Sunday evening at nine o’clock, Tokyo Station was still bustling with people.
Wearing a shirt, Dubian Che was reading the original Spanish "Don Quixote" borrowed from Kiyono Lin. His expression was serious, occasionally lifting his head to look towards the ticket barriers.
He was studying hard but also didn’t want to be easily disturbed.
The reason was simple.
The night breeze stirred by the passing Shinkansen trains would rustle his naturally long hair, and that’s when infatuated girls would approach him for his Line.
Well, actually, it had nothing to do with the trains or whether his hair was blown by the night winds; he was just too handsome.
Memorizing an obscure Spanish word he had come across, preparing to look it up later, Dubian Che once again raised his head to glance at the ticket barriers.
A woman with dark skin and a slim, delicate figure caught his attention.
The woman scanned the station and, upon spotting Dubian Che, immediately smiled.
Dubian Che couldn’t help but smile back, captivating those around him.
He closed his book and headed towards the woman.
"Mom!" he greeted, reaching out his hand while calling out.
"Little Che." Dubian Zhi handed the lighter department store paper bag to Dubian Che, still holding the heavier red Boston bag herself.
"Why bring so much stuff?" Dubian Che asked, opening the paper bag to reveal in-season vegetables like tender corn in husks, edamame, radishes, and even a jar of homemade jam.
"These things can be bought here; carrying them over is such a hassle," he said.
"Where in Tokyo can you get home-grown ones as delicious as these?"
"That’s also true," Dubian Che said, not bothering to argue that ’vegetables that don’t taste good can’t make it in the big city’ and such.
Arguing with elders, especially mom, was a waste of time. It was easier to just accept it.
Besides, the stuff was already brought over, and now all he had to do was thank her properly.
The two had just taken a few steps and Dubian Che was discussing with his mom about first putting the groceries in his rental room and then taking her out to dinner, when a woman in a suit stopped them.
"Hello, do you have an agency?"
"Agency?" Dubian Che asked, puzzled.
"If you don’t, please consider our firm," the woman handed him a business card.
It read: Johnny’s Office, Hakase Keiko, followed by a string of phone numbers.
Hakase Keiko looked at Dubian Che and spoke in an exaggerated tone reserved for admiring works of art: "Our office needs a face like yours. If you sign with us, I guarantee in terms of resources..."
Turns out he had encountered a talent scout. Dubian Che thought to himself, wondering why even women in their thirties were asking for his Line like young girls.
"Thanks. I have no plans to debut as an artist," he interrupted before she could continue and, gesturing to his mother, quickly walked away.
"If you reconsider, please be sure to call the number on the card!"
The mother and son arrived at the Marunouchi Line’s platform.
Dubian Zhi, holding the card, teased, "Being an artist isn’t bad, right? Like that Beat Takeshi."
"How am I like Beat Takeshi? At the very least, I’d be like Kimura Takuya," Dubian Che retorted discontentedly.
"Ah, Mr. Takuya! I’m waiting for his divorce," his mother exclaimed.
"I’ll tell Dad about this."
"Your dad’s also waiting for his Shizuka to get divorced. Hey! Mr. Takuya is also an artist with Johnny’s Office, Little Che, you should debut, get an autograph for Mom!"
"I’ll think about it," Dubian Che placated her, glancing at his watch.
The next train would arrive in five minutes.
"What do you mean ’think about it’? When exactly?"
"If I don’t get into Tokyo University, I’ll debut and get you that autograph," Dubian Che promised.
"If you’re not willing just say so, why beat around the bush? I’m not forcing you. But getting Mr. Takuya’s autograph was a dream your mother didn’t realize when she was young, and now I can live it through you..."
Blah blah, blah blah.
Dubian Che tuned out, nodding and mumbling in agreement with his mom’s words, which went in one ear and out the other.
Dubian Zhi probably didn’t expect her son to actually debut as an idol, and kept talking to herself about how handsome Kimura Takuya was when he was younger.
Clang clang, the light grew brighter as the train that would come to Dubian Che’s rescue rolled into the station.
"I’ll go grab a seat," he said, interrupting his mother’s monologue and squeezing through the crowd into the carriage.
Once on the train, Dubian Zhi finally became quiet, curiously gazing out the window at the night view of the moat and the Imperial Palace.
After putting the groceries in the rental room and washing his sweaty face, Dubian Che took his mom to a nice restaurant.
"It’s expensive here, isn’t it?" Dubian Zhi whispered, surveying the spacious and brightly lit dining hall.
"It’s fine. I’ve earned some money from my part-time job, so I can splurge occasionally."
After ordering the main courses, thinking that women generally like desserts and that his mom never had the chance to enjoy them back in the countryside, Dubian Che also ordered a fashionable cake and an ice cream sampler with eight flavors.
Soon, an elegant server brought over the beautifully arranged dishes and desserts.
Dubian Zhi wanted to leave the cake and ice cream for Dubian Che, but after he insisted several times that he couldn’t finish it all, she began to indulge.
"You’ve become more considerate than before. Studying in Tokyo did make a difference," Dubian Zhi commented while eating.
"What does Tokyo have to do with it? If I had money before, I’d treat you to dinner too."
The mother and son chatted casually.
"You’ve gained a little weight, looks healthier. You were too thin before."
"Have you made any friends?"
"How about a girlfriend?"
"Hmm―? Is she a fellow student? Tell me about her, and photos!"