A/N:

I admit this is a fluffy chapter. Normally I dislike pure fluff, but it is needed at this point in the story. The reason will become evident starting with the next chapter. (And before you complain that things are getting too dark, remember that I promised you a happy ending.)

Chapter 19: Practical Exercises

It was a quiet Saturday morning at the Sakuraba estate. Taichi was busy whipping Aoki at a video game on the big flat panel TV. Iori watched them play while sitting on the long couch near them. Yui had just finished her morning PT session and had hobbled over on her steel arm canes and sat next to Iori.

The two man-children were playing WWE SmackDown: Here Comes the Pain* on the PlayStation. Taichi was playing the Undertaker, who currently had a headlock on Aoki's John Cena.

Inaba was off doing something on her PC in the sitting room behind them. The door to the sitting room was open and Inaba could be seen with her face hidden behind her four computer panels.

Iori turned around on the couch to make sure that Inaba was out of earshot. Then she asked Taichi, "So, are all systems 'go' for Monday's little escapade?"

Taichi hit the pause button his PSP controller. He turned to face her and said quietly, "Yeah, your plan looks good. Aoki's idea was pretty clever. But why can't I come along? I want to be there for Inaba."

Iori shook her head. "Sorry, Taichi. Our visit to see Mr. Gotou has to happen on a school day, and it has to look like a random impromptu lunch event. If you had made arrangements to take time off from work to join us, it would look really suspicious to Dereban."

Taichi looked down. "I guess understand. I just wish I could be there for her."

Iori replied soothingly, "I know you do. Don't worry, we'll take good care of your wife. Just be ready to give her lots of hugs and support when she comes home. She'll need it."

Taichi nodded, "I will."

Earlier, Iori had briefed Taichi about the plan. She also finally told him her theory about why Inaba's relationship with him was so dysfunctional. Iori had withheld her suspicion up to that point because she wasn't yet sure if her conclusion was correct. But now, after watching Inaba carefully over the past two weeks, Iori felt that there was no longer any doubt.

Taichi then asked her, "Have you checked the weather forecast for Monday? If it's raining then Aoki's plan won't work."

"Oh, good point. Lemmie see." Yui watched as Iori pulled out her smartphone. She spoke into it: "Siri, what is the weather for Monday?"

Yui tilted her head. "Iori, who are you talking to?"

Iori's phone then responded with a pleasant female voice in perfect Japanese: "The weather for Monday will be fair to partly cloudy, with a high of 27 degrees celsius."

Yui's eyes boggled. "Hey! Your phone talked back!"

"Yeah, so?"

Yui was acting like she had seen a ghost. "It.. it talked!"

Taichi caught on. He explained, "Yui, I'm afraid technology has progressed a bit while you gone."

Yui leaned forward to look at Iori's smartphone. "What is that thing?"

Iori said matter-of-factly "It's an iPhone, fifth generation." She handed it to Yui.

"It talks?"

"Yeah. You can speak a street address and it will give you audible driving directions. Or say somebody's name and search for them on Google."

Yui's eyes lit up. "That is so amazing! I had no idea that technology had progressed so far while I was out."

Taichi smiled and said, "You missed out on almost four years of new tech, world history, culture, local events, trends.. a whole of lot of stuff."

"I guess so."

"Use the web. I'll ask Inaba if you can borrow her PC and go exploring the Internet when she's not using it. That way you can use a traditional PC with with a mouse and keyboard instead of flicking around."

Yui was confused. "Flicking around? I don't understand."

Iori took back her iPhone and used her index finger to slide the icons. "See? Like this." She flicked back and forth.

Yui's eyes grew wider. "A touch screen! That's so cool!"

Taichi continued to grin at her. "I'll make sure that Inaba sets you up with a personal PC account with your own private bookmarks. That way you can go exploring on the web and get up to speed on all the stuff you missed."

"Thank you. I will definitely do that." She sighed. "It would seem that I have a lot of catching up to do."

Aoki piped up, "Me too. Yui, I'm even more clueless on this tech stuff than you are. All I did in prison was work out and watch TV shows. We both need to catch up on news and local events and stuff. Would it be okay if I sat with you as you went exploring on the web?"

Yui said brightly, "Yoshi, I love the idea. Yes, we can sit together. I can certainly show you how to use a keyboard and mouse." She looked down. "Although I'm afraid that those skills are looking a bit obsolete now. I feel outdated."

Aoki grinned and said, "Hey, outdated is just my speed."

Iori jumped up from the couch and turned to face them both. "That is a wonderful idea. Let's get you started right now, shall we? Aoki, why don't you kindly escort Yui over to the sitting room and chat with Inaban? I'm sure she'd be happy to show off her whizzy PC and get you set up on it."

Iori slowly helped Yui on to her unsteady feet. She then tried to hand Yui her steel arm canes, but Yui waived them off. "I'm just going to try to walk without them for a bit. Yoshi, can you spot me?"

"Always."

Yui and Aoki slowly shambled over to the sitting room. He stayed very close but did not touch her. Iori sat back down on the couch with Taichi and turned to watch them.

She was smiling to herself as the couple slowly walked away together.

Taichi said quietly, "You know, those two are doing wonderfully."

Iori's eyes sparkled as she kept watching the retreating couple. "Yes. It's nearly perfect."

Then she said something that surprised Taichi. It was almost a whisper, as if she was talking only to herself.

"That accident was the best thing that could have happened to them."

Taichi turned at looked at her incredulously. "Huh?"

Iori kept observing the couple. She said enigmatically, "Just watch."

And so he did.

Aoki and Yui successfully reached the sitting room without incident. The door was still open and Inaba could be seen inside sitting at the computer. The couple had gotten Inaba's attention, and she jumped up and offered Yui her seat. Then Inaba started to helpfully point out and explain things to Yui on the main computer screen. Aoki quietly pulled up a second chair and sat next to Yui.

Inaba was leaning over Yui and using the keyboard to show how the Google search engine worked. Inaba started to type a search term into the text box. From their vantage point, Taichi and Iori could see Yui's eyes boggle again as the screen started to anticipate Inaba's typing. The computer was helpfully offering suggestions to complete the search query. Yui then excitedly grabbed Aoki's arm and then pointed at the screen in amazment. She exclaimed something that Iori and Taichi could not quite hear. Aoki chuckled as he watched Yui's reaction. Then he scooted his chair a little bit closer to Yui.

Taichi leaned over to Iori and spoke quietly, "Those two are doing great. But what did you mean by that remark about the accident?"

"Don't you see it? Just look at them. Time has basically stood still for Yui for almost four years. Physically, she is 21, but mentally she is still only 18."

"Time stopped."

"Yes. In terms of her emotional maturity she is still a teenager, barely an adult."

"Okay, so?"

"Don't you get it? Aoki was the most immature person in our group. He acted like a child half of the time. He was way younger than Yui that way."

Taichi thought. "So what you are saying is, without Yui's coma, that Aoki's emotional maturity was too far behind Yui's for their relationship to ever work?"

"Sadly, I think so. Even if they waited for years she'd still always be 3-4 years ahead of him in terms of their respective emotional maturity."

It was because real relationships, the deep ones that can actually last a lifetime, only happened between equals.

Taichi understood. "And so thanks to her accident, Aoki was able to catch up to her, maturity-wise."

"That's right. I think Yui's coma is why they now have a growing relationship. They are becoming a real couple, even if she doesn't realize it yet. It would have never worked otherwise. Oh, Aoki still has a bit more maturing to do, but basically he's nearly caught up. The point is, from an emotional viewpoint they are now both on roughly the same level of maturity."

"You mean they are both mentally 18 now. They are the same emotional age, 18."

She sighed and said wistfully. "And 18 is such a romantic age for budding love. To be that young, so idealistic, the emotions.. it's so wonderful."

Taichi was about to point out that Iori herself was only 21, but then he stopped himself. He looked at his companion.

Iori is right. Aoki was the most immature member of our group. Iori, you were the most mature one. Deep inside you were so jaded and cynical even back in high school. And Inaba told me that she suspects that these past years have been hell for you. You suffered terribly. So how old are you now?

Are you now an old soul?

Taichi's reverie was broken when Iori spoke again. "Their love relationship could never have happened without Yui's androphobia either. That was another wonderful stroke of luck."

"How you figure?"

"It's simple: It prevented Aoki from pushing her into doing something she wasn't ready for yet. Yui's a Type-B, a very meek beta. Aoki's a Type-B too, but not as meek as she is. He's an alpha compared to Yui's beta, and alphas can dominate betas and push them into doing things they normally aren't ready for. And so Yui's physical man-phobia created a safety zone, a buffer, around herself to protect her from Aoki's never-ending love confessions. That was fortunate, because neither of them were ready for any kind of physical relationship yet. Certainly not in high school."

Taichi knew that premature sexual relations never worked. They could backfire badly on a growing relationship, or even destroy it. "And that buffer zone allowed that friendship to grow and blossom, right?"

"Yep."

"So they might be ready to move beyond the friendship stage now. Become a real couple."

"Possibly. I think he's ready. Not sure about her yet."

"If you say so. I just hope she can get over her hangup eventually. Otherwise that is going to be a huge barrier on their future relationship. But can she beat it?"

Iori turned and faced him. "Hmm. That's an excellent question."

Taichi turned as well. "What do you mean?"

Iori looked thoughtful. "I think it is time to check if Yui and Aoki are ready to progress to the next level. Don't you agree?"

"I dunno.."

"Sure you do. You just said it yourself."

"Wait.."

"Okay! So let's see what I can do here.."

"What are you talking about?"

"Be quiet. Lemmie think."

Taichi raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you're scheming again. I can tell."

She ignored him. "Okay, I got an idea."

Taichi frowned. "Iori, you are not going to mess around with them, especially not Yui. She's far too innocent.."

"No, no, no. We are just going to do a simple test. Nothing more."

"A test?"

"We'll do it during her evening PT session. And if it works, the rest will follow naturally."

"What test? What will?"

She leaned forward and started whispering in his ear. "Now here's my plan. Taichi, you are the key. Trust me, only you can do this.."

"Do what?"

Iori looked him in the eyes. "Please do what I ask. Do it for Yui. Please. For her sake."

Taichi looked back at her. "Okay, you know that I'd do anything to help Yui. And whatever your plan is, you know that I trust you." Taichi felt that Iori would never betray her friends.

"Smart man. You'll understand it better as I explain. Your part will be very important. Now pay close attention.."

Meanwhile Inaba, who was idly watching Yui gape at her PC, had raised her head above the flat panels and had noticed Iori and Taichi on the couch sitting very close together. She saw their interaction. Iori then leaned forward and whispered animatedly into Taichi's ear. Inaba could see Taichi's eyes widening with excitement. He pulled away, nodded yes enthusiastically, then he gave her a quick hug.

Inaba sucked in her breath, then ducked down and hid herself behind the flat panels. None of the others had spotted her watching the couple on the couch.

And so Inaba's heart darkened a bit more.

It was evening and the group had finished eating dinner. Yui was now starting her regular evening PT workout in the basement gym, with Anzu helping the ex-Sleeping Beauty do her usual exercises. Aoki stood as the second spotter like he always did. For this particular session Iori and Taichi had decided to come downstairs to watch. They were standing nearby.

Inaba then came downstairs as well, curious to know where everyone else had gone. She sat on a chair against the wall, apart from the others.

Yui asked her sister, "Can I please try? Look around, everyone is here. We should have enough spotters for it."

Anzu looked dubious. "Yui, I still think it's too early to try the parallel bars."

"But I want to. My arm strength is quite good now." That was because of all of her walking using her steel arm canes had conditioned her arms more quickly than her legs. "I think I'm ready for it. Please? Everyone is here in case I fall. I really want to try."

Anzu said she was still unsure.

Aoki spoke up for Yui. "I know she can do it. She's strong. We can put two spotters on each side of the bars and one in the middle. Five total should be plenty."

Anzu sighed, "Well, all right. If everyone helps spot her I guess it is okay."

Iori whispered something to Taichi, who responded with the barest nod. Inaba saw it.

Anzu waved over to Inaba. "Can you please come over here and help us?" Inaba got up and approached the group.

Yui slowly approached the parallel bars. The height of the bars was set to roughly the level of her armpits. Iori and Taichi positioned themselves on the left side of the bars, and Aoki and Inaba moved to the right side. Yui walked in between the bars and raised her hands onto the bars in preparation. Anzu then stood directly behind Yui and put her hands on Yui's hips.

Anzu said, "Get ready. I'm going to lift you up. Get on the bars. Try walking the length of the bars as far as you can. If you get tired and can't go any further, say so and I'll lower you back to the ground again. Don't try to jump down yourself. Understood?"

Yui gritted her teeth. "Got it. I'm going the whole distance."

"Just do your best."

Aoki yelled support, "Yui! You can make it!"

Anzu lifted her up and Yui grasped both bars, her arms straight. She concentrated and began arm-walking. Releasing first her left hand, then her right.

Left, right, left, right. The whole group was cheering her on wildly. Inaba too.

Meanwhile, Taichi stayed very close to Yui's left. He was alert and crouching a bit. Iori drifted a bit behind them.

Yui was now nearing the end of the parallel bars. Everyone was yelling encouragement for her to reach the end. "Yay!" "Go for it!" "You can make it!"

Yui was naturally right handed; her left arm was slightly weaker than her right. Taichi stayed very close to her left.

Then her left arm buckled.

Taichi, who was already crouched low, dived under the bars and expertly grabbed Yui as she fell towards the mat. He caught her in a diving roll.

The roll ended with Yui flat on her back on the soft mat, with Taichi laying on top of her.

He asked, "You okay?"

"Uh, yeah. Can you get off me, please?"

"Oh, sorry." He got up. Then he offered his hand and pulled Yui up was well. She stood up. He moved back towards Aoki.

Aoki tried to rush to Yui's side, but Iori and Taichi blocked him. Iori said quietly, "Aoki, just wait."

Anzu looked worried. She said, "Yui, let me check your vitals."

Yui brushed herself off. "I'm okay."

Anzu knew better. She pulled out the portable BP and heart-rate monitor and clipped the clothes-pin sensor to Yui's index finger. Iori casually walked up behind her to observe. Meanwhile Taichi continued to hold Aoki back.

Anzu looked at the readings. "Hmm, BP isn't elevated much. Heart rate is up a bit, but that's understandable given all the exercise."

Meanwhile, Aoki was yelling. "Yui! Don't panic! Breathe! Breathe!"

He wrested himself away from Taichi and rushed towards her.

Yui's heart rate then jumped, and her BP started to rise rapidly. Anzu said, "Whoa."

And Iori smiled.

Anzu began to understand. "Hmm. No doubt you planned all this with Taichi."

Iori put her hand behind her head. "Guilty."

Inaba blinked her eyes. So Iori's little conspiracy with Taichi on the couch earlier that day wasn't aimed at herself; it was aimed at Yui. She felt bad about suspecting him.

Yui asked, "Planned what?"

Iori stepped forward again. "Can I look at the monitor please?" Anzu gave it to her.

"Aoki, please step away from Yui. Over there." Aoki moved back.

The monitor showed that Yui's heart rate and BP were now dropping.

"Now Taichi, please come here." He did. No change.

"And now, Yui, can you please give Taichi a nice big bear hug?"

The room erupted with protests.

Iori yelled "SILENCE!"

Aoki was adamant, "Yui, don't try to hug Taichi! It's too dangerous!"

Iori asked, "How come?"

Aoki was incredulous. "What kind of dumb question is that? It put her into a coma last time!"

Iori replied calmly, "Yeah, it did. But do you think that will happen now with all of us present? With her closest friends here to protect her? Relax, she's perfectly safe with us."

"Don't do it!"

Iori was confident. "Just watch."

"Stop!"

Yui said, "It's okay. I want to try."

And before Aoki could say or do anything, Yui wrapped her arms around Taichi in a big bear hug.

Meanwhile Iori was closely looking at the heart/BP monitor.

Anzu looked over Iori's shoulder. "Her vitals are up a bit."

"But it's hardly a panic attack."

"No."

Yui let go. Her breathing was a bit faster, but she was not in any sort of real distress.

Iori then said, "Okay, Aoki come here and replace Taichi." He approached slowly.

Yui's vitals immediately shot up. Anzu grabbed the monitor back from Iori. "Heartrate is 85, BP is 150/90."

Iori said, "Hmm, in that case we better not try a hug. Aoki, please just hold hands with Yui. Nothing more."

"No hug?"

"Just hold hands."

"Yui, are you okay with this?"

She stammered, "Uh.. y-yes.. I think.. yes."

Anzu said, "Vitals still rising."

"It's too dangerous. I'm not doing it."

Iori grabbed Aoki's hand, and before he knew it she had put his hand in Yui's own. She held onto it.

Anzu said quickly, "Heartrate is 96+, BP is 175/100. That's enough!"

Aoki instantly let go. Yui's face was completely red and she was breathing heavily. She pulled her hand towards herself and felt the warmth.

Inaba crossed her arms and smiled. "Well, well. Whaddya know. Iori, when did you figure this out?"

She shrugged, "This morning, but only a hunch. I didn't know for sure until I had Taichi fall on top of her just now."

"Clever. So how were you planning to have him do that? You couldn't have known she was going to use the parallel bars today."

"We were improvising. If I had to I was just going to trip Yui and have Taichi fall over while trying to catch her. But this worked even better. Well done, Taichi. I'm proud of you."

He shrugged off her praise. "It was just a barrel roll. Easy."

Aoki was still confused. "I don't get it. What are you people talking about?"

Iori explained it. "Don't you see? Yui doesn't have androphobia anymore. She never had it."

"Never?"

"Not since she clunked her noggin. It knocked it right out of her head."

"But she still panics! I see it all the time!"

"Exactly. And so after she woke up, everyone thought she still had androphobia. But she didn't."

It was because the hospital was careful to keep any man from touching her at all times. All of her attendants at the hospital were women: the nurses, the orderlies, the PT staff, everybody.**

"The only male that was ever allowed to go anywhere near her was you, Aoki. And whenever you got too close she reacted with all the symptoms that mimicked androphobia: rapid breathing, flushed face, high blood pressure, and high pulse rate."

Inaba nodded. "So everyone believed she still had it. But she didn't. Not since the accident."

Aoki asked, "But what does she have now, then?"

Inaba thought a moment. "My diagnosis would be Yoshiphilia."

Iori acknowledged her colleague. "Excellent diagnosis, Doctor Yaegashi. I concur."

Inaba bowed. "Why thank you, Doctor Nagase."

Yui was still confused. "Huh? Yoshiphilia? What does that mean?"

Iori sidled up to Yui and said quietly, "It means he turns you on."

Yui was stunned. "W-What?"

Iori sighed as she approached Aoki, "And small wonder. I mean, look at him.. he's a total stud muffin." She wrapped her arm around his large bicep. "I mean, he looks like Henry Cavill in Man of Steel for crying out loud. If I was in your shoes.. rowr.." She started to rub her head on his chest. "I'd be crawling all over him like a minx. It's no small wonder you get so flustered."

Yui crossed her arms. "Iori, stop that! It's preposterous. I have never heard anything so outrageous in my life."

Iori continued to hold her head against his broad chest. "Aw.. you sure you won't loan him to me? Just for one day?"

Meanwhile Aoki was fidgeting badly, wondering what to do.

Yui was getting angry. "Iori, don't insinuate things like that! Yoshi is a perfect gentleman." Then she said to Aoki, "Don't let that.. that tramp.. get to you. Yoshi, get away from her this instant." Yui then walked over and pulled Iori off of her man.

Inaba decided to join in the fun. She approached and held Aoki's other bicep and leaned into him. "Oh my, Iori you are so right. He's totally yummy." Taichi gave his wife a look. "Yes, I can see why your gentle Superman here sends your heart aflutter whenever you get really close to him." Then she showed a mischievous grin. "Hey, Iori, maybe we can do a WWE tag team on him tonight?"

Iori instantly pointed her finger at Inaba. "Deal!"

Yui made a noise and angrily pulled Inaba away. Then she stamped her feet.

"Ooh! Stop it! Inaba, you are as bad as Iori! Simply awful! Both of you, you.. you shameless hussies!"

And everyone laughed at her expense.

Later that night, Yui secretly entered Aoki's bedroom again. He smiled, for he was expecting her. She walked in without her arm canes. He stood up and waited patiently as she slowly walked in to his room.

She approached and lowered her head before him. "I'm such a fool. I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not okay. I should have known."

"Hey, I missed it too."

"I was so selfish. I was using my androphobia as a shield, an excuse, to keep you away."

"No you weren't."

"Maybe not at first. But later, yes. Even during our last year high school I think. It was just an emotional crutch for me, to keep you at a safe distance."

"Well, it doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does matter. Don't you see? It was an excuse for me to keep you near me while avoiding any physical contact. To keep you close to me while avoiding any commitment on my part."

"Wait, you're afraid of commitment?"

Yui immediately regretted saying that last sentence. She turned away.

"Uh, forget I said that."

But it was too late. The cat was out of the bag.

"Yui, what do you mean by that? Please tell me."

She realized she now had no choice. She had to tell him.

While looking away she said softly, "Because it terrifies me."

"Commitment scares you? Why?"

She screwed up her courage to face him. He deserved to know. She turned. "Because I know that if we take that next step, no matter how small - even if we are just holding hands together - I know that I'll be committed to you for life."

Aoki was incredulous. "Huh? That's silly. Why would you think so? I'd never force you to commit to me like that. C'mon, you should know me better than that by now."

"No, Yoshi, it will. And that is what scares me. My real phobia. Of lifelong commitment, to you."

"Honestly, you're not making sense."

"Yoshi, think about it. You know I could never hurt you. Let's say it doesn't work out. Then what do I do? I could never leave you after that. It would devastate you. I can't hurt you like that. Your feelings are so powerful, so overwhelming.. how could I ever say no to you ever again? I'd be trapped for life."

Aoki said, "Well, the answer is simple then."

"It is?"

"Don't make that commitment."

"What?"

"You think that if we start holding hands, or kissed, or anything physical like that, that you'll be committed to marrying me. Yui, honestly, you're not. Please give me credit that I am now adult enough to understand that."

"Yoshi?"

"Yui, I'm not a child anymore. So please don't treat me like one. If this doesn't work out and you do decide to leave me one day, I'll respect your wishes. I won't chase you. I won't stalk you. And if you ask me to remain out of your life forever, I will."

"You'd do that?"

"Yes."

A tear started to grow in her eye. "But.. how can you love me while knowing that I'm not yet ready to love you like that in return? Unconditionally, I mean?"

He said simply, "Because that's what love is. It is faith."

Yui looked down. She understood. She realized that the man standing before her now was indeed a mature adult, someone who was ready for whatever life might bring, for better or worse.

She would not be trapped, for he loved her too much to do that to her. He loved her enough to let her go. To let her go if that was what she really wanted.

Yoshi, I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I trust you before now? My panic attacks were just feelings of attraction. I had no idea I had such strong feelings for you. How long have I been this way? Since before the accident? Maybe I was. But you were too childish then.

And what about now?

You've grown up, so what do I do now? What do I say to you? I could never hurt you. But I can't keep you safely out at arm's length anymore either.

Not anymore.

I have to do this.

I refuse to be afraid. I will not be afraid.

No fear. No fear. No fear.

As she looked down, she took a deep breath to build her courage. Her fists were clenched in determination. Then she looked up at him.

"Yoshi, I admit I have feelings for you."

"I know."

"Wait, you already knew?"

"I've known it for a long time."

What? She refused to let his surprise statement derail her. "Well, be that as it may, now that I finally recognize that I have these feelings for you, I would.. I would like.. us to become.. a real couple."

He said softly, "Yui.."

She added quickly, "But only if you understand I'm not ready to marry you."

He chuckled. "Okay. I won't try to shove a wedding ring in your face. Or even an engagement ring."

"Thank you."

Yui had just confessed her feelings to him for the first time. This was a special day.

"Yoshi, I think we should do something. You know, to make this official. That we're now an official couple."

"Like what?"

She smiled. "For starters, maybe you can just hold my hand?"

He did.

"Oh my." She placed her other hand over her heart. "My heart is pounding out of my chest right now."

"But at least now you know why it's pounding. That should help calm you down."

"It does. It's slowing." She kept holding his hand. "Don't worry, I'm feeling better already."

"I'm glad."

A minute passed. She was calm.

She thought a moment. "You know, holding hands like this doesn't seem to be enough for something this important."

He sighed, "No.. I do agree it really doesn't. I suppose I could offer you a promise ring or something, but I don't have anything to give you right now."

She said, "Then I think we should.. well, we should kiss. Yes."

"What?"

"Isn't that how the fairy tale always ends? With a kiss?"

He thought she was joking. "Heh, first we will need to have some emergency paramedics on hand with electric paddles before we try moving up to that level."

"Yoshi, I'm not joking."

He frowned. "Please, no, it's too risky."

"Yoshi, I'm not some delicate flower. You're always bragging how tough I am."

"Well, yes, you're a brave and courageous fighter.."

Her eyes were bright. "So you keep saying. I want to do it."

"No. It's too dangerous."

She pushed him away and crossed her arms. "Yoshi, are you calling me a coward?"

He pleaded with her. "What? Of course not!"

She approached him again. "Then let's kiss right now. To make it official."

"Yui..?"

She looked down. ".. except I've never done it before."

"What?"

"Yoshi, I've never kissed anyone before. A first kiss is so important." That was particularly true in Japan. "It is a memory that lasts a lifetime, one that you and I will cherish forever."

"I suppose that's true.."

"So we need to do this right. Do it properly."

He chuckled. "You mean so we don't accidentally bonk our noses together or something else totally embarrassing."

"Exactly. It has to be a kiss worthy of a knight and his princess."

She put her hands behind her back and leaned forward. "So I think we should practice first."

"Practice?"

"Yes. We need to do some practice ones first."

"We should?"

"Don't worry, they won't count."

"They won't?"

"Of course not. It's just practice. Then we'll do an official one. Sound good?"

"If you say so.."

"Okay. Yoshi, close your eyes and don't move." He did as he was instructed and waited.

She screwed up her courage. Her heart felt like it was pounding out of her chest again. She willed herself to calm down.

Then she lightly pecked him on the lips for a split second.

He was disappointed. He opened his eyes.

She admitted, "That wasn't very good, was it."

"Not really. Kind of dry too."

She wet her lips. "Let me try again."

Another peck.

Aoki sighed, "Yui, I'm sorry, but I'm just not feeling it."

She stamped her feet in exasperation. "I'm awful at this!"

He gently held her. "Want me to explain to you how to do it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Look, a real kiss is more than a peck. But it's not mashing faces either. A kiss is more like a dance, where there is lead and a partner. The lead starts things off, and if the partner likes what the lead is doing, the partner reciprocates. Then in turn the lead advances or retreats a bit. If the partner follows, the lead continues that way, and so on. The thing is, it always starts gentle, a sharing of intimacy. There's tempo and flow."

"Wait.. Yoshi, how do you know all this?"

"Uh.."

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "You've kissed before!"

"No I haven't!"

"Yoshi, don't lie to me."

He looked at her sheepishly. "Look, the topic came up when Rina was visiting last week. She was trying to give some advice to Taichi on how to, well, make his new wife happy, if you know what I mean.."

"And..?"

"And then Iori and I came in and got interested and sat down to listen to what they were talking about. Taichi got totally embarrassed and left in a huff. Then Rina turned and asked me, well, if I ever kissed anyone. I said no, and uhm.."

"And you practiced with an underage girl!? Yoshi, how could you!"

"No, I didn't! She just explained how, like I just told you."

"I see. And then?"

He decided to come clean with her. "And well, I still didn't get it. So, uh, Iori said 'It works like this,' and before I could do anything she planted one right on me. I'm sorry!"

She clenched her hands into fists. "It's not your fault. I should have known. I am going to have some sharp words with that woman."

"She said it was just practice. I'm so sorry. I tried to stop her.."

"I know, it's okay. I blame that shameless hussy. Oooh, I am so angry with her!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Be quiet and come here." Then she mashed her mouth on his.

She was overdoing it. He pulled back. "Whoa, ease up. I told you it's like a dance. Slow down. It always starts tenderly, like this."

He kissed her properly - a gentle and tender exploration.

This went on for a while.

Then he pulled back. "You feeling okay?"

"Yeah."

Then she said softly, "Yoshi, that was an excellent practice kiss."

"You were great too."

"You know, I think we should keep practicing."

"Until we get it right?"

"Yes."

"Oh, I agree. Definitely."

"Mmm."

And so this went on, well in to the night.

A/N:

* It is a real video game title (egads).

** Doctor Niban had never touched Yui since her awakening, and instead he had a female assistant do all of the direct examinations under his personal supervision.