And here's how Max defies Min Wei's rules...by going out with Saori for a date night by themselves.
Chapter 10: Sneak Date
As Max was gathering his thoughts together, all he could ever think about is Saori and it's not fair to him that Mei Win is putting him in a very tight leash that he'll never release himself from because of it. It hurts him because he loves her so much and he would do anything he can in the world for her until the end of their days and Mei Win forces him to put an end to it. That's definitely a vow that he will not break and he made that vow to Akashi that he'll be there for him and he knows in his heart that he's determined to keep that vow going.
"Max?"
Max's ears perked up a whisper and when he looks down on the balcony, he sees Saori standing on the ground and he couldn't be more than happy to see her and he said, "Saori...thank the gods you're here."
"Maxie...I really want to see you. I've missed you so much." Saori said, softly.
"I missed you too." Max said.
Saori looked at him and said, "I hope I'm not interrupting something."
"Nah, not really. Saori...I really wanna be with you and I was hoping that we can take a walk around the forest together. Just you and me." Max said.
Saori was amazed to hear this coming from Max and there was nothing she would want more than anything to be with him and she said, "I would love to. But...what would Min Wei say?"
He knew that Min Wei would have a fit if she caught him with her, but knowing that he loves Saori more deeply, he was willing to break her rules and he said, "She wouldn't care. Besides...you're the only girl for me."
She was deeply touched to hear that and she could feel it in his aura that he would rather spend time with her than Min Wei and he said, "Wait here."
10 minutes pass and as Saori's standing there waiting for Max, she started hoping that she'll get a chance to express her true feelings for him and she was deeply excited for what's gonna happen on this date and soon enough, Max comes out with a half-opened grey vest and black sweatpants and he comes to Saori and said, "Hey."
Saori looks at him and she was deeply amazed by Max's muscles and pecs on his chest and abs and she said, "You look handsome...as you always have been."
"Thanks. You sure it's not too...imperfect?" asked Max.
"Are you kidding? You're totally amazing." Saori added.
It was nice to get that compliment from Saori rather than Min Wei and he said, "Well..I guess we should go."
With that, Max and Saori walked together hand in hand and both of them were deeply excited about going out together with just the two of them and Akashi was looking at both of them as they were walking and Akashi smiled and said to himself, "You guys do belong together."
Soon enough, they were looking up at the sky, looking at the stars while they were laughing with each other and Saori loved the fact that Max is lying by her side and it just made her feel like she's with the person she's meant to be with. Max felt the same way too and he just knew that this feels right for him and he's starting to think less and less about Mei Win and more on Saori.
After some star gazing, both Max and Saori took a little swim on the river and as Max dived in the water first, he urged Saori to join in and without any hesitation, Saori jumped in the river with Max by her side and both of them were swimming and splashing water at each other while both of them were laughing and having some fun with each other.
It was at that point where they were looking at each other in the water and their eyes locked together and it was like they will never be far apart and Saori got a little closer to him and she went in under Max's arms and wrapped their arms around each other and she kissed him on the lips.
Suddenly, Saori quickly realized what she was doing and pulled back a little bit and felt a little nervous and said, "I'm sorry, Max. I...I didn't know what came over me."
Max blinked his eyes and he said, "It's okay, Saori. I miss being kissed by you."
"You have?" asked Saori.
Max got closer to Saori's chest and placed his finger on her chin and said in a husky soft tone, "With all my heart."
He went ahead and kissed her on the lips back and Saori kissed him back with full-on passion as their tongues danced around each other's mouths and after only 7 minutes, they broke for air and continued to look at each other and Max said, "It feels exactly what I've been missing for so long."
"Oh, Max..."
"Whenever I'm with you, I don't really feel so alone anymore." Max said, in a half-whisper.
"I feel the same." Saori added.
After their swim, they dried themselves off and put their clothes back on and sat behind a tree and Saori asked, "Do you still love her?"
"Who?" asked Max.
"Min Wei."
Max blinked his eyes and he knew that she needs an honest answer and he replied, "No. I never did. She forced me to be her boyfriend and I've hated every single second of it for three months. Ever since you were gone training with Tigress, all I could do is think about you. I've been talking about you...I even made a bamboo wood out of you."
"You have?" asked Saori, very surprisedly.
Max chuckled softly as he revealed a bamboo action figure of Saori and in an instant, Saori loved it and she said, "It looks so good, Max. Thank you."
Soon enough, Max brought in his guitar and he started strumming a few notes and just looked at Saori in the eye and began singing.
Oh, no, did I get too close?
Oh, did I almost see what's really on the inside?
All your insecurities
All the dirty laundry
Never made me blink one time
Unconditional, unconditionally
I will love you unconditionally
There is no fear now
Let go and just be free
I will love you unconditionally
Come just as you are to me
Don't need apologies
Know that you are worthy
I'll take your bad days with your good
Walk through the storm I would
I do it all because I love you, I love you
Unconditional, unconditionally
I will love you unconditionally
There is no fear now
Let go and just be free
I will love you unconditionally
So open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart
Acceptance is the key to be
To be truly free
Will you do the same for me?
Unconditional, unconditionally
I will love you unconditionally
And there is no fear now
Let go and just be free
'Cause I will love you unconditionally (oh yeah)
I will love you (unconditionally)
I will love you
I will love you unconditionally
After one final strum, Saori fell in love with what Max is saying and she said, "Oh Max...that was so beautiful."
"I wrote it for you while you were gone. I had hoped that when you come back from training, you'd hear it." Max answered, putting the guitar down.
"It was well worth the wait. I loved it." Saori said, smiling.
Max looked deeply at her and he said to her, "Just like I love you. When someone tries to give you a bad name, that's the one thing I don't appreciate. When I see Min Wei, I'll tell her that I'm willing to choose you over her."
"Max..."
"I don't care if she destroys my reputation. It's you that I love. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you and no matter what it takes, I will be here for you...just like I promised you and your brother." Max stated.
They kissed each other again and Saori pulled Max down to the ground and resumed kissing on the lips and Max gave out heavy passion and seconds later, Saori placed her head on Max's chest, purring softly. Max wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her forehead and kissed it.
"Nothing will take me away from you." Max whispered in her ear.
Near the further part of where they are...stands Min Wei, who looked at the two from a further glance and she felt like she had reached her last limit and she muttered, "Not if I do something about it."
Uh-oh...Min Wei has spotted them! Wonder what will happen next? BTW, the song was 'Unconditionally' from Katy Perry. That was actually my first choice until I was stuck with 'Ours' from Taylor Swift. Anyways...stay tuned for more!