Chapitre 14
Aishiteru
Taruto had gone to show Purin around in order to reassure her – she was still very worried for Ichigo. Retasu remained in the ship´s principal cabin, sitting on one of the benches. She had called the campus before coming to tell that she was sick and wouldn´t come today. They had seemed to believe her.
Pai had something to check out in one of the ship´s cabins and she had no idea where Masaya could be. Alone in the room, she was getting bored. Then her cellphone started to ring.
Who can it be ?
« Moshi moshi ?
« Retasu ?
«... Shirogane-san ? »
She was pretty surprised : Ryou usually never called her.
« Yes, it´s me. One of your friends came to tell me you were ill and asked me if I knew what you had. Is it serious ? »
He´s worrying for me ? It´s nice of him...
« Ano... arigato for worrying, Shirogane-san.
« But how are you ? »
She hesitated, but decided to tell him the truth.
« Well, actually... I´m not sick. Something happened and... I couldn´t come to college.
« What is it ?
« The aliens are back. Pai, Kisshu and Taruto, that is... »
There was a brief moment of silence. Then :
« They came back, huh ? »
His voice didn´t have any particular tone, but it wasn´t precisely warm either. Retasu decided to go on :
« Yes, but... Kisshu is still in love with Ichigo. And he didn´t take her engagement to Aoyama-san well.
« I guess I can understand that...
« He´s in coma. »
She heard Ryou gasp.
« Is it that serious ?
« He´s dying without her. »
She took a deep breath, and added :
« He´s in the alien ship´s infirmary right now. Shirogane-san... can Ichigo-san, Purin-san and I stay here until he gets better ? »
If he ever gets better ?
Ryou didn´t say anything for a while. Then he sighed :
« If you want to, of course. Retasu, you girls are free, you know. You don´t have to ask me anything.
« Arigato, Shirogane-san » she answered gratefully.
Pai stood behind the door as he listened to Retasu´s conversation. He heard her soft voice, her obvious contentment.
If he kept an emotionless face, it was to hide an expression of pain.
« Shirogane-san ! »
Shirogane.
He didn´t know this guy well. Actually, he never knew him at all. He had just been another source of trouble to him. Another annoying human.
But, ever since this day... the day he confronted Retasu in the deep sea... the day he saw her kissing him... he had become the object of his jealousy.
Because Retasu loved Shirogane, and didn´t feel anything for him.
It wasn´t a clear emotion. I didn´t want to admit that... she was important, special to me. Because she was my enemy, because I had to save my people...
But most of all, because he didn´t want to finish heartbroken like Kisshu. Because he didn´t believe she would one day return his feelings.
Why would she ?
What am I next to Shirogane ?
I was her enemy, the one who kept hurting her and her people.
Pai closed his eyes.
But now I´m not her enemy anymore...
And she seemed so pleased to see me again...
She had been waiting for him during six years.
This has to mean something.
Retasu hung up her phone and stood thoughtful for a while... then a voice resonated behind her, and she started.
« So... Shirogane let you stay here ?
« Pai... ? »
The tall alien had a strange, undefined expression on his face. Retasu watched with curiousity. Was it... sadness ? Doubt ?
He sighed.
« Gomen. I shouldn´t have listened to your conversation. I was just passing by.
« Ano... it´s okay, she reassured him. Yes, it was Shirogane. He was worried, he heard that I wasn´t at college today... he wanted to make sure I was fine.
« That´s nice of him. »
She couldn´t respond.
His voice is so...
« Pai, is there something bothering you ? »
He looked deep into her eyes. Then he sighed and came closer, until he stood right in front of her. Retasu felt a weird shiver run down her spine.
When he spoke, his voice was calm and firm.
« Since the first moment I saw you... when you were defending Earth, and when I was trying to get it back... I felt something. It was strange, but it was there. I liked seeing you, watching you fight, and act. I liked to contemplate your eyes, your face, and hear the sound of your voice... even though I tried my hardest to ignore you, I just couldn´t. »
Retasu felt bewitched. Her eyes didn´t leave his face.
« And when we met in the sea, after Christmas... you remember ? I was pleased that I finally got to be alone with you. Even if it was because of the fighting. And then I saw kissing the one you loved. Shirogane. »
He had a sad smile.
« It hurt. A lot. I don´t think I ever felt so alone in my life... at this moment. I wasn´t sure at first, but now I am. Retasu, I love you. »
I love you.
Retasu blinked.
He... loves me...
Can this be happening ?
Then a beautiful smile appeared on her lips.
« Pai...
« But I wasn´t sure... he added. Because of Shi...
« I love you too, Pai. »
He stopped. His eyes widened.
Did she just say... ?
« I did love Shirogane-san. He was sweet and so understanding to me. And he still is... but... I didn´t realize that this love would not last. Actually, I think I just liked being in love. Thinking and dreaming about him was so nice. Only I realized... when you left... that you were more important to me than him. I realized you had been the one I truly loved. »
So it is true...
Pai smiled. His eyes were sparkling. He gently slid his arms around Retasu´s waist. She looked deep into his gaze.
His eyes are so beautiful...
He slowly bent his head. Retasu stood up on her toes, and their lips met.
It was magic.
The kiss was warm and sweet, their hearts were pounding in their chests. Pai reached around to caress her green hair, and she put her arms around his neck. He gently brought his tongue inside her mouth and sabored her fruity taste.
Around them, the world had disappeared.
