"So, how's your planning coming along?" Taki asks as he seats himself next to Mitsuha, pulling her into his arms.
"Well, we've delegated planning for the party, but it seems like we've got everything set," Mitsuha says. "What about you?"
"We're just going to chill at Takagi's."
"Fitting," Mitsuha snorts. "Bachelor pad for a bachelor party."
"He said the exact same thing."
"Well, tell him that great minds think alike! Anyways, wedding planning," Mitsuha says, shifting the topic. "We've settled on a modern style wedding, but what about the venue?"
"Actually, I have an idea. I'm not entirely sure if the timelines will match up, but let me ask around," Taki says.
"Don't take too long, okay?"
"It's kind of funny, you know?" Taki muses.
"What is?"
"Hearing you, of all people, say that."
"Miyamizu. . ." Taki begins.
"Toshiki," Toshiki corrects him with a warm smile. "We're family now."
"Right. Toshiki," Taki starts anew, still a bit stiff. "I was wondering how close you are to the memorial project. I mean, I'm working on it, but I don't exactly have the clout for the request I want to make, even if I was hired specifically to design the building."
Toshiki leans forward in his seat. "Well, I was one of the creators of the project. What do you want to ask?"
"Well, it's about the wedding. . ."
Toshiki hums in thought. "I see. I'll see what I can do. I won't promise anything, but I'm owed a few favors."
"But I didn't even—"
"Your intentions are transparent, Taki," Toshiki laughs. "I could have learned something from you back when I was in politics. I assume this means construction progress is going well?"
"Yes, sir. With the amount of resources we've received, we're somehow ahead of schedule."
"Ahead?" Toshiki looks genuinely surprised, but also pleased. "This must be a first for a government project. October, right?"
"That's correct."
"Lighten up, Taki! I doubt you're always this tense and uptight around Mitsuha, right?"
"No, I guess not." Taki looks down ruefully.
"Well, I don't expect you to act the same way around me you do with her, to be fair." Toshiki smiles to himself as he starts looking through a stack of papers. "I'll have an answer for your request within a week, guaranteed."
"Thank you so much, sir, I really appreciate it." Taki tries to hide his grimace as he bows his head, realizing that he's still being formal.
"No problem—though we will have one if you insist on being such a stick in the mud, Taki," Toshiki says genially.
"Okudera's late," Mitsuha grumbles.
"Now you see how we feel when you take your sweet time," Yotsuha gloats. "Doesn't feel good, does it?"
Before any sisterly banter can take off, the door to Mitsuha's apartment swings wildly in and Okudera marches in, carrying several garment bags. "You ladies ready?"
"Uh, yeah? What's with the bags?" Saya asks.
"Because you're not ready." Okudera commandeers a nearby coat rack and starts hanging various articles of clothing anywhere she can. "I've secured us a table at one of the nicest restaurants in the city. So we need to look the part."
"Wait, how fancy are we talking?" Saya worries. "Like, dress code fancy?"
"How about, 'there isn't even a menu, the chef chooses everything' fancy."
"Oh." Saya gulps nervously.
"Do I even want to know how much a dinner for four there costs?" Yotsuha asks warily.
"No," Okudera replies simply.
Mitsuha grows visibly paler as the conversation drags on. "You really don't have to do this much. I appreciate it, but—!"
Okudera stifles any protest by clamping a hand over Mitsuha's mouth. "Don't you worry about price! Like I said before, I was owed a few favors. Now's as good a time as any to call them in, don't you think?"
Okudera quickly scans everyone's clothes. "This won't do." She grabs three bags and hands one each to Mitsuha, Saya, and Yotsuha. "Get changed."
"Where did these even come from?" Yotsuha wonders. "Wait, how do you know our sizes?!"
"Trade secret!" Okudera winks.
Taki knocks on the door like a normal person.
"Dude, let us in!" Tsukasa shouts at Takagi's apartment door.
"Yeah, we have beer!" Tessie helpfully adds.
The door instantly opens.
"Get in."
"So, what do you think?"
Yotsuha stares at the mirror in wonder, lost for words. She hesitantly reaches out to touch her reflection, as if it would all disappear if she's not careful. "I, uh, wow. . .is that really me?"
"She's good, isn't she?" Mitsuha asks her, beaming.
Okudera waltzes past the two on her way to help Saya. "Of course I am," she says in a singsong voice. "Who do you think got Mitsuha all set up for her hot date with Taki?"
Yotsuha plays with the ends of her hair, unused to having it down instead of in her usual pigtails. "With my hair like this. . ."
". . .you look just like mom, right?" Mitsuha finishes, voice tinged with nostalgia.
". . .Yeah."
As the sisters share a moment, Okudera and Saya watch from the sidelines.
"Everyone in Itomori always said they were beautiful, just like their mother," Saya remembers. "I'll be honest, I sometimes felt that being so close to Mitsuha made me look a bit plain. Even now. . ."
"That's a load of nonsense," Okudera confidently cuts Saya off. "Let's get started and I'll show you."
"Takagi, can you pass me another beer?" someone asks.
The request is followed by the sounds of a hand blindly slapping away at a cooler in search of a bottle. ". . .I think we're out."
"Already?"
"So, dinner?"
"Food!"
Saya, Yotsuha, and Mitsuha had high expectations after Okudera talked up the restaurant and dressed them up, but they hadn't been expecting a VIP reservation at the most exclusive restaurant in Tokyo.
Saya shrinks, almost as if she's trying to hide from the staff and other patrons. "I-I definitely don't belong here. I didn't realize you were bringing us here?! How. . . ?"
"Networking." Okudera winks at her.
"Oh, Miki, you really didn't have to. . ." Mitsuha says, touched by the gesture. Okudera has really gone all out.
"Of course I didn't. But, as weird as this sounds now that I'm saying it, that's why I did it."
"Don't worry, I get it," Yotsuha tells her. ". . .but I also don't get it."
Okudera throws her hands up in defeat. "Oh well! What matters is that we're here! The chef is world-renowned for his culinary genius, combining traditional Japanese cuisine with modern flair. So forget all that other stuff and let's enjoy this once in a lifetime experience!"
Takagi strolls into the pub, the rest of the group in tow. With a familiar wave at the chef and waitstaff, he secures four seats at the bar.
"I'm a bit of a regular here," he says. "The food is simple, but it's done well. And it pairs well with the beers they have on tap."
"Any suggestions?" Taki asks as he scans the menu.
"That'd be helpful, right now the whole menu is looking delicious." Tessie is almost salivating, the nearby smells of food being prepared aren't helping.
Tsukasa has a simple question. "Why not?"
"Wait, order one of everything. . . ?" Taki is dumbfounded by the prospect, yet a small part of him thinks it's genius.
Before anyone can raise any further objections or inquiries, Takagi is already calling out to the chef. "Hey! We want one of everything on the menu! Oh, and give us a pitcher of every beer you have on draft!"
"That was incredible! I didn't even know you could do those kinds of things with food!" Mitsuha gushes. "Those combinations of flavors, and the presentation of the dishes. . .no wonder it's nearly impossible to get a table there."
"My taste is impeccable in all aspects," Okudera boasts. And after tonight, none of the other girls would dare contest that claim.
"No kidding. Teach me your ways," Yostuha implores her. "I've had a taste of the high life, and I'm not going back!"
Amused, Saya pats her on the head. "Take me with you then," she laughs freely.
Engrossed in good company, the group walks aimlessly through the city as they talk, their previously made plans forgotten.
Thanks to the rowdy atmosphere of the pub, the guys' antics go unnoticed.
"We're out of beer. Again," Tessie laments, having just drained the last pitcher.
"I can't believe it. How much have we had? I lost count after the seventh pitcher," Taki says giddily, rather proud of the accomplishment.
"Forget the beer," Takagi belches. "I ate too much. I don't think I can move."
"We've all had a bit too much to eat and drink," Taki agrees. "We should probably stop."
Silence (or as much silence as one can get in a lively pub during peak hours) dominates the table for a beat.
"So, another round?" Tsukasa asks.
"Sure."
"Yeah, I'm in."
"We should get some fried chicken, too!"
Their wanderings eventually lead them to a hybrid coffee bar/cocktail lounge, set a bit away from the main thoroughfare. The hole in the wall nearly went unnoticed, but the fragrance of dark coffee lured the girls inside.
Mitsuha nurses a warm mug, reveling in the steamy aroma of a perfectly prepared cup of coffee. "This is just what I needed," she sighs contentedly. She closes her eyes in delight as she takes a sip, savoring the minute complexities of the brew.
Okudera, on the other hand, opts for a strong cocktail. "I know what you mean-not much can beat a cup of great coffee. But an expertly made drink," she swirls her glass for emphasis, "sure can give one a run for its money."
"I think you're both right," Saya compromises. "So, Irish coffee is the way to go."
Yotsuha blanches. "All of that stuff is just bitter and gross," she frowns.
"You're like a little kid," Mitsuha laughs.
Yotsuha pouts, which doesn't help defeat Mitsuha's argument one bit. "Am not."
"Don't worry about it!" Okudera reassures her. "It's an acquired taste. You don't need to rush to try things and pretend to like them so you seem like an adult."
Saya offers Yotsuha her mug. "Here, try this! It's really good, trust me. It isn't very bitter, even though it's alcohol and coffee mixed together. Instead of a creamer and sugar, a cream liqueur is used instead. It tastes just like regular old coffee, but with a hint of alcohol."
Yotsuha stares at the mug dubiously but accepts it anyways. She takes an experimental sip and lets the flavors linger on her palate.
She hums agreeably. "Not bad. I'm not going to change my mind from a single sip, but I can definitely see why people like this stuff."
"It's all about finding what you like," Mitsuha says. "Don't let what other people say and think change you."
"Weren't you making fun of me just a few minutes ago saying I was like a kid?" Yotsuha eyes her critically.
"I'm your older sister, I'm allowed to do that!"
"We. . .are in no condition to go anywhere."
"Is it because we ate too much, or because we're too drunk?"
"Both."
Through Herculean effort and sheer force of will (or, more likely, they were just exaggerating for comedic effect), the four men finally manage to rise from their seats and make their way outside of the pub.
"Man, I'm exhausted. . ." Taki rubs his eyes and stifles a yawn.
"Exhausted? What're you talking about? All we've done is eat, drink, and be idiots! The night's hardly begun!" Takagi exclaims, before yawning himself.
"Nice one," Tsukasa snickers.
"Well, who says the night's over?" Tessie asks. "Let's get back to Takagi's, for a start. I don't know about you, but I'm not looking to get arrested for public intoxication, or disturbing the peace, or moral bankruptcy, or whatever dumb thing we're going to end up doing."
His argument is convincing.
But before the four can even begin to stumble their way less than a block to Takagi's apartment, the sight of four particular people turning the corner up ahead strikes fear into their hearts, sobering them up immediately.
As one, they all quickly turn around.
"Do you think they—"
"Fujii? Taki, Takagi?! Is that you?"
"Oh."