Journey of the Next Door Valentines

I delighted in the simple, brief moment that we had shared, and suddenly found myself wanting to know more of the emotions contained in this young woman. Referring to her as a girl just did not seem to fit, in my mind, given her poise, and gentle grace.

Dad suggested we move back to the living room, but offered to refill all the wine glasses of those that wanted more. Kokomi saw Tricia & Cal slide their glasses towards dad, and get refills, so she cautiously slid hers over, too. She smiled and nodded when dad refilled it. As we all got up to move, I made a quick detour to grab a beer bottle from the fridge. Mom caught me playing catch up, and then caught my eyes and frowned. She pointed at her glass of wine, and then saw my confused expression, so she mimicked pouring something into the glass.

Dumb me, she didn't want my beer bottle's informality and wanted me to pour it into a glass. I said a quick "Excuse me" and saw Kokomi glance up as I turned and left. Putting the beer into a glass that was appropriate for the classier atmosphere, I returned to the living room. But before I could take my seat, Cal Timmons suggested I show Kokomi all the landscaping work my parents had done. My parents had added numerous lights, a stream, and evergreens around the pool area. But, this being Boulder, Colorado, the pool was drained for the winter and the stream system had been winterized.

"Uh...sure!" I said, my brain playing catch up, "I will get her coat." I set my beer down and returned with her long coat and my heavy windbreaker, as I was used to the cold. It was actually rather warm for December here, still a bit above freezing. Kokomi was already standing, but looking unsure of what was happening. I held her coat open for her, and she slipped it on, with another "Arigatou". I gestured for her to come with me, and she glanced back at Tricia who smiled and made a, sort of, "scoot along" gesture with her hands. Kokomi then slowly started to follow me as I moved.

I had her follow me through the house to the family room, and opened the sliding doors to the sunroom. As she stepped in, I closed the sliding door and flipped on the timer for the radiant heaters that were placed at the top of the glass walls. Kokomi felt the heat, and looked up, studying the glowing orange heating elements. I went over to a panel of switches, and started flipping the outdoor lighting on. There were four switches, and they lit up around the rock features, under the evergreens, and the Christmas lights in those trees, I heard little accented "Aahs" and "Oohs" from behind me. I turned to see the side of her smiling face studying all the lights, and then I looked at her eyes and saw reflections of all the colored lights outside.

Kokomi's head turned and her gaze momentarily turned to my eyes, before darting down towards the floor. Her posture tightened, and then her eyes slowly rose and her head turned back towards the view. She made a broad gesture with both hands to the view, and cautiously pronounced, "Pr...retty". It was only the second English word I had heard her speak. Hoping to use that for more interaction, I said, "Kokomi pretty".

She didn't move for at least five seconds or more, and then started shaking her head side-to-side in denial, still facing the glass.

"Hai" I said, to reaffirm my opinion. That got a brief, small smile, which I saw in the corner of her mouth and in her cheek. Kokomi reached into her coat and pulled out a cell phone, which she woke up. She tapped an app and then spoke into the phone. I was not able to recognize distinct words but I was startled by the phone saying, "I am not pretty. Many have told me so, where I have come from."

I was very puzzled by that response, and unsure how to proceed. After moment, I moved closer to her, and her eyes looked at me, and I mean really looked at me for the first time, searching across my face. I looked back and watched a tear start to travel down her cheek, before she wiped it away. I pointed at her phone and then made a gesture, from me to her. Thankfully, she understood that I wanted to know if I could talk to her and have the phone translate the other way. She nodded and handed me the phone.

I said, "Who would say such a terrible thing to you, and why would they do that?" A moment later, Japanese-sounding words exited the phone, and I saw her take in a deep breath, and then extend her hand to get her phone back. I handed it to her, and gestured for her to sit. She sat on the end of a lounge chair, and I sat next to her.

After a pause, she spoke into the phone, and out came, "My mother, my classmates, others, too. They said that I am not Japanese. They said that I should be ashamed of my foreign father."

Borrowing the phone, I told her, "Why would your mother do that? That seems terrible to me."

Her response was, "Mother had many bad things said to her for getting pregnant, especially to a foreigner who did not marry her. I believe that she transferred that shame, that pain, to me. Because of problems with my birth, mother could no longer birth children, and told me, therefore, that she never married. She blamed me for that, too. She blamed me for ruining her life. She was moderately wealthy from her father's money, and so she sent me away to schools. I had not seen her for two years when she died."

"I am so sorry," I said, softly, though the phone did not convey that gentleness. "Do the Timmons know of this?"

"They do not know, and I do not wish that they know the sorrow their brother caused," she said. She placed a hand on my knee as she spoke, and then I heard, "Please, do not tell them. They have been very kind to offer me their home and the missing half of my life. I do not wish to burden them further."

With her phone, I said in return, "I will say nothing about this to the Timmons or my family. I will respect your privacy." I paused and wiggled one finger underneath her hand, which still rested on my knee, and she slowly looked down at our hands. I continued, "However, I want you to know, to understand, that I do not agree with the people in your past. I find your physical appearance, your combined heritage, very intriguing and attractive. I would have no moral issues with any race your parents could have come from."

Taking her hand away and the phone as well, she sniffed, and then said, "You are very kind to say such nice things to me, though I find your words hard to believe. Oh! It is not that I question that you will not tell others of my past, but that you could find me..." and the phone stopped, before she spoke into it again, "...find my mixed features attractive. I think you are just being generous and kind, lying to soften my pain."

"NO, I am not!" I exclaimed, before realizing I did not have the phone. I gently pulled the phone from her hand, and restarted, "No, I am not. I truthfully think you are pretty. Your looks do not match with popular American cultural stereotypes of beauty, but you are attractive in a unique and special way. I have to return to college tomorrow, but I really hope I can see you, that is, spend time with you again in the future. I will even say I would like to date you, and I will get this app for my phone, too."

Kokomi almost snatched her phone back, looking into my eyes as she spoke into it, "You are telling the truth? This is not pity for this bastard girl!? You would want to know me?"

I was nodding back to her quiet, hopeful face, when I heard the patio door open. Tricia said, "Kokomi?" Kokomi looked up, and Tricia pointed at her watch, showed her five fingers, and then pointed back inside. Kokomi nodded her agreement, and Tricia winked at me as Kokomi's face turned away. The door closed, and Tricia disappeared.

We both stood up and Kokomi turned to me, eyes down, with her phone by her mouth. She paused before she spoke, and then the phone played out, "I have just started to think I can believe your wonderful words, and now I must leave. This is an unfair fate, to have to hope that your words will be the same when we can meet again." She started to turn away, then stopped and looked over her shoulder into my eyes. The phone said, "I think you are very attractive, too, and I would be most honored and delighted to be your date at any future time."

She suddenly pivoted back to me, popped up on her toes, and lightly bounced her lips off of mine. Then she quickly spun away, but I grabbed her hand, yanking her to stop. She looked down at our locked hands in surprise, and then she slowly turned her face up at me with a look I can only describe as a blend of disbelief, hope, and confusion. I stepped up to her, releasing her hand, and sliding my arm around her waist. As I bent down to kiss her, her face dropped, putting her forehead on my chest. With my other hand, I put a finger under her chin and pushed up. It took a moment and a fair amount of pressure before she relented and let her face rise, to show me the tears on her cheeks.

I bent again, watching those big, watery eyes close, and pressed my lips to hers. A high whimper played out softly below me, just before she nearly collapsed out of my arm. I quickly caught her, before my other arm could assist, by squeezing her against me, with her open coat allowing me to feel her soft breasts halt their downward slide. She promptly recovered her footing and composure, and then stepped back, looking into my eyes in a way that searched for answers. With the phone, she spoke into it, then gave me a quick bow while it played back, "Please, do not forget Kokomi. Kokomi will not ever forget her first kiss."

She opened the sliding door, stepped in, closed the door, gave me quick glance through the glass, and then disappeared into the hallway. I went inside a moment later after turning off the lights and heaters, and found my parents and the Timmons were all looking out the open front door, with the Timmons in their coats.

Tricia looked at me with a concerned confusion, and asked, "She just left here in tears. What happened?!"

"I...I would have to guess that she is happy, or wants to be," I offered.

Mom said, sharply, "That didn't look like any happy I know. What did you do to her!?"

"Nothing bad, mom. I complimented her."

"Then, why did she react with tears?" Tricia almost pleaded.

I scuffed my foot around on the floor, and sighed, "Mrs. Timmons, it is her's to tell you, if and when she chooses to. Please do not ask her about it. She has good reasons. And I'd like to date her the next time we are both in town, though I'm not sure she believes that, yet."

"Uh...Wha...So..." Tricia stammered, "So, we just pretend that nothing happened tonight?"

I nodded, "She has some thinking to do, and I think...and hope...she will be a lot happier once she really believes me."

"Okaaaaayy..." Tricia said, cautiously.

"Thank you bringing her over here tonight," I said, with my eyes asking for no more questions.

"Good night, everyone, and thanks for the fine food and company," Cal said, "Come on, dear. I think we have given her enough of a head start."

"Yes, thanks," Tricia said, looking lost in her thoughts, "And thank you Chad, I think. I can't say I know why, but I suspect you've made an important change in her life."

=+=+=+=+=+=+=

It was about 9 AM the next morning, and I was packing my Subaru for the return to Utah State University. Paul was having his usual fun lording his new height over me, as I ducked out of the morning breeze to set a few things in the back seat. Then I heard him exclaim, "SHIT! Who the fuck is that!?"

I stood up, followed where he was looking. Stunned, I whispered "Shit is right!" Kokomi was standing in the Timmon's front yard looking our way. All I could see was this thick mass of shimmering, rich black hair that wafted in the morning breeze. It slowly danced in waves, extending nearly half way down her thighs. She brushed some errant strands from her face and shyly waved.

Paul waved, and I signaled her to come over. Paul gushed, "DAMN! I want a piece of that! I growled, "Can it, Paul! That is Kokomi, the Timmons new daughter..."

"New daughter!?" Paul exclaimed.

"Ask mom for details. Kokomi is from Japan and does not speak English," I added.

Kokomi, dressed in simple jeans and "Hello Kitty" t-shirt (Okay, that was one stereotype that survived) avoided crossing through the plants and instead walked out to the sidewalk, and then moved towards our driveway. The way her hair flowed and swirled behind her reminded me of galloping horses' tails in any western.

"Wow," Paul leered, "I'ld like to..."

"SHUT IT, RIGHT NOW, Paul or I'll deck you right here!! She's mine!" I threatened, and Paul looked at me in shock, as she walked the last few feet to stand in front of me. She gave a quick, acknowledging nod to Paul and then pulled out her cell phone, and spoke into it.

"I was so afraid I would miss you. Must you leave, soon?" the phone's voice said, oddly distant from the anxious face.

I opened my hand, and she gave me the phone. Before I used it, I said, "Paul, this is Kokomi Ishikawa." Then into the phone is said, "Yes I must...and this is Paul, my younger brother. He was just going back in the house."

"Uh...okay...nice meeting you," Paul said, without the phone. Kokomi gave him a small wave as he turned to go into the house.

Still having the phone, I added, "I had no idea your hair was so long, and that thick. It is beautiful!"

Her eyes dropped, the blush rose, and her hands fumbled for some place to rest.

I continued, "I meant what I said last night. I think you are very attractive, and even more so with this amazing hair. I cannot come back until the spring break, which is the first week in the month of March. Will you go on a date with me when I return?"

She rapidly nodded, and I watched the ripples shimmy down her hair. She gestured for the phone, and I returned it.

"I cannot believe you want me, but I will go with you anytime you ask. And, I am to be in intense English courses, here in the city, before I am to leave for college in September. I will study very hard, and maybe when we date, we can talk without the phone. Will you kiss me for a goodbye?"

I smiled, and moved up to her, putting both my hands on the sides of her face. I was just looking into those big, worried eyes, and then used my thumbs to wipe away the creeping tears. I gently placed my lips on hers, and heard such a huge sigh echo into my mouth, that I feared she might have deflated like a balloon.

Then she pulled away, and using the phone, she said, "I did not know it was possible to feel this happy! I will miss you very much. Please be safe in your travels." Then she turned, and walked out to the sidewalk, and I watched her slightly sassy walk make her hair flow side-to-side, until a breeze blew it to one side. When she got to her driveway, she slowed her pace and looked at me. She finally stopped just before entering the house, and waved. When she saw me smile and wave to her, she and hair flowed through her front door.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=

Having returned to USU, I was now faced with the moment of acting upon the decision that had come easily on the drive. Kokomi is special, unique, and sweet. Britney was built & hot, sure, but otherwise common, a bit crude, and now, no longer worth the effort to placate. I knocked on Psycho-Britney's door.

She answered it with, "Hey lover boy, come on in!" I shut the door and she moved to kiss me, but halted, her happy look fading, "What's wrong? Didn't things go...You couldn't keep it in your pants, could you!"

"I..."

"I KNEW IT!! You just had to bang some little Colorado snow bunny, didn't you. Who is she...no, NO....it doesn't matter. Just 2 legs with a pussy in the middle, and you couldn't resist.

"NO..."

"GOD, you men are all the same! I'm glad I didn't waste my vacation. That running back was a helluva fuck, and he appreciated what he had. NOW GET OUT!!"

Amy was on her bed, with her knees pulled to chest, staying out of the line of fire. She uttered a wistful "Bye, Chad."

Britney couldn't leave that alone either, "You want that cheating piece of shit back, Amy!? You can have him! Go fuck his brains out, if he has any left. Just don't bring him back here!"

Before I closed the door, I said, "Bye Amy." I closed the door, and something shattered against the back of the door, as I could hear the tinkling of many, small pieces. That had gone a lot easier than I expected.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=

January came and went pretty quickly, and I even dated 2 girls who had asked ME out! (Separate dates. I am not that kind of party animal!), Nice times, fun conversation and flirting, but no sex and nothing clicked; nothing like I had a desire to understand who this girl was that I was out with. I always came back to comparing them to Kokomi.

Then came February 1^st, and in the middle of a Soils Management class (my major was Forestry), my phone dinged, earning me a glare from the teacher. I gave her a chagrined look. Glancing at my phone, I saw it was not a number in my phone book, so I put it aside. It wasn't until my lunch break that I remembered to see what the text message was. When I opened it, I was surprised to see a pair of puckered lips, coated in bright red lipstick. No written message, just the picture. And it showed little else of what surrounded her lips, so that made it hard for me to guess who it was.

Two days later, another text message. Again, no text. This time a bare girl's/woman's flat stomach with a red paper heart, with white lace edgings, covering her very center, including her navel. I still did not know who it was. I had already berated myself for not getting Kokomi's cell phone number, nor giving her mine, before I left after Christmas. Thus, I ruled her out.

On the 5^th, I got a photo of two lovely feet, with the red paper hearts held between the toes, and the toenails painted the exact same color as the paper. Who did I know that would think of feet, as pretty as they were, for a picture?

Another two days, the 7^th of February, and another of these textless messages arrived. This one was clever, and more erotic than before, showing two lovely, modestly sized, round breasts. The girl in the picture had two popsicle sticks with red paper hearts mounted on the ends, and she held the sticks with one hand, in a V-formation, so that her nipples were hidden. I still did not recognize the breasts. They were way too small to be Britney's, and I really doubted Britney would have made the clever effort, nor hidden her nipples, even if we hadn't broken up. The photo's breasts were even smaller than Amy's, and for that matter Tina's, Annie's or Brandy's (sophomore year dates). I could not imagine that Kokomi would be this brazen.

The 9^th of the February brought a bigger surprise. It was a girl's (the girl's?) bare backside, from her shoulder blades to the top of her buttocks, as she sat perched on a red, heart-shaped pillow. Her waist had a wonderful, graceful taper, and her hips appeared to be on the narrow side. Great posture, too.

On the 11th, another wonderful image. Obviously the same girl, from the shape of her slim waist and the same flat stomach from the second image that I had received on the 3^rd. This time the image went from the bottom edges of her breasts, to mid-thigh, with a large paper heart covering her pubic area. Definitely slim hips.

The following day, the 12^th of February, I got the same image, except the paper heart was smaller, exposing more skin and adding hints as to what was behind it. I was definitely getting aroused, and this seemed to be heading towards Valentine's Day. I could hardly (hard being an apt word) wait for what may come next.

On the 13^th, the same image, once again, with just a tiny heart that only covered her slit. The rounded sides of her labia were just visible. Pubic hair leaked out around the edges of the heart. Straight, sparse, black pubic hair. Kokomi?!