Chapter 3:Kani Doraku
The sound of pans banging and plates clattering could be heard throughout the restaurant kitchen. Fires and tempers flared alike amongst the bustling room. Plates ready to be served and several foul words flung from the staff.
"Kenji, I need you to follow these directions. We have a customer with specific needs. I've already prepared the meat earlier. It's been tenderized and marinated to the specifications. So when you are done using this, throw the extra marinade down the drain. There's peanuts in it so wear gloves. You are the best at filleting so I need your help tonight."
"Right and these are the directions for the trout, Right?" Kenji pointed at the bottom section.
"Yes just make sure not to scorch it, it's a special day for one of our customers" The head cook smiled.
When the food was ready the servers arrived to pick the dishes up.
"Here's your meal." Kona a pretty blonde handed Kouta his meal.
Kouta tapped Kota, an average looking brunet with short combed back hair, to get his attention.
He stopped next to him and half smiled "Can I help you with anything?"
Kouta looked over his shoulder to make sure Mayu was distracted "We're ready for the 'you know what'. "
Kota looked confused for an instant and then a light bulb went off.
"Oh yes. I'll be right back."
Kona rolled a huge covered cart out and stopped it in front of their table.
"Big surprise for the birthday girl!
Another server came out followed by a third. The two servers Sanji and Kota, both brunettes stood behind the first smiling and holding party favors. They pulled the strings and glitter flew into the air.
The lid over the surprise was pulled away, revealing a three tier cake with sparklers. Her name was scrolled across the front in White frosting.
"Happy Birthday to You, cha, cha, cha" Sanji the long haired server began the song, followed by the others as they each chimed in.
Mayu giggled excitedly yet shyly at the 'cha, cha, cha' and Sanji's smile deepened.
"Happy Birthday to You, cha, cha, cha.
Happy Birthday Dear Maayyyuuuu
Happy Birthday to You, cha, cha, cha.
From good friends and true,
From old friends and new,
May good luck go with you,
And happiness too."
Mayu felt her eyes warm as her cheeks flushed. She was a little self-conscious now after that.
"Thank you so much" Mayu took the first slice pink frosted chocolate cake she was being offered by Kona.
"Oh wow! I've never seen this before!" Nana said as she excitedly reached for hers.
"You've never seen people sing?" Kona asked refilling her cup with lemonade.
"I've never seen a group sang happy birthday like that is what I meant"
"It was only ever Kurama and me on my birthday" Nana recalled "Yeah… he would always bring me cupcakes with whatever number of candles on it. He'd sing, but it was always awful. Like baby seal pretending to be Cher "She giggled at the memory.
"Sounds like someone else I know in the shower every morning" Kouta received an elbow to the side from Yuka.
"Maybe someone should eat they're food and not pick on other people all the time." Yuka pointedly picked up a roll with her chop sticks.
Nyu looked back and forth between the two, then she elbowed Kouta.
"What was that for?" Kouta asked rubbing his right arm.
Nyu only smiled in return.
Lines appeared between Yuka's brows. 'Was Nyu just repeating what she did to Kouta or was she actually flirting just then?'
Yuka took the first bite of her cake, surprised by how moist it was" Oh… It's delicious."
"Yeah this is the best cake I've ever had… well the only cake I've ever had" Nana was almost done with hers.
"Do you like it Mayu?" Nana asked, noticing that the girl hadn't ate much of hers.
Mayu was just picking at the slice now.
"Mayu?" Nana frowned.
The girl jumped slightly as if she had been day dreaming" Huh?"
"I asked if you liked the cake."
"Yeah it's the best! It's really yummy" Mayu smile was a little too tight, and she had barely touched the cake.
Nyu looked at Nana questioningly.
"Mayu..." Nana began.
"So what's next?"
"Anything you want. My pockets bottomless today" Kouta teased.
"Bar-B-Que!" Nana quickly suggested.
"Shopping!" Nyu said.
"How about somewhere cool? We should take you girls ice skating, Mayu can't put that camera to good use" Yuka offered.
"Really? Wow!" Mayu's face was priceless.
"Finish up quickly and make sure the waiter boxes up the cake" Yuka said.
"Excuse me Mr. can you take a photo for us?" Mayu asked Sanji as he walked by.
"And we need a few to go boxes as well"
"Sure I'll be right on it" Sanji said dryly as took the tiny camera from Mayu.
The group huddled close together for the snapshot. Nyu smiled brightly holding tightly to Kouta's left side. Yuka glanced questionably at Nyu over Kouta's other side. Kouta looked apologetic and scratched the back of his head. Nana kissed Mayu's cheek. And Mayu looked surprised. This was their first family photo.