#sequelshipping

Mei: You really have a way with boys, don't you, Julie? It makes me just a little jealous! So, do you have a favorite, or...? Juliana: I know what you're trying to do, Mei. I'm not stupid. Arven? Kieran? Drayton? Grusha? None of them feel that way about me! We're friends and nothing else! Mei: *presses X to doubt*

Despite Juliana's less than appreciative response to her assistance, Mei isn't discouraged! She doesn't have enough information as of yet to properly concoct a plan guaranteed to bring Juliana and her future boyfriend together though, so Mei decides to shift her focus to Hikari! A move which she is soon to dearly regret...

But Hikari's demeanor concerns her! She doesn't seem to smile much and rarely ever laughs, but her friend and rival, Jun, manages to bring out a hidden softer side - so this must mean the two belong together! Mei believes all they need is a push in the right direction, and she'll be the one to lead them to true love!

She travels to the Sinnoh region for this express purpose (she ropes a rather apprehensive Hue into her plot as well). Her plan is to invite the couple-to-be to a certain establishment - the Seven Stars Restaurant located at Valor Lakefront. Once Hikari and Jun have arrived, she and Hue will be spectating their romantic candlelight dinner from another table while in disguise!

Hue warns Mei this seems like a TERRIBLE idea, but does she listen? Noooooooo. She's absolutely certain this is one of the best ideas she has ever thought of and is guaranteed to guide the two to happiness! She's convinced being provided the correct atmosphere will coax out those dormant feelings of love in their hearts!

Hue's own just can't allow her to face Hikari's impending wrath alone, so like a loyal Growlithe, he's by Mei's side at their restaurant table and in this absurd scheme, having quietly resigned himself to the grim fate which surely awaits them.

He wishes it could be the two of them seated at that candlelit dinner in Hikari's and Jun's places...

Hikari is suspicious of Mei's invitation from the instant she receives it. She's well aware of how intrusive the brunette's behavior can become in her pursuit of romance and considers declining. However, Hikari happens to enjoy the food at the Seven Stars Restaurant, as well as not having to cook. Additionally, she would rather not abandon Jun to whatever it is Mei has planned for them.

Hikari and Jun step into the restaurant that evening and Mei and Hue are seemingly nowhere in sight. A member of the staff leads them to their table, set for two rather than four, and the amorous ambience is impossible to overlook: heart-shaped candles placed in the center of the table, red rose petals scattered about, and a musician playing the violin a few paces away.

They stare at the sight before them for an uncomfortably lengthy amount of time. When Hikari's expression darkens, her companion swiftly suggests they leave - an Every Which Way recently opened in Sunyshore City he's been eager to visit anyway.

But seconds later, she's suddenly smiling all too brightly. Settling into one of the chairs, Hikari encourages Jun to join her and eat as much as he likes, without restraint. Following a brief pause, the blond grins and does as she requests. Behind a newspaper the two of them are holding to shield them from the pair's sight (which is upside down), Mei sends Hue a self-approving look.

Mei: See, Hue! Look at how happy she is with Jun! This plan is going great, if I say so myself! And you thought it wouldn't work! Hue: Mei, that smile and quick shift in attitude was not natural... *shudders violently*

Mei's triumphant mood is ultimately short-lived, and later into the evening shifts to utter confusion. Hikari and Jun seem more focused on the food in front of them rather than each other - Hue reminds her this is a dinner date she's set them up on, but when he dares to lower his side of the newspaper (which is still upside down) and take a peek at the scene himself, he can't help but notice there's some truth to Mei's claim and the two are devouring their meals at a rate a Munchlax would envy. Once their plates are cleared, Hikari calls for the attention of a waiter and orders seconds.

They do eventually make some conversation between bites; however, instead of gazing into one another's eyes, acknowledging the feelings of love hiding in their hearts, and their casual talk turning to words of affection as the brunette had so hoped, from her and Hue's table several feet away, Mei overhears the two discussing a house spoken of in whispers by their fellow Sinnohans to be haunted located within Eterna Forest, which Hikari happens to have explored...

Mei begins shaking in her seat. She HATES scary stories, especially ones about GHOSTS!! She still has nightmares about the Strange House near Lentimas Town, so she doesn't want to hear anything else pertaining to the topic!

Unfortunately for her, Jun absolutely does (he as a matter of fact has already been told this tale at the least four times prior - it's one of his favorites from her), and Hikari proceeds to recount her journey within the Old Chateau, in detail, before he can even complete his request.

Mei tries not to listen, to turn her attention to Hue and his attempts to distract (he's well aware of her fear of the paranormal), yet despite his best efforts, sentences involving a painting with eyes which glow a bloody red when it isn't being stared at directly and sightings of people, a young girl and a butler, who float, not walk, across dilapidated rooms reach her ears.

But the true horror of the night arrives once Hikari and Jun have at last finished their meal (three helpings of dinner followed by dessert). When the waiter gives them their bill, with one hand resting on her very full stomach, Hikari again smiles all too brightly, points in the direction of Mei and Hue, and states the former has generously agreed to pay on their behalf.

Mei instantly shoots up from her seat, slams both her hands on the surface of her and Hue's table (causing everyone else occupying the restaurant to turn and stare), and shouts,

Mei: YOU KNEW WE WERE HERE THE ENTIRE TIME?!?! Jun: Oh, there you guys are! Hi, Mei! And hi to you too, Hue! Mei: *sniffling* Hi, Jun...

And then Hikari's declaration sinks in... Mei had not once considered the bill when concocting this plan. But Hikari definitely did, from the very moment it became apparent she and Jun had been set up on a date despite the brunette having been informed prior they don't view one another in a romantic light.

Mei opens her mouth to protest, but Hikari rises from her chair and steps towards her. The smile she offers is nothing short of angelic. Then Hikari's eyes open, just slightly, and there's... something within the silvery gray, a sort of gleam, which leaves Mei feeling perturbed. After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, Hikari's own mouth slowly stretches across her face and into what can perhaps only be described as a Gengaresque grin.

Hikari: You agreed to pay on our behalf, did you not...?

Mei responds by opening and closing her mouth like a Magikarp, rapidly nodding her head, then frantically rummaging through her bag. And Hikari throws back her head and laughs. It's not one of her breathy chuckles either, but one without restraint and so reminiscent of the cawing of a Murkrow.

It makes Mei's movements increase in speed.

The waiter and Jun look upon Mei with pitying expressions, but Hue, her knight in shining armor, musters up the courage to look Hikari in the eyes and state he's willing to pay half of the bill. To their relief, her expression shifts into something more neutral; she replies as long as neither she nor Jun is expected to pay the price of Mei's foolishness, she doesn't care if Hue wants to play the hero for her (although Hikari does initially raise an eyebrow at the gesture).

After the waiter accepts the payment from them both, those silvery gray eyes once again lock onto Mei and Hikari steps forward, holding out her hand. The brunette stares at her empty palm for a moment and is about to take it when Hikari demands more money from her, to check into a room at the Hotel Grand Lake just outside the restaurant and sleep off the heavy meal she ate.

Hue lets out a sigh and agrees to pay for half the cost of that as well. Hikari then remarks at Mei that if romance is what she desires, then she should take her search elsewhere. Following that statement, her gaze shifts to Hue for a second before walking away.

Hikari: All is forgiven~ Mei: *presses X to doubt*

The two hear Hikari muttering under her breath, something along the lines of Mei's behavior reminding her all too much of someone by the name of Ayako.

Jun shuffles up to them next.

Jun: I know you guys were only trying to make us happy, and I do appreciate that, but this was really weird for us both. I love Hikari, and she loves me, but not in the way you want us to. And I also don't think she's looking for a boyfriend right now either, so don't go setting her up on more surprise dates, alright? Or bothering her about getting a boyfriend. I'm saying this for everybody's sakes.

And with that said, the blond exits the restaurant as well.

Mei prepares herself to receive an 'I told you so' accompanied by a lengthy scolding, but it never comes. Hue looks at her with sympathy, and through the sniffles she manages an apology and promises to find some way to pay him back for this someday.