One Night Only
326 x 556
Fanfiction by:
Blue Trinkets
Chapter 1: Attraction.
Earth, 20XX.
He never cared for flowers before. They were simply bursts of colors in the background to him, room decorations or easy last minute gifts when he needed to add something more personal than a gift card in a pinch.
But on his way to the newly opened cafe beside the flower shop, Mitsuru was drawn first by the wide display of colorful blooms among greenery, then by the slim form of the young woman talking to a prospective customer.
"Yes sir, these are Azalea, in the language of flowers, it means patient or modest. They look great with white Camellia, and can be given combined to express 'waiting patiently'."
The words made Mitsuru glance back at the girl as he walked by. She was pretty, with huge blue eyes and ash blonde hair. She caught him looking at her and smiled quite sweetly before turning her attention back to her customer.
Mitsuru looked away, wondering why he felt like a small kid caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. He shook his head once and loosened his tie before heading towards the cafe.
"Of course sir, if you're not confident she'll like such flowers, you can never go wrong with roses. Pink roses can mean happiness or trust. And red..."
When did flowers have such meanings? Mitsuru found himself wondering as her words trailed off to incoherence the farther he walked away from the flower shop. But why should he even care? He really must be having a mental breakdown. Mitsuru sighed as he pushed the glass door open and walked into the cafe.
Several minutes later he walked out again and chose a table that would give him a good vantage view of the front of the flower shop. Just human curiosity. He thought, and seconds later felt stupid for trying to justify his actions to himself.
But all thoughts scattered when he caught sight of the girl again. She has just stepped out of the shop with a huge bundle of sunflowers and placed them on her work table. The man from earlier stood close by with a small smile on his face. She kept a light conversation as she arranged the bouquet, working briskly but expertly.
"Here you go sir, I'm sure she'll love them!" The girl said enthusiastically as she handed him the flowers.
The man gave his thanks and walked off, while the girl waved happily at him. It was then that she turned her head and looked in Mitsuru's way, and for some reason, his breath hitched as their eyes met.
What the hell is this? He thought, a little disturbed. He's no green boy to be affected by a girl's sweet smile. He had met others more beautiful, more sophisticated, more polished than her.
She, in contrast, looked no older than a senior in high school or a college freshman. Granted she's pretty, with long wavy hair tied in pigtails. Still, she looks so...domestic. She wore a dark green apron bearing the shop's name with a modest, cream-colored dress beneath it, yellow flower prints added color to her otherwise bland clothing. And yet...Mitsuru found himself drawn to her.
"Kokoro could you please arrange 24 pink carnations with 16 daisies. Then deliver them to this address by 6:00 p.m?"
A voice from the flower shop spoke, Kokoro turned and responded. "Of course, I'll work on it right away."
So, that's her name. Mitsuru thought. Kokoro, 'heart' huh? For some reason, he thought it suited her. She was clearly enthused with her job, all radiant smiles and happy chattering that could easily brighten the mood. Most young people nowadays hated their jobs and was unashamed to show their disdain.
Just then the waiter served his latte. Mitsuru nodded his thanks, but before he could enjoy his drink, his cell phone vibrated.
He grimaced as he saw who messaged him. The babysitter, once again out of her wits. Apparently, his 'dear wife' had thrown an impromptu party at the house, and was now drunk as a skunk like her guests. Their racket has disturbed Naomi and the sitter couldn't pacify her with all the continuous noise.
Mitsuru clenched his fists in frustration, knowing he couldn't do much in that situation. Just a few more business deals. He thought to himself, then he'd see the last of the selfish woman he was forced to marry. He'd make sure to get full custody of the child too, with a mother like that, Naomi would be scarred for life if he didn't intervene.
All the warmth he had felt earlier has now turned cold, trust the bitch to ruin everything without even trying. Mitsuru sighed as he stood up, texting a message to the frantic babysitter that he's on his way back to the house.
As he passed by the front of the flower shop, he heard her first before he actually saw her. The girl called Kokoro was arranging a bouquet on the wooden table, several bundles of loose flowers lay scattered on top of it. She was humming to herself as she worked, as cheerful as ever even with her back turned.
Mitsuru didn't know what possessed him to stop, even with the situation going on in his house, he couldn't force himself to move. Her face, he wanted to see her face again.
"Um, miss? Could you help me select some flowers?"
-o-
He's so handsome. Was her first thought when she saw him. But he has this air of coldness about him, an aura of aloofness, probably one of those 'leave me damn alone' kind of people. Too bad, the serious, brooding types have always scared her off.
But his eyes. They were the most beautiful, piercing green eyes she has ever seen.
Dark hair with green eyes, a combination that has always greatly appealed to her. His hair was slicked back, giving him a look that was so suave, so cool, it made her heart flutter.
He always wore a suit and tie, probably worked in some company. He looked so smart, so...confident and mature, unlike the boys in school.
She had seen him visiting the cafe next door since they opened last week. But this was the first time he actually noticed she existed.
My poor heart, Kokoro thought, smiling sadly. Her first major crush after all these years of being oblivious to boys, and he's not at all what she expected.
Besides, he'll probably forget about her after today anyway. Tomorrow he'll walk by again as if she never existed.
My love life ended before it began.
The thought came out of the nowhere and Kokoro chided herself for it. She has no time for romance. Summer has just started, and she has managed to fill her calendar with side jobs. If she's careful with her earnings, she could save quite a bit before school starts again.
Kokoro dreamed of opening her own flower shop, somewhere outside the city after she graduated. She could go back to her grandparents' farm and start her small business by growing her own nursery of flowers.
Of course, she could also sell the apartment her parents left her. But it won't be easy to give up the home she'd grown up in. Especially now that her parents are both gone.
The memories of her parents made her heart clench with longing. How she missed them! The pain never really went away no matter how long it had been.
Kokoro sniffled a bit then forced her attention back on work. She must remain strong. Humming to herself for distraction, she began to work on the bouquet of carnations and daisies that was ordered by phone. She'll have to deliver it to some address that wasn't very far from the shop, so she pondered whether to use her bike instead of taking the train.
"Um, miss? Could you help me select some flowers?"
His quiet words made her jump a little, then Kokoro slowly turned, somehow an odd sixth sense told her it was him before she even saw his face. So, that's how his voice sounded like. She thought. Deep, resonating male voice she found oddly soothing.
"Uh, yes of course sir." She nearly stammered, suddenly nervous and jittery. "If you'll tell me something about the recipient, we can start from there."
He looked away and glanced a few times at the flowers. "On second thought, I changed my mind. Thanks anyway...Kokoro." He said as he looked at the name tag on her apron.
"My pleasure, sir. " She smiled a little shakily, hearing him call her name made butterflies dance in her stomach. Just what is this? "Please drop by again."
-o-
Well, apparently she was wrong. Kokoro couldn't believe it when he smiled at her the next day as he passed by the flower shop on his way to the cafe.
Albeit it was a small, brief smile. Nevertheless, the whole world seemed to stop for Kokoro when he looked at her way and acknowledged her with a smile.
I'm so pathetic. Kokoro thought to herself. Being flustered over a smile when I don't even know his name...but I don't care! She was deliriously happy the entire day. The whole world seemed painted with brighter colors somehow, even the flowers appear more vibrant, more -
"Earth to Kokoro, earth to Kokoro...can you hear me?"
"Oh Miku!" Kokoro gasped in mild surprise. "When did you arrive?"
"Well duh?! Miku's been standing here for like...five minutes already. No, make that ten." Miku grumbled. "It's not like you to stare off to space. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine." Kokoro laughed lightly. "I was just...thinking."
"Hmmm." Miku looked at her for a bit as if trying to read her thoughts. "Anyways, are you free to go now? Zorome already ordered pizza."
"Yeah, I'll just have to freshen up a bit." Kokoro replied, untying her apron. Then she looked at her friend with a small teasing smile. "Have you two started dating or...?"
"Dating?" Miku nearly shrieked, making Kokoro wished she never said anything.
"Who would want to date that clumsy brat? He's the most insufferable beast I've ever known!"
"Um, if you say so." Kokoro smiled, not wanting to set off her friend any more than she already has.
"Hurry up Kokoro." Miku said with a small pout. "I'm starving...and Zorome probably started eating without us. That jerk!"
Kokoro hurried off inside the powder room to wash her face and tidy up her hair. "Miku..." She called to her friend as she stepped out, "I'm rea-" Her heart began to race when she saw him standing in the front of the shop, quietly talking to her boss.
"Oh there you are Kokoro." The elderly woman said as she beckoned to her to come closer. "Mr. Mitsuru here is looking for a house cleaner, I told him you know more people around here than I do."
"I...I can do it if your house isn't too big." Kokoro said, clutching the straps of her bag a little tighter. Oh my god, is this for real?
"My apartment is just across from here." Mitsuru pointed to the building on the other side of the road. "I've moved here about a month ago but didn't have time to unpack everything. You can bring a friend if you want, so it will be easier."
"If Kokoro is doing it, Miku wants to help too!" Miku interjected.
"Miku are you sure?" Kokoro said in surprise, her best friend whom she has known since childhood never liked cleaning house, she would rather style hair or do their nails.
"Of course." Miku confirmed, looking at Mitsuru with interest. "Now that I know who's your myste- oww!" She yelped when Kokoro sneakily stepped on her foot.
"Thank you for agreeing to help me on such short notice." Mitsuru bowed his head, "Can you girls start this weekend? I'll be working but I can leave the keys to the caretaker."
Kokoro looked at her friend who was a bit disgruntled but nodded her head. "Yes, we can."
After ironing out a few more details, each went on their own way. Kokoro still felt like she's dreamt the whole thing. Miku waited until they were a few blocks away before she bombarded her with questions.
"So, it's him, right? The one you told me about?"
Suddenly shy, Kokoro could only nod her head.
"Well, this is your chance! You can get close to him now. You have Miku's full support!" Then she hugged her friend from behind. "But you've got to promise me one thing."
"What is that?" Kokoro asked curiously.
"You've got to tell Miku every ecchi thing you two will do together. In full details!"
"Miku you're embarrassing me!" Kokoro protested, looking around to see if anyone was listening.
"What's embarrassing about it?" Miku countered with a naughty smile. "It's only natural to do such stuff with your boyfriend!"
"Enough already." Kokoro pulled away. "We better hurry or Zorome will eat everything."
"Damn, you're right!" Miku exclaimed. "That Zorome can't be trusted!"
Kokoro laughed as Miku began to walk faster.
-o-
"Wow. So this is your boyfriend's apartment. He must be really loaded to afford all this." Miku whistled in awe as she looked around. It was a one bedroom apartment, with a separate kitchen, dining area, and living room. It was one of those high-end apartments in the local area, so no expense was spared in the construction.
"Miku, he's not my boyfriend." Kokoro sighed.
"Well, considering he's the first boy you've ever shown this much interest, he's as good as your boyfriend in my eyes." Miku countered as she opened the fridge to look inside.
"Nothing but bottled water and beer." She wrinkled her nose.
"Come on, stop nosing around and let's get to work." Kokoro said as she opened a box labeled 'kitchen' on its top.
"Fine, fine." Miku grumbled as she helped Kokoro unpack.
Around noon, Miku plopped into the sofa with a huge sigh. "I'm so exhausted!"
"I'm going out to buy food. You want anything?" Kokoro asked as she untied her apron.
"Some ice cream would be great. Your boyfriend sure has lots of stuff."
"Miku, seriously!" Kokoro protested. "If someone were to hear and misunderstand you, it would be embarrassing to explain!"
"Yeah, yeah." Miku said nonchalantly. "Go on and buy food, else Miku will die from hunger soon."
"I won't take too long. Please take care of the place while I'm gone."
"Sheesh, you sound like you're his wife or something." Miku said, side rolling her eyes with a smirk.
"I...I didn't mean to -" Kokoro began to blush.
"Just go already." Miku said waving her hands.
"Then I'm off." Kokoro said as she hurried towards the door.
-o-
It was around dinner time when he arrived back home. Mitsuru saw that the lights were on under the door and wondered if Kokoro and Miku managed to finish tidying up his apartment.
The first thing he noticed when he stepped inside was something he hadn't experienced in a long, long time. The smell of home cooking.
Then he heard the sound of the T.V in the living room, followed by Miku's boisterous laughter. Mitsuru nearly didn't recognize his own apartment. It looked and felt...more like a home, less of the sterile, cold atmosphere it had been earlier.
The girls have arranged his stuff, even hanged some pictures on the wall. His windows were no longer bare, cheerful curtains now afforded him some privacy from the outside. Not that anyone could peek in as they're on the third floor.
Just then Kokoro stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a pot with mittened hands. "Oh, welcome back Mr. Mitsuru."
"Mitsuru will do just fine." He replied, "You girls did a great job with the place. I'm impressed."
"Oh...we aren't done yet." Kokoro said hesitantly. "We haven't unpacked everything in your room."
"That's alright. Is that for dinner?"
Kokoro beamed. "Yes, I made some beef and potato stew. Have you eaten yet?"
"No, I was going to order some take out." Mitsuru admitted.
"Good thing I prepared extra portions." She smiled. "Go on and freshen up, we'll set up the table."
When he returned, Miku was already seated on the table. "Thank you for the meal!" She exclaimed happily then waved at him. "Come on Mr. Mitsuru, you must try this. Kokoro's cooking is to die for!"
"No, it's not." Kokoro said blushing slightly as she set the miso soup in the middle of the table. "She's only exaggerating, my cooking isn't that good."
"Don't be so humble." Miku protested, grabbing her rice bowl. "Give credit where credit is due as they say!"
Mitsuru smiled as he sat down. "You two have known each other for long?"
"Uh-huh." Miku nodded. "Since kindergarten. I know everything about her. So if you want to know anything just ask."
"Miku!" Kokoro gasped, her hands frozen in the act of handing a rice bowl to Mitsuru.
"Thank you." Mitsuru said as he reached for the rice bowl. Their fingers briefly touched making Kokoro pull away abruptly, color tinting her cheeks. Miku watched the exchange with interest but didn't say anything.
"Miku is right. You're a great cook." Mitsuru said after he took his first bite.
"Um, thank you but I still have lots to learn." Kokoro said shyly.
"Hey..." Miku said while chewing. "It's okay to brag once in a while, you know?"
Mitsuru smiled to himself as the two quietly bickered while they ate. He hadn't realized how pleasant it was to come home to a warm, sweet girl who was all smiles and no nagging until now.
He looked at Kokoro's profile as much as he could without her noticing, he knew very well that she's quite shy, attributing it to her age. But, she really is so pretty. Blue eyes, creamy skin, and full pink lips.
Mitsuru found himself wondering if she has a boyfriend and quickly shut down the thoughts.
No, he must not go there. He's not a free man. He must never forget that Naomi's future is also at stake here.
But, he has never regretted agreeing to that arranged marriage as much as he does right now. Ayumi can be such a bitch, but he could easily escape her toxic presence by leaving the house, her repulsive attitude towards her own daughter disgusted him even more.
It was a miracle he has not strangled her to death yet.
But he's getting closer to freedom. Just a few more business deals, then he and his brother can repay their father's debts and Mitsuru can finally get divorced.
In the secret recesses of his heart, he silently wished it won't be too late by then.
A/N: This was actually inspired by a Japanese fan art. Wish I could post the link here but the site doesn't allow it. grr. Anyway, not sure whether this will stay A/U or will end up like some sort of 'reincarnation' backstory for the characters before continuing on to the current universe in the anime. Time will tell. lol
Rating will be switched to 'M' later for sexual content. Just a fair warning. :)
I watched DarliFra for Zero Two, but somewhere along the way I fell in love with Kokoro and Mitsuru instead, so they're my no.1 favorite couple in the series.