Author's Note: GOMEN! I'm apologizing ahead of time. [Not only for the suddenly shortened chapters…] *weeps* I couldn't! I'm sorry! If I did, I'd put Aiteru out of character. I'm such a failure! *eyes reviews* You did review about Chou right?
Aiteru: Curing Smiles
Aiteru looked back to see why Misao just suddenly slowed down. She was looking at Chou-jisan with such gratitude… and… I don't know...
She shrugged it away, for she can never understand Misao's interest in older men. Significantly older men, she corrected herself as she turned to Soujiro, who was looking at Misao. He's only a year or two older than her. That's not much different right?
"Aiteru-chan!" Misao cried out in alarm as Aiteru tripped. She blushed out of embarrassment as Soujiro caught her before she hit the ground.
"I guess I should stop wandering off in my thoughts," she said sheepishly to Misao as she stood up again.
"Maybe we should stop for a moment," Chou announced as he dropped onto a nearby rock.
"But I'm not-" Aiteru retorted.
"Misao's flushed. She's tired," Chou interrupted. Aiteru glanced at Misao who was a little rosy in the cheeks. Misao had just nodded to Soujiro's "Are you okay?" Aiteru didn't say anything, but "You're right" as she went to Misao's side.
Aiteru shooed the smiling Soujiro away before she kneeled down next to Misao. "What's wrong Misao-chan?"
"I'm not-" as she began to protest before Chou signaled to her. "Just a bit tired." Aiteru nodded, but didn't say anything. But Misao, knowing Aiteru did not mean that, looked away to see Soujiro smiling at her.
"Does he always have to smile like that?" Misao asked, "It seems a bit… empty."
Aiteru shrugged, and gave blushing Misao her own smile, "He always did."
"Aren't you going to make him stop?"
"Misao-chan, haven't ever felt sad? And when you smile a bit, it seems to go away?" Aiteru pointed out.
"Yeah, but…" Misao trailed off.
"Smiling is good medicine!" Aiteru giggled.
"Anou… I think he needs a new prescription," Misao muttered.
"I'm not a psychiatrist," Aiteru stuck out her tongue.
"You're not even a doctor!" Misao retorted, sticking her tongue out too.
"Someday, I'll find my sensei again and I will be!" she said determinedly.
Misao nodded happily, before she became passive. Aiteru, not wanting to disturb her thoughts, remained quiet as she watched Misao. Curious, Aiteru looked in the direction of Misao's gaze and noticed Soujiro looking in their direction. In her heart, she knew, even if her mind didn't, Soujiro wasn't looking at her.
Author's Note:
It's all subtle, but Aiteru's not suppose to totally notice, see? AHHHHHH! *hides from sudden wave of weapons* Soujiro's POV's next, or maybe I shouldn't be so strict on myself. *shrugs with kunai pinned all over me* As usual, I wanna know what you think of Aiteru. Character development!!!! *mutters* If she comes out off, it's not my fault… Thanks for reading!!!
PS: In atonement for my inability to deliver, I promise that it'll be Soujiro and Misao! [So please come back? You guys mean a lot to me!!!! *hugs everyone*]