Title – Destined Together
Disclaimer – I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard or any of its characters… Only the OC's in this story.
A/N – Greetings, dear readers! I'm back again with a brand new chapter! Yay!
Thank you for all the reviews for previous chapter(s)! I'm very grateful to have read them. They always make me smile so thanks. Stay safe and enjoys this new chapter!
Camilo navas – Hi! Well, someone did say 'it's fate…'! But you gotta read it to find out! Enjoy this one! ^^
Daring bunny – This break will be a little different, I guess. But it'll definitely be better! ^^
Anon – Aikou will be here for sure! But honeymoon won't be this soon… XD! You'll see! ^^
Riya – Thank you for all the reviews! It's never too late! So don't worry about reviewing late. Sharing your thoughts is more important! And yes, there'll be 'Rensaka' fluff coming in the next few chapters. And like I tried to show Kai being less tolerant to alcohol (It was hard to imagine but I tried my best), I'll try my best to show Ren being 'not Ren' in some time. Well, you have to read to find out why Ren doesn't like Nakadai guy… I'll show it soon. So stay tuned and please share your thoughts! ^^
Happy reading! ^^
'…' - Thoughts
"…" – Speaking
"Italics" – Flash back
Chapter 32
Misaki's POV
"We'll have so much fun together!"
'Great! Here goes my peace of mind…'
I glanced at Ren and Miwa's faces and they looked very happy to see me. I smiled. I don't mind their company but…
"Hn"
I glanced at Kai. Why was he agreeing with Ren? And why was he here of all places?! Wasn't he supposed to be workaholic? Why do I always crash into him of all people?! And why is he smirking like that?! There are so many questions but with no answers. Just now I realized my heart was beating faster than usual. Calm down. Calm down. I know I wasn't prepared for such… sudden meet up but I need to act casually.
"Nee-chan, when did you arrive?" Miwa asked me and I realized he was looking for Akari-chan when he glanced around me.
"An hour ago…" I told him and glanced around to look for my best friend "I came here with-…"
"OH! This is a surprise!" that's Akari-chan's voice.
Finally, she's here…
"What a pleasant surprise!" Miwa grinned and I smirked at him.
"Pleasant surprise, huh?" I teased him and he actually looked abashed. I could only smile.
"Hey, Akari-san! Good to see you" Ren smiled at Akari-chan.
Akari-chan greeted our friends and since it was almost lunch, we decided to eat. My best friend fell back in step with me and I could see that glint in her eyes.
"I'm telling you… this is fate!" she said and I could only sigh.
'Why do I want to believe her…?' I glanced at Kai.
"Or it can be a coincidence" Ren pointed out and I agreed with him. Yes, I have started calling 'Suzugamori' by his name as we have become good friends.
"Well, there's only a fine line between coincidence and fate" Miwa said with his usual grin.
"Fate, huh…?" Ren sighed out.
I glanced at Ren. His smile faded and his face turned neutral. I saw him pause before he was smiling again.
"Is everyone here?" I enquired while Akari-chan talked with Kai and Ren.
"Aichi and others will arrive tomorrow" Miwa told me.
"Shin-san?" Kai asked me about my uncle… That's unexpected.
"He had some business to attend" I told him and he gave a curt nod.
"Thanks to him, we're here!" Akari told Kai. "Well, aren't you happy to see us" she teased at him and… he smirked back…?
"Hn"
No One's POV
"Here, A-chan!" Ren called Asaka who had just entered the restaurant.
Asaka had joined the group for lunch. She was happy to see Misaki and Akari. The usual gang had reunited and chatted with smiles. Miwa and Asaka noted that their boss's mood had lifted.
"By the way… Kai, did you open the birthday present I sent you?" Ren asked which got everyone's attention.
"I did. I don't want it" Kai glared at Ren and Ren looked at him, wide-eyed.
"You didn't throw it away, did you? You might need it-…"
"Why would I need a glittery biker's jacket?"
At that, everyone looked at Ren in disbelief then laughed.
"Fine. I'll send something else"
"No, thanks"
That night…
Miwa had his earphones on. He had decided to take a walk on the shore while listening to the music, his iPod jammed in the pocket of his cargo capris shorts. His light short sleeved tee swayed with the salty night air and he felt refreshed. The guys were in their rooms and the ladies were having a 'girls' sleepover' thing. A few people were roaming along the shore, enjoying themselves. He passed by drunken group of friends as they laughed and joked around. He smiled at their antics and walked off, recalling his time with his friends until his eyes landed on someone familiar.
'What is she doing out alone…?' Miwa thought as he walked to her.
"Akari-san?" Miwa addressed the said woman who was sitting on the sand, cross-legged. 'Weren't they having a sleepover?' he wondered.
"…Miwa-san. Hi" Akari greeted him and he noted she looked somewhat upset. "Out on a night walk?" she smiled, off beat.
"Yeah" he sat beside her on the sand and paused his iPod before plugging his earphones out from his ears. "And you, here? Something wrong?" he said.
"You guessed right" she sighed. "I argued with Misaki-chan" she told him.
"Woah…" he blinked in surprise. "That's why you're upset" he said while she looked at the waves.
"Hmm… She was being too stubborn…" Akari put her chin on her knees as she stared in a distance "I told her she likes Kai-san but she's trying so hard to deny. Then I got mad…"
"Oh. And now you're sorry for arguing with her" Miwa completed with a smile.
"Yes…" she pouted and he found it cute.
"Well, I think you aren't wrong, Akari-san. You got mad because you care for her" he said as he leaned back on his arms and she looked at him.
"I just… want her to be happy" she said. "Do you think… I'm interfering too much?" her voice was low but he heard her.
"Well… if your interfering can help them and your intentions are pure, it's not wrong" he estimated. "But knowing those two… they'll think you're annoying them if you keep telling them the same thing" he told her and she looked like she just realized it.
"Oh!" she stared at him, wide eyed. "You're so wise, Miwa-san" she complimented and he cleared his throat, his cheeks tainted pink.
"Thanks…"
"Although, you don't look like it" she eyed him and he gave her a plain look. "Just kidding!" she giggled.
"Now you're back" he grinned.
"By the way, Kai-san is so slow. I thought he's very happy to see her again but…" she sighed.
"He's happy" he gave her a happy grin and leaned forward. "In fact, he has never been this happy to see someone ever before" he stated.
"If you say so…" she said.
"Don't worry, Akari-san. Let me tell you a secret and maybe hearing it will get your spirits high" he told her and she looked intrigued "Kai likes her"
"Really?" she asked and he affirmed with a nod.
"Yeah. I know him… He has been so restless these past few months. And knowing him… I think he was waiting" he said, recalling Kai's behavior before arriving to the island.
"Waiting…?"
"Waiting for… a chance, maybe. I mean… what were the odds of them meeting here? But they did… You did say it's fate" he pointed out, smiling.
"That's… so deep" she was surprised. "Thank you for telling me, Miwa-san!" she smiled, grasping his hand with both hands.
Miwa glanced at her hands covering his and looked up at her happy face. Her violet eyes had lit up and she was giving him a dazzling smile. She was too close and he knew she realized it too, judging by her embarrassed face. By now he could tell his face was flushed as well when she let go of his hands and moved back. The two looked away to cover their blushing faces as they sat under the starry night.
"W-welcome!" Miwa said, scratching the back of his head. "Anyway… This should stay between us, okay?" he warned her.
"Of course!" Akari exclaimed. "So… tell me about yourself" she said with a smile.
"…" and he blinked in surprise.
Meanwhile…
Misaki was waiting for Akari to come back. She knew Akari doesn't mean any harm when she had argued with her. Although, she was a serious person, Misaki knew that Akari was more mature than her when it comes to emotions. Misaki frowned. What is it that Akari could see in her that she couldn't see in herself? The debate in her heart and brain halted when there was a knock on her door.
KNOCK KNOCK
Misaki opened the door "You had-… Hey, Asaka… Come in"
"You two called-… I thought we're having a girl's night?" Asaka glanced around. "Where's Akari-san?" she asked when she couldn't see Akari.
"She went out…" Misaki said and sighed. "And she left her cellphone here" she shook her head.
"She went out? But she said we'll chat and-…"
"We had an argument… and she got mad at me…" Misaki said, upset.
"Heh…? Is it over a guy?" Asaka quirked an eyebrow and Misaki looked away. "I'm surprised you two of all people are arguing over a guy" she said as she took a seat on a chair.
"She's being persistent"
"You two are good friends so why fight over a guy…?" Asaka crossed her arms and Misaki looked at her in question. "I thought you like Kai-san" she added with a shrug.
"Ehhh?" Misaki looked at her in surprise "Not you too!"
Two Days passed by…
No One's POV
"I think yellow will look good" Misaki said, thinking.
Akari and Misaki were back being best friends again when Akari got back in happy mood. Well, Miwa had accompanied her to her room and left hurriedly when Misaki and Asaka sent him smirks. Aichi and Kourin had joined them much to Misaki's delight. Only one person got her riled up and made her feel at edge… And it was none other than Kai. Misaki hadn't properly talked to him since her arrival and she was glad he didn't bother or say much. He was just always… nearby. And she knew because her eyes kept looking for him.
"I think so too, Misaki-san. Yellow color it is then!" Leon said as he assisted few other members that were painting the hoardings. "You got a good taste" he commented.
"Thank you…" Misaki smiled as she absently touched her hair.
Misaki suddenly realized she was thinking too much about the handsome brunette bachelor. She lightly slapped her cheeks. She decided to come here because she wanted to get her mind off of him! But the situation wasn't helping at all… when the whole of Kai Toshiki was near her! He was being nice and… He even touched her hair! Her cheeks flushed lightly at that. She shook her head. She's too affected by him. It's always easy for her to interact with him when he is being 'I-don't-care' type. But now, just making an eye contact with him was difficult when he was being so …friendly and kind. If this goes on… her heart might explode!
'Not again… W-What if Akari-chan is right?' she gulped, recalling her recent argument with Akari…
Flash back…
"Are you still debating over your feelings? I can see you struggling, Misaki-chan" Akari said, frowning at Misaki.
"I don't want to talk about this again" Misaki replied.
"Come on…" Akari sighed. "Misaki-chan… This is Kai-san we're talking about. Many women want to be with him! Why are you doing this to him and… yourself?"
"It's not like what you think, Akari-chan…"
"You like him, don't you?"
"…!"
"It's all on your face. You can't even deny it…"
"I… I-I can say the same about you! You like Miwa, don't you?" Misaki sputtered out in defense and Akari face-palmed.
"Maybe. He's a great person. I'll tell him if… I fall for him" Akari replied and sighed. "See? It's not hard to admit, is it?" she stated.
"…" Misaki looked speechless.
"Look, Misaki-chan… Once you go back, you won't have a chance to tell him your feelings as you both are always busy working. I don't want you to regret it later"
"I don't want to argue with you… We're… just…" Misaki paused.
"Really?" Akari looked angry which surprised Misaki. "You have to stop being so stubborn! And if you don't sort this out, you'll lose him! You want that…?" she fired.
End of flash back…
"…You'll lose him! You want that…?"
'No-no-no-no! Maybe I should just pack my bags and go back' Misaki felt an incoming headache. Ever since then, Akari hadn't brought up Kai's topic…
"Here's juice for you all! Good work guys!" Jillian said and Leon took the tray from her hands.
"Thanks, Jillian. I know you're busy so leave it to me" Leon told Jillian who smiled.
"Okay, Leon-sama. You're always welcome" Jillian left at that.
"Here" Leon handed Misaki a glass of juice and she took it gladly with a smile.
"Thank you…"
Meanwhile…
"That's how you make a move on a lady" Akari commented loudly so that others hear her, especially Kai.
Akari, Kai, Miwa, Ren and Sharlene were preparing food in the kitchen and they had good view of Misaki and Leon through the kitchen's windows. Asaka and Kourin had went out to get some supplies from nearby. Kai was glaring at the duo outside which didn't go unnoticed by Akari. After her talk with Miwa, Akari stopped nagging Misaki. She didn't want to spoil their vacation. Besides, she believed in fate so she left it as it is. She decided she won't directly nag her friends… And now that she knew Kai likes her best friend…
"…!" Miwa, Ren and Aichi glanced at each other than at Kai who was chopping the onions.
Kai paused in chopping and the guys resumed their tasks such as peeling potatoes, rinsing rice, etc. when Kai glanced at them. Akari shook her head when Kai resumed his task. Kai Toshiki had always been a reserved person but he knew his true self was always open to his friends, especially Miwa. Kai's mind was at ease after her arrival but he was curious to know if he affected her as much as she affected him. He wanted to know… he wanted to talk… but she was busy with others… always. It seemed to him that she was avoiding him…
"They have gotten close just in two days…" Akari continued. "They even call each other by first name… And here's someone I know…" she gave a sideway glance at Kai who glared out the window.
Miwa signaled Akari to stop talking but she dismissed his attempt. Miwa and Ren gulped when the 'thunk-thunk' noise of chopping increased.
"What if she thinks that he's her 'Prince charming'?" Akari exhaled, dramatically. "Just saying! Well, technically he's a prince around here" she smiled.
"I'm done" Kai stated before leaving.
Miwa, Ren and Aichi exhaled in relief while Akari chuckled.
"You shouldn't provoke him like that, Akari-san!" Miwa told her.
"Yeah! He had a knife! A knife!" Ren emphasized.
"And we'll be his first targets" Miwa stated the obvious, pointing at Ren and himself.
"Sad… but true" Aichi nodded and Akari laughed.
Some Time later…
"It's a little tilted. Lift it up from left" Misaki instructed Leon who was standing up on steel ladder, putting on a hoarding. "Okay. Done!" she said once it was at the correct angle.
"Be careful with the logs, guys" Leon instructed the men working on the second floor. He inspected the work progress while the men tied the wooden logs together with rope to pulley them downwards.
Leon started descending the ladder while Misaki bent to collect the tools when a shadow loomed over her.
"Tokura"
Only one person calls her 'Tokura'. She wanted him to stop calling her like that… Just hearing him say 'Tokura' makes her giddy and tense.
"Tokura?"
"…" Misaki paused and stood upright at the voice she could recognize anywhere. "Yes…?" she asked.
"I need your help" Kai stated, shooting a glare at Leon.
Leon glanced at the two. He didn't bother to interrupt them. Ren and Miwa had told him that Misaki was their friend. Besides, he knew Kai would never talk in such way with any unfamiliar lady. And that glare was unnecessary…
"You… What?" she blinked.
"Let's go" he said and grabbed her wrist.
"…!" Misaki instinctively snatched her arm back as if his touch had burned her. "L-let me finish-…" she sputtered out.
"You'll go with me right now" he gritted out and she frowned at his order. He was being rude…
"I'm busy right now, Kai"
"Busy avoiding me, I know"
"…!"
"I can see it. You're helping everyone except me"
Leon couldn't believe it. Kai Toshiki was… jealous. It was funny and amusing at the same time.
"You're acting childish"
"Really? Avoiding me is more childish when it's so obvious" he countered.
"It's not like that-…"
"Tokura, if you have a problem with me, you should tell me" he frowned at her while she blinked slowly. He sighed "I just want to talk-…!"
"GUYS! Look out!"
"…?!" Misaki watched as Kai harshly pushed her back by the shoulders and she stumbled back before falling on the ground on her side.
"Uff!"
"KAI!"
Misaki heard Leon's yell of distress and jerked her head in the brunette's direction where now people gathered, some running to the commotion.
"W-wha-…?" she stood up with wide eyes, feeling disturbed.
"Come on! Get him up!" she could hear Leon's voice instructing people and reached him, hastily.
"N-No…" she whispered, pushing a person along the way.
"He's bleeding! Get him inside!" Leon said as he and another man grabbed Kai's arms to lift him up.
"I'm… fine" Kai gasped out as he focused on his surrounding, blinking and frowning in pain while Leon and a guy lifted the brunette, gently.
Misaki covered her mouth in shock when blood trickled down Kai's forehead and trailed along the side of his face in a thin line.
"Kai!"
To be continued…
A/N – Okay… he got hurt again… Anyway! I hope reading this made you happy? Or gave you a few smiles? Tell me in the review. Oh and I promise that next chapter will be cute and heartwarming (fluff) so stay tuned! Just don't forget to share your thoughts on this one. I just love to read what you experienced while reading, so do tell (write) me please!
Thank you! ^^