Yukino went into the adjacent kitchen where her auntie was putting food on the table:
steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, boiled vegetables, salad, and fresh tuna sashimi.
“Would you call Sachie?” asked her aunt.
Yukino went out the back door, up the outside stairs, and opened the door. “Lunch is
ready!” she shouted through the doorway.
“OK,” replied Sachie.
Sachie came down a few minutes later and the three of them began eating.
“Where’s Grandpa?” asked Yukino.
“He’s gone to pick up your uncle from the hospital,” she said, looking at the
clock on the wall. “Should be back in thirty minutes around two o’clock.”
“Konichiwa. Good afternoon,” someone called from the shop.
“Konichiwa,” replied Kumiko, getting up and going into the shop.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” said the man, standing in front of the counter.
“Mr. Mayor, it’s been a long time,” said Kumiko, bowing.
“Yes, it has been,” replied the mayor.
“What can I do for you?”
“Is your father here?” he asked. His middle-aged face was serious and he ran a
nervous hand through his receding hairline.
“No, he’s gone to pick up my husband from the hospital; he’ll back around two.”
“I see,” said the mayor.
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
Sachie stepped into the shop. “Good afternoon,” she said, bowing. She went to
the fridge and took out two cans of peach juice.
“Good afternoon,” replied the mayor and then returned his attention to Kumiko.
“We are worried about Mr. Nemoto and his grandson; they haven’t returned from
fishing.”
“He’s a very experienced fisherman. I wouldn’t worry about him too much.”
“Yes, I know, but another fisherman reported seeing some smoke rising from the
ocean in the vicinity of where he was supposed to have been trawling.”
Sachie stopped dead in her tracks and looked at the mayor.
“Something wrong?” asked her mother.
“I forgot to report it,” she said, putting her hand to her mouth.
“Forgot to report what?” her mother asked.
“I saw smoke coming from one of the fishing boats when I was on the
mountain.”
“This morning?” asked the mayor.
“Yes,” replied Sachie nodding. “I was going to report it to the harbor master, but
the earthquake and…I forgot. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s OK,” said the Mayor. “But where did you see the boat?”
“It was a few kilometers to the south,” she replied. “It looked as if it was
drifting.”
“Thank you,” said the Mayor. “I have to get back to the city office and report
what Sachie said.”
“I see,” said Kumiko, bowing.
He returned her bow and turned to leave just as Yuta entered the shop. “How are you
Yuta?”
“I’m fine,” he replied.
The mayor left.
Sachie went back into the kitchen and sat down; she was in deep thought.
“Sa-chan,” said Yukino, using the more casual title. “What was all that about?”
“Nothing,” replied Sachie. “No-brainer’s in the shop.”
“What?”
“Yuta—he just came in.”
Yukino’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m not lying, you idiot.”
Yukino went to the door and stopped. “I need to speak to you about something.”
“About what?” snapped Sachie.
“Your boyfriend.”
Sachie’s jaw dropped open and then her eyes blazed into her like red-hot spears
—she almost laughed with rage. “Don’t push me!” she warned acidly.
Yukio didn’t drop her gaze and her words were as calm as her eyes. “We need to talk.”
Sachie could feel her blood boiling and steaming beneath her skin. “Mind your
own business!” she rasped hoarsely.
“Let’s talk later.” Yukino stepped into the shop. “Hi!”
“Hi,” replied Yuta. A shy grin brushed his lips.
Kumiko, knowing the two lovebirds needed some privacy, exited the room.
“I was wondering if three o’clock would be OK to come and pick you up?”
Yukino blushed, not because of her shyness, but because her pounding heart
was sending blood rushing to her face. “That’ll…be…fine,” she stammered.
“Good,” he replied.
They stood there in awkward silence, neither knowing what to say next.
Sachie came into the shop and took out an iced tea from the fridge and looked at
them. “Interesting conversation you two are having. Has the cat got both your stupid
tongues?”
Yukino glared at her.
“Well, see you at three,” said Yuta, taking the cue to escape.
“Can I come too?” asked Sachie mockingly.
Yukino threw her a glance, which meant a lot more than ‘Fuck you cousin Sa-
chan.’
**
“We seem to be drifting further out to sea?” said the grandson.
“Your right,” said the grandfather. His nerves twisted like worms in his stomach
and he looked frayed as if ready to snap.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” he replied, trying to keep his words calm, but he could feel doom
contracting around him—something was in the air—he could smell it, and it reeked of
death, almost making him puke.