Chapter Twelve: Dates & Boyfriend
Saturday afternoon started with a crisp breeze and sun. Leaves blew in the wind all around as spring started to be visible in the distance. Birds chirped all around as the sun was headed towards the lower portion of the sky. Across the area four people were preparing for their evening.
Kousei stood looking in the mirror and breathed deeply. He struggled hard to remember if he even had a date before his last girlfriend. He shook his head and concentrated on the present. He had asked out Mizuhara, made a date, and kept on sweating while wearing his new blue shirt and grey slacks.
"Just nice enough, good enough, sharp enough…and not too flashy," Kousei thought to himself.
Kousei thanked Mami in his head remembered recent dating advice for how to dress he received the other night. Smiling, he wiped his brow and looked forward. One hour until the date.
Across town in her bathroom Mizuhara looked at herself in the mirror. She shook her head as started to remember her last date with Niko and quickly pushed it aside. For a moment she realized it was because of him she met Kazuya, and because of Kazuya him she met Kousei, and looked up with a smile. She took off her glasses, cleaned them, and felt she could see through any challenge.
"I can do this. I can. He is nice, I connected with him…and it was fun. I can do this," Mizuhara said to herself closing her fist.
She gave a final glimpse of her outfit of a modest purple shirt with black jeans and white leather boots. Mizuhara smiled at the shirt thinking it was a great multi-season piece.
In her mind she started to envision a business meeting for the first time with a new associate for an interview at the family bakery or meeting with Yuuici. Rolling her eyes she smiled at nicer thoughts. Thirty minutes before the date.
One flight of stairs above Mizuhara, Kazuya glanced at his bathroom mirror, and adjusted his collar.
"Tonight: Meeting up with 'angelfish418', second year high school, at aquarium. Interests include marine life, Japanese history, video games, and enjoys various teas with macha green being her favorite. Medium brown hair, wearing navy blue windbreaker," Kazuya recited in his mind. Kasuya dashed outside. 15 minutes to the date.
Sitting on a park bench just off the grounds by Kazuya's apartment, Mami waited in a military-style jacket and blue jeans texting her friends. Putting down her phone for a moment she patted her backpack by her. Kazuya walked past Mami at a healthy stride heading to an Uber waiting at the street and didn't see her as he hurried by. Mami checked her phone and smiled as she saw Kousei walking towards the lawn by the apartment building wearing a grey windbreaker.
Mami walked up quietly behind Kousei and said, "Kousei…"
Kousei jumped out of his skin, "M-Mami! What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to see my favorite prince off as he goes to court a lady. I also have something for you," Mami said with a smile.
Putting her backpack down she unzipped the zipper and pulled out a red rose from the local market down the street.
"It's lovely. Why are you giving me a flower?"
"It's not for you, silly. It's for Mizuhara. Show up as a prince on a first date with a rose, trust me it will help…I know it worked for me in the past."
Mami smiled, turned a little red, and shook her head as she handed him the rose.
Kousei bowed and when he looked up Mami smiled and gestured a little to come forward. Mami reached out towards his collar, and he instantly looked up while she adjusted his collar saying he looked very regal. Giving a sweet smile she said he had an alluring aroma coming from him and asked what it was.
"Oh this? One of my clients gave it to me. She said it is for 'mature men only' and it is something called Vercase Dylan Blue. Do you like it?"
"Oh yes. It certainly gives a royal feel. Get going, you're gonna do great. Have a wonderful time."
Mami handed him the rose with a nod and a smile. Kousei returned the gesture and thanked her as he walked away tucking the rose under his windbreaker. Mami stood watching him walk away before quickly shaking her head and texted her friends she will see them soon.
Behind a red velvet rope Mami and her friends listened to the music and looked up to the roof of the area's most popular nightclub.
"Hey 'Blonde & Beautiful', ever been to Rooftop before? The restaurant is on this floor, but the 'main course' is upstairs on the roof: me and my crew. We'd love to see the three of you inside," an upperclassman said from behind Mami.
Mami turned around and said, "No, I haven't been here before, but hear it is great. What I heard is best is that there is a 'wide selection' on the menu.' However, you're not what I desire. That and get a new 'line'."
The upperclassman turned around and said something to his friends about having better luck upstairs. Mami and her friends all rolled their eyes. They smiled when the bouncer at the door waved them inside.
Kousei held his breath as he saw Mizuhara approaching him as he stood at the street at the far end of the apartment complex. Thinking calmly and yet with strength he smiled as he gently exhaled.
Mizuhara came up with a smile and said, "H-Hello. You look very nice; I love your shirt."
Kousei summoned all courage he had, remembering the lessons Mami taught, remembering he controlled the flow. He wasn't scared, he wasn't running, he was confident, but needed a little more. He pictured Mami at The Passionate Piano looking him in the eye showing him to draw in the strength and make strong eye contact. Kousei focused intently in his mind.
"Thank you. I have this for you tonight as a gift. A rose as red as the setting sun and would only look lovelier if you accepted it," Kousei said as he opened his windbreaker held out the rose.
Mizuhara gasped, smiled widely, and blushed a little at getting a flower for the first time from a guy not being paid to be nice.
"It's beautiful. Thank you!"
"M-My pleasure I am so glad you like it. Shall we be off?"
"Of course."
The two walked to the street and called for an Uber.
At the Aqua Wonderful World at Shinagawa entrance a young lady with brown hair and blue headphones around her neck met with Kazuya at the edge of the gift shop. After his standard greeting, they set out to go inside when the girl eagerly took his arm with a large smile. Kazuya was a bit taken aback as his client smiled widely and almost laughed.
"What is bringing such joy Miss Nakano? I would love to share in it," Kazuya said knowing instinctively what it was.
"It's Saturday night! I'm going somewhere I want with a cute guy on my arm," the young lady said.
Kazuya said he was flattered and told her she was very pretty. The client pulled him towards the underwater tunnel where all manners of fish swam. She eagerly started identifying all kinds of marine life and suddenly looked embarrassed looking at Kazuya as he smiled.
"I hope I don't sound too nerdy. Please don't laugh," the client said kind of looking at the ground as she held her blue headphones pulling them in a little.
"I would never laugh. You sound great, clearly very learned. I love aquatic creatures," Kazuya said.
"I know! I saw your fish tank on your profile. I think the little treasure chest is cute. You said it was a gift from a client of yours."
"It was, I am so glad you saw it."
"It was nice, please call me 'Miku.'
"…'Miku', a very pretty name. Do you know what it means? One of my colleagues loved etymology."
"Yes, it means 'beautiful sky' with crimson color…my parents tell me they met on an autumn day when 'the sun was still bright, the sky was beautiful, and a crisp breeze rolled through the park and all around red and brown leaves swirled.' They told me their first child must somehow incorporate the season in some way…. I guess they felt it was a fitting name."
Miku blushed as she held her headphones close to her neck pulling them again inward gently.
"Your parents have taste. You are as beautiful as the sky…as the sun sets."
Miku blushed deep red with a smile and thanked him.
"What does your name mean? Did your colleague ever tell you? It is so nice when names have a special meaning behind them."
Kazuya laughed and thought of the gift from Ashai before telling his client the set of meanings of his name and the story of his gift.
Miku responded, "Your colleague sure sounds like something, it does sound like quite a unique ending to a date. I heard about Sapphire from a friend who said dates are fun and almost all the boyfriends have something special they do at the end, something to set them apart from their colleagues. What do you do?"
Looking at Kazuya with the eyes of a child about to get a piece of candy Kazuya laughed just a little and said, "You'll have to wait until the end of the date to find out."
The two walked through the aquarium moving past families, friends, other dates, and even people meeting in groups to share in a common interest. After sitting down on a nearby set of cushioned benches they watched all kinds of life swimming past. Miku smiled, pulled Kazuya closer on her arm, laughed, and said they have to go to the commissary next saying she wanted to get a snack.
Outside on the roof Mami and her friends sat listening to music while each drinking sake. Mami smiled at the fancy logo of Rooftop Bar on each shot glass each. The glow of the heat lamp's red filaments reflected on the shot glass making it look like the glass was rimmed with fire.
"If you like the shot glass 'Blonde and Beautiful' I'd be glad to buy you all one…along with the next round of drinks," the upperclassman from the line said as he and he crew walked up.
Mami's friends looked at her as she gave a sweet smile and said, "Oh that'd be so sweet of you! Please, my friends and I would all love Pumpkin Pie Martinis.
Seeing confused looks Mami said it was perfect for the winter and gave a warm smile.
The upperclassman smiled and said, "I'm Ryoto and it's nice to meet you."
"Ryoto…bring us our drinks…and I'll tell you my name," Mami said with a snide smile.
"Stay right there 'Blondie', we'll be back," Ryoto said as his friends patted his shoulders and the three left to go to the bar.
Mami's friends then looked at her dead eyed and turned their head a little.
"What?! What's with the look?" Mami asked even as she knew.
"You play guys like a violin. Do you have any shame?" Mami's first friend asked with a sullen face.
Mami smiled sweetly at them and said, "I don't know what you mean…besides not like either of you just got us free drinks and shot glasses."
"She has a point there," Mami's second friend said.
The three guys returned with Mami's drinks for her friends and three Rooftop brand new shot glasses. The six of them talked about any number of normal things people do when out at a bar. When the pumpkin pie martinis were done the guys asked if they each wanted to do a shot and Mami said each would. While drinking Mami's friends noticed all three guys firmly had their eyes on her and felt slightly jealous. Knowing the attention she was getting, she got up, and excused herself so the guys would have to talk to them while she went away to check her phone for any texts & Tweeting the night's exploits.
Returning to the table, the look Mami's friends gave her was more than enough, and she smiled to herself as she said, "Hey guys, thanks so much. Our boyfriends just arrived so we're going to meet them downstairs. We're gonna hit another place. This one is getting too crowded."
Ryoto and his friends asked the same question at the same time incredulously, each knowing the answer in their mind, "You have boyfriends?!"
"Yeah, but it was nice talking to you tonight," Mami said with a smile.
Walking to the stairs Mami's friends laughed and again said she plays guys like a violin, a concert violinist, as they toasted her with their shot glasses.
Sitting down in the commissary of the aquarium Kazuya set down two cups of tea and a slice of marble cake. Miku smiled and said she read how another review mentioned he loved it and decided to try it.
"I usually will have a pound cake slice and even had red velvet once, it was really good," Miku said while putting her fork over the cake slice.
Kazuya smiled as she took a piece to her mouth and she blushed heavily as he gently reached out for her fork before cutting a piece for himself.
"It's always been my favorite, I try to avoid too much, but I enjoy it when on a date," Kazuya said as he ate his portion.
"Do you come here often?"
"Often? I come here whenever I have a date here. I do love the place though. I enjoy the shows with the dolphins. Have you ever seen one of those?"
"Oh yes. You have to lookout for Wonder the dolphin. She once soaked me and a friend way back in like the fifth row during 'Splash Time'."
Kazuya smiled and said it had happened to her once too and that was what made the experience so much fun.
"M-may I asked you a question? A personal question?
"A personal question? Sure. If it is too private, I'll let you know. What did you want to know?"
"Do…do you have a girlfriend? A 'real' girlfriend?"
Stepping out of the Uber Kousei quickly held his arm out and took Mizuhara's hand as she stepped out with a smile. The two walked into the local A&W and got in line.
"So, what made you choose to go here? Are you a fan of the root beer? There are tons of places for burgers," Kousei said.
"I hadn't had it for a long time and then I went a while back and kind of wanted to have it again. I figured I would have cream soda and a burger with onion rings. What about you?" Mizuhara asked.
"I haven't eaten here in ages; I am going to indulge. So what movie are we seeing tonight?"
"You asked me out silly. You're paying. What movie did you want to see?"
Kousei looked flustered before realizing he never went over payments and quickly started to say, "I, uh… I ummm-"
"Relax Kousei. We can 'go Dutch' if you prefer. I was planning on buying either the food or the movie tickets…with popcorn. We can split it."
Kazuya thanked her and said he'd pick up the movie stating he would love to see Sonic the Hedgehog Three or the latest romantic comedy. Mizuhara smiled and said she would be happy to watch a fun movie stating they could save romantic ones for a future outing. Kousei smiled and both ordered their food on a kiosk.
Sitting down with their food they began to honestly talk of their weeks with conversation flowing organically with enthusiastic responses and laughter at lighter moments. They discussed more about their day-to-day lives, and each felt excited to be there, tempered with nervousness, but more fun overall. They talked about their professional aspirations and Mizuhara brought up her store.
"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question, maybe not 'personal' per say, but a question on a more private level dealing with people you know?" Mizuhara asked.
"Sure. Go ahead, I'll let you know if it is too much," Kousei said as he put his burger down.
"What did Kaori's parents do to advertise their bakery? How did they get the word out?"
"Huh. I am trying to think. I don't remember knowing about it until visiting, but I did notice flyers on their bulletin boards at other businesses. There were various groups of all kinds who met there, a number catered their events from there, and I remember others advertising their events by flyer on their bulletin board too. Why?"
"Oh. Just looking for ideas, always looking for ideas, and you got to see some up close."
"Your efforts at the monastery, your 'community nights', how are they going?"
"They are going well, thank you. It has garnered business, but I am just looking to kick it up a notch, several really. There is increased competition. I have a marketing manager who has some good ideas, but I don't know if they are feasible. They present a great risk. I am sorry if I am getting boring or such."
"You're not boring me. I remember concerts & competitions I'd play in always had sponsors. They'd be on the playbills. In addition to that all had flyers in the concert halls, but I remember the top sponsor always got announced at the start and end of the night. Of course, they didn't use the term 'sponsor' they always used the phrase 'made possible by' or something lofty. Does that help?"
"It does, it does indeed. It's one thing to learn in the classroom, another to have a consultant, but getting word on the ground, colleagues or competitors, is very important too. It's all about strategic planning, vying for an award. Sound familiar at all?"
"There are parallels to be sure, but what I did held no value beyond one evening's entertainment."
Kousei smiled and laughed a little.
"Don't discount yourself. If you feel that I as a business owner am in some way better than you than you're putting down every artist out there. Not all may get on stage like you, but everyone has passion. So what if you provided entertainment for a night? Paintings hang in museum for ages…and an artist may die penniless having sold only one, but their work outlives us all. Your music will outlast us both. The CDs you gave your clients can exist for ages. I could put it on mp3, and they will survive longer than the CDs. My stuff? My stuff goes stale, loses taste, or becomes a health hazard to eat if it lasts too long."
"Your work provides sustenance in healthy foods, quenching of thirst with sparkling water, coffee, all the way very sweet drinks you make, and provides great sweets for all occasions."
"And you, Kousei, produce nourishment for the soul. Don't forget that. Maybe knowing that will give you strength."
Mizuhara gazed into his eyes strongly.
Kousei smiled and said if she conveyed that sense of joy for her bakery in advertising she would rule the landscape.
"A girlfriend? A 'real' girlfriend? Honestly no, I don't have much time for one and I get my dating fix from being your 'boyfriend' tonight'," Kazuya said with a whimsical smile.
Miku lowered her eyes as she looked at him and said, "Doesn't it get lonely? Going home at the end of our 'date' and not having anyone to call? I am sorry I am asking these questions; I just get curious at times."
"Don't worry about being curious. Some call that being 'inquisitive' and besides it's the only way to learn in many cases."
"I guess. I have aspirations to go into writing. I may become a journalist."
"Keep on asking questions. I'll be sure to tell you if it gets too personal, but it's just…it's just that any woman who learned what I do either wants me to drop this right away or is put off enough that she can't last as a girlfriend…I understand that. I honestly hope that doesn't put you off our date. Normally I'd not speak of such a thing, but the customer is king…or queen."
Miku smiled and said, "No, not at all. It is nice to see beneath my 'boyfriend' while out with him I suppose."
When finished Kazuya thanked her and invited her to stand and asked where to next and Miku happily led Kazuya to the electric eel tank to enjoy watching the power meter and hear the measurement on audio as the eel put out its charges.
Exiting The Rooftop Bar & Grill Mami and her friends walked out to the street and hailed a taxi and told the driver to take them to quieter tavern to continue the evening having had all the loud music and "upper class" "upperclassmen" they could handle for the night.
"So how goes your pursuit of guys Mami? You've been quiet as of late," One of Mami's friends said.
Mami was lost in thought for a moment before apologizing when her friend shook her and said, "Oh, uh nothing much. I still am in a 'complicated' relationship with 'someone I know'."
"You still dry humping that gigolo?" Mami's second friend asked.
"Hey! Nino! Not cool! I am sorry, not everyone is rich like us! You know…there's something you could…we all could…learn from him! He works hard! He works hard at a job he doesn't like…he doesn't. He is using work he doesn't like, work he knows can be both hurtful and always deceitful, but uses it to help himself in more than one way. He uses it to not only make money to save up to train and be a better actor, but he is learning how to act at the same time. Not everyone can do that. I am not his girlfriend, so it is improper to pay for his tuition…besides…if my father found out-"
Mami's first friend said, "Yeah, yeah. 'Our families are from different sides of the railroad tracks' …Hatfield's and the McCoy's, West Side Story & Romeo & Juliet. Mami-
"Kyoka! You don't know…fine! I guess I should expect no less from the two of you. Geez! Why are we even friends?!"
Nino & Kyoka rolled their eyes and smiled at Mami before saying she was no different from them.
"Mami, you're the most fiendish of the three of us. You engineered, conducted like a symphony, a number of break-ups for your 'own purposes' …hell you stole my boyfriend when we were 13 because I didn't invite you to a girls' night out. I thought you were busy that night anyway…with the guy you stole from the girl in our history class," Nino said.
"God! I guess. Fine. Whatever, I am trying to do better these days. You see that don't you?" Mami asked.
Kyoka, "That remains to be seen. I hope you are. Tell us: Are there any guys you're pursuing other than your g—actor friend?"
Mami smiled and blushed just a little as she twirled her hair a little and said, "Well there is…. there is one guy. He's a guy like I've never met."
"Really? That doesn't sound like 'our Mami', who is this guy?" Kyoka asked.
"Just a nice guy. A unique guy. He's someone who is dark and disturbed, carries a lot of his shoulders, and yet…"
"And 'yet' what?"
"…He has shown potential. He has shown strength. He shows he has inner strength. Most of us do, but he can harness it. He has awakened parts of himself that were dormant for so long. He's showing confidence…and it's enticing."
"Oooooh! Someone has a crush!" Nino said smiling like she was eleven.
"Shut up! It's not like that!"
Kyota & Nino looked at each other with a nod and smiled at each other.
Nino closed her eyes and nodded her head before saying, "It's 'not like that'? It sure sounds like it is."
"What makes you say that?!" Mami asked quite angrily.
"Oh, come on! You're twirling your hair, trailing off, and speaking well of him. You're having a good time when he's not here talking about him. It sounds like you have a crush on this guy. Is he for real? He sounds like a romance-novel type, an injured soul helped, nursed back to strength by a kind and tender woman. You're neither after all. I doubt this 'guy' is for real. The way you're talking about him-"
"You know him. You both know him. You both know him intimately."
Mami sat back with a powerful & challenging smile and watched her friends scramble in their minds thinking hard. They knew by the way Mami spoke with such confidence it wasn't a bluff…and they were both caught unsure of themselves. The balance of power shifted back to Mami as a queen and the two of them mere subjects.
Kyota & Nino thought hard and played in their minds any guy they both knew and worried what Mami could possibly mean. Finally, both were shaking just a little while Mami sat silently.
Finally, Nino said, "Mami…do you want to get something to eat…on us. All drinks are on us…tell us who this guy is…neither of us know."
Kyota, "Yes, this person…that we both know. Tell us who he is…I have a feeling this could be-"
"Something you're embarrassed about, something of which you have no memory, something you may feel guilty about? Something which would really stop you both in your tracks?" Mami asked with a smug smile.
Both girls gulped and agreed and quickly ordered drinks feeling they would need something to go with whatever revelation they were about to have. Mami ordered a drink and when all three had them Mami's friends each threw back their shots of whiskey.
"What happened? Who is this guy?" Kyota asked.
"Yes, why do we both-"Nino asked as she started putting it together.
"You shouldn't drink too much. You 'gentle fairies' need to watch your intake of wine…after all…you may end up at the mercy of a wizard in the dark with your judgement impaired."
Mami smiled widely as her friends both hung their heads in shame. Mami jokingly said her subjects should meet their queen's eyes.
Nino looked up ashamed and said, "It was him. Merlin from the Boxing Day mixer at the Marriot. It was him...it is him."
"Yes, it is him. Merlin is the guy. He is real, he is all that, and you both should be ashamed of yourselves!" Mami said angrily.
"Hey! I remember now! You are the one who spoke about him, told us what 'you heard.' You were the one who offered him up!" Koyoka said.
Mami grimaced, "That may be, but you lied to him. The whole night may have been a lie, but you gave him fake numbers. Neither of you had the decency at the end of the night to just face him and say it was only for the night. It would hurt…but not ask much as finding out both of you considered him not even worthy of hearing it from you."
"We-we're sorry," Kyoka & Nino both said as they hung their heads again in shame.
"That's nice to hear. I apologized to him too…I am not above blame here. I agree with you Koyoka, but it takes two to tango…or in your case three I suppose. I apologized on your behalf too, but make no mistake all three of us were in the wrong…but that is another reason I like Merlin. He accepted my apology and while he did have effects from it, he did let it go…he says he had a great time after all, with both of you."
Nino & Kyoka turned as red as the setting sun as Mami laughed.
Koyoka twirled her hair and mused, "He got all nervous when we got outside, said he wasn't good at talking to girls, and he seemed like he was so innocent. He acted like he was a boy, said we were his first, but I'd never know. I think he was just being modest or embarrassed. He showed talent, he has the hands of a surgeon."
Nino gave a look towards Koyoka, turned to Mami and said, "I agree. He told us he did kendo when we asked him to tell us more about ourselves on the way to the hotel. He sure knows how to 'wield his weapon.' Why doesn't he have a girlfriend?"
Mami smiled and said, "I don't know. I should ask him."
"So, what next?" Nino asked.
"I bet you're hungry now," Mami said.
Koyoka looked over to Nino who nodded and, "Yeah, we both are. How did you know?"
Mami smiled and said, "Since we all got that off our chest. Let's eat. I don't think any of us are new people tonight, but maybe we can change a little…after all wouldn't you both be hurt if that happened to you?"
"When did this turn into a 'learning moment' Mami?" Nino asked with some incredulity.
"You want me to teach you another lesson and have me steal the next guy you like?" Mami asked with some amount of annoyance.
Nino shook her head and looked to the menu.
Taking a bucket of popcorn and two drinks Kousei led Mizuhara to seats in the center of the theater and listened to chatter all-around of people ready to see the latest adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends.
"Do you prefer movies subbed or dubbed?" Mizuhara asked as took some popcorn.
"I didn't get to go to the movies too much growing up. I don't really have a preference. I have found out when I am eager to see something I will go subbed and later wait for the dub, but if the dub already exists, I start there. I end up watching them both ways. I hope that doesn't sound strange," Kousei said.
"No, not at all. I bet lots of people do it that way…I know I do."
Kousei smiled as the small buzzer sounded and the lights came down. Throughout the movie they shared popcorn, drank their drinks, laughed, and all around enjoyed the time out. At the end of the movie Kousei stood and offered to help Mizuhara up who smiled thinking again this is nothing like what any other guy would do for her.
Leaving the theater, they headed back towards Mizuhara's building where they stopped at the end sidewalk. Mizuhara was tempted to invite Kousei in for tea when she thought the better of it and slowly opened her arms with a smile and Kousei leaned in, and they gave a warm hug feeling it was a great time. Both lingered and each blushed before saying goodnight.
Mizuhara happily ran upstairs and flew into her apartment all flush. She couldn't remember this kind of joy and wondered if it was actually a first-time thing. She suddenly realized she felt this way after seeing Kazuya for the first time and caught herself. She considered calling Sumi, but just decided to rest and prepare a cup of tea. Falling victim to the modern day way of finding out information, even if not correct, she looked online for ways to know if you like someone or are infatuated, confused, what to do after a date when she got the better of herself, and just decided to be happy and enjoy some tea and whatever else was trendy on streaming. After an hour she sent Kousei a simple text message saying she had a really nice time and would very much like to see him again. Mizuhara then panicked and remembered the whole "waiting until the next day" and worried if she should wait until he called her and panicked before remembering all the articles, she read may have been posted in the present but were well over 30 years ago. Emotions may stay the same, but rules change, but she knew she should stick to her answer, or sending her text, no matter what.
Kousei had arrived home & was eager to read the text message he heard thirty minutes ago, but immediately went to take a shower to cool off from his experience. He had to remember hard when he last felt this way and looked outside and wondered for a moment what his ex would say when he smiled and realized she would just tell him to have fun and forget the chance of messing up or it would come true on its own. Sitting down with tea he set out to read the text and smiled before sending back a modest note saying the same and said they should talk tomorrow.
Kazuya exited the aquarium with Miku as the sun was hanging low in the sky and took her gently leading her towards the vendors. An elderly flower vendor with a silver beard smiled as soon as he saw Kazuya walking up and bowed.
"Good evening, a flower for your lady?" The vendor asked as he bowed.
Miku looked at all the flowers and smiled as he indicated a crimson-colored rose. The vendor gave a little bow to Kazuya as he paid and smiled a little with anticipation of seeing Kazuya work his trademark.
"A rose as red as the sky as the sun sets in the mountains as your name and matched only by your beauty," Kazuya said as he bowed like a musketeer.
Miku clasped her hands over her chest with a bright smile and accepted the rose. Miku suddenly got very flush and gently put the rose down and motioned Kazuya closer to say something quietly. Kazuya leaned in and smiled.
Opening his arms with a smile Kazuya said, "Sure! If you'd like."
Miku gave Kazuya a firm and warm hug saying she loved the flower and hooked his arm asking him to walk her to the train station. Kazuya felt his phone vibrate and told him he'd be honored. Miku held onto his arm saying she had a really nice time and before Kazuya could say a thing said she hopes to see him again with a smirk figuring he'd said that kind of thing as a rental boyfriend before. She waved as she headed for the train holding her flower, gripped the plastic wrap, and hearing it crinkle as she closed her eyes and smiled.
Heading back home Kazuya climbed the stairs and saw Mizuhara's boots outside her door and glimpsed her watching TV. He thought about knocking on her door and asking about her date when he caught himself remembering it was none of his business on a personal level and surely not on a professional one. Mizuhara heard the sound of footsteps and figured it may be Kazuya and thought of telling him of her date when she thought the better of it wishing to keep things private.
Mami walked with Nino's arm wrapped around her neck and strained to keep her head up.
"I told you to stop drinking! Why don't you ever listen to me?" Mami asked Nino angrily.
Nino mumbled something about knowing her limits and she was fine.
"Why didn't you listen to me either?! You don't know when to stop. Seriously! This is the last time. Next time we're going to just call your sisters," Kyoka said with equal anger as she struggled to help Nino walk to the street.
All three hailed a taxi and the driver warned them if Nino couldn't keep her drinks down, noting he wouldn't keep the fare down either.
The three piled in and took off for Nino's apartment. Once there they brought Nino to her apartment, got her inside, and told her to drink as much water as she could and get some rest.
Mami and Kyoka joked there was always that one in the group who drank too much before both bursting out it wasn't either of them tonight.
Arriving home Mami saw a text from Kousei and was eager to tell Mami all about his time out via the Sapphire app and Mami smiled responding she was eager to hear about it and they should talk about it.
Two days later Mami walked into a classy indoor café wearing the golden dress Kousei picked out and saw him in his brand-new black silk shirt stand and pull out her chair. Mami smiled and sat down.
A server brought out tea and said she would take their order when they were ready.
Kousei was eager to tell her of his date when Mami simply smiled and said they should first order drinks and check the menu. Mami kept on thinking of her evening out and the highs of laugher down to the lows of anger, regret, and ultimately taking her friend home drunk and just said she was glad to be with him. Mami reached out her hand and put it on the table tapping a little while saying she had somewhat of a rough Saturday and was really glad to see him. Kousei stepped out of his boyfriend mode for a moment and asked Mami what was wrong. Mami suddenly realized she hadn't paid him when Kousei said he wasn't starting the date yet and Mami smiled saying Kazuya is indeed a good teacher for etiquette & she appreciated his empathy saying he is truly growing fast. Mami wondered what she could say when she just spoke of her time out not mentioning who her friends were and just said it was full of highs, lows, and really remembering some of their lesser activities together.
Mami smiled and ordered an iced coffee with whipped cream and black sprinkles along with tea before looking pensive at the table and then lifted her head.
"Kousei, the night out started with fun, drinks, laughs, and somehow spiraled to an area somewhere between a 'learning moment' and then 'high school movie' when one or two responsible friends have to take home a drunk friend…then again we're in college and we see it all the time," Mami said as she shook her head.
Listening with nothing but empathy Kousei noticed her hand was shaking and looked at it. Mami nodded with a small smile and Kousei took it.
"I understand. It is rough out there. Emotions can run high, both in the most refined of locations such as a concert hall to as rough as they come in bars and such. People are smart, they are stupid, they show bravery, and stupidity, and it knows no age. I have seen it, I have heard about it, and learned about it. The truth is I see it all the time. I see it from high school girls to some ladies who are a little more mature. Kazuya taught me a lot, I have seen a lot, and it never seems to end," Kousei said before telling her to continue.
"The ladies at The Passionate Piano were right, you are very mature for your—our—age. Where did you learn all this? Why don't you have a real girlfriend? I am sorry to ask that, but with all you are you need a real girlfriend, you deserve someone nice who will appreciate you for who you are," Mami said embarrassed before catching herself and apologizing.
Kousei smiled and told her it was quite okay before saying, "If you're saying that it just means I am growing. I owe a lot to you, I truly do. Kazuya told me to read things, spoke of techniques, did role-playing, I did my own 'learning' out there, but I have never had a teacher like you. If I am showing improvement, if I am truly showing any improvement, it is because of you. There is in all of us the energy to do things and learning how to direct it is what truly gives someone power. You taught me that. My music teacher couldn't, my best friend couldn't, Kazuya couldn't, my classmates couldn't, but you did."
"You're a charmer. You truly are a charming prince. So, tell me…tell me…how was your date?"
A server brought over their tea and coffee and Kazuya picked up his cup.
Kousei spoke of the highlights of the date and Mami commented, but wasn't really listening and found herself hung up more on the sound of Kousei speaking than his words alone. When Kousei paused to ask an opinion Mami quickly improvised saying it sounded like he was doing the right thing.
The two ordered food and Mami asked Kousei to tell her more about how he felt she helped him saying she needed a little cheering up.
"Well, I have to say holding onto me while we walked felt nice. It was so scary and so much fun at the same time. I mean, you're beautiful and charming, you have confidence, and when you held onto me, I could feel your energy. It was almost like getting recharged…I lost a lot after losing my girlfriend. I lost even more when I was first here feeling so alone. I found the strength to get to clubs, you should see me with the kendo team I am told I need to work on defense, but am great with my sword," Kousei said with a smile.
Mami looked up at him with a snide and playful smile, "Yes, I heard that recently…from non-club members. I guess your abilities have spread beyond club meetings."
Kousei turned deeper red than the sun setting. Mami laughed and asked him to continue.
"It's just…just that you can teach other things. I imagine it is like being a first-year student at high school and studying with a university professor…and getting the lesson privately. A private tutoring session."
"Oh stop. Stop right now…and by that, I mean 'don't stop'."
Mami smiled with sweet eyes.
"…Yeah. And…uh…oh it's because I see you walking with confidence enough so that even the girls want to be you and I don't mean because I was there. You have a magnetism, an energy while pulls views and while they were on me as you say…they were only pulled in our direction due to you. As you said they saw your confidence and wondered why I would be with you, what did I have to offer, and I feel that it was that kind of lesson which is so up close, so in the field, that it's like getting to visit an archeological site with them while your class is all back in the library. I don't know, I hope that doesn't sound horribly nerdy."
"No, it sounds honest. It sounds charming. You haven't lost the little boy inside you. Always let his voice be heard. It is important, it is something that can help you going forward, and the fact that you're appreciative of my lessons and you're taking them to heart is endearing. It makes me feel some joy in difficult times."
Mami gave a weak smile.
"Hey! I have an idea for a great dessert here. I only share it with people who mean something to me. It's on the menu. Would you like to try it?"
Mami gave a stronger smile and said, "I would. I definitely would."