CHAPTER 6
A Thank You Party!
Ichigo was totally grateful of Charlotte and the others of saving her from Kish. She couldn't imagine what'll happen if Kish took her to their home.
However, the others had another party to throw, and they keep it secret so Ichigo didn't know anything about it. In secrecy, the others started to practice their performances at Ichiro's 'secret base', his father's jamming studio.
"Okay! That's enough for today, girls. You'd been working hard since day one, so you all need a good rest for tonight." Kaito Ichimaru said.
"Wow! With everyone becoming a good team, we bet that we can pull a good performance!" Mint said. "Nobody sings it better than Charlotte!"
Charlotte blushed at Mint's comment. Other than her singing, Ichiro's melody was great; even though he's using an electric guitar. Hannan had her dance sessions, a traditional Malay dance called zapin. Since she's a master in it, she taught everything to her teammates and she also made the appropriate costumes.
Ichiro, on the other hand was only down to music and setting up the PA system inside the café.
Few weeks later, everything was set and ready to go.
"Hmm…hmm…"
"Yo! Ichiro! What're you humming about?"
"Oh, it's you, Kyo. It's nothing."
"Did the girls finish up with the training session?"
"Hope so."
As Ichiro and Kyo kept walking, both of them bumped into the catgirl. Ichiro immediately asked Ichigo to come to the Mew Mew Café at 9. Before she could ask what is it for, Ichiro had already left with his pal.
"That was easy."
"Keep a block on it and let's fetch Kikyo. I won't be home till this midnight, so I don't want her to get worried."
"You're one caring brother, Ichiro."
"Yeah I am."
After packing his bag for the night, Ichiro told his parents and Kikyo that he won't be going home for the rest of the night because he had some work to do at the café, after the birthday party.
Ichiro then followed Berry and Tasuku to the café where the others (except Ichigo, of course.) had been waiting.
While the others are busy preparing the foods for the guests, Ichiro, Tasuku and Keiichiro are making last minute check on the wiring, decoration and the event that'll come up later.
"Everything's all set and we're ready to go."
"Everyone's starting to take their seat now."
"Hey Ichiro, I'd think we'll make a good birthday party!"
"Oh sure we will, Mint. Besides that, where's Charlotte?"
"I'm right here, can't you see?"
Ichiro turned around and saw Charlotte wearing a different dress. That dress was very beautiful, and he had never seen it before. The top was a vest-like cloth but it was a little body hugging and she wore a sarong that reached her ankles. For the shoes, she's wearing red enamel pin heels.
"Did you like it, Ichiro? I made it for today's performance." Hannan said, appearing behind Charlotte.
"What is that dress?"
"It's my traditional dress, the kebaya. My mom taught me how to design one, and I happened to make this for the first time. How does it look?"
"Pretty."
Later, they surprised Ichigo who walked into the café as Ichiro requested. She was surprised but she felt happy, with the presence of her parents and her friends… including…
"Masaya-kun!"
"Happy birthday, Ichigo!"
"Happy Birthday."
"Wow, so you all are really planning for something!"
"We are smart, aren't we girls?"
"Oh yes we were!"
The girls laughed cheerfully as Ichigo blushed. Ichiro smirked as he saw that. Later, Keiichiro came out of the kitchen with a large cake on a trolley. There were two candles shaped like number 16 stuck on the cake.
"Calm down Pudding, we all wants the cake more than you do."
"I want the delicious cake, na no da!"
"For heaven's sake, calm down." Ryou said as he pulled out a lighter.
"I don't know you had a lighter."
"Bought one for today."
As Ryou lighted the candles, everyone urged Ichigo to make a wish. She made one before blowing out the candles…
…and all in a sudden, the candles sparkled!
"Trick candles?!"
"Freakin' fed! Ryou! You're trying to kill us, weren't you?" Ichiro chastised. The wolf boy was emanating in fury.
"No I didn't!"
"That what's the purpose of this, nya?"
"Just to make a little spice of fun- ack!" Ryou stopped in mid speech as Ichiro and Ichigo started to arm lock his neck.
As the two of them were strangling the sandy brown-haired high school student, Keiichiro watched the two of them in confusion.
"For someone with a cool facade, he is still a nasty little kid in the inside. Don't you agree, Keiichiro?"
"I think that is really true."
A/N: Okay, I need to stop here because if I get on with the translations and the songs, it'll double the pages like crazy. Wait on another update from me! Oh, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to update my fanfics for the past 2 weeks, as I had to face the mid-year exams. If I fail everything, I'm screwed! Wish me luck, everyone! Read on and review! TQ.