Chapter 28

28

Akio,

Please do not strike me

from your memory, from the

perfect shape of your

heart. Please let us carry on

as we were, against the world

I’m so sorry for everything. Meet me by the highway 40 sign at 1 p.m. just outside of the imperial property?

Izumi

Hood pulled up, I sprint across the property. I’m winded when I reach Yoshi’s home. The architecture is very similar to Tōgū palace—modern with clean lines, but a touch smaller, not nearly as grand.

A crunch of gravel behind me, the sound of a gun cocking. “Kōgūkeisatsu no meirei de, te o agete kudasai.” I never considered learning Japanese might save my life. Good thing I understand enough to do as ordered. Hands up.

I spin, hands in the air, letter clutched between two fingers. It’s Reina, and her firearm is pointed right at the center of my chest. “Your Highness.” Reina reholsters her weapon and bows deeply. “Forgive me. I mistook you for one of Yoshi’s fangirls.”

“Issokay,” I say, hands still pointed to the sky.

Reina’s gaze is hard. “You can put your hands down.”

I lower them slowly. “Yoshi’s home?” It’s more of a statement than a question; where Yoshi goes, Reina follows. My pulse is still racing. I breathe in and out, brushing off the near-death experience.

She nods to the house. “He’s in there and didn’t get back until three in the morning. Might not even be awake yet. He probably has a bad headache. Talk loudly if you can. In fact, ring the bell, he hates that.”

Wow, Reina, tell me how you really feel. “I’m not supposed to be here,” I say, eyeing the earpiece in Reina’s ear.

She shrugs. “You forget I pulled a gun on you, I forget you were here.”

“Deal.” We bow to each other. Reina melts back into the landscape. I knock on the door, then just for Reina, I ring the bell three times in rapid succession. Wake up. Wake up. WAKE UP.

After a few minutes, Yoshi answers. His hair is disheveled, standing up at odd angles. His V-neck T-shirt is white, and his velour track pants have a sequined gold stripe running up each side. He groans, loud, long, and pained. “I told Reina no visitors,” he shouts to the trees. I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure wherever Reina is, she’s holding up a middle finger. “Oh, it’s you.” Yoshi focuses on me, eyes concerned. “How are you, darling? Holding in there? Is that the phrase? It doesn’t sound right.”

I push back my hood. “You know what happened?”

He scoffs. “Media ban or not, the whole family is aware. The Imperial Household sent a memo.” He smirks, leaning against the door frame. “You dirty, dirty girl. I didn’t know you had a thing for your imperial guard. Now, come in and tell cousin Yoshi all the details. I’ll fix you a drink. What is it Americans say? It must be five o’clock somewhere. I’m sure I got that one right.”

He turns and I fist his T-shirt, pulling him back toward me. “Hands off,” he says with a horrified look. “This is Dior.”

I let go. “Listen, I need you to deliver something to Akio for me.”

Yoshi’s chin goes up. “I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”

“This.” I press the letter into his hands. “Please, it’s important.” I tell him where he lives. “I can’t reach him.”

“Phone was probably confiscated by the Imperial Household Agency.” He turns the letter over in his hands. “What does it say? I’m not sure how wrapped up in your sex scandal I want to be.”

“It’s just to arrange a meeting place. I need to speak with him.”

His face softens. “Izumi. What are you doing? You know nothing good can come of this, right? You can’t possibly think you can date a member of the working class.”

“Sachiko is marrying a commoner.”

“Sachiko is marrying an heir to a rice empire related to the Takamoris. Ryu can support the life she is accustomed to. Takai, takai, takai.” The three words are a well-known cliché, playing off the meanings. Good income, good school, and tall. Ideal characteristics for potential male love interests. He tries to give the letter to me. I step back, refusing to take it.

“Please. For me.”

His sigh is long, resigned. He folds his arms, letter tucked under an armpit. “What happens if he shows? You run away together?”

“If he shows. No running.”

“What happens if he doesn’t?”

Stars will explode. The earth will stop turning. I shuffle my feet, peering at the ground. “I don’t know.” The breath rushes out of me. Japan is Akio. Akio is Japan. I shut my eyes tight, then open them. “Just give him the note. I’m sure he’ll show up.”

Yoshi’s tongue plays behind his cheek. “I’ll take it to him.”

I smile and go in for a hug. “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means.”

He wraps his arms around me. “I know, I know, I am the greatest.” He squeezes, lets go. “And please, I beg you … do something with your hair. You’re not going to win any hearts looking like that.”

“You are the worst, Yoshi. Simply the worst.” I say, but for the first time all day, I’m smiling.

He clutches the letter to his heart. “You’ll never know how touched I am by your words.”

I cross my arms. “I’m pretty sure Reina hates you.”

“Untrue. Blasphemy. She is blinded by her love for me.” He flicks under my chin with the letter. “Happily ever or not with the guard, you’ll be all right. Take it from me. I’ve been in love half a dozen times. You’ll get over him.”

“Sure.” I couldn’t say it less convincingly.

I sprint back to the palace, leaving Yoshi with the letter in his hands. I think about Akio. His generous spirit. His kind eyes. Our kiss. This can’t be the end.