Otherwise Engaged

17:15 - Naples, Italy - The day of Le Aurora's Opening

I am Tadokoro Megumi. Thank you all for coming to the opening of Le Aurora. I invite you to taste the flavours of my home – and the home of my partner in business – and I hope you have an enjoyable night.

She checks herself in the ornate mirror by the establishment's entrance – a beautifully carved rosewood piece Ishiki senpai had sent over as an opening gift just last week. The words flow silken-smooth in her mind. In less than three hours, the press and various high-ranking members of the culinary industry will arrive to celebrate with her.

In real time, her speech does not go as intended. The words twist her tongue in ways she can't understand, and she finds herself stuttering as she repeats word after word. I might as well have marbles in my mouth.

Takumi's golden head catches in the sunlight, and she glances around to find her partner – in business and in life – smiling at her. He's already dressed, his chef's whites ironed to perfect crispness and his eyes bright with amusement. "Are you nervous? There's no need to be, you know. I have every confidence you'll win their hearts."

She shakes her head, clenching her fists even as he makes his way over to her side. "What if we overcook the fish?"

"You can cook that dish in your sleep. I'm pretty sure you have, even." He takes her hands and kisses her knuckles, and she feels her knees threaten to buckle. "You should relax. It's just our soft launch. We can iron out the kinks."

She lets out a sigh, allowing herself to lean forward. His arms come up around her, and he bears her weight easily, as he has since the day she'd opened her door to find him standing there, soaking wet with a confession on his lips. In Takumi's arms, she feels safe. Loved, appreciated, and oh-so-very wanted.

"Are we making a mistake?" She glances up at him, grinning helplessly. "You know there's a reason they say to never work with family and friends. What if this breaks us?" Something catches in her throat, and she has to physically bite down the surge of panic from within. "What if we end up like Nancy and Mark?"

Takumi lets out a laugh. "Then I'd be more than happy to let you shine, my heart. But worry not. I'll never let you go." His hand comes up to stroke her hair, and she leans back, relishing in his smile. "You think I'd let something as silly as envy come between us? You're an amazing chef, and you deserve every award you've ever received, as well as those that will come."

He takes her into his arms again. She's just wondering how it is her lover's this composed when she realises he isn't. Not really.

His heart is beating just a little too fast.

It isn't until she withdraws, somewhat confused, that she sees it. The faint traces of a little square box, too distinct to be anything but. Her breath catches in her throat. When she looks up to meet his eyes, the man is smiling just a touch sheepishly, evidently aware that he's been caught.

Mindful of his embarrassment, she chooses to feign ignorance. "W-We should start getting ready. The press will be here soon."

He lets out a breath, and his brows furrow. For one brief moment, he appears to consider something – then he leans back and locks the front door with a soft, final click.

Then he turns to her, and without hesitation, pulls out the pale-blue box. "The cat's out of the bag, so I might as well do it now. I've been carrying this around for weeks, but we've been busy with the opening, and I wanted it to be perfect. But… but this is perfect too, isn't it?"

"Takumi, wha-"

She can't hear herself over the beating of her heart. The air around them seems to heat up, and the world outside ceases to exist. She's certain she's blushing.

"We're starting a new journey together, Megumi. But I also want to start another." His pale lashes flick downwards as he glances down to the box in his hands. "And I know the next weeks are going to be hell, but I promise you, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure we get through it. I would do anything to make you happy. So what do you think? Will you do me the honour and make me the happiest man in the world? Can we mark today by starting the journey to husband and wife?"

She has no words. But surely he knows her answer – and how could he not? It's only moments later that the box is open, and the ring is on her hand. Then she's up in the air, his arms around her as they twirl and swirl, and suddenly they're laughing together and his lips are on hers.

"Yes," She lets out, breathless in laughter once her feet have found the floor. "Yes."