Let's Play A Game
Dearest Kiyoni,
Let's play a little game, shall we? This game is a scavenger hunt, one that involves you spending the day pampering yourself in the city. Don't worry, you'll receive your clues during your journey. If you follow through, I'll be waiting for you with your prize. Best of luck and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.
"Suu'chi"
P.S. Your first clue involves getting your "crown" polished.
That was the note sent to her via text. Getting my "crown" polished? What does that mean? To help her out, Kurama sends Kiyoni a few of the selfies she sent him with the caption, "Different day, different crown". "Ohhh," now she gets it, "a hair appointment." Kurama only knows of one salon Kiyoni goes to. Off she goes.
Greetings from two of Kiyoni's go-to hairstylists welcome her, "Hello, Miss Kiyoni."
"Hi, guys. Shuichi has some plans for me later so he suggested I should get my 'crown' polished, if you know what I mean."
"Sure do. He booked the appointment ahead of time," announces the first stylist.
"We know just what to do with you," assures the other as they both lead Kiyoni to her seat.
About an hour later, Kiyoni leaves the salon with freshly coiffed and completely purple hair, "Why in the hell would he ask for this? I look like a walking anime girl." She reads the note she received from her stylists,
You're familiar with "The Emperor's New Clothes", right? I look forward to seeing the new outfit I picked out for you, "princess".
"Ooh, cosplay. I know where I'm going…" A trip to her favorite costume store is her next destination.
Once there, she's greeted by one of the store's cashiers, "Excuse me. Are you Miss Kiyoni?"
"Yes, hello," Kiyoni bows, "I was told by my boyfriend that he has an outfit for me?"
"Oh, yes. Right this way... We have three outfits, actually. It's up to you to choose which one."
Ooh, I hope it's that "Princess Jasmine" one I've been eyeing.
Kiyoni is led to the back of the store where there are three different costumes for her to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are either her style or the one she wants, "You have got to be kidding me!" Outfit number one is a frog costume, one similar to "Princess Tiana" from The Princess and the Frog. Outfit number two is a sumo suit complete with the top bun wig. The third outfit is a brightly colored clown costume, wig and squeaky red nose included.
"Your boyfriend thinks these three will do nicely for you," says the cashier.
"I don't believe this. You actually expect me to pick one of these outfits?"
"He said 'one', ma'am. He also said to wear it when you leave the store."
Kiyoni is about two seconds away from choking someone, "No, he did not." The cashier nods. Kiyoni looks at her choices, dumbfounded. You better have a good, and I mean 'good', explanation for this. Given that the clue mentioned "princess", Kiyoni goes with the frog costume, leaving the store in costume and with a crown on her "head".
As she rides the train home, she gets a few snickers and stares from other riders. At first, it ticks her off. However, this is Kurama we're talking about. Despite how he does things, getting a smile out of her has always been the goal. To think, he went through so much trouble just to get a sweet surprise out of it. Those thoughts turn her frown upside down.
A text comes in, clue number three,
New hair, new clothes. You're such a spoiled one, but you're worth it. I won't put you through any more turmoil. Your final clue and prize are waiting for you at home.
Thank the gods! I can get out of this stupid outfit. It's one more train stop before a short walk home. Fortunately, the neighborhood that she walks through isn't so populated during sundown.
When she arrives at the door, she finds one more note that reads,
I'm curious to know which costume you picked out. This door won't open unless you give me a clue. An…auditory…clue.
"Oh, no. You are not about to have me do this out here," Kiyoni declares loudly enough to catch Kurama's attention.
Meanwhile, Kurama places an ear on the door while holding it closed, "You've read the note, Kiyoni. I think you should do what it says."
I can't believe… Kiyoni follows through, "Ribbit…ribbit…" in the most sarcastic way she can think of.
Kurama looks through the keyhole to see Kiyoni's choice and silently laughs at what he sees, a royal frog with purple hair, "Oh, so you're a frog. Not bad. Unfortunately, you're not very convincing."
"Oh, come on! You really want me to go full out?"
"I do. Hops and all."
Kiyoni takes a few moments to hold in her growing frustration, "You know I can just unlock this door, right?"
"And run the risk of tearing it down while fighting over it? I rather not put up with the expense so, let's not."
"Ooooh…" Kiyoni relents, squatting down like a frog saying, "Ribbit…ribbit…ribbit, now will you open the damn door?!"
Kurama senses her anger and gives in, widening the door just enough for him to peep through, "Alright, alright. Game's over. Ready to see your prize?" Kiyoni nods. With the door fully open, she notices a romantic dinner for two sitting on a small table in between two futons. Items on the menu include mushroom stir-fry over rice and salmon croquettes. All surrounded by candlelight and romantic mood music in the background.
"Suu'chi…" Kiyoni is in awe, "you put this all together?"
"It didn't take much to figure out your schedule. I had to keep you out of the house to set it up."
"So the hair appointment and the trip to the costume place…?"
"That was…partly for my amusement," Kurama notices Kiyoni's new hair, "This color suits you."
Kiyoni gets bashful, "Um, thank you."
Kurama sits her down and feeds her a croquette, "Here. I cooked it using your recipe."
One bite in and, "Mm, not bad. I think you over did it a little bit on the relish but, not bad," Kiyoni says with a smile.
"So, how was the scavenger hunt?"
"Suu'chi, the next time you want to do something like that, pick better costumes."
Kurama laughs as he gets to his plate, "Duly noted. Let's eat."
