Chapter 7

Next day, precisely at five minutes to one o'clock, Soujirou parked his car in front of Yuki's house. He got out, went to the door and rang the bell.

„Moshi moshi?"

„Ah, Yuki, hello, I'm here."

„Ah, Soujirou-kun, wait a minute, please, I'll be right there." Yuki said and hang up.

„But..." Aren't you going to let me in? Soujirou finished wordlessly.

As she promised, she came out in a minute. She looks really beautiful today. The more he sees her, the more beautiful she seems... Or his eyes are just playing some weird trick on him. He'd better concentrate on her that his useless thoughts.

„Sorry for the wait, Soujirou-kun. So, where are we going today?" She asked him expectingly.

„Well, it depends on you, my dear Yuki." That was news for her.

„Really? How come?"

„Because I've decided to be your servant today, your wish is my command." He winked at her with his famous smile on his lips. He wanted to tease her a little bit.

„Oh, really?" A smile spread on her lips slowly. She winked for him not to see the mischievous twinkle.

„So you say you will do anything I ask for today?" She confirmed his words and watched his reaction.

„Yes, I will do absolutely anything you ask of me today." He said confidently.

„Honto ni? [Really?] Anything?"

„Anything."

„Then... Marry me." The keys fell out of his hand and he froze. His face changed colours so quickly that it almost looked like a rainbow. A wooden puppet was more alive than him at that moment.

Yuki tried to surpress her laughter but she failed and bursted out. She laughed so hard that her stomach hurt but she just couldn't stop. Five minutes later she wiped off tears from her eyes and saw obviously piqued Soujirou.

„Is this some kind of ill joke? Or do you just want to kill me with a heart attack?" She chuckled.

„Sorry, Soujirou-kun, but you said „anything", I just couldn't resist." He still seemed to be a bit angry so she put on pleading face.

„Come on, Soujirou-kun, I'm sorry, ok? I didn't mean any harm." He finally looked at her and sighed. She really got me, I shouldn't have been so confident. He smiled.

„You're right. It's my fault as well." He paused. „But I really meant it. Is there anything you would like to do today?"

„Hm..." She thought about it for a moment. „Well, I can't think about anything at this moment. BUT!" She pointed out her finger. „I'm sure you have planned something already, am I right?"

He shortly laughed. „Yes, you're right." He opened the car door for her. „Hop in." When she did so, he went to his seat.

„Are you ready for an unforgettable afternoon?" He asked smiling.

„Sure, let's go."

When they finally stopped she looked curiously around. She had no idea where they were.

„Yuki." Soujirou called her. She turned and saw him giving her a sign to came his way. „It's this way."

They entered a small building hidden between two skyscrapers. Then Yuki realized it is an art gallery.

„Soujirou-kun, why did you bring me here?" She asked. He just smiled and took her by the hand.

„Let's go see the paintings, shall we?" She was still clueless why they were there but it all dissappeared when she noticed first of the pictures.

„Soujirou-kun! It's Son Sang Ki!" Yuki was surprised and delighted at one moment. She ran from one painting to another, admiring each one of them. Soujirou watched her, satisfied with his succesfull surprise. He followed her slowly and smiled at her childlike reaction to every painting. She finally stopped in front of one and stared at it for long time.

„So? How do you like it here?" He asked already knowing her answer. Yuki looked at him and her smile beamed like a sun.

„I LOVE IT!" She turned back to the painting. „I didn't know there was an exhibition of his work in Japan." Yuki turned away from the view again and asked Soujirou directly.

„How did YOU know about it?" He granted her biggest wish ever since she saw paintings of Son Sang Ki for the first time. She was so grateful and touched it almost made her burst out in tears.

„Well… You told me he's your favorite painter and yesterday I incidentally talked with the owner of this gallery and he told me about it." It wasn't a complete truth. He spent whole morning searching for gallery in Japan that has paintings of this author. But she doesn't need to know that. He would feel really embarrased if she knew.

„Thank you." She tried to surpress the tears from falling. He looked at her worringly when he noticed the wet drops in her eyes.

„Why are you crying, Yuki?" He was sincerely disturbed by the sight of her tears.

She wipped her face and laughed. „It's nothing, I'm just very happy."

They spent another hour coursing through the gallery before they had to go back.

„Yuki,"Soujirou said when they were in car driving back to Tokyo. „I know I said we can spend whole afternoon together but my father told me yesterday I have to attend one tea party at 6 o'clock. Would that be a problem or would you like to go with me?"

„Yes, sure, why not? It's quite a long time since I saw your tea ceremony." She smiled at him and he felt relieved.

They arrived to their destination with time reserve so Soujirou asked Yuki if she could wait for a moment before he gets ready. When he came she was once again astounded how greatly he looked in traditional japanese outfit. Then she saw him holding something in his hand.

„What is it?" She asked.

„That's for you." He answered and sat next to her.

„For me?"

„Yes." He laid everything in front of her and she recognized a set for traditional painting and calligraphy together with several sheets of paper.

„And what do you want me to do with all of this?" She coudn't comprehend his intentions.

„To draw a picture, of course." He smiled.

„I understand that but I don't know why? And... and now? Won't I disturb you during the ceremony?"

„Don't worry, Yuki. You won't disturb me. I just realized that I haven't seen any of your pictures so far. I would like you to draw something for me."

She was stunned by his words. She smiled akwardly. „Ehm, Soujirou-kun... well... you know... I'm not very good at painting."

He raised his eyebrows. „But you studied at artistic college, didn't you?"

Yuki scretched her neck. „Yes, I did but..."

„Great, so you can make a simple picture for me, right?" She had no other option than to agree so she nodded.

She chose a quiet corner opposite to his position in the room near Tokonoma [alcove] so she really will not disturb him or his guests. She worked quietly, sometimes lifting her eyes from the paper and watching Soujirou. Everytime she saw him performing Chadō [tea ceremony] she was mesmerized by the beauty of his movements. Every of his gesture was fluent and it was like watching dancing. Her hand holding the brush slightly shaked. She forcibly turned her gaze back to the paper. Fortunately she didn't ruin the picture with her careless movements. After an hour, when the ceremony finally ended, she lifted herself and stretched her arms and back. Soujirou left to change his clothes again so she was alone in the room. She looked at her work and was quite satisfied with it. She chose to draw something that would fit in her surrounding, a branch of sakura with blossoms, some of them falling down thanks to blowing breeze. She was limited with colours for she only had a black ink so she decided to add a short poem to her painting. She just finished writing it when Soujirou returned.

„Are you done?" He asked her.

„Pretty much."She smiled and stumpled when trying to stand up. Sitting for more then one hour made her legs numb. He rushed to her and supported her with his hands.

„Ah, thank you, Soujirou-kun." Suddenly she realized how close he was and her heart started to pound. She slowly moved away from him.

„I think I need to visit the ladies'. Will you excuse me?" Soujirou, stunned by their previous closeness pushed back his feelings.

„Yes, of course. Take your time, I'll wait here."

When Yuki left he finally noticed the picture on the floor. He bent down and picked it up. His jaw fell as he studied her work. It was surprisingly good. Not just that, it was simple yet beautiful. He read the poem and almost felt tears in his eyes. It completed the painting perfectly and gave it a hint of sadness.[As I watch falling cherry blossoms, I lift my eyes to the sky. Will spring ever come for me?].

„Yuki, this is wonderful!" He said when she returned. She blushed immediately.

„This... This is simply beautiful. I didn't know you can make something like that." His sincere response delighted her endlessly.

„I'm glad you like it." She managed to say, still red.

„I love it. I will keep it as a treasure." The red colour on her face deepened. She rather changed the course of their talk or she would die from happiness.

„By the way, Soujirou-kun, I want to repay your kindness today so I want to take you somewhere for a dinner."

„Oh, but it's not necessary. It was my pleasure being with you today." He protested.

„But I insist." She was determined to pay him back at least with this.

He looked at her. He knew this expression, she used to have it when she chased him around. There was no way that she would change her mind.

„Ok, if you instist..." He gave up.

She smiled at him contently. „Don't worry, you will like it."

Undoubtedly. He thought.

She took him to a ramen restaurant. He didn't want to even enter the shop at first because it didn't look like very clean place but she managed to persuade him.

„This is the best ramen restaurant in Tokyo." She said when they were finally seated. It was Saturday night and it was fairly crouded. Soujirou didn't feel very well in this enviroment but decided to bear with it because of Yuki. This time it was her making an order for both of them.

When he first tasted the noodles he had to admit that she was right. Not that he was eating ramen regularly but the taste of this one was excellent. Yuki was secretly watching him as he digged into his bowl. She smiled in the private and continued with her own.

„I'm so full I can't move." Soujirou laughed as he saw Yuki leaning against her chair.

„I must admit it wasn't that bad." Yuki gave him a meaningful gaze. He lifted both of his hands.

„Alright, alright. It was delicious and you were right." They both laughed.

Then he took her back home. When he parked the car, they sat in silence for moment. Relactantly, both of them got off and stood at the entrance of the house.

„Well then... I should get going."

„Yeah..." They didn't move.

„So, Soujirou-kun, thank you for a wonderful afternoon and evening. Good night." Yuki smiled at him.

„It was my pleasure as well. Good night, Yuki-chan." He said softly.

She slowly turned and walked in. He watched her back as long as he could see her. Then he jumped back into his car, whistling and smiling. This day was fully satisfying. It won't take long time to solve this problem. He thought and drove away.