Madoka knew she couldn't stay at Ginga's place too long. Her talk with Hikaru helped her sort out her thoughts. Hikaru was right. She couldn't continue like this. She had to take a decision...and this wouldn't be a easy one. Tsubasa tried to call her again, but she didn't respond. Since she didn't want to tell him, where she spend the night. Besides she didn't feel like talking to him at all. She was afraid, he would notice her bad conscience. What was Ginga doing so long?
Since he wrote her that note she had been waiting for him to return. She thought about taking a shower, while he wasn't there. Even though she felt slightly embarrassed to do so. What if he returned suddenly, while she was in the shower?
Well, I'm still doing it, she decided. It would a quick shower.
oOo
When the door bell rang, Madoka was sure, it would be Ginga, bringing breakfast. Finally! She was starving. But when she opened the door, much to her shock, Kyoya was standing at the front door.
Of course, it is not Ginga! She thought angry with herself. Why would Ginga ring the bell at his own apartment, you big idiot?
Madoka wanted to slap the door back closed at his face. Well, at least she was fully dressed now, she reminded herself.
Kyoya was surprised to see her too.
Madoka? What are you doing here? He asked , though there was little disapproval in his tone.
Good question. Madoka thought. What exactly was she doing here?
Madoka swallowed hard, trying to find a good excuse why she was at Ginga's place early in the morning, without revealing she spent the night. Should she tell him, she was only here for breakfast? But even to her that sounded like a lame excuse.
Kyoya didn't seem to mind her struggle for words.
Is Ginga here? He asked instead. Madoka shook her head.
Fine, tell him I dropped by. He mumbled and already turned, leaving her speechless, leaning against the doorframe.
Where the heck is Ginga? she thought. After this embarrassing encounter with Kyoya, she didn't want to stay any longer. She wrote Ginga a quick note, telling him, she had to leave.
She really hoped Kyoya would keep his mouth shut. But to tell he truth...he was never the kind of guy interested in gossip or relationships.
Right in the moment, when she left Ginga's apartment and got inside her car, Tsubasa called her again. Madoka decided to pick up this time. She didn't want to worry him any longer. She answered his call and asked him, if he wanted to eat brunch with her at their favorite restaurant . Of course he asked her, why she didn't call him back earlier. She found some excuses about her phone dying and her losing her charger. Madoka felt bad about lying, but telling him the truth was not an option. An hour later, he showed up at the restaurant.
Madoka had already ordered drinks, arriving there before him.
So, how are you doing? Madoka began casually, when Tsubasa sat down.
I'm fine, thanks. I was a little worried, about you vanishing from the party. Since I couldn't reach you.
Yeah, sorry. I was so tired I passed out instantly after all the events.
Well, I hoped...you know. That we could celebrate our engagement. Privately, you know?
Madoka felt uncomfortable. She knew what he meant with celebrating privately and right now, she couldn't imagine that. She forced herself to smile though.
Yeah...there is actually something I want to talk with you about, she confessed.
Tsubasa raised an eyebrow. What's wrong?
By the way, you are not wearing your ring. Tsubasa noticed.
Madoka swallowed. Damn, she forget to put back on the ring. She took it off yesterday, before she went to check on Ginga.
I...well. I was afraid..to lose it or get a scratch on it, she mumbled.
Tsubasa was still wary. He folded his hands on his lap and waited for further explanation.
Look, I have to talk to you about this sudden engagement... you just proposed to me. In front of all this people! You know how much I hate public events, why would you think that proposing to me this way, is a good way?
Tsubasa looked at her with a surprised expression.
What? What are you talking about?
I'm talking about the fact, that you put me in a very delicate situation yesterday. I-I just didn't know how to react to all of this.
Madoka! What is this all about? I don't get you. You are acting crazy.
No, I am not. You are not listening to me.
I am! What is this all about Madoka? This has to do with Ginga, right?
Wh-What? No! This has to do with us! With the way you decided to propose to me.
You liar, Tsubasa growled at her. You never got over him. Don't think I didn't notice the way he looks at you.
Tsubasa, please...
No, I am not finished with this. You are repeating your mistakes from the past. And I won't watch you do that, he was screaming now.
Madoka looked at him with a shocked face. She never saw him so angry before. Why did he react like that?
I can very well decide for myself, she told with a cold voice. She raised from her chair, putting her bag over her shoulder. Tsubasa, who understood that she was leaving now, got up too. He pulled her back, taking her wrist strongly.
Madoka glanced at him furiously.
Let go, she demanded.
No, Tsubasa stubbornly said
Madoka tried to pull her hand free, but Tsubasa grip was very strong. They were starting to attract attention from other customer's. Madoka felt annoyed. She didn't want foreigners to see, how they fought.
You are hurting me, she hissed at him, trying to pull him away
Tsubasa let go of her. Madoka nearly fall down from the impact. He rushed out of the restaurant, leaving Madoka standing there, with weak knees.
She was out of breath just as if she had run a race. Her wrist was still hurting and she was sure, Tsubasa left a mark there.
Well, that went well, she thought sarcastically.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes. She felt tears burn in them and she didn't even get why. She had fought with Tsubasa before, but she never saw him angry like that. Everyone at the restaurant was staring at her. Madoka quickly paid and left. She went back home, to the B-pit, still shocked about Tsubasa's outburst.
Maybe he is right. Maybe she was going to repeat her mistakes form the past. So what? It was her life and her decision to make. She knew...deep down in her heart, that she couldn't let go of Ginga. Not after everything they had been through. Not after he finally got back home. After he got back to her.
She knew, that she was being a cruel and egoistic person for doing that to Tsubasa. But she couldn't give him, what he wanted. She couldn't be his wife. She hated the way he reacted at the restaurant. All she had tried to tell him was, how she didn't like the way he proposed. But he immediately got furious, probably sensing she wanted to cancel off the engagement.
I'm such a bad person, Madoka thought with tears in her eyes. She never meant to hurt him, but the way he reacted today showed even more, how they weren't compatible at all.
Ginga would never react like that. Of course they had fought too. But he never screamed at her like that. Especially not in public, humiliating her in front of people, like Tsubasa did today.
Madoka took a look at her wrist, it was already visibly. She had a bluish mark, which was hurting infernally. She sighed and got the first aid kit, putting some ointment on her wrist. Then she wrapped a bandage around it and made herself a frozen pizza. She watched some tv, while eating. Then she decided to work in her office, checking delivery for the B-pit shop and writing some mails. Normally she wouldn't work on her free day, at the weekend. But she desperately needed something to take her mind off her relationship problems. Madoka worked at her laptop till evening time, happy about the distraction. She loved her work.
When she sent the last mail, she rubbed her tired eyes, feeling exhausted. It was only 9 p.m, but she hadn't slept enough the past few days. First the preparations for the WBBA meeting, then her unplanned sleep over at Ginga's place. Maybe I will go early to bed tonight, she decided.
She went to her kitchen for a glass of milk, when she heard someone ring the bell. Suddenly she was afraid it could be Tsubasa, maybe wanting to apologize. Her heart beat increased. She didn't feel like facing him. Madoka didn't want to open the door. She had gone through enough today. She didn't feel like seeing anyone. But the unheralded guest wasn't giving up.
The guest knocked several time and rang the bell. Madoka sighed.
Why did she have to deal with that right now? All she wanted was to get some goodnight rest.
She contemplated whether she should continue pretending not being home or if she should open that damn door.
Madoka? It's me, a familiar voice called, knocking again.
Ginga? What is he doing here?
Madoka immediately opened the door, when she recognized his voice.
Ginga looked relieved to see her.
Madoka, he sighed and took her in his arms, hugging her gently. Madoka pressed her face against his chest, ashamed she didn't think it could be him. She sniffled his jacket, inhaling his intoxicating scent, trying to ignore her bad conscience.
God, what was he doing to her?
He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, which made Madoka get goosebumps all over. She remembered how close they had been last night. Ginga gently caressed her cheek, looking down at her.
She saw the gentle expression in his eyes, nearly making her heart explode with emotions.
How could she ever think, she would survive without him?
I'm here to check on you, he admitted with a shy smile. I thought, maybe you regretted staying over and didn't want to see me...? He sounded insecure.
Madoka shook her head. How could he ever think that?
No, I don't regret anything that happened last night, she confessed with a sad smile. She looked down, feeling flustered. Maybe she should, but she simply couldn't. It had felt so right to her.
Ginga didn't believe his ears. Was this really happening? Was Madoka finally accepting his unwavering feelings for her? Did she maybe return his feelings?
Ginga couldn't stop himself anymore. It felt as if his heart was going to explode from happiness, hearing her confession. He put his hand on her chin, raising her head to his face him. Before she could even protest, he kissed her. He kissed her like never before. This time he wasn't drunk or enraged from fighting. This time he was bursting with bliss. He put all his feelings in this kiss and from the way Madoka sighed and pulled him closer, entangling her fingers in his hair, he was sure she didn't mind.
Ginga never kissed any others girl then her. He never felt the need to. But Madoka was different. She was all he ever was asking for. His brown haired angel.
After a while, they let go of each other, both of them breathless, but grinning. Just as if they were teenagers again. Ginga felt so happy, like he hadn't been in a long time.
He helped Madoka get her hair straight again, laughing at her messed up hair. It seemed as if he just loved caressing her hair, while kissing her as much, as she did. Madoka couldn't help it, but giggle too. About the absurdity of this carefree moment
What happened to your wrist?
Madoka instantly froze. Of course, he noticed. It was Ginga after all.
Tha-that? Oh, it is nothing, she tried to hide it. But Ginga only raised his eyebrow, waiting for further explanation. There was no way, she could tell him, how she got that injury. He would totally freak out.
I just fell, she lied to him. She was lying so often lately. Madoka noticed ashamed.
Ginga seemed to believe it though, taking a look at her bandaged wrist.
May I? He whispered worried and pointed at the her wrist, holding his hand openly, waiting for her to put her hand in his.
Madoka surprised about this request, gave him her hand. He inspected her wrist, with an amused expression.
My clumsy angel, he muttered and kissed her bandages. Madoka felt very embarrassed about his gentleman behaviour and took her hand away.
What the heck? Since when did you turn into such a romance of chivalry? She shrieked at him, blushing fiercely.
Ginga started laughing at her bewildered face.
I'm always a gallant cavalier.
Ha, so not true! Don't you remember the time, you ate all of my chocolate?
Ginga rolled his eyes. He would have to listen to this story, for the rest of his life. Then he started to tickle her, since he loved the sound of her laugh.
Help, she cried with tears of laughter in her eyes.
Madoka tried to escape, but Ginga wouldn't let her. Together both of them landed on couch. Ginga was on top, while Madoka lay beneath him. Ginga gently caressed her cheek, while they both stared at each other. Madoka suddenly become very aware of the situation, feeling Ginga's strong, muscular body against hers.
What am I doing?
Madoka felt her bad conscience hitting her and Ginga seemed to notice the change in the mood.
He got up from the couch, smiling sheepishly. Madoka felt very flustered. Ginga was standing in front if her, helping her to sit up. Nobody said a word
But then she decided to break the awkward silence.
Kyoya visited you this morning, she told him, with a shy smile. I think he was very surprised to find me instead of you opening the door.
Yeah, I figured, Ginga said with wide smirk.
You met him afterwards?
Yep. He gave me a lecture about me letting you stay at my home, when I was drunk. He sighed.
Madoka tried to hide her grin. That was the same thing, Hikaru did this morning to her, when she talked to her at the phone.
Seems as if everyone was worried about them.
Oh and I also met Ryuga , Ginga suddenly added.
Really?
Yeah, it was on my way back to you and the flat. He had good news for me though.
What kind of news?
Do you remember when I told you, about this criminal organisation called Z?
She nodded.
Of course, she did. After all they were responsible for Ginga's memory loss and him being kept in Korea all these years.
He told me, that there are still supporter of them, here in Japan. And that they are looking for me. Seems as if they are still pissed I destroyed their important headquarters in Korea, he said with a smirk.
Madoka swallowed hard. That didn't sound very reassuring. How could Ginga be so calm about this?
How exactly are these good news? She asked with a frown.
Well, as you know Ryuga is working at the police department, investigating in criminal affairs outside the country. He asked me to accompany him on this mission.
What? Madoka must have misheard him.
You are the guy, they are looking for! That's crazy and dangerous, she protested.
But don't you get it? I'm the perfect decoy.
Madoka stared at him with big eyes. This had to be a joke. But she knew Ginga too well, to know he already decided to do this. He could be so stubborn sometimes.
Why? She asked, feeling close to a panic attack. Why are you doing this?
I have to. He said with a serious tone. It's my only chance to get revenge for what they did to me.
But you already destroyed their headquarts!
It's not enough. I can't ignore the danger they are. This has to stop. I have to stop them and since I'm the guy they are searching for, it has to be me.
But what about the danger, you are putting yourself in?
I can take care of myself.
Madoka was so frustrated with him, she wanted to throw something against the wall. Why was he doing that? Madoka had a very bad feeling about this. She couldn't lose him again. Not after everything they went through these past years.
When are you going? She asked with a growl. Maybe there was still a chance to convince him.
Sorry, can't tell you that, he said with a grin.
What? What the hell? GINGA!
This mission is top secret. I'm not supposed to tell you, I am even going. But after what happened last time, I felt that I owe you that.
Madoka let out a frustrated scream and punched him at his shoulder.
Ginga laughed while Madoka was fuming. This had be be some bad joke.
AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Special thanks for GinMado and resplandorrose626! I love reading your reviews. Thanks to my sister for always having my back and being my beta reader. Love you very much. And thank you dear readers, for staying patient with me.
Hopefully you will enjoy the next installment. Until then! Have A nice day :-* :-*