“The Language of Love”: Reading Critique Essay

Main Characters of The Language of Love

Adam Yensen (39), single: A professional negotiator. Born and raised in Denver. The only child of Betty (71) and James (73). He started traveling to Japan two years ago, based on his business needs and an opportunity to earn extra money (in addition to meeting a girl that he certainly likes). He loves living lavish and prefers showing off by stopping at the most expensive hotels in Tokyo. Adam is a loyal customer of the Cerulean Tower Hotel for the last several months.

Aiko Takeda (28): An interpreter. Born and raised in Shibuya. Never travelled anywhere except for different Tokyo districts. Does not have children. Aiko does not like showing off nor does she display any intentions to find a different job or start running her own business. She seems to be a caring, empathetic individual, with a willingness to turn the world around her into a better place. Aiko is currently in love with Adam but she does not show any interest in marrying him because she is either waiting for Adam to make the first move or wishing that everything would come off perfectly by itself.

The Setting

The story takes places in Shibuya district, on the 23^rd and the 24^th of December, on the verge of Christmas. Adam and Aiko finally meet and she learns that Adam’s father had died last night. She is willing to make an effort to make things work with Adam but their discussions do not seem to be lucrative enough. She decides to stay the night at Adam’s room but something happens and she disappears, leaving Mr. Yensen all alone in his suite, receiving another call from his hometown. Their plans to celebrate Christmas together and go to a local KFC restaurant do not come true, as Aiko disconnects her phone and does not let Adam find her.

The Plot/Dilemma

Adam is a frequent flyer, who is regularly visiting Japan (specifically Tokyo, the Shibuya district) for two special reasons:

1. he is a negotiator, earning money off striking deals with local businesses and
2. his love interest lives in the Shibuya district.

Adam’s problem is that being almost 40, he does not have kids and has never been married to anyone. Knowing that his parents are rather concerned with personal life but never actually talk to him about it, he is willingly building a romantic relationship with a young woman named Aiko, whom he wants to become his wife and take her back to Denver to start a family. Nevertheless, Aiko seems to be reluctant when it comes to making one step further and Adam has a problem realizing what averts them from taking their relationship to a new level.

Setting of the Story

The most important elements of the story are the two cultural elements that seem to move Adam and Aiko’s relationship forward while also restraining it at certain points of the story. The first essential element is the advent of a Christmas tradition across Japan, where Japanese families would go to their local KFC restaurants to eat fried chicken (Kotabe and Helsen 117; Larsen 300). This is a long-standing tradition that is believed to bring happiness and luck to Japanese homes, while it is also a certain opportunity to mix cultures (Leonard 80; Morrison and Conaway 140). Another crucial idea is that Japanese people do not believe they can speak proper English (Chin Leong 62; Mindog 4).

This idea is also fueled by older generations of the Japanese who insist on Japan being a sovereign country that does not have to be affected by strong external powers, such as Western countries and the US in general (Cannon and Warren 32; Yamamoto 81). The current story addresses these cultural elements to show that the language of love is the only universal means of communication that does not have to be linked either to long-standing traditions or nationwide bias.

Dialogue

• Hey sweetheart!

Adam knew this voice. He would have guessed it even if he had to keep his eyes closed forever. It was Aiko, the only person in the world that he felt like seeing and talking to right now because there was no one to understand his pain or console him like she always did.

• I missed you so much Aiko – Adam said with a lump in his throat. – I am sorry for not calling you right away. My father died last night when I had just finished my San Francisco transfer.
• Oh my God, Adam…I’m sorry to hear that. Gomeifuku wo inorimasu.
• It’s okay, Aiko. Since you’re here, I am feeling better for sure. It’s been three months since I have seen you last time so I am wondering how you are doing here.
• Nothing much, Adam. I am just trying to make sure that you feel safe. Were you able to talk to your mother about this?
• Not yet. I don’t even know how to approach it. Mom has a weak heart, she might not persevere talking to her son, who is being miles away, about her dead husband. This is awful. Like, awful, hope you can understand…
• Sure I do, sweetheart. I was just thinking about us spending Christmas together. Like the last time, when we had went to KFC and ate some of the spiciest food I had ever tried in my life. Each of your visits is so exciting to me because I learn something new about us, Adam.

Aiko gently pulled Adam closer and hugged him around the waist.

• Look, Adam, if you need something, I will make sure you have it. Just let me know. Please… – Aiko tilted her head. – I know it is hard for you to have this conversation but I cannot help myself looking at you being so sad and lost…
• Aiko, you always know how to cheer me up and I appreciate that but I am just not sure what to do right now. I don’t even feel like I am a decent human being. – Adam started raising his voice uncontrollably – Why didn’t I just stay to comfort my mother?! She’s out there all by herself, coping with the death of a loved one, and I am here, enjoying myself in the heart of Tokyo with a woman of my dreams! – Adam’s voice cracked, and he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the only server of Wonder Dining started looking at him in disbelief, like he was probably about to destroy this little, comfy restaurant in a split second.

The Language of Love

It was a regular sunny day in Shibuya, nothing special. Adam was pretty tired and had no intentions to lose time, as he quickly called for a taxi and headed toward his all-time favorite hotel in Shibuya district, the Cerulean Tower Hotel. It took him 12 hours to get from Denver to Tokyo, so there was nothing above granting the wish of taking a hot bath and a long nap to get back in shape and overcome the unnecessary consequences of persistent jetlag.

It was strange for Adam to even experience jetlag, as he was a frequent flyer and tended to visit Japan at least ten times a year. As quirky as it sounded, Adam still enjoyed each of these trips because they allowed him to escape the Denver routine and throw himself into the uniqueness of Japanese culture and their obsession with foreigners (to which he could not get used to either, even after so much time). There was nothing routine about this last trip, and Adam was genuinely worried about his mother staying alone at their family house during the holidays.

The Cerulean Tower firmly stood over the Shibuya, proudly spreading its authority across the district just like lighthouses shed light on the passing ships. There was something exceptionally graceful about this place that made Adam go back to Cerulean over and over again, despite the trips and stays being rather expensive. Actually, it was not surprising, considering that the Cerulean Tower is a five-star hotel, but Adam always worried about paying too much when it came to amenities. Taxi driver slowly pulled up to the hotel and as soon as Adam stepped out of the car, he felt a cold breeze punching his cheeks. It was not a good sign but he tried to avoid any precautions, or probably his body was just too tired to respond to preconceptions.

• Oh, Mr. Yensen! Welcome back! – The receptionist exclaimed. – Here are your keys, sir! Your deluxe corner suit is ready!
• Thanks, Yoshi – Adam mumbled. – I don’t need anything right now, I’ll let you know. I just need some sleep…
• Sure, Mr. Yensen! Always at your service!

… 34…35…36…37! Adam quickly left the elevator and entered his favorite suite that he could not get enough for the last eight months. Aiko should have called him already but Adam’s phone was as silent as a liar that has gotten his tongue cut off.

The phone rang…Adam was having a bad dream so quickly got up and tried to answer the call but the caller hung up after like five or six rings. It was a missed call from Aiko. Adam sat on the bed and a tear started running his left cheek, as he could not afford himself losing another precious person. His father died last night but poor Adam could not do anything about it as he was already in his plane to Tokyo when he found out the news.

Adam quickly called Aiko to hear her voice and calm down a bit after everything that happened to him during the last 24 hours:

• Hey! Aiko, where are you?
• Where have you been, Adam? – there was something in Aiko’s voice that sent shivers down Adam’s spine, something really close to sheer frustration or even resentment – I tried to reach you…You should have already been to Shibuya last night but you did not call…
• Look, I’m sorry, Aiko, I was really stressed about something but I cannot talk about it on the phone. Why don’t we meet at our favorite place in like 30 minutes?
• Ok! – Aiko said chirpily. Something has just changed, and Adam grasped it perfectly. – see you soon, Adam! I am going to hug you to death, darling!

“Wonder Dining. What a place!” – thought Mr. Yensen to himself, remembering how him and Aiko first met there two years ago when he had to fly over to Shibuya to negotiate business concerns of his Denver partners with a local Tokyo company that wanted to expand their operations to the United States. Still he could not get over his father’s death and the inability to turn back the hands of time and spend more time with the family, especially knowing that there were no siblings to look after mom and dad, with Adam pushing 40 and having to work as much as he could to make a living and match the luxurious lifestyle of his with the income of a decent business negotiator.

• Hey sweetheart!

Adam knew this voice. He would have guessed it even if he had to keep his eyes closed forever. It was Aiko, the only person in the world that he felt like seeing and talking to right now because there was no one to understand his pain or console him like she always did.

• I missed you so much Aiko – Adam said with a lump in his throat. – I am sorry for not calling you right away. My father died last night when I had just finished my San Francisco transfer.
• Oh my God, Adam…I’m sorry to hear that. Gomeifuku wo inorimasu.
• It’s okay, Aiko. Since you’re here, I am feeling better for sure. It’s been three months since I have seen you last time so I am wondering how you are doing here.
• Nothing much, Adam. I am just trying to make sure that you feel safe. Were you able to talk to your mother about this?
• Not yet. I don’t even know how to approach it. Mom has a weak heart, she might not persevere talking to her son, who is being miles away, about her dead husband. This is awful. Like, awful, hope you can understand…
• Sure I do, sweetheart. I was just thinking about us spending Christmas together. Like the last time, when we had went to KFC and ate some of the spiciest food I had ever tried in my life. Each of your visits is so exciting to me because I learn something new about us, Adam. You know well that this is a tradition here in Japan, we just cannot miss the opportunity to make it work for us…I would be even more proud of you if you could just let yourself have a rest and do what local people do on Christmas, don’t be so hard on yourself, sweetheart.
• I know that this KFC thing is a tradition here in Japan but I am not sure I would want spend the whole Christmas eating chicken. I mean, it’s nice but…I would want something else for us, something more…unusual, I guess? – Adam nodded his head, with a look on his face as if there was a question mark between his eyebrows.

Aiko gently pulled Adam closer and hugged him around the waist.

• Look, Adam, if you need something, I will make sure you have it. Just let me know. Please… – Aiko tilted her head. – I know it is hard for you to have this conversation but I cannot help myself looking at you being so sad and lost…
• Aiko, you always know how to cheer me up and I appreciate that but I am just not sure what to do right now. I don’t even feel like I am a decent human being. – Adam started raising his voice uncontrollably – Why didn’t I just stay to comfort my mother?! She’s out there all by herself, coping with the death of a loved one, and I am here, enjoying myself in the heart of Tokyo with a woman of my dreams! – Adam’s voice cracked, and he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the only server of Wonder Dining started looking at him in disbelief, like he was probably about to destroy this little, comfy restaurant in a split second.
• Adam, please, stop it. Yurushite! – said Aiko looking at the server. She squeezed Adam’s hand and looked in his gloomy green eyes. – I cannot say I understand what you feel but don’t be so hard on yourself. You couldn’t have just forced the plane to return to Denver or teleport back home after landing in Tokyo. Am I right?
• Yes, you are, Aiko.
• That is why you’re here and I am willing to do everything I can to make you feel important again. Your father’s death is not your fault. This is life. You cannot run around saving lives forever, especially knowing that you have already saved mines when we met for the first time…Sweetheart…
• Oh, Aiko. How do you even know how to always come at me with a message that is going to empower me and make me less anxious? No one has ever been able to do that, and I mean it when I say it –, tears started gathering in the corners of his eyes, preparing to pour out in a stream that no dam would have stopped. – This is why…I…Love you…There is no one else in this world who can understand me like you do…But I can’t…I know that you are probably…
• Stop. – Aiko said abruptly. She had to interfere because she knew Adam could have said something inappropriate right now, even though there was no one else inside the Wonder Dining except for the staff. – How about we ride to your place and work things out. I do not want you to embarrass yourself in front of all these people. Each of them knows you, remember? This is our favorite place, we cannot just sit here and yell at each other. We are going to scare away all the customers! – Aiko said with a slight trace of a joking smirk at her face.
• Sure, let’s go. I’ve stopped at Cerulean Tower so we only have a five-minute walk here, there’s no need for a taxi.

With a kansha, Aiko and Adam left Wonder Dining, and headed toward the hotel. Night-time Shibuya was a true masterpiece that many seemed to ignore, but Adam was not one of them. He was a rather pragmatic person but it seemed to be a superpower of his to find something romantic in surroundings. Except for the Cerulean Tower, that was a dull, tall building that did not touch Adam in any way. Even during the night, he could not get rid of the thought that the Tower was just another building among thousands of other edifices that, somehow, made Tokyo look so unique and astonishing.

How could he forget about Christmas, though? I might be even becoming less American after all – Adam once thought to himself after devouringly consuming at least three portions of wok with shrimp. – This just can’t be happening, man. Adam, you have to step up! Go find a cheeseburger next time, you don’t have to settle for Japanese food…For God’s sake, you have got fries, mozzarella sticks, pancakes, and pizza. Don’t do it to yourself, my guy! Cheer up!

Somehow, thoughts about hometown food and a perfectly-looking Japanese girl in her late twenties could not steal Adam’s focus. He was upset with himself. Despite Aiko’s words, he still felt like there was a missing element somewhere that made him less of a redeemable person. – Jesus. Dad’s demise was so unexpected. I guess I couldn’t have done anything anyway. I have to call my mom tomorrow.

• Adam! – Aiko exclaimed, stopping Adam right before they would have passed by the hotel. – Are you coming with me or not? What are you thinking?
• Oh, nothing, really. I was just zoning off a bit, thoughts about my dad are just messing with my head.
• Alright, let’s get in before we freeze outside, I am not planning on turning into an icicle tonight. It is 10PM already, I would not mind a warm drink and a movie night with a blanket and snacks. You in?
• Sure, Aiko! – Adam smiled generously, probably for the first time in the last 48 hours. – Let’s grab something from the minibar, you are most definitely eligible for the MVP award, as always.
• What’s that? MVP? Is it like Most Voluptuous Partner? – Aiko laughed, playfully looking at Adam, who no longer looked lost or seriously upset after hearing Aiko deciphering the MVP part. – Chill, I know what that means, not trying to make you blush, sweetheart. You are already pink enough from all the drinks that you have gulped back in Wonder Dining.

They both laughed and entered the shiny building of the Cerulean Tower Hotel, leaving most of their troubles behind, both individual and common, in order to set the mood for the Christmas and spend the best night of their lives together. Reaching floor 37, Adam suddenly felt like this was the moment he was waiting for. Adam and Aiko did not really have a long relationship history, but it felt like they had known each other for ages and not just mere two years. He hugged her gently from behind and they stood huddled together, watching as the Shibuya district plunged into darkness.

• This honestly feels like we are on top of the world, Adam. With you, I feel like a goddess, who observes those ordinary people from above, only occasionally condescending to them in order to bless them with her beauty and virtue! – Aiko closed her eyes and tried to dissolve in Adam’s warm embrace.
• Look, I am not saying that other people are blind not to see you shining but I bet even Stevie Wonder could have seen you were not an ordinary human. – Adam sobbed lightly. – I am forever grateful to God, or whoever is there watching us from above, for bringing you into my life. It feels like it was yesterday: me saving you from that drunk idiot near the convenience store, us falling in love with each other…It is a blessing and I would not dare trading this moment right here for anything in the world. Anything!

Their lips merged in a tender kiss and made Adam and Aiko forget about everything in the world, as if no one else existed in the hotel, in the Shibuya district, or even Tokyo.

• I just wish you would get over your bias about having to speak English while living in Japan. I don’t think this rusty tradition of Japanese people practically ignoring other languages serves you well, we could do much better in the States…Just come with me and I’ll show you around. There’s so much for you to see, Aiko!
• Really? You little itazura! Don’t disrespect our traditions or I am going to whoop your o shiri! I’ll think about this later. I have a better plan for now and another language to speak! – Aiko exclaimed playfully, hugging Adam even stronger than before.

…

It was 2 AM. Adam could not sleep and suddenly peeked at Aiko’s phone. There was a message from Aisuru Otto. He did not know Japanese well enough to translate what the message said, but the sheer power of imagination and curiosity forced him to launch Google Translate on his own phone. Who could it be? Adam was still under the influence of alcohol so he tried his best not to cause any serious noise but he was so tired that he actually fell asleep with the phone in his hands. A healthy sleeping pattern was only a privilege for Adam and he did not usually resort to it. He only managed to write down the aisuru part when he dozed off. Yet, the meaning of Aisuru Otto would not be a surprise for him. Most definitely.

Adam woke up to another phone call. It was his mom. He quickly got up and picked up the phone:

• Hey mom! I have so much to tell you! There is a girl called Aiko, I think I am finally going to marry plus she is most likely to come back to Denver with me. I hope that it is not going to be a problem if we keep you company for like a week or so when we get back from Tokyo?… This Christmas thing is killing me! Can you imagine? These guys are taking their whole families to KFC on Christmas day! I think we could also help Aiko learn some English since she believes she’s so bad just because she is from Japan and Japanese people cannot speak English properly and should not even dare learning it!…I…
• …Mr. Yensen…Mr. Yensen, can you hear me? – A crusty male voice suddenly started pounding on Adam’s eardrums. – Adam? Is that you?

Adam’s heart skipped a beat because he has heard that voice before. He started packing things as soon as he hung up the phone. Aiko was nowhere to be found and her phone was disconnected. A small paper note, soaked through with tears, said “nidoto awanai.” This time, Adam did not need a translation.

Works Cited

Cannon, Garland, and Nicholas Warren. The Japanese Contributions to the English Language. Harrassowitz, 1996.

Chin Leong, P. (2017). English-Medium Instruction in Japanese Universities: Policy Implementation and Constraints. Current Issues in Language Planning, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 57-67.

Kotabe, Masaaki, and Kristiaan Helsen. Global Marketing Management. Wiley, 2012.

Larsen, Timothy. The Oxford Handbook of Christmas. Oxford Press, 2020.

Leonard, Todd. Letters Home. iUniverse, 2003.

Mindog, Emily. “Apps and EFL: A Case Study on the Use of Smartphone Apps to Learn English by Four Japanese University Students.” Jalt Call Journal, vol. 12, no. 1, 2016, pp. 3-22.

Morrison, Terri, and Wayne Conaway. Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands. McGraw-Hill, 2012.

Yamamoto, Masayo. Language Use in Interlingual Families: A Japanese-English Sociolinguistic Study. Cromwell Press, 2001.