Hi everyone ! Here is the sixth chapter of Ren´ai, where the three aliens finally encounter their loves. I´m sorry the fifth chapter was extremely short, but don´t worry, this one is longer.
For my reviewers : I´m still unsure of what the outcome will be - I mean by that, who Ichigo is going to end with, Kisshu or Masaya - but I have to say, I´m a fan of both couples, so one thing´s for sure, Masaya won´t die ( sorry for all M. haters ) and I won´t make any M. bashing too. Don´t hate me for this please, but I have my own ideas and I would like to keep them.
Disclaimer : I do not own TMM ( consider yourself lucky : if I did, it would certainly be a huge mess ! )
Chapter 6
Reunion
The library was closing now. Retasu put her books back in her bag and prepared to leave. She was a bit disappointed, because she enjoyed reading in this quiet, peaceful place. But it was getting really late : the night was falling. And besides, she had her classes tomorrow…
Retasu stepped out of the building. The bus stop was on the other side of the street. She went to sit on the bench and took her latest novel from her pocket. She had some time before the bus arrived, and there was enough light to read. She opened the book and started reading. At this point, like always, she lost contact with reality and fell deep inside the beautiful and pure universe of the romantic story.
She vaguely felt someone sit next to her, but didn´t pay attention to him ; however, after a while, she heard the person say :
« You really seem fascinated by this novel. »
The male voice was calm and slightly curious. Retasu simply nodded, still not looking up.
« I am. It´s an amazing story.
« May I ask what is it about ?
« It´s a romance… »
She took a deep breath and added :
« A love story between a man and a woman who come from two entirely different worlds. Because of their opposite cultures and origines, they believe it´s impossible for them to be together.
« How does it end ?
« I don´t know. I still didn´t finish it.
« But how would you like it to end ? »
The question disturbed her. She stopped reading and thought about it. It was unexpected, but she knew how to answer.
« I wish they would realize that, since they love each other, nothing can stop them from being together. Not even their families. »
There was a small silence. Then he sighed :
« You truly are a wonderful person, Retasu. »
That voice… how come I didn´t recognize it ?
Retasu looked up and met his purple eyes.
« Pai… ? »
He nodded with a sweet smile.
She let out a joyful laugh and fell into his arms ; he held her tightly against him and raised a hand to stroke her soft hair. Retasu put her hands around his neck and fully returned his warm embrace.
« It´s you… you are back !
« I apologize it took so long, he whispered in her ear. But I´ve been thinking about you every day… I missed you so much, Retasu. »
It´s like a dream. A wonderful dream. A dream I don´t want to end…
« Me too, Pai… I´ve been waiting for you all these years. »
This confession filled him with happiness.
And the two of them remained clasped in each other´s arms. None of them wanted to broke off : they had both waited for this moment for a long time.
Taruto landed in front of the door. He wasn´t sure Purin was still living in this little house, but he had to check. Taking a deep breathe, he knocked three times. And waited.
Despite his hesitations, he was fully expecting Purin to answer. He was expecting to see her in front of him…
So, obsviously, he was totally caught off guard when he saw a little ten years old girl open the door !
« Konnichiwa ! she exclaimed with a cheerful voice. May I help you ?
« Ano… I… »
Taruto watched her in complete disbelief. Surely Purin wasn´t living here anymore !
But…
She does look like her… same eyes, same face… and she´s as cheerful as she is… yeah !
Could she be Purin´s little sister ?
« I´m looking for my… friend, he improvised. She´s named Purin. Do you…
« Oh, you came to see Purin onee-chan ? She went to the grocery store to buy our dinner ! She´ll be back in a few minutes ! »
She looked into her house and smiled brightly.
« You can come in and wait for her ! I´m Heicha, her little sister ! Pleased to meet you !
« Ano… »
Before he could react, the hyper child took him by the hand and led him inside the house, to the living room. Then she practically forced him to sit down on a cushion.
« Ano… arigato, he muttered, not knowing what to say.
« You´re welcome ! »
Then she sat in front of him and began to watch him very carefully, her eyessparkling with curiousity.
Jeez ! What did that kid take ?
Then Taruto heard a noise upstairs… and remembered something.
« Say… did you say our dinner ? he asked Heicha. That means you´re not alone ?
« No, there are my four brothers ! Lucha, Honcha, Hanacha and Chincha ! They´re quadruplets ! »
There are more of them ?
How is it possible to have so much siblings ?
It wasn´t common at all on his planet. The families usually had only two children, not more. He didn´t really know why, it was just like this.
Before Taruto had time to think about it, he heard the door open. Heicha jumped on her feet and left the living room.
« Purin onee-chan ! he heard her scream. You have a visitor !
« A visitor ?
« Yes ! Is it your lover you´re always talking about ? »
Hearing these words, Taruto felt his insecurity disappear. He stood up and watched the door and Purin was entering with curiousity.
When she saw him, she recognized him straight away. She froze to the spot.
« Taru-taru… ? » she whispered.
These simple words inexplicably filled him with wonder. Before either of them could realize it, the young alien had jumped on the monkey Mew and was now hugging her desperately, as if she was going to disappear.
« Oh, Purin ! he exclaimed, Purin ! I missed you so much ! »
She stood still for a second, taken aback. Then she fully realized what was happening. Taru-taru was back.
Purin instantly burst into tears and hugged him back. Both of them had a happy smile on their faces, even if the young girl was crying. Taruto kissed her forehead tenderly.
« It´s you, Taru-taru ! It´s really you ! Purin managed to articulate.
« It´s me, and I´m not leaving you. I´m staying now ! »
She laid on his shoulder, her eyes filled with tears.
Just at this moment, Heicha came back in the room, and obviously, noticed them, clasped in a fond embrace. A HUGE smile appeared on her lips. She turned back to the corridor and yelled :
« Chincha, Lucha, Hanacha, Honcha ! Purin onee-chan has found her boyfriend ! »
Almost immediately after this, the four quadruplets and the little girl rushed inside the living room and eyed the couple with delight. Taruto cleared his throat, a bit embarassed, but Purin was smiling.
« Minna, say hello to Taru-taru onii-chan ! » she declared cheerfully.
The next second, her siblings had jumped on him and were hugging him like crazy, all of them talking at one.
« Taru-taru onii-chan, are you gonna marry Purin onee-chan ?
« Why do you have those pointy ears ?
« Would you like some candy ? »
He struggled to get free and, more important, get some air ! But they had to be of Purin´s family, because their grip was great !
« Do you like marshmallow ?
« Can I touch your ears ?
« What´s your favorite color ?
« Ano… yes, no, and yellow ! he managed to pronounce.
« Now now, Minna ! Purin spoke. We´re gonna have a dinner to celebrate Taru-taru´s arrival ! There are spaguettis in the kitchen ! Would you…
« Oh boy ! Spaguetti !
« Let´s go prepare it !
« The last one in the kitchen is doing all the work ! »
And they instantly rushed out of the room. Breathing heavily, Taruto got back on his feet, with the help of Purin.
« Jeez… you have some siblings !
« They really like you, she stated. It´s the first time I see them so excited.
« Good thing for me. I can´t imagine what they could do to someone they don´t like. »
He was joking, but then he heard her sob. Surprised and concerned, he went to her side to wipe her tears.
« Purin, are you okay ? I´m sorry, I didn´t mean to hurt you. It was a joke…
« Oh, that´s not it ! she said. I´m just so… so happy to see you again, Taru-taru ! »
Taruto sighed with relief and held her against him again. She returned the hug, still sobbing a bit.
« Me too, Purin. Me too.
« You´re not leaving this time, huh ?
« No, no. I´m staying with you. »
And he meant it.
When Ichigo wokeup the next morning, she had a big smile on her face.
Two days, two days and I´m getting married !
That was the first thing she thought.
She was alone in her house : Masaya had an early class this morning. When she went to the kitchen, she saw he had made hot chocolate for her.
Aww… he´s so nice !
What is possible to be as adorable as Masaya was ?
Ichigo went to the living room first, to clean the little mess on the couch. There were lots of magazines on the cushions. One of the tabloids draw her attention.
Is this Minto´s father on the cover ?
Before she could check it out, she heard a weak cough coming from the window.
Ichigo looked up.
There was Kisshu.
There you go ! I hope you liked it ! Next chapter coming soon !
