Tuesday morning dawned gray as Matsuri woke up. She moved under the sheets, stretching her arms out wide across the pillows.
"Mmm…. That's better."
Memories of the night before rushed into her mind: her tears covering Gaara's handkerchief, his loving embrace, and his sincere apology for causing her pain. He had also said he would give her a chance, which made her heart soar.
"Gaara-sama…."
A fantasy of his red hair and pale green eyes took over briefly, making her squirm and giggle for a moment, but then she heard his bedroom door open. She slid out of bed into her house slippers, walking into the bathroom to pee and freshen up.
When she came out of her room, he was tipping a hotel maid with a few coins from a simple black coin purse. The maid had brought up a large rolling tray covered with a soft white tablecloth. It was loaded with a china tea set, steaming rice and fresh cut seasonal fruit in bowls, and omelets on simple white china plates. She set everything out on the table, bowed politely, and left.
Gaara turned to Matsuri, his eyes scanning her all over.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," she replied shyly.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, sir. Did you?"
"Sort of. Everyone will meet here in about an hour and a half, so let's make tea and have breakfast."
"Well, I hope you can sleep better tonight, Gaara-sama."
Matsuri walked into the kitchen and looked over the tea set. The teapot had pink and peach seashell shapes with real pearls inside on the sides, and it was painted with blue waves. There were matching tea cups beside it.
"It looks amazing. And this tea smells good."
She leaned over and inhaled deeply.
"It's green tea with jasmine. I ordered everything last night after you went to bed. Kankurou said these are your favorite."
"Thank you! You're so nice!" She smiled warmly at him. "Funny I didn't recognize it. It's my namesake, you know."
"Is it?"
"'Matsuri' means 'desert jasmine' as well as 'festival'. I'm surprised you didn't know that, as broad as your vocabulary is. Gosh, you know more words than any other person I know."
"I…. I don't know about that…. I…. they're just words….."
"I'm sorry. I've made you embarrassed. I'll shut up now."
"N-no, it…. it's fine." He swallowed. "I'm just…. um…. I'm still not used to compliments like that."
"Ah, well…." She sat down at the table and pressed her hands together. "Itadakimasu! And thank you again, Gaara-sama."
"You're welcome. Let's eat."