I don't own anything.
One chapter till finale...
Sweet as Candy
"Take in a deep breath." Aoi strengthened the measuring tape.
"I prefer it looser..." Misaki silently said.
"I'm the designer, I choose." With his usual tyranny attitude, Aoi tightened the measuring tape evenmore.
"That's enough! I still need to breath!" Misaki wailed as she felt the measuring tape tighten.
"Such a whiner." Aoi said as he recorded down the measurement
According to Sakura, Hyoudo Aoi is a talented but also hard to cooperate designer. Due to his tyrannic attitude, many customers don't come back due to the progress of the dress making. Though the final product is astonishing, but most of the customers recall the harsh process of coping with Aoi.
"They say no pain no gain!" This is what Hyoudo Aoi says when his friends ask him why he is so determined to do things in certain ways. "Behind every dress there is a harsh process."
Even though Hyoudo Aoi always lose his new customers, his old customers are loyal towards him. In addition, many of his customers are well-known celebirties which brings a lot of fame to his small little brand.
"Though you don't really have boobs, but your body structure is quite fit and nice." Hyoudo Aoi commented as he looked at Misaki's measurements.
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment..." With a complicated facial expression, Misaki said.
"You two are sure with this design right?" Once again Hyoudo Aoi asked as he pointed at the final sketch of Misaki's wedding dress.
"What do you say?" Misaki looked at Usui who was standing right beside her and asked.
"Can't wait to see you wear it." With his hands, Usui grabbed Misaki by her waist and pulled her towards him.
"I'm glad that you two are my last customers in Japan." Suddenly, Aoi said.
"What?" Misaki didn't quite understand the message.
"I'll be going to Paris once I complete your wedding dress." Nonchalantly Aoi announced. "It's was always my dream."
"Wow... Then good luck to you!" Misaki said.
"Congratulations." Politely Usui congratulated.
"You two should be proud, you two officially know me before I became worldwide famous." Cockily, Aoi said to Usui and Misaki.
"Geez, that attitude of yours." Putting her hands on her hips Misaki shook her head.
"Oh yeah, we haven't choose a color for your hand accessory." Before moving onto his horrible personality topic, Aoi decided to bring the topic back to the fashion stuff.
"Hm..." Misaki thought for a while. "I'm not sure if I want to a hand accessory."
"This is my wedding gift for you, since you're Sakura's best friend." Aoi replied back. "Any preference?"
"Usui, what do you think?" Looking at the man right next to her, Misaki asked.
"..." Shifting his focus to something else, Usui ignored Misaki.
"Usui...oh wait..." Pink slowly dyed Misaki's pale cheeks as she took in a deep breath. Clattering her teeth, Misaki tried to pronounce a certain phrase. "Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta"
After 10 minutes...
"Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-...TAKUMI!" After 10 minutes of clattering teeth, Misaki finally said it outloud.
"Yes, Misaki?" After hearing his own name, Usui Takumi looked at Usui Misaki.
"I don't know what just happened, but did I just wasted 10 minutes looking at this woman saying 'ta'?" Raising one of his eyebrows, Aoi questioned.
"Sorry... it's just... private stuff..." Misaki apologized.
Before coming to Aoi's shop, Misaki and Takumi finally did their marriage registration. For Takumi and Misaki, there wasn't really a large difference of registering first or registering after. Though there wasn't enough reason to support their action, they still got their documents and all those stuff done that morning. However after the documents were done, Misaki continued to call Takumi, Usui. Ironically, she is also an Usui. In order to correct her, Takumi decided to ignore Misaki everytime she calls him Usui.
"Back to the original topic." Without wanting to delay the plan, Aoi pulled the topic back to the wedding dress.
"Hmmm..." Looking at the different color samples laid on Aoi's desk, Misaki thought for a while.
"This one." A slightly high voice and low voice said at the same time when two slender fingers pointed at the same lavender purple.
"We are really insynced." Staring into Takumi's emerald eyes, Misaki commented.
"I like that you are using the term 'we'." Smiling at his wife, Usui answered back.
"Ahem!" Coughing loudly, Aoi glared at the newly wed couple. "Guys, please."
"...!" Embarrassed Misaki pulled her finger back, and looked to the other side.
"Lavender purple it is." Aoi looked at the color sample. "Good match with white."
"So what type of hand accessory are you going to make?" Takumi asked.
"It'll be a bracelet made from ribbons and glass beads." Pointing at the glass ring on Misaki's hand, Aoi then said. "I believe glass is probably something special to you two."
"You're smart." Takumi commented.
"Just observant." Aoi corrected. "So... that will be the finalized plan."
"Thanks." Takumi thanked as he held onto Misaki's hand.
"Thank you!" Misaki said.
"I'll report the price when I get the materials and call you two if I need you two to come." Jotting down the information he just received from his customers, Aoi continued. "Good luck on your wedding planning."
"Bye~" Misaki waved as she and Takumi walked out the shop; hand in hand.
Looking at the newly wed couple leave the shop, Aoi could still feel the pink aura in his shop. From the large glass window, Aoi saw Misaki slightly tripped. With a singly pull, Takumi stopped his wife from falling. After Misaki stood up straight, Takumi bent down to check if Misaki scratched herself anywhere. Watching this romantic and sweet display of affection outside of his shop, Aoi had an urge to meet someone. Without any delay, he reached out for his phone and dialed a certain number. While the phone was dialing, Aoi couldn't stop his heart from pounding.
"...Hello?" A sweet voice came from the other side of the small mechanic machine.
"Honoka, it's me." Slightly nervous Aoi declared through the phone.
"Yes, Aoi?" Honoka replied.
"Please go to Paris with me!" Gathering all his courage in one blow, Aoi asked.
"...clink...tumble tumble..." A series of crashing noises appeared from the other side.
"Did something happen?" Concerned with what was happening on the other side, Aoi was slightly worried.
"N-Nothing..." On the other side, Honoka was taking the small broom trying to sweep all the crashed glass to another place. "Why so suddenly...? I thought we discussed this before..."
"I can't imagine a future without you..." As if he was back when he was in high school, Aoi confessed his true feelings. "Even if I am 4 years younger than you, I will take care of you for the rest of life!"
"Is that a proposal?" Honoka teased.
"Errr... Yes!" Slapping his own forehead, Aoi can't believe he just said that.
"I won't go to Paris with you." As a strong woman who was still developing her career, Honoka won't give up with what she has here.
"Oh... I see..." For a moment, Aoi can't believe he was so stupid and selfish to try to stop his girlfriend's (?) career.
"I can't go with you, but I can wait for you." Honoka shed the light of hope to Aoi's world. "Only if you visit Tokyo on a regular basis."
"Honoka..." Aoi called out.
"We can get married when you permanently stay in Japan again." Honoka then said. "It better be within 5 years."
...
After getting lunch, Takumi and Misaki were walking back to their apartment. However when they reached an intersection, Takumi held onto to Misaki's hand and brought her on a different route.
"Where are we going?" Following Takumi, Misaki asked.
"You'll know soon." Smiling at Misaki, Takumi answered. "Start remembering the scenery here."
Passing the red mail post, pass the vintage brick wall, turn right at the small shop, and pass the small pond. Finally, Takumi and Misaki arrived in front of a house. Though the house was not large, but it was enough to fit a family.
"Do you like this place?" From the back of Misaki, Takumi wrapped his arms around waist. "This will be our new home."
"Wait! When did you buy this... and how about the old place?" Not so sure about the reason why Takumi did this, Misaki asked.
"Well... one night I was thinking about how I was suppose to renovate the house so a warm family can fit in... then I realized perhaps there wasn't enough space." Takumi shrugged.
"So we're just gonna leave the old place empty?" Misaki asked again.
"Nope, it's becoming our new office?" Nonchalantly, Takumi said.
"What?! Wait! Does this mean..." Turning around to face her husband, Misaki was searching for the answer she was expecting.
"I am now an independent programmer. In fact, I'm starting my own company." Smiling at Misaki, Takumi announced.
"Congratulations!" Jumping up to hug her husband, Misaki screeched.
"Well, I have to keep my promise." Takumi chuckled.
"What promise?" Misaki tilted her head.
"Remember when I asked you to come and live with me? Before we went to England." Takumi knocked his forehead on Misaki's. "After I cut ties with the Walker family, will you come live with me?"
"Oh that!" While laughing, Misaki recalled. "But I thought you and the Walker family resolved your issue."
"We kind of did and kind of did not." Takumi shrugged. "I think cutting it clean with them will be a better resolution. Though this tie cutting is only limited on business."
"Hmm...I see..." Misaki nodded.
"I just prefer to have the freedom of accepting the work I want and going to places I want." Patting Misaki's head as Takumi said. "It's better for Usui Takumi and the Walker family to be two separated things."
"I agree." Sweetly, Misaki smiled.
"Let's go look at our new house." Excitingly, Takumi ran towards the gate and opened it.
Passing the gate, the house is located on the right while the left was a small garden. Entering the house, the wooden floor's glaze was reflecting the warm sunlight seeping through the large glass.
"The kitchen is here, and there's enough space for two people." Takumi pointed at the simple yet neat looking kitchen.
"Is this..." Misaki pointed at a room near the dining room. "The room that I'm thinking...?"
"Just open it." Takumi chuckled.
Slide! Rapidly, Misaki slid the traditional Japanese door open.
"Oh my god! It's a tatami* room!" With all her might, Misaki celebrated. Without any hesitation, she started to roll on the traditional Japanese floor.
*Tatami- A mat used for flooring made from rice straws. The typical floor that can be seen in traditional Japanese houses.
"I knew that you'll like this room." Takumi smiled and watched Misaki roll across the room.
"Hehehe~" Misaki happily replied.
"Let's go upstairs." Takumi gestured his hand out to help Misaki stand up.
"Ok!" Rolling back to the end of the room where Takumi was, Misaki replied.
Moving up to the second floor, there were 3 rooms. One master bedroom, and two other rooms. The master bedroom has a bathroom attached while the other two rooms share one bathroom that is outside. All of the rooms have a nice light source.
"We can put a baby crib right beside our bed." Takumi proposed.
"On my side or your side?" Misaki asked.
"Hmm...How about... at the end of the bed..." Not wanting to put the pressure of raising the child on Misaki, Takumi decided to put the crib on the
"It's funny that I'm not even pregnant yet, and we're talking about this." Misaki laughed.
"Who knows... maybe from last night..." Teasingly, Takumi placed his hands above Misaki's stomach.
"Hey!" Sexual harassment!" Slapping Takumi's hands off her stomach, Misaki hissed.
"Let's go look at the third floor!" Takumi suggested as he and Misaki walked up the stairs.
"I know this one looks like a storage but what about this?" Misaki pointed at the other room.
"Hmm... I was thinking of a hobby room." Nodding his head, Takumi answered.
"Hobby room?" Misaki was puzzled.
"Depending on what our children wants to do, we'll let them decide what will be in this room." Takumi explained.
"I see..." Misaki nodded. "Wait, why does our conversation continues to revolve around babies?"
"Well... you know..." Takumi smiled. "I'm excited."
"Not sure what you're excited about." With a straight face, Misaki looked at Takumi.
"I'm excited to be able to start a whole new life with you, and raise new life with you." Putting his chin above Misaki's head, Takumi continued. "To me it's just a dream to be able to have my own life."
"It's reality." Gently Misaki reminded.
"I'm glad that it's reality." Takumi smiled as he rested his arms in Misaki's circles and started to hum a song.
"What song are you humming?" Misaki asked.
"Eternal Flame." Takumi replied and continued to hum.
Soon, Misaki started to hum along with Misaki. The two just stood there and enjoyed their small moment together. Humming one song after the other, the two realized how the little moments in their daily life is precious to them. Perhaps, life is not about the adventure but about the little bits and steps we make everyday.
"It's about time to go home." Takumi noticed the change of time. After an unknown amount of time, Misaki and Takumi looked out the window and saw that it was turning dark.
"What's for dinner?" Misaki asked.
"What do you prefer?" Takumi asked back.
"Hmmm... omelet!" Cheerfully Misaki said. "The first dish you made for me."
"Then we should have beer tonight." Adding onto the menu, Takumi said. "The first drink we had together."
"Why do you always like to recall the day when we first met...?" Misaki argued.
"It's just...funny..." Not being able to hold his laugh, Takumi started to chuckle. "A crazy woman who intruded into my cafe."
"By the way... what are you going to do about the cafe?" Misaki asked. "After you start your own company, you probably won't have time for the cafe."
"If dad ever changes his mind and decides to come to Tokyo, that shop will be his. For the meantime, let's just try our best to maintain both businesses!" Takumi had his hand out to Misaki for a highfive. "Let's do it!"
"Let's do it!" Hot blooded Misaki slapped her hand on Takumi's hand and cheered.
Leaving their unfurnished new house, Misaki and Takumi departed back to their condominium. Walking down the streets hand in hand, Misaki felt her bond with Takumi turning stronger and stronger each day. After reaching at the lobby of the condominium, Misaki decided to check for any new mail. Though there were a lot of business mails again, there was one private mail; from Gerald Walker.
"..." Speechlessly, Takumi looked at the envelope. "What does he want this time?"
"I don't know... open it?" Misaki started to open the mail. After looking at the letter, Misaki passed it to Takumi. "It's in English."
"Geez... Gerald..." Takumi received the letter and started to read.
"So... what did he say?" Misaki asked.
"He's coming to our wedding." That instant, Takumi's face turned green.
"Maybe... it's not that bad..." Misaki shrugged.
"He volunteered to make a wedding speech..." Takumi rubbed his forehead.
"WHAT?!" Misaki was slightly worried.
...
Though the dress issue was out of the way, Misaki and Takumi still has a mountain pile of things to deal for the wedding. For the setup of the outdoor wedding, Takumi contacted a wedding agency in Hokkaido and it seems like they are on good terms for the wedding. However, Takumi and Misaki couldn't figure out the music for their wedding. Should they invite a band, orchestra, or someone they know? In the end, Sakura volunteered to do that job. Actually, it was part of Sakura's plan to go on a little trip with Sakurai Kuuga. Also, Hirose Yuu and Mr. Ayuzawa volunteered to deal with the food since they can't really trust anyone to make food. Well, Misaki and Takumi just accepted their offer since why not abuse your own power as a child? Despiting solving millions of conflicts, there were still millions more ahead as the wedding date came closer and closer.
"I can't take this anymore!" In the middle of sorting her guest list, Misaki exploded. "Why do I have to invite XXX and OOO! I never talked to them after middle school!"
"I don't have people I can invite..." Antisocial Takumi realized that he only has Kurosaki Tasuku, Suoh Tamaki, and Takashima Kei on his friend guest list. Along with their partners, there is a total of 6 people.
"You know what?!" Misaki ripped the list on her hand. "I'm inviting Sakura, Shizuko, Yukimura, and Kanou"
In the end, Misaki is still Misaki. She does what she truly thinks and only value people who truly values her. Who said a wedding has to be large, accepting the blessings of your close friends and family is more than enough to build up a perfect wedding. Since there wasn't much guest on their list, Takumi and Misaki decided to skip the bridesmaid and groomsmen. Actually, they were just too lazy to think of anyone to do that. In addition, since their guest list is so small they decided to let their guest deal with where they are staying.
Finally, the wedding date was only a few days ahead.