It's All About Food
''What would you like to order?'' the waiter asked politely and Mikan scanned the Menu. Everything on it seemed so good. But she will have to decide.
''Hmm..'' she glanced up, asking: ''What would you suggest…?'' it sounded like the end of a question, but it really was not. Her sentence slowly disappeared once she actually looked at their waiter. He glanced from her to his small notepad, thinking about what to offer. He was tall and muscular with black hair and red eyes. Red eyes. He was gorgeous. He was the epitome of a man she would fantasize about having.
''I suggest the standard starter, but for the main dish, I'd say Sukiyaki. Freshly made it's one of the best dishes the restaurant can offer.'' He looked at her and Mikan really hoped she did not blush like a little girl. She averted her eyes back to the Menu and nodded. ''Then, I'd like that, please.''
The waiter nodded and wrote down her order and looked at the man opposite her. ''What would you like to order, sir?''
Akira was also scanning the Menu and after a moment decided. ''Then I'd like Shabushabu.'' He did not look up at the waiter but only had eyes for his beautiful female companion. Mikan felt uncomfortable.
The waiter bowed politely, and walked away. Mikan felt caged. She really did not want to be here. She did not want to have this romantic dinner with this good-looking man who was too different in character for her to accept him. She did not even know her parents were allowed to arrange a date for her. In what era did they live, Kami-sama?
''So, Sakura-san, what do you think of my choice of restaurant? I did not know where would you like to go, so I allowed myself to decide on my own.'' Akira started, his dark eyes taking her in, while he smirked at her. He was not a bad person, Mikan knew that, but he was far too confident for her weak character. She could not handle such men.
''It's a lovely place, Akira. I love it here. I hope it's not too expensive.'' She commented, playing the cool and well-mannered girl the man thought she was. She was far from both.
''No worries. I'm fortunate enough to have quite a nice salary. I'd also like to take you out somewhere else when you'll have time next time.'' He told her, not really waiting for her answer, for he was sure of a 'yes'.
Mikan shrugged her shoulders a little and smiled. ''We'll see what the evening will show.'' She told him neutrally and made him chuckle. ''So the rumour that you're hard to crack was true, I suppose.''
Mikan nodded. ''I'm careful when it comes to matters of a heart.''
The waiter interrupted them. He brought their starter and came with things he needed to prepare the Sukiyaki for Mikan. Her heart skipped a beat. He kneeled down on the free side of their table and started preparing the plate in the middle of the table. Mikan watched him in awe as he cooked for her and admired his skills. She was so lucky to have this waiter for their table.
He glanced up at her companion and spoke with his alluringly deep voice. ''Your dish will be soon prepared, sir.'' He looked at Mikan then, and she could die that moment. Her hormones were in overdrive.
''Do you have any special wishes regarding the dish?'' he asked while mixing the food on the plate. For a second, Mikan was speechless, feeling her cheeks warm up. She really hoped none of the men noticed. ''N-no special wishes, thank you.''
Kami, she was such a girl!
Before the waiter looked back at the plate, Mikan was sure she saw him smirk a little. Man… She really did not need this embarrassment. She really wanted to get away from here – if possible with the waiter. Damn…
It seemed that Akira was unaware of Mikan's admiration of the waiter. What he was aware of on the other hand, was her beauty. Mikan was a gorgeous woman. Her appearance was one of a goddess. She inherited her father's light brown hair, and her mother's face. Her figure was slender, and the red dress she wore tonight made her so alluring he could hardly control himself. And her innocent expression that she wore, and that soft voice…
He almost groaned out loud.
Another waiter, who brought his food, interrupted his thoughts. The first one was still preparing Mikan's dish. And Mikan seemed to be quite hungry – the poor girl was staring at the food as if jinxed.
''So, Sakura-san.'' He started again, gaining her attention. He did not know the waiter also listened to their conversation. ''I must apologize first, before anything else. I hope I didn't cross a line to ask your parents for permission of inviting you to dinner.''
''Oh… I was surprised, to be quite honest. I didn't know you had any interest in me. When my parents told me that you wanted to take me out for dinner, I first thought they were joking.''
''No, no. They weren't. You never seem to respond to my attempts of asking you out at work, so I allowed myself to simply turn to your parents.''
''Well, Akira-san… Quite a number of females at work surrounds you, so I never expected you to be serious.''
Akira smirked self-confident. ''I can't help if I'm popular among the gentle-sex.''
Mikan could laugh in his face for that. He was a good-looking man with a fortune one can be envious of; but his personality was one of a spoiled playboy, disrespecting anyone who was not himself. Her eye twitched, but she tried to control her temper. She was hungry, and she would not leave this restaurant before eating.
''Your dish is ready, miss.'' Their handsome waiter told her and Mikan looked at him with a polite smile. What would she give to be on a date with this guy instead of Akira.
''Thank you. Would you mind bringing us some sake at the end? I think I'll need lots of it.'' She muttered the last part, only for the waiter to hear. This time he did not hide his smirk from her and if she were not kneeling in front of the table, her legs would have given in. ''As you wish.'' And he walked away.
Mikan watched him for a moment longer and then turned her attention to her food. She breathed in the wonderful smell and reached for her chopsticks. Before she could grab them; however, Akira put his hand over hers and smiled at her.
''Sakura-san, I hope you know how happy I am to have you here with me tonight. I wish to dine with you again sometime.''
He told her that even before they started eating? Kami… She wished she just turned her parent's wish down and stayed home eating ramen. She did not know how to answer that. If she said 'no' immediately, their dinner would end here and she would have to leave this super-delicious dish behind. But of course, he might be a great guy after all, and saying 'no' would be a hasty end. However, if she said 'yes', it could turn out ugly – with his reputation as a playboy and all. And she really did not need that.
And she really did not feel any interest in him.
She slowly pulled her hand out of his grasp and smiled politely. ''We'll see what will happen. Itadakimasu.'' She took her chopsticks and started eating.
Akira smirked. She was a challenge. He loved challenges.
''Itadakimasu.'' He responded and started eating as well.
Mikan felt so blessed to have finally gotten something to eat. She did not have lunch today because she had a meeting with some clients and then she had to prepare herself for this date. Her food was delicious. She wished she could eat something like that every day. It was not like she could not afford it – she was a very successful businesswoman, but she was usually too lazy to prepare such a complicated dish for herself that she just threw something together and cooked it. She wished she had a man who would cook for her. But it seemed all Japanese men wanted a housewife – and she certainly was not going to become one. She rather stay single and successful until she decided to adopt a child.
Man…
So much for her wish of having a family one day. When she was younger, she wanted to have a successful career and have a family. But her partners, who were good men and nice people in general, just seemed too patronizing. And she grew up in a matriarchy – her mother was the boss in her family, and she certainly did not want anything else for herself. She did not need a weak-willed man – just someone who would see her as an equal, and not as a sex object and dog.
She sighed.
Was she too demanding?
Did she want too much?
But she really did not want less than that.
While she ate, Akira spoke about some business matters, hoping to impress her, but Mikan was able to debate with him about it and he did not stand a chance. She was an expert in her field, and she knew it. Now, he knew it too.
Their waiter came back a few times to check upon them and to ask if anyone wanted more. Each time he came, Mikan lost focus, and started fantasizing about having a date with him. She would be very disappointed if he turned out to be another Akira.
Then, as they were full and the waiter had cleaned their table, he brought that sake Mikan ordered at the beginning.
She almost hugged him with gratitude. ''Thank you.'' He purred her a glass, then to Akira, and Mikan did not wait for her companion to toast, but quickly took a swig. Akira and the waiter stared at her for a second in surprise. Akira smiled at her and drank himself.
''It's good isn't it?''
''Definitely.'' Oh, she would get so drunk tonight, as soon as she gets rid of him.
Akira was about to say something else, when his phone suddenly ringed. He frowned at the screen. ''I'm sorry, Sakura-san. Give me a moment.''
''No problem.'' She smiled at him and took another drink. This was so unfair. She has to spend her time with a guy she did not like and the one who she suddenly became attracted to was her freaking waiter. No chance for her here.
After a few minutes, Akira turned to her again. ''I'm sorry, Sakura-san. But it seemed I'll have to leave you for tonight. My brother had a small incident and needs someone to help him out. Would you mind…?''
''Oh, uhm… No problem. You go and take care of your brother. Family first, as they say.'' She smiled, happy that this evening ended. Kami… She was so glad…
''All right. I'll just pay and then I'll accompany you out.'' He walked towards the counter and paid for their dinner. When he came back, Mikan was already putting on her jacket and he cursed inwardly. She really looked beautiful. But his idiot of a brother did something stupid again and he had to get him out.
Mikan walked behind him towards the exit and glanced back for the last time, noticing their waiter cleaning up the glasses from their table. He glanced her way and Mikan pressed her lips together longingly. She would most probably never see him again. Unless she came here with her friends… But this place was too expensive for a simple lunch.
She smiled politely at him, disappointed for being such a nerd who cannot even ask a guy for his number and turn down the other one; and walked out. She bid goodbye to Akira as he climbed into his car, but did not give him her phone number.
''You sure you'll walk?'' he asked her once again, disappointed that she did not want to go with him. He expected she would accompany him and then they could go to his place.
''Thank you, but I live around the corner. I can reach it in a few minutes.'' She waived her hand and started walking away. ''May I take you out again?'' Akira called after her, but she seemed to not have heard him, for she did not reply or turn around.
She did actually hear him, but decided to ignore his question. He will have to ask her some other time and until then she will be ready with her rejection speech.
She walked towards her apartment complex, but did not go in – instead she entered a small bar next to it and tiredly sat down on a stool. ''Kami-sama… Koko, please give me some alcohol. I really need it.'' She whined to her friend who owned the place. The blonde laughed at her and purred her a glass.
''Bad day? You told me something about an arranged date last time.''
''Yeah…'' she sipped at her drink. ''My mum wanted me to go. Said the guy was desperate and to just give him a chance, but… He is so very much ego-centric.'' She gulped down the content of her glass and grimaced. ''Just what did you give me?'' She put down her glass with a bang and asked for more. ''He was all right, I guess… But if I had to spend one more minute with him… I would have strangled him…''
Koko laughed at his occasional sex-buddy. ''Well, I asked you to be with me, but you said no, so no whining.''
''You're crazy for Sumire, Koko. I don't understand you, really. You're able to play around with me here and there, but you're too much of a coward to tell her what you feel. Just what do you expect? She won't come running to you if you don't give her a sign.'' Mikan rolled her eyes at him. Koko and she were friends; and sometimes they were intimate; but they were far from having romantic feelings for each other. They admitted to each other that as friends with benefits they were great, but it ended here. He was in love with a girl who was hard to get, and Mikan was… well… Mikan…
''I know, I know. I decided to ask her out on a proper date. I just nee-''
''No. Give me your phone. I'll send her a message if you're too pussy to do it yourself.''
''I can't send her a message. Are you daft? She's going to kill me if I ask her out like that.''
''Not asking her out, you idiot. Ask her to come here and then you're going to ask her out.''
''Why would she want to come here? Do you know how hard it is to pers-''
''Koko. You are a super duper fool if you think she doesn't want you to ask her out. Why in the world would she still be hanging out with a pestering guy like you if she didn't want you?''
''…Why then, pray tell, doesn't she ask me out herself?''
''Because, you big fat oaf, you're a playboy. You sleep around. And she knows it. She thinks that you're not serious with her and I think she deserves to know what you think of her.''
''I don't sleep around… The last person I slept with was you and even that was two months ago…''
''Well, then there's no problem! Ask her the hell out!'' Mikan insisted and poked him in the chest. Koko grimaced at her and pulled out his phone. He stared at the screen for a few seconds, unsure if this was a good idea, but then Mikan grabbed his phone and pressed 'call' for him. She put the phone back into his hand and grinned at the glaring man.
He stopped glaring immediately, when a girl answered his call. He smiled sheepishly and invited her to come down to the bar. When he ended the call after a few minutes, he grinned at his friend. ''She's coming.''
''See! Was it that hard?''
''If this goes wrong, you're going to suffer.''
Mikan waived her hand carelessly. ''Yeah, yeah… Don't worry. Just be a man and ask her out.''
A few minutes later, the door opened and both Mikan and Koko looked up. Koko was disappointed that it was not Sumire who entered but a man. Mikan on the other hand was shocked. It was that waiter! It was that waited that served her and Akira at the restaurant. She almost fell off her stool. It seemed that the red-eyed man was also surprised to see her here, for he stopped for a second in surprise and then smirked, making his way towards her.
Mikan followed him with her eyes and stared at him as he sat down next to her. ''Evening.'' He glanced at her and she blushed again. ''H-hello.'' Koko tried to stifle his laugh and was very unsuccessful. But then the door opened again, and in walked Sumire Shouda, her long dark hair flying behind her as she rushed in and smiled at Koko. ''Evening!''
''Sumire, hey! You came!'' Koko exclaimed excitedly and this time it was Mikan, who had to stifle her laugh. She looked at Koko and indicated to him to make a move. She gave him thumbs up and smiled. ''Hey, Mikan-chan!'' Sumire greeted her and sat down next to her, not even glancing at the handsome dark-head on Mikan's other side. Yep… Sumire had eyes only for Koko.
''Hey, Permy. Looking good? Where were you?''
''Oh, just came from diner with my sister. Her wedding plans are crazy, I tell you.'' She laughed and then looked at Koko. ''You know, you saved me just now. I'm not sure I could listen to her any longer.''
''Yeah? Glad to help. Mikan here is boring and I really wanted your company.'' They laughed, Mikan playfully hitting Koko in the shoulder. Then she let them be and looked at the handsome stranger next to her, having more courage with alcohol in her system.
She smiled at him, when he finally glanced at her and leaned her head on her hand. ''So… Mr Waiter… What brings you in this neighbourhood. Haven't seen you around till yet.''
The human impersonation of god Mars shrugged his shoulders and leaned on his hand to look at her, taking a sip of his own drink that Koko served him a moment before. ''Never been to this place, so decided to check it out.''
''It's a nice place. You should come more often.'' Mikan commented, taking a sip. ''So, your shift ended? What time is it? How long have I been here already?''
The man next to her chuckled, causing shivers running down her spine once the sound reached her ears. ''It's just an hour after you and your… partner took off. That was quite a rushed escape.''
Mikan grimaced. ''I know, I'm mean. But this guy… Kami-sama… I have to come up with something to tell my parents. I didn't even know something like that can still happen in this century. An arranged date? Really?''
''It was interesting to watch.''
''I saw you laugh!''
The man laughed and Mikan felt her heart fly. Kami-sama… She would like to-
''You have to admit it was a strange sight. I thought you were dying there. He seemed quite polite, though.''
''Polite, but too self-confident. Or better said, the only thing I heard from him was 'me, myself, and I'. Kami-sama…''
The man chuckled again, ordering another drink for both of them. Koko quickly put a whole bottle in front of them and then turned his attention towards Sumire. They were shamelessly flirting and even Mikan started to feel a little embarrassed.
When the man gave her glass full, she eyed him curiously. ''I'm Mikan Sakura.''
''Natsume Hyuuga.'' He introduced himself and shook her hand.
''I've never seen you around, Hyuuga-san. Where were you hiding?'' Mikan asked him playfully.
''I usually don't go anywhere after work, because I'm too tired, but today my shift was shorter and I thought to myself, why not?''
''Yeah, I worked as a waitress during college, and I know how it feels like. Now I don't really care. At the end of the week, I really need a drink or two with my friends. I hardly see anyone since I spent so much time in the office.''
''Where do you work?''
''At the Toyota Motor Corporation. I'm one of the agents.''
''Wow, a businesswoman. Must be cool.''
''It is… But it's stressful, when you work with men only. If I didn't have my mother's brain and her sharp tongue…''
''My mother's the same.''
''She's working in a company too?''
''Yep, Nissan Corporation.''
''Wow… How come you didn't follow her steps?''
He shrugged his shoulders. ''I'm not for such things. I like it simple. And I like working as a waiter in that restaurant. Nice salary and not much stress.'' He took a swig and put the glass down.
Mikan smiled at him. ''I have to tell you, you're also a great cook. I was in heaven eating that Sukiyaki.''
''Thanks. I'm actually a schooled cook.''
''Really? Man… You could come and cook for me some time… I haven't eaten a proper dish since…'' she thought about it, but the alcohol and his presence turned her brain to mush. ''No idea since when… Koko here nags me to just take a day off and cook for myself, but I know I'll just sleep then.''
''Well, he's right. You look like you need a day off, anyway.''
''Don't tell me I look like a scarecrow.'' She whined.
He laughed. ''No, no… Just… You're a little thin and you look tired.''
Mikan waived it off and laughed. ''Well, if you promise to cook for me, then I'll think about taking a day off.'' She joked and he smirked at her. ''If you want me to.''
The two of them laughed and drank the night away, and when Mikan woke up in her bed the next morning with a weak hangover, she did not notice at first, but after a few minutes she finally came to her senses and realized that she was very much naked and there was a really nice smell of something being cooked coming out of her kitchen.
She noticed a large T-Shirt that did not belong to her near the bed and pulled it over her head, slowly making her way towards her kitchen. She leaned on the door-fame and crossed her arms once she saw him standing in front of the stove in his boxer shorts. His hair was dishevelled and his back was muscular; and what she simply could not ignore was that nice butt of his. She smiled to herself and enjoyed the view. And he still had that nice big hickey on his neck that she worked hard to create last night. Kami-sama… She had had a god in her bed. She could still feel it, the pleasure running through her.
She breathed in the wonderful smell of Tamagoyaki and sighed dreamily. He heard her soft voice and turned his head around. He smirked at her and she walked to him.
''I'm hungry.'' She playfully whined and let him hug her from behind when she observed what he made. He planted wet kisses on her exposed shoulder and Mikan closed her eyes, enjoying the touch of his lips.
''I was about to bring it to bed.'' He mumbled into her skin and then pecked her on the lips. Mikan smiled. ''Couldn't wait that long.''
''Well…'' he smirked at her devilishly. ''We did burn quite some calories during-''
Mikan laughed and blushed slightly. And burn calories they did. Really, really much. And she would not mind doing it again. After breakfast, of course. She pecked his lips, and he picked her up, carrying her to bed again. She giggled as he put her down and told her to wait, so he could serve her breakfast.
He brought one big plate of Tamagoyaki and some tee, and sat down next to her in bed. They ate, talked, and laughed the whole morning, and Mikan felt as if she were in heaven. ''You've got no idea how glad I am you decided to walk into the bar last night. I thought the evening would only get worse, but then…''
She blinked at him in confusion when he blushed a little. ''Uh… Quite honestly… But don't laugh… Once the two of you went out of the restaurant and I was cleaning the tables near the windows, I saw you walk into the bar, and well…''
Mikan stared at him with a bright smile on her face. ''Really? You came after me?'' He nodded sheepishly and she breathed out, warmth overflowing her chest.
''When the two of you walked into the restaurant… I couldn't help but notice you. You're very attractive…'' he admitted and yelped in surprise when she jumped him and pushed him back on the bed. She giggled down at him, pressing light kisses over his face and he chuckled when she told him what she was thinking while he was serving them.
He let her do her magic on him and then they got active again. They spent a wonderful weekend together in bed and ate delicious food he prepared. It was pure bliss and Mikan did not want the weekend to end. On Monday morning, when they had to part for work, he asked her out on a proper date, and she practically jumped him.
She was late for work of course, but because of her very good mood, no one commented on it. And when Akira wanted to ask her out again, she politely declined, and walked into her office, humming a happy melody. She looked even more alluring than ever and the men on her floor had a hard time concentrating while she was around. Mikan on the other hand was completely unaware. And once the work was done for the day, she did not walk home only to spent time in front of the TV, eating instant ramen, but got visited by a wonderfully skilled waiter-cook, who made her evening and several evenings after that, even years later, much more pleasant than she believed possible.