The next morning
Ginga woke up. He got up and had a look around. Oh, right Im still at Madoka´s place, he remembered smirking. He was in the guest room.
He was feeling much better now, since he had slept the whole night. It had been a while, since he felt so well-rested. He had asked Madoka if he could stay over at her place, since he didnt have looked for a place to go. He still had to find himself an appartment or room.
Actually he wouldnt mind staying longer, but didnt want to make her uncomfortable. Yesterday after their talk, he still felt something burdening her. Though he couldnt tell, what it was.
Ginga? You are up? Madoka asked. Her voice sounded far away. She was calling him from downstairs.
Yeah! He replied immediately. He went downstairs.
Madoka had prepared breakfast. She was dressed casually, wearing a white shirt and her favorite pair of jeans. Since she had been working in the kitchen she had put on an apron. Ginga thought, that she was looking pretty cute, but he kept these thoughts to himself.
Good morning, he greeted her with a warm smile. His hair was all messy, since he had bed hair.
M-morning! She responded. She didnt know why she felt so flustered towards him. What is wrong with me? He had only smiled at her and she was turning into a little three-year-old.
Are you fine with Miso soup and Tamagoyaki* for breakfast?
Sure! He answered her happily. It had been ages since he had a japanese breakfast. And he was feeling pretty hungry too! He helped her setting the table.
Did you sleep well? Madoka asked.
Yeah! I didnt sleep so much for a while now..., he grinned. Thanks a lot, Madoka, for letting me stay here and everything...
Sure, that is what friends are for! She replied immediately. She still couldnt believe that she was sitting here, having breakfast with Ginga. It was so strange. All these years, he had been gone and now he was back. She thought, that she would never see him again...but here he was! Sitting in front of her! She still hadnt really figured out, how she felt about that...about him...They started eating.
So, how is your Dad doing? Ginga asked, wondering why he hadnt seen him. I guess, he is overseas again, because of work, he thought.
Madoka felt a little startled, it had been a while since she had been asked about her Dad. Then she remembered. He didnt know. Of course, he didnt know...after all he hadnt been in contact with anyone for seven years. Her eyes turned very sad.
He is dead, she informed him.
Ginga´s eyes widened in surpride and he choked on the soup, he had been drinking. He started coughing.
W-Wha-? What? He managed to stutter. How did that happen and when?
It has been three years now. He had been travelling with the plane, but due to a strom, there was a plane crash... she told him sadly.
I see...Im sorry about that. I really am. He said. He hadnt meant to make her sad or make her remember a painful memory.
Its okay. Im fine..., she smiled. He returned the smile.
They ate in silence. The mood seemed to be ruined now. Madoka didnt want that.
So, I have heard, you met Zero? She asked, changing the topic.
Yeah, I met him, when he was training. He is a nice guy!
Madoka nodded in agreement. I like him, too! His friends are kind of like our gang used to be.
Ginga grinned. Yeah, I remember these times...I want to go to the Bey Park, we used to go to. Maybe I will surprise them there. Does blader still go there ?
Yeah, they do! In fact, they changed the hole building now. But if you want to meet everyone, its more likely, that you will find them at Benkei´s place. He has opened a burger restaurant.
Really? Ginga started chuckling. That is kind of cool...I think I will definitely go there!
Madoka started grinning too. That was just so like him.
Seems as if things havent changed that much after all, Ginga observed.
Madoka´s smile instantly dropped off her face. She gazed down on her knees and fiddled with a loose thread of her shirt, her hair falling like a curtain around in her face. Obviously some things had changed and she wasnt too eager on revealing them. She hadnt told him anything about her relationship with Tsubasa yet. Somehow she didnt know how to open this topic with him.
How was he going to react to that? Would he be angry? Would he be sad? Maybe he wouldnt even bother...? I havent done anything wrong, she told herself. He cant be expecting me to wait for him all these years. He was the one, who has gone missing. Though it had been easier, when she thought that it was his choice. However Ginga didnt leave her because he wanted to. She knew that now. But Im not in love with him anymore...and he sure doesnt see me this way too. He couldnt possibly be thinking that they might pick up, where he left, right?
Ginga could only stare at her in silence, wondering about what she was thinking so hard. Did he say something weird? He gingerly reached out and tucked a few strands of hair behind Madoka´s ear. She shivered, because of his touch. Secretly, he was overjoyed that he still had such an effect on her but retained his calm composure.
He wondered when the best moment was for him to confess his feelings for her. Should he do it now? No, it was probably still too early...
He just loved her so much. Maybe more than he had ever before. She was the reason, why he didnt give up. All these years his only goal had been to find this wonderful angel, he had seen so many times in his dreams. He was never going to leave her side again. He wanted to stay close to her for the rest of his life...
Madoka? You okay? Ginga asked.
E-eh? She seemed to have been completely lost in thoughts.
Yeah, sorry...I was kind of...eh...lost in thoughts...
I kind of noticed that, he replied, grinning.
Madoka laughed nervously.
So, how is Hikaru? Ginga asked curious. Are you guys still in touch?
Of course, we are! Madoka answered him. Hikaru and her has always been very close friends.
She is married now, by the way ,she informed him.
Really? That is great!
Let me guess...Is Ryuga the happy guy? Ginga remembered them dating, after some issues between them had been resolved.
Madoka nodded.
They ended up talking about various things, which consisted mainly of her filling him in on the lives of their friends and him patiently soaking it up all. They had finished eating since a while now. Together they cleaned the table.
Would you mind, if I use the shower? Ginga asked her.
No, of course not! Go ahead!
Meanwhile, Madoka went to the living room and watched some TV. She heard the morning news and moved over to some hospital soap. She never had been a real big fan, but still watched the hole episode. When the ending music played, she began to get antsy. What was taking him so long?
Did she forget to put enough towels, she suddenly wondered. She went to the guest room, Ginga had been sleeping in tonight and opened the closet to get fresh towels.
Suddenly she heard someone enter the room.
I just put out a set of fresh towels for y-
The words died on her lips, as she turned around. Madoka was absolutely awestruck.
Ginga frowned at her in confusion, ignoring the fact he was standing in front of Madoka in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
She tried with all her might to focus on his face, but her eyes lingered on his toned abdominal muscles. She felt like a fish out of water, greedily gulping for oxygen. And just for the record. It wasnt necessarily the most attractive pose.
Can you hand me that shirt behind you? Ginga questioned, oblivious to Madoka´s involuntary bewilderment.
Madoka snapped her mouth shut, beyond embarrassed but even more to let him know this and tossed the shirt to him.
Thanks!
Ginga paused, studying her expression. Madoka was grateful towards Ginga´s ignorance in connection to her behavior.
Madoka, you feeling ok?
Yes! I mean, yeah why? She fumbled, her voice immediately spilling out scratchy and squeaky.
She had to play it cool. Why was she freaking out anyway? This was Ginga, only Ginga! What she had with him was over. She was in a relationship with Tsubasa, and that for nearly two years now. Just because he was relatively attractive with a good set of abs didnt mean she had to lose her cool.
Although they were a very nice set of abs ~
Quickly, Madoka inwardly scolded herself! No! Idiot! Now was not the time to be thinking about ex-boyfriends and their six-packs.
Ginga chuckled, slinging his shirt over his shoulder.
You looked... I dont know, really peculiar for a moment. Like you choked on something, Ginga plainly informed with an amused smirk.
Madoka let out a forced laugh, wishing the floor would swallow her whole. It was like she was trapped in puberty all over again, tripping on her words and blushing at every little gesture. What had happened to the calm, levelheaded and mature Madoka?
Ginga Hagane had showed up... in a towel for that matter. That is what.
I thought I saw...er- a bug. I hate bugs, you know. Nastly little buggers.
Madoka knew Ginga didnt believe her but brushed it off.
All right, then. Well, Im going to change. Think you can avoid any near-death situations with flesh-eating bugs until then? Ginga wondered with sarcastic concern.
Madoka rolled her eyes, going along with his teasing. She actually liked that Ginga was joking around. The events of the past years had clearly dampened his spirits and Madoka only wanted the best for Ginga.
I will try, she vowed with a coy smile.
Ginga returned her smile, then headed back to the bathroom. As soon as the door clicked shut, Madoka flopped on her back, onto the bed. Frowning her mind was going a mile a minute. Maybe it was best if she skipped hanging out with him this afternooon.
It wasnt like she really needed to be there. He was going to search for an appartment and visit Benkei and the other guys. They would end up talking about the tournament and everything...
Her subconscious snickered wickedly.
You just want to think of an excuse so you can avoid him!
Madoka sighed in frustration. Maybe she was making up excuses to avoid Ginga. But his arrival and now this...it was too much to handle at once. She really did need some space. She felt like she badly needed someone to share all her thoughts with. Probably a talk with Hikaru would make her feel better...
Then she heard her phone vibrating. Sighing she got up, to check who wrote her a message.
It was Tsubasa, asking her if she was free this afternoon. Well, at least now she had an excuse for not going with Ginga.
oOo
Madoka was sitting on Tsubasa´s couch in his office. She was helping him with the organization of the upcoming WBBA world conference. A lot of important business men were coming to this. That is why everything had to be planned correctly.
Oy Tsubasa! Why are some of these things highlighted? Madoka called over her shoulder. Tsubasa appeared from the side room, with two glasses of juice. It was Madoka favorite flavour. Strawberry with grape.
That stuff is everything I will be paying for.
Madoka´s eyes widened.
That is a lot of stuff, she noted, accepting the beverage.
And your point is? He teased, with a good natured grin.
Madoka laughed. That was one of the things, she loved about him. He was so selfless when it came to others. Anything he could do for the benefit of the WBBA, he would gladly oblige to. If this evening turned out good, there would be a lot of improvements for the hole company.
Even though she sometimes wished that he wouldnt love his work that much. Since he had became the new director, he was working a lot overtime.
Did I tell you, that we are planning an after party? He asked, sitting next to her.
Really?
Yeah, its only for very close friends and co-workers! It will be taking place right after the event, if hopefully everythings goes well!
It will, Madoka said. She knew that Tsubasa was being nervous about the conference.
Im looking forward for the party, she said, leaning her head against his shoulder.
Yeah, me too. Tsubasa placed a gentle kiss on top of her head.
Thanks for always helping me out...he said.
Sure. Madoka didnt mind.
They went silent for a while. Madoka hadnt told him about yesterday yet.
Ginga is back, you know?, she casually informed.
Tsubasa perked up at this, hastily sitting up right.
Really? How do you know? He eagerly asked.
He showed up at the B-pit yesterday. Actually, more like collapsed on the doorstep, she wryly answered.
Tsubasa let out a low whistle.
And to think, we all thought he was gone for good. Tsubasa observed with amazement.
Madoka nodded.
I know. He has been through a lot. He had amnesia, that is why it took him so long to get home.
Madoka didnt want to go to the details about Ginga´s homecoming, because it was his buisness to tell the tale, not hers. Tsubasa´s eyes widened.
Bloody hell! Poor guy. How is he?
Madoka shrugged, not knowing the whole truth. True, Ginga had appeared fine but he always had a way of bottling his emotions. When it came to personal experiences and thoughts, Ginga was most likely to keep some of it to himself. If something were really bothering him, such as those awful things happening to him with Dark Nebula , Ginga would try to deal with it himself before asking for help.
He seems fine. I talked to him this morning. He is still shaken up about the entire thing but for the most part, he is beyond glad to be home.
Tsubasa nodded.
Im not surprised. So...how do you feel about that?
Eh? Madoka felt taken back. She didnt expect him to ask that
I...well, I didnt expect him to come back...no one did. So of course I had been surprised, she admitted.
But Im fine...I mean, we are just old friends. It is nothing more than that...
I see. Tsubasa muttered.
So, you told him about us?
Yeah, s-sure...I did, Madoka found herself telling him. Tsubasa smiled happily at her. He seemed relieved. Madoka however felt uneasy.
She felt bad, that she was lying. But she couldnt possibly tell him, when he was worried about her. It would have looked like as if Madoka had kept their relationship secret, since she wasnt happy about it or something like that. Or as if she was still in love with him, which she wasnt.
She had planned on telling Ginga this evening anyway.
*Tamagoyak is a type of Japanese omlette, which is made by rolling together several layers of cooked eg, its very very tasty :D
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter : ) As always Im a bit late, but Im really trying hard to upload as fast as I can!
Please keep following me & lots of love to everyone :* :* :* I love you guys!