Chapter 4: The sweeter things of life
The diminishing light elongated the motionless couple's shadow as they sat peacefully in each other's arms. Kira stared deep into Lacus' clear blue eyes, her eyes spoke crystal clear words, she was hurt, and it was all because of that letter.
"I'm… sorry Lacus…" Kira said as he faced anywhere but her face. She released her grasp from around Kira and sat up straight staring at Kira's wandering face.
"It's okay… I don't mind…" she said, but Kira could tell that she didn't speak from her pained heart. 'Wait a minute? I don't mind…? That's great isn't it? But… why does she sound so sad?' Kira wondered as he didn't understand Lacus' reply at all. Lacus stood up and gently dusted off invisible dust from her skirt and waved farewell. As she passed Kira he instinctively grabbed her arm "Wait…"
"I don't understand, I don't understand Lacus!" he pleaded for a better explanation. It was her turn to look elsewhere, "I'm saying… I don't mind you liking someone…" she said hesitantly.
"Like someone? It's you who I like!" he shouted. Those words seemed to linger around in the room longer than the time it took for the sound to vanish. After uttering his feelings Kira finally let go of her hand "It's… you who I like…" he whispered once more. Unable to control her emotions Lacus burst into tears, tears of happiness.
"I like you too Kira" she said as they embraced each other. "I thought it was one sided…"
"So did I…" he responded. "But… I thought you read the love letter."
"I could tell it was a love letter, but, I couldn't make out who it was for, water had smudged out the name, and I didn't want to read your letter without your consent so I thought…" she was silenced when Kira subtly place his index finger on her rose coloured lips. "Everything doesn't matter anymore… my dream has finally become reality" Blood quickly rushed to Lacus' cheeks, and she buried her head in Kira's chest, and the pair sat just like that silently as the light diminished into darkness.
The next day
The sweet aroma of pancakes entranced Cagalli as she walked suspiciously towards the kitchen. There in front of the stove stood Kira his hair appeared more wildly than usual.
"Awww you're making breakfast for me?" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Huh? Who're you?" he said jokingly.
"Why you!" Cagally said angrily, she ran up to him and placed him in a headlock, "So… aren't you gonna thank me? Things went well with Lacus didn't it?" When Kira didn't reply she looked down and noticed that she had her hand too tightly around his neck and was making it difficult for him to breath, she immediately released her grip.
"I think… we're… even now…" he said gasping for air. Cagalli just looked at him nervously while scratching the back of her head.
"So who are you cooking this for? It's way too much for one person" Cagalli said, trying to change the topic.
"Lacus"
"Huh? You're gonna walk all the way to her house to give her breakfast?"
"No you dummy! She stayed over last night…"
"Oh-ho…." Cagalli smirked. Kira just felt like he had leaked some very valuable information that he shouldn't have, his sister-sense was tingling. "It's not what you think!" Kira said trying to defend his position.
"Well at any rate, why don't you wake her so we can eat?" Cagalli asked.
"She had such an angelic sleeping face I didn't want to wake her up or I was afraid she might fly away."
Cagalli's jaw just dropped, "Wow you're quite the romantic aren't you Kira!" she shouted.
"Awww shaddup" Kira said embarrassed. "And anyways… it's Saturday, there's no need for her to be up early" he said while trying to divert her attention.
"Uh… Kira?" Cagalli said a bit hesitantly
"What now?" Kira said a bit annoyed expecting that she was going to bring up his relationship with Lacus once again.
"Your pancakes are burning" she said while pointing to the stove.
"Ahhhhh!" Kira quickly got up and tried to salvage the pancakes.
Just then, Lacus opened the door, she had the usual bed hair hairstyle, which looked rather odd on her since she normally had her hair combed straight.
"Good morning" she said while squinting her eyes a little bit. The morning light was an enemy to all of those who had just woken up. The twins returned the morning gesture. After a few minutes the three sat down at a long rectangular table with a plate full of pancakes and a bottle of maple syrup next to it.
"How come you didn't wake me up? I slept for so long" Lacus asked curiously.
"Uh… well.. I wanted to umm… surprise you with breakfast, I was going to wake you up but then…"
"What are you saying?" Cagalli said interrupted him "Didn't you say something about her being an angel and if you woke her up she might fly away?"
The room just went silent as Kira just blushed furiously as did Lacus. She looked over to Kira's direction waiting for a response. "Yea… yea I did say something like that" Kira replied confidence in his answer shown and this just made Lacus blush even more.
"So are you two a couple now?" Cagalli asked, since she sensed something different from their usual friendship. The two just gave a slight nod each still unable to believe what occurred last night. Cagalli's jaw just dropped in awe, when she was able to pick her mouth off the floor she gave a sturdy slap across Kira's back, it was her way of saying 'Good job' or so it would have been if she gave only one, but she bombarded him with several blows it gave Kira more of a feeling like 'I'm happy for you, but if you make her sad I'll totally kill you'. After Cagalli finished her body language Kira asked Lacus if she wanted to go out with him, on their first date. She agreed with a slight nod as her pink hair hid the deep colour in her cheeks. Cagalli made a lame excuse and quickly vacated the room while grabbing a couple slices of pancakes. The room remained quiet, the two would often steal quick glances at one another but would quickly face the other way. After finishing their breakfast, Kira cleared the table and cleaned up.
"It was delicious" Lacus stated while giving Kira a big smile. The smile melted away at his heart and he almost dropped the dish he was holding.
"T-Thanks" Kira replied meekly.
About half an hour later, the two set out for their first date, their first stop – Lacus' house. She wanted to get a change of clothes since she was still in her school uniform. The two arrived at her house, Lacus fiddled with her keys until she found the right one and inserted it into the keyhole. Lacus ushered Kira in who humbly abided.
"You can watch some tv, I'll be back right away" She extended her arm towards the living room.
"Okay."
The living room walls were painted a light blue, almost similar to that of Lacus' eyes. It was the first thing Kira thought of when he saw it. Next to the television set was a mantle, and on it were pictures of Lacus' family. After moments of starring at the memorable pictures he sat down on the sofa and flipped on the television. After a couple minutes of searching he finally found something he enjoyed, it was an anime about a young boy who happens to stumble across this giant robot called a Gundam and ends up piloting it to protect his friends. Kira thought the main character resembled him a great deal but shook it off as a coincidence, just then the sounds of steps descended from upstairs as Lacus graciously walked down. Kira couldn't help but stare. Lacus was wearing jeans that showed off all of her curves and a long baby blue sweater that slid sleekly down to her palms.
"You look… beautiful" the words just seemed to slip out on their own. Those three simple words caused Lacus to blush slightly.
"Thank you" she responded.
Kira extended his hand in a gesture that asked for hers. She gladly responded and intertwined their fingers with one another. The two froze in time and took the time to really appreciate one another before stepping out of Lacus' house.
"Where are we going?" Lacus inquired.
"You'll see..."
After a few minutes the couple arrived at the mall. Lacus was a bit disappointed that it was only the mall but didn't care that much since she was with Kira.
"Don't worry, this isn't where I was planning, this is only a pit stop" Kira mentioned as though he were able to read her mind. Lacus was speechless, a bit surprised but it was more of a surprise that Kira already knew her so well and it was only a few weeks since they had become acquainted. Kira held the door to the mall open as he let Lacus in first and then escorted her to their 'pit stop'. In front of them stood a very brightly lit store the name of the store read: Hoshi. Lacus instantly recognized the store she was tempted to enter it on several occasions but was never able to do it.
"Here?" she questioned. Kira simply responded with a nod. "Why here?" she asked trying to avoid this place if possible.
"I have a hunch" Kira stated as he took her by the hand and gently squeezed it in assurance. Lacus couldn't help but melt at his comforting words; she nodded in agreement and the two approached the clerk and ordered a room for two.
Kira used the key he was given by the clerk and unlocked a brown oak door on the second floor. The door creaked open and Kira stepped inside and Lacus nervously followed. The room was pitch black with only a few dim lights on. The two slid their palms across the walls in search of the light switch, until finally Lacus was able to locate them, she slowly increased the luminosity of the room but not so that it was too bright, she was nervous of Kira watching her and wanted to keep it a bit dark. Kira understood her reasoning without having to ask so he gave her a comforting smile as he closed the door behind them. The room contained a small stage with a wooden floor, but the rest of the floor was carpeted. A small television was in front of the stage and a microphone was attached to the side of the television.
"Don't worry, there's nothing to be nervous about." Kira said trying once again to reassure her. Lacus picked up the microphone and selected a song to sing, after a few moments of searching she found one and started.
The song ended and the music began to fade in the distance, Lacus opened one eye first to see the reaction of her first and only audience. From what she could tell he was in awe, or at least that's what she hoped.
"How… was it?" she questioned nervously. Kira closed and opened his mouth but was not actually able to articulate any actual words. "I knew it, I told you I can't" Lacus was interrupted when Kira suddenly arose to his feet and rushed up to embrace her.
"I knew it… of course and angel has an angelic voice." Lacus could only blush, Kira's compliments were becoming bolder and she could barely hide her blushes anymore.
"Thank you, but you're just saying that…"
"No I'm not, any fool will recognize your talent in singing" He stated as he stared directly into her eyes, never looking away.
"And you Mr. Yamato, have become quite the sweet talker" Lacus said jokingly as she poked him in the chest which Kira responded with a fake expression of pain.
After a few hours they became a bit hungry, which was identified when Kira went up on stage and his stomach growled and was amplified by the microphone, Lacus couldn't help but laugh. Kira was embarrassed but to see Lacus laugh in that manner it didn't matter if he was the joke. The two exited the karaoke bar and proceeded to a local café just on the other side of the mall. They entered the store and took a booth seat next to the window sitting opposite of one another. Shortly after, a waitress came to take their order. Lacus looked up and was about to order when she gasped at who she saw, it was none other than Mir.
"Oh? A date already?" Mir grinned. Lacus couldn't say the words so she just gave
Mir a nod. "So lovebirds… what will it be?" Mir questioned getting right to the point.
"Um… how about the lunch special?" Kira said as Mir started to scribble down the order on her notepad.
"Um… me too… uh lunch special" Lacus said shortly after Kira finished.
"So will that be on one plate?" Mir asked teasingly.
"Mir!" Lacus shouted embarrassed as her face was completely red.
"Hehe, just kidding" Mir replied with a large grin on her face, she was loving every second of this and it was written all over her face. Lacus slouched back into her seat embarrassed that she shouted like that. Kira gently rested his hand above hers which quickly relaxed her.
"Will you two like to be alone?" Mir asked hoping to get yet another reaction from Lacus who was still beet red.
"Yes, please" Kira said which caused Mir to pout because he was not as fun as Lacus. Mir scurried off and filed the order to the back.
"Sorry about Mir Kira" Kira got up from the table and slid out and went to Lacus' side of the table where he sat down and whispered into her ear "I hope she does that again, you were so cute I almost died" Lacus pouted because of what Kira said, she faced away to express her anger but couldn't stay angry at him for long so she turned back to face him. Her action brought her face only a few centimeters away from Kira's. Emotions quickly rose to the surface. Kira cupped Lacus' face in his palms and slowly moved closer to her lips. Lacus closed her eyes and waited for the tiny miracle to happen.
"Here's your ord…." Mir stopped in the middle of her sentence as she almost dropped the dishes. "Ah sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt…" Unable to kiss in public yet the two rested their foreheads against one another and looked into each other's eyes and smiled.
"It's okay Mir, it's nothing" Lacus said as she pulled away from Kira.
"Well… I hope this makes up for it" Mir announced as she showcased her apology, it was a milkshake, only one, with two straws, Lacus got the message.
"Mir!" Lacus shouted again, but was unable to scold her any further since Mir had already run off. She sat back down and was met with an unexpected peck on the cheek from Kira.
"I hope that will suffice" Kira said as he slowly moved his lips away from her cheek.
"Yes… but only for a while" Lacus said while blushing red like a tomato.
Lacus and Kira exited the café and it was already getting dark, they apparently stayed longer than they anticipated because they were caught up in conversations about each other and lost track of time. After a quick farewell and another tease from Mir they were walking hand in hand along an isolated road, one of the lights flickered as they passed it.
"Can you follow me for a bit Lacus?" Kira questioned as they continued walking. "Yes, of course" There wasn't a single hesitation in her reply.
After a few minutes of walking a moderately steep hill they arrived at a scenery that could only be described as beautiful. There they stood as the cool breeze brushed against them and shifted the tall grass in their direction. Surrounding them were several large sakura trees, their pink petals filled most of their views since there were still some attached to the branches and were many that littered the floor. There was only a dirt road that led to the tip of the hill which had an undistinguishable structure to Lacus from this distance. The two walked slowly through this peaceful environment taking their time to fully enjoy the situation, Lacus overlapped Kira's hand with both of hers and gently leaned onto Kira's arm.
As they approached the structure Lacus was able to make it out to be a bench, leaves covered the seats and it showed its age greatly as there were pieces of it that showed signs of deterioration. Kira brushed away the loose petals and signaled for Lacus to sit with him, which she graciously accepted.
"This is what I wanted to show you…" Kira whispered into her ear as she leaned closer to him. Beyond the hill was the town, it was rare that they were able to find such an isolated place. The town light's glittered magnificently in the falling darkness, it was truly a marvelous sight to behold. Kira pointed to something in the distance, Lacus followed and noticed a baby blue box surrounded by the tall grass.
"That's for you." Lacus was shocked, but she had overwhelming happiness welling up in her. She walked towards the tiny box as Kira remained seated and just watched her. She stooped down and lifted it off the floor and pulled on the white ribbon unlocking the box. Lacus' eyes just widened at what she saw. Inside the tiny box was a golden hairclip. She turned around, her eyes sparkled in the moon's light and she raced towards Kira and embraced him tightly.
"Thank you…" Lacus said as she tightened her grip around Kira to which he could only smile. They lips seemed to be calling out to one another and they weren't planning to deny what they really wanted, and so they drew in and were only centimeters from each other. Kira brushed away loose hair from Lacus face, he wanted to see her face clearly, Lacus could feel his warm hand caressing her cheek and her heart began to race madly. They could sense the other's lips approached and just before they were about to kiss Lacus' cell phone rang and interrupted their moment. She quickly scanned the caller ID to see if she could postpone and get back to what her heart truly wanted. The mood was broken when she realized that the caller was her father. Lacus apologized to Kira and took the call, Kira nodded and understood. Lacus walked a bit away and flipped on the cell phone.
Minutes later Lacus returned to Kira and apologized, she had to go home. "Already?" Kira asked.
"Yea… I'm really sorry Kira"
"It's okay, can I walk you home?"
Lacus smiled and answered "I couldn't think of anything better"
About fifteen minutes later they arrived back at Lacus' residence. Reluctantly she separated her hands from Kira's and stood facing him.
"Thank you for such a beautiful day Kira"
"The pleasure was all mine"
They waved their goodbyes and parted ways, both shocked as to what a beautiful day it turned out to be.