Chapter 52: Naomi and Keith's Special Night!
The next night...
"What dress should you wear Naomi?"
"I'm feeling unsure about this Dia."
In the room, the girls are helping to prepare Naomi for her time with Keith as they worked through to make her attractive. Emma is also there trying to make a video call.
"Calling someone?" Lucy asked.
"A friend." She replied and there's a response. "Hello? Whoa Emma! It's been a while hasn't it?"
"Colette! How are you?"
"Doing good! Reading fashion magazines and hanging out to examine fashion."
"Now that you mentioned, I need your help on the fashion sense. You see, me and my friends are helping another friend of ours for her special night."
"Adorable! What do you need to do?" Emma then used her phone and showed Colette 5 dresses. "Hmmm...all have unique designs..." She examined the design until, "This one!"
"Alright. We'll take your word for it. I'll see you back at California!" Emma told her.
"Same goes for you! And tell Kappei I say hi and I'll be bringing back some french desserts for Gumchi. He's such a cutie!"
"Will do!"
"Also, saw that new dancing video you released in Nintube. It was something!" Colette added. "I've already subscribed to your channel."
"Thanks Colette. See you!"
The video call ended as, "I could have sworn that your classmate called Gumchi a cutie." Elena pointed out as she gave Naomi the dress that Colette picked and she went to the bathroom to change. "But you did say the girls love to have him around."
"They adore him. He's cute, adorable and brings happiness to our class." Emma replied. "You all remember the story Kappei told you right?"
"Yeah. To think everyone went into panic mode upon hearing about a 'monster'." May chuckled.
"Yeah. But fortunately, Kappei was able to tell everyone his story and with that, everyone got the full picture of Gumchi and accepted him as part of our class." said Emma as Hongfa checked the time. "5 more minutes left. Naomi should be back now."
The door opened and she showed up. The girls smiled in excitement. "It fits her perfectly!" said Lucy.
"Now all we need to do is apply some make-up and-"
"Actually, I'll pass on the make-up." Naomi told Elena as Emma sprayed a bit of perfume on her.
Downstairs...
"So let me get this straight, Naomi wants to tag along with me?"
"Of course Keith. She too would like to try out the place. Isn't it run by that same person before?" Dan asked.
"Yes. He's now doing good and was able to upgrade his place into something better. I kept in touch with him during my time in high school and now that it's summer, I can finally get the time to pay him a visit and see the beautiful changes he made." Keith replied. "Anyway, is Naomi ready?"
"She is!" They looked to see her walking down with Dia and May accompanying her. "Whoa...that dress makes her a top model!" Keith described. Yes, Naomi wore cherry blossom pink evening dress with the flower designs on it with earrings and 2 jade bangles.
For Keith, he wore a a black suit with a white undershirt and a blue tie, black pants, white socks and black dressing shoes.
Meeting up, "You look ravishing." He described and she smiled at his compliment while feeling flustered.
"And you look...formal." She replied though she also thought she could have said something much nicer.
"Why thank you. Now, shall we?"
"Y-Yes!" She replied shyly as Keith offered her hand. She wasted no time and took it while shaking a bit. "Stay calm...I'm going out with him for the first time. The others have made the arrangements already thanks to strong communication with each other. All I need to do...is make the first move..." She thought as they left the house. There outside, "Dan was nice enough to book a ride for us so that we can be there early." Keith told her and soon enough, a car drove in. Implied to be the one, they got in and it drove off.
From the beach house, all watched them leave. "Let's hope the plan worked." said Van.
"Yeah. We made the arrangements, the fittings and all they have to do is have a good time." said Kappei.
"Anyway, who wants to watch Bad Boys movie series?" Dan asked as many boys cheered and joined him to the living room. "I'll get the snacks." said Tyler. "I'll get the soda." said Alec.
For the girls, "Let's sing karaoke!" Lucy suggested.
"Yay! Singing sensation!" Hongfa cheered as all the girls headed upstairs. But somehow, 2 people remained at the living room as they nodded at each other.
Half an hour later...
The ride soon reached the place which is now large as they got out of the car with Keith giving Naomi a hand as she stepped out carefully to not damage her dress.
"Why thank you." She thanked him.
"I'm always taught to be a gentleman to the ladies like you." He replied as they looked at the place. "It's been years since I saw him."
"Indeed. You wanted to help him keep his business running. And now, it appears he has become successful enough to improve it." said Naomi as they approached the front entrance. A waiter is there as, "Table for two?"
"Yes please." Keith answered him as he led them inside. "Fascinating. The interior works is a beauty!"
Inside the restaurant, people are dining, ordering food and drinks, mingling with each other and enjoying a performance by a male singer as he sang, 'Stayin Alive' by the Bee Gees while behind him, the band played the background music on stage.
"Ah Keith! Welcome! I've been hoping you'll drop by one day to gaze at the improvements and changes that I went through!" The restaurant owner now, a manager came to greet him. "And who is this lovely lady beside you?"
"A good friend tagging along with me for some bonding." He answered as the manager raised an eyebrow. "Friend you say? In my eyes, I feel like there is something between the 2 of you."
They were silent from his words as he had a waiter bring them to an empty table. They were seated down as another waiter appeared and handed them a menu each. Browsing through, "So many new dishes. He really upped his game in the business!" Keith exclaimed.
"Looks affordable." said Naomi.
"Indeed. I brought my own credit card to spend." said Keith.
"Good to know. Back at school when we want to spend our school credits, we need to scan our phones for the payment." said Naomi.
"Agreed. Now let us examine the menu and find something succulent, delicious and aromatic to sample." Keith stated gesturing the menu as they continued browsing through.
A few minutes later, a waiter approached them. "Have you decided sir and ma'am?"
"Ah good timing! I would like the Meat Galore main course." Keith requested.
"The dish with the chargrilled chicken breast, 2 black pepper sausages, sliced roast beef and 2 steak tenderloins?" He asked him as he nodded. "Well then, any sides?"
"Mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables." Keith replied. "May I add another side dish?"
"There will be additional charge in that."
"Sure. I can deal with that. Truffle fries and yes, I will also add on the roasted duck slices."
"I did not expect him to order a lot..." The waiter thought with a doubtful look as he noted it down and shifted his attention to Naomi. "And what about you ma'am?"
"Okay...I would like the salmon carpaccio with a side of salad and the soup of the day." Naomi ordered.
"Good choice." Keith told her and the waiter nodded agreeing with him as he noted her down. "Any drinks?"
"Let me see...bottomless orange juice for both of us." Keith ordered and Naomi just followed along.
"Excellent. Your order will be ready soon." The waiter then left to submit it to the kitchen.
And now, the band is playing a new BGM as the singer sang, "How Deep is Your Love." by the same group as Keith and Naomi watched the performance. "Ah...it'll be great to run a restaurant like this." He began.
"You want to run a restaurant?" She asked.
"Yes. One day, I would like to own a business in the culinary arts. I can imagine the rich, main courses and exquisite dishes being cooked, prepared and served to everyone! Appetizers and desserts are applied as well. Even so, I will make it affordable for everyone regardless of their social standing." Keith revealed to her. "This is why I've been reading through the cookbooks and practicing on creating the dishes."
"I like that. And you did mention it before at the beach party" She replied with a smile. "Anything else for your business?"
"Hmmm...perhaps entertainment can be included. For instance, you playing the shamisen on stage and singing with your beautiful singing voice." He replied making her flustered.
"Sing in front of a crowd? Um...it's a long way for me..." She replied shyly.
"Oh yeah. You never sang before an audience right?" Keith asked.
"W-Well. I sometimes practice my shamisen in my room alone or during the music club. I'm okay playing with my club peers but in front of a large audience is nerve wrecking."
"You have potential to perform onstage in front of a crowd. Step by step, you can increase your courage and perform with excellence." Keith told her and she smiled at his encouraging words.
They continued chatting with each other for some time as their eyes can't even gaze away for a minute. Naomi then tried something new. A wink on the eye. Keith was left startled and a bit flustered by her move when their dinner arrived as, "At last. I can sample them all." Keith thought with a smile.
Everything is set before them as Keith began sampling the food. "Oh...so heavenly. All the meat is chargrilled to perfection and at the right temperature! The tenderness is up to standards!" He chewed up his meat while Naomi ate her dinner casually. "Would you like to sample some?" He asked.
"No thank you." She replied with a smile and took her glass of orange juice. "Cheers?"
"I love that. No I mean, I like that." Keith replied as they had a toast. "Strange...this is the first time I feel something different and special for Naomi. Maybe..." He just smiled at her and continued eating his dinner while she drank her juice as a nearby waitress went to refill her glass.
"Say, when are you going to sample your duck?" She asked as she sampled her main course.
"I saved the best for the last." He replied as he ate some of his truffle fries and followed by a sausage.
"Obviously duck meat has always been your favourite food." said Naomi as she drank her soup which is cream of tomato.
"Why don't we share it? It also comes with a serving of risotto." Keith suggested as he started cutting his chicken.
"Why not?" She then took a slice of duck meat with her fork. "Open wide Keith."
"Oh this is going to be good..." He thought and she fed him the slice. "Mmmm...the tenderness..." He really enjoyed it as she did it again.
"Now it's my turn." He did the same to Naomi as they shared a laugh and continued eating. They seemed to be enjoying themselves also as they talked about other things for the next several minutes.
Later on, they ordered dessert and 5 minutes later, a waitress brought each of them a slice of cake served on a plate with a fork. Keith has a slice of chocolate cake while Naomi has a slice of cheesecake.
"Maybe you can try baking also." She suggested.
"I might. Once I mastered the skills in the culinary arts." He replied as they ate and mingled. From a distance, the manager observed them still believing that there is something between them. "Yes indeed...perhaps I should do something about it." He thought to himself when, "DING!" An imaginary lightbulb appeared above his head and he had a big grin about it.
After the dinner and dessert...
"Enjoyed yourself?" Keith asked Naomi.
"The food was delicious. Top quality." She replied as they waited for the bill. It was at that moment that the restaurant owner decided to stage his plan. "Hey." He called for the male singer on stage as he whispered something to him. "Ah...I'll do it."
Now on stage, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to dedicate a song to a special couple right here. If it pleases everyone, the special couple will be invited to the front to perform a dance." The singer announced as many applauded him and are excited. Once ready, he gave the green light and the band began playing the background music as he began.
L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can
At that moment, he gave a thumbs up signal from behind and 2 stage workers made their move and turned on the spotlights that shone right onto Keith and Naomi!
The restaurant audience gasped and started cheering for them and they could not believe it as he sang the next part of the song.
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you
"Um..." Both of them had no clue on what to do at first until Keith made the first move. "Okay...may I have this dance?"
She gasped from his words. "I...I...I would be happy to..." Taking his hand, they walked to the front as they stood before the stage and everyone even the restaurant staff are grinning gleefully. When they got to the spot, Keith couldn't help but he's feeling the urge to make the first move as his hands got him into the formal dance position and this made Naomi feel it and her hands also took action. Wow, their hands reacted like as if they did it on their own.
As the singing goes on, "Um...this is my first time dancing with someone...I mean, I didn't have a partner during homecoming." Naomi told him.
"Same...I got a lot of girls hanging around with me while I sample the food and compliment their dresses." said Keith.
"Well, it's worth a shot. Let's at least go with the flow." She suggested.
"I like that." He complied and they started to slow dance together. The singing continues on as their dancing became more lively as they feel like they are drawn closer as the restaurant audience cheered some more.
L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more, even more than you adore can
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
The way it seems, this song is creating an effect between Keith and Naomi because as they continued dancing, "Why is it that I feel like love was made for me and Naomi?" Keith wondered while starting to feel more of it.
At the same time, "Love...was made for me and him...yes, I wanted to tell him...about my feelings..." Naomi is in thought about it. "And I must seize the opportunity for it is now or never!"
All of a sudden, Keith felt it. "What the-"
Everyone gasped at the sight of Naomi planting her first kiss on Keith. Even the restaurant staff, the band and the singer gasped also to the point that they paused their performance. Silence then filled the atmosphere with only the crickets chirping...
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And then, Keith embraced her making her kiss him deeper!
This made everyone applaud and cheer for them. "Yes! My plan worked! Yeah!" The restaurant owner thought as he hi-5 the waiters and waitresses and they did the same to each other.
As for the couple, they separate as, "Keith...I...um, I know it's unexpected to you but, I...I love you." Naomi confessed to him. He can only look her in the eye...
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"Let's talk about it outside after I pay the bill."
And so...
It now cuts to outside as Keith and Naomi waited for their ride home. "Tell me something Naomi, how do have you been hiding this feeling for me?"
"For a couple of years Keith." She answered shyly.
"Interesting. You know something? Ryotarou spoke highly of you." Keith revealed.
"Really?" She asked.
"During our lunch time at the WNA Resort during the sports event, he mentioned about your talent in the shamisen, your kindness and your gracefulness."
"Yes. We are friends indeed." She replied.
"His words have convinced me of one thing. The perfect match." Keith revealed and a smile appeared on her face. "You also have feelings for me..."
"Though I do not know how to make the first move, you surprised me by doing it first." Keith replied. "And now, I have been emboldened to also do the same action that you did." And soon enough, it's her turn to feel his lips as she melted into him.
Just then, their ride has arrived as the driver lowered the window and witnessed Keith kissing Naomi and he whistled out loud. "First time?"
"Yes. First time." Keith replied as the driver gave him the thumbs up as the couple got inside and the car drove off.
Soon enough...
The ride soon dropped them off outside the beach house. Keith helped Naomi out as she clung to his arm. In her mind, she was finally able to do it as she snuggled close to him. He smiled as he caressed her hair and noticed something else. "Huh...I saw clothes and towels and 2 silhouetted figures in the water up to their waist length splashing each?" He thought in wonder when, "Is something disturbing you Keith?"
"No. I'm fine Naomi. Come, let's go inside and see the others."
In the beach house, the boys at the living watching Bad Boys and now, it's the second movie. "Ooh! He blasted those fools!" said Billy when the door opened as all noticed them. Pausing the movie, "How was it?" Kappei asked as the boys went to meet them and then from the kitchen, Emma, Dia, Hongfa and Elena showed up.
"It was wonderful." They answered together.
"Whoa. They said it at the same time!" Hongfa noticed. "Wait does that mean..."
"Alright everyone. I will tell you this. Naomi and I are now officially dating." Keith announced to the group.
In an instant, everyone cheered their loudest even Gumchi jumped up and down in joy.
"The plan worked!" Emma thought.
"Alright! Keith's no longer single!" Kappei thought as he and Emma winked at each other.
(A flashback is played as both of them followed Keith and Naomi discreetly and observing their interaction and ensuring nothing interferes in the shadows. By the time they finished their staged dance, they took their leave knowing that their job here is done)
And then, "Hey...where's Lucy and May?" Naomi asked.
"From what I've heard, they went to the beach for a night swim." Van answered her.
"No. They went skinny dipping." Keith revealed and everyone's eyes widened.
"You're kidding me." said Dan.
"Apparently, I saw clothes and 2 towels on the sand." He told him.
At the drop of a hat, Van and Dan went out and walked to the beach. When they arrived, "He's telling the truth..." said Van and they can see 2 silhouetted female figures in the water splashing each other as they laughed and cheered together.
As mentioned, their clothes and towels are on the sand and as a result, Van and Dan fainted.
At last, Keith and Naomi are together! Seems like there are others that played their parts well.
And this chapter has a reference to Episode 108 featuring Keith and his connection with that restaurant owner. This is a perfect timing to catch up with him and the perfect place to have his time with Naomi.
Character of the Chapter
Name: Keith
Profile
A member of the Bottle Collectors, Keith enjoys 2 things. Admiring anything beautiful and fine dining. Often times in the academy years, he would visit eating places and sample the good food. Van and Kappei tagged along with him a few times and Keith's favourite food is duck meat.
In high school, Keith is ranked the most handsome boy among the girls in his batch thus becoming the top ikemen. Though a lot of girls wanted him, he ended up finding his perfect match in this chapter. Also, he's a member of the culinary club and the basketball thanks to Van who whipped him into shape since he could use an athletic hobby.
Awakened Power: Phoenix
Legendary speaking, Keith's power enables him to burn bright and transform into this fiery, mythical bird. In his phoenix form, he can fly and burn everything in sight. He can also breathe fire and shoot flaming waves from his fiery wings.
Furthermore when he takes too much damage, he incinerates himself into ash when he touches ground and in a split second, resurrects back to his phoenix form to fight on and scorch on! That can only happens once and second time it happens, he'll just morph back in his human form and it'll take several minutes for him to recharge himself and burn up again.
Oh yes, he can also use hybrid mode in a way that he can transform his arms into his fiery wings enough to grill meat and other favourite foods he like.