Relationships.

I am all set to walk in the direction of Tobichi, a journal shop recommended to me by my friend. The warmest it will be today is 47° F.

That’s really cold. Dressed in my warmest clothes, I set off.

But it’s early still. I have all day to go to Tobichi. I’ll just pop over to the Yasaka Shrine. Apparently, there is a pagoda there that I’ve yet to see.

Once I’m there, I find myself in the middle of a wedding. Yes – an honest-to-goodness wedding is happening at this shrine.

In Japanese culture, sharing an umbrella holds special significance . It means two people are physically close – yes but there is more to it than that.

Very simply put, the couple sharing an umbrella are said to be going in the same direction together. When two people like each other, it can be said idiomatically, that they’re ‘sharing an umbrella’.

I’m not sure if this is the reason the red umbrella is held above the bride and groom, but I’d like to think so.

I take photos of them like so many others, but at the same time, I feel awkward being there, doing that. The couple don’t seem to mind that there are so many onlookers smiling and taking photos of them. They smile at us. He waves.

I leave the wedding and walk and walk but no luck. No pagoda!

However, while pagoda searching, I come across what I think is a talent competition in a bandstand.

I stay for two groups’ performances. The beatboxer in the (red) group is the girl on the far right. She is great! (Remember at this time of day, it’s probably about 45°!)

At this point, I’m so cold I can’t feel my fingers, my nose or my face.

I hurry over to the cafe that has become my favourite. The girls there have reserved a table for me.

There are three girls who always serve my table. Two of them, Ayaka and Megumi, are not shy about speaking English. In fact they often pop over for a chat. Natsuki, on the other hand, is quite shy to speak.

Ayaka has already emailed me to tell me to “dress nice and warm” because it’s very cold outside today.

I order my usual pot of Assam tea and a treat.

The first sip is heaven, its warmth spreading through me.

Today, Natsuki and I have a date to have a conversation in English. We planned it two days ago. She pops over, “Please wait. I finish work. Wait please.”

When she comes, she’s changed into her non-work clothes. Pen and paper in hand (to make notes) she pulls up a chair.

And suddenly, I want to cry. She’s so eager, so excited to have this chance to speak.

We chat for over an hour. I learn many things about her, her kids, her husband who’s a chef, her siblings. She learns words like realize, usually, frequently, keep an eye on – and the word verb.
And for whatever reason, she’s happy to learn that particular word.

She can’t initiate conversation yet but she answers questions and the longer we chat, the longer her sentences become.

Ayaka is the boldest in the group. She’s vivacious and fun!

Ayaka comes over to our table.
She says to me, “Do you have plan for Tuesday night?”
“Tuesday? No, not really.”
“Do you want to eat with us? What kind of food you like?”
She and Natsuki discuss places.
“I think you already try sushi and udon so something else? This okay for you?”

And so Tuesday next, we’re going to a restaurant. Ayaka has it all planned out – the four of us. I don’t know where or how but she tells me to arrive at the cafe at 4:30 and she’ll take it from there.

So I will.

When I’m about to leave, Ayaka says, “I very look forward to Tuesday.”

And I feel myself tearing up again.

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