Hello!  I decided to make the story arc 3 chapters, here's the second chapter.  Enjoy!

Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respectful owners, this piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 16: A Trip to Kyoto – Part II

I wake up, wondering why I haven't heard the alarm yet.  I look over and my eyes open wide when I realize that the reason was that I had slept through it!  I quickly wake up everyone else in the room, and we rush to get ready so that we don't miss the bus.  As we run down to the lobby, I realize that I missed breakfast, and an opportunity to talk with Mishima.  Well, hopefully we'll be going to the same place this morning.  Unfortunately, this hope is quickly dashed as I see that Mishima's group's bus is not going to the museum, like mine is, another missed chance.  As we find seats, Soujirou strikes up a conversation, and I go along with it in the hopes that it will improve my mood.

We arrive at the museum, and Soujirou and I grab guides and chart out what we're going to see. As upset as I was about being in a different group from Mishima, I can't help but enjoy seeing all the great works of art from Eastern and Western artists.  I wish I could be this good one day.

"Aya?" I look up and see Soujirou next to me.

"Yeah, Soujirou?"

"We're all going to lunch now."

I look at my watch, surprised that so much time has passed already.

"The group?"

"No, actually all the groups, I don't know how this is going to work, but everyone's meeting in the plaza for free time."  Happily surprised, I walk with Soujirou back to our bus. As he said, all the buses arrive at the plaza and everyone disembarks. 

"Aya, I'm going to look for Narumi, why don't you try to find Mishima?"

I decide that's a good idea, so I agree. 

I wander for a while, but I can't seem to find her.  Maybe she's already gone somewhere with Narita and Tsuchiya. I come upon an oden stand, and decide just to eat there. 

"Kamina-kun?" I look around and see Mishima not far from me.  I notice she's wearing jeans, grey sneakers, and a grey t-shirt.  I also notice that Tsuchiya and Narita are standing nearby her.  

I walk over and ask, "Oh, Mishima, Tsuchiya-san, Narita-san, how are you doing?"

Mishima smiles, but I am surprised because Narita is the first one to speak.

"Kamina-kun, I'm sure Haruka was just about to ask if you'd like to join us for lunch, and of course, you're more than welcome to," she says, slightly giggling.  Mishima looks shocked at Narita and stammers a faint agreement.

"Sure, I think that would be fun," I say with a smile to Mishima.

I decide that, even if Narita and Tsuchiya will be there too, it's still nice that I'll finally get to spend some time with Mishima. 

There's a McDonald's near by, and the usually quiet Tsuchiya strongly voices her opinion about wanting to go there.  I open the door for them and smile as Mishima walks through the door.  We get our food and eat at a small table near a window.  Narita seems to have maneuvered it so that Mishima and I are sitting next to each other.  The table is rather small, so we're very close together.  From the way she doesn't seem to be looking at me, I'm guessing this is making her uncomfortable, though I hope that I'm wrong about that. 

After we finish, Narita recommends that we take pictures while we still have free time.  There's a park nearby, so I take some digital photos of the three of them in serious and funny poses, including all three of them doing the victory sign with their hands.  To my surprise, Tsuchiya suddenly suggests that a picture be taken of Mishima and I, alone, together. Narita gets very excited about this, and despite Mishima's and my wariness, stubbornly insists that it be done. 

"Kamina-kun, you'll have to get closer to Haruka, or I won't be able to get a good shot." Narita says with a devious smile.

"Uh, ok."  I move a little closer, not wanting to embarrass Mishima any more than she already seems to be.

"Ok, you two, now smile!" She takes the shot on Mishima's digital camera and shows us the picture, I think it turned out well, and Mishima is smiling in the picture like she's having a good time.

Mishima quickly grabs the camera, and lets us know that our break is almost up.

Right before we separate to go on our respective buses, Mishima comes over to me.

"Kamina-kun?"

"Yes, Mishima?"

"I, I was wondering when your group is eating dinner tonight."

"We're on the early shift tonight, how about yours?"

"Oh, really?  That's great!  So is mine!"

I grin and respond, "I guess I'll see you then, Mishima?"

"Sure!"

"Haruka! Haruka! Come on, the bus is leaving soon!" I hear Narita shouting.

Mishima turns around and says, "Ok, I'm coming!"

She looks at me and responds, "I'll see you then, Kamina-kun!"

"Good bye, Mishima."  We wave as she walks away, and I think what good luck I'm having today after all.

Next Chapter

A Trip to Kyoto – Part III