LOVE SPELL
By Treasure
Chapter 7
05.19.2013
Disclaimer: I do not own Nodame Cantabile.
Nodame could not be happier with the basketful of fruits as take away from the Aktugawa orchard. Hajime would have loaded several more baskets but Shinichi refused to accept more than one small basket of each fruit they produce as they may not be able to consume them all before it perishes.
"Sempai could make them into cakes and jam ne?" Nodame's eyes twinkled as she imagined the treats Shinichi would create just for her.
Ticked as to the obvious enjoyment over the presents, Shinichi tried to hide his irritation. "Yes I could make them into cakes and what not, but more than a basket of each fruit is still too much." And the vision of Nodame at Uraken restaurant with Mine few years ago came back, that time Shinichi referred to her as "hungry stray cat" that would do anything for free food.
Food, glorious food; with his special skill, no one will suspect that something is amiss when Nodame starts to fall for him again. A smirk could not be helped by Shinichi as they drove back to Paris, like a warlock going over his wicked plan – when to cast the evil spell.
"Nodame, Nodame!" The young man Lucas was catching his breath as he calls to her.
"Gyabo! What's all the rush Lucas?" Nodame extend her arms to face him, as if to stop him or slow him impact just in case he bumps at her.
"Good thing I ran into you today. Remember the group we joined at my grandfather's church awhile back?"
"Mm"
"Well, they/we are going to present a play again at the same church to raise funds for an orphanage in our village." Nodame's eyes were shinning as Lucas mentioned the word 'play'. "We will do Robin Hood." She started to imagine herself in several costumes – gowns (Lady Marian or peasants), animal (horse) and even guard. "And we, I suggest that you . . . .
"Go on." She encourages Lucas to add more information. "We want you to play the piano for us."
"Mukya!" Nodame was disheartened. Besides piano and Puri Gorota, she also wanted to take shots at cosplays however small part it is. "But Nodame wants to join the play too, I want to be in the cast, just like before." The disappointment made her slump her shoulder, sadness appeared in her eyes.
"But you'll still be a part of the play when you play the piano, right?"
Nodame racked her brains for an alternative idea; she really wanted to be in this play. "How about if I could find somebody else to play the piano, can you give me a role in that play, Lady Marian perhaps?
Lucas nearly collapsed from Nodame's conviction. He thought asking Nodame would solve their problem as he won't be able to play the piano. He had asked Frank earlier but he had decline saying his exams were coming up. Now, the only thing he can do is to accept her offer. He only needed Nodame's promise that after a certain period of time that she can't find another pianist, she'll have to be the one.
"I'll ask our director but I'm not making promises!"
Nodame went straight to Chiaki's apartment after school. The conductor texted her that they'll should have dinner together, as he had a surprise for her. Oh boy, she too had a surprise for him – she really needed him – badly.
"Tadaima!" She said as soon as she slipped in Chiaki's door. A wonderful smell wafted her nose as soon she was in. It really smelled delicious that she closed her eyes and licked her lips and that she almost flew to his kitchen.
"Ah – ah, no not yet." Chiaki wave his hand stopping the pianist in her tracks. "Almost done; but not yet. Maybe you should freshen up a bit."
"But I don't have a change of clothing." She protested.
"You'd left a few pairs the last time remember? It's on top of the bed." Chiaki said over his shoulder while poking something in the oven.
"Okay." She decided to take a quick shower, anyway she knows Chiaki-sempai gets irritated by sweat, and she doesn't want to do that today as she wanted to get her hands on those nice smelling food and she has a big bog favour to ask him.
Shinichi smiled at himself when he heard the shower, some naughty thoughts came to mind and he imagined Nodame's red swollen lips. He can't even remember when was the last time he was able to kiss them.
Shinichi pour a few drops of the potion he bought from the gypsies intone of the wine glass before he hurriedly hid it in the cupboard. He already put some in the cake batter but decided to add to her wine for good measure.
"No one will beat you at cooking Sempai! Nodame really could see you as a good chef if you decided to leave conducting. This pasta is really creamy. I never imagine that you could use courgettes with pasta." She downed a mouthful of white wine before forking pasta again.
Chiaki was beaming though he wanted to downplay Nodame's compliment but it always tickle him the most. "That's just a simple dish, a few stir here and there, nothing fancy really." By the way, I baked you a peach upside-down cake so make sure that you have a room for it."
Nodame almost halve the 12 x 8 cake when she felt that she had reached her limit. Chiaki handed her another glass of white wine. "Thank you sempai, today's dinner was absolutely lovely. One of the best! It has definitely rivalled the first time you cook Nodame dinner in Tokyo." The smile on her face was dreamy and that made Shinichi proud of his non-musical skill.
Nodame stood up and went behind Chiaki and embraced him. He felt her soft chest behind his head which made his blood pressure go up a few notches, his cheeks blushed and his imagination a bit wild. 'The potion is working!'
A/N – Really am sorry for the late update. I had a minor back surgery which I'm still recuperating till now, but most of the time I am really busy with my day job which my bread and butter comes from.
Thank you for liking my story and still hoping that you will continue reading the next chapters. Please do review and add few comments, it makes us writers feel good about our stories.
Thank you, watashiwa aishteru. Saranghe.