The train rocked and you could easily distinguish whether the train was breaking or heading off towards the next station.

Kahoko Hino looked out and watched the scenery fly by.

I couldn't ever get sick of watching this...

Len snuck a look at Kahoko.

Such a serene face...

He then noticed a shadow just outside the door of their little area.

Was it just me or did I just see someone I know?

The mysterious stranger breathed a sigh of relief as the blue-haired passenger in the seating cabin turned away from looking at him.

Hmm... now where was I meant to get off... Nami did say "Liege", right? I should probably check with her again...

He took out his phone and typed a short message to Nami – 'You said Liege, right? Think I'm about 20 minutes away'.

It was a rare chance for him to suddenly bump into someone from the past, so he couldn't help but stay around that cabin.

After all, she a while ago was the only main thing in my mind.

"Ne, ne, how long until we get there, Len?"

"About 15 minutes if I remember correctly. I haven't been down to Liege for a while."

"I'm hungry already..."

Her sad face made him chuckle.

"At least you'll be able to really enjoy the food at the restaurant, Kahoko"

She nodded and leaned into him again.

His heartbeat sped up furiously as she leaned into him a second time.

T-This isn't the time to be rash, Len... even though...

He looked over to see her angelic sleeping face, and instantly turned the other way, a faint blush evident.

That was a bad idea. That was such a bad idea. Such an innocent sleeping face... I couldn't do anything ungentlemanly! I just couldn't!

The train continued to rock on. He just prayed 15 minutes would come soon enough.

Nami Amou was waiting at Liege station for her boyfriend to come.

How much longer do I have to wait in this snow... I'm getting freezing here! He says he's such a gentleman yet I have to wait in this snow for over 15 minutes... I'm soooo giving him a piece of my mind -

Her thoughts paused as she got a text message.

Darn that forgetful and late boyfriend! I really am going to give him a piece of my mind...

She types back to him that the location is indeed Liege station, and that he had better get here soon because she was getting seriously cold!

The mysterious stranger chuckles at the text he receives from Nami.

Sorry... the train got delayed... I guess it couldn't hurt to call, could it?

He looked at the message for a few moments, before pressing the call button.

Without hesitation, Nami starts the call.

"A little birdy tells me you're patiently waiting for me, babe"

"Patiently? You, mister, have no idea how cold it is at the moment -"

She hears a chuckle followed by coughing, and sighs.

Men...

"Well, I ran on the train into some interesting people."

Nami's ears perked up at the sound of 'interesting people'.

"Oho? Really?"

"Indeed. Well, you can't really write about them in the paper..."

"Ehh? Then how are they interesting people?"

"Well... wait and see. I think you'll be amused as I am at the moment."

"Ookay...?"

Laughter on the line again, and a sudden pause.

"What now?"

"I just realised something... you can write about them. After all, it's someone who's becoming famous."

"Gee, and you just remember to tell me this?"

"Hey! At least I remembered!"

She laughed at the sound of his indignant tone.

"True, true... Listening to you and talking to you really calms me down, for some reason"

"Don't worry, I feel exactly the same way. Anyhow, if we continue this for too long I'm going to have a huge phone bill."

"Gee, in all these years now you care about your phone bill?"

"Well, it's a new phone, and..."

"Fine, fine. How long until you get here?"

Another pause on the line.

He's thinking again...

"Another... 10 minutes, I think? Sorry to make you wait for me in the snow, but I'll be there soon."

"Okay then, see you soon"

Familiar sights. At last.

Len had been persistently watching the scenery ever since Kahoko started sleeping while leaning on him.

We're close to Liege. I probably should start waking her up...

"Kahoko"

He shook his shoulder (Kahoko's pillow) lightly, and watched her blink and mumble incoherently as she woke up.

"Come on, Kahoko, we're close to Liege. You need to wake up otherwise I'll leave you on the train"

He teased her, and watched her instantly become awake.

I'll have to remember this for next time. IF there is a next time.

He grasped her hand tightly, and heard her gasp.

As the train slowly came to a stop at Liege station, he swore once again he saw someone from the past.

I wonder why I'm seeing hallucinations all of a sudden...

He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw her figure on the platform.

I'm at the right station, finally!

As soon as the doors opened he stepped out.

"Nami!"

Len led Kahoko out from the cabin towards the door, and then motioned for her to step down first. She smiled at him, and did so.

As soon as she stepped down and took a few steps for Len to get down did she turn around and gape.

She tugged on Len's arm to turn him in the direction of the silhouette, and soon enough, even he stood with a slight gape and disbelief on his face.

The silhouette, and his partner, also had slight gaping mouths.

Say what? Is that really -

Author's Note: Whee, to think when I thought I was available I would get hit with a temporary internet ban! Well, now I have on-and-off internet for a while, so I guess it's better than having no internet entirely, but...

I guess from reading this latest chapter there's only one question to ask. . . . . .

Who's "the mysterious stranger / silhouette"?

I hope you've enjoyed the latest Fateful Return instalment!

Until next time,

xx jazzzz-chan