Living In The Shallows (UK Crush #1)

Chapter Thirty

That first day back was technically a "free day", though the boys had a fun day planned. They had somehow organized an intercontinental BZG tournament with a bunch of their friends, and planned to spend the entire day in their rooms in their underwear or something, drinking, eating crap, and playing.

I, too had plans, which I had shared with no one. When my grandparents died, we hadn't had enough money for both of us to go to the funeral, so I had remained home while my mother had gone alone. I had never even visited their graves. I needed to go. When I'd first arrived in Tokyo, I'd been too jet lagged and too insecure in my new job to even ask, but I knew now that no one would care if I took the day and went.

They had been buried at the temple just down the street from where they'd lived, which was very unusual, considering how urban the area was. Most people were buried in suburban areas outside the cities, but my grandfather had longstanding ties to the local temple, and they had space for both of them there. I had spent so many pleasant summer evenings at the temple, and I was looking forward to seeing it again. The summer festivals, the evening fireworks, so many summertime activities revolved around the temple, it was like my backyard.

I hadn't let anyone there know I was coming; I didn't want anyone to fuss over me. I didn't know if I was up to seeing anyone, honestly. I just wanted to pay my respects to my grandparents, to say goodbye, and maybe to see their house.

I put on a pale blue linen sleeveless dress with eyelet lace trim, but I wasn't happy with my hair. It was just too hot to leave it down, but my usual bun just looked too severe. I wanted to look happy and young to see my obachan and ojiichan, not serious and depressed.

I went to find Gethin. They were busy moving the sofa closer to the TV and ordering up enough food to last for at least a week.

"Geth? Honey? Will you do my hair?" I put my hand on his back. He turned to me.

"Did I hear you call me 'honey'?" He stroked my crazy hair. "How can I say no to that? Come and sit down, little one, let's get this done." He sat me on the bed.

"So where are you going all prettied up on your day off?" he inquired as he brushed my hair.

"Oh, just some personal stuff I haven't had time for," I answered vaguely, "you know, people I haven't seen in a while, shopping I haven't had time for, junk like that."

"All finished," he proclaimed, dropping a kiss on the crown of my head. "You look lovely, poppet. Whoever you're going to see today's going to get a real treat, love."

These words pushed me over the edge, and I hugged him, murmuring thank you into his chest and winning my daily battle with my tears. I held onto him much longer than would be considered normal or possibly even decent, but there was no one to even see us except the boys, who were busy turning the room into BZG Central, so who cared? He didn't let go until I did, and I loved him for that; he just stood, rubbing my back and humming softly.

"I love you, Geth," I stood on tiptoe to drop a chaste kiss on his cheek. He kissed me back.

"Love you right back," he said, looking in my eyes as he let me go.

I went back into my room to put on my shoes. I was gathering my purse and sunglasses when I got a knock on my door. I opened it to find Betsey, looking upset and holding a stapled sheaf of papers. She was FOFOM about some paperwork, and it took a few minutes to get her sorted out and calmed down.

"Oh, thank you, love," she hugged me. "I know this was your day off, I'm sorry to bother you, and I'm so glad I didn't take up too much of your time. Oh, thank you thank you thank you!"