Chapter 9: Our Date

"Mai," he said suddenly.

"Yes," I replied.

He looked back at me with a serious look in his eye, "Will you go somewhere with me tomorrow?"

"What," Ayako practically dropped her make-up kit.

I grinned nervously and scratched the back of my head, "Well, like I said… Naru asked me if I want to go somewhere with him… and…"

"Let me guess," Ayako bended down and picked up her make-up kit, "You didn't replied and just ran to bed."

I nodded. She sighed and shook her head, "You really are dense sometime."

"Well," I twirled a strand of my hair, "He sort of surprise me and I can't help it if I'm shy."

Ayako shook her head again, "What am I going to do with you?"

"I don't know either," I shrugged.

"Maybe I can help," Masako said as she entered the room.

"Masako," I said, a little surprised.

She smiled at Ayako and me, "I already know where Naru is taking you, and so I might be able to help you out, at least a little."

"And how, exactly, did you know," Ayako questioned with a raise eyebrow.

"It's simple," Masako shrugged, "I've already been there."

At this, I raised an eyebrow. 'Is she being serious,' I thought.

Masako turned to me and smiled again, "Shall we get you ready?"

"B-But," I backed away, "I haven't even given Naru my answer."

"Oh about that," Masako smiled mischievously, "I already told Naru you said yes and that you are meeting him downstairs shortly."

"Huh," I panic, "B-But…"

"No but," Ayako said firmly, clearly on Masako's side, "Let's get you ready."

"W-Wait! Hey!"

An Hour Later

I blushed in embarrassment as I stared at myself in the body length mirror -provided by Mrs. Takumi. I was forced into a bright pink, silk kimono decorated with cherry blossom petals -belong to Masako- and a pair of black traditional sandals with pink straps. I also wore a pair of traditional sock and my hair was neatly comb. Masako put a pink rose hair pin in my hair and make sure that some of my bang didn't stray to close to my eyes.

Ayako did my make-up, and thankfully she didn't put too much. She put foundation on my face and pink-ish brown eye shadow on my eyelid, including eyeliner and mascara. She put some lip-gloss on my lips and leaned back to admire her work once she was done.

I blushed even deeper and fidgeted, "D-Don't you guys think it's too much?"

Ayako huffed offensively, "No! I think you look amazing. I would like to add a little more eye shadow, but then you're make-up wouldn't matched your kimono anymore."

"Does the place Naru is taking me require me wearing a kimono," I asked Masako.

Masako nodded and straighten the hair pin, "Yes, and that place is quite strict on mannerism."

"Then is Naru wearing a kimono too," I asked hopefully. If Naru is wearing it too, then it might not be so embarrassing.

"Sadly, no he isn't," Masako shook her head with a sigh.

I huffed angrily, "Then why do I have to wear one?"

Masako gave me an innocent smiled, "You will know why when you get there."

I raised an eyebrow just as a knock came on the door. "Who is it," Ayako asked.

"Its John," John replied, "Shibuya-san wanted to know if Taniyama-san is ready?"

"She's ready," Ayako replied excitedly and quickly checked my make-up. Masako, too, checked my hair and kimono to see if anything is out of place.

"Alright," Masako said after she finished checking the kimono and handing me a pink bag, "You're ready. Let's get you downstairs before Naru lose his patience."

I gulped and nodded nervously. It's not that I'm embarrass, it's more like I'm afraid I won't be able to make it downstairs in one piece with these sandals on.

NARU'S POV

I closed my eyes angrily, hoping I can keep masking my anger. And why am I angry? Not that the girls are taking forever, but because of the idiots surrounding me. Takigawa-san kept on teasing me about how Mai and I are spending strawberry time together. Yasuhara-san wouldn't stop laughing, though he is trying to hold it in.

I opened my eyes and silenced the two annoying idiots with a glare and turned to John, "Would you mind checking on the girls to see if they're ready yet?"

John nodded and headed upstairs. I turned back to the two with an icy glare. Takigawa-san raised both hand, indicating he meant no harm, "Don't worry, I won't tease you anymore."

A moment later, John came back downstairs, "They're ready."

And not another minute later, I could hear Mai's bedroom door opened. Mrs. Takumi entered the hallway through the kitchen door and waited with us by the stairs.

"Is she ready," Mrs. Takumi asked me.

I nodded. "Here is the princess," I heard Matsuzaki-san announced.

I looked up, and the beautiful site before me was breath taking. I swear anyone would turn and stared.

Mai wore a bright pink, silk kimono decorated with cherry blossom petals, and black sandals with pink straps. Her hair was neatly comb and she wore a beautiful pink rose hairpin on her hair. She carried a pink bag that she held tightly onto. I could tell she was wearing make-up and the pink blush on her face just makes her even more beautiful.

I snapped out of my thought and waited for her to get downstairs. I could see she was afraid of falling down the stairs. And then my hand did the strangest thing of all, my hand reached for her's.

Her blushed intensified, but she took my hand nonetheless. Takigawa-san whistled and clapped. I sent him another icy glare, which shut him right up.

Lin opened the door for us and I helped Mai down the last two steps. Once out of the house, we walked to the car that was waiting for us. Madoka was waiting by the car with a camera in her hands. She grinned happily and brought the camera up to her eyes, "Say cheese!"

I sighed annoyingly while Mai blushed even more. If I didn't know any better, I'll say she's choking from lack of air, but then again, I'm smarter than that.

Once Madoka got her share of photos, I helped Mai into the car. I got in after her. Lin closed the door and got into the driver's seat.

We pulled out of the parking lot -the others waving like crazy- and droved through the neighborhood.

All the while, Mai kept her gaze out the window.

MAI'S POV

Boy was I surprised. I made it downstairs in one piece and almost fainted when Naru extended his hand for mine. I blushed again just from thinking about it.

I kept my gaze out the window so he wouldn't notice the happy look on my face. I took a deep, quiet breath and regained composure of myself. I turned to Naru, who was looking straight at nothing. He seemed lost in thought.

And then he surprised me by looking my way, "What is it?"

"Um," I blushed, "I was wondering," I took a breath, "where we were going?"

He stared at me for a moment and then turned away, "We're visiting a relative of Yasuhara-san."

"Why," I asked, clearly surprised.

"This relative is a folklore professor that can provide me the info that I require," he replied.

I glared at him slightly and turned back to the window, "I see."

I didn't bother asking anymore than that. I was too pissed off to care. I can't believe I felt happy about this. I thought he was taking me somewhere where we can be alone, just the two of us hanging out or something like that, but no, he's taking me somewhere where they required excellent mannerism!

He probably noticed my angry aura because it was then that he spoke up, "And there's a place I want to take you afterwards."

Instantly, all my anger dissipated and I looked at him, disbelieving. He was looking out the window, but I could tell he was probably embarrassed. I smiled a little and then I mentally slap myself. I always forgive him too easily. I can't possibly forgive him just because he said he wanted to take me somewhere later. He might just take me to another folklore professor. I looked out the window and glared. If he takes me to another folklore professor, I'm leaving whether he likes it or not.

A Few Moments Later

I looked up at the huge wooden gate and gasped a little. 'This folklore professor must be super rich,' I thought to myself as we drove through the gate and into the estate.

There were many storage houses and smacked in the middle were a Japanese traditional Mansion. There was a line of Japanese maid -clad in Japanese traditional clothes- on each side of the door. An old man dressed in a black kimono stood in the middle.

The car stopped in front of the lines of servant. One of the servants opened the door and Naru got out of the car. I followed after, taking his offered hand -making me blush again.

The old man in the black kimono approached us and gave a bow, which Naru and I returned. The servants soon followed. "Welcome to the Mikage Estate, Mr. Shibuya" the old man greeted, "I am Kaname Hiroto."

"Nice to meet you," Naru replied.

Kaname smiled kindly and then looked at me, "And this lovely young lady must be Ms. Taniyama."

I smiled, didn't quite know what to say, "Um, thank you for the warm welcome."

Kaname practically beamed with happiness, "The Master of the house is waiting inside," he moved aside, "and the Madam would be happy if Ms. Taniyama joined her for a cup of tea."

I looked up at Naru, panicking a little. Is that why he brought me along? To have tea with the Mistress of the House while he discussed things with the Master of the House?

Naru noticed my uneasy expression and gave me a reassure nod, "Don't worry," he whispered soothingly, "The Madam of the house isn't a witch or anything. She may be quite strict, but you will be fine."

He took hold of my hand and began walking towards the door -led by Kaname.

"Is that why you have Masako made me wore a kimono," I asked in a whispery tone.

"Yes and yes," he replied in a whispery tone as well.

"What is that suppose to mean," I asked.

"Yes, because the Madam is very strict, and yes because I believed you would look very beautiful in a kimono," he replied, not looking at me.

I blushed, looking away. 'Why can't he let me be angry with him for once,' I thought.

Kaname slide open the door and lead us through the long hallway towards a room in the far back. He slides the door open and bowed, "I have brought Mr. Shibuya and Ms. Taniyama, Master."

I looked inside and was surprised to find the room covered in stacks of papers. There was a man dressed in a light green kimono tie with a black slash sitting on the ground. He was reading some sort of scroll. His back was to us the whole time.

The man looked up and turned around. A bright smile instantly appeared on his face, "Ah, welcome Mr. Shibuya and Mrs. Shibuya!"

"Mrs. Shibuya," I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

And then the man laughed, "Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Taniyama, is it? I totally forgot you two youngster isn't marry yet."

I frowned in confusion and looked up at Naru, "What is he talking about?"

"Oh," the man gasped, making me looked at him, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you two didn't want anyone to know just yet. I'm sorry for blurting things out. But I'm just so excited to meet the future wife of Mr. Naru Shibuya, Ms. Taniyama."

My eyes widen slightly, "Future wife… of Mr. Naru Shibuya?"

AN- Hope you guys like this chapter! And Please Review! Thank you!