106. Surprised
629 Words
Satsuki helped Ken set the table, largely because she had insisted despite his protests. She liked that Ken indulged her to that end, how he felt she deserved to be pampered… But it just did not sit right with Satsuki to stand on the side and watch Ken do all the work himself. After all, he was the one preparing the meal for them, the least she could do was to help out with the little things. So she put the plates and utensils in place, while Ken fetched the pesto sauce from the fridge and placed the bowl of just cooked, steaming pasta to the centre of the table. Then, when all was set, he stepped forth to pull a chair out. Satsuki smiled at the gentlemanly behaviour and sat down at the table. Ken's hand briefly touched her shoulder as he bent forward to fill her wine glass. Then, he circled the table to take his own seat opposite to her.
"Please help yourself," he gestured towards the pasta, as he poured wine for himself.
Satsuki filled her plate and relaxed in her chair. This was easy, this was an often repeated pattern, eating and conversing with Ken. Even if this time the setting was different, with them being in the privacy of Ken's home, eating a dinner he had prepared, there had been so many instances when they had shared a meal, that she immediately felt more relaxed and confident now they were in a familiar ground.
"It's really tasty," she complimented the food he had cooked.
"Thank you," Ken replied. "How has the filming been?" he asked her to spark the conversation.
"Kind of bittersweet," she grimaced. "I really enjoy being on the set, I love all the people there, I love the show. It's sad to think it will all be over so soon. At the same time, I'm starting to feel excited about all the possible future roles – not that I have yet been offered any."
"You will, once the Inuyasha series starts airing, people will recognise your talent."
And like that, they continued talking comfortably together, about work, about their mutual acquaintances, about books they had read and TV shows they had watched, about everything and nothing. The dinner was very lovely, the food was delicious, and Ken made for charming company. Eventually, Ken served some ice cream as dessert and they moved over to the living room, sat on the couch together and continued the companionable evening. He put on some music and together they got into a rather deep discussion about Inuyasha, commenting the story Furui-sensei had penned, reminiscing on the memorable scenes, their most enjoyable moments, all the mayhem happening off the screen, the jokes, the friendships wrought, the pranks played. It really made Satsuki realise what a journey it had been, how much she had really grown during the production. They sat close as they conversed, and at some point Ken's hand had come to rest on Satsuki's thigh, and she found she did not mind that one bit. She was really having a great time, being with Ken no longer felt dangerous or threatening, even if Satsuki still feared for her poor little heart at times… But as absurd as it might have sounded, sharing the couch with Ken, relishing their talk, the shared laughter, his proximity, it felt right, it felt natural. Satsuki was enjoying herself so immensely that time flew, so she was completely caught off guard when Ken pointed out how late it was getting and offered to call her a cab. Satsuki didn't really even have time to process the lovely evening had already come to an end before they were already parting, and Ken gave her a chaste fleeting kiss of goodnight.