Chapter 2: The email

-Himura's Computer Dojo_

I pushed the door, jingling the bells hanging above it. "Kenshin! Is my laptop back alive?" dumping my bag and helmet on the counter-top. Heading into the back room where I know the redheaded must definitely poking through all the computer parts.

"Oh Misao, you are here! That's great! Your computer is alive and working well." Sighed the redheaded, as he took off his glasses, setting it on the table, handing over my laptop. I took the laptop and hug it like a dear old friend.

"Oh my darling! You are finally backed to your mummy!" Kenshin chuckled at this, handing over the bill, which I gladly paid up. If your computer technician can't fix your computer, then you can get it fixed by Kenshin. He is the best computer technician and not mentioning the cheapest by far.

Thanking Kenshin once again. I walked out of the store, humming a happy tune, happy that I could finally use my laptop again. I hop onto my bike, not bothering to put on the helmet and ride to the arcade where Sano must be playing either 'King of Fighter' or 'Guilty Gear'. Whether the game is, I am sure it is going to be violent.

It was an easy task spotting Sano in the dark arcade as his rooster hairdo could be seen over the machine he is at and him yelling away. Sano can't help it about his hair being the way it is as his hair is 'natural' according to him. Oh well, whatever the case I made my way toward him and sat on the chair next to his. He had a serious look on his face as he concentrated on beating the second challenger in the 'King Of Fighter 2002'. As the lighting in the arcade was bad, I couldn't really see who the challenger was, but from the way he was playing, I could tell that this person is good.

The game ended with Sano jumping up with a "Yes, I win!" I too, jump up and give him a high ten. The other person stood up and I saw the person who in the first place doesn't belong in this kind of place and also the person I do not wish to see at all.

"Yo!" Aoshi greeted me. I just nodded my head back in reply still thinking about the stupid incident this morning.

"Wait a minute, I don't think you belong in this kind of place. I thought that you are the kind of good guy who listens to his mum and stay at home and study. Mummy boy." I crossed my arm in front of me, and stared at him. Aoshi was about to say something when Sano immediately stand in the middle of us, and starts fanning us in order to cool down the rising tension.

"Maa Maa…relax now, Err…Misao, could Aoshi join us?" spoke Sano, as he looks at me with a tinge of fear.

"Whatever…I am off." I turned around and walk away from them, feeling their eyes on my back "to play another game." I finished my sentence, hearing a sigh from Sano. I walk off toward the Para Para machine to probably set another high score, no make that top score.

"Wow! She is good!" "Good? She is the best!" "Look at the way she moves, not missing a single movement." People were starting to crowd around the Para Para machine to see me dancing, some of them were trying to bet whether I could hit a top score. Of course, I didn't disappoint my crowd of 'fans' as I hit another top score. It was easy setting a top or high score if you had kempo training or the time spent playing in the arcade. It was already 8pm, I am sure that Jiya would be back from whether he was at, I had to hurry back home but not before taking a neoprint.

I had chosen a Japanese graveyard as the background and silly-looking skulls as the frame. Putting up a victory sign and a cheeky grin, I waited for the countdown. "5…4…3…2…1…Smile!" I was taken by shock when someone came from the back, and put an arm around my shoulder. That moment the camera went off. *Click!*.

I shook off the arm, turn to the person and strangle him. "Baka, what was that for? You ruined the picture! Aoshi no baka!" Aoshi was choking now, as he grabbed both my arm. "Sorry…I…did…for…fun…cause you was taking it alone." I let go of him and turned around, not wanting to show him that I was blushing. I walked away, out of the arcade, wanting to go home faster and bury my burning face under my pillow.

I found Sano squatting under the lamppost with a cigarette in his mouth. I could see that the cigarette was burning out; therefore I think he must have waited long. "Oi, weasel can we head back now? Cause I have history test tomorrow and I have to study for it." I nodded my head. Standing up, he throws the cigarette on the floor and stomp on it. I was about to ride off when Aoshi run out the arcade with neoprint in one hand "Wait, you forgot this!" and handed it over to Sano who grab it quickly as we rode off. "Man, what the heck is this? Huh? You and Aoshi?" I turned around and look at the picture. I was doing a victory sign, with a cheeky grin and Aoshi's arm draped over my shoulder. He too, had a cheeky grin on his face. That strange, I thought that he doesn't smile? Wait a minute what happened to the other set?

Meanwhile back outside the arcade, Aoshi was standing against the lamppost and was looking at the other set. A small smile was slowly tugging at his lip.

TBC

A/n : Man…what with Aoshi? Does he really like Misao or is he just playing around with her feeling? I don't know either…I guess you have to go and figure it out. I haven't really been to the arcade in a long time so I don't know exactly what game are still in…anyway I will try to work harder next time!