Chapter 51

As soon as we stepped through the door, I was overwhelmed by all the impressions. The entire apartment looked like a winter wonderland. It was as if a whole army of elves had been wreaking havoc and established a second North Pole here.

In every corner, I spotted something different, each vying for my attention, and then I felt Motoki's hand on my back. He gently guided me further into the living room. The room was illuminated with an equally overwhelming Christmas glow. Every nook was adorned with loving details, enhancing the festive atmosphere. The walls were decorated with garlands of pine branches, golden baubles, and sparkling fairy lights. A splendidly decorated Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner of the room. Its branches adorned with sparkling baubles in all colors of the rainbow, twinkling lights, and delicate ornaments. The scent of fresh pine filled the room, giving it a special magic, mingling with the breathtaking aromas wafting from the kitchen.

At the center of the room, a festively set dining table stretched majestically. A tablecloth in deep red, carefully chosen, formed the perfect foundation for the opulent arrangement. A shiny silver candlestick proudly graced the center of the table, lighting long, slender candles whose warm glow bathed the room in a gentle ambiance. The elegant dishes and sparkling glasses were artfully placed, capturing the light of the candles to create a dazzling play of reflections. Oh my, Makoto had outdone herself.

With anticipation and excitement, we took our seats, while Motoki poured us the first glass of wine. Soon after, Makoto arrived with an artfully arranged appetizer plate, which in itself was a feast for the eyes. Her warm welcome exuded warmth, making us feel immediately at home.

The array of courses was brought to the table one after another, each a masterful composition of flavors and textures. Makoto truly was the best cook I knew. It was a lively evening, a true delight for the senses, and we surrendered ourselves wholeheartedly to the exquisite delicacies. I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten so indulgently. One more bite, and I might burst.

Mamoru seemed to be getting a bit tipsy, as his sharp remarks and provocative teases became more frequent. But the wine was also starting to take its effect on me, and I cleverly engaged in his provocations. A playful atmosphere of teasing banter emerged between us, transporting us back to our school days.

"Would anyone like some of the delicious dessert?" Makoto asked, already holding the spoon, ready to serve generously. Mamoru could tell I was already quite full, and he felt the same. Nevertheless, his eyes flickered mischievously as he teased me again. "Bunny will definitely not say no to something sweet," he said with a cheeky grin. His teasing hit the mark, but I refused to back down. Instead, I put on a broad smile and handed my bowl to Makoto.

"Mamoru would probably love some seconds as well; he's just too shy to admit it," I replied mischievously. He also handed his bowl to Makoto, and as we continued to tease each other, I could sense the suppressed playful revenge in his eyes.

Motoki observed our banter attentively and chuckled amusedly. He knew us both well enough to understand that our playful exchange had a deeper meaning. It was a sort of flashback to bygone times, Mamoru being his arrogant self, and me, always challenging him and driving him almost mad. Just like in the old days. The evening wasn't just about culinary pleasures; it was also about familiarity and our teasing, which Makoto skillfully ignored.

"Usa, could you help me with the dishes?" Motoki asked me, his gaze indicating that he wanted to have some alone time with me. I gathered the plates and followed him to the kitchen. A mischievous grin spread across his face as the door closed behind us.

"Mamoru seems to be at the top of his game, huh?" he commented, nodding toward the living room. I felt a slight tension in me, and my response came out sharper than intended: "That might be because of the copious amount of wine you keep pouring for him." Motoki's grin widened. "Admit it, Usa, you still like him." I was somewhat speechless, and I answered back more sharply than I meant to: "Why don't you focus on Makoto instead? How long have you been planning the proposal? Probably for half a year, right?" I quickly changed the subject, hoping he would take the bait.

Instantly, Motoki dropped the teasing and became serious. He took out a small box and opened it. The delicate ring with its small gemstone sparkled at me. "I know, I'm still waiting for the right moment."

Suddenly, we heard a loud gasp behind us. We hadn't noticed that Makoto had also come into the kitchen. Shocked, she covered her mouth with her hands and stared at us in disbelief. I patted Motoki on the shoulder, now it was my turn to grin broadly. "I think the moment has come now."

Motoki approached Makoto, who couldn't wait for him to actually pop the question. As soon as her eyes caught sight of the ring, she squealed with joy: "Yes! Yes, of course, I will!"

I surreptitiously looked at the ring on my own finger and twirled it in thought. Had Seiya planned this too? I would probably never find out. Meanwhile, Motoki had placed the ring back in its box, and the two were now locked in a tight embrace, kissing passionately. They were completely absorbed in each other, and I felt like I was fading into the background.

Carefully, I slipped past them, back to the living room, where Mamoru was still sitting at the table. "You can take me home now. I don't think we'll be seeing our hosts again tonight."

Bewildered, Mamoru furrowed his brow, as he hadn't witnessed the kitchen incident. "Toki finally gave her the ring," I explained, and he immediately understood what I meant. "Then we should probably leave the two alone for now."

He put his arm around my shoulder and led me out of the apartment. Slightly tipsy, we began the descent down the countless stairs, but just as we reached the last step, I stumbled and slipped. Mamoru tried to catch me, but I ended up landing ungracefully on the floor. Ouch.

Then I spotted the culprit for my fall: the stiletto heel of my shoe had broken off. Mamoru was still standing on the stairs, looking down at me. Then he burst into hearty laughter.

"Did you eat so much that your shoe couldn't take it anymore?"

"Very funny, I'll laugh later. Help me up instead. How am I supposed to walk home like this? It's quite a long way to my place."

He seemed to bite his tongue and hurried down to me. "Are you in pain?" his doctor mode switched on.

As he gently prodded my ankle, the pain intensified, and I flinched slightly. "Ouch, that hurts! Press your own foot instead!" I said, poking him playfully in the shoulder.

But he was undeterred. He turned to face me, his hand enveloping mine, which had just poked him. Then we locked eyes, and everything around us seemed unimportant. The world seemed to stand still as we just gazed into each other's eyes. Seconds later, I felt his warm, soft lips on mine. The kiss was intense and full of longing, and I could feel all the pent-up emotions between us unleashing.