AN: Ooppsss…gomen for the long hiatus…hehehe…anyways, here's the next installment! Hope you enjoy reading! And thanks again for those who reviewed! I love you all so much! sloppy kiss
DISCLAIMER: Ehh…I don't own MKR. Hehehe…
Chapter 5: A VISIT FROM A RIVAL
"You mean Hikaru already has a boyfriend? Since she was in college?" Umi asked.
Lantis nodded numbly.
He, Umi, Fuu, Ferio and Ascot were seating inside his apartment, a glass of wine in each other's hands. Lantis drank his whole glass straight, and brought down the glass on the coffee table.
"And how did you know that?" Ferio asked.
"I went jogging last Saturday at the Ikuta Green Park, and I bumped into her and well, we had a few talks and she told me she already has a boyfriend who is in Sapporo or so I think," he answered dryly.
"So you took up my advice? But…I'm sorry buddy, it didn't turned out well as what we had expected," Ferio apologized, looking guiltily at the raven-haired man.
Lantis shook his head and faced Ferio, "You don't have to be sorry for it, Ferio. I'm sure all you have in mind is to help me when you suggested I take a trip to Ikuta, and I'm not regretting it too. I was happy I had a chance to talk to my Hikaru, but it seems that she's no longer mine…"
"Lantis-san…" Fuu trailed off. She didn't know what to say. So what her mouth couldn't say her eyes conveyed.
Lantis smiled a little and looked around his friends, "Look guys, I'm hurting, that's true, but as they say, life must go on. Somehow, I always knew that something like this might happen. Hikaru and I have been separated for what? More than six years. It's almost unbelievable that I was able to keep away from all the other girls trying to get my attention, and it's almost impossible to believe that I still feel the love I have for Hikaru. But on Hikaru's part…that realization came a little bit earlier as she fell out of love from me and forgot about me all together. It hurts a lot; but I'll survive. You don't have to be worried all over me, promise. I can handle myself,"
"But Lantis, buddy, we're talking of Hikaru here, the love of your life, the only woman we know that you fell in love with, and yet you're telling us that you're okay with the fact that Hikaru already has a boyfriend? Lantis, we're your friends, you don't have to lie on us and put on a brave front. We can see through your façade very clearly," Ascot interjected smoothly, looking concerned at his friend.
Lantis sighed and stood up. He couldn't stand the stares that his friends were giving him. After a few moments of silence, Fuu stood up from the couch and walked over to him. She placed a hand on his arm, and stared into his amethyst eyes.
"Lantis-san, I know that you're brave and can really handle a lot of pressure in your life, as your past self in Cephiro endured a lot of pains and trials, but this one, the one that concerns your heart, is all too new for you. The pain and grief inside…it's a natural human being feeling, and that's the one feeling that makes you human, but you know what? It's not exactly the feeling but how you handle it that makes you a strong person, so by escaping from it, you're nothing but a mere coward and a spineless bastard. You have to face it head on, because you can't really win against the wishes of your heart. Small space as it is, it maybe everything in your whole being, Lantis-san, believe me,"
"So you're telling me to not give up on her even if she has her eyes set on another man?" Lantis retorted, still to refusing to look at Fuu.
"Yes. You have to fight for what you came for here in our world. You gave up your life in Cephiro so you can be with my best friend, and now that you learned that she already has a boyfriend, you'll stop. I suggest that you only give up when you feel like you can't fight for her anymore, like when she's already married or something, but for now, you shouldn't lose hope. It's very unlike you,"
Lantis was silent for a long time. He looked out the window and saw a bird flying on the sky. His gaze never left the bird until it was out of sight. Maybe that's what you should do to Hikaru, man, never lose her until she's finally out of your sight and out of your grasp…
He faced Fuu and with a small smile, nodded at her.
"As you've said Fuu, the pain is unbearable. And the only thing that crossed my mind is to runaway, to hide from Hikaru as far away as possible. But I guess you're right. I'll only stop when I feel like Hikaru has really erased me from her heart. And I'll never give up unless she wanted me to,"
"That's the spirit, man!" Ferio answered, clapping him at the back.
Umi and Ascot rose from their seat, and all five stood at the middle of the room, looking at each other.
"Promise that we won't give up on Hikaru?" Ascot asked.
"Promise." Was the reply.
"There's no stopping us from getting back the old Hikaru," Umi said.
"There's no stopping us," was Fuu's reply.
"There's no stopping us," Lantis said.
"There's no stopping us," Ferio and Ascot chorused.
"Lantis-chan! Wait up for me!" a voice called out on the street.
Lantis looked behind him, and upon seeing a running Hikaru, he smiled a little and stopped on his tracks. She's much cuter today that I could ever remember seeing her, he thought.
Hikaru stopped right in front of him, panting, "Ohayou, Lantis-chan! We see each other again, huh? You're here to shop?" she commented, taking note of Lantis' paper bags on each arm.
'The tall man nodded and they started walking down the street. "Yeah. 'Niisama asked me to have dinner with him and Emeraude-neechan tonight so I volunteered to buy and cook our foods. What about you Hikaru-chan? Why are you here?"
"I came to meet Umi-chan and Fuu-chan at the park and I wanted to pass by the Ice Cream Parlor I saw yesterday so…" Hikaru answered, shrugging.
Lantis lifted an eyebrow, a meeting with Umi and Fuu…? Why, those two didn't tell me about it…! "You came here for Umi and Fuu? Interesting. Say, you want me to accompany you to the park? You might get lost," he offered. Please say yes! Please say yes!
Hikaru beamed at him and he felt his heart skipped a few beats," Sure! That's very nice of you, Lantis-chan! If I wouldn't be so much a bother to you…?"
"Fear nothing, Hikaru-chan. I offered my help, and I'm free. Anyway, if you're talking of my dinner with my brother and sister-in-law, that's okay. I can cook later. For the meantime, I'll accompany you to the park," he answered.
And so they walked the path towards the park. It was Hikaru who was doing the talking, while Lantis listened and smiled. When they passed by Joe's Ice Cream Parlor, Hikaru stopped and Lantis followed suit.
"Would it be okay if I buy an ice cream?" Hikaru asked, looking up at Lantis.
Lantis smiled and nodded, "Of course, Hikaru-chan, its okay," and so they entered. He quickly took a line at the counter and turned to the redhead, "What would you like to order?"
Hikaru's eyes swept by at the menu, and her eyes fixed on a double scoop chocolate marble ice cream on a sugar cone. "That one," she answered, pointing at her order.
Lantis nodded and got out his wallet. Hikaru's eyes widened in alarm and she quickly placed both hands on Lantis' stopping him from fishing out a few hundred yens.
"Oh please Lantis-chan! I'll pay for it!" she pleaded, taking out her own wallet.
Lantis shook his head and gently shoved Hikaru's hands to get 1,000 yen. "This is going to be my treat. And besides, I want an ice cream too," he answered, smiling softly at the redhead.
Hikaru smiled hesitantly and placed a hand on his arm. She was about to open her mouth when suddenly-
--A flashback of her and a tall man in black armor appeared on her mind--
Her gaze suddenly became glassy, and she swayed a bit to her left. Luckily, Lantis caught her on her wrist, and he looked directly in her eyes.
"Hey, are you with me? Hikaru-chan." He asked.
Hikaru blinked a couple of times and she met Lantis' concerned stare. His eyes became darker, and he still has his tight grip on her wrist. "Yeah…yeah, I'm with you. I'm…fine…" she answered, offering a feeble smile at him, but he wasn't fooled. He was about top ask her again a question, but the man in front of him finally stepped out, and it's his time to order.
"I'll have a double scoop chocolate marble and a vanilla sundae, please," he ordered. The waitress behind the counter smiled charmingly at him, obviously taken by his charm.
"Just a moment, sir," the waitress answered, and she smiled at him flirtatiously before heading on the frozen ref to prepare their orders.
Hikaru felt an unfamiliar tug at her heart, and she had this irresistible urge to shout at the waitress. Whoa Shidou! Keep it down! This is Lantis-chan we're talking about, a good friend of yours! You can't possibly be feeling jealous of the flirtatious smile that waitress gave him, right? In the first place, you already have a boyfriend! And second, you are not in love with Lantis-chan! Right! She reminded herself, stealing a quick glance at him.
But why is it that whenever you're near him, you feel warm all over, and you feel as if nothing and no one will be able to harm you as long as he's with you? And can you explain the happiness you feel whenever you see him? Her heart countered.
Oh! Make it stop! Stop it! Her mind ordered, and she turned her head to Lantis.
Lantis noticed her movement, and he looked down at her, "I think the waitress is almost finished preparing our ice creams," he commented.
Hikaru smiled a little but said nothing. Then the waitress came with their ice creams, and she saw the waitress deliberately brushed her hand on Lantis', and she felt her blood boil. Why that slut--! She screeched silently, staring daggers at the waitress.
Lantis didn't seem to mind, as he handed Hikaru the ice creams and he ushered her at a spot at the corner of the parlor.
"Why don't you ask Umi and Fuu to just meet you here at the ice cream parlor? The park is just a few meters away, anyway, and you three can talk over a couple of ice creams and tacos," he suggested, licking his ice cream.
Oww…shacks…he looks so sexy licking his ice cream that way, she thought, and then she felt her self blush a little. Where did that come from! "Sure. I'll just call them," she agreed, and quickly pulled out her cell phone and dialed Umi's number.
"Moshi moshi Umi-chan! It's me, Hikaru. Where are you now… at the park… oh, is Fuu-chan with you?… that's good! Listen, I'm here at Joe's Ice Cream Parlor, would it be okay if we meet up here? So we can have a few ice creams while talking?… okay? Yeah! Arigatou! I'll wait for you two here!… okay, sayonara! Take care!" and she ended the phone call. "They're coming over," she announced, smiling at Lantis.
"Would you like me to order for them?" he asked, ready to stand up.
"You're very sweet and thoughtful, Lantis-chan," she answered instead, smiling tenderly at him.
Lantis felt his cheeks warm a bit, and his heart was once again filled with happiness. Her smile could really take me anywhere she wants me to, he mused. "Arigatou, Hikaru-chan. So, what about the orders?"
Hikaru thought for a while, and she smiled when she thought of something, "I'm sure Umi-chan would enjoy a strawberry ice cream, and Fuu-chan would want a chocolate chip cookie, just like--" but she stopped in mid-sentence. Her smile suddenly faltered, and her face turned a little pale.
Lantis quickly pressed a hand on Hikaru's. That's the second time, he mentally counted. "Hikaru. You're doing it again. What's the matter? Are you all right?" he asked, peering closely at her eyes.
"I--I…was just remembering…something…from…before…" she answered silently, her gaze pointed at a spot behind Lantis.
From before, he repeated. Was Hikaru finally remembering? "What do you mean?"
Hikaru now looked at him, and the confusion printed on her eyes a while ago was suddenly gone. "Don't mind me. I'm okay. Now, about those orders…" she answered, a bright smile plastered on her face.
Lantis took one more look on her before he smiled as well, "Yes, the orders," and stood up.
As soon as he turned his back on her, she furrowed her brow and stared outside the window.
What do those flashes mean? Why do I have a perfect picture of myself in red armor, standing side-by-side with a tall man in black armor who looks suspiciously so much like Lantis-chan?
And what am I doing at an ice cream parlor, eating ice creams with Umi-chan and Fuu-chan, when in fact I only met the two of them just a few weeks ago?
And another thought.
Could it be that I met Umi-chan and Fuu-chan before? And Lantis-chan too? But…why is he in battle armor? And why am I in battle armor too?
What do those flashes mean? What…?
But she just drew a blank on her mind. A dead end. She really can't pinpoint in her memory those disturbing flashes.
Umi and Fuu entered the ice cream parlor a few moments later and quickly spotted Hikaru and Lantis at the corner booth of the place, beside a window.
"I'm having second thoughts as to whether we should approach them or not, Fuu," Umi said, a big smile plastered on her face.
Fuu nodded, she too has a happy smile on her face, "Me too Umi-san! They look so good together! But wait a minute. How come Lantis-san is here?"
Umi frowned a little. "You're right. Why is he here anyway?"
They looked at each other and nodded, then went to Hikaru and Lantis' table. It was Hikaru who noticed them first.
"Umi-chan! Fuu-chan!" she called out, waving an arm. The two women waved back and they quickly sat at the empty chairs beside Lantis and Hikaru.
"Ohayou Hikaru-chan, Lantis-san," Fuu greeted accordingly.
"Ohayou Fuu-chan, Umi-chan," Hikaru greeted as well.
"Say Lantis, why are you here?" Umi asked, turning at the raven-haired man.
"We saw each other," Lantis said, referring to Hikaru, "At the supermarket. Then I offered her to walk towards the park but we passed by this ice cream parlor and then I decided that she tell you two to meet here," he answered.
"Ahh…okay." Fuu said. Then she turned to Hikaru and smiled, "How are you Hikaru-chan?" she asked.
"I'm fine Fuu-chan, arigatou. What about you? And what about you too, Umi-chan, what's up?" Hikaru answered and asked at the same time. She beamed at her two friends and waited for their answers.
"I'm fine as well, Hikaru-chan, thank you for asking," Fuu answered.
Umi shrugged, "Same goes for me. I'm pretty good too, Hikaru. Nothing much to do, since I finished my class lessons weeks ahead of time. And I have all the time to kill now!" she answered, and everybody in the table chuckled, including Mr. Lantis the Snob.
"Oh, before I forgot, please eat your ice creams first before it melts. Lantis-chan was kind enough to order you two, and he said that that's for free," Hikaru said, pointing at the ice creams in front of Umi and Fuu.
The two let out a squeal, and quickly dug on their dessert. "Wow! Strawberry! Thank you for remembering, Lantis!" Umi thanked sweetly.
Lantis shook his head, "But it was not I who remembered those flavors, Umi, it was Hikaru-chan," he spoke up.
Two pairs of eyes turned to the blushing Hikaru, and she smiled sheepishly at her friends, "It's nothing, really. I just had this…sort of a vision and I suddenly remembered that you two wanted those flavors. Strange, 'ne?" she explained hurriedly.
Still, Umi and Fuu's eyes remained glued at her. She was about to avert her eyes from the close scrutiny she was getting from her friends when suddenly her cell phone vibrated. She quickly got out her cell and her face lit up when she saw who the caller was.
"Koishii! How are you?…oh…I'm fine…yeah, still short as ever…yeah, I'm eating properly…yes, Rei, I'm eating on time…for goodness sake Rei! I'm taking very good care of myself, thank you very much!…yeah… I know…you're teasing me again…yeah…can you call me again some other time? Perhaps this evening?… I'm out with a couple of friends…yeah; we're eating at an ice cream parlor…you brute! No I'm not! Grrr…when I get my hands on you…soon…? What do you mean soon…?…tomorrow! You mean…you're back from the Philippines! Yeah! When!…Okay…I'll see you tonight…yeah…take care koishii…aishiteru…yeah…you too…sayonara!" she said, and then she turned off the call and turned at her waiting friends with a big smile on her face.
"Your boyfriend?" Umi asked, her smile faltering a little bit.
Hikaru nodded happily, and this only added to the misery that Lantis was feeling right now.
"He's coming back from the Philippines and told me that he'd pay me a visit tonight! He said we'd dine out and then he'd surprise with. I wonder what that is…" Hikaru trailed, looking at a space between Fuu and Lantis.
"Must be a nice surprise…" Fuu offered, but on the corner of her eyes she was observing Lantis.
"Yeah, I hope so too!" Hikaru exclaimed, her smile widening.
"Who would want to give you a nasty surprise in the first place, huh?" Umi teased, a sparkle on her ocean-colored eyes.
Hikaru blushed, and she laughed a little, "You're flattering me, Umi-chan! But anyway, would you three like to meet Rei? You can go with me tonight, I'm sure Rei won't mind a little company, especially if they're my friends," she asked, looking expectantly at the three.
Fuu cleared her throat as Umi fumbled for an excuse, "Uhm, Hikaru, that is, Ascot and I already planned to spend the evening at the apartment, with Fuu and Ferio. We're planning to have a movie marathon, the same way that we used to have every weekend,"
Hikaru looked disappointed, but she nodded at the two woman and smiled, then she turned to Lantis hopefully, "What about you, Lantis-chan? Can you come?"
Lantis offered a small smile but it didn't reached his eyes, "I would love to, Hikaru-chan, but I already promised oniisan and Emeraude-neechan a dinner at their home tonight, remember?" he answered.
Hikaru nodded, "Oh yeah, I forgot that! Gomen, I was so preoccupied with Rei that I can't think straight! But anyway…it would be fun to dine out with him, with only the two of us. The last time that we had a date was…two or three years ago, I think, so I guess I'll prepare for my big night tonight! It was nice meeting up with you, Umi-chan, Fuu-chan and Lantis-chan! See you again at school! Sayonara!" she said, then stood up from her chair and went out hurriedly.
The three left looked at each other meaningfully, then Lantis stood up and carried his bags, "I'm going, take care you two. Regards to Ferio and Ascot. I'll be over at your apartment later," he said, and then went.
Umi and Fuu stared at each other then Fuu sighed. "So much for a happy morning," she commented.
Umi nodded.
It was another sunny Monday morning, and the students at Shikigoku College were in a rush to get to their respective classrooms before the bell. Everywhere there was a blur of white, blue, orange, red, green, and black shirts, lost in a middle of a greater blur of assorted pants and blouses. But inside the Faculty Room was another scene.
The faculty members were unusually calm and quiet. Others were pilled up at the drinking fountain; others were at the window, admiring the early sunshine, while the rest were seated in their desks.
Lantis, Umi, Fuu, Ascot and Ferio were huddled in Ferio's desk, occasionally glancing at Hikaru, who just came in and was currently fixing her things and her hair as well.
"Come on, Lantis, approach her!" Ascot hissed. Ferio nudged Lantis at the latter's ribs, and Lantis stood up to approach the silent redhead, when suddenly there was a knock at the door and seconds later a mass of long brown hair poked inside the room.
"Anou, I'm looking for Shidou Hikaru," the tall man asked. Umi and Fuu's eyes went up and down critically on the man's figure. He was as tall as Lantis, with piercing very light brown eyes, contrast to his dark brown hair, well-contoured face, thin lips, and lean, but muscular body. All in all, the man exuded confidence and an air or authority.
Hikaru, on the other hand, quickly stood up from her seat and went to the door immediately. "Rei-chan!" she exclaimed.
Lantis' heart dropped on the floor. So this is Hikaru's boyfriend… he thought. He looked hard on the man, hoping to unnerve him, but to his surprise the guy didn't even bothered to look at him! Instead, all his attention was focused on his girlfriend, who was ushering him inside the room.
"Hikaru-san, who is that guy?" Professor Miki Kinimoto asked teasingly.
Hikaru visibly blushed, and she paused in front of the room to introduce her grinning boyfriend. "Anou, my fellow professors, this is my boyfriend, Izumo Rei. He just came back from the Philippines, where he conducted his one-year research about the Philippine herbal plants. He was also a Biology major, like me," she briefly introduced.
Rei bowed down slightly, and greeted them all, "Konnichiwa, minna-san," came out his mild voice.
"Konnichiwa, Rei-san," the faculty members greeted as well. Lantis and the others barely nodded. They glanced at each other then sighed. They split up and went to their respective seats. Hikaru, on the other hand, pulled Rei towards her desk where they talked in hushed voices.
Lantis.
Lantis perked his head up, and then glanced to where Umi was sitting. When she saw him, she just grinned and continued on her telepathy.
Lantis.
What is it that you want, Umi-chan? I'm busy. Was his curt answer.
My, aren't we touchy today?
Quit it, Umi, it's not funny.
Okay, okay. I'll stop.
Better.
Umi was silent for a minute. She just watched Lantis from afar, but then he got irritated that he cannot concentrate on his work.
Okay, stop it already! Let us talk, and be fast! Lantis gave up.
He heard Umi laugh, then in came her voice, Gomen nasai for making you feel uneasy, Lantis. I just wanted to tell you that even if that Izumo Rei looks like a Greek god, you're still handsome and charming. So onegai, keep that frown off your face. You look like a 40-year old adult. She teased.
She received a death glare from Lantis before she heard his voice in telepathy, I know what I look like, Umi, and I know I'm handsome too.
How conceited of you!
I'm just saying the truth.
Silence. Umi contemplated on saying what she wanted to say, but Lantis beat her to it. Say it, Umi-chan. It's okay.
Umi took a deep breath first before releasing her breath slowly, Are you going to give up now that Rei has arrived?
Lantis was silent. He looked over to where Hikaru and Rei sat, and upon seeing the tender looks that the two has been exchanging, he felt a pang of loss inside him, and he had difficulty answering Umi.
I don't know Umi…I just don't know…
AN: Hehehe…a little crappy, huh? R/R please! Oh, and if anyone ahs already seen "Angelic Layer", another great work by CLAMP, can you please tell me where I can buy DVD's of VCD's? Please!