“And this telescope is clearly saying that it desperately needs to be cleaned. Sorry. I have some paper towels in the kitchen.” He stood up and paused mid-step. “Um…do I have a kitchen? I’m not sure how this ferry thing works.”
“You do not.” Hana wiped her hands on the front of her coat. “You only get one room.”
“Just one room? Good thing this isn’t a date then.” Keishin chuckled.
“What is a date?”
“Wait. You don’t know what a date is?”
“Am I supposed to?”
“Well…uh…it’s when two people try to get to know each other better. They go to dinner. Watch a movie or a show. And when things go well…they…uh…”
“They visit each other’s homes?”
“Er…yes. They…um…visit.”
“Like what we are doing now.”
Keishin nodded. “Like what we are doing now.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“What else do people do on these visits? Why is this room insufficient? What other rooms do they require?” She sank deeper into an oversized cushion, placing her hands on her lap. “This room is quite pleasant. I do not find it lacking in any way.”
“You know what? You’re right. This is a perfectly good room.”
“It is.”
A quiet settled over the living room like a layer of dust neither Hana nor Keishin seemed willing to disturb. Keishin shifted his weight on the couch, making the leather squeak.
“Have you taken many lovers home?” Hana asked as though she were asking something as mundane as the time.
Keishin coughed. “Lovers?”
“That is the purpose of a date, is it not? To find a match?”
“Well…I…”
“Marriage is different in my world. It is a duty just like everything else in our lives. All you need to know about your future spouse is their name.” She ran a finger over her right hand, tracing the invisible path paper cranes flew over in the rain. “We have no use for dates.”
Keishin stared at the bare skin on her arm, wondering if another man’s name might be etched on it. He shoved the thought away. “Then…um…maybe this could be your first date. I mean…that is, if you want it to be.”
Hana smiled, quirking a brow. “I thought that you needed to have dinner first and see a show?”
“Those are optional. Rice cakes and dusty telescopes are all you really need to make it official.”
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely. We’re just missing one more thing.” He walked over to a tall window.
“And what would that be?”
“A view. Mr. Li’s Chinese takeaway is across the street. They have the best chicken chow mein. It’s why I chose this apartment.” He tugged the curtains back. Black clouds swirled behind the glass, their outline illuminated by bolts of lightning streaking through the dark. Keishin jolted back.
“We are sailing over the Sky Sea,” Hana said. “In quite a storm. I’m sorry.”
