Reunion with Alan (French Love Story 33)

L’occasion

It was a Wednesday in the latter half of May.

Tonight, I would finally be able to see Alan...

When I arrived at the restaurant "Kanade" a little earlier than the agreed time, Alan was the only one already seated at the table.

"！！！！！！！”

If possible, I wanted to exchange contact information with him before the other two members arrived.

“Ça fait longtemps, Alan!”

I said it had been a long time, and we celebrated our reunion with a bise.

It might just be my imagination, but Alan’s expression looked happy.

As I sat in the seat next to him, I gazed at Alan’s face with a smile.

Because when we first met three weeks ago during the Chantilly drive, I was in such a terrible mood that I couldn't look at his face properly.

Let’s see, he looks like Marc Panther from back when globe had long hair...maybe around the time of “Anytime smokin' cigarette”.

Alan also had a bob that was growing out, and that hairstyle suited him very well.

Having reaffirmed Alan’s charm, I thought I should first accomplish my primary goal of exchanging contact information.

“I want to make French friends to study the language, so would you like to exchange contact info?”

Alan smiled and readily agreed, saying, “Bien sûr!” (Of course).

Having achieved my goal right at the start, I felt a wave of relief...

Shortly after, Joseph arrived with a young French girl.

I had assumed Guillaume, who was there during the drive, would be coming, but honestly, as long as Alain showed up, I didn't care who else came.

Just as I was thinking, "Is this finally Joseph's girlfriend?", he explained that she was a junior bookstore clerk who likes Japanese food and subculture, so he brought her along.

Her name was Rose, and she said she was 21.

Since she was a new hire, she didn't seem to know Alain, who was a former bookstore clerk, and they greeted each other for the first time.

The four of us toasted at a restaurant that felt just like a creative fusion eatery in Tokyo.

On the table were dishes I had chosen on behalf of everyone, including sashimi, tempura, agedashi tofu, and sushi.

I was particularly moved by the quality of the sashimi, which was just as good as what you'd find in Japan.

While eating, I tried to include Joseph and Rose, who were sitting across from us, in the conversation as much as possible, but once their topic shifted to complaints about the bookstore where they currently work, I started talking with Alain just the two of us.

Our conversation started with "Where do you go on your days off?" and eventually turned to the topic of Musée.

"I've been wanting to go to the Musée de l'Orangerie for a while now."

"That's great. That place is amazing, especially for Monet's Water Lilies."

Hearing that, I decided to take a gamble.

"Tu viens avec moi?"
(Would you like to come with me?)

"Bien sûr!"
(Of course!)

What's more, Alain suggested, "How about tomorrow?".

I immediately replied, "I can go tomorrow," and just like that, a date was set without any trouble.

I wondered if it was really okay for things to go this smoothly...

I felt truly grateful to "Claude Monet" for providing the spark for this date.

The accident

After dinner, it was suggested that we go to a bar for a second round, but Rose said she was going home, leaving me, Joseph, and Alain.

The bar we entered only had standing room, so the three of us gathered around a small round table.

I just listened to the two of them talk at the bar, but I was happy enough just being near Alain.

About an hour later, Joseph said he was going to the restroom and left the table.

The moment I was alone with Alain, a power outage plunged the area into darkness.

We huddled together as if to confirm each other's presence and spoke in whispers close to each other's ears.

The sudden accident brought us closer together, and my heart wouldn't stop racing because I wasn't mentally prepared.

When our bodies touched in the dark, I found myself becoming aware of Alain as a man.

...Does Alain think of me as more than just a friend!?

Even though I had managed to secure a date for tomorrow, I was already thinking about what might happen further ahead.

A while later, when the room lit up, we pulled apart as if we had come to our senses.

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but Alain's expression looked sexier than before.

Just then, Joseph returned and started telling us about his ordeal, saying, "It was a nightmare in the restroom when the power suddenly went out."

He surely didn't notice the slight change that had just occurred between us.

The gesture

When we were about to leave the second bar, a drunk Joseph tried to kiss me when he saw a brief opening, but I rejected him. (Fortunately, it seemed Alain didn't see it.)

Even when the three of us were walking afterward, he tried to put his arm around my waist, but I brushed it off and made sure to walk on Alain's side from then on.

It seemed that even Joseph had given up, as he didn't bother me any further.

It wasn't that cold tonight, and the temperature was just right for a walk.

In the end, the two of them walked me all the way back to my apartment.

After I got home, I started thinking.

I wonder what kind of conversation they are having right now!?

"The girl he tried to pick up ends up having a change of heart for his friend
—I wonder what that actually feels like?

That was so far beyond my imagination that I couldn't possibly understand it.

And so, my plan was a brilliant success, and I even managed to secure a date with Alain.

My date with Alain is tomorrow.

Is it really okay for things to be going this well!?

Whether this love will come to fruition or not, no one will know until tomorrow...