I explained to Ryo that Mei and Mr. Edokawa had talked of trying to persuade Ms. Ikeda to allow their daughter to come to California for her birthday. At the time, these were plans that seemed unrealistic, but now that Ryo and I wanted Mei to come over as well, the task seemed lest daunting.
Ryo took me to his father's office at work the following day. His office was situated on the top floor of the first hotel of the Edokawa company in America.
We were lucky that Mr. Edokawa didn't have a meeting when we arrived, and so we were allowed to see him immediately.
"Mr. Edokawa, Ryo has agreed to try to accept Mei as a sister." I announced brightly, after chit-chatting about my studies and his work.
Mr. Edokawa was surprised and looked at Ryo for confirmation. Ryo didn't show the slightest sign of being happy or proud of his decision, but gave a curt nod.
"Well, that's..." Mr. Edokawa began, "unexpected." He looked as though he didn't know whether to be happy about the news or suspicious.
"We'll do everything we can to convince Ms. Ikeda to allow Mei to come over." I said, ignoring his reaction.
"We just need you to talk to Ms. Ikeda first, and discuss the details. If she doesn't agree, we'll step in to help out." Ryo said in a business-like manner.
I was getting slightly nervous. Ryo wasn't showing any feelings about our plans. Yesterday he's clearly agreed that what he and his family went though wasn't Mei's fault, and said he'd try to see her as a sister. But now...it was as if nothing had changed. ANd of Mr. Edokawa's reaction? I though he'd be glad, overjoyed even! He certainly must know that it was a big step for Ryo to undertake, didn't he?
The conversation, then took a turn to Ryo's progress in his work. I frowned at Ryo and his father. How could they ignore this? Certainly they couldn't be ambarassed? I supressed a smile. Perhaps they just needed a little time to adjust.
Yet, it was hard to believe Mr. Edokawa, who did everything in his power to get Ryo to do things with him, shyed away now that Ryo was taking a step forward willingly.

Before Ryo and I walked out of the office, Ryo turned around to face his father.
"I haven't completely forgiven you," Ryo said, his voice smooth, "yet." His eyes fixed on his father, his face expressionless.
Mr. Edokawa did nothing to hide the smile spreading on his face, and nodded.
I looked at Ryo proudly, with a grin. He was trying to forgive, and partially, I knew he'd already done so a long time ago. But it was only now, when he said those words that he was truly honnest with himself about it.

Mr. Edokawa excused Ryo from work so that he could drive me to my lessons.
Ryo and I were talking again, about everything and nothing. Like we used to do before our argument, and before his surgery.
After my English lessons, which primarily focused on pronunciation today, I sat behind my computer and sent an email to Mei. Despite her young age, she religiously checked her inbox and replied to my emails every day.

Dear Mei,

I'm glad for you that your mom was able to take the week off for your birthday. I really wish I could be there to celebrate with you as well. But sadly I cannot as I am in California. What present would you like for your birthday this year? If I can, I'll try to find it and give it to you in some way.
If you need any help with school work, don't forget that I will help you the best I can (even with the time difference).

Your father misses you.
And I, lovely Mei, do too,

Big sister Mizuki

I knew that from time to time Mei would show her mother emails she received from me, but I knew her to be smart enough to understand what I meant with this email. Mei wished more than anything to come to California to see her father. Now I was giving her the opportunity  so she could convince her mother to come visit me as an excuse.
I knew that this might just work. Ms. Ikeda tried to do her best to please Mei, in order to make up for her own long absences for work.
I felt a slight pang of guilt once I sent the email. I didn't want to trick Ms. Ikeda... But this was the only way I could think of to discreetly help Mei find a complete family.