Chapter 15

After his somewhat disturbing sojourn with Hana, James again decided it would be much safer and pleasant if he accepted Kimora’s offer to visit the Meiji Shrine, It turned out to be both enjoyable and instructive in both a cultural and personal way.

On a very crisp autumn afternoon, Kimora and James strolled through the expansive grounds of Meiji Shrine, where golden sunlight filtered through the towering cedar trees. The sound of rustling leaves mixed with the soft chatter of visitors making wishes at the shrine’s entrance. James watched as Kimora carefully wrote her own wish on an ema before hanging it among hundreds of others.

“You’re writing in kanji, so I have only a vague idea of what it says,” James teased, tilting his head to try and decipher the elegant script. “What deep and mysterious wish are you making?”

Kimora smiled slyly, tapping the wooden plaque with her pen. “If I told you, it wouldn’t come true, would it?”

“Ah, keeping secrets now,” he said, playfully narrowing his eyes. “I thought this was about cultural exchange, Kimora. Shouldn’t I be learning everything?”

She laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe if you impress me with your kanji next week, I’ll tell you.”

James rolled his eyes dramatically. “No promises there. But hey, if wishes are being made, maybe I should write one too.”