What's in a Name

Sumi enters the kitchen and places the tray on the counter next to the sink.  She can barely hear Harold and Omoide in the hallway by the elevator.  She catches Harold stammering about something and just shakes her head, "He sure does get flustered around Omoide…."

"Who does?" Asks Keibiin as she enters the kitchen and heads for the sink with a mug.

Sumi spins around almost knocking the tea tray off the counter.  Her cheeks turn slightly pink as she smiles at Keibiin.  "You shouldn't sneak up on someone when they are talking to themselves, Keibiin!"  She turns around and starts to fill the sink with hot water to wash the dishes. Looking over her shoulder at Keibiin again she smiles, "Give me that mug, I will wash it with the other dishes."

Keibiin walks closer and hands her the mug.  "Mr. Simkin doesn't seem flustered by Omoide, more like he isn't sure how to act when Omoide's attention is on him.  I think it's only natural when someone new is suddenly in your circle.  Although you, Ms. Masen, are a bit of an open and free spirit.  Our sudden presence doesn't seem to have affected you at all."

She turns off the water once the sink is full of sudsy bubbles.  

Sumi looks at Keibiin and smiles brightly, "Please call me 'Sumi' and I'm just glad to have help taking care of Benji right now.  Even with Harold, it has been rather difficult keeping Benji from deteriorating further and trying to keep up with the projects at The Center." 

Keibiin hums and nods a bit, "I can understand that.  There are times when Omoide overworks himself and needs to be taken care of but that is what my role is so I have grown used to it."

Sumi nods but then looks at Keibiin, "Wait, what do you mean?  Is he unwell?  I mean, how could he get so overworked that he would require round the clock care like Benji has, unless you didn't mean that serious but more like, you have to force him to take a break and eat and slow down and rest."  Sumi has her hands on Keibiin's shoulders and has turned them so they are facing each other.

Keibiin face remains neutral as she turns to fully face Sumi, "Ms. Masen, I simply meant that sometimes Omoide falls ill from the pressures of his 'responsibilities'.  It's never life threatening and never lasts more than a day or two.  I didn't mean to imply that Mr. Madelin's condition isn't serious or that Omoide's is more than just stress."

Sumi falls forward, resting her forehead on Keibiin's shoulder, "Oh thank the gods.  I don't think Benji could take knowing Omoide was ill.  I'm glad you are there for him when he needs downtime."  She sighs and raises her head, keeping her eyes locked on Keibiin's. "And what do I have to do to get you to call me Sumi?"

Keibiin steps back out of Sumi's hands, grabbing the towel next to the sink and drying her hands.  "We are not that familiar with each other.  It wouldn't be proper and Omoide wouldn't approve."  She sighs and drops the towel on the counter.

Sumi steps forward grinning with mischief as she places her hands on the counter on either side of Keibiin.  Being slightly shorter than Keibiin, it’s not as intimidating as she had planned but she continues to grin and push closer, "And what would it take for us to be more 'familiar' with each other, hmm?"  Sumi pushes in even more and gages Keibiin's reaction.

There is no visible reaction from Keibiin as she says, "If this that important to you, I will make an exception but only when we are alone and don't mention it to Omoide or the others, please, Sumi."  Sumi gasps and rises on her toes to place a peck on Keibiin's cheek.

She backs away from Keibiin and holds out her pinkie finger, "Pinky-promise and best friends forever!"

Keibiin raises and eyebrow but proceeds to interlock her pinky with Sumi's. "As you wish, Sumi."

Sumi turns and starts to wipe down the counters, "I do have a question though.  Why do you call Omoide by his first name when your are expected to be formal with others?  It seems kinda backwards.  Shouldn't you call him 'Mr. Bannin'?  You don't have to answer, maybe it's a cultural thing but it just seemed strange to me."

Keibiin grimaces slightly and shock crosses her face but her neutral expression returns as Sumi turns around, expecting an answer.

"It is cultural." She answers curtly and just stands there, staring at Sumi hoping she doesn't ask for a more detailed explanation.  Neither of them move as time audibly ticks away on the wall clock. 

Sumi's face suddenly comes to life with a slight smile, "Oh, so like family names or surnames and then title or something?  So is his name 'Omoide' or something else?"  Sumi appears to be deep in thought over this possibility as Keibiin tries to get her attention by moving into her line of sight.

"Should we check on Mr. Simkin and Omoide?  Make plans for dinner?  It is getting late and I think Mr. Madelin should be up for a walk and a light meal."  She says as Sumi comes out of her personal mental research project.

"Oh!  Oh yes… that sounds good.  Hey, do you like nicknames?  Like, could I call you Keibi or, oh my, I'm sorry if that means something bad in your culture.  I'm sorry to be so insensitive.  Just forget it."  Sumi is now waving her hands around with wide eyes trying to apologize for maybe offending Keibiin.

Her frantic actions and facial expressions are too much for Keibiin to process and remain unaffected.  She breaks down and starts to laugh quietly behind her hands.  Sumi stops her frantic movements and just stares at Keibiin.  "Are…. Are you laughing?"  She says and starts to giggle.  This causes Keibiin to laugh even harder causing her to support herself with her hands on her knees.

Keibiin is now laughing out of control as she slides down the cabinets coming to rest on the floor.  Sumi is also overtaken with a laughing fit and finds herself on the floor next to Keibiin. 

Their out-of-control laughing continues for several minutes until they have tears in their eyes.  Sumi is the first to get completely under control.  She reaches for the towels on the counter and tosses one to Keibiin.  They both begin to dry their eyes.

"I sooo needed that!" Sumi blurts out and tries not to start laughing again.  "It's been quite a while since I have had a good laugh.  I feel so much lighter.  Thank you Keibiin."  She leans over, resting her head on Keibiin's shoulder. 

"Keibi.  And thank you, Sumi.  I don't think I have ever laughed that hard in my life.  It was sorely needed."  Keibiin leans her head against Sumi's and they just sigh together.

"So, uh, Keibi doesn't mean something terrible, does it?"  Sumi asks as she plays with the frayed end of the kitchen towel.

Keibiin huffs out a laugh, "No.  It basically means 'guard'  and 'protect', so it's really a compliment.  Just please, only when it's just the two of us.  We really don't do nicknames in our culture so it may not be understood by others." 

Sumi shimmies out from under Keibiin's head and moves to sit facing her.  Another mischievous grin appears on her face, "So it's like a pet-name then.  Only for us." She winks at Keibiin.

Feeling more at ease around Sumi, Keibiin lets her facial features show more of her thoughts and feelings.  Right now she has furrowed brows that let Sumi know that she is confused. "Ah, pet-name?  I'm not sure I understand the meaning."

Sumi takes her hand and gently pats it, "You know, like lovers or partners or best friends or couples or…… Do you really not understand the term?"  Sumi is now feeling a little regretful of her playful banter with Keibiin.

Keibiin picks up on Sumi's change in demeanor and smiles brightly and nods her head.  "I understand, but again, only when we are alone.  Can I come up with a pet-name for you as well?"  Keibiin's smile morphs into an evil grin.

Sumi shrugs, "I don't see why not."  She smiles and then get a serious look on her face, "Just as long as it's not something that would be embarrassing in your culture!"

She laughs again, "Sumi, I would never do that to you!"  She places her hand over her heart and pulls herself to her feet with the other hand.  She holds her hand out to Sumi to help her off the floor. "I will let you know when I have come up with a few.  You can help me choose."  Keibiin smiles at Sumi then turns to the refrigerator in search for ingredients for dinner.

After they do a quick inventory of supplies, they make a short list of dishes they can make.  Keibiin crosses out a few and puts asterisk next to the ones she prefers.  Sumi takes the pen and does the same but writes back in a few of the ones that Keibiin marked out.

"Those dishes have too much sodium and use too many processed ingredients.  There are fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits that we should use first, Sumi."  Keibiin argues while trying to take the pen from Sumi.

"Your selections will take too long and require so many steps!  Do you even know how to cook, Keibi?" Sumi retorts while keeping the pen out of Keibiin's reach.

"I have been cooking for Omoide for years and he is healthy and fit and has NEVER complained about my cooking.  So yes, Sumizumi, I can cook!"  Keibiin finally captured Sumi's hand and takes control of the pen.  "What can you cook besides that mash you were making for Mr. Madelin?"

Sumi jumps for the pen a few times but Keibiin is taller and holds it out of reach like a bully on a playground. "I (jump) can (jump) cook (jump) RICE!"  Sumi scrambles onto the counter and wrestles the pen away from Keibiin.

"Ha!… wait….. What did you call me?"  Sumi realizes Keibiin has chosen a pet-name for her.

Keibiin smiles, squinting her eyes at Sumi, "Sumizumi…..?" 

Sumi hums as a sheepish smile takes over her entire face.  "So, uh.. What does that mean?  It sounds like the way we like to 'cutie' up a name." 

Keibiin looks away and just nods, "Something like that.  It just sounded cute in my head but if you don't like it……"  Sumi cuts her off, rushing over and taking both of her hands, "No no no.. I mean, yes, I like it.  I just didn't want it to be something you say when your mad at me, like now?"  Sumi's voice ends in a whisper.

Keibiin sighs and squeezes Sumi's hands, "I'm not mad.  I actually enjoyed our debate of the best dishes to cook.  You are so lively and animated and you just act the way you feel.  It's refreshing, really."  Sumi is beaming at Keibiin by the time she finished explaining.

"Thank you, Keibi.  I think that's the nicest thing anyone has said about me to my face."  Sumi leans forward and puts a little peck of a kiss on Keibiin's cheek.

"You are most welcome, Sumizumi." She smiles and turns back to the list with the pen in her hand.  Sumi looks at the pen and then her own hands.

"Oh, you are good."  Sumi laughs out.  "Let's ask the guys what they want to eat.  Harold will eat anything really.  What about Omoide?"  She asks as she moves to the refrigerator and starts tapping on the touchscreen embedded in the door.

Keibiin puts the pen down on the list on the counter.  "We have ingredients to make several dishes that I know he will eat.  He has never had a preference as long as I stay within what he can tolerate."  She answers as she watches Sumi adjusting the settings for the video link.

"Oh, what would be good for Benji to eat?  He hasn't taken any solid food for a while, besides the ginger earlier.  He usually has a bear-like appetite so I'm surprised he hasn't found a way to get to the kitchen and raid the cabinets."  Sumi laughs and hits the icon to call the gym.

They both look at the flickering screen on the refrigerator door when it finally brightens and shows a pumped up and sweaty Omoide and a flustered Harold at his side.  

Sumi taps on the camera on the display, "Hey, is this thing on?  Can you see me, can you hear me?"  She grins knowing that they can as she can see them on the small PIP screen in the corner.

"Hello Sumi, what can we do for you two?" Harold asks waving his hand.

"Dinner?  When do you think you will be ready to eat and what do you want?  We can cook.  Keibiin says she is 'passable' in the kitchen and you know I can make world class rice dishes!"  She chuckles as Omoide can be seen raising his eyebrows looking confused.

Harold looks at Omoide and whispers something as he is laughing.

Omoide quietly says something back to Harold before he continues, "I would say two hours and we will be done.  Ms. Shugosha knows my diet so I'm sure you both can come up with something." Omoide says and goes back to chugging his bottle.

Harold looks at Omoide in faked shock and then looks back at the display and just nods.

"Okay, two hours and mystery meal!  Got it!" Sumi smiles and turns away from the camera as it disconnects.

"That really didn't settle anything, did it?" Sumi says as she turns around to talk to Keibiin. 

Keibiin, on the other hand, already has two pots with water set to boil on the stove and has set out the meat, vegetables and rice on the counter ready to be prepared.  Sumi raises an eyebrow and moves to Keibiin's side at the counter.

"So uh, what can I help with?  What are we making?" She asks while still eyeing everything neatly arranged on the counter.

Keibiin points to the pots, "Rice for one and boil these.." She points to a pile of vegetables, herbs and spices, "in the other one.  Just put them in the cheesecloth first and tie it off with the twine over there."  She points past the afore mentioned pile of stuff to boil to the ball of twine.

"And what are we putting in the rice?"  Sumi asks as she opens the cheesecloth and puts it over a bowl, pressing it down inside.

"We'll make a vegetable broth to pour over the rice for Mr. Madelin.  It will be easier on his stomach and provide nutrients that he will need to continue to recover.  We will then braise the pork cutlets to be chopped and added to the remaining rice and vegetables for pork fried rice for the rest of us."  She explains very professionally.

Sumi narrows her eyes as she concentrates on chopping up the vegetables and crushing the herbs for the broth.  "I think there is some sake in the wine cooler.  Would you like some while we are preparing everything?" Sumi glances in Keibiin's direction.

Keibiin hands stop moving as she seems to be considering Sumi's question.  She slowly returns to her task as she nods, "Yes, I think that would be quite appropriate and I can use some to clarify the pan after searing the pork.  Great suggestion, Sumizumi."  She smiles and seems to relax, still going about the task of prepping the pork.