Hello!  Hope you enjoy this chapter, as well.  I've put an author's note at the end about one of the scenes.

ZAFT: Thanks very much for your review!  I always appreciate reader encouragement.  I have some other ideas for RahXephon fiction (and one for Wolf's Rain, another awesome Bones production) but of course, I'd like to finish Lost Melody before I move onto other projects.  I hope that you enjoy the remainder of this story and any others I may write!

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

Chapter 28: 14th Birthday

I walk out of the art room after the activity period, and surprisingly, see Mishima there waiting for me.

"Mishima?"

"Kamina-kun!"

"What a nice surprise, Mishima."

She smiles and entwines her arm with mine. 

"I came because I have an important favor to ask of you."

"Really? Ok."

"Tomorrow, on your birthday, before we go to the flower garden, meet me in the classroom."

Somewhat confused, I respond, "Ok, Mishima."

She giggles, which makes me wonder why she wants me to meet her there.

We walk together to the gate to meet Mamoru and Asahina, Mishima sometimes skipping as we go.  Soon after we arrive, we see them coming, and we wave as they approach.

Mamoru comes over and puts me in a headlock as he says, "Tomorrow's the big day, eh, Ayato?"

He lets go and smirks, and I respond, "Yeah, Mamoru."

"To celebrate tomorrow, we're going to…"

Suddenly, Asahina shouts, "I'm deciding this year, you decided last year and the year before that!"

Surprised at Asahina's outburst, Mamoru becomes angry, but is able to calm himself soon after.

"Che, fine, Hiroko, where should we go?"

Surprisingly, she walks over to Mishima, clasps her hands, and says, "Reika, I found this great coffeehouse that serves the most delicious desserts!"

 "Really, Hiroko, that sounds neat!"

"You'll love it!  Ok, it's settled, we're going there after club tomorrow!"

After listening to all this, I'm beginning to wonder if anyone remembers that it's my birthday we're supposed to be celebrating.  Ah well, I'm sure that we'll have fun no matter what we do, and besides, I'll be with Mishima.

As we walk off to the train station together, I remember the promise I made with Mishima, and I wonder again what it could be about.

When the train arrives at Mishima's stop, she enters and then hugs me while she says, "Happy birthday, Kamina-kun!"

"Thank you, Mishima.  I'm glad that we'll be able to spend today together."

She steps away slightly and gives me the thumbs up sign as she says, "Me, too!"

As the train advances, I notice that Mishima seems to be filled with even more energy than usual.  She is swaying back and forth as she holds onto the pole and is humming Katun no Sadame.

After we enter the school grounds, Mishima turns to me and waves her finger as she says, "Remember our promise, Kamina-kun!"

Before I can even answer, she runs off ahead of me, leaving me confused.  I shrug and go to my locker and then head to the classroom.

When I enter, I notice Mishima at the piano that's in the back of the classroom, with her back to me.  There are pieces of paper laid out in front of her, I wonder what she's doing there? She notices my presence, and, while remaining on the bench, she shifts her body so that she's facing me.  She smiles at me, and then turns so that she is facing the piano again, and begins to play.  I walk over and stand beside her and smile as I listen to the calm and beautiful melody that she is playing only for me. 

After she finishes, she moves the bench and stands near me.  In happiness and gratitude, I embrace and kiss her. 

When we part, she says, "That, that was my gift, Kamina-kun, a song that I composed for you. I was inspired by your birthday present to me, I wanted to express my feelings for you in a special way, too."

How amazing, no one has ever done anything like that for me, Mishima is so kind.

"Thank you so much, Mishima, it really is a great gift."

She blushes and says, "I'm so happy that you like it Kamina-kun."

We hug again and then hold hands. 

"Mishima?"

She looks up at me and says, "Yes, Kamina-kun?"

"Would you please play that again for me sometime?"

"Of course, Kamina-kun!"

I look out the window, and notice that people are already working in the flower garden.

"Mishima?"

"Yes?"

I point at the window and say, "We should get going, they've already started."

"Ok, Kamina-kun."

She collects the sheet music and puts it carefully in a folder, which she then places in her briefcase.

After she's ready, we walk hand in hand to the garden. 

In the garden, we complete our usual chores and place new soil in our section.  In the process, I wipe my forehead, and when I look at Mishima, she laughs.

"Mishima, what's funny?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but it's cute, you have soil on your forehead."

Embarrassed, I try to wipe it off quickly with my handkerchief.

With a smile, Mishima says, "Here, let me do it for you, Kamina-kun."

"Uh, thanks, Mishima."

I blush as she wipes my forehead, it's nice to have her so close to me.

"There you go, Kamina-kun!"

"Thank you."

"No problem!"

We clean up after we finish, and head back together to the classroom.  I open the door for Mishima, who strangely steps to the side once she enters. 

I look ahead, wondering why she's moved when, all of a sudden, I hear Mamoru and Asahina scream, "Happy birthday!!!"

How embarrassing! Oh, no, as if that wasn't enough, I now notice that they're holding up signs.  Asahina's says 'Happy Birthday', and Mamoru's says 'Ayato-chan.'  I quickly walk over and take the sign away from Mamoru, who proceeds to laugh, with Asahina joining in soon after.

"Oh, that was great, you should have seen your face when you read my sign, Ayato."

I sigh, and decide I won't let it get to me. I walk to my seat and smile at Mishima, who is already at her desk.

As Mishima and I walk together to the gate after the activity period, I say "Thank you again, Mishima, for the song, it's the greatest present I've ever received."

She hugs me quickly and says, "You're welcome, Kamina-kun."

"Oi, oi, leave that for when you two are alone!"  I hear Mamoru shout. I look behind me and see him and Asahina headed towards us.

When they meet up with us, Mamoru says, "So, shall we go now, Ayato, Mishima?"

"Sure, Mamoru."

"Sounds good to me, Torigai-kun."

Since she knows where it is, Asahina leads the way, holding hands with Mamoru.

Also hand in hand, Mishima and I follow.

Asahina turns around and points, "We're here, Reika, Kamina-kun."

"Ok." Mishima and I say in unison.

We walk inside and order.  I choose coffee and Mishima gets a slice of chocolate cake and hot chocolate.

The four of us sit down at a table after we get our orders.  The conversation centers around the usual things, school, club activities, future plans.  It's nice to be able to spend time with Mamoru and Asahina, though especially with Mishima.

We head back to the train station after we finish, and, when we reach Mishima's stop, she wishes me a happy birthday one more time before she leaves. As I walk back home after getting off the train, I think about what a nice birthday it was, especially Mishima's present.

Author's Notes

The scene in this chapter in which Haruka plays the song for Ayato is an extended version of the memory that Ayato watches in the junior high school scene of episode 26.  The song Haruka plays in my scene, and in the scene in episode 26, is called Over the Senses (it is on the 3rd OST). 

Next Chapter

A Club Party