AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wanted to make this chapter a little more lengthier, but then resorted to shortening it in the last minute... Hope to make it up with the next chapter...But i gotta warn you, this chapter is going to be a little cheesy... I have always wanted to show out the cheesy part of Ban (wink) Hope it suits him... Please tell me if i over did it...
Mayumi-san: I corrected that mistake... Sorry about my english, I am no good at it... lol I have tried to show Ban's emotions and thoughts... I guess he needs to show out that soft spot sometimes... (I am still a hopeless romantic... lol)
OniAya: Thank you so much for the review...
For those others who have added this fic in your favourites and story alerts, I would like to thank you all... Those alerts are my biggest inspiration... Thank you guys for reading it...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Get Backers... And I certainly don't own Def Leppard's Miss you in a heart beat as well...
On with the story...
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Normal P.O.V:
"I am off chief..." Asuka yelled out while taking off her black apron.
"What? You are leaving? But I thought you were going to wait with me until the guys came back..." Natsumi exclaimed at the pastry chef.
"Uh... Um... I have some work to finish at home Nat-chan. I am sorry." She searched for the right words.
The word sorry instantly cheered the gray eyed girl as she said "That's ok Asuka-chan... Be safe getting home..." with a warm smile adorning her face. It was the exact line Ginji uses on her every time she walks home alone.
Paul just observed the conversation from his usual corner behind the counter. He knew that something was off. Asuka was the one who had stayed behind when Natsumi had to leave. But lately she has been making it a habit to leave home a little early than usual. He just decided to keep an eye on the matter but stay silent at the same time.
With her goodbyes she left the warm cafe and stepped into the cold night. Winter was definitely on its way...
Hugging herself was the only thing she could do against the cold winds.
It had been a few days since her encounter with the infamous Jagan. Though she came back to Honky Tonk the very next day, she couldn't handle being in the same room as the Jagan master for more than ten minutes. She would always make some kind of an excuse to stay inside the kitchen like frosting some cake or washing dishes...
No one noticed that she talked lesser than usual to Ban because she managed to be her usual self around the others. Even Paul who was a keen observant failed to see that suddenly she was interested to do all of the kitchen work while she made Natsumi serve and did not attend the counter much.
The night time strolls were something she enjoyed a lot but now she felt so lonely to walk all alone like this on a cold night. 'I gotta admit it... I miss him already...' she thought rubbing the sides of her arms in a vain attempt to keep herself warm.
'Curse my mouth... If I hadn't muttered anything he might as well be talking to me now...' she kept blaming herself for Ban's actions.
And yet no matter how much she tried to convince herself, she still could not let herself forgive Ban for that nasty Jagan. He had no right to play with her feelings like that. If he did not have any feelings for her, he could have just told her.
'Why the hell did that bastard try to kiss me that day then?' she thought walking into her apartment complex. She seemed to be thinking a lot about him now than she used to...
Back at the Honky Tonk:
"Yo..." Ban entered the closed cafe after another successful mission. But Ginji followed him inside to be welcomed by only one of the waitresses with nice sandwiches and the struggle for food started off making Natsumi sweat drop while Paul just shrugged at their usual cat fight over food.
As they fought for the last piece of the bread, suddenly Ginji stopped which was enough for Ban to gobble down the remaining bread from the plate.
"Hey where is Asuka-chan?" he asked searching around for the brown eyed girl.
"Oh, she left a little while ago. She said she had some work to do..." Natsumi announced as she got ready to go home now that she had taken care of the GB's food problem.
The love birds left in a short while leaving behind Ban and Paul alone. Ban silently drank his coffee while his thoughts pondered over a certain brown eyed girl.
"You know she has been a little off lately..." Paul said as Ban sipped on his coffee.
"What are you trying to convey old man?" the brunette asked looking into his cup.
"I did notice that you happen to get silent whenever she was around...So I thought you had something to do with her recent behaviour..." he reasoned out folding the newspaper for once. Ban knew that Paul needed answers.
"Just spill it out already..." he urged the Jagan master.
"There is nothing to spill..." He said getting up to leave.
"I also noticed that you don't walk her home anymore... Better make it up to her." he said as Ban made his way out of the old cafe.
'Yeah! And put her in more danger than she already is in...' he thought as he stepped out into the cold night and started walking.
Letting out another puff of smoke he couldn't help but think about the girl who has been filling up his dreams for a while now.
He knew that she was struggling to keep up the facade. But she was doing a real good job that made even him think if she had moved on.
His feet stopped at his usual spot. He was standing in the corner of her street and fortunately for him her bedroom window was visible from that particular point. Unfortunately for her, she would never look out her window to notice the brunette standing under the streetlight checking up on her.
This had become a routine for him now. He made sure that she reached home safely. No matter how late he comes back to the cafe, he would always wait in the same spot watching her window until the lights go off.
But he was careful enough not to be seen by the brown eyed waitress. She would be free from danger now and that was enough for him even though he was hurting her in the process. Not that he cared about the fact that he was letting go the only girl who had managed to steal his heart.
Asuka's P.O.V:
It has been a week now... I was careful enough to avoid any kind of conversation with him. It was better off this way where we both ignored each others presence. I don't know how he feels about it, but I kind of miss those chit chats I have with him.
The vast amount of knowledge he carries around is something I will never get bored off. We even went as far as discussing new cake recipes. Loneliness is something I am used to and this shouldn't hurt me much...
But guess what! It hurts like hell to be with him under the same roof and not talk to him. He wouldn't even look in my direction anymore. Is falling in love that big a mistake?
Falling in love with a guy like Ban Midou is a mistake... a voice inside my head told me.
For all I know, Ban must be having some reason for his actions. He does have a soft side and I know it. But I just wished he opened up to me. I wanted to be the one other than Ginji who was allowed to see that side of Ban...
"That is one splendid work there Asuka-chan..." I heard my boss comment behind me making me jump a bit. I never sensed him standing there.
"Thank you..." I told him as I tried to add some more designs on the cake using butter cream "Don't flood the cake with so much detailing kiddo... Now place the cake on display..." he instructed me and left to stand in his usual corner.
I delicately placed the cake on display by the counter as Natsumi continued cleaning the tables. I leaned on the counter not noticing Ban sitting on one of the stools. He silently got up and left the cafe to go sit in his car.
To divert my mind I switched on the radio only to hear one of my favourite songs playing. It was Def Leppard's Miss you in a heartbeat.
Strangely the song went well with my current situation. I silently went to sit by the window as the song played through its slow notes. I couldn't help but close my eyes and hum along the song.
Ban's P.O.V:
I saw her tend to a freshly baked cake. It was always amusing to watch her work, especially when she is frosting and decorating her cake. She was a perfectionist. I could tell by the way she worked. But I couldn't tell why she was trying to lock herself up in the kitchen all day. She barely stands by the counter anymore. May be I am the reason to it...
I noticed Paul going up to her with a worried look on his face. He had become a father figure to the orphan girl by now. That was very much like Paul Wan to take care of the people who came into his cafe.
He was concerned about her and I am glad that she has someone who cares for her and shows out that care as well. She came out with the finished cake and placed it in the display. I guess she didn't notice me because for the first time in a week I saw her lean on the counter with a sigh escaping her lips.
Not wanting her to go back again I quickly got up and left the cafe. Ginji had gone on an errand for Paul, so I guess I am stuck with Miss. Ladybug now... I turned on the radio not liking the silence one bit.
I immediately regretting turning that damn thing on because it was playing a love song. A song that went very well with our current situation... As much as I wanted to switch it off, I couldn't make myself turn off that rusty radio.
I saw her sitting by the window now with her back facing me. From the way she was shaking her head, I could say that she was also listening to some music. I hope it is not the same station as this. But a part of me wished that she was hearing this song. I just wished that she understood why I was hurting her now...
I believe, that there's something deep inside
That shouldn't be from time to time.
I sure found out, thought love was such a crime
The more you care, the more you fall
No need to worry, no need to turn away
'Cause it don't matter, anyway
Love is not something for a guy like me... And yet you made me fall for you... I care for you more than anything else in this world. It doesn't really matter that you are going to hate me sometime soon...
(oohh oohh oohh)
I miss you in a heartbeat
(oohh oohh oohh)
I miss you right away
(oohh oohh oohh)
I miss you in a heartbeat
'cause it ain't love, if it don't feel that way
oh no
I just miss all those small talks we had... You are near to me yet so far away that I can't reach out to you...
When we touch, I just lose my self control
A sad sensation I can't hide
To love is easy, it ain't easy to walk away
I keep the faith and there's a reason why, yeah
No need to worry, no need to turn away
'Cause it don't matter, anyway
baby
That day... I don't know how it would have ended if Ginji had not interrupted us. Though I am mad at him for doing that, I guess it was for the good. Or else I might have as well kissed you and you would be the first target for the numerous enemies I have. Walking away from you is the only option I have for now. I don't want to commit the same mistake as Shido. He might say that he will protect her, but he is just putting her in more danger by staying with Madoka...
(oohh oohh oohh)
I miss you in a heartbeat
(oohh oohh oohh)
Yeah I miss you right away
(oohh oohh oohh)
I miss you in a heartbeat
'cause it ain't love, if it don't feel that way
Now, I ain't big on promises, I'll be true to you
'Cause I'd do 'bout anything, yeah
for some one like, baby for you
I would like to protect you by being away from you... I would even give up my life for you! My dear cupcake!
(oohh oohh oohh)
I miss you in a heartbeat
(oohh oohh oohh)
yeah I miss you right away
(oohh oohh oohh)
oh, I'm gonna miss you in a heartbeat
'cause it ain't love, if it don't feel that way
Damn! This was one reason I hated love songs... It makes me think all weird stuff. Silently cursing I turned off the radio and just sat on the reclined seat of my Subaru 360.
That night:
Asuka's P.O.V:
As I locked the door behind me, another heavy sigh left my mouth. I seem to be sighing a lot lately. Maybe it is because of my frustration towards life. I just hoped there was something that would make my dull, boring life a tad bit interesting and challenging.
I retired to bed and turning off the lights in the process. It had been a long day. Strangely, my cakes have become popular in the neighbourhood. A lot of customers were enquiring if I would take up any big orders or such. Taking up big orders are fine with me, but I am going to need some help. Natsumi-chan was good at Japanese cuisine when it came to cooking. She was still an amateur when it came to baking... Maybe Paul-san would help me out...
My eyes were about to close as sleepiness covered my mind.
RRRIIINNNGG!
Who is the world was going to call me at such a late hour? It was almost eleven o'clock...
"Hello..." I stifled a yawn.
"Sorry to disturb you at such a late hour Miss. Sakamato..." a young voice I have never heard in my life sounded from the other side.
"May I know who am I speaking to?" I tried to be polite. What if it was someone behind my parents' murder? The very thought was scary enough as I turned on the light and sat up on my bed.
"My name is Makubex... I believe you would not need much information about me..." he said sounding too obvious.
My hand flew over my mouth in an attempt to cover my shock. Does he know that I am from a different dimension? Does he know that I have been watching over their lives as a TV series? The only ones who knew that bit of information where Ban, Ginji, Natsumi and Paul...
"What do you mean by that?" I demanded him.
"I know everything about you... I just need to confirm one thing..." he spoke with such confidence in his voice.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Do you know your parents' names?" he asked me when I said nothing.
"Yes! Its Ken and Chiaki Sakamato... What do you know about me?" I asked him.
"Just as I thought." He mumbled. "I know who you are where you are from and I also know how your parents died... If you want to learn more, I suggest you come here to the limitless fortress... It is something that cannot be discussed through phone..."
My eyes widened at his words. He knew something that even I didn't know.
"Tell me all about it..." I demanded him once again.
"I am sorry miss. Sakura will come by your apartment tomorrow at 10 a.m." And before I could ask more about it he had hung up on me.
Just great! I don't think I can get any sleep after this...
Somewhere else:
Normal P.O.V:
"She is getting near to unravelling the truth about Ken and Chiaki..." a worried voice echoed through the dimly lit room.
The figure wearing a trench coat neared the source of the rough voice. "She has a destiny Sam... She has to perform her role when her time comes." The elderly man replied discarding off that trench coat. "Besides we don't have to worry when the Get Backers are around her..." he assured Sam.
"Why are you always in that disguise?" Sam asked the trench coat guy.
"Oh yeah! I forgot..." he snapped his fingers and things started changing around him. Once things got settled there was no more a man standing in front of Sam who was sitting on a sofa that faced the fire.
Instead there was a woman with long curly black hair stood before the fire. She had a bust line that would beat even Hevn. There was a powerful but cheery aura that surrounded her.
"I always forget to change back once I enter the house Sam..." she chuckled.
"Why do you even need such a disguise when this form itself is a facade?" Sam asked her.
"I need to be under cover for a while Sam..." she smiled with her eyes fixed on the flames that danced in the fireplace.
"You always remain to be an enigma, Maria Noches..."
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So here it is guys... Once again reviews are welcome... I hope I didn't make Ban sound like a love stricken high school boy or anything... Don't forget to leave your comments behind...