Matchmaker Mayhem
Chapter 106: Exploring the City – First Date in Tokyo

Chapter 106: Exploring the City – First Date in Tokyo

The morning air in Tokyo was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of street food and the faint aroma of incense drifting from distant shrines. As the first light of dawn bathed the skyline in soft golden hues, the city pulsed with a vibrant energy—a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.

Ava and Ryan walked hand in hand through the bustling streets of Asakusa, the sounds of their surroundings filling the air. The low murmur of shopkeepers setting up for the day, the chatter of excited tourists, and the occasional ring of bicycle bells blended together into a symphony of Tokyo life.

Ryan glanced sideways at Ava, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Okay, admit it. You’re impressed."

Ava arched a brow at him. "By what?"

He gestured toward the iconic red gate looming ahead, its massive lantern swaying gently in the breeze. Senso-ji Temple.

One of the most famous temples in Japan, the structure stood proudly at the end of Nakamise Street, its vibrant red pillars and sweeping eaves a stunning contrast against the backdrop of the modern city. The temple’s grand entrance, Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), stood tall, guarded by two fearsome statues of Fujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder.

Ryan smirked. "By the history. The atmosphere. The romance of it all."

Ava rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "We’ve been here for less than a day, and you’re already acting like a tour guide."

Ryan leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "I’m just making sure you enjoy our first official date in Tokyo."

Ava’s heart stuttered, but she covered it with a playful shove. "If you’re this smooth now, I should be worried."

Ryan chuckled. "Too late for that, babe."

---

Fortunes, Fate, and a Little Chaos

As they stepped onto the temple grounds, the scent of burning incense wrapped around them, mingling with the cool morning air. People moved in quiet reverence, some tossing coins into the offering box, others lighting incense sticks and bowing their heads in prayer.

"Alright, lovebirds," Mei’s voice broke through the tranquility, making Ava sigh. "Time for a little matchmaking fate check!"

Ryan groaned, his grip on Ava’s hand tightening. "Why do I feel like this is a trap?"

Harold, standing beside Mei, grinned mischievously. "Because it absolutely is."

Ava narrowed her eyes. "What did you do?"

Mei clapped her hands together, far too delighted. "Omikuji."

Ava blinked. "What now?"

Mei gestured toward a small wooden stand near the temple’s courtyard, where visitors were lining up to draw paper fortunes from cylindrical containers.

"Omikuji," Mei explained, practically vibrating with excitement. "Temple fortunes! You shake the box, pull out a stick, and get a number. Then you take a fortune from the corresponding drawer."

Ryan arched a brow. "And why, exactly, are we doing this?"

Mei beamed. "To see how doomed your relationship is, obviously."

Ava rubbed her temples. "Great. Just what I needed—divine interference in my love life."

Ryan sighed dramatically. "Might as well get it over with."

They each took turns shaking the wooden box and drawing their numbered sticks. The temple attendant handed them both their respective fortunes—delicate strips of white paper covered in elegant Japanese calligraphy.

Ava unfolded hers first, brows furrowing as she read.

凶 (Kyō) – Bad Fortune.

Her stomach dropped. "Oh, come on."

Mei snatched the paper from her hands, reading aloud with far too much glee. "’Your relationships may face many hardships. You must be patient, lest all fall apart in ruin.’"

Ryan snorted. "Wow. Subtle."

Ava shot him a glare. "This is a scam."

Ryan unfolded his own paper, his eyes skimming over the words.

大吉 (Daikichi) – Great Blessing.

Mei squealed in delight. "Ooooh, Ryan got the best fortune! ’Happiness and success in love shall follow you.’"

Ryan smirked, turning toward Ava. "Guess that means I win."

Ava huffed. "We are not making this a competition."

Ryan tucked his fortune into his pocket, his voice dropping into a soft murmur. "I don’t need luck when I already know who I’m meant for."

Ava’s breath hitched, warmth spreading through her chest despite her best efforts to play it cool.

Mei, watching them like a delighted scientist observing test subjects, gasped. "Ava. Are you blushing?"

Ava immediately shoved her fortune at Mei. "I’m tying mine to the bad luck rack. Let’s go."

She marched off toward the designated rack where temple visitors could tie their bad fortunes to wooden beams in hopes of reversing their luck.

Ryan grinned, trailing after her.

Harold leaned toward Mei, chuckling. "She totally melted, didn’t she?"

Mei smirked. "Oh, absolutely."

---

A Sudden Celebrity Moment

After the temple visit, the group wandered through Nakamise Street—a bustling shopping district lined with small stalls selling colorful yukatas, delicate sweets, and handcrafted souvenirs.

Ava was admiring a display of daruma dolls when she suddenly noticed the shift in atmosphere.

A group of high school girls had gathered a few feet away, whispering excitedly among themselves.

She followed their line of sight.

Straight to Ryan.

Ryan, who was completely unaware, casually browsing a display of handcrafted fans.

Ava slowly grinned. "Oh, this is going to be good."

One of the girls hesitantly approached, clutching her phone like it was a lifeline.

"Um... sumimasen," she said, voice timid. "Are you... a movie star?"

Ryan blinked. "What?"

The girl giggled, blushing furiously. "You look like an actor from a K-drama."

Ryan turned to Ava, bewildered. "Did she just—"

Ava cackled. "They think you’re famous."

Within seconds, the rest of the group swarmed.

"Can we take a picture?"

"You look like someone from a drama!"

"Are you a model?"

Ryan, now looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, turned to Ava.

"Help me."

Ava, still laughing, pulled out her phone. "Nope. This is payback for all the times you flirted with me just to annoy me."

Ryan groaned as one of the girls linked arms with him for a photo.

Mei, watching from the side, whispered to Harold. "This is the best day of my life."

Harold nodded. "Absolutely."

After a few more pictures, Ryan finally escaped, face flushed as he reached for Ava’s hand.

"Never again," he muttered.

Ava grinned, swinging their hands playfully. "Oh, I don’t know. I kind of liked it."

Ryan groaned. "I swear, you enjoy my suffering."

Ava leaned up, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "Only a little."

Ryan sighed, but the soft smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.

Despite the chaos, today had been perfect.

And as they walked through the streets of Tokyo, hand in hand, surrounded by the city’s vibrant life, Ava felt something settle deep in her chest.

Something that felt an awful lot like happiness.

As they left the bustling streets behind and strolled toward their hotel, Ava couldn’t stop grinning.

Ryan, however, was still sulking.

"That was traumatic," he muttered, adjusting his shirt as if trying to shake off the memory.

Ava giggled, squeezing his hand. "Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad. You made their day."

Ryan shot her a flat look. "I was mobbed, Ava. I thought they were going to carry me away."

Ava pretended to think. "I mean, if they did, would I technically have to find a new fiancé?"

Ryan groaned, rubbing his temples. "You’re enjoying this way too much."

Ava, absolutely enjoying it, smirked up at him. "I mean, what can I say? Dating a heartthrob is hard work."

Ryan snorted, shaking his head. "Heartthrob?"

Ava nodded sagely. "Oh, absolutely. You’ve got that whole mysterious, broody K-drama lead energy. Just need to perfect the tragic backstory gaze."

Ryan rolled his eyes, but amusement flickered in them. "Please, I’m way more charming than those guys."

Ava grinned, stepping closer, her fingers tracing a slow, teasing path up his arm. "Oh? That so?"

Ryan’s eyes darkened slightly, and she could feel his fingers tighten around hers.

"Mm," he hummed, voice dropping lower. "Wouldn’t you say?"

Ava tilted her head. "I don’t know... Maybe I need a little more convincing."

Ryan, catching the challenge in her eyes, smirked. "Careful what you wish for, Matchmaker."

Without warning, he pulled her flush against him, his arms wrapping securely around her waist. The sudden movement stole a soft gasp from her lips, but before she could react, Ryan leaned in—not kissing her just yet, but hovering close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.

His nose brushed against hers, teasing, slow.

Ava’s heartbeat stuttered.

Damn him.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

"See?" Ryan murmured. "Effortless charm."

Ava, desperate to regain the upper hand, let her fingers drift lower, her nails just barely scraping against the hem of his shirt.

Ryan’s breath hitched.

Good.

Two could play this game.

Ava smirked. "Oh, I don’t know... I think you might need to prove it a little more."

Ryan’s grip on her tightened. "You really want me to prove it?"

Ava licked her lips, her voice just above a whisper. "Think you can handle it?"

Ryan let out a low chuckle, his lips finally brushing against hers in a slow, tantalizing kiss. It was unhurried, deliberate, like he wanted to savor every second. The teasing, the tension—it all melted away the moment their lips met.

Ava sighed into him, her hands sliding up his chest, tangling in his shirt as he deepened the kiss.

The world around them blurred—Tokyo’s bright lights, the soft hum of the city fading into nothing but warmth and Ryan and the way he always made her feel like the only thing that mattered.

When they finally pulled back, Ava was breathless.

Ryan grinned. "Convinced now?"

Ava exhaled, dazed, before huffing dramatically. "Ugh. Fine. Maybe you have a little charm."

Ryan chuckled. "A little?"

Ava smirked, tugging him forward by his collar. "Shut up and kiss me again."

And he happily obliged.

---

By the time they made it back to their penthouse suite, Ava was still teasing him.

Ryan kicked off his shoes, rolling his shoulders as he walked toward the massive floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the cityscape.

Ava, still in a playful mood, wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her chin against his back.

"You know..." she mused. "Maybe I should post your fan meeting online. Let your admirers know where they can find you next."

Ryan choked on a laugh, turning in her arms. "You wouldn’t dare."

Ava grinned wickedly. "Wouldn’t I?"

Ryan, not one to back down from a challenge, suddenly scooped her up, making her yelp in surprise.

"Ryan!" she shrieked, laughing as he carried her bridal-style toward the bedroom.

Ryan grinned down at her. "You want to keep teasing me? Fine. But I hope you know payback is coming."

Ava mock-gasped. "Oh no, whatever shall I do?"

Ryan arched a brow, his smirk downright sinful. "Guess you’ll just have to find out."

And with that, he kicked the door shut behind them.

---

Ava woke up warm and comfortable, wrapped in the soft sheets with Ryan’s arm draped over her waist.

For a moment, she just soaked it in—the peaceful silence, the golden sunlight filtering through the curtains, the steady rhythm of Ryan’s breathing against her skin.

Then, a thought occurred to her.

She turned slowly, biting her lip to hold back a grin.

And then, in the softest, most innocent voice possible, she whispered:

"Good morning, Mr. K-drama Star."

Ryan groaned, burying his face in the pillow. "Ava..."

She giggled. "Come on, you should embrace your new fanbase."

Ryan lifted his head, eyes half-lidded with sleep, and grumbled, "You’re lucky I love you."

Ava smirked. "I know."

Ryan sighed, rolling onto his back. "You’re never letting this go, are you?"

Ava rested her chin in her hand, grinning down at him. "Nope."

Ryan stretched, then suddenly pulled her down on top of him, making her squeak in surprise.

"Alright, since you’re already here," he murmured, pressing a slow kiss to her shoulder, "might as well start the morning right."

Ava shivered, her teasing forgotten entirely.

Ryan grinned. "Still want to talk about my celebrity career?"

Ava huffed. "Shut up, Kim."

Ryan chuckled. "Make me."

And Ava happily obliged.