Lesson Learned

"You made this hat yourself?!" The old woman gushed.

Mitsuko's smile wavered as she held the wool in her hands for Rio's grandmother, the two of them on the flower-patterned sofa in the small living room which was packed with different photos of the Nakamura and extended family on the walls and giant fireplace.

Rio's grandmother held up the pink hat Mitsuko had made for Rio. The woman was in her 80's and was short, she had the exact same eyes as Rio, but her hair was a dark brown and streaked with grey and tied up in a bun that was secured with a decorated pin; she smiled a lot.

"Thank you," Mitsuko replied politely, bowing her head slightly. "I've been improving for months now." She looked over at Rio who was sitting in the armchair opposite and was scowling.

Grandmother Nakamura smiled.  "I tried to teach Rio when she was younger but she just found it boring."

Rio's scowl deepened, adjusting her legs so they were hanging off the armrest, spreading her jean covered thighs wide as she slummed back in the chair. "Because it was boring."

Mitsuko gave a nervous laugh. "Um, well it takes some patience I guess."

The old woman shot her granddaughter an annoyed look. "Rio sit properly—you're not a boy!"

Rio's face ticked across with irritation. "Yeah, I know." She spread her legs wider and propped one leg up on the top of the seat. "It's not like I'm wearing a skirt." She shrugged and placed her hands behind her head. "Who cares?"

Mitsuko's smile tightened since if Rio wanted to break the news to the old woman, she wasn't exactly setting up the scene with sensitivity.

She watched as Grandmother Nakamura glared at Rio before smiling apologetically at her. "Anyway, it's so nice to meet you properly," the woman said politely. "We didn't get the chance to talk much at my husband's funeral and...well, Rio talked about you so much when she was younger."

"Thank you." Mitsuko chuckled. "Rio talks about you a lot as well," she lied since Rio had only mentioned her grandparents a good handful of times.

The old woman hummed and handed her back the hat. "Well, I'll just go check on the tea and then we can settle in the lounge."

"Yes, that sounds wonderful, thank you," Mitsuko replied politely, putting the hat back in her handbag. 

The woman nodded and rose from the seat, smoothing down her dress before heading towards the kitchen.

Mitsuko's smile dropped the minute the doors were slid shut. "Rio..."

"What?" Rio raised an eyebrow.

She frowned and walked over to the armchair. "What is wrong with you?!" she hissed, resting her hands on her hips. "You know what we came here to do, and you pissing her off before we've even done it, is really not helping determine a positive outcome."

Rio grimaced, sitting up. "I'm just acting my usual self."

"Oh, this is usual for you?" Mitsuko challenged.

"Yes." Rio stood up and crossed her arms. "Okay, she's...you know, and n matter what I do it's never enough so..." She shrugged. "I'm just keeping it casual."

"...Seriously?" Mitsuko sighed in exasperation. "Look, I get you're trying to hide your nerves—been there, got the certificate—but it's not helping." She held her hand. "Just please, be honest."

The other girl grimaced, pulling away. "Okay, fine," she whispered, raising her hands defensively. "Maybe I am nervous, but it's fine, I know what I'm doing," she insisted, and then placed a hand on her chest. "This is my coming out, so just...let me do it the way I want, okay?"