Tokyo Love (11 page)

Then Yuriko smiled, easy and familiar. “Thanks.” She looked down, extending one leg beneath the skirt. “I mean, it's sort of a strange situation, but thanks. I guess I'm kind of flattered.” She actually looked a little more confused than flattered. Kathleen thought she sort of understood that emotion.

“Yeah, it is a pretty strange situation.”

Yuriko turned to the mirror. “Make sure to update me whenever you figure out what went wrong with Ai. I'm rather interested to see the results.”

“Sure. Yeah, definitely.”

There was still a lump in Kathleen's throat, but the tension was gone. The kind of tension Kathleen hadn't even realized had formed between them. She returned the smile, finding it easily came to her lips. “But honestly, even though you can rock an outfit like that, I don't want Ai drawing that much attention.” Yuriko smiled, eyes glimmering a little more than before. “Okay, something else.”

They ended up settling for some rather bland shirts and pants and a pair of cheap shoes. It wouldn't look hideous, like Kathleen's clothes, nor would they be too stylish. Hopefully Ai would just fade into the background and no one would notice.

As they were leaving, Yuriko took Kathleen's wrist. “Hey, there is a great curry place here. Want to grab some?”

“I've never had curry that didn't come out of one of those packets.”

Yuriko snorted. “You are really pathetic sometimes.”

Kathleen made a face, but she was willing to put up with some teasing if she got some decent food in her stomach. She hadn't eaten since that morning. It was only when they had been walking down the hall for some time did Kathleen realize that Yuriko hadn't let go of her wrist. It was a little surprising, but Kathleen found she didn't mind. She was half-dead on her feet and if she didn't get any food in her stomach, she would probably pass out.

Kathleen had never eaten in any sort of Japanese restaurant before. This one looked like a bunch of seats facing a bar table, which the waitresses walked up and down between, handing out food from the kitchen. Yuriko took a seat and motioned for Kathleen to sit next to her. A waitress immediately appeared, handing them a couple cups of water and a menu. Kathleen noticed hers was in English. She spoke to Yuriko briefly and then walked away.

The only Japanese curry that Kathleen knew was the brown gravy-like sauce with soft potatoes and carrots that came out of an instant packet. The only reason she knew of that stuff was because Fukusawa ate it almost every day at his desk. It was ridiculously easy—just heat it up in a microwave and add some instant rice.

This place was way more elaborate than that. They had more types of meat, including fish and shrimp. The curry sauce came in all sorts of colors from yellow to green. The English menu wasn't very helpful, barely giving enough broken description for Kathleen to understand.

Yuriko leaned over. “Do you like your curry spicy?”

Kathleen once had spicy Indian curry in America. She wasn't afraid to admit that it made her cry from the heat. “Ah, no. I like mild.”

“They have a good vegetarian curry here. But there are also some great meat options.”

“Um, I'll take whatever you think is good.”

“Even squid?”

Kathleen shrugged. “If you think it is good.”

Yuriko smirked. “Are you telling me that you are one of those types that is actually an adventurous eater, but you are too afraid to go out to even find adventurous food?”

Kathleen folded her menu and took a sip of her water. “If you are asking if that I'm pathetic, then I'll have you know that I tried all sorts of food back in America. It's just a little different ordering here.” She looked up and down the bar, finding mostly people eating alone, wearing their business attire. At least she and Yuriko matched in that way.

Yuriko flagged down the waitress and ordered. Kathleen didn't know if she should be grateful or a little peeved that the waitress didn't bother looking in her direction. Once the waitress left, Yuriko turned to her, resting her chin on one hand. “So, what is the craziest thing you've ever eaten?”

“Well, I've had squid.”

“Let me guess, fried and breaded calamari?”

“It's hard to find it any other way in the Midwest! But I've also had beef and kidney pie and haggis and—”

“Is your family from the UK or something?”

“
And
Christmas pudding!”

“Christmas pudding?” Yuriko sounded curious.

Kathleen sat up a little straighter. “You've never had traditional Christmas pudding, have you? Well, imagine an over-spiced fruitcake that you soak in brandy, and then leave around for
weeks
, while periodically soaking it in more brandy. Then you light it on fire at the dinner table.”

Yuriko chuckled. “I can't decide if that sounds wonderful or terrible.”

“It's terrible, because it's hopelessly hard and dry and full of fruit. And it's wonderful because it only tastes like brandy.”

Their food arrived. Kathleen felt her heart quicken at the sight of fresh white rice with a wonderful yellow-brown curry bursting with steaming vegetables. It was topped with a greasy sunny-side up egg. Even without tasting it, she knew why Yuriko had scoffed at her instant curry packets.

“So tell me, why have you tried all these fine English foods?”

Kathleen shrugged, watching as Yuriko used her spoon to break the egg and pick up some rice with her curry. Kathleen just mixed it all together. “An ex of mine had relatives in Scotland. I think he took some sadistic pleasure in trying to make me eat very traditional food. That kidney pie was pretty good though. Couldn't even tell it was kidneys.” She inhaled about half her plate. “So, you see, I am not
that
pathetic. What is the craziest thing you've tried?”

“Well, I've probably tried some crazy Japanese food, though it might not seem crazy to me. For instance, whenever I talk about how my mother ate
natto
every morning, foreigners get freaked out.”

“
Natto?
”

“Fermented soy beans.”

“That doesn't sound too bad.”

Yuriko grinned wickedly. “You've never had it, obviously.”

It wasn't until afterward, when she and Yuriko parted for their respective apartments did Kathleen realize what a good time she'd had. She hadn't hung out with anyone like that since moving to Japan and it kind of felt like she finally had a real friend. Even though Yuriko was only hanging out with her to help her with work, it was still a nice feeling.

Kathleen opened the door to find Ai watching her TV. “
Okaeri
!” Ai piped out.

She looked up. Kathleen had no idea why Ai watched the TV. It wasn't like a computer could get bored, right? Maybe it was just an effect of her programming to make her seem more normal and lively. Kind of like how Ai would blink, though she didn't need to. It just made her seem a little less like a robot. Kathleen wondered if other PLCs would find random habits to occupy their downtime. Would a PLC pick up knitting, if their customer was fond of long silences?

Kathleen held up her bag. “Here. Wear these.”

Ai immediate stood up, eyes lighting on the package. “A present? You're so sentimental, Kathleen.”

“It's not a present. It's a necessity.”

Ai took the bag. “Do you want any dinner?”

Kathleen removed her shoes at the entryway. “No, I ate with Yuriko.”

Ai hummed, looking through the bag. “Let me guess. She helped you pick these out?”

Kathleen nodded, walking into the kitchen to get a glass of water. It was dark out, but the humidity was still sticky. “I also had to have a very long meeting at work today. So you are not allowed to have any more issues, okay?”

Ai giggled, walking into Kathleen's room to change. Kathleen was glad she was able to convince her not to change in the middle of the living room. She looked when Ai stepped out of the room. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a long shirt that ended in a ruffle. It was the kind of style that Kathleen would never be able to pull off, but it worked on anyone who was too thin to have hips or breasts.

Ai grinned up at her. She had pulled her hair to the side and was tugging at the ends. “How do I look?”

Yuriko had looked better in it.

Kathleen blinked, having no idea where that thought came from. Wearing the same outfit, even with her hair styled similar, Ai should have looked exactly like Yuriko. Yet there was something different, something that Kathleen couldn't quite describe.

She had seen Yuriko wearing that in the shop. She had even seen her smiling in it, looking just slightly shy like Ai looked now. When Kathleen had looked at Yuriko then, she had found it hard to look away. Her eyes had lingered on her legs and shoulders. On the tilt of her head and bright eyes.

Ai looked good in it, but she didn't look quite as attractive as Yuriko.

Suddenly Kathleen was beginning to doubt that her cortex scan had made a mistake.

She quickly put her glass of water down, her fingers tingling and shaking. She took in an even breath. She found Yuriko attractive. Not just in a vague sense, not like looking at a model in a magazine. Kathleen had
liked
looking at Yuriko.

Kathleen closed her eyes, her mind and heart racing.

“
Shit
,” she whispered and, because that had felt rather good to say, “
Fuck
.”

She opened her eyes and Ai was standing closer to her now. “Comparing me to your neighbor?”

Kathleen frowned. “You knew?”

“Of course. One of the first tasks of my programming is to be observant.”

Kathleen rubbed her face with her hands. “
Why
is this happening?” She'd never had thoughts like these in America. Something had happened to her since she had come to Japan. She had gone a little crazy, between the lack of friends and the culture shock. She'd never looked at a woman the way she was looking at Yuriko. God, did Yuriko notice? She probably thought Kathleen was some dumbass or pervert or something. Or maybe just an idiot. Probably that.

Ai gave a soft laugh. “I know you know how the cortex scan works. It's not
random
. I am designed based on your preferences.” She shrugged. “Though it seems I've mostly gotten your subconscious preferences.”

“Don't say subconscious!”

“Then how about repressed?”

“Shut up! I am
not
having a queer crisis!” Kathleen shouted, and then immediately regretted it. The walls here weren't very thick and even though she knew Yuriko was a few doors down and couldn't possibly hear …

“There is nothing wrong with being bisexual,” Ai said, a little too soft and kind.

“I'm
not—
” Kathleen's voice was rising again. She took in a few ragged breaths, trying to calm herself. “I like the way Yur—you look, I can admit that. There is nothing weird about a straight woman admitting another woman is beautiful.”

“And there is nothing weird with a bisexual woman admitting it either,” Ai said impishly.

Kathleen glared. “I told you to
shut up
about that,” she hissed. “Look, it was a mistake that you were made a female. I know that is for sure. I've never been attracted to a woman before.”

“Before? Does that mean you are attracted now?” Ai smiled coyly at her.

“Not like that,” Kathleen said firmly. “I'm not blind. You are obviously a very pretty woman.”

Ai bit her lip. “All right, and what about Yuriko?”

Kathleen glared. “You and she just happen to look the same.”

“Because a computer read your mind and knew you would want us to look the same.”

“That computer misinterpreted. Just because I think you are attractive doesn't mean I am
attracted
to you. Or Yuriko,” she added just a little too quickly. “And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop questioning me on the matter.”

Ai shrugged and went to sit back in front of the TV. “I'll respect your judgment.” Kathleen could practically hear the
only because I'm programmed to
.

Kathleen put her glass in the sink. “I barely know Yuriko. I can't even say we are friends. More like associates. Neighbors. Peers.”

“
Eh
?”

Kathleen came to stand above her. “I am
not
interested in women. Yuriko or anyone else. I'm going to bed.”

Ai looked up. Her eyes were soft, soothing. They were
Yuriko's
eyes. But this wasn't Yuriko. Kathleen was feeling a little messed up.

Yuriko rang the doorbell to Kathleen's apartment.

Kathleen answered, barely dressed in a tank top and pajama pants. The tank top strained against Kathleen's breasts, momentarily distracting Yuriko. Japanese girls just weren't shaped like Americans.

Yuriko brain stuttered to a halt. It wasn't like she hadn't noticed before that Kathleen was well-endowed. But Kathleen just never dressed to show it off. Now, with her low neckline and the tight fabric gripping her in all the right places, Yuriko wondered how she was going to tear her eyes away.

“Do I have to?” Kathleen groaned, leaning against the doorframe, the posture pushing her breasts just slightly closer together. She was obviously unaware of Yuriko's internal struggle.

Yuriko crossed her arms, feeling like she needed a way to contain herself. She forced her voice to sound normal, casual. Not like she was forcing air into her lungs. “You asked me to join you.”

Kathleen rubbed her face. “A moment of weakness, I'm sure. Come on, I guess I have to get dressed now.” She stumbled away from the door. Yuriko was almost glad to see her turn away. It gave her back a few brain cells.

Yuriko stepped inside, eyes immediately seeking out Ai, who was seated in front of the TV. She was dressed and looked ready to leave. “
Ohayō gozaimasu. Atsui desu ne?
” Ai chimed to her.