Wednesday Morning
"Wait, say that again, you two are going out?" Kaoru asked in shock. "Yes I`m going out with Umehara" Keiko said slowly. "That`s great, though what are you going to do about his obsession with magazines?" Kaoru asked. "It`s not really an issue with me as long as he doesn`t bring it to school," said Keiko. "Wow Umehara got lucky that he found a girl that will actually put up with his porn magazines," said Kaoru. "Don`t get me wrong, I`m not saying that I fully tolerate him with the magazines, it`s just normal for guys like him to have some," said Keiko. "Spoken like a good girlfriend," Kaoru thought.
Meanwhile
"Congrats, you finally got a girlfriend," said Junichi as the two celebrated. "Yeah I finally did it," said Umehara as the two high-fived." By the way Umehara, you`re entering the Best Couple Contest?" Junichi asked Umehara. "Yeah, why not?" Umehara replied. "Just one problem, the contest requires you to have a second person and you didn`t ask her?" Junichi asked. "Oh that`s right, I must have expected that I was going to go alone this year as I would have in previous years, I forgot to ask her," said Umehara to which the classroom door opened.
"That`s where Keiko comes in," Kaoru said as she butted into the conversation with Keiko with her coming along. "Kaoru?!, what are you saying? I`m not really good with crowds" Keiko said anxiously. "Oh come on, you could help Umehara out, we don`t want him going with just a prop now would we?" said Kaoru. "I guess, alright I`ll help you out, but this technically doesn`t count as a date," said Keiko. "Fine by me, look forward to working with you," said Umehara as they shook hands.
Later
"So since you`re entering the contest what are we going as?" Keiko asked Umehara as they were moving some boxes as the Founders Festival was nearing. "Well I was going to just go with a fish prop and wear a fisherman costume, but since you`re here I think we need to change things up to make it more couple themed," said Umehara. "Just don`t make me dress in something revealing," said Keiko to which Umehara chuckled a little.
"That should be the last of the boxes they need," said Umehara as they put the last few boxes where they needed to be. "Ah Umehara, Tanaka-san, thank you so much for your help," said Tsukasa as she approached them. "No problem, we couldn`t let you handle the boxes all by yourself, right Keiko?" said Umehara to which Keiko nodded. "You two have done enough, I heard you guys were going to compete in the Best Couple Contest," said Tsukasa as she looked at her clipboard.
"Yeah and we`re going to win it now that I have Keiko," said Umehara to which Keiko couldn`t help but blush. "Ah I see, it`s getting late, thank you for your help, but we`ll take it from here," said Tsukasa. "All right, don`t work so hard," said Umehara as he and Keiko excused themselves. "Hey wanna get a bite at my place? It`s on me tonight," said Umehara as the two walked outside, "Sure if you`re treating," said Keiko.
Masayoshi Sushi Restaraunt
"So what do you think about this?" Umehara asked as they were discussing what costume they felt would be the best while having dinner. "I don`t know it seems too revealing" Keiko replied as she thought wearing a mermaid outfit would be too revealing. I kinda want to go with something matching like your costume" said Keiko as she picked at her food.
"Hmm, what would match my outfit, oh what about a kimono?" Umehara asked. "I think that could work, it`s better than going as a mermaid," said Keiko. "Now that`s been settled, we gotta find that fits your size," said Umehara to which Keiko pinched his cheek. "Don`t you know not to talk about a woman`s size?" Keiko asked to which Ken came by their table and put some drinks on the table.
"You two lovebirds going at it again?" Ken asked. "Yeah, we`re trying to win a couples contest" Umehara replied as he took the drink from the tray. "Well good luck you two," said Ken as he walked back into the kitchen. "Family member of yours?" Keiko asked, "No, he`s just a good friend of my dad" Umehara replied. "Speaking of which, you said you were treating me tonight right?" said Keiko. "Yeah I said that," said Umehara. "In that case, waiter give me another order of an eel roll," said Keiko as she motioned for a waiter to which Umehara sighed as maybe that wasn`t the greatest idea. "Oh come on lighten up, I`ll share of it with you," said Keiko to which Umehara chuckled as the night progressed.
Day of the Founder Festival
"Wow look at this, Ayatsuji-san did a great job with the festival as usual," said Umehara as he took a bite of some yakisoba as he and Keiko were walking around the festival. "Ah Umehara-kun, Tanaka-san," said Tsukasa as she looked up from her clipboard as she approached them. "Ah Ayatsuji-san, working hard as usual?" Umehara asked. "Of course, oh the Best Couples Contest is starting soon, you two should get going," said Tsukasa. "Oh that`s right, we need to get changed," said Keiko to which the two headed towards the contest area. "Who would have expected those two to become a couple? I know I didn`t," Tsukasa thought as she went back to check the festival.
"Look at all the competitors," said Keiko as they were getting ready for the competition as the other teams were making preparations. "Wow, you two look great, almost like a true couple. I love your kimono" said Kaoru to which the two blushed. "She`s just joking with you, you two will do just fine," said Junichi as he gave Umehara a pat on the shoulder. "The competition is gonna start soon, good luck you two," said Junichi as he and Kaoru headed for the stands.
"Welcome to this year`s Best Couple Contest, this competition will be fierce, but how will come out in the end? Let`s introduce the competitors," said Tsukasa as she was the host for the competition. "Entry number 1: Haruka Morishima and Hibiki Tsukahara from class 3-A," Tsukasa said as the two came out with Haruka wearing a princess costume and Hibiki wearing a cowboy costume which the crowd cheered unsurprisingly as Haruka was one of the most popular girls in Kibtou.
"The next entry is Sae Nakata and Miya Tachibana from class 1-A," said Tsukasa as Sae walked out in a white wedding dress while Miya came out with a black suit. "Hold the phone, my sister is in this contest?" Junichi said in shock as his sister never told him about this. "I gotta say, she pulls off the suit look better than you," Kaoru said jokingly to which Junichi groaned.
"Let`s introduce the final team, Umehara Masayoshi and Keiko Tanaka from Class 2-A," said Tsukasa. "You ready?" Umehara asked Keiko as they were about to enter the stage. "Uh yes.." Keiko said nervously to which Umehara put out his hand. "It`s alright, we`re in this together," said Umehara as she took his hand and they walked up the stage with Umehara wearing a white fisherman costume while Keiko was wearing a white kimono to which the crowd cheered especially Junichi and Kaoru.
"Okay let`s do some Q&A, Umehara what do you like about your partner?" said Tsukasa. "Oh uh, she`s really pretty and she`s a great cook," Umehara said boldly to which Keiko blushed while the crowd celebrated and cheered seeing Umehara of all people get lucky. "What about you Tanaka-san?" Tsukasa asked as it was Keiko`s turn. "Oh uh, he`s really reliable and kind," said Keiko which earned some oohs and applause from the crowd. "With that we`ve seen all the teams, now the judges will decide who the winner is," said Tsukasa as the teams waited on the side of the stage for the results.
"The results are in, the winner of this contest is," Tsukasa said as the drumroll played in the background. "Haruka Morishima and Hibiki Tsukahara," said Tsukasa as the crowd cheered to which Umehara sighed as they walked up the stage. "In second place, Umehara Masayoshi and Keiko Tanaka," said Tsukasa as the two walked up the stage. "First prize wins tickets to a Yamaneko Restaurant and Second prize gets tickets to a private room at the movies, congratulations to the two teams," said Tsukasa as the contest ended.
"Congratulations you two," Umehara and Keiko said to Haruka and Hibiki after the contest was over. "Ah thank you, but in reality, I think you two should have won first place instead of us," said Hibiki. "I guess so, but it would have been nice to get the tickets to the restaurant though" Umehara sighed which gave Haruka an idea.
"Can we trade prizes?" Haruka asked as Tsukasa entered the room. "Well, there`s no rule that says that it isn`t allowed as long as both parties agree to it" Tsukasa explained. "Okay, do you two want to trade prizes?" Haruka asked. "Sure the restaurant sounds better don`t you think Keiko?" Umehara asked to which Keiko nodded, as the two groups agreed to swap their prizes. "Good luck you two," said as she waved back at them as the two walked away.
"Man we were so close to winning," Umehara said as they were enjoying the rest of the Founders Festival. "It`s alright, at least we got second place, I had a lot of fun," said Keiko to which Umehara blushed. "I`m glad you had fun," said Umehara to which a voice interrupted their conversation. "What? Umehara-Kun, you got a girlfriend? Not fair I want a boyfriend," said a drunk Takahashi-sensei as she clung onto Umehara. "Sensei?" Umehara said in confusion as his teacher of all people was clinging onto him to which he noticed that Keiko`s expression had changed,
"Oh, what might this be?" Keiko said with an innocent yet menacing smile. "Oh crap, she`s mad," Umehara thought. "This isn`t what it looks like," Umehara said trying to defend himself. "He`s right, Takahashi-sensei isn`t exactly in control of herself," said Manaka as she and Ruriko ran towards them. "I thought we were making sure that Takahashi-sensei didn`t drink too much amazake, who let her drink that much?!" Ruriko said in annoyance.
"She seemed insistent so I couldn`t refuse her," Rihoko said anxiously to which Ruriko sighed. "Anyways, let`s get her out of here before she causes any more trouble, alright let`s go," said Ruriko as she and Manaka dragged Takahashi-sensei away.
"Whew, thankfully it was just a misunderstanding," Umehara said to which Keiko turned to him. "Umehara, you can only look at me, no other girls okay?" said Keiko with a cheerful smile which caused Umehara to be flustered. "Man Keiko may be a shy and timid girl, but she can be assertive when it comes down to it," Umehara thought as they enjoyed the rest of the night.
Christmas Day
"Here I am, sorry I`m late," said Umehara as he panted out of breath as Keiko was waiting for him at the park. "It`s all right, you weren`t that late," said Keiko as she got up. "Shall we get going?" Keiko asked. "Sure let`s go," said Umehara as they held hands and walked. "So uh what we are doing today?" Keiko asked. "Since the restaurant reservation is at night why don`t we walk around and have some fun," said Umehara. "Sure let`s go to the mall," said Keiko. "Sure anything for you" Umehara replied. "I hope this works," Umehara thought as he looked at the tiny gift-wrapped box he had hidden in his pocket.
Flashback, a few weeks ago
"You`re going to do what?" Junichi shouted as they were in their classroom. "Shh, keep it down" Umehara pleaded. "I think it might be time to spring the question," said Umehara as he pulled out a silver ring. "Dude, are you sure about this? It`s a tall task and what if things don`t go as planned?" Junichi asked. "I have to do this, otherwise I`ll keep living with regret every time. Keiko means more to me than any girl I`ve ever been with," said Umehara as he clenched his fist in determination. "Listen dude, whatever happens, I`m right behind you, go for it," said Junichi. "Thanks Boss," said Umehara as the two high-fived.
Meanwhile on the other side
"You sure something like this is okay as a gift?" Keiko asked Kaoru as she felt that it was too little. "It`ll be fine, nothing gets to a boy`s heart better than a handmade gift," said Kaoru as Keiko has made the purple scarf herself. "By the way, since you two are a couple now, have you had your first kiss?" Kaoru asked to which Keiko blushed. "No, we haven`t gotten to that point" Keiko replied.
"Hmm, Christmas might be a perfect time to do that, it might be the best Christmas gift you can give him," said Kaoru to which Keiko turned even redder. "I just remembered I need to take care of something," said Keiko as she quickly walked away to which Kaoru sighed. "She`s nothing like the girl I knew months ago, she`s really become assertive," Kaoru thought.
Yamaneko Restaurant
"Ah welcome, we`ve been expecting you," said the greeter. "Yes for two," said Umehara as they presented their tickets. "Perfect, let me escort you to your room," said the greeter as he escorted them to a private room that the two would have. "Here you are, if you need anything, you let us know," said the greeter as he left the two alone. "Well I guess my first Christmas date has started," Umehara thought as he looked at the menu.
"Wow look at all this food, I`m gonna eat till I drop," said Umehara as the food arrived which was a fancy bento box with eel, fish, rice, karrage, pickled vegetables, and a side of yakisoba per Umehara`s request. "Slow down, here let me feed you," said Keiko as she picked up a piece of fish. "Say ahh," said Keiko as she brought the food up to Umehara. "Aah," said Umehara. "Wait did Keiko always have a nice body?" Umehara thought as he shifted his eyes to Keiko`s chest. "Where are your eyes looking?" Keiko asked as she noticed that Umehara eyes were looking somewhere else. "Oh uh sorry" said Umehara as Keiko fed him, "Geez, what am I going to do with you?" Keiko said with a smile.
"Now it`s your turn," said Keiko to which Umehara fed her a piece of eel in return. "Man this year went by so fast, just last year Kaoru was helping me confess and here I am," said Keiko as they did a toast with their drinks. "Yeah I thought I was going to spend Christmas alone, but here I am," said Umehara as he took a sip from his drink. "It`s a good thing I came along otherwise you might have drowned under those magazines," Keiko said jokingly to which Umehara sighed.
"I think you`re pretty than any of the girls in the magazines," Umehara said to which Keiko blushed. "Oh you," Keiko said as she playfully hit Umehara in the arm. "I wonder how Kaoru and Junichi are doing today?" said Keiko. "I`m sure they`re having fun with each other just like we are," said Umehara as the two enjoyed their night.
Afterwards
"That hit the spot didn`t it?" said Umehara as they stepped out of the restaurant. "Hey there`s a spot that I want to see, can we go and see it?" Keiko asked. "Sure where to?" Umehara asked to which Keiko took his hand. "I`ll take you there" said Keiko as the two walked to their destination. "Here we are," said Keiko as they came to a massive Christmas tree with the light shining bright. "Whoa it`s so beautiful," said Umehara as he looked around. "I wanted you to see this special sight," Keiko said with a cheerful smile to which Umehara realized he needed to say what he needed to.
"Keiko, before I met you, all I would do is just watch and read porn magazines. I was sure I was just going to be single the rest of my life, but then you gave me a chance when no other girl would and helped me realize that I don`t need magazines to be happy, you`re the light in my heart, Merry Christmas," said Umehara as he handed Keiko a small wrapped box.
"Oh uh thank you," Keiko said anxiously. "Go ahead open it," said Umehara to which Keiko pulled out a silver ring from the box. "Umehara, this is" Keiko started to say. "Consider it a gift from me, I also have one as well," said Umehara as he showed a silver ring on his right hand. "So is this a proposal?" Keiko asked much to the shock of Umehara. "Uh, I guess?" Umehara said as he rubbed the back of his head to which it was Keiko`s turn to say what she needed.
"Umehara, I used to be so shy around guys, but being around you, I`ve had more fun than I`ve ever had in high school, you may be someone who constantly enjoys those magazines and sometimes you tease me, but it doesn`t take away your good qualities from you," Keiko said back to Umehara to which he smiled back. "Here I got you something, it`s not much," said Keiko as she handed Umehara a gift-wrapped package which was a purple scarf. "I love it," said Umehara as he put the scarf on to which the two smiled.
"Listen after high school, I`m going to train to take over the family sushi restaurant so we might be apart for some time pursuing our goals," Umehara said as they were standing in front of the big Christmas tree. "And then what?" Keiko asked. "I was thinking once we`ve settled down, let`s get married, start a family together," said Umehara as he took Keiko`s hands as this was basically a real proposal. "It`s a promise," said Keiko as she smiled as the two kissed while the snow started to fall.
I Love You Azusa Intro starts to play showing the scenarios of the other characters on Christmas Day
7 years later
Masayoshi Sushi Restaraunt
"Hey Umehara, give me one of your signature sushi rolls," said Junichi as he stopped by on a busy night. "Coming right up," said a 25-year-old Umehara who was now the head chef of his family`s restaurant. "Working hard as usual huh?" Ken asked as he handed him some ingredients. "You know it," Umehara replied as he prepared the sushi roll. "Hey sorry I`m a bit late," said Kaoru as she stepped into the restaurant.
"It`s cool, she hasn`t come back yet, so how are things between you two?" Umehara asked. "Things are going well, we`re engaged now," said Junichi. "That`s great, when`s the wedding?" Umehara asked to which Ken put a plate of red snapper in front of the two. "Consider this on the house," said Ken to which the duo cheered as free food was always the best.
"Everything okay darling?" said a voice as the restaurant door opened. "Ah Keiko, how was the doctor`s visit?" said Umehara as Keiko entered the restaurant. "I have some news, I`m going to become a mother," said Keiko which shocked the three especially Umehara. "Congratulations," said Kaoru as she gave Keiko a hug. "That`s great news congratulations," said Junichi. "I`m so happy right now" Umehara as he cried happy tears while hugging Keiko. "There, there," said Keiko as she patted Umehara`s head.
"Oh my Tanaka-san, you`re pregnant?" one of the patrons asked. "Yes we`re expecting our first child soon," said Keiko. "Wow congrats on being a father Masayoshi-san," said a female patron to which they were congratulated by the other patrons. "What`s all this commotion?" Mrs. Masayoshi asked as she and her husband came down. "Mom, Dad, we`re having our first child soon, you`re going to be grandparents," said Umehara to which Mrs. Masayoshi hugged Keiko and Mr. Masayoshi congratulated Umehara. "Now this calls for a celebration, sake is half off tonight for everyone," said Mr. Masayoshi as everyone cheered and indulged in sake.
Later
"All right we`re done for the day," said Umehara as he took off his apron as the day was finished. "Honey I made you dinner, your favorite," said Keiko as there was a plate of curry and katsu to which Umehara smiled as he had gone from a boy who would read porn magazines and have no luck with the girls to a man who was now happily married with his high school sweetheart. "I`m going to be a father soon, I`m so happy," said Umehara as he put his ear next to Keiko`s belly. "Yes, soon we`ll all be one happy family, I hope it`s a girl," said Keiko to which Umehara laughed as the two leaned in for a kiss.
The scene closes with a picture of Umehara and Keiko on their wedding day.
And that`s all folks, hope you enjoyed this story, I think Umehara deserved something in the show and the only girl that I thought fit this story was Keiko as in the show they had some albeit a little chemistry with each other, hopefully I didn`t make Umehara too OOC.
Feel free to leave a review on what you thought of the chapter.
Let me know which anime couples I should try to write about, work on The Secretary and Treasurer will resume shortly.
