Author's notes

Thank you everybody for your reviews. I feel great now! ... Hum... sorry XD

And thanks to my beta-reader Sayosi :)

Here's the chapter 12!

Legend:
Thoughts

Disclaimer: Yes, I own Mai-HiME. I like torturing the fans by not including any ShizNat interaction in the anime. Of course, it's false.


Time To Grow Up : chapter 12.

十二 You've got a new mail

Kikuchi repeated, astonished, "You don't know where she is? You are not very concerned about your friend…"

"Enough! I know she is in France, in Paris… but I don't have her address." She continued worriedly, "Since she left, I didn't get any news from her…"

"Oh…" Kikuchi's eyes grew wider. "Do you know somebody who would have her address?"

"No…" But it isn't a bad idea. She left abruptly.

"Hey!" He attempted to stop the girl, though it was too late.

Natsuki was relieved for having found some hope. She just had to find the right person.


The next Monday, eleven weeks after the beginning of the term and seventeen days after Shizuru left, at twelve o'clock.

Seeing Natsuki pacing in the lobbies, Mai hailed her, "Hey, Natsuki!"

The aforesaid turned her head. "Ah, Mai."

Mai was friendly as usual. "How are you?"

Natsuki frowned, "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"I'm surprised because one week ago you were like a wild beast."

This remark annoyed the seventeen-year-old girl. "Stop it! I was just upset…"

"About what?" questioned Mai.

I don't want her to believe that I acted that way because I missed Shizuru "I-I don't remember!"

Understanding that Natsuki would never admit the truth, the red haired girl simply smiled. "Well, I'm happy to see you more, hum…as usual."

Natsuki was suspicious. "What do you mean?"

Mai gave a knowing smile. "Hum, nothing." She paused. "Well… What are you doing now?"

"I was on my way home, why?"

"Do you want to dine at my place? I'll cook some ramen."

Natsuki was facing a Cornelian choice: eating instant cup ramen or Mai's ramen. What a though decision! "Err… Sure."

"Great! But I have to pick up Mikoto at Reito's. Is that okay?"

As long as I have something better than cup ramen… She pretended to grumble, "…Yeah, ok…" Then, the inwardly happy girl laughed, "You look like divorced parents who share custody".

Mai grimaced at Natsuki and shook her head. "What nonsense!"

At length, the two girls reached the Kanzaki Residence. As soon as Mai entered the room, Mikoto jumped her.

"Mai!" exclaimed the lively girl. "Come! I want to show you a new game my brother taught me!" Shouting these words, she led Mai to her room by the arm.

Natsuki didn't follow the girls, as this new game certainly wouldn't interest her. Reito profited from that moment to talk with the girl whom he, after all, didn't know very well. "So, Kuga-san, how are you?"

Natsuki was as guarded as ever. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

Reito answered casually, "I have wondered how you coped with Shizuru-san's departure".

The blue haired-girl was losing her temper, "I'm fine!" Why does everybody ask me that? Do I seem dependent on her?

The young man was slightly surprised, "Oh. I was imagining that you would be afflicted. As for Shizuru-san, I guess that she doesn't bear the separation".

"What! What do you mean? Do you have news from her?" spilled Natsuki. I'm stupid! Why was I so eager to ask that?

"No, sorry."

The girl was disappointed and curious. "So, how can you affirm that?"

"It is simple. It is always difficult to be far from the one you love."

"What! H-how… She told you that?"

"There was no need to say it. It was obvious."

"Aa." Why am I the only one who didn't realise that…?

Noticing the disquiet on Natsuki, Reito appended, "But I guessed it since I used to spend a lot of time with her and I know her very well".

"Ok so, if it's true, why doesn't she call me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't received any news since she left."

"Oh… Perhaps she is not able to do that. Maybe she does not have the time."

Natsuki pouted distrustfully. "… Yeah…"

"You do not have to worry, Kuga-san. She inevitably has a valid reason."

"Yeah but…"

Mai and Mikoto, who were coming back in the living room, interrupted her, "Let's go?"


At Mai's dorm, Mai, Natsuki and Mikoto were having dinner. The 'hostess' was pleased to see a 'normal' Natsuki, although it was odd…

"Are you okay, Natsuki?"

What's happened? Either everyone agreed in advance or do I appear really different? "Yes! Why do you keep asking me that?"

"I was concerned about you. You are my friend, and the last few weeks you seemed to be totally lost…"

Natsuki didn't want her pity. However, she knew that Mai meant well. She muttered, "…Sorry…"

The red-haired girl smiled. "Never mind! Nonetheless, I find amazing how fast you were able to get back on your feet alone without withdrawing into yourself. Wonderful! You're growing up!" Mai was friendly making fun of Natsuki.

Nevertheless, the grumpy girl didn't like to be laughed at, friendly or not. "Stop it! I just had a talk with…"

She stopped. She realised that the one she continuously rejected and hated had helped her.

Why?

And above all, why did she unburden her heart to him? Maybe for the reason that it was easier, because he was there when she was the most vulnerable, or maybe it was because Natsuki didn't want Mai to think she was weak. Indeed, why act in such a way when it only concerned your 'best friend'?

The proud teenager was lost in her reflections. She didn't pay attention to the other girl whom was still waiting for an answer.

"Natsuki?"

"Huh?"

"So, who did you talk to?"

She frowned. "Nobody! It's not important!"

Nearly eight hours later and almost ten thousand kilometres away, Shizuru was watching TV. It might seem surprising but, eh, she had nothing else to do.

Moreover, she didn't want to miss her current favourite French TV Game, every weekday at 18:05.

- What is another name of the vegetarian and nocturnal mammal, the chiroptera?

- Err… The beetle?

"Are you idiot? It isn't even a mammal. The answer is the bat!"

- Oh, sorry. It was the bat! The chiroptera or the bat represents about 20 of all mammal species…

Shizuru switched off the TV; she was starting to get hungry. She headed to the kitchen and opened the fridge in order to find something to cook. Her eyes lay on a bottle of mayonnaise she bought recently.

Why did she purchase such a product?

The Kyoto girl wanted to give a shot at this mixture that her beloved friend was fond of, and she had to admit it; mayonnaise was not that disgusting. Of course, she didn't eat it as much as the mayonnaise addicted girl did but a little mayonnaise could give a different taste.

However, no one should inform Natsuki about this habit for fear of being slaughtered by Shizuru.

Natsuki…

She remembered her supervisor's words.

"I advise you to forget her."

I try but… It's too hard… What should I do? Maybe I can send her an email… She voiced out her thoughts, "Yes, it won't be that bad…"

She began to write her mail, and then she looked at the clock.

Half past six. It's too late, she may be sleeping now. Plus, how absent-minded she is, she may have forgotten to turn off her cell phone. She grinned.


However, Shizuru was wrong… On the other side of the planet, at the same time…

Natsuki couldn't sleep. She was tossing in her bed recalling her talk with Reito.

"There was no need to say it. It was obvious."

She has loved me for a long time or even from the beginning, and I didn't figure it out! She was waiting all this time? I didn't realise that… Is that why she doesn't call me? I really am stupid! I should tell her that… that I… I-I…

She groused and buried her head under her pillow.


Two days later, in France, at ten o'clock.

Shizuru took the time to put her thoughts in order. That was why during her break, she made up her mind to mail Natsuki.

On the electronic highway, everything went fast. The addressee had received the message at once.

At her home, Natsuki was staring at the TV not really aware of what was on. I'm bored. There's nothing to do.

Suddenly, she heard the beep of her cell phone. What? A mail? She grumbled. Where is my cell phone?

She turned her house inside out. Where is that damn phone?

She finally found it under a pile of clothes. Identifying the sender's name, the untidy girl sighed in relief.

Subject: Hello
From: "Fujino Shizuru" / fujino. shizuru. at. fujinocorp. co. jp

Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 10:14:56 +0200
To: "Kuga Natsuki" / plushies. at. rebel-bikers. com

Hello Natsuki!
Or "bonjour" as we said here.

Everything is going fine. Working here is interesting. Paris is a very tourist city. I even met Japanese people! My colleagues are nice. They speak English with me.

However, I practise my French during the weekend. I do not have a choice. There are not a lot of people here able to speak English correctly. It was not a myth; French people are very bad at learning foreign languages.

Otherwise, the weather is sunny here and for the moment I have a lot of time to enjoy it.

I hope everything is doing well for you as well.

Take care,
Shizuru

Natsuki was both happy and upset. She was glad to learn that Shizuru was doing fine. However she was annoyed because her friend didn't apologize. She didn't give any news in three weeks and all that matters for her is speaking about work and French or the weather! Above all, she doesn't tell me when she will come back! Other things don't interest me!

While losing her temper, she frenetically typed her reply.

Dear Shizuru,
I'm glad that everything is going well for you. Nevertheless, don't you think you forgot something? Like telling me when you'll come back or "sorry for not contacting you sooner"!

Finally, the blue haired girl switched off her phone; it wasn't a good idea to answer in this state. She flung it on the couch and headed to her bedroom.


The next day, Natsuki was calmed down. She felt guilty for having lost her nerve so easily. Moreover, given that she didn't tell Shizuru about her feelings, she started to understand her friend's behaviour. Therefore she decided to be as neutral as possible in her reply.

Shizuru was at work, when a popup opened to show that she had a new mail.

Subject: Re: Hello
From: "Kuga Natsuki" plushies. at. rebel-bikers. com

Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 19:10:27 +0900
To: "Fujino Shizuru" / fujino. shizuru. at. fujinocorp. co. jp

Hi Shizuru!

It's great!

Have you visited the Eiffel tower? I was told that it's worth seeing.

You are lucky to have the sun; I thought that it was always raining in Paris.

Mai told me that it's the holidays in France, so do you have a lot of work?

See you,
Natsuki

Subject: Salut
From: "Fujino Shizuru" / fujino. shizuru. at. fujinocorp. co. jp
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2006 08:17:53 +0200
To: "Kuga Natsuki" / plushies. at. rebel-bikers. com

Salut Natsuki! (It means 'hello'.)

I have not visited the Eiffel tower yet. I will probably do it this weekend.

For now, I am not busy at work. However, I dread the following week. My manager told me that it would be a very active period.

What about you? Are you serious at school? Do you do your homework? It is not the time to play anymore, even if your graduation will be the next school year, you already have to work now. I think it is the examination period, isn't it?

Take care,
Shizuru

The rebel biker mumbled. Of course I am serious…You can come back to check it. She sighed, "Shizuru, where are you?"


After the failure with Reito, Natsuki demanded Yukino to ask Haruka Shizuru's address. This query had a little surprise the blond hair girl, but she didn't have the least idea of where Shizuru could be.

Maybe should I ask her directly… But what will she think? And I don't want her to imagine that I can't live without her… Even if… She grumbled, "What should I do?"

Natsuki decided to reply to this mail the following day.

Subject: Re: Salut
From: "Kuga Natsuki" / plushies. at. rebel-bikers. com

Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 17:11:10 +0900
To: "Fujino Shizuru" / fujino. shizuru. at. fujinocorp. co. jp

Hi Shizuru!

I'm not a child anymore! I'm very serious. As you thought, we currently have a lot of exams, and I chose to stay at Mai's to study together. See!

The other side of the coin is that sometimes I have to 'baby-sit' Mikoto when Mai and Tate go out.

She is nice, but she spends her time eating or running in the house. I think I will never have children if they all are like Mikoto.

See you,
Natsuki

During theses weeks, the two girls were exchanging casual mails: Natsuki still felt guilty, as to Shizuru, she didn't want to show her sorrow, that's why she tried to appear unaffected.

Natsuki's cell phone beeped. The owner rushed to the phone.

Subject: Coucou from France
From: "Fujino Shizuru" / fujino. shizuru. at. fujinocorp. co. jp

Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2006 10:39:22 +0200
To: "Kuga Natsuki" / plushies. at. rebel-bikers. com

Hello Natsuki!

How are you?

As expected, this week is very busy. Anyways, we can handle it, as we always work as a team.

Yesterday, I saw a report on the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. It made me think about your concert seats. Was it this orchestra?

I am really sorry for not being there. I should have told you earlier that I would not be able to come with you.

I will be curious to know what you will do with the tickets.

Take care,
Shizuru

Green eyes grew wider. The tickets? Oh… I completely forgot about it…


That was three days ago…

A sad Natsuki was about to throw the concert tickets in the trash. "I don't need them anymore."

"Oh! What are you doing?" Kikuchi ran to delve into the basket. "Are you stupid?"

Natsuki was so stunned to see Kikuchi in this state that she didn't pay attention to his harsh behaviour. "Huh?"

"How dare you get rid of this treasure?"

"What do you mean?"

"They are seats for the famous Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, aren't they?

"What!"

"Oh my gosh… Don't tell me you ignored that!"

"How do you know that?"

"I recognised the log!" He pointed at the symbol, which was printed on the paper.

The girl didn't care about what Kikuchi was saying. "Ah…"

Then, the boy started complaining, "H-How is it possible to waste this? I-I can…"

Finally, the blue haired girl didn't regret to have acquired these tickets. That was worth seeing Kikuchi dash into dustbin. She sniggered.

The usually well-mannered boy didn't welcome well this behaviour. "Why are you laughing? They are very precious!"

"Well, if you grant them so much importance, I'll give them to you."

Kikuchi was delighted, "Oh, thank you!" He put the tickets in his pocket. "By curiosity, why did you have these tickets? You do not seem to be the kind of girl who can like such a concert."

"What!"

"I am sorry, but I do not think that you have such a refined taste. Err… I mean…"

These words resounded in Natsuki's mind. Shizuru used the same expression.

"…such a refined taste…" "I don't…" Maybe I should change for Shizuru… She is too kind with me and I… I don't do anything in return… Perhaps I should try to become interested in her pastimes…

She swiftly took the tickets out Kikuchi's pocket. "Give me that!"

The boy took them back. "Hey! You told me that they were mine!"

The two high-school students were squabbling like kindergarteners. They were pulling the tickets back and forth.

"I changed my mind! Gi-give me that!"

"That's not fair!"

"I don't care! They're mine!"

"But there are two tickets. You can give one to me!"

"What! No way!"

"Don't tell me you'll find someone who likes that!"

Natsuki couldn't lie. "I-I…" She stopped and resigned herself grumpily, "Ok! Take it and get lost!"

"Great! Thank you. I will pay you back."

"Of course!" And she left.

"Hey! Wait!"

Natsuki turned back angrily, "What else!"

"Instead of going there separately, we can go together."

"Huh?"

"I can have a car and I know very well that you do not have a vehicle."

"No way! I don't want to date you!"

"Oh, stop it! Do you always think about that? You can go to a concert with a guy without necessarily dating him."

The seventeen-year-old student was hesitant. During the past several days, she got to know Kikuchi. She couldn't say that she liked to be with him, but his presence didn't disturb her anymore. Moreover, having a car was more convenient that taking a taxi. Plus, it was cheaper. No, Natsuki wasn't stingy, but she had to spare money… in order to buy another bike. Yeah, what could it be otherwise? "Aa…"

"So, do you agree?"

"Well…" Sharply, she added, "Ok! But as soon as we arrive, you stay away from me!"


I completely forgot. Well, it's not very important…

Natsuki wrote her mail.

Subject: Re: Salut
From: "Kuga Natsuki" / plushies. at. rebel-bikers. com

Date: Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:10:10 +0900
To: "Fujino Shizuru" / fujino. shizuru. at. fujinocorp. co. jp

Hi Shizuru!

I wish you good luck. I can imagine that it's not easy.

For the concert, you'll laugh. I'm gonna go with Kikuchi. He will pay me back. What a moron, he ignores that I got them for free.

See you,
Natsuki

Shizuru couldn't detach her gaze from the screen. Why didn't she tell me earlier? Is it because she's dating him? No… It's impossible… So… Why did she hide it?

Maybe… Natsuki lied to me…

End of chapter 12.


Because of FF, I can't write e-mail addresses... So, sorry for the display... It's annoying!

BTW, I changed the concert date because of coherency... I hope you don't mind.

Well, what do you think about this long chapter? There's not a lot of things in it but I think it has its use ;)