LOVE LOTTERY ~ Marui Bunta

Love Lottery ~ Marui Bunta Side

Marui Bunta was walking back and forth, toast (with jam on it) on his mouth, and thinking about the event for the following day. Earlier that morning, the student council released the results of the "Matchmaking Lottery" project, and the main part of that event was going to take place the next day. He was not a willing participant. His tennis team captain, Yukimura Seiichi, forced him to join the activity. How the skinny captain did it, he does not want to remember anymore.

He finished his bread in one quick bite and looked at the mirror. Marui Bunta, 164 centimeters tall, the boys' tennis team's volley specialist, was going to go on an unusual date tomorrow. He looked at the ceiling and tried to remember the girl's name. Was it ? ? Whoever that was.

He stared at his reflection once more and braced himself. A confident smile appeared on his lips. He was a genius, wasn't he? He wasn't going to let this stupid event disarm him.

This is going to be a piece of cake, he told himself.

**********

was sitting on a bench situated at the entrance of the school's flower garden, trying to make herself busy before meeting with the boy whom the "Matchmaking Lottery" said was her perfect match. A part of her was excited because she was finally meeting someone (and now it's definitely a guy) who shared her interests, or at least shared the same principles she had about life. But she was having this feeling that the thing wouldn't turn out as great. She doesn't know why she has that feeling, but she knows there's going to be trouble somewhere along the course of the meeting.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard footsteps coming towards her. As soon as she stood up, a clean-looking redhead approached her. He was smiling.

"You're -san?" He said, beaming.

"Uh... Y-yes." She answered.

Marui smiled and bowed slightly. "My name is Marui Bunta, a senior I am a part of the boys' tennis team and play doubles. Nice to meet you!"

looked at the boy. "Uh, I am , a senior like you. My family owns a French restau—"

"A French restaurant? You mean Deuxième Service ^[1]?" Marui beamed at her.

"Uh, yes. How did you know?" asked. She did not look like she was mixed, but her mother was French, and her father, Japanese. Marui's reaction was pissing her off, especially since she was not even done introducing herself.

"Waaa! I like it there! Hey, you know what? Maybe we should eat somewhere and talk about stuff. C'mon!" Marui said enthusiastically. just followed the guy, frustration already on her face.

**********

They immediately reached the quadrangle and the couple was surprised to see how busy the place was. Club members who did not join the raffle had decided to manage the food and game stalls, and dating couples were flocking the booths that interest them. Marui looked around and saw that the cooking club did set up their own stall. He waved at them and asked to join him. As soon as Marui and reached the small booth with the sign "DOKI DOKI LUNCH", they were welcomed by a girl and a boy, who seemed to be the officers of the club.

"Ah, Marui-san! It's nice to see you here. And hello, -san! I didn't expect you to drop by as well. Are you guys together for the day?" The girl asked. just shook her head. Marui was surprised to hear that the girl knew , but remained quiet about it.

"You should take a seat, you guys. I'll be bringing the menu in a second." The boy answered, as he led them to the small dining area at the back of their stall. As the boy went to the front of the stall to fetch the menu, Marui started the conversation.

"Wow, I really didn't know that you own that restaurant. It was really, really good there! One time I ordered their Coq au vin ^[2] and Pot-au-Feu ^[3] and they were great!"

"I'm glad you like eating there," was all that could mutter. I thought we we're the perfect match? But why is he so... excited by the idea that my family owns a freaking French restaurant?! The boy handed them their menu and asked for their orders. As what expected, it was Marui who placed the order first.

"Let's see. I'll have a tall glass of parfait ^[4], three slices of chocolate mousse and a bag of heart-shaped milk chocolates for take-out. I'll just call you guys again if I want more." He grinned. He then looked at the girl in front of him. She was looking unsatisfied with the menu she was holding.

"Uh, I'll just take some crêpes salées ^[5] and a glass of orange juice, please." She said, as she handed the boy her menu. When the student-waiter left, Marui glanced at her questioningly.

"That's it?"

looked at him. "What do you mean, 'that's it'?"

Marui scratched his head. "Because, I was just thinking, as an owner –"

"For the record, I don't own Deuxième service; my parents do." She interrupted.

"Fine. So I was thinking that you like eating or something. Or at least, you're fond of French cuisine."

"I'm not fond of a particular kind of cuisine, or particularly, the French cuisine, even though I'm half-French. I just eat whatever catches my taste buds' attention." said as she started playing with the condiments on the table.

"Maa, that's a surprise. I really thought that French people really take pride with the food that they cook and eat." Marui sighed disappointedly.

"It seems that I disappointed you. Did you expect something from me?" asked. What the hell is he thinking? She asked herself.

Marui was quiet for a moment, trying to think of ways to answer her questions. "Well, we're a match, remember? I like eating, and you're a restaurant owners' daughter, so I assume that food is something we're both interested in."

"T'es bizarre. ^[6]" could not help but mutter something in French.

"Eh? Did you say something?" Marui asked.

"Nothing."

**********

A couple of minutes passed, and soon their orders arrived. was surprised to see how many sweets Marui can consume in one sitting – she did not even realize that he ordered three slices of cake because her mind was busy thinking of something else.

"Too mangos beaucoup trop. ^[7]" She told her date, even though she knew that he wouldn't understand her.

"Eh?" Marui asked, in between mouthfuls of cake and parfait. "You know, I don't understand some of the stuff you're saying, so if you could say it in Japanese..."

"Il est rien vos affaires. ^[8]" She said, as she started eating her crepe. While slowly eating her own food, she could not help but watch the boy in front of her devour the sweet stuff he ordered. She knew she had to say something. Again.

"You eat too many sweets. Do you know that it's bad for your health? And I don't think the chocolate mousse tastes that good."

Marui stopped from consuming another slice and looked at . "Well, have you eaten it before?"

"Just once. It doesn't taste very good." replied.

"See What if the restaurant you're going to do not make cakes as good as... as the cooking club?"

looked at him with disdain. "What are you saying? I think you're the kind of person who doesn't think about his food and just eats."

Marui got irritated by her remark. "Well, well, look who is talking here. Why don't you try tasting it first?" Marui attempted to let taste the food he was eating.

"Tu m'ennuies. ^[9]" She muttered, waving off the platter Marui put in front of her.

"That's unfair. I don't even understand the words you're saying." Marui pouted, seeing that declined his offer to taste the food that he was eating. He looked at her once more, thinking that maybe he can convince her.

"Just one bite?" He asked.

looked at the boy sitting across her. His right hand was holding a fork, while his left palm was cupping his chin. Marui's hair was a little messy, but in a cute way. His eyes were directly looking at her, as if begging her to taste the sweet treat. This guy, who liked to eat to his heart's content, was actually capable of amusing and annoying her at the same time

For the first time after meeting Marui in the garden, a soft smile formed on 's pink lips.

Marui noticed the change of her reaction, making him feel a bit excited. "Well?"

"I won't take your offer, but let me say that this whole discussion that we have about food really reminds me of the one we have at home." She took a sip of her juice and looked at the redhead.

"Which means?" Marui asked.

"I don't know. Let's just say I don't like talking about food because I grew up helping with the restaurant, but I suppose it's inevitable. I always find myself getting into discussions, like 'this food isn't good', 'this one's okay', just like what we're talking about now. I tend to be blunt about these things."

"Well, that means we really have something in common." Marui exclaimed, as he took another bite of his cake. The then looked at her and winked. "What do you think?"

stared at the boy and noticed his playfulness and confidence – something that she did not notice earlier because of his over-enthusiasm when it came to food. Probably, that was another thing they had in common?

flicked her hair, and watched as Marui finished his meal. She could not help but mutter her impression towards the boy.

"T'es intéressant finalement. ^[10]"

"Did you say something?" Marui asked, pausing for a spoonful of his parfait.

"Nothing," grinned now. "Nothing at all."

##########

January 21, 2007
Written by: Megane-ko
Edited by: linchpin

^[1] Second serving
^[2] A French dish in which the chicken is cooked with wine
^[3] A French broiled dinner consisting of either: beef, vegetables or spices
^[4] In Japan, parfait is your usual Sundae ice cream and not about frozen custard or yogurt with fruits
^[5] Buckwheat crepes which are not sweetened, and is usually filled with meat and/or cheese
^[6] You are weird.
^[7] You eat too much.
^[8] It is none of your business.
^[9] You are annoying.
^[10] You are interesting.

A/N: Big thanks for Serena for helping me with the French words and foodstuff information that I need for this story. :)