Shinji’s school stands on trendy Robson Street where boutiques and restaurants line the way. It is always crowded with couples and students. Shinji is walking through the busy rush hour crowd toward the bus stop thinking of his challenge which is already beginning.
As Shinji comes to his favourite Starbucks coffee shop and is looking at the crowd absent-mildly, a short-haired blond woman appears and approaches him quickly. Shinji recognizes her: it is Christine. Christine, although younger than Shinji, always looks much more mature than him. Shinji feels her energy, full of self-confidence, coming out of her as usual.
Christine looks into Shinji’s shy face and says:
Hi Shinji, How’s school? We haven’t met since then. Is everything OK? I was waving at you but you didn’t seem to see me.
You know, I am on the way to a Japanese restaurant, which is just ahead of here. Won’t you join me? I was supposed to go with Jimmy but he has practice so he couldn’t come. Today was payday at the newspaper company, so this is my treat.
Shinji feels a bit awkward about refusing, so he agrees and follows Christine to the restaurant. When they arrive at the “South House, Muu”, a lively pub-like restaurant, Christine recommends yaki-udon saying it is a big portion. Shinji isn’t very fond of yaki-udon, but he orders it because he feels awkward once again about not going along with Christine.
Shinji explains the whole story to Christine falteringly. For some reason, Shinji’s English always gets worse when he sees Christine in front of him. The food is delivered and Christine uses her chopsticks with ease. Christine responds to Shinji’s story.
Well it sounds challenging, but you don’t need to be so serious, do you? I am sure something will come about as you keep trying. I don’t know what I can do, but please call me if you need to talk to me.
Although Shinji is happy to hear Christine’s comment, he can’t help feeling guilty about Jimmy and having dinner with his girlfriend and revealing his troubles to her. He tries to hide his awkwardness and patch up the mood. He says quietly:
Thank you, but Jimmy is a good fellow. Thank you for the dinner, Shall we go now?
Christine seems to understand what Shinji means. She looks a bit coy for a split second, and then she gives Shinji a wink. Shinji finds this gesture very mysterious and charming. On the way back home, Shinji remembers this moment over and over on the bus. He feels as if an electrical current is running through his chest every time he thinks about this moment, and he recognizes an unexplainable warm feeling being born inside of him.
(To be continued)