Eriko

13. Ashita made matsu (wait until tomorrow)

Kade worked hard day and night upon learning the Japanese language and now he was able to communicate in basic words, he never revealed his language learning to Eriko or her father as he had decided to surprise Eriko by proposing to her on Japanese New Year.

It was December 31st, after the college Kade went to meet Eriko, Eriko and her father were discussing new years plans and the temple they will visit, suddenly they noticed Kade entered the restaurant, "Here is our young man?" greeted the old man. The old man was fastening the three small bamboos that were cut diagonally, Pine tree branches and sprays of plum trees and tying them together with the help of straw rope. "What is it?" asked Kade to the old Man, "this is called Kadomatsu, our new year tradition. Eriko is preparing Kagamimochi and Shimekazari, these are our traditional symbols of welcoming God" replied the old man. "I see, let me help you as well," Kade offered his participation in their traditional work. He went to support Eriko. While he was helping her he looked at Eriko "Anata wa utsukushī (you look beautiful)" said Kade slowly, as he spoke Eriko stunned and froze, she thought, did he just speak in Japanese? Kade didn't pronounce it well but it was good enough to understand, Eriko looked at Kade with surprise. Kade realized he made a mistake, he was going to ruin his plan so looked down to pretend he did not say anything. By controlling his exciting emotions he said to himself "just wait until tonight, tomorrow you can speak as much as you want in Japanese, you will ruin tomorrow's plan completely". Eriko was about to ask if Kade just spoke in Japanese but then suddenly she was interrupted by the old man "Owatta? (are you done?). Asked the old man. "Hai (yes)" replied Eriko, again she looked at Kade but Kade was still looking down to show he didn't say anything

They decorated their house and restaurant for a new year's celebration. They all were very happy with this decoration "Kade, bring your auntie as well tomorrow with you. We can celebrate the new year together" requested the old man. "But she went to meet her younger sister in a different town, she had asked me to come along but I couldn't skip my college so I stayed here" replied Kade, but in reality he stayed especially for Eriko, he was waiting for new years day to express his feelings to Eriko in her own language and surprise her. He didn't want to miss the expression on her face when he will propose to her

By this time one customer visited the restaurant and the old man got busy with him, Eriko recalled she wasn't mistaken that Kade had spoken in Japanese a while ago, she looked at Kade with sweet suspicion "Izen ni nihongo o hanashimashita ka (did you speak Japanese earlier) asked Eriko in soft voice "Oh! Oo!" Kade said to himself and he understood what she was asking, Kade made his facial expression as he couldn't understand what she was saying. Kade decided to leave before she found out his secret. But Eriko asked again, "Izen ni nihongo o hanashimashita ka (did you speak Japanese earlier) with little tears in her eyes and hoping the answer from Kade this time as she was sure she wasn't mistaken, at this time Kade felt little pain inside, he didn't want to reveal his plan but he couldn't resist himself as he could see the tears in her eyes, so Kade gave a little hint to Eriko "Ashita made matsu (wait until tomorrow)" said Kade, he smiled and winked at Eriko and left the restaurant. Now Eriko was confirmed she wasn't mistaken, Kade was speaking in Japanese, at that time many questions were going through her mind, "how did he learn Japanese? Did he learn the language so he could communicate with me? but why would he do that unless..., unless..he loves me too!!" Eriko keep asking different questions to herself with smile and excitement in her heart, she kept thinking about what he meant by wait until tomorrow? She had got a gut feeling what he meant by that, but she wanted to hear those words coming from Kade tomorrow. Now Kade and Eriko both were very excited and waiting for tomorrow for the new year's day!