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38: Blindfolds and Leeks (pt.2)

A lot of times, you don't exactly have control over the things that are happening in your life. Sometimes, you're so taken aback that all you can really do is gape openmouthedly as they happen.

Like when Yuma linked arms with me and led me into the restaurant. I frowned at him and looked down at our arms.

"I didn't need an escort!" I said. "And what about the dog?"

"I left the window open," Yuma smiled. "And I think I should be allowed to lead at least one of you lovely ladies in."

The restaurant had a very open concept feel to it, with wide, glass windows and thin curtains hanging loosely by the sides. There was no music, or at least, I didn't hear it over the light chatter and clinking of forks and glasses. Miku was still blindfolded, with Teto clinging to her arm as Luka and Neru talked to the lady at the reservation desk.

"This looks like the kind of place I'd bring a girl for a date," Yuma said, looking around.

I unlinked my arm and frowned at him. "Don't you think it's too much?"

He looked at me. "Do you think so?"

I shrugged. "I think my wallet can vouch for that."

"I'm not saying I'd bring her here every week," Yuma said. "Maybe on a special occasion. Like a birthday! And then we could drive along the freeway and feel the wind against our faces..."

"Please keep your date ides to yourself," I said. "I'm going to catch up to the girls."

He followed me, but I didn't bother trying to push him away. The lady handed a card to Luka and the girls started down the length of the restaurant, towards our table by the windows. Sunlight poured in, but there were shades over the table itself.

"Can you take this thing off of my eyes now?" Miku asked.

The girls looked at each other, and then at me. I nodded.

"I think it's fine," I said.

"Ooh, there's another birthday going on over here," Yuma said, walking past our table. "I'm going to try and get a better look, 'kay?"

"Right. Don't get lost," I teased.

He blew a kiss at me and I cringed. "You worry so much, I'm flattered," he said.

I turned around and focused on my friends. Luka took Miku's blindfold off and Miku looked around, blinking as she registered the sights.

"Are...Are we in a restaurant?" she asked.

"Do you not see the people eating?" Neru asked, only glancing up from her phone for a split second. I punched her arm.

"Manners," I muttered, pulling a chair out for Miku. I bowed. "My lady."

She thwacked me on the head. "Might as well buy yourself a fedora while you're at it," Miku said, sitting down.

I frowned at her comment and got into my own seat. Luka, Neru and Teto took their seats. We started flipping through the menu. As I flipped the pages, my stomach sank lower and lower in my gut — if that's biologically possible, I guess.

"Guys," I said. "Everything's so pricey..."

"I will have a baguette," Teto said. "I think that's affordable enough."

"You guys don't have to spend so much on me," Miku said.

"Nonsense," said Luka. "Since we're here, we ought to blow off all the cash."

I cringed and did the math in my head. Four of us had brought money. MIku hadn't, of course, because this was her birthday and everything was meant to be a surprise. We had brought twenty-five dollars each.