A Lovely, Complex life.
Chapter 2 – A Date to Remember.
Author's note: Hello! I'm so happy for all the positive support with watches and comments on my little fanfiction, and am just thrilled so many have eagerly waited for chapter two!
I do apologize for not getting this out sooner, but as usual life seems to get in the way but I'm happy to say that things are back in order and even chapter three is well underway for a more timely release.
Without further ado, here is chapter two!
"Koizumi...I have something to tell you."
Looking up from the flicker of the candle's flame on their white and red checker table spread in the restaurant, she was surprised at the look of seriousness on Otani's face. What could be the matter, their relationship didn't have secrets, unless you counted the hidden copy of her beloved game with Cain-sama. Some things Otani just didn't need to know about, it wasn't like it was a crime to play every once and a while!
"Otani...what is it?"
Why was he fidgeting? The poor boy looked like he was going to faint or have a nervous breakdown with the way the beads of sweat hung along his brow line.
"I've...wanted to say this for a long time...Risa, I love you...please..."
Otani got out of his chair and knelt to the ground on one knee, pulling out a little box from his pocket.
"Will you Marr-"
It was that very moment that a Blue eyes white dragon burst into the restaurant with a mighty bellow, prompting Risa to stand and whip out a card of her own.
"I summon you, Dark Magician!"
Before she could even register what had happened, Risa met with the floor of her apartment tangled in a blanket as the young girl groaned and rubbed her head. Cracking open her eyes she noted that it was morning as the sun shined through the windows of the living room...it must have been a dream...damn summon monsters.
Uncurling herself from the blanket which she didn't quite remember grabbing before she must have fallen asleep, Risa stretched out her kinks from sleeping on the little couch.
However, the world seemed to slow down to a snail's pace as her eyes drifted over the clock in the kitchen.
10:00am.
"AIIIIIIEEEEEE!" Risa screamed, darting around the apartment to grab her school bag, brush her teeth, grab a few slices of bread which she simply shoved in her mouth and burst out the door.
How could she be late again!
This time, it was Otani's turn to let his gaze drift out the window of his classroom, overlooking the city street below and the park across the way. Even this early in the morning he could see mothers walking their babies, morning joggers trekking down the trails, and other sort of people enjoying the sunny spring day.
It was a study class, and no matter how much Otani tried and tried to take the free time to study his mind was simply elsewhere. He couldn't focus; his mind on tonight's date.
It was actually a double date, one he couldn't undermine as anything less.
Usually with Nakao and Nobu he could pass it off as a bunch of friends hanging out, while Nobu and Nakao were all lovey-lovey on one another even more so now that they didn't get to see one another very often they could all joke and have fun together. He and Nakao could play some hoops for old time's sake and the girls could chatter about how their lives were going.
Yet with Tamiko and Taisho they were a long time couple, and he'd only met them a few times.
Yo this is for real! You got mail.
Nearly jumping out of his skin as he'd forgotten to turn the ringer off on his phone, he pulled out the cell and flipped it open to find he'd gotten a message from Koizumi.
Risa: Why didn't you wake me up? I was late! ):
Puffing out his lower lip, he began to text back to Risa.
Otani: Because my class starts two hours before yours! You would have been up at 5!
Risa: Still...now I have to stay late...
Otani: Well that's your fault for falling asleep on the couch! What time is tonight?
Risa: It's at 6:30, I'm just going to have to go straight there.
Otani: Why does it matter?
Risa: It's a very fancy new restaurant called Esca; I'd like to look nice for Otani...
Otani: You look nice no matter what you wear. I'll meet you there alright? If you don't pay attention you'll have to stay even later.
Risa: Thanks Otani...Sensei's definitely giving me the evil eye. See you there!
Shaking his head, Otani gathered his books and supplies since he wasn't going to be getting any work done now. Tossing his backpack over his shoulder he left school and headed to the train...he would have to make a stop at home before tonight.
"Aiiieeyyyaaa….It's so late!" Koizumi whined in a tired voice as the soft patter of her shoes carried her from the train station down across the sidewalk of Namba Parks, the warm approaching evening already causing the community of shops to light up in a soft inviting glow. It really was romantic, even though all she caught were glimpses and occasional stares at her surroundings; her sights set on the large restaurant in the near distance. In front of the restaurant she could pick up three familiar figures alright, and could tell once she stopped running and panted in front of her friends that Otani was obviously uncomfortable having been there first.
"Sorry! Sorry! The train had a delay…and I had to run home…" Koizumi began with her head bowed, only to have Otani reach up and bop her lightly with a closed fist.
"Idiot, I told you today you didn't need to go home and change." Although, he was certainly glad of the low light of their surroundings since he was well aware of the heated blush which struck across his cheeks. Koizumi had her way with clothes, a fact he very much appreciated since the moment they'd met in class; as it was like she was born to live and strive in the fashion world. He was sure whatever she was wearing would have been elegant and put together as she was infamous for (albeit a bit boyish at times, but with those legs she could pull that off with ease) but this was just…something else. Her pale turquoise dress reached down to her knees with such a priceless white trim to that a-line structure of the dress, perfectly paired with a sheer white shall of sorts over her shoulders and her hair done up. It only served Otani to remember how she looked so elegant at the festival with hair like that.
"Otani! That wasn't very nice…." The tall woman pouted, only to light up at the laughter of Tamiko and Taisho.
"Classic Lovebirds, Risa once told me that these two were nicknamed All Hanshin-kyojin throughout high school!" Tamiko nudged Taisho, who was wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye from his chuckles. "I believe it." He said, and took his darling's hand to motion to the inside of the restaurant. "They're waiting for us, let's go."
The four of them entered the restaurant as they were led to their table by the hostess, Tamiko swooning as she leaned heavily on Taisho's arm at the romantic atmosphere of the pale gold and sienna of the walls and otherwise warm Tuscan theme. Otani and Koizumi walked side by side, but neither took the others hand or gave any indication they were a couple.
Taking their seats near a table close to the large fireplace, Koizumi enjoyed that they were close to the window which gave such a stunning view of the street lights and park located across the street from the restaurant. Already Tamiko and Taisho were enjoying that normal couple bliss, his arm over her shoulder as they picked out their starters and drinks before the waitress would come back. Koizumi cast a glance to Otani and gave him a smile, noticing that he'd been avoiding looking at her since they got into the restaurant.
"Did you want to split an appetizer, Otani?" She asked with her sweet tone, looking over her own menu while he observed his own menu.
"Uhm…Is there something you wanted to try, Koizumi?" He asked in return, leaning over to point at an item on the menu. "You would like this; it's a garlic Bruschetta and seems to be what everyone else is trying." He noticed as he could see the appetizers on most of the tables when he came in.
"Did you really take note of what was popular…?" She asked in disbelief a bit more quietly, since when did he care about something like this; since she was sure he'd almost eat anything put in front of him.
"Well, yes…it's a good thing to be observant and know what seems to be a good dish in places you've never gone…." He replied with a raised brow, not sure where she was getting at with such a statement. Otani just wanted it to be a good night, to be frank, and had been subtly trying to impress her which had worked like a charm.
"Wow Otani, look at you Mr. formal!" Laughing merrily, Koizumi was rather impressed at the evening thus far; having never seen Otani in such a nice formal attire of pressed black slacks and a rather nice grey blouse. The black tie was really great touch.
After the two couples ordered for the night and the waitress went to bring in their orders, the night proceeded as usual with each striking up some conversation. Otani began to explain to Taisho all about basketball and how much he loved the sport, Taisho being more of a baseball fan but could appreciate the knowledge Otani had of his beloved sport. Koizumi and Tamiko enjoyed talking about the woes of the fashion world, about the best places to buy fabrics and the desired models they wanted to have in their shows. Drinks came and likewise the appetizers, all agreeing eagerly that it was simply to die for.
"Tamiko this is amazing!" Koizumi sighed out blissfully, eyes glittering in a light usually seen for when an Umibozu concert came around.
"I told you so, Risa! Besides, you two need to act more like a couple and what better way to do so than in a place like this. Of course, more time with my darling and best friend is in my best interest…." Grinning like a vixen she turned and gave a small kiss to Taisho's cheek, which he happily rested his forehead against hers in an affectionate gesture.
In a synchronized move both Otani and Koizumi stiffened uncomfortably, taking on a stone like appearance as their respective gazes lingered to one another; sharing the same thought wave of how to act more like a couple.
"T-t-t-t-t-aaaaaaa" Koizumi sputtered through her chattering teeth at such a notion, surely no one would appreciate a scene like that in the restaurant; and Otani was so subconscious still about his height in comparison when out in public….
Yet she wasn't expecting him to grab her hand while lacing his fingers between her own and lifting it in view.
"Is this fine, love officer?" Otani jeered, only to earn a cheeky thumbs up from Tamiko. At least now he was realizing in retrospect how Koizumi must have felt all that time with the gang breathing down her neck about her crush on him. As the pair continued to chatter amongst themselves, he looked to the side to realize Koizumi giving one of her famous dumbfounded stares at their hands. "What! It's not like we've never held hands you oaf." He smirked, placing their entwined hands on his leg.
"Ah, ahahahaa! Right right…." Nervously Koizumi chuckled, before continuing to nibble on her Bruschetta with that look of nervous glee.
Dinner continued as norm, the main course going almost as quickly as it came; Koizumi couldn't believe that it was going so well and that even Otani was getting along amazingly with Tamiko and Taisho.
"Well Risa, when are you going to tell him the news?" Tamiko chided up, placing her arms on the table and leaning in. "I don't know how you've kept your mouth shut this whole time!"
"News?" Otani echoed, not sure if he liked where this was going as if there was one thing he hated was to be left out of the loop.
"Ah! Yes…..its big news Otani! Ready? Well…." Koizumi took a breath, grinning ear to ear. "I got an apprenticeship! It's a year over in New york!"
"Lucky bitch got the best in the class! Not that I can really be jealous, her work shows how gifted she is!" Tamiko chimed in.
"Congratulations, Koizumi! I know you will excel from how Tamiko gushes over your work…" Taisho smiled reassuringly, happy for her even though he knew before the restaurant…thankful Tamiko could keep that secret as long as she did.
"You're…going to America? When?" Otani tried to smile his same smile, but he could tell Koizumi knew something was up. When did she know him that well? When did she know that worried look of hers broke his heart whenever she pulled it out?
"Otani…." She breathed, somehow hitching in her throat as the pair across the table were getting a little distant in the moment. "It's at the end of semester; so in the summer I will be over there till well…the next summer." Something was wrong she thought he would be more happy about this news…but the look on his face was similar to when he was called girl like because of his height. While this was far from that kind of scenario, the look of dejection on his face was like a skewer to her heart. "I…I can put it off…."
"No!" He snapped, his fist meeting the table as it startled everyone in the vicinity. Putting on his best smile he clenched his hand around her own which still was against his leg. "No Koizumi…that's not what I meant. I'm a little shocked it's so soon, but I should have been thinking about it since obviously you'd need apprenticeships…" And why, why was it so soon? Two months wasn't enough time, and the fact he had things planned for this summer to spend time with her and now….well she was going to be across the world. Catching the concerned looks from the couple across the table he knew he'd reacted badly, but how could he help it? She meant the world to him…even if now he was going to be forced to let her go. Letting out the breath he didn't realize he was holding, he could see Risa's expression and wanted to get that smile back at any cost.
"B-besides, this way I'll have some peace and quiet while I study! You're very distracting you know." Letting go of her hand he smirked and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I-I'm distracting! You're the one who thinks its good study practice to air drum Umibozu while doing homework! Honestly I don't know how your grades are still so high!" Risa retorted, giving him a ugly look while getting up in his face.
"Hey! Its fundamental to associate learning with all sorts of different mechanisms; music, air drumming…its genius! I plan to use that method when I'm a teacher!" Bonking foreheads with her he muttered and shot her a similar mocking look; having a mini push way between their heads only to snap out of it when Tamiko and Taisho began laughing hysterically. Looking around they could see some of the other tables giggling under their breath only to turn the pair bright red as they sat up properly and cleared their throat simultaneously.
Some things just never changed.
It was that simple fact that allowed Risa to smile so warmly despite her embarrassment and Otani snap at the other patrons to mind their own business while looking at him. It was this…that she hoped the distance wouldn't change. She didn't know what she would do if anything had happened to 'them'.
And there is chapter two!
We're nearing the final countdown to the separation of the All Hanshin Kyoshin! Will their bonds allow them to overcome the distance and time apart…only I will know! Bwhahaha!
Next chapter to come in the next week or two 3