Nocturne No. 19 Op. 72 No. 1 E Minor

Fortune's Guest

I stood looking at myself in the mirror fixing the lapels of my tux. Manami walked over and smiled at me giving me a peck on the cheek before reaching to fix my tie. I couldn't help but stare at her and smile.

"Stop staring, we have somewhere to be," she giggled.

"I can't help myself," I smiled.

"We need to finish getting ready or we'll be late," she laughed.

"Or we could just bail," I suggested.

"I can't miss it if my parents are going and you can't bail if Cecilia is hosting the event," Manami pointed out.

"Why must you fight me with logic and reason," I laughed.

"Because if I don't we wouldn't go anywhere," she giggled.

"But then I would have you all to myself," I smiled pulling her close to me.

"True, and as good as it sounds, having you show me off to everyone as your girlfriend sounds great to me," she smiled as she gave me a peck on the lips," now finishing getting ready."

-

"We've been here for thirty seconds and I already want to leave," I joked earning a slap in the arm from Manami.

"Behave yourself," Manami sighed," we do have a responsibility to take care of."

"Wow," I gasped in awe," you're gonna be a great wife."

"W-what," Manami stammered as I caught her off guard," stop messing around."

"I'm serious," I smiled," I mean, it's obvious you're out of my league."

"Just come on," she said blushing furiously.

We continued into the gala venue arm in arm. Family friends turned to look at us with a smile, which we would politely return. Manami smiled brightly as she greeted passing guests who called out to her. I gave polite nods but never looked away from Manami.

Her smile seemed to light up the room. The longer I stared the deeper in love I fell with her. We stopped at a table as we waited for our parents to arrive. She looked at me with that smile. In that moment it felt like we were the only two in the room and I was content. She leaned into me as I put my arm around her waist.

"You seem in a better mood to be here," Manami commented.

"Yeah," I smiled," because I get to show you off to everyone."

"I told you it would be more fun than staying in," she laughed.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite couple," a voice cheered," I'm glad you made it."

"Ah, Cecilia," Manami smiled as she went to hug her," we wouldn't have missed it for the world."

"I hope (Y/N) didn't give you too much trouble before coming here," Cecilia laughed.

"Wow, thanks for having such little faith in me," I jokingly rolled my eyes.

"Well, I know you and so does Fortune," Cecilia stated.

"Oh is Fortune here," Manami inquired.

"Of course, she should be somewhere around here," Cecilia replied," I would just love for you to meet her guest."

"It's been awhile since I've spoken to her," Manami sighed.

"She's been busy lately," I stated," probably causing chaos."

"How many times do I have to tell you to behave," Manami scolded.

"(Y/N) don't you lose her," Cecilia laughed," I pretty sure without Manami your life would be a mess."

"Oh no, that is a fact," Fortune cut in," did someone summon me?"

"Speak of the devil and they shall appear," I laughed.

"Please, you're just mad because it's true Manami is way out of your league," Fortune laughed," hey hon, how have you been?"

"I've been well, how are you," Manami smiled," we need to spend more time together."

"We do indeed," Fortune smiled," would be a shame to not spend time with my best friend's future wife."

"Alright enough of the marriage jokes," I laughed.

"Excuse you, you were the one who started it," Manami giggled.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I laughed nervously.

"Fortune, where did your guest go," Cecilia changed subjects.

"Ah, I introduced her to some friends and they're networking with guests," Fortune smiled.

"Who did you bring," Manami asked.

"I want that to be a surprise for when you meet them," Fortune gave a devilish smile.

Manami and I exchanged looks for a moment. We knew what that smile meant and felt uneasy. Fortune just laughed at our reactions and reassured us that the person she brought wasn't a nightmare.

The night continued on as we talked with family colleagues. Occasionally getting separated to speak with people. At some point Manami went off to speak to her parents. Tanaka came over at a later point to have me talk with them.

"Ah (Y/N) it's great to see you," Mr. Aihara greeted.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to see you again as well Mr. and Mrs. Aihara," I greeted.

"It's been some time since you've last been to the house," Mrs. Aihara smiled," you know you're always welcome as Tanaka's friend or even as Manami's bo-"

"Mother please," Tanaka laughed.

"No need to be shy she's never happier than when he's around," Mrs. Aihara laughed.

"Speaking of which, where is our daughter," Mr.Aihara asked," she can properly introduce you to us as her boyfriend after all this time."

"Father," Tanaka exclaimed.

"Fortune dragged her off to introduce her to some people," I answered.

"Ah, that girl, Fortune seems to work hard for someone your age she needs to learn to have a little more fun," Mrs. Aihara sighed.

"Working is her way of having fun, she's always up to something," Tanaka laughed.

"I can never tell if she's working hard for actual work or to cause trouble," I joked.

"(Y/N)," Fortune called walking over to us," oh Mr. and Mrs. Aihara good to see you, but I do need to steal him away as dinner will be served soon."

"Of course, we'll catch up later," Mr.Aihara laughed.

We excused ourselves as Fortune dragged me back to our assigned table. Manami was already seated and gave me a sweet smile. I sat next to her and gave her a peck on the cheek as Fortune excused herself to fetch her guest.

"So you were talking with my parents," Manami asked.

"Tanaka dragged me over, but they were glad to see me," I answered.

"So when are we going to properly introduce you," she giggled.

"You sound just like your father," I laughed.

"WOW," she gasped," you could've been nice about it and at least lie and say I sound like my mom."

"I can't lie to you," I laughed," you know that."

"Alright lovebirds, this is who I've brought as my guest," Fortune smiled.

"You both know Nanaka, I believe."