Chapter 34
Of Ageing
Elyna’s twenty-second birthday unfolded in chaos she hadn’t anticipated.
It began when her father and Aksel called from Cornwall, half asleep from jet lag but looking joyful.
Her mother had gifted her a deep blue scarf that felt like a dream, and she’d been preparing to spend a quiet afternoon reading an enthralling novel; now that the culture festival was over, the rhythm had mellowed.
But fate had other ideas. Or, namely, Shūji. He’d popped up with the energy of a natural disaster, Satsuki in tow. The prankster wouldn’t reveal the suspicious conversation he’d had with Katrine before he dragged her out beneath grey—and freezing—skies.
To say she felt unsettled was an understatement.
And now, after a good Karaoke session, Elyna was wrangling with the dried squid Shūji had gifted her. “I can’t believe you offered me surume,” she exclaimed.
“It’s traditional!” Shūji smirked, never one to be undone.
Elyna hesitated; could she toss it away before it spoiled her leather satchel? No, Satsuki would be saddened. “It smells like death warmed over,” she whined, foraging for a plastic bag to contain the smell. Some birthday girl she was, wandering the streets with a dead appendage!
“It’s supposed to be grilled and shredded,” Satsuki piped in, unfazed by her reluctance to stash the item in her bag. “Or rehydrated and marinated. It’s really good with spicy dip sauce.”
“Well, I liked your hand warmers better.”
Satsuki beamed while Elyna repressed an unladylike snort, glaring at the boy walking by her side. One day, he would eat that infuriating smirk.
Marinated and rehydrated, huh?
An evil idea slowly seeped into her mind, and Elyna allowed silence to replace their banter as she plotted her revenge.
“Don’t tell me you’ll reject your boyfriend’s birthday present now. I chose the best of the best!”
Elyna froze, the word rebounding in her mind like a super ball. “What the heck are you talking about?” Her tone was too sharp, and Shūji smirked in satisfaction.
“Your mother thinks we’re dating.”
Jaw slack, Elyna struggled to process the information. Was that the object of Katrine’s secret discussion with Shūji in the kitchen? To assess her new boyfriend? The very idea sat ill in her chest.
“How did she come with such an inane thing?”
She slid a glance at the boy by her side; with her heels, they walked shoulder to shoulder. “Well, I walked you to school and took care of your bag for a month, so…”
Oh my God, the accident… he’s right!
“I hope you dissuaded her…”, she growled, threatening.
Shūji just shrugged, eyes twinkling with mischief. “No way, it’s too—”
Satsuki grabbed his sleeve. “Shūji-senpai!” she protested, aghast. “You can’t…” There was anxiety in her voice, something deeper than a mere scolding. “If the school starts thinking you are dating…” Her brows were deeply furrowed, testament to her worry.
“It’s just a joke for her mother, Sacchan.” Shūji softened.
Wide, brown eyes turned to Elyna. “But if she ever spoke to… someone, you’d both be in trouble. And the administration too.”
Satsuki’s plea landed true, creating a hollow in her stomach. The situation was complicated enough, with most of the students thinking she was a lesbian. Better stop the rumour mill now. But their national prankster remained unconvinced.
“Fat chance of that,” Shūji drawled lazily. “The ice queen wouldn’t stoop so low as to spend time talking to lowly school people. Yuck”
The nickname was earned, but it hurt all the same. Affection and resentment tangled together, familiar companions when it came to her mother.
“You worry too much, Sacchan.” Shūji ruffled Satsuki’s hair, the gesture gentler than usual.
Elyna broke eye contact to breathe in the frigid air. The wind stung her cheeks and she tightened her birthday scarf. “Bah, I’ll tell her the truth tonight. No need to fuss, Satsuki-chan.”
Shūji levelled her with an unimpressed look, one eyebrow arching. His expression said coward as clearly as if he’d spoken it aloud. She glared back, the surume crinkling in her tight grip.
“Tch!!” Shūji spat, flinging his arms into his pockets like a schoolboy. “You’re taking all the fun away. I bet Katayū-sensei would get his ass kicked big time if—”
“OK,” Satsuki cut in, finger extended to the other side of the street. “That’s the bakery!” A row of cakes was displayed behind an immaculate shop front, warm lighting making the fruits gleam. The little lady pushed on ahead, leaving a bewildered Shūji behind. Impressed, Elyna smirked.
“Where’s Haruki-kun, by the way?” she asked as they crossed the street. Even though she doubted Haruki would ever accept to sing in public, their little group felt strangely empty without his stoicism.
“At the dōjō,” Shūji’s voice announced from behind them. “Training for nationals.”
The colour drained from Satsuki’s face so quickly that Elyna thought she might faint. Her dark eyes widened in panic. “Shouldn’t you be there?”
Shūji’s confident stride faltered, a flash of guilt passing over his features before the mask of indifference took over. “Ah. Yes. I’m going, I’m going,” he laughed, but his forced mirth felt almost painful.
“Katayū-sensei is gonna blow a gasket,” she huffed, exasperated.
The young man fished his phone out of the pocket of his elegant jacket. “Ah, not a gasket, but my phone yes,” he muttered, his jaw tensing.
Elyna shook her head; how the boy expected to dodge that bullet was beyond her. Did he hope to get drunk enough to pull a sickie? In a country where alcohol consumption was prohibited before twenty? The way he treated his instructor, in particular, didn’t sit well with her.
If at first she’d seen Katayū as a slave driver who pushed his brightest pupils to glory, she now had enough experience to grasp the bigger picture. It was a win-win situation to which Katayū dedicated hours, sweat and time. But all the man got in return was childish resistance.
Elyna stopped in the middle of the street and levelled Shūji with an accusatory look. “This is bullying, Shūji. I can’t believe you’re bullying people who dedicate their time and effort for you!”
“Mind your own business, Elyna-chan,” the young man scoffed. Irked, Elyna latched onto his jacket before he could bolt like a cornered rabbit, her grip unyielding. His muscles tensed beneath her hold but he didn’t fight her.
“You are going to the dōjō and making amends!” she exclaimed.
“Nonsense, Katayū's paid for it, isn't he?"
No he isn't, you ungrateful brat! Her patience finally snapped and Elyna exploded.
“There’s no power to be found here! Whatever your reasons, whatever happened to you is NOT a justification. Don’t you see you’re working against the wrong people?”
Something dangerous flickered in his expression as he took a step forward; face to face, he wasn’t taller than her, but the power in his frame, the violence hidden beneath the layers of civility, was frightening.
Elyna’s blood rushed in her veins, urging her to flee. Rather than uttering excuses, Shūji looked like a cat considering his next kill; his attention was unnerving.
It was Satsuki who broke the standstill, surprising them both as she reached for Shūji’s sleeve.
Her soft voice cut through the tension with the efficiency of a blade.
“Ano… I think. I think…” she trailed off, then took a deep breath to gather her courage, and met Shūji’s eyes. “Shūji-senpai. What you’re doing is…”
Shūji pinned her with a frosty look that caused her to gulp, gaze dangerous. Her slight frame crumpled beneath the weight of his venom. “Say it?” he urged, his voice dangerously low.
Satsuki closed her eyes, fists clenching in their soft purple gloves. “It’s just mean, Shūji-senpai!”
Shūji took a step back, as if slapped by the innocent word.
Then he deflated, murderous mood dying, leaving only a wreck in its wake.
Elyna watched Satsuki carefully—cheeks red, frame shivering—seeing how much the confrontation had cost her.
Did the little lady know she had more power than anyone?
What her rebuke could accomplish when countless arguments miserably failed?
“We’re all going,” Satsuki finally declared, filled with newfound resolve. “After we get the cake.”
“Really, there’s no need,” Elyna tried to deflect, dizzy from the confrontation.
“It’s your birthday. There will be cake.”
Hoping it would settle Satsuki’s mood, she allowed her to buy a strawberry monster topped with clouds of whipped cream. Hopefully, it would serve as a peace offering for Katayū.
I love raspberry better.
The walk to the dōjō was bleak, weighted with Shūji’s ill mood and Satsuki’s bulldozer approach to quell her anxiety. Stuck between them, Elyna wondered why she was still following, the increasing chill slowly seeping into her tired bones.
Perhaps I could just jump on a train… Should I? It’s my birthday after all, right?
By the time they reached the traditional building, the sun was already dipping towards the horizon, painting the clouds in rusty shades that brought a little colour to a morose evening.
Not unlike a certain someone’s hair.
Satsuki froze on the doorstep, suddenly very aware that inside prowled an angry Vice Principal. Shūji stopped by her side, as if challenging her to go through with her plan.
Elyna bypassed them both with an even stride, fed up with their antics, and very ready to retreat home. Feet silent, she followed the long corridor and shed her shoes before entering the training room. As she rounded the sliding screen, the dōjō came into view.
Elyna’s breath caught.
Wow.
Aksel: Hey Elyna, mum called. She told me she met your boyfriend? and, erm, she gave him stuff, ya know?