Chapter 115 - Sanjo & Shijo Streets (1/2)

”My sister asked me to buy all kinds…”

”Oh? All kinds?” Mrs. James looked delighted that her eyes had diamonds in them as she clasped her hands together.

Yanee nodded. Chummy interviewed Ami before and discussed about weddings so she had some idea why her sister wanted to have weddings kimonos.

”Yes. Shinto style weddings are becoming less and less popular in the past few years. Before it was seventy percent, but now it's down to twenty. My sister wants to bring back its popularity during the expo,” she said.

”That's right. Most couples these days prefer to have western wedding ceremonies,” Mrs. James agreed. She looked thoughtful for a while before beaming. ”The places we'll visit will have everything you need.”

Er… Yanee wanted to say it's for her sister not her, but just stayed quiet since Mrs. James looked so happy.

True enough, after eating, she, Marian, and Mrs. James got in a car and drove towards the place where the kimono shops were.

It's been a while since Yanee came to Kyoto. At yesterday's trip with Tohru, she had been too nervous and self-conscious to look around so she didn't. But today, she was relaxed and so she let her yes wander out the window.

In Kyoto, one could really tell that the Japanese culture was alive and thriving. Many people walked the streets in traditional clothing. She noted the beautiful and colorful kimonos and yukatas the young people wore and she wondered whether she'd buy one or two for herself.

The car stopped in front of one of many shops that lined the streets.

”Yanee,” Mama James called and she turned her attention to her. ”This is the Sanjo Street. There are many vintage kimono shops here and we'll visit them one by one. Just take note if there's something you fancy but don't buy yet. We'll transfer to the other shops on Shijo Street to look around first.”

Oh!

”That's a good idea,”Yanee agreed.

She was actually planning to do just that. She's someone who preferred to see everything first before she made final decisions.

”Ah, but if it's for your sister you may want to send her a photo first. But some shops do not allow photos to be taken so you have to ask first,” Marian informed her and Yanee nodded.

”Don't worry. When I buy clothes or dresses for Ami, she let me choose whatever I think is best.” Ami had no interest in shopping and she trusted Yanee's tastes.

”That's good then. There won't be any problems,” the two said and they entered the first shop.

”Good morning,” the staff greeted them with a smile.

It was obvious that the staff knew Mama James well and was even delighted to serve her. They were ushered to a comfortable parlor where the manager was waiting.

”Sumire, you remember my daughter, Marian, right?”Mrs. James asked as she pulled Marian towards the elderly manager who nodded and smiled.

”Of course, how can I forget,” Sumire said as she guided Mairan towards one of the seats. ”Your mother said you are expecting so you should take a sit,” she continued before turning her attention to Yanee. ”And this one is?”

Mrs. James beamed as she pulled Yanee and pushed her forward as if presenting her to the manager. ”This is Yanee, my daughter-in-law,” she introduced her.

Yanee stood frozen with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

EH? EEHHHH?

She couldn't remember that Tohru already told his mother about them. Marian only knew because she told her. Ah did Marian tell her then? She looked at Marian with questioning eyes but she shook her head in answer to her silent question.

Huh? No? So, why? How?

”OOOOOH Did Little Tohru get married already?” the manager asked looking totally thrilled.

It seemed the manager was very familiar with Tohru as well— even more familiar to him that she was with Marian.

”Ah, not yet, but hopefully soon,” Mrs. James said with a giggle as she hugged Yanee. ”He just brought Yanee yesterday after months of running after her,” she declared shocking her further.

Ha? Months of running after her?

Yanee mentally facepalmed. She already knew that Tohru talked about her to her parents. But she was not expecting that they knew everything— even some things she didn't know it appeared.