A/N: After four long years, I decided to update this story. I stopped updating 3 years ago after Chapter 4. So the real update is Chapter 5. But I had to rewrite most of it to match my current writing style which is why I suggest and appreciate if you would read it again and tell me how it was improved or whatever. I also changed some of the details but it's basically the same plot. Enjoy! Please leave your comments to tell me what you think. And continue supporting the story! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN YAMATO NADESHIKO. I wish I do though.
I have rewrote this with them 3 years older. They are now senior college students (and more mature than they are now –based on how I think they will be when they mature nonetheless.)
Chapter 3: Almost There
The ballroom is set-up nicely. The lights are dimmed but is not dark, just enough to give the place a warm and cozy feeling. The walls and columns are decorated with white, sky blue and silver draperies. Up ahead, the stage looks gorgeous with tropical flower arrangements, the stage looks like it's floating on water achieved by the blue cove lighting that surrounds the perimeter of the platform. From the 2-storey high ceiling hangs modern chandeliers of various heights that looks like raindrops, most of which are concentrated in the center of the room, a few meters away from the stage, where a large round table with a fountain made of faux stones made to look like a water fall, sits surrounded by more tropical plant/flower arrangements. If you are not observant and appreciative enough, you would have missed the resemblance of the place to a tropical rainforest.
Kyohei, with Sunako in his hand, was stopped dead on his tracks in awe when he saw the magnificence of the venue. Even Sunako who is not the very much appreciative of settings like this, can't keep her mouth closed in admiration. The rest of the gang who are not much far behind had the same reaction when they entered. Kyohei took the advantage to let go of Sunako's hand when he thinks it is safe enough for her to walk on her own. He was in front of her so he didn't notice the slight change in Sunako's face when he let go. It was between frustration and shock.
Slowly, the seven of them waltzed across the room in utter silence, still taking in the grandeur of the place, until eventually Sunako unintentionally separated herself from the others when she bumped with something sturdy and tall. She was embarrassed when she first thought it was a post but when she looked up, a handsome man turned to her, his eyes and mouth smiling, "It's bright," she thought to herself.
The gentleman suddenly looked worried as he asked, "Are you alright?"
Sunako slightly staggered back from the radiant creature, quietly answering, "I-Im alright."
He smiled again in relief, "I'm sorry. I might be in your way," he bowed.
"N-No, it's really alright, you don't have to apologize… I was the one spacing out" she admitted shyly.
"As long as you are not hurt, I'm relieved."
Behind her bangs, she took a good look of the lad. He was tall, about as tall as Kyohei, or no, a bit taller perhaps. His hair was dark brown and combed neatly in place, the longer front brushed up. He wore glasses with rectangular lenses and no frames around them, but behind those glasses is the real treat— a pair of brown eyes that must have been contact lenses if it weren't for his glasses, ones which could do the talking, even she was convinced. His coat and matching slacks were navy blue, over a simple white long sleeve polo, and brown leather belt that matches his shoes.
'He looks like a diplomat' she thought.
"Anyway, pardon for the rudeness. Let me introduce myself. My name is Satoshi Takeyama. If you don't mind giving me your name, perhaps, it will be more of a pleasure to meet you." offering his hand for a hand shake.
"Y-Yes, indeed. Sunako. Sunako Nakahara. It's also a pleasure meeting you." she answered politely shaking his hand. For some reason, she saw recognition in his face. She was expecting that he would confirm with her but they were cut off by a uniformed man she recognize must have been her dad's staff, but what is he doing here?
"Mister Takeyama," he called. Satoshi regarded him and excused his self. She saw them move out of her earshot, and while they discuss something she could not hear, she scanned the crowd for familiar faces of her family, but she figured they are possibly not among the crowd. She knew better.
As Satoshi walked back to her, she eyed the uniformed guy who stayed in his spot and bowed politely to Sunako, confirming her thoughts that he works for her dad.
"I am sorry for our conversation getting cut off. But it seems your father would like to speak with me," he explained.
"He's here." She whispered to herself, "You know him?" looking at Satoshi in the eyes.
"Not as much as you do," he smiled, "but I will have to know him better, if you'll allow me to," and winked.
Sunako stood unmoving while she watch the lad walk away, confused and mystified.
She suddenly felt a nudge on her arms, she looked and saw Kyohei. Apparently, he was aware of the small talk she had with an unknown guy because he came asking, "You know him?"
"I just did," she answered point-blank, still unsure of what to think of the situation.
"Anyway," he started, snapping her back to reality, "The others are looking for you. It seems your Auntie wants to see us." He gestured towards the stage. He held her wrist gently to guide her through the crowd.
It's been three years, and apparently they have grown accustomed to this simple gestures they are not aware what to make of it even to themselves. They are small sweet gestures that other people won't miss as a sign of affection, but for this two, seemingly, they just do not mind.
The others faces lit up when they saw the couple approach them…hand in hand. Somehow, after all those years, these people here have also learned that Sunako and Kyohei are different species, human perhaps, but both with a totally different perception of affection or even love. Sometimes, they are afraid that these two don't even know what 'romance' is, much more, that something close to that, they already share. For most of the times that the couple share sweet moments like this, as much as they want to tease, they know it will just lead to an awkward position for the two so they act casual most of the times.
"Where have you been Sunako-chan?" Yuki and Noi exclaimed.
"I just wandered around." She simply answered.
"So where is she?" Kyohei asked.
"Backstage I suppose," Takenaga answered.
They started backstage to meet with Sunako's aunt, Mine, but was met by a group of people instead. Among them were Sunako's and Kikuno's parents, Satoshi, Mine herself, and surprisingly, "Mom? Dad?" Takenaga said, shocked. Everyone looked shocked as well.
The group faced the gang of young men and women upon realizing their presence.
Takenaga's parents regarded him by a nod. Noi standing on his side, also bowed politely to her boyfriend's parents, and so did the others, also to the other two sets of parents before them.
"Oh, dears!" Sunako's aunt enthusiastically greeted them.
"I wasn't informed you would be here too." Sunako said calmly to her parent, glancing at Satoshi standing beside her dad.
"This was a last minute decision. Your Aunt wanted us here when you debut as a full-grown woman," wiping her tears in effect, while her dad put her arms around her and sobbed along.
Satoshi stepped forward and took Sunako's hand and kissed it, which made her gasp and so did the others. Subconsciously, Kyohei retrieved her hand which shocked everyone more. Suddenly there was tension in the room.
Sunako's aunt broke the silence and announced that, "It's time!"
"Wait!" They all exclaimed, "Time for what?"
"Time for your debuts as models!" and the floor they were standing on, slowly raised until before they realize it, they are on stage, facing the people, spotlight on them.
"Good afternoon everyone!" Mine started on the mic, "Thank you for coming today to this celebration of Nakahara and Kikuno Corporations' venture into leisure and hospitality. The first step of which is the establishment of a spa resort in the pacific. And as we enter in this endeavor, we would like to introduce to you the faces of what shall be known as Urin Spa Resorts!" the crowd roared in with claps from every corner of the room.
The gang, having no choice, faced the crowd with the best smiles they could master, excluding Sunako and Kyohei though. They were never persons of attention, so there unmoving which worried Sunako's parents and aunt. Kyohei was the one who saw the looks in their faces, and glancing at Sunako, seeing that she was probably back in her chibi mode, he decided he had to to do something. He moved to beside her easily, smiled courteously and whispered kindly to Sunako, "We both don't like this. But your parents are watching, do it properly for them."
With that, she snapped back to reality and glanced at her parents who are looking with weary at their dear daughter. And she decided Kyohei was right, she cannot let down her parents on this, so she tried smiling, quite a forced one at first, but seeing her parents' smiling faces finally, her smile became genuine in the end, so did Kyohei's. They smiled at the audience for quite a long time, showcasing that they all deserve to be the faces of a big shot spa resort, after which Mine finally started again on the mic, "It is my pleasure to have presented these young ladies and gentlemen before you today, but there is one more person we welcome into the family… He will play a big role in the realization of a dream for the two corporations, a young man who shall spearhead the management of the resorts, Satoshi Takeyama!" the spotlight focusing on him this time, he smiled and waved to the audience comfortably.
When the clapping had died down, she continued, "Satoshi Takeyama is a capable gentleman, but we figured, he needed someone to work with him. For this reason, one of our models, who is capable enough to handle the job is appointed as operations manager. Introducing, Takenaga Oda!" and the spotlight was back to him. He looked as shocked as everybody but he managed to smile and bow politely to the audience, then the parents and the host. He also shook hands with Satoshi.
After all the formalities and introductions, they were finally off-stage. The gentlemen and Noi all sighed in unison, which was immediately followed by congratulation greetings to Takenaga who has gained the interest of the heads of the corporations and was given an opportunity that might have been too much for a senior college student, but everyone knew he deserves. He received friendly smacks from the guys and enthusiastic greetings from Noi. When his parents approached, they all stopped being friendly and stayed back, unsure of what his parents would say.
"Son," his strict dad started, "you made us proud. You deserve it." he put a hand on his son's shoulder in recognition of his hard work. For months, he worked as an intern for Mine's corporation and has made significant proposals for the better of the company which earned him this acknowledgement.
His mom also hugged him and smiled, warmly saying, "You are a fine gentleman."
Later on, when the celebration for Takenaga's hardwork has lied low, and everyone (the seven) has decided they had to drink for it and was ready to leave, Sunako's mom called her daughter, "Sunako, dear."
Sunako faced her mom while she walk towards her, "Your dad and I are also very proud of you today," she smiled and said quietly. "But we have one more thing to tell you," she said louder this time, as if announcing it to the people present around them (the seven, three sets of parents, Mine, and Satoshi). "Honey?" Sunako's mom turned to her husband who walked to her side.
"My princess," he started, looking at Sunako's mom, as if asking for approval, she nodded, "Your mom and I have decided that you shall need to be engaged… to Satoshi if you would let it be." He announced.
Her six friends standing behind her, exchanged surprised looks. "What?" Kyohei almost shouted.
"Pardon our intrusion Mr. Nakahara, but are you being serious?" Takenaga politely questioned.
"Yes. We are serious." He firmly answered.