Chapter 7 – Denials

It was Saturday and Rei was doing nothing except sulk in the sofa. He felt odd; his life was played in two parts: The first half was when he was still Rei Otohata; the second was spent being Aya's guardian angel. But now, he was a mortal again and actually falling in-love.

"Rei, are you all right?" Aya appeared in front, looking intently at him.

"No." He said. I just think I'm falling in— he winced. What in all honesty is he thinking?

"Does that wince mean yes?"

"Maybe. Maybe not."

Aya sighed. "Oh, Ran and Miyu are coming over."

"Oh. Goody." Rei said dryly.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang and unmistakable yells from Ran—complaining about something and Miyu— sighing was heard from the door.

"Ms. Aya, your friends." Mr. Yatate, the butler informed the both. Aya smiled and sprinted across the hall to meet her friends.

"Sir Rei, it's tea time." A maid called to Rei; he gave a quick nod.

"Aya!" Miyu squealed and gave Aya a hug.

Ran made a disgusted look. "Enough about that, we're here for more important matters."

"Important matters?" Aya repeated.

"Yeah, about the cheerleading club."

"I told you Ran, I'm not joining."

"But Aya!"

"No."

"Aya, tea time." Rei went in the living room.

"Be right there!" Aya replied. Rei nodded and went away. "Ran, please find someone else. Please?"

"We can't find anyone, Aya. After all, we heard that you could dance." Miyu said.

"S-so?" Aya stuttered. How did they know about that? Nobody but her parents and her grandmother knew because they were, after all, the ones who made her take dance lessons anyway.

"So you do know how to dance!" Ran and Miyu laughed, pointing a finger at her.

Aya blushed.

"You know, it's rude to point at people." Rei came in the living room again, frowning.

"Oopsie. That's like rule no. 785." Ran whispered to Miyu.

"Yeah, But I never knew Rei paid attention to those rules." Miyu whispered back.

"The dining room now." Rei ordered awkwardly. "…Girlies."

"Who did you just call girly, Rei?…!" Ran exclaimed. Miyu and Aya giggled.

"Okay, grampa." Aya smiled which made Rei look away. Ugh, damn, how does she do this to me without even knowing? Imagine what she can do if she only knew— ugh, just shut it, Rei! Stop thinking, it'll only cause more insanity.

"The tea is getting cold." He offered blankly, still trying to figure out how to keep his cool.

"Shheesshh… Do we really have to drink tea?" Ran whined.

"It's a Hoshino tradition." Aya smiled slightly.

"Oookay." Ran said in defeat.

O-o-O-o-O

"Oooohh! Look at these expensive perfumes! And this lotions and Oooohh… look at these jewels and ornaments! And these clothes! Lovely! Gods! Aya's really rich." Ran was fidgeting through Aya's wardrobe and dresser, trying on every perfume, every lotion, every make-up, everything!

"Y'know, Yamato's avoiding me now." Miyu said sadly, sitting cross-legged across Aya in the floor mat. The three were in Aya's room.

"How come?" Aya asked.

"I dunno. Every time he sees me, he kinda like freaks out and scampers away."

"Maybe he wants to say something important to you and he's afraid to do so…"

"Maybe… I just hope that it's something nice…"

"I dunno about you girls but that's just the problem with falling in-love." Ran snorted.

"My, my, Ran… Acting innocent?" Miyu frowned a bit. "What about your PRINCE Akuya, huh?"

Ran turned red. "Shut up!"

Aya giggled. "Who's Akuya?"

"Akuya… is… my childhood friend." Ran said slowly.

"I see…"

"And they can't be together coz Akuya is a priest-in-training." Miyu explained.

"Okay, so Akuya's cute but there are other guys, you know. Cuter and more handsome!" Ran protested.

"Whatever, Ran." Miyu sighed, knowing that this conversation won't go anywhere.

"So how are you and Rei?" Ran sneered.

"What about me and Rei?"

"We heard that he hugged you."

"What!…?"

"It's all over the school, Aya."

Aya's eyes widened. It's all over the campus!...?

"Well not actually. We're the only ones who saw you and don't worry we didn't tell anyone." Ran grinned, catching the horrified look on Aya's face.

"Nothing's between us." Aya said firmly, a blush, fresh on her face.

"Really now?" Miyu grinned too.

"Seriously."

"Really really now?" Both Miyu and Ran were now grinning like idiots.

"Please… s-stop this…" Aya stared incredulously at their faces.

"C'mon, just tell us…"

"Nothing. Really."

Miyu and Ran both frowned.

O-o-O-o-O

Rei sat at the sofa, feeling funny again. He had this strange feeling that some people were talking about him. Suddenly, Mr. Yatate informed him that some people were looking for him.

"Hi, Rei!" Yuuya waved.

"Good Morning." A certain someone smiled placidly. A certain someone named Akuya.

"…" Rei was certainly surprised. The seraph grinned; he looked unusual without the silver wings and golden halo. Akuya now wore a clean white polo with his long-sleeved black undershirt sticking out, cargo pants, and sneakers. He looked… normal. "Why are you here?"

"Ran told me to come here." Akuya replied with a smile.

"Why?"

"She said she needed me for something important."

"Really now? Ran thinking of something important?"

"I'd bet anything that she wanted you to treat her lunch tomorrow because she's out of money!" Yuuya laughed, to the two's surprise, Akuya joined in.

"I don't think so. But she was leaving heavy hints about something that will occur tomorrow night. Any important events at your school?" Akuya asked simply.

"I dunno. I don't pay much attention to those silly announcements." Yuuya shrugged.

"Maybe she wants to go on a date with you." Rei shrugged too.

"Hah! That'll be the day! You know that she doesn't like me that way." The seraph smiled.

"And he tells me I'm numb." Rei regarded the seraph amusingly.

"What?"

"Seriously Akuya, I thought you were a pretty good observer! She. Likes. You." Yuuya said.

"Well, actually, when it comes to woman behavior, all of us are clueless." Akuya smiled simply.

"Ran's a woman?" Rei raised a brow. Yuuya gave a snigger.

"She is a young lady if you haven't notice. A fine young lady to be exact." Akuya frowned.

Rei arched a brow. "To you, that is."

"Anyway, Rei, we're also here to discuss Kasuke." Yuuya said firmly.

"That's it. I'm bored."

"Kasuke's that boring to discuss?"

"Apparently."

"We're talking about heaven's safety here!"

"So?"

"Not to mention Aya's safety…" Akuya smirked.

"…What's the plan?" Rei asked all too quickly.

"Whoah!" Yuuya and Akuya exclaimed.

"Aya IS important to you. And you DO like her that much." Akuya smirked again.

"I am her freakin' guardian, okay? It's my job to worry over her safety." Rei snapped. Damn… He forgot to argue about him liking Aya… again.

"Of course, of course." Akuya replied almost all too quickly so Rei couldn't argue anymore.

"You know, I never thought an angel like Kasuke could actually want someone to be endangered." Yuuya looked wistful. "I mean, he just took a little visit to that place and poof! He changed!"

"Hell is not a cheerful place, Yuuya. Once your there, all the happiness is sucked out of you, leaving only pain, hatred, and misery to hunt you down. It was wrong to send an angel there… it'll teach you how to feel hate, envy and… you get the idea… Kasuke was a good angel but you know the saying, all good things never last. However, you must still keep your hopes up, God has plans for us. Always remember that whenever we lose things, we'll find something better. Or so that's what the saying says…" Akuya explained.

"Hell sounds fun." Rei said sarcastically.

Yuuya eyed him incredulously. "Wait… How come Rei can say such things? We're not allowed! And how come he can talk back to you and the other higher authorities? Angels are suppose to be cheerful but why isn't he?"

"God has his reasons, Yuuya. Why he's allowed to be like this, you'll find that out really soon." Akuya grinned.

"Soon means never, Yuuya." Rei said coldly. Yuuya frowned.

"By the way, Yuuya informed me that you violated the rules again, Rei."

"What rules?"

"Rule no. 14… falling in-love." Akuya sneered his know-it-all sneer.

Rei winced again. Those words certainly affect him so. "I'm not falling in-love, seraph."

"That seraph has a name, lover boy."

"…I am not a lover boy."

"Of course you're not, lover boy."

"Shut up."

"Aww, does ickle Rei want bad ole Akuya to shut up?"

And that was only the start of their annoy-Rei-until-he-admits-he-has-the-hots-for-Aya session.

O-o-O-o-O

"So, any dates for the acquaintance party tomorrow night?" Ran asked all of a sudden.

"No…" Aya answered instantly.

"Yamato! I'll ask him later!" Miyu smiled.

"Always that brother of mine! Yamato here, Yamato there! Argh!" Ran complained again.

"It's not my fault that I have Yamato and you don't!"

"There you go again! Yamato! Yamato! Yamato!"

"Ran… Miyu… stop fighting." Aya commanded.

"Okay… Back to the subject. Why don't you try to ask Rei on a date, Aya?" Ran suggested. Aya's eyes widened in surprise.

"Don't you think that it's a little odd that a girl is asking a guy out?" Miyu frowned a bit.

"Even if I do, Miyu, Rei won't go." Aya said.

"Why not? He likes you." Ran sneered.

"No, he doesn't…"

"Yes, he does."

"No, he doesn't and how do I ask him though?" Aya asked, blushing.

"It's quite simple really; you walk up to him, say, "Would you like to go to the acquaintance party with me?" He says, "Yes," and you both live happily ever after! The End!!"

She frowned; when she pictured herself in that situation, the task seemed anything but simple. Why though? It shouldn't be hard, should it? Ah... why is she so nervous?

At the moment, she found it amazing that she could have the casual, friendly conversations she normally had with Rei well if you count being teased by Rei a casual conversation, especially now that she'd developed what seemed to be a schoolgirl crush on him. Normally, they could talk about anything, and now the prospect that she should ask him to come with her to a party seemed silly.

"Ah, to be young and in love," Ran sighed, in a mock-wistful voice. "It's great fun!"

"I'm not in love," Aya protested, feeling her temper beginning to flare up for some reason. "I just-..." She stopped.

" Yes?"

" I just... have... an incredibly… small… and I mean really, really, really small… crush on him, that's all," she replied, her voice growing quieter as she went along. She quickly flitted back to protesting. "Well, he's my friend. I mean, he's my best friend. And I guess he does make me smile and I like being around him, but isn't that entirely what a friend is? And I can talk to him about stuff, like a friend, and he can talk to me about stuff, like a friend. It isn't going to be anything more than that. I did mention it was an incredibly small crush, right?" she mumbled, noticing their frowns.

"Well, then, if YOU'RE FRIENDS, just ask him AS A FRIEND," Miyu said brightly. "Trust me, Aya; he won't say no."

"He... doesn't really like crowds."

"So what? Just ask him later," Ran said. "And don't worry, he'll feel that there's only you and him and no one else. Okay?"

"But!"

"No buts, Aya!"

"Can't I just ask someone else?"

"Aya… Trust us… He won't say no. But if he would, trust me to pound him to a bloody pulp!"

"Whoah… You sure, you'd do that, Ran?" Miyu asked.

"Sure, I'm sure! Anything for our friend, Aya!"

"Thanks, guys." Aya smiled.

:KNOCK-KNOCK:

"Who in this freakin' world could that be?...!" Ran yelled.

"The grim." A cold voice said, behind Aya's door. "We're here to take—"

"Hey, we're not the grim!" Another voice whined.

"Men, Ms. Hoshino's house is a big maze. Look at those rooms and those stairs and those rooms again!" said another.

Aya opened the door, a quizzical look, evident. "Rei?"

Rei smiled. Odd, he never smiles at this kind of situation. "Aya, this is Akuya," Rei pointed to the smiling platinum-blonde haired guy with forest green eyes right next to Yuuya. "He's here for Ran."

"Ah, so you're Akuya!" Aya exclaimed. "Is it true that you're gonna be a priest someday?"

"Well, yes, my ambition in life is to serve God." Akuya replied.

"AKUYA!" Ran suddenly skipped across the room to give Akuya numerous handshakes.

"Ran, how are you?"

"Fine, fine. So, do you wanna go to the dance party tomorrow night?"

"Man… She's so direct." Miyu muttered silently to Aya.

"Ah… So that's what you meant with those hints of yours?"

"Yes."

"And that's the important thing you want to talk about?"

"You betcha!"

"What?"

Yuuya laughed. "I hate to rub it in your face and tell you that I told you so, Akuya but, I told you so! Wait… there's a dance tomorrow night?"

The three girls nodded.

"Cool! I'll ask Mami to come!"

"So, Akuya, will you go with me?"

Rei and Yuuya nudged him, smirking their told-you-she-likes-you smirk. Akuya stared from Rei and Yuuya, to Ran. He sighed heavily.

"I don't seem to have work tomorrow night and I do want to see that Kasuke-guy whom Rei's really jealous of... Hmm…" He thought for a while. "Okay, I'll go… with you, Ran."

"Yes!" Ran cheered. Miyu gave her two thumbs up while Aya smiled fondly.

"Hn…" Rei coughed, finally remembering to argue. Ah… one point for lover boy. "Did I hear right? Me, jealous of Kasuke?"

"Yes. You heard that right." Akuya leered.

"Why would I be?" he frowned.

"Hmm… let's see… He's gonna ask Aya out first." Yuuya interjected; his eyes, sparkling.

Rei was about to speak something. "…So?"

"I think you can answer that yourself." Akuya grinned. Here they go again, teasing Rei like hell.

"What are you guys aiming at?" Aya suddenly asked.

"They're saying that I like you." Rei said serenely.

"What?" Aya blushed. Why is he taking this so calmly?

Rei was eyeing her. "Now if you guys are done with your idiocy, can you get out now and let us live our lives like we normally do? You know, our lives without you guys in it?"

"Of course, Rei. If you really want to be alone with Aya that badly."

"Go." Rei said resolutely.

"Ok, fine, we'll go! Just one more thing… Aya… please think about what I said. We hope to see you in the cheerleading club." Ran said.

"I will…"

The five then bid Aya farewell, gave Rei strange little winks, and took off.

"Wait… Do you guys know that way out? Is it the left wing or the right?" They heard Yuuya freaking out.

"Hey, that leads to the terrace!" Miyu trying to stay calm.

"Ack! More rooms!" Ran whined.

"Umm… Excuse us, are you the butler?" And Akuya finally asking someone for help.

"May I help you?" The butler replied.

"Which way is the way out?" Ran asked immediately.

"Follow me." And at this, the sounds of their voices faded though Ran's voice was still very clear.

"Hey, after this, let's patrol around Shibuya!" Ran asked again.

Aya giggled.

"Why don't you wanna join the cheerleading club?" Rei asked, trying to start a conversation… for some reason… he himself did not know. Perhaps boredom was trying to lure him again or perhaps not. One thing's for sure, he may never find out.

"I don't like the outfit… It's so… skimpy."

"So? It's their trademark."

"Are they supposed to make you drool too?"

"Yes." Rei smirked. Aya's eyes widened. "C'mon, you'll make a beau-fine cheerleader."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Really, really, really?"

"Yes, you daft woman." Rei couldn't help but laugh. Strange… He's acting really sweet today. Aya found herself staring into his blue-gray eyes, it was so nice that he's really happy about something; it makes his eyes warmer and brighter. Not the usual dull color.

"Rei?" she said, still gazing into his eyes, feeling her insides melt.

"Hmm?"

"Umm… Do you…"

"…"

"Do you have plans tomorrow night?"

"Why? You want me to be your date?" Rei asked jokingly though in a calm manner.

Aya pretended that a lock of her hair was bothering her, and made a slight movement that was noticeably a nod. She blushed even more, feeling Rei's gaze upon her.

Rei blinked a few times. Is his understanding correct? Did Aya just want him to be her date at the acquaintance party? Oh God, he must have been hearing things.