Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-HiME/ Mai-OTOME, neither the characters used in this story. XD

A/U: sorry for the late update, I've been busy with my workshop. -_-" thank you for the reviews!!! Im happy sooo happy! Yay! *dances and rolls on the ground*.

Thanks to : tomoyo75, stavri, krugern, windtamer01, fyee, chum-sa, musicslave88, , chill37, colorfulsunrise, Urban C, Kikyo4ever, noobsdog, Nai89, xbLOodhOundTrOjanx, shiznat19,gup011,emtz95, chocoxmocha, alexissa2, Ume sama, tears of the soul, noraily, kampilan, hanazono, zaki-kun!. =3



Chapter 4

'Should I or Shouldn't I?'

The arcade center had made Natsuki arouse on excitement, the center was painted black, and neon lights were built around the walls. There were many arcade stands around; PVPs, shooting games, driving, and many more, which really caught the cobalt haired woman's eyes. Although it's a little crowded, she didn't mind it. After all, It was air-conditioned, and a card operated game center.

"Ara, I'll let you atleast walk around the center Natsuki, I'll be right back" the brunette spoke as she broke her hold from Natsuki's hand, which earned her a curious look from the blunette.

"I'm just going to buy cards for us to use. You won't have fun if we're just going to stand here and watch them play."

Natsuki smiled. "Okay, I'll wait!".

Shizuru walked through the counter leaving the blunette behind, who was busy scanning the whole area, thinking where she could start. 'There are many machines to be played in here…I guess my day is starting to get better.' She thought.

"Oh! There it is!" Natsuki exclaimed, as she saw her favorite, getting swarmed by dozens of people. "Guitar Freaks! Version 2!"

"Ara, is that so? Then let's go." The Kyoto-ben replied.

Turning around, she saw the brunette handing her an electronic card; Natsuki smiled and gratefully took it, having their way onwards the machine, they saw a pair playing, and looks having a hard time.

"oh, oh, come on baby! We shouldn't miss that! AW!!! F**K!" shouted the green haired woman, as she desperately press the three buttons to hit, feeling she's an expert as she hold the guitar, she was wearing white V-neck shirt, and shorts.

"It's alright Tomoe, we should try again until we perfect it, we still have 2 more cards for us." The other girl talked, tapping the green haired woman's shoulder while waving the cards.

"why don't you let other's play!" a voice came from behind

"yeah! That's right! You can't even score on thousands!" said the other.

"you're wasting our time watching you!"

Feeling irritated, the green-haired monster named Tomoe shouted to the crowd.

"What's with YOUR F***ING BUSINESS HUH?! We bought our cards, and it's our choice where to play!" she stated as she turned back infront of the screen.

The crowd had no reply, but to murmur different things on them, true, that they were playing on the same gaming machine for how many hours, which made the other players lose their patience on waiting.

Until, a cold voice stopped their actions and turns their attention to where it came.

"Then amaze us if you want to stay there. There were many players waiting for their turns you now."

Once again, Tomoe turned back, with an annoying face. "Bulls**t. DO you really want a piece of me huh? Junk?"

It was Natsuki who had been referred to as junk, but calmly, she managed to answer the dumb question without having another thought.

"Like I'll refuse. But I won't take it outside the streets, why don't we have a duel? What do you think?" she replied as she gazed her eyes to Shizuru.

"Ara, If Natsuki will enjoy, then I wont object." The brunette stated.

Tomoe on the other hand, had her eyes plastered on Shizuru. "Oh, good idea, especially when you brought a girl like her.." she grinned, thinking something pervert. "It'll be easy baby." The girl continued, winking at the brunette.

The blunette, gave her a death-glare and stepped forward protectively to Shizuru.

"Shizuru's not a thing to be bet on. So if you wanted a deal.." she paused a little and continued. "If I lose, you take my car and ducati, If you LOSE, I'll let these crowd to decide what to do on you. How bout' that?"

The sound of cheering of crowd could be heard. As she explain her deal.

"grrrr…FINE! If that's what you wanted, you still look like a beginner though." Tomoe stated, hoping Natsuki will get irritated.

'You're really getting my nerves you know! But then, A Kruger doesn't display annoyance and irritation to public, especially to those like her.' The blunette thought as she moved forward to the other controller and swiped the card.

Miya stepped backwards as she paid attention to the gamers. While Shizuru, walked in to the front, so she could watch clearly the duel between the two. 'Ara, she's too protective…go Natsuki!' she mentally squealed.

Taking the crowd with her, Natsuki asked one of the audiences to choose the song they will play. He decided to choose 'dragon blade' one of the hardest songs of the game.

'Too easy…' the blunette thought as she stare her opponent for a few seconds, who was now looking odd.

The song had started; Tomoe who was looking 'cool' was now sweating to death, as she tries hard pressing the buttons and curses the song desperately, it was true that she misses a lot of notes than hitting them correctly, the crowd was now on the loose and shouting 'boo' on her. On the other hand, Natsuki, who was just holding the guitar, pressing the buttons correctly and not missing any notes made the boys impressed at what she is doing, while the girls couldn't help but to squeal.

"kyaa! Please make some exhibitions!" the audience exclaimed as she continue playing without a hard time.

Natsuki grinned as she hears the cheers around her, looking at the corner of the eye, she could see Tomoe, desperately pressing the buttons again, and she almost destroyed the guitar piece with her whole force.

"Ara, Natsuki's great…" the Kyoto-ben commented behind as she watched the blunette played the song without losing a sweat.

Somehow, Shizuru's voice tickled Natsuki's ear, she didn't really mind everybody's compliments, but hearing those came from Shizuru's makes her heart skip a beat, it had made her smile widely like an idiot too. 'geez…am I high on drugs or something? It's just her voice…' she thought.

The song was now finished, and it lead Natsuki became the winner, and the result of failure for Tomoe.

"Like what the deal says, I'll give you to the crowd." The blunette spoke, giving her spine-chilling glares to the green haired freak, which earned her shouts and whistles to the audiences.

Tomoe fixed up her things and faced Natsuki, pointing her Index finger to the blunette's face. "We're not yet finished bi**h!!!" she exclaimed.

The blunette smiled. "You know, it's not good to ditch me just like that, especially this time".

A mob was now glaring at Tomoe's sudden actions, and made the girl run for her life. "Tomoe! Wait a sec!" exclaimed Miyu as she was left behind by her companion, she turned around to Natsuki and gave off a bow before she ran outside.

"Oh, great. I'm finished. Have your turns now" Natsuki spoke to the crowd. Giving them a smirk.

"Thanks Man! You're awesome!"

"Dude be my teacher!"

"Be sure to comeback!"

The players and audiences said as they all smile at Natsuki. The blunette didn't have anymore reactions when she turned around; her thoughts were now looking for the crimson eyed goddess.

"Natsuki!" the brunette called as waves her hands the blunette.

"Oh, there you are."

"you're great."

"really? Well it's because you're there." The blunette exclaimed, not realizing her words.

"A-ara…that's so sweet of Natsuki." she replied, having a blush on her face, trying not to look on the emerald eyes.

"u-uhm, would you mind if we play some games together?" Natsuki asked.

The brunette nodded as a reply, for she didn't know what to answer next.

The two spent their time with each other playing different games. Shizuru saw her favorite, and it was not occupied, she pointed her index finger to its direction.

"Ara! Look Natsuki, it's not occupied"

The blunette looked at the direction of her finger. "Oh, dance dance revolution 2nd mix eh? Is that your favorite?" she asked.

"yup!" she brought her eyes to Natsuki and continued. "Would you mind if I challenge Natsuki in dancing now?"

'here I thought, that she's just for ping pong games or driving, now she's challenging me to a dance?' the blunette thought. "Oh, what's the deal if one of us wins?"

The conversation was cut off by three teenagers who stared closely at Natsuki.

"Are you Natsuki Kruger? From HiME magazine?" the girl from the three asked, she was wearing a simple ladies blouse, and slacks.

"y-Yes I am." The blunette answered, wondering how come that the girl knows her identity.

"Kyaaa! Im Erstin! This is Arika, and Nina" the girl replied as she introduce her companions.

"We can't believe you're here!" the other added, her name was arika, she wears a jumper, and had her hair pig tailed. "come on Nina talk!!"

Nina bowed her head as an introduction, though she really don't talk too much, she really admires Natsuki even though she could just only see her on magazines, HiME magazine had pulled her into the world of machines, luxury cars, and bikes.

Erstin stared to Natsuki for awhile and asked. "Uhm, could we take a picture of you Natsuki-san? We were one of your fans! And your magazine made us a little addict on luxury machines. Onegaiiii~" she pleaded.

Natsuki couldn't react anything but to nod, which made the teenagers squeal in delight, Shizuru on the other hand, had figure out what will be the deal on her challenge, and on the same time, she offered a little help on the three.

"Ara, I'm going to take the picture if you like."

"yaaaaaaayy!! Arigatou~!" the girls squealed as they handed the camera to the brunette.

"1…2…3" she counted as she pushed the button to capture.

*click

The three bowed her head thankfully to the two, and waved their hands until, they were lost in sight.

"Ara, so Natsuki's a little popular" Shizuru chuckled as she the blunette's face was a little flushed.

"Uh- I think so…well, it's because of the magazine," she replied, scratching her head.

The brunette smiled at her. "Alright then…Natsuki Kruger, I already made a deal"

Natsuki stopped her actions and looked to Shizuru "So, what is it?"

"Since Natsuki is planning to close her business, I propose that if I win, Natsuki should not close her business, and instead continue it and make the supporters happier."

"Shizuru! I already explained to you right!? If you wanted to have a job I'll look for you.." the blunette reacted.

"Ara, Natsuki, it's not because I needed a job or something, haven't you noticed the happiness of your fans when they saw you? They squeal, they giggle, they expect many things from you. If you're going to close the magazine just like that, you'll make others frown…" Shizuru briefly explained. Looking at speechless Natsuki she continued.

"You know, before I met you in person. Natsuki makes me happy because of her magazines, I liked the reviews, the information inside, everything, even your pictures, I never get tired looking at it. And now, knowing that my favorite magazine will soon close, because of hidden reasons, makes me a little down." She ended.

Upon hearing the brunette's explanation made Natsuki thought of her decision again. 'Shizuru's right…it may be a deal…but dad and I could talk this over…'

The blunette eyed her, and smiled, she didn't expect that the girl beside her could understand everything and made her somehow think at her decision.

"I accept your challenge then, Ms. Shizuru Viola" she answered. 'First of all I'm here to make her happy, second is to enjoy' she noted her self.

"Ara! Ookini Natsuki!" the brunette yelped, as they went into the machine and swiped their cards.

Shizuru didn't have a hard time to pick as song for them to duel, she managed to pick the song were they both never used to, atleast fair enough.

"Uhm, maybe this song will do, 'speed over Beethoven" the brunette stated as pressed the button to start.

"You know that song?" the blunette asked, putting her pants up so she could move.

"Apparently, not." The brunette looked at their attires. "Well, you seem to have advantage since im wearing a skirt."

"heh, I think so too."

The music had played and they started dancing, both of them moved their hips, and swayed as they follow the arrows and the beat, which gathered many audiences to watch. Shizuru, doesn't bother on holding her skirt and using her bare feet while dancing, after all she enjoys gazing at Natsuki who was having fun with her.

"Shi- *pant* Shizuru!" the blunette called as continues moving her body.

"Y-yes?*pant*?" the brunette answered in return.

"when will this song end? I'm *pant* getting *pant* tired!"

"I-If I know, I wouldn't have chosen this song *pant* after all!"

The couple continued dancing, the audiences had their breaths hold on, waiting for the winner. They also seem to look at them as very much entertaining.

After a few minutes, the song was finished, making both of them exhausted. Still, looking at the screen, Shizuru scored a point higher than Natsuki, which makes her the winner.

"Ara, Natsuki…deal is deal." The brunette said, having her precious smiles on her face.

"Oh…" she answered ah looked at the scores "I guess so…geez, you move great" she continued while regaining her composure.

"Ookini Natsuki…" was the only thing that Shizuru could mutter. 'why do your compliments touch me like this?'

Natsuki smiled, few seconds later, they were interrupted by Natsuki ringing phone.

"Please excuse me for awhile Shizuru."

"It's okay Natsuki, take your time."


On the phone

"Yes Nao?"

"Natsuki, look at your watch!"

The blunette took a glance on her watch which shows that the time was already 6:30 pm.

"Oh, it's 6:30 in here, why? I told you I'll be off." She answered gazing her sight a little at Shizuru who was just busy looking at some machines. '6:30, I never felt time was that fast.."

"I know, I know, but could I go home?" the red head spoke on the other line, now scratching her head.

"Well, use my ducati! That's simple."

"Where's the keys??"

"Err…." The blunette hang on for a minute, checking her pockets, she had the ducati keys with her. "Here in my pocket?"

"Damn it! Now will I do?"

The blunette scratched her head. "Just wait for me, I'll bring the car back to you, just let me take Shizuru on her way home."

"Oh! Shizuru huh, the girl who applied this morning? Don't tell me you'll hit an innocent girl like her??" Nao joked.

Having a serious expression, she answered "Nah, she's not like other girls around, well, I told her the real thing, and said your truth is all a lie."

"Oh, what did she answer then? I bet she did not understand you at all." On the other line, Nao was now fixing her things, and getting packed up.

"She did…She even made me think twice…" the blunette replied, she could now see Shizuru on a store, buying their drinks.

"What do you mean?" Nao stopped her previous actions and decided to listen on their conversation. 'it's the first time I heard that someone had changed her mind, I thought she doesn't accept suggestions."

"Maybe dad and I could talk over about this? You know, Shizuru's correct, seeing others happy is already an achievement. Other than that, we can keep the company as it is so everyone will still have their jobs, and just keep striving to be 1st but not force ourselves from pushing up. What do you think?"

"That's a big Yeah-Yeah for me you know! Is that you? tell me where's the other Nat-chan" the red head yelped. As she heard the greatest thing that Natsuki had told to her.

"NAO! It's still me, I just want to reconsider things."

"Oh, I see, so, that Shizuru had already melted those icepacks on you head."

"Crap. That's why I don't want to talk these kinds of things to you!"

Nao held out a small laugh. " well, well, then I'll wait for you here, take care of my car."

"*sigh, yeah, I know"

Then the line was cut off.


Going back to Shizuru, the brunette offered her a bottle of water, then they sat on the bench nearby the center.

"Shizuru, thanks." The blunette said as she open the bottle of water.

"It's okay, It's just water." The brunette smiled.

"No, not just this, everything I mean."

Shizuru got a flushed expression as she heard the words from Natsuki. "Ara, y-you're w-welcome."

"So, in return…I wanted to pay you back, let me take you a ride to your home." Natsuki stood up and looked the brunette. "Please?"

"I don't want to be such another load for Natsuki." She quickly replied, half of her wanted to say sure but half of her wanted to decline the offer because even though she had a big love interest on Natsuki it doesn't mean not to have limitations.

"You're not. And It's alright, so let's go…" the other replied offering her hand to the brunette.

'Should I? or shouldn't I?' the honey haired woman thought as she stare at the hand offered by Natsuki. 'I hope I wouldn't make the wrong decision…'

"U-uhm…sure" as she take hold of Natsuki's arms and walk.

The two got inside the car. Buckled up their seatbelts and started the engine.

"Oh, alright, #143 Amethyst Village, let's go."

"Ara, how did Natsuki know my address that fast?" she inquired.

"I-It's because the details were on your application paper." The blunette replied fast avoiding pink shades on her cheeks. 'I don't know, maybe I just stared too much on your profile? And your…picture?'

"Ara, I see…"

It took 45 mins to reach the Fujino household, as they got out on the car it stunned Natsuki what she had seen. The house was built in a traditional yet stunning way, the doors were sliding, and it represents the old traditional houses of Japan, there were full of cherry blossom trees and a small fish pond on the side. The house was fairly large enough for almost 12 members of the family.

"Does Natsuki like what she sees?"

"Y-Yeah, well, I didn't know you live in here."

The brunette chuckled as she looks at her companion's amazed-puppy look.

Their actions were stopped when the door slid open, revealing an old woman in late 50's her gray colored hair was tied into a bun, and her eyes were the same as Shizuru's.

"Oh, Dear! Im glad you're back!" the woman greeted as she went to the brunette and hugged her tightly.

'seems it's her mom..' Natsuki thought as she looked at the two.

Shizuru pulled out from the hug and smiled brightly at her mom. "Ara, ofcourse Okaa-san… where is Otou-san anyway?"

"He's sleeping." Her mom answered as she took a glance on Natsuki. "Dear, who is she? I thought you'll work first before you become a wife?" she teased.

The raven-haired girl didn't help but to blush as she heard the words spoken by the brunette's mother while Shizuru didn't say anything but to giggle.

"I, -uhm, good evening ma'am I'm-"

"call me Okaa-san." She corrected

"oh…Good evening, O-okaa-san. I'm Natsuki Kruger your daughter's…friend"

The brunette's mom stepped closer to Natsuki and eyed her from feet upwards.

"Ara! Dear! So you are Natsuki? My daughter's former lo-" okaa-san was cut off by Shizuru's hand covering her mouth to stop.

"Kannin na, Okaa-san!!" she said as she look her gaze to Natsuki "Uhm, Ookini Natsuki, I hope you enjoy my company" then she put her hands off her mom's mouth.

"Dear, Natsuki! Fufufu…nice to meet you, well, why don't you come in?". 'kannin na dear I slipped!'

'oh..that's weird' the raven-haired girl thought.

"It's okay, Okaa-san…I need to bring the car back to my friend." The blunette replied her with a smile.

"Oh…my, but make sure to come back again okay? I'll be going inside now." She answered as she leaves the two.

"Uhm, nice to meet your mom, Shizuru." The raven-haired girl said as she looks intently to the brunette beside her.

Shizuru looked back at her with an apologetic expression. "Ara, Im sorry for the rudeness Natsuki, Okaa-san does say such things at the same time."

"like what?" the blunette curiously asked.

"No-nothing!" the honey-haired woman replied swiftly while waving her two hands.

"Oh, I see…uhm I'll be going then"

"Ookini for the ride Natsuki."

"No problem, uhm…will I see you again?" Natsuki shyly asked, she knew that her face was heating up again.

Shizuru averted her gaze to the blunette before she answered.

"If Natsuki wants to, she could see me anytime."

"really? Thanks!" the other replied the emerald eyes seem to sparkle with happiness.

The brunette giggled at the sight of Natsuki who was happy yet cute at the moment.

The blunette walked towards the car and opened the door on the driver's seat, but before she get inside, she gave Shizuru a short wave on hand and a genuine smile, which was given back by Shizuru accompanied by a wink.

'Kami-sama…Arigatou…'



On her way to the Kruger publishing, Nao was at the entrance hall waiting.

She stopped her car infront of the redhead and got out with a toothy grin.

"Oi, what's up with you exposing your teeth?" the redhead asked.

"Nah, nothing just had some great time, here's your keys anyway. Thanks a LOT." the blunette answered emphasizing the 'lot' word, while throwing the keys to Nao.

"Oh, yeah, sure, but why?"

"because I had a great time."

"why did you had a great time?"

"because I had fun!"

"why did you had fun?"

"Because im happy"

"then why are you happy?!"

"because i had fun! what else do you need to know?"

"tell me directly the reason why??!?the reason why did you had a great time! why are you happy! why do you make that toothy grin in your face!" Nao shouted.

"alright! alright! It's because of Shizuru okay?! Happy?"

"Oh…hehehehe…ehehehehee"

"stop laughing, I wont give a damn reason why."

"yup, you shouldn't, by now. Because im too late for my favorite show! It's already 8:00!" she stated while running inside the car. "till tomorrow then pup. Be sure to explain."

"huh?! What the hel-Nao!.. show huh. Isn't it just sexy movies?" Natsuki growled as the car sped off.

"Oh, *sigh I should go home too." She spoke to her self as she went to the parking lot, called her assistants to bring duran home, put her helmet on, revved her engine, and start her ducati. 'My mind is made up…dad.'


I hope you like my chap. =3

still, feel free to use such weapons if you like to hurt me if you dont like the fic.

I suck at english I guess as in.

please review anyway!

sorry if I was too late to recognize your names! (Every time I type, my sis here, sneaks out, so I didn't have much time to put names. X( im not good at hiding)

good thing that they were not here. Bwahahahaha. XD