Chapter 6

It was the end of his first full week teaching English in Japan, and he had been looking forward to the staff dinner. James adjusted the cuffs of his dress shirt as he entered the elegant banquet hall of a traditional Japanese restaurant. The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of paper lanterns casting soft shadows across the long, beautifully arranged table. The aroma of expertly prepared dishes – grilled fish, delicate sushi, and simmering hot pots – filled the air, blending with the subtle fragrance of warmed sake and chilled wine.

He was greeted with polite nods and warm smiles from his colleagues, most of whom were female. Dressed in refined yet modest evening attire, some of the women looked at James with interest, some admiring his handsome, youthful features, others simply curious about the new addition to their teaching staff. A few male teachers were present as well, but they were outnumbered by the women, who quickly engaged him in conversation as they took their seats.

Fortunately, Jake was already seated at a safe distance away, trying to charm a couple of young females, including Miya, so he would not be disturbing James’s evening. It was unfortunate that James could not sit at her table, especially as he had not seen her except in passing since his first day in Japan, but there would be other opportunities. On the other hand, she seemed to be enjoying Jake’s attentions, so maybe it was just as well. He mentally shrugged it off as he was asked a question by a woman at his table.

Kaori Yamamoto, who was sitting to James’s left, gave him a friendly smile. He knew she was the calligraphy teacher, but had not met her. “How have you found your first few weeks here, James-sensei? Has the adjustment been difficult?” Her voice was warm, but her gaze was analytical, as if she was genuinely assessing how well he was fitting in.

Mid-height with a buxom figure, Kaori had sleek, shoulder-length black hair which was styled in a neat bob. Probably in her late thirties to early forties, her striking features included sharp, almond-shaped eyes that held an interesting mixture of wistfulness and bold invitation, complemented by flawless porcelain skin. She was dressed elegantly in a traditional Japanese silk kimono with a subtle yet sophisticated sense of style. Her hands, skilled from years of calligraphy practice, were delicate and well-maintained.