Chapter 2
The Way You Look TonightA/N: Hi everyone. Here's the next installment, The Way You Look Tonight by Michael Buble
Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.
You're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.
The sky was lit up by a non-stop display of colorful fireworks. A good number of people, if not all, have gathered right before the SDF-Macross that has now become the command and defense center of the United Nations Spacy. It was the first year anniversary of armistice between the terran race and the Zentradis.
"Major, the program will be starting any moment now!" Hikaru called out while anxiously looking at his watch.
"Just a few moments more okay? You're starting to sound like my father." Misa promptly replied.
"Really?"
"Well, when I was a kid, he always made sure I was not late for school." Misa showed up from her room causing Hikaru's jaw to drop.
"So, how do I look? Ichijyo?" Misa modeled her dress before Hikaru.
"Major?" She noticed Hikaru's shock and thought it was a good thing.
"Oh, ah, you are- er- you look fantastic!" Hikaru stammered at the sight of Misa.
The poor ace pilot cannot be blamed. Misa indeed looked fabulous and glowing in her silver cocktail gown. It was a halter type dress with a deep V neckline that showed a little of Misa's cleavage. A Rhinestone buckle adorned the front and the skirt was fully, fluidly pleated. Misa wore her hair loose, relaxed and casual, reflecting her natural beauty. Her hair did little to hide her bare shoulders and her back from Hikaru's probing eyes. Her skirt ended at her knee level revealing the contours of her legs. She wore a silver stiletto to match everything.
"You don't look bad yourself Major!" Misa tried to ease Hikaru's predicament, if that was even the right term to describe that state he was in.
Hikaru was wearing pleated khaki trousers. His upper was a simple, plain white polo that almost revealed the shape of his upper body if not for the sports coat he was wearing on top of it. His hair was usually unruly but it gave a ruggedly formal effect. Misa swallowed as her mind scolded her for playing a scene where she ran her fingers on Hikaru's chest.
"S-So, shall we?" Misa offered her hand to Hikaru who looked like he was cemented on the floor.
"A-ah!" Hikaru couldn't find the right words but just nodded in agreement.
A taxi was already waiting for the two just outside of Misa's quarters. As the two walked towards the taxi, Misa held Hikaru's arms. The two looked like teenagers on their way to the prom night.
One thing was obvious, Hikaru had no plans of taking his eyes away from Misa even for a single moment that evening.
"I never thought Misa could look this attractive, no, attractive is not the right word… hhmmmmmm…?" Hikaru smiled as he silently spoke to himself.
The ceremonies went on the usual course. There was the retelling of the day when the alien ship crash landed on earth. Then the journey from Pluto and back to earth was also mentioned. The conflict was likewise revisited, with the intention of proving the point that wars produce no victors but only casualties. The hopes were lifted that moving forward both races will work hand in hand to propagate peace on earth, on the Sol System and throughout the galaxy.
"I never thought that the cocky pilot who came to visit the Macross launching ceremonies would turn out to be a fine leader as he is now."
"I never thought that the old woman who ridiculed me had the ability to dress up like a lady such as tonight."
Both Misa and Hikaru shared a laugh as they reminisced the past year.
After the ceremonies, the party started with a full band playing jazzy music. It was earlier mentioned that Minmay should've been part of the program but Kaifun advised that she wasn't available to join the celebrations.
"Can I have this dance with you, my lady?" Hikaru stood and bowed down before Misa.
"You have a knack for dancing Ichijyo?" Misa giggled.
"Surprised? Let's cut the formalities. C'mon." Hikaru instead pulled Misa to the dance floor.
"Hey, hold your horses, cowboy!"
With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fears apart
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
Touches my foolish heart.
Yes, you're lovely, never, ever change
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it?
'Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight.
The music turned romantic and the two found themselves in a simple embrace, slowly closing the gap between them. They started to sway to the lovely beat.
"You really look lovely tonight Major Hayase and I mean what I just said."
Misa blushed at Hikaru's compliment. She tried not to look at Hikaru's eyes, trying hard to conceal her uneasiness at him being straightforward.
"Your smile- gosh, you should wear that smile more often. It should bring peace to the whole galaxy in a very short time." Hikaru continued.
"You're exaggerating Major Ichijyo."
"Oh, am I? Hhhhhmmmm, I didn't expect such modesty from my commanding officer."
"Truth to tell Major Hayase, I think I'm a blessed man having this dance with you."
"Why'd you say that?"
"Well, judging from the looks of those pilots and officers there, I think they'd like to trade places with me." Hikaru pointed to a group of military personnel whose eyes were glued on them.
"I-Ichijyo…"
"Oh yes, not to mention, when you laugh and you're nose goes this way… that's a heartbreaker Major." Hikaru tried to mimic Misa's laughter with matching crooked nose.
"Now I think you're pulling my legs Major!" Misa tried to hold her laughter.
"There, keep that smile. We should recommend that as a lethal weapon… better than Minmay's songs."
"Hey, cut that out Major. You're making my head swell." She smiled.
"Major, I… I'm…"
Hikaru looked her straight in the eye. He tried to find the right words to say. He weighed every bit of emotions and decided not to rush anything. He thought he might just be being influenced by the current situation.
"What's that Ichijyo?"
With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fears apart
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
Touches my foolish heart.
Yes you're lovely, never, ever change
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it?
'Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight.
"Nothing… just wanted to say, I just hope it would always be like this- no job or military protocols to preoccupy us- just this…"
Hikaru beamed and held Misa closer as they danced while the band serenaded them.
"Again I'll say, you look lovely tonight. Don't ever lose your charm." Hikaru whispered to her ear.
