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Chapter 4
After knowing Brian gave up everything just to work at the beach, Brian's boss came to the resort to persuade him to resume work.
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One morning while doing the laundry, Ayumi found a slip of paper with Keiko's address on it in AJ's trousers. Feeling angry, she questioned AJ.
"Is this ojiisan's (Grandpa's) idea?"
"It's over, why do you still probe," AJ pretended to continue his work.
"That means it's his idea."
"Ayumi…Masaru…I…" AJ was tongue-tied.
Ayumi told AJ to say no more and walked off in a huff to find Takako in Nagisa.
At Takako's bar, Ayumi met up with Yuko and Youske. They sensed her unhappiness.
"What's wrong, Ayumi?" asked Youske.
"Takako-san, take a look at this," she handed the note to Takako, "it's okasan's address. Ojiisan asked AJ to take me there."
"But AJ didn't do that."
"Despite so, I can't accept his doing. I should decide this on my own right? It's unforgivable. He did not think about how I would feel." By this time, AJ and Brian reached the bar.
"Ayumi, Mr. Masaru doesn't expect anything from you. Keiko is his daughter. He has to think about how she feels."
"I know, but he has disappointed me by doing so. Who would care about my feelings then? Takako-san, you once encouraged me to decide for my own future, didn't you? Why do not you understand?"
Unexpected, Takako slapped Ayumi on the face.
"It's normal for a mother wanting to see her daughter."
Ayumi looked confused and hurt. She ran all the way back home, crying.
Brian and AJ who saw the incident then explained it to Masaru, who then asked Ayumi out for a talk.
"Ayumi, it's my fault. But you have to apologize to Takako."
"But why?"
"You should know that Takako is waiting for a boy's letter. That boy is only 5 years old. He is her son, whom she gave birth to in Tokyo. However, her in-laws disapproved of the couple, broke them up and took her son away from her. Since then, she stays here and waits persistently for her son's letter despite knowing that it was impossible. Wakori washitaka? (Do you understand?)"
"How can this be? Takako-san told me to decide my own future. It's the parents' fault and that I could stay if I like it here. But now… Adults are always like that. Why?" Ayumi tried to defend herself.
"That's Takako. That's what Takako is."
Upon hearing this, Brian and AJ both felt proud of Takako for being so strong. The 2 were chatting outside the resort.
"AJ, go and have a talk with her."
"Why me?"
"You know, I'm not good in consoling people. I might make things worst."
"But I…" AJ was reluctant.
"You're more experienced in this kind of things. You are good in taking people's hearts. Takako needs somebody to talk to."
So, off AJ went to Nagisa.
As Brian was about to enter the resort, his boss came out to chat with him, asking him to reconsider going back to work in Tokyo. He then asked Brian to gave him a reply before he left. He felt that life at the resort was not suitable for Brian and asked him if he intended to abandon Leighanne in US while he worked here.
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"Iie…(No…) I heard about what happened," AJ was nervous, as he did not know what to say or how to console her.
"Really? So you come to console me."
"Maybe…"
"Then, console me."
After much silence,
"Err…how?"
"Hmm…maybe by giving me a gentle hug or something like that."
"That's not very appropriate." AJ looked away.
"After hearing all this, you must have a bad impression of me."
"No. Nothing of that sort. In fact, I think that you're a gallant woman." To make Takako feel better, AJ decided to embrace her. Just as he was extending his arms, Takako told him that she was only kidding, making him felt embarrassed.
"Is Ayumi still upset?"
"Yeah. But don't worry. She will get over it in a while."
"Okay."
AJ stared at her questioningly.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No, no. You just don't look like a mother of a 5 year-old kid."
"Really?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You breast fed your baby?"
"What kind of question is that? Yeah, I did."
"But your size…"
"Hey, the most important thing is their quality not their sizes." After hearing this, AJ looked down between his legs.
"Then, I'm relieved."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, I understand now. You 're talking about your…" The two then burst out laughing.
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After being prompted by his boss, Brian called Leighanne up to ask how she was. Leighanne was surprised to hear from him and thought that something had happened.
"What happened?"
"Nothing. Everything is fine here."
"Okay."
"Yes…why didn't you stop me from leaving?"
"Did something happen there?"
"No. Am I wrong to come here?"
"You wish to hear me approve of your decision to leave? So that you won't feel guilty?"
"No, you're mistaken."
"So, no matter what, you're wrong. But you wish to try this once, right?"
"Yeah."
"I have shifted house. It's an apartment facing the sea. I believe that it is the same sea that we are looking at," upon saying this, she smiled to herself, as if thinking of Brian, "Since you have decided, work hard. Don't worry about me."
"Thank you. I love you."
"Can I come over for holidays?"
"Sure. You're welcomed anytime. I'll call you again. Bye."
"Bye."
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That afternoon, AJ, Brian and Brian's boss went fishing
"Brian, everyone wishes to be like you. To do as they like. However, this is impossible in reality. When you think of the future, your family, you'll have no choice. That's my opinion of life. Do whatever you please. When you fail, you will regret doing all these foolish things. Your life will be shattered into pieces. I chose the correct path in life. You've got the wrong one. One day when you've totally failed, I'll come back here and bring you back to the real world."
After saying this, the boss thanked Brian for the wonderful vacation before he left. Brian cried silently, touched by his boss's concern.
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"He's a good man. But I can't stand him being so good to you. Don't you regret of your decision? He came because he was worried about you," said AJ.
"I may regret in the future, but now, I feel happy. By then, if I fell from the cloud nine, I'll hate you for this because you are responsible for this. If you hadn't dragged me here, I wouldn't…"
"You are still the same."
Masaru then came to them, feeling furious.
"I can't stand it anymore!"
"What happened, Mr. Masaru?" asked Brian, being concern.
"Look at the stack of bills! The breakfast cost us so much. This is not the first time."
"It's Brian's fault."
"Hey, I only told you to buy the guests' share but you ended up inviting the whole group to come. Stop blaming me."
"Bakka! Stop arguing! I don't care. I'll deduct the lost from your salary. And stop making those long distance calls. Now, I inform you that all the calls that you guys make will be charged."
"Huh?" Brian yelled.
"Cheap-skate," said AJ.
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