"Slow Burn"(def.): an attraction for someone that is not instant, but grows over time.
-x-
Chapter Thirteen: Hanging by a Moment
-x-
Mimi knew that her frame of mind was probably not the best at the moment, and she was a little peeved that she wasn't being her normal overly cute, daringly charming self. All due to her scattered thoughts and the conversation with Sora that had left her just about shaken to the core.
Of course, it also didn't help matters any that Ryo looked devilishly handsome tonight.
She couldn't help but notice the subtle changes to his appearance, his normally mussed brown hair was freshly cute and parted to one side. He had on a forest green shirt that bringing out the earthy tones in his eyes. And the grin he would flash every now and then would be the death of her.
"I thought we would go to this new sushi restaurant that opened up in Minato."
"The one across from Narisawa?" Her eyes widened.
He looked at her a little quizzically, "Yeah. How'd you know?" He asked.
"Because it's all Taylor's talked about the whole week." She started. "On and on about how they're so exclusive and already booked through the year and only open to celebrities and how she couldn't even get them to give her a seat at the bar." She couldn't control the giddy tone her voice took on.
Score.
She would make sure to post pictures everywhere and make a grand gesture of telling anyone who would listen about the fabulous time she was about to have here.
It would be absolutely glorious.
Take that Taylor Fujiyama!
Ryo nodded, "Oh, alright then." He shrugged a shoulder.
"If it's as hard to get into as she says, how'd you manage to get a reservation?" She wondered.
"I actually had no idea it was so exclusive." He said honestly. "My dad knows the owner, it's basically like having a permanent reservation." The answer was as nonchalant as his stance and she knew better than to be surprised.
Ryo's father was Ryuuken Akiyama, after all.
She could have imagined all of Japan would be his one and only son's playground.
"Ah, so limited effort was required."
"Just a phone call." He winked, parking his sleek sports car along the street.
"Glad I'm such an easy date."
He chuckled. "Getting the table was easy. The girl?" He raised his brows at her. "Well, that's still up for debate, isn't it?"
Mimi felt herself smiling at him, she couldn't help it.
Minato was lit up with colors and people alike and Mimi had forgotten how nice it was to be in the heart of Tokyo. She had missed the energy of a big city, the lights and sounds and how alive it was.
And while New York had been great, there was really no better city in the world it wasn't home. The pride she felt being back here was almost overwhelming.
They walked into the tall establishment where a white gloved maître'd was standing at the host stand. "Hello, how may I help you?"
As she caught a glimpse of the guests inside, and even in her best black dress—the one that made her feel magnificent—she felt a bit underdressed.
"Ryo Akiyama." He said, all confidence and no hesitancy
Immediately his tone changed, a cheesy smile replacing the cold condescension that had been there a few moments ago. "Ah! The young heir himself." He said happily. "We promised Mister Yukimura we would take very, very good care of you and…" His gaze fell on the brunette.
"Mimi Tachikawa." She smiled elegantly.
"She is very lovely." He mentioned, before bowing and holding an arm out towards the dining hall.
The lighting was dim for ambience, candles in lantern shaped holders creating a soothing atmosphere. At the far end of the room she saw a large floor to ceiling Buddha statue, underneath it a fairly large sized square pond. Chandeliers adorned the high ceilings, ancient Japanese scrawl decorating the walls in gold plated tiling.
He led them to a quiet table in the corner and Ryo pulled out her seat for her. "Your waiter will be with you momentarily and if you need anything, anything at all Mister Akiyama, please feel free to find me. I will be sure to take care of it immediately." He bowed again and Mimi couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed by it all.
It was all such a spectacle and as much as her friends loved to tease her about her princess complex, this was a bit much even for her.
And yet, Ryo seemed entirely unaffected.
But then, she assumed he was probably used to it.
"Do you want to start off with drinks? You look a little tense." He offered her a menu.
Mimi let out a small laugh, "Is it obvious?" She asked.
"A little. But it's cute." He gave her a half grin.
"I'm just not used to all the bowing and the VIP treatment, that's all." She admitted.
She took the menu from him, looking it over keenly. Maybe starting off with a martini or a glass of wine wasn't such a bad idea, with the way her stomach was doing flips, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to eat a bite anyway.
She could hear the shuffling of footsteps behind her, vaguely she registered Ryo looking up from his menu and figured their waiter must be coming over.
However, nothing could have prepared her for what happened next.
"Hello, my name is Yamato Ishida and I will…"
It was as if someone had cut the volume off, his sentence dying off prematurely. The menu slipped from her fingers, landing on her plate with a loud clank which sent her silverware clattering noisily to the floor.
She sucked in a breath as it lodged itself into the back of her throat. There was no way this was happening—it was impossible.
With slow hesitation and a stammering heart, she forced herself to lift her eyes up and her mouth flopped open ungracefully at the sight of all too familiar blue eyes.
The same ones that had been haunting her for too long now.
What the hell are the freaking chances…
Out of the three of them, it was Ryo who recovered first. "Hey, man. How's it going?" He asked in the most forced tone imaginable.
She tried to wrench her gaze, tear it from his but it was as if he had ensnared her. And she couldn't get away.
Damn him.
"Good." His answer was tightlipped, his eyes still locked on Mimi's.
Ryo pulled a hand through his hair, "Look, I can ask them to give us another waiter—obviously this is weird for everyone." He said, his voice a still strained.
For the most part, the offer went ignored.
Finally, Mimi opened her mouth to speak. "I had no idea you were working here." She said a little curtly.
"Guess I should have been more specific." He said neutrally.
"I mean, of course I wouldn't have come if I'd known."
"That's neither here nor there, Mimi."
"I know but you have to know I would never—
He looked away from her immediately, "Can I get you guys any drinks to start?" He asked, his focus now on Ryo.
"Look, Matt. I'm just going to ask the front to send us someone else. You don't have to do this, I don't feel right about it." He told the blonde with careful politeness.
"It's my job. I have no problem serving the two of you." It was taking all the restraint he had to keep his voice as calm as possible.
But under the toneless apathy and courteous pleasantries was venom.
He was seething.
"Honestly. I think it would be better for everyone."
Mimi could see the way Matt's jaw was clenched, the nerve jumping dangerously. She knew him well enough to know that neither of those were good signs. She also knew Matt needed this job, he had all but said it in so many words. Judging by the place, he probably made good money here. She would kill herself if he lost it because of some pissing contest with Ryo.
She got up from the seat, "Can I just have a minute?" She asked Ryo sweetly.
He looked between the blonde and her before giving a firm nod, "Sure." He said.
Mimi took Matt by the arm, as he reluctantly followed behind her. "What do you think you're doing? I'm on the clock, I could lose my job." He muttered.
"That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look, I get you wanna prove a point, but seriously Matt, it's so not worth it. Just let Ryo talk to the manager." She said, hands on her hips.
"Why? It's my section. And I'm not going to watch Ryo Akiyama throw his money around, all the while feeling like he's doing me some damn favor." He said with marked disdain.
Mimi rolled her eyes. "God, it is so not about that." She said seriously. "I know you'd rather do anything other than be my server while I'm on a date." She made sure to emphasize the word, looking for even the slightest crack in his otherwise perfect indifference.
Of course, there was no perceptible reaction from him and she should have known better than to expect one.
Yamato Ishida would never give anything away.
"I couldn't care less." He sounded so controlled—bored, even.
And while she hadn't thought it would, the words cut her. To hear him say the words with such unwavering assurance, it stung.
Couldn't he care just a little?
"I'm sure you don't, but I do." She said calmly. "So even if it wouldn't irritate you to have to check on us every twenty minutes, it would be unsettling for me to say the least. So please, if you care about me being comfortable at all, just let him request someone else."
He looked at her carefully, for the first time taking in the subtle changes in her appearance.
Mimi was always beautiful, it was a fact about her that was practically universal.
But tonight there was something a little different.
She looked really pretty.
Demure and put together, all sparkly and girly.
It was different.
Suddenly, not having to see Ryo dote on her all night seemed like the best gift anyone could give him.
"Fine." His answer came out through gritted teeth.
"Thank you." Mimi sighed.
-x-
The dinner had started off on a horrible note, something her mind couldn't have thought up even in her worst nightmares.
Every time Matt had passed by them, Mimi felt like something wound tighter in her chest. Out of manners, she had tried her best to eat what she had ordered, moving it around with her fork make it look a little less full.
She knew Ryo had noticed the stark change in her demeanor but she was glad he didn't let it affect his mood. He kept the conversations light and fun, never broaching subjects that might feel too personal or too serious. They talked about their favorite TV shows and movies. Exchanged some likes and dislikes over music and art and even some good books they had read. He had told her a particularly funny anecdote about Tai and a coatrack that she couldn't wait to tease him about mercilessly.
And after her second glass of wine, Mimi found herself loosening up considerably.
All in all, it hadn't been terrible, all things considered.
Ryo had gone out to bring the car around for her, while she checked herself in the bathroom mirror. With a satisfactory touch up, she left.
It was only when she was halfway out of the dining area that she felt a hand on her wrist, tugging her backwards.
And it was only because she had memorized his touch that she didn't scream bloody murder.
Slowly, she turned herself so she was once again facing turbulent ocean eyes.
But he didn't say a word, his eyes just boring into hers as if trying to convey something important—willing her to understand.
"I…Ryo is waiting." Her voice was a hoarse whisper.
He could feel her heart pounding, practically hear it even through the all the white noise surrounding him. He lowered his head until his mouth was bare centimeters from her neck. He heard her suck in a sharp breath at his closeness.
"He doesn't deserve you." She felt his breath graze her skin, sending electric currents down her spine.
And for the first time that night, the thing that had been coiling in her chest unwound a little.
But only for a second, because his words infuriated her.
She wrenched her wrist from his grip. "You don't get to do that." She said, her tone was vehement but her voice low. "You don't get to tell me what I deserve or who I should be with—not after the other night." She didn't mean for it to come out so malicious.
But she had never been so mad at him before.
"Mimi, I said I was sorry—
"And its fine, I told you it was fine. Do what you need to, but you can't do that. Not to me."
"Okay, I can't talk about this at work—
"Then don't. But don't expect to say something like that and not get a fucking reaction, either." She hissed, and without giving him a second to respond she turned on her heel and walked right out.
-x-
"Remember a few weeks ago, at the mixer when you told me that even though you had lived in Japan for a while you never actually got to see it?" He asked, once she was back in the car.
Mimi knew it would take everything she had, all her debutante training, every etiquette class and high society manners that had been ingrained in her to keep from allowing her now foul mood to be obvious.
She took a long and deep breath, collecting herself into a smile. "Yeah, I remember." She answered.
"Well, I thought I could show you something—not like a full tour of Tokyo or anything because that might be better in the day. But um, one of my favorite places." He gave her half a grin. "If you know, you're up for it. I know dinner was a little…, well, I would understand if you just preferred I drop you home."
Mimi felt her anger begin to ebb out of her, "I would love to see whatever you want to show me." She smiled, this time honestly.
"Great." He sounded relieved. "It's only ten or fifteen minutes from here." He promised.
"So, what was your favorite thing about New York?" He asked after the moments of silence were beginning to border uncomfortable.
Mimi thought on it for a few moments, "I guess at first, it was the food and the shopping." She laughed lightly. "But to be honest, I just loved the energy. Everyone was always so alive and I don't know, everything about it just felt so timeless. Central Park in the summer… watching the leaves change in the fall…Rockefeller Center and the tree lighting…the ball dropping in Time Square." Her voice had taken on a softer tone, fonder.
Like she was recalling an old lover.
"When I said I never really got to see Japan, I guess that's what I meant. All those classic things about Tokyo, I wanna be able to have seen them too." She admitted. "Its home, you know? I just want to know it."
"I understand."
"But you're on par to becoming a celebrity, especially around here. Forget knowing Tokyo, it knows you."
He chuckled, "I said I understood, I never said I could relate." He winked at her.
"My mistake." Mimi rolled her eyes with a begrudging smile.
When his car finally stopped, Mimi realized where he had taken her and she could have sworn she felt her heart swell. "Rainbow bridge…" She breathed out.
And even here, where only the partial view of the city was visible, it was breathtaking.
He came around the side, opening the door and offering her his hand.
"We can walk it, there's this really beautiful place in the middle that I think you'd love."
She put her hand in his, getting out of his car as he shut the door behind her. He didn't remove his hand from hers and she didn't either.
His hand was nice and warm and she was in no rush to give it back.
The bridge was a sight to behold and she immediately regretted never coming before. Especially at night, where the lights were vibrant and explosive, looking as if they shined only for her. And there, in the quiet comfort of something as simple as holding Ryo's hand, and the entire city so lying peacefully still across the harbor, and the moon twinkling playfully in the sky—she was fulfilled.
If ever there was such a thing as a perfect moment, maybe this was it.
"C'mon. Let's go." He nudged her lightly.
"In a minute." She requested, closing her eyes.
And Ryo just smiled at the beautifully enigmatic girl beside him, thanking all the stars in the sky for giving him this time with her.
"Anything for you."
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you…
And everything you do
You know it's true
-x-
When Mimi walked into her dorm room she had only just gotten the lights before she was accosted by a lean pair of arms and a mess of scarlet waves. With a relieved chuckle, she hugged back with just as much vigor.
"I'm sorry!" They said in unison before dissolving into a fit of giggles.
Mimi set her bag down. "No, I'm sorry, Sor." She tucked her hair behind an ear. "I didn't mean to freak out on you, it was so unfair."
Sora shook her head, "Me first." She said, patting a spot on her bed. "I shouldn't have pushed it, honestly. It's so not my place and no matter what you decide I just want to be here to support you."
Mimi shook her head, "No, S. You should be able to tell me the truth—you're my best friend." She beamed with pride at the words because they had never been truer. "I don't want you to think you have to tip toe around subjects or pretend, that's not us. I never want it to be us." She promised.
Sora smiled, "I'm still sorry, Meems. I should have been more sensitive to the situation, I didn't think it through properly and I should have." She apologized.
"It's okay, I appreciate your concern regardless." Mimi said sincerely.
"And for the record, you can talk to me about anything. I won't push it, but when you're ready you have to know I'm here for you, M." She put a hand over the brunette's. "Always."
"Back at ya, redhead." She winked.
"So, now tell me about your date!" Sora practically squealed.
Well, as close to a squeal as Sora could get, anyway.
Mimi let out a breath.
"Well. Let me tell you, it started out disastrous…"
-x-
The weight room. It was almost as mandatory and grueling as practice except without the coaches screaming their heads off every second and the sounds of whistles blowing shrilly through the air after every missed play. It was actually a lot more relaxing than practice ever could be and Tai had always found a certain peace in working out. Even though he preferred his cardio outdoors or maybe on top of a blonde.
Either way was good but the latter was so much more satisfying.
"I took Mimi out on a date." Ryo mentioned casually from the bench press.
Tai dropped the weights he was holding up "Huh. Well, I guess it's about time." He gave the boy a shrug, before resuming his work out.
"That's it? No lecture about how I should treat her right or else...?" He'd heard Tai cuss Davis out for less.
Then again, he wasn't dating Tai's sister.
"I really shouldn't need to, Rye." He said honestly. "I mean doesn't it go without saying if you're going to get involved with one of my childhood friends that you should treat her with respect?" He raised his eyebrows. "Besides, I don't need to do the protective older brother thing with her. Ishida will kick your ass half way to hell if you so much as caused her to break one of her perfectly manicured fingernails." And of that, Tai was more than certain.
Ryo paled a little at the thought, "Funny you should mention him..." he started.
Tai turned to him.
"This kind of weird thing happened... I took Mimi to a new restaurant downtown and..." He stopped for a second, feeling a shiver slide down his back at the awkward memory. "Matt was our waiter..."
Tai's eyes widened, "Dude." He had managed to get out before doubling over in laughter.
Ryo shook his head, "I knew I shouldn't have told you." He muttered with instant regret.
But it was no use because nothing could be heard over Tai's obnoxious laughter.
"Wonder what's gotten into him." Davis jabbed a thumb towards the brunette.
Sam shrugged, "You know Tai, life is just one big joke to him." He said.
"Why do I even bother with you." Ryo shook his head, before lifting up the dumbbell he'd all but abandoned.
Tai wiped at the corners of his eyes, "Sorry, man. That was just too good." He let out the remaining residual laughter before sobering himself. "I'm guessing you guys left?"
"Nah, I just got a new waiter."
"Weird. I would've left."
"I mean, it's a huge restaurant. We barely even saw him after that." Ryo answered.
"Yeah, but still. I mean you, Mimi…Matt. It's not exactly an ideal situation for a date." He maintained.
"I guess, but it's not such a big deal, right?" He asked with knitted brows. "You said there wasn't anything going on between them."
"Honestly, I can't keep track—too much drama." He said with disinterest. "Anyway, if you're really worried, ask her yourself. Mimi's nothing if not sincere, she'll give it to you straight." He said confidently.
Ryo nodded, "Yeah…" He trailed off uncertainly, "Yeah. I'm sure it's nothing." He said a few seconds later with renewed assurance.
-x-
The next time he saw her it was Thursday evening in the library, she was sitting with one ankle (presumably the injured one) propped up on a pillow and chair, a thick book in her hands (pages barely turned) and a confused but concentrated look on her face.
He probably would have avoided her completely, had he been with anyone other than Tai who wouldn't get a hint if he was bludgeoned with one.
"Hey look, it's Mimi." Tai said with a nod towards her.
"Hn."
"Let's sit with her, not like we'd be able to find a table otherwise." He began walking in the direction of the brunette.
Mimi had seen the pair of boys as soon as they had walked into the library, but she had tried her best not to make eye contact before they saw her. When she felt a presence looming over her, she looked up through thick lashes, "Hey Tai." She said, putting her finger in between the pages not to lose her spot.
Not that it would terribly hard to find page three.
"Hey Meems, mind if we sit?" He asked, even though he was already in the process of taking off his backpack.
"Of course not." She said with a smile. "Hi Matt." She greeted with the same smile.
"Mimi." The response was predictably cool, his jaw barely moving with the syllables.
Tai began putting his things down, as he stared at the blonde with expectant chocolate eyes.
"Aren't you going to sit?" Mimi asked, gesturing towards open chair beside him.
Matt scanned the library before shaking his head, "No." And with a last glance at her, he walked away.
Leaving her sufficiently stunned.
Tai cleared his throat, before grabbing the book out of her hands. "The Art of War." He let out a low whistle. "Not my idea of light reading."
"Is anything?" She raised a brow, thankful for his swift change of subject to avoid the awkward silence that had been left behind by Matt's abrupt departure.
Tai gave her a chuckle. "Touché. But really, what's with this?" He held up the book, moving it from side to side.
Mimi shook her head, trying to grab it from him. "If I'm going to beat the bitch at her own game, I've got to learn it first." She stuck out her tongue as he held it away from her.
"Right, but you know this book is about war tactics, don't you?" His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Like real battle, with guns and tanks and trench warfare…things to that effect."
"Perfect, everything I need."
A chuckle escaped him, "I pity the person that pisses you off, Miss Tachikawa." He tipped his head to her, handing back the book.
"All's fair in… well you know how it goes." She winked, taking back the book with a nod of approval.
"Right and speaking of that, what's with the cold front moving in between you and Ishida?" He raised his brows with interest.
Mimi let out a sigh. "Speaking of what?" She asked innocently.
"Huh?"
"Well, which one were you speaking of? Love or war?"
"With you two? They could be interchangeable."
"I think he's mad at me." She relented with a huff.
"This might come as a shock to you but I picked up on as much on my own."
A grudging smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, "It does." She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you've heard by now about the most awkward first date in the history of romantic ventures?"
Tai laughed, "Actually, yeah. Ryo let me in on the whole waiter mishap." He said.
"So yeah, I mean we haven't really talked since." They hadn't done much of that at all lately.
It was as if she didn't even know him anymore.
Tai looked a little surprised and she knew it was because he probably had no idea. Tai and Matt might be best friends, but it didn't make the blonde a total open book to him either.
"I wouldn't get too worked up over it, he's probably just in a mood." That excuse was the easy way out when it came to Matt.
And she knew it better than anyone else.
Matt was perfectly content with any outward show of emotion being jarred and labeled as moodiness if it meant he didn't have to talk about it. And everyone in his life enabled him because it meant not having to confront him about it.
But she wasn't okay with that, she never had been.
She hated when he would shut down and shut her out and usually she was pretty good at getting through to him.
Not every time, but at least when he needed her to the most.
Except now, because for the first time in her whole life she had no idea how to talk to him.
Talking to him meant talking about everything, because if there was one thing she couldn't be with Matt it was dishonest. But there were parts of that conversation she had not even had with herself yet. She wouldn't know how to express it, let alone expect him to reciprocate.
"Right…" She said finally, her tone just as helpless as she felt at this moment.
Tai gave her a small smile, "Chin up, kid." He reached over to ruffle her hair. "It could always be worse." And with that he got up, realizing he had wasted the half hour he had to study and now he had to run to practice.
"Famous last words, Kamiya!"
-x-
Saturday evening.
The days had grown shorter, the nights colder and exam season was upon them quicker than anyone could have imagined.
Which was precisely why Matt was trying to get as much studying done before his next shift at the restaurant tomorrow afternoon. And the reason why he was holed up in his bedroom was because it was the one place he could be sure he wouldn't inadvertently run into a certain brunette.
He knew that she knew he was avoiding her, he didn't really make any attempt to hide the fact that he wasn't particularly fond of her company at the moment.
It was unfair, to be so irritated with her. After all, none of what had transpired a week ago was her fault and he knew she didn't do any of it on purpose. Mimi didn't have a bad intentioned bone in her body—usually.
And if anyone was keeping score, by sleeping with Zoe he probably did worse than she did.
Not that there was any score to keep or a reason why she should care about what happened between him and Zoe.
Or any reason he should care about who she dated.
His head was starting to hurt again and this was exactly why he didn't like thinking about all this.
Because once down it, the rabbit hole was never ending.
He knew his frustration had more to do with his own confusion than with her—but she was the root of his confusion, so it all circled around back to her anyway.
And until he could properly figure out what all this meant, he couldn't face her. He had to avoid the hell out of her until he knew what to make of everything he was feeling, for her, about her, towards her. The hardest part of all this was that how new all this was for him, he had always considered his friendship with Mimi to be the most stable part of his life. In his life, where people came and went like season, she had always remained so unwaveringly still, so solid and dependable.
Yet all of a sudden, she felt transient. As if she were liable to pick up and leave at any moment.
How was that for irony?
It was easier to just, stay away. But then he would think about her face, that dejected look of anger and disappointment directed at him, and instantly he would feel a pang of regret because while maybe this was easiest thing for him, it was hurting her.
And as much as he hated hurting her, right now he was doing it knowingly.
He knew nothing bothered Mimi more than when things were left unsaid—she craved resolution. And he knew she hated how could freeze her out, keep her guessing about what he was feeling. Not knowing what was bothering him killed her.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of the front door creaking open, immediately he heard voices floating in.
"I can't believe you actually have your keys."
It was Sora.
"A miracle and it's not even Christmas."
The second one was most definitely Tai.
And just like that he knew that there was a ninety percent chance his studying was going to be halted, at least for the time being.
Not that he was getting so much done otherwise.
"It isn't as if we'd be stranded outside, Sor. Ishida's home—he hasn't left in days."
He could hear Sora's padded footsteps in the living room, "I know, it worries me a little." She admitted.
Matt sighed, setting his books aside before getting off his desk chair.
He walked out of his room, Tai was in the kitchen and Sora was sprawled out with her legs over the arm of the couch.
"No need to worry, I'm alive and kicking." He announced.
Sora opened her amber eyes, "Ah, did you hear us talking about you?" She smiled, before lifting herself off the couch.
Matt caught her in his arms, "Hard not to, not like you two were being very discreet." He hugged her back before letting her go.
"What for?" Tai asked. "No such thing as secrets among friends." He came over with an arm full of beer, handing a bottle to the redhead and blonde, keeping on for himself.
Matt settled himself in the armchair, Sora resuming her position on the couch and Tai took the sofa. "To what do I owe the pleasure, and don't tell me this is some sort of intervention." Matt said with half a grin.
Sora laughed, "What kind of intervention starts off with a beer?" She asked.
"One spearheaded by Tai." Matt answered.
Tai couldn't argue with that. "No, man. It's not an intervention. I just came to get ready, Red tagged along to see you." He shrugged.
"Yeah and to force you to join us tonight, party at the soccer house—you need to come out." She insisted.
Immediately he knew that was the last place he wanted to be tonight, without a doubt. Because the soccer house was where Ryo resided and if Sora and Tai were both going to said party then there was no way Mimi wouldn't be there. That was one situation he was more than happy to be as far away from as possible.
"I don't think I can, homework and all." He cleared his throat. "And since when are you such a social butterfly?"
She answered his latter statement by sticking her tongue out at him. "Oh come on! All work and no play makes Matt a dull boy." Sora said in a sing-song voice.
Matt chuckled, taking a sip of his beer.
"You really do need to get out, you haven't done anything remotely fun in a really long time." Tai chimed in.
Matt just shook his head.
Tai pulled a hand through his unruly mass of brown hair. "You know, Zoe is going to be there tonight." He offered.
Matt let out a snort. "And?" He said with indifference.
"Well, I don't know. Incentive or something?"
"Zoe's cool, but I don't really need to go to a party if I want to see her." And he didn't mean for it to come off so entitled, but it wasn't as if it was a lie either.
If he needed Zoe to come over, wanted her to, she would and there wouldn't be many questions asked.
"Besides, I prefer to enjoy her company in more intimate quarters anyway." He continued for sport as Tai gave him an air fist bump for the smooth finish.
Sora blanched at the innuendo and Matt sent her a playful wink just to drive the point home. "Ugh, now I remember why I stopped hanging out with you two!" Sora threw a pillow at the blonde.
Matt and Tai laughed simultaneously because there was nothing more timelessly fun than getting a rise out of Sora. "Glad you guys can still enjoy yourselves at my expense." She rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on, red. You had to know that some things never change."
And despite everything, he was glad for that. Because he missed Mimi and he hated that feeling but being around Tai and Sora made it a little less palpable.
And while Sora claimed to have come over under the guise of trying to coax him out to a party, he knew the two of them were actually here for some form of moral support. That they were worried about him, they wanted to make sure everything was okay and he was thankful for that.
Having people who cared about him, it was nice.
"So, what do you say? Should the three of us hit that party together for old times sake?" She quirked an eyebrow, looking between the boys.
"You know I'm game." Tai said immediately. "Though it's going to suck when you go off with Ichijoji and not wingman for me." He told her.
"Oh come on Kamiya, you haven't needed me to wingman for you since the tenth grade."
"Still, it would have been fun to reprise tradition, even if just for a night."
"Since when do you even need a wingman, you seem to do just fine on your own." Matt said. "Oh, except for recently, what was her name again…Rangiku?" He smirked tauntingly.
Tai winced, "Yes, in a very odd, very strange turn of events you were the one to get lucky that night and I struck out. Not my finest hour." He shook his head.
"Just get girlfriends, all this wingman business and striking out will be a thing of the past." Sora suggested.
"I don't do girlfriends."
Sora ignored the statement because Tai said it so much it might as well be stamped on his forehead. "So, answer the question Matt. Are you in or out?"
"Out." He said resolutely. "I've got to study and a shift tomorrow, I'd rather not be hungover all day."
Tai threw his hands up in the air, "Told you this would be useless." He said pointedly to the redhead. "Oh and by the way, there's a bright pink elephant in the room that we're all perfectly content on ignoring. Just thought you guys would wanna know!" And with that, he grabbed his beer and retreated to his room.
Sora let out a small sigh, "Well, now that Tai so tactfully navigated into the subject, you wanna talk about it?" She asked softly.
Matt rubbed a hand over his face, "I had to basically watch Mimi go on a date with Ryo and almost had to be her server. It was weird and awkward and now I don't know what to say to her because there's been already been too much weird and awkward between us as it is."
And even though Sora was well aware of the situation already, hearing Matt say it made her cringe anyway. "Ugh, I'm sorry buddy." She said with honest sympathy. "Karma really is a bitch, huh?"
He knew even still he'd gotten the better end of the deal, at least he didn't have to walk in on Ryo leaving her dorm room early in the morning.
The thought alone had his stomach turning and his veins burning.
"Yeah, just didn't think it would come around so soon." He sighed. "Anyway, I'm just not ready yet and I know it's probably killing her that I'm not talking to her but it's not coz I'm mad, I'm just…" He stopped there, because he didn't know what else he was supposed to say.
What was the right thing to say, anyway?
"I understand, I really do. You should talk to her once you know what you want to say." She said. "For what its worth though, I still think you should come to the party. I think you'll find that honest conversations are easier to have when there's vodka involved." Sora smiled.
And Matt gave her a smile back, "Thanks for the advice, I'll consider it." He said mostly to humor her.
"Yes, I'm sure you won't." She got up off the couch.
"And where are you off?"
"To beat Tai to the shower." She stopped to drop a kiss on his cheek.
"Oh and Matt?" She said over her shoulder.
"Hm?"
"Don't worry too much, okay? It's all going to work out in the end. I promise."
-x-
It was like any other party, yet she couldn't shake the weird feeling that something was off.
Different.
And she didn't know if it was just because she felt different these days or something else.
It was hard, being so estranged from the one person she had relied on for constant support and presence. He had been her rock, her confidante, her best friend and on occasion, her therapist—plus everything else in between. And in all the years of their friendship, this had been the longest they had spent without speaking to each other.
It wasn't for lack of effort on her part, he was just so unreachable when he wanted to be.
Cold and aloof and so incredibly distant that it felt like she was all the way across the ocean again.
Except worse because at least then he still talked to her.
Now, it was as if she didn't even exist.
And nothing hurt worse than being ignored by someone who meant just about everything to you.
She understood it, though, on some level—his need to put space between them. Things were changing so rapidly and they both probably needed time to adjust.
Their relationship had been built on the foundation of years of careful honesty and trust. It was the one thing between them that had remained constant in their tumultuous and dramatic teenage years up until now. She had always been able to rely on him to be there for her, to be sincere with her and want the best for her—unconditionally.
Her expectations had been set that way for so long, it was a crushing feeling to think about all that changing.
She worried about them, about him—constantly. It was nonstop and all she wanted was some sort of confirmation that while maybe he wasn't ready to be around her just yet, he was alright and he was working through it in his own way.
That things would get better, that they would be okay soon.
"You know, M. It's a party—you should lighten up!" She was met with a gentle elbow to her side, before she looked up to find a partial view of sparkling blonde hair.
She wasn't the biggest fan of Zoe right now, or ever really. But it was especially hard to keep up a frenemies façade when she felt like smacking the girl every time she saw her annoyingly perfect face.
Play nice, Mimi.
She plastered on a fake smile, "It's been a long week, Z." She said swiftly.
"Ugh, but at least you got a break from hell on earth otherwise known as cheerleading practice. God, I think Taylor needs a Xanax or a man—probably both. I swear that girl is wound tighter than a freakin telephone cord." She complained.
"Yeah, well. I guess there's a silver lining to everything. Even falling flat on your ass and embarrassing yourself in front of a gym full of people."
"Well, if it's any consolation if anyone could have made even that look graceful, it's you."
"Thanks, I guess." Mimi laughed.
"Oh, Catherine!" Zoe called out, grabbing her friend by the elbow. "Bring Mimi a drink, would you? She seriously needs one."
The other blonde nodded, before complying and Mimi had just started to feel herself softening towards Zoe—it stopped immediately. Watching the girl go all Queen Bee was not something she enjoyed seeing, it irked her to no end.
Because that used to be you, M.
And as annoying as that stupid voice in her head was (that sounded way too much like Sora for her liking) it was usually always right. And right now, she was annoyed because she was practically seeing a reflection of her old self, her old life.
Not for the first time since she'd been back, she was pointedly reminded that things had been considerably easier while she was away.
She loved being home and there were things about it she knew that were irreplaceable, but it didn't erase the complications either.
"So listen, I wanted to have a quick one on one with you. Just so things aren't awkward since our lives seem to be intertwining rather quickly."
And here it was, the conversation she had been dreading for the last week and a half.
She would give anything to fast forward through this part of the night.
Catherine came back with her drink just in time and Mimi took a long sip as she waited for Zoe to start.
"I know a party is hardly the place to have this convo, but I mean I don't think I'd be able to bring it up if I wasn't a little buzzed. You kind of intimidate me, Mimi." She confessed.
And the brunette nearly spit out her drink. "Me?" She nearly yelled in shock. "I initimdate you?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Zoe looked at her through confused blue eyes, "Well…yeah." She said, as if it were entirely obvious. "I mean, you're gorgeous. You're a natural talent when it comes to just about everything. You've got basically every guy trailing behind you like a lost puppy. You're smart and have this tight group of friends that you've known since forever and let's face it, you know they're there for the right reasons." She stopped, her tone sounding a little wistful.
So Zoe was aware that her friends were the bought and sold kind…maybe the girl wasn't as oblivious as she seemed.
"I'll stop before this starts taking on a pseudo fatal attraction vibe." She laughed lightly. "My point is, you're a little unapproachable and I don't know, I thought we were becoming friends and I really liked that so I don't want to mess it up."
Mimi took another sip, "We're still friends, Zoe. It hasn't changed." Maybe the word was used loosely when applied here, but it wasn't entirely untrue either. She didn't hate the blonde, she just wasn't too sure about her still.
"I know, but I know you and Matt have like a thing. I mean, I'm not going to presume to know what that thing is but I also don't wanna step on your toes." She sighed. "I like him, I have since the second I met him, really. But whatever it is between us, it's never going to be what you guys have so I don't want to go there if it means ruining whatever potential we have to be friends."
Mimi wasn't sure how to feel about what Zoe had just said, on one hand it was sincere as far as she could tell, which was nice. But on the other, it was opening a box she could barely close to begin with and she wasn't ready for that mess just yet.
"Thanks…Zoe." She said after a few minutes of lengthy silence. "I appreciate your concern but Matt's a big boy, he makes his own decisions. I'm just his friend." She said it and didn't even bother trying to sound convincing.
No matter how hard she tried, it just sounded so hollow.
Zoe ran a hand over her hair, "Just as well, I just thought you should know." She shrugged. "So anyways, I heard you went on a date with my brother."
Mimi cleared her throat, "I uh, did. Yeah." She felt awkward, going from the subject of Matt to the subject of Ryo so quickly.
It felt wrong and weird.
"He didn't tell me. Our dad knows—
"The owner, I heard."
"Yeah, so my mom found out because she's the nosiest person ever and she told me. Her exact words were "Oh, Izumi! You won't believe what I heard, apparently your brother took some really pretty brunette to Uncle Seto's restaurant and it wasn't Taylor!" She put on a high pitched voice to imitate her mtoher's and it made Mimi laugh. "My mom was thrilled by the latter, by the way. She's not the biggest fan of Taylor." She winked.
"Well, how'd you figure it was me?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Because I know my brother, he's hellbent when he wants something. And right now, he's tunnel visioned on you."
Mimi nodded, "Are you going to give me a sister speech now?" She asked.
Zoe let out a giggle. "Yeah right!" She said, eyes shimmering with amusement. "It's Ryo, if anything I should probably be warning you—he's not much of a boyfriend." She said honestly.
"I'm not really looking for one, anyway."
Zoe nodded, "I mean, in all fairness—he might surprise you. But his track record isn't stellar." She mentioned. "But then, his on again/off again relationship was kind of toxic, so really it could go either way."
"Never become a lawyer, Z. You'd suck." Mimi chuckled.
"He's my brother, I don't wanna sabotage his chances. But I don't wanna lie to you either."
"Don't worry, I'm taking things as they come. No wedding bells anytime soon." She joked.
"Perfect. Just what I—
The sound of a throat clearing behind them stopped the blonde mid-speech.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to borrow Mimi for a minute, if that's alright with you."
And Mimi, who would know that voice like velvet anywhere, didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
Matt.
-x-
A/N: Hello and Happy Holidays! I hope you guys are all doing well and having a great holiday season with your loved ones. I'm sorry I took so long to update but I've been blocked lately, it's like I know how I want to tell this story but the words aren't coming together the way I want them to. Anyway, let me know if this chapter was any good! I love hearing from you guys!
References:
-Narisawa is an expensive restaurant in Minato, Tokyo that is often inhabited by celebrities and whatnot.
-The restaurant that Ryo took Mimi to was made up (that's why I didn't insert a name) and I modeled it after a pretty well know restaurant in New York called Tao (I'm pretty sure there's one in L.A, also) so if you were curious to see what I imagined the setting of the date to look like you can simply search up "Tao NYC" and you will be able to get a pretty decent idea.
-Rainbow Bridge, connects the Tokyo Bay area to Odaiba (from my understanding) and its name is rather self-explanatory—at night it's lit up different colors (sometimes imitating a rainbow) They do allow you to walk it, there's a northern and southern route but it is only during certain times (which I obviously didn't include in the chapter)
-If you ever read my story Polar Opposites, you might recall the "coat rack incident" that Ryo told Mimi about, LOL.
-The song I use at the end of the MimixRyo scene is: Yellow by Coldplay
-Xanax is an anti-anxiolytic which has a calming effect on the person taking it, usually.
On to the Thank You's!
Darkywitch: Thank you for the review, I'm so glad you're enjoying this story! It means a lot to me, It always means a lot to me when someone stumbles upon my work and loves it, I really appreciate you taking the time out to read and review! Haha, if you like the RyoxMimi pairing then maybe you'll especially appreciate the beginning of this chapter ;) And I understood you perfectly, please don't feel conscious about your English Thank you for the review, hope to hear from you soon!
Angelxchild: First, thank you for always reading and supporting my work, it means so much! I'm glad you liked the Tai/Mimi interactions, I love writing them—I just love writing Tai in general. There wasn't much Michi here, but it was meant to be a bit more Matt oriented than the last couple of chapters have been. Once I have a few more deleted scenes compiled, I'll definitely figure out how I want to post them—I might just wait until this story is over…let's see LOL. Thank you for the review and for reading and I certainly hope to hear from you soon!
Scripturiens: Thank you so much for reviewing! I always love hearing your thoughts on my chapters so I really appreciate you taking the time out to share them with me I agree with you about the liberties I took with Mimi and it definitely was unfair for her to take all the anger out on Zoe but I feel like it's the knee jerk reaction most people have when they see something like that. LOL, your 'aggressively ship them' line literally made me laugh out loud! I literally STRUGGLE with not turning all my stories into one big Mimato-Michi love triangle, I have to physically stop myself. I'm actually really happy to be getting such a positive response for Ryo, I wanted to avoid making him into the typical 'Michael archetype' character as the other guy, so I'm relieved to hear he's likeable. Haha, there is of course going to be a lot more Mimato angst to come, because it wouldn't be me if I didn't make them jump through a hoop or two or twenty :P Ah, the phone call—so it was a last minute addition when I removed something else and I kind of was trying to convey that his concern for her trumps everything else, that sort of thing. Like kind of that their friendship, at the end of the day, is still something they come back to automatically when something is wrong. I guess it didn't translate that way but that's what I was hoping to get across. Thank you for the review and I do hope you update TBHW before I finish reading it because I don't think I'd be able to wait six MORE months for an update—I will start hounding you LOL. Thank you for the review and for the congratulations! Hope to hear from you soon.
Angelic Moonlight: Thank you so much for the review and for reading, I always look forward to hearing what you think! Haha, I love writing sassy Mimi and after the stunt Taylor, she just had to! Haha, like I was saying before I literally have to stop myself from turning the Michi friendship into romance because I love the two of them so much, but I ship mimato too firmly to ever make them endgame LOL. Well, there was no Yama/Zoe interaction in this chapter but maybe in the next one ;) and as for Sora, well—I think her reappearance was welcome then. Thank you for the review and reading and always supporting my work, I hope to hear from you soon! Happy holidays!
Supernaturalfan17980: Thank you for the review and continued support! I hope this chapter finds you well and that I'll hear from you soon!
Silentuser: Wow, thank you for all those compliments—I'M BLUSHING. Those were some really nice, really extravagant words, I just hope I can live up to them! Chapter Eleven was actually my favorite to write so far, I can't even lie—I loved the way it had come together. Aww, I'm so glad you're liking Ryo he's kind of like an experiment for me so I'm glad it's turning out good so far LOL. I love writing Tai, he's my favorite. While I'm all Mimato, always and forever, Tai is my favorite character by far (if that makes any sense) The Mimi-Sora convo at the end worked out rather well for another last minute addition to the chapter, I did like how it flowed once it was written, I'll admit. As for recommendations… I can give you a few off the top of my head, some of them are older stories, I'm not sure if you've read them or not but these are all really good Mimato/Digi stories in my opinion (in no particular order)
1. The Maiden: SincereFriendship
2. Project Babysitting: ThisLittleLady (formerly PaochiCute—all her work is phenomenal)
3. Secrets In a Big Red Bow: Emerald Kisses
4. Stranded With Your Ex: Mrs-Ishida-To-You
5. Paradigm Shift: Squit Ayumin
6. The Battle Hymn and Waltz: Scripturiens
Hope this helps! Thank you for reviewing and reading, I hope to hear from you soon!
Guest: Thank you for reading and reviewing, and for your kind information I do review whatever I read.
Thank you to all of you who read and all my reviewers, you're amazing! You keep me going and keep this fandom alive! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holidays!
Til next time!