Geez… When I was sick last time, I didn't know what I would do… and then I got worse! Talk about splitting headaches, and mashed brains. But I'm okay now, thanks to all those who wished me well. So last chapter was a thinking fest, it was short… for complicated reasons… (yeah right) And the fact that I am also not always grammatically correct… cause I'm not perfect… that's about it. Hehe. I'm fine now… and guess what?
Art of Love will officially come to an end.
Yep, as much as I wanted it to last longer too, it can't be helped… It must soon end. But right now is not the time.
I promise this chapter will be a fruitful one… No more Cagalli as a tart, Athrun as a cowardly er.. coward (if that makes sense..) And… no more beating around the bush, since there won't be any bushes, the venue in this chapter is inside an art gallery… If a bush ends up in there, I'd gag.
Now… the feedback list:
Risingsundynasty: gyah. Them together? Here? Unlikely. Haha. Okay, I was just joking. They would be together… only I can't tell you when… you have to read it first. ; Thanks! I'll PM you when I have time!
Kagally: Thanks. Glad you liked the thinking fest. Yep, with Miriallia, everything is a surprise.
3fi-pina3: I'm all better… and I'm sorry if you didn't find the previous chapters okay… I was not myself for the past few weeks.. Other than getting sick, I was depressed all over for various reasons… But I'll make it up to you. I hope you like this one though. Thanks.
Mrs. Radcliffe13: yes, consciences are God's way of pissing us off in trivial times, so we would do the right thing at the time we are most stupid to do anything right. Hehe. I love God.
Aishiteiru to itte kure: We should start a sadistic organization then. Then our activities would include making a living hell out of Athrun and Cagalli's lives, and kicking annoying persons in the butt for 1 hour just for laughs. Haha.
Hades.Throne.Heiress: You got sick too? I got mine because I was stupid enough to sleep with my windows open on a rainy night. Rain came in soaking me, and my bed is literally placed beside said window, smack right at the wall. Then during the whole escapade, I wasn't wearing my pajamas because I ripped it when it came across a nail sticking out of the wooden cabinet. I was wearing this school shorts instead and I accidentally pushed my blanket on the floor during sleep. I was a freezing mess in the morning. The irony of it all, I didn't even wake up when it all happened. MISUNDERSTANDING but not KNOWING os the key words of the mess they are in. It's their entire fault it happened anyway… ; and so, we'll make them fix that.
gwgrmRPGNM: Let's all think then! Haha!
Simply-v-: sorry for the slacking off in the grammar/ sentence structure… I'm still trying to do my best. ; Short chapters is kind of a fetish I like to do once in a while… haha. I'm crazy. Thank you for the 'get well' note er… review; Thank you! I'm all okay now.
xAthrunxCagallix: Here's the update for you! Thanks! Glad you found it cool and that you liked it! ;
Cari-Akira: On chapter24: yeah… lacus was like motherly weird there. But I like her that way. On chapter 25: Ooh. Cagalli is a tart. Hehe Athrun was too busy indulging at the fact that they kissed… and like cagalli, the most intelligent thing he could do is shout. Only him, he was too happy about it. On chapter 26: Wha! You loved this chapter? I thought no one would because it's all about them thinking. Wah! Thank you! Nywey, choco pop war will happen. I'll do it for you!
Mistic-gal: Whoa, hold on to your horses' guys… we'll get there. Athrun and Cagalli will get to the point of doing something about their feelings… ; Otherwise, this ain't an Asucaga fic if it won't happen right? Thanks for reading and reviewing!
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The Art of Love- chapter 27
Because last time was a thinking fest and that I wrote too much up there, there won't be any recap.
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Misfortune snickers upon you
'Yeux'
More like Yuck.
No, she shouldn't think that way. This is her exhibit. Her freaking exhibit, in where she had spent more than half a year trying to make.
Breathe in, breathe out, stay calm… act calm, smile, don't be a nervous wreck, it'll show when you make a speech… a small speech, doesn't have to be long.
Right, breathe in and out, slowly, stop pacing back and forth! That's it, concentrate. Crap! Where's my speech?
"Cagalli, the exhibit will open in 5 minutes. Are you ready?" Shiho came inside the lounge area, wearing a simple red dress that hung perfectly to her figure, her usual brown long hair tied at the tip with an also red bow.
"I lost my speech!" Cagalli paled, trying to look for it in her bag. Shiho placed both of her hands on the blonde's shoulder. "Hey, hey Calm down… all you need to do is to tell them what the exhibit is about, then welcome them and that's it. Stop fidgeting."
Cagalli sat down. "This sucks. I've never done this before… in a grand wing of sorts. It looked so easy when you're not in it."
Shiho giggled. "Well, you're here, so make the most of it. Oh, and by the way, everyone is here now and waiting for you. Come on."
Cagalli stood up. She's going to make a mess out of this; she's just so sure of it. She dusted off her apple green silk dress that hung just above her knees and the cloth bouncing a bit at her every move making her look like a pixie.
Days before the exhibit, she tried everything to forget about Athrun, in which she gradually failed. She ended up thinking about their situation.
She didn't hate him; she knows very much how much she loves him. And then that kissing thing just made her freak out because it was too rushed. Whatever other reason it was back then, she knew it was because it took her by surprise and she did so many foolish things up to the point that she denied him.
She had been very, very stupid.
And during that time when they weren't together, it made her think… think in a more normal way; think in a much deeper way.
And it hit her; perhaps she took her side of things only. Not even stopping to know what the other feels about all of this. She just made a complete misunderstanding of things, plus predictions of what others may feel. And she hated herself for that.
She's not psychic in the first place.
She scoffed, but she was glad for the distance, it made her snap back to the reality of it all. She just hoped it's not too late for everything. After all, she pushed him away nights ago.
So she sent him an invitation to the exhibit. Not that she would give him one, but the invitation had something more. A note telling him to meet her at the park under the tree after the exhibit where they used to sketch him and so on, for she wanted to talk.
Cagalli held on to her chest. Any minute now, she's going in front of those strangers and introducing her exhibit.
Shiho guided her towards the small stage and handed her the microphone.
Cagalli scanned the people. There in the crowd is Kira, smiling proudly at her while raising a thumb up for her to see. Lacus is waving her hand and mouthing a: "good luck!" Nick, together with Dearka were cheering at her loudly that caused a few raised eyebrows in their direction. Miriallia smiled at her and winked before hitting the two boys beside her to shut up.
She chuckled.
And there he is. Athrun.
He just came in and stood beside Kira, who patted him on the shoulder. He looked at her and gently smiled.
She smiled back and almost whimpered. God, how she missed him during their distance, he looks fine, but there was this sad glow in his eyes. She knew what it was… it was because she did something stupid to him. She might have acknowledged their 'no communication' days ago, but maybe he just forced himself to it in respect for her.
She wanted to punch her own lights out. But right now, she has an exhibit to start.
And surprisingly, she didn't flinch; get nervous or even faint during the speech. It was short, smooth and so professional. How she did it, she didn't know.
Everyone clapped and went on to look at her exhibit.
A number of people approached her talking about buying some of her works, others offering her to use their galleries for her future exhibits and so on. She didn't get a chance to talk to Kira and the others yet, but they understood as they waited there, eating finger foods while talking to each other.
Shiho gladly stood by Cagalli's side, acting like some superstar manager. She did most of the negotiations when Cagalli didn't understand some of them, mostly because this is her first time doing this.
Meyrin approached Cagalli and told her she is going on ahead to take the images of her works to Mr. Edwards who's currently in England. "I'm sure you'll get a perfect score Cagalli-san… These things are absolutely marvelous!"
"Thank you. But you're really going today Meyrin?" Cagalli asked. The red head nodded. "Yes. I'm very sorry I can't stay long… I'll come back; after all I work here… I'm just going there to get my curator certificate and give these to Mr. Edwards and then I expect that we will have a hang out day okay?"
"Sure. I'll be looking forward to it. Be careful." Cagalli smiled.
"Good luck with your next mission. I also expect that everything will be fine between you two, and you know what I mean." Meyrin winked at her before leaving and Cagalli blushed at her statement. "Yes… Thank you."
Yzak was indulging himself with red wine, while Dearka and Nick talk to him and tease him. Miriallia shook her head at her cousin's direction. It seems, he had found a friend in that tanned young man. She then looked back at Kira and Lacus who were asking her something.
"Where's Athrun?" Kira asked, his eyes scanning the almost crowded place.
"He just went around looking at Cagalli's stuff. They're marvelous isn't it?" Miriallia giggled as she popped a choco pop in her mouth. Cagalli asked the caterer for it. She can't be without her choco pops.
"Yes, I was surprised myself. But why Yeux? It's French for eyes right?" Kira asked, with a proud aura all over him.
"Seen Athrun's eyes?" Miriallia sipped on to some wine.
Kira nodded and Lacus continued the explanation. "Athrun's eyes, they're Cagalli's inspiration for all of this."
Kira frowned. "Athrun? Why can't it be me?" Lacus laughed. "You've been her inspiration since you were kids. She once told me she always used to get inspiration from you. Your brown hair, your gentle manner everything… come on, don't tell me you didn't notice it."
"I did… only some of her works doesn't resemble anything she gets from me. She once made a distorted painting and entitled it: 'my clueless brother'." Kira scoffed and then laughed. The two girls laughed back.
"Cagalli made works that resembles the color of Athrun's eyes. See that photo realistic green apple painting there? Its color resembled said blue haired young man's eyes." Mirialliia pointed to a painting at the corner.
"She told me once how they make her space out. It was like drowning in them but in a good way, as if there is a good thing in drowning." Miriallia's eyes softened and she chuckled.
"She's really in love with him huh? And thank goodness she isn't dense about it anymore." Kira placed a hand under his chin. "I mean, I hate to admit it… but they're really meant for each other."
Lacus stroked a bang of his eyes. "Apparently… everything doesn't seem to be going well between the two. We still don't know what, but I think Cagalli is trying to do something about it."
"Why her? Why not Athrun?" Kira jolted a bit.
"Apparently, Cagalli's the one at fault. So she's planning to do something about it tonight." Miriallia sighed. "I don't know what she'll do… but I don't want to interfere. It might make her lose confidence in herself."
Kira and Lacus nodded.
Suddenly, Cagalli came rushing at them, in an almost too tear stricken eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Kira approached her. "Where's Athrun?" She inquired.
"He went around why?" The brunette answered back. "He's not here. I…I what's that?" Cagalli pointed to an envelope at the foot of the table where Kira and the others sat.
"Oh. This must be Athrun's invitation. He must have dropped it." Lacus took the small envelope and scanned it. "It's not opened yet."
"Hey, Kira… Athrun said he had to go on ahead… he had to attend to some business." Nick and Dearka came running, dragging a half drunk Yzak with them.
"Yzak!" Shiho grumbled and excused herself before taking him away to go inside the lounge.
"He left? Geez, what's up with him?" Kira scratched his head. "He didn't read the invitation!" Cagalli bellowed.
Kira looked at her. "Well obviously since it's still closed. He saw what's inside mine anyway, said it was probably all the same… and that he wanted his unopened."
"He didn't read it and left! How dare him! I'll kill him!" Cagalli stomped out of the place, not after taking something from the exhibit premises and then bidding a goodbye to Shiho.
Shiho panicked. "Wait, Cagalli… you can't that's—that's your final show for tonight! I can't just change the program—ah, forget it."
The others, witnessed Shiho panicking and Cagalli ignoring her shouts and pushing her was out the door, grumbling while holding a small canvass.
"What's going on?" Nick asked, bewildered.
"This is what's going on." Miriallia raised the envelope. "Stupid Mr. Zala didn't bother opening this to find a note Cagalli placed for him. Now she's upset that he had left…"
"But she could still see him tomorrow." Dearka interjected.
"Idiot. She's going to confess today. Drill that info inside your head will ya?" Mirialllia grumbled, thinking where in the world Cagalli is going. She wanted to open the envelope, but decided not to. She doesn't have any more strength to pry now that Cagalli's pissed.
"Cagalli took off with her final exhibit painting right?" Lacus asked Shiho. "Yeah, it's the last piece and is to be unveiled before the final remarks."
"Oh my. So that's another reason why she's pissed." Lacus shook her head nonchalantly.
"What? What's going on?" Kira raised an eyebrow. "Stop asking anymore. You'll never understand women." Yzak came in again, a bit sober.
"Kira dear, Athrun just missed the chance of seeing how Cagalli shows how she feels about him to the world."
"Oh. That sucks. Good going, Athrun."
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Cagalli fumed. Why can't he wait until the end of the exhibit? What's up with him and work? Can't he like, stay out of it for a millisecond? WORK FREAK!
She stopped and sat down under a tree. It was starting to get dark, and she didn't realize she had been running for 30 minutes now.
She looked up to see that she's in the park under the tree where they are supposed to meet. She scoffed, by instinct, her feet takes her there, so much for that.
She leaned on the tree, not minding if the grass and the dirt clung to her dress and legs. She stroked the canvass with her right hand and grumbled. "Here I am, trying to do something about the stupidest thing I have ever done in my entire life… but misfortune smiles down upon me… I don't seem to make anything right nor do something right at a perfect time."
She slammed the small canvass on the grass, and then facing away from it. "Maybe, maybe it's because he really doesn't deserve someone like me."
Leaning her head on her knees as she sighed, she took note of how quiet the park is at this time of day, and how quiet her conscience is, perhaps agreeing to what she had said.
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"Uh guys…." A voice came from behind them.
Kira turned to look at the owner of the voice; he raised an eyebrow at the familiar friend. "I thought you left already?"
"Uh… I did…. I was on my way home, and decided to text you guys that I had left when I realized I left my invitation." Athrun scratched the back of his head.
"What do you need it for? The event's almost over." Nick glared at him. Dearka did the same, only because he didn't have anything to do so he copied nick.
"A… I was supposed to keep it as a souvenir. That's why I didn't open it." Athrun reached for the envelope and stopped. "Wait, I thought there was still a final word before closing the event? Isn't that what the program says?"
"Now you pay attention to the program. What do you care about the program anyway? You left already." Kira's tone was icy. Lacus shook her head, they have to put a stop to this, or their plan (which they thought of a few seconds ago when Athrun appeared) won't work.
"Is there something amiss? Why are you three (pointing to Kira, Nick and Dearka-who just wanted to tag along) glaring at me like that?" Athrun nervously asked.
"Nothing. They're just tired. They just want to pick on you." Shiho forcibly laughed. Yzak rolled his eyes.
"Where's Cagalli?" He then tried to change the subject.
Now, the three—er two young men flared.
"Cagalli? She's not here she le-." Lacus quickly covered Kira's mouth. "I believe she's just around here." The pink haired woman giggled in an almost scary way.
Athrun raised an eyebrow. "okay, you're all acting weird. Did something happen?"
"Yeah, something happened! You--." It was Nick's turn but Miriallia stomped on to his feet as he cried in agonizing pain. "What the heck—MILLY!"
"She left Athrun." Miriallia calmly pointed out. Then a sly smile coming out of her lips. "She left with this macho guy… around 6'9 I suppose… dark haired, really handsome looking… She said she was tired and was about to retire, but we don't want to leave yet… and no one's there to accompany her and this guy, he offered. He looked like a real gentleman…"
Athrun's face paled. He should have been there to do that! It's his job! Not some other guy! And I don't care if he's good looking or tall or macho. I have my own share of that too! He then flushed at that thought. He was being too cocky.
Mirialllia patted Nick. "Ride on this with me." She whispered. Nick got the message alright, they wouldn't be called cousins of mischief if he didn't right away.
"Yeah… The guy looks like a real gentleman… But I don't know… I kinda don't like the way he held on to Cagalli's waist, and he had this glittering thing in his eye…" Nick stopped and then glanced slyly a bit before he continued. "Oh I don't know… It's just my imagination I guess."
It was Lacus' turn. She smirked. "Ohohoho! It's not like she's going to be taken advantage of. After all, that guy is a gentleman through and through."
Kira smirked. As much as he hated imagining Cagalli with a man like Milly described, the look on Athrun's face is priceless! "Yeah, you see how he supported Cagalli and volunteered to take her home because she's tipsy and all?"
Everyone looked at Kira in surprise. Athrun, looked shock because of what he said. Cagalli? Tipsy? Oh my god! Perfect bait for perverts!
On the other hand, the rest were shocked because they didn't know Kira could be so mischievous as well, and to actually ride on with their teasing program with Athrun… was well, 1 in a million chances.
Lacus smiled at her, her eyes showing how proud she is with Kira, because what he just said, had made the blue haired best friend of his pale and then furious in a flash.
"I gotta go!" Athrun zoomed out of the gallery in a flash.
Everyone stood there and almost laughed. That was fun, real fun… And by the name of all that is good, they hoped they would get on with it already after all that hard work and meddling they had just done.
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Gyah! I loved the chapter. I don't know if you do also. And oh, forgive me if there are misspellings, grammar problems because I didn't check this… I wanted to update and fast! And it's freaking one in the morning and my dad is telling me to sleep already. Thank you for all the support you have given me and the story especially. I am forever grateful. Till next update!