"Tell her," Mai said.
"She's on vacation," Takigawa said.
"Gives you time to tell her." The two were at SPR. Takigawa stopped by to spend time with his sister figure while she was working.
"You're one to talk."
"He rejected me."
"Technically he didn't," Takigawa pointed out with a smirk. "He only questioned your confession. Besides, he was dealing with a lot. So you should tell him." He chuckled at Mai's blushing face.
"We're just friends," Mai retorted back. She crossed her arms and 'humphed' her face away from him.
"Friends my ass," Takigawa responded back as he rolled his eyes at her. "We can feel the tension! He loves you!"
"Bou-san!"
On cue, Naru opened the door to his office. He looked around and eyed Mai and Takigawa. His face was blank but Mai noticed something in his eyes that she couldn't read in time since he closed them. He opened his eyes again.
"Mai, tea," he ordered and closed his offices door shut. Mai groaned at his constant and repetitive request.
"You know he only asks for tea to just see your pretty face?" Again, Mai blushed.
"N-No he doesn't. Naru is just some tea addict." It was something she would usually say. Now she's starting to doubt her answer.
"Whatever you say."
"Look, I'll finally talk to Naru if you talk to Ayako when she gets back from vacation."
"She's going to see a boyfriend!"
"She's breaking up with him." That statement made him look at her like a deer staring at headlights. Mai smirked. She held a tray of a kettle pot and an empty tea cup. "You have no idea how much I know."
Baffled, Takigawa stared at Naru's closed office door. He shook his head and took his phone out.
Taki: Did you arrive safely?
Ayako: Just landed! :)
Takigawa smiled in relief. At least that part of his worries was gone.
Mai stood there waiting for him to thank her. As usual, he took a sip of his tea while his gaze never left his computer.
"For once you could at least say thank you," she said irritably. Oliver raised an eyebrow and looked at her.
"I could," he said and smirked at her widened eyes.
"I'm leaving!"
"Wait." Mai paused and slowly turned around to face her boss. "Are you doing anything after work?"
"I mean I've just been studying for my college entrance exams after work, so not really," she answered.
Naru returned from England last year. And since then, the relationship between Mai and Naru was still platonic as ever for them but everyone can see it was something more. Naru was still Naru but she noticed he was more relaxed and comfortable around her. He joked with her, teased her more, and gave her tiny smiles (those were like a once a month occurrence). Sometimes they ate lunch together during break, dinner with Lin, and most the time Naru took her home.
"Take a break tonight," he said. "I plan for us to have dinner tonight."
"O-Okay," she said with a shy smile. "Should I tell Lin?" Naru shook his head. Mai watched him as he cleared his throat. Her eyes widened slightly. 'Is he actually getting nervous?!'
"Will you go out to dinner with me? As a date?" he asked slowly and quietly. The sudden blush on her face made him smirk. He knew her answer and he was satisfied.
"I-I—Me? Of course me, you asked me..." she mumbled as she looked off to the side. Naru smiled and Mai was happy that she caught him. "I would love to. But I would have to change! I mean I'm in my uniform and—". Naru raised his hand up to stop her.
"You can leave an hour early," he said. "I'll pick you up at 7." A bright smile formed in her face.
"Okay," she said happily before leaving his office. Naru smiled more when she left. His worry dissipated.
"WAY TO GO JOU-CHAN!" And that, he smirked.
A week passed since the date and since Ayako left for vacation. It was an early Saturday afternoon. The morning was slow and Takigawa stopped by to hangout with his favorite brown-haired girl.
"Mai, tea," Naru ordered when he stepped out of his office. He sat down on the lounge chair next to Takigawa.
Takigawa raised an eyebrow at the boy. It wasn't every day that Naru actually decided to step out of his office and sit down with the other members, even if it's just him. Naru looked at him blankly.
"Is there something on my face?" he questioned as he turned to Mai who was happily making tea. Takigawa watched his expression softened. He could be mistaken, but was that a smile on Naru's face?
"You usually don't sit out here for tea," Takigawa said.
"Sometimes I do," he said. "Since this week."
"How was the date?" Takigawa asked.
"Which date?" Naru asked casually.
"You two went on multiple dates?" Naru nodded. "How many?"
"Today will be our fifth date," Naru answered. Takigawa smiled and gave him a pat on the back.
"No wonder why my little Jou-chan seems so happy!"
"How about you and Matsuzaki-san?" Naru asked with a smirk on his face. Takigawa was dumbfounded. Naru stood up and walked over to Mai. She happily gave him his cup of tea. By thanking her, Naru leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on her lips. Mai kissed him back before they both pulled away. Naru walked back to his office, and this time he left his door open.
"What?! When?!" Takigawa exclaimed. Mai pondered for a moment, her finger tapping on her chin and her eyes up on the ceiling.
"Our third date we had our first kiss," she answered.
"And you never told me?" Mai shrugged.
"You never asked." Her cell phone suddenly rang. Mai answered the call and kept her phone on speaker. "Ayako! How's California?"
"Beautiful!" Ayako answered happily. "How are you and Naru? It's your fifth date tonight right?"
"And she knew?" Takigawa question, suddenly feeling betrayed.
"She asked me," Mai said with a giggle.
"Oh Houshou, I have a favor," Ayako said. "Can you pick me up from the airport on Monday?"
"I can do that," he said.
"Fantastic! I'll treat you to lunch," she said happily. Mai playfully nudged Takigawa's arm with her elbow. The monk gave her a glare but Mai just smiled. She mouthed 'date' and she watched the blush creep on his cheeks.
"Did—Did you break up with that guy?" he asked curiously.
"The moment I arrived," she said. They can imagine her look at her manicured nails. "He's such a cry baby. Why did I go out with him again?"
"Getting too old that your memory is getting impaired?" Takigawa teasingly asked.
"Why you stupid monk!" she screamed back. The two laughed.
"Stupid? And you asked this idiot for a favor?"
"Forget it! I'll just call an Uber!"
"No, no! Wait! I'll stop." It was silent between the two. Even if Ayako and Takigawa weren't in the same room together, Mai can feel a certain tension between the two."
"Mai, can you come in for a second?" Naru asked. Mai kept her phone with Takigawa and gently closed his office door behind her.
"Do they do dirty things in the office?" Ayako asked with a smirk.
"I didn't even know that they kept going on dates, nonetheless kiss!"
"You should've asked," Ayako said with a 'tsk'. "Naru told her to not just announce their relationship out of the blue. He preferred to have everyone know by watching. Unless you ask."
"And she agreed?"
"Well of course she did! It's Naru. She'll respect any of his wishes." Takigawa sighed. He knew she was right.
"A-Ayako?" She hummed in response. "Is—Is it too early to ask you out on a date when you return?" It was silent and he can feel his heart race in anticipation.
"N-No," she answered shyly. "Despite lunch because I owe you for picking me up, how about we go out for dinner next week?" A smile appeared on his face.
"Next week is good," he answered.
"I'll call you guys tomorrow. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." And once he hung up, Mai came out of the office and hugged her brother like figure.
"Finally!" she exclaimed. Takigawa laughed and hugged Mai back. He looked up and saw Naru leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his face.
"You left the phone on speaker. Instead of dirty actions, we were eavesdropping," Naru said. Takigawa blushed and nervously laughed. "Let's go on break, Mai."
"Okay," Mai answered happily.
"Is it cool if I tag along?"
"Whatever my girlfriend wants," Naru said and kissed her cheek. Mai blushed and Takigawa's eyes were wide.
"Since when?!"
"J-Just now," Mai answered. "Join us Bou-san! We can help you with your date with Ayako." Mai winked and followed Naru at the door. Takigawa chuckled and followed the 'new' couple.
Fucking finally.
And with that thought, he texted Ayako the big news.
Takigawa stared at his closet. For about an hour he swapped shirt after shirt, pants after pants, even shoes. He groaned and called Mai.
"Bou-san? Are you okay?" Mai asked worriedly. He smiled, leave it to Mai to always be concerned for others.
"Are you free at the moment?" he asked.
"I am," she said.
"Can you come over? I need help finding something to wear."
"I'll be there soon!"
Mai hung up and stood up from the couch. Naru paused the movie they were about to watch and raised an eyebrow at his excited girlfriend.
"Bou-san has his date with Ayako tonight. He needs help," she said. Naru sighed and turned off the TV.
"Alright, let's go," he said as he grabbed his keys and wallet.
"You don't have to come," she said.
"I might as well," he said. "We can pick up dinner on the way back. Do you want sleep over?" Mai was taken back from his question. Naru raised an eyebrow at her. "Never mind."
"W-Wait! Umm, yeah! I want to sleep over," she shyly answered.
"Then we can stop at your place on our way back as well. I'll drive you to school before I go to the office," he said.
"O-Okay."
Takigawa's eyes widened when he saw Naru at his front door. He took a step to the side to let them in.
"Naru? I'm surprised you're here," he said. "Where's Mai?"
"Matsuzaki-san called on our way here," Naru answered. "Mai is currently with her." Naru crossed his arms. "Did you find an outfit?"
"Sort of?" He wondered what Mai had to do to get Naru to help him on his own.
Naru followed Takigawa to his bedroom and showed Naru a pile of clothes. Naru picked up a few tops that caught his attention.
"Where do you two plan on going?" he asked curiously.
"Maggiano's," Takigawa answered. "I figured a fancy, Italian restaurant would be a nice first date." Naru picked out a blue dress shirt, dark blue jeans, and black dress shoes.
"These should be good," he said and handed Takigawa his clothes. Takigawa smiled sincerely at him.
"Thank you, Naru," he said and went to his bathroom that was connected to his bedroom.
Takigawa waited patiently inside the restaurant. He bought her a rose and it was resting on his lap, along with his drumming fingers.
"Would you like anything to drink sir?" the waitress asked.
"Can I have a bottle of red wine. Surprise me. And bring out two glasses," Takigawa said. The waitress smiled.
"Proposing?" she asked. Takigawa blushed.
"More like finally confessing my love for this woman I've known for a few years," he answered.
"Wine preference?"
"Something semi-sweet."
"Coming right up."
Takigawa thanked her before she walked to the back to get his order. Before he knew it, two wine glasses were out and a bucket filled with ice with their bottle of wine sat in the middle of the table. The waitress winked at Takigawa before heading over to her next table.
Ten minutes passed and he saw Ayako slowly walk inside. His eyes slightly widened. She wore a fitting, red dress that stopped mid thigh. She wore black stilettos (leave it to her to always wear heels) and he found the red lipstick to complete a sexy look from her. Ayako smiled when she found him.
"S-Sorry," she said. "I didn't know what to wear and Mai was helping me and I was stubborn." The wine bottle caught her attention as she sat down. "Wine already?" Takigawa smiled.
"Perfect for the occasion right?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow. Ayako smirk. Takigawa opened the bottle poured their glasses. "To...us." He raised his glass. Ayako smiled and clinked her wine glass to his.
"To us."
The two were laughing in the middle of dinner. Takigawa covered his mouth as he laughed mid-chew.
"So that's how Mai got Naru to come over," he said. "He really likes her that much that he can't stand to be away from her?" Ayako chuckled and took a sip of her wine.
"I know right? It's so cute though," she added. "She's sleeping over at his place for the first time. You think anything is going to happen?" Takigawa rolled his eyes.
"Please with Naru? They'll just cuddle and fall asleep like the innocent couple they are. It's cute though."
"All I care about is that they're finally together," Ayako mumbled. Takigawa chuckled and took a bite of his food. He looked up to see Ayako being deep in thought. She looked at him and blushed as she immediately looked away from him. "What about us?"
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think about us?" she asked as if the answer was obvious. Takigawa blushed and he wiped his lips with a napkin.
"It's simple," he said. "We argue like a couple and Mai finds us as her parental figures. Why not be together in real life? I-I always liked you anyway."
"I-Likewise."
"Then why were you dating that guy?" he asked curiously.
"Because I saw you flirting with some random chick at the shopping center a few months ago," Ayako shyly confessed. She felt embarrassed and he knew, so he laughed. His laugh made her scowl at him and kick his shin under the table. Even when laughing, he winced in pain.
"Well I'm surprised you even tolerated a few months with him," he said as he wiped a tear away. "And good thing I waited long enough to have this date with you."
"Taki-kun, after dinner let's go out for drinks," Ayako suggested. Takigawa nodded, liking the idea for a casual drinking night. He motioned her to lean in closer towards him. She did and Takigawa did the same. He held her chin, slightly lifting her face up, and captured her lips on his. He pulled away and sat back.
"I like to think that our first date to be a success," he said. "What do you think?"
"I expect more for our second." And with a laugh, Takigawa filled their wine glasses and they clinked their glasses together as they continued their date.