Matchmaker Mayhem
Chapter 104: Welcome to Tokyo – A Surprise at Baggage Claim

Chapter 104: Welcome to Tokyo – A Surprise at Baggage Claim

Tokyo greeted them with a crisp morning breeze and the dazzling glow of city lights that never truly dimmed, even in daylight. The moment Ava and Ryan stepped off the plane at Haneda Airport, the sheer magnitude of their arrival settled in.

Ava adjusted her shoulder bag, stretching out the stiffness from the long flight. Around them, passengers moved in a steady stream, some rushing toward connecting flights, others reuniting with family and friends. The faint hum of announcements in Japanese and English echoed through the high-ceilinged terminal, blending with the rolling sound of suitcases across polished floors.

"Welcome to Japan," Ryan murmured beside her, his voice still laced with that early-morning rasp from the flight.

Ava exhaled, shifting the Tokyo postcard Mei had given her from one hand to the other. "Yep. First stop on the Global Matchmaker’s Summit." She shot Ryan a look. "Ready to be thrown into matchmaking chaos all over again?"

Ryan smirked, dragging their carry-on behind him. "I’m just here for the free food."

Ava rolled her eyes but smiled.

The airport smelled of freshly brewed matcha, warm pastries, and crisp, recycled air as they followed the signs toward baggage claim. Large digital billboards flickered overhead, featuring sleek advertisements for Tokyo fashion brands, J-pop music videos, and a particular luxury hotel that caught Ava’s eye—the Sakura Grand Hotel, the very place where they’d be staying and where the matchmaking event would be hosted.

It was a stunning high-rise overlooking Tokyo Bay, a blend of traditional and modern elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows, gold accents, and cherry blossom-themed decor made it look like something out of a dream.

Ava sighed. "At least the hotel looks amazing."

Ryan nudged her playfully. "You’re not just excited for the fancy suite?"

She scoffed. "Ryan, after Paris, I refuse to stay in anything less than a five-star."

Ryan grinned. "Noted."

As they reached carousel number six, a familiar humming filled the air—loud, cheerful, and just a little bit too smug.

Ava froze.

Ryan, immediately sensing trouble, followed her gaze toward the elderly duo standing far too comfortably by the luggage belt.

Mei and Harold.

In Tokyo.

Ava exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me."

Ryan chuckled under his breath, clearly amused as Mei adjusted her floral-print kimono-style jacket, turning to wave at them with a knowing smile. Harold, dressed in his usual crisp vest, stood beside her with a cup of what was most definitely imported tea, looking as if he had been expecting them for hours.

"Ah, there they are!" Mei exclaimed, beaming. "Took you two long enough."

Ryan shot Ava a sidelong glance. "You did call this."

Ava sighed, dragging a hand down her face. "Of course, they’re here."

Mei strolled forward, examining them like a mother hen checking on her wayward chicks. "Ryan, dear, you look well-rested. Ava, sweetheart, you look tense. You should really practice meditation. Very in right now in Japan."

Ava folded her arms. "Mei."

Mei clasped her hands together, blinking innocently. "Yes, darling?"

Ava gestured at the entire situation. "Who. Is. Watching. The. Tea. Shop?"

Mei waved dismissively. "Oh, relax. Kelly is handling everything beautifully. She even sent me an update. Everything is running smoothly."

Ava groaned. "Of course, Kelly is running it. Does she even know she’s in charge?"

Harold took a dignified sip of tea. "She’ll figure it out."

Ryan laughed, setting down his bag. "I gotta say, I thought maybe you two would let us handle Tokyo on our own this time."

Mei scoffed. "And let my granddaughter take on an international matchmaking competition without my expertise?" She patted Ava’s cheek. "Nonsense."

Ava scowled but didn’t argue.

Ryan leaned in, whispering, "I like how you thought you had control over this."

She jabbed him in the ribs.

Ryan chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a light kiss to her temple in silent amusement.

Mei, ever the observer, grinned. "Oh, young love."

Ava groaned. "I regret everything."

Harold handed her a cup of freshly brewed genmaicha tea. "Drink. It’ll help."

Ava sighed but took the cup anyway.

—

The cool, crisp Tokyo air greeted them as they stepped outside Haneda Airport. A city alive with contradictions stretched before them—neon billboards flashing against historic shrines, towering skyscrapers standing tall beside quiet, lantern-lit alleyways.

Even at this hour, the hum of life was unmistakable. The scent of fresh rain lingered on the pavement, mixing with the distant aroma of yakitori grilling at a nearby food stall. Somewhere, a taxi honked, and a group of excited travelers chattered in rapid Japanese as they checked their phones for directions.

Ava exhaled, rolling her stiff shoulders after the long flight. She glanced at Ryan, who was adjusting his duffel bag strap and looking far too smug for someone who had just endured a fourteen-hour flight.

"So..." he mused, stepping closer. "Ready for another round of matchmaking mayhem?"

Ava huffed, shifting her carry-on. "I don’t even know what timezone I’m in, and you’re already starting?"

Ryan smirked. "Jet lag makes you cuter."

Ava shot him a look. "Flattery won’t save you when Mei ropes you into some matchmaking scheme."

Ryan’s fingers brushed against hers, his voice dropping into something softer. "Maybe not. But it might convince you to take a nap with me later."

She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips.

After wrestling their suitcases into a cab, the drive to the Sakura Grand Hotel was a breathtaking experience.

The taxi wove through Tokyo’s high-tech skyline, flashing neon signs, and glimpses of centuries-old shrines nestled between modern skyscrapers. The streets were immaculate, bustling with a mix of suited businessmen, young couples, and fashionable teenagers carrying boutique shopping bags.

Ryan had his arm stretched across the seat behind Ava, occasionally pointing out landmarks. "That’s the Tokyo Tower. Feels like the Eiffel Tower’s distant cousin."

Ava nodded, her gaze flickering toward the pink lanterns strung up along the streets. "We’re just in time for sakura season."

Ryan smiled. "Romantic."

Ava snorted. "You just like the aesthetics."

"Guilty."

Their hotel lobby was just as breathtaking as the photos—gold accents, cherry blossom arrangements, and a sleek koi pond near the check-in desk. The scent of fresh tatami mats and subtle floral perfumes filled the air.

Ava let out a contented sigh. "Okay, fine. This was a good choice."

Ryan smirked. "Told you."

Then came the penthouse suite.

Ava sucked in a breath the moment they stepped inside.

The room was a stunning blend of traditional Japanese and sleek modern design—a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious tatami sitting area, and a plush king-sized bed that Ava immediately eyed like a sanctuary.

But the real showstopper?

The bathroom.

Ava barely had time to admire the suite before Ryan’s arm slipped around her waist from behind.

His voice was warm against her ear. "So, what do you think?"

Ava hummed, leaning back into his chest. "No tiny dorms this time."

Ryan chuckled, his hands tracing slow circles at her waist. "I gotta say... I could get used to this."

His fingers drifted slightly lower, making her pulse stutter.

Then his lips brushed against her bare shoulder, featherlight but deliberate.

Ava froze.

Oh.

Oh, he was playingdirty.

Ryan smirked against her skin. "You know... the shower looks nice."

Ava arched a brow. "Mhm."

His fingers flexed slightly. "And I was going to be a gentleman and let you go first."

Ava turned slightly, smirking. "Oh? How noble."

Ryan grinned, his lips brushing dangerously close to hers. "But then I thought... it is spacious enough for two."

Ava’s breath caught.

His eyes gleamed with mischief, his fingers tracing over the fabric of her top, barely skimming over her hipbones.

"You’re really this eager to get me in the shower with you?" she mused, tilting her head slightly.

Ryan grinned. "Sweetheart, I’ve been waiting weeks for this level of privacy."

Ava huffed a laugh, looping her arms around his neck. "And you think this smooth-talking is going to convince me?"

Ryan’s gaze dropped to her lips.

"I think," he murmured, voice dangerously low, "you already want to say yes."

Oh.

Damn him.

Ava parted her lips slightly, ready to either retaliate or surrender—

And then—

A loud, obnoxious knock at their suite door.

Mei’s far-too-cheerful voice rang through the hallway.

"Lovebirds! Stop being indecent and come eat dinner!"

Ryan groaned, resting his forehead against Ava’s shoulder. "You have to be kidding me."

Ava burst into laughter, stepping out of his arms. "You thought we’d get even five minutes alone?"

Ryan sighed dramatically. "I was hoping."

Ava pressed a quick, teasing kiss to his lips before stepping away. "Come on, lover boy. Food first, fun later."

Ryan exhaled heavily. "You’re lucky I love you."

Ava winked. "I know."

As they stepped out of the suite, Ryan grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers together.

Tokyo had just begun.

And if this was just the start?

—

Five minutes.

That was all Ryan had wanted.

Five uninterrupted minutes with his fiancée, in their lavish Tokyo penthouse suite, alone, without Mei, Harold, or matchmaking disasters.

Was that too much to ask?

Apparently, yes.

Because just as Ava had finally started melting into his touch, just as she had tilted her head like she was actually considering joining him in the shower, the universe (aka, Mei) decided to remind him that peace was a myth.

"Lovebirds! Stop being indecent and come eat dinner!"

Ryan let out the deepest, most dramatic sigh of his life.

Ava—completely unsympathetic—laughed, full and unrestrained.

"Oh, come on!" Ryan groaned, resting his forehead against her shoulder. "You cannot tell me that wasn’t on purpose."

Ava, still snickering, pried herself from his hold. "Oh, it was definitely on purpose."

Ryan dramatically flopped onto the bed, face-down in defeat. "I hate everything."

Ava smirked, stepping back just far enough to tease him with the view.

"You’re being so dramatic," she said, crossing her arms. "You act like I don’t still owe you a ’thank-you’ for booking this ridiculous suite."

Ryan turned his head just enough to lift an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Ava hummed, stepping closer. "Mhm. But now you’ll have to wait."

Ryan let out a pained groan, flipping onto his back. "This is emotional torture."

Ava grinned, leaning over him just slightly. "Consider it payback for all the times you distracted me during work."

Ryan huffed, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "You liked those distractions."

Ava smirked. "Maybe."

Then she pressed a quick, barely-there kiss to his lips before stepping away completely.

Ryan sat up, blinking. "That’s it?"

Ava winked. "Dinner first. Fun later."

Ryan flopped back down. "I hate Mei."

---

Meanwhile, In the Suite Next Door...

Mei took a slow sip of tea, pleased.

Harold, lounging comfortably in a plush robe, side-eyed her. "You did that on purpose."

Mei smiled. "Naturally."

Harold sighed, flipping through the in-room dining menu. "You do realize that the more you interrupt them, the more Ryan is going to find a way to steal Ava away, right?"

Mei smirked, setting her teacup down with a knowing gleam in her eye. "Oh, I count on it."

Harold blinked. "Wait. Are you actually—"

Mei simply sipped her tea again.

"Matchmakers do not wait. They orchestrate."