HELLO GUYS! I just feel so happy right now like WOOT WOOT! Haha! Anyways, thank you for all the follows, faves and reviews. Because of that, I now deliver another chapter!~

callofduty44: Ikr. Fiction keeps our hopes up and our standards greater :))) Haha!

Enjoy!


The Ninth Shot: Potential In-Laws and a Night

Our lips barely even touched. Hn, that would be okay but the fact that my mother entered my room makes everything go downhill. Or so I thought. I immediately pulled back and Akiyama-san immediately stood up. Before she could speak, I wanted to explain everything and just spit out all the information ai could get from my brain.

"O-oka-san...! You're early today —We were just uh.."

"'Doing homework'. So this is the lucky girl you were talking about! Or should I say that you were the lucky one, Hii-kun!"

"Please pardon my visit. I've been staying too long and it is very disrespectful of me to have such attempts ev—" Love said with a bow as she blushed from embarrassment.

"Oh, it's okay, dear. Thank you for taking care of Hii-kun for me. I barely see him, actually. I didn't expect him to find a beauty like you.. You look so adorable together!" Oka-san cupped both of Mio's cheeks and studied her features. I notice how she's a bit stiff at my mom's gesture. When my mom was done, Mio-san took the lead in introducing herself.

"Thank you, Akihiko-sama. I am Akiyama Mio, a senior, 17 years old."

"For a moment, I thought you would say you were an Akihiko. Call me auntie. No need for formalities, Mio-chan," they smiled at each other as I continued to watch the exchange between the Love of my life and the source of my life.

"Hii-kun, treat her nicely, okay! You can continue where you left off just remember my restrictions!" my mom said and I nodded. She gave Mio one last hug before heading off to her own room.

"Your mom seems like a nice woman."

"Uh, yeah, I guess. I'm sorry if it's a bit...awkward, love."

"That's fine. I'm glad to actually be accepted by her."

"Do your parents know?"

"...yes, they do. I was supposed to introduce you but the incident with Fushigi-san intervened."

"Ah... I see. Do you have any plans on Friday? After school, I mean."

"I do but we could have ours on Saturday, right?"

"Yeah. This is our first date, then?"

"I-I believe so, yes."

"I'll be looking forward to it"

"Me —"

Before she could finish, I gave her a peck when she lowered her head a bit. "O-oi! Hideo-kun!"

"Hm? Is something wrong?"

"N-nothing, I-I'm just not used to—"

Then I gave her another. And another. And another one for good measure but I lingered so long that she cupped my cheek and closed her eyes. I closed my eyes, too, because I wouldn't want to ruin the moment. Without warning, she licked my lips. What was I supposed to do next? Uh, I, I liked it—loved it, actually. Should I...? Um..please tell me what to do. My heart was beating faster and louder. Heat eminated from my body quickly. I think I also froze.

"You're supposed to open your mouth slightly, stupid!" I heard a voice coming from out my window. I remained silent while Mio-san was already hiding in a corner. She is a scaredy-cat, I can assure you that. I started to approach the window with caution. If I'm not mistaken, that was Ota-kun and Tachibana-kun's voice. "We're just ghosts and spirits! No harm intended!" I see how my curtain was put back in place with no one holding the sides anymore. I opened my window immediately and saw them there standing on the footings available in case of any fire.

"I thought you were going home, Rotten Orange-san."

"Ah. Megane-kun, we had some spare time. No worries, no worries!"

"Go along your way then. I'm gonna walk her home now."

I did as I said. I walked her home after convincing her that it was my two crazy friends. I bid her good night and I watched her enter her house's door. Gah, I failed to meet her expectations! I cursed under my breath. I don't have time to worry about this for now. I found myself touching my own lips on the way home, thinking and replaying that incident for the longest hour. Aside from that, it was the most awkward walk we had.


I finished my exams with a breeze. I also imagined how it would be like to be in Akiyama and Nodoka-san's position. They tied up at first in their year level. I sigh and knew that I would still have to wait before my results come out. I was almost out the gate when something caught the corner of my eye. A black-haired man wearing a black coat over a light blue button-down shirt and black slacks fetched someone with a similar hair color. Without a doubt, it was Akiyama-san. Was she disappointed in me that she found an older guy who was probably in his twenties? He was good-looking, I could tell you that. His hair was even trimmed to a clean cut yet still a bit slicked back.

I tailed them stealthily. The man even gave her a kiss on the forehead and patted her head. Hmph, I can do that better. One thing that he did that I never did was put his arm over her shoulder. It wasn't only that but my Love snuggled up to him as if they've been close for years. They never kissed on the lips, though, which was a good thing. They were talking so casually and comfortably exchanging laughs. I wasn't sure what topic they discussed but he shouted, "That's my girl!" Shouldn't he mean my girl? I was furious. I wanted to know who he really is.

They went to check out basses and now they're walking around while Mr. Perfect was running a hand down over her hair and occassionally kissing her forehead. Her hair was tangle-free, as expected. Concentrate, Hideo. He whispered something into her ear that made her blush furiously and hit him on the head. She immediately apologized, though, judging from her actions.

"Oi! Megane-Hideo-kun, what'cha doin'?" Tainaka-san said from behind.

"Shh! I'm following her."

"Why?" She looked over behind me and said, "There's nothing to worry about!"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, that man whom Mio is so close to with is actually her—"

"Long lost love? If she's trying to make me jealous, it's working"

"Huh? The heck! Come along, now! Oi! Mio!" she said while approaching the two ravenheads casually while pulling me from behind.

"Hey! Stop! Forehead, stop!"

That's it. They looked over our direction and the man and my Mio waved at us. "Ri-chan, it's so nice to see you again. Even if, I see you almost everyday," the man said. He stated 'everyday'. Hn, at least I was Mio's first kiss. "Yes, sir! I'll be borrowing Mio for just a few minutes. Wouldn't want to ruin your monthly Fridates!" She's making it worse. She really is. "You are...?"

"Sir, I am Akihiko Hideo, a freshman. I'm their club photographer," I replied

"Were you the one who took my girl's 'panty shot'?" he said with his face twitching even if he had a smile. P-panty shot? She has...? Mio has a what?! He's just trying to sway you. He said 'my girl' again.

"No, sir. I-I'd never do that!"

"Hm. Makes sense. She was a freshman when that was taken. Oh, how time goes by."

"Sir, if it's okay with you. May I know who you are?"

"Ah! Right! I'm Mio-chan's—"

The girls bursted out laughing before the man was able to reply to my question. Strange. The man and I looked at each other then at them. It seems the man gets it because he laughs along after quite some time.

"Hideo-kun, is it true that you thought he was...?" Mio said before laughing again and wiping a tear that formed in her eye.

"Don't worry, though. It's not the first, Akihiko-kun. What's first is hearing my daughter call another guy aside from Satoshi and Daddy Yuuki by the first name. Care to explain, Miocakes?"

"Busted! I'll see you later then, Sir Akiyama Yuuki!" Tainaka-san saluted and ran off before we could say a word.

"Pap—I mean, Dad, he's the guy I wanted to introduce you and Mama to," she said while looking down with a hint of red on her cheeks.

"Atta girl, it's not that I'm against it but..are you sure? I think I could say I have a pedophile of a daughter. I am 42 and your mom is 40 right now.."

"Sir, I promise I will take good care of her and love her 'til the end. I may not be perfect but I'll always try to be perfect. She may be older but I'll do whatever it takes to protect her!" I did a full bow and waited for his reply.

"A declaration of love, eh? Son, you better keep your word or else you'll be hearing from my troops and I! Haha! Miocakes, you've learned a lot from your mom! You know how to pick the right guy! this reminds me of how your mom and I were still young. Good times, good times!" Mio was all flustered up while I got pushed to the wall by her dad. He whispered, "How far have you been going with my precious sweet pea?"

"Sir, we, uh.. We've been holding hands, hugging, and uh..."

"And?"

"..mostly kissing. B-but we didn't do anything more than that yet!"

After a split second he was out of sight then I saw him just beside me, crouching. He looks as if he was about to faint, only the whites of his eyes are visible and some gloomy aura surrounded him. "He said yet.. Kami, he said yet. They've kissed, they've hugged. What am I gonna do? My little girl is growing. Please tell me it's all a lie. Please, please, please." Now I know where that part of Mio comes from. Mio approached him and said, "I won't be going anywhere. I won't be leaving you, Papa." He brought her into a tight embrace and practically sobbed. He gave me a thumbs up but also gestured a thumbs down and hovered it across his throat. He went back to hugging his daughter. I can't help but bring out my camera and not miss a candid opportunity of how a father truly cares about his dearly beloved child. I took a few shots. And this shot is definitely a shot worth taking, reminding me of a promise I made that I vow not to break.


Saturday came and I was nervous. Mother was actually so proud of me the night before. The weather is cold but it isn't that harsh. My mother insisted on me wearing a white polo shirt and a simple teal coat. For my bottoms, I had khaki pants and a pair of dark brown loafers. I told my mom it didn't have to be this kind of get-up but she wouldn't make me leave the house if I don't follow her. She said if Akiyama-san would be wearing something nice, then I would put her effort to waste and make her look bad. She also made me wear contacts instead of my glasses, too.I didn't regret following my mother ever since I arrived at the train station. Let's just say she dresses better than I am even if the outfit she was wearing was topped with a thick light blue coat and a white scarf. Wow.. Can I marry her now? There were tons of guys looking at her which made her conscious. We made simple greetings and we got onto the train. It was actually pretty silent. We haven't actually talked about what happened some nights ago when she licked my lips and I just froze. I know I talked about 'adding a bit of...meringue' with Tachibana-kun but I didn't know it was like that.

The crowd was packing up. I pulled her by the waist to make her close to me as she could ever be and avoid getting apart. "H-Hey," I heard her say, "forgive me for overdoing it. I was carried away."

"Never thought you'd bring that up. Don't fret. Consider it forgotten."

"You're not feeling any awkwardness or such?"

"Only when I talked about you with your father."

"What did you two talk about, anyway?"

"Uh, guy stuff. Look, we're here! Aha..ha..ha."

Great. I still feel so awkward. Actually, it was the other way around. I felt okay when I was talking with her father, I forgot about that incident during that conversation (more like interrogation). I think we are now comfortable with each other even if the 'feels' are still there. We walked hand-in-hand without looking at each other. If you're wondering where we are, we're at an amusement oark. You may think it's the 'usual' dating spot but we didn't come for the rides, we came for the concert that was about to be held. Apparently, this reminds her of her childhood. It seems a band that Tainaka-san really likes will make a guest appearance and if not for that, they wouldn't have sworn to make music together in a band. How did I get this info? From Ms. Forehead herself. Mio doesn't know this yet. I just told her we'd be here simply for the entertainment and fun the place might give. The concert doesn't start until around 8 in the evening. I thank God I met her parents before this took place. I was able to get their contact info and meet them at the café to tell them of this day. That she might get home late, or if not, we'd be staying at a friend's house. Kotobuki-san was very cooperative in this part. She'll be there, too, she said so none of you would think we have other plans, because we don't.

I checked my watch. It was already 4pm. Hm..it's better if we do something fun to lighten everything up. "Love, I dare you to an ice cream challenge."

"N-nani?! Are you not cold, Hideo-kun?"

"Are you?"

"Quite but.."

"I could always warm you up," I whispered in her ear "whoever loses will have to eat another one."

"My weight..." I heard her. I smirked and went off to buy two cones of soft-served ice cream. Both are strawberry-flavored, of course. We start our silly competition. I was easily eating mine. I guess our fight isn't even. I looked over at her and see how hard she's trying to keep up with me. I am practically done but I didn't let her know. I watched as she focused her eyes on her ice cream and delicately lick and eat it. My thoughts wander back to the incident. Stupid of me to remind myself of what is supposed to be forgotten.

"Are you done yet, love? Or would you need help with that?"

"I'm okay, I can do this!" but her face told me otherwise. She looked sick. I'm the worst boyfriend ever, huh? I felt so guilty that I told her not to eat it anymore. I got it from her and I earned a small thank you. I sighed and ate it up. While I did, she got red as a tomato. My eyes widened when I realized that I indirectly 'tongue-kissed' with her so casually. I shook the thought away and led her to some park attractions. The best part was when I pulled her into the haunted house and there was no turning back. She screamed—a lot and she clutched on for dear life's sake. I laughed afterwards while she got wiped out. I shouldn't give her a rough time.

"Love? Are you okay?"

The wind blew, we were already out. The clouds were moving and I knew the weather might change from its sunny state. People passed and looked at me while talking amongst themselves with snickers and chuckles spreading all over. I haven't thought about it but maybe this is the fault in my plan. She might think I have a grudge against her and before I could even make up for it, the time the band and the fireworks woukdn't come and she would have already broken off this relationship of ours.

"Hideo-kun, I.. I think we should call it a day." Yep. I was right. I am now the world's biggest sheet of paper.

"Akiyama-san, please, please, please just wait a little longer." There's still exactly 21 minutes left before it starts.

"I'm not quite sure, Hideo-kun, it's just too much."

"Tell you what, let's grab a bite, then i'll bring you home."

"Fine."

A one-word reply. She must be thinking how immature I am. She must be thinking about how she regretted to agree going out with me. She must be thinking about...ending it all. Gah! Stop thinking of 'she must be's. I xould tell you this, dinner ended quietly and quickly. None of us said a word. I led her to the direction of where the concert was supposed to happen with a minute to spare.

"What's going on?" she said as the music started to play. I could tell she was amused with that look on her face and she recognized the band quickly. While she watched them, I watched her. Tears fell from happiness. I wiped her tears with my thumb when she looked over at me and smiled. I did, too. "How did you know?"

"Well I got some advice from my 'Love Manager'"

"Ritsu?"

"Yes and I also had your parents' opinions abou—"

"Thank you, even if you brought me to the haunted mansion thrice,"

Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you guys that slip of information. She wrapped her arms around me and we continued to watch whatever each of us were watching.


As expected, it ended around 10. No more trains were coming and I told her not to worry. Kotobuki-san came to fetch us personally. She started blabbering and asking us endless questions with enthusiastic eyes—and eyebrows. We sidn't even notice that we were already inside her home (which was definitely huge) and being led to our respective rooms. We thanked her and then she and Akiyama-san went in Akiyama-san's room to have some 'girl talk' and take a bath while they did. I recall their conversation before when we went to the beach and I was on the other side of the springs. That's what ai thought but the content has changed. Don't tell me the bathrooms here are like that too! I breathed deeply and finished my bath quickly, got dressed with my undergarments, a plain shirt and knee-length shorts, and did whatever I need.

"Mio-chan, how does it feel? Hm?"

"It's hard to describe. What's with the sudden curiosity Mugi?"

"It's a secret but may I try?"

"It's kind of out of your character. Maybe you can try."

"I've always wanted to try..."

I'm not sure. But from what I've heard I think she said kissing. No doubt, she did say that. An image formed in my mind and I immediately ran to the other room. I don't want my girl to be stolen by another girl! That would be...weird. I hesitated before opening the bathroom door. When I opened the door I shouted, "Mio..!" They both looked at me. I looked at them. They were in the bath with only towels wrapped around their bodies from the chest and probably down to their thighs. Crepes, I didn't think about that. I blushed madly and I took a step back. They were blushing too and probably had suppressed screams at the tip of their tongues. I can't help but stare. Gosh! What is wrong with me?! Blood trickled down my nose (but I think it was just my imagination) and at that instant Love muttered a curse then shouted at me. "Baka Hideo! Bakero Akihiko-kun! Do you even know how to knock?!"

"Uh, I'm just a freshman...?"

"Get out.."

She raised an eyebrow at me while Kotobuki-san giggled. She rose up to her feet and indeed, the towel was up to her thighs. Her grip on her towel was firm even if she used her right hand. I can't help but notice how the towel was hugging her curves perfectly (especially because it is soaking wet and all that). That's it. My eyes were glued and my feet were too but at least I managed to take a step back "I-I'm sorry! But, Love, can I just say.. You're so hot." I instantly held a had over my mouth and I felt the need to run but I couldn't. I swear she still has a bit of a blush on her cheeks and flustered a bit. "T-The only thing hot in here is my head! Get out!" she approached me while saying this, slapped me with her left hand then lifted me by the collar single-handedly using the stated hand afterwards. "I gave you time, Bakihiko, I gave you so much time to leave." I found myself being thrown across the room and the bathroom's door was slammed shut but now it was locked.


"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't entered like that."

"This wouldn't have happened if you didn't beat me —Ouch! Hey! Careful, love!"

"You brought this upon yourself."

Now I find myself being treated by the person who hurt me. I've got bruises here and there—which was no surprise. I have an ice pack laid on my head as I leaned my back against the cold, hard headboard of the king-sized bed alloted for Akiyama-san during our stay here at one of Kotobuki-san's humble homes. She was seated at the edge of the bed beside me, leaning over to pat some ice on my slightly bruised face and apply a bit of pressure to different parts of my torso. Thankfully, we found out I didn't break anything, not even a single bone. I did flinch a couple of times but concentrating my eyes on her focused eyes helped me a bit. Apparently, the clothes Kotobuki-san's helpers fetched from Akiya—Mio's parents consisted of a light blue tank top with a matching black undershirt (that conceals her undergarments that I have no right to tell you what). The shorts that reaches only up to her mid-thigh may probably be chosen by the ever-supportive Akiyama Yuuki-san.

"Stay still, Hideo-kun."

"Where did you learn all of—Ack! Watch it! When will this end?"

"How am I supposed to finish if you keep on moving?" she sighed "Anyways, my mom taught me how when the hitting between Ritsu and I got a bit more brutal—when we were kids, that is. It lessened when we entered high school."

"To be honest, I still don't understand how you became best friends."

"I owe a lot to her, actually. She may have been one who bothered me with everything when we were in kindergarten but she was also the one who helped me a lot especially with the 'pineapple audience' that she came up with. Ever since then, we've been together through thick and thin."

"Can we be like that, too?"

She looked away for a while and blushed but I still saw the light nod that she gave, "Don't do what you did earlier, though. What got into you to do such thing?"

"Well, I, uh..overheard that Kotobuki-san wanted to try kissing with you."

She gave a slight laugh, "She said cursing! She may be fascinated with the so-called yuri but you'd be surprised if you knew who she's been wanting to be with but can't."

"What's with it? Cursing, I mean."

"She never cursed and she often hears people around her curse. That's not the weirdest request we got from her."

"Hmm.. People around her? I presume it includes you."

"I-I know, I admit I curse out of temper."

"Would you kiss anybody else?"

"No, because kisses like that are...only for you. A-anyways, we're all done, you could go back to your—Ah!"

"What were you saying, love?" I said as I used my hand to pull her into a tight embrace when she was supposed to stand up, now her back is leaning against my chest now, "you might go and scold me again for moving around so much. Mm..you just smell so good." I inhaled deeply and gave pecks on her shoulder. My lips on her bare skin might have given a bit of warmth to the exposed. "You taste like it, too." I removed the elastic that was holding her hair in a low ponytail.

"Hi-Hideo-kun, you better rest up n-now—"

I rolled us over to keep us from falling from the edge. "I am resting, love," then I now wrapped both of my arms around her loosely to emphasize that. She shifted over to face me.

"If I kiss you, will you leave and go to your room in an instant?" I shrugged my shoulders then she gave me a short kiss. I shook my head to confirm that I won't be leaving just like that. I smirked then she leaned over to give me a kiss and allowed her lips to hover over mine. I'm not changing my mind just yet. She pressed one of my face bruises ever so slightly as she reached up for my cheek. I yelped at the pain into the kiss. She fluidly slipped her tongue into my mouth, exploring it carefully then finally allowing our tongues to dance. I couldn't help but wonder where she learned that because it was too good to be true. Before I started craving for more, I bit down just enough to startle her and retrieve her tongue back. I put myself on top and whispered "Payback," then I gave her leg a teasing stroke.

"I don't think so, Hideo-kun."

At first she was staring with her mouth agape but then shook her thoughts off then closed her eyes shut. I was waiting for her to shout at me. To my surprise, she just put on some headphones and looked away.

"Good night, Hideo-kun," she said as she pulled a blanket over her head. From underneath the blanket, she was still shivering from the cold (I know because I am freezing right now.) I stood and walked over to the door, "Good night, love." I Her quivering voice made me stop on my tracks.

"W-wait. Please...stay with me, Hideo-kun."

There was fear written all over her voice. She may be haunted by this afternoon's horrific and frightening marathon. "Perhaps, I could spare a few minutes. Scared of some nightmares aren't we?" She flinched and I finally decided to head my way back to where she was. I laid myself down beside her and pulled a bit of the blanket to me before wrapping my steady arms around her again from behind. This time, much firmer and secure. "It's gonna be all right, love. No need to be scared. I'm not going to bring you to that place again, I swear." I rested my head on her shoulder as we both were lying down facing the window. I asked her if she was fine with the cold and her answer was my heat would be able to suffice. I originally planned to stay only until she falls asleep but seconds later after she did, I find myself drifting off to the land of dreams as well.


Chap 10 up next! Planning to end this on the 15th or 13th Chapter, I really don't know ^.^'