Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon or any of its characters. I wrote this fanfic for my own pleasure and purely entertainment.
Makoto Kino, despite being a painfully shy and somewhat tomboyish young woman was content to living a quiet and trouble free life. She never knew that a simple admiration will result to unexplained emotions which would eventually cause her to nurture such strong yearning for a guy named Heero Yuy.
'Tis better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all. – Alfred Lord Tennyson
The Secret Admirer
Part 2
"You... you really don't have to... Heero. I can take care of those..." Makoto timidly said as the brown haired young man easily laid down a metal bucket containing pink tulips.
"It's the least I can do for you, Makoto." The former Gundam pilot answered before moving on to assist her with the next container, this one a metal pail filled with lilies.
She attempted to stop him, yet Heero had already transferred the lilies to the designated spot.
It was already springtime during his fourth visit.
Ever since that eventful conversation they had last winter, she somehow felt they became more comfortable in dealing with each other.
"So... uhm, did the person like the bouquet you gave the last time?" Makoto tentatively inquired, hoping to strike up a topic for conversation.
"I... think so." Heero softly replied while giving her an affirmative glance.
"I see, but I do hope you're enjoying your visits here in Amiens."
"Yes I am, Makoto... honestly speaking, I was... also hoping you have a hot cup of coco to spare similar to last time." The cobalt eyed young man sheepishly asked.
She wasn't aware back then but the moment Heero raised that query, Makoto was all red up to her ears.
'My goodness... he... remembers...'
Somewhere deep down inside her, a little girl was squealing in absolute delight.
"W-well... if... if... y-you c-could wait for five minutes, I'll prepare you a hot mug." She nervously replied.
"Take your time, Makoto. I still have to choose the flowers for the bouquet that I'll be ordering." Heero casually answered before nodding slightly at her.
The chestnut brown haired young woman smiled back at him, and as soon as the former Gundam Pilot turned his back from her... she giddily rushed towards the kitchen to fill a pair of cups with freshly made, hot cocoa.
It didn't take her five minutes to accomplish the task. Her heart was beating fast... she could feel it pounding from her chest. She was excited at the prospect of having another opportune moment to know him.
Heero had already selected the flowers while she settled the tray containing two hot cups of cocoa on the small wooden table found at the side window pane of her flower shop. The young man gently reached for the saucer with the cup of hot cocoa that she was handing to him before sitting on one of the oaken chairs.
He grunted lightly in satisfaction after taking a sip from his hot coco.
"This is really good, Makoto. Thank you." Heero sincerely uttered before adding, "I think these little marshmallows you included blended quite well with the dark chocolate."
"Bittersweet." He added, after taking another sip from his mug.
"Oh... thank heavens you liked them. In my haste, I forgot to ask you first but just opted to place those mini marshmallows on both of our cups."
"Don't worry, Makoto... I told you... I like it." Heero intently responded with his deep cobalt irises meeting her amber orbs.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
'My heart... be still...'
DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI!
'Arrghhh... this is embarrassing... I am blushing so hard right now...'
"Err... y-you mentioned bittersweet... I like stuff that has some sort of twist for a perfect blend in taste." She struggled to reply feeling the hot prickling sensation on both of her cheeks.
"Maybe... you could... take me to your favourite café or restaurant next time, Makoto." Heero nonchalantly stated while looking intently at her.
DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI!
'Oh... my... stars... I... think... I... won... the... lottery...'
DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI!
'He's... he's asking me for... a DATE!'
Makoto's mind was full of various thoughts... of her strolling around the town with Heero. They would have a light snack at one of the bistros in town before taking a short ride towards the small theatre to watch a movie. She'll ask for some soda and popcorn of course, Makoto was quite sure he'd ask her to choose the movie. She was certain that she'll choose something romantic... then while inside the theatre house... Heero will no longer be able to contain himself and hold her hand...
From there... she would meekly look towards his directions and then he will...
'Ahh... Heero...'
The Perfect Soldier tipped his head slightly, wondering at her prolonged silence.
"That is... only if you're fine with it, Makoto." He respectfully said, obviously waiting for her answer.
'Darn... my imagination is running wild...' She inwardly chastised herself before feeling the hard thumping of her heart.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
"O-O-OF COURSE! We-we s-should c-check o-out t-the best gourmet here! Y-you should g-give it a try!" The amber eyed young woman replied in an excited and raised tone.
'This is the chance I've been waiting for! A date with my destined lover! Hah! I won't ever let this opportunity go to waste!'
'Makoto... this is IT!'
'If I could only get this heart of mine... to keep still...'
DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI!
Makoto confidently strode out of her bedroom.
"So... Heero, what would it be for today?" The amber eyed beauty repeated the line she had incessantly rehearsed within the confines of her bedroom.
"Ok... demure... confident... yet relaxed..." She muttered to no one but herself.
'Whew... easier said than done... you can do this Makoto... you can do this...'
It has been more than a year since they had that conversation. Makoto had been holding on to that uncertain promise that they will have an opportunity to go out for dinner and she'll probably muster all her courage to confess her feelings for Heero.
But sadly... it never came into fruition.
More than a year, well to be exact... it was already a year and half ever since that summer visit. The seasons have already come and gone but Makoto was unable to progress their relationship beyond acquaintances. It was not because Heero only visited her once every change of season, it was quite the opposite actually. The former Gundam Pilot even doubled the frequency of his trips to Amiens over the course of those 18-months.
For every visit the brown haired young man made, he ensured to pass by her flower shop to buy a bouquet of flowers. Makoto never had the courage to ask who the flowers were for out of fear that she won't be able to handle his answer. But all of the bouquets he requested always carried 3 interesting keywords: respect, regret and responsibility.
The tall young woman took consolation that with the flower choices he made, the bouquets were for someone Heero deeply respected and wanted to express sincere regret. Respect for someone probably older than him, a mentor-like figure. Regret for someone he had done some wrongdoing. Responsibility for someone he feels to be accountable for.
Of course, there were instances that her paranoia would take hold and give her outrageous ideas or out of this world delusions. She was held hostage by an unknown fear that prying into his carefully wrapped private life would cause him to shun her from his existence.
It was something that she never wanted to happen or even imagine. Heero had been a constant figure in the last eighteen months of her simple yet fulfilled life. His arrival to her flower shop allowed her to experience the feeling of romance... to like someone, to adore somebody and to feel something special for another person.
They always had those simple, seemingly nonsense small talk while sharing a warm cup of cocoa. Yet she immensely enjoyed every moment they conversed with each other... no matter how fleeting they were. Despite her inherent shyness, Makoto tried her best to bring out her tomboyish persona to strike various topics of conversation with Heero.
He was very good with current events and politics alongside its inner workings on both ESUN and the Colonies.
He was quite handy when it comes to gadgets and electronics as the brown haired young man took only 5-minutes to fix her laptop. He required no more than 5-minutes to reprogram her holo-tablet and POS counter. He finished decrypting her mobile phone within 5-minutes after a glitch occurred that saved Makoto another trip to her telecoms provider.
He rolled up his sleeves thrice already - the first was to repair her air conditioning unit, the second was to refurbish the refrigeration system used for her weather-sensitive flowers and the third one was to patch up her washing machine after its water sensor broke down.
He was everything she dreamed of. Though he was very laconic and straightforward in their conversations, she felt his sincerity on every word he spoke. She thought it was weird but found it cute nonetheless every time Heero would grunt or nod lightly when responding on close ended questions.
It was his unique way of affirmation, she mused.
He has a cool and mysterious air always swirling around him. He never laughed but he would somehow twist the corner of his lips upwards for a barely noticeable smile.
There were truly a LOT of opportune moments for her to remind him of that semi-serious promise. Yet Makoto kept on dilly dallying as she was contented on their status quo. She didn't know if he was spoken for already but somewhere deep inside her was a confident gut feel that he's still unattached.
She reckoned that women's instincts are never wrong. She felt no alarm bells of any sorts during each of their conversations.
Makoto also reasoned that she was only 23 years old while Heero admitted that he just turned 21 that year. So there was no reason to panic... or rush things. She wanted to take things slowly. She wanted to know him more.
The amber eyed florist recognized that there were a lot of moments that she failed to seize. If she was just more assertive or a tad more daring, she could have already asked him out and confessed her feelings.
Yet despite of it all... she never acted on her emotions.
Makoto feared that she'll lose the special connection she thought they share. She dreaded the thought that he'll reject her or much worse – tell her that he already has someone else.
However, there was something very different and peculiar on his next visit.
Two things.
First was quite special – it will coincide on her actual birthday. She never told him such specifics during their friendly banter.
Second and most importantly... it was the first time he informed her ahead of time on his scheduled day of visit.
The tall amber eyed beauty had been rehearsing like crazy over the past two months on how she'll ask him out in front of her life sized bedroom mirror.
She had spent various sleepless nights in preparation of this special day. A week before his scheduled visit – Makoto already had trouble sleeping out of sheer anticipation.
This was certainly it!
She was going to ask him out for that one dinner date and tell him her feelings.
Finally, after eighteen agonizing months of suppressing her emotions! This would be her moment!
Makoto deemed that the odds should now be stacked on her favor. She'll be 3 years older than him, which should somehow give her an edge of sorts when it comes to the age factor. Admittedly, at first the chestnut brown haired young woman was quite astonished to learn that Heero was 3 years younger than her. However, the soaps that she was watching during the afternoon, the novels she read before bedtime alongside the celebrity couples that have the woman a bit older than the guy only bolstered her resolve.
It was crunch time! This is it!
If he reciprocates – then it was the perfect highlight for her 24th birthday.
If not... well, Makoto was certain that she'll never forget her birthdays moving forward because of him.
Makoto wore an off-white apron on top of her cool mint green sun dress along with matching cool green flats. Earlier, while in front of the mirror, she had already let loose her long wavy chestnut brown hair. However, it was already two hours since she opened shop and the cobalt eyed young man was still nowhere in sight.
She decided to busy herself while waiting for his arrival. So far she had already completed three bouquets for three walk-in customers. The tall amber eyed beauty had finished tidying her flower shop the previous evening so the place was truly prepared.
'There's nothing else to do while waiting for Heero...' She mused.
'Maybe I should rehearse my line once more...'
Makoto was still contemplating her next course of action that she failed to notice the soft ringing of her door chimes.
"A penny for your thoughts, Miss Florist." A cool voice gently called out to her.
'Huh?!'
Her lips were left wide open upon realizing who the voice belonged to as soon as she turned to face its owner.
'H-Heero!'
"Good morning, Makoto." Again, his deep cool voice greeted her.
This was it! Time to unleash the sacred line that she had relentlessly practiced for the past couple of months!
'Go girl! Do it, Makoto!'
DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI! DOKI!
'I CAN DO THIS!' She determinedly decided while using whatever burst of emotions that was emanating from her heart to bolster her drive.
"H-hey... H-H-He-Heero... w-w-what w-would it be... for today?" The tall emerald green eyed florist asked while stuttering badly from nervousness.
DARN IT MAKOTO! YOU BLEW IT!
Her conscience screamed at her.
'All those tireless months... sleepless nights... endless weeks of practice... and agonizing days of preparation... all gone to waste!'
She frustratingly contemplated, while desperately wanting to run inside her bedroom, slam the door shut and wail her miseries to sleep.
'It's no use... I blew my chance to ask him out... I'm so nervous and disappointed I can't steel myself to regain my composure...'
"Are you, ok, Makoto?" Heero inquired with his dark blue irises seemingly drilling a hole deep into her emerald green orbs.
"Uhm... I... uh... I'm fine! Y-you just startled me! That's all!" She excused, unable to meet his ever piercing gaze.
"I-I w-was a-also surprised you came to visit today." The chestnut brown haired young woman added.
"But... I told you last time that my next visit will be today." Heero carefully reasoned.
'Uh-oh... now I REALLY blew it...'
"O-oh... y-yeah... s-sorry I forgot, Heero." She apologetically uttered, attempting to smile timidly to cover her tracks.
'Now he'll think I don't give a damn about him...'
The former Gundam pilot only smirked slightly before handing her a sizable box covered in green wrapper.
"Hey, what is... this... Heero?"
"Happy Birthday, Makoto. It's just a small treat." The brown haired young man answered while looking at her intently with his sharp cobalt eyes.
"I... never told you... when my birthday was... Heero." She replied with uncertainty evident from the tone of her voice.
"You mentioned it during my visit two summers ago." He gently responded while never breaking eye contact with her.
"O-oh... d-did I? I-I f-forgot! W-what is this, Heero? You shouldn't have bothered!" She exclaimed desperately attempting to divert his attention while failing badly at concealing her own growing excitement.
'He remembers my birthday! He even brought me a present!'
"Oh... like I told you earlier... it's just a small treat to celebrate your special day."
'I'm getting all too giddy... but darn it... the person I really like remembered my birthday and even gave me a present!'
Makoto nodded approvingly at the brown haired young man while she carefully removed the green gift wrap before opening the boxed package after gingerly setting it on top of a table situated next to the window pane of her shop.
She felt her heart banging madly inside her chest. She was also doing her very best on maintaining whatever composure left from her to project the image of a perfectly composed woman in front of Heero.
Yet it was extremely difficult... she was struggling to contain her own growing excitement as the man of her dreams had successfully surprised her.
Her emerald irises lit up in joyous delight as soon as she recognized what was inside the package.
It was a dark decadent chocolate cake with a simple floral decoration made of chocolate frosting.
"Thank you so much, Heero! I really like it!" Makoto excitedly cheered while smiling widely ear to ear.
She didn't hear Heero say anything.
'Is there something wrong?'
Silence.
'Why is Heero not even uttering a single word?'
Silence.
'Why is he silent? Was he turned off by my reaction?'
Silence.
Her mind was still wracking itself for possible answers before realizing something.
'Uh... oh... I... think... I... know... why...'
Her face turned pale white as soon as her comprehension was able to process it.
Right there at that very moment, Makoto wanted to disappear from the face of the earth.
She gently moved back while smiling awkwardly before releasing both of her arms wrapped tightly around Heero.
Yes... indeed, due to her sheer excitement and brought by her natural reaction, Makoto Kino instinctively locked Heero Yuy in a firm embrace after realizing earlier that he bought her a cake for her birthday.
'Oh... my... stars... and... garters...'
"Err... I... uhmm... I'm really sorry, Heero... I got all excited and everything, I just hugged you without thinking... sorry..." Makoto meekly and embarrassingly excused unable to meet his gaze.
'Darn my instincts... I really like him a lot... but damn... now he'll think I'm just an easy woman...'
Heero only kept silent but she knew that he was looking at her intently with his cobalt blue orbs.
'What... do... I... do... oh... darn...it...he'll think I'm a shameless woman...'
"Just tell me... if there's anything I can do... to fix..."
She was still grasping for something to excuse her actions when Makoto felt the brown haired young man tip her face gently with his fingers to meet his deep blue eyes.
"Actually, I was looking for an excuse to ask you out. As it stands, I think, you can't say no now." Heero thoughtfully responded with a small barely noticeable smirk hanging by the edge of his lips.
"Of course, I'll go with you! Anything you say, I'll do it!" Makoto quickly supplied before realizing something.
'Hold on a sec...'
"A-are y-you... r-really... a-asking me out?"
"I already did and you just irrevocably agreed."
Right there and then, Makoto Kino, 24-years old, single, thought she had won the lottery.
Makoto was unsure if it was the weather since the sun was high above the clear skies or she was going down with a fever or she was just blushing plainly due to her ongoing date with Heero. The emerald eyed beauty was all red as they walked side by side each other while giving him a tour around the town.
"Over there is a small bookstore. I usually go there to buy a novel every once in a while. The stall owners are a kind elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dubois. Both of them are regular patrons of my flower shop as well."
"Do you like reading books?"
"Yes, I like reading to pass time. It also allows me to use my imagination." She answered, smiling openly while reminiscing her fondest moments with books.
"What books do you like to read?"
"Oh... I go for romance novels! I may not look like it but I'm a hopeless romantic!" The tall lovely woman unabashedly stated before realizing she had once again disclosed more than necessary.
'Acckkkhhh... he'll think I'm creepy and giving him signals... this is not the route, Makoto!'
"Uhm... I'm sorry I got carried away, Heero. How about you? Do you like reading books too?"
"It's ok, Makoto. I appreciate you sharing your passion." He replied before continuing, "I usually go for the unexciting stuff like politics and history."
She noticed him getting somewhat uneasy or slightly embarrassed from his response. But Makoto already decided long ago that if truly did like this young man, she'd have to accept or respect his inclinations.
"What was the last book you read?" Heero asked, resuming their conversation.
"Err... it was a best-selling romance novel... uhm... 'The Secret Admirer' by G.C. Santos" Makoto bashfully spoke while smiling awkwardly at the former Gundam Pilot.
"I see. What's it all about?"
"Well... it's about a young lady and the guy she likes. She has this huge crush on the leading man... but she's unsure on how to express herself. They just met accidentally and became friends. They really clicked well with each other during the times they spent together. Till eventually she learned that he's about to get married and he also likes her."
"Did... did they end up with each other?"
"No, she never had the courage to confess her feelings for him."
"How did the story end?"
"Well... it was bittersweet. I think that's why it was a best-selling novel. It was not the usual happy ending kind of stuff."
"I see." Heero tepidly responded while seemingly in deep thoughts before sagely adding, "Someone once told me that the best way to live life was to act on your emotions. You'll end up with nothing if you only suppress them."
The emerald eyed young lady felt her heart skip a couple of beats.
She did wonder if he meant something... or was trying to send her feelers or hints. But he just mentioned it seemingly out of the blue. She was sure of one thing though... she certainly has feelings for the ever enigmatic Heero Yuy.
Eventually, both of them agreed to go inside the small bookstore and leaf through its limited yet impressive selections. They were immediately greeted by Mrs. Anne Dubois, a petite yet kind elderly woman already at her early-sixties who was by the counter and taking care of a customer.
"Makoto! It's really nice to see you today! And it's a first time you're with someone while visiting my store." The kindly elderly woman welcomed while ushering both of them to come inside.
"Oh, I'm just taking my friend for a stroll around our small yet peaceful town." The tall tomboyish beauty reasoned.
'Accckkhh... isn't this embarrassing... they'll tease me and Heero! I haven't even gone to a single date since I was born!'
Makoto was still deep into her own musings when she heard Heero gently spoke.
"Hello Anne."
'Ehhhh?!'
"Oh good heavens! If it isn't you, Heero! Come in! Come in! I wasn't expecting that you're Makoto's date!" Mrs. Dubois elatedly answered motioning them towards her.
'W-what?! How come they're this close?!'
Heero gently smiled and shook hands with Mrs. Dubois while Makoto was still at a loss for words when she heard her call out to another person.
"Paul! Dear! Makoto is here along with Heero! You might want to see them!"
"Makoto and Heero, you say? I'll be right there with you!" Paul Dubois hailed back.
"He'll be excited to see both of you! He's just arranging a few old books back in the storage room. But this is quite a surprise! I never thought you know Makoto, Heero!"
"I usually buy flowers from her shop, Anne."
"Hehe, she's still single and very much available, Heero! Oh, probably because she's quite tall and has that tough tomboyish air around her that no one's ever dared to court her!" Anne Dubois teased while smiling widely at Makoto.
'Arrgghhh... this is REALLY embarrassing!'
Heero only smiled back at the elderly bookstore owner before her husband, Mr. Dubois met them at the counter.
"Heero and Makoto! It's a pleasant surprise to see such a lovely couple visit me and Anne here!" Paul heartily greeted before shaking hands with the former Gundam pilot.
'L-lovely... c-couple?!'
"It's a pleasure to visit you and Anne as well, Paul." The cobalt blue eyed young man responded in return.
"Ahhh... Makoto! I never guessed that you've been saving yourself for this fine young man!" The elderly man ribbed at her before turning back his attention to the young man beside her.
"How old are you again, Heero?"
"Twenty one."
'Aren't you going to say something, Heero?! They are like vultures feasting on us!' Her thoughts screamed while desperately looking at the former Gundam Pilot.
"Look at that! And how old is Makoto again, dear?" Paul mischievously asked at his wife.
"If I remember it correctly, she's twenty three, well on her way to the peak of womanhood!" Anne gamely replied while winking at her.
'These two septuagenarians!'
"She just turned twenty four today." Heero supplied on her behalf.
"Oh... is it that day already? Happy Birthday, Makoto!" The elderly woman sincerely greeted.
'Acckkhhh... this is getting out of hand already! I want to run and hide!'
"Two, three, five or ten year age gap? Who cares if the woman is older than the guy?! What's most important is how you feel for each other!" Mr. Dubois strongly stated before nudging Heero teasingly with his elbow.
'This has got to stop... I'll have to step in... I won't have the courage to face Heero later...'
"Makoto is a very good friend. She's giving me a tour around the town despite her birthday." Heero kindly replied.
A... friend?
She felt a sharp pinch somewhere within her chest when the word 'friend' was mentioned by the young man she was nurturing feelings for.
"Baahhh! It's a date, I tell you! You're one lucky man if you have Makoto by your side. She's hardworking and the people adore her!" Paul continued while building her up.
"Mr. And Mrs. Dubois... just like what Heero mentioned... we're simply friends. I'm just showing him around to see the sights of our small town." Makoto interjected while looking apologetically at Heero.
"We would also like to take a look at the classics and new releases you have at the store." The brown haired young man added.
Mrs. Dubois seemed to have taken the hint and smoothly diverted their conversation.
"Oh, why didn't you say so...? Well, we have a couple of new deliveries that just arrived. You know where to look, Makoto."
'Finally! Thank you so much, Mrs. Dubois.'
Paul Dubois was still supposed to add something but the elderly gentleman felt his wife's hand by his shoulder. His wife gave him a knowing look to which he nodded in understanding.
"Well... both of them are so spritely..." Makoto mumbled before turning to the brown haired young man beside her.
"You seem to be on good terms with Mr. and Mrs. Dubois."
"I happen to know them during one of my visits here." He simply supplied as they started checking out the books in the 'New Releases' section.
Makoto's curiosity wanted to get the best of her, however, she was successful in containing her growing interest at Heero's connection with the elderly couple.
'Ok... focus... just breathe it in... if he doesn't share don't pry any more..'
She was still busy rearranging her thoughts and composing herself when one of the titles on the bookshelf caught her eye.
"Oh... they have it already!" The chestnut brown haired beauty could not help but exclaim as she drew the book from the shelf.
"Never the Right Time." Heero softly uttered, referring to the book's title.
"What's it all about Makoto?"
"Oh... I honestly haven't read it yet but base from the synopsis I've gathered... it's about two people who always meet each other at various points of their lives. They share a mutual attraction with each other but just like the title says... they never had the right time going for the two of them", She carefully explained which elicited a confirming nod of understanding from the young man beside her.
"They should have seized the moment. Time waits for no man. Wasted opportunities only equate to unresolved emotions."
She felt a lump form somewhere at the midst of her throat... that was exactly her ordeal right now. It was her growing dilemma as the months, weeks, days passed by.
Makoto Kino was carrying a load full of profound emotions directed towards Heero Yuy.
Yet despite being aware and honest towards her feelings... she didn't have the guts to spill it over.
'Maybe... this is a sign... Heero's trying to convince me that I should confess my feelings for him... albeit, indirectly of course.'
"You seem quite interested on that novel. Let me get that for you as a present." Heero nonchalantly noted before swiftly snatching the book from her grasp and proceeding towards the counter.
"W-w-wait... Heero..." She trailed but her heart was banging loudly inside her chest.
Makoto knew he wouldn't take no for an answer and aside from the fact that she truly wanted the book... everything inside her was screaming in sheer delight. The man inside her heart had just bought her a present.
She was too stupefied to put any sort of struggle or let alone play-hard-to-get on such a small matter.
Heero bought her a novel that she wanted... it meant the world to Makoto.
Her lips attested to this as it broke into a warm-hearted smile while her cheeks were burning a bright shade of pink.
'Heero...'
Author's Notes:
Happy New Year! I actually wanted to release the second chapter last December 2018. However, I've been very busy with personal stuff especially during the holiday season. Thank you so much, to the reader for patiently waiting. =)
The scenes between Part 1 and Part 2 are interchanging to the then and now. I just wanted to clarify this to avoid confusion on the timeline. Makoto was 23 on the first scene of Part 1 and she met Heero a year and a half prior to the start of the story. While practicing her pickup line, the succeeding scenes shifts to how she and Heero built their relationship from strangers to acquaintances.
Eventually by the time of Makoto's birthday, she'll be turning 24 while Heero is only 21. This is where the story is currently in. Hopefully, I was able to clear the confusion (if there's any). I must also admit that my writing has been really rusty. Please be patient with me!
Finally, I would like to convey my deepest and sincerest appreciation to those who have left reviews and offered very kind comments. I will finish this one for you. Lastly, to a very good friend who's still here – Bucio, thanks a lot man!
See you on Part 3! Don't forget to leave a comment or feedback! – EZ23