Cupid in Works

Raja had to get right to work. First, he would work on his niece. He called her over for brunch the next morning. Mai sat across from him, frowning.

“Why did you call me out here?” she asked. Raja tried to look innocent as he turned to her.

“Hm? What are you saying?” he asked. “Can’t I spend time with my favorite niece?” Mai narrowed her eyes.

“Not without your motives,” she said. “Come on. Spit it out. Why am I here?” Her uncle tried to smile and stay pleasant.

“Tell me, Mai,” he said. “How old are you now?” The vocalist gave him the side eye.

“Why?” she asked.

“Look,” Raja said. “There is no nice way to say this. But you need a husband soon.” Mai rolled her eyes.

“This shit again?” she asked.

“Language!” Raja shouted. His niece snorted.

“I’m serious,” he said. “You need to get married.”

“No,” Mai said. “No. No. I am not doing this! No way.”

“You think you could keep this band thing going?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “I want this go on as long as it can.” Raja frowned.

“It’s not very stable,” he muttered under his breath. His niece ignored him.

“I refused to be a housewife!” she said.

“And what’s wrong with that?” Raja asked. A waitress came by and cleared away the empty plates. Uncle and niece kept quiet until she left. Mai puffed up her cheeks.

“It’s sexist,” she said. “I do not want to become some baby factory.”

“Baby factory?” Raja asked.

“Why do you want to me to get married so badly?”

“I care about you.”

“No you don’t.”

Raja sighed. He knew this wouldn’t be easy. But still… He rubbed his forehead.

“I do,” the businessman said. “You will be getting old soon. You can’t keep this band going forever.”

“I know that,” Mai said. “But I will keep it going as long as I can.”

“And after that?” her uncle asked. Mai didn’t speak at first. Then she shrugged and shook her head.

“I’ll figure something out,” she said at last. Raja shook his head.

“That’s not good enough,” he said. “You need a husband. Look.” The businessman pulled out his phone.

“I have set you up on a meeting this Sunday,” he said. “You will meet with ten bachelors from around East Japan.” Mai’s jaw dropped.

“You what?!” she yelled. “No! No! Hell no!” Everyone in the outdoor café started staring at her.

“Keep your voice down,” Raja hissed. Mai glared at her uncle.

“You can’t do this to me,” she hissed.

“Yes, I can,” he said. “I am your benefactor. I raised you after your parents died. The least you can do is meet these young men at ten on Sunday. Can you do that?” Mai got up and laid down her part of the bill.

“Mai?” Raja asked.

“Goodbye, uncle,” she said. “I paid my part of the bill. I’ll see you later.” Mai walked off with her bag.

“Mai!” Raja said. His niece was already gone. The businessman sat back and sighed. Still, he wouldn’t give up.