TIME FOR TWO
Chapter Two
Author's note: So, my original second chapter was a drama filled one, but I replaced it with this one so that this story could remain one of pure, good romance for Mimi and Yamato. If you want to read the angsty version and its continuation, then read my other story: I'll Be What You're Looking For.
Mimi stared down at the phone in her hand, rereading the screen for a second time.
"Can you meet me before your dinner with Yamato tonight? Please?"
Finally typing a reply, she exhaled slowly. "No, sorry. Some other time?"
She was already on her way out, coat and hat on, when she'd gotten his text. Stowing her phone away in her purse, she bent to slip on her knee high boots and she was out the door.
On her way through the lobby she heard the twinkling ring of her phone. Before she could reach for it, she caught sight of Taichi through the glass front windows of the lobby. He was busy looking down at his phone as she exited the building, her voice catching him off gaurd.
"Taichi, hey."
His head popped up with a grin. "Mimi, hey. I was just texting you."
She noted the lack of their usual embrace, feeling a mix of sadness and relief.
She smiled up at him. "I see you're respecting Yamato's wishes."
"Uh..." He fidgeted with a rub to the back of his bushy head of hair. "I guess I am, huh?"
She was looking down the busy sidewalk full of people. Her walk would be short, he didn't live far from her. "I'm on my way to see him. That's why I said no..."
Her voice and eyes were distant as she gazed past him, and he couldn't help the jealousy from rising within him. He was speaking before he even realized, his chest tight as he said it.
"This wasn't how it was supposed to be."
She looked to him with confused eyes, a hint of concern in them. "What?"
He shook his head and grinned nervously at her. "I'll walk you there, okay?"
She hesitated a moment before nodding and starting their walk. "Alright, thanks."
They walked in silence for drawn out minutes down the sidewalk, side by side. When she finally glanced over at him she saw his furrowed brow and downcast eyes. She put a hand to his shoulder, turning his attention to her.
"Taichi, what's the matter? You haven't said anything in like ten minutes."
He took to staring at the distant lights ahead of them. "I said this isn't how it was supposed to be, because..." He shrugged a shoulder. "Honestly, I'm jealous."
She breathed in deep before daring a look at him. He was smiling faintly and wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Jealous of Yamato?"
"I can't seem to help it. It's really bothering me actually."
"You just need a woman in your life, Taichi."
"A woman," he repeated her words on a sigh. "Sometimes it's hard to see past you."
She met his waiting eyes with a small smile. She wanted to hug him and tell him she was sorry, but she held back, putting her hands in the pockets of her coat. "Why me? What about Sora?"
"Takenouchi...I gave up on her a long time ago. And she gave up on me long before that."
"That's not what she thinks."
He was surprised by his sudden spark of interest at her words. He had kept Sora out of his thoughts for so long, and no one had mentioned her to him in ages. He had been sure his heart was dead to that name.
"What do you mean?"
She smiled excitedly at his turn in tone. "She holds out hope."
"That's so vague, Mimi. You're always good at giving all the details. Come on."
She giggled, grinning at him. "You care. Still."
He gave an exaggerated shrug with outstretched arms. "Like you said, I guess I just need a woman in my life."
"Just the right one."
"I thought she was the right one. She told me I wasn't."
Mimi could hear the raw emotion in his voice. She put her hand to his shoulder once more. "Oh, Taichi..."
"If she wanted to talk to me...to fix things, she would. But she hasn't. It's been a year already."
"And you've moved on?"
"You say it like it's impossible."
"I just know you, you don't let things go so easy. You're persistent. And I know you two loved each other."
"We said it, but I don't know if we meant it."
"I say you should find out."
He raised a brow, smiling over at her. "Are you just trying to get me off your back?"
"Taichi, you're important to me."
"But?"
She smiled back at him. "I'm already taken. There's a ring and everything."
He laughed despite himself. "I've seen it."
"If you want, I can talk to her for you."
"Why? It's pointless."
"I know you had a ring for her."
He locked eyes with her, the emotion she had heard earlier in his voice was now evident in the lines of his face. Her heart sank at that look, and he turned his face before she could speak.
"Of course you know. And why would I go through all that again? She didn't say yes and thank you like you did for Ishida."
"She had her reasons, but I know it broke your heart."
"Broke my heart..." He echoed her words with a questioning tone but said nothing further.
"Do you still have it?"
He knew exactly what she meant and it was like the twist of a knife. Why deny what they both already knew?
"Yeah, I have it. But I'm not waiting for another rejection."
"Then why do you keep it?"
He wouldn't respond to that, he couldn't. His voice would betray him and there would be no going back.
"Just wait for the right answer," she told him. "That's all you have to do."
"And how do I do that?"
"You have to start all over."
He sighed heavily, laying eyes on the entrance to Yamato's apartment building.
"Mimi we've wasted all this time talking about me and Sora. I wanted to talk about me and you."
"How could there be a me and you, Taichi?"
"You haven't finalized anything with him."
She was quick to tell him, "You're making me a distraction."
"A distraction from Sora, that's what you think?"
They stopped in front of the two main doors, their eyes reconnecting.
"It's simple. What better distraction than something you can never have?"
He smirked down at her. "That would keep me pretty preoccupied wouldn't it?"
"Taichi, you can't fool me like you're fooling yourself."
She was looking at him with such compassion, her eyes glittering with the threat of tears. He knew she didn't want to hurt him and he could tell she was already hurting for him. He could say without a doubt that she loved him, as a friend only, but it was love. Sora, he could say it for her too, but there was something missing.
"Do you think she loved me...but just didn't like me?"
She scrunched her face, cocking her head to the side. "How is that possible?"
The sparking jewels attached to her hat caught his eye and his mind drifted. He had given that pink knit hat to her as a gift a few weeks ago. He recalled the memory of her unwrapping his small gift, lifting it out of the box with a squeal. It hit him then, what he liked about her so much. Her effervescent personality was enough to adore her and seek her company, but more than anything he knew she appreciated him. The way she smiled at him, he could feel it.
"Why does it seem like I wasn't enough for her? I keep asking myself that."
The shake of her head was adamant as she told him, "No, that's not it!" She closed the distance between them and took his hand in hers, holding tight. Her gaze was intense, her smile gone. "Talk to her, tell her what you're telling me. You'll get the truth."
He pulled her in for a hug, his arms going around her shoulders. She was right, and he hated it. She was right about her being a distraction, but it was easy this way. She was fun and kept things light. When he was with her he could keep his mind off of Sora.
His voice was muffled as he spoke into the pink cashmere. "Thank you, Mimi. But I can't."
She pulled away from him, her eyes blazing. "Why not?"
He rubbed at the back of his neck and took in a deep breath. "I'm not him, you know." He gave a quick shrug. "She likes him more than me. I can't deal with that anymore. Why try with her when I know the truth?"
"You think she's still hung up on Yamato?"
"Isn't she?"
"How long ago was that? There's no way."
"He broke things off with her, not the other way around."
"Either way, it's all the same. He's with me. Even if she did still want him, the only thing she can do is forget about it. Kinda like you need to forget about me."
"Second best to Ishida? That's not good enough."
"I know Sora well, you were never second to him. You two are so different. There's no comparing. She loved you for you."
"That sounds great, Mimi." He was smirking at her again. "But she's never said something so sweet to me."
Her chin dropped slightly, but she had no words for him. She wanted to ease his mind and heart, she wanted to make him the man he used to be. She had never seen him as lackluster as he had been this past year. If Sora could only see the affect of her absence, Mimi knew it would clutch at her heart.
"Maybe Sora needs to wake up...maybe she already has. It's been so long and I know she misses you."
"Maybe."
Hands on hips, she told him, "Listen, if you don't talk to her, I will. You two have wasted so much time. This past year Yamato and I have made so much progress, and you two have accomplished nothing."
"It's not exactly a competition."
"I can't believe how much you don't want to be happy! And to let such a stupid thing get in the way. Who's more brave than you, Tai-kun?"
He chuckled at her sincere pep talk and switched his focus to the building behind her, watching a small group enter. "Thanks Mimi, really. You're awesome. But you should go up already and meet him. I've kept you long enough. Don't tell him I said hi, he probably wouldn't like that too much."
She gave a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with you all? We're supposed to be friends but you all act like enemies."
"You're friends with us all."
"Except none of you listen to me." After a beat she added, "Well, Yamato does."
"He sort of has to."
She narrowed her eyes at him but they softened just as quickly. "You're right, he does. That's why it works so well between us. And I listen to him." She finished with a wink, "You and Sora need to take notes."
"Yeah...well, I guess I'll let you talk to her."
She bounced on her heels, her hands clasped together. "That's a start!"
He laughed heartily at her excitement, and before he could speak she was already turning for the door.
She told him over her shoulder, "Bye, Taichi!"
He waved to her retreating back. "Bye, Mimi."
He stayed there for a moment longer, the smile her endearing joy had given him still on his face. He looked to the right, his eyes searching out the familiar path that led to Sora's apartment. He'd have to catch the train to make it before she went to bed. He pulled out his phone for the time. There was more than enough time for him to make it, but he couldn't make a move. He felt just as he had for this past year, paralyzed. He wondered if she'd smile at him just as Mimi had tonight. If she would, then maybe they could go forward. He put his phone back, determination building as he followed that same path he had so many times before. Her response to his sudden presence at her door would tell him everything.
