The Last Hurdle – Fear of the First Kiss

A small coffee shop around 7pm…

It had been a joyous day for Miki as she, Meiko, Meiko's husband, and Aaron finally got a chance to really meet each other and go on what Miki still would consider a 'Double date'; and despite Aaron's still consistent attempts to make it seem like otherwise Miki would still not think of it as anything but. As Namura sipped his tea sitting down in a booth next to his wife he asked, "So Aaron, where in the US are you from?"

"Montana, we're the 4th largest state in the whole United States, yet we have one of the smallest populations," Aaron responded as he drank some of his water.

"So is it a different feel being in Tokyo? Aside from the language I'm sure," Namura chuckled.

Aaron pointed to his wristwatch and said, "This is the only reason why everything sounds so clear to me. Honestly…I don't understand Japanese straight up the best."

Namura blinked confused, "Your watch? Is it a translator or something?"

Aaron nodded, "Yeah, I made it myself and it's really a nice little piece of equipment. It's about the only way I can really understand what's going on. Now see if I was to turn it off…" Aaron turned it off and responded, "Now I'm going to assume you have no bloody idea what the heck I'm saying on the basis that I'm speaking pretty dang fast as well as in clear English."

Namura looked at him with a blank stare and looked at Meiko who was just as confused. Miki laughed hesitantly and elbowed Aaron saying something that Aaron couldn't understand in her native Japanese tongue. Aaron turned on the wristwatch translator once more and hear Miki finish, "only way he can understand what you're saying."

"I see," Meiko said smiling, "that's quite inventive of you Aaron."

Aaron chuckled, "I guess you could think of it that way."

Meiko was a little puzzled by his response and looked at her husband. Namura smiled again and asked, "So what do you enjoy doing for fun?"

"Well, when it comes to basketball I'm all over that. Honestly I'm a fanatic of video games and mangas so go figure I'd end up getting a chance to come to Japan, and I'm a VERY avid writer."

"Really!" Meiko seemed interested in his last comment, "do you have any published works?"

"No, to many copyright infringements you could say. I mean I love to write but they're based off other stories already created. In a sense you could say I'm expanding the universe that the characters live in."

"I'm sure you'd enjoy Meiko's writings then Aaron!" Miki chimed in happily.

Meiko blushed embarrassed and said waving her hand shyly, "No I'm sure his writings are much better than mine!"

"Nonsense! You've already become an accomplished writer when you were in high school!" Meiko was embarrassed but nodded. Namura chuckled and agreed with Miki.

"Hey you've definitely got talent if you've already got something published Meiko. I wouldn't be embarrassed about something you must be good at if it was published!"

Meiko looked at Aaron who was smiling warmly. "A-Arigato…" she lowered her head even more embarrassed.

Namura continued to ask questions, "So what are you trying to achieve career wise?"

Aaron chuckled, "Well that's just it, I don't really work, I'm an aspiring self-made multi-millionaire. I've actually retired off the income I'm already generating and it's just something that I've been doing since I was 21 actually."

Meiko and Miki's eyes grew big and they were in disbelief at what they just heard, "You're kidding me! You never said you were a millionaire!" Miki shook her head.

Aaron looked over at Miki and replied, "You never asked!"

Namura chuckled and responded, "Well that's definitely a wonderful thing. I'm sure you'll be able to provide for your family when the time arises, if it hasn't arisen already."

Aaron nodded slightly as if he tried to shy away from something of that nature and responded, "Yeah, when that time comes."

"So you aren't seeing anyone?" Meiko asked.

Miki intervened and responded, "That's not a real good-."

"No it's ok Miki," Aaron interrupted Miki and finished, "You don't have to cover for me."

Miki looked up at Aaron and could tell there was a hint of worry in his voice. She nodded slowly and finished trying to force the tone of the conversation back to upbeat, "Say Meiko, have you started writing your latest book yet?"

Meiko nodded, "Yes, but I'll have to tell you about it more when we're not around so many people. I'd like to keep my ideas secretive."

Miki chuckled and nodded, "I understand."

Meiko noticed Aaron was totally absorbed and was staring out the window and she asked, "Is everything Ok Aaron?"

Miki looked at Aaron and noticed he didn't respond to Meiko's words and elbowed him a little trying to get his attention. Aaron blinked breaking his trance and looked over at Miki and then at Meiko and responded, "Gomen, I don't know what came over me all of a sudden."

"Is everything ok Aaron?" Miki asked slightly concerned.
Aaron smiled and shook his head, "Err no it's nothing. I've just been pondering something that's been happening back home."

"In the US?"

"Errr, yeah," Aaron put his hand behind his head laughing lightly.

"What about?"

Aaron shook his head, "Don't worry about it."

"You sure? You were staring out pretty hard."

Aaron smiled his warm smile and chuckled, "Everything will be fine Miki."

Miki blushed a little feeling her body melt again at his smile and nodded. Meiko looked at Namura confused slightly and looked back over at Miki smiling, "So how is Yuu doing Miki?"

Miki smiled blushing and replied, "He's doing great. He's really enjoying his last semester."

"That's good, do you still talk to him every night?"

Miki shook her head, "I don't have a lot of time anymore with college classes, work and having to make sure HE doesn't get himself into trouble," Miki pointed to Aaron.

Aaron threw a displeasured glance over at Miki and Namura chuckled, "Well it's nice to see you're keeping yourself occupied though Miki." Namura looked back over at Aaron and asked, "So what is Montana really like? Is it anything like New York?"

Aaron burst out laughing and shook his head, "Hardly like it if anything, but when it comes to such a beautiful landscape at night nothing tops it. Not even the beauty I've seen here can top watching a pink sunset most evenings behind the mountains." Meiko and Miki blushed a little imagining such a pretty sight and Aaron finished, "Not to mention in the spring time the snow on the mountains is visible from where I live it's almost surreal to see. I mean I don't ski mind you but it's really a state made for outdoorsman."

"So a lot of people camp in Montana?"

"Very much so. Hunting, camping, fishing, and really anything outdoorsy is the main attraction. We also have geysers like Old Faithful the oldest active volcano in one of our state parks. It's really pretty to watch the hot jets of water come bursting out in a display of pure natural proportions."

"Interesting!" Meiko seemed a little intrigued by the sound of a geyser.

"Have you never seen a geyser before Meiko?"

Meiko shook her head, "I don't believe any of us have seen a real geyser."

Namura concurred, "I haven't either, but from what you describe I'm quite intrigued as well."

Aaron looked at Miki who shook her head, "No I haven't seen one either."

"Well hopefully someday soon you can see one," Aaron smiled at Miki again and she could feel herself melt once more.

"So Miki," Namura continued, "How is Suou-san doing?"

"Ginta?" Miki chuckled, "He's doing wonderful. He and Arimi are taking tennis together at the college, and he seems to be getting pretty serious about Arimi I think. They're always together anymore and you can just tell by that look in his eye he's thinking about something."

"Do you think he will soon?" Meiko seemed eager to know.

Miki nodded, "I think he will!"

Aaron chuckled and looked out at the clear blue sky again staring as if he was searching for something.

Outside the coffee shop…

Miki waved to her friends good-bye as their time together came winding down. Meiko and her husband were staying at hotel downtown and started their walk away from the coffee shop opposite to Miki's house. Miki smiled and looked up at Aaron, "Thanks for coming with me today. I really enjoyed myself." She grabbed his hand almost instinctively and smiled, "Come on, I wanna show you something."

Aaron blinked as she yanked and almost dragged him along. "M-Miki!" he seemed startled.

After a long silence and a lot of walking Miki asked, "Do you like jazz music Aaron?"

Aaron nodded, "I like some jazz, softer maybe. I'm more of a piano fan."

"Oh my gosh really!"

"Yeah, my mother was a big piano person and my father's mother is a piano teacher. I mean I don't have any desire to play myself, but I really love hearing piano music. It's very soothing."

"My friend Kei is a piano genius!" Miki said excitedly, "You should hear him play sometime!"

Aaron blinked, "Hmmm? Interesting."

Miki nodded, "He won a major piano tournament at the age of 13, the youngest winner ever."

"That's a pretty proud achievement I'm sure."

Miki nodded and continued to explain about Kei to Aaron as they continued down the cold darkened street. Eventually they came up on a neon lit sign. Miki pointed to it and said, "This is the place."

Aaron could hear music coming from inside. It calmed his nerves to hear something soothing and he took a relaxing breath. Miki saw he was calming down as his grip had loosened a little on her hand, and she could see he no longer had the tense look on his face as he did back in the coffee shop. "You did this on purpose didn't you Miki…" Aaron chuckled.

"Am I that easy to figure out?" she smiled back.

"Not always, but thank you." Miki nodded and led the way inside as the soft music still cut through the cold night air.

Three weeks later…

Surprisingly nothing much happened between Aaron and Miki after their afternoon date with Meiko and Namura. Each had become occupied with their own things and hardly ever saw each other. It did irritate Miki at times that Aaron would be around for only a few minutes and then head out, but then again it wasn't like they were going out or anything and Aaron did have his own things to do. It still confused her though WHAT he was doing since he never really told her what he was doing when he left. She figured she had better talk to him about it because it really was bothering her and she needed answers.

"So he's not said a thing to you?" Ginta asked as he, Miki, and Arimi walked home from classes.

Miki shook her head, "Nothing, and it bothers me because here I thought he was finally opening up to me…"

"You can't expect guys to just spill everything sometimes Miki," Arimi said looking at Ginta.

Ginta blinked and responded, "What's that supposed to mean!"
Arimi chuckled and playfully batted Ginta on the arm, "Oh don't worry silly I'm not talking about you."

Miki could tell this was going to head to lovey-dovey proportions for them very quickly so she interjected before Ginta could reply, "I GET your point."

Arimi smiled, "Just talk to him and I'm sure he'll let you know what's going on."

Miki nodded smiling, "Yeah, I'm sure everything will be ok…" She felt her voice trailing off and thought, "What if he doesn't like me anymore? Is that why I feel like he's avoiding me?"

Koishikawa household…

Arimi and Ginta waved goodbye to Miki as she walked up the steps to their home and was actually greeted my Aaron who apparently waiting for her on the steps.

"A-Aaron," Miki blushed a little as he smiled at her.

"Hey Miki, ummmm look, I bet you're wondering why I haven't really said a lot the last few weeks."

"How did he…" Miki thought and finished replying, "yeah, I mean I know you're busy, but…I thought you were finally opening up to me, and then you just got so silent it was like…"

"I'm sorry!" Aaron said hastily, "I didn't mean to make you think I was ignoring you and I apologize for my inaction. I've been really busy but that's not an excuse not to say hi or see how you're doing."

Miki smiled and nodded walking over and hugging him. "It's ok."

"I…wanted to make it up to you, by taking you out on a…what I'm asking is…" Aaron uncharacteristically stumbled once more over his own words before shaking his head and responded full of confidence once more, "I wanna take you out on a date for all the trouble I've caused you since I got here."

Miki looked up quickly her face blushing and she almost seemed like she was going to cry and nodded, "Of course I'd love to go out with you!"

Aaron smiled happily and hugged her tighter, "Awesome."

That night…

After an enjoyable dinner that finally had everyone at the table for the first time in almost a month Aaron retreated back to his room to relax. Miki came upstairs a few minutes later and knocked on Aaron's door. "It's open," Aaron replied.

Miki came bounding in happier than usual and looked up at Aaron with a smile on her face, "Hey."

"You seem much more perky than usual."

"Of course!"

"You really are simplistic Miki," Aaron said with a chuckle.

Miki smiled and climbed onto the top bunk where Aaron was laying and lay next to him as well saying, "You're right, and I'd like to simply lay here next to you."

She could feel his heart beating and his warm chest. "Miki?" Aaron seemed a little shocked.

"Is it ok? Just for a little bit? I haven't seen you for almost 3 weeks really and I need to catch up for lost time."

Aaron laughed and replied, "All right, but just make sure your parents don't see us. We don't need them going crazy over something like this."

Miki chuckled remembering a similar time with Yuu saying that when she wanted to hug him for a while. "You're so funny sometimes Aaron," she giggled cuddling closer. "So have you decided what we're going to do yet?" she asked relaxed.

"I'm going to keep it a secret until then," Aaron replied slyly.

Miki puffed her cheeks disappointed and replied, "Meanie…" She took a deep breath and relaxed again before saying, "I'm glad you don't hate me."

Aaron's head lifted up to look at her and he replied, "Wha! What would make you think that!"

Miki shook her head on his chest and replied, "Well considering I hadn't talked to you in a while and you never said anything to me I figured…maybe you didn't care for me anymore? I'm glad you are taking me out…because it eases the fear that I had."

Aaron stroked her cheek gently with his fingers and replied softly, "I love you too much to ever want to hate you." She blushed slightly and remembered her dream of kissing Aaron. She quivered slightly thinking about it to which Aaron blinked and asked, "Are you cold? You're quivering."

Miki could feel her heart beating faster and fast as the feeling that she had in her dream during that kiss grew more and more. Her quivering slowly got bigger and bigger and she responded, "N-no I'm not quivering."

"What's wrong Miki?"

"N-n-nothing."

Aaron turned setting her head down on the pillow and looked down at her from above. "Really now?" Miki's eyes were shaking and she was breathing rapidly. All she could remember was the dream and the feeling it brought her.

"Y-y-yes," Miki's voice quivered. She could feel her body starting to squirm as well. Aaron slowly moved his head closer to hers. She closed her eyes and she could feel her lips instinctively quiver waiting, waiting, waiting. The kiss never came. She opened her eyes and saw Aaron was merely a few inches from her face. "Why did you…stop," her voice was soft and slightly shaky."

"Because, you stopped quivering," Aaron whispered to her.

"But…but why…"

"As beautiful as you are, and as wonderful as you are. I'd have a hard time explaining myself…to myself and to everyone else, if I kissed you, without your permission."

Miki could barely move her body; she was so relaxed it was like she was numb and she in short breaths responded, "You…have…my permission…"

Aaron smiled and gently brushed his fingers down her cheek and softly and slowly down her neck and replied, "Not today Miki, no matter how bad I want to…not today."

Miki's body was going crazy inside and her mind was in a haze of thoughts she never thought she could experience outside of a dream. Aaron hadn't even kissed her and she was ready to go crazy. Yuu had NEVER turned her on this bad without kissing her before, not even once, and it shocked her Aaron was able to do so, and so easily. She worried that if she did kiss him how she would react and it almost frightened her, yet at the same time she loved the thrill and the feeling that stirred inside her. Aaron lay back down next to her and gently rolled her closer to him. She could feel his warmth caressing her and she slowly could feel her eyes slowly closing. She didn't want to fall asleep but she was so relaxed and so comfortable that her eyes were doing this without her permission, slowly, slowly, slowly until her eyelids drifted off into dreamland. She was whispering something in her sleep and Aaron heard her clearly but softly, "Love me…Aaron…"

Aaron chuckled and gently stroked her cheek again softly and smiled looking down on her heavenly body and whispered in Miki's ear, "I love you too, Miki."

Next morning…

Miki stirred gently and slowly opened her eyes unaware of her surroundings. She looked up googly-eyed at a blurry figure who was it appeared to be looking down upon her. In a goofy voice she said, "Good morning…" and then suddenly realized that she was looking up another human being. Her vision suddenly cleared up and she saw Aaron's smiling face looking down on her. Immediately thoughts started running through her mind, "Oh my God did I just make love to him last night!" She started spazzing out franticly and Aaron was surprised at her sudden spaz attack. "What happened last night!" Miki accused Aaron.

"Good morning to you too!" Aaron said raising an eyebrow.

"What did you do to me!"

"Miki relax nothing happened last night."

Miki's mind slowly began to remember last night and she sighed, "Oh yeah, sorry about that."

"It's not a problem, and I know I'm not the prettiest face in the world mind you."

Miki chuckled a little and moved back over and laid her head against his chest as he lay against the wall. "You don't mind? Even after my wake up call?"

Aaron shook his head, "Why would I mind?" Aaron said slowly wrapping his arms around her, "Because now I have you all to myself!"

Miki squealed happily and smiled looking up at him. "I like this," she thought, "he's so kind and fun to be around and he treats me with so much respect." She could slowly begin to feel her mind and her heart shift further and further from the fact she was still with Yuu and slowly more and more toward Aaron. "Aaron?" Miki looked up at his face, "do you love me?"

Aaron chuckled and replied without hesitation, "Of course I love you."

Miki smiled and relaxed once more enjoying the time together with Aaron. "Hey Aaron?" Miki asked again.

"Hmm?"

"You know I love you as well don't you?"

Aaron chuckled, "Of course I do. If you didn't, do you think this moment would be happening right now?"

"Of course not!"

"Well then don't worry about it silly," Aaron chuckled and gently brushed a finger down her cheek.

They sat there for what seemed like hours, and Miki was in pure heaven, however she knew little of what would suddenly cause everything to come crashing down to earth.

Later that afternoon…

Considering it was a Sunday and Miki luckily didn't have to work today she was spending time getting ready for her date with Aaron. "I wonder what he has lined up," she smiled thinking about so many possible romantic scenarios that he could be cooking up inside his head. Not to want to look drab as this WAS important Miki decided to go almost all out in her style. A darker blue woman's knee length veronica skirt decorated the lower half of her body considering the cooler weather was still in full force. Over her bra she decided to wear a sleeve boat neck top in light blue with a pattern of a humming bird on it. To compliment everything she wore a light denim jacket over this to give it just the right amount of cute. (Understand right now I have about as much fashion sense as a bucket of water so I actually had to do research on this part and if this isn't the best thing or it looks weird LET ME KNOW! So I can change it to something much more Miki like or even much more "fashionable") Considering she would be wearing her long fur winter overcoat for most of the date she figured what she wore shouldn't be something 'blow him away' but instead show the softer side. Thinking about facial features she decided a more relaxed look would be good make-up so she went with a relaxed blue eye shadow and a light pink blush that made her look even cuter than before (Again I'm still researching about this kinda fashion sense and what not so if it sounds terrible looking give me ideas! I'm about as knowing in this area as again…the bucket of water.) She felt like she was 16 again going on her first date it made her giggle so much. A few of Miki's thoughts even crossed the line that she thought wasn't something that would happen so fast and she shook her head thinking, "Woah, woah, woah, that's NOT going to happen that's WAY to fast for me!" She looked at her reflection in the mirror however and thought, "but what if I can't control my feelings and it ends up happening? Would he do such a thing?" Again she could feel the thumping in her chest beating faster and faster and she began blushing naturally overpowering what she had already applied to her face. A knock on her door startled her out of her trance and she responded, "Come in!"

Her mother Rumi came in and looked surprised replying, "My Miki you looked very dressy today! What's going on? Something important going on at school?"

Miki shook her head, "Aaron's going to treat me to something nice since he's practically ignored me for the last 3 weeks."

Rumi put a finger to her chin and responded a little confused, "But isn't that a little much? It looks more like you're going on a date with him sweetie."

Miki's face turned red and she replied embarrassed, "What are you talking about mom! I'm just trying to look nice as a way of saying thanks! My heart belongs to…Yuu…" Miki could feel a small pain in her chest as she said his name.

Rumi chuckled, "Oh my daughter what a web you've tangled yourself in. Playing with two guys' hearts!"

Miki looked back at her mother her face completely red and she screamed, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? AARON AND I ARE JUST FRIENDS!"

Rumi chuckled and shook her head, "Sweetie, you have to understand I'm your mother and I'm not oblivious to what's going on. I've said nothing because I know you need to work through this on your own and we know you'll make the best choice."

Miki looked defeated her face still fully red from being found out so easily. "Please don't tell me you've been spying on us," she hoped.

"Don't worry we've done nothing like that and we also know Aaron's been very good to you so we're not worried. Although we don't know why he seems to enjoy going out at night we know he's a good guy."

"Aaron is…a good guy mama," Miki could feel a smile coming across her lips slowly, "He's a very very good guy that I'm glad I can call a friend."

"Perhaps your boyfriend even?" Rumi teased her daughter.

"MOM!" Miki yelled at her mother as Rumi chuckled.

Later that night…

Aaron tapped his foot whistling in the cool night air and looked around as people walked by slowly and sighed heavily raising his eyes to the night sky. It was clear and the stars, or what could be seen given the bright lights of the city, were wondrously shining. Aaron spotted the brightest one in the sky and thought, "That one right there is Miki, she shines brighter than anyone else I've ever met. What if she does get involved in my life however? That means she could potentially be in harms way. Is it worth it to involve her in my fight?" Aaron shook his head and remembered what he heard so long ago from someone close to him.

"You can't force anyone to make a choice, and you can't make their choices for them. All you can do is let them decide if they do or don't want to accept the risks we get involved with or not. From that point on you have to accept what they decide." Aaron looked at the sky again at the bright star and then at the lights around the city. "No, I can't force her, but can't I for once in my life find something brighter than all the other distractions in my life?"

"Aaron!" a voice called out from down the road.

Aaron looked over and saw Miki dressed in her fur-lined overcoat. He instantly noticed the simple yet elegant make-up she was wearing and could feel his cheeks turning red. She was…the brightest star in a sky of people. "M-Miki…" was all he could come out with.

Miki blinked and blushed a little, "I'm sorry I'm late, I took a little longer to get ready than I thought."

Aaron snapped out of his gaze and said stumbling, "Huh! Err…no…don't worry! I…er…I just got here myself!"

Miki smiled, "Good."

"Ummm, you look…great. Ummm…yeah," Aaron seemed to be stumbling over his own words for some reason again.

"T-Thanks," Miki seemed to be getting embarrassed for some reason.

Aaron shook his head regaining his composure and slowly moved toward Miki. Miki could feel her heart beating faster and faster once more the closer he got until he held out his hand. "Would you mind if I escorted you to our dinner?"

Miki nodded with a warm smile and took Aaron's hand gently. Hand in hand they headed down the street to the restaurant that Aaron had picked out. "So where are we eating?"

"Well I checked around town and I was told that there was this place around here. I can't remember the name I just remember the look of it." After another 15 minutes of walking Aaron pointed to a sign and replied, "That would be the place. I remember the sign now." Miki looked up and stopped when she saw the name on the sign. Waves of memories flooded her mind and she could feel her heart pounding rapidly. Her legs no longer responded and she could feel her eyes starting to well up with tears. "M-Miki?" Aaron seemed concerned.

"This…is where everything began. Where my whole life got turned upside down. It all started at this restaurant."

"Urk!" Aaron could feel his stomach literally coming up to his throat and he felt compelled to just forget about dinner but replied trying to keep his cool, "I'm sorry. I-I had no idea…"

Miki looked at him and shook her head smiling, "It's ok Aaron. I mean after all, it could be the beginning of something wonderful…with you."

Aaron's face went beat red unlike anything he'd ever had happen and he shook it suddenly remembering the words he heard. A smile suddenly parted his lips and he replied upon instinct it felt like, "I…would like that."

Continuing into the restaurant Aaron pulled the chair out for Miki to seat her and then sat down him as well. A waiter walked over and served them water and a menu and told them he would be back in a couple of minutes. Miki looked over the menu unsure of what to get and asked, "Are you sure you can afford all this?"

Aaron chuckled, "Yes Miki I'm quite sure I can afford all this, I think you forget I'm well stocked as far as funds are concerned, and it's not that I flaunt this money to impress you, more like I want you to see I have the best interests in mind. You'll never be happy broke, but it's not the money that makes me happy either. It's the fact I have the TIME because the money pays the bills and I don't have to wake up each morning thinking oh boy I get to go to some job I'm not going to enjoy! Freedom isn't free Miki. It never has been no matter what people think they need to remember other people are making sure they are free and safe."

Miki blushed at his outburst of passion and responded, "I see what you mean…"

Aaron put his hand behind his head and grinned embarrassed replying, "Sorry about that Miki, I get really passionate about freedom sometimes."

"N-no! It's ok! I'm glad you're open about that! It's nice that you're opening up to me piece by piece."

"If only I could really open up to you Miki," Aaron thought. The waiter came over and took down their order as well as grabbed a bottle of wine for them to dine over. (I have no idea the legal age to drink in Japan XD is but I believe it is 18.) Aaron poured Miki a glass and almost felt a little out of place, as she had never been treated this royally before. She smiled at Aaron a little embarrassed and sipped on the wine the reaction on her face from it meaning she liked it. "It appears you like it," Aaron smiled.

Miki nodded, "It's very good."

"It's an American blend that I seem to enjoy. I rarely have it and by rare I'm talking this is my second time, but it was good enough I figured why not let you try. So, Miki, what started here that turned everything upside down?"

Miki blushed, "Well it was the first time I ever met Yuu, as well as where my parents all met together with the whole family around."

"I see."

"I was so angry about everything back then. I cried even it bothered me so much," Miki chuckled remembering the bittersweet memories of when it all began in her life.

Aaron could tell it was nice for her that she had such a happy life to begin with. Aaron begin feeling the welling in his throat, "Miki…"

"Hmmm?" She smiled at him that somehow threw Aaron off-guard.

"Errrm…nothing, you just look really, really beautiful in that skirt and top. Everything about you goes so well with you. I'm just really thankful you agreed to go out with me all things considered."

Miki blushed, "Well why not? I mean…you've been so kind to me, and all this. I've never been treated so well by practically ANYONE before, and you're always there for me. It's so relaxing knowing I can depend on you."

"If it's ok with you, I'd like to hear more about your life after dinner, if that's ok with you?"

Miki nodded, "I'd love to talk to you about that, and…" Miki looked down and then back at Aaron again, "maybe you'll tell me a little bit more about yourself?"

Aaron wanted to say yes so badly, but instead responded, "I will consider it most definitely."

Miki wasn't thrilled with his reply, but knew it was better than a no that she had gotten so many nights ago. The two continued to converse amongst themselves about what had been going on over the last 3 weeks and a bit later their food came.

After dinner…

Aaron escorted Miki out of the restaurant and continued conversing with her amongst other things about what's been going in class considering he's been grading things away from the classroom so much. Eventually Miki asked, "So what's next?"

"Well I know it's a cool night but we have some time before the movie we're going to see starts so maybe you'd like to sit in the park for a bit?"

Miki nodded, "Sure."

Miki stopped in front of the park and remembered that it was this same park where even more memories were made. It was weird, first the restaurant and now this park. "Miki?" Aaron asked, as she looked at it with her eyes glassing over again the rush of memories started pouring into her head.

"Sorry," Miki shook her head, "it's just I've been here as well and this was another important part of my life happening right here."

Aaron looked almost embarrassed and responded, "I'm so sorry! I had no idea!"

"No no! it's ok! I mean I just find it shocking that everywhere we go I've been there before!"

"I'm sure you have nothing but wonderful memories of everywhere you've gone."

Miki nodded, "Yes, and please understand I'm having a wonderful time so don't get the wrong idea."

Aaron shook his head, "N-no of course not! I was just a little surprised that this keeps happening wherever we go! You're not gonna do this in the movie theatre are you?" Aaron prodded at her jokingly.

Miki chuckled actually not offended by his comment and replied, "No you're safe there Aaron." Aaron sat down on the bench and looked up at the sky. Miki sat down next to him and looked at him wondering what he was looking at. "So what are you thinking about Aaron?" Miki wanted to know.

Aaron sighed and searched for the star he saw earlier and found it once more before replying, "When you look into the night sky what do you see?"

Miki replied, "I see a beautiful starry night sky."

Aaron chuckled, "Most people would say the same thing given what they know."

"Aaron?"

"When I look into the stars I look for the brightest one out there. I liken the sky to searching through life looking for a cause. Something bigger than yourself that everyone can look up and see that you're doing something to help the world, however, it's also a different picture when you look at the stars and realize they're as endless as the wonderful people you can meet in your lifetime and once in your life, just once…you meet one that shines brighter than everyone else, who outshines all the distraction and all the lights of life and can just shine." Aaron looked over at Miki and smiled warmly.

"That's deep," Miki blushed feeling her heart thump harder.

"I've seen countless stars in my life…and sometimes even I wonder, if I'll find that brightest one and be allowed to have it as my own."

Miki jumped right in replying, "O-of course you can!"

Aaron seemed a little taken aback by her reaction, "Aaron you're a wonderful, WONDERFUL guy! I have no doubt you'll find your brightest star!"

Aaron made a slight chuckle and broke into a smile nodding, "You're right…I will find my brightest star." He looked back at the sky and thought, "However maybe I've already found her."

Later that night after the movie…

"That was such a sad movie!" Miki wiped another tear away from her face.

"You're not the only one," Aaron chuckled. "I didn't cry but I know I got tear eyed watching him die in her arms."

"And what about Ishida-san having to watch all that happen. The man that she loved deep down died in the arms of someone else," Miki could feel another batch of tears.

Aaron shook his head, "Thank heavens that kinda thing doesn't happen in real life." Of course Aaron was lying through his teeth on that one, but he didn't need to tell Miki about that. That was a part of history that he didn't need to worry or think about.

"I can't even begin to imagine if something like that happened to me…seeing someone I love die in my arms. I don't think I'd even be able to cope with the loss."

Aaron smiled realizing what it felt like to watch someone die in your arms but said nothing despite the pain that stung him as he remembered how it happened to him once before. A near down curve of his lips appeared and he had to force them back up almost showing his true feeling about what was being discussed. "So…did you enjoy yourself tonight? Overall I mean?"

Miki smiled and nodded at Aaron, "Yes! We should…do that again sometime."

Aaron nodded and smiled, "Awesome, I would love too!"

They continued to walk toward home talking about various things about the movie until Miki stopped. "Hey Aaron, look at the sky again!" Aaron looked up and saw so many more stars than before. It was an incredible sight that made him think…about so many more things. Miki walked closer to Aaron and said almost scared, "Aaron…"

Aaron looked down and noticed how close Miki's face was to his and stared into her eyes. "M-Miki?"

He could tell she was blushing harder than the blush on her face was even in the low light and she said, "The only thing that would make this night complete is if you kissed me."

Aaron could feel the lump in his throat once more and he uncharacteristically replied, "A k-kiss?" He could see it in Miki's eyes how badly she wanted it, and yet he knew better than to go through with it. "I…I want too Miki, but…I can't. I mean that'd be wrong!"

"Why…" Miki's voice began to crack her eyes welling up once more, "You've told me how you feel, and I've told you how I feel about you…we've been out on a date, why? What's holding you back so much? Are you worried what would happen between us if you went through with it?"

Aaron's mind could barely process anything and he couldn't pull him gaze away from Miki's eyes. He could feel his will be swayed more and more toward wanting to passionately kiss, but he fought with all his will to resist. "I…I…" Aaron wanted to answer her but he didn't quite know why he was holding his passion back. In the back of his mind he knew Yuu had a lot to do with it, but was it because if he went any farther that would mean that she might get hurt?

Miki chuckled and whispered, "What are you afraid you'll hurt me? It's not like you to be so scared."

She got him there and he knew it. In response he fired back in a hushed tone, "Oh really now?" He wanted to prove her wrong so badly it was driving him mad. Somehow as he was pondering this he could see her eyes getting bigger and it looked like he was closer to her face than before. Before he knew it his eyes were closed and his lips were intertwined with Miki's. It was an incredible feeling that he had not felt in ages. He could feel his heart burning with passion just by making contact with her and slowly pulled his passion away looking at Miki again.

"Proved you wrong…"he whispered.

She giggled and replied, "Glad you did."