"What!" Tsukushi exclaims in surprise. She is in a sitting room in the Doumyoji mansion with Tsukasa next to her.
Tsukasa repeats his news. "My parents are throwing an engagement party for us three days before the wedding. My father has business to take care of here so he's going to make it a one trip."
Tsukushi stands there trying to come up with something to say but is at a loss for words. Kaede Doumyoji, her future mother-in-law, had been the biggest obstacle in the way of their relationship. Tsukushi wonders what her future father-in-law would be like compared to Kaede. The thought sends a slight shiver down her spine.
"Tsukushi, I'm sorry to disrupt you but I need your help!" Karin throws open the door and takes long strides to the sofa where Tsukushi is seated.
Tsukasa recognizes Karin's anxiety and excuses himself. "I'll leave you two here to talk. The guys are coming over soon anyway." He kisses Tsukushi on his way out.
"Karin, what seems to be the problem?"
Karin sinks down into the seat next to Tsukushi. "I can't take it anymore. It's been twenty eight days. I only have two more days left in our bet but I've been having trouble for the last week. After we made the bet, we've been going on dates just to tease each other and that's about it. We haven't kissed, we haven't hugged, and we haven't even held hands. I need some kind of touch I don't care how but I need physical contact again. Then Tama's words keep popping into my head. You've told me that story before about that rainy day when you broke up with Tsukasa and ran away and you've heard my break up stories. I don't want to let this guy get away. I won't let him get away but I need some help."
Tsukushi takes a deep breath to gather her thoughts and process everything Karin just said. "You could force yourself to endure the last two days or you can just be honest. Tell him what you just told me and that you lose. It proves that he either has stronger self control then you or that his love is much greater then you thought it was. You just have to tell him with words and your actions."
"You're right, like always." Karin gently places her hands over Tsukushi's. "I know it's hard for you but when are you going to be honest with Tsukasa?"
Tsukushi's face pales slightly and her whole body freezes. The clock on the wall ticks as the seconds pile up into minutes. "I've thought about it for a long time," Tsukushi's voice is monotone and shaky. "I'm going to tell him everything at the end of our honeymoon. We'll be alone and I'm not going to drop it on him before the wedding. He deserves to stay as happy as he is now for that long."
Karin starts to interject but stops herself. Instead she simply wraps her friend in a warm embrace. "Now wipe that look off your face. You're getting married in three weeks! I want to see the happiest bride in the world."
Tsukushi inhales deeply and stands up. "Let's call Yuki, Sakurako, and Shigeru. I just graduated, I'm getting married, and I'm going to meet my father-in-law soon. I feel like singing karaoke."
"I'm way ahead of you," Karin flips open her phone and hits the speed dial button. The women go to the foyer to wait for their friends to arrive. As they near the room, the deep voices of Tsukasa, Rui, Akira, and Soujirou grow loader. The men are joking around; the jokes seem to be directed at Akira.
"You're losing your touch. Don't say you're growing soft now after all of these years," Soujirou taunts Akira.
"I'm not growing soft. I think I finally know what Tsukasa has been telling us all these years about love, real love." Akira's cheeks glow with a little red embarrassment.
"I'll acknowledge it when I see it," Tsukasa laughs. "You talk about her but we don't know what she looks like or even what her name is." They pester him more and more but Akira doesn't give in.
"You guys are pigs. Taunting your friend like that," Karin interrupts them.
"We just want to know more about this woman Akira is seeing but he's been so tight lipped about it," Rui says.
"I've had enough of this, of all of it." Karin marches over to them and stops in front of Akira. "I'm giving in, you win." She places her hands on the sides of his face and draws him to her, her lips eagerly finding his. The room is filled with gasps and shouts of surprise. Karin pulls away from the kiss first and turns to face the others. "I'm the one that has been going out with Akira. Our relationship can't be kept a secret forever. I love Akira it's as simple as that. Are you satisfied now? Soujirou, ask your questions later when it's just you guys," she anticipates the question from him.
Soujirou holds his hands up in defeat, "Alright, I'll ask once you leave."
"Wha…wha…wha…what?" Akira stammers seaming confused by everything that just happened.
Karin turns back around to face him. "I give up on the bet. I can't stand being ignored by you anymore. I miss just holding hands. This whole thing is making me anxious."
Akira leans down and whispers in her ear. She giggles and nods her head. The sudden ring of the doorbell makes everyone jump. Tsukushi opens the door and looks at the smiling faces of Sakurako, Shigeru, and Yuki.
"What's going on?" Shigeru looks at the bewildered faces in the room.
Karin prances up behind Tsukushi and links their arms. "We fixed my problem, now we're going to fix yours. I'll explain everything in the car."
