(Author's Note: I know I take forever! Sorry! Exams are giving me some free time, so I wrote this up. But before we get to the story, Reader Responses!
Moi: I'm glad you like it! I hope my delay in a new chapter hasn't turned you off the story!
AzNAnGeL07: Updating! Thanks for the review. Hope you like the story as it continues!
Solalea: Don't worry, there will be more Asuka/Meimi fluff, but first I have lots of plot stuff to do. Though, this is a Romance story for a reason… -.
If y'all want to e-mail me or send me a message, I would love it. I have so much fun talking to you guys!)
Chapter Ten
Forgetting Someone?
"It took you long enough!" Kimi was sitting on her desk, swinging her legs casually. Meimi was telling her and some of the other girls what had been happening while she was out of school, and her hook-up with Asuka Jr. had easily caught everyone's attention. Even though Kimi already knew all of this, Meimi didn't realize this, so she was having fun pretending like this was the first time she had heard the news. "You two have like each other for awhile. I could tell, and I haven't been around here that long!"
"Aww! I can't believe this! It's taken you guys forever! I'm so happy for you!" said Kyoko, smiling happily.
"When's your first date?" asked Ryoko slyly. She raised her eyebrows and smirked, which made Kimi and Kyoko laugh, and even got a small giggle from Seira. Meimi just smiled, and her cheeks became rosy.
"I say we follow them the entire time, and make sure Asuka doesn't screw it up. Maybe even encourage him to make a move…" suggested Kimi. This accomplished making Meimi a deeper shade of pink.
"Guys! Please… Will you stop saying things like that? I don't even know if we're dating… We just confessed our feelings… So… I dunno…" Meimi looked at the ground, drifting away in her thoughts.
"Of course you're dating! That's like saying Makoto and I aren't dating!" scolded Kimi.
"Such a confession usually does make you lovers," said Seira. Even as she told them something like that, she seemed to glow with the light of a cross.
"Hey, Meimi! Get over here!" Everyone in the classroom turned to look and Asuka Jr., who was standing in the doorway. Smiles popped on faces around the room, and those who didn't already know the news figured they were at least getting closer. "You get your girl!" one of the boys called to Asuka, and his friends cheered in agreement. To show their support of this statement, most of the girls in the class participated in a big group "Aww!" Meimi was clearly finding all these attention nerve-wreaking as she walked over to Asuka. Remembering her dignity, she manage to yell back, "Don't call me like that! I'm not a dog!" As soon as she was close enough, Asuka grabbed her and pulled her into the hallway.
"Did you see that?" asked Kyoko in a whisper. "He called her Meimi! He's never done that before!" She seemed to be in absolute awe.
Ryoko shrugged, but smiled. "They were never dating before."
Seira tilted her head to the side, looking at the door the couple had disappeared through. "I wonder what he needs her for…" she thought aloud.
"He's probably going to propose to her," said Kimi with a wicked grin.
Ryoko and Kyoko both giggled at this. "I wouldn't be surprised!" they said in unison.
"Will you guys shut up? You sound like a bunch of annoying busybodies!" The girls all turned to look at Lina, who wasn't sitting too far off.
Kimi sighed, and rolled her eyes. "Just because you're jealous doesn't mean that you have to be cross with us for being happy for them."
"I'm not jealous!" Lina yelled. She slammed her hands on the desk, and stood up. With one last glare she stomped over to the other side of the classroom, not wanting to hear anymore of the conversation.
"Of course not," said Kimi sarcastically under her breath.
Seira looked at Kimi, and gave a small smile. "You seem to make enemies as quickly as you make friends," she noted warmly.
Kimi laughed, and nodded. "Yeah, it's a gift."
- - - - -
"What do you need?" asked Meimi, studying Asuka. She couldn't help but think that he looked wonderfully cute today. His hair was a bit haphazard, the jacket of his uniform was falling off one of his shoulders, and he was breathing deeply. Apparently he had been in a rush to get out of the house today. His mission must have been a success, since there was still another ten minutes or so until class started.
"First, I want to apologize for accusing you of being Saint Tail," he said. He kept shifting his weight, and she realized that this was making him a bit uncomfortable. "But… I think I might have gotten a new clue to her identity… She reminded me of someone last night… I just can't remember who that person is…" As he seemed to zone out, she allowed her mind to turn to chaos. Was Kimi too good at pretending to be me? Meimi thought, worried. When Asuka cleared his throat, it brought them both back to the present.
"Anyways, enough about that. I need to clear some things up with you. I know we're… um… you know…" Asuka struggled, not being able to find the words.
"No… I don't know," replied Meimi, giving him a blank look. Who could know, with that horrible description?
"Dating! You know how we're… dating." The top of his ears turned red, and Meimi smiled. He is so cute… "Well, I just wanted to tell you, don't expect any special treatment or anything… I'm not going to be cutesy and get all…" Asuka looked at the wall next to her, not daring to match her gaze. His blush was already bad enough. He didn't need to look at her to make it even worse. "I'll be frank, I'm not good at this romantic stuff, so don't have a bunch of high expectations about fancy dates and that sort of stuff…"
"I wouldn't dare," Meimi told him with a small laugh. Sure that he was no closer to figuring out Saint Tails identity, she let her heart soar. She slipped her hand into his, and began walking towards the door, dragging Asuka behind her. "C'mon. Let's go back in the classroom." Her mind quickly began to whirl with a collection of new thoughts. Should I call him Daiki now, since he's calling me Meimi? Where will our first date be? Do relationships that start in Middle School last? What sort of gift will I get him when the next holiday rolls around?
And, there was the most pressing question of all. What will happen if he figures out I'm Saint Tail now?
- - - - -
Asuka froze. He didn't want to go back in the classroom yet. He gave her hand a small squeeze, and then tugged gently. He only wanted her to stop moving, not pull away. He was surprised about how much comfort he got from being with her. Do I really want to do this? When she turned, just seeing her face gave him his answer. Yes. Now, if he could just open his mouth and say it…
"WhatareyoudoingSaturday?" he asked, looking at the ground. Meeting her eyes… Too difficult…
"What-what-whatda?" replied Meimi, giving him a funny look.
"What are you doing Saturday?" he said slower, still not daring to look up.
"On Saturday?" her voice sounded so hopeful. He couldn't help himself; he looked up. His ears went red when he saw how big and dreamy her eyes had gone. He jumped back a bit, throwing up his arms. "Don't go giving me that look!"
"I'm don't have anything planned for Saturday yet!" she told him eagerly. This is so weird…
"Um… Then would you like to… go somewhere with me?" Asuka asked, his hands clenched into fists. He had been in tough situation before, but this took the cake.
"Yes!" Meimi cried joyfully. She gave Asuka no time to react as she leapt forward, and hugged him. He stood frozen for a moment, but then he smiled, and wrapped his arms around her. Things were changing between them, but he wasn't going to complain…
"Where are we going?" she asked, but didn't let go.
"It's a surprise," he told her, grinning. She looked up into his face, trying to pout, but her eyes were sparkling with too much excitement to make the expression believable.
"That's no fair-" She cut herself off as the five minute bell rang. He pulled away, his entire face going red as he realized that they had just been hugging in the hallway for anyone to see.
"I guess it's time to go back in…" he said, gesturing to the door. Meimi nodded, and lead the way.
- - - - -
Meimi couldn't help smiling happily when she walked back into the classroom, which earned a few more cheers from those waiting. She scurried over to her friends, trying to ignore the attention. Of course, her friends had been waiting to put the pressure on her.
"What did he want?" asked Ryoko, eyes wide.
"I think he just wanted to greet her, and tell her how much he loves her…" said Kyoko. She began to dance around their corner of the room, her eyes soft and dreamy.
"I don't think Asuka Jr. is like that," Seira remarked, giggling at the two girls' behavior.
"Alright, then what did he want?" asked Kimi, looking over at Meimi, who could feel herself heat up.
"Well-" This time she wasn't cut off by the bell, but the door slamming open. Everyone turned to see Sawatari breathing heavily, and looking wildly around the room. Seeing all the girl looking at him, he gave his most charming smile, and swept some of his blonde hair out of his face. There were quite a few audible sighs when he did this, which just added to his already huge ego. Then his eyes feel on the corner where all the girls were talking, and he came rushing over.
Quickly he grab Meimi's hands, and looked deeply into her eyes. "Oh, Meimi, my love. Please, tell me it isn't true! Tell me it isn't true! People are saying that you're-I don't know if I can bring myself to say it!-dating Asuka Jr.!"
Kimi giggled as Meimi's face paled, and the side of her mouth began to twitch. Of course, this just turned Sawatari's attention to her. "Kimi, beautiful damsel so quickly claimed by Makoto, please correct these horrible rumors!" Now it was Kimi's turn to feel awkward. She shared a look with Meimi, both of them not sure how to tell him.
"Those are not rumors, Sawatari. Meimi is indeed dating Asuka Jr.," said Seira, her hands clasped in front of her chest like she was praying.
Sawatari had to look away, and threw back his head, releasing Meimi so he could put the back of one of his hands on his forehead, tears streaming down his face. How can he summon so many tears so quickly? thought Meimi, watching in amazement. But then, Sawatari had always been talented when it came to being dramatic.
Just as quickly the tears stopped, and he seemed to have stars in his eyes as he looked at Seira. "Please, lovely Seira, please tell me you have not been claimed as well!" he said, sounding really desperate. Kimi cringed. Desperate people were scary.
Seira smiled at Sawatari, her face like that of an angel. "I have belong to the Lord for a long time, Sawatari."
Sawatari seemed to have forgotten that little fact, and his entire frame seemed to drooped. "Oh… yes… I suppose there is no point in confessing my feeling to you then…" Meimi frowned. Is he trying to make her feel guilty about not being able to date him? I mean, really! What girl would, the way he jumps from pretty face to pretty face!
"Oh, you may confess at any time!" said Seira. "Just come and visit me!"
Hope glimmered in Sawatari's eyes. "You… want me to visit you? Where? Near the pond when it's bathed in moonlight? A nearby beach perhaps?" Apparently, he was thinking romantic.
Seira laughed kindly and shook her head. "I'm at the church, Sawatari, for when you wish to confess your sins." Sawatari feel to the ground, sobbing loudly. "Oh, my… Is something wrong?" asked Seira, clearly not understanding that she had just crushed his dreams.
- - - - -
The girls stood in the courtyard, finally getting to hear about what Asuka had wanted Meimi for. Kimi smiled and nodded once Meimi had stopped getting herself all flustered about it, and actually told them. "I'm impressed… He's thinking ahead. It's only Wednesday, but he's already planned your first date, on Saturday. I have to admit, I didn't think he be very good at dating, or thinking ahead since he's not good at thinking to begin with, but he just might be proving me wrong…"
"Now, you can't be so confident in him yet," said Ryoko, looking thoughtful. "Asuka said it was a surprise, but that might mean that he doesn't actually know what they are going to do yet."
"Why would he ask her if he didn't have anything planned?" asked Seira, confused.
"Maybe when he looked into Meimi's eyes…" Kyoko grabbed Ryoko's hands and looked into her eyes, clearly trying to make what she was saying more understandable with a visual presentation, "and he was so caught up in her beauty, that he just wanted to be with her. And then, feeling the passion of the moment, asked her out without a second thought, just wanting to be by her side!" Kyoko slumped. "I'm so jealous…"
Meimi gave Kyoko an odd look, and shook her head with a small laugh. "It really was nothing like that…"
Kyoko sighed. "I figured as much… but I can still dream, can't I?" Everyone laughed and nodded, until a familiar voice caught their attention.
"Kimi!" Kimi turned to see Makoto walking up, and a smile lit up her face. The smile only grew as he wrapped his arms around her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She sighed, and held him tightly, enjoying his sweet, soapy smell that suited him better than any cologne.
"Now I'm really jealous," muttered Kyoko, which allowed for another laugh.
With a nod to the other girls Makoto draped one of his arms around Kimi's shoulders, and steered her over to an empty area of the courtyard, near the fountain. Kimi looked down in the water, and smiled when she saw the watery reflection of her and Makoto standing there together. Realizing that he probably had something he wanted to talk to her about, she looked up at him, her eyes asking the question for her.
"I noticed that your other friend hasn't been around school lately, so I called the hospital to see if she was still in their care," he started. For a moment Kimi blanked, wondering who he was talking about, and then remembered Akina. A wave of guilt rushed over her. In all the chaos with Meimi getting arrested and just getting out of the hospital herself, she had forgotten about her noble friend.
"How is she doing?" asked Kimi, stepping closer to Makoto, and resting her head on his chest. She had forgotten, but Makoto hadn't. He was such an amazing person…
"They said she was release after only about a week of being in the hospital, and I thought it was odd that she still hasn't returned to school. I figured you would probably want to visit her, and find out what's going on, so I went to the office and got her address for you." Kimi was startled for a moment, but when he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket that had Akina's address scribbled on it, she felt herself melt.
"You're so thoughtful," she commented softly. He blushed.
"I'm glad you think so. You just seem so busy, and you had a lot going on. You would have done this yourself, I'm sure, once you caught a break." Kimi bit her lip. She wasn't so sure about that… What sort of friend was she?
"Thanks. I'll go and visit her this evening."
Makoto raised his eyebrow, running his fingers through her hair as he gazed down at her. "This evening? Do you have something planned for this afternoon?"
Kimi nodded. "Yes, I'm expecting a visitor…"
(Author's Note: I finished another chapter! -cries- I'm sorry, but I have trouble completing stories, so I'm really happy that everyone keeps encouraging me to continue, otherwise there would be no hope for this fan fiction. I know nothing really big happened this chapter, but it's one of those 'setting the scene before everything starts to happen' sort of things. Thanks again, everybody. Please R&R! I love hearing from you!)
