Hi ya! Mayu's here! I'm sorry for the late update. I've been very, very busy this lately and a good news for you all, I've got a beta reader! It's whitelilies! She helped me with this chapter. So I hope you all will support her too. And also, please enjoy with this chapter!
Chapter 5 of Double Twin
"...And...and you know, Kira, the girl entered the male's washroom...Hahahaha..."
Kira laughed along Lacus. "I've watched that part too...so funny! That girl sure has something wrong in her head...and...and the hero, um...what's his name...oh yeah, Min Zhe, he was also shocked when he realized the heroine was watching him doing…you-know-what..."
The two were walking to school together like always. While walking, they talked about their favourite Korean drama, "My 19 Year Old Sister-In-Law". Their twins also walked with them but both Athrun and Cagalli didn't say a word since they met. At first, Kira and Lacus tried to ask them what was wrong but none of them said something. Even though they had given up asking the two now, they still wondered what the matter was.
"I'm began to worry, Kira...Athrun has been acting weird since last night. I thought he would be normal after meeting both of you but he's getting worse. I wonder why..." Lacus whispered.
"Lacus, I don't think it is a big matter if Athrun keeps quiet like that but Cagalli has never been like this since she was born. She only shuts up when she sleeps but now... I really don't know why...Even Mom and Dad worry about her. It is so unlike Cagalli to miss a meal but she didn't eat dinner last night and locked herself in her room until this morning. If only you know how worried I am, Lacus..."
Kira replied, whispering as well. There wasn't a need to whisper because the other two would not hear them. They seemed to be sinking deep into their own thoughts. Both of their faces were red like they were having fever. Suddenly...
"Hello! Good morning, guys!"
Four pairs of eyes looked in one direction. A guy with soft blue hair was waving at them cheerfully as he approached them. Cagalli's heart leapt; her saviour arrived. She waved back. "Auel!"
Auel walked with them, or to be exact, beside Cagalli. Kira, for the first time since he knew Auel, felt glad he was there. Cagalli returned to the normal Cagalli, smiling cheerfully and talking a lot. But to Lacus' and Kira's astonishment, she only talked to Auel. Meanwhile, Athrun looked no better when Auel came. He didn't even reply when Auel greeted him and looked grumpier than before.
"What?! You have the VCD of "He Was Cool!" Oh my God! I've been dying to watch that movie for three years! My friend said the story's very funny, is that true? Can you lend me that VCD?" Cagalli suddenly squealed making Lacus and Kira, who were thinking quietly, jump out of their skin.
The soft blue-haired guy smiled and nodded. "Sure. Yeah, it's very funny. I couldn't help but to laugh every time I watched it. I'll bring it tomorrow. Oh yeah, Cagalli, there's something personal I want to talk to you about. Mind if we walk faster than this lot?"
Kira rolled his eyes, disapproving. "Hey! I thought you decided to be just his friend, sis." He said warningly.
Cagalli glared at her twin brother with hands on her hips. "Yeah and now we're friends. If you could throw me away from your room just to talk to Lacus about something in private, why can't I talk with Auel about something personal?"
"Do you keep something secret from me, sis? Athrun, you know about it, don't you? Tell me!" Kira was looking at Athrun now with slight anger.
Athrun seemed startled when his name was brought into the argument. He immediately shook his head. He really didn't know what Auel wanted to say to Cagalli and he wanted to know as well. "No, I don't."
"But you both are acting very weird. Bro, I won't forgive you if you keep something from me. We've promised, right? Don't think I didn't notice, you blushed every time I mentioned Cagalli's name. This sure has something to do with her. And Auel, I know you know about it. Tell me and Kira." Lacus stated seriously. She hardly called Athrun 'bro'. When she called him that, it meant she wasn't playing around.
Auel glanced at Cagalli and saw her shaking her head sternly. Then, he rolled his sapphire eyes to Athrun, who was blushing slightly but looked a bit upset. Auel turned to Lacus, wearing his unconvincing smile. "...Er...sorry, guys. I don't think I can tell you two."
Lacus pouted and looked at Kira, who frowned. He didn't say anything but stared at Cagalli meaningfully. Cagalli avoided his look. She decided not to tell Kira about Athrun kissing her and felt glad that Athrun didn't tell Lacus. She didn't eat anything last night because she didn't have an appetite. The vision of Athrun kissing her played in her head repeatedly.
Auel was right; he only kissed her cheek but she acted like he kissed her lips. But she couldn't help it. And now, she felt very shy walking beside him. How she wished he didn't kiss her...
Grabbing Auel's arm, Cagalli turned to Kira. "Sorry, bro but I can't tell you. See you at school. Let's go, Auel!" And she dashed, pulling Auel to run with her, leaving them behind.
-Athrun POV-
I thought Cagalli told that git about what I did yesterday.
Shoot! I was very, very glad she didn't tell Kira but why must she tell him?! ... I don't know...this felt like jealousy...She didn't say anything to me this morning, no even a good morning. But when that git came, she immediately became cheerfully.
She said she gave up on him but she didn't look like it. I just wished I didn't kiss her yesterday...I didn't even know what the meaning was, actually. It happened too fast...Maybe it meant I loved her but it's too early for me to fall for her isn't it? It hasn't been a month yet. If so, why did I kiss her? Geez...I shouldn't feel this nervous, should I? I just kissed her on the cheek...but I've never kissed a girl like her that was why it was very special for me.
I could feel Lacus and Kira looking at me. I was very, very glad they didn't know about it. Kira might kill me if he knew and Lacus...I was sure she would tell Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma and everyone who knew me...
"Don't look at me like that. I really didn't know what Neider meant by something personal." I said when Kira opened his mouth to say something.
Kira closed his mouth and started walking again. He looked offended but it wasn't my fault. I was telling the truth. I didn't know what that 'something personal' was. We three continued to walk in silence. I didn't feel comfortable but I thought this was the best for the situation now.
"Phew...thanks a lot, Auel...Honestly, I don't know what to do if I stayed with them. Kira and Lacus don't know about the incident and I don't know how to face Athrun. I feel so, so shy!" said Cagalli when they were far from the other three. She was no longer running but walking slowly with Auel beside her.
Auel shrugged. "Well, I could see that. But Cagalli, it's just a kiss on cheek. Don't be such an innocent child. Maybe he didn't mean anything..." He stopped talking when he felt a dark aura from the side. He gulped.
Cagalli stopped walking and put her hands on hips as she glared at the guy in front of her. "Hey! What kind of guy kisses a girl for no reason?" She demanded.
"I don't know, of course but it's just a kiss. A kiss can mean anything, Cagalli. Do you know that Amazon women kiss their opponent to tell that she had sworn to defeat the opponent? And..."
"Stop there, okay? I don't want to hear some stupid lies from you. I know you get that so-called fact from the anime Ranma ½ but I don't believe it. But Auel..." Her voice sounded desperate suddenly. " Athrun is not that type of guy. You saw how he reacted when a girl touched him! I don't think he's one of the guys who kisses a girl just because he wants to. So what should I do?"
The soft blue-haired frowned. He didn't like to be cut off while talking. "I think you should just forget about the incident and pretend that nothing had happe..."
"NO WAY I CAN FORGET!" Cagalli screamed, cutting him off once again.
This time, she really made Auel's temper raise. "Don't cut off while I'm talking!"
There was a silence after that. Auel looked away from Cagalli's gaze. He regretted for shouting at her but he really didn't like someone cut him off. Cagalli at the other hand, looked down. Deep inside her heart, she felt angry at Auel for shouting at her but it wasn't his fault entirely. She was wrong too; she shouldn't have cut him off.
"Gomen."
The two looked at themselves and burst out laughing. It was a coincidence that they said the same word at the same time. Cagalli wiped her tears as she laughed. "...Such a coincidence, right Auel?"
"Yeah...maybe we have something in common. Hey, if we don't hurry up, we'll be late!" Auel replied as he looked at his watch.
The blond smirked as her amber eyes shone mischievously. "What if we have a race? Whoever loses has treat the other for lunch, okay? 1, 2, 3, GO!" And she dashed off, leaving the blinking Auel behind.
"Hey! Cagalli! That's not fair!" Shouted Auel, running at full speed to catch up with Cagalli, who disappeared quickly from his sight.
"Good morning, Athy!" Greeted Meer, smiling cheerfully as soon as she detected Athrun's presence in the class.
Athrun didn't return the smile but put his bag on his seat and sat down. He glanced at Cagalli's empty seat. Only her bag was there. "Morning, where's Cagalli?"
Meer sat on Cagalli's seat and looked around the class. "Well...I saw her with Auel just now. I heard she said something about inviting Auel to hang out with her friends. If I'm not mistaken, she came with Auel just now. I thought she always walks with you? ...I mean, well...you, Lacus, Kira and her always walk to school together, right? What's wrong this morning?"
Letting go a sigh, Athrun looked at Kira and Lacus. They were checking each other homework. He faced Meer and sighed again. "...I also don't know...Nothing is wrong, actually. Neider came along and walked with us this morning and then he said he had something to tell Cagalli privately so we separated."
"Oh...I see...So there's something between them, huh? I always thought so...Kira was right then; Cagalli can seduce anyone. So that's why Auel ditched Meyrin so suddenly..." Meer muttered slowly. "Poor Yuuna...he has no chance, then...No one has a chance if Auel's got her..."
Meer's comment made Athrun's temper rise. "There's nothing between them, Meer! Cagalli told us, I mean, me, Kira and Lacus that she gave up on Neider. She never seduced him and she is not the reason why Neider ditched Meyrin!" He said loudly.
The pink-haired girl threw him an odd look at what he said. Athrun gulped. He wondered if he the choice of words were not the best ones. "What's wrong with you, Athy? You never been like this since...err...since I knew you. You..., ah, I know! Athy, you like Ca..." She couldn't finish the sentence since the bell rang.
"We'll talk later then, Athy." She said, going to her own seat as Cagalli and Auel bursted into the classroom, panting slightly.
Both Athrun and Cagalli didn't say anything to each other even though their seats were next to the other. Athrun paid full attention to the lesson while Cagalli simply played with her pen behind her book. They glanced at each other sometimes but not a word came out from their mouth. Their eyes met several times but they would immediately turn away and blush. They only stopped doing that when the bell for recess rang.
Cagalli stood up as soon as the teacher stepped out from the class. She put all her stuff into her bag before waving at a certain guy. "Auel! Don't pretend to forget, okay? You lost this morning, you must treat me!"
Auel approached her with a smile on his handsome face. "Okay, okay...Ask Lacus and Kira to join us or the rumors about us will get worse. Oh yeah, Athrun, join us." He said, looking at Athrun.
"No thanks. I promised Meer I will have lunch with her. See you later." replied Athrun coldly as he walked pass him.
Cagalli's eyes widened. Jealousy attacked her heart. Since when is he close Meer? If she wasn't mistaken, he never liked her! "What he's doing with her..."
"Jealous, huh?" Auel smirked when seeing the look on Cagalli's face.
The blonde blushed. "No, I'm not! Let's go, I'm starving!"
"I wonder if snow will fall today..." Meer randomly wondered.
"Huh?"
Meer sighed again, looking around the crowded canteen. "Well...I never thought you will ask me to have lunch with you alone. But I know..." Her eyes were at Athrun now.
"...there's something wrong with you today. I am not forcing but if you think I can help, just tell me. If...If I can't help...you can just tell me, so you don't have to bear it all alone. I'm your friend, Athy..."
Athrun stared at his bento, thinking about what Meer said. So it was obvious that he looked like problems were plaguing him. If it wasn't, Meer wouldn't have noticed it. He had to admit, he felt very distressed that even Lacus' hand-made bento couldn't attract him to eat.
Besides thinking what the kiss meant, Athrun had another problem. He wanted to know what Cagalli felt about it. Was she angry with him because of it or was she happy? He couldn't possibly ask her but maybe Meer could tell him what she thought as a girl. But... should he tell Meer?
"...Um...Meer...if someone...someone that you see as your friend kissed you suddenly, what would you feel? I mean...would you angry with him? And I don't mean he kissed you on the lips, mind you. Only at cheek but...what would you feel?" He asked.
The pink-haired girl closed her eyes for a while. She finished her ramen but Athrun's bento was still full. She spoke after some moments, eyes still closed. "Well...I don't mind if it is just a friendly kiss...but if I have a special boyfriend, maybe I'll be angry. My boyfriend l would be jealous even though it's just a kiss on cheek...but I'm single..."
"...A friendly kiss?" Athrun blinked. "But...do friends kiss? I mean, friends are just friends, right?"
"Well...take me and Yuuna for example. We're not a couple but sometimes, he'd kiss my cheek just for fun. I wouldn't mind 'cause I know he didn't mean anything. He always does that when I'm upset or sad...Like I said earlier, I wouldn't mind but it will be different if I have a boyfriend...I mean, my boyfriend sure will not like it if he find out that another guy has kissed me even if it was on the cheek." Meer took a breath after explaining.
The reply answered both the questions in Athrun's head. "So it's just a friendly kiss...I only wanted to comfort her...Yeah, that must be the reason... And she doesn't mind at all..." He whispered.
Meer stared at the blue-haired guy with interest. "Eh? What did you say? Athy, did you...did you kiss someone?"
The blue-haired guy shook his head nervously. He would never tell Meer about it. "...Err...I didn't...I didn't say anything about that...really...um..." And again, he was saved by the bell.
-Athrun POV-
Finally, the last class for today. Since the first class after recess, I've been thinking about what Meer said. My kiss was just a friendly kiss...It didn't mean anything, yes, it really didn't.
But...did Cagalli really think like Meer? Or did she think I meant something by that kiss? Honestly, I myself am not sure whether or not to believe what Meer said but...I don't know what to do anymore. I can't stand it. I want to talk to her, to smile at her and to laugh with her like usual.
She's been ignoring me since this morning and I noticed she blushed a lot today, She was so cute...wait, no, this wasn't the matter! Her face looked distressed like she was having problems. I noticed this because I kept glancing at her since our first class. I pretended to look at the teacher every time she caught me. I just hope I didn't blush but it isn't very likely.
I saw her with Neider ALONE this recess before I asked Meer's opinion about my problem. First they were having lunch with Kira and Lacus but then they left. I wondered how Kira let them go easily like that. He was very protective. I wanted to follow them but Meer was there looking at me with glazed eyes. I couldn't believe it, how could I invite her?
But she helped me, hadn't she? Maybe Cagalli was offended by the kiss...well, I was sure Neider knew about it and I didn't think he was pleased...
Wait...Neider knew about it...and her face looked distraught...Oh no! Why didn't I realize it earlier? Of course she looked distressed. Of course she was offended by the kiss! Neider must've been very jealous when he knew of me kissing her. So...So there was something between them? And she lied us when she said she gave up on Neider? Why did she do that?
No, it wasn't the matter now. The matter is that I can't concentrate on my studies if things keep going like this. I came to school to study, not to find a girlfriend. Cagalli was only my friend and she would stay like that forever. Her relationship with Neider isn't my business. I just want to be her friend like before. That was why, I must explain everything to her, tell her that the kiss meant nothing and everything would become normal. Yeah, it was the only way...
When the bell rang, I turned Cagalli who, much to my despair wasn't alone. Neider, Kira and Lacus were with her, discussing about what to do after school. I wondered why they didn't ask me to join them but it wasn't the matter right now. I sighed. If possible, I didn't want anyone to know about what I'm going to say. But I must do it. My studying is more important than love. And I'm sure...she's dying to hear it so she can get rid of Neider's jealousy...
"Um...Cagalli?"
She turned. "Yes?"
"I want to talk to you, privately. Can we...um...go to a less-crowded place?" I asked, avoiding everyone's gaze. But I could see she was beaming. I knew it...she expected me to say this earlier...
"Well, go on, you two. We will wait at the front gate, okay?" Neider said, smiling widely as he pushed Cagalli towards me and pulled both Kira and Lacus to go out from the class. I saw Lacus throw me an unsatisfied look but I didn't care about it now. I would tell her after everything was settled. I couldn't possibly keep such a secret from her.
Turning to the blonde beside me, I found her blushing. Weird. Why did she blush? "Um...shall we go, then?" I didn't know what I was doing but I offered my hand, which she accepted.
We went to an empty block, the same block where we witnessed Auel and Meyrin's argument. I let go of her hand and leaned against the wall while she stood in front me. She was unusual cute today; I've never seen her look so timid before. A new feeling stepped into my heart. Instead of explaining to her, I felt urge to tell her how I felt. I like her very much, maybe I would love her more than a friend sooner or later. Or...maybe I've fallen for her. That was why I kissed her yesterday...
NO! What was I thinking! It was just a friendly kiss. I just wanted to comfort her and I didn't know what I was doing at the time! It was just a friendly gesture, yeah, it was! I must tell her the truth now!
"Um...that...I want to tell you about...my kiss yesterday..." I didn't know why but my heart started to beat faster. "I know it was just a kiss at cheek but...it was very special for me..."
Wait! This wasn't in the script! What the hell was I talking about! "But...I'm sorry..." Now, why should I apologize! "It..it was just a friendly kiss...it had no meaning, really...So, I hope...we can be friends back...like bef..." My words stopped there.
If I wasn't mistaken, I saw a tear rolled down her cheek. She immediately rubbed her eyes but I was sure she shed a tear just now. I began to panic. What had I done? I didn't mean to make her cry, it was the last thing I wanted to do in this world. I pulled her closer, attempting to hug her but she pushed me slowly. I could feel her hand trembling.
"It's okay...I'm alright, really. I understand. Of course we can be friends...we are friends all this time, aren't we?" She said, her voice sounded cheerful as it always was and her eyes were dry with no tears now.
"But...why? Why, Cagalli? I didn't mean...I never mean to hurt you. Why did you cry? I thought you will be delighted...you and Auel..." I couldn't finish my words again.
She shook her head, laughing slightly. "Hey, do you think I was actually crying? Well, it's just...some dusk flew into my eyes, okay? Me and Auel? What do you mean by that? We are nothing, okay? He is only a friend, just like you. Anyway, can you go with the others first? I...I have something to do…"
I was reluctant to leave her alone but her eyes told me she really wanted me to go. Well, I had done it. We could be friendly after this. But yet, I felt another feeling inside my heart. It felt like guilt but I had nothing to feel guilty for. I had done what I should, even though I knew she didn't tell me the truth about her and Neider. But again, her relationship with Neider wasn't my business. "Okay, then...But make sure you catch up with us later. Kira sure will worry if you don't."
"Okay."
-end of Athrun POV-
As soon as Athrun disappeared, Auel came out from behind the block. He had been hiding there since Athrun brought Cagalli to the place. He told Lacus and Kira that he left a notebook in their class room and wanted to get it but actually, he followed Athrun and Cagalli. He had no idea why but he just felt something would happen and Cagalli might need him. And he was indeed true...
"Cagalli..."
Cagalli looked up; her sight fell onto Auel's sad face. She didn't know what else to do. Before she knew it, she had thrown herself into Auel's arm and hugged him tightly as her tears fell down uncontrollably. Auel simply hugged her back and caressed her hair to comfort her. He understood her feelings.
In fact, he knew very well why Cagalli felt so sad…She realized she loved Athrun more than a friend, and she thought Athrun felt it too. She expected Athrun was going to confess to her when he asked to speak alone with her. But unfortunately, she was wrong.
Instead, Athrun broke her heart to pieces when he said he meant nothing by the kiss. Both Cagalli and Auel were already sure Athrun would tell Cagalli his feeling eventually but none of them ever thought he would say the opposite.
"...I don't believe it, Auel...he said...he meant nothing..." muttered Cagalli sadly in her sobs.
Auel hugged her even tighter. He didn't mind even though he could feel his shoulder was wet now. Kissing Cagalli's head softly, he could smell the sweet smell of her hair. "It's okay...it's okay, Cagalli...I'm here...I'll always support you..."
'Stupid Athrun...If I were you, I'd have never done this to her...She is too sweet, too perfect to deserve this...'
How it it? Better, right? Again, thanks for my lovely beta reader! Now, please review!