Fate Beckons

Chapter 10: Ready...aim...

Three months had passed. Life had pretty much settled albeit at a dizzying pace for Misao. The first term had ended with a big bang--a food fair!

She looked into the mirror one last time, eyes beaming. She and Aoshi had kept contact, but just as friends, although she wished it could be more than just that.

"Now is not the time," many people had told her. "Concentrate on your O' levels and A' levels first." But you can't let love go just because it "was not the right time"!

Aoshi had ROD-ed (finished his NS), and the Shinomoris had invited them to celebrate that Sunday. She was looking forward to it--after their reunion, she had seen Aoshi only once more--during Chinese New Year. He had not gotten over his guilt completely, she remembered disappointedly.

What am I doing? Makimachi Misao, you should never, ever give up! She chided herself. If that's what I have to do, I'll guide him back from his guilt--whether he likes it or not. A determined look filled her face.

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She had almost given up trying to engage Aoshi in conversation. Almost every question she asked met with a one word answer. He was worse than before! Gritting her teeth, she reminded herself not to give up.

"Look at me, Aoshi," she commanded. She had given up on the "kor" behind--hopefully he would realise that it meant that she did not want their relationship to be sibling-ly. If he noticed at all, that was.

"Huh?" he took his eyes away from the window. His eyes were so intense that Misao was stunned. He looked into hers, as if he was trying to see through her soul.

"W-well, I just wonder what you're planning to do after this," Misao stammered.

"I've got this internship as a CID investigator [that's the only thing I can think of as a suitable job for Aoshi-sama!] and after that I'll probably go overseas for studies," he told her matter-of-factly.

The whole room froze. Even the gaily chirping birds outside seemed to have grown quiet.

"WHAT! Shinomori Aoshi, why didn't you discuss that with us?" Mrs. Shinomori practically exploded, eyes popping out. One could almost see the steam coming out from her ears. She stormed from the kitchen where she had been preparing dinner--chopper swinging menacingly. She marched up to her son, who was still calm and unruffled. Her husband tried to restrain her, but when his attempts failed, managed to wrestle the chopper away from her. The others heaved a sigh of relief.

"I did."

"Yes--the part about the internship." She glared at him.

"I talked to you about going overseas to study long ago. You agreed then." He looked at her meaningfully.

"Let him then, Reiko. I'm planning to send Misao overseas after she finishes JC too," Mrs. Makimachi seemed to carry a silent eye conversation with Mrs. Shinomori. Somehow, Misao and Aoshi did not like the looks on their faces.

Now, I know for sure that something's going on! Misao shot Aoshi a fleeting look. Does he? His facial expression did not betray anything.

"Okay, where?" Mrs. Shinomori asked Aoshi. Misao held her breath.

"I haven't decided yet. Maybe to the U.S. But the internship is for half a year so I'm not sure whether they'll let me start late."

The blow suddenly hit Misao. Six months, and perhaps a little more. That was exactly how much time she had to win Aoshi's heart--or she might lose him forever. Her mind raced, fears surfacing about him loving and marrying another. She was not going allow that to happen! He was going without a scholarship--an advantage as he was not tied to a contract forcing him to come back to work as a civil servant. However, it also meant that he could stay overseas and never return.....and Misao might never see him again.

I let you go once and didn't see you for eight years. If I don't do anything this time, I don't know if I'll see you again. She looked at him, her eyes filled with a determined fire. I'll make sure you fall in love if me if you haven't already, and soon too.

But first, she had to plan carefully.

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Aoshi looked at Misao from the corner of his eyes. The girl's eyes blazed with resolution--he wondered what she was thinking about. He had seen that look when she was younger...usually it meant that she was cooking up a scheme of some kind. I wonder what's cooking now...whatever it is, it's definitely going to be interesting. Nevertheless, he had a feeling it had something to do with him.

tbc...

Sorry for the short chapter! I've got writer's block for a moment--how is Misao going to get Aoshi without being overly flirtatious/seductive/OOC? This is the hardest part and I want it to be original...I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Anyway, thanks for R&R-ing! If you want to read my other fics, well, there's Internal Battle(if you like angst) and the romantic sort-of-suspense 'A Wedding Surprise' for the time being.