This is sort of a sequel to "Snowflakes and Surprises."

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Kougakyo, being a desert city, was subject to extreme changes in temperature. It should not be surprising, therefore, that on one particular day, it reached 95 degrees. In the shade.

And Kirara was hunting for samurai. She paused under the awning of a candy store to take refuge from the heat, watching her water crystal as it hung from her wrist. Nothing. Her gaze turned to the street, where a group of children congregated around a cart selling flavored ices. One of those ices would be so good right now…but I don't have any money.

She groaned out loud as a familiar voice reached her ears. "Kirara-kun! What on earth are you doing out in this heat?" She glared at Ukyo. "Do you follow me around or something, or am I just lucky?"

Ukyo grinned. He was dressed for the heat, in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. Without his makeup and with his hair tied back, he looked very different…almost handsome, Kirara thought to herself, before he spoke and she was reminded that this was Ukyo, after all.

"What say you and I get out of this heat? I know a nice, air-conditioned diner around here…" He reached for her, and she slapped his hand away. He pouted. "No? Well, how would you like me to buy you one of those ices? They're great on days like this…assuming we can get to them before those kids eat them all."

She sighed. Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt…and it is very hot out. "…Fine. Green tea if they've got it." Ukyo's face lit up as he walked up to the cart, pulling out his wallet. In short order, and after some haggling with the owner of the cart, he returned with two ices in paper cups.

"Here. Green tea for you, and strawberry for me." They ate in silence. Ukyo seemed nervous; noticing this, Kirara asked him, "Something on your mind, Ukyo-sama?" He nearly choked in surprise. Once he got his breath back, he wheezed, "It's a miracle."

"What are you talking about?"

"You actually spoke to me. You actually said my name...I wish I had a pen with me so I could write this down." He knew he was grinning like an idiot, but he didn't care. Kirara met his gaze, staring up at him. "Does that mean so much to you?"

Ukyo flushed, staring fixatedly at what was left of his ice. "Of course not! I just…"

A yell of "Kirara-dono!" reached their ears, causing Ukyo to sigh dramatically. "Not him again. If you ask me, I think he's the stalker." Kirara balled up the empty paper cup and tossed it into a trash bin with a sigh.

"I have to go. Thank you for buying me the ice—it was delicious." Before she could turn to leave, Ukyo kissed her. Whatever small part of her brain that still functioned noted, Yep, he's still good.

And then she kissed him back, taking him completely by surprise judging by the way his arm tightened around her waist. He still tasted like strawberries.

When they pulled apart, staring at each other, Kirara snapped, "You are a horrible person; you know that, right?" But she made no move to strike him.

Seeing this, Ukyo smirked. "I'll see you around, Kirara-kun. Be careful in this heat, okay?" As she stared at his retreating back, she was vaguely aware of Katsushiro still calling her name.

I can't believe he kissed me again. I can't believe I let him kiss me again. I definitely can't believe I kissed him back. And…I liked it.

She made a mental note to see if the vendor had any strawberry-flavored ice left.

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