Chapter 53: Valentine’s Day Special: Mari’s Dream

Running a Cafe was far more challenging than I’d ever imagined: learning how to cook and make coffee and tea to a professional standard was a nightmare. We were a small cafe nestled away in a side street, so business was scarce in the beginning.

But over time some regulars started to show, saying that being served by two cute girls made the food taste all the better. The Cafe wasn’t enough to pay for all our needs yet, so the both of us took up part-time jobs with rotating schedules.

 

                                                       “That was a lovely meal you have genuine talent,” An old woman said.

                                                                “You honor me, but I’m not all that good, really.”

                                                               “Nonsense your the best cafe in town and the cheapest too.”

                                                                “Well, we’re small so we need to be competitive.”

                                                                “You look happy despite the grueling work and stress.”

                                                                “Well, that’s all because of her”

                                                               “Of the other dark-haired girl?”

                                                              “Hmm..I..”

                                                              “You’re in love with her, aren’t you, girl?”

                                                              “That obvious, huh?”

                                                              “Don’t underestimate your regulars, we all know.”

                                                             “Love is fading and elusive, so don’t you ever let her go.”

                                                             “I don’t plan too” Mari blushed

                                                            “Oh, look at me rambling sorry dear.”

                                                            “No, it’s fine I enjoy the conversation.”

                                                            “Take care, dear.”

                                                            “You too, have a wonderful evening and please come again.”

 

“Well, that’s the last of them” It had been a long day, but closing time had finally arrived I finished my cleaning duties and tidied up the shop before flipping the sign on the door and locking it.  

 

“I haven’t seen her all day, I really miss her,” I sighed.

It’s a strange thing to say seeing how I’m originally from another world and all, but I feel like it was fate that I met, that crazy, hot headed fascinating woman who impulsively chases after what she wants and changed the colour of my life.

 

Before everything was gray and listless but now, it seems like the world has bloomed and burst into colour and I notice the beauty in everything around me like I never did in my past life.  

 

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts and my stomach fluttered as I saw her. My heart beat so fast that I thought it might explode right than and there.

 

                                                                                                  “Sorry we’re closed.”

                                                                                               “Ah good thing I stole a key than”

 

Shinobu laughed, letting herself in and placing her bags on the counter she looked gorgeous wearing a red sundress. Her eyes still entranced me all this time later, and the sight of her body sent me into a hormonal frenzy.

 

                                               “I’m home” Shinobu said, running to hug me.

                                               “Welcome home, Shi.” I said, welcoming her.

                                              “Did you miss me?”

                                             “Nope.”

                                            “Your such a terrible liar.”

                                           “Lying is naughty.”

                                          “Is it now?”

                                         “I think I’m going to punish you”

                                        “Oh yeah, what kind of punishment”

                                        “I’m sure i can think of something fun”

                                        “But for now…”

 

 

Shinobu pressed her soft lips against mine, dragging me into a fervent kiss. This is exactly what I needed after my stressful day running the cafe all by myself.

 

                                                               “Hey wait a second…”

                                                               “Finally noticed took you long enough.” Shinobu grinned”

                                                              “Your hair, You cut it all off.”

 

Shinobu’s long raven hair that once fell to her lower back was trimmed to chin length, I was so overcome with joy at seeing her that my brain didn’t process the change until the high diminished .  

 

                                                                                 “ Do you not like it?” She said anxiously

                                                                               “No, It’s great.”

                                                                               “You sure?”

                                                                               “Yes, I’m sure, dumb ass

                                                                                “I’ve had long hair all my life, and it reminds me of things I want to forget. The Church and everything else before you came into my world”

 

                                                                            “Sorry you had to fly solo today, did you manage okay?”

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                                                                              “I’m not completely useless you know”

                                                                               “Darling, you’re projecting again.”

                                                                               “Oh, shut up.”

                                                                           

 

I had been pulling extra hours working my other jobs and hunting monsters on the side, all in order to save up enough Rias to buy her a ring. Conveniently marriage customs and proposals worked identically to back on earth.

 

                                                                                 “As a thanks for your hard work I’ll cook tonight, what do you want?”

                                                                                 “Anything but Rabbit Stew.”

                                                                                   “I know, I know.”

 

 

I’m supposed to be a girl, but the truth is I’m clueless and have zero idea what type of ring to get her, I was so young when I married Ayumi that I can’t remember anything about it. Why am I thinking about pointless shit right now, it’s a nice ring, and that’s all that matters, right?

 

                                                                                 “Hey Shi… can I talk to you.”

                                                                                “You already are aren’t you?”

                                                                                “Look at me, please.”

                                                                                “Uh sure…”

Acting on impulse and overwhelmed with emotion, I rushed forward, taking her in my arms and hugging her tightly.

                                                         “Hey what’s wrong.” Shi asked, hugging back.

                                                                                “I love you.” I said.

                                                                                “I know, I love you too.”

                                                                                "No you don't!,  You saved me."  i screamed

                                                                               "That's my line, you idiot."

                                                                                

I reached into my apron pocket and pulled out the bag containing the ring my heart was thumping like crazy and Shinobu looked bewildered.

 

                                                                              “I got you a present, but I’m not sure you’ll like it.”

                                                                                “You got me a present….”

                                                                                “You’ve got to close your eyes first.”

                                                                                 “Okay, just don't do anything weird."

 

 

I reached into the bag and pulled out a black ring with a silver butterfly on top with an emerald inserted into its back. This ring had cost 3000 Rias, which was more money than the cafe would make in a two months.

 

I slid the ring onto her ring finger, making her shudder from the cold steel. This ring represented my feelings for her and sent a simple message, a message saying that I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

 

                                                                              “You can open your eyes now.”

                                                                               “Mari… this ring… are you….”

                                                                               “Yes.”

                                                                               “Shinobu… Will you marry me?”

 

I asked, dropping to one knee and extending my hand this was really embarrassing, but it was something that I had been wanting to do for past two-and-a-half years.

                                                                              “Yes.. the answer’s yes.” Shinobu said wiping her tears.

                                                                                “Let’s spend the rest of our lives together, Shi.”

                                                                                “Hmm, of course.”

 

Our lips met in one more long kiss I wanted time to stand still and for this moment to never end.

I might have been a failure in my past life, but a lifetime of memories spent with her would make up for it. I could die satisfied and fulfilled after that.

 

                                                                                              “I love you, Mari Anno.”

                                                                                                 “No..My Mari.:”

                                                                                                “I love you…”

 

Mari jerked awake it was early morning at Lisianthus Academy and Drake had already left once again, it seemed.

Mari had been having that same dream every night for weeks.  

“Shi” Mari whimpered  her hoarse voice cracking

 Mari broke down crying over her lost love and dreams of a life that would never come to pass.

 

AN: Happy Valentines day <3

                                       

 

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