Disclaimer: Standard applies here.

Chapter 7: The letter

(Izumi's pov)

I woke up feeling refreshed and for a few minutes I forgot all about the day before until I realized where I was. In an instant all of it came back to me. Sighing wearily, I stepped into the bathroom to change. On my way, I noticed that Kouji was already downstairs. He also had taken the liberty to carry mystuff up and put them right next to the bathroom door. "Another day, another problem." I said out loud. 'Come on Izumi, cheer up. You've got Kouji to help you out.' my mind said reassuringly. I guess that was true.

(Kouji's p.o.v.)

The table was set. I had been up for an hour cooking breakfast. In that time I got to think about last night. 'Maybe I was dreaming.' I kept on repeating that in my head but every time something got in the way and forced me to face the facts. I never dream about anyone except my family and sometimes the entire gang, but not one of them only. Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. It was Izumi.

"Good morning!" she said cheerfully.

"Uh... You seem happy even though..." I cut myself off just in time.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I should be sad but for some reason, I'm not really depressed. Sure, it's kind of hard to lose your lover but I think being friends is enough. I found out Takuya wasn't the one. That bummed me out but I'll live," she replied sincerely. "Hey, I saw the mailman come here. I'll get the mail then." In a second she was out the door.

"Weird girl." I said.

It was like only a second passed before she came back with an envelope. "Here you go."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Like I said I"m not here to be a bother." Ignoring her remark, I tore the envelope open and pulled out a letter and two restaurant tickets. "Ah... Wha- What does it say?" she asked in a wavering voice. I looked up strangely at her and then remembered how the big mess started.

"Oh, um... It's just a business letter." I read it out loud.

Dear Minamoto,

In celebration, please join the company in Shibuya at the Evening Star restaurant on October 18th at 5:00 pm. Dress formally and bring a guest. Two tickets have been enclosed. The address should be printed on both of them. Show them to the front man when you get there.

Sincerely,

Kentaro Matsuura

President

"A business dinner... Wow, I've always wanted to dress up and dine in an expensive restaurant. My family never had time to do that when I was little. I wonder how it feels to wear really formal clothing," she said dreamily. For a second she sounded like a kid talking about her dreams. 'Kouji, you idiot! Can't you take a hint?' my conscience yelled.

"Wou-would you like to be my guest? You don't have to if you're not up for it," I asked, avoiding eye contact.

Her eyes sparkled. "Really? I'd love to go!" I felt happy and content watching her jump for joy and then running up to hug me. 'Oh man, here comes the blushing.' And it came.

October 18th is tomorrow. That gives me enough time to find my old tuxedo. It used to belong to dad but he passed it on to me when he died. We finished our breakfast with a light conversation. "Wow, this is really good." she said swallowing another bite of her pancake. I inched my mouth into a small smile. Izumi smiled back and then got up to wash her plate. "So what are you going to wear? I bet you have a tuxedo stashed away somewhere."

"How did you know that?" I asked curiously.

"Every guy has a tuxedo. Call me old fashioned but I have a dress that's lasted me 2 years. I haven't worn it once."

"Oh. I still have my dad's old tux." I said pathetically.

"Great! You can wear that." she replied with a lot of enthusiasm. 'Weird girl, weird, weird, weird...'

We spent most of the day preparing for the dinner. I was searching inside my closet when I heard the phone ring. I expected to see Izumi dash for it and I was right. 'Why does she think she's a bother? I get annoyed easily but she's a friend,' I thought. I guess it was either because she was too polite or just weird. I'll stick with both.

(Izumi's p.o.v.)

Izumi: Hello?

Kouichi: Hello? Is Kouji there? Who is this?

Izumi: Kouichi? It's me, silly.

Kouichi: Izumi? What are you doing over there? What happened?

Izumi: It's a long story. What are you calling for? Do you want to speak to Kouji?

Kouichi: Yeah. Is he home?

Izumi: Where else would he be? I'll get him. Wait.

I raced up the stairs and gave the phone to Kouji. "It's Kouichi." He took it immediately while giving me a hint to go somewhere else. I decided to keep on looking for my old dress. As I walked out I shut the door. I know how much privacy that guy needs.

(Kouji's p.o.v.)

Kouji: Kouichi? What's up?

Kouichi: Nothing much. I just called to check up on you. Why is Izumi over at your house? I thought she was living with Takuya? Did something happen between them?

Kouji: Yeah. Takuya was screwing around with another woman. Izumi found out yesterday morning. Now she can't go back to Takuya 'cause it would be too awkward.

Kouichi: So you let her stay with you?

Kouji: No, she asked me.

Kouichi: Right. Anyway I'm kind of surprised. Izumi didn't sound depressed when she talked to me.

Kouji: Oh, yeah I can't quite get that either. She's all normal. All along she's been saying how it would be okay if Takuya and her could just be friends. Now it's like that's enough to make her happy. She is so weird.

Kouichi: Or too sweet, wouldn't you say so?

Kouji: Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

Kouichi: Take a hint Kouji. If she's being this polite then something's up. I've got to go now. Bye.

Kouji: Bye.

I hung up the phone and continued to dig in my closet. The tuxedo was just hanging in the far side. It looked okay. I tried it on. The door behind me opened up. "Sorry Kouji, I just need to... Wow! That looks pretty good on you," Izumi said. I blushed again.

"Uh, thanks. Did you find your dress?" I asked looking at her empty hands.

"Yeah. I just need a full length mirror. The one in the bathroom is too short." I quickly pointed to the mirror next to the closet. "Great. I'll try my dress on later," she said while closing the door. I guess we're all set. Oh man, how am I supposed to act around her and everyone else tomorrow?

End of chapter 7

AznGurl: I'm trying to integrate all the characters in here but it's just too hard to fit them all in. I've got enough trouble trying to write a good scene between Kouji and Izumi whenever they talk. One chapter left. Will their (romantic) dinner turn out to be a disaster? I hope not. Ciao!