Staying Together [antikvár]

Part 1 Going away Chapter 1 The promise 'Are we really eating here, Hiroshi?' Ikuko stopped by the door of the expensive Tokyo restaurant, looking unsure. Hiroshi smiled as he held the door open for her. 'Of course. It's your birthday Everything's arranged.' Inside, the big room was almost full. Well-dressed people talked softly together. The waiter showed Ikuko and Hiroshi to their table and brought them a bottle of wine. Ikuko felt a little nervous. This wasn't the sort of place they usually came to. But when Hiroshi smiled at her across the table, with his dark hair falling into his eyes as usual, she felt better. Hiroshi raised his glass. 'Happy birthday, Ikuko,' he said. 'How does it feel to be twenty-three?' She smiled. 'I can't believe it. I still feel sixteen.' As they came to the end of their meal, they fell silent and looked at one another. There was a candle burning on the table and Ikuko could see its light in Hiroshi's eyes. After a moment Hiroshi put his hand in the pocket of his jacket, and brought out a little box. 'Ikuko,' he said, and then stopped. 'Ikuko, you know how I feel about you. I've never met anyone else like you. I'd like you to have this. I'd like us to stay together always.' He handed the box across the table to Ikuko. She opened