Wow guys thanks for the reviews! I got so many TT tears of joy. I can't enumerate you guys all for now.. perhaps in the next chapter hehe I'm so happy you liked what happened in the previous chapter. We will be seeing more of Kira's overprotective mode plus, him getting pummeled by Cagalli. Yes, I will make it that way so eventually Cagalli will know about the 'peeking in her things' incident. And some changes will happen towards AC's relationship with each other. Hehehe.
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The Art of Love chapter 10
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Recap:
"Even with a name you're still boring." Cagalli plopped down the sofa. "Want some?" She reached out her choco pops bag. Athrun nodded and took some. "What's that supposed to mean anyway?" The young man asked as he chomped off some chocolates.
"Nothing." Cagalli chuckled again but her eyes still glued to the t.v. "Hey."
"Yes?" Athrun looked at her soft face. "I'm glad I finally knew who you are. And…" Cagalli stopped and looked up at Athrun. Athrun continued to look at her, hiding his blushing face with his hands.
"And I hope this doesn't change the way we treat each other." She finally finished and stuffed her mouth with some choco pops.
"No it won't Cagalli, I promise that." Athrun smiled again at her and then both turned their attention to the T.V.
But in Athrun's mind, he knows that things would be different form now on. Different… but way better than before.
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Shall we start?
"RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!"
"Alright, Alright I'm up already! Darn alarm clock!" Cagalli sat up from the bed and casually threw the alarm clock outside her room. "Take this you nagger!"
"Ow—Hey!" A voice was heard outside which made it clear that a victim was hit by the contraption. Cagalli stood up to apologize. "Oh.. hey look I'm sorry Kira.. Never meant to do that on purpose again… and uh.." Cagalli stammered as she realized that the person she hit with the alarm clock wasn't her brother.
"Again? You mean Kira always get this every morning?" Athrun came as he gently rubbed his head in where a small lump could be seen. "Ah crap!" Cagalli exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!"
She finally remembered now, this person in front of her is Athrun, the bestfriend and business partner of her twin brother. He is the same Athrun that she always never got to meet the past months, the same Athrun that spends time with her every morning and the same Athrun that she always thinks about.
Always thinks about? What the hell? Okay the last part is obviously a mistake. Why would she think of him anyway?
Okay, so she did… But that was before he actually became her brother's best friend and business partner. Everything is different now. Yes, everything is different now.
"Well, it's okay.. And you're on time too. I just finished preparing breakfast." Athrun smiled and led her to the kitchen. "Wow… You cook?" Cagalli asked as she sat herself and eyed the breakfast that smelled heavenly. "Well, I live on my own and so… I have to learn to cook to eat." Athrun chuckled as he settled himself also on the chair opposite to hers. "Why are you early anyway?"
"School." She said in between her food intake. "I should get there early.. I don't want to miss out on the briefing and stuff since it's my first day." "I see… Uhm… should I take you to school?" Athrun asked.
"What's with this guy being comfy and all?" Cagalli stammered and looked at Athrun who seemed to be turning a shade of pink now. "Don't be silly. I can go there on my own. And besides, what are you my brother? It's not your job to do that." Cagalli soon spat out and hid her now blushing face with a bowl. "Oh.. yeah… uhm… Sorry I just thought… I don't know what came over me." Athrun finally said and he sighed as he lowered his head, cursing himself inside in the process.
"Yeah… I would like to know what really came over you." Kira's voice came. Athrun felt a shiver down his spine. It was as if Kira's tone had that sinister look in it. He looked behind him to see a somewhat pouting Kira with narrow eyes saying: I would-like-an-explanation-on-why-you-are-flirting-with-my-sister-in-the-early-morning look.
"K-Kira!" Athrun exclaimed. "You're awake I see. C-come, join us!" "Hey" Cagalli waved her spoon as she continued chewing some bacon.
Kira sat down beside Cagalli. "Want me to take you to school?" Kira asked as he took some toasted bread and carelessly spread some jam over it. Cagalli looked at him, pissed. "What am I a preschool or something? I don't need you guys to do that. I can go there on my own thank you." She stood up and drank some of her juice and went to the bathroom.
Kira looked at Athrun. "So, what do you think of my sister?" 'Ah… she's nice, very nice and funny too.. uhm Kira… what's with the narrow eyes?" Athrun nervously chucked some eggs into his mouth. "Nothing, I just look like this every morning okay?" Kira snapped.
"Ara, ara… such nice breakfast. Did you do this Athrun?" Lacus came. "A yes Lacus… Come, join us." Athrun smiled. "Where's Cagalli?" Lacus asked as she sat herself opposite Kira's. "She just finished eating. She's inside the bathroom dressing up for school." Kira butt in. "Did she enjoy the breakfast you made Athrun?" Lacus asked.
Athrun looked at her and blushed. "I suppose…" "That's great. It'll be a nice impression for you." Lacus chirped. "Nonsense, Cagalli always enjoys any kind of food regardless of who made i--- mmmph!" Kira's words were cut short as Lacus shoved some sausages in his mouth. "Doesn't that taste good honey? Ara… Athrun-san, you might as well get dressed up for work. Kira and I would like some alone time if you don't mind." Lacus chirped again, ignoring Kira's choking sounds.
Athrun stood up and looked at them. Lacus sure is forceful. And the smile she projects during that makes him shiver down the spine. Scary.
Before he left, Lacus whispered to him: "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me… oh… I meant us." This earned a pack full of blushes from Athrun. He knew that the two knows how he really feels towards Cagalli and he can't take that away from them anymore. He sighed as he bowed his head.
But those feelings, where they any different from when Cagalli was still Amber?
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"God, I can't believe it… I'm actually early." Cagalli's jaw dropped as she looked at her watch. She ended up getting a ride to school from her brother, Athrun and Lacus. "If only Lacus didn't insist.." She grumbled she seemed to have a weakness when it comes to her brother's girlfriend. And by the looks of it, so do her brother and Athrun. Perhaps, she has the ability to persuade a person? What a pretty scary ability.
"Well, aren't you glad? At least you won't get any attention by barging in a room because you're late." Kira chuckled. "See this?" cagalli raised her fist for Kira to see. "If you don't shut up, this will go flying in your face."
"…." Kira quickly backed out. "Fine… I'm going." Cagalli opened her door. "Cagalli-san, since we are a bit early ourselves, we have a lot of time to spare. Why don't you let Athrun accompany you inside the University up until you get to your room?" Lacus giggled. Athrun went beet red and his jaw dropped. Kira's jaw dropped also and both guys looked at Lacus, who didn't seem to give a heck at the boys' reaction.
"La-Lacus… what the heck are you trying to do?" Both boys mentally asked. "Uhm.. No thanks. I think I can do that on my own." Cagalli faked a smile; she then slowly slid out of the car. "Are you sure? You don't know the insides of the University. You might get lost, and end up late. Athrun knows the inside. He studied there once." Lacus continued. "Ouch.. late is such a strong word.. And I can ask really… No need to…" Cagalli waved her hands.
"Nonsense! If you take Athrun with you, it'll be much easier." Lacus pushed Athrun outside. The poor boy was now red than ever before and his tongue seemed to have turned into a knot at the sudden situation. Athrun looked back at Lacus with a face that says: "Lacus-what-the-heck-are-you-trying-to-do?"
"Lacus!" Kira looked at her girlfriend. "What the he-" Lacus clasped his mouth. "Now, run along… we will wait for you here Athrun."
Athrun and Cagalli nodded then left side by side. Athrun seemed to be moving at a robot-like pace while Cagalli was confused at what was going on. Lacus had done it again.
As soon as the two were now out of sight, Lacus turned to a now furious Kira. "Lacus, what was that all about?" Kira spat out. "Oh nothing, I just want to know how they handle things from here on… You know, as Athrun and Cagalli and not as strangers who don't know each others name."
"But…but that's my sister!" Kira wailed. "Quit it Mr. Yamato. Don't be such a worry wart. And besides, weren't you the one rooting for Athrun back then?" Lacus chirped. "But that was because I didn't know it was my sister!" Kira wailed again. "Don't you want them to be happy?" Lacus asked.
Okay, that hit Kira. Of course he wants them happy. He wants his best friend happy, and he wants his sister happy. But them being together was not the kind of 'happiness" Kira has in mind.
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"Hey." Cagalli started. "Uhm.. yes?" Athrun tried to look at Cagalli without breaking into a blush. "By the looks of it, it seemed like Lacus sold you off." Cagalli chuckled. "Yeah.. looks like it. And what, you purchased me?" Athrun chuckled back.
"Like I would!" Cagalli rolled her eyes, Athrun frowned. "It's just a term okay? It doesn't have to be serious so quit it."
"Yes ma'am." Athrun smiled.
Quite a long walk isn't it?" Athrun asked her. "Yeah… This University is quite big isn't it? I'll be losing some pounds after the first semester." Cagalli chuckled again. Athrun looked at her confused, what pounds is she talking about? She's erm.. quite curvy and all really. And because he wasn't looking where he is going, he tripped. Silly Athrun tripped.
"Hey! Watch out!" Cagalli yelled as he pulled Athrun on his arm before he actually pummels to the ground. But, scientifically speaking, all normal men weight much bigger than women. So in the process, Athrun's back crashes on the floor and taking Cagalli with him landing straight on top of the azure-haired young man.
A few seconds and their eyes met. Cagalli could smell his sweet scent and the same goes for Athrun. Both wasn't able to move really, or rather didn't want to move, but sensing their somewhat awkward position, Cagalli jerked up and started brushing her clothes as she tried hard to hide her cherry face.
"I-I'm sorry…" Cagalli stammered and held out her hand for Athrun to stand up. "You should be careful next time okay?"
Athrun gently took her hand and stood up, also in the process of hiding his blood-red face. "T-thanks.. I'm sorry too." Athrun could still feel the warmth of her body and her legs brushing into his. He gently shook his head to erase any more thoughts before it becomes perverted. Cagalli took her bag from the floor and started walking again.
"Uhm.. shall we?" She asked as she looked away and held on to her heart which is now beating so fast, as if her heart was going to burst.
They then continued their walk in silence.
"This is it. Your room." Athrun presented and gave out a mock bow as he did it. "Wow. That was… Oh well, Thanks again Athrun. Good luck with your work. I guess, I'll see you." Cagalli blushed and held on to the door knob. "Sure. Good luck with you too. And take care." Athrun waved as he slowly walked away.
As he walked to the exit, he kept on asking himself the very same question that has been haunting him since last night. She is Cagalli, the same girl he spent time and grew fond of with. But how come every time he looks at her now after that incident, he seemed to be lost again with her? It was as if, she was different. It was as if, they grew closer and yet took a step farther.
He sighed. He was definitely confused. Should he go on, or start all over again with her? And that slipping situation didn't help at all! Well, except make him feel good. But he wasn't going to admit that.
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Cagalli eyed the blue-haired young man as he slowly disappeared into the exit door. She sighed; she can't really go on like this. She even wondered if she was the only one feeling this. Somehow, she felt awkward with him now than ever before. And their situation didn't help either, especially the slipping part. Why oh why, does she have to feel his body against hers! Totally sinfull! She closed her eyes and opened it again as she turned the knob of the classroom door open.
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"Just confess to me Kira. You're actually throwing to Athrun your frustrations of not being able to confront cagalli of the incident am I right?" Lacus looked at her brown-haired boyfriend. Kira sighed, he hated it when Lacus can read his mind. "Yes. I can't help it you know; one minute she was a stranger to him, the next BOOM! Hi kira, the one I've been seeing is your sister." Kira exasperated. Lacus giggled.
"What?" Kira looked at her and smiled. "I think you're a very cute-and-overprotective-afraid-of-being-clobbered-by-his-sister brother." Lacus pecked him on the lips.
"I'm not trying to meddle or anything.. I just want to help them out a bit on being acquainted. You might not notice it Kira, but your sister and Athrun are feeling kind of awkward towards what has happened. Maybe perhaps that they knew each other as nameless strangers and all of these seem a bit too fast for them. I do this not because I want them to get over it and be an item or anything. It's up to them." Lacus explained.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I guess I should give them some time." Kira beamed. "But I still don't like the idea of Athrun flirting with my sister much."
"Kira!" Lacus placed her hands over her waist. "But before anything, you wouldn't want Cagalli to know that we know how she feels for Athrun right?" Lacus giggled and Kira's face paled.
Sure, they would just let things go on and see what happens. And maybe when things mellow down, Kira won't have to resort into telling Cagalli he actually saw her inner feelings (courtesy of sketchpad and notebook) right?
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That was a quick chapter. I just want to establish Kira and Lacus' involvement with the future chapters. Cagalli and Athrun are still in the process of getting used to the new situation. But things will get better from here on. More AC goodness in the next chap!