Note: I guess you could call this "Karin's Dilemma: Part 1". This chapter and the next one will focus more on Karin and her "blind date".
For the next few weeks, the days go by quickly with all the hustle and bustle of the wedding. Tsukasa and Tsukushi pushed back telling their parents the news until they planned a date. After much discussion, they decided to have the wedding on September 20th. Tsukushi's parents were overjoyed with the news that their dream had come true. Tsukasa had informed Tsubaki first so that he could also get advice on how to tell their parents. Mrs. Doumyoji didn't have a lot to say on the matter either way. Tsukasa and Tsukushi weren't able to see much of each other after that. Tsukasa had work, meetings, and was helping finalize plans for the wedding. Tsukushi was attending classes and with the help of her friends, planning her dream wedding although no matter what she tried, Tsukasa always pushed her into going more elaborate and expensive. One subject that the two both agreed on was the wedding party. Tsukushi had picked Karin, Sakurako, and Shigeru as brides maids and with the agreement from all the women, Tsukushi made Yuri her Maid of Honor. Tsukasa had picked the F4, along with Kazuya to make the numbers even, for the Groom's Men with Rui being the Best Man. June was coming to an end.
Tsukushi walks in the front door to her apartment after another long day of classes. "I'm home", she calls out to Karin. Tsukushi had decided to stay with Karin until after the honeymoon since the apartment was closer to school and with their busy schedules, she would hardly get to see Tsukasa anyway. Tsukushi walks into the kitchen and freezes in place as she sees Karin scrubbing the counters.
"What's wrong? What happened?" Tsukushi demands.
Karin looks up from her work and smiles crookedly. "What makes you think there's something wrong? Everything is fine. The counter is just really dirty."
Tsukushi crosses her arms across her chest. "You hate any form of cleaning. The only time you clean is when there's something really bugging you. Now, tell me what it is."
Karin puts down the scrub brush and sighs. "Alright, let's sit down." They have a seat around the kitchen table. "I had another date with Mr. Blind Date. Our dates seem to be going fine and we have a lot in common actually. It just seems like whenever we go out he thinks I'm some sheltered rich girl. I'm just as experienced as he is. I've had my share of boyfriends in the past. No matter how many hints I give him he just never gets it. You remember that I made a deal with him that we could see other people too until we decided what to do with our own relationship? It's as if I'm only a dinner date and nothing more, no one he can get serious with. I have needs too you know. I want to do something other than just dinner."
"You like him don't you?"
Karin thumps her hear down on the table. "I think I do. He acts like a nice guy to me but I wish he would sometimes treat me like his other girlfriends."
"You need a night out with a guy other than him. Someone you know that you can have a good time with and just not some random stranger."
Karin lifts her head up and smiles, "I know just the guys." She takes out her cell phone. "Are you coming?"
The night life is buzzing as Soujirou and Akira walk down the city street each with an arm around a girl. They sweet talk them as they walk to one of the popular clubs.
"Is that a challenge?" Karin's familiar voice interrupts them.
Karin and Tsukushi are standing next to two men dressed in torn jeans, dirty t-shirts, and leather jackets. Sunglasses, bandanas, and silver chains complete the look for the two bikers, their motorcycles parked just a few feet away. Akira and Soujirou excuse themselves from their dates and step in between the girls and the bikers.
"Sorry guys but you'll have to find some other girls tonight. These ones are taken."
"What the hell do you two think you are doing?!" Karin shouts at them.
Akira turns his head to look at her. "We're helping you out. Leave now and we'll take care of these guys."
"Oh my god," Karin pushes through Akira and Soujirou. "You haven't met before have you?" she questions her would be rescuers. Karin crosses her arms and stands with one leg out to the side. "Akira, Soujirou, I'd like you to meet Tadashi," she indicates the tougher looking one, "my brother's best friend and my ex, and this is Seiji, my brother." The shorter one bows.
Akira and Soujirou blush in embarrassment. Akira explains, "Sorry, we didn't realize you knew them. We thought they were just some guys looking to score tonight."
A fuse blows in Karin and she lets it out on Akira. "You thought that I would allow anything like that to happen? I would never let anyone take advantage of me and especially not Tsukushi since she's engaged to Tsukasa. What you don't seem to realize is that I'm not some novice at working the clubs. I'm just as experienced as you two. I know who to pick up and how to pick up a guy and I've done it many times. Even my brother knows I've been around the block a few times." She yells in frustration. "Why are men so stupid?!" She turns to Seiji and Tadashi. "Can you take us home now?"
"Yeah," Seiji says. "Tsukushi, you can ride with me again." Tsukushi worms her way past the stunned Akira and Soujirou and grabs the spare helmet, puts it on, and hops on the back of Seiji's motorcycle as Karin does the same with Tadashi's. Seiji and Tadashi climb on their bikes and drive off with Karin and Tsukushi leaving Soujirou and Akira behind.