I am sorry it took me so long to upload Chapter 4. Having a file corrupted after weeks of writing it really spoils my mood. However, I finished it at last. Thank you for your support.
While walking straight to the hotel's parking lot, Shizuru tapped on my shoulders before pulling me behind. "Wow… Wha.. What's wrong Shizuru?" Shizuru shook her head before saying "Nothing's wrong…I just want to ask about the amount of cash we are going to withdraw." It was then I realized that I haven't think about the amount at all. "How much do you have in your account?"
"Not much… just enough for us to start a new life and open up a small business. Come to think of it… It's also enough for us to go honeymoon at Hawaii after our marriage." Shizuru said signing. I look at her troubled face as I'm wandering how much she really have in her account. "Not much… Shizuru, I guess your "not much", means a lot to me." I said. Shizuru just smiled under my answers.
Letting out a sigh, I continue to walk towards my bike. "Natsuki…" She called me. Her voice is full of worry ness and fear. Having the eager feeling to know what is wrong I immediately turn around to face Shizuru. "Yeah?" "My parents don't know your name right?" She state out a funny question.
"Isn't it obvious? You shouted my name so loud just now when you were scolding Nosindo Senya." I reminded Shizuru about the incident this morning where Shizuru, the President of Fuuka student council shouted for the first time. Instantly Shizuru was disappointed. "Sigh… Why do you ask?" I asked Shizuru back.
"I was thinking, you said after we withdraw the money from my account, we place it all in the extra bag we have… I just think it not a good plan… What…" Shizuru hesitated a bit before continuing, "What if, the bag got stolen… I'm not saying that putting the money in a bag is bad… but just think about it… is it safe enough?"
"So… your meaning is?" I ask, as I could not understand what she meant. "My parents don't know your family name right?" I nodded in agreement. "They also don't know your account number right?" Realizing what Shizuru meant, I shot up my head "After withdrawing, We'll straight bank into my account!" I said almost shouting.
"Bingo!" Shizuru said clapping her hands. "Thank god you came up with that idea." I said. "It wasn't an idea, Natsuki. It is common sense and knowledge. I know better then you, remember?" Feeling uncomfortable with Shizuru's answer, I walked towards my bike, ignoring her present.
Getting on my bike, a though creep into me. 'Wait… if I'm not wrong, Shizuru's been wearing the same clothing when I brought her away from her house. I've changed mine… Ah! The Bargain Street's should be open by now.' As I caught in my thoughts, Shizuru slit both her hand on my waist, which almost make my heart stopped.
Knowing Shizuru's already on the bike, I pass her an extra helmet. "Ne… Shizuru… you know any ATM machine nearest to the exits of Kyoto?" I asked Shizuru. "Yeah, I know one. I'll show you the way." She said before tightening her helmet with a click.
With out any further delays, I started the engine with a beautiful roar of awake and rode out from the parking lot straight to the Bargain Street. I took us about 20 minutes before reaching Kyoto's Bargain Street. Its only 9.30 in the morning and the Bargain Street's already packed with peoples.
Getting down from the bike, I look at Shizuru's puzzled face. It's expected that Shizuru would act like this. "Nat… Natsuki… What are we doing here?" Shizuru asked. "Shizuru… When I took you away from your house, you were wearing the same clothing as your wearing now right?" Shizuru nodded in agreement. "But I still don't get it… If you want to say about buying cloths, don't you think we are wasting our time here?"
"Sigh… I know this is wasting our time, but I'm not talking about buying cloths. What I meant is to get you out from your current clothing. Well… you know… You father might have thought that your going to wear the same clothing out from Kyoto. So err…" I couldn't finish my sentence as I'm not use on stating out my reasons.
Shizuru's face suddenly brightens up. "You mean you want to change my clothing as your afraid my father will be sending someone to look for me in my current clothing." Hearing that Shizuru got what I meant, I smiled and nodded. "Arara… Since when did my little Natsuki-chan started to think. Its so unlike you… since when does my Natsuki think? I'm so not used with this new Natsuki." Shizuru said while placing her right palm on her right cheek.
I opened my mouth to say something when Shizuru continued "Oh! Kami-sama (god) Please return me back my Natsuki… I'm really not used with this new Natsuki." She said teasingly to embarrass me.
I felt my blood were concentrated all at my face. "We… well since I'm responsible to bring you away. Moreover, I don't want to risk getting you spotted…arr… ARGH! Forget it!". "Ara! Now that's my Natsuki." Shizuru said smiling. I just shook my head and locked the helmets on my bike.
I held onto Shizuru's hand to keep her close to me before marching towards the crowded street. The Bargain Street was like a wet market where everyone from children to adults walks without caring about others. I hand almost slipped from Shizuru's when an un-known person marched straight between us, which acted like a sword to break Shizuru and me apart.
Not wanting to waste anymore time scolding and getting my patients all burned up, we headed straight to one of the clothing store not far from the location where I parked my bike and started choosing.
It's not long for Shizuru to choose her clothing. She chooses a pink type spaghetti shirt along with a small long sleeved jacket that covers until her abdomen together with blue jeans, which almost matches with the one I'm wearing. I brought two extra t-shirt and jeans and paid the bill.
"Shizuru, you old cloths… throw it away, we won't need it any longer." No need any further reasons, Shizuru passed to towards the shopkeeper to deal with it. Standing just outside from the clothing store, I entwined my fingers with Shizuru as Shizuru's talking with the shopkeeper.
While waiting for Shizuru's to finish her conversation, I looked around the Bargain Street and notice an old man wearing a wig. 'Wig… Oh! That gives me an idea…' I thought. At that moment, I was thinking on buying an enormous freaking round shaped glasses that cover over the whole section of the forehead including the eyes with a fake Captain Hook type moustache. Besides that, I am also thinking on adding some fluffy green shirt follow up with a very short mini purple skirt and no, I am not the one wearing it.
After Shizuru finished her conversation with the shopkeeper, she paid her attention back to me to find that I'm looking at her strangely. My mind's seems to be unable to work as normal as always when I am imagining on how Shizuru will look after wearing that glasses, moustache and those clothing.
I kindly offered the idea to Shizuru. Immediately, Shizuru's face turned horrified as her eyes were wide open and her mouth dropped. I could not stand laughing aloud as Shizuru's reactions are excessively unexpected.
"You think I would ever wear something like that?" Shizuru said in a high tone, as she herself could not believe what she heard. "No… definitely, absolutely and certainly aren't going to wear something like that even if my life's on the line." Shizuru said seriously.
"I'm just joking… I am not going to let Shizuru wear something like that also. It is going to embarrass me. Just relax… I'm not going to waste our money on that "unnecessary" stuff." I said holding my stomach tight as it is hurting from all those laughing.
Shizuru look at me blankly... still could not believe that I offered the idea to her. I didn't say anything except buying a few bread, two bottle of mineral water and a tin of green tea before heading out from the Bargain Street.
After buying all what's needed, I turn towards Shizuru. "Anything else you need?" Instantly Shizuru shook her head hard "NO! Nothing else." She said as if I meant about the idea I offered. I looked at her surprised with her answer. "Oh... Let's go then."
When I'm about to get on my bike, Shizuru pulled my sleeve. "Natsuki… How about your bike…" She asked me something I do not even understand. 'What's with my bike?' I asked myself. Looking around my bike, I don't see anything wrong with it. "What's wrong with my bike Shizuru?" I said scratching my head.
"You took me away from my house, using the same bike right? Well… since, you thought about changing cloths. You ever think that they will look into your bike also?" Shizuru said making me even more confused. "I… I still don't get it. What's your point Shizuru?"
"You see, you said that my father will send guards or people to look for me as they thought I'll be wearing the same clothing out from Kyoto that's why you ask me to change cloths." I nodded and Shizuru continued. "Don't you think the same goes to your bike? When you state out the reason about my clothing, I was thinking that you might be right, that is why I agreed. Then a thought creep into my mind, you took me away from my house using the same bike also."
A spark of realization occurs in my mind. "You mean, they could be finding for us in the same clothing and bike…" Shizuru nodded in agreement. "Argh! Damn it!" I said stomping my leg onto the floor. 'Why in times when something's almost done, a new problem pops up. This is just great. GREAT!' I thought clenching my fist hard.
I shook my head and paid my attention back to Shizuru. To my surprise, she seems all calm from head to toe as if this isn't something big. "Got any idea?" I asked. Shizuru seems to smile even more. "Obviously or not how could I be so calm, baka." Shizuru said teasingly.
"Ok, ok fine, you win. So what's the plan?" I sigh in defeat. "It's someone that we know. She just arrives at Kyoto not long to do some research. I'll lead the way." Shizuru said smiling.
"Some… one… that I know?" I said as Shizuru nodded her head. 'Sounds more like Midori sensei. She the only one I know who liked to those funny and ridicules research to impress the professor from she loved so much… I guess' I thought while staring on the floor. I was in my thoughts until Shizuru brought me back by shouting my name.
"NATSUKI!" Shizuru shouted. Snapping out from my own world, I turn towards Shizuru and our surroundings as everyone has locked his or her eyes upon us. "What's wrong? Why did you shout my name?" I said embarrassed.
"I've been calling your name so many times to see if we can get going before that person leaves to do her research but you seems to be rather comfortable in your own world." Shizuru said in depressed.
Realizing that I'm in the wrong, I let out a sigh. Resting my hands on Shizuru's shoulder, I look into her ruby eyes. "Sorry… I will make that up. Promise." I said while closing my eyes. "Don't apologize now, let's not waste anymore time now." Shizuru said lifting my head up.
Needed no more encouragement, I hopped onto my bike and start the engine. Shizuru got on the bike and locked her hands around my waist. Making sure that Shizuru's behind me, I dash out from the Bargain Street and straight to the housing estate.
With Shizuru showing the short cuts to that person's house, it took us only 30 minutes to reach then the usual time which consumes about 45 minutes. Resting my elbow on my bike, I look at Shizuru talking to a house cleaner. "Guess she's requesting to see the owner of this house.' I thought.
It took a while before the house cleaner walked back into the house. I look back at Shizuru to see she is giving me a signal to come over to her. Slowly, I walked towards Shizuru while looking around the house. 'The house's full with fine decoration… interesting.' While I was still browsing at the house's structure, the door opens followed up with a red haired girl. 'That… hair seems familiar.' I thought.
"Exchange bike? That's the first time I heard this type of request." the haired girl said. The voice is so familiar. "Shizuru…" I called and Shizuru turn towards me. "Ah… Natsuki, this is the person I'm talking about." Shizuru said lifting her pointer finger towards the person.
My eyes followed suit at Shizuru's finger. 'This… can't… Midori.' I thought. Frozen in words, I open my mouth to say something… but nothing comes out. "Ah! Long time no see! Natsuki-chan" Midori said waving her right hand.
I do not know how long I am standing there, unable to make any move. Its like, something I do not expect to see had appeared in front of me. "Hmm… Don't you think it's kind of rude to show that kind of reaction Natsu… Whoa! What happen to your head?"
"No… None of your businesses" I said avoiding any contact with her. "Mo… Natsuki…" "It's ok… it seems that is Natsuki's expected answer." Midori said in between giggles. "I'm not deaf" I said to acknowledge Midori that I heard what she said. Shizuru did not say anything except giggling.
"Natsuki… about the bike." Shizuru reminded me about our objective of being here. "Oh… right, sorry about that." I said turning to Midori. "I heard Shizuru said about exchanging bikes. What's going on?" Midori question us before I could even say anything.
"It's a long story… and…" I was cut short when Midori said, "Tell me or not I won't know the reason I should exchange my bike."
My hearts racing like mad and my thoughts are spinning like a hurricane. I'm really not sure if it is fine for me to tell what happen or not. Needed some opinion, I turn towards Shizuru to get some guide. Shizuru did not say anything but she nodded.
Knowing that Shizuru approve for me to tell out, I told Midori about what happen just after I reached Kyoto. Unexpectedly, Midori did not say anything to discourage us as an alternative, she agreed to exchange bike with us. It is surprising to hear someone say, "Yeah, sure I don't mind exchanging bike with you. Even though my bikes are a newer version but yah, I don't mind. "
"Midori-san… Are you sure you don't mind?" Shizuru's concern and felt guilty for asking Midori to exchange bike with mine since her bike are few times costly then mine.
"Sure I don't mind. I know how it feels when your parents disapprove for you two to be together. And better yet, I'm not going to tell you." Midori said smiling. "Why not?" I asked Midori for the reason. "Hmm… let see, don't you think you wasted enough time here?" Midori stated out her answer.
Realizing that we have wasted too much of our precious time, I look at Shizuru and back to Midori. Luckily, Midori reminded us, or not… I do not want to think how much time we are going to waste standing here talking. Not wasting anymore time, I got on the bike, and passed Shizuru her helmet.
Feeling guilty, I turn to Midori. "Midori, I've always wanted to thank you for your help during the HiME festival but I did not get my chance to… Now that I'm here… Midori… thank you for your help, I'll never forget what you have done to help."
Shizuru got off the bike and bowed in thank you. "Ah… Enough… Get going already." Midori hissed. Shizuru got on the bike and I started the engine. The roar was much more vigorous and better then mine. "Hope you get to be together and HAPPY MARRIAGE!" Midori shouted just after I rode out. Closing my eye for a while, I thought "Thank you… Midori…"
"Shizuru… Let us head straight to Tokyo… Money can wait… getting out from Kyoto can't." Shizuru tighten her grip around my waist before nodding.
Our plan of heading straight to Tokyo turns out to be harder then I thought. As we were reaching near Kyoto Toll, there was a cluster of people wearing formal coats and sunglasses. I did not know what it was until Shizuru acknowledge me that it was her family guards as her grip between my waist tensed and she buried her face on my back.
I advised Shizuru to act casually so that the guards will not suspect us. Although I have advised Shizuru, she still seems to be worried. "Shizuru… Please straighten yourself. Do not let them suspect us." Shizuru seems to agree with me and she sat up straight but she faces the other way round.
Reaching to toll is not easy as the feeling of fear and nervous mixed inside me. I could swear that I have never gone thru this situation before even when I'm facing orphans and the first districts. "No, I must not lose my confidents here. Not when Shizuru's with me. If she knew I myself am not confident in this, Shizuru might lose her confidents she have on me.
As we reached the toll, I quickly took the toll ticket and was ready to dash away when the guard asked us to restrain on the spot for a moment. 'Oh kami-sama… please help us out from this. Please let me be with Shizuru.' I pleaded as I eyes follow suit on the guard.
The guard started to look around the bike and started to scratch his head. He then took out a picture from his pocket and started to look around us again. I took a peck on the picture and realized it was a picture of my previous bike. My breathing started to get heavier each time he looks around the bike. Shizuru tightens her grip more.
The guard looks frustrated and let out an angry roar. "It's not the same bike which Shizuru-sama took off with!" he shouted towards his partner. His partner agreed as he waved his hand powerless. It was lucky for us as the guard search recklessly.
"I'm sorry for wasting your time here. I'm sorry for the inconvenient, you may go now." He said and walked back to his seat. 'Hell yeah for wasting our time.' I screamed in my heart. With out hesitating, I rode out from the toll before they could change their thoughts.
After 5 minutes, Shizuru seems to be relaxed as she loosens her grip. "Shizuru… what type of guards is that? He doesn't seem to be taking his job seriously." Shizuru lay her head on my back before saying, "Hmm… maybe my father has dispatched them to look for us right after you took me away. He is always like that. They might be tired and exhausted after checking and looking for each and every bikes exiting Kyoto."
"What? Are your father nuts? With that minimum pay, he makes those people work like dogs. Luckily, I am not under your father. I will die dehydrated by the heat contaminated in that toll."
Shizuru started giggle and nuzzle against my back. "Ne… Natsuki, I think, if my father employs a highly energetic dog, I guess the dog will die in exhaustion." Shizuru said between giggles.
"For Christ's sake, doesn't your father even think of his employee's health? To work under the heat for so many hours only to get a fixed paid. Why can't they just go find other better jobs?" I said.
"That you got to ask them yourself. You know what, instead of an energetic dog, I might as well replace it with Mikoto whom always filled with unknown energy source might just break down over the heat and disaster is well at hand." Shizuru said acting as if it were serious. Hearing what Shizuru said, I could not stand laughing aloud while thinking about Mikoto destroying each passing vehicle there.
Somewhere far from Kyoto, on the hilltop lies a shrine. A loud sneeze erupts and echoes causing the birds from the surrounding area to fly off terrified.
3 Hours Later…
"Natsuki… I'm bored." Shizuru broke the silence after a long ride. "Huh? Come on. Hang on for a little longer." I said to Shizuru. "Mo… We've been ridding on the bike for like, ages." Shizuru said in a high tone as she laid her head on my back. I sighed before looking down at the time displayed on the bike. 'Yikes, it's already 4. We have been ridding for about 3 hours already.'
Paying my attention back to the highway, I saw a signboard telling us that we are about 500 meters to the rest house. "Ok, let's go to the rest house then. I need some rest anyway." Shizuru immediately agreed.
Rest House…
"Shizuru… Shizuru… Wake up… how you could fell asleep in a short distance ride. Shizuru!" I tried to wake Shizuru up as her grip on my waist acted as a lock to detain me from getting off the bike. "Mmm… Where are we?" Shizuru asked while releasing me and started to stretch herself. Just after Shizuru released me, I got off the bike and took the foods we brought in hand.
"Shizuru, we are in the rest house already. Now come on." I asked Shizuru to hurry up as almost everyone in the rest house has his or her eyes upon us. Making sure Shizuru got off the bike, I held on to her hand and walked towards one of the small-unoccupied house.
Placing everything on the floor, I sat down against the pillar follow suit by Shizuru. After eating, Shizuru excused herself to buy some refreshments while I lay against the pillar and closed my eyes. Hearing the sounds coming from the surroundings, it acted like a lullaby song to me.
I almost fell into a deep sleep when Shizuru wake me up. "Natsuki… wake up…" "Hmm? What's wrong?" I said in a sleepy tone while I took my time to open my eyes. The bright sun is making me hard to open my eyes as it pierces into my eyes causing my tears to roll out.
"I brought us some watermelons." Shizuru said handing me a packet of watermelon. Taking the watermelon in hand, I sat up straight and started to eat. "Natsuki… you look very tired." Shizuru ask looking worried. I just smile and entwined my fingers with her.
I shared the watermelon with Shizuru and it just took us a while to finish it. Sitting beside Shizuru I lay my head on her shoulders. "Natsuki, why don't you take a nap? I will call you up after 1 hour. If I recall what you said, you have not been sleeping for almost 2 days already including today." Shizuru asked me to rest.
"Yeah… I could need some rest but aren't you are tired as well?" I said while playing with Shizuru's hand. "I just slept just now remember? Anyway, you are the one ridding not me. You needed the rest now. If I'm feeling tired, I could rest while your ridding. Do not worry about me now. Just go to sleep; I will call you up after an hour." Shizuru said making sure it is fine for me to rest. Without any doubt, I agreed and hugged Shizuru's hand like a pillow before closing my eyes.
I had a nice sleep until two anonymous voices woke me up.
"Kaichou? Natsuki?" someone said in a disbelieve voice.
"Now that's something unexpected to see. What are you two doing together?" Another person asked in a cool voice.
To be continue…
I wonder how many chapters is this going to take. XD but as far as I know, it have not reach the ending I have in mind yet. Hope you all do not mind.