To address the reviews. Sorry I didn't do this early since I've been busy :)
Dear4Life - I think it's your strong shipper-ness. To me, the reason for Li's strong feelings towards Misaki is because of their background. He's still BK-201, but now living a normal life. And having to keep such a huge thing secret would be a tough task. Yet Misaki still accepts that about him and befriended him. So she's a special friend to both him and Yin, because he didn't have "friends" before.
sakR9 - My take on Misaki's worrying, but yes, I think she would worry that much. Li is special to her and she would never break a promise to a friend. Also, she knows how much Li dislikes November (very clear throughout the story). Personally, I think she's the type to hold someone else's happiness above her own, hence why she would respect Li's wishes if he did not approve of her "pursuit" of her relationship with November. As for the end part, I didn't go with the original idea I had. Basically, November dropped her off and called back to check on the status - like coming to get her if things did not go as planned. So in that sense, Misaki told Li that November didn't know about it yet, but he kind of did because he was the one to drive her there in the first place... Hope that makes sense.
Anyways, this is a short chapter... So it seems like my review replies are even longer than the chapter itself. Lol~
Chapter 53
"Did you get everything you need?"
"Yes."
"Toothbrush, toothpaste… Clean underwear, socks…"
"Yes, I did!" Misaki exclaimed with a giggle.
Li was over at her place as she was packing the last of her things for her trip with November. He would be here any minute. Li had refused to let her go without meeting November face to face before they left. She didn't think that it was a good idea, but gave in reluctantly since he had freed her from the promise.
As she was doing last minute checks, Li was starting to sound like what she imagined her father would – if he had time to fuss about such things. Even so, she didn't mind. After all, Li had promised to watch her place while they were gone.
"Do you really have to go?" Li inquired when she finally joined him in the living room.
"I already told you everything. We'll be fine. You have my information, so you can contact me if anything happens; but no tricks to make me come back earlier."
"I would never!"
"Somehow I don't believe you," Misaki retorted with a grin.
"I wouldn't do such a thing… I wouldn't even hurt a fly."
Misaki laughed when he pulled his innocent Li face on her, as he had intended. She was right to not believe him as the thought had entered his mind. It wasn't his fault it had lingered for more than a minute. He still didn't trust November to take care of Misaki properly, which was why he wanted to have a chat with him before they departed.
"What is it?" Misaki asked when Li suddenly pulled her close.
"Be careful," Li stated seriously.
"I know."
"If anything happens, and I mean anything, you know how to reach me."
I know I can count on you," she replied with a smile.
"And you're not staying in the same room?"
"They're adjoined rooms. I already showed you the reservation papers."
"I have to double check," replied Li. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"I'll be fine. I promise. November would never do anything to hurt me."
"I still don't trust him, even if you do," he grumbled.
"You worry too much."
Grinning, Misaki leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek. Li smiled and hugged her tightly in response. He wasn't used to sharing her attention, but it looked like he would have to familiarize himself with the idea. Even so, it didn't mean that he had to like it one bit.
"Oh! That's probably him now."
She pulled away from him, but he didn't let her go completely. Instead, he joined her on the short trek to the front door with his hand lightly around her wrist. She opened the door and stepped aside to let November in, not noticing the slight rise of hostility in the apartment.
"Hi November. I'm almost ready."
"Then why don't you finish up while we have a chat."
Nodding in reply, she made her way back to her room where she was triple-checking her toiletry bag. The moment she was gone, the two men couldn't help but glare at each other. Li was still upset that they were leaving together. November was annoyed by the way Li still marked her with the slightest gestures; the way he had been slow to release her wrist when she was going back to her room.
"You wanted to talk?" November asked haughtily.
"That's a nice way of putting it."
"Well, what is it?"
"I'll have you know that I still don't approve of you. I only said yes because of Misaki," Li stated.
"I don't need your approval."
"Maybe not, but if anything happens to her, you answer to me. There better not even be so much as a tiny scratch or a mosquito bite. You're accountable for every hair on her head."
"I would never let anything happen to her," November retorted.
"No, you would be the one doing something to her."
"That's between me and Misaki, and no one else."
Lifting an eyebrow in response, Li didn't have anything to say in reply. He had given the man fair warning. Besides, if November knew what was good for him, he would heed his words. After all, they both knew who had been the one to take care of TG-395.
Angry words rose to the back of his throat, but they didn't come out as November didn't truly want to start a fight with the other man. He refused to be intimidated, but he would never forget what happened that night at the warehouse; how the man in front of him had plunged a knife into TG-395's chest and left him to die; dangerous Contractor that he had been.
"Eh? Why are you still standing in here?" Misaki inquired as she had come out to rejoin them.
"We were waiting for you."
"You could have waited inside," she replied with a chuckle.
"So you got everything now?" Li inquired.
"Yes. Help me take them out?"
"Of course."
Misaki flashed a quick smile in November's direction before she sauntered back inside with Li following her. This forced November to wait by the door as it seemed unnecessary for him to take off his shoes; she was already ready to go. Instead, he took in a deep breath and tried to dispel the tension from his body. This was the first day of their adventure; he wasn't going to let Li ruin it, threats or not.
"How much stuff are you bringing?" he heard Li asking.
"Not that much! I need somewhere to put in all the stuff I bring back; souvenirs for you, Yin, July, Saitou and everyone else."
"And I thought you hated shopping…" teased Li.
"I do, but this is different!"
"Ready?" November asked, cutting in as he didn't like listening in on their playful conversation.
"Yes, if you'll just carry the stuff that Li's holding."
Li quirked an eyebrow at him before placing her two suitcases on the floor. Narrowing his eyes slightly at the other man, November picked up her baggage. Even so, they didn't leave immediately as Misaki was rummaging around in her purse. It seemed like forever before she finally produced a set of keys.
"This big one is for the main entrance. This silver one is for the apartment and this one is the…"
"I know already," Li replied lightly. "I've done this before."
"Ah… Right. So I'll call you when we arrive."
"Perfect. Take care and have fun."
Misaki nodded, kissed his cheek and gave him one last hug before she was finally ready to go. It felt a little odd, like Li was seeing her off on the next leg of her life journey. Even so, she couldn't deny the sense of excitement bubbling inside her.
"You better take care of her properly…"
"I know," November stated.
"Bye Li! Tell Yin I'll miss her."
"Will do."
Li smiled as the two of them left Misaki's apartment. He watched until they reached the elevator. Part of him wished he had super sensitive hearing so he could eavesdrop on their conversation, but it wasn't a gift he had. Instead, he sighed. Closing the door behind him, he headed back into the living room and flopped over on the couch.
Just like that, they were gone… And she would be gone all week. Even now, he still couldn't help feeling regret in knowing that he could have changed this outcome. If he had only said no at the beginning… Yet to see how happy Misaki actually was… How could he possibly be the one to deny her that right when she deserved it?
