Everything is fine, I will make you some lasagna

(3 weeks after Toma's father's funeral)

Akari got to work a little bit early. On the way to work, she bought a nice butter nugget croissant, not just one but two of them. She was filling out some paperwork and eating a croissant at her desk. Some crumbs from the croissant were dropping on the table and floor, but it is just more work for the cleaning lady.

On TV there was news, big news. "New Prime Minister Deputy and new Finance Minister Akari is getting married soon to famous actor Toma Shirakawa."

The host was asking Tanaka, "How do you see this? Is this a good thing for Japan? Is Ms. Asahina the right woman for this job, and how do you comment on this marriage that is coming soon?"

Tanaka put glasses on to look smarter. "I am as much surprised as everyone with this news. I think she is the best person for the job. You can't deny that. Will it be too much? Not one high function but two? Prime Minister Sachiko must trust her much with that kind of promotion."

"Yes, yes," the host interjected. "The trust in her is big, even with this scandal broke out and many speculated about her relationship with the young actor. The trust was there."

Tanaka raised his glasses closer to his forehead with his middle finger, intertwined his fingers. "Now we know the reason why after the big success from the movie, Shirakawa is not taking anything new... He must be preparing for the wedding. He must have been busy and had his arms full, if you understand what I am saying."

"No, I don't, but I hope he returns at some point. Me and my wife enjoyed it much."

"Oh, did you now?" Tanaka asked half-mockingly.

"Yes, me and my wife love some rom-coms."

"Yeah, me too. But to return to the important thing here, the age difference."

The host sighed. "Mr. Tanaka, does it really matter? Is that the real important thing here?"

Tanaka's evil smirk was widening into an evil smile. "Yes, the public wants to know. The young girls feel heartbroken by this development and Mr. Shirakawa's marriage."

Akari changed the TV channel. She heard enough from Tanaka for today.

On the channel she changed to, a debate was held where again the host Mai was leading it towards something that kinda can pass as a debate and not just an agreement show.

One of the guests was red in his face and really passionately arguing.

"The relationship with that much of an age gap is never going to make it!" he was almost yelling.

Akari didn't even have to assume who they were talking about.

The guest on the show continued, with his face so red that you could mistake him for a tomato.

"The woman that is that much older than a man at such important positions in Japan. Are we all going crazy? How are we allowing this? She is a predator, just using a young actor for popularity. The new Deputy Prime Minister is a cougar, a hyena, some kind of cat that jumped on a young man to use him."

Akari turned off the TV.

She decided to call Toma after giving him some space to check up on him.

"Hi, are you better now?"

"I am good, yes. No need to worry. Do you want to come to my place someday?"

Akari was confused by this invitation. She still didn't go to his apartment or he to hers. "Is everything okay? Do you need something?"

"Yes, I just want some company, and we need also to plan the wedding. If you are still interested in that."

"Okay, send me the address, and I will come. Yes, I am interested. I just didn't want to press you with it after what happened." Akari said with her face making weird grimaces, like worried not to say something wrong or painful, which was not her strong side.

"OK, I sent you the address. I will make dinner. I can't wait to see you. Please don't mention the thing that happened. I don't want to talk about it. Just be your usual self. Be happy. Don't walk on eggshells around me. I am really fine. People come and go all the time. I will make great dinner for you. You know, I could make lasagna with some homemade stuff. I know how to make pasta and stuff like that. It's just some flour, eggs, salt, maybe oil. I will make it good. I hope I didn't make it in some time now."

Akari was at her work, listening to Toma just blabbering about making dough and lasagna and salsa for it, and even though she had more work than humanly possible, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt him.

"So yes, I will make it around 10 if you can come. I know you work till late. Please let me know when you can come. I will try to make it so that it is hot when you arrive. You know, lasagna is best when hot from the oven."

Akari smiled.

"Yes, I know. I will be there at 10."