Twelve Months of Kristal: 50 Loving States Maine

But Hayato’s expression remains solemn. Like, he is still bracing for something. Something bad.

“Could you tell me where Norio is?” he asks Lilli. “I would like to talk with him privately.”

Lilli throws him an apologetic look. “Sorry, Hi. He’s stuck in Portland because of this darn fog. I told him not to go in on New Year’s Eve. Now there’s a chance he won’t be cleared to fly until tomorrow morning.”

“That’s the same reason we can’t fly,” I say, giving Lilli’s arm a sympathetic pat. “I hope it clears up so that he can come home. I’m sure he’d rather be here. He’s probably just as upset as you.”

Lilli nods. “Yes, you’re right. I know he loves us. And it’s not his fault he’s stuck in Portland. I’m just frustrated. And of course, I don’t want him to miss the chance to see his little brother.”

“I don’t want that either,” I reply to Lilli.

But I privately note that Hayato doesn’t appear nearly as upset as Lilli about the prospect of not getting the opportunity to see Norio before we leave.

“Thank goodness Hayato brought you with him,” Tasha says before I can pull Hayato aside to ask him about that. “Come on. I need an extra pair of hands in the kitchen.”

Tasha’s voice sounds urgent, but as it turns out, she and Lilli only want to grill me about my relationship with Hayato.

“Just kidding about needing help,” Tasha says as soon as the door swings closed behind us. “I never ask anybody to help me in the kitchen. But only Tetsuro knows that. Hopefully, he doesn’t let Hayato know I only called you in here to grill you. You and Lilli take a seat while I make dinner for the kids…and a long list of questions to ask you about this thing you’ve got going with Hayato.”

I try to laugh along with them. But I’m nervous. I don’t think Tasha’s joking. And Lilli is already at the island counter, pouring white wine into three tall glasses. No doubt to loosen my tongue.

I accept the glass but make sure to only take the smallest of sips as Tasha and Lilli begin their interrogation.

“Where did you two meet?” Lilli asked. “I didn’t even know Hayato was in the states until you two showed up on our doorstep.”

“In San Francisco,” I answer carefully. “At a sushi restaurant.”

“Oh, do you live in San Francisco?” Tasha asks. “We were just there. We go every other year to spend Christmas with these Russian billionaire brothers, my husband’s like best friends with — it’s a super long story.”

“I love long stories,” I assure Tasha, hoping to distract her from her original question. I’m pretty sure telling Hayato’s sisters-in-law that I spend all but twelve days of my year in the North Pole — a pocket of space in between several multiverses — is definitely not on the list of “Things That Won’t Make Hayato Regret Bringing Me Here.”

“So do I,” Lilli answers. “But Hayato showing up out of the blue with a date automatically bumps your story to the front burner.”

Dread fizzles through me, but I can’t keep myself from asking, “So Hayato’s really never brought anybody else home?”

“Hayato has only ever come to our house one time, and he only stayed for a few minutes,” Lilli answers. Her voice is sister girl frank now that she’s got a glass of wine in her hand. “Seriously, I don’t think I’ve even ever seen him with the same woman more than once.”

“Probably because he only goes out with women with fees attached for showing up anyplace,” Tasha says, sucking her teeth as she rolls a chicken cutlet in some fine breadcrumbs.

“Right?!” Lilli agrees. “Which is crazy when you consider how hot he is!”

“But now he’s coming through for New Year’s Eve out of the blue,” Tasha says. “With you.”

Tasha and Lilli regard me with wide eyes. Like a magical being just showed up at their family celebration.

Which is technically true, but they obviously have no inkling that I’m an elf…or that Hayato is paying me to spend time with him just like he paid all his other dates. Actually, I have an uneasy feeling that they’d find it easier to believe I’m an elf than one of Hayato’s escorts.

“So you met him in San Francisco? When was this exactly?” Tasha asked.

“Um, almost a year ago?” I answer, an unsure note creeping into my voice. It feels like we’re treading into dangerous territory.

Both Lilli and Tasha gasp.

“Hayato’s been dating you for a year, and this is the first we’re hearing about it?” Tasha asks, her tone seriously offended.

Lilli shakes her head. “I mean, he’s always been closed off — really, he makes my husband look like the most expressive person ever. But why would he keep this from us? I mean, he has to know we’d be more than welcoming toward you.”