Haruka sat in the centre of the blue green room. It was nearly midnight but she wasn't ready to go home yet. The restaurant would be opening tomorrow and she had to make sure everything was ready. She had polished the already brand new tables over a hundred times now but she couldn't risk missing a spot.
She knew she was worrying Michiru. They had talked on the phone earlier. Michiru knew something was going on but never would of guessed what Haruka had been doing in all the months past. I would all be a surprise and it had to be perfect. Michiru had contributed in a way, without her own knowledge. Haruka had presented her with what seemed like thousands of interior design catalogues and asked her what she liked, what she didn't. Whenever they went out to dinner, which was most nights, Haruka would gently try to probe for information on Michiru's taste when it came to restaurant's interior design.
Haruka gazed around the completed product. It was grand and sophisticated like Michiru. It was the shade of teal Michiru had picked out of the catalogue months prior. What if Michiru had changed her mind since then?
No Michiru has loved this colour for years.
Even so, Haruka could not stop worrying about the colour and tried desparately to distract herself by thinking over her plans for tomorrow. She would surprise Michiru with plans to eat out for breakfast. Michiru liked not having to cook but they would often sleep in until past lunch so they would be a welcome change. Haruka would drive while Michiru would cover her eyes so she wouldn't see the classy, minimalist sign out front reading The Teal Mermaid. Haruka would lead her inside and to their table (at the front with a view of the sea). She would open her eyes and be blown away by the grand romantic gesture. Then a waiter would bring her favorite dish, Sashimi (it might seem like a wierd breakfast dish to you, but trust me when I say Michiru will love it) and we would have a lovely romantic meal together. She would ask the waiter for the bill and discover that this whole restaurant was buit in her honour.
The months of building and setting up the restaurant had been very stressful (especially having to keep it all a secret from Michiru) and Haruka had often comforted herself by imagining the reaction she would get when Michiru saw the restaurant. This time however, she couldn't help but worry about the colour. It needed to be perfect. She knew it was silly. Michiru would love her regardless of the colour. Haruka's eyes gklistened with tears and she gave out a tiny, almost inaudible sob.
Suddenly soft, firm, gentle, familiar hands met with Haruka's. Their fingers interlaced and Michiru whispered.
"I'm here"
Haruka was speachless for a moment before wiping her eyes and blurting out "What are you doing here?". Michiru chuckled. Haruka was not good at keeping secrets and Michiru had figured it out almost had wanted to play along and act surprised but when Haruka hadn't come home that night, Michiru had to come find her.
"Well, what do you think?" Michiru was taken aback by the question for a second before leaning in to kiss Haruka.
"It's perfect"