1943. Shanghai. A soldier of the Japanese Army happens by a club one night purely out of boredom. What he expects to find are uncouth drunks. He actually meets a beautiful African-American performer by the name of Beatrice. Throughout the next three...
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sanjuuni
thirty-two
I couldn't get to her fast enough. I moved as fast as I could given the cane but she helped, meeting me more than halfway. She jumped up against me and I wrapped my arms around her. Tears slipped down her cheeks and she pressed her nose against my neck, inhaling my scent. I wasn't sure how pleasant it was, being that I had just been in the yard, planting seeds. It didn't much matter to her and she followed her nose with her lips.
My heart threatened to fail with how fast it was beating but I managed, allowing the emotion to fill my entire body. It was good to have her back in my arms. It was good, so good to hold her against me and feel her breath against mine. I promised myself to never again allow that much time to pass between us.
***
"I missed you so much..." She breathed against him. Letting her back down, he lifted a hand and took hold of her underneath her jaw. Pulling her back against him, he leaned down to press his lips against her cheek. Arm still partially around his neck, her fingers curled up slightly as he kissed her tears. Lifting her other arm, she gently laid it upon the hand that held her jaw.
The scene before them out of a classic poem, the three watched him kiss her nose, brow, to the other wet cheek. Finally to her lips. He let the cane fall out of his hand and lifted it to caress her hair, gently gripping her head.
Humming against him as he deepened the kiss, her open and pliant mouth permitted his tongue entry and the kiss was passionate and wet. Lost in their own world for a moment, the three watching felt as though they were intruding and lowered their eyes. Soon, the sound of their lips separating made them lift them again. Cradling her to his chest, he finally made eye contact with them.
"Thank you for bringing her safely." Aunt Junko smiled brightly, waving a hand.
"No need to thank us, Ikki-chan." Cheeks now warm, he let go of her and cleared his throat.
"Dozo, Dozo. Please" Kneeling, she retrieved his cane, and together, they entered the home, the others soon following.
***
"It's exactly like I remember it, Ichiro-kun." Eyes took in the wide lacquered engawa and open amado to reveal the massive traditional sitting room. He'd placed five low tables, each complete with low chairs and cushions.
"It's incredible. I can't believe you actually lived here." She gawked, careful not to let go of his leading hand. Chuckling, he glanced back at her.
"Is it really that hard to believe?"
"Well, yeah. Hell, you've seen where I grew up."
"You deserve a place like this instead." He mused as he pulled her along. They all entered the room and sat at the arranged tables.
