Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Super Gals Characters. I am only using them for this fanfic. Thank you for understanding.
Chapter 5: A Mistaken Demeanor... Ran and Tatsukichi...
"Ran! You wasted all of my money!" Tatsukichi complained. Ran just smiled. She didn't mind him.
"Tatsukichi... I know you just received your salary that is why we're celebrating!" Ran said as she entered another store. Tatsukichi wondered, 'What would Yuuya do in this type of situation?'
At the place below the bridge, beside the lake...Yuuya was crying – really crying and it seems that the whole world is against him.
"Rei, are you sure Yuuya went this way?" Aya asked while Rei looked around.
"I'm sure. We've been friends since first grade. I know him too much. He might be at our favorite place, below the bridge. Come on..." Rei ran as Aya followed. When they arrived, they saw Yuuya at that place.
"Yuuya! Why did you run away that suddenly!?" Rei shouted after his friend under the bridge. They reached him and rested for a while and then questioned him.
"Yuuya... You should have given Ran a chance to speak her side..." Aya commented, patting his shoulder. Yuuya looked up to them, pain and anguish written all over his face.
"And risk being dumped by the woman I love!? No way! If I couldn't handle this, then how am I supposed to handle that!" Yuuya shouted. Rei knelt and let his friend's head rest on his shoulders. Aya sat beside Yuuya and gave him constant pats to steady him. After a while of trying to calm him down, Yuuya silently held his head away from Rei's shoulders and stood up. Rei and Aya looked at him with concern.
"I think we should go home... it's time for...lunch..." Yuuya said as he walked away.
"Yuuya..." Aya began but Rei held her wrist gently and shook his head, meaning, no...
"Let him have some time of his own... He'll be all right tomorrow..." Rei said as he stood up. He held his hand to her and helped her up. Aya looked at Yuuya with concern before she averted her gaze to Rei. Rei was also looking at her. 'I don't want to lose you...' Rei thought. She seemed to have read his thoughts too, 'I don't want to lose you either...'
Ran and Tatsukichi..."Tatsukichi... What do you think is more suitable to Yuuya? Blue or Yellow?" Ran asked. Tatsukichi was flabbergasted, not through jealousy but through amazement.
"For Yuuya? I think Yellow suits him!" Tatsukichi said with a happy tone. Ran also smiled at him too.
"I knew that too... Thank you for your opinion..." Ran said as she took the shirt and took it to the cashier. 'Ran likes him... I knew it...'
"By the way, why are you buying Yuuya a gift? Is it not his birthday after a month later?" Tatsukichi asked, a little confused. Ran smiled at him.
"Tomorrow's the day we met... Remember the day where I dreamt of having a bag like that of Otohata's?" Ran asked. Tatsukichi nodded. Ran smiled again as she went out of the store happily. Tatsukichi followed her.
Rei and Aya walking to Aya's home, to the Hoshino residence..."So, I forgot to ask you about what happened last night... Was it great?" Rei asked her. She smiled at him.
"Every time I spend with them is... well enjoyable!" Aya replied happily. Rei looked at her satisfied. 'She looks like an angel...'
"Rei?" Aya asked as she looked at him questioningly. He was looking straight at her. She waved her hand in front of his face. This broke his trance. Aya laughed hard.
"What?" Rei asked casually. Aya looked at him with a wide smile. Her face, radiated by the sun's rays. Her face was clear and her eyes, like orbs of amber. Rei was simply mesmerized. After a while of walking and talking, they arrived at the Hoshino Residence.
"So, here we are... Guess this means, see you again tomorrow..." Rei said as he looked at her. Aya smiled at him sweetly. He took a step closer and hugged her. She hugged him back. "I'm going to miss you again..." Rei whispered. Aya's eyes opened wide. 'He misses me every time we part ways!? Am I dreaming?' Then Rei lifted her chin and looked at her. He looked at her face that slightly blushes, her eyes that continuously stare, her hair that flows with the wind. He was mesmerized. He looked into her eyes again and forced all his emotions into them. After doing that, he inched his face closer to hers and closed his eyes. She did so too... But just then...
"Aya! Welcome back! Your father's here!" Aya's mom shouted at them, her face covered with a very mischievous smile. Aya was blushing terribly while Rei looked cool as usual but he slightly blushes.
"Why Rei, you're here as well! Come inside the two of you and let's have lunch!" Mrs. Hoshino invited. Rei refused politely but was interrupted.
"I won't take no for an answer!" Mrs. Hoshino rebutted. Rei sweat dropped. Aya just smiled. They entered the house.
"Daddy!" Aya shouted as she embraced her father.
"Whoa! Sweetie! I missed you so much!" Mr. Hoshino replied. He looked at Rei and smiled too, "Rei Otohata?"
"Yes, sir. Good afternoon." Rei answered politely as he bowed.
"Why, I was thinking of finding Aya a suitable husband but I didn't know that he is already here!" Mr. Hoshino bemused. Aya blushed really hard, and so did Rei.
"Well, I guess lunch is ready... Shall we?" Mrs. Hoshino addressed to all of them. They all went to the dining room. During the course of the meal, Mr. Hoshino addressed a question to Rei.
"Rei, do you mind if I ask you where you study?"
"No, not at all sir... I study at the University of Tokyo sir..." Rei answered him politely.
"Oh... What course?"
"Medical Technology sir..."
"Wow... Aya takes up Bacteriology and that applies to medical science as well..."
"Yes, sir..." Rei replied.
"And how do you finance your studies?"
"I work part-time at a café at the square and an assistant of the head doctor at the Shibuya General Hospital sir..."
"Whoa! Wait a minute... Are you by any chance a scholar?"
"Yes sir, I am..."
"You work two jobs? That would be too much... Where do you give the money left?"
"Well, 50 goes to my mom, 30 to my studies and the 20 left is for me sir"
"Hmm... Very good..." Mr. Hoshino replied happily. Aya smiled at Rei who looked at her a little bit nervous.
"Darling, I believe we had enough interviewing for the day... Let's enjoy the food hm?" Mrs. Hoshino asked her husband teasingly. Mr. Hoshino looked at her and smiled.
After dinner, the four settled at the living room, where 3 large sofas are located. Mr. and Mrs. Hoshino took the two sofas independently facing each other while Rei and Aya sat on the largest sofa. They were well, not so far apart from each other.
"Well, did you two enjoy the meal?" Mrs. Hoshino asked.
"Yes... Thank you..." They replied in unison and looked at each other then blushed and looked away. Mr. and Mrs. Hoshino laughed.
"You two look so good together, you know..." Mrs. Hoshino commented. Aya blushed while Rei looked composed as usual but was slightly blushing. After a while of chatting, Rei politely stood up and politely bade the Hoshinos goodbye.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Hoshino for the wonderful meal..." Rei said as he bowed. They both smiled. Aya smiled at him too, and walked him to the door.
When they were outside the house, Aya smiled at him and began to say something.
"Please excuse my parents for being so... uh... assuming... because, you kno-"Aya continued blushing but was surprised as Rei placed his pointer at Aya's lips and continued, "there's no need... I like them... They're kind and hospitable..." He removed his finger then looked at her. She blushed.
"Thank you Rei... for everything..." Aya said as she blushed, looking at her feet.
"No, thank you for everything... for changing me... Aya..." Rei said as he moved closer to Aya and embraced her. Aya embraced him back.
"Goodbye Aya... Take care..." Rei said as he withdrew from their hug.
"Yes... Goodbye... Oh, and by the way... Don't forget to call Yuuya... I'll call Ran..." Aya followed. Rei nodded then smiled as he left.
"I love you..." Aya whispered as she went inside her house smiling.
Rei smiled and thought to himself 'I love you, Aya Hoshino... very much...'
Rei's Room that evening..."Hello? Good evening Mrs. Asou... Is Yuuya there?" Rei asked politely.
"Well, I tried knocking at his door but he wouldn't open it... I know he's there..." Mrs. Asou answered sadly.
"Mrs. Asou, would you mind if I go there tonight? Maybe I could let him open the door..." Rei said a bit concerned.
"Yes, child... Do as you may... Please bring my Yuuya back..." Mrs. Asou pleaded.
"Yes ma'am, I will." With that, Rei held down the receiver and dialed Aya's number.
"Aya? Good evening... I am going to Yuuya's house... I couldn't contact him through phone so I'll have to go to him personally... Is that okay?"
"Sure Rei... Be careful though..." Aya said, a little worried.
"Don't worry... I will, for you..." Rei said as he hung up. Aya smiled and hugged her pillow tight and danced around her room. "How wonderful love is!" She sang... then she remembered, "I have to call Ran!"
Yuuya's house..."Good evening Mrs. Asou..."
"Rei, dear... please bring back my Yuuya... the poor child hasn't eaten since lunch..." Mrs. Asou began to cry. Rei patted her shoulder and reassured her that he will do his best to convince him to come out. Meanwhile...
Aya's Room..."Good evening... Is Ran there?" Aya asked as she started dressing up with her nightdress. She just took a bath.
"Yes, wait for a while... This Aya?" asked a male voice, Yamato's.
"Yes, and congratulations..." Aya answered. Yamato blushed at this.
"Thank you... I'll call her now..." Yamato placed the headpiece down and called for Ran, shortly, Ran answered the phone.
"Hello? Aya! You called! What's up?" Ran asked happily.
"Uh, Ran, you were with Tatsukichi a while ago, right?" Aya asked carefully.
"Well, yes, I was! I invited him to help me pick up a shirt for Yuuya. I'll give it to him tomorrow because, well, remember? Tomorrow's the date we first met!" Ran said. Aya can't believe what she's hearing!
"Really? You're not dating Tatsukichi?" Aya asked a little bit confident.
"Dating him!? No way! He's got a girlfriend already!" Ran said loudly. Aya sweat dropped.
"Okay, okay, I get the point..." Aya stammered.
"Wait a minute... Why did you ask that?" Ran asked Aya, a bit confused.
"Well, Yuuya kinda saw you with Tatsukichi and misinterpreted it... and now you get the picture?" Aya said, feeling that she should go to Yuuya's house and tell Yuuya the good news.
"What!? He thought I-"Ran shouted on the other line.
"Hey Ran, easy... Your voice is too loud..." Aya said calmly.
"Oh, sorry... Anyway, I better get to Yuuya before he totally succumbs to loss..." Ran said as she hung up. Aya hurriedly changed her dress and bade her parents, telling her that she must go to her friend's house.
Yuuya's house, 30 minutes later..."Yuuya, open up. It's Rei..." Rei tried for the nth time but he failed. Just then the doorbell rang and a crying Mrs. Asou answered it. Aya Hoshino was there and saw Mrs. Asou's anguish. She quickly comforted her. Mrs. Asou clung to her and cried her dear life. Aya felt piety and got her handkerchief to wipe away Mrs. Asou's eyes. She led her upstairs to where Yuuya's room is. Rei looked at her with confusion. Aya led Mrs. Asou to the nearest chair and approached Rei.
"Rei, we misinterpreted what we saw. Ran was asking for Tatsukichi's help for finding a gift for Yuuya for tomorrow. As a matter of fact, she remembered that tomorrow was their first meeting..." Aya explained to Rei.
"Yuuya, I know you heard that. Please open this door. Now!" Rei said, he was somehow, banging the door.
"Damn it! We need her here!" Rei cursed. Aya looked at him worriedly. Then she remembered that Ran was also coming here!
"Wait! Ran's also coming here!" Aya said as her face lit up with a wide smile. Rei looked at her disbelievingly.
"No, I talked to her. And when I said Yuuya's condition, she-"Aya continued but then a voice continued her unfinished statement.
"Hurriedly came..." Ran said as she held the wall for support. She seemed to have run Yuuya's house from her house.
"Ran!" Aya exclaimed. Rei looked at her disbelievingly. Ran smiled at both of them and knocked at Yuuya's door.
"Yuuya, this is Ran..." At the other side of the door, Yuuya looked up. His face was wet with tears. He looked at the door.
"Yuuya... Please open this door..." Ran pleaded as tears began to fill her eyes, "Yuuya, I love you... I really do..." Yuuya's snapped wide open. 'She loves me!?'
"Yuuya please..." Ran was sobbing. Aya was about to comfort her but Rei held on her arm and shook his head. Aya nodded and stayed where she was. Just then, the door opened and out Yuuya came... Ran looked up, tears in her eyes.
"Ran, you have no idea how much I dreamed of this... Please forgive me for being weak... I was just so afraid of losing you and-"Yuuya was interrupted as Ran embraced him tight. Yuuya embraced her too.
Mrs. Asou was crying with tears of joy. Aya was holding back tears while Rei just looked on the scene.
"Ran, there's something I want to give you..." Yuuya reached for his pocket and held on a brightly carved ring with a ruby shaped like a heart surrounded by diamonds.
"Wow... Yuuya, this is so beautiful..." Ran commented as tears fell through her eyes.
"Will you be my wife, Ran Kotobuki?" Yuuya asked her, looking at her straightly.
"What do you think will my answer be, Yuuya?" Ran asked, smiling. Yuuya smiled and drew his face closer and kissed her. After a while, Yuuya stated, he wanted to hear Ran say the one word he longed to hear...
"No." Ran replied squarely. Yuuya felt like he was slapped at the face. Then Ran smiled.
"No, I wouldn't trade this love for anything Yuuya. I love you so much... I will marry you!" Ran smiled as she kissed him up. Mrs. Asou was crying now, but it was a pleasant sight as happiness was seen in her eyes as well. Rei and Aya smiled at the scene. Aya was also crying and Rei reached for his handkerchief and wiped Aya's tears. Aya looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back. 'This was a short night' Rei commented.