Tokyo Deception

2

Mimi was relieved and grateful when they reached the hotel where the reception was being held. It was a hot day for June and having so many heavy clothes on was beginning to take its toll on Mimi and tire her out. The cool air conditioned room was a welcome change as Mimi sat resting her eyes as her hair and makeup were being done for her first costume change. She really was not looking forward to the four other changes she was going to have to do.

As the assistants finished putting on the iro-uchiakake Ritsu walked into the room to check on the progress. Once she saw Mimi was ready Ritsu gave her a hug then said "Are you ready for the real fun?"

Mimi gave Ritsu a weak smile and replied "I guess so."

Ritsu could tell Mimi was worn out and said "Well, put your happy face on because you have three hundred guests to greet."

Mimi looked at Ritsu in shock, she could not believe there were that many people and it started to terrify her. Mimi could feel her hands start to shake and she sat on the bed to try and regain her composure. Ritsu walked out of the room looking for Hatori, when she couldn't find him Ritsu grabbed Shigure and brought him to the room.

When Shigure saw the state Mimi was in he asked everyone to leave the room. Then he knelt down in front of her and said "Come on. There is nothing to be afraid of. Most of these people are business acquaintances and there are some politicians but the main point is they have all come to celebrate and wish you and Hatori well."

Mimi looked into Shigure's eyes and could feel the connection they had with one another and this settled her. Mimi smiled at him and gently placed a hand on the side of his face and said "Thank you."

Shigure reached up and took her hand as he stood up then led her out of the room. As they left the room Hatori walked up to them, he had changed into a black tuxedo quickly and had been down stairs talking to guests, and said, "Is something wrong?" he could see Mimi looked a little off.

Shigure placed Mimi's hand into Hatori's and said "Nope the bride is just worn out and the prospect of having to face three hundred people caught her off guard, but everything is fine now."

Hatori smiled at Mimi, squeezed her hand then said "Don't let it bother you I'll be right by your side."

As they walked towards the elevator Hatori said to Shigure quietly "I can't believe my mother went and invited Natsume to the reception."

Shigure gave Hatori a look that said, "I can", and then replied "Well we knew she had something up her sleeve to try and throw a spanner in the works. What did you do?"

"What could I do: it's not like I could just tell Natsume to leave. Besides she looked embarrassed by the whole thing. I think my mother got her here under false pretences." Hatori replied as they walked out of the elevator.

Mimi knew Natsume was the second woman that Hatori had fallen in love with and had wanted to marry but Kyoko had chased her off as well. Mimi also knew that on paper Natsume would have made the perfect match, she was Japanese, well educated and from a prominent family. The only reason Kyoko took a dislike to Natsume was because she did not choose her and at the time Natsume's oldest brother was involved in a scandal with his mistress and their love child. Kyoko did not want any association with scandal so she took an instant dislike to her. Mimi knew Kyoko's hatred for Mimi far outweighed her dislike for Natsume and that Kyoko was trying to get Natsume back into Hatori's life. This enraged and deeply hurt Mimi at the same time.

Once they reached the entrance to the grand banquet hall Hatori squeezed Mimi's hand tight then said "Are you ready?"

Mimi nodded and the attendants opened both the huge doors. Shigure and Ritsu led the way and everyone started to applaud when they saw the bride and groom. Once they reached the main table that was raised on a platform and were seated Shigure started the speeches off. The important speeches from family, respected business men and politicians took two hours. Once that was over Mimi slipped away with the help of Ritsu and she went up to the room to get changed into her Hikifurisode and have her hair changed again. This time Mimi had her hair pulled back into an elaborate double bun and had a huge pink silk flower in her hair.

When Mimi returned everyone was enjoying themselves and the fourth course had already been served. Most of the guests were already well on their way to getting drunk and the karaoke had started. Mimi was able to sit down and enjoy some of her food before Shigure introduced her to their other cousin Takashi. Mimi was delighted to finally meet him; Takashi had been in Australia and Indonesia studding coral and marine ecosystems. He was a marine biologist and the top in his field for studying coral reefs. After they were introduced Hatori and Shigure started to catch up with Takashi, and as Mimi watched the three of them laugh and joke she could see why they considered each other as brothers.

As Mimi came back down from changing into her western style wedding she spotted Ritsu and Takashi in the corner of the banquet hall looking really friendly and cosy. Shigure informed Mimi that the two of them had really hit it off and Mimi was happy to see Ritsu so happy and relaxed.

The wedding cake was ridiculously huge; it had ten tiers and was decorated in pink, white, violet, purple, orange, and blue saukra blossoms and at the top were two little figures of the main male and female characters of Mimi's favourite anime series. Hatori told Mimi that it was Shinji's contribution and his gift to apologise for him not being able to attend the wedding. Shinji had a major kindo terminate in Kyoto and as he was the captain of the kindo team he was not able to miss it. This made Mimi blush as Hatori told her about the figurines. After they cut the cake and playfully crammed a piece of cake into each other's mouth Mimi then hurried back to the room for the final change into the black shift dress. Mimi had her makeup retouched up and her hair was taken down and left to drape over her shoulders. It was a relief to have the final change over and done with. As Mimi joined the party all the stress and worry faded as the evening turned into night and Mimi was truly happy.