"I never claimed to be a representative of Japanese manhood. I reserve the right to change my mind whenever I want," he countered weakly. "...But, look. Please? Can't we just say I was wrong to offer and leave it at that?"
"Absolutely not! Give me your phone. I'll call him myself."
Tachyon stepped closer, her hands reaching out as if to frisk him for the device. Panic flared in Tanami's chest.
"Fine! I'll do it! Just stop!"
He pulled the phone from his back pocket, his voice bordering on a yelp. A flush of heat crept up his neck; the thought of Tachyon touching a phone that had been pressed against his backside made him feel strangely exposed. He fumbled with the screen, pretending to struggle with the buttons to buy himself a few seconds of composure. Tachyon let out a sharp, impatient huff, sensing his hesitation. Finally, he got the number ready and handed the device over.
"This is the one?" she asked.
Tanami stayed close—but not too close—and checked the number. "Yeah," he whispered. He felt a wave of nausea, though it wasn't quite sickness. It was a heavy, viscous feeling in his stomach, like he needed to purge something that wouldn't come out. He could only stand there and wait as the line rang, listening for his father to pick up.
He watched the very last student disappear into the dorms. He'd felt this before, he realized. Back in autumn. In those days, his feelings for Tachyon had been like a raging fire. He crouched down, staring at the ground illuminated by the stadium lights. He saw his own shadow.
And now?
His heart felt steadier than it had back then. His love hadn't changed, but that thick, oily desperation in his soul seemed to have thinned. Something about the way he felt for her was different now, but he couldn't put his finger on it. All he knew for sure was that the burden on his shoulders felt a little lighter.
He was about to lose himself in that thought when he heard Tachyon exclaim, "What!?"
He looked up. Tachyon was already on the phone, looking at him with a face full of annoyance. She gestured for him to come closer. When he reached her, she averted her eyes and muttered a final "Yes, I see," before thrusting the phone back at him.
"Your father wants to hear it from you. I explained everything, but he insists he can't decide until he hears both sides. Honestly, the man is just like you—stubbornly refusing to listen even after a perfectly logical explanation."
Tanami ignored her grumbling and took the phone. "Hello? Dad? My student, Tachyon... she wants to come over for the holidays."
"I heard," his father's voice crackled. "Are you okay with it? Bringing someone home, I mean."
Tanami hesitated, the words catching in his throat, but he eventually nodded to the empty air. "I don't have much choice. She's set on it. I was more worried about you. Are you sure?"
There was a pause on the other end. "Well... fine. If you're okay with it, I can handle a guest for New Year's. How long is she staying?"
"We'll arrive on the afternoon of the 29th. We'll head back on the 5th."
"So... seven nights?"
"Probably."