Chapter twenty-five

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Miaka waited for Hotohori. She watched the hands of her wristwatch as they raced and slowly, she began to feel bored. It was exactly nine minutes since she had spoken with Hotohori but still, there was no trace of him. Miaka heaved out a sigh, and then switched her glance to the couple some feet from her. She observed the way they talked, the way they smiled when their eyes meet and from that, she concluded that they have a relationship. Miaka smiled to herself as she tried to remember that time when she also felt the same way as that couple does now. The feeling was very majestic; it was a very strange feeling that has the power to make you hunger for it. It was love. Miaka gazed dreamily at the couple and somehow, she imagined herself and Taka as that couple. When it registered in her mind that she was imagining herself and her ex-boyfriend together, Miaka shook her head and woke herself up from that dream. Oh, that was a terrible dream!

Miaka tried to erase that memory from her mind. She looked at the lonely man sitting behind the couple's table. She was shocked to see that the man was also staring at her! However, when the man realized that she caught him, he pulled up a newspaper and started reading, or at least he seemed to do so. Miaka stared at her watch again. That entire observation thing consumed about two minutes. She sighed again and somehow, she felt that something was forcing her to look at that spooky man again. To her surprise, she caught him staring at her once more! Miaka stared back at the man as she tried desperately to recognize him. As she did so, the man pulled his paper up again and pretended to read. This time, Miaka was sure that he was observing her. But why?

Her thoughts were bothered by a light tap on her shoulder. She gazed up to the person who did it and she was relieved to see Hotohori. Hotohori gave her an apologetic smile and opened his mouth to offer an explanation. Miaka placed her fingers on his soft lips and shook her head as an assurance that she needs no explanation. Somehow, Miaka's attention was attracted by that strange man again and as usual, he was caught looking at her. This time, Miaka suggested going someplace else. Hotohori, although a little puzzled, gave his consent and led Miaka out of the restaurant.

"Miaka," Hotohori called Miaka's attention. They are walking leisurely to the park where they decided to relax and get some fresh air.

"Yes?" Miaka looked at him and slowed down her pace.

"Could I ask you um… a personal question?" Hotohori stopped walking but remained looking down to his feet.

"Sure, what is it?" Miaka stooped walking and faced Hotohori. Hotohori stared intently to her eyes. The bright moonlight shone on him and highlighted the gentleness of his angelic face.

"Do you still love Tamahome?" he asked calmly. Miaka was taken aback. She wasn't able to respond quickly for it was a very straight-forward question. Miaka blinked several times and moved her glance away from his face.

"Why are you asking me that question?" she questioned back. She took a deep breath.

"I asked you first Miaka. Just tell me if you're not ready to answer that one yet. I'll understand," he explained with a very gentle voice.

"I- of course, I –I don't like him anymore," Miaka said at last. She looked at him again and tried to look firm.

"You don't like him but you still love him, don't you?" Hotohori asked, with his face showing no expression.

"I don't understand. Why do you seem to force me to confess that I still love him? What do you want, Hotohori?" Miaka is now very confused. What is his problem?

"I just want to be sure that you don't love him anymore, before I…"

"Before what?"

"Answer my question first. Do you still love him?" Hotohori held on her shoulders firmly. Miaka felt how serious he really was.

"I don't love him anymore," Miaka stated, her voice sounding firm and confident. Hotohori laid down his arms and gave her a brilliant smile. "Now, what do you want to do?"

"I want to ask you, Ms. Miaka Yuuki, to be my…"

Extremely unfortunately, Miaka's cellphone rang. Hotohori looked disappointed but he encouraged Miaka to answer her phone.

"But why me? Taka, everything's finished between us. I- Taka? Taka?" Miaka looked annoyed when she closed her phone.

"He wants you to go there, right?" Hotohori asked, trying badly to hide his disenchantment.

"Yeah but I want to hear what you were supposed to say a while ago," Miaka smiled as she attempted to convince him to say so.

"Maybe some other time," Hotohori said softly as he smiled sadly, "So, could I accompany you to the hospital?"

"Do you think I should go?" Miaka inquired, as she pressed on her cellphone. "He sounds kind of different…"

"I think you should. From what he had said this afternoon it seems that his memories have come back. He owes you an explanation for everything, what caused him to forget you and his other memories," Hotohori replied. He placed his right arm around Miaka and hailed a taxi.

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All this time, Miaka felt suddenly excited. She doesn't know why, but it's very beautiful. She can't explain the way she feels now, as she feels Hotohori's body close to hers. Although it was kind of cold in the cab where they are sitting in now, she doesn't feel the coldness for Hotohori was holding her close to him and keeping her warm. He was very silent; everything else is silent. Somehow, Miaka was tempted to relax her head on his shoulder. As she did so, she didn't feel any response from Hotohori. He didn't say anything, nor did he move. Miaka looked up at him and saw him staring at her too. Her eyes were glued to him and his eyes were glued to her too. They can't stop looking at each other. Miaka moistened her lip and bit it. She suddenly felt one of Hotohori's hands caressing her cheek. Slowly, Hotohori's face neared hers.

Hotohori moved his face down to her ear and whispered, "We're here."

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Hotohori alighted from the cab first, and then offered his hand to Miaka. She hesitated for a moment then decided to accept it. After a jiffy, Miaka found herself standing right in front of the room where Taka is confined. Before she could even get near to it, something disturbed her. Yui was knocking on the door, frantically trying to get in. She was crying and pleading to get in. The door remained shut. Yui kneeled down to the tall and muscular man standing beside the door. He must be Taka's bodyguard, for he looks qualified to be one.

The guard remained rigid and Yui continued to beg. Hotohori stepped forward and helped Yui to her feet. Yui, still sobbing, buried herself in Hotohori's arms. Hotohori then gestured Miaka to go in. The bodyguard asked who she was first, and upon knowing her identity, let her inside. Hotohori helped Yui sit on a bench and struggled to comfort her.

Miaka took a deep breath. She then touched the doorknob and slowly turned it.

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Yes! I found time to update! What do you think?

My dearest readers, I'm very sorry to inform you that the next chapter might not come so soon after this one. I know I have done this many times before but you know, school stuff. However, I swear that I'll do my best to update sooner. Thank you for understanding.

Kasumi Takemoto

Please review! I love you all! Keep supporting me!