Gikei = older brother in law

Chapter 5: Dinner Party

"Takumi, have you seen my purse?!" Misaki called, down the stairs. "I can't find it!"

Takumi walked over to the stair case with coffee in hand. "Which one...?" he asked.

"Which one did I used yesterday?!" Misaki panicked, running from room to room.

Suzana and Hinata were flying in from their honeymoon today. They agreed to stay at Misaki's place for a few days. Misaki was really excited to see her sister after a month.

"I think you used your silver coach bag," Takumi said coming up the stairs.

Misaki sprinted out of her room with four different coach bags. "Nope," she said, tossing one aside. "This one's empty...so is this one..." she said, unzipping them. "Why do I have so many purses?!" Misaki demanded.

"It's probably in the car," Takumi said, calmly going back downstairs.

Misaki ran down to the kitchen and paused. She couldn't look at her kitchen counter the same way again...not after what they did a few days ago... Misaki blushed. "Ugh you, perverted alien!" Misaki screamed, banging her head on the counter.

"I found it!" he called to Misaki. Takumi walked in and saw Misaki hitting her head against the counter. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"My poor counter..." Misaki muttered. "Ruined of its purity."

Takumi snorted. "I thought Misa Chan liked it..." he said, innocently.

"I did not!"

"Could have fooled me...well here's your purse,"

Misaki took the silver purse. "Thanks..." she said, still red in the face. "Crap, I'm not dressed yet!" she exclaimed, running back up the stairs.

"Do you want breakfast?" Takumi called after her. He picked up her bowl of soggy cereal. Was Misaki really going to eat this...?

This morning wasn't going too smoothly for Misaki. Their alarm didn't go off, leaving them barely enough time to get ready. Takumi offered to send a driver to pick them up but Misaki wanted to pick her sister up personally.

Takumi dumped the soggy cereal into the trash and filled a thermos with green tea. He looked through the cupboards and found a loaf of bread. He quickly made some cinnamon toast and wrapped it in a napkin.

"Okay, I'm ready!" Misaki announced, bounding down the stairs. She had on a cashmere sweater over a pair of leggings.

"Alright, my lady," Takumi said, holding open the door.

Misaki quickly got into Takumi's car. Takumi handed her the thermos of tea and the toast. "Breakfast in the car," he announced, starting the car.

"My cereal!" Misaki exclaimed, suddenly remembering.

"It didn't look like cereal anymore," Takumi promised it. "It kinda looked like your cooking,"

"Stop it," Misaki said, gently punching him in the arm. She would have smacked him but at the moment Takumi was driving.

Misaki bit into her crispy toast and drank her warm tea. "When did you have time to make toast...?" Misaki asked. "I haven't stopped moving since we woke up,"

"I always have time to take care of you," Takumi said, pulling onto the highway.

Misaki blushed. "We set up the guest room right?" she asked.

"Yes darling. Fresh sheets, vacuumed carpets, working AC..." Takumi said smiling. "How come Misa Chan never frets like that over me...?" he asked, pouting.

"What are you talking about..." Misaki muttered. "You take care of yourself just fine."

"How heartless..." Takumi said, shaking his head.

They pulled into the airport parking lot and Misaki pulled out her phone. She quickly dialed Suzana's number.

"Hello?"

"Suzana!" Misaki greeted. "Are you through customs?"

"Hello Oneechan, yes we are just about to head out," Suzana said. "Are you at the airport?"

"Yeah," Misaki replied. "We'll come find you."

"Thanks Oneechan,"

"You're welcome,"

"Come on, they're already here," Misaki said, holding onto Takumi's hand.

They walked inside the airport and began looking around for Suzana and Hinata.

"Maybe we should have brought a sign..." Misaki said, looking at the crowd.

"There they are," Takumi said pointing off to the left. "Sanshita-kun!" Takumi called.

"Suzana!" Misaki said, hugging her sister. "How was your trip?" she asked, taking her large suitcase.

"It was great. Thank you for asking," Suzana said.

"Hinata," Misaki greeted, hugging her new brother in law. "Great seeing you again,"

Hinata patted her back. "Misaki Chan looks great as always," he said.

Takumi took Suzana's suitcase from Misaki and they all headed out.

"Tell me about your trip," Misaki said, when they were all buckled into the car.

"Well, You kun and I spent a lot of time on the beach. I have a new collection of seashells. Ohh and there was great food. Also before I forget, I'd like to thank Oneechan and Gikei San for our new fridge and towel set."

Yes, a fridge and towels were an odd pairing for a wedding present. Misaki at first bought them five whole sets of good qualities towels. They were all monogrammed with "H&S." Misaki had picked out the colors and sizes for each one.

However, Takumi didn't think it was enough so he got them a fridge too. Leave it to Misaki's weird alien husband to leave a wrapped fridge in front of their new house.

Misaki still remembered the awkward wrapping paper... Only if your name is Walker will someone wrap a fridge for you at the store.

"I'm glad you like them," Takumi said.

"They're great," Hinata said. "The fridge is our most luxurious possession."

"I like the towels. I knew they were hand customized by Oneechan," Suzana added.

"How did you know...?" Misaki asked.

"Only Oneechan would think lavender and yellow went together..." Suzana teased.

"They don't?!"

"Only for Easter," Suzana laughed.

"It's okay," Hinata said. "Easter is pretty cool too!"

Takumi pulled up to their driveway and opened up the garage to park inside.

"Make yourselves at home," Misaki said, showing them inside.

"Wow..." Hinata said. "I forgot how big this place was..." he said in awe.

"I'll show you the guest room," Misaki offered. Hinata looked like he was in a museum. He examined everything they walked past.

"Amazing..." he said when they walked into the guest room.

"Here is closet space," Misaki said, opening the door. "Bathroom is the second door in the hall. I'll give you two some time to unpack and rest. Take your time," Misaki said, leaving them.

Takumi was in the kitchen cutting up fruit and arranging snacks on crystal dishes. "All settled in?" he asked, sampling a strawberry. "Mm...they're really sweet," he said, holding on out for Misaki.

Misaki went to go take it but Takumi pulled his hand back. "Open your mouth," he said.

Misaki sighed and opened her mouth. Takumi gently fed her the strawberry. "How is it...?" he asked in a romantic manner.

Misaki blushed. "Fine..." she muttered.

"Why are you blushing?" Takumi asked in a low voice.

"I'm not-"

"Is it because I'm using my bedroom voice...?" Takumi asked, taking a step forward.

Misaki backed up. "T-Takumi...my sister is upstairs! She'll be down any minute-"

"Uh huh..." Takumi said, cornering her.

"T-Takumi, stop it," Misaki stammered.

Takumi gently touched her cheek. "What's the matter...?" he asked.

"Oh food!" Hinata cheered, running to the counter. "Yum!" he exclaimed, sampling each food. There were practically stars in his eyes.

Misaki pushed Takumi away. "Yes, help yourselves..." she said ushering her sister and brother in law to the living room. "Plenty more where that came from!"

"Must be great to be rich..." Hinata sighed, chewing on a cookie. "Here, Suzana," he said, offering her a cookie.

"Thanks..." Suzana said, taking a bite.

Takumi sat next to Misaki on the couch and put his arm around her. Misaki glared at him.

"Misaki, didn't you get something for them...?" Takumi asked.

"Oh right," Misaki said. "I got you some small gifts. I'll be right back," she said, dashing up the stairs. Misaki grabbed the two gift bags on her vanity table.

"Just a little welcome back present," she said handing them each a bag.

"Oh..." Suzana said, holding up the bracelet. "Jimmy Choo...You shouldn't have, Oneechan."

"Oh a mug and thermos!" Hinata said. "Thank you!"

"Yes, thanks Oneechan and Gikei San," Suzana said. Hinata helped clasp the bracelet on and Suzana admired it. "I got gifts for you too but they're not as nice."

"No no!" Misaki said. "Its the meaning behind it that counts,"

Suzana handed Misaki and Takumi each a bag. "I put a lot of thought into it..." she said with a sly grin.

Misaki pulled out a sunset pink bikini. "Um...just what I needed..." she said, giving a nervous laugh.

"There's more!" Suzana said evilly.

Misaki was scared to what she was going to be pulling out. "A beautiful sea shell bracelet and..." she said, letting her thumb trace the smooth shells.

Misaki reached in and pulled out something that felt really silky. Misaki stared at the fabric in her hands.

"Leopard print nightgown," Suzana said when Misaki was at an utter loss for words.

"Right..." Misaki said, quickly stuffing the embarrassing article of clothing into the bag.

"Takumi, open yours!" Hinata urged.

"Alright..." Takumi said, looking into his gift bag. "Oh a nice mug with a photo," he said. The mug had a printed picture of Misaki and Takumi on it. Takumi then pulled out an apron. "Is this for me or Misaki to wear...?"

Suzana and Hinata laughed. "Who ever wants to," Suzana said.

"Last thing!" Hinata announced.

The entire room felt awkward as Takumi held a sandwich in his hand.

"Eto..." Takumi said. "Thank you...?"

"Oh wait!" Hinata said, grabbing it from Takumi. "So that's where it went..."

"You kun...you didn't happen to eat the picture frame did you?" Suzana asked.

"No!" Hinata said, holding up his hands. "I swear I didn't eat the frame-"

"It's right here," Takumi said, setting it on the table. The frame was made white wood with seashells and rhinestones decorating it.

"Thats a beautiful frame!" Misaki said.

"We should take pictures more often," Takumi said.

Misaki looked around the room... as if they don't already...

Over the fireplace, there was a huge photograph in a gold frame of Misaki in her wedding dress and Takumi in his tux. Takumi was sitting on the edge of a love seat while Misaki was leaning into him. Her long dress was draped over the rest of the couch.

On the mantel over the fireplace there were regular frames holding pictures of their honeymoon and vacations.

Misaki hoped they didn't have a lot of kids or else there no one would be able to see their walls anymore. It would all be covered in photos...

"Who's hungry?" Takumi asked. "I'll make some lunch,"

"Thank you Gikei!" Suzana said, sweetly.

Takumo nodded and went to the kitchen. Misaki crossed her legs and leaned back into the couch.

"I had planned dinner with Sakura and Ruri's families. I can cancel if you're too tired," Misaki offered.

"No no," Suzana said. "Dinner sounds great...Hinata, did I bring a dinner dress?"

Hinata thought about it. "You have some beach dresses...oh you have that green satin dress?" he said.

"Thats an afternoon dress," Suzana said. "High society has a lot of rules..."

"How about you borrow something from me?" Misaki offered. "I have several with the tags still on them. In fact...please keep one," Misaki said.

"But Gikei bought you them-"

"Takumi would buy me an entire store if I let him..." Misaki muttered. "So any exciting stories about your honeymoon?" Misaki asked.

"Oh oh!" Hinata said, raising his hand. "We went scuba diving and looked at all the fish,"

"Hinata won a pie eating contest," Suzana offered.

"Yeah," Hinata said. "So we won a free meal at a fancy restaurant."

"Lunch!" Takumi called. "I just made something simple..." he explained.

Misaki snorted. "Yeah...simple..." She could never make anything like this...

Takumi made a plate of omurice for everyone and a big pot of chicken noodle soup was placed in the center of the table.

Misaki studied the ketchup on her omelette. "Hey!" she exclaimed. "Why'd you write your name on my omelette?"

"Because I want Misaki Chan to always be thinking of me..."

Misaki rolled her eyes. "What did you write on yours...?"

"Secret."

"Why?! Let me see!"

Takumi lifted the plate over his head. "Kiss me first,"

"No!"

"Then you'll never know..."

"We'll look away," Suzana suggested. Her and Hinata both covered their eyes.

Misaki felt her face grow red. Takumi leaned over, dramatically pursing his lips. Misaki tried to give him a quick peck but Takumi put his hand on the back of Misaki's head and pushed forward.

"Hey!" Misaki mumbled, her lips still against his.

Takumi let her go. "Here you go," he said, putting his plate down. "Look to your heart's content..."

Misaki glanced down at the smiley face. "You didn't write anything!"

Takumi smirked.

"I hate you..."

After lunch, Misaki gave a house tour and they watched some movies in the basement. After the last movie finished Takumi turned on the lights.

"We should get ready," Misaki said. "We have dinner plans tonight,"

"I don't have a dress," Suzana reminded Misaki.

"Come on," Misaki said, showing her sister to their bedroom. "I'll get you one."

Misaki opened her closet and showed Suzana in.

"Wow..." Suzana said, letting her fingers touch all the clothes. "Oneechan's closet is bigger than our bathroom..."

Misaki smiled sheepishly. "Take anything you want," Misaki said.

Suzana walked along the racks of clothes. "I don't even know where to start..."

Misaki showed her sister to a rack in the back. "These are all dinner or party dresses," she explained. For once, Misaki was the one who knew what clothes to wear...sorta.

Suzana pulled out a knee length lavender dress with jeweled spaghetti straps and a glittery belt. "Wow..." Suzana said. She put it back on the rack and pulled out a short black dress with criss crossing straps on the back.

Misaki watched her sister pull out one dress after another. Misaki scanned her vast collection and choose a midnight blue dress. It was strapless and had a very Greek styled draping on the knee length skirt. Tiny crystals embroidered the waist line, hem and neckline.

"So what's it like living life in such high class?" Suzana asked, deciding to go with the lavender dress.

Misaki zipped up the back for Suzana and vice versa.

"It's exhausting," Misaki admitted. "Always having to look good, play a role, I would much rather live a quiet simple life."

"Then why did you marry Gikei?"

Misaki smiled. "Because I married him for the man, no matter if he was a poor man or a rich man, I could only love him."

"Thats romantic," Suzana said. "I'm sure Gikei would love to hear that,"

Misaki blushed. "Don't you dare tell him..." Misaki warned. She changed the topic by grabbing a pair of silver heels. "These will go great with the dress. They're too small for me so they should fit you perfectly."

Suzana smiled and took the shoes. She carefully stepped into them. "Yes, they fit," Suzana agreed.

Misaki grabbed a random pair of glittery stilettos and shoved her feet in them. It might get cold at night so Misaki put on her cropped black jacket with chic lapels. Misaki grabbed a brush and ran it through her hair a few times.

"Boy, Oneechan, you do this practically every night?!" Suzana exclaimed. "This getting ready takes a LOT of work."

"Tell me about it..." Misaki muttered, brushing some gray eyeshadow on. "For every party there is an hour to get ready."

"Do you go to salons?"

"Sometimes," Misaki said, applying mascara. "But it's cheaper to do it at home..."

"As if you have to worry about money," Suzana said, swirling on some blush.

"I'd much rather spend my days working then spa-ing," Misaki reminded her sister.

"True true," Suzana said. Suzana worked as a high school teacher. She could teach literature and english.

"Alright," Misaki said, dropping her phone into her purse. "We have to get to the restaurant earlier, since we are the hosts for tonight.

Suzana nodded and the girls quickly went downstairs. Takumi was in a pearl gray tux while Hinata was wearing a black one.

"Wow..." Hinata said, taking Suzana's hand. "You make that dress look so pretty..." he breathed.

Suzana giggled. Misaki couldn't help but laugh too. It was such a cheesy line but Hinata's innocent expression made it cute.

Takumi held the car door open for Misaki and closed it for her. The restaurant they pulled up to was called "Classic." There were three floors. The outer wall facing the streets was built out of dimmed glass. The building itself was very artistic. It was very blockish with clean angles. Inside, the main lobby was brightly lit with a grand fountain bubbling in the background.

"Name?" the host asked.

"Walker,"

"Oh!" the host said. His smile immediately brightened. "You must be Mr. and Mrs. Walker. Please, your room has already been prepared for you," he said, showing them the way.

They all climbed up a short flight of glossy steps. Takumi looped his arm around Misaki's.

"You look beautiful today," he said. "Absolutely dazzling."

Misaki blushed. "The gray looks good on you," she said, softly.

Takumi kissed her forehead real quick as they were shown to the party room.

"You are waiting for four more people," the host said. "Can I get you all something to drink...?"

"I'll have some red wine," Takumi said. "The best you have."

"Of course, Mr. Walker,"

"Champagne," Misaki ordered.

"I'll have champagne too," Suzana said.

"Orange juice!" Hinata announced.

"We can get juice?!" Misaki exclaimed. Yay no alcohol!

"Yes, anything you'd like Mrs, Walker," the host assured her.

"Can I have some orange juice and champagne, not mixed together," Misaki said.

"Of course, right away,"

Takumi pulled out a chair for Misaki. They were sitting at a round table with a rotatable disk in the center. Instead of passing dishes around, you just just spin the dish in front of you.

Misaki looked at the cute china bowls and plates in front of them. Misaki pulled a pair of china chopsticks from a package.

"Fancy..." Hinata said, looking through the menu.

"Sorry we're late!" Sakura said, walking into the room.

"Sakura couldn't decide on a dress..." Kuuga sighed, patting her hand.

"I really couldn't decide if I should have worn my black dress or this teal one. I think I made the right choice..."

Misaki nodded. "The color's nice,"

A couple waiters came in at once. One rolled in a drink cart and set the tall glass goblets on the table.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked.

Kuuga nodded. "I'll take some of the red wine,"

"Oh drinks!" Tora said, coming in. "I want a tequila."

"Yes, sir,"

Ruri was dressed in a long sky blue dress and a shimmery wrap. "Champagne," she ordered, sitting in the chair Tora pulled out for her.

"Are you ready to order...?" the waiter asked after pouring all the drinks.

"Takumi, do the honors?" Tora suggested.

"Feel free to add anything you want," Takumi said, opening up the menu. "Large white rice, sweet and sour soup, baked salmon, stir fry beef and onions, fried tofu...spicy mushroom and egg, sauté chicken, platter of Choy sum, sesame balls, and..." Takumi paused, randomly flipping through the menu. "Pickled radish and Walnut glazed shrimp. I leave it open to everyone else,"

The waiter was furiously writing things down.

"Dried tofu and bamboo shoots," Ruri added.

"Peking duck!" Hinaya suggested.

"We need more vegetables," Sakura said. "Green beans, Chinese greens...and some tea leaf eggs."

"Misaki, is there anything you want?" Takumi asked.

Misaki was still trying to figure out which food matched with the picture. "What's this...?" she asked.

"One order of baby back ribs with black beans," Takumi ordered.

"Hey I didn't want-"

"That's all," Takumi said with a smile.

Misaki rolled her eyes and took a gulp of her orange juice. She felt a burn down her throat. Tears stung her eyes.

"Misaki!" everyone exclaimed as Misaki started coughing. She quickly covered her mouth with a napkin.

"Misaki, what's wrong?!" Takumi demanded.

Misaki shook her head. "Orange juice..." she coughed. "With a splash of vodka...a big splash..."

"Oh..." Takumi said, rubbing her back. "It's alright," he soothed as Misaki gently dabbed her eyes.

Hinata sipped at his cautiously. "Is alcohol always implied...?" he asked.

Misaki shrugged. "I guess so..."

Takumi got up and got Misaki a glass of water. Misaki sipped the cool water.

"I'm fine," she assured everyone. "Sorry about that."

"Let's have a toast then," Sakura said, standing up. "To Suzana and Hinata,"

Everyone stood up and clinked glasses. "To Suzana and Hinata,"

"May you have a blessed marriage," Ruri added. Everyone nodded and clinked glasses again.

After they all took a few sips, Suzana stood back up. "Thanks for making us feel so welcome. Also thanks to Sakura and Ruri for caring for my Oneechan,"

"Amen to that," Tora said.

"Shut up, Tora," Misaki grumbled.