Firstly, this chap took a while, I'm sorry. Was slacking off a lot. Secondly, I want to thank everyone for giving their opinion on whether Shizuru should regain her memory. I think it's obvious that most of you want Shizuru to regain her memory, some don't mind either way and one person wanted Shizuru not to. But as I said before, it won't change how I decide to end it but I might just change how I get there. Another thing, loads of appreciation to those who went out of their way to give reason to why you think Shizuru should/should not regain her memories. I was seriously enlightened by some things that you guys said. So anyway, next time you have an opinion, go all out!
Chapter 6: Thanks
Natsuki already knew what she'd see the moment she pass the two trees in front of her. After all, she was the one who put it there. But even so, her face still lit up like a kid getting a birthday present when she saw it, as though it wasn't there before. She immediately headed for it, casting away all jolly thoughts. It's been too long; she ran one hand down the length of its body, the other steadily holding the handle bar. Oh yes, she's finally going riding today, and nothing is going to stop her. While taking to Shizuru the other day did effectively relieve her of her tension, that isn't the purpose of her riding plans today. Riding was a second nature to her, so it goes to say that she just couldn't go on for too long without it. Unless she had no choice, of course.
Does that mean that even if Shizuru suddenly appeared out of nowhere and talked to her she would still insist on going riding despite that? Well, she'd think about it if it actually happens. Though, she thought it unlikely to impossible because she was already so deep into the bush. Why would Shizuru come all the way in here anyway? At least, the Shizuru of now wouldn't. She shook the thoughts out of her head. She'd accepted that Shizuru no longer has memories of her or concerning her and in that same sense; she couldn't keep brooding about everything that is different. Things that Shizuru once knew, but now doesn't. Used to say, but now doesn't. Used to do, but now doesn't. That's easier said than done though. The bush behind her rustled, and she immediately whirled around, startled and convinced she was seeing things upon catching sight of the perpetrator. Her eyes widened. Speak of the devil.
"Shi-Shizuru!"
The one bearing the name looked even more surprised than the one who called it. "Natsuki"
So she wasn't seeing things after all. Either that or she's hearing things as well. "Wh-What are you doing here?"
Shizuru stepped into the clearing, eyeing Natsuki's Ducati. She focused back on its owner before scanning her surroundings and looking back at Natsuki. "I was heading towards the gates but," she smiled. "Somehow I ended up here instead."
Natsuki blinked. "I-I see."
I see? What the hell was that?
"Is that Natsuki's?" Shizuru asked, eyeing the Ducati once again.
Natsuki followed Shizuru's gaze. She nodded. "Yeah"
"I didn't know Natsuki could ride," Shizuru said.
Natsuki looked back at Shizuru, unsure what to say. She caught sight of her helmet from the corner of her eyes. "You said…you were heading for the gates. Where are you going?"
Shizuru grinned. "Ara, does Natsuki want to give me a ride?"
Pink came to Natsuki's cheeks. Was her intention that obvious? She turned away. "That, that's fine."
Shizuru chuckled. "I'm just kidding. It seems like Natsuki was planning to go somewhere anyway. I don't want to trouble Natsuki."
"No, it's no trouble. I wasn't going anywhere, really. I'll give you a ride," Natsuki insisted, grabbing her helmet after making sure that the spare was hanging on the other handle bar. She walked up to Shizuru and pushed the helmet into Shizuru's hands before promptly walking back to her bike. "Let's go"
Shizuru stared after Natsuki a while, a smile coming to her face as she followed suit. Natsuki maneuvered the bike into position and swung her leg over, at the same time putting on her helmet. She looked over at Shizuru, who was coming towards the side.
"Thank you, Natsuki," Shizuru said. "I've never rode on one of these before."
Yes you have
Natsuki shifted her gaze downwards and her hands gripped the handlebars.
Don't brood. Don't brood.
She took a deep breath before kicking the engine to life, exhaling her breath at the relaxing sound of the engine humming. She stiffened as she felt Shizuru climbing on, and held both her feet on the ground for balance. Once the movement stopped, Natsuki turned her head slightly towards Shizuru. "Hold on," but even as the words passed her lips Shizuru's hands were already circling her waist. She found herself holding her breath…only to have it forced out of her with an "Oof!" when the hands around her waist clamped down too tightly. They immediately released.
"I'm sorry," Shizuru quickly apologized. "My body moved on its own."
Natsuki coughed once, then twice, before looking at Shizuru.
Your body moved on its own?
"It's okay," Natsuki replied. Shizuru's hands settled comfortably at Natsuki's sides as he latter looked back ahead. She kicked up the stand and shut her visor before the sudden realization hit her. She hadn't the slightest idea where Shizuru wanted to go. And through her helmet, with its visor down and through Shizuru's helmet, with its visor down as well, she heard the unmistakable sound of Shizuru giggling.
--
The supermarket. She should've guessed. But no, it didn't cross her mind at all. Okay, that's that. It still doesn't explain why the hell was she following Shizuru all around the supermarket as Shizuru shopped? Oh right, because she offered to take Shizuru back as well so it's more convenient if they stuck together, was what she said anyway. Why don't she just go all the way and offer to carry Shizuru's grocery basket as well? Oh wait, she did. Only this time Shizuru insisted she's fine. Natsuki sighed, peeking at Shizuru at a distance in front of her looking at she-doesn't-know-what-and-doesn't-care on the shelves.
It wasn't something to be proud of, but she couldn't name the two types of vegetables in Shizuru's basket nor the fish. And that's why she will always fail her Cooking class. More importantly though, how can one even shop in a place like this? It's way too big. She swore that she'd be lost by now if she wasn't following Shizuru around. She has only ever entered the more humble convenience stores after all. Again, not something she was proud of. Her eyes spotted Shizuru turning around the corner and reluctantly she followed. Shizuru turned into another aisle and Natsuki slowly headed for it. She glanced around, found nothing interesting and focused back on her destination. She reached the aisle and turned in, suddenly catching a whiff of a familiar scent. Green tea. She used to catch this scent whenever she was very close to Shizuru, or rather when Shizuru came very close to her. Shizuru's signature scent, somehow. Which would mean…Natsuki's head snapped up in attention, and stopped all bodily movements. Shizuru stood unmoving there; she swore she was breathing down Shizuru's neck. She immediately backed up.
"Shizuru? What's wro-" the words trailed as she realized that Shizuru is looking, no, staring at a particular product on the shelf. She turned to look, wanting to know what it is that caught Shizuru's attention so completely. She recognized what it was in less than a second. There was no way she'd mistake this. Mayonnaise.
Why……is she staring at mayonnaise?
She gulped, suddenly feeling very anxious. She opened her mouth, and dared to ask. "Wh-Why are you staring at that?"
It almost seemed as though Shizuru didn't hear her but the older girl blinked, then turned to Natsuki, staring blanky, as though having just woken from a trance. "Why? I don't know. I don't like it."
Natsuki let Shizuru's answer register before looking down, glaring at the floor.
What the hell was I hoping for?
"But," Shizuru continued, voice soft. "Natsuki likes it, no?"
Emerald green eyes widened and shot up to look at Shizuru, whose gaze had returned to the mayo. "How…do you know that?"
Shizuru looked at Natsuki, amused. "Why is Natsuki so surprised? I've seen Natsuki adding it to your food in the cafeteria. It thought it cute, Natsuki always carrying a bottle of mayo around."
Natsuki stared at Shizuru a while before her gaze dropped. "You've…seen me adding it to my food?"
"Yes," Shizuru answered. "What was Natsuki thinking?"
Natsuki paused, slowly shaking her head. "No, it's nothing."
Shizuru eyed the slumped over Natsuki before she glanced at the contents of her basket. A slight frown appeared on her face. She walked up to Natsuki. "Let's go."
"Wha…?"
"I'm done here," Shizuru said, "So," she smiled. "Let's go."
Natsuki peeked into the basket. Though she's never shopped like this before, she had a feeling Shizuru wasn't really done. But looking at Shizuru's face, it somehow told her not to argue. "O-Okay"
To her surprise, Shizuru reached for her hand and pulled her along as she walked. Shades of red immediately came to Natsuki's cheeks as she stared at Shizuru's hand holding her own. Her mouth gaped and she pulled her hand back, staring in disbelief at Shizuru.
"Wh-What are you doing?! I-I can walk by myself!"
Shizuru stared at her intently, seemingly unfazed by the outburst. Natsuki found herself unconsciously recoiling.
"It really does suit Natsuki," Shizuru said.
"Wha-What does?" Natsuki asked, annoyed but intrigued.
Shizuru turned to face Natsuki fully. "Red, here," her hand came up and pointed at her own cheek.
Realizing Shizuru's meaning, she turned redder still. "Shizuru!" she hissed.
Shizuru chuckled heartily before turning and heading for the counter. Natsuki stood there a while to regain her calm, watching Shizuru's back. An uncontrollable smile pulled at her lips and she relented. She eyed the mayo from the corner of her eyes one last time before also walking towards the counter.
--
The bike came to a halt and the passenger dismounted. She took off her helmet, every single strand of her chestnut locks falling into place, before handing the helmet back to the rider. Natsuki cuts the engine and removes the key from the ignition before taking the helmet from Shizuru's hands and then taking off her own.
"Thank you so much for today, Natsuki," Shizuru said.
Natsuki dismounted and rolled her bike onto its centre stand she turned to Shizuru. "No problem. I insisted on it anyway."
The setting sun and their surroundings of trees and bushes made for very little light reaching the two. It was getting dark but even so neither moved from their respective positions facing each other. Natsuki simply didn't know what to say, but Shizuru, well, she didn't know what Shizuru was thinking either. Finally the latter stepped back, keeping her eyes on the former.
"It's getting late," Shizuru commented.
Natsuki glanced around her, noticing the lack of light. "Aah"
Shizuru turned, seemingly in preparation to go. "Natsuki"
The sudden calling of her name slightly startled her. "What is it?"
"Does Natsuki have anything to do after this?"
"No…why?" Natsuki asked.
Shizuru grinned. "Then can I book Natsuki for the night?"
Blood shot to her face before she could help it. "Wh-What?!"
Book me for the night? What the hell does that mean?
She was caught between feeling apprehensive and downright embarrassed. "What do you mean?" That came out sounding more like the latter.
Shizuru merely grinned wider. "If Natsuki keeps showing me that face I might get addicted to it."
How Shizuru could see with the lack of light that she was blushing, she had no idea. "Don't-Don't avoid the question!"
Shizuru laughed lightly. "Dinner. To thank Natsuki for today."
It caught her completely off guard. Natsuki blinked several times. She didn't expect this. "Dinner?"
"Yes," Shizuru replied and lifted the bag of groceries. "I'll cook."
Natsuki narrowed her eyes to the plastic bag Shizuru was holding up.
Shizuru's cooking, huh? It's been a while…
"Sure"
I have mixed feelings about this chap. I had this other idea for the supermarket scene actually and really wanted to use it but I'll probably get killed for it. And it would make the story longer. And more angsty. Ah well, as always, tell me what you think.
