“Not much. Make sure there’s enough whiskey and snacks like chips and nuts.”
“That’s easy enough.”
Mom gets up and places our empty mugs by the sink, then says, “Show me your pottery.”
We head outside, and I gesture to the wall where all my pots are lined up.
“Jesus, Yuki!” Mom gasps. “You made these?”
I soak up her response to my art, pride and warmth flooding my chest. “You can take a couple.”
“If you don’t stop me, I’ll steal them all.” She picks up a round-bellied pot that’s decorated in earthy colors. “God, I have one hell of a talented daughter-in-law.”
We hear a car coming up the driveway, and I turn to watch Mr. Vitale park the SUV. I walk closer, and after hugging Bianca and Sienna, I hang back with Mr. Vitale as they walk to where Mom is still admiring my clay pots.
“How were things after I left?” Mr. Vitale asks.
“It was tense, but eventually it got better.” I meet his eyes, then say, “Thank you for helping me yesterday.”
He rubs my shoulder, smiling at me. “You’re welcome.”
Feeling awkward, I begin to fidget while my eyebrows draw together.
Mr. Vitale tilts his head, concern flashing over his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Is it okay if I call you Dad?”
A smile spreads over his face again, and wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he gives me a sideways hug. “Of course it is. You didn’t need to ask.”
Relief eases the awkwardness in my chest, and as we walk toward the other women, I murmur, “You raised an amazing son.”
“I know.” He brushes his hand over my back in a comforting way. “Thank you for making him happy.”
I let out a chuckle. “He’s the one doing most of the work.”
Augusto
After we landed in Tokyo, Ryo took us to the monastery where he was trained.
As we walk past the temple to the rooms we’ll be staying in, the air feels weirdly peaceful considering we’re here to go to war with Tanaka.
All the buildings are made of dark wood, and the surrounding nature and trees are green, lending to the serene ambiance.
“You trained here?” I ask Ryo as we stop in the doorway of a room that only has a low coffee table and two mats.
“Shoes off,” he mumbles while taking his off. “Yes. I trained behind the temple.”
While I crouch to remove my boots, I watch as my men are taken to other rooms where they’ll sleep.
Lorenzo, however, comes toward me. Being overprotective, he refuses to leave me alone with Ryo.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Take off your shoes,” I tell him. “It’s their culture.”
I’ve been doing some research on all things Japanese so I can incorporate the important things into Yuki’s homelife. I don’t want her to change everything about herself to fit in with me.
When we enter the room, Ryo gestures to a mat. We sit by the table, and it feels like I have to fold myself in half to sit by the table.
