Bittersweet Melody

Second Arc: Act Eighteen

Where could he be taking her? Cat walked behind Max, her face glowing a pink shade. She watched his back as she walked behind him. She cuffed her hands together in front of her chest and waited for him to say something, anything to her. Max walked in silence down the street just inches in front of his date. He knew where he was going, that was a given. At the speed he was walking it was obvious to her that he had a destination in mind. She dare not say anything, not just yet anyway. She could ruin this moment by saying something stupid.

"Do you recognize any of this yet?"

Cat jerked her head upward to see that Max was addressing her. He turned around to face her with his classic smile on his face. Her sunk her head down between her shoulders and shook her head. It was true; she didn't remember any of the sights he was showing her. What was she supposed to remember? Was the street something she should remember? She waited for his response, her insides turning and twisting itself into a knot. Would she offend him by not remembering? That would be the last thing she wanted to do. It would spoil the whole day!

"Am I supposed to?" She said in a hesitant voice.

Instead of answering, he reached out and took her by the hand. He closed his eyes and continued to present her with his trademark smile. He tugged gently on her hand and began to guide her through the shopping plaza. She could feel the heat on her face burn hotter, he was touching her. Cat followed along, while the crowd around them stared. Once and awhile, she would look up at the adults staring at her and Max. Some of the adults smiled, other snickered. She gulped; they must have looked like a couple! She ducked her head deeper between her shoulders and allowed Max to lead the way. She could follow him forever…

"Here we are."

Cat moved her head out from between her shoulders to look at the building before her. Max had taken her to a hobby shop? She cocked a brow and looked at the shop before turning her attention to her date. It was then that Max released her hand from his and approached the shop's front door. Cat allowed her hand to hover in the air for a moment. Why did he have to let go? She pulled back her hand and lifted it to eye-level. She had to admit to herself, the warmth of his hand would be missed.

"Nothing?"

Cat jerked herself from her thoughts to look at him. He had his head tilted to the left and a single brow cocked. Was he asking her something? Her eyes shifted back and forth before shaking her head to answer 'no'. She answered quickly, she had been so wrapped up in the thought of his touch she hadn't heard what he had asked her. What was she thinking?! How could she ignore her date?

"This is my Dad's Beyblade shop." Max's voice entered her ears again.

She perked up, trying her best to listen this time around. Wait; did he just say his Dad's shop? Cat lifted both hands to her face to cover the growing blush. He had taken her to meet his Dad? She whirled around to face her back to the shop. How could this be happening? This soon?! Her heart slammed away in her chest and her lips trembled with fear. Why in the world would he take her to meet his Dad on the first date?! Boy, he was quick.

"Cat?"

Her ears twitched at the call of her name. Said girl turned back around to see the boy with a look of confusion written all over his face. She fought back the urge to speak, fearing she would stutter up a storm.

"Come on in," Max said as he walked over to the shop door and opened it wide. "It's been awhile since my Dad has seen you."

He held the door for her. What a gentlemen! She resisted the urge to squeal with excitement. She shook her head back and forth to rid herself of any giddy feeling before walking into the small shop.

The store appeared bigger inside than she originally thought. Cat let her mouth hang open as she stared at the many displays. Beyblade parts littered the store, on the wall, in glass cases and at the register. How amazing! The blades came in different sizes and every color she could think of. Metal parts, plastic rings, it seemed endless. As she walked deeper into the store, she noticed a long stairway to the left of the entrance. She looked up the flight of stairs and tilted her head to one side. What could be up there?

"This is the shop," Max explained with his arms spread open. "You came here the day we first met."

"The first day we met?"

She paused for a moment before lowering her head. The first day they met…wasn't it just a few days ago they day they first met? She let her eyes fall to the wooden floor. That was right, they had met before. According to everyone she did recognize, they had known each other for years. How many memories of Max had she lost? How many fun times and sad times did she lose? The first day they met…it must have been the happiest day of her life. Did she feel the same way about him then? Did she have the same emotion for him back then that she had now? Did she love him back then?

"Yes," Max confirmed with a nod of his head. "Takao, Kyoujyu and you all came here the first day we met."

"Takao? Kyoujyu?" Her eyes moved up from the floor to the American. "I knew them before I knew you?"

He paused. Why had the smile on his face suddenly flip upside down? Did she say something wrong? Offend him maybe?

"Yes," Max finally answered. "You knew Takao and Kyoujyu before me."

"Oh." She dropped her head.

Just then the sound of footsteps caused both teens to turn toward the stairwell. A tall man stepped down from the stairs to find the cause of the commotion on the lower level of the shop. His eyes landed on the couple and a smile spread across his face. Cat felt a blush coming on and slapped her hands over her cheeks. She ducked her head into her neck and turned away from the older male. Max rushed the older man and wrapped his arms around the adult.

"Dad!" He exclaimed with glee.

"Hey Max." The older brown-haired man patted him on the back.

Max tore away from his Father and looked at her. He stepped toward her and once again took her by the hand. He led her over toward his Father with a smile on his face. His Father extended his hand to Cat and took her hand once she was close enough. Max released his gentle grip on her hand and allowed his Father and his date to shake hands. She trembled beneath the strength of Max's Father's hand and giggled nervously.

"It's been awhile, Cat." He said in a soft tone.

"Um," She lifted her left hand and began to scratch the back of her head. "Hello."

"I heard about the accident." His facial expression dropped after he released her hand. "I'm sorry." He said as he let his arm hit his side.

"It's fine." Cat pulled her hand back and continued to giggle in a nervous manner.

"I think I should reintroduce myself," Max's Father replied before linking his arms to his waist. "I'm Max's Dad, Taro Mizuhara."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Mizuhara." Cat dipped her torso forward in a delicate bow.

"I can see nothing much has changed." Taro explained.

She stood up straight and looked at Taro with a set of wide eyes. "Really?"

"Well," He lifted a single finger into the air and continued, "You are a bit on the nervous side. You're usually pretty upbeat."

A droplet of sweat dripped down the side of her face. "Sorry about that."

"No need," He shook his head back and forth. "So you're out with Max to help get back some of those memories, right?"

She flinched. That was right; it wasn't a date it was a mission. Her heartbeat began to slow in her chest. It isn't a date. Cat began to chew on the inside of her cheek. It isn't a date. She had to repeat it to herself. This wasn't a romantic voyage that she and Max had embarked on; it was a mission to regain her memories. It was if her heart began to crack open in her chest. Was this how heartbreak felt? She lifted her right hand to her chest and began to grab at the fabric there. A hole began to open in the center of her heart this was heartbreak. Did that mean her love was one-sided?

"That's right." Cat nodded.

"I hope you start to remember," Taro said before lifting his hand and placing his open palm on top of her head. "We really miss you around here."

"R-right!" She removed her hand from her chest and agreed.

"Now Max," Taro moved his hand from her and placed it on his son's shoulder. "How about you and Cat catch a movie?" He said adding a wink.

"A movie?" Max cocked his head to one side. "But we're supposed to be helping Cat remember. How would watching a movie help?" He asked with a cute smile glued to his face.

"Sure, why not?" Taro lifted his hand from the boy's shoulder and proceeded to shrug.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt," Max broke his smile and turned to her. "Would you like to see a movie?"

She stood up straight. She began to stutter something while her head shook from side to side. Sweat dripped down the side of her face and her breathing began to pick up in speed. Hyperventilating at a time like this?! Cat lifted her right hand to her throat and continued to choke on her words.

Both Mizuhara men gave her strange looks with cocked brows. Seeing the looks shot a tingling sensation up the back of her spin. Her skin on her arms and legs began to quiver, creating goosebumps. Heat rose to her cheeks at the thought of going somewhere remotely romantic with Max. What was her problem?! She slapped her hands to her face and paused her rapid breathing. She shut her eyes before taking a deep breath of air in.

"S-s-sure." She finally managed to speak.

"Sounds good to me." Max said with excitement. "Dad," He turned back around to face his Father with a happy grin. "We'll be back, okay?"

"Sure thing." Taro reached out to his son once more and buried his hand in his son's golden locks. "Have fun. Oh," He began as he removed his hand from him. "And call me if you two need anything."

"All right." He gave his Father a firm head nod before turning back to his shaken date. "Come on, Cat."

Aw, it was music to her ears. She nearly melted at the sound of her name in his mouth. Cat allowed her arm to float out toward Max. It was like an instinct, she had to give her hand to him. Catching on quickly to her gesture, he balled up his right arm and held his fist to chest-level, allowing a small space for her arm to lace through. Following his movements, she wove her arm through his. Max waved one last time to his Father before leaving the store. The couple walked out arm in arm and smiles on their faces. Taro followed the two to the front door and watched them as they walked down the street.

XoXoX

He was still waving when a crashing sound caught him off guard. He jolted and made a quick and swift movement to the left. The source of the sound came rolling out from behind the trash bins. A small body tumbled out in front of the store door. Taro rushed toward the fallen boy with both hands waving back and forth.

"Kyoujyu?!" Taro exclaimed as he helped the four-eyed male to his feet. "What are you doing here?"

Kyoujyu jumped to his feet and looked up to him. He began to laugh nervously and scratch the back of his head. Sweat poured down the side of his face and caused him to look even more suspicious. Taro cocked a thick brown brow and waited for an explanation.

"N-nothing!" He was a horrid liar.

Just before Taro could ask a second question, a silent Kai removed himself from the back of the store. He walked out in front of him with his arms crossed over his chest and a pout on his face. He stood beside Kyoujyu with his mouth and eyes shut.

"Kai?" He was even further confused at the sight of the silent Kai.

"You three might as well come out." Kai snorted as his left eye snapped open.

"Three?"

On cue, Takao, Rei and Daichi sulked out of their 'clever' hiding spots. The three boys held their heads down low in shame as they all stepped out in front of him. Takao lifted his head and marched his way over to Kyoujyu. He then gave him a nudge with his arm and snarled something under his breath. The smaller boy was quick to defend himself and threw his hands up in front of his body.

"What are you all doing here?" Taro linked his hands to his hips and looked at each boy.

"We're being spies!" Daichi was first to exclaim, his arms in the air.

"Daichi!" Takao and Kyoujyu spoke at once.

"Spying?" He questioned.

"Adof asked us to watch Cat for him." Rei needed a good explanation, less he look guilty.

"No, Tak-" Daichi began only to have his mouth slapped shut by Takao's gloved hands.

"We just wanted to make sure she was safe!" The blading prodigy was quick to come up with a clever excuse.

"Oh." Taro narrowed his stare at Takao. "Is that all?"

Kai chuckled under his breath and whispered to himself, "Not to mention Takao's dying of jealousy."

Taro leaned in toward the older boy and cupped his left ear. "I'm sorry, Kai, I didn't hear what you said."

"Nothing!" Takao released Kyoujyu from his grasp and jumped in front of Kai. "Nothing, he's just talking to himself again!" He began to laugh as he shook his hands wildly.

"All right…" He muttered to himself. "Well, try not to interfere too much." Taro began to turn his shoulder to the group of teens in front of him. "I'll see you later."

"Good bye, Mr. Mizuhara!" Takao forced a wide, toothy grin as he waved Max's Father off.

Taro shook his head and sighed before entering his shop. The door shut behind him with a haunting echo. Whatever those boys were up to wasn't any of his business. Ah, social drama was something he was not used to, better it be left to teenagers.

XoXoX

"So, what should we see?"

His voice was so sweet in her ears. She could listen to it for hours, even days if she had the chance. Cat looked up to Max from beneath her long eyelashes. She fluttered her eyes as a light pink blush dusted her cheeks.

She pouted after watching the blond look in an opposite direction. Perhaps she had offended him in some way, again? Cat lifted her curled knuckle to her chin and her eyes darted to the floor. Perhaps she was coming on too strong? This isn't a date. The words entered her mind. She couldn't treat this like anything more than a friendly outing. That's what it was, right?

"What did I used to like?" She asked.

Catching his attention, he looked back down at her. "Well, you really liked horror movies."

Horror movies? How unromantic. She let her brows lower on her face and her lip poke outward. Her eyes darted back up at Max, the blond male stood with a smile on his face and his eyes shut tight. He was so sure, so confident. So she liked horror movies? Cat lowered her hand from her mouth to her chest. She waited for a moment or two before she could feel her heartbeat in her chest. So fast… She had to wonder, did Max always make her heart beat so fast?

"Let's see a horror movie."

Her heart, as if it could, beat faster and harder in her ribcage. So cute, those big eyes with that adorable smile, how could she refuse him after that? She gave him a firm nod of her head.

"Let's go get the tickets then." He replied as he began to walk toward the box office.

Cat watched as her date left her side. Her eyes followed his right hand as he reached around to his back pocket. He pulled out his orange and green wallet and lifted it to chest-level. Was he really going to pay for her?! Her face began red with a hot blush. If this didn't mean it was a date, she didn't know what would! Max then pulled open his wallet and began to pull out a few bills. She watched as he ordered two tickets, knowing that the second ticket was for her and her only. There was no way this date could be ruined now!

"Cat?"

She shook her head hard before looking in front of her. Had she really spaced out that long? Max stood in front of her with a pair of tickets between his index and middle finger. He fanned out the two tickets and extended his hand to her. Cat gulped aloud before receiving the ticket from his pale hand. The tip of her fingers touched his warm index finger. The warmth alone from his hand caused her to buckle at the knees. How could he be so warm and kind at the same time? She would have to make any excuse now to touch him again.

"Our show is starting in a few," Max spoke to her again. "Let's go in and get our seats."

"Okay." She agreed as she once again looped her arm through his.

It didn't matter now what she was watching as long as she was able to sit next to him. Maybe she could even sneak her hand on top of his during the scary scenes? Oh! Or even more, share the same straw from ice cold cola? Ah, it was just too dreamy to imagine! Anything was perfect as long as she was with him.

XoXoX

The theater was packed. Max and Cat stretched passed the many sets of legs to get to a proper seat. Max weaved and wandered through the theater, his date at his heels, to find the most perfect seat. Not too close, not too far away. It was there he found a seat in the center of the theater. It must have been fate!

He rushed toward the spot, excusing himself all the way. He finally reached the empty seat with a giant grin. He looked left of the empty seat to see a seat taken by a large purse. He turned to the woman seated beside her purse and asked her, in the nicest tone he knew, to move it. The seat was free within seconds and allowed the couple to take the seats from themselves!

He gestured Cat to take her seat. She did as told and sat down in her seat. He let out a sigh of relief before plopping down in his own seat. He shut his eyes and rested his head on the back of the chair. Not too close and not too far away. He had to admit, he had done well for himself this time around.

A crunching sound broke Max out of his thoughts; he turned to his date and cocked a brow. He watched as Cat fidgeted about in her theater seat. He looked down to her feet to see that her flip-flops had begun to stick to the bottom of the theater floor. She let out a small whimper as she tried desperately to lift her shoe from the sticky mess on the ground. Soda had obviously been the evil mastermind behind this heinous crime.

"It's so sticky!" She whined as she released her foot from her flip-flop.

"I guess that's why these seats were free." He couldn't help but giggle at the sight in front of him. "Sorry, Cat."

She lifted her chin and looked at the chuckling blond. He hand his hand placed before his lips, an effort to contain his laughter. Cat paused for a moment, probably embarrassed, before managing to giggle herself. She sighed before lifting her foot off the floor and crossing them above the floor. She was down one shoe, but he' make it up to her.

Act End.