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Chapter Two

Author's Note: Since this chapter is in Japan, Italics indicate English
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Miyamoto Yusuke woke to find someone bending over him. He cringed back, expecting a blow but the lady in the pretty suit said, "Wake. Food." and put a tray on the support she'd pulled down from the back of the seat in front of him. She smiled at him and bowed. Yusuke smiled a bit hesitantly and tried to bow back. He did a creditable job for someone seated, especially at his age.

"Thank you." Yusuke settled to eat as best he could.

The food was interesting; small balls of rice with bits of things he couldn't identify on top of them. There was also a small pile of paper thin slices of pink stuff, a little ball of green paste and some brown liquid in a small pitcher. A pot of tea and a cup completed the setting. He decided he liked flying, especially first class.

He glanced around, seeing his new father seated one row in front of him with Genji-san next to him. Hoshiyo-kun was nowhere in sight. He remembered hearing him say something about 'toyre'.

Yusuke managed his hashi fairly well. He'd had the good fortune of finding that Hoshiyo-kun liked kids. He knew just how to help him learn to use his utensils quickly. Yusuke still wasn't very good with rice but he was sure he'd do better with practice.

He decided to taste the green stuff first, so he picked it up with his hashi and popped it into his mouth. He gasped softly then whimpered, it felt like his mouth was on fire. He felt tears streaming from his eyes. He wanted to spit the stuff out, but he mustn't waste food.

Hoshiyo sat back down and noticed that Yusuke was crying. He shifted so he could see. "Yusuke-kun? What is wrong?" All the boy could do was whimper. "Let me see."

Yusuke opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue. " 'S 'ot."

Miyamoto was reading some important contracts, but he put them away at once when he heard Yusuke speak. He got up and went to him.

"Yusuke, why did you eat all the wasabi? It's not good. Here." He took his silk handkerchief from his pocket and held it under Yusuke's chin. "Spit it out." Yusuke obediently spit the wasabi paste into the handkerchief. "Now," Miyamoto mimed swishing and spitting. "rinse and spit." He handed over a glass of water that the stewardess brought.

Yusuke took a big gulp and swished it around in his mouth. He was presented with a waste can, lined with a plastic bag. He spat the water out into it and rinsed again.

"Better?"

"Yes, Chichi-ue. Thank you. Can I please speak English?"

Miyamoto patted Yusuke on the shoulder and said kindly, "Yes."

"What was that stuff. It was really hot." Yusuke made a face.

"It is wasabi. You are only supposed to put a little in the soy for flavor. Not eat the whole thing. Are you ok?" Miyamoto picked Yusuke up and sat in the seat, placing the boy on his lap.

"Yes, I think so. I'm sorry. I know I'm not supposed to waste food but it was so hot."

"Not your fault. Where was Hoshiyo-san?"

"Um ... in the loo."

"The what?" Miyamoto gave Hoshiyo a 'you better explain quick' look.

He immediately began bowing and apologizing. "I'm sorry. I went to the relievement. It is dirty by the way. I was only gone a moment. I'm sorry."

Yusuke interjected, "Please, Chichi-ue, don't be mad. He told me he was going."

"Ah! A man must do as he must do. You are not hurt. Finish eating. Yes? And no more eating wasabi. Silly boy."