League, but the club had run afoul of league organizer and long-time president William Hulbert for selling beer during games and renting out their ballpark on Sundays. Both of which were important activities to entice the city's large German population. While Hulbert made his distaste clear for both beer and Sunday baseball at the founding of the league, neither practice was actually against league rules in those early years. Then on October sixth, eighteen-eighty, seven of the eight team owners pledged at a special league meeting to formally ban both beer and Sunday baseball at the regular league meeting that December. Only Cincinnati president W. H. Kennett refused to sign the pledge, so the other owners formally expelled Cincinnati for violating a rule that would not actually go into effect for two more months.”
“Oh wow! I never knew that politics played such an important part in our national pastime. How did they ever make it back?” Debra couldn’t believe that this paragon of femininity was such a nut over baseball.
“Believe it or not. It was a very pissed off Cincinnati Enquirer sports editor who brought about their return. O. P. Caylor, made two attempts to form a new league on behalf of the receivers for the now bankrupt Reds franchise. When these attempts failed, he formed a new independent ballclub known as the Red Stockings in the spring of eighteen-eighty-one and took the team to St. Louis for a weekend exhibition. The Reds' first game was a 12–3 victory over the St. Louis club. After the series proved to be a smashing success, Caylor and a former president of the old Reds named Justus Thorner received an invitation from Philadelphia businessman Horace Phillips to attend a meeting of several clubs in Pittsburgh with the intent of establishing a rival to the National League.” Debra could hear a note of respect for the men in Ren’s voice. “When they arrived in the city, though, Caylor and Thorner discovered that none of the other owners had decided to accept the invitation, even Phillips didn’t bother to attend his own meeting. It was only by chance, that the two men met a former pitcher named Al Pratt, who hooked them up with the then former Pittsburgh Alleghenys president H. Denny McKnight.”
Ren started to chuckle as she could tell that she had the young girls undivided attention. “This is where the three men showed the ability to play the political game. Together they hatched a scheme to form a new league by sending a telegram to each of the other owners that were supposed to attend the meeting stating that he was the only person who did not attend and that everyone else was enthusiastic about the new venture. How all the others were eager to attend a second meeting in Cincinnati. The ploy worked, and the American Association was officially formed at the Hotel Gibson in Cincinnati with the new Reds a charter member with Thorner as president. While not as exciting as some of the major battles in our nation’s history. It was one of the most fruitful business dealings.”
“Miss Nagata, as much as I have loved this lesson in Cincinnati’s history. May I know why it is so important? How did that business deal impact you?”
Ren chuckled. “Very good Debra. You’re starting to see through my little lessons to the meaning behind them. For this lesson the reason is simple. Never take for granted the lengths to which driven people will go to, to achieve their goals. I have given you only two such examples. Examples that play a very important part in our fair city’s history.”
“I can see that for the Reds. Yet, I don’t understand the connection to the Fountain. I mean wasn’t it just to be a tribute to one man’s dead business partner?” Debra had always loved to sit and stair at the Cincinnati Angel.
“Tyler Davidson was more than just the business partner for Henry Probasco. They were brothers-in-law. That bronze statue down there was meant to be more than just a tribute to Davidson. Probasco gave it to the people of Cincinnati as a drinking fountain. Did you know that you can still get a drink from the four statuary spigots surrounding the Genius of Water.” Ren giggled as she remembered one fun filled fact about the fountain. “You know those basins under each drinking fountain? They were put there to provide water for horses and dogs.”
“Oh, I see where you’re going. One of the most iconic symbols for our city is more than just a monument to one man’s memory. It is a tribute to the city that helped the two build their fortunes.” Debra had figured out what Ren was teaching her on her own this time.
“Very good dear. Now as you can see from these two very different stories business deals don’t always have profit as a motive.” Ren gave her newest protégée a small smile. “Unfortunately, one of those great men ended up bankrupt and alone in a time where a man’s worth was measured in money or power.”
“Who was that Miss Nagata?” Debra asked in confusion.
“Sadly, it was the one man to give our city two of its most iconic symbols. Henry Probasco spent so much of his fortune building Fountain Square it drove him close to bankruptcy. It was a state that he was never able to recover from and finally fell into total bankruptcy.” Ren answered Debra with a sad smile.
“What happened to Mister Probasco?”
“He went to work for one of his friends for the last years of his life. He sold off his home along with most of his possessions to pay off his debtors.” Ren got a faraway look in her eyes. A look that Debra was fast learning to recognize as Ren reliving a painful memory. “My mentor, Takashi Shimizu, the one I told you about earlier ended up doing much the same before his death.”
“Sorry to hear that Miss Nagata.” Debra got a sly look on her face. “When we came in you said that we were expecting a few more guests for lunch. Can I know who is to be joining us ma’am?”
“No need to worry dear. They’re already here.” Ren pointed over at the reservations desk. When Debra looked over, she was shocked to see her grandparents. “I had my secretaries contact your grandparents and invite them to join us for lunch.”
“Why would you do that ma’am? Are you firing me already?” Debra was both confused and scared at having her grandparents see her just then.
“No Debra, I am not firing you. As for why your grandparents are here. I need to talk with them before we go any further. I need their permission to take you in as my newest apprentice.” Ren graced the girl with a reassuring smile.
“Um… what do you mean, ma’am? What more needs to happen?” Debra was even more confused than before. “Why would you need to talk with my grandparents?”
“For starters Debra I want to meet ALL of those who are important to my apprentices. I have had four in the last few years but none of them were as young as you. I need your guardians’ permission before I take you under my wing the way I did the other girls.” Ren smiled as she stood up to greet Debra’s grandparents. “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Wallen. Thankyou so much for accepting my offer of lunch.”
“Well, it is not everyday that my husband and I get invited to spend lunch with one of Cincinnati’s premier business women. Who is this lovely creature?” Mrs. Wallen asked as she looked over at Debra.
Debra couldn’t believe that her own grandmother didn’t recognize her. “Grandma, it’s me. Debra. Your granddaughter.”
The elderly couple both were both forced to do a double take. For Mrs. Rebecka Wallen seeing her granddaughter dressed in such feminine finery was a dream come true. For the past four years she had been trying to get Debra to come out of her shell and show the world what a beautiful young woman she really was. For her husband Jacob Marley Wallen it was a true surprise at seeing his granddaughter for the first time as the beautiful creature before him. Until now, Debra had been pretty much the archetype of a tomboy. She had been Jacob’s ‘little buddy’, always helping him with taking care of the yard and other things around the house that were normally considered the chores for a young man or boy. Debra had never shown any desire to dress up in the frilly things that normal girls do, around Jacob.
“Sweet pea? Is that really you?” Rebecka asked timidly of her granddaughter. When Debra nodded her head yes Rebecka wrapped her in as tight a hug as she could. “Oh, darling I’ve so waited for this day.”
Jacob just smiled and looked towards the ceiling. “Finally, she decides to dress like a girl only to force me to buy a shotgun.”
Debra was more than a little surprised by her grandparents’ reactions to her makeover. “You’re not upset with me papa?”
The old man pulled his granddaughter in tight to his chest. “Not hardly sweet-pea. I like the new look. It brings out your inner beauty. I just need to take care of a few things at the house now. Like cleaning and bore-sighting my hunting rifles.”
Debra blinked then started to giggle as her grandmother elbowed her grandfather. “Oh, hush you! Debra is a good girl. She knows the rules.”
The elder woman turned to look closely at the outfit that Ren was currently wearing. “Miss. Nagata, I take it that you were the one responsible for the ambush makeover?”
“Only the inspiration for the makeover. The rest is the skill of my talented and creative staff. I may design a good deal of my clothing line, but it is the hard work of my style consultants that brings out the beauty of my clients.” Ren answered the older woman’s question humbly. Knowing full well that she played a much larger hand in Debra’s makeover than even she knew.
“Well, if they can turn my granddaughter into this lovely creature before us then I would call them magicians.” Jacob said pointedly. Smiling at Debra. “Sorry sweet pea, but you’re just way too much of a tomboy.”
“Thanks a lot, papaw. You weren’t complaining last week when you needed my help to change the oil in the truck.” Debra complained.
“Now sweetie, you have to give your grandpa a break. You have to remember that he is not used to having such a beautiful granddaughter.” Debra turned three shades of red at her grandma’s subtle jibe. Rebecka turned to Ren. “Shall we sit down?”
“But of course. I did invite you and your husband to lunch with me and Debra.” Ren said with a small smile as she took her seat. Debra returned to her seat by the window while Jacob seated Rebeca next to Ren. After taking the seat next to Debra Jacob gave Ren a second glance. He liked what he saw. As the three adults and one teenager looked over the menus Ren studied Debra’s grandparents. It was with the thoughts of ‘I’ll have to take things slowly with the old man, but not if I get the grandmother on my side.’ That Ren formed her next move.
Ren waited until their orders had been taken before getting down to business with Debra’s grandparents. “Mrs. Wallen, I was wondering if you had any plans for Debra’s future. By that I mean are you expecting her to attend a certain college or university. I know how parents get when it comes to their little girls.”
“Welp, I’ll be honest with you Miss Nagata. Unless Ren gets one of them there, fancy high dollar scholarships or fellowships we’ll be lucky to afford Southwestern Ohio College. Even though Deb won the Ira Joe award the prize monies will only cover two semesters, three at best. That’s one of the reasons we were so proud of her when she was accepted to that internship program for Fashion Blitz magazine. One of the benefits of the program is a partial scholarship to one of the local colleges.” The was a note of sadness in Jacob’s voice over their finances. “As it is, we’ll be taking out student loans for the next four years.”
“What if I told you there was a way for your granddaughter to not only get her college education paid for in full, but get valuable life skills in the process?” Ren had wanted to smile when she heard Jacob bitching about the cost of a college education.
“I would ask you how, first? Then I would want to know if I was at the crossroads at midnight. After that I would want to know if your real name was old Scratch.” Jacob joked. He knew that this lady couldn’t really do what she was offering. The world just didn’t work that way.
“That is the reason that I’ve invited you and your wife to lunch sir.” Ren chuckled as Debra sat there august at her grandfather’s bluntness. “You see, I’ve have recently become the majority owner of Fashion Blitz magazine. This effects your granddaughter’s internship. Before you worry about her losing her position don’t. That program will continue under better management, with better benefits for those who participate in the program.”
“Thankyou, Miss Nagata for putting us at ease over this.” Rebeca said quickly as she could tell that there was something up with the younger woman. “Can we know what else it is you have in mind for our Debra?”
“As you can tell by my speech I am from the US.” Ren answered then smiled. “I am also, Japanese. I am an Army BRAT. In my mother’s home country, we have a custom of helping the next generation grow and learn. It is known as the Senpai and kōhai. Normally this is a relationship between an older student and a younger student in school. This same relationship can also be found in a business environment, where those who are more experienced are considered the senpai. While not normally practiced with someone as young as Debra it does happen. Only there are a few more requirements of the senpai.”
“What are these additional requirements?” Rebeca asked warily. There was something about this offer that had peaked Rebeca’s attention. “Nothing sexual I hope.”
“No. There is nothing sexual involved the senpai and kōhai relationship.” Ren could see the confusion on the older couples faces and had a flash of insight. “In the world of the geisha there is a better example of what I am proposing for Debra. It is known as onee-san and imouto-san. It latterly means senior/junior, or ‘older sister/younger sister’. The relationship is extremely important to the training of geisha. Mainly because the onee-san is responsible for the care and training of her imouto-san. By that I mean I will house, cloth, feed, and see to Debra’s education.”
“How long does this type of relationship last?” Jacob wanting to know more about this proposal before even thinking about saying anything. “Is it for just a few months or does it go through her time in college?”
“I will cover all her expenses until she leaves of her own will or graduates from college. If you accept that is.” Ren gave the elderly couple a deadly serious look. “I will only enter into this IF I have your blessing. I will tell you this much. I have only offered this to four other young ladies. At present three of them are still in college. The fourth is currently starting her first year with the Grant, Grant, and Honeywell law firm in Dayton.”
“That is quite impressive. I can see where your offer would be extremely enticing to someone like us.” The elderly couple looked over at each other. Jacob turned to Ren. “Miss Nagata, may we have a few minutes to discuss this among ourselves?”
Standing up Ren smiled at the three of them. “Of course. If you accept just have Debra bring you to my office down the street. Until then enjoy your lunch.” Turning to walk away Ren stopped. “Oh, don’t worry about the bill. I’ve already taken care of it. I have a standing account here and they’ll just put it on my tab.”
With that Ren walked out of the restaurant. She knew that Debra would want to take her offer. She also knew that her grandparents would balk at the idea. As Ren entered the hotel lobby, she also knew that the deciding factor would be finances. To be precise. The cost of sending Debra to college for more than one or two years. Ren had already foreseen the need to cover the cost of college for Debra. She had done this same thing four times already. It was one of her greatest joys. The idea of helping a young girl grow into a professional well educate young woman was the driving need behind her desire to help girls like Debra and the others.
It had been her own senpai that had instilled the need in her. Takashi had gone out of his way to help her Aunt Yoshi in first raising in the ways of the Lolita. Then later on in helping her aunt train her as first a model, then in the ways of business. Ren’s aunt Yoshi may have been more of a onee-san to Ren, and Takashi like an uncle, but it was the two of them that taught her the ways of life. That was the true success story of Ren’s young life. It had been the teachings of Yoshi and Takashi that drove Ren to help the young girls that came into her life thanks to her business as interns. Debra would only be the latest in the line.
As Ren entered the seven story building that held her office, factory and warehouse she thought about the teenager. Like the building that held her company there was a great many things hidden by the teenager. The most glaring of those secrets was the source of the scars on Debra’s back and upper arms. Ren could tell that the girl had been badly burned in some kind of accident. Ren knew that Debra had been with parents in the accident that had killed them. The background check had found the report on the accident. If it had not been for the fast response of the local Fire Department Debra would have died in the same fire that had claimed her parents.
As Ren thought about that report on the fire the source of Debra’s scars became clear to her. “How could I have been so stupid!? Debra didn’t make it out untouched by that fire. That poor girl has been carrying those scars since she was six. No wonder her grandparents are so protective of her. She is all that left of their son and his family. I might have jumped the gun with my proposal for taking her in as my imouto-san.” Ren sighed to herself. “No help for it now. I’ll just have to wait for their answer and hope for a positive answer.”
Ren greeted her two assistance as she exited the elevator with a smile. “How was the tuna salads I had sent over ladies?”
“Thank you, Miss Nagata. The salads were perfect as always.” Miki answered her. “I really want to know how Chief Julian makes the tuna taste so yummy.”
“Oh, for the love of Pete Miki. The man has to be using fresh tuna.” Shelly complained. Only to get a giggle out of Ren. She always got a laugh out of the two young women who handled so much of her business. To most people the twenty year old women won’t appear to be more than just ordinary secretaries. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Between Miki and Shelly, they ran almost three quarters of the day to day business of Ren’s company.
“Alright that is enough, Shelly.” Ren gave the girls one of her award winning smiles to take the sting out of her words. “Besides, no one knows how Julian gets his hands on fresh ingredients for his meals on a regular basis.”
“Yes ma’am.” The two said as they returned her smile. Shelly looked around before asking. “Is your interview over with ma’am?”
“Yes, the interview ended about twenty minutes ago.” Ren turned pensive. “I should have my answer in the next hour or so. Please, show Debra in the moment she returns. No matter who is with her girls. Understood?”
“Yes ma’am. Do you think she’ll accept your offer?” Miki asked.
“To be honest, girls. I don’t really know.” Ren answered truthfully. “I believe that her grandparents will be the deciding factor.”
“Um… I know that it is not my place Miss Nagata, but why would her grandparents be the deciding factor? Shouldn’t it be her parents?” Shelly asked.
It took Ren a few seconds to answer as she had to rein in her temper. “Normally that would be the case Shelly. Only Debra’s parents passed away in a fire when she six. She barely escape the same fire.”
Both Miki and Shelly sat in stunned silence when they heard this. Yet it was Miki who put their feelings into words. “That poor girl. No wonder she is so withdrawn.”
“Yes, that poor girl. It is one of the reasons that I want to bring her on as one of our interns. She needs something to bring her out of her shell.” Ren told them while keeping her real reasons to herself. After all she had had previous personal apprentices before, so this would be nothing new to her secretaries.
“I hope that her grandparents say yes.” Miki said quietly. With Shelly just nodding her head in agreement. Looking up at Ren. “Miss Nagata we both know that you take in a new apprentice about every two years or so. Why do you do that?”
“It goes back to my own upbringing, Miki.” Ren gave Miki and Shelly a reassuring smile. “While my aunt Yoshi was the one to mostly raise me, my grandparents had a lot of input on HOW I was raised.” With that simple answer Ren headed for her office.
An hour later the elevator doors open one time. To the surprise of Miki and Shelly, Debra walked out escorting an elderly couple. “Is Miss Nagata still here ma’am?”
“Go right on in Debra.” Miki answered her quickly. “I have a feeling that she has been waiting for your return.”
Debra smiled at the two women who had first greeted her to Rococo Victorian Fashions. Rebeca and Jacob were only slightly surprised by the sight of so many Lolitas in place. Yet, they could both understand why when Debra explained that her new boss was the lead designer in the Lolita Fashion Industry. Debra also explained to her grandparents that Ren used her staff as everyday models for her clothing. Seeing as how most of them were life-style Lolitas this wasn’t a problem.
Ren looked up from her desk as the trio walked into her office led by Debra. “I take it that you are here to accept my offer?”
“Before we accept Miss Nagata. My grandfather has a few questions.” Debra said quietly. “The first of which is when you said that you would be responsible for my housing, clothing, food, and education. Exactly what does that mean?”
“What that means is Debra will live with me and my significant other while she completes her schooling. During that time, I will provide everything for her. That includes her first four years of college.” Ren answered truthfully.
“What do you get out of it?” Jacob asked warily. “Nobody does nothing for free.”
“Indeed, they don’t sir. Normally.” Ren giggled with a sly smile. “As for what I get out of it. Let’s just say that I am repaying an old debt to someone I greatly admired, loved, and respected and leave it at that.”
“I’m sorry Miss Nagata, but that is not enough of a reason for us to sign off on this proposal.” Jacob answered truthfully. “I guess that I’m too much a cynic.”
Ren just chuckled. “Understandable sir. I wouldn’t have offered in the first place if I didn’t expect some kind of resistance from you and your wife.” Ren looked over at Debra. “Debra, would you be so kind as to go ask Miki to show you how to make my afternoon tea please?”
Debra got the hint and left her grandparents and Ren to talk in private. Ren sighed once the door was closed behind Debra. “Okay Mr. Wallen time to lay all the cards on the table. When I had my IT, personnel go digging in Fashion Blitz’s database to see if they had a teenage intern, I wasn’t expecting to find Debra. Nor was I expecting to find such a diamond in the ruff.”
Ren stood up from her desk and turned to face her office window. “I will be honest Mr. Wallen. I wasn’t going to offer the proposal when I first meet Debra. Then I spent the morning with your granddaughter. I find that I am intrigued by her. I want to know more about the young lady that is Debra Wallen and her dreams. If you remember I told you that I have helped out four other such young ladies.” At their nodding heads Ren continued. “I offered all four of them the same offer after spending much less time with them than I have Debra.”
“You’ll have to excuse me Miss Nagata, but I still don’t understand your reasonings behind making the offer that you have? Just what do you get out of it?” Jacob asked.
Ren sighed as she knew that she was going to have to explain the whole deal for the elderly gentleman. “Mr. Wallen my reasons for making the offer are simple. First, I see a great deal of potential in your granddaughter. I see her going far in her chosen field of study. I want to make sure she gets that chance. Second, a long time ago a gentleman that I came to love and respect like an uncle made the same offer to me. He did it during a very hard and dark time in my life. Lastly, I made a promise to that very much beloved man to pay-it-forward whenever I got the chance. Only he called it rubber band karma. That is why I’m making the offer, Mr. Wallen.”
Jacob Wallen sat there looking at the enigmatic woman that had offered up the answers to all of his granddaughter’s future school problems. Jacob had spent his life working for the power company first as a lineman then later as a foreman. For the better part of forty years Jacob Wallen had been a true Union man. The idea of someone paying-it-forward the way that Ren was offering was not something he was used to. Paying-it-forward to him meant picking up a meal or cup of coffee. Not paying for a college education with a full ride and clothing allowance. Unless they were an actual college or university wanting a star athlete not some bookish little girl like his granddaughter. Jacob loved his granddaughter dearly but knew that she was not the athletic type and had zero chances of winning a full-ride scholarship.
Rebeca on the other hand acted with the honed skills born from being a trauma nurse for more than thirty years. Ren’s offer was perfect, and she knew it. “Jacob as much as you want to deny this wonderful opportunity I will not. You know that it took us more than fifteen years to pay off my student debts. If Miss Nagata wishes to put Debra through the rest of high school and college while supporting, her. Then I am not going to say no. We will not be turning away from such a deal.”
“Now, Beca.” Was all that Jacob got out before his wife was leaning over him and snarling. For one of the few times in his life, Jacob Wallen let his sense of self-preservation make his decision for him. “Of course, dear.”
Rebeca straightened up and smiled sweetly at her husband. “Good to see that you’re coming around to my way of thinking dear. Now, sign the damned paperwork.”
Ren hid her smile behind her left hand as she rested her elbow on her right arm as it crossed under her breast. Ren was saved from the giggle fit that threatened to overwhelm her by a knock on her office door. With the grace that had been trained into her by her aunt Yoshi, Ren walked to the door and opened it. “Let me take that tray Debra. Take a seat by your grandparents. We have much to discuss young lady and it all concerns your future.”
Debra did as she was instructed and took a seat between her grandparents. Ren smiled as she poured and served the tea for guests. While not a full blown tea ceremony Ren still used her lessons in the art from her childhood. Ren had trained with some of the finest geishas in Japan as a teenager. Her senpai Takashi had insisted on the training. In the past six years Ren had come to thank her senpai for those lessons. The main reason is the way those lessons had allowed her to first set people at ease and secondly conduct business in a comfortable setting.
With her cup in hand Ren sat down across from Debra and her grandparents. “Debra, your grandparents and I have come to an understanding. In exchange for you becoming my imouto-san I will take care of all your educational and living needs for the foreseeable future. As your onee-san that is my responsibility. Your responsibility is to learn what I teach you and to place your trust in me to guide you through your final years of school and becoming a lady. That will be your job. To learn what I teach and have taught to you. Do you understand, Debra?”
Debra looked at her grandparents then over at Ren. “When you say that you’ll be taking care of everything. Does that mean that I’ll be living with you and Miss Amanda?”
“That is exactly what she is saying Debra.” Rebeca answered for Ren. “Don’t worry both your grandpa and I approve of this arrangement.”
Ren spotted the worry in Debra’s eyes and knew exactly what that worry was about. She moved quickly to put the teenager at ease. “Don’t worry Debra. You’ll still be able to see you grandparents whenever you want to. Neither Amanda or I would think about keeping you from visiting your grandparents.”
“Thank you, Miss Nagata.” Debra answered with a smile as she wiped the tear from her eyes. “They’re all that I have left.”
“I understand fully what they mean to you, dear. More than most.” Ren fought to keep the sadness over the loss of her parents from her voice. Rebeca Wallen picked up on the barely hidden sadness faster than Jacob did, but both grandparents now understood that Ren had seen a need in their granddaughter they had not. All thoughts of interfering by Jacob vanished with this understanding.
“Miss Nagata, if I may make a counteroffer?” Jacob said with a smile. “I would like for you and your spouse to join Debra at our home on Sundays for dinner. That will be the only condition that I will place on this agreement.”
Debra couldn’t believe her ears. In all her time of living with her grandparents she had never heard her grandfather make such an offer to anyone. In her mind Sunday dinner was for family only. That meant just her, grandparents, and maybe her aunt and two uncles with her two cousins. She just hoped that Ren understood the honor that her papaw was showing her.
Ren saw the surprise in Debra and Rebeca’s faces at Jacob’s offer. Sitting her tea cup down Ren stood slowly. Once standing she bowed deeply from the waist with her eyes slightly downcast. “I am honored that you would invite an outsider to a family only event, sir. I accept on behalf of my significant other and myself. We are greatly honored. I will inform Amanda that our Sundays are spoken for from now on. May I know what we can bring?”
“Just your appetites, young lady.” Jacob answered quickly for Rebeca. “Oh, one other thing. We don’t stand on formality in my house. No need to dress up fancy for us. We’re just your every day working class stiffs.”
Ren had to take a second to understand what Jacob was getting at before she giggled. Ren’s giggle fit was infectious as first Debra then Rebeca joined her. At Jacob’s look of confusion Ren quickly regained her composure. “Mr. Wallen please forgive my laughter. When said that you do not dress up fancy for your Sunday dinners as you were looking at me, I couldn’t help myself.”
“Why is that?” Jacob was truly confused now.
“Papaw, Miss Nagata is a LIFE style Lolita. This is her everyday wear.” Debra giggled. “I don’t think she knows how to dress down.”
“Not quiet Debra. I do have a more tuned down wardrobe for the weekends. It is just that for Amanda the weekends are the only time she can REALLY let her Lolita spirit shine. She really goes all out on the weekends.” Ren got a sly smile on her face as she talked about Amanda. “My sweet Amanda is a true Dark Princess Lolita.”
“Oh my. I had no idea that there was such a thing as a life still Lolita.” Rebeca said in pure astonishment. “Is there a guide to telling the difference between Lolitas? If there is where can I find one?”
Debra blushed in embarrassment over her grandmother’s excitement to find out more about Lolitas. “Nanna!”
Ren just chuckled. “Debra, time for you to shine. Take the rest of the day and show your grandparents the rest of the office and factory.”
“Yes ma’am, Miss Nagata.” Debra smiled and stood up holding out her hands to her grandparents. “Come on nanna, papaw, you’ll not believe all the different types of Lolitas that work here. I know that you’ll just laugh at some of their get ups papaw, but please give them the respect that you give me.”
“Sweat-pea, you know that I will always respect your friends. I may not understand them, but I will never disrespect them. At least until they disrespect me first.” Jacob smiled at his granddaughter as she led them out of Ren’s office.
Ren cleaned up the tea service and placed it in the kitchenet area of the breakroom. As she returned to her office Ren looked out across the administration floor of her company. Ren thought back to how Debra described her employees and the sheer number of Lolitas that work here. It was true that she employed more Lolitas than anyone else in the tri-state area. She had just never realized the sheer number of lifestyles Lolitas in her employ. It took Ren a few minutes to examine her employees.
Of them all, only two really stood out from the others on this floor, her two personal assistants, Miki and Shelly. Those two could pull off just about every style of Lolita there is with little or nor problem. Then again, they were two of her first converts to the lifestyle here in the United States. The only person in her life that was even more of a convert to the Lolita lifestyle was Amanda. She had been Ren’s very first convert. All thanks to her aunt Yoshi’s help. That had been back in their high school years as teenagers and before the incident. Ren shook her head and went back to her office. She had to finish the paperwork for the next fashion show in London. Not to mention getting Debra’s passport squared away.
Ren hadn’t been joking when she told Jacob and Rebeca Wallen that she would see to ALL of Debra’s education. In her eyes this trip to London, England was just another part of Debra’s education. Just as Takashi had taken Ren to her first overseas fashion show, Ren was starting with the same path for Debra. One that she hoped would give Debra a firm leg up on the world around her.
-----tbc-----
Chapter 8
Higashi residential district, Shibuya ward, Japan, Friday December 17, 2004
Ren smiled as she walked with Amanda Sullivan through the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo towards her home. Ren couldn’t believe that her parents had agreed to Amanda spending Christmas with her and her Aunt Yoshi. Ren didn’t care but she just couldn’t understand why. To her you were supposed to spend the holiday with family.
“Um… Amanda, not to look a gift horse in the mouth or be too nosey. Can I ask you a question without hurting your feelings?”
“You want to know why my parents were so cool with me spending the holidays with you and your aunt right? Even though they have never meet either of you.” Ren just blushed at the bluntness of Amanda’s answer. “It’s no big deal Ren. Hell, you’re not the only one that doesn’t know jack-shit about me or my family. I know that I play things real close to the vest at school.”
“About that Amanda. Why do you play it so close to the vest with the other kids at school? It’s not like you give a shit what they think about you. I could tell that the first day that I met you.” Ren asked honestly.
Amanda sighed and looked down at the ground for a few seconds before answering. “If you promise not to tell everyone I’ll give you the low down.”
“On my family’s honor. Whatever you tell me stays with me. My dad taught me the meaning of OPSEC before I left the Second grade.” Ren answered honestly.
Amanda sighed then gave Ren a reassuring smile. “It’s like this Ren. My dad’s company throws this big trip every year to some really swanky ski resort in the Akita region. The trip is for the company’s Executive Officers. I should say that it is for the Company Officers and their wives.” Amanda turned sad. “There is a ‘no kids’ policy at the fucking resort that they use.”
“Damn that sucks hind tit girl!” Ren was shocked by at hearing this. To her the Japanese people had always been family orientated. “I would never have thought to find a place like that here.”
“It’s one of those places where couples go to… well… um… get pregnant.” Amanda blushed clear down to her breasts. “The place is supposed to be some kind of fertility site or some such thing. I don’t know the whole deal, Ren.”
The moment that Amanda said fertility site Ren knew exactly what her friend was talking about. The resort was a couple’s resort but for couples that were trying to get pregnant with one of the goddesses’ or gods’ blessings. There weren’t too many of these resorts in Japan anymore, but they were still popular. Especially among the newly wed crowd in the farming communities.
“Amanda, I know this isn’t my place to ask, but are your parents trying to have another child?” Ren held up her hands to forestall Amanda’s outburst. “Look the only reason why I’m asking is because the type of resort you just described is really big among couples looking to start a family or to add another child to their family. The only reason I know is because I wanted to go see this one resort that my parents stayed at once, before I was born. My aunt explained to me that they too had the ‘no kids’ policy and the reason why behind it.”
Amanda looked over at Ren as if she had been slapped with a fish. “PLEASE Do not tell me that my parents are going to this place to give me a baby sister or brother?”
Ren just shrugged her shoulders and gave Amanda a sly smile. “Who knows? But if your dad’s company is paying the way then it is most likely something else.”
“God! I hope not.” Amanda looked to the sky then smiled. “I so do not need a baby brother or sister.” Amanda saw the sad look on Ren’s face. “Not that babies are bad or anything. It’s just that if my parents have another kid, I’m the one that will be stuck raising them. And I’m just not ready for that kind of responsibility.”
“You really feel that way? About your parents I mean.” Ren clarified.
“Oh yeah!” Amanda’s head was bobbing like a cork on the water. “My parents love me and all, but it was my nannies that mostly raised me. Them and the boarding schools.”
Ren could hear the sadness in her friend’s voice. Ren was thinking of a way to change the topic when she spotted the corner store. “Hey, you want to get something to drink? My treat.”
“Sure. I could go for a tomato juice or milk.” Amanda was thankful for the change in topic. The conversation about her parents wasn’t one that she wanted to have. Not with her newest friend, worse enemy. Not anyone.
With two cans of tomato juice to wet their throats the two girls head for Ren’s home. Ren smiled at the change in her friend’s attitude. Ren liked it when Amanda started to ask questions along her newest favorite topic. Lolita fashion, namely about her school uniform. “Um… Ren I have to ask you a question.”
“Sure. Fire away.”
“Well first off. How the hell do you make our school’s ugly assed uniforms look so cute? I mean no one in our class, hell, the whole school likes them.” Amanda told her truthfully as she pointed down at her fuku style uniform.
“Okay, that is simple. For starters you just have to KNOW the rules regarding our uniform. Once you know that, you can REALLY stretch the bounds of what you can get away with. For starters did you know that you’re not restricted to just plane ordinary mono-colored tights or socks?” Ren smiled and stopped to hold out her left leg showing off the stripped tights that she was wearing. The strips were alternating in the school’s colors coming up her leg. “This is just one way to make a statement.”
“Yeah, I kind of noticed that none of the teachers give you grief over your tights or socks. I wondered why, now I know. I mean even your socks are outrageous. I REALLY loved those purple and black vertical stripes last week.” Amanda got a sly smile on her face. “What else can we get away with?”
Ren giggled then held out her arms showing off her coat. “You know that this coat isn’t school issue, right?” The coat was a black army wool pee coat with their school’s coat of arms sewn on the left breast.
“Bullshit! That has to be a school issue. I mean the school’s crest is right there for the whole freaking world to see.” Amanda said doubtfully.
Once again Ren just giggled. “It isn’t. Trust me on this. I bought this coat at an Army surplus store on the Ginza.” At Amanda’s look of shock Ren couldn’t help but laugh out load. “Yeah, I know that sounds crazy but it’s the truth.”
“Then how did you get it pass old Iron Panties? If it isn’t school issued, how did you get it approved for wear?” Amanda asked quickly only to follow with her next question. “How much does one cost and where do I get one?”
Ren laughed at her friend’s new found need to snub her nose at the school’s rules and find her own style. A style that she would be influencing. “Getting past old Iron Panties was easy. So long as your outfit is color coordinated with the school’s colors or has the school’s coat of arms. She can’t say jack-shit.”
“Why?” Amanda was puzzled at hearing this.
“One of the rules in the Student handbook states that ALL uniform accessories must be tasteful and in line with school uniform guidelines. An example of this is your thigh-high socks. If you wore one black and one purple, she couldn’t say anything as they would be in the school colors. Yet you would still be stepping outside of the forced norm and showing your own sense of style. Another example would be those stupid ties that we have to wear. If you get a boy’s tie in our school colors the old bat wouldn’t be able to say anything. Then there is our sweaters. Just get the type of sweater YOU want to wear in one of our school colors and sew a school crest on it she’s stuck again.” Ren could see the wheels turning in Amanda’s head already.
Ren decided to go in for the kill on her friend, so to speak. “If you really want to tweak her nose out of joint but still be within the rules. I got an idea for when we return from the holiday break. You game?”
“What and how? And yes I’m in.” Amanda grinned.
“Cool. Now, how many school uniforms do you actually have?” At Amanda’s blank look Ren sighed. “This whole idea hinges on you having more than just two uniforms.”
“I hate to say this Ren, but I only have the two uniforms required by the school.” Amanda blushed at this confession. “Don’t think any of the girls in our class have more than three. Except for that bitch Jane Miller.”
“Hum…… Let me think.” Ren knew that she should come clean with her friend. “Look Amanda don’t take this the wrong way, but I have one uniform for each day of the week plus one extra if I don’t get a chance to get to the laundry. It’s one of those things that I get from my dad.”
“Your dad? I don’t understand.” Amanda truly was confused by what Ren said.
“Remember when I said that my dad was in the Army?” Amanda nodded head at Ren’s question. “Well, he always had two weeks’ worth of uniforms in his closet. It was just something he did, and he never worried about having a clean uniform for work.”
“Oh, I get it, now!” Amanda exclaimed. “That does make sense for someone in the military or one of the public services. I can see why you would follow his example.”
“You know that you should do the same?” Ren asked her friend with a smile.
“I guess. It’s just that I hate these uniforms. They make me look like one of those stupid anime cartoon characters. You know the ones I’m talking about, the ones the guys all just drool over?” Amanda pointed at her rather ample C-cup breasts pouting causing Ren to giggle. “Laugh it up Miss Carrier-deck.”
Ren cringed at the crack about being flat chested. Amanda saw the wince and quickly apologized to her friend. “Oh, shit I’m sorry Ren. I know it must be hard for you. Don’t worry though there’s a lot of late bloomers in our class.”
Before Ren could respond to Amanda’s apology though the two girls were confronted by something all young girls have to deal with, especially pretty girls. Teenage boys. “Hey there little ladies. Want to spend some time with some REAL men?”
Ren sighed and looked at the knuckle head that had made the opening move. “No thanks guys, you’re not our type. Why don’t you take a walk along the docks? I’m sure that there are a few longshoremen that would be willing to take care of you.”
Amanda couldn’t believe that Ren just told the three boys to go bend over for the dockworkers. The boy who made the opening move turned red with anger. “Look you little uppity bitch. We’re just trying to show you a good time. No need to get all self-righteous over it. Or do you think that you’re better than us?”
Ren sighed heavily. She had had enough of this jackass. She didn’t even think twice as she grabbed the boy about the crotch and squeezed. Hard. As the boy bent over Ren leaned in close and whispered in his ear. “If you don’t walk away right now. I will rip your nut sack off and use it for a coin purse fuckhead. If you think that your butt-buddies over there can stop me in time think again. Now, understand me. Me and my girlfriend are off the menu for you slugs understand?”
The boy nodded his head as he fought to keep the tears from rolling down his cheeks. Ren smiled sweetly and let go of his crotch slowly only to grip it again even harder. “Oh, and one more thing. If I ever see you around here again. I won’t be so nice about how I treat you and your boys. Got it?”
The boy nodded his head like bobble head doll as Ren let go of his crotch. Once he was free, he grabbed his buddies and hauled ass out of the neighborhood. Ren stood there smiling as the boys ran for their lives. Not seeing the look on Amanda’s face. When she turned to look at her friend Ren found a look of pure shock on Amanda’s face. One that showed more fear than surprise.
“Um… about that.” Ren never got to finish what she was saying. As Amanda wrapped her in a tight and crushing hug.
“That was so awesome!” Amanda cried in Ren’s ear. “Where did you learn to do that? Your dad? Could you teach me?”
Ren was floored by her friend’s response. Maybe she wasn’t afraid of her. Pushing out of the hug Ren smiled at her friend. “Look Amanda, can we not talk about what just happened around my aunt?”
“What? Why not?” Amanda looked puzzled by Ren’s request. “It’s not like you showed them that you’re a boy by dropping your panties.”
Ren turned white as a sheet at hearing this. “Um… Amanda I’m not a boy. Just a late bloomer is all.” She stammered out quickly.
Amanda sighed. “Ren, please stop trying to hide the truth from me. I knew that you’re a transgender girl the second week you had been in school. You’re the only one that doesn’t change with the rest of us for gym. You always use the gender neutral restrooms, even when you have to wait. You get a pass every time we have swim class. Then there is the scary way you handle yourself at times. All masculine and butch. Real mean, just like a boy would do.” Amanda blushed. “I also asked the Headmistress when I first got suspicious. She told me the truth. She kind of had to because of the rules.”
Ren looked down at the ground. “Yes, Amanda, I’m a transgender girl. There you happy? I didn’t want to tell anyone. You going to spread it around the school now?”
Amanda grinned. “Nope!” Ren’s face shot up to look Amanda in the eyes. “Look, Ren, I don’t care if you were born with the wrong parts. Shit girlfriend, you’re not the only one in the school. Nor are you the only one that is LGBT.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about all that. So, you’re not going to out me to the rest of the class, are you?” This was a real worry for Ren.
“Hell no! It’s none of their concern.” Amanda smiled then hugged Ren again. “I just wanted you to know that I knew. That and you can trust me.”
“Okay, Amanda.” Ren looked down at her body. “This is a very personal journey. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah. I hear you girl.” Then Amanda got a funny look on her face. “Besides no one would ever believe me. I mean you have to be the second most girly-girl in the whole damned school. I think that if my mother ever meet you, she would push for you to be some kind of mentor or something for me. You’re the type of daughter she dreams that I would be.”
Ren just giggled at her friend’s self-description. “I doubt that Amanda. Your mother would probably demand that you never have contact with me again. After all, how many of our friends know how to breakdown an M-sixteen in their sleep.”
Amanda broke out in a belly laugh at hearing this then thought about Ren’s less than normal upbringing. “You know something. You’re right. Mom would totally freak out if she knew that about you. By the way just where did you learn all that nasty fighting shit anyway?”
“Like most military BRATS. I learned it from my dad and his troopers.” Ren smirked. “Come on let’s get to my aunt’s place. I want to change clothes.”
“Okay, sure no problem. I just want to know what your plan is for tweaking old Iron Panties’ nose is. Because if I got to get another uniform for it, I’ll have to spend some of my allowance for the new uniform. If I can get my parents to approve it, they’ll flip for me to get another four maybe five uniforms. If I ask nicely.”
“Have you ever heard of embroidery?” Ren asked Amanda with a wicked smile.
Twenty minutes later the girls arrived at Ren’s apartment building. Amanda could tell that it was one of the upper class condo buildings in the area by the doorman in the ground floor lobby. Not many condo or apartment buildings in Tokyo had doormen but those that did were used by the wealthy. Amanda knew that Ren’s aunt was Yoshi Nagata one of the biggest Lolita retailors in the area. She also knew that Ren was a model for Takashi Shimizu and her aunt. It didn’t take her long to figure out that Ren and her aunt were really wealthy, with a capital w.
When the elevator stopped at the second floor from the penthouse Amanda knew she was dealing with the upper class when it came to her friend. “Um… Ren I know this is going to sound crass but just how wealthy are you and your aunt?”
“Let’s just say that I could pay to get you a whole new wardrobe, to include seven school uniforms, and never reach the total of my weekly allowance.” Ren giggled at the look on Amanda’s face. “You got to remember that I make a killer living being Takashi Shimizu’s number one Lolita model, Amanda.”
“Damn!” Amanda whistled as she thought about the money that Ren made working for the man. “I wish that I could do something like that. It would be so nice tell my parents to stick their allowance where the sun doesn’t shine.”
Ren kept the smile that threatened to grace her face to herself. She had seen the way that Amanda had envied her sense of style. Ren had also spotted the signs of someone that would make a fantastic model for her aunt and Takashi. She was also thinking about the new line of school uniforms that Takashi was thinking of introducing next January. If she could get Amanda to agree, then she would be getting her dream. Along with some independence.
Both girls stopped and took off their shoes just inside the door. Ren smiled and took a hold of Amanda’s hand. “Come on. I want to get changed and see what I got that will fit you. No offence girlfriend but there is no way I’m taking you to one of my aunt’s shops in your school uniform.”
“Ren, I hate to tell you this, but unless you wear a size four junior miss, then nothing you have will fit me.” Amanda said as she looked down at her friend’s face. Politely pointing out the size difference between the two girls. Ren stepped back for a second and realized that Amanda was right. “You can go ahead and get changed though. I’ll just wait out here for you.”
Ren smiled then went up on tip-toe giving Amanda a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll only be twenty minutes at most.”
Amanda watched as the younger girl scurried towards the back of the condo where the bedrooms were. Amanda took a few minutes to wonder around the main living area of the apartment. Like most Japanese homes there wasn’t a lot of furniture. She did spot a small shrine off in one corner. Walking over to get a good look at the picture in the black picture frame Amanda saw a young couple. They had to be in the early twenties. The man was dressed in the uniform of the US Army he was holding a small Japanese woman from behind in front of the 566th MP Detachment sign at Fort Knox Kentucky. It didn’t take her long to figure out that this was a picture of Ren’s parents. In a voice barely above a whisper. “This must have been taken just before they died. Ren said something about her dad being an MP.”
Reaching over she picked up one of the incense sticks and lit it before placing the stick in the bowl of sand. Amanda had been in Japan long enough to know the signs of a shrine to family members. She had also learned all the proper ways of paying one’s respect to those shown in the shrine. With her hands held in silent prayer Amanda bowed her head. This was how Ren found her when she reentered the living room. Ren stopped where she was not wanting to interrupt her friend.
When Amanda dropped her hands and raised her head Ren coughed. “Thank you.”
Amanda blushed. “It didn’t seem right to not pay my respects. I hope you don’t mind. Are they your parents?”
“Yes.” Ren walked over and bowed her head in respect and prayer. When she lifted her head, Ren turned to Amanda. “This was the last picture ever taken of them.”
“Was this your father’s last unit?”
“Yes. He had just made First Sergeant for the five-sixty-sixth MP detachment at Fort Knox.” She sighed heavily. “Him and mom were so proud of the promotion.”
“I take it was a long time in coming?” Ren nodded her head to Amanda’s question.
“He was so proud of accomplishing what had been until then just a dream.” Ren turned extremely sad as she thought about that time in her life. “We had only been at Fort Knox for eight months when they were killed.”
“How did they die? If you don’t mind me asking.” Amanda was trying to find out more about her friend and still be compassionate.
“They were forced off the road and killed by a drunk driver.” Ren barely kept the anger under control. “The only good thing was the asshole never saw the inside of a courtroom.”
Amanda was many things, but dumb wasn’t one of them. She could tell by the tone of Ren’s voice that the police had taken matters into their own hands when it came to the drunk driver. Thanks to her parents she had been exposed to a few military people. She knew that the US military didn’t take kindly to civilians killing one of their own. She had heard that on more than one occasion they would take the law into their own hands to get justice in their eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up unpleasant memories, Ren.” Amanda pulled the younger girl into a tight hug. “I don’t fully understand but if you ever need to talk about it with someone. Just find me. I’ll always make time for you.”
Ren sniffled and hugged her friend back before pulling away. “Thanks Amanda. I love my aunt, but there are times that I think she doesn’t quite understand. You know what I mean? She just doesn’t get what it means to be a teenager anymore.”
Amanda giggled. “I doubt that girlfriend. You forget that she used to be a teenager herself. She is also one of the BIGGEST Lolitas around.”
It was as if a lightbulb went off in Ren’s head as she thought about what Amanda just said. She giggled and looked down at her current outfit. “You just might be right about that. Come on. Let’s go see what my aunt can come up with for you to wear.”
“Hold up girlfriend! I got a question to ask before we take off.” Amanda grinned.
“Sure. Fire away.” Ren said with a grin.
“I know for a fact that it normally takes a Lolita between forty-five minutes to and hour to get ready to face the public. It took you what twenty minutes at most? How did you do get changed so fast?” Amanda waved at the outfit that Ren was now wearing. “I mean you went from cute schoolgirl to full blown Lolita in less than twenty minutes. It’s not normal.”
Ren just grinned wider at her friend and gave a one word answer. “Practice.”
Ren’s answer just made Amanda roll her eyes. “Oh, come on. Tell me already.”
“I told you. Practice.” Ren giggled. “Look Amanda, I do at least anywhere between nine to ten makeovers a day at one of my aunt’s shops. Sometimes as many as fifteen. Then there’s all the changes in outfits that I go through during a fashion show. You can see where I get all the practice in making changes.”
Amanda just shook her head at what Ren just told her. She had not really thought about what all Ren did in her normal daily life as a shop girl and model for her aunt. Ren smiled at her friend’s confusion. “I know it sounds crazy Amanda, but I love my life. I really do. Come on we got places to go and people to accessorize.”
Ren carried her platform Mary-Janes in one hand and pulled Amanda to the door. Amanda just chuckled at the sudden change in her friend’s attitude. A half hour later Ren escorted a very befuddled Amanda through the door of Nagata Lolita Designs store number one. Ren called out at the top of her voice.
“Aunt Yoshi! I’m here with my friend Amanda!” Amanda wanted to curl up in ball at Ren’s very obvious display of excitement. “You got to help her, aunt Yoshi!”
Yoshi Nagata walked out of her office looking at Ren with a very obvious look of displeasure. “Ren, how many times do I have to tell you not to holler in the store?”
“But aunt Yoshi! Amanda REALLY needs you help! Just look at her.” Ren stepped aside pointing at Amanda in her uniform. “See?”
Yoshi took one look at Amanda and rushed over to the poor girl. “God lord! Who in their demented mind dressed you child? I know that your school uniforms aren’t the most feminine of outfits. But this is a true travesty.”
Yoshi snapped her fingers and called. “Chika, Aoi, emergency makeover girls.”
From two different directions Amanda was suddenly besieged by a pair of ‘Classic Sweet Lolitas’. The two shop girls practically dragged the poor unsuspecting schoolgirl into the changing rooms. “REN HELP!”
Ren just giggled at her friend’s sudden discomfort. “Aunt Yoshi that was just mean. Mean, but funny.” Looking around the shop Ren grinned. “So, what style are you going to go for with Amanda?”
Yoshi smiled at her niece. “With her skin and hair coloring. I’m thinking of going with either Punk or Gothic. As it is, she can already pull off the Schoolgirl and Sailor Lolita look without a problem. Why? Do you have another look in mind?”
“Oh, I agree with you that she would look lovely as either a Goth or Punk Lolita, but she would be off as a Dark Princess. Don’t you think?” Ren gave Yoshi a quirky smile and pointed to that section of the shore.
“I agree with you that your friend could pull off the Dark Princess look Ren.” Yoshi smiled over at her niece and protégée before crossing her arms on her chest. “Only you have missed one very important thing my dear kōhai. I’ll let you think on this before telling you.”
Ren got a thoughtful look on her face as she thought about what her aunt just told her. When she couldn’t come up with an answer Ren bowed deeply to her aunt. “Sorry senpai, but I just cannot think of what I would have missed.”
“Her age, kōhai.” Yoshi could see the confusion in her niece’s eyes. Sighing Yoshi realized her problem. Ren was still learning. “Kōhai your friend is still much too young for the Dark Princess Lolita yet. That is a far more mature style.”
Ren bowed again to her aunt as understanding flooded her mind. “I see, senpai. I should not have assumed that with coloring alone that Amanda could pull off the Dark Princess. She lacks the needed maturity as of yet.”
“Correct kōhai. Remember to always take in ALL aspects of your client. Especially when they are a first timer.” Yoshi told Ren with a smile then looking over at the changing area. “However, you might be right about one thing.”
“May I know what that is senpai? The only other styles that I can think of as working for Amanda are Steam Punk, or Ero Lolita.” Ren confessed all of her ideas for Amanda’s new style to her aunt.
When Yoshi heard Steam Punk or Ero it gave her an idea. “There is one other kōhai. Elegant Gothic Lolita or EGL. It is more in line for someone of your friends age. Yet still give her that Dark Princess or Aristocrat Lolita look that you were thinking of kōhai. Can you tell me why?”
Once again Ren turned thoughtful. Ren knew that Yoshi was testing her. Ren had gotten used to her aunt pulling these little pop quizzes on her. After two months of working in her shops after school and her modeling Ren had learned a great deal about the Lolita fashion world. Not to mention being one.
With a snap of her fingers Ren smiled at her aunt. “The EGL has just the right touch of the whimsical and fanciful while remaining Aristocrat in style. While at the same time it off sets the more darker side of the Gothic Lolita. I would say that is more a teenage version of the Aristocrat Lolita than anything else. Which is prefect for Amanda.”
“Very good kōhai.” Yoshi looked over at the changing rooms. “Do you believe that Amanda-chan would be interested in a senpai/kōhai relationship with Takashi-sama?”
“I don’t know how to answer that question.” At Yoshi’s blank look Ren explained. “Should I answer as your kōhai or as your niece?”
“I expect you to answer me as both.” Yoshi told her.
“As your kōhai I would say that she would make a fin kōhai for Takashi-sama.” Then Ren grinned at Yoshi. “But as your niece, I have to tell you the truth. Amanda is a little too lighthearted for Takashi-sama. She is a sensitive girl aunt Yoshi. May I know why you asked this question.”
“Takashi-sama will be in about an hour and a half. If you do not want your friend to become Takashi-sama’s newest kōhai. You need to have her on her way home by then. Am I understood, Ren?” Yoshi told Ren quietly.
“Yes ma’am.” Ren walked over to the part of the shop she would need to find the needed parts for Amanda’s new outfit. Ren grabbed an ivory petticoat, pale purple bloomers for underneath the petticoat and over Amanda’s regular underwear. Ren also picked out a full-busted corset, all in a purple with white lace edging. Next up she grabbed a white peasant blouse with ruffled cuffs and a deep purple jumper skirt. Her next stop was for a pair of tights in a matching purple with black vines embroidered up the outside of the legs. Her last stop before heading for the changing room as in the shoe department for a pair of Mary Jane shoes, with a two and a half inch ‘Lolita heel’ at the back. Ren passed off all of her choices to Aoi before heading for the accessories department. In the accessories department Ren picked out elbow length lace-fingerless gloves, an Alice hairband, a walking stick of the darkest rosewood topped with a brass ball, dangling cross earrings and a necklace with a matching elaborate cross, and finally a coffin shaped prose.
Ren handed the accessories to Chika and returned to where her aunt was waiting. Yoshi smiled at her kōhai. “You made good choices, kōhai.”
Ren blushed at the complement. “Thank you senpai, but the idea was all yours.”
“That may be true, Ren, but you were the one to select each piece of your friend’s outfit. I watched you in your selection choices. You not only picked colors that would go well together but would highlight your friend’s features. What’s even better with those eyes of hers, she won’t need much makeup.” With all of years of experience behind her Yoshi knew exactly what she was talking about. About that time Amanda was heard to grunt. “Aoi, must be tightening down her corset for the first time. I truly hope that she comes to love them the way you have.”
Ren just giggled as she ran right-hand down her side. “I truly have come to love them and what they do for my looks. You know something aunt Yoshi. I don’t think one teacher in the school knows that I wear a corset under my uniforms.”
“Speaking of your uniforms. What is this I hear about you having an idea for the new School and Sailor Girl Lolita lines?” Yoshi had been hearing the different shop girls talking about Ren’s design book. “Do you have your portfolio with you?”
“Um… where did you hear about my design portfolio senpai?”
“Ren, you should know by now. That there is nothing, absolutely nothing that goes on in my stores that I don’t know about.” Yoshi placed a finger to the side of her nose with a sly smile. “I may not be a yakuza godfather, but I still know what goes on in my stores at all times. Now do you have your portfolio with you today?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ren just giggled at her aunt. “I’ll go get it. I’m kind of surprised that you haven’t gone through it already. Its in your office after all.”
Before Yoshi could make a come back statement Ren giggled and ran for Yoshi’s shop office. “Why that little sneak! Using my own office to hide her pet project.”
“Miss Nagata, Amanda-san is ready for her daube.” Aoi said from the changing area as a very befuddled Amanda stepped out from behind the curtain. “Ren-san truly picked the perfect outfit for her friend.”
Yoshi took one look at Amanda in her new outfit and frowned slightly. From the Alice headband to the matching Marry-Janes, Amanda was the almost the picture perfect EGL little princess. “Chika, please fetch one of the top hats for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Chika hurried over to the accessories department. Amanda turned to look at herself in one of the tri-pained floor-length mirrors. She was floored by what the mirrors showed. There before her stunned gaze was a teenaged Elegant Goth Lolita dressed in the height of the fashion.
With a trembling hand Amanda touched the mirror in the center. “Is that really me?”
Yoshi smiled as she took the top-hat from a returning Chika. Yoshi removed the hairband then combed Amanda’s hair back into a ponytail. Then with an ease, born from years of practice, Yoshi placed the top-hat on Amanda’s head at a rakish, almost insolent angle. The top-hat corrected the imbalance that had tweaked Yoshi’s sense of style. Even Amanda was surprised by what Ren’s aunt had been able to accomplish with just a simple change of accessories.
“Now, my dear that is you.” Yoshi smiled from behind her. “My kōhai was right in bringing you here. I must say that your feminine spirit is finally showing through. I doubt that even your own mother would recognize you, now.”
“In more ways than one ma’am.” Amanda was truly surprised at her appearance. “I doubt that my mother would even let me out the door wearing something like this.”
“Yeah well, you need to quit ogling yourself. Your mother called my phone while you were changing. I told her that you would be on the way home shortly to pick up your luggage for the holiday.” Ren told her as she came from the backroom area. In her hands was a thick portfolio. Handing it to Yoshi. “Here you go senpai. Just as you asked for, my portfolio.”
“Woah girl! You got a portfolio?” Amanda said in surprise. “Just what else have you been holding out on? Come on girl dish already.”
Yoshi chuckled as Ren blushed at her friend’s excitement. “Amanda-chan please give my niece time to answer your questions dear. After all this is the first time that she has shown ME her portfolio. Care to look through it with me?”
“Yes ma’am.” Amanda nodded her head. “I just hope she has her design idea is in there for our school uniform.”
Yoshi looked from Amanda to Ren. “You’ve been redesigning your school’s uniform kōhai? Care to explain why? You know that is not the normal or acceptable thing to do Ren. There just certain lines that one does not cross.”
“Yes, senpai. I know this. It’s just that well.” Ren was trying to find a way to explain what she wanted to do with the school uniform.
“Oh wow, Nagata-sama! Ren was telling me about this totally awesome idea for adding these little cute touches to our uniforms. Yet, still remain within guidelines.” The more Amanda talked about Ren’s ideas the more Yoshi wanted to see them. Much to Ren’s embarrassment. “She was talking about doing some embroidery on the skirts and I think some on the blouses.”
Yoshi looked over at Ren. She placed her hand on Ren’s portfolio with a wicked smile. “Is that so, kōhai? Where are these ideas?”
Ren just blushed and opened her portfolio to the pages with all of her ideas for the school uniforms. “Here they are senpai. As you can see the idea is not so much to fully change the design of our uniform but to enhance them.”
Yoshi could not believe her eyes. What Ren had done with her sketches was more than just enhance the uniform design. What Ren had done was to bring to life the full feminine potential of the ugly outfits. The lines of embroidery going around the hem of the jump dress’s skirts flared up into vines that surrounded an embroidered extra-large school coat of arms. The long-sleeve cotton blouse carried the school’s coat of arms on the left-hand breast pocket with surrounding embroidery. What little that could be done with their school jackets was done in a tasteful contrasting color embroidery around the pockets. The embroidery was of rose vines. In fact, all of the embroidery work in all of the sketches was an intricate weaving of rose vines. Ren had changed the standard issued plan black tights for the uniform to Gothic Lolita Black Velvet Tights with printed rose vines climbing the front of the legs. There was a coat with a turndown collar and long sleeves and a wrap cloak off to one side that had the schools crest embroidered on the left shoulder. Yoshi noted that this was the winter variant of the school’s uniform.
Turning the page Yoshie found the summer or warm weather variant of the uniform. This outfit replaced the heavy coat with a light weight cape of the same color. The long-sleeve blouse was replaced with its short-sleeve version while changing the fabric of the blouse from cotton to silk. The jumper dress was replaced by a short skirt of cotton instead of wool. The school jackets were made of a lighter cotton instead the heavier wool of the winter jackets. The heavy weight woolen tights were replaced with light weight cotton opaque tights. The overall coloration and embroidery work carried over from the winter variant of the uniforms.
As Yoshi continued to turn the pages, she found that there was a breakdown of each piece of the outfits. Each of the following pages show the individual pieces and the coast of manufacturing. Along with what pieces could be substituted or outsourced to subcontractors. For the substituted pieces Ren had listed where the substitute pieces could be found. When Yoshi got to the end of the uniform designs she turned back to the front of the portfolio. Once there Yoshi began to go page by page through the design book. To say that Yoshi was surprised by her niece’s natural talent would be to say that Mount Fuji was an ant hill.
“You have been holding out on me Yoshi.” The voice that came from behind the gathered women surprised them all. To much so that Yoshi, Ren, and Amanda let out startled squeaks. While Chika, and Aoi just jumped. Takashi Shimizu chuckled at the effect of his sudden appearance on the gather women. He knew that Yoshi normally ran a very tight ship when it came to her shops. “Tell me when you were going to show me these remarkable designs, Yoshi. Why have you been holding back? Why I could market any of these designs this year at any one of the top fashion shows anywhere in the world and you would come away as the next greatest designer.”
Yoshi just smiled slyly as she had the portfolio over to Takashi. “These are not my designs to give or show Takashi.” Once he had the portfolio in his hands Yoshi placed her hands on Ren’s shoulders. “They belong to Ren.”
Takashi’s head snapped up from where he was looking at the designs at Ren. “These are Ren’s designs? Impossible. While the sketches show a lack of training in the artwork, the concept is that of a seasoned professional design. They have to be your designs Yoshi. They have all your flair for full coordination.”
“No, sir. Those are Ren’s designs.” Amanda didn’t think about what she was doing in correcting the strange man. Not that she cared. She wasn’t going to let some suited monkey come into Ren’s aunt’s store and make disparaging marks about her friend’s talent. No way was she going to let that happen without putting up a fight for her. Placing her fists on her hips Amanda stood definitely facing Takashi. “That portfolio is nothing but Ren’s work. Now apologize.”
Takashi was more than a little surprised by the teenager’s outburst. He wasn’t used to having someone contradict him. If what this young EGL was telling him was the truth. Then he did owe Ren an apology. He just needed for Ren to prove it. “Is this true Ren. Are these truly your designs and not your aunt’s?”
Ren just bowed to Takashi. “Yes Takashi-san. These are all of my designs. It was just something I do to pass the time.”
Yoshi could tell that Ren was trying to down play her talent. “I would say that it was more than just a hobby. Wouldn’t you Takashi?”
“Very much so, Yoshi. These are the designs someone with a true passion for the work. Why I can tell that Ren has placed just a little of herself in each design.” Takashi bowed to Ren. “I apologize for not respecting your talent Ren.”
“There is no need to apologize senpai. I still have a lot to learn. Those were just ideas that I had floating around in my head. I had to do something to get them out of my head so that I could concentrate on my studies. I just never thought that they were worthy of showing to you or Yoshi-san.” Ren blushed at Takashi’s praise.
“Nonsense! You should be proud of these designs.” He had been leafing through the portfolio. When he came to a compete outfit, he would study it for a few minutes before going now to the next design. He stopped when he saw the Schoolgirl outfits. “Where in the world did you come up with this design, Ren-chan?”
When Ren didn’t answer right away Amanda jumped in. “She based the design off of our school’s uniforms, sir. She is always finding ways to spruce up her uniform every day. Yet, still remain inside of the uniform guide lines.”
Takashi looked over at Amanda. “I have not yet had the pleasure of your acquaintance young lady. May I know your name, Hime?”
“Takashi-sama, allow me to introduce my friend and classmate Amanda Sullivan.” Ren said quickly with a slight bow. “This is her FIRST time as a Lolita.”
Takashi slowly walked around the suddenly quiet and extremely shy Amanda. When he had completed a full circle of her Takashi turned Aoi. “Aoi, bring me one of the Jension purses please? One of the hard-sided pill-box styles.”
“Should I get one of the coffin cuts, sir?” Aoi asked quickly.
Takashi thought about her question then shook his head. “No. One of the fifties retro purses please. In midnight purple if you have one. If not black will do. Her current purse doesn’t quit fit with her presence. The coffin purse is just a little too dark for one so bright.”
Aoi rushed off to carry out her orders. Takashi turned to Yoshi with a smile. “Yoshi have you talked with Amanda-chan’s parents yet?”
“Not yet, Takashi. We were on our way over to see them before becoming distracted by Ren’s designs. Amanda-chan will be spending the holidays with us.” Yoshi told him as she took Ren’s portfolio from him. “Now, I know that you weren’t due here for another half-hour Takashi. Why are you so early?”
“I was hoping to find your kōhai Yoshi. I have need of her formidable language skills.” Turning to Ren. “Ren how good is your French?”
“I regret to inform you Takashi-sama that my skills with French are inadequate for acting as a translator. I barely have a working knowledge of the language.” Ren turned to Amanda. “Amanda-san though does have a far better skill set.”
“Only to a point Ren-san.” Amanda quickly corrected Ren. “Sir, if you can please explain your full needs, I might be able to suggest a better option.”
“Very well young lady. I need someone who has both a working knowledge of Japanese and French. Someone who understands the social customs of both peoples while still being able to translate the needed information in a diplomatic manner. While showing discretion at the same time. Do you know of someone who can fit the bill?” Takashi thought that he had Amanda.
“If you do not mind working with a teenager sir. I’m sure that I have someone that can fit your needs.” Amanda was smiling as she pulled out her phone.
Takashi chuckled. “I have worked with Ren here in such a compacity before. If you can find me a translator on short notice that can fulfill my needs. Then I shall pay you handsomely for your service.”
Amanda dialed a number from memory. When the call was answered Amanda talked quickly to her friend. “Céleste, where are you right now? Cool that’ll work. What do you have going on tonight? Even better. Do you think your mother would mind you staying out? You sure about that? Great. I’ve got an opportunity for you to earn some hard cold cash. You game? Great. Do you know where Nagata Lolita Designs store number one is? Perfect then haul butt over here girl. What? Who’s with you? Even better. Bring them with you. Don’t worry about being in your uniforms. I got a feeling that you won’t be for long once you get here.”
Amanda disconnected the call then turn to Takashi. “Our friend and classmate Céleste Lorieux is on her way here now, sir. She is also bring three of our other friends with her, sir. Between all six of us sir we can cover Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian.”
Yoshi and Ren both hid their smiles behind their left hands. While Amanda just bowed to a very stunned Takashi Shimizu. Amanda saw an opening to make some money for her and her friends then took it. She knew that translators made great money in the private sector of business. She had forgotten how many times her father had complained about the lack-luster translators he had worked with. She herself had done some translation work for her father and done a better job than the company hired translators. If she could get her friends work as translators through Takashi Shimizu, then she would market her budding idea to all her classmates.
“Do you have a business card yet young lady?” Takashi chuckled. “And how much will your service cost me for the night?”
Amanda smiled and bowed to Takashi. “Seeing as how I just came up with the idea sir. Only one outfit per girl that arrives, twenty-thousand Yen, for myself, for the translator thirty-thousand yen, an additional outfit, and the cost of dinner. Is this acceptable?” Amanda knew that she would have to negotiate with the man so had set her offer on the high side. Or so she thought.
“DONE!” Takashi said quickly much to Amanda’s surprise as he held out his hand. Stuck with the proposed conditions Amanda just shrugged and shook Takashi’s hand. “Now, young lady may I tell you something without you becoming upset?”
“Sir, for some reason I have the feeling that you were willing to go to twice the agreed upon price for some reason. May I know why?” Amanda told him honestly.
“Miss Sullivan the reason is simple.” Takashi pulled out his business card bifold. He pulled one card out for a translator service. “This company charges me between three to four times what you have agreed to. They are also not above working for the competition while sitting next to me in a business meeting. For me and a great many businessmen and women a constant worry. If your classmates can show me that they have the integrity to keep my secrets. I will pay them four times the agreed upon price. I would also be more than willing to help you, setup and start your very own business, while acting as your senpai.”
Amanda couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Neither could Yoshi and Ren. Takashi Shimizu was many things but foolish wasn’t one of them. He saw something he liked in Amanda’s eyes. Something that he was willing to mentor. Over the years he had invested in only four businesses other than his own. Here he was willing to invest in a fifth. Hell, one that wasn’t even formed yet. They were interrupted by the bell over the door signaling the arrival of customers. All four turned to looked at the front of the store as four teenage girls walked in.
Takashi spotted right away that all four girls came from different homelands. One girl was definitely from the French Riviera by her coloring. Another had to be the daughter of Mother Russia with her statuesque beauty. The third girl had to be a daughter of Diana by her rich Mediterranean coloring. The last girl was one that had all the ear marks of her Iberian ancestry. For Takashi to suddenly have four brand new models for his designs not to mention possible translators he was almost overwhelmed with excitement. The only problem was he needed to talk with their parents.
“Amanda-chan you’re hired. Please be so kind as to contact these girls’ parents for me. While your contacting your parents as well. I shall be right back. I need to make a call and reschedule the meeting I had planned for later this evening.” With that he turned to Yoshi and Ren. “Yoshi. Full change of outfits for all the girls. Send me the bill and spare no expense. Ren, I want a full breakdown on those new uniforms when I come back in from this call.”
With that Takashi walked passed the four new arrivals and through the door. Céleste Lorieux walked over to Ren and Amanda. “What or who was that Amanda?”
“THAT, was Takashi Shizumi. AND he was the reason why I called you Céleste. You ready for a free Lolita makeover? By that I mean all of you.” Ren told them with a wicked smile that was a mile wide.
-----tbc-----
Chapter 9
Sumiyoshi, Koto, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, Friday December 17, 2004
Takashi led the troop of six teenage and one mature Lolita into the fashionable restaurant of Ogahanto Sumiyoshi in Sumiyoshi. Ren could not believe how easily her aunt Yoshi and Takashi were able to find a different look for each teenager. Takashi had capitalized on how each girl’s coloring and size made them individuals. To that end he took each girls home nation into consideration.
For England he had used Amanda to pull off the ELG with its Victorian and Western influenced style. Takashi took in Céleste Lorieux’s coloring and French ancestry then went for the classic Country Lolita in honor of her homeland. Gretchen Hufstedler was the only girl from Germany at our school and was proud of this fact. Yoshi had taken in the girl’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and almost six feet of height to go with the Kodona or Boy Style Lolita. For Ren the makeovers of her friends was a chance to show off for her two mentors by giving Maria Rossi her makeover. Ren used the girl’s natural Italian coloring and size to go for a conservative Ero Lolita. The last of the girls was the petite, dark haired and colored Carmelita Esperanza. She was also the hardest of the girls to find a style for due mainly to her coloration and size thanks in part to her Spanish ancestry. It took both Takashi and Yoshi to find a style that would work for the girl. In the end they went with the Otome Lolita style. Even Ren had not escaped the makeover administrations of Takashi. Gone was her normal Bitter Sweet Lolita style in its place Ren now sported the Wa Lolita style. Mainly because she was the only Japanese girl in the bunch and Takashi wanted to showcase each country represented by the teens.
He succeeded all imagination. The restaurant guests were amazed by the parade of young women dressed in the height of Lolita fashion. The five couples that were sitting in the reserved section had yet to witness the stunning parade of feminine beauty that was slowly descending upon them. Only the Sullivan parents had any idea of what to expect. Yoshi had taken pictures of Amanda and sent them to Amanda’s parents earlier at the shop. When Yoshi, Ren, and Amanda went to do the same for the other teens Takashi put a halt to that idea. Saying that he wanted to unveil one of his greatest achievements to the girls’ parents.
The first one to see the girls was Howard Sullivan. At first, he didn’t recognize his own daughter, Amanda. When he did though it was with stunned silence as he nudged his wife and pointed at Amanda. When Gloria Sullivan saw her daughter in all her Lolita glory the woman fell out of her seat. The commotion caused by the Sullivan’s garnered the attention of the other parents. Almost as one the other eight parents turned to look at the parade of Lolitas headed their way. At first none of them could believe the sight of these creatures of feminine beauty. Then they each recognized their own daughter among the Lolitas. To say that the shock and awe effect that Takashi was going for had impacted on the girls’ parents with the full force of a typhoon.
The first to find their voice was Gretchen Hufstedler’s father. “Mein Gott, sie ist wunderschön wie die schneebedeckten Berge von Zuhause.”
“Gretchen. Schatz bist das wirklich du?” Her mother asked.
“Ja. Mama, ich bin es wirklich. Gefällt dir mein neues Aussehen?” Gretchen’s nervousness at her parents’ reaction to the makeover was palatable. In answer to her daughter’s question Gretta Hufstedler grabbed her in a rib cracking hug. “Mama, papa, I would like to introduce Herr Takashi Shizumi and Fräulein Yoshi Nagata. They are the people responsible for my marvelous transformation.”
Hans Hufstedler bowed to the Japanese gentleman. “Thank you for what you have done for my little girl, and Fräu sir. I am sure that I am not the only father here that is surprised by the transformations of their daughter.”
“You can say that again, Hans. I barely recognized my sweet, Carmelita.” Ricardo Esperanza was still trying to comprehend the petite beauty that was his daughter. “May I know what this style is called sir?”
“Si. I too would know this style. You have brought out her maidenly qualities.” Carmelita’s mother gushed with motherly pride.
“Mrs. Esperanza is not the only one who wants to know how you were able to turn our daughters into such beautiful creatures of femininity, sir.” Kathrine Rossi said in stunned disbelief as she stood holding her daughter Maria.
Takashi just smiled as the sentiment was repeated by the other mothers. “Ladies and gentlemen if you would all please be seated. I will go over each model’s look while we wait. Once we have ordered our meals first.”
With their daughters seated between them, the parents all took their seats. Ren was sat between Yoshi and Takashi. Within ten minutes a waiter arrived to first take their drink orders and hand out menus. With drinks ordered the waiter left the party to make up their minds on dinner. When the waiter returned with their drinks everyone was ready to order. The men were more than a little surprised to hear Takashi tell the waiter that everything was on just the one check and he was paying. To these men that could only mean one thing. This was more than just a dinner among potential friends, but a business dinner with a potential employer or investor.
Howard Sullivan was the first to broch the subject. “Mr. Shizumi, I take it that you have a business proposal that you wish to discuss with us?”
“In a way I do, Mr. Sullivan. Earlier this evening I was visiting Miss Nagata in the hopes of finding her niece and kōhai.” Takashi placed his hand on Ren’s shoulder. “You see I was in need of a translator. Something that I have used Ren-chan for in the past. However, Ren lacked the necessary skill in French.” He looked over at Amanda. “Ren-chan suggested that I talk instead with Amanda-chan.”
Howard started to chuckle. He could see it playing out in his head and chuckled. “Excuse me, Takashi-san for my chuckling. It is just that I can already see what my lovely daughter pulled. May I guess?” Takashi nodded his head as he smiled. “Amanda is not as fluent in French as she is in Japanese but does know someone who is fluent in French. So much so that it is their first language.” This last part was said as he looked at Amanda’s friend Céleste. “I then bet she proceeded to negotiate the price for the services for her friend and a finder’s fee for herself.”
“I must say, you know your daughter extremely well to have figured that out. You were not even there and yet you have more than just the gist of the discussion between your lovely daughter and me. That or you were the one to train her in the ways of business negotiations.” Takashi was truly impressed by Howard’s insight to the conversation back at Nagata Lolita Designs.
“If you don’t mind sir. Just how hard of a negotiator is Miss Sullivan?” Asked Peter Lorieux from next to his daughter as he watched Amanda.
“I too would know about this deal that Miss Sullivan has worked out sir.” Marko Rossi questioned pointedly as he eyed Amanda. “I think that we, their parents, should be the ones to consult on financial matters first.”
“That good sir is the reason for this meeting.” Takashi answered with a stony face. Takashi Shizumi had learned long ago how to play poker. His friends often said that he could bluff the devil out of his tail. He had perfected the art of the poker face before any of these men ever set foot in Japan. “Amanda-chan please explain your idea for your business. I believe that you called it Lolita Translations?”
Amanda smiled at Takashi and bowed. “At once Takashi-senpai.” looking around the table at the gathered parents Amanda took a deep breath before starting. “Gentlemen, what I have proposed to Takashi-senpai is this. A full service translation company that only specializes in one language per translator. Translators that will also learn from the people or companies that hire them. It is our intention to use the students of Goto-Kono Senior High School. Just among our classmates we can cover the enter UE, the Mediterranean countries, half of Eastern Europe, and a full third of the Oriental Countries. We would provide ethical, loyal, and highly trained translators, while still learning the ways of business.”
“Amanda, honey, have you thought about how you’ll get around that pesky law concerning students working? After all none of you girls have work visas.” Gloria asked her daughter with some concern. “And where did you come up with your name?”
“We have a way around the work visa requirement mom. As high school students we can form a club. The club will have to be a cultural club. Through the club we’ll be able to hire out as kōhai to reputable businesses on the grounds of furthering our educations. Each translator will be paid a set gratuity by the company or businessman that hired them. This allows them to work as kōhais without needing their work visas.” Amanda, Takashi, and Yoshi had worked on this part of the business during the drive over from Yoshi’s shop. It had been Takashi’s input that settled most of the problems. Even the other four teens like the idea.
“Amanda dear. You didn’t answer me about WHERE you got the name for your little enterprise. I won’t ask you again.” Gloria informed her daughter.
“Well, that is a little complicated.” Amanda was blushing at this time. So were the rest of the teens. “It, kind of came about thanks to our makeovers.”
All five of the gathered fathers burst out laughing at the embarrassment of their daughters. Takashi just hid his smile behind his drink. The mothers though became more interested in the idea of their daughters not only learning the ways of business but earning money as well. This was something that they could pass down to the other girls in their school that came along after them. Especially if it was in the form of an after school club.
Ulva Hufstedler was the first to say anything. “Is this the only style that would work with my daughter’s coloring and size Mister Shizumi?”
“Mrs. Hufstedler when it comes to your daughter Gretchen, I have too many styles that I could have used.” Takashi was on ground he was more than happy to discuss. “The only reason I went with the styles that I picked for each girl was to honor their individual homelands. While your lovely daughter has the coloring and proportions to wear the Country, Classic, Gothic, and Otome Lolita styles I felt that she would better represent her homeland as a Kodona Lolita or Boy Style.”
Takashi slowly wave around the table. Stopping to point at each girl while naming them and giving the name of the Lolita style they were wearing. “For the lovely Céleste Lorieux we went with the classic Country Lolita as it shows off her delightful and playful French maiden appearance. Gretchen Hufstedler as you know is our Kodona. Her natural coloring lent itself towards this style. A style that plays heavily towards her German ancestry. Yoshi’s kōhai Ren had a real challenge and a chance to show her talents with Maria Rossi. Ren used Maria’s natural coloring and size to go with a more conservative Ero Lolita. A style that truly emphasizes Maria’s Italian linage. Of all the girls, Carmelita Esperanza was the greatest challenge to find a style for due mainly to her coloration and size lending themselves to so many deferent styles. In the end we were forced to return to one of the styles in which Lolita has its roots. The Otome Lolita style. Of, all the nations Japan was the easiest to represent. We simply had Yoshi’s kōhai Ren dress in the Wa Lolita style. A style that is heavily influenced by and incorporates many traditional Japanese clothing elements whilst still keeping the Lolita silhouette.”
“Mister Shizumi why did you give our daughters makeovers? Not that I disapprove of Maria’s new look. I think that all of the fathers here would agree with me.” Marko Rossi told him with a sly smile. “There must be more behind the reason for the makeovers. We are all businessmen and know the cost of such things.”
Takashi chuckled before answering, as Yoshi hid her giggle. “I have several reasons Mr. Rossi. Though the main one is to give this fledgling enterprise a look that would attract the attention of prospective clients and potential corporate sponsors for their club. As you all know, many of the local high schools’ clubs fail due to lack of funding. We all know the old saying of ‘sex sells’. Well in fashion there is another saying that balances that. ‘Shock effect equals sells’. What better way to shock your competition than to present such ultra-feminine creatures as your daughters? Ultra-feminine creatures that are as competent as they are beautiful.”
The mothers and fathers of the gathered girls were stunned by this very blunt admission from Takashi. Takashi once again showed these highly experienced men and women of International Business that he was a true master of the boardroom and the art of the deal. Unlike the parents of the girls, Takashi was more than just a businessman and fashion designer. He was a student of Sun Tzu, Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who authored The Art of War. Takashi had applied many of Sun Tzu’s teachings to his business model.
The first parent to truly understand what Takashi was doing was Amanda’s father, Howard Sullivan. His response was to start laughing. The plan was prefect. By forming a school cultural club, the girls got around the law by having potential clients act as corporate sponsors. To cover the part where the club would need some educational value the sponsors would also act as senpai for the girls in the ways of business. It was practically perfect. And by the girls forming a cultural club they could in truth recruit new members from the incoming class. The only catch was if the student council and school would approve such a club. This was quickly brought up by the girls’ mothers. To them education was the more important aspect of the project.
“Would the student council even approve of this club, Amanda?” Gretta Hufstedler asked the teenager with a sharp eyed stair. She knew that the six gathered teenagers were all considered to be the bottom of their school socially. Their whole class was considered by the Head Mistress and the rest of the school’s staff to be the school’s misfits, social outcasts, and delinquents. An attitude that carried over to the student council and its members. Unfortunately, Gretta knew that most of the girls in her daughter’s class fit into one of those three categories.
This time it was Ren who answered as she fought to control her giggle fit. “That is the beautiful thing, Fräu Hufstedler. We DON’T need the council’s approval to form a new club at school. We only need four founding members and they cannot reject our request to form the club. Even if they do, we’ll just form the club anyway and use an off-campus facility to hold our meetings. If we really want too to get nasty, we just go straight to the Headmistress with our petition to form our club. As much as that woman hates us she still has to follow the rules herself. We meet all the requirements, she has to let us form the club. She would even have to appoint us a faculty sponsor and advisor from the school’s teaching staff.”
“I must say Miss Nagata. You are quite the formidable entrepreneur. May I know where you learned your skills?” Marco Rossi asked with true surprise.
“Mister Rossi, my niece learned her skills at the knees of her parents. Both of whom I learned a great deal in my earlier years.” Yoshi answered the man with a smile. “My brother-in-law and sister could give lessons in business and diplomacy to just about anyone on their own. Yet, when they worked together, they were unstoppable. Not even Takashi and I could match their teamwork.”
Yoshi smiled as she place her hand on Ren’s shoulder. “Ren had the privilege of learning from both of them. She grow up showing her parents in many political and social situations around the world.”
The five businessmen could see that the real mastermind behind the project was Ren Nagata. While Amanda may have been the catalyst that started the ball rolling, it would be Ren who carried it over the finish-line. The gathered parents could also tell that the six teenage girls were becoming fast friends. Friends that would go to the mat for each other and their ideas.
“Takashi-san, how would you propose we pitch the use of this club to our companies?” Peter Lorieux wanted to know. “After all, we just cannot walk-in and tell our respective superiors to use our daughters as their new translators.”
“I totally agree with you, Peter-san. The answer isn’t so much as how, but when.” At the blanks looks of the fathers Takashi knew he would have to explain further. “WE” Takashi began by pointing to the men. “Setup business dinners with respected Japan company representatives. Only make sure to not arrange for your company’s normal translator to work the event. In their place you take your daughter. At the dinner explain to your counterparts that your normal translator is out sick but that your daughter offered to fill in at the last minute.”
“Attack where and when the girls can showcase their talents. While keeping our counterparts off-balance. We give the girls a platform to set in motion their own success. I must say Takashi-san, you are a truly devious man.” Marko chuckled. “I am certainly glad that you’re only acting as guide for our daughters. I would not want to face off against you across a negotiation table.”
“Thank you for the compliment Mister Rossi. I only have one concern with their plan. Who will the school assign as their club’s faculty sponsor.” Takashi held his glass of tea to his lips for a moment before drinking as if deep in thought. “It would have to be considered a cultural club if the school’s administration pushes matters. These all require both a faculty sponsor and advisor.”
Ren knew that Takashi was basically laying the groundwork for her. They had talked about how to get the parents of the other girls more involved in their little project. It had been Carmelita Esperanza who gave them the next part of their little dinner discussion. She pointed out that her mother, along with Kathrine Rossi, had their teaching credentials. Ren smiled and pointed to Carmelita. “You’re on.”
Ricardo turned to his daughter. “Carmelita, what is your friend talking about?”
“If we do need an advisor or faculty sponsor and the school doesn’t want to give us one. We just ask mama and Mrs. Rossi to fulfill that position.” Carmelita answered with a smile that showed more than she was letting on.
“Okay what does that mean Miss Esperanza?” Howard asked her politely. Only to hear the two mothers chuckling. They had already figured out what the girls were getting at.
“Sir, both my mother and Mrs. Rossi have their full teaching credentials. We can go to the Headmistress and board of directors with their credentials forcing their hand on approving them as our sponsor and advisor.” Carmelita answered quickly.
Of all the gathered men, only Marko Rossi grasped what Carmelita was saying. If the school’s faculty refused to help, then the girls would basically resort to blackmail. Well, not so much blackmail, but hardball business tactics. He couldn’t believe that these teenaged girls have not only been able to come up with a sound business plan but a way to implement it. One that the establishment will be forced to accept and unable to stop. He may have been the first to spot the craftiness of the girls, but he wasn’t the last. Soon all five of the gathered fathers wanted in on this plan. A plan that they knew would make them all a great deal of money in the term.
As dinner was served the parents of the gathered teens went over the finer points of the girls plans. For the next two hours they discussed what needed to be done to insure their success. One of the surprising developments was the way the mothers rallied behind the idea of Mrs. Rossi and Mrs. Esperanza working as the sponsor and advisor for the girls’ club. The men though saw their needs for translators being solved in one simple and rational step. Not to mention a way to ingratiate themselves to their higher ups at the same time.
Just before ten pm that night the impromptu dinner broke up. Without exception, all of the girls wanted to hold a sleepover at Ren’s place. Unfortunately, Yoshi had to put a stop to their sleepover plans. Much to the disappointment of Ren. Only Amanda was able to leave with Yoshi and Ren. The rest of the girls said that they would all meetup the next morning at Junko’s pies and cakes. With plans made for the next day the teens said good-bye and went on home with their parents. Once it was just Yoshi, Ren, Amanda, and Takashi they called for a cab to take the three Lolitas home. Takashi gave each a kiss on the cheek wishing them a goodnight as he helped them into the taxicab. Ten minutes later he climbed into his own taxi.
Back at their apartment Yoshi gave both girls a hug. “You did great tonight, kids.”
“Thanks aunt Yoshi, but this was all Amanda’s idea. I just kicked the ball to where it needed to go.” Ren blushed at the praise her aunt was lavishing on her and Amanda. “I knew that she had a great idea. She just needed someone to hear her.”
“No, you don’t Ren. You don’t get to dump all the credit on my shoulders girlfriend.” Amanda blushed just as hard as Ren did at the praise from Yoshi. “If you hadn’t come up with that idea for the makeovers our whole plan would have gone down the tube with one flush. By the way why did you dress me up as an EGL?”
“I was going to go with something else, but aunt Yoshi pointed that your coloration, size, and age lent themselves more to the EGL look.” Ren was honest with Amanda. “I wanted to go with the Dark Princess or Aristocrat Lolita.”
“Wow! You see as some kind of Victorian Aristocrat?” Amanda was surprised by this.
“Sure. You have that air of sophistication about you. The one that just screams High Class Lady. I can’t wait for tomorrow though.” Ren was rubbing her hands together in an imitation of the Wicked Witch of the West. “Your mine now my little pretty, you and your little dog too.”
Amanda turned to look at Yoshi with a quirky smile. “Why do I suddenly get the feeling that I just became her life sized Barbie doll?”
Yoshi returned the quirky smile and patted Amanda’s cheek. “Not just hers.”
“Yeah, we got you for the next two weeks all to ourselves. Along with access to three full warehouses, and eight full shops.” Ren giggled as she headed for the kitchen area. “Anyone for tea?”
Amanda just shook her head as Ren went about making a pot of tea for the three of them. For the next hour the few hours they sat around the katotsu drank tea and watched the movie Prince’s Bride. Both teens thought the movie had more a few spay points that fit in well with the comedy aspects. It is just one of those movies that crosses all lines of entertainment with equal measure successfully.
Amanda didn’t remember what the time was when she and Ren went to bed. All she knew was that it was sometime in the early morning. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes Amanda pulled on her housecoat and headed towards the living room. She could hear the sounds of the TV playing. At first Amanda thought she was hearing things, but she could have sworn that she was hearing the opening theme sound track to ‘Girls & Panzer’. Her second favorite anime of all-time right behind ‘Cross Angel Rondo of Angels and Dragons’. As she entered the main room, she found Ren and Yoshi sitting once again under the katotsu with a bowls of cheerio’s and tall glasses of milk.
Amanda blinked her eyes a few times before asking the very obvious question. “Really. Cartoons and cereal. What are you guys? Little kids?”
Yoshi blinked then looked over at Ren who had the same look on her face. Both turned back to look at Amanda before pointing to the TV. “But it’s Saturday.”
Amanda stood there unable to think. The stupid explanation stripped her mental gears. She couldn’t believe what she just heard. To her the simple explanation was something that a nine year old would say. Not a grown woman and a teenager. Amanda soon had the look of ‘I’ve been slapped with a tuna’ cross her face. Seeing this both Yoshi and Ren burst out laughing.
“Amanda-chan why don’t you just take a seat. I think we’ve hurt your brain too much too early this morning.” Yoshi ordered the teen with a smile, while patting the third floor seat. “We knew that you weren’t a morning person. Your mother informed me.”
Grumbling Amanda just took her place under the katotsu. Pouring herself a cup of tea first thing Amanda turned to watch the anime that was currently playing. All the while she blatantly ignored the amused looks of her hosts. Ren and Yoshi had planned their little fun with Amanda from the time that they found out that she could spend the winter break with them. Once Amanda had her first cup of tea Yoshi slid a warm bowl of oatmeal in front of her.
Once Amanda was awake enough to comprehend the world she turned to Ren. “So, do you really do this every Saturday morning? Or did you just do this to mess with my head? Be honest girlfriend.”
“Honestly?” Ren giggled. “It is a little of both. We normally have breakfast here at the katotsu before aunt Yoshi heads for work. As for the anime that was just me screwing with your head. I love my anime, but I won’t subject you to it while you’re here. I know that it is not everyone’s thing.”
“I don’t mind the anime.” Amanda quickly moved to block Ren’s hand before she turned off the show. Amanda blushed at being caught out as an anime fan girl. “I guess I should confess. I’m anime-fangirl. I have been for a while.” Amanda blushed even harder. “So, are you like me? A fangirl?”
“Oh yah. She is one of the biggest fangirls that I know of.” Yoshi answered for Ren from the kitchen area. “You should see the way she dresses for one of the conventions. Total Steampunk anime-Lolita. How she can combine some of her style choices and make them look as good as she does is beyond me.”
“You’ve already been to one of the conventions?” Amanda was floored. She hadn’t been to more than four conventions and she had been here for more of her life. “Which one did you hit? Who did you see?”
Ren giggled at her friend. “I’ve only been to one Amanda. Even then it was more of a working affair.” At Amanda’s blank look Ren sighed. “I was there promoting Takashi’s new Fall Cosplay Lolita and Anime line-up.”
“You mean you were one of the Booth-girls?” Amanda asked excitedly. “That must have been so awesome! I would loved to do that sometime.”
“Then you shall have your chance Amanda-chan.” Yoshi said as walked back towards her room to get ready for her work day. “Ren you can raid my closet to find something for Amanda to wear today. Be ready by ten. A taxi will be picking up no later than ten-thirty. Use the Casual look for both of you.”
Amanda looked over at Ren as Yoshi disappeared into her room. The smile on her friend’s face more than words. “IS your aunt joking?”
“Nope. I know that you knew about the Com-con over in Kyoto this coming week.” Amanda just nodded her head. “Well, Takashi has a booth there and WE” Ren pointed at herself and Amanda “will be the ones working it. As Models and Booth-girls.”
Ren watched as the excitement grew in her friend’s eyes. The prospect of being a booth-girl for just one Convention was too much for her to pass up. “How soon before we can start getting ready? How many days are we going to be at the Com-con? Do we have to work every day of the Com-con? Will we get a chance to walk around?”
“Slow down!” Ren could only laugh at her friend’s excitement. “To answer your questions. Yes, we’ll be there for all five days of the Com-con. No. we won’t have to work all five days, only three of them. Even then we’ll only be working half-days. Takashi will be rotating other models through the booth. We’ll get our chance to walk around and see the convention. There is a catch though. We’ll have to wear whatever we were wearing at the booth. Do worry though we’ll be getting paid for the entire time we’re there. You still game?”
“Let me see if I got this right. First, I get to have the kind of access that only booth-girls get to a Com-con. Second, I get free Cosplay wear for the full five days of the event. Third, I will be getting paid to walk around in that same Cosplay wear. Then hell to the yeah, I’m still game. I just got to know if my parents approved of all this? I mean I don’t need any more grief. You know what I mean.” Amanda turned shy towards the end.
“Don’t worry about that, girlfriend. Aunt Yoshi squared it all away yesterday.” Ren started to giggle. “She and your mom talked about the trip while we were finishing up classes before the break. If you check your suitcase, you’ll find your passport has been packed. Along with a bunch of clothes that you won’t be needing.”
“Why won’t I be needing what I packed for my stay?” Amanda wondered what Ren was up to. “It’s not like I’ll need a lot of clothes at the convention. Not with Takashi having us wear a new outfit every day. Even if they are just loaners.”
“Um… Amanda they’re not loners. Whatever Takashi has you wear is yours to keep.” Ren told her friend. “That’s the upside, the downside is he expects you to wear it whenever there is a convention within a few hundred miles. Then there’s the clothes he’ll have for you for after convention hours. You can bet that he’ll have at least two to three different looks for you to choose from each day.”
“Oh wow!” Amanda couldn’t believe her ears. “Are you sure about that? I mean we have to be talking about close to five to six hundred dollars’ worth of clothes.”
“She’s told you the truth Amanda.” Yoshi answered for Ren as she walked back into the room. “Takashi Shizumi is very generous to his booth-girls. Especially when it comes to the clothes that he has them wear.”
“But why?” Amanda asked. “He has to be losing money doing that.”
“He writes each and every full outfit off a tax deduction under advertising. In the long run it doesn’t cost him a dime. In fact, he actually makes money off the Booth-girl wardrobes. He keeps at least ten copies of every outfit at the booth for fast makeovers of convention goers. He always sells out before the end of the second day of the convention. The last convention he had to order in an emergency resupply.” Ren told Amanda with a mile wide smile.
Ren looked up at her aunt. “When are we supposed to be at your shop again?”
“No later than eleven-thirty, Ren. That’ll give you girls enough time to look around a little before we have to leave for the train station.” With that Yoshi gave Ren a kiss on the forehead and headed for the door. “Remember to take your meds, Ren.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ren called out as she watched Yoshi slip her feet into a pair of Mary-Jane high-heels with a T-strap vamp. Ren and Amanda both notice for the first time that Yoshi had gone with a Kuro style Lolita today over her normal Otome or Class Lolita styles. It gave Ren an idea for hers and Amanda’s outfits for the day. She just had to remember if she a had a auburn wig for Amanda. “Amanda wait here. I need to go check on something.”
Amanda just shrugged her shoulders and went back to eating her breakfast. Ren ran to her room first. Ren smiled at finding the needed waist length dark auburn wig for the Kuro style. Running over to double check her aunt’s room Ren was almost bouncing with joy. There on her aunt’s vanity was a matching wig to her own. Both wigs were styled with twisted braids falling from temples on each side of the head that were tied with black ribbons at their ends. The hair in back was pulled into a low ponytail that was tied by a large black bow. They were perfect for twinning.
Running back to the living room Ren smiled at her friend. “Amanda, how would you like to be my twin for the day?”
“What?” Amanda looked at Ren with true confusion. “Just what are you talking about?”
Ren sighed. “Haven’t you ever seen Lolita twins or triplets?” Amanda just shook her head no. “Well, it is when two or more Lolitas dress exactly the same.”
At Amanda’s still blank look Ren realized that she needed to better explain what Twinning was with a more depth. “Okay, listen carefully, Amanda. Twinning is the term used when two Lolitas have coordinated their outfits to match in almost exactly the same way. Sometimes they use contrasting or complimentary colors between each twin, for example Shiro and Kuro twins, or when one Lolita wears blue while the other wears pink. If there are three matching Lolitas it is referred to as Triplets, four as Quadruplets. And so on. Do you understand now?”
“I think so. But what does that have to do with us going out later today?”
Ren was really starting to smile now. “With a little makeup and a few tips that I’ve learned from working with my aunt. I can make us look so close to being actual twins. That I’m positive that we could fool most of the people around. Why I bet that we could even fool the shop-girls at any of my aunt’s shops. You want to try?”
Once Amanda heard Ren’s idea in full, she couldn’t help it. She just had to do it. A little over two hours later just after eleven in the morning the two teens stepped outside the lobby of the building. From the top of their heads to the tips of their Mary-janes you would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Both girls were wearing a long sleeve A-line dress with ruffles around the hem in solid black. Underneath each girl wore black bloomers with two black petticoats. Their hands were covered with finger-less black gloves, while their legs were covered by thigh-high black wool stockings. Everything was in black including the wool Berets that adorned the tops of their heads. There was something about the girls’ outfits tweaked Amanda’s curiosity. It was something that hit her funny bone.
“Ren, I thought you never did the Goth Lolita. Sure our outfits are way more girly than would be expected for Goths. Why today?”
Ren stopped and looked over at her friend before giggling. “Oh, I never do the full-blown Goth-Lolli Amanda. Just because we’ve exclusively used the color black doesn’t necessarily make our outfits Gothic Lolita. In fact, usually Kuro Lolita outfits, like the ones we’re wearing, fall under Sweet Lolita in terms of style.”
“Okay, what does that mean? I’ve never heard of Kuro Lolita.” Amanda was confused by the terms that Ren was using.
“Okay, let me break it down for you.” Ren waved for them to continue to walk. “First off let’s look at the Goth.”
“Hey! I’ve seen enough Goth Lolli’s to know one when I see one.” Amanda countered.
“Really, Amanda? Or do you just think that you do.” Ren smiled when Amanda got a frustrated look on her face. “Your typical Gothic Lolita, uses more blacks and whites and tends to be a darker, more elegant style of Lolita; and other less common subsets such as Classic Lolita, which favors a more refined and subtle fashion, or Punk Lolita, which might include accessories such as spikes and chains.”
“Okay I can see that, but how is Kuro different?” Amanda really had to know now.
“Well the Kuro Lolita, from Kuro which means ‘black’, is the Lolita fashion of an all-black outfit and no other colors. Kuro has an opposite style in Shiro Lolita, which features all white coordination. Unlike with Goth Lolita where there is no definitive opposite. This is why Shiro/Kuro twinning is a really popular theme.” Ren then smiled as she was truly on one of her favorite topics. She loved having someone who would listen to her talk about Lolita fashions.
“The biggest difference though between the two styles is simple. Most Goth Lolitas usually have a splash of color amongst all the black. Unlike the Kuro Lolita who wears only black like us right now.” Ren waved her left hand down the front of her outfit. “Even though Kuro can be considered a subset of the Goth-Lolli. It isn’t.”
“Wow girlfriend! You really are into the lifestyle. How long have you been doing the whole Lolita thing anyway?” Amanda was amazed by Ren’s knowledge.
“You’re not going to believe me, but it is the truth. I never did the whole Lolita thing until I came to live with my aunt a few months ago.” The uncomfortable reminder of her dead parents put a damper on Ren’s enthusiasm. “Before then the only other time I ever dressed up as a girl was for a Halloween party.”
Amanda stopped Ren on the street and pulled her into a tight hug. Whispering into Ren’s ear, Amanda let her know how she felt. “You can always talk to me Ren. I know that you’re not into girls. But I still think you’re cute as they come.”
“I won’t go saying that I’m not into girls Amanda. Not yet any way. Let’s just say that when it comes to the so called opposite sex. Well, I’m very flexible.” Ren giggled into Amanda’s hair. “I’ve been kind of hooked on this girl I know from school lately. She’s a really pretty American redhead.” As Amanda blushed Ren just continued giggle into Amanda’s shoulder.
“Come on we need to get going. Aunt Yoshi is expecting us.” Ren pulled on Amanda’s arm. “I figure we got enough time for a snack before having to show up at her shop.”
“Tea and cookies at this time in the morning?” Amanda asked.
“Sure, why not? Besides, after this afternoon. We’ll be a little too busy over the next few days to sit back and treat ourselves to some like this.” Ren smiled at her friend. “Besides, I need to get you into the whole secret of the Lolita thing. You know. Lolitas live off of tea, cakes, pastries, and cookies. It’s that whole need to keep ourselves sickly sweet, cute, and adorable.”
It took Amanda a few seconds before what Ren had just said hit home. When it did the teenage girl burst out laughing. Before she could regained her composure, Amanda had to wipe tears from her eyes. “You do know that is nothing more than an urban myth, right? Like Pop-rocks and coke.”
“Yeah I know that, but I had to go for it.” Ren giggled. “I know that aunt Yoshi is going to flip-out when she sees us enter her store.”
“Why?” Amanda asked as they stepped onto the train station platform. “And why are we taking the train instead of a taxi like your aunt told you?”
“Well, we’re taking the train to meet up with a few other Lolita friends of mine.” Ren pointed a small group of Lolitas just walking onto the platform. “Here they come now. Amanda I would like for you to meet Maiha, Fuyuko, Miyoko, Ohmie, and Ahmie. I met them all shortly after I moved in with my aunt.”
“Really? Where did you meet them at? I thought that your aunt was like hardcore overprotective of you. Especially after you first got here?” Amanda asked nonstop.
“I met the one on the left end at Takeshita dori street fare first. That’s Maiha Natsumi. Daughter of Toyoko Police Chief Natsumi. She introduced me to the others a few days later at the same fare.” Ren told her friend with a smile.
“So you’re going to introduce me to your friends outside of school? Is that it?” Amanda was letting her nervousness slip into her voice. She wasn’t as comfortable as she had led Ren to believe.
“Relax, Amanda. They’re cool.” Ren hugged her friend’s arm. “Besides you’re with me. If they get out of hand, I’ll let them know.”
Hearing Ren’s words of encouragement Amanda relaxed. She knew that Ren wouldn’t any one hurt her or give her a load of shit. After a round of greetings the girls headed for the last stop before Ren and Amanda had to leave. The hour they shared with Ren’s friends was an eye opening experience for the teenage American.
-----tbc-----
Chapter 10
Kyoto, Japan
It was the day as Amanda stood in amazement staring as Ren worked the booth at the Com-con. In the last twenty minutes she had sold fifteen different outfits. Each one was matched to the girl or guy that purchased them. One of the things that amazed her even more was how Takashi took their joke of ‘twining’ to a whole new level. For the past three days Ren and she had worn matching outfits down to their bloomers. The fact that there ‘twins’ working the Lolita booth was an unexpected a major draw for the Kyoto Com-con. Lolitas from all over Japan were flocking to see the magical ‘twin’ Lolitas.
Today Takashi had them dressed as pirate Lolitas. Amanda and Ren both admitted that this wasn’t one of their more favored styles but had consented to wearing them for the day. Ren’s aunt Yoshi had to convince the girls to wear the outfits for the first half of the day. It took the promise of a change to one of the more adult styles to finally convince them to wear the Pirate outfits. When Yoshi heard what the girls wanted to wear for the afternoon she just smiled. Takashi had pegged them correctly. Their afternoon outfits were Aristocrat Lolita.
Amanda was drawn out of her daydreaming by a teenage girl that looked very familiar approaching her. “Excuse me, but are you Amanda Sullivan?” Amanda nodded her head. “Oh good. I thought I missed you and Ren Nagata. I’m Arisu Oono from Class E-2.”
“Oh, I remember you now. I’ve seen you around school. How can I help you?” Amanda asked her.
“Well, you and Ren over there are the school’s experts on Lolita fashion. What style do you think I would look good in? I want to really go for the best look possible. Why don’t you decide for me?” Amanda couldn’t believe that this girl thought she was an expert in Lolita fashion.
The hand on her shoulder had Amanda turning to find Takashi standing there. “Go on kōhai. I have faith in you.”
“Yes sempai.” Amanda swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled at Arisu. “Why don’t we step over the racks and see what we can find for Arisu? I need to get a feel for what you like first.”
“Um… Amanda I’ve never done Lolita. Not even as Cosplay. This is my first time.” Arisu blushed clear down to her breasts. “I was wanting to try it as part of my time here at the Com-con.”
“I got an idea then. We’ll go just go with the classic Sweet Lolita with a touch of Anime thrown in.” Amanda told Arisu with smile. “That way you’ll get the benefit of both.”
Forty five minutes later a very happy Arisu Oono left the Lolita booth dressed as a Sweet Lolita in pink. The girl carried a bag with the clothes she had worn to the booth. Amanda couldn’t believe the way the girl fell in love with her outfit. When Arisu took one look at herself in the booth mirror she squealed then hugged Amanda. Picking up her purse the girl pulled out a Master Card credit card turning to Amanda. “Charge it.”
“Which package are you wanting?” Amanda asked.
“Not the photo packages, the outfit.” Arisu smiled. “I’ll wear it out.”
With that simple statement Arisu Oono spent twenty-thousand Yen and left with a smile. Amanda just shook her head and went back to working the booth. Within ten minutes she had next customer. An American teenage boy from Okinawa. He left twenty minutes later after spending fifteen-thousand Yen dressed at the height of fashion for a Lolita Prince. Amanda had known for a while now that Lolitas were a big part of the teenage counterculture of Japan, but she had never realized just how big. That was until now. She saw Lolitas of every stripe at the Com-con. Boys, girls, young men, and women all letting their Lolita flag fly.
“It’s amazing isn’t it?” Ren asked from behind her. “When Aunt Yoshi-san took me to my first Com-con I was surprised myself by the number of Lolitas.” Ren dropped her voice down to a whisper. “Not to mention how many of those Lolitas were boys.”
“That’s not what I’m surprised about.” Amanda looked around the convention floor. “It’s just the sheer number cosplayers that are here. I’ve seen everything here is like way beyond anything I’ve experience at the other cons. I thought that the Com-con in Tokyo was the biggest.”
“Oh no! Not by a long shot Amanda. This one isn’t even the biggest.” Miki told her as she walked up to the booth. “The really big Com-con is Jump Festa mainly sponsored by Shueisha. Which is one of the three that are held in Tokyo. Last year over 140,000 people attended. The event is used to showcase new animes, mangas from the Jump properties, to present new games, game trailers, gameplay footage or game demos from Bandai Namco, Capcom and Square Enix, some of which you might have heard of. It is also one of the biggest showcases for things like Lolita fashions, and Cosplay enthusiasts. That doesn’t count Comiket and AnimeJapan.”
“Oh man. I never realized just how many Com-cons went on in Tokyo. How many in total are there in Japan?” Amanda couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“At last count there is one every week. Sometimes there’s two a week going on. Especially during fashion weeks.” Mai told her as she joined them in the booth. “We really love those weeks. Takashi-san always gets us booked into one of the Shows. Last year we got to walk the Tokyo show.”
“Man, I would love to try that sometime.” Amanda told the two women. “I bet that there are all kinds of crazy shit going at those shows.”
“More than just at the shows. There’s all the after parties, before parties. Not to mention the dinners and dances.” Mai giggled and then whispered in Amanda’s ear. “A girl as cute as you could find herself a sugar daddy really quick and easy at those places. Or maybe a sugar mamma.”
Amanda just blushed at hearing this, but Ren just giggled. “Relax Amanda. Takashi-san would never put you in that kind of position. Come on, we got to get ready for our afternoon walkaround.”
“Speaking of that, Ren. Takashi-san, wants you two to work the outside crowd this afternoon. He wants you girls in the Winter Wonderland Classic Lolita Outfits. The red ones with the long sleeve winter wool coat and hooded cape trimmed in black fur. As for your dresses he wants you to use the Gothic Lolita OP dresses. The Little Red Riding Hood ones made of velour with the lace up ruffle bow in burgundy Lolita one piece dress.” Ren and Amanda listened as Mai laid out the outfit that Takashi wanted us to wear for the day. “Oh, he also wants you to wear the wedge heel round toe two tone black faux fur red Lolita knee high side zip boots.”
“Damn. It’s almost fifty outside. We’ll burnup in those outfits. Can’t we wear something lighter?” Ren bitched.
“Sorry, kiddo, but I tried to override Takashi-san, but he really wants you two twining those outfits outside.” Yoshi told them with a smile. “It seems that the Sheraton ski resorts in Shintoku-cho, Yamanouchi-machi, and Akaigawa-mura are going to hold of all things a convention just for Lolitas.”
“WOW! A full convention just for Lolitas. Has this ever happened before?” Amanda asked excitedly.
“No. It is a true first for our industry.” Yoshi answered Amanda with a smile. “The last time something like this happened was before you girls were born. I think it was in nineteen-ninety-four or five. It was the acceptance of the fashion as something more than just youthful rebellion.”
“I never really thought about it. I mean we kind of grew up with the style.” Ren said quietly. “I never thought that it would have been thought as an act of rebellion.”
“The Lolita style wasn’t always an acceptable style Ren-chan.” Takashi told her from where he was standing. “At one time I was considered a trouble Rebel among the fashion industry. More so then, than I am now.”
Both teens looked at Takashi Shizumi dressed in his own Lolita style. He looked as if he had stepped straight out of Victoria England. If men of that era walked around with corseted waists, lace trimmed shits, top-hats with vails. All of which was color coordinated in ivory and grays. He was the perfect picture of an Aristocratic Kodona or Boy style Lolita. Well more like a Gentleman Lolita because of his age.
“I see Takashi-san.” Amanda said straight faced right before she and Ren busted into full fledge giggle fits. The other booth-girls joined in as Takashi struck a pose for his staff. When everyone had regained their composure Amanda and Ren stepped into the changing booths. Ren was just a few minutes ahead of Amanda leaving her changing booth. The past few days had given Amanda plenty of chances to practice her quick change skills. Both Ren and Amanda had gotten so good at changing outfits by the second day that Takashi changed the number of outfits that he had the teenage girls wearing each day from 2 to 3 each day.
Before sending the girls out Takashi looked over their outfits one last time. He made minor changes to each girls’ outfit. Nothing that took away from the cuteness of the outfits. Just made them cuter if possible. With coats in place the Winter Wonderland Classic Lolita Outfits were complete. With a pat on their heads Takashi sent them outside to wonder the amongst the crowds. Both girls had fun posing with guests for pictures. The only down side to their fun was handing out the fliers talking about the up coming Winter Wonderland Convention for Lolitas. The girls’ outfits along with the fliers were gaining a lot of attention. Before the end of the day the Lolita booth solid out of the Winter Wonderland outfits and all of the accessories.
As the girls returned to the booth they were out of fliers and smiling. Their afternoon had been both fun and rewarding. Fun for both girls and rewarding for Amanda as she was exposed to more and more aspects of the Lolita world. The more she saw the more she wanted to be a part of this world. The job of the day was closing down the booth. As the girls had nothing else to do, they helped to close down the booth for Com-con. Amanda admitted to having the time of her young life for the whole time at the Com-con. Takashi had one last surprise for the two teens. Before the changing booths were broken down he had them change one last time.
They exited the booths as a pair of Aristocratic Lolitas. They were both younger versions of Yoshi. Yoshi smiled at the girls before hugging them. “Takashi-san, and I are taking you girls out for dinner. Tonight, we’ll be celebrating three very important events. Amanda’s successful debut and one of our must profitable Com-con in years.”
“I thought that we were celebrating three things, aunt Yoshi-san?” Ren asked her quickly.
Takashi chuckled and handed Ren a manila envelope. Ren gave Takashi a confused look then opened the envelope. As she pulled the stack of papers out her hands began to tremble. The opening lines of the cover letter was addressed to her from the Head Organizer for the Lolita Winter Fest Fashion week. The letter was a formal invitation for one, Ren Nagata to show her newest Lolita designs.
“Is this really what I think it is?” Ren’s voice trembled with fear. “What designs are they asking about?”
“The ones that your Aunt Yoshi-san presented them with last week, Ren-chan. The ones in that fascinating portfolio of yours. They are especially interested in your school uniform designs.” Takashi smiled as he placed his hand on her left shoulder. “I have my seamstresses producing all of those amazing designs as we speak.”
“But… but…” Ren stammered out in shock.
“Yes, it’s quite a cute little butt.” Amanda snarked just before she and the other booth girls broke out in giggles. “That doesn’t change the fact that you still have your very own show to put on in a few weeks.”
“AMANDA! I’M NOT READY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT!” Ren screeched.
Yoshi pulled her suddenly distraught niece into a hug. “You’re more than ready for this Ren. Your designs are on the very cutting edge of modern fashion. Not just in the Lolita styles but also for main stream fashion as well.”
“Your aunt is telling you the truth Ren-chan. Your designs cross all boundaries of the fashion world.” Takashi gave her slight nod. Then smirked. “Even Madam Yuri fell in love with your designs.”
“How many of my designs are being made?” Ren choked out. “Not all of them I hope.”
“No, we pulled the ones you had marked as privet Ren.” Yoshi reassured her niece. “I made sure those designs never left my office or were seen beyond myself and Takashi-san.” Ren sigh a breath of relief. There a few designs that Ren had drawn up just for herself. Ones that would be seen at a wedding.
“Personally, I believe your wedding dress design is quite beautiful, Ren-chan. It is a shame that you don’t want to share that design with the rest of the world.” Takashi smiled at her. “At least for now.”
“THOSE designs won’t be seen for a long time Takashi-san.” Ren blushed then just barely above a whisper. “If they ever get seen.”
“Enough of this doom and gloom. Do you want to see the finished school uniforms?” Takashi asked smiling as he waved for two men to bring over two wardrobe huge boxes. He placed his hands on top of the boxes. “Inside of these boxes are your new school uniforms. Uniforms designed by our very own Ren-chan.”
Ren couldn’t believe what Takashi was saying. “Those uniforms were just a design concept a few days. How?”
“Ren-chan, my seamstresses can reproduce or produce any design that I hand them in a matter of twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The redesign of your school uniforms is was simple child’s play for them.” Takashi chuckled. “Most of the work was done already as you didn’t so much as change the cut or design of the uniform but enhancing those aspects. The embroidery work was all done by sewing machine.”
“He’s telling you the truth Ren. Your little flourishes were not that hard. We just bought existing uniforms for your school and gave them to Takashi’s embroidery section. Along with your very detailed sketches.” Yoshi opened one of the boxes and pulled out the winter uniform. It was exactly a Ren had envisioned. Ren and Amanda stood staring in wonder at the creation held in Yoshi’s hand.
“Is that really my design?” Ren whispered.
“That it is, Ran-chan. A true vision of loveliness and Lolita fashion. Not to mention completely approved by your school’s board of directors. I talked with them before making the changes. It seems that the board was extremely surprised that their newest students was the designer.” Takashi told her with pride. “I had to make one concession for them. Only your class is to be allowed to wear the new uniforms.”
Amanda giggled. “Oh, I just know that will go over with the rest of the school. We’re already the outcast class. These new uniforms will piss off not only the teachers but the rest of the students.”
“Boy will it ever. I can just see that stuck-up British bitch, Jane Miller in our new uniforms. She’ll have an absolute hissy fit, then shit a ton of gold bricks. Right after she runs to old Iron Panties to report us.” Ren giggled.
“Is this the girl that caused you all those problems on your first day of school?” Yoshi-san snarled.
“Yup, that’s the one. We shouldn’t have to deal with her for much longer though. Her dad is being transferred back home after the Christmas holidays.” Amanda told everyone with a smile.
“I can’t wait until it happens.” Ren snarled. “That bitch has been a constant thorn in my side. I don’t know what I did to piss her off. Whatever it is she can shove it up her ass as she packs.”
“REN!” Yoshi was shocked by the hate in her niece’s voice. “I’ve never heard you hold that much anger for one person before. What has she done to anger you so?”
“Oba Yoshi, please let this go for now. If she doesn’t leave and continues to be a pain. I’ll come to you.” Ren almost begged. “Right now, I’m hungry. Can we go eat now?”
“Okay, I’ll let it go. For now. Let’s go feed the girls Takashi-san.” Yoshi sighed.
The four left the convention floor and center in a much happier mood. In the taxi cab Takashi gave them another surprise. He handed Amanda, Ren, and Yoshi train tickets to Iizuna, Nagano. “I have arranged for the four boxes with the girls’ new uniforms to be sent on to your apartment. I have also made arrangements for you all to enjoy the rest of the girls’ winter break at the Iizuna Kogen ski area in Iizuna, Nagano. When you get back to your hotel rooms tonight you will find suitcases packed with outfits for your time there. All in the Winter Wonderland theme. I hope you girls love them.” Takashi just winked at the looks of surprise on the three women’s faces. “Take the time to relax and enjoy yourselves. You’ve earned it.”
“Don’t worry, Takashi-san. I’ll make sure the girls have a good time.” Yoshi took the tickets with a smile. She quickly slipped the three train tickets into her purse. Just in case Takashi changed his mind. Yoshi continued to smile as the taxicab pulled to a stop in front of The Black Pearl sushi bar. “We must have had a really good Com-con. Thank you for arranging to take care of the girls’ new school uniforms.”
“No problem Yoshi-san. As for the Com-con it was the best one in years, Yoshi-san. I can only attribute our success to these two young ladies. Their ‘twining’ was a major draw throughout the convention.” He chuckled. “Why did you notice the number of Winter Wonderland outfits that were sold this afternoon? Within moments of these girls walking out the doors we were flooded with customers. I won’t even go into the sheer number of outfits that they sold just by walking around the convention floor during their time off.”
They exited the taxicab once it had stopped in front of the sushi bar. The conversation over the convention sales was put on hold while they entered and waited to be seated. Once the small group were seated the conversation was renewed, with Ren opening it up with the first question. “You were saying that this was one of your most successful Com-con, Takashi-san. Do you and Oba Yoshi really make that much on these conventions?”
“Not as much as you would think, Ren-chan. Usually our main income from the Com-cons is the photoshoots we sale to convention goes that want to see how they would look as Lolitas. Unlike most of the other Lolita booths at these conventions we have close to twenty different packages. Most just go for the Sweet or Cosplay Lolita looks. We do get requests for the other looks from time to time.” Takashi explained to the teens. “What made this Com-con so special was the sheer number of outfits that we sold. Not just the photoshoot packages. Whole outfits for first time customers and repeat customers.”
“I thought that you would sell more outfits at something like the Com-con, Takashi-san?” Amanda asked him.
“Sadly, no, kōhai. Most of our Lolita clothing is sold in the small boutique stores like Yoshi-san’s. Normally we only sell five or six outfits a day at the conventions.” Takashi looked down at his tuna. “This is the very first convention where we sold more than twenty per day. All thanks to you two girls.”
“How is that Takashi-san? All we did was stand around and make suggestions to the people who came to our booth. Most of whom were just happy to see what they looked like as Lolitas.” Ren pointed out.
“And THAT is exactly why we had so many sells, Ren-chan. You girls spent the time to find out what your customers were looking for in their outfits. Your simple act was one of true customer relations. Basic empathy for your customers.” Yoshi told the two girls with a smile as she explained. “Which is something that some of our normal booth girls lack. They are not true Lolitas such as yourselves.”
Amanda got a strange look in her eyes. “I thought you would only put true Lolitas in your booths, Yoshi-san?”
“Sadly, finding Lolitas to work the conventions is a trifle harder than people believe. Most would rather walk around enjoying their time with their friends. Not that I blame them. That is what the conventions are for after all. They have always been a gathering of like minded individuals in celebration of life.” Takashi explained right before he popped a piece of tuna in his mouth. “I need to talk with your school’s Headmistress about the upcoming Lolita convention at ski restores. I believe that I can get her to approve of your class taking a winter trip during that time. We will need your classmates to showcase your new School-girl Lolita designs.”
“That is going to be kind of hard Takashi-san. Most of these conventions are held during the school week. That’s just the first problem. No, the second problem. The first problem is who’s going to pay for the trips?” Ren asked. As she went after some Seabass Nigiri. “No offence Takashi-san but that is a lot of Yen to be dishing out.”
“BAH! I’ve spent more on a single trip to Milan or New York for a one day fashion show.” Takashi chuckled. “I could easily pay five such trips to the local ski resorts for your class.”
“If you say so, Takashi-san.” Amanda said as she grabbed her own seaweed wrapped rice and seabass. “You do know that if we do this that we’ll need to supply Winter Wonderland outfits for twenty students?”
“That is not a problem my kōhai. With my factory and distribution connections I can outfit more than two-hundred of your fellow students with ease. My only concern is will your fellow students agree to participate.” Takashi had snapped up a crunchy crab roll as he explained his problem to Amanda.
Both girls stop with chopsticks halfway to their mouths and giggled. They knew that their friends would be jumping at the chance to get away from school for a mid-term vacation. An all-expenses paid winter trip to a ski resort was something any teenage girl would grab onto with both hands. And Takashi was offering this chance to twenty such high school girls. Even Yoshi started to laugh as the implications of what Takashi was saying. The comic relief wrote itself in this situation. Poor Takashi was at a lost as to what was so funny.
Patting his hand Yoshi smiled. “Don’t worry Takashi. I’ll explain it all to you later. For now, let’s just enjoy our sushi. Tomorrow morning me and the girls have to be back in Tokyo.”
The rest of the evening was spent in quiet conversation and eating. At the end of their meal Takashi paid the bill and called for a taxicab. Takashi whish them all a goodnight as he helped them into the taxi. As their taxicab pulled away Yoshi asked to be returned to their hotel. As they traveled through the city, she knew that the girls were tired and needed the sleep. Not to mention that they would had to pack and head home in the morning.
Back in their hotel room Ren fixed the three of them all some tea as they sat around talking about the convention and their plans for the rest of the Christmas break until it was time for bed. Yoshi loved having her niece with her. Even though she missed her sister and her brother-in-law greatly Yoshi felt that she still had the best parts of them in Ren. She also knew that Ren cried herself to sleep still. Not all the time now, just certain nights. Yoshi also knew that Ren was crushing hard on the pretty American teenage girl. Yoshi just hoped that Ren didn’t get her hart broken too badly when Amanda turned down her advances. For now, though she would let things go on as they were. Yoshi knew that some lessons in life always came with pain. And a girl’s first crush being just one of those many painfilled life lessons. And when the inevitable crash came Yoshi would be there to help pick up the pieces. With a big tub of chocolate ice-cream.
When the girls finally went to bed Yoshi took her time cleaning up the tea, and service. One of the many things that Yoshi had come to love about the western style Sheraton hotels was the in suit kitchenets. With the tea service put away Yoshi turned in for the night. She too was looking forward to their trip to the ski resort. It had been a long time sense she had taken a real vacation. She giggled along with the girls at the outfits that Takashi had given them for the trip. They were going to need the outfits in the higher elevations of the mountain resorts. Especially in snow covered ski resort areas of the Iizuna Kogen ski area.
As she laid her head down to sleep Yoshi giggled as she remembered the old wife’s tales her grandmother told her of the Yuki-onna or snow woman. They were also called by many other names depending on the region. They were said to inhabit the cold snow covered areas of the mountainous regions of her country. Yoshi knew that she would be having fun with the girls as she shared those same tales. The train ride wasn’t a long one, but it did have quite a few stops along the way.
The next morning Yoshi dressed to match the two teens. She pointed out that she rarely got the chance to really let her Lolita Flag fly this way. She smiled at both girls saying. “I know that I’m a little older than the normal Lolita out there. I just cannot help myself at times. Too often I am forced to deal with stuffy stiff necked businessmen. To get those men to take me seriously I am forced to dress so conservatively. That sometimes I just want to scream at the top of my lungs.”
“Wow, Yoshi-san I never thought that you would feel that way about what you do.” Amanda told her over a bowl of cereal. “I’ve always seen you as this great Lolita of Lolitas.”
Yoshi just chuckled. “Amanda-chan, one thing you must remember is there are times when even I must conform to the more acceptable standards of society. Usually those times are for business.”
“I never really thought about it that way, Yoshi-san. I just well, always thought that you would have a more toned down or Business Lolita look.” Amanda told her mentor in the ways of the Lolita.
“You know something Amanda-chan. That’s a damned good idea. One that could go over well with the Business class. I’ve never really thought about designing a Lolita Business look. If it could even be done.” Yoshi looked over at Ren. “Well, how about it, Ren? You want to give it a go?”
Ren shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll see what I can come up with aunt Yoshi. Won’t promise you anything, but I’ll give it my best shot. I just need a few days to work the idea over in my head.”
“Oh, you mean like you did with our school uniforms?” Amanda asked excitedly.
“No. This is going to take me a lot longer than just a few days. With the uniforms I already had a foundation to work from and somewhere to go. No, this time, I don’t have a place to start or somewhere to go with the design.” Ren sighed before turning back her breakfast.
Later that morning when the now three Life Style Lolitas left the hotel. They were dressed in Takashi’s Winter Wonderland outfits. During the train ride they were approached by more than a few teenage girls and young women. All with questions concerning their outfits. Questions that they were happy to answer. As they traveled the three gained more and more attention as they answered questions. Mostly the question revolved around their outfits, the main one being were they really warm enough to ski in. Amanda and Ren had the same concern as some of the people asking. Yoshi assured the girls that there was a way to keep warm and still enjoy the slopes of the resort. The easiest way was to wear fleece lined thermal tights under their normal thigh-high socks.
As for the boots they would use matching ski-boots while on the slopes and matching knee-high boots for around the resort. They each had seven outfits in total. Seven for casual wear and five for skiing. The ski outfits were a long the line of Kodona Lolita or Boy Lolita style. Yoshi explain that reason for using the Kodona style was for ease of skiing. Mainly because the style lent itself towards a more active lifestyle, especially for sports.
When the train pulled into Kita-Nagano Station the three women quickly disembarked with their luggage. After a twenty minute wait for a taxicab they were on their final leg up to the Iizuna Kogen ski area and resort. For Amanda and Ren the sight of the snow covered was the first sign that they were about to have a fun filled week. After that it was back to the grindstone of classes and schoolwork.
-----tbc-----