Konnichiwa minna!

Author's Note: The Author does not own Lovely Complex. The Anime belongs to Aya Nakahara-sensei. :D


CHAPTER 10: MOMENT OF TRUTH

The Fiancé's Side

"Okaa-san, is it necessary to dress up like this?" I asked my mother as I looked at the formal dress I'm wearing. It is like we are attending a big event. Takato was also uncomfortable in his tie and suit.

"This is necessary, my daughter, since we will meet your fiancée," she answered as she tried to pin my hair. She furnished my face with make-up and accessories. It was uncomfortable, to be beautiful to someone you don't know and YOU DON'T want to know. How I wish an alien invasion will happen in Osaka! Or a huge meteorite will strike now!

"Is everybody ready?" Otou-san appeared from the kitchen.

"Yes, Otou-san. My, you look so wonderful in your suit," my mother said in admiration. Honestly she looked like an in love high school student right now.

"Really? Don't make me flatter, mama." Wait, when did father call her 'mama'? Really..

"You are really handsome!" she exclaimed. Both were blushing like teenagers.

This is what I envisioned to have in the future. To be sweet and lovey-dovey to your husband even years have passed. These small things are what I want.

Sigh~ You act like that in front of me. Me, who are arranged to be married to a stranger!

Just think positively Risa! Everything will be alright!

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We stepped into an exclusive restaurant. Everybody in that place is rich and elegant. I felt I'm an outcast here. Is my fiancée's ( I hate to say it) family rich? Hmm. If they are rich, maybe marrying him is not bad at all, hehe (AN: Idiotic Risa XI).

"Here they are!" My father pointed at the corner. His friend saw us and he stood from his seat, welcoming us.

"My, my, Takashi-kun, Makiko-chan, glad to meet you again! Oh," he said facing me. I felt shivers down the spine went on me. "..is this your Risa? Wow, she is so beautiful!" he complimented.

"Gee, thank you, Sir." I said, embarrassed.

"Hora, hora, let's meet my family!"

As we reached their table, I observed each members. All of them have auburn-colored hairs. His wife is smiling at us, their daughter is smiling and waving at us. They acknowledged our presence and gave space to us. There is a young man facing against us. Hm? Is this my…er..fiancée? Er..

"Atsushi! Atsushi! Here they are! Greet them!" her sister said.

"A-cha-, eto.. Atsushi," his father corrected himself, "meet the Koizumi family.." he said happily. Hmm. Atsushi? Sounds familiar.

"Huh? Koizumi?" He clarified. Seems like his voice is familiar. He quickly turned his face to us and..

"YOU!" we both shouted, pointing at each other. It can't be!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Fiancée's Side

The events occurring did not sink into me. This 'fiancé' of mine felt the same. Our mouths still dropped open, but I was first who managed to speak.

"Y-you a-re m-my fiancé?" I gulped at the last word.

"Y-you a-are m-my fiancée?" she said dumbly.

"Oh. You know each other?" My father popped in.

"We a-are cl-classmates, Otou-san," I replied. This is not happening!

"Oh really? So, it will be easy for introductions then," Koizumi's mother said in relief.

"Oh! Oh! This means, if they know each other, then the engagement is a success!" My father concluded. Koizumi's father was also delighted, tapping my father's arm. My father did the same. I knew it! I had a bad feeling in this meeting! Since my father said it last week, I knew this will be a disaster!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"A-chan, Ma-chan, please come down here in the living room." My mother called us from the stairs. I packed my books in the bag, and proceeded to the living room. Hmm.. it's odd calling us after dinnertime. Is there something going on here? I sat beside my sis. I looked at my parents who were very serious yet excited somehow? Very suspicious.

My father cleared his throat first before speaking. "So, I guess we're all settled.. Eto.. A-chan, I told you and your Onee-chan during dinner that I met my very precious friends right?"

"Yeah, Otou-san." I simply answered, eating a potato chip prepared by my mom.

"Well, we talked about many things, including my promise we shared. You know, my friends are now happily married with two children, a male and a female" he grinned even wider upon saying this, "and since you are now single," I rose my eyebrow, "and I had a promise with them that we will become a family, and we found a very brilliant plan in fulfilling that promise," he utter these words slowly and with a tone like he is giving a hint. Well, I already get it. Realizing what he is trying to say, I stood up, almost choking because I shouted with food in my mouth.

"I'm marrying their daughter?!"

"My,my, Okaa-san, our son is intelligent. He already said what I am trying to say," he faced my mom, smiling. While my mom is nodding in agreement. "But, you are too advanced, my A-chan, what I'm trying to say is you'll be engaged, hehe.." my father laughed, "but since you suggested that, it'll be better."

"Na-ni?! You're wrong! I'm still not planning to be married this early!" I defended.

"It's not your getting married now. Of course, I want the both of you to finish your studies, to have a better future, you know what I'm saying. So in the future, I guess it's the best idea to marry, ne? Sounds like a good plan, right, my son?" he emphasized the preceding two words.

"But, Otou-san, Okaa-san, please reconsider your decision. I think it's not best idea to marry someone you don't know." I pointed out. My sister was trying to suppress her laugh. I glared at her. She really wanted to see me in trouble. Argh. So annoying. Witch.

"That's why we will meet their family next week," he said excitedly.

"Bu-but, Otou-san," I started another argument.

"That's my final decision, Atsushi Otani." He said in a very serious tone. I shivered. I knew if he called me like that, it means no more arguments, final is final. He might be small like me, like my family, but when he gets angry, he can be scary. I didn't argue anymore. I just nod.

My father's expression gradually changed into a kid expression. "Mama, our son agreed! I'm so excited! Please prepare for my suit for that day!"

I have a feeling this will be a disaster.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Still the fiancée's Side

I knew it! The disaster is her! The giantess!

"Otou-san, don't tell me, you arranged me to this living giantess," I pointed her. My family's faces were alarmed at 'giantess' remark.

"Shut up, microbe!" her family were alarmed as well. "I don't want to marry you, so shut up!" She said in disgust.

"I'm going to say the same, totem pole!"

"You are -aflghapwst-" her mother wrapped her hands to giantess' mouth to stop her from blabbering. My mother did as well to me.

"Hehehe.. that was a nice greeting ne? Let me talk to her." Koizumi's mother dragged the giantess away from our table. My mom do so as well.

"A-chan, what are you doing?" She said madly at me.

"Okaa-san, that Koizumi is an annoying classmate of mine! She laughed at my height! Is that what you want me to get closer to? No way! It's okay to arrange me to someone, but not her!"

"Please, A-chan, be good please. Your father looks forward on this dinner," she directed her face to my father, who I saw was extremely sad, I felt sad upon seeing him like that. "Please, be good just this time, okay? And it's bad to have a classmate be your enemy right?" my mother pleaded. I sighed and nodded, dejectedly. My mother smiled and thanked me. We returned to our tables, and Koizumi and her mom already sat. Koizumi looked defeat too. I guess we felt the same. I almost argue when they arranged me to seat beside Koizumi.

My father coughed before speaking. "Again, we apologized on my son's behavior earlier."

"Me too, I guess, Risa was just surprised."

"Let's dig in first!" Koizumi's mother said to brighten the atmosphere.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Omniscient Point of View

Uh-oh. The fiancée and fiancé felt enraged on their fate. Koizumi Risa stabbed the dish using her fork before munching it like a primitive amazon, while Otani Atsushi scooped the food like he's digging a grave before he eat it like a hungry wolf. Both are glaring at each other. Their parents were delighted of their reunion and on the fact that their children know each other. If they only knew..

The arranged couple sighed, knowing everything is messed up. Resigned, they decided to at least have a conversation. "Hey," Risa initiated. "Small world, huh? Our parents are bestfriends," she said, looking at the subject of their conversation.

"You're right. Who would imagine? At least, I'm not paired up by some random girl.." He trailed off. He don't want to make Koizumi think she is better than other girls.

"Likewise." She simply said while scratching her leg. Her clothing seems itchy.

"But," he cleared, "I don't agree of pairing up with you." He said pointing his spoon to her.

"Duh, do you think I like this? Hah! I feel like I will throw up.." she made a gesture. Otani gave her a sour look.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Thank you Takashi-kun, Makiko-chan for the great dinner!" Seichii-kun shook hands with his best friends. Takato gave a gesture of farewell to Atsushi and his sister. The siblings returned the same. Atsushi's mother bid farewell to the Koizumi family. "Hora, Atsushi, say goodbye to them," Seichii gave his son a push.

"Arigato for the dinner, Ojii-san, Obaa-san.." he bowed.

"Ara, ara. Don't call us like that. Since we are family and you and Risa are engaged.." the All Hanshin Kyojin shivered, "..call us Otou-san and Okaa-san!" Takashi Koizumi chirped.

"Ehrm.. Thanks for the dinner.." he gulped before he speak again, "Oo-otou-ssann, Ookk-aa-ssaann.." he bowed awkwardly.

"Ne, Risa, say something to them!" Makiko Koizumi said.

"Arigatou too, uhm.." she glanced at her father who mouthed 'Otou-san' and 'Okaa-san', ".. Otou-ssan, Ookk-aa-san." She bowed as well.

"Goodbye, everyone." Seichii said before they turned on different direction. Koizumi family turned to the opposite direction as well. Not until..

"Koizumi!" Someone called. Everyone in Koizumi family turned. Everybody, including the Otani family were stunned when Atsushi Otani grabbed Koizumi Risa's hand and ran away from them.

Koizumi Takashi was first who manage to speak, "A runaway couple! Our children are getting closer!"


Thanks for reading!

I would like to extend my thanks to En-Fleur Isabelle and Kia's Writ for the reviews and Shadowfrey913 for follwing my one-shot, "Is It Possible?"

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by
green-ninja05
May 2014