Several days later, Dr. Nataka was back on his feet and in good condition. He let the Hoshi family stay as long as necessary. He would occasionally check up on Ryu, who insisted that he could get on his feet, but the doctor encouraged him to rest.

 Ryu was in his room, reading a book. Chun Li had moved his futon so that it was against the wall, so he could sit up with his back against it.

 “Knock, knock…” came a voice as the door opened.

 Ryu looked up as Chun Li entered with a tray of food. He smiled in greeting.

 “Thank you. I could smell the food from up here. It was making me hungry.”

 Chun Li set the tray over his lap. “The smell of my cooking does that to everyone.”

 She had been very helpful the last few days. Dr. Nataka had appointed her Ryu’s personal nurse, much to his embarrassment. Even his family started making fun of him. But Chun Li remained her considerate self. Ryu knew that he had promised to sort everything out with her, but he gave her credit for not pushing him. After all, an injured ankle and a new family were difficult to deal with as it was.

 Ryu carefully lifted the bowl of soup and spoon as Chun Li fluffed the pillows under his foot.

 “You don’t have to try so hard…you’re doing a good job as a nurse,” Ryu assured her before taking a sip.

Chun Li smiled. “Thanks. But I don’t mind taking care of you.” Realizing what she said, she cleared her throat. “I mean…being a nurse and doing beyond what’s expected is something I don’t mind doing.”

 “I know what you meant,” Ryu responded, continuing to eat.

 Silence fell. Chun Li studied the floor while Ryu ate. Finishing his soup, he picked up the chopsticks and examined what was on the tray. Fried salmon and spicy ground beef mixed with tofu whetted his appetite. He glanced up, noticing that she seemed in a trance.

 After his meal, Ryu cleared his throat. “I…I was thinking of going home with my family for a while…”

 Chun Li looked up. “Oh?” Then she smiled softly. “That’s good. It will give you time to get acquainted.”

 “After that…I was thinking…if you wouldn’t mind…of me going to Hong Kong and staying with you for a while…” Ryu began. “I’d like to see your school…and you, of course.”

 She raised her eyes to study him carefully. Then she smiled again. “I’d like that.”

 “I…I…” He blew out a breath of frustration. This was new for him. He wasn’t sure on how to handle it without hurting her feelings. “I…can’t make any promises…but I’ll do my best. I…have never dated a woman before…I don’t know the first thing about where to go…what to do…”

 Chun Li reached over and held his hand. “Some things will stay the same.”

 “Such as?”

 “Well…we’ve always been friends, Ryu. The only difference is that we’ll be…closer.”

 “How close?” he asked.

 She laughed, squeezing his hand. “Close enough so that if either of us feels like showing any physical affection, we’re free to do so without offending the other person.”

 “Such as?”

 “Whatever comes naturally,” she supplied.

 “I see.” He gently grazed his lips over her knuckles.

 She bit down on her lip to hold back her smile, but it was no use. “You know…I’m beginning to wonder if you pretend to be dense…when in actuality…you really aren’t…”

 Outside the door, three family members looked at each other and grinned.