Part 5: A Time to Quit?
Aoshi glanced at his watch. It couldn't be six-fifteen already. Where was Charlie? He was not fond of tardiness. Nothing was worse than having to wait for someone. Frowning, he studied his fork and knife. Silverware was unusually fascinating right now. Aoshi opened the menu to read the dinner items, just for the sake of giving himself something to do.
A statuesque blonde entered the restaurant, her hair held up in a high ponytail. She wore a sleeveless tunic top and flared leggings. He looked up as she caught sight of him. Smiling, she made her way towards him.
"You must be Aoshi," she sat in the chair across from his as he rose to his feet.
"It's nice to meet you," Aoshi responded politely.
After she ordered a chicken salad and he a lemon-herbed chicken with rice pilaf and vegetables, she leaned forward eagerly.
"So…tell me about yourself…"
"There really isn't much," Aoshi began. "I'm a naval officer…and I-"
"I have a kendo classmate who's a naval officer," she piped up. "Lieutenant junior grade. He loves the Navy. Anyway, go ahead."
"And I like my work," he continued.
"You have a sixteen-yr-old daughter, right?"
"I think of her as my daughter, even if she isn't really related to me," Aoshi answered.
"That's so sweet. Do you have a picture?"
Aoshi paused. This was the first time a woman had ever asked to see a picture of Misao. The first time any of his dates acknowledged that he had someone else important in his life. He pulled out his wallet, retrieved a small photograph of Misao perched on a rock by the ocean. She was wearing a pink tank top and blue jean shorts, her sunglasses perched on the top of her head. Her cropped, short hair barely reached her shoulders.
Charlie peered at the photograph. "She's so pretty. She almost looks like this girl in my kendo class."
"Thank you…" He put the photograph away.
"Does she surf, like you?"
"Yes, but she has other hobbies as well. Photography, hula dancing…"
"This girl in my kendo class does the hula. She's so graceful. And she learns forms so quickly! When one of the guys asked her how she was able to learn, it's because she dances." Charlie started laughing. "We joked with her a couple times, saying she'd hula kendo one day!"
Aoshi nodded. "You must have an entertaining class."
"Sometimes. So…"
Their food arrived, stopping the conversation. Aoshi wasn't feeling very hungry. Even after he had spent the afternoon surfing. He'd normally have a ravenous appetite. That chicken salad sandwich wasn't filling enough. But it didn't take a genius to figure out why his heart wasn't into the meal.
"I bet this is better than ship food," she commented.
After sampling his meal, he replied, "It really depends on the cook. Several can-"
"Oh, this one time, during kendo, one of my classmates started sharing a recipe for this nine-layer chip dip. And everyone decided to write it down."
"Sounds-"
"And another time, during kendo…"
Aoshi glanced at his watch. It was going to be a long evening…
"Did you see the way she looked? Someone like her shouldn't even be walking out in public…" Diane sniffed.
Aoshi released a breath. His Sunday lunch date…from the very beginning…had insisted on glaring at every single female who walked into the seafood restaurant.
As a young couple passed by them, Diane's blue eyes narrowed as she and the female sized each other up.
"I think it's so rude when people stare down others," Diane scoffed once the couple passed them.
He lifted a brow. "Really?"
"Absolutely. People mind their own business, and here is someone trying to make them feel insignificant…"
Aoshi looked heavenward. Luckily, she didn't notice. "It's a misunderstanding."
"Yeah, right. I know what that tramp is thinking when she's looking at me!" Diane exclaimed.
He was a patient man. A very patient man. "What is she thinking?"
"She's thinking, 'That bitch better come nowhere near my man! She thinks she's better than me, but she ain't all that!' That's what goes on in their heads."
Where did this woman get her ideas? "That's assuming too much," he said politely.
"No, it ain't. I thought the same thing when I had a man," Diane claimed. "Besides, why are you so nice about it? Haven't you thought something about somebody and was right?"
"Most of the time," he admitted.
"Were you wrong on anything?"
A couple of things, he thought to himself, picking at his meal. Blaming myself for Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijo and Hannya's deaths…the way I was raising Misao…the way I treated Megumi after the hospital case…He was a different man back then. And it hadn't been too long ago. After taking several bullets to save Theresa, he had gotten a new outlook on life. He was slowly working on it. The first step he had made was to become a better father to Misao. That had involved putting family first, work second. And after that...much to Misao's delight, he started having a social life. He started going to parties being held by his coworkers. He spent more time with Himura, his wife, and Megumi. "I never encountered stare down matches like you," he responded.
"Well, you go through enough and you'll understand what it's like…"
February 10, 2003
This is it. I have one more date for Aoshi and that's it. I don't know who else will work and I have a few days left. I'm officially done. Aoshi's been really…I don't know…tired, I guess? After all those dates and nothing to show for it, I don't blame him. I'd be mad, too. I'm really stuck, diary. I really had hoped I'd find someone for Aoshi…but maybe I'm going about it the wrong way…
~ Misao
At the food court of the Navy exchange, Aoshi slowly stirred his beef chow mein with his chopsticks. His patience had worn thin. He was exhausted. Over a week of unsuccessful dates straight in a row, he was tired. And he still had one more.
Ever since their time at the beach, Megumi had been on his mind, filtering in at the most unexpected times. Like now. How could anyone think of her when eating chow mein?
"Aoshi."
He looked up to see Himura holding a paper bag of items. Toiletries and cleaning supplies, from the look of it.
"Himura."
"How are you?" the shorter man took a seat across from him.
"Good…"
"You hardly ate," Kenshin pointed out with a brief smile.
"It doesn't…seem appealing anymore," Aoshi explained. His eyes shifted to the other man, who was studying him carefully. He then leaned back in his chair. "How is the school doing?"
Kenshin smiled. "It's doing well. Kaoru has added an additional class to compensate for the amount of kenjitsu students…"
"That's good news…Your wife is very enthusiastic about her teachings."
Silence. Then…"Several years ago the Kamiya Dojo needed a part-time assistant. Kaoru was managing the school after her father suddenly passed away," Kenshin began. "I volunteered to help her three times a week."
"And…as they say…the rest is history?" Aoshi quoted.
"It took a long time for me to realize how much I enjoyed being with her," Kenshin continued. He smiled. "I hear Misao's matchmaking hasn't been easy on both of you…" At Aoshi's nod, his smile widened. "Some take longer than others anticipate."
"Very true."
"Is Misao going to be disappointed that she couldn't meet the deadline?"
Aoshi frowned slightly. He shouldn't be surprised that Himura knew the details of his personal life. Misao was probably shooting emails to Kaoru every day. "I think so."
"I just find it interesting that of all the women you spent time with…there wasn't a single person you would consider seeing a second time…"
Aoshi shrugged, his eyes taking a thoughtful look. "It just happened that way…"
"Well…I had better go…Today is my day off and I have plenty of errands to do…" Kenshin declared.
As Kenshin walked away, Aoshi caught sight of Megumi coming from the Chinese takeout restaurant, a small cardboard box full of Chinese cartons in her arms. As if sensing his eyes on her, Megumi waved the fingers of one hand in his direction before heading his way.
"Hi, Aoshi," she greeted. Then she peered into the distance. "Was that Kenshin?"
"Yes. He has a day off today…" Aoshi rose to his feet to assist her.
But she held fast. "It's okay. I have to get going soon, all this is for the pediatrics, OB/GYN and internal medicine staff. I just thought I'd come over and say hi."
Wisps of black hair brushed her cheeks. She tossed her head back to keep her bangs out of her eyes. The gray cap-sleeve collared dress she wore looked as if it was made of silky fabric, and it flowed with her every movement.
Somehow she had gotten to him. At first, he thought it might be because they had spent the day together. A person is bound to feel closer to an individual after that. But then he recalled that from the beginning, there had been a constant tug-of-war. Perhaps he and the lady doctor wasn't a bad idea. She was just a few years younger than him, intelligent, beautiful...clearly enjoyed one of his hobbies, and was a good friend to his daughter. Of all the women he had met or known...she seemed the most appropriate. Now, he wasn't the type of person to rush into anything. He was more than willing to take things one day at a time. But once he made up his mind about something...
"I had fun on Saturday," she said, interrupting his thoughts. "Maybe you should bring Misao and her friends next time…"
Now was as a good time as any.
"Megumi-" he began.
"Ooh, I have to go, I'm running late." She took several steps before looking over her shoulder. "I heard from Misao that you have a date tonight. Good luck!"
Nice try, Shinomori. Why didn't you say anything? He frowned. There'd be other opportunities…
"I think you would look incredible next to me."
Aoshi blinked. "What?"
Natalie leaned forward, a seductive smile on her collagen-full lips. "You would look so good next to me…wearing nothing but a silk thong."
He fought to swallow his bite of dinner. "I…I…don't wear that type of underwear…"
"It would really match the silk boxers my other partner would be wearing."
"Your what?"
Natalie smiled again. "Oh, the three of us would have so much fun together in bed…"
"I…I…Are you suggesting that…" Aoshi paused. "I…I think you misunderstood. I took that personal ad because-"
"Because you want a woman," Natalie purred. "It's understandable. I answered that ad because I wanted you. You and Reginald look very similar…nice tan…dark hair, pale eyes…he's already agreed to do this…we're just waiting for you to-"
"I'm sorry…but this is not what I had in mind when I…replied to your email…"
She covered his hand with his. "How about I try to convince you?"
How about no?
He tried to pull his hand back. No luck. "Listen. I-"
"Haven't you ever done something so adventurous? We'd have a good time, you know…" Her other hand traveled up his arm.
"I can't do this," he said abruptly, rising in his chair.
He dropped several bills on the table before quickly exiting the restaurant. His cell phone shook against his hip. Aoshi pulled it off his belt clip, glancing at the caller ID, which displayed in clear text 'Megumi'.
"Good timing," he murmured, flipping his phone on. "Hello?"
"Aoshi, hi. I'm sorry to bother you…are you still on your date?"
"No, why?"
"Do you know how to change a flat tire?" Megumi asked sheepishly.
He frowned. "Where are you?"
Less than ten minutes later, Aoshi was in the parking lot of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where she had dinner with her aunt. After retrieving the spare tire from her trunk, he placed a jack under Megumi's Lexus.
"You need to learn how to put a spare on," Aoshi stated as he peered under her car. "This…" he indicated to the jack, "goes between the two circles on the frame of the car."
Megumi carefully arranged her skirt around her legs before bending down. "Oh…."
He began to turn the crank handle until the car lifted. Once at the right height, he explained and demonstrated how to remove the tire and replace it. The process didn't take very long, much to her surprise. Once the car was safely on the ground, he lifted the flat tire to place it back in the trunk. Megumi occupied herself by putting the tools away.
"Thank you for-" she spoke and rose to her feet, turning, her front colliding against Aoshi's chest.
Immediately, his hands reached up to steady her, grasping her arms above her elbows. She swallowed as the most unusual feeling came to her. It was more than just getting the wind knocked out of her. She wasn't sure what it was, but…
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"I…I think so…" She swallowed again. The pressure of his fingers on her bare arms caused every hair to stand on end. His touch on her skin was light, but enough so that if she even breathed, she was afraid he'd either hold her tighter or let her go. And she wasn't sure which one she wanted. The idea brought tension to her chest and belly. Immediately recognizing her reactions to him, she rationalized that she had to be tired. That could only explain why Aoshi Shinomori suddenly seemed very, very appealing to her. Yes. That had to be it. Then his hands dropped. She became aware of the tools in her hand. "I…I…" Talk, Megumi! "I was giving these to you to put away."
He easily plucked the bag of tools from her hand and stored them in the trunk. She braced a hand on her forehead then her cheek. Temperature okay. Strange…
"We should get the car to a shop," he suggested. "Follow me…"
And he headed to his car. She immediately went to her vehicle and he led her to the nearest auto shop.
An attendant in blue overalls came, clipboard in hand. "Need to patch a tire?"
"I need a whole new set," she answered.
"We're closing in a few minutes…all of our mechanics have already left, but I can take your order information and have everything ready for you by ten a.m. tomorrow."
Megumi shrugged. "I have work, so I'll have to pick it up later."
"That's fine. We'll hold it until you're ready." He proceeded to walk around her car, writing instructions on the paper attached to the clipboard.
She glanced at Aoshi. "Do you mind giving me a ride home?"
"You think I was planning to leave you here?"
She grinned, pushing the strange feeling she had earlier to the back of her mind.
When Aoshi pulled into her apartment complex, Megumi gave him a brief smile.
"Would you like to come in for a few minutes?"
Normally, he turned down any invitations from women to enter their apartments. But this was Megumi. And he enjoyed being around her…something he was quickly discovering.
"Why not?" He turned the ignition off.
Megumi's apartment was decorated in good taste. Simple pastels and creams were her favorite colors.
Aoshi picked up a photograph of Megumi in a graduation gown, standing next to her father.
"Was this from medical school?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes…"
"He must have been very proud of you on that day…"
"He was. Something to drink?"
"Water…is fine." Aoshi followed her into the kitchen. It felt unusual to be inside her home. During all the time they had known each other, she usually came by his place. For the strangest reason…it felt…safer. But her home…it seemed…inappropriate. When he thought about it…maybe because…in her home, they were truly alone. At his home, Misao was always around.
"How is the girlfriend search going?" she asked, placing a glass of water in front of him.
"Badly," he admitted before drinking.
"What happened?"
"There was something wrong with each one…" Aoshi mused.
"Misao will be disappointed…"
"I appreciate what she's done…but…" He shrugged.
"She cares. She just doesn't want you to be lonely," Megumi responded. Megumi then said teasingly, "It's a good thing I know who you are and I'm not the type to answer online ads. You wouldn't stand a chance."
He arched a brow. "I've done fairly well so far."
"But we aren't dating." She grinned.
Yet. "Megumi-"
His cell phone rang. Aoshi glanced at the caller ID.
"Misao."
"Aoshi, where are you?"
Not keeping his eyes off the lady doctor, he replied, "With Megumi…she had a flat tire so I helped her take her car in for service."
"Oh. Can you buy ice cream on the way home?"
"Yes."
"Thanks, you're the best!" Click.
"I should go home…Misao's waiting," he explained to Megumi. "I'll be here just after seven tomorrow to take you to work."
She smiled mischievously. "I won't be dressed."
He shook his head. "Megumi..." he paused. Timing seemed bad right now. There was always tomorrow. "I'll see you tomorrow," he added as he exited her apartment.
That woman. She certainly was full of surprises. But then again…Megumi was Megumi. Things were certainly never dull with her around. He smiled slightly. That was one of the things he noticed most about her…and…one of the things he liked about her. He found predictability too dull sometimes.
