Shelf #021

The following night, at Tony's restaurant, only two tables were being used. Kuu and his friends were on their first course. His cousin, Lory, read "The Japan Times", with a picture of Julie –– looking forlorn even with her sunglasses on –– and Jeff at the Narita Airport.

"You didn't know she had a boyfriend?" asked Max.

"No –– did you?"

Kuu looked at everyone. Their faces made it obvious to him that they all did.

"Fucking shit, I can't believe it –– my whole life ruined because I don't read 'Hello' magazine."

Lory folded the newspaper and slammed it on the table beside Kuu. He leaned back.

"Let's face facts, " he said. "This was always a no-go situation, Cus. Julienna's a godess and you now what happens to mortals who get involved with the gods."

Kuu raised an eyebrow, eyeing him deep. "Buggered?"

"Every time. But don't despair –– I think I have a solution to your deepest problems."

"Really?"

They all looked to him for wise words. As always.

Lory elbowed Max, and winked. "Max?"

Max nodded and smiled at the others. "So both of us started our investigation during our beloved Kuu's hibernation at his flat with Spike. . . And these are what we have found. ."

"Oh, so there isn't just one, huh?" Bella said.

Max held up a finger to signal silence.

"Her name is Tessa and she works in the contracts department–"

There go the two partners in crime again. They all started to laugh.

"–The hair, I admit, is unfashionable frizzy –– but she's as bright as a button and kisses like a nymphomaniac on death row. Apparently. . ."

The Result of the 1st Investigation. Convict: Tessa. . .

At Max and Bella's dining room one evening, Kuu looked so uneasy. The doorbell rang.

"Now –– try," Max said. Kuu just nodded silently. Max disappeared into the corridor and headed off to the door. Kuu could just hear the door open and a voice down the corridor.

"I got completely lost –– it's real difficult isn't it?" said the female voice. This must probably be Tessa. "Everything's got the word 'Portobello' in it –– Portobello Park Road, Portobello Gardens, Portobello fucking Park Gardens. . ."

Bella eyed Kuu with a high eyebrow and a teasing smile. Yeah, she understood him quite well. Max and the girl finally arrived at the kitchen. Tessa was a lush girl with huge hair. Max and Lory were truly right. They never lied.

"Tessa-san. This is Bella, my wife," Max introduced with a smile.

Tessa stood and her eyes were quite taken aback by Bella's appearance at the archway that leads to the dining room.

"Oh hello, you're in a wheelchair," Tessa said with a forceful smile curved on her lips. Kuu didn't like to hear this.

"That's right," Bella replied with a smile. She pushed the wheels to go to Max.

"And this is Kuu," Max said, pointing to Kuu leaning on the archway. Both hands on the pockets.

Tessa hurried to Kuu. Suddenly she beamed brightly on all ears.

"Hellu Kuu-san! Max has told me everything about you!" she said and touched his arm. Kuu felt scared she might just grabbed him. Frightened, Kuu spoke.

"Really. Has he?" he asked.

"Wine?" Max interrupted. He held up two bottles of wine. One was red, the other white.

"Oh yeeah please. Kuu, 'nomareteshimaee!" she said and laughed like a girl who just got an orgasm. She turned to Max to get the wine she wanted.

Kuu just had a split second to send through his eyes a message of panic and a big 'no' to Bella. She caught those eyes –– and agreed. It really was bad. So bad.

The Result of the 2nd Investigation. Convict: Risa.

Same match-date venue. This time at Max and Bella's conservatory one Saturday night. Max walked over to the table carrying a basket of food. Honey, Lory, Bella, Kuu and the convict were gathered.

"Risa-san –– some woodstock?" Max began as he settled the basket on the table. Honey started taking the pitcher and poured drinks. Lory started passing a plate of pasta. He first passed it to the slim, pale, long-haired raven girl beside him.

"No thank you, Max-san. I'm a fruitarian," Risa said. Her blank, dreamy eyes staring on all the food looked as though she wanted to vomit.

"Oh. Really? I don't realize that."

Now Honey, Lory, Bella and Max quickly stole glances at Kuu. It was now left to him, who had been set up here, to fill the awkward pause.

"And, ahm –– what is a 'fruitarian' exactly, Risa-san?" he asked. Risa looked to him and blushed lightly. Lory, Bella and Max smirked. Honey teasingly raised an eyebrow. Of course. It started working now. Who wouldn't fall for that twinkle in those gorgeous sky eyes? He did that on purpose.

"Ah-Uhm. . . W-well –– We believe that fruits and vegetables have feelings," she replied. "So, we think cooking in any form is cruel. . We – only eat things that have actually fallen from the tree or bush –– that are, in fact, dead already. . ."

"Right. Right. . Insteresting stuff," Kuu said, his face fell. That was such a quick turn-off. Lory read his expression.

"So. . These carrots. . . "

Risa turned to where Kuu was looking on a plate. She nodded.

"Have been murdered, yes."

"Murdered? Poor carrots. . . How beastly. . ."

Just that and Risa just ate the pasta quite forcefully. The atmosphere felt really heavy. Everyone ate in silence. Right after Honey was done filling all the glasses with drinks, Max looked up and noticed that ever since they started with dinner, Kuu didn't even feel like eating anymore. He had just been forking the carrots.

Max fixed his eyes at Bella, Honey and Lory. While eating, they eyed him back too, then they stared at Kuu. They understood and nodded. This was in fact, really bad. So bad.

The Result of the 3rd and Final Investigation. Convict: Amanda.

Kuu wanted to protest to his close friends already. They had done everything they can to help him in their own way. This was really such a big effort for a true dear friend. Kuu had no choice but to hold on and kept this last bit of matchmaking done. Hopefully this time, it'll be not so bad as the first two.

It was another evening at Max and Bella's conservatory. Lory and Honey were still at work this Tuesday, so they weren't able to attend to this dinner. It was now time for coffee and chocolates. Beside Kuu sat the final, seemingly perfect girl –– not convict anymore –– found by Max and Lory. She was Amanda, quite young, with long silky straight, blonde hair –– smartly dressed, sexy and open-hearted. It was just Max and Kuu and Bella and her around the table.

"Delicious coffee," Amanda said with such a heartwarming smile. Her cool, chestnut eyes twinkled.

"Thank you," Max replied. He and Bella looked at Kuu. That familiar smile kinda reminded them of someone, didn't it?

"I'm sorry about the lamb."

"No, Max-san, it's okay –– I thought it was really, you know, interesting."

"Interesting means inedible to him," Kuu said beside her. She turned to him and she smiled back and gave a soft, hearty laugh.

"Really? Okay, really inedible –– yes that's right."

They all laugh. This time it was finally going well. Very well.

The time right now had called them to end a nice evening. At the corridor, Max and Bella watched as Kuu was with Amanda by the door –– just about to say goodbye.

The two lingered in each other's gazes for a moment, a wonderful silence. Then Amanda broke it first.

"Maybe. . We'll meet again some time, Kuu," she said.

Kuu smiled back warmly at her. "Yes. That would be. . . great."

She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. He opened the door –– she walked out. He held it open for a moment and watched her walk away. Amanda clutched her jacket close to her as the wind blew gently. She looked back, saw Kuu there and waved. Kuu waved back and shut the door quietly. He headed back into the living room.

He saw his two best friends there waiting excitedly. Max was holding his wine glass, taking a sip of white wine. Bella was at the open door leading to the garden.

"Well?" Max asked.

Kuu leaned on the archway, looking back at them. "She's perfect, perfect. . ."

Bella raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "And?"

Kuu made a gentle, exasperated gesture, then. . .

"I think you have forgotten. . ."

He paused and went to sit on the soft couch opposite Max. Bella turned her wheelchair to face Kuu. He took a deep breath, exhausted even if he din't worked too much on this affair. He looked at them and continued. "What an unusual situation you have here –– to find someone you actually and truly love, deeply. . . who'll love you back. . Just the same –– the chances are. . . always miniscule. Look at me –– not counting the American –– and of course aside from my baby sister. I've only loved two girls in my whole life, both total disasters."

He leaned back on the sofa and rested his head on the arm of it.

"That's unfair," Max said, eyeing him deeply. He looked sad and felt bad for Kuu. "That's not fair, Kuu."

"No, really. . . One of them marries me and then leaves me quicker than you can say Indiana Jones ––"

Then he eyed Bella. "And the other. . . who seriously ought to have known better, casually marries my childhood best friend after being convinced by my irrational cousin. . ."

She ran her hand through his hair. "Still loves you though. . ."

"In a depressingly asexual way, Bell. . ."

She inhaled deeply. There was a pause. "I never fancied you much actually. ."

They all roared loudly with laughter. Max teased him.

Bella spoke, smiling warmly. "I mean I loved you, Kuu –– I really did –– you were terribly funny. But all that - kissing my ears. . ."

She moved as if she was tickled and held her ears. " I can't handle that, you know."

Kuu just gave up and closed his eyes in despair.

"Oh, no –– this is just getting worse," he said. "I am going to find myself, 30 years from now, still on this couch. . ."

Bella and Max looked at the poor sight.

"Do you want to stay?" Bella asked softly. Max nodded at him.

"Take few days off," he said. "Heal yourself for a while. . . Martin can look after the shop."

"Why not –– all that awaits me back at home is a masturbating Welshman."

#~##~#