((This and L are connected so I hope it works out the way I'm envisioning, and yes I know it's the same word again..but well..you'll see-i hope it works))

K is for Kiss

If you want to get the object of your affections to kiss you, you must first make him think of kissing you. The way to do that is to draw attention to your lips. Mai read the article in the magazine that her friend had let her borrow and now she was standing at the cosmetic's counter of the twenty four hour pharmacy trying to find something daring to draw attention to her lips.

"Honey, there isn't a man alive that doesn't love a woman with 'come fuck me red lips' ," the sales woman told her holding up a tube of bright red lipstick. "He'll be dying to kiss you once he sees you wearing this." Mai had slapped her money down without a second thought. She wasn't sure what 'come fuck me red' was, but she liked the color. It was so bright, so alive. Naru would surely notice her lips she'd thought.

He'd noticed them alright so that's why she was back at the makeup counter twenty four hours later and this time there was another woman working. The one closer to Mai in age. Instead of just using a broad generality like her coworker she tried to give more personalized advice.

And that was how she had ended up with the blue. They had reasoned that since he loved himself so much that he'd be drawn to the color of his eyes.

To her credit Mai had been dubious about it working but it was a testament to her desperation. So after the clown comment she'd go back night, slap down her money an try the next suggestion. This went on for almost three weeks.

Three very long weeks for Mai.

What would she have to do to get him to kiss her!

She'd ha had it, she was going to give it one last try, and then if he didn't notice her lips he was never going to. She headed to the pharmacy one last time intent on trying something she hadn't yet found to get him to notice her lips.

She'd been surprised when she rounded the counter to find an olrder woman there, someone who could be her mother. The other two women had known her by name and when she'd appear their faces would fall. They were always just so sure that this one or that would help the girl score her first kiss from her difficult boss.

When she met the older woman who smiled kindly at her she couldn't help but spill her guts all over again, her desperation and her desire to just have a certain narcissist notice her lips and kiss her. The older woman had steered her away from the think, heavy cosmetics and handed her a tube of clear glass. She'd been so certain it would help Mai with her plight that she'd paid for it herself then she'd led Mai over to the demo mirror at the cosmetic's counter. She picked up some tissues and gently wiped the make up and lipstick off her face.

Mai had made a joke about how her face was plain but the woman smiled at her and told her that she was a natural beauty. She'd shown her how to use the gloss just so her natural lip color had a little bit of a shine to them. When she'd left she didn't know if it would work, but she was feeling good about herself and that alone had made it worth the trip.

The next morning she'd done her best to recreate the casual, just slightly moist look that the woman had taught her the night before and after scrutinizing herself in the mirror from every angle she'd set off for her day at work. No one commented but she'd received some sincere smiles so to her that was good sign. Over the last few weeks her friends had tried to be gentle but they'd let her know that she wasn't achieving what she was going for.

Today she had gotten real smiles and even Masako had nodded her approval to Mai when she'd seen that Mai had toned it down...she'd nodded her approval. Though Mai was sure that she'd never have done that if she knew why Mai was going through these lengths, to kiss the boy they boy adored.

She went about her day and her heart had even lifted when Naru hadn't shaken his head at her at all the next morning. In fact he'd almost seemed...pleased or what passed for pleased with Naru. She had to wonder if it was the lips or something else. She hoped it was her lips.

It went like this all day. She'd drop off his tea and he'd give her a look she couldn't place. Monk had even laughed when he had seen how she looked today. He had misunderstood with the rest of them and told her to stop being in such a hurry to grow up. That was the last thing she was in a hurry to do. She wanted to be more of a kid. Have a first kiss that would knock her socks off.

Even though it didn't look like Naru had noticed she decided that she liked it and would keep wearing it. She went about her day smiling more than she had in the last few weeks as well.

Since she had dismissed him caring about what her lips looked like so it came as a surprise when she felt the pressure on her wrist as she set his final cup of tea on his desk before leaving for the evening. He didn't use a lot of strength, just enough to let her know what he could if he wanted to. He pulled her back to him and she felt his lips on hers. She couldn't believe it, Naru was kissing her.

Mai barely heard him when he pulled back and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. "Lips, " he said and Mai missed the rest of what he'd said but then she kissed him again, and again...and again.