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I've been with my beloved Miss Kobayashi for 5 years now! How time flies... today is our anniversary! To celebrate this wonderful occasion, I decided to prepare a surprise dinner with lots of vodka to lighten the mood and strengthen our bond... I mean, to make her fall even more in love with me, hehe...
I sent Kanna to Saikawa's place so I could focus on making the best meal I could. I wanted everything to be perfect for this special occasion, so I chose the best ingredients and put all my effort into cooking. I prepared teriyaki salmon, vegetable stir-fry, and a delicate matcha dessert. It took me about an hour to get everything ready.
I heard the door opening.
"Tohru, I'm hom-" Miss Kobayashi didn't finish her sentence as I ran up and hugged her.
"Welcome home, Miss" I greeted, stepping back with a smile.
"Has... something happened?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice and gaze.
"Did Miss forget already?! My heart is broken!" I exclaimed with a theatrical flair. I must admit, I am quite the actress.
Kobayashi simply tilted her head questioningly. "Forgot...? What's today? Our anniversary...?"
"Mhm!"
Before she could respond, I took her hand and led her to the balcony where my surprise awaited. It was a beautifully set table for the two of us. To enhance the atmosphere, I had hung festive lights on the wall—well, when you make do with what you have, you make it special. With a single breath of fire, I lit the candles on the table, placed in an improvised candle holder made from upside-down wine glasses adorned with decorative ribbons. Miss Kobayashi watched in silence.
"Excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back" I exclaimed, bounding excitedly deeper into the apartment to fetch her gift. It was a handcrafted dragon amulet of luck I had made myself.
I returned with a smile and presented Miss Kobayashi with the gift.
"May we live long and happily ever after, like in fairy tales" I added softly. Kobayashi accepted the gift, but she seemed subdued nonetheless, casting her gaze downward.
"I'm sorry, Tohru. I have nothing for you, I completely forgot, and I know it's important to you" she said, still looking down.
I leaned in slightly to meet her eyes, offering a bright smile. "I'm not angry, Kobayashi" I said gently, hoping to ease her worries.
I bent down slightly to catch her eye, offering a bright smile. "I'm not upset" I said gently, trying to ease any worry she might have felt.
She reciprocated with a grateful nod. Straightening up, I gestured towards the chair placed at the table. Kobayashi took her seat, and I followed suit, settling opposite her. The meal was already laid out before us, a delightful surprise orchestrated with a hint of mystery. "Hehe, I won't divulge how" I teased playfully.
"Enjoy your meal!" I clapped my hands together cheerfully.
"Isn't there a tail in this...?"
"Absolutely not!"
We didn't take much time to finish the meal. After all, what else could I expect when Miss Kobayashi had just returned from work?
I went to the fridge for a stronger drink. When I returned into Miss Kobayashi's view, I raised both bottles in a questioning gesture.
"This one" she said, pointing to the bottle of rosé wine I held in my left hand.
"As you wish!" I replied, taking my seat at the table again and opening the bottle in the meantime.
I poured us equal amounts of this nectar of the gods into our glasses.
"To the day we met" I raised a toast, speaking with a touch of elegance.
And that's when the true train journey began, shot after shot, like a little locomotive chugging along.
I wasn't drunk yet, but I was slowly beginning to lose touch with reality. Unlike me, Kobayashi was already completely tipsy. She mumbled some incomprehensible words under her breath, looking adorable in her state.
A chilly breeze swept across my back. Ah, this time of year, it gets cold so quickly.
"Maybe we should go inside?" I suggested, but all I got in response was some incomprehensible mumbling, which I took as a 'yes'.
I approached her to help her stand up. Then Miss Kobayashi grabbed me by the collar of my outfit. My eyes widened in surprise as I felt a warm brush against my lips. D-did she just kiss me?
"I love you, Tohru" she murmured.
My heart was beating so strongly in that moment that I felt it might leap out of my chest. "I love you too, Miss," I whispered. "Miss?"
Kobayashi fell asleep sitting up, looking adorable. I lifted her up like a bride (maybe someday...) and carried her to her room. After laying her down in bed, I nestled beside her, tenderly embracing my beloved Miss Kobayashi.
~~
Ehhh, my head is pounding... Mom always said, "don't drink so much at dinner with a dragon." Well, maybe she didn't say that exactly, but it's a good lesson to remember for the future.
I dragged myself out of bed. I probably look like a wreck.
To confirm my suspicion, I made my way to the bathroom. When I got there, I splashed my face with cold water, it didn't help much tho. Leaning my hands on the edges of the sink, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. "What the-"
"TOHRU, WHERE THE HELL DID I GET A HICKEY?!"