Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Super Gals Characters. I am only using them for this fanfic. Thank you for understanding.
Chapter 4: Love is blossoming...
'It's almost nine and Rei's going to be here any minute!' Aya thought as she picked up her purse and went outside, checking if her room was tidy (it always is, anyway!).
"You're in such a hurry young lady... Where are you going?" Asked her mom as she went downstairs.
"Uh... I'm just going to tour around Shibuya and see how it has been..." Aya replied, trying to be nonchalant in her words.
"But you'd done that yesterday?" Asked her mom again. This time, she was grinning. Aya does not have any idea why. Suddenly the doorbell rang. 'Oh my God! That must be him!'
"I'll get it..." Aya said but she was interrupted.
"No... I'll get it..." Interrupted Aya's mom as she winked at her. She walked to the door and opened it. A handsome, raven-haired young man was standing in front carrying a dozen white roses.
"Good morning, ma'am. I'm Rei-"Rei introduced but was abruptly interrupted, "I know who you are. Aya's been officially 'missing' you for the past three years... Rei
Otohata..." At this remark, Rei blushed a bit but gained his composure and replied, "I missed her too..."
"Well then, shouldn't keep her waiting now, hm?" She said as she opened the door further to let him in. The Hoshino residence was not just an ordinary house. It was a mansion. And inside, the house looked ravishing and relaxing. There were few decorations and the weird thing here is that this mansion seems to depict the simplicity of living, yet it is way too extravagant for that. But his lingering did not take long as his eyes fell on the emphasis of the house. A young woman standing in the middle, blushing and dressed in a simple short-sleeved blue blouse and beige boot-legged pants and blue sandals. Simple is the word to describe her, yes. But unparalleled beauty seems to reciprocate that fact.
"Wow..." Rei mouthed silently.
"Uh, I'm going to leave you two now, is that all right?" Asked Mrs. Hoshino. None of them spoke for they were busy staring at each other. "I'll take that as a yes..." Then she left. Breaking the silence, Rei spoke first.
"Hi Aya... You look great..." Rei commented. 'Gorgeous! It must have been gorgeous!'
"Th-Thank you... You look great too... You always do..." Aya replied. 'In fact, you are the most handsome being on earth! Everything about you is handsome!'
"Well, shall we leave, princess Aya?" Rei remarked as he bowed down, an obvious grin coming from his lips was pictured.
"Really Rei... I didn't know you had a knack for cracking jokes!" Aya replied smiling.
"Well, I don't know... I'm not like this when I'm with people... except you, that is..." Rei said squarely. Aya blushed at his comment. He laughed.
"I love teasing you!" Rei laughed even harder. Aya couldn't help but smile. She was making him laugh. He was happy just being with her, and so is she.
"Rei Otohata, the sadistic lunatic... Very nice..." Aya said teasingly.
"Hey! That's way too rude!" Rei said as he gave her that puppy dog eyes and pout.
"Oh no, I'm not falling for that again. You did that once already and you're not going to do that to me again!" Aya said teasingly. Rei continued to move closer to her, surprised that she didn't see the flowers he's been hiding at his back.
"Perhaps this would do?" Rei said as he gave her the white roses. Aya was shocked, more of joy than of fear (why should she fear in the first place?)
"Rei... How sweet and unlikely of you... Thanks..." Aya said, scoffing.
"Well then, since you already received your gift and that I already successfully made you mine for this day, shall we go?" Rei asked nonchalantly.
"Yes... Can't wait really..." Aya said blushing, wishing she hadn't said that...
"Yeah, me too..." Rei replied, smiling. Aya looked up in disbelief.
"What? I asked you, so that means I'm eager, very eager to be with you..." Rei said squarely.
"Yes, yes... I know that... It's just not like you, Rei..." Aya commented.
"Why, don't you like the new me?" Rei asked puppy dog eyes accompanied.
"Hahaha... Really Rei..." Aya commented.
"Ok, so all's settled... Let's get going..." Rei said as he let her pass first and then closed the door.
The Okiwari Forest-Garden Park..."Wow! Yamato! This is great! I love it! Thank you!" Miyu exclaimed as she ran and turned around, her short blonde hair waving around her face. Yamato was simply mesmerized.
"See? I told you this place is nice..." Yamato smiled.
"Oh, Yamato... you have no idea how this makes me happy..." Miyu whispered as she hugged him.
"Oh, but you bet I do..." He replied as he lifted her chin to look directly into his eyes and kissed her lips softly. Just then...
"Ahem..." said a familiar voice, "Are you gonna withdraw? You seem to be engrossed with that lip lock..."
"RAN!!!" shouted both.
"What!? I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" asked Ran, turning to Yuuya.
"Well, for starters, you disturbed a kissing couple and most people think that's kinda... rude..." Yuuya embarked.
"Fine! I really didn't mean to... I didn't know!" Ran apologized.
"It's okay Ran... Just don't EVER do it again!" Yamato shouted.
"Yeah... Yeah... Promise..." Ran said sadly. All of them seem to notice this.
"Look, sorry if I shouted at you... it's just-"
"It's okay. I'm not angry with any of you... it's just that, I feel left out..."
"No you're not! You're with me, remember?" Yuuya asked as he faced her, smiling.
"Thank you Yuuya..."
"Say, let's buy you a chocolate sundae... Maybe that'll cheer you up..."
"Hmm... Fine... You guys... Thanks for the information... I won't do it again! PROMISE! See ya!" Ran replied happily. But just as Ran and Yuuya were about to leave, Miyu called them.
"Ran! Yuuya! You better take a look at this!" Miyu shouted. Ran and Yuuya ran to see what she was talking about. As they peered through the one of the tree stems with a hole shaped as heart (cute!), they saw the two people who'll unlikely go alone together – Rei and Aya!
"Oh wow! This is such great news! Since when!?" Ran asked jubilantly.
"I don't know. Yamato saw them..." Miyu replied. All of their eyes dropped to Rei's hands as he entwined his fingers to Aya's while Aya, obviously blushes.
"Oh, they look so good together..." Miyu exclaimed.
"Just like us?" Yamato jokingly asked.
"No way!" Miyu exclaimed. Yamato was flabbergasted.
"We're way too compatible compared to them!" Miyu continued as she smiled. Yamato felt relieved and embraced her tight, as if never wanting to let her go.
"Uh, guys... I think we have a little problem here..." Yuuya said in a bit of a nervous tone. Ran nodded as she looked. The two other couples also looked.
"Rei's being swarmed by the female population again!" Miyu exclaimed.
"Hey, I've got an idea! Look, there's Johann Crawford..." Ran whispered.
"So what if Johann Crawford is there?" Miyu asked.
"Oh, I get the picture! Since Johann is now the # 1..." Yuuya started.
"Then all the other girls will swarm on him!" Yamato finished.
"And Rei and Aya will be left alone!" Miyu added.
"Great! Now here's the plan..." Ran whispered as girls continue swarming over Rei.
Rei and Aya's Place in the park..."REI!!! I WANT YOU!!!"
"REI! KISS ME!!! PLEASE!!!"
"REI!!! I LOVE YOU!!!"
As the females shouted words such as ones you read above, Aya sweat dropped. 'He's now # 2 and still a lot of girls swarm over him. Well, even I couldn't help but to be mesmerized... oh what am I saying!'
"Hey girl, move out if you're not going to cheer on Rei!" exclaimed a girl with very sporty and showy clothing. Somehow, she reminded her of Ran.
"Oh, sorry... Here you can take my space..." Aya replied smiling. The girl just smiled as she gladly took Aya's place. "Sorry for the rude treatment... I'm Tanaka, Iori"
"No problem... Apology accepted! I'm Aya Hoshino" Aya beamed.
"No way! You're the girl who passed all university entrance tests in Europe with top ranks!?"
Aya just smiled and nodded for confirmation.
"It's nice to meet you! Well, what are you doing here?" she asked teasingly. Aya blushed and looked down.
"You like him do you? I can see it in your eyes..." she said.
"Well, uh..." Aya struggled for the right words to say but all attempts were futile.
"Well then, I'll gladly bring you back your place. Anyway, you could make your way easier... there are only four people in front of you..."
"No thanks... It's nothing really..." Aya smiled.
Just then, a girl with red lipstick and red, fiery hair came bursting through the crowd and pushed women aside, as if she wants to have her way with Rei.
"Hey watch it!" shouted the girl Aya just met.
"Yeah, got a problem with that?" she shouted as she punched her square in the face.
"You are a disgrace to the gals community in Shibuya that Ran has worked so hard to dignify! You always have it with the grand prix top ten don't you!? Well sorry you'll never get Rei or Yuuya! They're Ran's friends and they firmly believe in her principles!" She shouted back as she desperately tried to stand up. Aya came to her aid.
"Whatever! I'm going to show you my power! I'll kiss him then make love to him right here!" She shouted back as she rummaged her way through the crowd.
"She's going to humiliate herself..." Aya tried to hold back a chuckle.
"Yeah... Definitely!" Iori assured. Aya adjusted Iori's head and tilted it sideways as she adjusted a dislocated jaw with ease and finesse. Iori didn't feel pain anymore.
"Wow! How'd you do that?"
"Well, she punched you here at your masetter. Therefore, I figured that by adjusting your lower jaw and elevating your head might somehow bring back the dislocated bone."
"Wow! You really are smart! And pretty! And kind!" Iori said as she stood up and thanked Aya. They inched closer to see the girl with red hair. She went closer to Rei and turned him around and was surprised that Rei blocked her thrusting mouth with his palm. She licked his palm like a wanton dog.
"You're disgusting!" Rei remarked, asking for alcohol among the ladies and a girl gladly gave him one. The fiery-head girl winced at this, yet continued to speak.
"I'm only like this in front of you..." She purred seductively. He ignored her and began looking for Aya. He's been looking for her for the entire time.
She pulled him and embraced him. This infuriated him and he pushed her aside indignantly.
"GET LOST!" he shouted. She cried hard but he didn't show pity. She ran away. Aya and Iori felt piety and laughter running through their heads but the latter succeeded more.
"AYA! AYA!" Rei shouted desperately but the shouting of the crowd drowned his voice. Just then...
"HEY LOOK! IT'S JOHANN CRAWFORD!!!" a familiar redhead shouted.
'Ran! Great timing!' Aya commented at her thoughts. The swarm of girls evaporated in an instant and headed towards Johann's direction. Because of the pressure of people running and bumping at her, Aya was knocked off her feet and fell on the grass. "Ouch..." she said.
"AYA! AYA! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?" Rei shouted as he approached her. Worry was very evident in his gray eyes.
"I'm fine... Thank you for your concern..."
"Are you sure? I could carry you if you want..."
"What!?" Aya was blushing profusely. Rei tried to fight back a smirk.
"Really, I'm fine..." She stood up and Rei followed her but she lost balance and she fell to him. This caused their faces to be just inches apart. They held their gaze for a moment. And then, as if instinct shouted, Rei drew his face closer to hers but...
"Hey, those girls are rude!" shouted Iori. As she turned to Aya, she saw Rei inching closer to her, about to kiss her...
"Ahem... Am I interrupting something?" she asked. Aya opened her eyes fully, obviously shocked. Rei remained cool as usual, but he was slightly blushing.
"So are you and Rei like, couples!?"
"Uh-"Aya said but she was interrupted by Rei.
"Yes, we are." Rei said blankly. Irritated maybe because their 'kiss' was interrupted at the wrong time. Aya looked at him questioningly then looked at Iori, with confirmation in her face, though she was really blushing.
"Oh wow! The dream couple is really true! You see, Ran in her journal has both you and Rei as the dream couple and now, it's really true and I witnessed it!"
"Hey, who are you anyway?" Rei asked, rather coldly.
"Oh, sorry... I'm Tanaka Iori, Iori for short. Well, my cousin's there, waving at me... So I better go... Good luck!" she bade them. Aya bade her goodbye and Rei just nodded.
"She's nice... She kinda reminded me of Ran..."
"You can say that again..." he replied with sarcasm. She knew what he meant. Ran just ruins his shining moments all the time, including this... Aya blushed again.
"Do you want me to... uh... well... uh... do you... want... to... uh, eat? Rei staggered at his words. 'I want to kiss you!!!'
"Well, uh... Sure... Wh-where?" Aya staggered as well. She seems to know what he was really about to ask her.
"There... they say the Ramen there is good..." Rei looked at her for confirmation. She nodded and he smiled. She smiled at him too. Their eyes locked and then Rei moved closer, heart pounding as he inched his face closer to her. Aya was trembling and her heart was pounding fast as well. Just as he was about millimeters away from Aya's lips...
"Hey! There you are!" Ran shouted. Rei winced while Aya blushed.
"Ran!" Aya acknowledged her as Yuuya elbowed Rei teasingly. Rei looked at him with indignance.
"So, how are you two doing?" Ran asked teasingly. Aya blushed profusely.
"We're uh-"Aya was about to reason when Rei interrupted her again.
"Dating." Rei said with a tone of finality. Aya blushed at this again.
"Oohh... Really? Since when?" Yuuya asked smiling teasingly.
"Since today." Rei answered blankly. Somehow, he's only sweet when he's alone with Aya.
"Where are you going?" Ran asked. This gave Aya the notion that Ran wants to know more.
"I'll tell you all about it later" Aya whispered to Ran. Ran's eyes shone like diamonds, "but first, why did you leave me – us in the Shibuya Square yesterday night?" This one was said a bit louder, like normal conversation.
"Well, Miyu thought it would be better if we leave the two of to you spend some time alone together. I'm sure you liked it as well..." She elbowed Aya. Aya blushed again.
"But that doesn't save you from my sermon... Anyway, let's just talk about this at my house tonight. Could you come and stop by? Or you could sleep there? Perhaps invite Miyu..." Aya said.
"Sure! Tell me everything! As in everything! Detail by detail!" Ran demanded with enthusiasm. Rei winced at the thought while Yuuya smiled.
"So, you're headed to the Ramen house... We're headed there too. We could go together..." Yuuya commented. Rei said nothing but looked at Aya for affirmation. Aya simply nodded.
"Sure. Let's get going then..." Rei said. 'So much for being alone with Aya...'
"By the way, where's Miyu?" Aya asked. Ran looked at her and she seemed to know the answer. "Couples? Obviously..." Ran smiled, knowing that by a simple eye contact, Aya knows what she is thinking.
Miyu and Yamato...Miyu, there's something I want to ask you..." Yamato told her silently. She looked up to meet his eyes.
"What is it Yamato?" Miyu asked, eyes shining.
"Will, you... uh..."
"Yes? Continue please..." Miyu said as her heart was pounding.
"..."
"Yamato, you can ask anytime, as long as you're prepared..." Miyu smiled at him sincerely. But to her surprise, he took her hand and told her.
"Can you go with me to Stadnitzky's tonight, at 7?" Yamato stared at her.
"Yes... Gladly... Wait but isn't it expensive at Stadnitzky's?" Miyu asked feeling a little sad.
"It's okay... Anything for you..." Yamato said smiling.
"What's in there anyway?" Miyu asked curiously.
"It's a surprise..."
The Ramen House..."Wow! The Ramen here is great! One more bowl please!" Ran exclaimed. Yuuya cried.
"Ran! You're going to empty my wallet before we even tour the park!!!" Yuuya cried helplessly. Aya and Rei sweat dropped.
"Really!? Oh, promise Yuuya, this'll be the last!" Ran exclaimed as the waiter handed her another bowl. It was her seventh actually.
"You haven't changed a bit Ran. You're still the best eater I've had the misfortune to meet..." Aya laughed. Yuuya and Rei also laughed, the latter, mildly.
"Rei, you giggled! I can't believe it! I knew it was only Aya who could make you smile!" Ran said as she took the last noodle in her plate. Aya blushed at this as Rei looked at her romantically.
"Ahem... Care to join me to touring this whole park? Something tells me I can find Tatsukichi here!" Ran cried happily as Yuuya looked flabbergasted.
"I'm just joking Yuuya!" Ran smiled again, this time, a lot sweeter. Yuuya's breath was taken away. 'Oh Ran...'
All of them went outside as both Yamato and Miyu eating cotton candy greeted them.
"Miyu! Yamato! How are you?" Aya remarked as she ran to them. Miyu hugged her as Yamato looked on.
"We're fine! How are you and Rei?" Miyu asked teasingly. Aya blushed at this. Ran entered the scene and told Miyu of Aya's plan for a sleepover at her house.
"Sure... But I'll be a little late because Yamato invited me to have dinner with him at Stadnitzky's..." Miyu said, blushing.
"Wow! Stadnitzky's? That's a very expensive restaurant!" Aya commented, feeling happiness for her friend.
"Yeah! He just surprises me a lot! I don't know what's in there..." Miyu smiled. Both the other two girls also smiled. They, as if by any chance, knew what Yamato would ask her.
"Uh, we're headed to the lake side view. Anyone like to join us?" Ran asked.
"We've been there already." Aya answered shortly.
"So did we. In fact, we're planning to leave now. I want to look presentable tonight..." Miyu said as she turned to Yamato and kissed him. He kissed her back.
"Uh, we're... going to the Japanese Red Garden... We hadn't been in there yet..." Aya said as she looked on the map, obviously blushing.
"Yeah, I think we better be going..." Yuuya commented. All of them moved their separate ways as Miyu and Yamato continued their kiss.
Yuuya and Ran..."Why do they always kiss in front of me!? Can't they find some room for themselves!?" Ran asked a little infuriated. Yuuya approached her and calmed her down.
"Maybe they can't help it. They're too drawn with each other."
"Yeah, yeah... I guess you're right..." Ran said silently.
"I really wish we could be like them..." Yuuya whispered then sighed.
"What did you say?" Ran looked at him.
"Uh, nothing really... Not important..." Yuuya told her, blushing. Ran looked at him with confusion. 'Good thing she's a bit dense!'
Rei and Aya..."Wow! This place looks great!" Aya commented as she passed on the bridge and stayed in the middle looking at the pond with a school of goldfish on it. The plants' leaves were red, as if in autumn and the scent was fragrant, that of lavender.
"And there are less people..." Rei followed up as he went to her and stood beside her, looking at the pond as well. Silence fell between them and they felt tensed. Rei again broke the silence.
"Aya, sorry for blocking you when-"Rei started. Aya interrupted him by placing her pointer at his lips. "No need, I wouldn't even know how to answer it anyway..." Aya smiled at him sweetly. Rei smiled at her too and held her hands. They stared at each other, and then Rei moved his face closer slowly as Aya closed her eyes. But just then, a wild flash of light was emanated. This was a sound of a camera – it was Ran's. The two couples broke off quickly, even if their lips were millimeters apart. Rei winced again and Aya, as usual, blushed.
"RAN KOTOBUKI! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU"RE DOING!?" Yuuya shouted as he reached her.
"Taking a picture of them. Is that bad?" Ran asked irritated.
"You bet it is! That's invasion of privacy! That's way worse than what you did with Miyu and Yamato!"
"Really? Anyway, they didn't see me... I hope I can get away with this..." Ran said nervously. She pulled Yuuya and as they were about to leave...
"Don't you think we haven't seen you." Rei's cold voice sounded from behind.
"Uh, we didn't actually think you've seen us... Really..." Ran said nervously as she turned to the two couples.
"Oh, Ran... why did you do it?" Aya asked patiently. Ran admired her composure. As did Rei.
"Well, it's just that, you look so good together that I want to look at you always and see the fruit of my efforts..." Ran said shyly, "I also have a picture of Miyu and Yamato..."
"Ran!? You do!?" Yuuya said, flabbergasted. Rei and Aya looked at each other then laughed.
"What!?" Ran and Yuuya said in unison. The two couples laughed even harder.
"Nothing..." Rei said as he stopped laughing, though he was still smiling.
"Forget about it... Just, don't do that again, hm?" Aya said smiling as well.
After moving around the whole park, the four people decided to leave. And Yuuya went with Ran to her house as Rei went with Aya to walk her home. It was almost seven in the evening.
Miyu and Yamato at Stadnitzky's..."Yamato... This is so beautiful..." Miyu commented. She was wearing a golden strapless gown with a slit in front, showing her knees and lower legs. She was also wearing a golden necklace. Yamato, on the other hand, was wearing a tuxedo.
"Shall we, my lady?" Yamato asked smiling.
"Why yes, kind sir... Where thou shall we sit?" Miyu replied, also smiling.
"Take my hand, ma'am, and we shall go to thy place." Yamato replied looking at her. He was mesmerized. He took her hand as he led her to the rooftop where a single, very adorned table was seen at the center, and a band was playing them sweet music...
"Yamato..."
"Shhh... Anything for my princess" He said as he kissed her softly.
"Shall we?" He asked as he withdrew from the kiss.
"Yes..." Miyu said breath taken.
As they slid to their chairs and they were served dinner, the sweet music filled the air and after their last course, Yamato stood up and gestured for her to dance with him. She did so.
"Miyu, about that question I was about to ask you..." Yamato said quietly while they were dancing.
"Yes? What is it?" Miyu asked curiously.
"Well, uh, I was wondering if... uh..." Yamato was blushing furiously. Miyu blushed as well then looked away.
'Come on! Ask her!' a voice inside him spoke. Miyu was blushing.
"Miyu, may it be kind to ask you to be with me for the rest of your life?" Yamato asked. Miyu looked at him with tears in her eyes. Yamato was looking at their moving feet. As he looked up, he saw Miyu's radiant smile and tears of joy.
"YES! YES! YES!" Miyu said as she clung to him and kissed him. Yamato kissed her back. He was very happy. Then he broke off as he reached for something in his vest – a small box and he opened it. It was a diamond ring.
"Oh, Yamato!" Miyu said as he slid the ring on her left hand ring finger.
"I love you Miyu..."
"I love you too Yamato!"
They gazed at the ring with their foreheads stuck together, simply enjoying the moment.
Aya's Room..."So, what did Rei do to you?" Ran asked teasingly. Aya glared at her.
"By the sound of your voice, I could say that you're pertaining to malice..." Aya looked at her sternly. Ran laughed.
"Really Ms. Kotobuki... You haven't changed at all..." Aya said as she began to laugh as well.
"Oh my, you have no idea how much I missed this..." Ran said as she stopped laughing. Aya stopped laughing too.
"You know, I've got a lot of friends back there in Europe but none of them could match this friendship..." Aya said with a wide smile. Ran smiled too.
"You bet!" Ran said triumphantly. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"That must be Miyu... I'll go get it." Aya said as she stood up. Nana Rosa already opened the front door. It was Miyu and she was smiling very differently. It was the happiest Aya has seen in her entire time with Miyu.
"Miyu! You look so happy! Why?" Aya asked, a little teasingly. Nana Rosa took her bags but Aya said that she'll take care of it and that she should rest. Nana Rosa smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Tell you all about it later!" Miyu said as she giggled. Aya sweat dropped.
As they got up to Aya's room, Ran opened the door widely and pulled Miyu in, for questioning.
"So, spill it!" Ran said. Aya followed as she sat on her bed, facing her two friends who were sitting on the carpet just in front of her bed.
"Yamato proposed to me!" Miyu exclaimed as she hugged Ran tight, crying with tears full of happiness. Aya smiled too.
"Really!? My brother did that!? How courageous of him!" Ran said disbelievingly at first but then felt totally convinced.
"But Miyu, don't you think you're too young for that?" Aya asked, carefully. Miyu smiled at her.
"Yeah, I thought so too... Anyway, Yamato is the kindest person in the world so he agreed that we'll make love only after marriage." Miyu said shyly. Aya and Ran looked at each other.
"That's not what Aya meant..." Ran said. Aya sweat dropped. Miyu smiled.
"You mean engagement? As long as you have discipline, you'll get through it!" Miyu exclaimed happily. The two girls felt relieved and proud.
"We're so happy for you!" both exclaimed.
"Thank you, my best friends!" Miyu said as they all laughed.
"Hey, I was just asking Aya about her date with Rei-"
"It's not a date." Aya corrected, "it's... uh..."
"It's a date!" Ran replied smiling.
"It is not!" Aya contradicted, trying hard not to blush.
"It is! What else could it be? He twined his fingers with yours... He tried to kiss you... and let alone the place... Okiwari!" Ran said triumphantly. Aya blushed. She knew she lost. But just then, a question formulated in her mind. It will surely knock Ran out.
"What were you doing with Yuuya?" Aya asked blankly. Miyu laughed. Ran's eyes went wide.
"Nothing! Honest!" Ran said, flabbergasted.
"Why are you so defensive? Anything hidden that we could not seem to grasp?" Aya teased. Miyu laughed again. Ran glared at both of them.
All the girls laughed. They shared stories, especially Aya, as she was the one who was far away, studying. Just then, the phone rang. Miyu was the nearest, so she picked it up.
"Hello... Hoshino residence?" Miyu greeted.
"Miyu? It's..." Miyu's eyes went wide and she was smiling as she turned to Aya.
"Rei?" She mouthed. Ran elbowed Aya as the latter blushed.
"Alright, I'll give the phone. Aya?" Miyu said as she handed Aya the phone. Aya shyly took it.
"H-Hello? Rei?" Aya answered shyly.
"Aya! Good evening... I was just checking up on you..." Rei said, smiling.
"You always call me up to check up on me, you know..." Aya replied smiling as well.
"I couldn't help it... It's like an obsession, if you know what I mean..." Rei teased and giggled. Aya giggled as well.
"Really... Hahaha... I'm fine... Thanks for always checking up on me..." Aya said, blushing.
"It's nothing, really... Say, I know you're tired and all, so I guess, I should bid you goodbye, my princess..." Rei replied romantically. Aya blushed profusely.
"Rei! Don't say things like that!?" Aya exclaimed. This gave Rei the notion that her two other friends are listening to her though he still continued, wanting to know how Aya will respond.
"Why not?" Rei asked seriously.
"Be-because... uh..." Aya staggered at the right words to say.
"Because Ran and Miyu are there?" Rei replied as if smiling. Aya guessed it right – he was smiling.
"Yes... As a matter of fact that is the reason..." Aya replied smiling.
"Well then, I guess I should just see you personally tomorrow now, shouldn't I?" Rei commented.
"Surely, that's a good idea..." Aya replied smiling.
"Goodnight Aya... Sweet dreams..." Rei said romantically. Aya blushed at his statement.
"You too..." Aya replied as they placed the headpieces back to their places and stared at it. Both of them stayed there for a while.
"Ahem! How did it go?" Ran asked an oblivious Aya. Aya blushed as she turned to her friend.
"It was as usual... his routine of checking up on me..." Aya replied nonchalantly but there was no denying the fact that she was blushing.
"Wow... Checking up on you... That should be something... Don't you think, Ran?" Miyu asked, teasingly. Ran smiled at her, with the same look as Miyu's.
"You guys, I believe we should sleep... Wouldn't want Yamato to be worried about you not getting enough sleep now, hm, Miyu?" Aya looked at her, pleading that she say 'yes'.
"Oh, my, I suppose you're right..." Miyu said, sighing. She's feeling a little sleepy.
"Hey Aya, your bed's so soft and fragrant... I want my bed to be like this..." Ran said as she began to close her eyes and fell asleep. Miyu was beside her. Aya wrapped them with her cushion blanket and went to get a book by Linda Shepherd. She sat down on the couch – her favorite couch and started to read... Sometime later, she fell asleep, book open at page 143, A Love Timeless...
The following day at Starbuck's..."Hey, Otohata!" A grouchy voice called. Rei looked around and saw Johann Crawford, accompanied by two girls. Rei didn't find them pretty; in fact, they looked like a bunch of wannabes to him.
"Two glasses of brewed coffee please and... What do you want, sweetie?" He asked the girl with long golden hair, "I just want tea with milk..." She purred.
"And how about you?" He asked the girl with brown, shoulder length curly hair, "Espresso..." She said seductively. Rei took note and left to get their orders. When he came back, he saw the blonde kissing Johann while the other was licking Johann's neck. He felt disgusted.
"Ahem. Your orders?" Rei asked trying to be nonchalant even if his insides are boiling for the rummage Johann's doing to his workplace.
"Oh, sorry Otohata... Got carried away... Say, you got yourself any girlfriends?" Johann asked nonchalantly. Rei winced.
"None. And if I do have one, it doesn't concern you." Rei replied squarely.
"Whoa! I didn't mean to make you angry... I was just asking!" Johann said, smiling but in fact he is afraid of Rei. Rei took on his entire group by himself when they tried to savage Yuuya. From then on, Johann tried to make peace with Rei and Rei, well, he accepted it but he never talks to Johann.
"It's okay. But next time, do that disgusting stuff some place else and not here. It won't attract customers." Rei said squarely.
"You attract customers yourself, Rei..." He laughed. Rei just looked at him with a blank expression. He waited for them to finish their coffee and when they did, Johann gave him a tip and they went outside but not before Rei heard Johann say, "Let's go to my place... We'll pleasure each other..."
"Yuck. He is disgusting." Rei commented dryly. Just then, Yuuya arrived carrying a bunch of red roses.
"For whom is that?" Rei asked casually.
"Uh, this? It's for Ran... It's the day before her birthday... Well, before we met that is..." Yuuya said, a bit saddened.
"Well, you've got a problem?" Rei asked as he took the glasses his three 'customers' used a while ago.
"Uh, it's Ran actually... there are times when she misses Tatsukichi very much and I can't help but notice it... It hurts Rei... Really, it does..." Yuuya said as he cried. Rei patted him on his shoulder as he adjusted his position to listen to him. Just then, a familiar girl with black hair – Aya, went inside. She was dressed simply, as usual. She saw the two and went straight to them.
"Hi, Rei... Yuuya? What's wrong with him?" Aya asked, a bit concerned.
"He thinks Ran still likes Tatsukichi." Rei answered her question with concern in his tone of voice.
"Hmm... Well, there's no denying the fact that Ran likes Tatsukichi but... That doesn't mean you should give up on her... Right?" Aya encouraged him as she patted his other shoulder. Yuuya looked at her, feeling a bit relieved.
"Thank you, Aya, Rei... You've been great help... Say Rei, have you already got that coffee I like, the one with mocha on it?" Yuuya asked dreamy eyed. Rei punched his head playfully.
"Idiot. Yeah, you bet." Rei said as he went inside, smiling.
"Hey, that hurts you know! Aya, cure me please! I know you're the only who could calm a savage beast like him..." Yuuya said playfully. This caused Aya to laugh wholeheartedly. Rei heard her laugh and he said to himself 'I want to hear her laugh everyday, every minute, every second...'
"Here's your coffee, idiot." Rei said smiling again. Yuuya glared at him. Rei looked at Aya who was looking at Yuuya and smiling.
"How about you, princess? Anything you want that your humble servant can get you?" Rei asked Aya teasingly. Aya blushed at his comment and made him giggle.
"I told you not to call me that!" Aya said, flabbergasted. Rei looked at her romantically and then he followed it with puppy dog eyes and pout. Aya laughed at his gesture. Yuuya looked at them and smiled inwardly, 'They totally love each other... It's so obvious even if they try to deny it... They look so good together...'
"Alright... Just a cappuccino, I guess... And thank you in advance..." Aya replied, smiling.
"Your wish is my command, princess." Rei bowed and headed to get her orders. She was blushing still.
"Say, Aya, if Rei courts you, will you say 'yes' to him?" Yuuya asked her nonchalantly.
"Uh... Maybe... uh... Well... uh..." Aya was blushing profusely and couldn't find the right words to say. Then Yuuya continued.
"Just say yes or no..."
"Well, yes..." Aya was blushing red now. Just then, Rei returned to the table, carrying a mug of cappuccino. Rei noticed the silence between them and asked what they were talking about.
"I was just asking Aya that you cou-"Aya covered Yuuya's mouth with her hand suddenly. She was deeply blushing.
"Huh?" Rei asked in confusion. Aya looked at him with eyes that say he is the one being talked about here. Rei got the point as he can see in Aya's eyes that it is about him. He decided to call Yuuya later...
"Well, the coffee tastes great! No wonder a lot of people come here every morning!" Aya said as she took a sip of her coffee. Rei smiled. 'She liked how I make coffee!'
"Well, that's not just the main reason..." Yuuya followed, "look around... Most of 'em are females..."
"Yes... I've noticed..." Aya sweat dropped. Rei sighed.
"When will come the time that my radiant face will fade and women will stop following me?" Rei said jokingly. Yuuya coughed while Aya raised an eyebrow. Rei just laughed at both of them.
"Well, I didn't know you are, what's the word... uh..." Yuuya staggered, unable to find the right word.
"Egocentric." Aya finished, looking straight at Rei's eyes. Rei looked straight at her too.
"Thank you and may I also suggest boastful and cold and unyielding and stubborn and-" Yuuya commented but was interrupted when Rei threw him a rug. Aya laughed at both of them. 'They really are best of friends, even if they don't see it that way...'
"Hey look it's... Tatsukichi... with..." Aya's words fell silently as she progressed in saying what she's seeing. Yuuya and Rei looked at what she was looking at. It was Ran.
"Ran..." Yuuya mouthed as he dropped the flowers unintentionally and ran off.
"Yuuya! Wait!" Rei and Aya followed him. 'Poor Yuuya... I wouldn't even know what to do when I see Aya with another man...' Rei thought as they ran after Yuuya.