Vena Cava (Medicinal Love Book Two) IN HIATUS

Chapter 6

June 6th, 2012 | 9:25 am

Pride filled Aija's heart as she finished yet another set of Japanese words on Rosetta Stone. Bored of having to sit around the house while her fiance was setting things up for a new clinic nearby, Aija was determined to learn more about the language that would soon become a part of the rest of her life. Learning just the basics to get by was a good start. The atmosphere around her was peaceful while she sat at Hikaru's desk on her laptop. She took a moment to glance outside at the courtyard where Hikaru had his larger bonsai's out in the fresh air. A gray capped greenfinch landed on the railing of the patio giving a chance for Aija to admire it before it turned and flew back into the sky, no doubt looking for its late breakfast.

She wished for a minute that she was the bird, out there taking in all of Kyoto's sights and wondered when she and Hikaru would even have a chance to explore them. It wasn't like she was in a hurry to get home. She didn't have a job yet but in Aija's mind, that was even worse as it gave her more to think about all day long.

The door sliding open alerted Aija as she came out of the bathroom. Hikaru was at the hospital and away from Aija's side once again and so she really wasn't expecting anybody but Fue today. However, seeing that Fue was already in the residence, Aija was even more confused.

"Fue-san, are we expecting visitors today?" she asked and as the housekeeper gave her a just as confused glance she explained that somebody was at the door. Fue put down her cleaning rag and hurried to the front only to smile and bow.

"Kanojo wa koko ni imasu ka? Is she here?"

"Hai. Koko ni."

Aija could hear somebody say and she immediately knew who it was. Auburn hair came into her view as the one who had it turned the corner with a huge dazzling smile.

"Aija!"

"Asami!" Aija's laugh joined her future sister-in-law's as came into her arms to embrace her. "Oh, it's so good to see you! I haven't seen you since March!"

Asami broke the hug with an exasperated sigh. "I know, I know! But no rest for the weary when you're a college student, love."  It was true, since Hikaru's beautiful proposal, Asami had made her way back to school to finish her sophomore year. Aija would never forget how amazing her flute sounded on that fateful day and she felt blessed to have Asami as her sister since she never had any siblings growing up.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you know Hikaru's at the hospital?" Aija smiled at Fue who bowed and went into the kitchen to clean, all the while ushering Asami into the living room as if she knew the house more than Hikaru's own sister did. She took in her white sheer-like blouse and her light pink shorts covered in colorful flowers. The style of her hair was in two plaits along her neck. Her presence was already such a dazzling light in the house and she had only arrived ten minutes ago.

Asami took a seat on the tatami putting her purse to the side. "Oh, yes. I went there first to see my father and ran into him. Aniki told me you were here. He seems pretty busy trying to get settled with the clinics."

Trying not to feel bitter but failing miserably, Aija muttered, "At least one of us is busy," Asami went quiet but her eyes questioned everything. Aija sat down across from Asami and let her feelings go. "I've been here since the beginning of the month, Asami and I still haven't seen as much as Kyoto as I would have liked. I mean we only went out to dinner and even then it was so late and so dark that I barely got a chance to see anything. Not to mention, sake and me don't seem to mix apparently."

Asami didn't want to ask about that situation but she did frown in confusion.  "Hikaru hasn't taken you...anywhere?"

"Just the one restaurant and the hospital to meet Tomio. But he's been out quite frequently. Business meetings, setting up the clinic, and business dinners with his father. Things I have no business being around."