Here is goes, can't wait to share the next development with you folks! Happy reading!

Chapter 20: Finding our way

'Aisaka-san!'

Taiga turned around as the wind push through her wavy locks with a hand on her hat to keep it from flying away, and her skirt swayed in the wind. Today, she was the epitome of grace, and her colleagues were amazed by her sudden transformation. Their English teacher, Miyo, passed her a map in a slight daze as she gazed enviously at Taiga. They had finally arrived in Kyoto and their itinerary for the day mainly consists of visits to temples and Taiga blended with the beautiful scenery effortlessly.

'Excuse me? Can I have your phone number?' the stylish teenage boy had his hands in pockets and he exuberated confidence. Taiga peered at him from the corner of her eyes, and smiled gently at him before replying.

'Absolutely! Are you planning to enrol in Maya High School as our student next year? I'd be delighted to have a youthful and energetic student like you.'

'Stu-student?! Teacher?!' The boy sputtered and backed away, watching Taiga in disbelief.

'Oh, wow. So you are that old huh, I totally couldn't –'

Before he could complete his sentence, a timely punch met his face and he toppled over his side. The other teachers panicked and rushed over to assist the fallen boy, while Miyo tried to pull Taiga away from launching into another attack. 'Stupid little brat.' She crossed her arms and looked away haughtily, everyone around her shuddered at her condescending gaze, but nobody dared to reprimand her.

'Ai-Aisaka-san,' the elderly principal with a walking stick attempted a few words warily, 'it might be better to not-not generate too much attention like this. It will affect the scho-school's reputation.'

Taiga gasped when she realized her actions, and quickly bowed her head apologetically, 'I'm sorry for my actions! That was my fault, I'd reflect upon it immediately.' The principal let out a sigh of relief as he wiped his balding head with a handkerchief. 'Oh by the way, Mr Principal, I read somewhere before that excessive wiping of balding heads will only lead to further balding so it might be better to do less of that.' Taiga spoke the harsh advice with such a gentle voice, that the Principal was caught unaware and immediately spat blood. The rest of the teachers stepped in to pull the weakened Principal away as Miyo dragged Taiga away into shops nearby before more damage is done.

'Aisaka-san, look at these! These are so cute!' They had entered a shop that sold porcelain figurines of animals, and Miyo held a small poodle figurine in the palm of her hand. Taiga nodded excitedly as she scanned the other mini versions on display. 'Ah, this one looks like Ryuuji!' She picked up a figurine of a bulldog and showed it to Miyo.

'Ryuuji? You have a dog, Aisaka-san?'

Taiga laughed cheerily at Miyo's words, 'Ah no, it's my fiancé but he sure behaves like a dog sometimes!' Her grin spread across her face as she made the decision to get the mini bulldog for Ryuuji.

'Eh? But why would you choose a bulldog? Won't it be more appropriate to pick a cute or graceful looking one?'

'Why? This looks exactly like Ryuuji, besides if I gave him a cute looking one he'd realize that I'm simply being sarcastic. I would rather be honest.'

Miyo forced a smile to her face as she tried her best to understand the dynamics between Taiga and the absent Ryuuji, it must be tough being her fiancé eh?

That evening, the group of teachers enjoyed a satisfying dinner spread and then took turns to visit the onsen*. The night passed by peacefully, and Taiga was standing in the porch to watch the stars overhead while the other teachers were preparing for sleep.

[*onsen – hot spring in Japan]

Maybe the night was too quiet, or maybe the quiet gave her time to reflect, she realized right this moment she wanted nothing more than to feel Ryuuji's presence next to her. Truth be told, she had been nervous during the day, eagerly adjusting her behaviour so she would not cause trouble for people around her. Ryuuji always kept her in check, in his kind and patient way, nothing felt safer than Ryuuji's embrace. It was warm, gentle, and alluring. At times, she would naturally drift to sleep as they hugged and Ryuuji would carry her back to her futon afterwards.

Watching the night sky revived memories from their past, the night when Taiga pretended to be a bride and wore a veil, was also dashed with speckles of bright shining stars. The night when they kissed for the very first time, the air was also chilly but they shared warmth and it comforted Taiga. 'Hey silly dog, are you missing me?' Taiga whispered.

-Back home-

Ryuuji tossed in his bed, unable to fall asleep. It was impossible to ward off his worried feelings, throughout the entire day he jumped whenever his phone rang or whenever he heard a loud noise. He had an ominous feeling when Taiga left for her trip, but he feels that way whenever she's not by his side. He checked his phone one last time, but there were no messages.

That stupid girl, why didn't she report her safety to me! Ryuuji buried his face in his pillow, embarrassed of his thoughts. Truth be told, he had been pinning for a phone call or message from Taiga since she departed in the morning, and the fact that there had been none only made him feel more crestfallen.

He knew that sleep is much needed and he ought to be asleep by now, tomorrow would be a long day with Kitamura and gang as they set out to complete their mission. So he fervently tried to keep Taiga off his mind, but every time his eye shut close, she was there. He could almost feel her warmth. He could almost smell the familiar scent of her hair. He could almost hear the ring of her voice. But she was far, far away from him now.

'I miss you, Taiga.'

-Morning-

Ryuuji woke up to a sunny morning and he rolled over his side as he mumbled sleepily, 'Taiga, time to wake up.'

There was no response, and Ryuuji's eyes opened wide to scan his surroundings. Realizing that Taiga was still away in Kyoto, he felt the air leave his lungs and he slumped back to sleep. His phone rang and he answered it immediately, 'Taiga?!'

'No, bro, it's me Kitamura. Are you still sleeping? That's rare, we're thirty minutes away from our meeting time and I thought you would be busy preparing bentou by now.'

Ryuuji made an incoherent mumbling and Kitamura frowned on the other end of the line before speaking again, 'Wow you sound like you're having a hangover. Aisaka's absence makes that big a difference eh? I can see why you're all set on this mission now.'

'I'm fine. I just, I didn't manage to sleep until three or something. I'd meet you guys at the airport so pack your own lunches as I won't have time to make bentou.'

Ryuuji flipped open his phone again and typed a quick message to Taiga, even if she was not getting in touch with him, he would do it. There would be many things to attend to once they arrive in Hokkaido, so it would be wiser to drop a message before the time race begins.

Taiga, I'm heading off to the airport now and may be out of reach. Hope you are safe and well, do have fun in Kyoto but BE CAREFUL. I miss you.. I love you..

-End-

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