III.

Bella Notte

"Keep your eyes closed, it's almost done."

"O-Okay!"

"Ah, Megumi-chan, you're flinching again."

"S-Sorry, Ryoko-chan!"

"...And done. You can open them now."

Greeting Megumi is her own awed reflection with how different she looks with just a little tint of make-up. When she takes some time to tilt her head and admire Ryoko's eyeliner work, she begins to notice how the cat eye brings out the yellow color of her eyes even more.

"Kyaaa, you look really pretty, Megumi-chan!" Exclaims Yuuki, "Bet your Italian guy would just have his jaw hangin' all night!"

Yes- Takumi's proposal was… out of the blue since she didn't expect him to throw such sudden request looking at how she was doing back then, so she nervously, but not immediately, said yes.

But again, Megumi couldn't find a reason to not date Takumi since they get along really well and it's… well, Takumi. He's a talented Italian chef, a true gentleman with a dashing facade, and she certainly didn't forget how more than a half of Totsuki girls would sell their souls just to get him to smile at them- what more does she want?

And when the girls found out about this, they were way more excited for her than she is for herself. Yuuki was the one that pulls Megumi outside to buy her a new dress for her date, and Ryoko insisted that she'd do her hair and makeup tonight, which left her slightly overwhelmed.

"Ah, Yuuki-chan. Isn't that slightly exaggerating?" The bluenette comments humbly.

"She's not, Megumi-chan." Assures Ryoko, tucking her unraveled hair to the sides of her face, "You do look gorgeous, so you should feel beautiful."

Even if she is, she really owes it to both of them. She does like how the sleeveless baby pink top compliments the flowiness of her white midi skirt with sakura pattern. On top of that, her hair that is done in half-up style goes perfect with her minimalist make up.

"Thank you, Ryoko-chan, Yuuki-chan." Megumi smiles, rising from her chair to hold both girls.

Just as the girls melt into the little group hug, a knock on the door is heard, and Megumi's heart jumps.

"You ready?" Asks the redhead wishfully, which she remarks with a nervous nod.

The way they take down the hallway flashes before her eyes with her mind blank and chest pounding, and before she knows it, Yuuki opens the front door.

If Megumi thinks Takumi always look good, Takumi who stands on the entrance is indescribably, jaw-droppingly handsome.

Hugging his physique is a matching black coat and jeans with a simple yet nicely tailored grey shirt inside. His blonde hair is greased back, but two loose strands cascade effortlessly, framing his ever so dashing face, and it allows Megumi to fully admire his strong cheekbone and sharp blue eyes which is picturesque under the beam of moonlight.

Drinking each other's appearance, neither of them realize that it's been a good few, awkward seconds of silence- not even Yuuki and Ryoko, who seem to be captured by him as well.

"Mamma mia..." The Italian mumbles, eyes drinking Megumi's appearance from head to toe, before hastily clearing his throat and shakes his head lightly, "I-I mean, good evening, Megumi-san. Yoshino-san and Sakaki-san."

"Oh, u-um… Good evening, Takumi-kun." The bluenette regains her composure, "Y-You look very nice tonight."

"Ah, grazie mille, Megumi-san," He scratches the back of his head. Cheeks starting to show a tint of pink, "But you look even more beautiful than usual."

"Oh, Megumi-chan. You better keep this one. Don't let me steal him from you." Yuuki intervenes nonchalantly, which earn a good slap on her upper arm by a more composed Ryoko. But for some reason, Megumi thinks it doesn't mean she's not thinking the same thing.

"Y-You guys…I didn't even realize you are still here." Megumi mutters, while Takumi forces an awkward smile at Yuuki's remark.

"Don't mind her, Megumi-chan. You know how Yuuki's mouth just runs like a train." Now it's Ryoko's turn to interrupt, "Is that bouquet for her, Aldini-kun?"

"Oh, si. I almost forgot I've been carrying this. They are indeed for you, Megumi-san." He stretches his hand to give Megumi a bouquet of white daisies- just so happen to be her favorite flower.

How does he know, she wonders.

"Thank you, Takumi-kun. But you really don't have to-"

"We'll take it!" Yuuki meddles in, taking the bouquet out of his hand before Megumi, "And we'll put it nicely in that empty vase in your room, of course."

There's pretty much nothing she can do at this point except putting on her forfeiting look, especially since Takumi only does the same.

"I'm with Yuuki on this one. You guys go have a nice dinner." Ryoko smiles.

And that's a cue for them to give up trying to fight these Polar Star angels.

As they bid their goodbyes to the girls that beams excitedly behind her, Megumi can't help but filling her mind with the possible places he'll take her to. Yes- it refers to the one who's currently taking her hand and tucking it inside his elbow.

It's going to be a beautiful first date.

»»-¤-««

"What would you like to eat, Megumi-san?"

That deep voice of Takumi Aldini jerks her off of her daydream, realizing she's been completely drowned in the mesmerizing view.

Surrounding them is a gorgeous sight of a full moon reflected on a gentle stream of lake. Candlelights embellished every table around them, only lovely couples filing them in- a picture so beautiful she's unaware of how long she's been holding the menu book. Megumi loves how the warm summer night air grazes her skin so gently like a lover's touch, and she certainly doesn't mind the view in front of her.

"E-Eh? Um… Sorry, I-I haven't decided yet… The view is just really beautiful."

As if he's taking it as a compliment, he chuckles, "There is no rush, Megumi-san. I'm just glad you like this place."

"Do you go here a lot, Takumi-kun?"

"A couple of times when my family is in town, if we're craving for authentic Italian food." He explains, "It's the best food and scenery we can get around here."

"It is a really nice place. Are you sure it's alright? I-I mean, I look at the price of this veal a-and-"

To her surprise, his hand stretches across his side of the table and reaches hers, "Hey, Megumi-san. It is perfectly fine. You can pick anything you like, okay?"

She sheepishly lowers her chin. Takumi smiles.

"If you need any recommendation, that veal milanese you pointed is actually exquisite. I think you will like it."

"O-Okay. I will get it if you do…"

"W-Well, I was thinking of getting a different order so you can also try another food. Is it okay?"

Her mind starts running wild at the thought of that. Will Takumi feed her a bite lovingly like the couple sitting next to them? With those oceanic eyes that could drown even the strongest heart pinned on her feature?

Yes- she wouldn't know how she would get herself together, but no, she doesn't hate the idea.

"Megumi-san, you haven't been looking at me for a while. Is everything okay?" The Italian asks concernedly, making her aware that she's been avoiding his gaze all this time.

"E-Eh?! S-Sorry, Takumi-kun. It's just- It's my first date and… I guess I'm nervous…" Megumi replies, stuttering.

"I can relate," His hands stretch to hers once again, holding it gently this time," It's my first date too."

Finding it hard to believe, she questions, "R-Really? But you must have been asked a lot of times, Takumi-kun."

"That is true, but I never really liked them, so I chose not to go." He rubs her thumb that intertwines with his, "Besides, my heart has always belonged to cooking. A bit like Yukihira, you can say."

That little thump appears again in her chest.

Maybe her swallow and uncomfortable nod she just did gives it away too much, judging by how his eyes widen a second later.

"Oh, I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought his name up."

"O-Oh! T-That's alright, Takumi-kun. You shouldn't worry too much."

"I know, I just don't want to spoil your mood b-because you know, it's our first date and I want this to be romantic for you and-"

"You don't, Takumi-kun." It's now her turn to place her palm above his soft hand, awed by how smooth the surface is, "You really don't have to be worried."

Her gesture is quickly replied by a sheepish smile spread across his face. And she thinks she isn't lying, but she doesn't have much time to thought about it deeper when the waiter comes to take their orders.

»»-¤-««

This is probably the best restaurant Megumi has ever been to.

And all credits go to Takumi, for ordering the best balsamic roasted tomato bruschetta which sweet flavor burst right out in her mouth before that bone-in, perfectly breaded veal milanese took over with its delicious umami complimented by fresh tricolore salad. She even loved the seafood risotto the Italian fed her.

To top the meal off, he ordered a mellow yet robust tiramisu for them to share in this gorgeous setting lies before them- there's nothing more she could ask for a more romantic date.

"I hope you're not too full to dance, Megumi-san." Takumi gestures to the dancefloor where it's filled with couples, swaying intimately to the strains of Bella Notte, "This is a beautiful song to dance to."

"E-Eh? But I don't know how to dance, Takumi-kun. I-I think I'll embarrass myself if I go up there…"

"You can't be too bad, Megumi-san." He rises to his feet and extend his hand to her, "Please? I'll lead... and I promise to catch you if you fall."

She looks up, and instantly, she knows she can't possibly turn down those soft, pleading oceanic eyes of Takumi Aldini, so she takes his hand and let him guide her to the dancefloor beneath the warm moonlight.

"Put your other hand on my shoulder, okay?" He requests, and the bluenette does as he says, but flinches when a hand of his snakes on her waist.

Yes, it's obviously her first time dancing so close to a guy, and of all boys she know, it has to be Takumi Aldini- a curse, and a blessing at the same time, she'd say. This person's warm gaze, soft hands, and divine cedar natural scent could shake the faintest hearts' legs. Yes, in this case, it's her.

"Are you alright, Bella?" He whispers in her ear as he pulls her closer to his embrace, "You seem very… stiff."

Oh, no. He probably notices how she puts her head way too low, or maybe it's the way she uncontrollably breathe under him. Even maybe the way she grips his hand too hard out of nervousness.

"I-I'm sorry, Takumi-kun. This is new to me, and… it's w-with you, so-"

"Calm down, Megumi-san. It's just me." He chuckles in the most charming way imaginable.

"W-Well, all girls that go to Totsuki does not see you as… you know, j-just a boy." The bluenette murmurs, "A-At least half of the class would talk bad about me if they find out I'm the one who's going on a date with you…"

"There's no need to think such bad scenario, Megumi-san. Even if they do, they would have to deal with me."

"Ah, Takumi-kun… you're just saying that because it's true."

The blonde chuckles ironically at her assumption, "If someday it's possible for you to see things through my eyes, you will know that it takes all of my willpower to not get flustered and shaky, right at this second."

"Eh..? Why is that?"

"Because what I'm seeing," He says, "Is a girl who only comes once in a lifetime, and what I am... is far cry from what you are."

"Y-You don't know what you're talking about, Takumi-kun. You are an amazing chef and amazing person, and I'm just-"

"No, Megumi. No." Takumi whispers, placing his forehead on hers, which results in her burning cheeks, "You… have no idea, how jumbled my mind is with heavenly words to describe you. Yet here I am, speechless when you're so close to me."

That rush on her chest appears again, especially in this distance, where she can inhale his intoxicating breath of coffee liqueur and cream- it's like she can just close her eyes and embrace this kind of warmth for a very long time.

But a second of emptiness comes along within her when he twirls her, letting go of her for a little moment, before finding his black coat wrapped around her body.

"Please wear my coat. I don't want you to be cold… or to look at me because of what I'm about to say..."

He inhales, before exhaling. Before inhaling and exhaling again. His cheek against her hair is warm, and she likes those butterflies flying inside her stomach.

His feet still guides her slowly through the song's slow melody playing in the air and the fast rhythm of her heartbeat. Not only because of how this moment looks straight out of a romantic movies she love, but also the way those soft hands protect her figure tells her that whatever he'll say is something he's been suppressing, and he'll mean every single word that will soon ring through her ear.

"I'm in love with you, Megumi-san."

Her heart stops.

Jaw hanging.

Oxygen- she needs oxygen.

Did Takumi Aldini, the most wanted male student in Totsuki, just say he was in love… with her?

Yes- though it takes a while for her to convince herself that her ears are indeed still working properly. Yes- she sort of had an idea he has feelings for her, but what she has no clue about is how deep he's been falling, and that left her choked up, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

"T-Takumi-kun, I-" Is all that comes out before she takes another deep breath, "I d-don't know what to say…"

"I-I know it's really sudden and selfish of me, but truth be told, I genuinely want to… date you, without any reason. This feeling I have for you… I just can't fight it any longer."

Megumi has to admit; the confession makes her lighthearted… in a way that it could fly her and definitely makes her feel secure. Because a boy like Takumi, doesn't confess to just anyone.

But before she can react any further, the blonde continues, "So I'd like to apologize in advance for the brash thing I'm about to do…"

She isn't aware of her surrounding, but all she knows when he tilts her chin sideways is her darkened vision, and greeting her lips is his tender ones.

It can't be denied that his movement until this moment is rather rushed, but once he places his lips on her, he stays in one place as if all he needs is this feeling where hearts are stopped, yet he knows he's alive, because that's exactly how she feels under his delicate, sweet embrace; it makes her weak in the knees, and hot in the cheeks.

Really, she cannot ask for a more beautiful first kiss, but it's when he pulls away she sees something different.

She sees a redhead.

It's an illusion… it's not him, she assures herself.

She blinks once, and then blinks once more, yet the vision won't go away.

So when she finds herself losing the battle, she stops and ignore the reality of the black coat sliding off her shoulder. Pressing her warm lips once again to the vivid imagination of piercing golden eyes instead.

»»-¤-««