Shizuru always describes herself as a calm person. That is, before she meets Natsuki. Natsuki brings out a side that Shizuru doesn't know exist in the first place.
****** ON THURSDAY*******
"Natsuki, are you free on Friday night? You want to have dinner?" After shortlisting a few places to move into, Shizuru wants to start the discussion on furniture shopping.
"Sorry, I have an appointment on Friday night. I will see you on Saturday. Ok?"
"Alright." Weird for Natsuki to fix an appointment on Friday night. Well, that means more yoga time on Friday night. And maybe some abs and back workout due to well… you know…
****** AT MAI'S RESTAURANT********
"Mai, I am so jealous of your shift. You're taking the Friday, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. What is up on Friday?" Friday is one of the busiest day, what is there to be jealous about?
"You didn't know?! The restaurant is booked. Some guy is trying to propose."
"Oh, that is why the amount of food order is much lesser on that day. I thought there was some mistake."
"Yes. You absolutely definitely have to tell me how it goes on that day. It must be so romantic." Most of the servers in the restaurants have the average age of 21 years old. Well, can't blame them for getting excited over a romantic proposal.
"Alright. I will." As much Mai is looking forward to Friday, she never expects that she would play a part in the romantic proposal.
So you can imagine Mai's surprise when she sees it is Natsuki sitting on the nicely decorated table.
OH MY GOSH. Is Natsuki proposing? But she would have told me if she is proposing. Oh, Natsuki is so sneaky. Proposing without letting your best friend know. Natsuki is now officially off her best friend list.
Mai really, really tries to get angry at Natsuki. She does. But she also wants to be part of her best friend's wedding. She can be very useful. She can prepare the food, help setting up the table, and oh, she wants to help Natsuki pick up her dress or suit or dress or fine, whatever.
After debating with herself for 5 minutes, Mai decides that she wants to keep Natsuki best friend because she wants to be part of her wedding. Therefore, she has to forgive Natsuki.
Mai goes into the washroom and calls Natsuki on her phone. "Mai, what's wrong?"
"What is wrong? Natsuki, how could you do this to me? Am I not your best friend? How could you not tell me something so big?" Mai's voice starts a pitch higher when she starts talking and at the end of her sentence, her voice makes Natsuki's ear hurt.
"Mai, slow down. What is something big that you are talking?"
"Natsuki, you are proposing, aren't you?" Again, Natsuki's ear complains.
"WHAT? I am not proposing. Where is this coming from?"
"Come to the ladies'. ASAP! Now! "
Natsuki thinks her day is getting stranger and stranger. First she gets a call from her childhood neighbour, Masashi Takeda, who she really hates, about having a dinner. She hasn't been seeing him for a long time anad she has no intention to. Oh she wants to say no so much, but he has to bring up that his mother, Aunt Shoko, has a gift for her. Natsuki may hate Takeda, but not Aunt Shoko who always treats her well.
Masashi Takeda is not a bad person. Second generation of a family venturing into property business, he grows up fine under the love and care of kind parents. In fact, everything about him is fine except for one damn thing, he doesn't understand NO. Specifically, Natsuki's no. Under the title of childhood neighbour, Takeda always tries to get involved in her life. Natsuki started participating in martial art, Takeda went into Kendo club as a way to show that he "gets" her.
And coming to this restaurant, Natsuki is totally baffled by how empty the restaurant is. She always knows that the restaurant that Mai works in has a good reputation for good food and is always crowded especially on Friday night.
And now, Mai thinks she wants to propose?! This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
Going into the washroom, Mai "attacks" (that is the first word that comes to Natsuki's mind) her by overloading her with questions.
"Are you sure you are not proposing? Wait, is Shizuru proposing? Am I getting this wrong? Then I have ruined this surprise. But if a wedding is happening, why am I not told?" Mai keeps talking and talking at the speed of high-speed bullet train.
"Stop! Mai! There is no proposal or whatever like that going on. Takeda asked me to come here."
"What? The Takeda from your hometown? The Takeda that doesn't know when to give up on you?"
"Yes, that Takeda. What is wrong?"
"The restaurant is booked for a proposal this evening. And you being here. Takeda being here."
"WHAT? I am going to kill him."
"No, no, no. You can't do that."
"Why not?"
"You have to finish the meal first. I have worked so hard for today's meal." If Natsuki hasn't known Mai for these many years, if this is not Mai talking to her, Natsuki would've thought this is a joke.
But, no one, no single one person can joke to Mai about the food she prepares and live to tell it.
Well, you can't say no to Mai who is this serious, who seems to have an aura of a dragon breathing fire.
"Fine. I will enjoy the meal first. As soon as the whole proposal thing comes up…" Leaving her sentence unfinished, Natsuki squints her eyes with a dangerous look, looking like a shooter with hands on her guns waiting to fire.
"Yes. But until then, eat the food. I want you to tell me what you think about it."
"Ok."
As soon as Natsuki leaves the washroom, Mai makes a tactical decision. She is calling in reinforcement.
On the other end, Takeda has arrived and is feeling so nervous. He has given a lot of thoughts into today's proposal. After years of courting Natsuki (sorry, Natsuki thinks you are pestering and annoying her), he thinks that his approach must be too mild. It is not enough to just be by her side, but he needs to take serious action, especially with Natsuki who seems to be reserved.(Takeda, Natsuki is avoiding you and is definitely not being reserved)
Takeda hopes that his bold decision could impress Natsuki. Maybe Natsuki is the kind who likes a guy taking bold action. After all, Natsuki is not getting any younger and should pick someone to settle down with.
The slow music adds a seductive tone to the air. The warm colour tone gives perfect ambience. Takeda Masashi is pleased, and thinking that the romantic ambience indeed worth the splurge. With the right mood and feel, all that is left is the final show.
As the restaurant is reserved for the night, the manager serves them exclusively for the night. Takeda glances at the manager with an appreciative look.
"Aunt Shoko's gift, please." Knowing how this night is going to end i.e. badly, Natsuki doesn't bother to play nice.
The flickering candle light contrasts perfectly with Natsuki's porcelain fair skin. Despite the tight frown on her forehead, she is still mesmerizing. The more expression-less Natsuki is, the more Takeda is looking forward to have Natsuki by his side. Just looking at Natsuki is enough to put a dreamy look on his face. His determination to marry Natsuki just grows exponentially.
Natsuki's temper flares a bit with her question being ignored.
"Let's eat first, shall we?" Takeda puts on his most charming smile.
"Ok, let's eat." Mai wants review.
From appetizer till main course, Takeda doesn't say anything else. The only sounds heard in restaurant are the slow background music and the soft clicking sounds of spoon and fork.
"If there is nothing else, I will leave." As soon as Natsuki has finished most of her meals, she can't wait to leave. Natsuki thinks that she won't be coming to Mai's workplace for meal for at least the next 1 year. She doesn't want any more reminder of Takeda trying to propose to her.
"Wait, Natsuki."
And at the door front, Mai tries to bring the reinforcement into the restaurant. When the manager looks at her with a serious look, Mai has to give a very persuasive argument to the manager that it is a matter of life or death.
And just when Mai and reinforcement arrive, they witness the epic scene of Takeda kneeling on one knee with a ring in his hand proposing. "Natsuki, will you marry me?"
Despite being warned that something like this will happen, Natsuki is still extremely agitated. Right before Natsuki is ready to explode, she is surprised when she realizes who else is there.
"Shizuru?!"
Mai is so proud of her tactical decision to call in reinforcement i.e. Shizuru.
END OF CHAPTER 11
AUTHOR: I COULDN'T FINISH THIS CHAPTER SOON ENOUGH. I AM POSTING WHATEVER I HAVE WRITTEN. I WILL TRY TO POST THE NEXT CHAPTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.