Chapter 5
First Date
It's been awhile since I found out about Emma. And to tell you the truth, even if she is a spy, I know one thing, that she'd never do anything to hurt me. Since that day, we've stuck close to each other. Emma and I were doing pushups when Matt came along. "Hey Blaze, could I talk to you for a sec?" Matt asked. "Sure. I'll be right back." I told Emma. He led me to an alley. "It seems like you two are…hitting it off." he said.
"W-what?! It's nothing like that, we mainly talk about LFOs or other stuff." I stuttered. "OK whatever man. It's none of my business. I'm just worried about you." he said. "There's nothing to worry about, Emma will..." I began. "Will never hurt us. Yeah, yeah, I know." he finished my sentence. "Look, I'm sorry about what I said the other day. I misjudged you...both of you." he apologized.
"So, what are you gonna do?" he asked vaguely. "Do?" I repeated. "About Emma. You told me the other day you loved her." he elaborated. My face turned red. "You have asked her out haven't you?" he pressed. "I...no, not yet." I admitted. "So let me get this straight; you love the girl but, you haven't even asked her out yet? That kinda sounds one-sided." he face-palmed. I felt embarrassed. "Anyway, I'll talk to you later. I've just remembered there's something I need to do." he left with a big grin.
Meanwhile...
Zita
"Hey Emma, got a sec?" came a voice from behind me. I turned around to see a girl with pink hair. "Oh hi, Izumi." I replied. "So, has he asked you yet?" she said in a high pitched voice. "Has who asked what?" I said confused. "Blaze. Has he asked you out yet?" elaborated Izumi.
"Why would he ask me out?" I said blushing. "You guys hang out all the time. You mean to tell me he hasn't?" she sounded shocked. I shook my head. "Well have you asked him?" she pressed. I shook my head again. "Jeez, you two are hopeless." sighed Izumi. Huh? "Well, I guess I'll see ya." she left me. What was that all about?
Hi
I returned to Emma. "So what did Izumi want?" I asked her. "Nothing much." she replied. "What about Matt? What he want with you?" she wondered. "Nothing much." I said. Our exercises continued.
(7:00 P.M. cabin)
Yuki was sitting on the bed waiting for me. "Hi!" she cheered rushing to hug me. "Hey, Yuki did you miss me?" I asked in a gentle voice. "Uh-huh." she smiled. *Knock, knock.* I went to the door to see who it was. Matt? "What are you doing here?" I asked him. "Who is it, Hi?" came Yuki's voice. "Huh? Who's that?" he asked surprised to hear another voice. "Yuki, could you come here for a moment?" I called to her. Yuki walked over. She looked up at the man standing in the doorway then, quickly retreated behind the safety of her brother's back. "Onii-san." she tugged on my shirt. "Onii-san?!" exclaimed Matt. "This is my kid sister, Yuki. And Matt, I think you're scaring her." I explained introducing her. "Oh, sorry about that. I didn't know you had a sister. Fire and snow, huh?" he mused referring to our names.
Matt knelt down to her eye-level. "Hello there, Yuki-chan. I'm sorry if I frightened you" he apologized while wearing a gentle smile. Yuki gazed up at me with a cautious expression. "This is Matt. It's alright, he's a friend." I told her. She turned back to Matt. "K-konichawa, Matt-kun." she squeaked. He smiled. "She's cute. How old is she?" he wondered. "Four. She'll be five next month." I answered.
"So anyway, why are you here?" I inquired again. Matt stood up and faced me again. "Oh yeah. Hey Blaze, Keith wants me to run some errands for him but, I'm kinda busy right now." he said. "And?" I pressed. "And I was wondering if you could do me a huge favor and run them for me." he requested. "Matt, I…" I began. "Please?" he pleaded. "Fine." I sighed.
"Here. This is a list of the things he needs. You're going to have to go into town to get them." he handed me a sheet of paper. "And Blaze, don't read it until you get there, 'kay? The items on that list are...err...secret. If Keith finds out that someone else read it…well then…I'm f*cked." he said. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Um... 'kay. Yuki can you stay here just a little longer?" I requested gently. "Yes big brother." she said back in the most innocent voice. "Oh, and Matt?" I said to him. "Yeah?" he responded. I flicked him on the forehead. "Ow, what the hell was that for?!" he demanded rubbing his head. "Watch your mouth around my little sister. I don't want her growing up listening to curses 'kay?" I said sternly. "Oh, sorry about that." he apologized still rubbing the spot.
Meanwhile…
Zita
I was sitting on the bed, staring up at the ceiling when I heard, *Knock, knock.* "It's open!" I yelled. "Could you please get it." the voice said from behind the door. "Coming." I opened the door to see Izumi standing there. "Hey, Izumi. What's up?" I asked. "Not much. I need some stuff from town but, I'm really busy right now. Could you do me a huge favor and get them for me?" she requested. "Um, sure Izumi. What you need?" I answered with a smile. "Thanks a bunch, Emma. Here, it's a list of what I need." she handed me a piece of paper. "And Emma? Don't read it until you get into town. It's private. Girl stuff." she explained. "You got it." I said. "Thanks again. Later Emma." she turned and left.
(7:23 Town Square)
Hi
Alright, I'm in town. Now what's in this letter that's so important? "Blaze?" I heard someone from behind call my name. I turned around. "Emma? What are you doing here?" I inquired. "I'm running some errands for Izumi. Why are you here?" she asked. "Keith wanted Matt to get some stuff for him but, he was busy so he came to me." I explained. "Oh," she responded. We stood there for a moment. "Why would the SSG trust Matt with anything? Keith's always so uptight." she thought out loud. She's right…Wait a second!
I opened the note and began reading silently:
Hey guys, you've probably figured out by now that we didn't really need any 'errands' ran. Ha ha. We (Izumi and I) set you up on a date. There's money in Emma's note so you can blow it anyway you want. Take her some place nice. A movie, dinner… anywhere. You two dullards need it. Anyway, have fun you guys.
Sincerely,
Matt and Izumi (Cupid)
"So, what's it say? I still have trouble reading some kanji. I can make out Matt and Izumi's names but, that's about it." inquired Emma. I read it to her. "They set us up on a d-date?" she repeated face flushed. "Yeah," I simply replied.
"So…where do you want to go? I hear that Sai's Sushi is pretty good." I suggested trying to kick things off. "That sounds nice but, what about your little sister, Yuki? Aren't you worried she might get lonely?" she wondered. "She'll be fine. I stayed in the cabin for about ten minutes to tuck her in so she wouldn't get scared. You know how little kids can get when they're all alone." I said recalling the first night Yuki and I spent together after we became orphans. "No, I don't." she sighed. "Oh, right, sorry." I apologized. That's right, she's always been alone. "But, I'd love to go with you." she said changing the subject. "OK. Hey, how much did they give us?" I asked referring to the money in her note. She checked. "2,690 yen." replied Emma. (A/N: That's roughly $30.)
(8:00 P.M. Sai's Sushi)
"Itadakimasu!" went Emma and I in sync as we pulled apart our chopsticks. We'd ordered the ramen and fish, with a side of white rice. The place was nice. Not exactly fancy but, it still had a warm atmosphere. Our table was lit by two candles. "It's good," commented Emma. "Yeah," I agreed. "So what you want to do after this?" she asked as we ate. "Don't know. How 'bout a movie?" I suggested. "Sure," replied Emma with a warm smile.
At 8:30 we went to see a movie. Some action/romance film. It was about a planet which had died so it's inhabitants fled to find a new home. After years of searching they finally find one, a planet capable of supporting life. But, it's inhabited by a tribal race. With no fuel left and little supplies they are forced to invade the planet. A war ensues between the two races. The main character's KLF crashes and he blacks out. When he comes to he's laying in a bed. He was rescued by a female from the other race. Eventually the two fall in love but, the war threatens to tear them apart. The two decide to put an end to the fighting once and for all. Riding together in a stolen prototype KLF, they go up against their own kind. A miracle happens which brings their two races together. Eventually, a peace treaty is signed and the war ends. As the movie ends it shows the two races helping each other to rebuild their world. And it also shows the couple living in a simple hut and the girl clearly pregnant with his child.
As the credits rolled I turned to Emma. She was smiling. "Maybe…maybe there's hope for us yet." I heard her whisper. "What?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, it's nothing." she replied still smiling.
"What's next?" asked Emma as we left the theater with our arms interlocked. Hmm… "I think I know a place." I told her. "Where?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Follow me." I instructed taking hold of her hand.
(9:46 P.M.)
"Where are we going?" she asked. I had my hands over her eyes. "Be patient, we're almost there." I answered as I led her.
"Alright you can open your eyes." I removed my hands and she opened her eyes. I had taken her a hill overlooking the city, Hillside Hope Park.
"It's beautiful." commented Emma. "This was my favorite spot when I lived here. Lillian and I used to come here all the time." I stated. "Lillian?" she inquired. "She was a girl I knew. But, she died." I explained. "Oh, I'm sorry. Were you two close?" she asked. "Yeah, she...she was the first girl I ever loved." I admitted. "I'm sorry." she apologized again. "Thanks," I said. "Blaze, if you don't mind me asking, who was the second?" she wondered blushing a bit. "You," I replied gazing into her eyes. "Thanks, Blaze." she smiled. The engraved full moon lit up the night sky as we stood there, watching the city lights.
On our way back we stopped by a department store where I decided to buy her a bottle of lavender perfume, a gift to commemorate our first date, which Emma happily accepted. It was about 10:09 P.M. when we returned to base. I walked her back to her quarters. "I had good time." she told me. "Me too." I smiled. "Blaze, could you close your eyes for me?" she requested. "Um...okay" I closed my eyes. I had a feeling I knew what was coming next. All of a sudden I felt a pair of lips, Emma's, touch my check. I opened my eyes. "Thanks for a great night, Blaze. See you tomorrow." she said with a smile. "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow too." I said touching where she kissed me.
In that moment, as she closed the door, I swore an oath to myself, I lost everyone precious to me once, I'm not about to let that happen again, not without a fight. I will protect you at all costs.