The Catch
By hye-kyo
Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own it.
A/n: this is a harried update…on with the story.
Part 2:
They were back to their routine after watching the movie neither of them likes. Kenshin would take her to work every morning, pick her up in the afternoon, watch movies and dine afterwards. During weekends, they would spend the entire day hiking Fuji or visit Osaka or some place Kenshin would want to see.
She smiled as they got down the train. "I need to make some shopping."
"Okay," he held her hand as they made their way to the food section located at the department store in the train station.
"Do you want to go to the zoo tomorrow?" she asked as she scanned the items.
"Ueno zoo?"
"Yes, do you? We've never gone there."
"But I've been there before."
"I've been there too. But we've never been there together."
"Alright. I'm not really fond of animals."
"I'm not too."
He pointed to a food stall. "I'm hungry."
"I'd just pay for this at the counter."
"Go ahead."
---
"Let me ask you something," Kaoru said as she dipped a dumpling onto soysauce.
"What?" Kenshin tossed a piece into his mouth.
Kaoru looked down on her food, "About Tomoe."
Kenshin smiled, "Go ahead."
"She was your ex-fiancee."
He nodded.
"It took you a year to get over her."
"Eleven months to be exact."
"Okay," she nodded then continued, "When she came back…did you…I mean…did you seek for a reconciliation?"
He laughed. And slyly said, "I am a faithful man Kaoru."
"What was that supposed to mean?"
He laughed again.
"So you mean to say you got back together?" she leaned forward.
"Kaoru."
"Was it you or Tomoe who sought reconciliation?"
Kenshin laughed. "It's a secret. The only thing I can say now is that I am a faithful man. I am faithful to one and only one woman."
---
Kaoru couldn't sleep. Whatever Kenshin means, she really shouldn't care. But she cares and she couldn't sleep because she cares about whatever he means. She wanted to know to whom he was referring to. Was it Tomoe? Or was it someone else?
---
Kenshin frowned. "I want to go somewhere else."
Kaoru stopped from taking pictures. "Why?"
"I don't like animals."
"I'm not an animal fan either, but I like taking their pictures." She resumed and said, "Wait until I'm done."
He frowned. "I don't understand."
"I don't either." She doesn't know what he was talking about.
"I want to go now."
"Wait. Just one more shot."
Kenshin grabbed the camera from her hands and stared hard at her. "I can't imagine people date here. This place is so unromantic."
She frowned. "I know. And it's okay if this place is so unromantic because we are not dating Kenshin."
He turned the camera off.
"Okay," she straightened her clothes, "Where do you want to go?"
"Wherever. I just want to leave this place. I feel like I already smell like monkeys."
"You do smell like monkeys Kenshin," Kaoru joked as she got her camera back. "I'm kind of hungry."
He smiled, "But you're still with me even if I smell like monkeys."
"Do I have any choice?"
He grinned, "Actually you don't have any."
Kaoru slipped her hand into his and led him to the nearest takuyaki stall.
---
"Here," Kaoru wiped the sides of his mouth. "You eat like a kid."
Kenshin stared at her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you staring?" Kaoru rolled her eyes.
"I just want to."
Kaoru looked away and munched at her squid ball.
He was still silent.
She noticed him not touching his food. She looked at him, "Don't you like it?"
"I do."
"Why aren't you eating?"
"I am."
"Kenshin, are you sick?"
He just smiled and took a step closer to her. "Maybe."
Kaoru knew there was something strange about the way he acts. It was a weird feeling, but a feeling she would definitely want to feel. But this was Kenshin and this feeling wasn't suppose to be felt so she quickly took a step away.
He frowned.
"This takuyaki tastes a lot better than the one at the train station." She said, trying not to look at him. Kaoru then felt a little annoyed. If he was faithful to one woman then why was he looking at her like he was about to kiss her. She doesn't like those little pranks.
---
Kaoru looked hard at him. And then again Kenshin was late. She tapped her foot impatiently on the paved floor.
"Sorry," he said goofily.
"You really should be." She frowned at him. She started for the stairs.
"Hey," he caught up with her, "What's the punishment?"
"What punishment?"
"The usual."
She understood. "Forget about it."
Kenshin pouted. Were they still not over the last fight?
---
He let out a yawn. "I'm sleepy."
She didn't hear him. She was so engrossed with the music.
"I don't get you."
"You wouldn't really."
He nudged her. "I don't like recitals."
"I know, that's why I brought you here."
He smirked. "You're too kind."
"Thank you." Kaoru hum with the music.
"I still don't get you," Kenshin said as he leaned deeper onto his seat.
"It just shows how bad your taste is. You don't even know art and elegance."
"Classical music is boring," he said with another yawn.
"Be quiet."
"I am already sleeping mind you."
"Well I'm sorry for being classy and elegant. It's my fault that I still befriend people with bad tastes like you." She said with a roll of her eyes.
"Well I'm sorry too for having bad tastes. At least I am not boring."
"Funny."
Kenshin looked at her. If she just wasn't this pretty, he wouldn't be forcing himself to listen to such boring music. He grinned to himself.
---
He didn't bring his car. Kenshin said it would take him more time to get to the concert hall by car than by subway.
"I am not going to such recitals ever again," Kenshin said with a yawn.
"I want a drink."
He looked for a vending machine. "Coffee? Or juice?"
"Coffee."
"You should stop drinking coffee. Your eye bags are getting bigger," he got an orange juice.
"You shouldn't have asked me in the first place," Kaoru accepted the can and popped it open. She took a sip and continued walking. "What are you drinking?"
"Coffee." He popped open his can and took a gulp.
"Unfair."
"I need to get a little sober."
"Why?" she stopped walking. She faced him, "Are you drunk?"
"Yes."
"But you don't smell like you had been drinking."
"I didn't drink."
Kaoru arched a brow, "What do you mean?"
Kenshin just smiled and walked past her. "Want to see the beach at night?"
---
It was past two in the morning. There was no moon and the air was cold. They were sitting at the raised pavement facing the breakwater.
It was Kenshin who spoke first, "Is there a place to which you want to go?"
Kaoru smiled. She felt like there was something queer going on about him today, "Yes. You?"
"I want to go to Sapporo or to some other place in Hokkaido. I want to go there this winter break"
" Hokkaido?" She looked at the water. "I thought you were talking about somewhere out of the country."
He turned to her, "Where do you want to go?"
She thought it was a funny question. Kenshin seemed a bit too serious for the topic so she gave an answer she thought was funny, "France."
" France?" he thought for a while, "I've never been to France. But France seemed like a nice place."
She laughed. Kenshin was taking all things to heart.
"Then France it is. We'd go to France this winter."
Kaoru stopped laughing. She stared at him. "I wasn't serious."
"But I was." He smiled back. He toyed with his empty coffee can.
She looked at his coffee can and then back to his face.
"We'd go there this winter."
"Summer's not yet over and you are already planning for the winter break."
He was looking straight into the sea but something tells her he wasn't really looking at the sea. "Summer's almost done, and you'd have fall and before you know it you'd have winter. It's better to be prepared early."
She laughed. She really doesn't know why she laughed.
"Time flies by swiftly."
She could only nod. "Okay, we'd go to France."
Kenshin turned to her, placed the empty can on his other side and picked up her hand. "Are you cold?"
"Not really," she said. She turned to look at him.
"I was hoping you'd say you are cold," he murmured as he slid a hand to cup her chin. His gaze was intense, just like the intensity his eyes showed when they were eating takuyaki.
Kaoru felt like he was going to kiss her, just like the last time, but this time there was no diversion, there was no takuyaki to turn to. "Kenshin," she suddenly said.
Kenshin stopped, "Why?"
She didn't know what to say.
He smiled, not like the usual smile he gives her.
Kaoru suddenly pulled away, "It's…It's already dawn. We have to get home." She felt her cheeks burning and her heart palpitating. She knew this feeling yet she doesn't want to acknowledge it. He was playing games again. She stood up from the raised pavement and started walking without even looking at him.
---
They met at a local laundromat. Ten days after moving in Kaoru had gone to the laundromat to do her own laundry. It was a funny experience, she accidentally used up all of Kenshin's detergent so that the redhead didn't have anything left to use. Kaoru even had the nerve to scold the poor redhead. And as they say, realizations come last, by the time Kaoru realized her mistake the redhead and his laundry were all gone.
They met three days after at the food section of the department store. She was tasting some samples when she chanced by him. She offered him dinner which he readily accepted. It didn't take her a long time to see the ring on his finger. It was either a) he was already engaged or b) he just came from a broken engagement. The latter proved to be true.
Kaoru decided not to pursue him in any romantic way well, until he was finally over his ex-fiancée, however the first dinner was soon followed by a second one and then a third one, until they were seeing each other more often than she expected. She really was interested, he was such a beautiful man and though he could be really a pain in the ass sometimes he was still enigmatic.
Half a year later she saw him not wearing the ring, but that didn't mean that he was over Tomoe. Kaoru had been keeping her hopes high until that moment, but realizing he still wasn't ready finally decided to forget all about becoming involved with him in any kind of relationship other than friendship. By the time he was finally over his ex, Kaoru had forgotten any romantic inclination she had for him. In short, Kaoru chose to remain simply as friends.
---
"Misao wanted to have a party right after giving birth," Kaoru said two days later.
"Party?" Kenshin changed the channel. "What day is today?"
"Sunday. Why?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to know." He shifted channels again. "What about the party?"
Kaoru stood up and went to the kitchen counter to get something to eat.
Kenshin went to the CD rack to look for a movie. "Everything on TV today is either boring or a replay."
"Really?"
"Aoshi's a Buddhist, isn't he?" He asked while foraging for a DVD.
"He was," Kaoru corrected him, "They are now both Catholic."
"He agreed?"
"Yes. He loves Misao." She laughed. She doesn't really know if there's a sense to her comment. She went back to the couch and asked, "Would you be willing to change your religious preferences for the…for her?"
Kenshin smiled. "I don't have a problem with that. We have the same preferences."
---
Came July and her workload has increased. Her cousin Sano has even arrived at such an inappropriate time and has been wreaking havoc in her apartment. She had been scolding him almost every second yet her sermons seemed to not have any effect on him.
Kenshin opened the door of his apartment that night, "Kaoru?"
"Could I stay for a while? I won't be a bother."
Kenshin laughed, "Is it about Sano again?"
"Really Kenshin, why do I have to suffer this much?" She helped herself in.
"Maybe you are a bit exaggerating. Sano's not that bad."
Kaoru rolled her eyes, "You don't know my cousin."
"When did he say he would leave?" he locked the door.
"Do you have anything to drink?"
"Coffee?"
"No, I'm talking about alcohol."
Kenshin arched a brow, "I don't want you taking alcohol."
"I feel so stressed out."
"But you should not be drinking."
She slumped on the couch, tossing her messenger bag on the table. "I need to loosen up a bit."
"I'll give you a massage," he went over to her, "Does your back ache?"
Kaoru smiled, "I love you Kenshin. You really know how to lighten my burden." She turned her back to him.
---
Kaoru noticed it was becoming a little too sensual. She scooted to her side a bit to make sure she wasn't just imagining things. She cleared her throat, Kenshin was touching her way too touchy than most massages. She really couldn't prove it though.
"Kenshin," she murmured.
"Hn?" his hands were on her lower back. She reddened.
"I'm okay now."
"What?" his voice was raking through her eardrums, and sending shivers through her spine.
"I said, I…I am okay now. You could stop now."
"I don't want to stop yet," he said with another sensual touch.
"Hey," she suddenly turned to face him.
Kenshin broke into a smile. And his gaze intensified just like the last time. He inched closer.
She didn't know how or why but she froze just as when she felt the slightest of pressures on her lips. Then the doorbell buzzed. She quickly pulled back, and trying to regain composure she quickly stood up and said, "There's someone at the door. I'll go see who it is."
---
It turned out to be Sano looking for her. Even though she doesn't like his company, she readily agreed to go back to her apartment with his cousin. She hurriedly grabbed her bag on the table, said a nervous goodnight to Kenshin and went to the door.
And that was three days ago. She hadn't seen Kenshin the day after that because it was a Saturday and he said he needed to visit his aunt. But she had called him the same night and he had agreed to meet the following day.
They didn't talk about the kissing incident, if that could be called a kiss. She was glad they were back to normal. She had dismissed the incident as just a result of a very stressful day. Maybe that day had been very stressful for Kenshin too.
"Misao still doesn't know where to have the party," she said as they were having lunch at an Italian restaurant.
"Would she be able to party after giving birth? When is the baby due" Kenshin forked a meatball and put it into his mouth. Kaoru's gaze fell on his gaped lips.
She shook her head and brought her gaze to his eyes, "I'm not really sure. Maybe sometime next month."
"I see," Kenshin took a sip from his drink, "Does she have any prospects already?"
"I know she was thinking of the Chinese tea house in Ikebukuro, but it's a little too far from her house. The other restaurants near the Church were already booked on the day of the baptism.'
"Anyway," Kenshin took another sip, "How is Sano?"
"Sano would be leaving in two weeks. I almost forgot, he was asking if you could both go out sometime."
"Sano was asking me out?" Kenshin laughed.
"Ah yes," she laughed too, "But I mean something like a boys' night out."
"Oh," he continued laughing, "I thought it was something else. Like I am too irresistible to the point that I could make straight men gay."
"Funny Kenshin. But who knows, maybe Sano also has that in mind."
He laughed.
---
Came Monday and Kenshin volunteered to bring her to her office.
"So I'll see you later?" Kenshin asked as they turned around the curb.
"Can't. I have a date." She couldn't find her cell phone in her bag.
"What?" Kenshin almost stopped the car.
"I have a date." Finally, Kaoru found it in one of the pockets.
"With whom? Are you serious?"
"Don't I sound serious? I'll see Soujiro this evening."
"Your blind date?" Kenshin snorted. "What did I tell you about talking to strangers?"
"He's not a stranger."
"He still is. Cancel that date."
Kaoru crossed her arms across her chest, "And who are you to tell me that? Are you my father?"
"Okay. Do whatever you want to do." They reached the parking lot.
"Kenshin," Kaoru laughed, "Hey."
"Just call me when you get home."
She pinched his nose, "Okay." She went out, and left the door ajar.
"Kaoru," Kenshin called her, beckoning her to close the door.
She furrowed her brows and decided against explaining her date to him. However, she couldn't contain the irritation so she quickly shoved open the car door. "Really Kenshin, I could date whomever I want to. I'm already 27."
Kenshin looked seriously at her for a while and finally said, "I'm not saying anything anymore."
Kaoru was puzzled.
"You are going to be late."
She slowly got out. She looked at him for a second before finally deciding to close the car.
---
The following day was a Tuesday and she doesn't go to work every Tuesdays. Kaoru went to his apartment early that morning and found him getting ready for work.
"Good morning," Kaoru said as Kenshin opened the door.
"Why are you here?" he asked. Kaoru still doesn't know if Kenshin's a morning person or not.
"I'd drop by your building tonight. After which we could eat out. It's my treat."
"Can't." Kenshin grabbed his stuff on the coffee table.
"Why?" Kaoru frowned.
"I have a date tonight," he sounded serious.
"Date?" She arched a brow as she was gathering her stuff, "With whom? With her?" She emphasized the 'her', referring to whomever he was faithful to.
"Nope. Remember Sayu?"
She frowned. Sayu, the girl working with him on his latest assignment. She frowned deeper. So where did the I'm-a-faithful-man crap go to?
---
A week later Kenshin accompanied her to the department store. Kaoru felt a little annoyed. A week ago he had been extremely hard to reach, since he had been dating that Sayu girl and now, just when she doesn't need his company, he was right beside her.
"I'd leave you at the toy section okay? I'd come back after an hour." Kaoru was smirking at him.
"Why? I'd go with you. Where were you going anyway?" Kenshin had his arms akimbo.
"Why are you here anyway? Shouldn't you be with Sayu?"
"You mean Kiyomi?" He laughed.
"I thought Sayu was her name?" Kaoru looked puzzled.
"Sayu's not Kiyomi."
"I thought you were dating Sayu?"
"I was. I started dating Kiyomi Thursday."
"Gee Kenshin, you're too frisky!" Kaoru snorted. "And I thought you are faithful."
Kenshin laughed and slipped a hand around her waist, "I am."
"Then why are you still dating other women?"
"They're like being on internship. They make you ready for the real thing." Kenshin was grinning.
She was vexed. So she too was just for practice. She doesn't like the feeling it gives. "From a feminist point of view I think you should be burned."
Kenshin suddenly looked hard at her, mortified. He took a step back, "What?"
Kaoru glared at him, "You play with women."
"I don't." He laughed.
"Yes you do. You play with their feelings. You make them feel like there's something special but actually you're just using them for practice."
"Kaoru." He laughed harder.
"I don't like those kinds of men. They tell you 'I'd call you' or 'I'd see you' but they really won't." She then looked away.
"I'm telling you I'm faithful to only one woman," he insisted. He was pouting at her.
"Whatever Kenshin. I don't believe you anyway." She started walking.
"Where are you going?"
Kaoru stopped and faced him, "I'm going to buy some undergarments so go away. I'd see you after I finish shopping."
Kenshin started grinning, "Those are the garments that I really love to shop for."
---
"Why don't you just wait for me somewhere other than this place?" Kaoru glanced at him, he was keen examining the undergarment on display.
"What kind are you looking for?" Kenshin asked, looking seriously at a brassiere.
"Put that down." She grabbed the bra and placed it back. She looked around, sure they make a nice picture. A saleslady was smiling at her and the others were looking at them.
"Hey!" Kenshin suddenly grabbed her hand, "I think that one will look good on you." He was pointing to something on a nearby display. He dragged her along.
She was blushing. "Kenshin."
Kenshin was grinning when he picked up a pink bra with red strawberries strewn across. He held it for her to see. "It's very cute. I'd love to see it on you."
She smirked. "What are you—"
"Does it have matching panties?" he asked unabashedly at the coming saleslady.
Kaoru almost hit him on the head as he accepted the matching panties from the clerk. She reddened even more.
"Look Kaoru," Kenshin was grinning from ear to ear, "Let's buy this pair. I'd pay for it."
The clerk asked him what size he was looking for, to which he rightly and immediately replied. Kaoru was a bit taken aback by the fact that he knew what her cup size is. She reddened even more. "How did you know?" she asked just as soon as the saleslady was out of hearing range.
"How did I know?" he asked, the grin plastered on his face, "I can tell just by looking." And just before he could trace his eyes down to her bosom she quickly gave him a smack on the head.
"Pervert."
He nursed the bump on his head, "You are so mean. I just wanted to buy you those undies."
"I'll give you another bump to nurse," she threatened him.
"But don't you think the design is so cute," he said with a wink. "It looked so tasty." He grinned again.
"Pervert. I'll get you for this."
"I don't really mind. I might even just give myself to make it easier for you."
She looked away, smirking. So okay, the design was really cute, and she really doesn't mind having Kenshin buy him that pair. But his grin was making her blush and she doesn't like other people seeing her blush.
---
He said he would be somewhere in Kobe for a week, so that when he came knocking on her door that night she was quite stunned to see him.
Kenshin smiled a little, "You are a bit exaggerating."
"Really," Kaoru said as she scooted a bit to allow him some space beside her on the couch. "I thought I wouldn't be seeing you for a week."
"So tell me," he said, leaning closely to her, "Are you happy to see me?"
She felt something dangerous about the way he asked that so she quickly said, "Of course. I miss my best friend already. Just the thought of having you gone for a week makes me miss you so much." And then she repeated, "You are my best friend. How would I not miss you?"
Kenshin pulled back and leaned on the couch, "I see."
"Anyway," she said, clearing her throat, "I thought you'd be gone for a week?"
"I thought so too," Kenshin loosened his ties and opened the first two buttons of his shirt, "The conference was cancelled. It is still to be rescheduled."
"Who were you with?" Kaoru suddenly asked. She doesn't know why she asked.
Kenshin shot her a why-do-you-want to-know look.
She looked away. "I just want to know."
"The invitation was only for two people."
"So," Kaoru slowly turned to Kenshin, "Who was the other?"
Kenshin grinned, "The creative team's head, Matsuda Satsuki."
"A woman?"
He laughed. "So?"
"Have you dated her yet?"
"Why ask me that question? Do you think I date all the women that I meet?"
"Yes."
He frowned, "It's bad to think ill of someone you know."
She dismissed his comment, "So have you dated her yet?"
"Once."
"Once?"
"Once. So?"
Kaoru felt vexed. "When was that?"
"Two days ago?"
"Two days ago?" Kaoru almost screamed, "You were always with me, how could you date without me knowing?"
"Maybe you're just a bit naïve?" he asked, a little seriously at that.
She turned her head and crossed her arms across her chest, "So you were a bit disappointed because the conference was cancelled?"
"Not really."
"Why not?"
"I haven't cancelled my date with Kiyomi yet."
She stood up faced him, "You are such a player."
"I am not," he laughed and stood up too, facing her. He placed his hands on her waist. "Could we talk about something else?"
"What?" she asked, trying not to look into his eyes. She might drown in them.
"What are you wearing?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, are you wearing the pair that we brought?" he asked. The grin was back on his face.
Kaoru reddened. "You are a pervert," she said but nonetheless continued, "Only the bra."
"Really?" Kenshin's eyes lightened up, "Could I see?"
"No!"
"Why not?"
Kaoru felt herself a little nude even though she was wearing jeans and a buttoned down shirt.
"I want to see. I want to see how it fits."
"It fits perfectly well. You don't have to see it."
Kenshin snorted, "Kaoru it's not as if I haven't seen you in something skimpy before."
"Okay then," she started for the top button of her shirt but suddenly stopped, "But don't laugh. And I'd show it to you for just two seconds."
"Make it thirty."
"Kenshin!"
"Okay twenty."
"I won't show it."
"Ten. How's ten?"
"Okay…ten it is." She unbuttoned slowly and stopped when she unbuttoned down to her midriff. "How is this?"
"I couldn't see a thing," Kenshin complained. "Down to your navel."
"You are too demanding." Nevertheless, she followed him. After almost unbuttoning the whole shirt she slowly asked, "So?"
"So?" Kenshin echoed her question. He was smiling, "Beautiful."
Her brows narrowed. "You mean the bra?"
He nodded, "Not just the bra."
Kaoru reddened and looked down on her breasts, "Really? They aren't too big."
"They're just right."
She felt like she wanted to cover herself but felt a little weird at Kenshin admiring her. "So how does the bra fit?"
"It looks good on you," he said and lifted his head to finish the sentence with, "Looks good enough to eat."
She blushed furiously and said, "Your time is up." She started buttoning her shirt.
"Ten seconds had passed already?" Kenshin frowned, "I think I still have at least four more."
"That's what you think," she glared at him as she smoothened her shirt.
Kenshin was smiling as he sat down. Suddenly his tone was serious as he asked, "Do you want to get married?"
She glanced at him. Kaoru didn't know what to answer.
---
Kaoru felt like she was in a limbo. She was unsure of so many things. Sometimes she feels like Kenshin's trying to tell her something. But finding about his frolicking activities make her feel like she was just imagining things. Whatever Kenshin really means, it wasn't good for her health. She couldn't sleep at night. And she doesn't even have insomnia.
---
Kenshin smirked as he threw her a crosscourt shot. He grinned as it hit the baseline. "40-love. Could you at least give me a little challenge?"
Kaoru snorted. "Tennis is not for me." She threw a ball up in the air and gave him a slice serve.
"What was that?" he returned it easily "Game and match, game set won by Himura—of course."
Kaoru dropped her racquet. "I'm tired."
"Really?" Kenshin walked towards her, grabbing a towel from the bench. "You do not excel in any sport."
She arched a brow, "Really? For your information I excel in Word Factory."
"Is Word Factory a sport?" Kenshin laughed again.
"Whatever." Kaoru glared at him. She stuffed her racquet in her bag and hauled it to her shoulder. "I am tired. I want to go home."
Kenshin tried not to laugh anymore as he tried to catch up with her. "I got promoted."
Kaoru stopped and turned to face him. "What?"
"I said I got promoted."
"Really? You don't do anything at work and they still promoted you? All you do all day is flirt with women."
Kenshin shot her a disbelieving look, "You don't trust me do you?"
"Actually."
"Tomorrow. You'd have a free dinner."
Kaoru was laughing as she started walking again. "Do I have to bring a gift or something?"
"Of course." Kenshin slid an arm around her waist as they were walking.
She glanced at him and noticing the dazed look on his face, with a weird smile carved on his lips, she decided to ignore the arm on her waist. Besides it feels quite a bit nice.
---
"You are early," Kaoru said as she sat down from across him.
"I should be." Kenshin took a sip. "I didn't bring my car."
"Why not?"
"I thought of taking the subway. I missed it." He then laughed.
She frowned. "Anyway, you told me to bring a gift."
"Did you?"
"Of course," Kaoru grinned slyly. She presented him a box wrapped in blue felt. "Open it. It's for you. Congratulations on your promotion."
"I was just joking about the gift. You shouldn't have." Kenshin started unwrapping the present. His smile faded as he finally saw what was inside the box.
"So?" she was trying to conceal her joy.
"What were you thinking?"
"What?"
He pouted. "I'd—"
"Don't you like the design?" she faked a worried look. She grabbed the box from him and picked up a pink pair of boxer shorts with red strawberries designed all over the shorts. She flung it for all to see.
"I don't wear—"
"Don't you like it? We match Kenshin."
He frowned. He was trying to smile to show he appreciates it. "It's cute but—"
"I bought it especially for you."
Kenshin looked at the boxers. So this was what she meant when she said she would get him one day. He looked around and saw the couple in a nearby table looking at the pink boxers. Kaoru was still flinging it around.
"In fact," Kaoru rummaged through her things, "It's a set. You notice the word Sunday on the garter?" She laid out six other fancy looking boxers in front of him. She picked up the pair with orange and yellow stripes. Pointing to it she said, "Here's for Tuesday."
"Kaoru—"
"And this is for Monday," she pointed to the lilac one. "It's pretty. This is actually my favorite. Maybe I'd see you more often during Mondays to see you wearing this one."
He looked around. People were looking at them.
"And here's for Wednesday and Saturday," Kaoru said reading the words on the garter. "They are cute."
He grimaced at the boxers.
"And this is for Friday," she pointed to a black one with skull and bones design finished with laces for the trimmings. "It's the I'm-a-punk kind. But it still has a cute side to it. The laces are really very pretty."
"Laces? Those boxers are really for men?"
"Yes. Laces are for men too. And besides I think you'll look good with laces. Anyway, here is for Thursday. This has a cute touch to it too. The watermelons are very tasty looking don't you think?" she asked with a wink.
"When I said you have to bring a gift I really didn't mean it."
"Don't you want my gifts? After all the trouble…" she faked a dismayed look.
"Ok," he gave in. Kenshin gathered the boxers into the box and hurriedly covered it. "Thanks."
"I'd make sure you wear them." Kaoru laughed. "I'd check it okay?"
Kenshin frowned. So Kaoru really has a way of getting back.
---
Kenshin was going to pick her up. It was eight in the evening and Kenshin would be at the parking lot by now. Kaoru didn't know why but all of a sudden she felt the intense desire to go to the ladies room to brush her teeth. She felt a little nervous about something she couldn't name.
---
"You are late." Kenshin stood by the glass door waiting for her.
She grinned, "Sorry. Megumi isn't back yet from her honeymoon."
Kenshin pouted. "You make me face unreasonable consequences whenever I'm late. Maybe it's time I make you feel how it feels."
"Okay," Kaoru took a deep breath. She was getting more nervous. So was this the reason why she was nervous early on and why she brushed her teeth? She frowned to herself. "Do what makes you happy."
Kenshin laughed. "Do you want to eat?"
She nodded. "I'm hungry. I forgot to take lunch."
He pouted, "I told you not to forget taking lunch. What if you get sick?"
"Do people get sick by not eating lunch?" she laughed. "Where's your car?"
"I didn't bring it. I wanted to take the subway."
"I'm so tired. I should've just brought my car if you weren't going to bring yours."
"Anyway," he looked away, "I'd call you every lunchtime to remind you about your eating."
She sighed. "Why do I get the feeling that you are acting like my father?"
His brows furrowed. "You don't take me seriously."
"I do." She was laughing. "Come on, let's start walking. I want to eat somewhere near the station." Something was weird about Kenshin tonight.
---
They were walking near the breakwater. It was almost eleven in the evening and they have just finished taking dinner.
"My legs ache," Kaoru stopped and sat down on the raised concrete. The lamp shone above her.
Kenshin walked towards her and sat down beside her. He simply looked at the sea.
Kaoru noticed the sudden change in character. He was acting weird again. "Hey."
Kenshin looked at her. "What?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Nothing."
She kept silent and decided to look at what he had been looking at. "The sea's beautiful at night."
"Yes."
"Would you bring me to work tomorrow?"
He looked like as if he suddenly remembered something. "Ah, no. I can't. I have to go to work earlier than usual because of the promotion. But it's only for a few days. Nevertheless, don't bring your car. I'd still pick you every day to bring you home."
"So I have to ride the subway every morning?" she frowned, "Couldn't I just bring my car?"
"Don't you want me to pick you up?"
"Oh okay."
He smiled. He then suddenly remained silent.
"You are unusually quiet tonight." Kaoru decided to comment on his silence, "And a less bit irritating."
"Really?" he asked, amused.
She just smiled. "Did something good happen?"
"Not really."
"Then what?"
He shook his head. "Nothing."
She looked away. "I feel that there's something."
"There's nothing."
"Oh there's something Kenshin."
He turned to her. "Alright. There is."
Kaoru was taken aback by the sudden intensity in his voice. It compelled her to look and to ask, "W-what?"
"There is something I want to ask of you."
She took a deep breath. Her heart is palpitating. "Kenshin…"
He held her hand, his face bathed in an orange glow. "Could I—"
Kaoru suddenly knew what he meant and feeling a bit unsure of what would happen and what would be happening after, she quickly said, "Kenshin—"
"I wanted to kiss you." He quickly said it, noticing the sudden confusion in her eyes.
Her mouth gaped, unable to continue what she was about to say. Telling herself to say no, she felt her mouth forming into what could be a comprehendible yes. Her mind raced. Maybe she would want him to kiss her as much as he does. She took a deep breath and this time, without hesitation, decided to say yes.
Kaoru didn't know if she was good at it that's why the kiss felt so damn good. She hadn't really much experience on kissing so she mustn't be that good. Maybe because it was Kenshin who was kissing her that's making the kiss so good. Or maybe because it really was Kenshin since the very start whom she wanted to be kissing with. Whatever the reason was, she felt it irresistible to deepen the kiss.
She was fidgety by the time the first kiss ended. She slowly pulled back to gaze at his face. She couldn't describe how he looked like at that moment for everything suddenly turned into a blur as Kenshin suddenly pulled her again, urgently this time, to kiss her. She felt lost. She didn't know if he was kissing her or if she was kissing him. The sound of the waves washing ashore collided with the sound of the beat of her palpitating heart.
However the sounds were replaced by the sudden buzz from the garbage truck coming to collect the refuse from a nearby stall. They both pulled back, suddenly.
He was smiling nervously.
Kaoru looked down. She doesn't know what to say.
"Kaoru—"
The honking continued. "It's a bit noisy here don't you think?"
Kenshin smiled. "Yes. Do you want to go home now?"
She swept his features with her eyes. He looked wonderful. "Yes."
Kenshin smiled. "Then let's go."
She nodded.
---
"I'd see you tomorrow night." That was what he said before she entered her apartment. Kaoru sighed. She was in a daze. She would not be seeing him tomorrow morning. What if by the time she sees him he suddenly changes his mind?
Kaoru looked at the clock at her bedside table. It was already one ten in the morning. There are hundreds of minutes between now and tomorrow night. And he would be seeing Kiyomi or Sayu or some other girl he had been dating or maybe he would be seeing her.
She threw a pillow up in the air and caught it. She suddenly felt unsure. She doesn't like this feeling. Like the feelings mornings after give. Kaoru read it in a magazine, how couples fail during morning interactions after making love. The kind of interaction where people are civil, dressed and not pouncing on each other to give in to their instincts. She doesn't like the feeling.
Kenshin said dating around is like being on internship. Was she just being played? Kaoru frowned and buried her face in her pillow.
---
Kaoru was fidgety the whole morning. Megumi had come back from her honeymoon and she commented on how weird Kaoru was today. Kaoru could only apologize for having the documents to be submitted to the editor eaten by the paper shredder. She was a bit absent-minded as she printed the files again.
Came lunch break and she doesn't have the appetite. Kenshin said he was going to call her every lunchtime to make sure she would be eating. She stared at the phone and at her cell phone the whole lunch. She didn't want to eat anyway.
---
Kaoru was wondering if he really didn't mean the kiss. She was waiting for the phone call but there was none. He could've at least send her a text message reminding her to have lunch or reminding her about fetching her that night. Now she wasn't even sure if he would be coming tonight.
She bit her lower lip. No he would be coming tonight. And maybe he would be telling her that he couldn't stay just as friends anymore. She heaved a sigh. But what if he tells her to forget about it? What would she do? Okay, she would forget about it, she would try to forget about it, even if it takes her a million years.
She placed the files on the paper shredder again.
---
Kaoru was nervous by the time the clock stroke eight. Kenshin would be in the lobby right now. She was feeling really hungry and really uneasy. She doesn't know how to go about meeting him. What would she say? Would she say hi, or would she remain silent and let him do the talking? She slapped her face. She needs to wake up now.
---
She found him at the lobby, talking to someone on his cell phone. He looked weird. She wondered who he was talking to. When he looked up and found her he quickly ended the conversation and slid the phone inside his pocket.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Kaoru said while staring at his pocket.
He looked at what she was staring and quickly said, "It's alright."
Kaoru jolted from her musings and slowly glanced up at him. "I'm hungry."
"Really?" he sounded nervous. He was also a bit fidgety.
She nodded. There was something wrong about him. It's not the same as being nervous like her. Somehow she felt like he was being hesitant about something.
---
The ride to the restaurant was silent. It wasn't usually silent. Maybe because something happened yesterday that's why they were both silent. Kaoru shoved all hesitation in the back of her mind. This time, Kenshin would know what her true feelings are. She prayed hard.
Kaoru sat down. She watched as Kenshin did the same. "How was your day?" Kaoru suddenly asked, trying to ease the atmosphere.
He looked at her as if he didn't catch what she said.
"I was asking how your day went."
"Uh…it was okay." His mind was somewhere else. She saw him looking at his cell phone.
A waiter handed them the menu. She watched as Kenshin ignored it and started looking at his phone again.
"Aren't you hungry?" she asked worriedly. Why does she feel like Kenshin wants to be somewhere else?
"W-what?"
"Why do you—"
His phone suddenly rang. He quickly picked it up.
Kaoru gazed at the menu. Let him talk to whoever he needs to talk to. After that they'd talk about themselves. She took a deep breath and crossed her fingers.
"I'm leaving." He suddenly stood up, his phone flipped open still.
Kaoru was taken aback. She looked at him for a second and was about to ask him what he was about to do when he suddenly said, "You go ahead without me. I'd just call you."
She stood up too and was about to ask him where he was going when he suddenly left for the glass door. She quickly followed him but by the time she caught up with him he was already inside the car, revving up the engine.
---
A/n: so what do you think?