“You know what Hana, women are the cause of all the problems in life,” Taiki said to his Siamese kitten. “They fulfill every desire in your heart and soul and then they disappear. My mother left me when I was a teenager, never to be seen again, and my wife died after thirty years of marriage. You’re nearly as bad as them. I should have chosen your brother instead of you when I bought you from the pet shop. You’re always ignoring me.”
Hana turned her head away from Taiki and stretched out on the tatami flooring.
“See, you don’t want anything to do with me. It’s because you’re female. I feed and brush you every day but you don’t appreciate it. You still ruin my furniture. You don’t care about me at all.”
Taiki leaned over to the dresser and pulled a new microfibre cloth from the bottom drawer. He began to lightly polish the brass teapot he’d bought that morning in Kappabashi Kitchen Town. Its ornate etching and floral design had caught his eye when he was looking for a cheese grater in one of the many small shops in the area. It had cost 5,000 yen and he’d hesitated to buy it but the sales assistant had told him it was rare, a good purchase, and reasonably priced. After ten minutes of indecision, he’d bought it along with the grater. Returning home on the train, he’d berated himself several times under his breath for spending too much money.
Taiki sat cross-legged, warming his toes under his kotatsu heated table. The grandfather clock chimed and Hana suddenly jumped up. She crept towards Taiki and sat on the cushion next to him. Taiki looked down at her big blue eyes that changed colour in the light. Depending on the time of day, they were pale and iridescent or a pretty indigo hue, much like the hydrangeas that blossomed in the rainy season, beautifying the street leading up to his home.
He reached over and caressed his kitten’s back. “Okay, I forgive you. You don’t always ignore me and you can be very sweet sometimes.”
Hana purred and Taiki stroked her forehead.
“I bought this teapot hoping you don’t scratch it. Look at this apartment, Hana. It’s practically bare. If I buy anything expensive it always gets ruined. Either an earthquake will smash it or your claws will tear it to pieces and I’ll have to throw it away. All my wife’s precious belongings have been destroyed.”
Hana rubbed her head against Taiki’s right hand.
“Sachiko used to love shopping before her breast cancer took over her life. She filled this apartment with lots of trinkets but now they’re all gone.”
Hana turned her head to one side.
“I know you’re looking around too, aren’t you Hana? You can see I have nothing of value.”
Hana looked back and put her paw on his arm.
“Well, of course you’re important. I hate being alone. I’m lucky you’re here with me. Please don’t ever leave me, Hana.”
Taiki reached over to the plastic bag on his left and took out a tin of brass polish. He began rubbing the spout of the teapot with renewed vigour.
“I wish I could find another woman to love me as much as Sachiko did,” said Taiki, rubbing even harder.
A few puffs of lilac smoke spat from the spout of the teapot and dissipated into the air. A thicker purple cloud emerged. It cleared in just a few seconds to reveal a young and attractive Persian girl with exotic features.
Taiki squinted, blinked three times, and looked up, mouth wide open. Hana sat up in a crouched position. Her eyes were alert. Now a shade of periwinkle. She raised her right paw in the air as the last of the purple haze disappeared.
The Middle Eastern girl looked at Taiki and his cat. Her large almond-shaped eyes were gentle and soft, despite the heavy black eye-liner. She was scantily dressed in pale pink harem pants and a silver crop top. A transparent silk veil covered her mouth and nose. This vision of loveliness fell to her knees and bowed before Taiki until her forehead was almost on the floor.
“Your wish is my command, dear sir,” she said.
“Please stand up again and stop bowing on the floor,” said Taiki. “Where did you come from? How did you get into my apartment? Who are you?”
“You’ve released me from the teapot. I can grant you three wishes.”
“Are you lost? Why are you dressed like that? Is that some kind of cosplay costume?” Taiki asked, sitting down opposite her again.
“No, these are the clothes I wear when I want to relax,” she replied. “Thank you for rescuing me from the teapot. I’ve been in there for three weeks. I know it doesn’t sound like a long time but it’s nowhere near as comfortable as the lamp in which I usually like to rest. About a month ago, we moved to Japan. My husband’s best friend lured me into this teapot and trapped me after an argument. I had no idea if or when someone would come and free me. Allow me to grant you three wishes and then I can return to the naval base in Yokosuka, where I live with my mortal husband.”
“Three wishes! You’re joking,” said Taiki, shaking his head and laughing. He reached over to pick up Hana.
“I’m serious, what would you like? Have you ever wanted to travel to a faraway destination? I can take you there. You can even take your gorgeous little kitten. Do you want to live in a mansion and have millions of yen? I can arrange that too. Are you Buddhist? I can help you reach enlightenment. Just tell me your three wishes. I’ll grant them and then I’ll be on my way.”
“No thanks, I’m fine,” said Taiki crouching in the corner of the room, holding his kitten tightly in his arms. “What’s your name?”
“Roshanak,” she replied.
Hana squirmed and struggled and Taiki released her. The kitten ran over to Roshanak and began rubbing up against her leg.
“My name’s Taiki. I’m surprised you can speak Japanese so fluently, Roshanak. That’s very impressive.”
“Thank you. I can speak many languages.”
“I see, but you’re too young and attractive to be in Tokyo wandering into middle-aged men’s apartments dressed like that,” said Taiki, trying hard not to stare at her ample cleavage. Her voluminous black hair fell in curls all the way down to the waistband on her harem pants. Her piercing ocean-tinted blue eyes were wide and innocent looking. She was slim but also curvaceous.
“Run along home to wherever you live. Would you like to borrow one of my coats so you don’t attract attention or catch a cold?”
“But I still haven’t granted you three wishes.”
Taiki sensing her determination, decided to take a different approach.
“I’m sorry, you can’t stay here but I have an idea. I’ll buy you a cup of tea at the coffee house on the corner and after that I want you to go home.”
Roshanak raised both hands in the air and clicked her fingers twice. In an instant, she’d changed into a tight beige t-shirt and faded denim jeans.
“I think you’ll agree, these clothes are much more appropriate for an outing to a coffee shop,” she said.
Taiki fell sideways onto the floor and let out a small scream. He pointed his trembling index finger at her. “Are you a witch?”
“No, I’m just a regular genie. Now you’ve mentioned it, I’m a bit parched. Let’s go and get some coffee. I’m happy to drink anything but tea. All I’ve smelt for weeks is matcha in that teapot so that’s the last thing I want right now.”
Roshanak cupped Hana’s chin in her dainty left hand and gave her a kiss on the forehead before jumping up to grab Taiki’s keys from the table. “Don’t be so surprised. Surely, you’ve heard of genies. Let’s go!”
Taiki shook his head, said goodbye to Hana, and followed Roshanak to the door. Putting on his shoes and grabbing his bag, he thought to himself he must be in some sort of dream. He smiled as he put on his coat, happy to go along with it.
“Gosh, it’s a bit cold outside but the air smells so fresh and crisp, the sky above is such a striking blue colour, and it’s so nice to see people again,” said Roshanak, stretching her arms in the air as she accompanied Taiki along the street outside his apartment. “It was so humid and cramped in that tiny teapot.”
She clicked her fingers twice and, in a nanosecond, she was wearing a cream trench coat.
“You can’t perform magic in public with other people around. You’ll scare them,” said Taiki, looking around frantically. He was relieved to see no one had noticed them.
“Sorry, you’re right. I’ve been cooped up in that teapot for a few weeks. I’ve forgotten my manners and the genie rules my mother impressed upon me.”
The warm lights of Tully’s Coffee shop on the corner of the street welcomed them on that chilly afternoon in the final week in March. Taiki held the door open for Roshanak. They stepped into the entrance where they were greeted by a friendly woman in her forties, dressed in a white shirt, black trousers, and a long brown apron. She smiled but looked surprised when she noticed Taiki wasn’t alone.
“Welcome back Taiki. I can see you’ve brought a friend along with you today. Hi, my name is Michiko. Nice to meet you.”
“Hi Michiko, I’m Roshanak. What a lovely coffee shop!”
“This is my . . . um. . . brother’s wife,” stuttered Taiki. His face went red. He hated lying but there was no way he could explain the truth in this situation.
Michiko led them to the sitting area at the back. “Here’s your usual table, Taiki. I’ll be with you in a moment to take your order.” She gave both of them another brilliant smile and bowed before heading to the counter.
“What a sweet lady,” said Roshanak. “And she knows your name. Are you friends?”
“I’ve been coming here once or twice a week for three years. I know all the staff members.”
Michiko returned and Roshanak ordered a mocha coffee. She didn’t have to ask Taiki what he wanted. He always ordered drip coffee, no milk, no sugar.
“Let’s talk about those wishes. What would you like? I want to grant you at least one wish,” said Roshanak.
“I told you. I don’t need anything,” said Taiki.
“But that’s what I do. Every mortal I’ve ever met has always wanted their three wishes.”
“Please don’t perform any more magic, especially in here. And forget about the three wishes. I’ve already had too many shocks today.”
Michiko returned with their drinks. She smiled warmly at Taiki as she set his coffee down. “I haven’t seen you for nearly a week. I’ve been wondering if you’re okay.”
“I’m all right,” he replied. “I took on some extra shifts at work so I haven’t had much spare time over the past few days.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ve also been very busy with your brother’s wife visiting. Where are you from?” Michiko asked Roshanak.
“I’m originally from Arabia but I’m living with my husband in Yokosuka for the next few months. We’ve only been in Japan for a short time.”
“You’ve come a long way. Is this a day trip to Tokyo?”
“That depends on Taiki. I’ve asked him —.”
“— Yes, it’s a day trip,” said Taiki. He stopped Roshanak from mentioning the three wishes. “I can assure you; she won’t be staying overnight in Tokyo.”
Michiko left them to attend to other customers and Roshanak turned her attention to a toddler who was sitting with his mother at the next table. She was showing him how to make origami paper cranes. The little boy picked up one his mother had just made and threw it towards Roshanak. She reached out as it glided in the air towards her. It landed on the palm of her right hand.
“Thanks for the pretty yellow bird,” said Roshanak, smiling at the boy. He beamed back at her.
She examined the origami, turning it around and admiring it. “How did they make this? Maybe that woman is a genie as well. I’ve never seen this sort of magic. I’ll introduce myself. We could be cousins.”
“That’s not magic and there’s no need to speak to the boy’s mother. I’ll show you how to make one,” said Taiki. He took out a square sheet of paper from his bag and slowly folded it, meeting each corner perfectly. He handed his white crane to Roshanak. She clapped her hands, delighted she now had two.
“Let me try,” Roshanak said. Taiki handed her another piece of paper and she tried to follow his folding instructions. He watched her carefully as he sipped his coffee. It took her ten minutes to make it and it looked okay but not as good as the cranes made by Taiki or the little boy’s mother.
“Gosh, that takes some practice. It’s more difficult than I thought,” said Roshanak. “But I’ll keep trying. That was fun.”
“Your self-confidence and carefree attitude are impressive,” said Taiki. “You don’t show any frustration when you want to accomplish something. You’re willing to learn something new and at the same time, you’re not afraid to make mistakes.”
Roshanak blushed, “Have you thought of your first wish?”
“No, as I said before, I don’t want or need anything right now.”
“That’s strange,” she replied.
“If you’ve been trapped in that teapot, you probably haven’t had a chance to see the cherry blossoms,” said Taiki. “Would you like to go and have a look at them? Ueno Park is quite close to here. We can walk there now if you’ve finished your coffee.”
“That sounds wonderful,” she said, taking a final sip of her drink.
Michiko came over to their table. “Did you enjoy your mocha coffee, Roshanak?”
“Yes, thanks. We’re going to see the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park now.”
“What a great idea,” said Michiko. “I haven’t seen them this year.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” Roshanak asked her.
“Michiko is working. I’m sure she’s too busy,” said Taiki.
Michiko looked at her watch. “Actually, I finish work at 2:30 in about five minutes. If it’s all right with you, I’d love to go.”
“That’s fine with me. We’ll all go together,” said Taiki. He watched Michiko skip back to the counter and noticed how pretty she was for the first time.
Twenty minutes later, they were surrounded by the abundant cherry blossoms in Ueno Park. Thousands of delicate white and pink petals were perched on robust overhanging branches.
Large groups of workers or friends were sitting on blue tarpaulins in their socks. Their shoes were lined up neatly on the sides. Laughter and cheering could be heard as beer and plum wine were poured into plastic cups. Sushi, sandwiches, fried chicken, and other snacks were being shared from pre-prepared bento boxes.
Lovers were riding boats shaped like swans on Shinobazu Pond. Young girls in colourful kimonos were taking selfies in front of Ueno Toshugu Shrine.
“Cherry blossoms are Japan’s favourite flower,” Michiko explained to Roshanak. “They’re only here for a couple of weeks before they fall and the wind sweeps them away. They remind us that life is short and should be appreciated.”
“A bit like me,” whispered Roshanak in Taiki’s ear. “Genies come and go in a puff of purple smoke!”
He laughed but hesitated a few seconds later, pausing for a moment of self-reflection. Roshanak nudged him in the back, pushing him forward so he had to stroll alongside Michiko.
“I need to go out and enjoy myself more often. I’m having a terrific time,” said Taiki.
“I agree, it’s like you’ve been leading a monk-like existence!” said Michiko.
“Pass me your phone, Taiki,” said Roshanak. “I’ll take a photo of you and Michiko under the cherry blossoms.”
Roshanak took his phone and held it up. “Move closer together so I can get both of you in the picture.”
Taiki and Michiko nervously sidled up to one another, eyes twinkling. They were close but they still kept themselves a couple of inches apart. Roshanak took several photos and passed the phone back.
“Why don’t I take a photo of you and send it to you later?” Taiki said to Roshanak but she ignored him, pointing to a food stall.
“What are those dough balls?” Roshanak asked.
“They’re takoyaki octopus balls. A Japanese snack deep-fried in batter, filled with diced octopus. They’re covered in brown sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Would you like to try them?”
“Yes, please,” Roshanak said.
They joined the line in front of the food stall and Taiki took out his wallet ready to pay.
“I’m not very hungry,” said Michiko. “Would you like to share mine?”
“Absolutely,” Taiki replied.
He bought six takoyaki for Roshanak and six for him to share with Michiko.
“Careful, they’re hot when you first take a bite,” Taiki warned the ladies.
Roshanak blew on the takoyaki balls to cool them down. After nibbling on the first, she wolfed down the other five and licked her lips with satisfaction.
The sun was beginning to go down and brightly coloured LED lights came on to illuminate the cherry blossoms, giving them an ethereal glow as the darkness descended.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” said Roshanak.
“Cherry blossom viewing is a sight to behold but don’t you need to get back to Yokosuka tonight? Your husband will be worried about you,” said Michiko.
“You’re right,” said Roshanak.
Michiko stepped to the left a few metres away to take some final photos of the blossoms and Roshanak pulled Taiki to one side.
“We have a rule in my family I must abide,” the genie said to him. “You taught me how to make an origami paper crane and you brought me here to see these delightful cherry blossoms. You also introduced me to those delicious takoyaki octopus balls. You’ve granted me three wishes I never knew I wanted and I thoroughly enjoyed all three but you haven’t asked for anything all day. My family’s rule is to leave you be if you have a pure heart and you want for nothing. You may not have the powers of a genie but you possess a certain type of natural magic I could never achieve in a thousand years. You’ve been incredibly considerate and selfless and it has enriched my heart. Thank you for being so kind. May all the goodness in the world be bestowed upon you. Now, I must leave and return to my husband.”
Taiki and Michiko accompanied Roshanak to Ueno Station where they said their goodbyes with smiles on their lips but tears in their eyes. Roshanak was looking forward to clicking her fingers and returning to Yokosuka but she hesitated for a moment. She wanted to watch her two friends disappear under the cherry blossoms. She could hear them making plans as they walked away.
“Would you like a cup of tea at my apartment? I have a new teapot I’d like to show you,” said Taiki.
“Oh, I’d love a cup of green tea. You know, you’ve talked about your Siamese kitten so many times but I’ve never met her,” Michiko replied with the enthusiasm of a woman falling in love. “I can’t wait to meet Hana.”
Top Photo courtesy of Louis Hansel.
Read Renae Lucas-Hall’s short story My Cute Kawaii Boutique or her book reviews here.