Japanese from this chapter:
Baka-- idiot
KISAMA-- you; it has a vulgar connotation, but it's 'you' nonetheless
2
TAMAO
The next morning started off like always, but after breakfast, Ryu and I left to go shopping. We went to Tokyo and hunted through the city all morning. Feeling hungry and a little dispirited at noon, we got some lunch. We talked about possibilities to give him, but everything just seemed too insignificant. So we walked around some more.
Finally, we decided to make him gifts. We saw a bakery and went in. Ryu bought chocolate, colorings, and molds to make special candies.
"That's a great idea, Ryu-sama," I told him as we walked down the street. "I wish I could think of something to make him."
Ryu wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry, Tamao. Something will show up." I smiled at him, glad we had each other's support.
A little while later, I spotted a fabric store. "Oh, Ryu-sama! Let's go in there!" He nodded, following me into the shop. I looked around, desperate to find something. Searching through patterns, I discovered a teddy bear packet. "What about this?" I asked Ryu.
"I think he'd like that. What fabric do you want?" We explored the fabrics, and I came up with a heart-covered one. Ryu smiled. "If he can't read 'love' from that, then he's hopeless." I purchased those, some stuffing, and buttons for the face. Then we got back on the bus and made our way home.
When we got back to the inn, the building was dark and quiet. Hao had cooked dinner, and there was some food waiting for us. While we ate, the grandfather clock in the den struck one. We looked at each other, surprised that it was so late. After eating, we slipped off to bed.
For the next few days we worked on Lyserg's presents. The night before his birthday, we showed each other the finished products.
Ryu had made hearts and other little shapes of the chocolate, in lots of different colors. They were adorable, and we each ate one, just to be sure they were good enough. I had never tasted better chocolate.
Ryu told me the bear was cute, with green eyes and a pink nose. I thanked him bashfully, and we wrapped the gifts.
The next morning, Ryu made Lyserg's birthday cake and made a note of what Lyserg wanted for dinner. The presents were set out, purposely taunting him. We had steak for dinner, something we only had when Lyserg or Chocolove, when he was there, were choosing dinner. After that, cake and ice cream were served. Everyone ate, chattering happily. Then it was time for presents.
We all gathered in the living room, Lyserg right in front of the pile of colorfully wrapped gifts. He took them, one by one, opening them excitedly. Ren and HoroHoro gave him some clothes, and he looked at them for a moment.
"Honestly," Ren sighed. "That cloak is, no offence intended, kind of tacky."
"Plaid is just out," HoroHoro said. Lyserg smiled and set them aside.
"Thank you," he said, reaching for Yoh and Anna's gift. He thanked them kindly, setting the CDs with the clothes. Hao and Pirika gave him some books, and he thanked them as well. Then he picked up Ryu's present.
Lyserg unwrapped the chocolates and looked at them for a moment, than smiled at him. "Thank you, Ryu," he murmured. Ryu smiled back, and I wondered if Lyserg would understand this time. He picked up mine and opened it. After staring for a second, he thanked me as well. He smiled around the circle and thanked everybody again. Everyone, I noticed, was waiting with baited breath.
"Well?" Hao asked impatiently. Lyserg blinked, as I realized that everyone else could tell how much Ryu and I liked Lyserg. Embarrassment would have set on my cheeks, but I was too eager to hear what Lyserg had to say.
"Well what?" Lyserg answered. Everyone fell over, except for Ryu and I, groaning loudly. "What?" Ryu and I had veins popping in our foreheads, coming to the conclusion that Lyserg was an idiot.
"You moron!" Pirika moaned.
"Baka!" Ren and HoroHoro shouted.
"What is the matter with you?" Hao demanded to know.
"Are you blind?" Anna shrieked.
"I mean, come on! Even I would've noticed that one!" Yoh moaned.
"What are you talking about?" Lyserg asked, confused. My eye began to twitch, as did Ryu's.
"Tamao, I think I'm sick of this game. How about you?" he asked.
"Oh yes, I don't think I can stand it a moment longer!" I ground through my teeth. We stood and took him by the arms.
"Huh?" Lyserg was still lost. We hauled him off to another room, prepared to give him an ultimatum. Pick now: Ryu, or Tamao?
"KISAMA!" we screeched in unison, dragging him into his bedroom.
"What?" Lyserg asked.
"IDIOT!" we screamed.
"What did I do?" he begged, tears in his eyes.
"FIGURE IT OUT!" I shouted.
"IT'S NOT THAT HARD!" Ryu added. Lyserg just stared at us. I was fighting a sudden urge to smack him up the head, knowing that that wouldn't help at all. We still had a tight hold on him, and Ryu let go. I pulled Lyserg closer to my face and glared at him.
"You're making us both very angry!" I snapped before throwing him to the ground.---
