Siopao: I'm really just trying to finish this fic. I just don't know how I'm going to go about doing that, yet… -sweatdrops-

Disclaimer: I don't own GALS! or its characters, just the plot.

A Wishful Blossom

Chapter Nine - Saviour

By: Screaming Siopao

I was being tossed and turned by gigantic waves around me. I couldn't stand my ground much longer; they were much too strong, and I was far too weak. I thought that I was going to die. At least… At least I had the chance to tell Rei my true feelings.

That's when I saw him swimming to my rescue. I was so relieved. I felt so stupid; I shouldn't have rushed out into the water like that. I should have known the tides were too powerful for me to fight against. I risked my life, and Rei's, just for a meaningless hat.

Right before Rei reached me, I remember there being a humungous wave that towered above me. This one definitely was unlike the others. I was so tired at that moment. This one, I knew, would take me under.

Then, everything was black.

o0o0o0o

"Rei Otohata!"There was a knock on the door and a shouting woman on its opposite side. This sudden noise surprised me and my eyes fluttered open. I looked around—that's right, Rei had taken me, as inconspicuously as he possibly could, back into my hotel room, though Maki-san still saw us and made quite a scene. I was wrapped in the blankets of my warm and cozy bed. Rei grunted.

"Ugh, she's here?" I heard him mutter under his breath. "Not now!" he responded out loud.

"Rei Otohata," the woman's voice repeated a bit calmer this time. "Open this door right now, or I willtalk to your father."

Rei groaned at her threat and got up from his seat to walk towards the door. He held it ajar just a bit and put his finger up to his lips.

"Shh, she's resting," he whispered roughly. "Keep it down!" I got up from my fluffy pillow, as much as didn't really want to.

"Rei, I'm up," I meekly said from across the room. His head shot back at me, letting his guard down. This caused the woman at the door to fully open the door and let herself in.

"Oh, dear!" she exclaimed with grief as she looked at me with concern. I had never seen this woman before in my life. She had medium-length, dark red hair. She was middle-aged, but had applied quite some make-up to try and make her appear younger. I could tell though, she was naturally beautiful. She looked like she may have been a model. "You poor child!" she wailed, approaching me. "I heard everything from Maki."

"Let her be, she's still tired," Rei stated, attempting to protect me from this almost-sobbing woman whom I still could not identify.

"Rei," I whispered, surprised at how raspy my voice sounded. It must have been from all the salt water I swallowed. "I'm okay, really." The woman then threw her arms around me, surprising me quite a bit. I took in her scent—it smelled like a really fancy, most likely expensive, perfume.

"Mom! Don't smother her!" Rei commanded with a worrisome voice.

Ah, I see. This woman was Rei's mother. I had never met her before, so why was she treating me as if I were her child? I guessed that all the women in Rei's family were all pretty enthusiastic.

"Oh! How rude of me," she said in a quieter tone. She parted herself from me in order to look at me face to face. "I am Rei's mother, dear."

"I- I'm Aya Hoshino," I said with a faint blush on my face. For some reason, meeting Rei's mother made me pretty nervous. She was such a respectable woman. I had never met either of Rei's parents until now. "N-nice to meet you, Otohata-sama."

"Yes, yes, I know who you are, dear," she clarified while waving her hands. "And, please, call me Kyoko! Otohata-sama makes me sound so old," she laughed richly. "Rei talks non-stop about you. That's why I wanted you to come here so that I could finally meet the famous Aya Hoshino."

"Mom, quit saying such things!" Rei butted in, which a small hint of scarlet on his cheek. I smiled at his embarrassment.

"Anyway," Kyoko-sama continued. "I heard about that horrible incident! Are you injured?"

"I…" I put my index finger up to my chin and closed my eyes, in thought. "I feel much better actually. It happened a few hours ago, and I took a bath and rested since then." I paused. "Rei… Rei has really taken good care of me."

"Ah!" she squealed, embracing me once more. "I'm so happy you've helped my son to finally mature, Aya-chan. Please, I offer you to stay one more night at the hotel."

"What? Really? But, my mother—"

"Oh, don't worry about that, I've already contacted your mother and we have been granted her kind permission for you to stay," Kiyoko-sama explained.

"What! How did you get her contact information?" Rei questioned. His mother laughed.

"Oh, Rei, let's not worry about that," she brushed off the matter. Somehow Kiyoko-sama seemed like she could be a scary person. Yet, she was also very likable and cheery. She turned to face me yet again, after dismissing Rei's inquiry. "So what do you say dear? It's the least I can do for all the trouble you've faced while staying here."

"Ah, really," I began. "There's no need to worry. I'm feeling fine now and—"

"So you're feeling well enough to stay!" she exclaimed happily while bolting up and clapping her hands together. I sweat-dropped. "Very well, then. I'll have the chef prepare something divine tonight. Meet for supper at the dining hall, six o'clock sharp!" she chirped as she got up and danced her way out of the room.

Silence, at last.

"Uhh," I managed to blurt out after a few seconds of her leaving.

"Mou," Rei groaned. "It feels like a tornado just blew through here." I giggled at his comment. Though Rei complained about his mother, I could tell that they were very close; he loved her a lot.

"I think she's funny," I genuinely commented. "She's quite energetic for an adult; so full of character. Almost youthful, really. I would have guess that she could have been your sister, or something."

"Ack! That's weird!" Rei spat. I laughed.

I wondered what dinner was going to be like with this interesting family.

o0o0o0o

"Yoo-hoo!" Kiyoko-sama waved over at me. "Aya-chan! Over here!" I spotted her at one end of the luxurious dining hall and walked over to her, Rei following closely behind me.

"Good evening," I politely greeted. It had been a few hours since we'd seen each other. She had thrown her rich, red locks into an elegant bun by now.

"Oh, Aya-chan, you look so cute! I could just eat you up," she said while approaching me and pinching my cheek. Rei rolled his eyes.

I looked down at myself and what I was currently wearing. I didn't think that I looked any different. I was just wearing a simple, light blue, short-sleeved dress that ended just above my knees. There was a thin, white belt around my waist. My hair was out and flowing with a silver flower pin in it.

"Stop harassing my girlfriend," Rei said jokingly as he took my shoulders and pulled me from his mother. I blushed when he addressed me like that. Kiyoko-sama laughed out loud.

"Oh, you two. Let's get seated. Maki is already waiting for us at the table, and I bet she's starving."

"Mou, why is Maki-san here?" Rei complained. Kiyoko-sama hit him lightly on the arm.

"Rei, be polite. She's family." Koyoko turned back at me as we were walking. "And now, so are you, Aya-chan. So feel at home." I blushed.

"Y-Yes," I whispered shyly, while softly nodding my head.

As we approached the long dining table, we saw Maki-san, who seemed a bit impatient-looking. Rei took a seat beside her, across from me, while I sat next to Kiyoko-sama. We only took up about a third of the table, seeing that there were only four of us. The rest of the empty seats stretched on to the other end of the hall, as if inhabited by invisible guests.

"About time!" Maki said with relief. "I'm starving!"

"When are you not, you big pig?" Rei insulted. This caused him to receive a blow to the back of his head. "Ow! That hurt!"

"Then watch your mouth!" Maki advised. "Your girlfriend is at the table. Be a gentleman, for once!" This caused Rei to pout in annoyance, causing me to giggle just a bit.

I knew Rei. He always wanted to be right. I knew how stubborn he was and how much he must have wanted to retaliate against Maki, but he kept his mouth shut. It flattered me to think that I might have been the reason for his arrogance to slightly desist.

Laughing at the scene the two cousins were causing, I didn't quite realize how hungry I was. I hadn't eaten since before my ocean-incident, seeing that I didn't have an appetite after swallowing so much water. I went straight to the bath, then rested. I smelled the aroma of the dish being prepared in the air, which made me salivate. Not visibly, of course. It didn't smell like traditional Japanese food. It was a foreign dish. Italian, maybe? Then, I saw a server rolling a silver tray over to us from the kitchen.

"Good evening, madams and sir," the server politely greeted. "Tonight's appetizer consists of a baked potato soup served in a sourdough bread bowl, Chef's special Caesar salad, and spicy shrimp and eggplant." As he listed the names of the dishes, he removed the silver tops that covered each one. I felt like royalty.

"Oh! Spicy shrimp and eggplant!" Maki-san exclaimed, while clapping her hands together. "My favorite!" The server smiled.

"Yes, it is a good choice. One of the best, of course, as requested by the best," he said, while bowing towards Kiyoko-sama. She laughed heartily.

"Oh, James, you are too kind. Thank you for your service, we'll let you know if we need anything else."

"Yes, madam Kiyoko." And with that, "James" had gone back into the kitchen, probably to prepare the main meal.

I stared at the food before me. I couldn't believe this was just the appetizer! If I finished my portion, I would surely be full before the entrée was served. Everything about this place was so aesthetic. Even the food looked too glamorous to be eaten. Well, almost.

"Go ahead, Aya," Rei said right before he put a crouton into his mouth. "What are you waiting for?"

"Yes, dear, don't be shy!" Kiyoko-sama chimed in as she placed a napkin onto her lap.

It felt like everyone was watching me. This was the first time I ever had anything so elegant. I didn't even want to think of the price that customers would pay for this kind of meal. I picked up one of my many forks, not even sure if I had chosen the correct one, and placed a small piece of the spicy shrimp and eggplant to my lips. As soon as the tender flavor reached my tongue, my eyes widened a bit in shock. It was absolutely delicious.

"Aya?" Rei broke the silence. "Is it okay?"

I swallowed the food after a few slow chews. I nodded my head timidly, noticing that everyone was waiting for my response. Why were they so concerned with my opinion?

"I- It's great," I softly said, blushing lightly. "I never get to eat like this." I was embarrassed to admit it, but it was true.

"Oh, Aya-chan!" Kiyoko-sama heaved out a sigh of relief and smiled. "I'm so glad!" She hugged me close to her chest, causing me to take in another breath of her rich perfume.

"Mom, you're smothering her again," Rei pointed out with his fork.

"I can't help it!" Kiyoko-sama exclaimed, hugging me tighter. I sweat-dropped; I was finding it quite hard to breathe. "I've just always wanted a cute daughter like Aya-chan!"

I laughed inwardly. Though Rei's mother was currently cutting off my source of oxygen, I knew that she meant well. I understood her to be a very enthusiastic and loving mother. Rei was an only child, so I could see why she was excited to have me around. I smiled as she finally let me go to resume my dinner. I felt happy and accepted here, but felt more and more detached to my own mother each day because of her new relationship with that Hiro-san man. My smile slowly faded, and I think Rei noticed. He lightly tapped my foot with his own, under the table.

"Oi," he whispered to me as Maki-san talked to Kiyoko-sama about today's business around the hotel. "You alright?"

His question echoed in my mind. Was I alright? I nearly drowned today. Also, I recalled that the last time my mother and I actually bonded was months ago. She was always with Hiro-san; I barely even got to see her around the house anymore. And to top it off, my father's four-year death anniversary was fast approaching. I shouldn't have felt alright, but I looked at him and genuinely smiled.

"I'm fine," I mouthed. And it was the truth.

o0o0o0o

"Ayaaa!" Ran yelled into my ear, as we sat in Palm Tree, the cafe that belonged to Towa. I snapped out of my daze. I was thinking about Rei, of course.

"H-Hai?" I blinked multiple times. Miyuu giggled beside me and put her arms around mine.

"Miyuu thinks you've been having a great summer so far!" she happily chirped. "Especially since you just got back from your trip with Rei!"

"Geez, Aya," Ran complained. "I was saying that I'm really glad you're okay! Didn't you hear me? Or were you too busy thinking about kissing that arrogant Otohata?" I blushed.

Yes, I had told my best friends about the confession. And the kiss. And meeting Rei's super successful mom. And the whole near-death-experience. Of course I would tell all of this to Ran and Miyuu— I told them everything, after all.

"N-No!" I defended. Just then, Towa came out with some cool, refreshing smoothies to simmer us down on this hot, summer day. One was green honeydew, another yellow mango, and lastly, pink strawberry.

"What's this I hear about Aya kissing guys?" Towa questioned innocently, setting the drinks down. Ran grabbed hers, the honeydew flavor, in a flash. I blushed more. I saw Towa as like an older sister and felt embarrassed all of a sudden.

"I- It's nothing at all!" I panicked while nervously sipping my strawberry smoothie. If I had a straw in my mouth, it gave me an excuse not to talk about it any further. Towa laughed.

"Well, whatever's going on, I'm happy for you, Aya. You're a sweet girl. You deserve the best!" she said with a 'thumbs up.'

"Miyuu agrees!" she said while raising her mango smoothie in the air.

"A toast to Aya's lovey dovey life!" Ran exclaimed while dramatically clinking her glass onto Miyuu's. I sweat-dropped as Towa looked on with a smile.

Yepp. These were my best friends, all right. Crazy and wild, yet I wouldn't trade them for the world.

o0o0o0o

"Mom, I'm home!" I yelled into the dark house while removing my shoes at the entrance. Why weren't any lights on? She told me earlier that she'd be here after I was finished with hanging out with Ran and Miyuu. I set aside the shopping bag that I received from Shibuya. The three of us had gone shopping for accessories. While I did manage to pick out some cute, cheap rings, I also caught a glimpse of an adorable stuffed penguin at a toy store. I thought that maybe Rei would, you know, like it.

Actually, now that I thought about it, I felt so dumb for buying this stuffed animal. Rei would never like something so juvenile as this. I sighed. I'd never bought a gift for a boy before. How was I supposed to know what he was to like? I'll return it first thing in the morning, I thought.

I walked further into my home. Why was it so quiet in here?

"Mom, I'm home," I repeated into the darkness. I felt around for the nearest light switch and flipped it on. No sign of anyone. Maybe she went out real quick for some groceries. I reached the kitchen and opened the fridge. We appeared to be stocked up on everything.

I heard footsteps upstairs. Ahh, she must have been in her room. Of course. I headed towards the staircase in order to greet her. I hadn't really sat down with mom in a while. I missed our talks together. She was like my best friend. I heard a low, rumbling voice; a man's voice. I stopped dead in my tracks. I was just outside her door.

Who was here with her? I realized that it could possibly be Hiro-san. Why was he in my mom's bedroom? I blushed at the embarrassing thought that I quickly removed from my mind.

"H- Hiro," I heard my mother say from the other side of the door. Her voice sounded funny. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but her tone just worried me. I couldn't walk away. "Please, I'm sorry," I heard her whimper.

"It's not enough," he roughly replied. I heard more heavy footsteps heading towards the door.

"Please don't go," my mother panicked. What was going on in there?

"Don't touch me!" he yelled. I heard a loud thud and my mother's sobbing quickly followed it. This was when I barged in through the door.

I found mom on the floor crying tears onto her lap. Hiro was above her, with his hand tightly wrapped around my mom's small wrist.

"What are you doing to my mom?" I yelled with anger. "Get off of her!"

"Annoying girl," he glared at me. "Shut up and get out."

"Don't talk to Aya that way," my mother said between her gritted teeth. "Let me go," she sobbed angrily, trying to release herself from his hold. My mother was always very defensive of me, seeing as I was her only child.

"You shut up too," he yelled at my mom, tightening his hold on her wrist. She winced in pain.

"Stop!" I shrieked as I approached his back. I put my hands around his arm, attempting to pry him off of mom. I heard him laugh at my futile attempt. Hiro was too strong.

"I told you to get out," he grunted as he whipped his arm back and roughly pushed me away. My back hit a wall and I fell on my knees at the impact. I heard his loud steps approaching me and was suddenly very afraid. He closed in on me and gripped my jaw with his large hand. "You little bitch," he spat, just as he pushed my head onto the hardwood floor. I felt a huge pang on my skull; there was so much pain. I couldn't do anything but cry. I felt so weak; so helpless, like always.

My mom got up and ran to me, stroking my hair.

"Aya! Aya, are you alright?" she cried. "You bastard!" she yelled towards Hiro.

"Tch, I warned her to leave," he growled. "She was interrupting our business."

"There is no business between us, Hiro!" she yelled. "There is nothing more between us! We're over!" She was sobbing heavily at this point. I could tell that my mom was really hurt saying those words.

"What? You can't do that to me," he said in disbelief. "Is it so you can leave me for that precious doctor of yours at the hospital? Is it?" He took her by the wrist again and violently shook her. I wanted to help. I really did, but I couldn't find the strength to move.

"That's enough," I heard a familiar voice in the doorway say. I knew that voice. It was the voice of my perpetual savior.

"R- Rei," I managed to speak. I tried lifting my head, but it felt like it was a hundred pounds.

"Aya," he stepped towards me and told me not to move. He then turned around to face Hiro. "Leave them alone. What kind of man are you, picking on two women? You're disgusting," he said so strongly, causing Hiro to flinch at his words.

"Shut the hell up, brat," Hiro spat. "You don't even belong here."

"Anywhere Aya is, I belong," Rei said. "I suggest you leave now, before I call the cops on your ass." This seemed to do it. Hiro backed down.

"You all can go to hell," Hiro said right as he was exiting the room. Rei followed him outside, phone in his hand, just to make sure Hiro found his way out the door.

"My dear Aya," my mother's tear-streaked turned to me and rubbed my head. "How are you feeling? Does it hurt?" she was so strong and caring. I wished I could be like her one day.

"Don't worry about me, mom," I whispered. Just then, Rei entered through the door again.

"I'm taking you to the hospital," he said to me at once. Mother agreed that it would be a good idea, though I didn't really want to go. "I'll have my dad take a look at you."

"Thank you, Rei," mom said as she placed a small hand on his arm. "For everything." Rei nodded.

Rei then swept me into his arms bridal style. My head spun, but I knew I was safe. I felt like I had been getting into a lot of trouble recently, but Rei was always there to protect me. It's as if he could sense when I was in danger. He's saved me so many times already, starting from the very first moment that I slipped on that skateboard at school. I noticed that he's always been there.

As long as Rei was in my life, I knew that I would always be safe.

A Wishful Blossom

Chapter Nine – Saviour: End.