Written: 22.o3.o8

Thanks for the feedback for last chapter: the-lioness, little0maggie, nickygirl, Phoenixe825, SkuAg, SpiffyCookie, Waltz Turner, Yamora Love n Friendship, Sakura Takanouchi, Smoochynose, Rewind Soldier, bRattY-eBonY-cArcAss17, princess cythera, Nanita, OMFG-Roach, AnimePinkCess, blue wolf luv red phoenix, Serenity984 and QiniYn Ps. There's so many of you guys that I didn't know who read this story and I was blown away to see all these reviews from username's I've never seen before. THANKS for taking the time to review so I can properly thank each of you individually!

My Funny Valentine

Chapter Nineteen

Ironically, This Masquerade by The Carpenters blared from the sound system. Yamato had made an enormous effort for everything to go through smoothly that night. He had wanted to hold his launch party in a smaller function room, but Kanji insisted that it had to be larger for his proper debut. Since Kanji had gotten to decide where his debut would be held at, Yamato had stubbornly been the only one to arrange it all. He knew that deep down, he wanted everything to perfect if he were to 'woo' her.

Even if they were only to be friends, he didn't know if he could cope with no contact whatsoever. Anything would do. He was glad her mother had instantly taken a liking to him in that short period of time. Maybe she wanted Sora to experience and joy herself. If that girl had been so busy taking care of her brother and the florist when she was younger…it was understandable. But now she was over-doing it with working at the bar part-time and going all out for her clothing label. The same could be said about him…somehow when they were together they could relax and eliminate all the exterior stressors in life. Perhaps that was why he liked her…because they both understood each others' situations.

Different glittery fancy masks disguised everyone's faces that either belonged to an extravagantly dazzling gown or a crisp tuxedo. It was hard to determine the identity of his guests, but it was the whole point of the masquerade. Then again, it was also quiet easy to figure out some of the people out. Taking, for instance, a woman with ear-length stylish hair that flared in multiple directions, who was holding hands with…someone with glasses on top of his mask and a glossy mop of bluish hair…what? He blinked, yet still the couple were there.

Not being able to hold back the curiosity, he walked towards them to have them bid their hellos. "You can't be serious?" he said in utter astonishment, pointing a finger at them. He then saw the female angle her head on the man's supportive shoulder. The shock settled in, and he confirmed it. "You're serious!"

"Oh, hey Yamato. Well, this is Jun," his limousine driver introduced. "She's my girlfriend."

"What?" it still wasn't sinking in.

"Yeah, I was surprised too. We told each other that we were both going out tonight…and found out that we were going to the same place! It's a small world, isn't it?" the retail music store worker giggled. "I mean, we've been dating for three years and I never knew he worked part time as your driver. I always thought he meant he was a taxi driver part-time!"

"Hey, it was part of the contract to not tell anyone my real job…right Yamato?"

"Right," he said, still blinking. Jun was right. What a small world they really lived in. It appeared that he was getting into a lot of these dilemmas lately. Even when he found out that Taichi's girlfriend – Mimi – was Sora's best friend. Perhaps somewhere high in the clouds God had all of them on a chessboard, playing his own game in entertainment.

"So…is this all for her?" Jun said, extending her arms at their magnificently structured surrounding. "It's beautiful. She'll love it."

The musician arched an eyebrow, "You told her?"

"Well, I couldn't help it," Jyou said good-naturedly, boyish grin appearing on his features that Yamato couldn't help but not take offence anymore. "I'll get us some drinks," Jun winked through her feathery pale blue mask, royal blue dress flouncing as she carefully made her way done the steps.

Jyou took the chance to fill in the silence above the music that played, "Yamato, I just wanted to say thanks-"

"It's fine," Yamato grinned. "I know you'll use it well. You're doing good for society."

"You are too…in an artistic way, that is," Jyou said, trying to get the attention away from himself. Ever since Yamato had met him all shaking and quivering at the interview, Jyou was the type of person who never liked to be the centre of attention. Good ol' reliable Jyou at your service. "Thanks for inviting me your debut."

"For all the times I've nagged your ass to take me around, you deserve it. It should be me owing you." He gave him a punch on the arm. "Congratulations on becoming a doctor…It'll be hard finding a replacement driver. You were my man."

"Should I get protective over that?" Jun intervened jokingly as Jyou rolled his eyes.

"I'll leave you guys…I need to check out how everything is doing," Yamato said.

As he left the pair, he smoothed out his flashy silver tailcoat. His tie was black, as were his leather polished shoes. He double checked on the music, and gave a small smile…glad that it was being played well. He gone to certain extents to get the best instrumental players Japan had to offer. He also had people audition to take certain singing positions for that night. The lilting tune of The Masquerade gave a mysterious and stunning aura…which was what he intended. It was like how he felt when he first met her. Hell, it felt as if everything was based on her that night…and he didn't give a damn. The party had only started fifteen minutes ago, but he still felt nervous. What if she wouldn't come? What would he do?

In timing, someone approached him. "Don't worry, she'll be here," his best friend spoke as if reading his thoughts. Mimi had her arm hooked in his, long curly tresses neatly glistening under the disco ball and looking gorgeous in her hot-pink cocktail dress and a matching glittery mask. "Tai's right. She'll come."

"You've been stressing over all the little intricate details," Taichi assured. "It'll be fine, Matt. If she doesn't turn up we'll get Mimi to force her to."

"Hi Tai!" a younger woman exclaimed, giggling as she latched onto her partner's side. From a familiar chuckle, it was then that Yamato could distinguish that the pair were actually his brother and Hikari.

They pranced off onto the dance floor, lips locking and Taichi and himself exchanged looks of disgust.

"Yeah, I always wondered if either Tai or you were female…if you'd date," Mimi said thoughtfully.

"Your fantasies are scary," Taichi grumbled, shaking off her arm and folding his own together in protest. "That grosses me out."

"I gotta double that," Yamato laughed heartedly. Mimi had her lips pressed together in amusement.

A few minutes went by and he was asked to the middle of the dance floor. Kanji was already there to hand him the microphone. He cleared his throat as his eyes swept through all the guests. "Thank-you for all being here for my debut," he said curtly and heard Takahashi whoop loudly in the background. "Well, it's a big leap from my usual genre…I usually sing rock…but in the end I'm glad I completed it. Most of the music is jazz based, but I've incorporated other types of music here and there. Each song is a story following each other…I think my main inspiration was mystery and getting to know this special person. She motivated me to change emotionally and musically. Without you, this wouldn't have happened. You know who you are."

This time Taichi cheered. Yamato's gaze flickered in every direction, but as he couldn't see her…he felt a wave of disappointment drench his emotions. Kanji nudged him to proceed on. With an abrupt cough, the musician continued.

"And to the other people who helped me reach my goal." He listed, "My old band, without you I wouldn't be here. Kanji, my manager, who's been always pushing me to the limit ever since I've met him. And lastly to J-One records. You've been supporting me since The Teen-Age Wolves and you're now supporting my new album."

There was an enormous applaud that Yamato knew it was the best place to leave the speech, since he detested doing them. "Have fun tonight."

As he was about to dash off the stage, Kanji placed a hand on his shoulder – holding him back. "This guy has worked so hard. And he's been like my own son in many ways. I've watched him improve over the years…so let's make a toast to…YAMATO ISHIDA!"

He noticed in amazement as champagne glasses were raised and then drank from. He felt queasy and happy inside and he almost wanted to tear up when he saw his manager crying in pure contentment. He almost felt fulfilled…almost. She wasn't there. He was right. He shouldn't have hoped so much.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder so he instantaneously turned in response. From one glance at the woman's model figure, tall build and ringlets of gold…he knew it was his dear cousin.

"What's cookin', good lookin'?" she smirked when she said the corny line. She then mixed her talk into old English, "Why does thy ever so chivalrous cousin look down in the burrows?"

"Catherine, shut-up," he muttered in irritation.

"Don't be such a sore thumb. She's here…by the way. I can't believe you haven't noticed her yet," she snickered. "I just wanted to play with you for a bit. You get so sad so easily. TK's always been the positive one."

"Shut-up. Where is she?"

She giggled, and pointed a particular direction. "Right over there."

His gaze flickered to where Catherine had mentioned. She was standing by the punch bowl. It was sort of a coincidence that it was he who had been standing next to it on her clothing line launch. But now she was standing in his place. He then recalled seeing her from the beginning of the party; it was that he hadn't recognised her. He still needed to adjust to her short auburn hair. He hadn't expected her to come, but there she was in her pretty dress looking straight at him through her black jewelled mask. In one of her hands she held a glass of sparkling white wine that contrasted with her simple strapless black dress. Besides her was her mother who was enthusiastically chattering to one of the other guests rather lively.

Yamato hurriedly headed to her direction, merging with the dancing couples on the dance-floor. But when he got there it was only her mother that he found. The person he had caught her in animation talking to had been his own father. He tipped into their conversation, hearing something amongst the lines of how Sora's mother really wanted them to get married. His father just nodded his head now and again, facial expression flabbergasted.

"Mrs. Takenouchi…did you know where your daughter went?"

"Oh, Yamato honey. She just went out to find you. She's on the dance-floor. When she heard your speech, she burst into tears. You really must-"

Before her mother gave him any more love advice, he was back on the crowded dance floor searching for any sign of her. It was then that he caught a certain scent. His heart beat quickened and his stomach wrenched. That rosy fragrance could only belong to one person. His hands snaked around the woman's waist and breathed into her ear, "It's you."

She tensed when he rocked her in his arms, but relaxed as soon as he knew whom it was that was holding her. They swayed gracefully to the slow melody.

"So I thought about it," she spoke so quietly that one could have not comprehended it from the music. But he could here her, considering his neck was craned down a bit too close to her bare neck. "I thought about it," she repeated, fingers ringing on his own. "It didn't take me that long actually, but I think I'm in love with you, Mr. Ishida."

They were finally together. Just hearing those words from her mouth made him speechlessly dumbfounded, and now knowing what to say. That's how happy he was. She took his silence as a sort of rejection. "I mean, I wasn't meant to…you know?"

His grasp tightened around her. "I was scared as well. But hell…it looks like it happened," he said truthfully. "I think I'm in love with you too."

She slipped out of his hold and turned to face him, expression filled with passionate emotion and eyes beginning to tear. Before she replied, his lips had already found hers. He felt her arms tackle around his neck and the rosy scent filling his sensation. He ran his hands through her short auburn hair and could feel her wet tears pressing onto his face.

There was an ear-piercing whistle that interrupted them. He turned around and saw Takahashi and Akira motioning him to come to where they were standing. Sora took it with ease, letting her fingers fall into his as Yamato led her off the dance floor. The two boys were accompanied each with a date, but the girls were immersed in their own little conversations.

"Why Yamato, who's this fine lady?" Takahashi jeered.

"You've met her before," Yamato rolled his eyes at the bassist. He reintroduced them to her, "This is Sora. Sora, this is the guys."

"We have names," the guitarist laughed as he held his hand out. "I'm Takahashi."

She nodded and let go of his hand to shake the other former band member. "And I'm Akira," he said.

"Nice to meet you all again," she smiled brightly. "I've heard so much about you all."

"Yeah, I'm glad you guys managed to make it. Akira, I know how long it took for you to get the rehab's permission. Really, man. Thanks…it means so much with all of you being here," Yamato said gratefully. "Really."

"It should be us thanking you, Yamato. But sometimes…I think you've got to stop looking down on yourself. I wouldn't have met any of you if you hadn't offered me a place in our band…and look how far we've gone now. I mean, look how far you've gone. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks," he stammered.

"So you're the girl my man's been tossing over," Takahashi regarded Sora through his eyes.

"What do you mean?" she was equally eyeing the man suspiciously.

"You're the woman that the whole album is based on. I may not be as musically inclined as my man Akira and Yamato…but I am pretty sure that every word in each of the songs are about you."

"Really?" an eyebrow raised.

"Takahashi," he warned.

"But it's true! Right Akira?" Takahashi said and received Akira's nod in agreement. "You really were his inspiration."

"That's so sweet," she laughed. "Did you really do that?"

Yamato grumbled something under his breath and then realised that there was one person missing from the group. "Where's that ass?"

"Yutaka?"

"Yeah, that ass," Yamato said.

"Looks like Yutaka is scoring! That girl sure if foxy," Takahashi snickered with Akira joining along in merriment. He followed their gazes to see their drummer's usual scowling face be replaced with something, well, normal. His typical frown was turned upside down and his eyes behind his mask seemed brighter.

But that wasn't the thing that shocked him. He was next to someone with long flowing hair and a brilliant smile who was evidently flirting back. Catherine? At the moment he really wanted to barf. Yutaka and Catherine? If he had thought his brother and Hikari getting it on with tongue-action was gross, this had to be even more ridiculously gruesome.

"Do you want to dance a bit more? Our song is playing," Sora commented. And it was. My Funny Valentine was now being played by the mini orchestra and the female artist sang the song ever-so seductively.

"Do I even get a choice? You pretty much said we had to."

"I know," she smiled. "That was the whole purpose of it." She dragged him back onto the dance floor.

As they began to dance to beat again, she continued to talk. "You know, I wasn't about to come tonight."

"Why is that? You already said you loved me," he mocked. "I did recall you saying that."

"No, really," she replied back seriously. "When I found out off Alejandro that you weren't about to give me an invitation at all…I was pretty saddened about that because it felt like I was taking second-hand tickets."

"Hey, I really wanted to give you the other one…but I didn't pucker enough courage until he pretty much drilled it into me."

"Still…I didn't feel like coming after that. But I really didn't have a choice," she said, eyes drifting back to their parents whom were still talking above the music. "My mother threatened that if I didn't come tonight she wouldn't visit me anymore."

"Really?"

"Yeah. When she wants something…she goes for it all out. Somehow your charm shone when you met and she immediately grew fond of you."

"Still, you had a choice to disagree."

"Trust me on this, Yamato. You think your grandparents are scary? Ha! When you get to know my mother, they'll be completely crossed off your list."

"Sounds frightening."

"Exactly," she said. "You should be frightened."

"But do you regret not coming tonight?" he questioned.

She placed her arms around his neck and stared straight into his blue eyes. "No. Of course not."

"Why?"

"From the moment I came in, the blue orchards already had me. You're smooth. Real smooth, Mr. Rockstar," she said.

"So it was worth littering every part of this reception with blue orchards? It was really expensive, you know?"

She added, "And the fact that I've just spoken to Jyou and he revealed that you offered to pay for his whole tuition fee from the money that was meant to be given for me."

"Well, I'm good like that," he replied cockily.

"All to get me head over heels? You did a great job. You got my favourite flower right this time," she commended. "I can't believe you did this all…for me."

"Heck," he said, turning his head away from her face. "It was just a lure to try and get you to sing duet for a bonus track."

"Liar," she stated, hitting him playfully on the arm.

The music slowed down for the MC to talk to the guests of the album release. "It's time to take off your masks, ladies and gentlemen."

He took his off easily. As she was about to untie hers, Yamato did it for her. He delicately untied the satin ribbon and let the mask fall from her face. Her cheeks were a bit pink, but the large smile made any angel envious. Her eyes sparkled with something he had never seen before. And she loved him. She darn loved him. Not for his money (she had earned it herself), popularity…just for being him.

"I forgot."

"You forgot what?" she queried in concern.

"I forgot to tell you how breathtaking you look tonight."

If she had rubbed in how he had written an album based on her, he had the right to make her feel uncomfortable too. He pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it to her. Sora's shaky hands opened it.

Inside was a white-gold necklace with a special pendent hanging from it.

She burst into laughter. "You got that fake thing engraved?"

Dangling from the necklace was the ring that they had bought from one of the kid machines back to the time she had first agreed to be his pseudo wife. He had thoughtfully went to the jewellers and asked to get it engraved. The engraver had given him a strange look and reminded him the ring wasn't real gold, but Yamato still pushed on to get it engraved.

"Sky," she said. "Why sky?"

"That's what your name means, doesn't it?" he said, suddenly unsure if he did it correctly.

"Right," she said. "I still stick by how smooth you are."

"And I stick by that you're not mysterious as you make out to be."

"Whatever," she beamed. "You'll graduate from being the smoothest master if you give me a kiss. Right here, right now."

"That's fine by me," he said.

And he did.

Dear Grandmamma and Grandpapa,

How is the weather like back in France?

Our plan worked. When I revealed it to them, Matt started skitzing non-stop and Sora looked just about ready to throw the nearest vase at me. I told you there was nothing to worry about. Sure, they were having an argument before you left…but I knew that they'd sort it out one way or another.

The whole 'try-and-get-Yamato-to-date' thing worked. You should be glad. Maybe even expect bells in the future, or even little kids running around! Okay, maybe not the latter because I know that the both of you will be furious if we don't stick to our morals and save children for after marriage.

Don't start talking about how I should marry Hikari already. You've told us countless time! We've been together since we were young and we can handle not being married for another couple of years. Our plan is to become financially stable before we head all out…and have a wedding. But that's beside the point; let's put the attention back to Matt and Sora.

I particularly think we all made an awesome team for just the three of us. The whole idea was well worth it to make Yamato finally aware that he's aging and should a fricken' (mind the swearing, grandma) love-life already. I mean, it was okay if he just dated…but I really hadn't expected he'd fall in love with the bartender that suddenly becoming one of the most famous label designers. It's like a modern day Cinderella, you know?

Anyway, thanks for coming over to scare Yamato, care for his love-life and do me a favour in getting back at him for the high-school revenge. The basketball being super-glued to my hands has always scarred me…this was the ultimate comeback. At least it was beneficial! I don't understand why Yamato's still so bad.

Yamato and Sora seem more serious about their relationship compared to Hikari and me. They've already booked an airplane trip next week to visit Mr. Takenouchi. So let's just say everything went according to plan.

I never thought that I'd have my grandparents as accomplices in this one, so thanks. So can you please get off my back about Hikari and me already? I just did you a favour and got Yamato a girlfriend. Don't worry (trust me on this)…you'll have grandkids soon!

Love you lots,

Takeru

PS. I had this terrific idea about writing Yamato and Sora's story and publishing it. But when I told them both, they disagreed. They're such a bad sport. But I think I'll still publish it granted permission or not.

(a/n) OMGOLLY! JUST THE EPILOGUE LEFT AND THIS STORY IS OVER!! Hate it or Love it? My parents keep telling me off for not going out and site-seeing the little holiday place we're at…but I wanted to set this weekend aside to finish this story. So I did. I think I might look around now. Hope you enjoyed MFV. Keep your eyes out for the Epilogue which should be out some time soon.

And yeah – just to clarify things – Takeru and the grandparents were playing around the whole time. Cheeky little brother, ain't he? Haha.

I hope this fills your sap meter.

Next Chp: The short Epilogue!