hey everyone, sorry if I haven't updated for a very long time, exams are finally over and I guess I owe you guys a very big update.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny
Chapter 4: A Proper Encounter, a Warming Gesture
Kira fell down onto his bed with exhaustion, his arms were aching a bit and his feet felt numb. His race with Athrun was a bit straining to his body, but still enjoyed it. It came out to be a tie, the very first time which both Kira and Athrun had finished at the exact same time.
Kira sighed as he was fatigued and his adrenaline was sucked away from him. He then noticed that he was extremely hungry when his stomach growled very loudly, loud enough for the old lady downstairs to start poking her ceiling.
Kira just laughed nervously and headed towards the kitchen, opened his refrigerator and was shocked for what he just saw, nothing. His fridge was completely empty and here he was, about to starve to death.
He decided to head out for a bite to eat while making a stop at the grocery store. Before he headed out, he strapped his camera around his neck once again and carried a few extra rolls of film. Kira never leaves without his camera in hand since he knows that breaking news can happen at any time.
Kira had to learn this the hard way when during his day off, he was just sitting at the bench until his thoughts were disturbed by an explosion. It turned out that there was an apartment that caught on fire and Kira didn't had his camera at hand, leaving him with no pictures to take. Kira was not going to make the same mistake ever again, he just has to remember to carry a few extra rolls of film from time to time.
As soon as Kira stepped out onto the streets, he noticed that the air was slightly warmer, most likely because it was going to rain. He looked up at the sky and could only make out some grey clouds since it was already night time. Kira increased his pace since he did not want to get his camera wet which would easily destroy it.
Kira had walked by the park which he had most recently been visiting and stopped around to see if the hotdog stand was still up. To his disappointment, the hotdog stand was no where in sight and Kira was forced to go eat at a restaurant.
Before he knew it, there was a loud crack of thunder which startled him. He looked up to the sky and felt a small drop of water land right onto his eye. He flinched and rubbed the eye which was caught off guard until he was comfortable again.
Not knowing where to go, Kira started running down the street in front of him and was forced to enter a small restaurant when it started to rain heavily. He looked down onto his camera and sighed in relief, it was untouched by the rain and was completely dry.
Kira then looked at the restaurant he was standing in and realized that he never came here before. He noticed that the walls were painted in a deep orange which was heart warming to the customers. Kira noticed that some type of jazz music was playing in the background and found that this specific restaurant seemed quite nice.
Being drawn to the soothing environment, Kira ordered a table for himself and a waitress directed him to one. Once seated, he was given a menu and glanced through it and for the first time, realized that the name of the restaurant he was in was called Starlight Café.
Kira didn't seem to mind that he wasn't going to have a full forced dinner since he was used to it and because the meals in the menu seems more than satisfactory for his hunger. Once Kira finally decided on what to eat, he placed the menu on the table and waited for a waiter or waitress to come take his order.
While waiting for his order to be taken, Kira fixed his gaze to the window where the rain was streaming down on it. He was thinking about what he was going to do tomorrow since Athrun told him he had a day off before he left at the go kart area. He sighed since he was not able to think of anything, but eat and sleep and decided to think of something when tomorrow comes.
Kira's train of thought was broken by a sudden voice and jumped, not able to hear what the person said. Kira turned around and was only able to see a blob of pink, his eyes was still a bit blurry from spacing out while looking at the window. He quickly rubbed his eyes to keep them in focus and turned to the person and was quite shocked to see who it was.
It was the girl from the park.
Kira was stunned at her appearance, her long, pink hair hung down to her waist, her crystal blue eyes were just sparkling in the light above them and she was…beautiful.
"Umm, excuse me? Did you say something?" the girl asked.
Kira snapped out of his trance and didn't realize that he whispered the last word. Desperate on getting out of this, he nervously put his hands in front of him, shaking them while shaking his head at the same time. His actions caused the girl to let out a slight giggle, Kira couldn't help but drop his head in embarrassment.
"Anyways, my name is Lacus Clyne," the girl smiled, "I will-"
"Oh! My name is Kira Yamato…" Kira interrupted while he sprung to his feet offering his hand for a handshake.
Lacus seemed hesitant, she brought her hand up, but suddenly dropped it back down to her side. Kira turned his head on an angle as a sign of his confusion.
"Umm…I'm not sure if I'm allowed to touch customers." She told him while giving a shocked expression from Kira's sudden movements.
Kira froze for a second, allowing the information to seep through his mind. Then he examined Lacus a bit closer and noticed her clothes; a white dress shirt with a long black skirt. She was also holding a notepad with a pen in hand. Kira started to sweat thinking that he made a big mistake and took a glance around the café, he noticed the waiters and waitresses were dressed in the same fashion. Noticing his mistake, he chuckled a bit in embarrassment and sat back down, bowing his head in apology.
Lacus let out another small giggle and asked if he wanted anything. Kira just told her what he wanted and watched her leave to the back room. He sighed, thinking about how stupid he was and how he looked in front of the other customers if any of them saw him.
Kira shook off the idea after a few minutes and returned his gaze to the glass window, where it was still raining heavily.
After a few minutes, Lacus had returned with the sandwich and soup which Kira ordered, she set them on the table and Kira said his thanks. Kira started eating away once Lacus had walked away, he was very surprised by how good the food tasted which caused him to eat faster. After around a few more minutes, Kira was finished and most importantly, his stomach was satisfied.
Kira closed his eyes for a second to relax since the environment was so peaceful, he was able to hear the other customers talking about and the jazz music being played in the background. Suddenly, he heard footsteps and it caused him to slowly open his eyes. His eyes met Lacus, who was busy taking the plates away while putting the bill on the table.
Kira put some money onto the small black tray and relaxed for a few more minutes. His comfortable moment was disturbed when he heard a loud gasp. He quickly jumped off his seat to see what was happening and only found Lacus in front of him, hold the black tray with wide eyes.
He didn't understand what was so surprising with the black tray and starred at Lacus with a confuse look.
"Um…" she started, "tips was included in the bill and this is way over what you're supposed to pay."
Kira just stood there, transfixed with her image and simply shook his head and smiled, "It's alright, I meant to put that much money there. This place really is something you know, it deserves it." And he motioned Lacus that it was okay to take the money.
Lacus just shook her held in disagreement and grabbed Kira's hand. She then took some money from the black tray and placed it in his hands and then forcefully closed it. She then quickly walked off, not giving him a chance to protest. All Kira could do was sigh in disbelief.
Kira picked up his camera and put on his coat, he headed towards the door and noticed that the rain had finally stopped. He headed towards the nearest grocery store to get some food to fill up his fridge.
He found one a couple blocks away from the café and quickly bought the necessary food. He then continued to walk towards his apartment. He reached the park and stopped when he felt a drop of water on his face. He touched the drop of water with his finger and figured out that it was probably going to rain once again.
He started to quicken his pace, but was a bit too late; since it started to rain. Kira sought shelter to the nearest tree and took refuge in the shade, where the leaves and branches prevented the rain to go through.
Kira sighed in disbelief for he was not going to be able to walk home until it stopped raining and that he forgot his umbrella at his apartment. Even if he was to run off and buy an umbrella, the groceries would be soaked. So he decided to wait a while until the rain either stopped or got lighter.
Without Kira noticing, a figure had approached Kira. It was a person who also took refuge in the tree's shade.
Kira was not able to hear the person's footsteps since all he was able to hear was rain and the sound of leaves moving along with the wind. He suddenly felt as if he was being watched and turned around, only to find a dark figure right behind him.
He jumped off his feet in surprise and just stood there as the dark figure stepped closer towards him. Kira sighed in relief as he was able to see that it was none other than Lacus. She was slightly soaked and was wearing a simple blue dress. Kira figured that she must've gotten off work and started to head home, but was also stopped by the rain.
Lacus gave him a warming smile and he returned it with a smile of his own and a slight wave of his hand.
"Hi Kira, funny to find you here, were you heading home?" she suddenly asked.
Kira nodded his head, "yeah, I'm just waiting until it lightens up or stops, then I would head back to my apartment. Did you also forget to bring an umbrella?"
Lacus gave him a small nod and gave him a nervous smile. Kira saw that she had a worry look on her face and wondered what was wrong, but figured that it was most likely none of his business. He shifted his gaze towards the rain in front of him, watching the raindrops hit the small puddles on the ground. Time to time, he would take a quick glance of Lacus to see if she still had that worried look, but her expression never changed.
Not being able to take it anymore, he was going to ask what was bothering her so much.
"Lacus, what's wrong?" he asked.
Lacus was a bit shocked that he asked that, she didn't know that Kira was able to read her expression so well. Usually only her best friends were able to read them, but she only met Kira for less than a day.
Giving in, Lacus looked up at the sky with her bright sapphire eyes. She gave a sigh and decided to just tell Kira her problem.
"Well, you see, I'm worried about my dog, Haro. I have to get back home soon to feed him, but because of the rain, I can't. I don't want Haro to stay hungry because of me." She told him.
Kira looked at Lacus once more and knew that she was really worried about Haro, probably because her little dog meant so much to her. He closed his eyes for a second to think of a way to help Lacus, but opened them when he heard Lacus rubbing her arms for warmth. Her dress was sleeveless and exposed her bare arms, which were now cold from the rain.
Without thinking, Kira immediately took off his jacket and wrapped it around Lacus' shoulders. Lacus was surprised by Kira's sudden actions, but accepted his kind gesture.
"Thanks"
"No problem, I'm not really that cold anyways" Kira once again closed his eyes trying to concentrate of a solution to Lacus' problem, but it didn't last long when Lacus spoke.
"But you're only wearing a T-shirt, don't you need your jacket?" she asked giving a worried expression.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, you need the jacket more than I do."
Suddenly, Kira finally thought of something. He looked around the street, but couldn't find what he was exactly looking for. He turned back to Lacus and looked at his groceries which were placed on the ground.
"Lacus, can you stay here and watch over my groceries and camera? I need to go get something, I'll be right back!" And he quickly handed Lacus his camera and ran off into the rain.
Before Lacus could even say anything, Kira had already ran too far for him to hear her. So she just decided to wait for Kira's return.
Kira was running in the rain and occasionally wiped his eyes, clearing them from the rain. He stopped at an intersection and looked around, desperately trying to find whatever he was looking for. He grunted in frustration and ran around the block a few more times. After several minutes, he was able to find what he was looking for.
It had been 10 minutes since Kira left and he still have not returned. Lacus was a bit worried about what might of happened to Kira, but shook her thoughts away. It wasn't the time to think negative and only hoped that Kira would be alright. After 5 more minutes, Lacus was able to see Kira running towards her, holding something in his hand, but was not able to make out what it was.
Kira had finally ran back into the shelter of the tree and grabbed his knees, panting. He looked up to Lacus and noticed her worried expression and he gave her a smile and handed the object which was being held in his hand, it was a pink umbrella.
"It matches you hair, here, take it" Kira smiled.
"K-Kira, it wasn't necessary for you to go out like that just to get me an umbrella. I'm positive that Haro would've been fine no matter what time I got home. You seriously didn't have to do this." Lacus protested.
"It's fine, I just wanted to do it, besides, Haro is waiting for you" Kira gave her another smile, but it didn't last, since he sneezed a couple of times. His upper body was practically frozen from all the rain and he shivered from the uncomfortable feeling.
Lacus noticed Kira's condition and was saddened that it was because Kira was now cold and would probably be sick since he gave her his jacket. She took her hand and touched Kira's bare arm, but immediately pulled back when she found out how cold he was.
"Kira! You're really cold!" she practically yelled, but with a sense of worry in her voice and started to take off Kira's jacket, but it was pushed back onto her shoulders. She looked at Kira, who was the one who kept the jacket on her shoulders.
"I'm just fine Lacus, you don't have to worry so much" he gave her a reassuring smile, but sneezed a couple more times.
Knowing that Kira would refuse to take back his jacket, Lacus did what she could only think of getting Kira warm. She brought Kira in a sudden embrace and rubbed his back, while placing her head on his shoulders so that he was unable to see her red face from embarrassment.
Kira was shocked by Lacus' bold actions, but returned her embrace, keeping them both warm.
After a few moments, Kira was finally warm and they broke the embrace. Each quickly facing the other way in attempt of hiding their now red faces, once Kira calmed himself down, he picked up his groceries and started to walk back to his apartment. But before he was able to step out of the tree's shelter, his arm was pulled back.
He looked behind him and saw that it was Lacus, who had her hand on his arm and holding the umbrella while having her bag swung onto her arm and his camera around her neck.
"Umm…" Lacus said with a nervous smile, "why don't I walk you home since you don't have an umbrella?"
"Ehh?" Kira was once again shocked, but thought for a while. "How about, I walk you home since it's already late and even if you walk me home, you would have to walk to your house by yourself and at this kind of time, it isn't safe." Kira sure was quick on thinking on how to counter Lacus' suggestion.
Lacus just sighed in defeat while letting Kira take the umbrella off her hand. He held it so that it was only covering her. Lacus pouted from his actions and decided to move closer to Kira, forcing him to shade himself from the rain too.
They then walked off towards Lacus' house which turned out to be an apartment which was only a couple of blocks away from Kira's.
Once they reached Lacus' apartment door, Lacus was fiddling with her keys, thinking of asking Kira something, but was nervous to do so. Swallowing all her thoughts of doubt, she just blurted it out.
"Kira-would-you-like-to-come-inside?" she asked very quickly and it took Kira a few moments to figure out what she really said. He simply nodded and went inside when Lacus held the door for him.
When Kira walked in, all he was able to see was darkness, he squinted his eyes to try and make out a few things, but was unsuccessful.
After a few moments, Kira was caught off guard when Lacus suddenly turned the lights on and Kira squinted while keeping his eyes shut. After a while, Kira could make out a slight giggle and slowly opened his eyes while turning towards Lacus. She had an amused expression on her face and Kira just chuckled.
He then gave a good look to his surroundings, the walls were painted with a light peach colour and he could easily smell that Air Wick was used. The floor was covered with a wooden floor which looked as if it has just been waxed and noticed that the only room which was carpeted was a single bedroom that was to the side.
Kira followed Lacus to the main room and Kira looked around, noticing that it was a bit similar to his apartment, not the same, but similar.
Lacus noticed that Kira was still hanging onto the bags of groceries and wondered if Kira himself realized that.
"Kira, why don't you place you groceries in the refrigerator so that they won't go bad?" Lacus suggested.
Kira's trance on Lacus' apartment and agreed to what she had just said. He headed towards the kitchen and placed all his food in the fridge, while putting the box of cereal, bottle of ketchup, and his camera on the table.
When he was about to leave the kitchen, he heard a small bark and he jumped. He looked down and saw that it was a medium sized dog with black, white, and brown fur. Kira quickly recognized it as a beagle and knew that this must be Haro. He quickly gave Haro a smile and patted his head.
He returned to the living room only to discover that Lacus had suddenly disappeared, shrugging it off and thinking that Lacus must have gone to get a change of clothes and to feed Haro, he headed towards the balcony and watched the rain drop from the sky.
Lacus then reappeared with a towel and bathrobe and placed them on a nearby table and walked towards the balcony where Kira was starring at the city.
Kira turned around to see that Lacus was back, but with a different set of clothes. Her hair was slightly wet and it seemed as if she was wearing pyjamas.
"Kira, why don't you take a shower and then stay here for the night, I will set up the couch. The bathroom is that way and if you need anything like a snack, feel free to look in the kitchen." Lacus said in a demanding voice.
Before Kira could say anything to protest, Lacus had walked off to the hallway and he heard a door close. Knowing that no matter what he'll say, Lacus would stick to what she had just said. Kira picked up the towel and bathrobe and headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower.
After 15 minutes, Kira walked out of the washroom in his bathrobe, but made sure that he was wearing his boxers underneath, he didn't want any weird incidents happening. He could imagine Lacus waking up in the morning only to find Kira on the floor without his bathrobe on which left his whole body expose. Kira then slapped himself on the head for thinking such things. He quickly folded his clothes and placed them on top of the towel and headed towards the kitchen.
He refreshed himself with a small glass of milk and headed towards the living room where he found a pillow, blanket, and Haro lying on the couch. Kira just chuckled to see the beagle sleeping soundly on the couch. He pet it a few more times and Haro jumped off the couch. Kira then made himself comfortable and was about to doze off until he felt Haro jump onto him. Kira was caught completely off guard that he almost screamed, but kept his mouth shut and watched the dog sleep on his stomach. Petting it for the last time, he finally dozed off to sleep.
Sunlight had pierced through the curtains on the window and the light hit a young girl's face. Lacus groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She sighed and thought of what she was going to do today, she had her day off so she should make use of it. She then remembered the events which happened last night and realized that Kira must be waiting in the living room for her.
She quickly got up and made her bed while brushing her hair a bit to make it look somewhat presentable and walked out of her room. She headed towards the living room only to find the towel and blanket folded, and the pillow resting on the side. She also found Haro sleeping soundly on the floor.
She then walked into the kitchen only to find Kira's stuff missing, she checked the refrigerator only to find that Kira's groceries were also missing. She noticed that there was a plate, fork, and pan on her drying rack; they have already been washed. There was something in the corner of her eye and she looked at the table to see that there was a small note and a plate filled with some money. She quickly picked up the note and read it, she let out a few giggles when she finished reading the note. She put the letter down and opened the refrigerator, surprised of what she saw; a large plate filled with eggs, sausages, waffles, and a glass of milk.
There, on the table, lay a note which read:
Good morning Lacus, I'm sorry that I had to leave so suddenly, but I had to get something from my apartment. If you're worried that I didn't have breakfast, it's ok, Haro woke me up early enough to cook myself some breakfast although I had to wash my face from Haro's slobber. I had already fed Haro in order to stop him from barking all the time and washed the dishes. The money on the table is for yesterday's tip and for the eggs and sausages from my breakfast. Don't even think of giving it back to me. Well, I enjoyed staying here and I hope to see you soon.
PS - There's a surprise for you in the refrigerator.
-Kira