Every Time We Touch
Disclaimer: I don't own Mars.
Chapter five: New Flames Awaken
Kira and Tatsuya spent the rest of lunch catching up with good times. Rei picked at his food and watched the expressions on Kira's face change. Rei smiled inwardly and kept picking at his food.
Kira was laughing at what Tatsuya said about a teacher they had had in the sixth grade, when she looked at Rei who was picking at his food. "So, Rei, how do you know Tatsuya?" Kira asked, acknowledging Rei for, like, the first time in the whole lunch period.
"What?" Rei rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"Good morning princess," Tatsuya said, earning a laugh from Kira.
"Shut up Tatsuya." Rei looked at Kira who was looking at him. "I met Tatsuya this last year. He helped me get this." Rei showed Kira the bracelet he wore on his wrist all the time. "He jumped into some water to save it with me." Tatsuya laughed at the memory.
"Interesting." Kira smiled.
After lunch, Tatsuya, Rei, and Kira parted ways. Kira wandered through the day thinking about Rei. He has an unorthodox way about him that seems to draw people to him. I wish I could be like him. So approachable. So bold.
At the end of the day, Kira was heading to her house when she spotted Tatsuya and Rei, playing basketball on the court. She stood and watched for while, seeing Rei land a three pointer. Kira clapped silently.
Tatsuya was about to dribble to the free throw line when he glanced to Kira. He looked at Rei and motioned to Kira. Kira saw them looking at her and turned around and started walking away. Tatsuya and Rei exchanged glances before approaching Kira.
Kira sped up but Tatsuya and Rei caught up with her. "Hey Kira!" Rei grabbed her hand and turned her around to face him. "What's the rush?"
Kira looked at Rei and Tatsuya. "What about your basketball game? I don't' want to be the one who ruined it for you both." Kira looked behind them at the guys who were making faces. She sighed and looked at her feet.
"Don't' be silly Kira," Tatsuya said, standing a little behind Rei. "That game was getting tired anyway. I just needed an excuse to get away from it." Kira made a face. "Not saying that I wouldn't rather be standing here with you!" Tatsuya blushed.
"Oh, no! That's okay." Kira stifled her laugh.
"You made Tatsuya blush!" Rei laughed.
Tatsuya blushed some more and turned away. Kira walked to him and put her hand on his shoulder. Tatsuya looked at her and smiled. She looked at him and smiled back.
Rei stood off to the side and watched them. They seemed so happy. Rei laughed to himself. He looked around him. He looked back to the court and started to slowly retreat to it.
Kira watched Rei slowly walk back to the basketball court out of the corner of her eye. She tried her hardest to concentrate on what Tatsuya was telling her but it was hard. She didn't want to say anything about Rei going back to play basketball, because he seemed too happy on the court, dribbling and making lay up upon lay up.
Tatsuya turned around to see Rei playing basketball. "Hey, what is he doing?"
"Oh, Tatsuya, leave him be." Kira patted his arm. "We'll be fine without Rei." With that, she led Tatsuya to the corner coffee shop.
Rei was standing on the side lines, somehow, already tired from playing. He looked around for Tatsuya and Kira. He saw them entering the corner coffee shop. He took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly to calm himself. He shook out his hair and pulled it back into a ponytail.
"Hey, Rei, are you still gonna play?" one of the guys Rei was playing with was dribbling the ball impatiently.
Rei took one last look as the door closed behind Tatsuya and Kira. "Sure. I'm coming."
