Kawashita started taking off his shoes, and I followed his lead. Mayuki-san stood. The first thing I noticed was she was only as tall as Nanami. I paused and hesitated to step on the porch. Standing next to her would make me feel too tall and older. But Mayuki-san's lips curled into a teasing smile. She muttered something to Kawashita.
My hesitation eased. It didn't matter. I watched Kawashita's brows knitted, but there was a grin on his face.
Mayuki-san turned to me. "I'm delighted you could make it, Matsumoto-san. You're as beautiful as Akira-kun described you. Do you mind if I call you, Reiko?"
The heat rushed into my cheeks. Just how much did Kawashita talk about me? I nodded, stepped up and wore the slippers, taking in Mayuki-san's features. Her face was round with high cheekbones and wide puffy eyes. She was the definition of perfect girl guys adored. I envied her a little. Not only because she was beautiful. She seemed to fit perfectly in Kawashita's family.
"Why don't you take her to her room, Akira-kun? She must be tired and hungry," she said, "I'll bring in lunch firsthand."
See, perfect. I already liked her.
"Where's Aniki?" Kawashita stood beside me.
I glanced around. The lobby was empty except for Mayuki-san. His parents weren't around to welcome us as well. Did that mean something?
"He's just checking a mistake in one of the reservation." Mayuki-san grinned. "He'll be so happy to meet you, Reiko. He was naggi—ouch!" She glared at Kawashita but quickly replaced it with a small smile, regarding me. "Otou-san and Okaa-san will be back tomorrow. They're sorry that they couldn't be here to welcome you, but they made sure that you'll feel at home and enjoy your stay here."
I blew in a breath but kept a small smile. I was glad they weren't here right now, but the gravity of making a good impression sunk in and clouded my mind. It was overwhelming like a wave trying to swallow me and nerve-wracking all at the same time. Not because I felt obligated to return the favor for letting me stay at their inn for free. I wanted to impress them. I wanted them to like me.
When I snapped out of my thoughts, Kawashita was waiting for me to follow him. I stepped forward when it hit me, remembering my momentary lucidity in the haze of excitement that I actually prepared something. My imagination didn't include a massive inn and a lofty lobby with a front desk that looked over a garden through glass sliding doors, but still, I remembered to bring a gift.
I approached Kawashita and got my other bag from him. After taking out the box of sake, I ambled towards Mayuki-san, careful not to tower over her.
"Please keep this refrigerated." I handed the box to her with both hands.
"You shouldn't have, but thank you." She leaned in closer. "I'm jealous of you, Reiko. You're naturally good at this. I'm sure Okaa-san would have loved you already."
My heart sang with the praise. I smiled and bowed a little before leaving and following Kawashita as he led me to a lounge area then into the hallway, passing a staircase on the right. I also had a glimpse of the small red wooden bridge over at the pond in the inner garden before we veered to the left.
A long hallway stretched out. Lines of shoji screens were on the right and glass doors on the left which had a view to a simpler garden with tall bamboo fences. Everything seemed to be at a standstill like we were the only one there. I walked more softly, afraid to disturb the peace.
After another left, we continued into a dark and narrow hallway until we reached a wooden door. A gust of cold dry air and brighter surroundings greeted us. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting. There was a shorter open hallway that led past the tall bamboo walls into a one-floor building that was as long as the main one. Its roofs were simpler, just a straight slope and its hall had no sliding glasses doors.
Kawashita slunk to the left towards it and stopped without warning. I staggered, my nose almost hitting his back.
"I usually go through the back entrance, but I wanted to show a glimpse of the inn." He turned to me, beaming before he slid open the door. "It isn't much, but I cleaned it."