ACT 3

OoOoOo

Night.

Ohgami walked with his flashlight checking the rooms and floors of the Imperial Theater. While walking a small smile was formed on his lips. The thought of becoming a performer gave him a little spirit. 'It's not really a bad idea after all.'

He had thought that everybody was in their own rooms, exhausted by the practice, but he suddenly spied a tall figure in the hallway. Ohgami knew it was Maria. Her eyes were looking beyond the big glass window. She looked totally absorbed by the scenery outside. "Hey," he called out.

Maria turned to his direction. "Good evening, Taichou."

Ohgami saw the distracted expression on her face. 'She seemed to be thinking of some serious matters,' he said to himself.

He scratched his cheek with his forefinger and came closer to her. "Why are you up late?"

Maria focused again her attention to the city lights outside. "I couldn't sleep," was her only reply.

Ohgami studied her for a while. The more he looked, the more attractive she became. Even in this light her face seemed to glow. 'Maria.'

"Taichou, are you done with the night patrol?" Maria spoke after the long silence.

"I think I am," he said as he viewed the city lights himself.

Maria moved her direction to Ohgami. "Taichou, how does it feel to be a man?" she began to ask.

Ohgami was shocked at the question. He never thought Maria would ask him about such matter. "Umm. . . well. . . it's ah. . . nice?" He gave her an unsure smile. 'Yes, it is nice to be surrounded by girls like you,' he told himself playfully.

"Nice?" Maria repeated. "In what way?"

Ohgami's heart pounded very fast. "Nice. . . because. . . that's the reason why I was chosen to be your captain."

"That's your reason? Why, I was also chosen as captain before you were," Maria said.

"But you declined didn't you?"

Maria nodded. "You're right, because I believed I was not suited for the role. I requested that Ayame-san find someone else to replace me... and that was where you came in."

"So I guess I should thank you," Ohgami joked.

"No," Maria said not minding the joke. "You SHOULD have been here in the first place."

"That's really flattering me."

Maria stood closer to him. Ohgami didn't stir, but the pounding of his heart wouldn't stop.

"Ohgami, as a man what do you do to ease a woman's anxiety?" she asked.

Ohgami could clearly see how beautiful those green eyes were from up close. He gulped and lowered his gaze. "Ahh. . . anxiety?"

There was a deafening silence before Maria managed to say something.

"I-I'm sorry." She looked on the ground, blushing. "I shouldn't ask such questions. It's unbecoming of me." She walked past Ohgami's. "I have to excuse myself. Good night, Taichou."

"W-wait Maria," Ohgami stopped her. Maria paused, keeping her back to him.

"Men, in particular don't say anything. They show it." Ohgami walked silently to her side and when Maria met his gaze the most unexpected thing happened.

Maria didn't know how to respond when Ohgami captured her lips. Her eyes were wide and shocked, all her senses went numb. 'Taichou! What in the hell!' her mind screamed.

After it was over Ohgami swiftly ran to his room leaving the Russian woman speechless.

OoOoOoO

'Ohgami, what were you thinking?' His face was all red when he entered his room. He was all out of breath.

'What have I done? Why did I kiss her? Now she is going to hate me for the rest of my life!' The scene played over again in his mind and the worry was starting to give him a headache. 'Will she ever forgive me?'

He held his head in his hands, feeling as if he was going insane. He sank to his knees, unable to bear the thought of the possible outcomes.

But then a weak smile was formed on his distraught figure. 'Maria. . . although I have offended you, I really meant what I did.'

He stood up slowly from the floor and dropped himself on his bed. "Aishiteiru. . ."

OoOoOoO

Maria's thoughts were urging her to grab her pistol and shoot Ohgami right now. Unfortunately, the weapon was in her room and unloaded.

'Well, I guess that revolver needs practice,' she said coolly to herself.

Maria returned to her own room and sat on her bed. She found herself unable to sleep. Maria could still feel Ohgami's lips touching hers. The scene continued repeatedly in her head. 'Ohgami, you stupid fool. What face can you show me tomorrow after this event?'

But then, a thought occurred to her. 'But I can't deny that he's really cute.' Maria's eyes widened at that. 'Oh, what the hell am I thinking! Go to sleep! You have a play to worry about.'

OoOoOoO

Early Morning.

"Goodbye, everyone. See you soon!" Kohran waved her hand to them. Ayame was waiting for her beside the car.

"Goodbye, Kohran. We'll miss you. Please come before the play starts. You too, Ayame-san," Sakura said.

"Jean Paul will miss you too."

"Be sure to memorize your lines, Miss Genius," Sumire said with a smile on her face.

"I will, Sumire-han," Kohran replied.

"Be sure to avoid those explosions," Kanna teased. "We really need the Duke in one piece you know."

"Right, I'll remember that," Kohran moved her eyeglasses to her nose. "Well, tell Taichou and Maria-han that I'll miss them. Goodbye, everyone!"

The assistant manager smiled at them as she opened the car door and entered. Kohran followed. Ayame has an uncertain feeling as to why Maria and Ohgami didn't appear on their departure. 'Oh, well, I'll hear their story when I get back.'

The car went on its way, leaving the Imperial Theater.

Kanna scratched her head. "Well, they're gone."

Iris held his teddy bear in front of her. "Iris wonders where Oniichan and Maria are."

Sakura wondered, too. It was pretty odd they didn't show up.

"With those two, we probably wouldn't find out for sure," Sumire said. "Perhaps they just need to rest after their private rehearsals late at night."

'Private rehearsals?' Sakura repeated mentally. 'It can't be.'

OoOoOoO

Ohgami's Bedroom

Ohgami was moaning, still asleep. "Maria..." He felt the pillows pressed against his lips. "Huh?" The sound of a car woke him from his slumber and he finally realized how late he was.

Ohgami quickly dressed. He swiftly ran downstairs only to bump into Maria who looked a little rushed herself. The events of last night resurfaced in their thoughts. They didn't speak out loud, but their eyes showed clearly what each wanted to say.

'You fool,' Maria said in her stare.

'I'm a fool,' Ohgami's eyes responded awkwardly.

Sumire was passing by and saw them. "Oh, so you finally decided to wake up. How nice for both you. How's your private rehearsal?"

Kanna, Sakura and Iris followed close by. Sakura in particular was drawn to the expression of uneasiness on both Maria's and Ohgami's faces. Something was very disturbing about that.

"What private rehearsal are you talking about?" Maria demanded coldly.

"You tell us. Why did you both sleep in so late that you missed seeing Ayame-san and Kohran off?"

"I lost track of the time while I was on night patrol," was Ohgami's excuse. He gave Maria a discreet glance, which did not go unnoticed.

Maria didn't seem to give a damn. "I am quite sorry about what happened this morning, but I don't think I have to explain my reasons to you." Maria immediately stalked off into the dining hall.

Sakura felt extreme anxiety in her heart. 'This moment is killing me. What did happen last night?'

OoOoOoO

Dining Hall.

Ohgami silently watched as Maria ate her breakfast. He was still holding his tray of food. Ohgami wanted to sit beside her and talk about last night. The event was truly unexpected and it was entirely his fault. He wanted to apologize but had no idea how to do so. Although uncertain, his feet started moving on their own, bringing him up to her.

Maria instantly brought her pistol up and trained it on him. "Don't you dare come any closer!"

Ohgami froze. 'Oh, man this is what I was afraid of.'

"M-maria. . . I-"

"Taichou, last night nearly killed my sanity."

Outside, Sakura had been about to pass by the door when she heard them talking. Taking care not to be seen, she snuck in closer and listened attentively. 'Now's my chance.'

"I know. I'm really sorry," was Ohgami's reply.

"What were you thinking at that time Ensign?" Maria frostily asked.

"I-I. . .will you please drop the gun down for a while. . . the trigger. . . you might accidentally. . . y'know."

There was a long silence before Ohgami finally said, "I'm really sorry... Something came over me and I couldn't stop myself."

"You're worse than Setsuna."

"Hey, was it really that bad? I didn't... mean it... that way." Ohgami couldn't even finish the last sentence without stammering. 'What do I have to say to make you forgive me?

"I'm not satisfied."

Ohgami heaved out a sigh almost surrendering to her. "Okay. You want the truth? Fine." He placed his tray on the table and purposely walked towards her. Maria brought her gun up again but Ohgami gently pushed it aside. "It's because you're beautiful and I like you. That's why. So," he said breathlessly. "shoot me now, if you like."

Sakura gasped at his words. Her heart felt as though it had shattered into a million pieces.

Maria was speechless again.

Taking a deep breath, Maria forced herself to relax. She turned her eyes to the floor... Maria didn't know whether to be angry or pleased at what he had just revealed. Ohgami, on the other hand, was relieved to see the tension leaving her.

Powerful silence dominated over them as their eyes conversed again.

Sakura quietly returned to her room, heartbroken and crying. 'Damn! Why do I deserve to hear this?'