Chapter 2

Ichigo´s happiness

«Ichigo… I love you more than I´ll ever be able to love anyone. I wish to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me ?

«Masaya… this… this is the happiest moment of my life !

«Ichigo…

« Ichigo ! » shouted Ryou.

The young woman gave a start and turned around, to meet Ryou´s exasperated eyes. She felt her cheeks turn strawberry red and giggled nervously.

« Ano… I did it again ?

« Again, Ichigo-san, Keiichiro nodded.

« Listen, Ichigo, you have plently of time daydreaming about your fiance when you´re not working ! Ryou exclaimed. Right now, you´re at the Café and costumers are waiting for you to take their order ! You heard me ? »

Before she could say yes, he put forcefully a piece of pie in her hands and pointed to th e nearest table.

« This couple asked for apple pie. Get to work now ! »

Then he left her stranded on her chair and rushed inside the kitchen. Ichigo did her best to hide her blush and went to table seven to give the pie. Keiichiro gave her his « sorry smile » and followed Ryou.

« Ichigo onee-chan ! »

Ichigo turned back to see Purin pass the Café doors, breathing heavily, her fair hair in a terrible mess. Costumers stared at her in amusement while she was getting to her friend. Obviously, she had run like crazy to arrive there in time.

« I´m sorry I´m late ! Heicha lost one of her books this morning and we messed up the all house to find it, Purin said very fast.

« That´s okay, Purin-chan. We don´t have a lot of clients today, Ichigo reassured her with a smile.

« Ichigo-san ! » said a voice behind them.

Retasu had left the kitchen with a lemon cake and was heading towards the two girls. She smiled when she saw her younger friend.

« Purin-san ! You finally arrived !

« And I´m ready to help, Retasu onee-chan ! Let me take your cake for you !

« I can do it, don´t worry…

« I insist ! »

Purin took the pastry from the green-haired Mew´s hands and exclaimed :

« Who ordered a lemon cake, ladies and gentlemen ?

« Over here ! »

While she was giving the cake to the client, Retasu gave Ichigo an amused look.

« I heard you were a little… distracted today. Once again.

« Well, I have an excellent reason, right ? I´m getting married to Masaya in three days ! »

Her eyes were sparkling with happiness. Retasu hid a laugh.

« Sure, but you know Shirogane-san is a bit… in a bad mood these days, so you should try not to irritate him.

« Oh ! He´s so irritating himself, Ichigo growled. But I don´t care ! I´m getting married, I´m getting married…

« ICHIGO ! yelled Ryou from the kitchen.

« Got it, Mister Bossy ! »

She went to answer a costumer´s demand. Retasu shook her head with a tender look. She was pleased to see her friend so happy.

It had been six years since the aliens left. And four years since they defeated the Saint Rose Crusaders. But they were the last ennemies they had to face. The Earth was safe now and Ryou and Keiichiro had announced to their girls that the Mew mews were officially out of business… since there weren´t any threats to the planet anymore.

Things had changed a lot. Café Mew mew was now a normal Café. Keiichiro was still the pastrycook and the costumers were numerous, of course. Ichigo, Retasu and Purin were still working as waitresses, remembering the good times they had spent there. But Minto and Zakuro had quit. Minto was now focusing on her ballet performances. She was eighteen and her parents were starting to arrange dates for her with rich heirs, hoping to find her a proper husband. She was so busy, her friends didn´t have the opportunity to spend time with her for a long period. Zakuro, who was twenty-one, was currently in China, to develop her actress carreer. She had appeared in several Japanese movies and became even more famous. She was currently shooting a Chinese drama in Shangai. She hadn´t change much, except that she was more gorgeous, of course. She phoned her friends at least once a week, and even if she didn´t said much to them, her voice was warm and friendly.

Purin had really grown up. She was now fourteen. She was way taller and really beautiful. Her hair was longer and now she was wearing it in a simple braid. She was more mature too : she had quit saying ''na do da'' a long time ago, and, even though she was still cheerful and funny, she was also more discreet. And sometimes, she was looking so lonely… a lot of boys found her attractive, but she didn´t want to be with any of them. The Mews knew that she was missing Taruto. Her Taru-taru.

Retasu knew very well what she was going through. Because she was missing Pai. Ever since he left to his home planet, she had been watching the stars every night, hoping to see him again… but it never happened. She was twenty now, and had become even more beautiful too. She´d got rid of her glasses and cut her hair to her shoulders : she was having a great impression on other male students at the university – she was currently studying oceanography. But she never accepted to go out with one of them. None of them was Pai. Purin felt exactly the same way for Taruto. The two friends had got closer because of their lost loves, and were spending more time together.

Ichigo had never been happier in her whole life. She was as cheerful and playful as she was as a teenager, even though she was nineteen now. Her hair was longer and she was wearing it in a simple ponytail. Masaya had come back from England to study at the Tokyo University with her and their relationship had never gone so well. Especially now that he had propose to her ! Like she said, the wedding was set in three days and everyone was invited. She had already chose her dress, but kept it a secret from him : she wanted to impress him.

Ryou was still his usual self after all these years : he was twenty-three now. He had gave Ichigo up and was starting to see other girls. Right now, he wasn´t involved in any serious relationship, but at least he had stopped being depressed because of the Iriomote Wildcat. He was still teasing her – just for fun, but more gently now. Except some days where he was in a bad mood, like today. His mood was always unpredictable. As for Keiichiro, he was the same charming gentleman and excellent pastrycook.


At the end of the afternoon, the girls had finished their work. Purin was about to put the « Close » sign on the door when Masaya appeared in the alleyway.

« Are you closing already, Purin-chan ? he asked, quite surprised.

« Konnichiwa, Aoyama onii-chan ! You came to see Ichigo onee-chan ?

« Of course ! I would like to take her on a little cruise tonight… but don´t tell her, it´s a surprise. Our little secret, okay ? »

She smiled, a bit annoyed. Masaya was very nice, but since they weren´t really spending time together, and rarely seeing each other, he hadn´t noticed she wasn´t a little girl anymore.

« Sure, Aoyama onii-chan. She should get out any minute now…

« Konnichiwa, Masaya ! »

Ichigo had stepped out of the Café, a bright smile on her face. Masaya went to her and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

« Hello, my princess ! Are you ready ?

« We´re going somewhere tonight ?

« I´ve got a surprise for you.

« Oh, goody ! I love surprises ! Let´s go ! »

She turned to Purin and kissed her forehead.

« Good bye, Purin-chan !

« Have fun, Ichigo onee-chan. »

The couple left happily the Café. Purin watched them, pleased but sad at the same time. They loved each other so much…

Taru-taru…

She sighed and went back into the Café. Retasu was sitting on a chair, looking by the window. She turned back when she saw Purin and gave her a comforting smile.

« Retasu onee-chan, would you like to go walk with me ?

« Of course, Purin-san » she answered, showing no surprise.

And the two friends left silently the Café together.


Chapter 3 coming soon ( I hope ! ) Don´t forget to tell me what you think so far !