Summary: Ranmaru and Tamao's parents held a party to announce to all their friends and colleagues the upcoming wedding of their children. As a pre-wedding gift, they gave them a vacation trip to a private island in the Caribbeans. And as a part of the trip they ought not to tell any of their friends about it. What do you think will happen?
"Ranmaru, it would be better if you would take that expression off your face." Mr. Morii glared at his almost-normal son because he was slouching and scowling in his seat.. "People who will see you might think that you were just forced to do this."
So I wasn't forced and threatened? Ranmaru sarcastically said to himself as he straightened his back and raised his head.
Flashback:
"Ranmaru!" A loud yell came from the study room of his father. "Come here!"
What now?! He impatiently rose from his bed and entered the room which is a couple of doors away from his. "You called for me?"
Inside the room is his father sitting behind his wooden table. With a cigarette on his right hand, he turned to face his only son who is standing behind the door.
"Tomorrow night there'll be a party. I want you to come with us." the tone of his voice serious.
"But why should I--?"
"Because I told you so!" the look on his father's eyes was very scary. He barely remember when was the last time he saw that.
"Is this related to my 'marriage'?"
"After what you have done in the wedding dinner last time, I won't let you create another scene like that!" Mr. Morii stood up from his chair and pounded angrily on his table. Ranmaru just stared back in suprise.
"Dear! Calm down!" Mrs. Morii suddenly ran to his father.
Ranmaru, feeling a bit uneasy, just stood still in his place as he watched his mother gave a couple of capsules to his father who is now sitting back.
"Go back to your room now, Ran-chan." his mother finally declared.
He was about to turn the door knob when Mr. Morii exclaimed,
"Come with us or all your credit cards will be canceled."
BEEP! BEEP! Mr. Morii took out his cellphone and started talking in a very loud voice.
Poor secretary. He let out his 55th sigh.
"Ran-chan, this wouldn't take too long. I'm hoping you wouldn't do anything that would disappoint your father. Please." his mother whispered to him while his father still busy talking on the phone. Ranmaru replied only a smile after hearing her pleading yet tender voice.
The limousine they were riding finally came to a stop and the door swung open. It was raining. The party attendants, with an umbrella in their hands, led each of them into the venue.
The big hall is brightly lit by a huge chandelier in the middle of the floor. People, who are approximately two hundred in number, gathered into different groups. Some of them conversing with one another, others are drinking wines which were served by neatly dressed waiters in their uniforms while others are enjoying the music of a jazzy band.
Ranmaru looked around hoping he could recognize any of them. Unfortunately, people who are present in the party are all his father's comrades that he hadn't even met before.
"I'm glad you're already here!" It was Mr. Kikunoi, Tamao's father, who greeted them. He was wearing a big grin all-over his face. Beside him is his wife, who like Mr. Kikunoi, have a big smile. Both fathers shook hands and even embraced each other. "After five years, we finally meet again! So where's the young man, Morii?"
"Here Kikunoi! This is my young lad!" Mr. Morii turned towards Ranmaru and instructed him to come nearer and pay his respects. "This is my son, Ranmaru."
"Good evening, Sir." he bowed down as a sign of his respect. "Nice to meet you."
Mr. Kikunoi placed a hand in his left shoulder and laughed.
"You don't have to be too traditional, Ranmaru." Ranmaru looked blankly at him in surprise. "Well, let's go eat before the meals turn cold. We have so much to talk about Morii!"
All guests were led to a huge banquet room. Tables covered in white linens are being filled with tonight's meal by a number of attendants. People were given their assigned seats. Before Ranmaru could take his seat, Tamao came from somewhere. A servant pulled out a chair for her and she gladly took it. Ranmaru couldn't help but stare at her for sometime because of the fact she was really look gorgeous in her red velvet cocktail dress. She even had her hair curled that added to her exquisite fashion style. He had seen her dressed formally a number of times but he have to admit he hadn't seen anyone dressed so perfect like this before.
"I'm deeply sorry for being late." their eyes met for a second but she turned away immediately. "I lost track of the time."
"That's fine with us, dear." Mrs. Morii replied with a smile.
"Everyone! Can I please get your attention for a couple of minutes?" Mr. Morii stood up from his seat with a glass of wine in his hand. All of the people stopped with their activities and turned their eyes toward the man.
"Thank you! Now, you may all be puzzled why me and Mr. Kikunoi, who is here with me, suddenly held a party, right?" He paused for a moment as all of the people agreed with him. Mr. Kikunoi stood with a glass of wine in his hand as well. "We are proud to let all of you know the forthcoming wedding of our children!" Applauses filled the whole room as Ranmaru and Tamao presented themselves in front of the anonymous crowd.
The rain outside stopped pouring but no one even noticed it except for Ranmaru who happens to be in the balcony. People are all busy chatting, drinking, eating and some enjoying the band's mellow music. There are lots of beautiful women in the crowd but Ranmaru didn't even give a damn.
"Wine, sir?" a waiter offered him as he walked back to the hall.
"Yeah. Thank you." he took one and continued walking, not even sure where his feet are taking him.
He stopped for a while and saw his parents together with Tamao's parents from a distance. They were talking and laughing together.
"They really are the best of friends. No wonder they even arranged a wedding for their children." a whisper from a group of women was heard by Ranmaru. They, just like him, looking at his parents.
"Do you think the son would agree?" another voice came. "He is a classmate of my son and I heard rumors of him being a playboy in school!"
"Well, arranged marriage nowadays are inconvenient."
Ranmaru, disturbed and at the same time irritated by the conversation left immediately and headed towards the door.
The dark clouds that enveloped the sky earlier are now nowhere to be found. Stars emanate back to the night sky to show their sparkle. The clouds slowly reveal the shining full moon. The moon's bright rays shed some light to Ranmaru's tracks that enable him to reach the gardens.
Lifting his head high towards the skies, he admired the beautiful moon shining brightly down at him. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming. He turned to his right and stunned to see Tamao who is surprised to see him as well.
"Tamao-san? What are you doing here?" Ranmaru walked near her. "You shouldn't be here."
"Why shouldn't I, Ranmaru-kun?" Tamao looking earnest, just like before.
"B-Because..your dad! Yeah your dad might be looking out for you."
She just replied a smile and continued walking into the garden.
"H-Hey! Wait up!" Ranmaru ran after her and walked with her into the gardens. Did she just smiled at ME?
The garden was dim lit but most of the blooming flowers surrounding the walls were visible. The scent of the flowers also flooded the area. They both halted in their tracks to look around and found themselves admiring the beauty. Tamao was about to sit in a big boulder when Ranmaru held her back.
"You don't want to get some scratches from those thorns, do you?" He pointed to a bush of roses beside the boulder.
"Thank you." Tamao said, almost in a whisper that Ranmaru didn't understood it well.
"You could sit here." He motioned to a seemingly old wooden bench.
Tamao sat in a lady-like manner. Ranmaru hesitated at first but she smiled at him again, meaning he can sit beside her.
Cold, crisp breeze blew across their faces as they both gazed up the sky. Even their hairs were ruffled by the wind.
A strike of green light suddenly came out into the sky.
A Shooting star? How unusual. Ranmaru turned to Tamao and found her eyes shut but her head raised high. Wishing?
She finally opened her eyes and was surprised to see him watching her, as if it was his first time to see someone wish on a shooting star.
"Tamao-san?" Ranmaru finally managed to utter. He was too nervous to say anything earlier. I should talk to her! Damn! How come I just can't talk to her like what I usually do to other women?!
"Yes, Ranmaru-kun?" her voice was as sweet as an angel's. She glanced at him for a moment, waiting and wanting a reply.
"What did you wish for?" he asked, shyly. "If it's OK for you to tell me."
"Well..." He patiently waited for her reply. "I wished for perfect scores in my exams."
I-Is she serious?
"That's only a joke!" Tamao said as she giggled and pointed at his face. "You should see that look on your face."
Realizing how pathetic his expression was, he immediately blushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to offend you." Though she sounded apologetic, she still continued giggling.
S-She's laughing?!
"I'm sorry about the dinner last time. I ruined it." Ranmaru glanced at her. No reply. "I-I-..."
"That's OK. It doesn't matter now." She wasn't cheerful like the the person laughing a minute ago but she wasn't gloomy as before either.
What should I say next? Ranmaru's heart raced ecstatically.
Did I sounded too cold? Not again! Tamao, just like Ranmaru, was also arguing with herself.
"Ah..well...What I want to say to you that..." Ranmaru held his breathe for a second before continuing, "youlookstunninglybeautifulinyourdresstonight!" Upon saying all of it, he exhaled in relief.
It took some moments for Tamao to comprehend all she have heard. Was that a compliment?
"Tamao-san!" a voice called out. The old man driver appeared all of a sudden. "Ranmaru-san?"
The distressful atmosphere between the two disappeared.
"You're father is looking for you."
Without turning to him, Tamao quickly walked away leaving Ranmaru puzzled, the old man followed behind heaved a sigh but it was a sigh of satisfaction.
I meant it, Tamao-san.