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Published: July 21st 2008
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Late Birthday Celebrations and a really amazing present.
Nikky had recently turned 24, a turning point in her life. When people had asked her age in the past, she had always replied with a proud '23', only to be met eith the response 'Aww, that's so young' which she was sick of hearing. 24 was a new number, one that meant she had crossed over from that no mans land between being a teenager, and was much nearer to the golden, and somewhat frightening, magical number '25'. Sure, she still gets the 'that's so young' response at times, but in her heart she knows that she has grown more in a year than some people do in 3. Or something like that.
Arrangements had meen made earlier to celebrate this grand 'coming of a new age' the week before, but due to work commitments and whatnot, it had been put off yet another week, to the 19th. Finally, it was time to celebrate, a third time. Will this birthday saga ever end? Previously, Nikky had been on a karaoke rampage, singing her way through a whole night in the bustling hub, Osaka. The next day (on her actual day
of birth), she had helped make fire torches for an upcoming celebration, and was treated to a lovely dinner in a quaint little restaurant called 'Potato'. This third, and final celebration was arranged by two of her Japanese friends, Kenji and Rumi, and all she knew of the matter was that they were going for sushi, and to dress up, just a little.
Saturday night came, and, after an hour of frantic preparation, she was ready, dressed in some skinny jeans, a white top, and a beautiful blue scarf. Her hair was up, and the contents of her wardrobe not on her body, were scattered around the room - a job for another time. Her lift arrived and she dashed down the stairs to meet Kenji, in his Benz. (It's always nice to travel in style.)
After a somewhat haphazard and confusing journey, they made it to the nearby city of Shigaraki, where they picked up a glamourous Rumi, holding in her hands a large bag decorated only with a simple pink bow. The first mystery of the evening. They drove for what seemed like an age, the rumbling of the two girls' bellies accompanying the quiet hum
of the engine. Arriving at the sushi restaurant, they were all shown to their seats, and began selecting plates off the rotating conveyor belt, and depositing their empty plates in a handy little chute, which counted them. It was dinner in a hurry, with an unknown schedule to keep to, so once their stomach's were full, they paid their bill and set off for the next destination.
Turning a corner, they entered a large carpark, with the looming figure of Shiga's tallest hotel in front of them. The Prince Hotel, much deserving of it's name, is situated in Otsu, on the banks of a river. They piled into the lift, stopping at the top floor, and Nikky and Rumi gasped in wonder as they entered the Sky Lounge, an upmarket place where diners are surrounded by the cityscapes of both Otsu and Kusatsu. With the citry lights sparkling in their eyes, the three friends found a corner, and ordered smart cocktails to suit their smart surroundings.
Cocktails in hand, they had a celebratory clinking of glasses accompanied by a hearty 'Gampai!'. Nikky took in her surroundings. There were a few people about the room, all in seemingly deep
conversation. Music was being played on a piano, always tunes she knew, but couldn't always name. The atmosphere was relaxed, the company was lovely, her two friends had organised this evening just for her, and she was touched immensely by knowing that. A lot of thought had gone into organising the event, and she was grateful. This was not the end though. A waitress approached bearing a small cake with candles, and atop the cake, a chocolate disc with 'Happy Birthday Nikky' in chocolate icing. The music changed suddenly, to a Happy Birthday tune, and Nikky's friends serenaded her as she blushed almost to her eyebrows.
After the song finished, and a wish was made, the cake was taken away to be divided between them and she was handed the large bag. She opened it carefully, and when she peered inside, what she saw brought a few tears to her eyes. she could see thick wooden sandals, and material with a floral design, all in her favourite colour, purple. They had bought for her a beautiful purple Yukata, a traditional Japanese summer robe, with all of it's accompaniments. She thanked them thoroughly, but was surprised when they then sent
her to the restrooms to change into it.
Accompanied by Rumi, her newly appointed dresser and stylist, she was garbed in the robe, with ties and bows and much tucking in of hems, and whe she looked in the mirror again, it was done! Nikky then she had to face that room of people dressed in their own traditional clothing, alone. Rumi told her to head on out, taking small steps, and so she timidly rounded the corner to see all eyes upon her. This time the blush really reached her eyebrows, as she wondered how she must look - a westerner, in japanese clothing. Wishing she could take larger steps, she shuffled along until she found their corner. There was Kenji, seeing the outfit for the first time - it was he who had decided on the present, and he had sent Rumi to choose one for her. A smile came to his face and he greeted her. She could only blush and stammer about her nervousness. The came Rumi, with a mock expression of schock on her face, making the blush turn yet a deeper shade of red.
They took many pictures and drank more cocktails,
Nikky perhaps drinking faster than she should have - to calm her nerves. After this part of the evening they set off again, this time for the small restaurant 'R3'. Nikky was getting the hang of walking in the heavy sandals now, but again had to suffer the gaze of Japanese people, wondering why she was dressed so. They enjoyed baked icecream, more drinks, and had a fun time, and as Nikky was leaving she made eye contact with a Japanese women, giving her a timid smile, which was returned by an encouraging one.
Kenji dropped Rumi off home, and then took Nikky to her place, where she had to figure out how to climb up the 7 small flights of stairs in chunky wooden sandals, without falling all the way to the bottom. She walked around her apartment in the outfit, now able to relax and admire the outfit in solitude...
And now she shares it with you!
xxx
Nikky
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anonymous
non-member comment
What a gorgeous yukata chica! I'm jealous! Swap my blue one for your purple one?? Na-n chatte! Hehehehehe. k