A Flavor to Love

10-1

“How are you doing?" Luna, who had just returned from school and was about to visit her mother, fell silent outside the treatment room when she heard her father's voice.

"I'm good Daniel.." Astrid replied weakly. "How are you? Has your relationship with our son improved?"

"I'm still as busy with my work as ever" Daniel sighed and sat down next to Astrid's bed as he folded his hands together. "And nothing has changed, the boy still hates me as usual as if I were the antagonist here."

"Pardon my selfishness to force you to marry me" Gigi Luna nodded and her hands clenched beside her. "But in your heart there is only him..."

"I'm the one who should be apologizing to Astrid," Daniel smiled sadly and touched Astrid's increasingly pale left cheek. "Have involved you in my escape..."

Luna could no longer hear the painful talk of her parents. He immediately ran as fast as he left the place. His heart was too tight to listen to the continuation of the conversation. He thought his family was like any other family, harmonious, but in reality it was even more terrible than he had imagined.

BRUK!

Kirana was surprised and released her orange ball when Luna who had permission not to practice basketball because she wanted to visit her sick mother suddenly hugged her tightly with trembling hands.

"Huwaaaa..," Her cry exploded unbearably.

"Luna..."

"Luna..."

"Luna, I'll kiss you if you still don't respond" Daichi's voice roused Luna from her daydream and was shocked simultaneously when Daichi's face was so close to his. A red hue spread across both of his cheeks. Come on. This man in front of him is too strong for you to fight Luna.

"Rest Luna-chan," Kei, who has since noticed Luna is less focused on her small shoulder patting job as if giving a code for the owner to replace his task of making orders. "Lately you've been overextending your energy by asking for a full shift during this spring break. And you're Daichi-," Kei pointed towards Daichi who was smiling grimly.

"I what?"

"Currently, why do you want to be with this playboy guy Luna..," Kei put on an unwilling expression as if releasing his daughter into the tiger cage. "You're using a sneaky trick so Luna wants to be with you?"

"About!" Daichi said he did not accept. "I'd say I was serious. Well.., even though it was a joke at first."

"Kei-san, may I have a moment's permission to talk to Daichi alone?"

"Oh no, you even called him by his little name..."

"Come on Kei-san, don't sulk like that," Luna sighed and ruffled her waist. "I'll be fine..."

"Yes be it..," Kei smiled. He saw Luna let go of her apron and walked side by side with Daichi out of the cafe. Come to think of it he had never seen Daichi this happy walking with a woman since, they are both adults.

"In the end there is no woman who rejects the charm of Young Master Matsumoto is no exception to the ice princess," Dengus Momo next to Kei. "What a marvel!"

"You don't see that Young Master is trying to approach him with all his might?"

"Yes anyway..," Momo pursed her lips. "Ahh.., how lucky Luna is to have such a perfect lover as the Young Master..."

"Nobody is perfect in this world Momo, including Daichi," Kei uses Luna's relic apron and begins his barist activities.

***

Daichi and Luna walk hand in hand into Hama Rikyu Park, one of the most famous and oldest parks in Japan where the existence of a city oasis because it is in the middle of the office center near its cafe.

"How are you?" Daichi asked without looking at Luna. "It seems like it's been three weeks that I haven't come to you and your expression is getting moody. Do you miss me so much?" He decided to tease his girl but what happened was that Luna just fell silent. He is aware that the responsibility he carries as heir to the Matsumoto Group makes it difficult to have free time for himself. Plus lately he has always traveled cross-country and continental service to check in every branch of the hotel owned by his family as a process of transferring responsibility from his father to him.

"What's wrong with you?" Daichi who saw the irregularity of Luna stopped his steps and patted the girl on both cheeks.

"I..," Luna hesitated to say. "Should we not continue this relationship?" The question struck Daichi.

"What do you mean?" There was a tinge of anger from Daichi's question.

"You're always busy with your work and it reminds me of my father" The clear liquid flowed back in both of Luna's beautiful eyes.

"But that..," Oh no, Daichi was weakest with his girl's tears.

"I know it's your responsibility, I know asking you to stay with me is a form of selfishness, but I'm lonely and it reminds me that I'm alone...," luna's tears are getting worse and a little attention-grabbing so inevitably Daichi pulls her to a place that is not too flashy to be able to talk from heart to heart with Luna. "Eat better we..."

Daichi let out a long breath. This time he faced a problem like this! He who used to break off relationships with women now even the opposite. Why are you so hard to read Luna?!

"Have you stopped crying?"

Luna replied with a nod so that Daichi could continue with his words.

"I am the eldest of two children of Mr. Daiki Matsumoto and Mrs Rea Matsumoto. My blood flows not only from Japan but also from Indonesia. There used to be silly agreements with both parents from my father's side but it is important for the good of our extended family that if the first born child is a man then he will certainly be the successor of this business empire and that is me considering the number of our extended family which is very minimal and predominantly female. While my mother who felt lonely finally decided to get pregnant again and born my sister. But again because of a ridiculous agreement with both parents finally at the age of thirteen my sister had to be separated from both my parents to live together with both parents my mother. Until my sister's accident was severe and made both my parents decide that my sister stay with me until my parents come back here." Daichi relaxed his hands on the back of the garden chair and looked up. The breeze of spring blows away her dark brown hair. "So not everything you see about me is perfect, well even though I admit I like and am happy with the uniqueness of my family. I hope you can understand my work. I understand you're still on your way to adulthood and don't know what the real world of work is. But I promise only you are in my heart..."

Wait for Daichi, it seems like I have a friend whose story is similar to that," Daichi was surprised by this change in his lover's mood even more so the girl's clutch on the collar of his beige shirt. His words should have melted Luna's heart. But why is it like this? "Who's your sister's name? You said he was a force in my camp, right?"

"Yes, her name is Kirana, or rather Kirana Kiseki Matsumoto," Daichi replied lightly. "Why is that?"

"Oh my God, why is the world so narrow!" Luna held her head in frustration. He should be sad, why now he wants to be angry like this. "I should be aware that the color of the eyes you have is the same as that child!"

"What do you mean?"

"Your sister's been my best friend since Daichi High School!" Luna was full of annoyance. "Even until now he was my closest person! I never thought a kid like him could keep a big secret like this! Goddamnit! I'll keep my head up until he's satisfied when he comes back from his vacation in Indonesia!"

Daichi was just scratching his head which was not itching to face this strange situation. But at least her girl's initial plan to ask her to break up was off. I don't know why his heart was relieved. He was also confused as to why he was weak to this girl...

"Ohatshii!!" A sneezing sound enveloped the dining area where Kirana was at the moment.

"Had Grandma told you not to drink mostly ice still wayward!" Wahya handed over the tissue he took from his bag and handed it to Kirana.

"Thank you Nek, how else do I miss the various ice drinks that I can't meet in Japan," Kirana gave a five-finger smile. "But my dear Grandpa can't be with us today."

"Well, you know that your Grandfather disliked the snacks outside and only liked Grandma's cooking" Wahya said proudly.

"Yes.yes.yes." Kirana rolled her eyes lazy. He walked beside his grandmother. The plan he and his Grandmother will continue by watching a movie in the cinema. If only he had not recklessly bumped into someone for being too excited.

BRUK!

"Sorry.., forgive me.." Kirana bowed her body several times to apologize.

"It's all right Kirana?!"

That sound? Kirana immediately raised her body to make sure the owner of the heavy voice. And his pupils suddenly grew up not believing what he saw in front of him. Of the many people, from so many places, from so many occasions, how can he meet the handsome, arrogant, playboy and annoying creatures that he really hopes not to meet at least this month. Wasn't that enough at the cafe then?! Is God really playing tricks on him right now? Kirana cried out in frustration.

"Who is Kirana?" Tanya Wahya.

"Nobody, Grandma," Kirana shook her hand in panic. "Here you go, Grandma, let's go to the movies now! The movie's about to start." He pulled Wahya away from Akio.

"Greetings to Nek, introduce my name Akio Fujiwara, Kirana's lover," With a smile Akio held Wahya's hand.

Say What?!!! Kirana shouted in her heart. His eyes stared in fear as if he was watching a terrible horror movie scene. How can a person like him use a language that only his mother's family can do. What kind of person is Akio Fujiwara? And what did he just confess to me as his lover?! Paid with all his family's wealth he won't!

"Fujiwara-sama," Someone's call interrupted Akio's conversation with the woman and grandmother in front of him. Sip, this is his chance to escape! Inner Kirana.

"Where are you going Kirana?" Ask Wahya.

"Go Nek to watch a movie, what do you want to do again?" Answer Kirana riled.

"Wait for Akio's son first, isn't he your lover? Why don't you watch it?" Wahya rubbed Kirana's right hand to provide calm.

"Oh Nek, she's mom" Kirana hasn't had time to avoid having to face her man again. His priest?! Is it not wrong to say?!

"I'm sorry, it looks like I canceled accompanying Grandma and Kirana to watch the movie because I still have to supervise the opening of the branch store in this Mall," Akio bowed to apologize and the act succeeded in making Kirana gaped in disbelief. Just incredible! This haughty Akio Fujiwara and his half-dead arrogance could apologize in front of his Grandmother? Really something!

"It's okay, son, if you're not busy stopping by our modest house here" Wahya patted Akio on the shoulder and handed him a piece of paper. Akio who opened the contents smiled.

"Come on Nek, the movie is almost starting," Rengek Kirana as she tugged at Wahya's hand.

"Iya-iya.," Wahya equated his footsteps with Kirana's. While Kirana took the time to stick her tongue out Akio made the man shake his head in amazement at the behavior and polah the girl he forced into being a woman. Being with the colorful girl really amuses her. He would not be bored with her.

***