Chapter 16: Chance

The two walked along the streets, searching for that martial arts store that Motoko needed to drop by. Her sister asked her to order a few sets of kendo sticks and ask the store to deliver them to Kyoto. When they reached the place, they quickly finished the transaction and decided to leave. But one thing kept bothering Motoko, and it was Keitaro's stare.

"Is there something on me," Motoko said, hiding her irritation. "You've been staring at me since we left."

"No it's nothing," Keitaro replied shaking his head. "It's just that you're wearing something you usually don't wear."

"Why," Motoko asked clearly showing her irritation. "Is there something wrong with my clothes?" She was completely furious but this just made her more beautiful since she was wearing a red baby tee that showed her fine figure and blue jeans that exemplified her finely tuned legs.

"No," Keitaro reacted. "They actually looked good on you."

Motoko glared at him and noticed the boy avoiding her eyes. But she thought this was for the better, she was blushing and she didn't want him to see her like that. She was happy, if only he knew she was Tomo, she would immediately hug him. But thinking about the things she has been doing while being Tomo just caused her to blush even more.

"Hey are you alright," Keitaro asked looking at the spaced out girl. "You're burning up."

"Eh," Motoko snapped out of her trance. "No I'm okay. Beside's do you want to go somewhere? Its still early and it would be a shame since we're already here."

"What do you have in mind anyway," Keitaro asked. He didn't saw anything wrong with it and thought it would be a great way to bond with Motoko.

"How about the cinema," Motoko replied pointing at the cinema across the street. "There should be a movie showing today and I would really like to watch it."

"Wait let me check my wallet," Keitaro said a little worried. He quickly took out his wallet and saw some few bucks. He was sure he could pay for his and Motoko's share but if he did that he won't have enough to buy tickets for the train later. "I'm good, if you…"

"Then it's settled," Motoko said with a smile, running off to the cinema pulling his hands. "You're going to pay for my share as well."

"Wait," Keitaro shouted trying to regain his footing but he was continuously dragged until he noticed he was taking the last of his money to buy pair of tickets.

"The month's budget," Keitaro sighed as he drowned in his sorrow, looking at the wallet in his sit.

"Don't be like that," Motoko comforted but to know avail. Keitaro's background was as colorless as a clean sheet of paper. And every passing minute didn't made things better. "Hey come on, don't make such a mood. The movie we're going to watch isn't even a drama."

But Keitaro's grief didn't disappear. But while the two continued to chat, the movie started to play. The movie was a comedy called "The Rise of the T-Empire". Motoko thought the title was a little unique and decided to go with it. The movie continued and Motoko started to doubt whether the movie was really good, she started to doubt if the movie could even be considered a comedy but what the next few seems would change her bored expression into something else.

"Turtle," she shouted as she watched the green amphibian entered the screen. "Why is there a demon in such a movie?" but before she could shout some more Keitaro immediately held onto her mouth.

"Shh," he said. "Do you want us to get kicked out?"

"But," Motoko tried to complain but when she looked back at the screen the mere sight of the creature made her cling to the boy.

Keitaro flinched when he felt her face on his chest. He could tell tears were swelling up on her eyes since his shirt was started to get wet. "Oy," he called out. "It's not scary right? It's just a movie." But his comfort was of no use when she shook her head violently. But she was shocked when she felt a hand landing on her head. "Don't worry, I won't leave you so don't worry."

"Really," she asked without lifting her head.

"Yeah," he nodded and went back to watching the movie. Motoko raised her head and realized she was really vulnerable in that state. But she didn't care, his words were more important than her strength. Since she wanted him more than anything else.

The movie ended and the two decided to go back. When they reached the staircase to Hinata they saw Naru standing on top. And seeing Motoko was still clinging to Keitaro made her mood seem worst. Motoko realized this and quickly let go. Keitaro on the other hand dumbly greeted the other girl with a smile.

"Hey Naru," he shouted.

"I see you're back early," she replied.

"Well the movie ended early so we decided to come back," he said.

"I see," Naru nodded. "So did you have fun?"

"Well, the movie wasn't that good but seeing Motoko crying like a child made it enjoyable," Keitaro answered and was quickly stabbed by a death glare by Motoko. But before she could get angry, Naru immediately interrupted.

"That sounds interesting," she said.

"Hey Naru is something wrong," Keitaro started to get doubtful of her actions.

"Something wrong," Naru asked. "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to greet the boy I like who went out with another girl even though he said he loved me with out even realizing I was jealous."

"Like," Keitaro re-confirmed the only word that passed through his ears. "Did you just say like?"

"Why, don't you believe me," Naru asked with a blush across her face.

"No it's not like that," Keitaro replied walking towards the girl. But before he could continue a hand suddenly grabbed his hand. When he looked back he could see Motoko shaking. "Motoko?"

"I-I," Motoko stuttered. But seeing the joy on Keitaro's face she immediately decided to betray her own heart. "I wanted to give this to you. I thought you could give it to Naru-sempai and make her happy."

"Really," Keitaro said and gently took the gift. "You shouldn't have bothered."

"No, think of it as a thank you for today," she responded.

"Thank you Motoko," Keitaro said and patted the girl on the head and quickly left.

Motoko's world slowed down as the hand on her head left, she wanted to shout out as the man that he loved left her side. He reached the top and gently smiled at the girl as he handed over the gift. Her rival smiled back and accepted the gift and gently tiptoed to kiss him. Motoko's world plummeted at the moment. Did that mean they would go out? Would that mean she wouldn't get any other chances? Does that mean…

What you told me earlier was just a lie?

Finally finished chapter 16… Sorry for the really long delay, I had so many quizzes that the idea for the chapter completely disappeared from my mind. I hope you guys could forgive me. T_T… But anyway… The chapter is a little sketchy as you may see… But I hope I fixed it a little to get at least some coherence of what happened.

And It seems like something's happening in their love story… I feel so sorry for Motoko… Well all fair in love and war. And before you asked why Naru got angry when she didn't complain earlier was because of the fact that… let's keep that for next time shall we. Humility here sighing off…