Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed.
Just a reminder: ' ' are for thoughts
Flicker of Hope
Chapter 8
Athrun Zala couldn't have a crush on his guardian ghost. Cagalli was definitely not his type. But what is his type anyway? Doesn't he like a woman with whom he could converse intellectually? Isn't it that Cagalli proved to be an intellectual person and fun to talk with, too?
There's just no way that he could like Cagalli in that way, right? Him having a crush on her was absurd.
He was in denial for a few days.
But since he was a smart person, Athrun came up with a conclusion. It was just logical that he was developing a TINY BIT of crush on his guardian ghost. After all, isn't it that a person is prone to develop some feelings with someone whom he spends most of his time with? And what is more logical is that Cagalli was kind and nice, so you couldn't blame him if he has a small crush on her.
But what was unacceptable was that she was a ghost, with just a small percentage of being alive again!
'It's just a crush Athrun. It will definitely go away in a few days.' He finally accepted that fact.
He sighed. He was just leaving his room when he came face to face with the object of his thoughts.
"Good morning, breakfast is already prepared." Cagalli greeted with a smile.
He went rigid for a moment and was a bit dazzled by her smile. "Ok, thanks." 'Damn it. Why do you have to be so cute?' He did not return her smile.
"Athrun, are you mad at me for some reason? It's been a while since you're being a snob."
At first Cagalli wasn't bothered very much, thinking that Athrun was just very much stressed because of the busy season, in his line of work.
He sighed for the second time that day. "I'm not mad at you Cagalli. There's just something that's been bothering me lately." He proceeded to the dining table.
"So what is it? Maybe I can help."
The blue-haired man was lucky enough not to have started eating, for he was sure that he might have choked on his food.
"I can handle it." He answered curtly.
"Oh. I just wished I could be of help." She then left Athrun for the time being, sensing that for some reason, he wanted to be left alone.
"I just wished you were a normal girl." He mumbled after Cagalli entered the guest room and he then ate breakfast.
'Maybe I shouldn't let her cook my food anymore, isn't there a saying that a way to man's heart is though his stomach?' He shook his head at that thought.
-shshshsh-
She doesn't like this kind of atmosphere between her and Athrun. She really can't comprehend why Athrun became cold towards her. Maybe Athrun really wasn't mad at her, but something has changed.
'Is Athrun getting tired of my presence? Maybe I'm really a burden to him…I really need to complete my mission soon.'
She was writing on the handbook, about how she thinks Athrun can improve his dating skills.
He should smile more. Converse more. He should enjoy the date and not look like he's just being forced into it…
'Geez…Maybe, Athrun isn't really ready to fall in love? And here I am sort of forcing him to date.' She discreetly looked at her ward who was reading reports on his laptop.
'Maybe. I should just give up on this mission?'
She cleared her throat. "Athrun, we need to talk."
Athrun looked at her and waited for his guardian ghost to continue.
"Just…tell me the truth, do you still want to continue with dating? I just realized that maybe I'm being selfish about my mission. I understand if you'd want me to stop and leave."
She doesn't really know what will be the consequence of her failed mission. But, she decided that it's not right to force something on her friend.
He slightly winced at the thought of Cagalli leaving and quickly got rid of the thought. Of course, Cagalli would eventually leave. But, as of this moment, he doesn't want her to.
Cagalli had somehow brightened up his days, despite causing turmoil in his head and feelings. He knew that he would be definitely lonely without her.
'Maybe it's really time to find someone to spend the rest of my life with, if I'm having these kind of thoughts.'
"I'm still willing to go through with it…I'm sorry Cagalli. I haven't been myself lately." He finally smiled at her.
She still wanted to know what's bothering him but just chose to smile at him in return. "It's ok…Just don't forget that you can rely on my help."
-shshshsh-
Everything was normal again between them. Athrun realized that avoiding Cagalli, will not help him get rid of his small crush. He was just being childish and it was so unlike him. Besides, he doesn't want to make Cagalli worry anymore. He was also afraid that Cagalli might eventually figure out what's bothering him.
"Hey pretty boy, I made a list of romantic movies that you must watch. It might help you improve your dating skills."
"Don't you mean WE must watch?"
She stuck her tongue at him. "Nope. I don't want to go through that hell."
"So what happened with, 'Just don't forget that you can rely on my help'?" He smirked.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Argh. Fine, I'm going to watch them with you."
-shshshsh-
Cagalli was surprised that she's enjoying the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". She was laughing her heart out.
Athrun who was beside her on the couch was looking intently at the laughing Cagalli. He had somehow found her more interesting to watch than the movie, considering that he was enjoying watching it too.
There was a slight tug at his heart seeing his guardian ghost laugh like that again. She seemed so very much alive.
'God, please give her another chance to live.'
Cagalli chose to look at her companion at that moment, and was surprised to catch him staring at her, "This movie is really good, right Athrun?...And why are you looking at me like that?" She was still smiling.
He slightly blushed for being caught and quickly turned his attention back to the movie. "Yeah, it is good." He quickly made up an excuse, "I just find it weird that you're laughing like some mad woman because of a movie."
"Whatever, Athrun. At least I'm normal for finding it funny."
Cagalli continued to watch and Athrun who was staring at the screen, was lost in his thoughts. He cannot fall in love with his guardian ghost. He just can't and he must not.
He quickly glanced at her and realized that he wants to spend the rest of his life with someone like her. That's it, he would try to find someone who is like her…even though he somehow knew that it was only her who would make him complete.
-shshshsh-
Miriallia was just about to leave the restaurant and visit Cagalli in the hospital, when she saw Yuuna and a pink-haired woman enter the restaurant. The two walked hand in hand towards the farther portion of the establishment.
Camera in hand, she discreetly followed the two. She took their pictures at a distance, which disgusted her to no end. She loves being a photographer, but this is one of the times, that she didn't.
She was seething in anger, 'How could you betray my friend while she's suffering. And you even had the nerve to go in a public place.'
She really wanted to approach and slap them both. But she knew that Cagalli's family should first be informed and she needed proof just in case that bastard make-up some lies.
-shshshsh-
Disclaimer: I do not own the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".
AN: Thanks for still reading and thanks a lot to those who reviewed.
If it's not too much to ask, kindly review this one too. Constructive criticisms are very much welcome. (I hope I haven't lost my touch on Cagalli-Athrun pairing). Hehe. (3/26/12)
