Disclaimer: Just read on. I don't have to say something 9 times to keep me from getting sued. But if I did have to, here goes: I don't own Digimon.
Big note: I hope all of you have enjoyed reading this fic. If you reviewed for any chapter, thanx. Just to clear things up, the title "Crazy In Love" is not from Beyonce's album! It's a line that kind of describes how Izumi is feeling. Anyway, the titles of my chapters are quite unique, don't you think? This chapter's title is like a metaphor (It is the only metaphor of all my titles.) So... oh yeah, evening rose can translate to late love (Not elderly love, just late love. ) Evening late Rose love. I'll describe this more after the chappie ends, so not to spoil anything. If you feel like finding out the ending to my fic then read on!
Azn Gurl
Chapter 8: A night out: the Evening Rose
(Kouji's p.o.v.)
I was done. My tuxedo was washed and ironed yesterday and now it's all clean. I ruffledthe inner white, flannel shirt at the neck. I didn't want to look like a neat freak. My tie swept back to it's original spot, covering up the messy waves I made. I checked the hallway mirror again only to find my tie loosening up. I admit, I'm not really good with ties. "Here, let me get that."
I turned around and saw Izumi walking down the stairs. She looked pretty good. Her dress was rose red and she had her hair up in a french twist with some loose strands in the front. I noticed that her lips were colored light red. She usually never wears lip stick though. This must be more important to her than I think. 'What if she put that on for me? Is she trying to impress me?' I thought.
"You look great," I blurted out shyly.
Izumibeamed. "Thanks. You do too, just as soon as that tie gets fixed up." She reached out and instantly got it to stay on correctly. "There." Her fingers let go so gracefully.
"How do you know how to tie a tie so good?" I asked.
She looked at me wistfullly. "My dad was always going on business trips. Since my mom was busy working, I had to get him all prepared. Sometimes I felt as if I was the parent and he was the child until he left."
"Are you all set?"
"Yep. Let's go."
(Izumi's p.o.v.)
I brushed my silk dress down and placed my arm through Kouji's. We walked up the stairs to the entrance. Again, I felt a spark. I guess he felt it too because at that moment his arm jerked. We didn't have much time to get embarrassed over it when a front man with a french accent interrupted. "Good evening. Do you have a reservation?"
"No, we're here with Kentaro Matsuura's party," Kouji replied.
"Do you have your tickets?" I reached into my red purse and gave them to him.
"Right this way," the man said with his forearm placed out neatly, as if he'd practiced the move hundreds of times.
He lead us through the crowded restaurant. I followed slowly, taking time to melt this scene into my head. The whole place was lit up by halogen lights, candles, and a giant, glass chandelier. It sparkled brilliantly. The Evening Star looked more like a room from a mansion than a regular dining place.
There was a red carpet rolling away from me and up a large porcelain-looking stair case at the end of the room. Where the stairs ended two more began on each side. They both connected to a landing with a floor to ceiling window and a really huge balcony. To my left and right were many tables and people. "Oh, Kouji! This place is so beautiful. I'm so happy," I said to him. He smiled back at me with the same charm as when he smiled before in the park. Now I really felt like a princess in a magnificent castle with a charming prince.
"Right up here on the balcony," the front man said while pointing up the stairs. Kouji held out his hand for me. His face was tinted red but he looked into my eyes with a lot of confidence. I placed my hand in his and together we made our way up. The balcony was full of people in formal wear.
Another manstepped up to meet us. He had a black tuxedo on and blond hair. "Kouji! Glad you could make it. Is she your guest?" he asked.
"Yes. Kentaro meet Izumi. She's one of my closest friends. Izumi this is Kentaro Matsuura," Kouji introduced.
"Nice to meet you," I said.
"Well, you'd better get to your table we've reserved. It's over there near the railing." Kouji lightly pushed me forward.
"Kouji? I thought he was the president. How come you two act so informal around each other?" I whispered.
"He's my boss but we've actually known each other before he hired me. Kentaro is thefather of one of my classmates in high school," he replied. We reached this beautifully arranged table. It was set slightly apart from the other guests. Kouji pulled my chair out for me. He was being such a gentleman. I never thought I'd see the day. Inside I was kind of happy to know he had a proper side.
(Kouji's p.o.v.)
It was so nerve-racking right now. Kouichi had called me again before we left. He said be a gentlemen. I have no idea how to. So for half an hour he taught me everything.
Flashback
Kouichi: So pull out her chair, okay?
Kouji: Yeah, so how do you know all this stuff?
Kouichi: You don't think I spent all those years alone with mom doing nothing, do you? There wasn't really any male influence so that gave her plenty of time to teach me all this manner stuff.
Kouji: Oh. That makes you... a woman.
Kouichi: What? Take that back!
Kouji: Just kidding.
Kouichi: You'd better be little brother. Anyway have a good time. See ya.
Kouji: Bye.
End of flashback
If it weren't for the modern jazzy music or the mindless conversations everywhere, I would be extremely nervous. Izumi wasn't talking and I wasn't either although she did look like she was planning to say something. Before things got too weird the waiter walked up to us. "Good evening Minamoto," he said eyeing my place card, "What would you like?"
"I would like the Chirashi-Zushi."
"Good choice. What would you like ma'am?"
"I'd like the Maki-Zushi," Izumi said.With that the waiter bowed and quickly swept away to another table carrying his tiny notepad. "So, you like sushi too?" she asked, obviously trying to start a conversation.
"Uh, yeah." I replied.
Within a few minutes ,our food and a wine bottle were served (Thank God). I carefully picked up the top pieces individually along with a small pile of rice. Kouichi's words echoed in my head, "Rule# 3: smaller equals better." 'That know it all Kouichi.' I said to myself. 'There's always a-'
"Know it all? Kouichi? What's that supposed to mean?" Izumi asked. A little horrified, I realized that I was saying my thoughts out loud.
"N-nothing," I stammered.
"Really. Are you jealous that Kouichi is so smart?" she teased.
"No. He's only smart when it comes to manners."
Izumiburst into small laughter. "Sure, and you're the king of emotion," she said sarcastically between laughs.
"Why you-"
"Chill out, Kouji. I'm just kidding. But it is funny," she interrupted. Then I realized how right Izumi was. I was being too serious about this. When she stopped laughing, she noticed the smile plastered over my face. I had actually wanted to smile though. "Sorry." She sighed and said, "I haven't been this happy in a long time. You kind of made me forget about what's been going on." I stuttered a quick thank you.
We finished our meals and sat back to enjoy things. Izumi sipped her wine lightly while looking around. Everyone was also done eating. Noticing this, Kentaro decided to perform a toast. "Isn't it a little late for that?" one employee stated.
"Yes, but it's better to have one late then to leave it out completely. I forgot about it because of some distractions," he said glaring at a parking service man.
"... And so may this company be blessed with many customers and thrive for many generations." Everyone clanged their cups against one anothers. Izumi held out her's but she kept it close to her body. "Kouji, to a wonderful night out," she said. I nodded and lifted my cup out to let it gently clink against her's.
(Izumi's p.o.v.)
The evening passed by quickly. Soon the moon was out and shining brightly. It created a pale glow but the warmth of the candles rivaled it. I got out of my chair and walked to the marble railing. I looked down onto the garden. Kouji followed me. We stood shoulder to shoulder.
It was a while until one of us spoke up. "How do you feel about all this?" he asked.
"What, the restaurant?" The restaurant was fabulous.
"No, about you and Takuya and me. Isn't it weird to be hanging around with me in a time like this?" I caught on to what he meant.
"Of course not. I'm just weird when it comes to heart break. It's crazy. I'm in love one day and not the next." He nodded in sympathy.
"Anyway, tonight has been so great," I said as I turned to face him.
"It sure was."
"I never thought I'd be at a place like this. Thanks for letting me come with you." He smiled. This time it was a very bright and sincere smile. What happened to me then I'm not sure of but I had to hug him. He didn't pull away but hugged me right back. That moment I felt so peaceful. I know he did too.
"Today I actually got a chance to escape normal life. It's because of you," I said.
"I- I'm glad to help out. Come on, let's go home." He boldly wrapped his arm around my waist as we exited. I don't know what's going to happen or if things will get worse from now on but I do know that I can count on Kouji, one cool and sweet guy. My friendship with him is so much closer than before and maybe we could become more than that. He might be the one for me. I hope we can always be there for each other.
This life I treasure
I never want to leave it
Even if I should die today
I'm thankful for all those memories
Into the future we go
To share more time together
What comes will come
I'll welcome it with open arms
For I have something I can trust:
Forever into eternity,
Your love is my heart's shield.
08/09/03
(Date of completion)
End of Crazy In Love
Azn Gurl: And that's the ending! I knew this chapter would be long. Actually all my chapters are quite long when you think about it. Most people have each line separated by a few spaces but mine are grouped in paragraphs. By the way my first chapters were not all written in one day. I waited until I was almost done before I posted this fic. I can't believe I wrote this! It all started as something I did in my free time but I started devoting more and more to this. I say the end product is pretty good, don't you think? I just love the ending. It's so beautiful. The poem at the end was by me. It's kind of in Izumi's p.o.v. Should I spoil such a great ending with a sequal? Nah. I'll leave them the way they are. Even though they're not so in love right now it's ideal for them to be close friends first. They'll eventually fall for each other but I'll leave that up to your imagination. I skimped on the details of most things like Izumi's dress or Kouji's tux because it's important to let readers develop their own ideas.
Oh yeah, that evening rose thingy. If you compare how long it takes to fall in love to how long it took Izumi and Kouji to notice each other you'll see what I mean. Usually people with feelings for each other take a few months or years to fall in love. Izumi and Kouji took 8 years. Kind of late, ne?
Chirashi-Zushi- a scattered form of sushi. It's served in a bowl. Fish and vegetables are layered on rice. Maki-Zushi- your traditional sushi. It's served in nori (fried seaweed.) Rice and other ingredients are rolled up inside.