Hi everyone! I actually published this a long time ago, but deleted it for personal reasons. I kept the file and rewrote+reposted it for the spirit of Christmas. Features simultaneous flight arrivals, supposed zero contact between two friends for so many years, and a surprise dinner reunion. Slight reference to alcohol, but it's just champagne (try pronouncing this word as spelled). This is inspired by AKB48's "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie." R&R!
"I thought you said the plane arrived half an hour ago."
"It did! And from prior experience, it does not take this long to check out from the terminals and pick up luggage."
"But it's an international flight..."
"I'm aware of that! Now can we just-"
"Guys, what's wrong?"
Marucho, Runo, and Julie stopped arguing and saw Alice, suitcase in hand and bags on her arms, standing a meter from them. The three of them rushed at and hugged her. "Alice! We missed you so, so much!"
"Yeah, I can tell. You're crushing all the gifts I'm going to give you." After hearing that, the three of them let go and stepped back. "Thank you, but I can't give them out now because it's a mess here."
"We'll help you with luggage!" They each carried pieces of Alice's luggage and led her to the exit of the airport.
"Is it just me," she asked, looking around the airport lobby. "or has this place been renovated since I was last here?"
"It's been three to four years already." Marucho confirmed. "How are Moscow and Dr. Michael?"
"Moscow hasn't changed much, and my grandfather is really well. When I left, he had a cold but said he would be fine. Who's driving?"
Julie immediately hopped like she won the lottery. "I am! Runo and I got our licenses around the same time. Marucho still needs to pass the driving test first. Alice, can you drive?"
"Not yet. The university was within walking distance, so I just commuted." All four of them went into the parking lot and stopped in from of a silver car. "Thanks for carrying my stuff, everyone. I'll take that bag, though."
"Alice, you might want to give Marucho his gift now. Julie, we need to drop Marucho off back at his house." Runo reminded.
"Oh, okay." Alice took out a box wrapped in gift wrap. "It's a type of software that my grandfather uses with his computers to organize data and stuff. It'll help your family's enterprise as well."
"Oh my, thanks Alice! That just makes me want to go home faster to try this out." All four of them got on Julie's car, and she drove to Runo's place after dropping Marucho off.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the airport for domestic flights, a brunette started jumping and waving his hands. "Shun! Over here! To your left! No, your other left."
Shun held his hands out and looked at Dan with an irritated expression. "Dan, we're facing each other, so our directions are different."
"You know I don't know all that stuff."
"I know. But I do know that you have all the energy to carry my suitcase for me. It has no wheels, by way. Don't even think about dragging it on the floor."
"Why did you have to use such an inconvenient suitcase?" Dan cried, carrying the suitcase on his left side and almost falling over to his right.
"Don't tell me you forgot who it was that broke the wheels off my suitcase."
"That was an accident. The paper only said the height of just the suitcase, not the suitcase plus the wheels. I'm sorry."
"You still owe me a new suitcase."
"It'll be your belated Christmas present then."
"And until I get my belated Christmas present, I'm not giving you your belated Christmas present. It's only fair." Shun saw Dan stand to the sidewalk with his hand in the air. "Daniel Kuso, don't tell me you didn't drive your car here!"
Dan freaked out and scratched his head. "About that car...it's at the auto shop being repaired. Some guy crashed into me, I swear. It was not my fault."
"Just get me a ride home. By the way, where's Runo?"
"Managing the restaurant at this hour. Why?"
"What restaurant?"
Dan put the suitcase down, sat on it, and snapped his fingers. "Even if you were only in New York and not out of the country, you totally missed out on everything here."
"Well, since I was out and away New York, of courseI'd miss out on everything here."
"Anyway, Runo's parents passed the diner on to her, who then remodeled and expanded it a lot to become the size of a typical restaurant. Her parents come to help every now and then. I think Runo has plans to open another branch somewhere else. Still a work in progress."
"I told you Runo had potential. How are your parents doing?"
"My dad had a car accident and is resting with paid leave. My mom's holding out fine. What time is it?"
"Don't look at me. All my clocks are the wrong time."
"Dude, it's just a three-hour difference." Clearly, Shun really didn't want to tell Dan what time it was. "Oh wait! Runo's parents are working right now, so she's out."
"Out where?"
Dan counted his fingers. "She said was going to pick up Alice with other people. They should be home right now."
"Alice?" Shun looked away at the thought. "Haven't seen her since she went to university in her hometown."
"I heard her plane arrived today. Maybe we'll all see her later."
"I hope so..."
Once a taxi arrived, Dan and Shun loaded the suitcase in the back trunk and got on.
... ... ...
While still in Julie's car, Alice gasped in shock. "What?! I might miss your new restaurant's grand opening because of an overseas internship, Runo!"
"Don't worry! I'll be there to record everything!" Julie volunteered.
Runo laughed weakly in sarcasm. "All you'll record are the embarrassing moments and use it as a model explaining why large parties should be like this instead of that. Since Alice tentatively won't be here, I need to redo the lineup of people who will cut that fancy red ribbon."
"How many people do you need?" asked Alice.
"I was thinking at least eight people, with my parents and the six of us. I don't want it to be too extravagant. Maybe I should invite Marucho's parents? They invested a lot into my new restaurant too."
"Wait, the six of us whom?
"You, me, Julie, Marucho, Dan, and Shun! Best friends' squad, you know?"
"Shun? I thought he was in New York."
"He is. For him, he's closer, and a five-hour flight plus time zone changes with jetlag won't affect him much. You, on the other hand, take at least ten hours to get here, and the arrival plus departure dates need to work out."
"No worries. Geographical problems, that's all."
"Also, Dan told me he was going to pick Shun up from the airport today as well. We could've given then a ride."
"Dan too?" Julie asked, stopping for a red light. "What happened to his car? And for your information, my car can't fit that many people."
"Some guy crashed into him. Also, we haven't seen Shun in a long time either. He usually just chats with Dan. I wonder what he looks like. I also never know when Shun comes home."
"He doesn't post much on social media. In fact, Shun's profile picture is a long shot photo, so you can't even tell if the person is him!"
"I didn't even know Shun had social media, aside from that professional account."
"Point proven." After hearing that, Julie pressed the gas pedal and drove. "Hey Alice, didn't you and Shun used to date back in the last two years of high school before going to college?"
"I wouldn't call it 'dating', but-"
"But you were the cutest couple in our high school graduating class!" Julie interrupted. Runo groaned at the thought, and Alice stayed silent. "You're back, he's back, so why not bring those high school memories back-"
"Julie, you're embarrassing her." Runo interrupted. "Leave Alice be, although it would be a good idea for all of us to get together again." Runo looked out the window at a store and gasped. "Oh my god! I forgot that we're running out of fortune cookies. Julie, drop me off here. I need to buy some more here!"
"Be careful, Runo. Alice, sit up front." Runo got off, and Alice took the passenger seat. "Runo remodeled and expanded her parents' diner into a restaurant is called 'Fortune Cookie in Love,' so of course she'll need to buy fortune cookies. Not sure if she'll use the same name for the new restaurant, though."
"That's a creative title. Are all the fortune cookie slips about love?"
"Some are, like romance, family, friendship, that kind of thing. I call it human bonds." Julie undid the brakes and drove forward. "I'm serious about you and Shun getting together again."
"Julie, please stop. Sure, he and I were close in high school, but after we went to our respective universities, we haven't seen each other since. No calls, messages, or letters. There's nothing between us."
"But it's Christmas! At least have dinner together." At the moment that she braked at a red light, Julie had an idea. "I know! I'll set you up for a dinner date!"
"I think it's kind of useless that you told me instead of making it a surprise."
"Darn!" But the word 'surprise' gave her another idea. "You've never been to the remodeled restaurant before, right?"
"Never"
"Good. You, Runo, and I will have an all-girls night tonight after dinner at that place. It's awesome. Promise me you'll go?"
"But today's Christmas! Won't it be crowded?"
"Not if Runo sets a table aside for us." Julie then elbowed Alice's arm. "Pretty please?"
"Whatever! Just don't make me pay. I haven't had time to convert my currency yet."
"Of course you won't pay! Now I just need to tell Runo and drop you off at her place."
"Thanks, Julie."
Of course, what Julie planned was something far better than delicious dinner and an all-girls night. After dropping Alice off, Julie immediately called Runo. "Listen up! I have a great idea for dinner tonight, and..."
... ... ...
"How long are you staying at my house again?" asked Dan, looking at all the stuff Shun took out of his suitcase. "That's way more personal items than I was expecting."
"Not that long, but I don't want to end up using your dad's stuff by accident like last time."
"Then why aren't you staying at your grandfather's?"
"Too far from here."
"Right..." Dan got a call and answered it. "Hi Runo. What's up? Wow, I completely forgot. You're the best. What did she say? Okay I'm sorry! Yes to that. Yes again. I get it. Wait, that made no sense. Oh, forget it. Be careful. Bye!"
"Runo called? What happened?"
"She went to buy more fortune cookies, and then Julie got stuck in a traffic jam, and I didn't understand the rest of what she said. Sucks for Alice."
"How so?"
"Earlier, I said Runo's parents are watching over the restaurant for now until lunch. Runo's out cookie shopping. Her parents forgot the house key. Actually, it sucks for Julie too because she has to watch Alice, but they're friends, so it doesn't matter."
"If Julie's busy, I'd be glad to stay with Alice for now so Julie can watch the place while Runo's parents meet with Runo. Actually, I don't even understand what you're saying either. "
"See what I mean? Runo might as well not have called me. Her parents are probably smart enough to find the spare key under the rock."
"That's not suspicious at all"
"Actually, I'm not even sure if they're using a fake rock." Dan continued to press buttons on his phone while Shun leaned over see what his friend was doing. "Shun, when was the last time you saw Alice?"
"High school graduation, I think. Haven't talked to or seen her since we began university. If she's here in town, then of course I want to see her. We all should get together."
"We should..." Dan continued to press buttons. "You'll be at the grand opening of Runo's other restaurant, right?"
"Of course I will. I'll be out of school by then and am definitely coming home for sure."
"Oh yeah, you graduate next year! Alice might have said she finished early by a semester. Runo will definitely invite her to the grand opening and maybe cut the ribbon too, although I don't know if Alice is working immediately yet. You fly back every time there's a long break, but Alice probably only returns once a year, if lucky."
"So...does that mean she won't be at the grand opening?"
"Why are you thinking about her being at the grand opening when she's here right now? Who knows if it'll take her another year before she visits us again? Why haven't you reestablished communication with her?!"
"Because-" Shun was speechless. He didn't know what to say back to Dan. "I don't know. It's hard focusing on my studies while working part-time during the school year and coming home occasionally to take care of family."
"Okay, man. Calm down. Look, why don't we—more like you—try out the new and food food at Runo's restaurant? You never did anything fun before university and certainly don't do that during your academic breaks. All the good flavors and tastes that you missed out while in New York will be back."
"And I thought only Runo indulges on food when upset." Shun pushed his suitcase aside and got ready. "What her restaurant's name anyway?"
"'Fortune Cookie in Love.' Interesting concept, right? Runo said the idea came to her mind while creating some item of Christmas-themed food for a final examination in culinary school. The fortune cookies there also have deep meaningful messages-"
"Just hail a taxi already."
"Right. Hail a taxi..."
... ... ...
Mrs. Misaki came buy the girls' table and served the three of them their desserts. A chocolate fudge ice cream sundae for Runo, mixed berry shaved ice for Julie, and chocolate cheesecake for Alice. "Eat up, girls! Dinner is on me."
"Thanks Mrs. Misaki!" Julie and Alice cheered.
"Uh, yeah, thanks, Mom." Runo groaned. "Stop embarrassing me, please."
"There will be more to be embarrassed about when the new restaurant opens!"
"Hey!" Julie yelled. "Runo and Alice are getting attention. What am I here for?"
"Congratulations on that speedy driver's license, Julie. I will make you a cake that looks like a steering wheel next time." Runo and Alice laughed to Mrs. Misaki's joke. "Runo, you can eat that later and wash the dishes with me."
"And while you do that, I'll get some fortune cookies." Julie suggested.
She left her seat and walked over to the counter. Only Alice was left at the table. She stared thoughtfully into her glass of ice water. What am I going to say if I see Shun again? There's nothing to talk about. She pushed her cheesecake aside, put her arms on the table, and laid her head down. Why did I have to come back at this time of the year?
"Alice? Wake up, sleepyhead." Alice woke up to Julie nudging her. "Here's your fortune cookie. Be back later."
"Where are you going?"
"Runo got into a little accident in the kitchen. Don't worry, I'll be back."
Alice finished her cheesecake and broke the cookie open. I told everyone what my post-secondary school plans were after graduation. There's no way that Shun wouldn't have contacted me if the others all did. Now there's no point in talking to him at all. As she ate the cookie, she read the message.
'Life may be about moving forward, but it wouldn't hurt to turn back to past for once.'
What kind of a fortune is that?
Alice turned around and couldn't believe what she saw.
... ... ...
"You still remember I'm allergic to alcohol?"
"Dude, your entire family is allergic to alcohol. You can't even drink saké."
"Not funny."
Shun glared at Dan while drinking a glass of apple-peach sparkling cider, which Dan claimed he specifically reserved for consumption only by Shun. Dan himself drank couple glasses of low-alcohol champagne. "During Runo's restaurant grand opening, there will be a lot of champagne. What are you going to do?"
"Drink what the kids will drink."
"Oh yeah." Dan laughed uneasily. "Embarrassing, but worth it."
"That's not embarrassing. That's safe." Shun finished his glass and poured another glassful. "Do Runo have a license to ferment alcohol?"
"You need a license for that?"
"Of course you do, and so does selling alcohol as well. Some of the family-owned restaurants near my university also make ferment their own alcohol, mainly based on grapes. Something to think about."
"I bet Runo and her parents are all here to help with the busy flow of traffic during this time of year. Maybe she's in the kitchen. I'll grab you a fortune cookie on the way."
"Just don't slip out and make me pay." Shun finished that glass and poured his third glassful. Although the apple cider had no ethanol, every glass that he drank made him feel like he would pass out. Why did I never attempt to contact her at all? Why didn't I ask for her email, phone number, or even an address? There's no excuse for not overcoming long distances and time zone differences.
"Here man." Dan placed a fortune cookie on the table and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. "Runo was in the kitchen but had an accident, so I'm going to help her. Don't worry, I paid the bill already."
"Thanks for being honest."
Shun decided to stop drinking the apple cider and ate his fortune cookie. It's not like she left the day after graduation. We had a whole week left to meet up before she flew one-way. He chewed on the cookie and read the fortune.
'Life may be about moving forward, but it wouldn't hurt to turn back to past for once.'
Tell me about it.
Shun turned around and couldn't believe what he saw.
Instantaneously, the two pairs of eyes met. Alice and Shun, each arriving in the same airport, eating dinner at the same restaurant, and thinking about the same topic on what to say to one another then they meet again.
Alice held up the paper slip and asked, "You got the message?"
"Of course I did." Shun answered, holding up his fortune.
And it didn't take long for them to run across the room into each other's arms.
"Four years. You have no idea how much I missed you, Shun. I don't know what else to say."
"Then don't. Just enjoyed this moment and don't think about anything else, Alice."
Everyone else eating stopped and faced Alice and Shun, who finally saw each again on Christmas after so many years. "This is worth celebrating! Cheers!" some guy yelled.
"Cheers! May this be your best Christmas ever!"
Alice and Shun let go and looked around at everyone cheering, while some people let out disappointing 'aww's because they broke the hug. "This was unexpected and uncalled for..." Alice commented.
"Definitely, but you know what else is unexpected and uncalled for?"
"What?"
Shun planted a soft lingering kiss on Alice's lips...
...in front of everyone.
"Awwwwwww..." cried the customers.
Meanwhile, Julie, Runo, and Dan watched the fun from the kitchen and passed each other high-fives. "Great idea, Julie. And to think Runo was behind this."
"So you're saying I'm stupid? No restaurant grand opening for you!"
"Hey, I was just joking! Look at how happy they are. And they said didn't want to see each other before this happened."
"I know, right? Julie, how did you come up with this?"
"When I dropped you off at the cookie store, Alice asked about the restaurants and what fortunes the cookies contain in regard to the title. Then I thought of this. They kind of look like a first love couple."
"Even if they're the same people, I'd say it's like their second first love." Dan said, only to be met with angry glares. "Fine! That made no sense."
"Actually, it's neither." Runo suggested. "After so many years of university out of town, not only are they seeing each other again, but they're also-"
"Falling in love again..." all three of them said in unison.