Cupid Begins War

Mai gave off a could grin.

“Uncle,” she said. Raja raised his eyebrow.

“Yes?” he asked. Mai sat back in her chair.

“I’ll got out on a date with Isao here under one condition,” she said. Isao turned his head.

“And that is?” Raja asked. Mai folded her arms across her chest.

“No interference with my career,” she said. “You will not make me give up music. You will not judge how I live. And no more trying to marry me off if this date doesn’t go well. Got it?” Raja stared at her at first. But then he smirked.

“Fine,” he said. Isao looked back and forth. Huh? What’s going on? Mai smirked as she shrugged.

“Okay,” she said. “It’s settled.”

“It is,” Raja said. The waitress came out with their orders. Isao looked just as confused.

“Uh… what just happened?” he asked.

---------

The rest of lunch felt surreal. Uncle and niece grinned at each other. Isao looked back and forth.

“Can you tell me what’s going on?” he asked. Mai and Raja turned to him. His stepfather patted him on the back.

“Just sit back and enjoy,” he said. “Eat up. The food is wonderful here.” The businessman picked up his fork and started to eat. Mai was already eating her pancakes. Isao looked down at his plate. He shrugged to himself. Might as well. Isao picked up his fork and ate up. Okay, he had to admit that the sausage did taste good.

Raja wouldn’t let either vocalist pay from brunch. He pulled out his wallet.

“This meal is on me,” the businessman said. Mai forced herself to grin.

“Okay,” she said. Isao bowed his head. The older man pulled out his money. Already his plan fell into motion. Sure, he got off to a rocky start. But he could still steer it in the right direction. He was ready for whatever Mai was planning.

“This was a pleasant morning, wouldn’t you agree?” Raja asked. The vocalists said nothing. Only mumbling followed behind.

“Excellent,” Raja said. “We should do this more often.” Both of them stared blankly at him. The businessman smiled as he put his hand in the air. Mai and Isao stared at each other. This could not go on. Now, Isao started planning his own out from this. The waitress bowed and walked away. Raja turned back to his niece and stepson. He had the biggest smile on his face. Meanwhile, the younger adults counted down to when they could run. They quietly plotted revenge on Raja. Did he know? Probably. But he didn’t care. This businessman had his own plans to have a happy home.

All three went their separate wars after that uncomfortable matchmaking brunch.