ikigai - charles leclerc (english version)

3

A shower of petals
of mountain roses
and the sound of the rapids
-Matsuo Basho

A few days passed from that morning spent in Maranello and between preparations for university and other commitments, Oceane and I hardly ever left the house.
Today we finally managed to carve out this day just for the two of us, it's been a long time since we had days like this full of shopping, junk food, gossip and fun.
<< V, would you like pancakes for breakfast?>> she asks me with a voice still a little thick from sleep.
<<Sure, too bad I don't have the dough ready...>>
<<Don't worry girl! That's where
I come in!!>>
<<Do you seriously want to start making dough now?>>
<Of course. Come on, let's go to the kitchen and have fun!!>> I follow her without making too much fuss, after all today is "our" day.

In the end, the pancakes didn't turn out as we hoped...
When we had cooked almost all the dough it turned out that instead of sugar we had put salt, which is not the best unless you want to feel sick.
That's why we're now looking for a decent cafe to have breakfast at.
After walking around for a while we finally see a nice bar and we get closer.
It looks very inviting, it has both tables outside and inside.
There are many flowers and I like that, I've always loved flowers.
<<What do you say, do you like it
here?>> I ask her.
<<Yes, it looks super cute and then it reminds me a bit of Paris bars. Shall we sit outside?>>
<<Oui, considering today's beautiful day, I'd say that it's great outside.>>
We sit down at one of these round wooden tables and wait for the waiter to arrive.
<<What do you wanna take?>>
<<I honestly have no idea ...>> Usually I just skip breakfast, I would not risk to gain weight.
Just at that moment the waiter arrives to take the orders: <<Hello girls, what do you order?>>
<<For me an orange juice and an empty croissant, thanks.>> Oceane gives me an angry look and then she orders a cappuccino and a croissant with jam for her.
<< Why did you only take that?>> she asks me as soon as the waiter has moved far enough to not be able to hear us.
I look away from her eyes focusing on the bracelets on my wrists and then answer: <<You know that I usually have more substantial breakfasts, but this morning I didn't feel so well.>> Lie, you only do it when she's around, otherwise you don't really make breakfast.
I look at her to try to capture some emotion from her face, but I'm not sure if she's believing me or not.
<<Really?? In fact I noticed that you were a little pale this morning.>>
I didn't have time to respond because the waiter suddenly showed up with our orders.
<<Here you are, have a nice day.>>
We both thank him together and then start eating.

After breakfast we headed in a hurry to the beauty salon where we have an appointment in 10 minutes.
<<Move Ox otherwise we'll be late!!>>
<<But what do I do if there is traffic? I can't fly over other cars!>>
I sense her nervousness so I don't insist on the matter.
After several minutes of queuing that seemed endless, we finally managed to get to the salon and luckily even two minutes early.
We had massages, pedicures and manicures scheduled for today.
Leaving that salon I felt reborn, like new.
A unique emotion I must admit.
No time to think about what to do when Oceane took me by the hand and "dragged" me to our absolute favourite shopping centre.
<<Zara?>> I look at her with understanding <<Obviously.>>

After spending almost two hours wandering through 3 different shops without finding anything too interesting, we had basically almost given up and were heading towards the restaurant since it was practically 1pm.
<<Oh my god.>>
<<Ox what's going on?? Everything
ok?>>
<<You have to come and see. N-O-W. >> I approach her a little reluctantly given her tiredness from the morning spent out and about.
<<What the— oh my god.>>
<<You have to try it. Now. Right away. And hurry up, I'm hungry.>>
I look at that dress as if it were something divine, in fact it probably is, because I've never seen anything like it.
It is a long red dress with a very deep slit on the left leg and a very deep neckline on the front while the back is completely uncovered if it weren't for the fabric that covers the lower lumbar area, continuing then in a beautiful mermaid skirt.
It's wonderful.
<<So? What are you waiting for?>>
<<What? I wasn't listening, sorry.>>
<<I told you to go and try it, it would be good for you.>>
<<I don't know ... and then when would I have the opportunity to wear it?>>
<<Trust me, and we will find the opportunity. Come on, V!!>>

I ask a shop assistant if I can try it on, and she very kindly asks me for my size and then motions me to follow her into the dressing room.
She helps me put on the dress and after a few minutes I finally manage to get out of the dressing room to look at myself.
I must say that it feels really good on me, I thought it was heavy but it is very light.
I turn to Ox before mirroring myself to see her reaction.
Luckily she is always honest so I will understand immediately if this dress is bullshit or if I should think about it.
<<You're...gorgeous.>> she tells me with her mouth open and her eyes wide, as if she had seen a chest full of diamonds.
<< Are you serious? >> I can't help but blush a little for the compliment and when I gather enough courage to turn around and look at myself I realize that she was truly right.
I've never been a full-on person, but I have to admit that this dress really fits me.
It wraps my curves perfectly, making them stand out well but without looking too vulgar.
And then also the colour fits perfectly with my complexion.
Everything is so perfect that I'm really tempted to buy it.
<<You have to get it V. I swear I've never seen any dress that flattered you so much. It looks really good on you.>>
<<Are you sure Ox? I'm afraid I won't find the right occasion to put it...>>
<<Just stop it!! Of course you will find the opportunity, and if you don't find it, I'll create it!>>

Finally, after 10 minutes of discussion with Oceane, I decided to take the dress.
Eventually she convinced me, it's maybe one of the few times I like how a dress fits on me.
I feel much more accomplished and happy than this morning.
We leave the mall and head home after spending a great day with her, I missed these relaxing days.