Prologue-04

I know the prologue is too long, but please bear with me.
I'm doing this in order to make my characters more developed. Tehe ( ^_^; )
Well, without further ado, here's [Prologue-04].
Enjoy! \( ^o^ )/

00-04 [Meeting Memories 01]

by Tan-san

Two days before the party, I’m currently sitting outside the café where me and my friends from high school used to hang-out.

(Seriously, I’m amazed how this place is still standing up after so many years.)

The current owner of the café is the son of the previous one. Apparently, the father died just recently of age and had this café, and everything in it, given to his son as inheritance.

(May his soul, rest in peace.)

As I drink my coffee, I reminisce about the past. Everything that had happened to me here in this very café is precious for me.

It was here that developed the best friendship that I have ever had and will always be so. 

But I didn’t only stay here just for the sake of visiting memory lane; I have a legit reason for being here.

That reason is because of someone asking me out.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Yesterday evening, as I got out of the shower whilst drying my head, I had received a mail coming from an unknown number, asking me if we could meet.

“Huh? Who could this be?” [Setsuna]

“Hmmm? Setsu-nii, what’s wrong?” [Mari]

“No… Nothing, really. It’s just… I don’t know this number. Hey, Mari, do you know who this is?” [Setsuna]

I gave my phone to Mari, but she only shook her head.

“I don’t know this number. Try asking Kazu-nii. Maybe he knows it.” [Mari]

“Okay.” [Setsuna]

As I received back my phone, I immediately went towards Kazuya and asked him about it. But just like Mari, He didn’t know who the sender is.

“Maybe it’s from a friend of yours whom changed thei…" [Kasuya]

*RING!*

"Speaking of the devil” [Kazuya] 

Right when Kazuya told me what he thinks, another mail came.

“So? Is it from the same person?” [Kazuya]

“Yeah, he’s saying that he’s a class mate of mine and wants to meet at our usual hang-out spot.” [Setsuna]

“Hohoo~. Well that’s not suspicious, not suspicious at all~.” [Kazuya]

Even though, Kazuya is saying something like that. What his words meant was totally the opposite.

Upon realizing what's happening, Mari joined the already troublesome situation.

“Hee~. Setsu-nii’s quite the hunk, huh?” [Mari]

“S-shut yer trap! We don’t even know if this person’s a man or a woman!” [Setsuna]

“Yeah~, keep telling yourself that kid.” [Kazuya]

“Okaa-san! Cook the Red-Bean Rice*! Setsu-nii’s “Springtime”* is finally here!!!” [Mari]

“Really!?! I’ll prepare a lot of it, right away!” [Okaa-san]

“Oi! Stop it! You guys are misunderstanding things!” [Setsuna]

As Okaa-san shouted her excitement, Otou-san popped out of nowhere patting my shoulder.

“Son, one or two grand children are enough. But, don’t make me wait too long okay?” [Otou-san]

“Oyajii” *sigh* “Not even you?...” [Setsuna]

"Oh dear, I never thought I’d get to see my great grand children so soon!” [Ojii-chan]

That day, my whole family was making a fuss out of one, two to be exact, mail. They didn’t even let me eat in peace.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

According to the message, we are to meet at our usual place in the morning two days prior to the reunion party.

(Well, it’s not like I‘d lose anything if no one came.) 

“Sir, would you like another cup?” [Waiter]

“Oh, sure. And while you’re at it, can I order one of you house cakes.” [Setsuna]

“No problem.” [Waiter]

“Thanks.” [Setsuna]

From what I remember, Asuka and Yuki always seemed to have enjoyed the cake here. Though, I can’t really recall, me eating a piece or two.

Maybe I did, or maybe I didn’t, either way I don’t remember the taste.

I’ll just have to trust the expressions that Asuka and Yuki made during our stay here, in other words; their faces full of delight from guilty pleasure.

But me, ordering cake, had two objectives in mind; first is of the taste testing, and second is to rid myself of embarrassment. 

In plain sight, I may look calm and relaxed, but deep inside thoughts of insecurities are wreaking havoc in my mind. 

I mean, I don’t have that “hot-shot” attitude that just over-stays in the café only ordering coffee. I’d, at least, order something else to satisfy my guilt.

Anyways, I’m glad I’ve developed my “people skills” to the point where I can hide my inner persona. Thank you, Business World~.

An hour has already passed since I’ve arrived at the café and people come and go from time to time. I had already thought of leaving, but I just stayed just to be safe.

(Maybe I’ll just stay for another thirty minutes or so. If he still won’t show up after that… Well let’s just wait and see.)

As I got my decision on what to do, I leaned my back on the chair, relaxed myself, and took a small bite from the cake that I’ve ordered. Then that happened…

“…tsuna!” [???]

(Huh, where is that coming from?)

I turned my head from left to right to find the origin of the sound.

(Is someone calling me out?)

“Setsuna!” [???]

As I turned my body to face the opposite side, I notice someone calling my same. A woman, not far from my age, “beautiful” is what I would describe her.

(Wait, she looks familiar…)

“Setsuna, sorry if I’m late! …What, do I have something on my face?” [???]

I returned to reality upon realizing she was talking to me.

“Oh… Ah! Huh? You’re talking to me?” [Setsuna]

“Yeah! You don’t recognize me? How distant of you, mu!” [???]

The woman puffed her cheek after she raised her complaint. It's kind of childish, if you’d ask me, quite contrasting from how she looks.

(But seriously, who is she?)

“Sorry, I can’t seem to recall having an acquaintance as elegant as you are.” [Setsuna]

“Wha! Ele… How sly of you…” *whispers* “Calling me elegant all of a sudden.” [???]

The woman began to blush rapidly after I said those cheesy lines.

(Oh, shit! Damned habit of mine! GAH! What the hell, me!!!)

I started to hate myself from forgetting that this wasn’t a business meeting. My tongue started to talk without me even noticing. Well, after being in the business world for so long, things like this get ingrained in your head.

(Well, it’s no use crying over spilled milk. Let’s just go with the flow and hope for the best.)

“Please, sit. It would be rude of me to let you just stand in the road. Would you like something to drink? I’ll treat you.” [Setsuna]

“Oh! Thanks for having me and no thanks, I’ll pay for my own.” [???]

“If you say so…” [Setsuna]

She sat down and took her order, and as she finished taking one, she said one thing and that one thing, broke my business face altogether.

“Oh, before I forget! I’m Asuka, you seem to have forgotten my face.” [Asuka]

“Oh, so you’re Asuka… WAIT, WHAT!?!” [Setsuna]

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Misc. Details;

Red-Bean Rice - A side dish usually served in Japan for occasions.

Springtime - An expression for "best-time" of the youth, not sure if only constrained in Japan or not.

Author's Note;

Yay, for segments in one week!

And the next one is coming in less than a day!

I'm on a roll!!! XD

Thanks for reading my work!

As always, please comment anything you want and stay tuned for the next part!

Peace ;3

00-03 | 00-05