“Are you gay?”
Nino almost choked on his broccoli as Mao asked that question, regarding him seriously.
“How many times are you going to ask me that?” he scowled at her.
She had been springing that question on him the whole day. While they were going around the supermarket, at the lines, on the bus, which leads to people around them staring at him, as if waiting for the answer. Every single time. And now here! It almost feels like his Yoda mug is also curious what the answer is. Gar.
“That’s coz you never answer! It’s either you sneer at me, tell me to shut up, or your eye does that twitching thing. You know, you should maybe have that checked,” she pointed her spoon at him.
“You really expect me to justify that with an answer?! Just because I don’t like the kiss that you ambushed me with doesn’t mean I’m gay!”
That kiss. When she pulled away, they both just stood there for a moment staring at each other, wide-eyed and sort of frozen. It almost looked like she was blushing but maybe his mind was just playing tricks on him. Both his heart and mind were already buzzing in hyperdrive so he really can’t be sure. (He seems to recall vaguely he heard choking and gasping at a nearby table then.) And it was a miracle he was still able to move and talk.
“Good day, sir! And what would you like to have?” the perky McDonald’s guy had asked.
Nino blinked at him, still a little stunned. He’s putting too much pressure on him with that question!
“Can I have a kiss with fries?” he then answered as he gave a wide grin.
Wait, what did he just say? As he observed the guy staring at him, mouth slightly agape while Mao was trying to muffle the laugh that had her clutching her side. Nino scowled at the memory and at her right now, looking at him, eyes crinkled in amusement.
“Most guys would have liked that,” she teased.
“Well, I’m not like most guys,” he muttered and scooped his food.
“Yeah… you aren’t…,” she said softly. “So was that your first kiss?”
Why is she feeling a blush on her face right now? She was just teasing him. Why would she be feeling giddy about it? It was just a kiss. It was nothing. Yeah. Nothing. Ah, Chuba! Heh? Nino gave her a glare and avoided her eyes.
“It is, huh?” she grinned widely at him, trying to steady her heart.
“I’m not going to consider it as my first kiss! This does not count!” he pouted. “Just don’t do that again, okay?”
He had always imagined his first kiss would be in a very romantic setting as he in his cool Han Solo outfit and his girl in Princess Leia (Duh.) is dancing to a slow song. Okay, so he likes costume parties. It wasn’t a crime.
Mao’s smile wavered a little at that. “It’s not like I want to kiss you! I told you I wanted to teach those guys talking like that!” she huffed.
What makes him think she likes kissing him? Just because her heart was racing a mile a minute, giving her a little rush, a little flutter in her vein… Okay, so maybe she liked it a little. Like on a microscopic level? Whoa! The paranormal air around him must be doing things to her brainwaves. *Sithspit! And why is she suddenly cursing like him now?
“So you’re just taking pity on me? That’s so much better,” he said. “I don’t really care what they say.”
“I care!” flashed across her mind. Seriously, too much paranormal interference. And pity? It will never be that. What she hates most is being pitied on…
“It’s not that! I just- I just wanted to do something for you,” she said quietly. Did she just say that?
Nino’s eyes went to her, a little taken aback. The broccoli stopping halfway from his mouth.
“And it was fun watching those two guys choking on their burgers and fries,” she grinned and reached for her juice.
Nino rolled his eyes. He knew that her sadistic nature was more of the reason.
“You could have just pretended to be my girlfriend if you really wanted to do that,” he muttered. “Like calling me baby boo or whatever earthling couples call each other.”
Wait. Did he just say earthling couples? Apparently he did, judging from the way Mao was laughing with glee at him. She recovered, sighed endearingly and grabbed a piece of chicken.
“Oh Kazu, you never fail to make me laugh and suspect you really are an alien.”
He watched as she happily licked her fingers and picked up her spoon and fork. He jerked his eyes away from her lips and shoved more food into his mouth.
**
Nino shifted the guitar on his lap restlessly. He thought playing it would calm him down but apparently… Why can’t he stop thinking about the kiss? It’s as if he could still feel her lips… Gar. This must be one of her ways to get inside his head thus torturing him. Vanquished the Moo must be! Heh.
Even though he tried to disregard it, his mind just wouldn’t let him… He shouldn’t like it! He doesn’t even really like her! And she shouldn’t be kissing guys so casually! And he actually thought this would even compare to a lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, he snorted in his head. No way…! Right? Unconsciously, he gently touched his lips… her lips, they tasted of- He was beamed back to the present as Mao noisily stepped onto the back porch. He cleared his throat casually, trying to ignore his skipping heart. She startled him, that’s all!
From the corner of his eyes, he watched as she plopped down and started wiping the small whiteboard in her hands clean. Which served as a scoreboard for them. (Jedi: -3469. Sith: 200,000,000.) She wrote something down and then faced it up to the sky, waiting for something. He looked at it. ‘Take Me With You’.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a message to your species to beam me up so I can ask them things to make me understand why you are so weird,” she explained, matter-of-factly as Nino gaped at her. She had seen the new rules.
Must-follow-at-all-cost Rule #12: Resident Inoue shall not eat the landlord’s food.
Must-follow-at-all-cost Rule #13: NO KISSING!
Must-follow-at-all-cost Rule #14: Resident Inoue shall always maintain a distance of two meters from the landlord. At all times.
“You know, you give aliens a bad name,” she continued as Nino growled at her. “What’s the name of your planet again? Planet Ziplock or something?”
Nino ignored her.
“You must have a scientific name right?” she teased, laughing. “Kazunarus Geekus.”
“You’re the Moo here,” he grumbled under his breath.
“What was that?”
Silence.
“How much do you think I’ll get if I hand you over to the government?” she continued.
“I’ll tell you all about me if you tell me your story,” Nino then said, turning to her.
Mao blinked at him. “What story?”
Nino raised an eyebrow. “Don’t play dumb with me.”
Mao gave a shrug, a closed expression on her face. “It’s not important.”
“I don’t think so…,” he started carefully. Somehow the night he tucked her in came back to him. She had been sleeping restlessly. Does it have something to do with her family? “You can talk to me…”
Mao opened her mouth. How come she wanted to tell him about it? She’s always avoided telling others; afraid of their reaction, of how they’d look at her after knowing…
“How come you don’t want to go home? Why do you want to stay here?”
“That place was never home to me…,” she said softly. “Kazu… I…” And then something occurred to her. What he said… “You’re not really concerned about me are you? You just want me to go back!” she then accused.
Nino opened and closed his mouth. Normally, that would have been what was on his mind. But this time, he really was concerned!
“O-Of course not! I just want to help in some way!”
He looked really sincere but a sensitive part of her doesn’t believe him. Or is afraid to believe him.
“Why do you want to stay here?” she repeated. “That’s another way of saying why aren’t you leaving!”
“You’re twisting my words! I never meant that!”
“Don’t worry! I’ll be gone when summer’s over! You’ll have your peace and quiet back!” she shouted at him, stood up and stomped into the house as Nino could just gape.
**
“Can you come sleep with me in my room, Daddy?” she asked, clutching her stuffed frog as she stood in front of his study table.
He took off his glassed and rubbed his temples, slightly irritated. “I still have work to do. Go back to your room.”
Mao watched as he turned back to the papers in his hands, dismissing her. She then cringed as lightning struck and the thunder rumbled outside. She took a deep breath; her heart gave a slight twinge.
“Please, Daddy,” she said, lips quivering. She always had to beg… “I’m really scared…”
He turned exasperated eyes on her and stood up. Mao’s heart soared as he led her back upstairs. She clutched her stuffed frog tighter, smiling at his back as she followed. In her room, she then climbed into bed and laid down. But then quickly sat up as he started back towards the door.
“Daddy?”
“Just go to sleep. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said, opening the door.
Mao yelped as a roar of thunder erupted once more.
“Please. Stay, Daddy,” she pleaded. “Even for just a little while. I-I’ll sleep better if you’re here…”
He didn’t seem to hear her as he stepped out and closed the door behind him. She gave another yelp as the deafening thunder boomed overhead.
“Daddy…,” she choked.
Mao jerked up on the bed, breathing heavily. She looked around and then buried her face in her hands for a second. She rubbed her face, frustrated. biting her lip she felt a lump form in her throat. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and plopped back down on her back, entering another restless slumber…
**
“Tell him I will go back then! But right now, just let me do what I want!” Mao yelled into her phone and then hand up, glaring into the distance. She stepped back inside the house and bumped into Nino.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly, hearing her agitated voice.
She ignored him and stalked to the front door. The door slammed shut as Nino frowned at it. Should he follow her? But she seemed to be in a really bad mood. He should probably wait if she’s let it all out at another poor soul. He went towards the bathroom. Hmm… Something seems to be missing… Oh yeah… He’d normally be fighting to the death with her for the bathroom… Heh… She really is growing on him… Wookiees…
**
Mao sat on the back of the motorcycle, waiting for its owner. She patted the helmet in her hand distractedly, feeling restless again. This was Kazu’s fault! They’d been having fun- Okay, she had been having fun teasing him and he just had to go all serious and stuff… But maybe he was just really concerned…. Was she just being oversensitive? Oversensitive to the fact that he has wanted her to leave right from the start… Coz she-
“Get off.”
Mao’s head turned towards the voice. She smiled. Frogman. Wearing that annoyed expression again.
“Take me for a ride.”
Frogman looked at her like she was crazy. He stepped forward intending to pull her off.
“I will scream if you touch me,” she warned sweetly.
Frogman paused and frowned. Mao noticed his frog purse again and she quickly snatched it away. “What the hell?”
He glowered at her as he tried to get it back. She hid it behind her back and stuck her tongue out at him.
“You’ll get him back safe and sound. I won’t hurt him. I love frogs,” she grinned at him. “Take me for a ride first.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
“Maybe I am,” she chuckled. “Then again, I’m not the one so worked up over his widdle froggie.”
Frogman narrowed his eyes at her.
“Do you want him back or not?”
He just regarded her silently.
“Good,” Mao nodded, satisfied. “So, what’s your name?”
He gave a defeated sigh. “Yamashita Tomohisa.”
**
Nino slowly made his way up to the gate. It had been an uneventful day. He gave a frustrated sigh. What was wrong with him? He’s never complained about it before. But somehow he had missed- His thoughts were interrupted when his eyes fell on Inoue talking to a guy on a motorcycle.
“Inoue!” he called as he walked closer.
Mao turned her head to him and then ignored him.
“I’ll see you again tomorrow?” she turned to the guy, smiling cheerfully.
Her mood seems to have improved, Nino observed. And what does she mean by tomorrow? And why does he give a Wokling’s ass about it?
“I’ve already taken you for a ride, watched a movie with you, treated you to ice cream and a whole million other things, so give it here,” the guy gritted.
“You’ll get him tomorrow. I still want to see you,” she teased, waved cheerfully and walked inside the gate.
Nino stopped near the motorcycle and watched as a frustrated scowl appeared on the guy’s face. “I know how you feel,” he offered solemnly.
The guy ignored him, turned on the ignition and sped off. Nino gave a shrug and quickly ran after Mao, falling into step beside her. She was still ignoring him.
“Who was that?”
She wasn’t answering. Heh. And she was being all chummy with motorcycle dude. Who was acting as if he’s so cool. He felt a bit indignant at that.
“You really should stop the habit of bringing strangers home.”
Mao rolled her eyes, continuing to ignore him. She needn’t have to do that if it wasn’t for him! And that phone call she received earlier didn’t exactly help her mood. She thought a fun day out would make her forget about the heavy feeling in her heart. But much to her dismay, it didn’t work. And to her surprise, seeing Kazu again had left her heart feeling considerably lighter. She was still a bit miffed at him but… but he just makes things better… No matter what…
“Look, I’m sorry about last night,” Nino said, pulling her to turn to him, not knowing why it felt weird when she ignored him. “But you have to believe that wasn’t my intention.”
Mao regarded him silently. Nino gave an exasperated sigh.
“It’s not my fault you’re jumping into conclusions, okay?”
“Is that even a proper way to apologize?”
“I don’t even get it why I’m the one apologizing in the first pla-“
“Just make it up to me.” It was hard to stay mad at him for long.
He gave a smile. “I know the best way to let some steam off.”
**
“Shoot him! Shoot him!” Nino.
“I am shooting!”
“I said shoot him! Not me!”
“But it’s more fun to shoot you!” Mao laughed as she fervently pushed on the buttons.
GAME OVER. Nino hit the machine and then glared at his supposed partner, who was grinning contentedly.
“You were right. Killing a couple of evil aliens does make you feel better.”
“I’m not playing with you ever again,” he grumbled.
Mao rolled her eyes at him and laughed. Nino shook his head but smiled despite himself. Glad that finally her mood had completely lifted. He watched as she happily pointed at what she wanted to play next.
“Oooh, wait! UFO Catcher!” she exclaimed as she ran towards the machine. “Get me thr frog, Kazu!”
“Yosh! I’m the best at this!”
“That’s probably coz you’re used to flying your own UFO, right?”
Pause. Nino gave her a glare as she stuck her tongue out at him. But he was right. He had easily won her the frog she wanted. She squealed in delight as he handed it to her. It was the first time he’s really won anything for a girl. Not that he sees her as a girl or anything! She’s just Inoue. Gar… Why is he being so defensive? Mao smiled happily up at him and a curious warm feeling covered his heart. She bit her lip as she looked down at the small doll.
“Kazu, can you do me a favour?”
“I already told you I’m not going to let you shoot me with paint balls just to make it up to you.”
“It’s not that!” she chuckled. “Just that… Let’s just have fun for the rest of the summer, okay? Let’s not think of anything else. Just make this summer memorable!”
She looked up at him waiting for his answer. He nodded, understanding somehow. She then grinned at him.
“Let’s get one more frog so he won’t be alone!”
He smiled softly as she turned to the machine again. Yeah… it was better not to be alone… Definitely better…
**
“Can I ask you guys something?” Nino said tentatively. He was quite unsure if he should be telling this to them but it was hard to keep off his mind… Much to his surprise. It shouldn’t be a big deal right? Just one harmless little kiss. Other earthli- people use it as a way of greeting even!
But it wasn’t just about the kiss though… It was also about the fact that somehow he was starting to see Inoue in a much different light. He was suddenly more aware of her. Every cute smile, the way her eyes would crinkle, the way she would pout and make him want to pinch her cheeks. How he realized he wants to see her smiling. And how it made him feel that he was the reason for it. And, he wasn’t sure about this, but it seems she had made his heart go dokidoki a bit. Holy Sith! He did not just think that!
“Earth to Nino! Earth to Nino!” Aiba’s voice interrupted his thoughts. He blinked as Aiba came into view, waving his hands in front of him.
“This better not be your usual questions such as who would win a battle between the Ewoks and Care Bears,” Jun warned as he sipped his coffee.
“I still say Care Bears. They have that magic thing on their bellies,” Aiba mused.
“No, no,” Nino said. Then took a deep breath. “Let’s just say- This is purely hypothetical, okay?! I’m not saying it happened to me. But let’s say a girl suddenly kisses you out of the blue-“
“What?!” Jun and Aiba chorused.
“Who? Who is it? Who kissed you? Is it Aoi?” Aiba then shot quick questions at him.
“This isn’t one of your Princess Leia dreams is it?” Jun asked suspiciously.
“I said it was hypothetical!” Nino sputtered.
“Hypothetical, my choobies! So it it Aoi? I bet this is better than that time you got your Darth Vader voice changer, huh?” Aiba nudged him cheekily.
“It’s not Aoi,” he conceded glumly.
Jun and Aiba frowned.
“I knew it’s about your Princess Leia dreams again,” Jun then shook his head.
“It’s Inoue!” he finally blurted out.
Jun and Aiba looked like two frozen statues as they stared at Nino.
“You’re lying!” they both yelled almost blowing Nino away.
“Why should I be lying about that? It’s not exactly something I would want to gloat about,” he defended, his face turning pinkish.
“Where did she kiss you?”
“At McDonald’s. Can you belie-“
“Idiot! I meant, where, like on the cheeks, on the lips, where?” Jun rolled his eyes at him.
“On the lips! I wouldn’t make such a big deal out of it if it’s just on the cheek or something!”
Or would he?
Jun and Aiba seemed to be confused and indignant. “She told me she would never kiss a guy on the lips unless he’s someone very special!”
Jun narrowed his eyes at Aiba. “You’ve tried to kiss her?”
“As if you haven’t!”
“Guys… Focus here…”
Aiba suddenly pointed at Nino accusingly. “There’s only one explanation! You seduced her!”
Slight pause. And then the three of them burst into laughter. The image of Nino seducing anyone…
“G-Good one there, Aiba,” Jun said, gasping for air.
“Nino. Seduce. Fun-neee,” Aiba chortled as Nino wiped the tears from his eyes. He then slammed his hand on the table stopping the laughter.
“Be serious here! She wanted to teach some guys talking crap about me a lesson but did she have to-“
But his words fell on deaf ears as Jun and Aiba continued to argue in front of him. Nino opened his mouth trying to see if he can interrupt but no use. So much for thinking he’d get some enlightenment from these two. A heavy sigh escaped from him. He’ll be able to figure this out… Yeah… Maybe it’s just a normal reaction every time someone gets kissed… It was no big deal… See? He’s made some progress… Kvark (Phooey!)… He rested his chin on the table dejectedly, watching the two…
**
“Here!”
Yamashita looked down , slightly surprised, at the thing she slapped onto his hand. His frog. He looked up as Mao grinned at him.
“I would have thought you’re still going to hold him hostage while you pull me unwillingly around town again.”
“We can do that!” she chirped as she pretended to snatch the frog again.
“No.”
She chuckled good-naturedly. He regarded her silently. She seems awfully happy today. Lucky for him. Mao’s eyes then went to the frog again.
“What’s so important about him?” she asked.
Yamashita didn’t answer and climbed on his motorcycle. Mao scoffed as he turned aloof and brooding again. She stepped up beside him, pulling her face down, trying to copy his expression.
“Stop trying to be all cool and mysterious. We’re friends now!”
He rolled his eyes at her. “Let’s just say it was given to me by someone I can relate to.”
“Relate to how?” she asked again, inclining her head to the side.
“Just a childhood we didn’t particularly enjoy.”
Mao’s eyes snapped to him. He glanced at her and saw her expression.
“You don’t have to feel ba-“ he started and was taken aback as Mao suddenly placed her arm over his shoulders.
“We have more in common than we imagined, Frogman,” she said solemnly.
Yamashita gave her a sideways look. “You’re not my type,” he said, misunderstanding her actions ever since yesterday.
Mao paused, frowned and then laughed out loud as she pulled away. She softly patted his cheek. “You’re not my type either,” she grinned.
“I like funny-looking things,” she then finished and gave a chuckle as if she knew an inside joke or something.
Yamashita watched as she cheerfully put up the alien greeting sign and walked away, unable to fathom how weird she can get. He looked down at the frog in his hand, then safely tucked it away in his jacket pocket. That should be the last he’ll see of her.
**
The rain had come without warning and Nino quickly ran, his backpack held high over his head. He really should find a good cover and spotted the big tree ahead. His sneakers squished as he ran towards it, belatedly realizing someone was already standing underneath it.
“Nino!” Aoi exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.
“Hey!” Nino beamed at her as he stepped beside her. The leaves had blocked out most of the rain.
“I forgot to bring an umbrella,” she smiled at him sheepishly. She was looking quite soaked as well.
“Me too. Weird weather we’re having…”
Aoi nodded and looked up to the sky. Nino jammed his hands into his pockets as they continued their small talk but after a while had drifted into silence. He fidgeted nervously, stealing a glance at her. As he stood there with her, just listening to the rain around them, a quiet realization occurred to him.
His slightly idiotic and unnecessary confusion about Inoue was just temporary insanity. That was all. So what if his heart had once gone dokidoki around her? With Aoi, it was going dokidokidokidokidokidokidoki. Very big difference. Yeah. He had been overthinking. This is the feeling he should be more focused on. Only with Aoi…
He stole another glance at her, biting back a smile. Somehow hoping the rain wouldn’t be stopping soon. Not even minding at all that his precious Star Wars shoelaces were getting soaked…
**
“You look like hell,” Mao greeted Nino, his hair plastered on his face, dripping wet, at the door; her voice garbled as she had put a big scoop of chocolate chip ice cream into her mouth. “And what’s with that disgusting look on your face?”
He looked like he was on cloud nine as he took off his shoes and smiled at her distractedly, failing to notice she was eating his ice cream. Normally he would have noticed in a snap. He must really like rain. Mao shrugged and happily took another scoop. Nino slowly walked inside but then stopped all of a sudden as his eyes fell on a rolled up post-it that’s supposed to be stuck to-
“My ice cream!” he turned to her, eyes narrowed. She had paused in eating it.
“This is mine!” she lied. “You’ve already eaten yours!”
“You-“
“Go take a shower first or else you’ll catch a cold,” Mao interrupted him. “I don’t want Kazu germs flying around.”
His eyes were mere slits. Contemplating that for a second, he then decided to let it go and smiled wistfully as he floated away to his room.
“Mental,” Mao mumbled and continued enjoying her ice cream.
Nino was drying his hair with a towel after a while. A knock came from the door at that moment and he went to open it. The person at the door caught him off-guard. Mao frowned as she saw Aoi handing a small pot to Nino.
“I just thought you would like something hot,” she heard Aoi shyly say.
Something was telling her she didn’t like it that much, realizing Kazu’s silly look earlier had been because of her. Were they both running in the rain? So cheesy… She grabbed something from the fridge, picked up some chips and went outside the back porch, trying to block out Kazu’s dorky trying-to-act-cool laugh.
**
She was wiping the slightly wet porch with a rag when she heard Nino come out. Glancing back, she then rolled her eyes as Nino placed a big bowl of soup down. He rubbed his hands together, intending to enjoy every sip. She grabbed her drink and took a swig. Nino narrowed his eyes suspiciously at that. It was all wrapped in tape with ‘rootbeer’ marked in black bold letters on it.
“That’s not beer is it?”
“Of course not,” she said. “I remember rule number 246.”
“It’s rule number-” he then stopped himself as Mao gave an amused smirk.
He waved that away, just wanting to focus on his soup. The soup Aoi had made. He grinned widely as he picked the bowl up, failing to notice Mao rolling her eyes again.
“So can I have a beer then?”
“Yeah,” Nino answered distractedly as he eyes the soup.
Wait… Too late. Mao had gone in and a second later a six pack was with her. He gave a low growl as she smiled innocently at him. He shook his head and just sipped his soup.
“That hits the spot,” he smacked his lips contentedly a while later. Mao furtively pretended to gag.
“You know, beer warms you all up better,” she quipped as she opened a new can.
“I don’t drink,” Nino said as he pushed the beer away.
“Now you do,” she said pointedly.
“My alcohol tolerance is non-existent.”
He conceded in the end. Maybe due to Mao’s eerie powers of persuasion. Or just the fact he was feeling slightly giddy and reckless after having a moment with Aoi. What harm could it do? Alas. He had succumbed to the Dark Side again.
**
As the night wore on, more and more empty beer cans appeared. They had suddenly gone too comfortable. Nino was right, he can’t handle his alcohol. He was getting noisier and noisier as a tipsy Mao kept giving him beer, having a blast just watching him, laughing hysterically at the things he comes up with.
Their conversations were just your normal mundane stuff. Why are the Star Trek guys always in tights? Why does Princess Leia’s hair looks so weird? (She’s still pretty! Nino.) So weird why does Yoda speak? What exactly is Piglet? Kermit and Miss Piggy pairing is such a mystery… Who would win between the Ewoks and Care Bears? You know, just normal stuff.
Mao tried to catch her breath and looked up to the sky. “So where is Planet Ziplock? When are you taking me there?”
Nino shook a finger at her as he leaned on the post. “I only take special people up there.”
Mao narrowed her eyes at him, as he smiled like an idiot. Somehow she knew who exactly “special people” meant.
“Besides, Moo aren’t allowed there,” he hiccupped.
“Heh?”
“You’re a Moo.”
“Are you calling me a cow?”
“Nooo….,” he rolled his eyes at her. She doesn’t even know what Moo is? And explained it to her in detail.
Mao stared at him in silence as Nino flashed a drunk smile.
“I better have other superpowers!” she said straight-faced and then giggled as Nino laughed.
His eyes strayed to the smile on her lips. Those lips. They had tasted really good… Watermelony… Heh. He likes watermelons.
“Kazu,” she started quietly. “Your eyes have been going to my lips for a while now.”
Nino’s eyes snapped to hers. “Kvark!” he slurred as his eyes strayed away again.
“Gesundheit.”
“They haven’t. They really haven’t,” he insisted, shaking his head. And then closed his eyes, chanting, “A Jedi craves not these things.”
Mao’s giggles seem to be coming closer. He opened his eyes and was stunned to see she was slowly crawling on all fours towards him.
“What are you saying, Kazu? Do you have a naughty little Dark Side to you?” she joked as she sat in front of him, smiling.
“T-Two meters!” he stammered, pointing an accusing finger.
She sat there giggling delightedly at him, her eyes shining with mirth. He was feeling light-headed, his ears pounding, his heart travelling in light years as he looked at her…. It’s just the alcohol… Feeling an impulse surge, he suddenly leaned forward and kissed her on the-
“That was my nose,” Mao blinked at him.
He was never really a good shot. He sat there frozen for a moment when Mao slowly leaned forward.
“Are we breaking the rules now?” she whispered as her eyes softened at him.
Yeah... They were… He didn’t know why but he just couldn’t help it and found himself leaning towards her lips again. He really likes watermelons… His lips brushed hers lightly; she returning it.
Mao felt like her heart was about to burst. She never imagined silly Kazu could have this effect on her as she felt another feather light kiss from him. She kissed him back, somehow hoping he was on the same plane with her… What did he feel- Suddenly his kisses stopped, his head fell on her shoulder and his whole weight made them topple over.
He had fallen asleep! She stiffened as she looked at his closed eyes. Feeling indignant , she then pushed him off to the side. Grabbing his face, she shook it hard. He slept on. She then started pounding his chest, frustrated. He was still in his lalaland. Sighing heavily, she placed her chin on his chest and pouted at him as she felt a fierce blush, giving his nose a poke.
She continued to gaze at him. Does he feel the same? Will he ever feel the same? Or maybe Aoi is all he will ever see… She hit his chest once more, huffing. And then a bright idea suddenly came to mind. She grinned evilly and went inside to get something.
**
Nino stirred and slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the sunlight on his face. His hand felt his heavy head as he tried to get up, realizing that something was beside him and on his chest. Inoue. He froze as he looked down at her sleeping soundly; her body not exactly two meters away from his; her right arm placed over his chest.
He would probably be pushing her off and demanding she keeps her distance right now, but he just continued to gaze down at her. He took in the scent of her hair… fruity… not the Star Wars shampoo (Coz that was long gone.) He slowly lifted his hand up and placed it on her shoulder, gently pulling her closer.
What the cosmos is he doing? Two meters, remember? But… he kinda liked this feeling… Liked having her by his side…. Sleeping contentedly…. Hope she doesn’t wake up just yet… he thought involuntarily as he peeked at her, feeling a little nervous.
He then looked out and then up to the warm blue sky. His eyes snapped back down. Holy Sith! Aoi was walking through the shortcut again. He immediately pushed Mao off. She cursed as her head hit the floor hard. Rubbing it, her unfocused eyes caught Nino’s back running towards Aoi. She gave a smirk as he got closer to her.
“Good morning!” Nino greeted cheerfully, hoping she didn’t notice anything odd on the porch just now.
“Oh, good mo-“ Aoi’s voice trailed off as her eyes went to Nino’s smiling face. She slowly lifted her finger up, trying to find the words.
“What?” Nino asked, his smile fading a little. Aoi seems to be trying hard not to laugh.
“You seem to have a little something on your face,” Mao called out helpfully.
Nino’s eyes snapped dangerously back to her. She was grinning smugly. He turned towards Aoi, who was covering her mouth to stifle the giggles. He felt his stomach dropping.
“What is it?”
Aoi seemed to be having a hard time trying to explain so Mao kindly provided the answer.
“Oh, just that you have the word ‘GEEK’ on your forehead and then some whiskers in pink lipstick!”
Nino felt his blood pressure go up as his eye twitched.
“I need to be zapping an alien now,” he excused himself and quickly ran back towards Mao growling and shouting.
“You’re not getting my choobies!” Mao yelled, laughing evilly as she scrambled back inside.
**
She really needs to go! Nino thought vehemently as he angrily wrung the towel in his hands, scowling. She made him look like an idiot in front of Aoi! Okay, so maybe he always acts like an idiot in front of her but not like this! (Right?) He gave a low growl.
But then again, what was that he felt when he had woken up to her at his side? He shook his head firmly. No! It was just- just a fluke! Gar. He shouldn’t really drink. Everything last night was just a big blur. Somehow- this will sound crazy Ha-ha!- he thought they had kissed again last night….
Feech! It couldn’t have happened! Inoue hadn’t said anything about it. Or maybe she doesn’t remember too… Hmmm… but if it never happened and the thought is crossing his mind… Does that mean he wants to kiss her again? He pulled on his hair. Stop he must! He may suffer a nervous breakdown. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and walked behind the counter. He looked up and then eyes widened at the person that was ordering. She… Inoue’s sister!
Maybe he should ask her things about Inoue… Maybe they are trying to find her to go home… She could go back with them! A slight pang in his heart suddenly appeared. What was that? But Inoue had said… To not think about anything else… Maybe he should listen to her. Just let things be. But weirdly… he wanted to know… What for? The reason escapes him… Still a bit confused at this sudden concern for her…
He stood there for a second and then decided. He slowly walked towards Inoue’s sister and bowed slightly. She bowed back, a small frown on her face. He looked familiar…. And then it hit her.
“A-Aren’t you Ne- Mao’s friend?” she asked, eyes widening.
**
Mao stirred on the couch as she heard the front door closing and Nino’s familiar footsteps neared. She stretched and yawned, raising herself up. She had fallen asleep while watching Nino’s ThunderCats DVDs. And okay, she had been waiting for him so they can have dinner together. Rubbing her eyes, she watched as Nino sat down on the couch. He was looking at her; somewhat differently…
“I thought we would have dinner together,” she gave a slight pout.
His eyes softened involuntarily at her, almost a sadness in them. The things he found out earlier…
“Had something to do….,” he said distractedly. “Sorry… were you waiting long?”
“I made soup!” Mao said, not noticing the sudden softness in his voice.
“Heh?” Nino said in disbelief. “In this hot weather? And you know how to make soup?”
“You didn’t seem to mind when Aoi made you some,” she narrowed her eyes at him.
“That’s coz it was rain-“
Mao pulled him up and dragged him over to the table. He should drink it all up since she worked hard for it! She pushed him down on the chair and after a while placed a big bowl of corn soup. Nino peeked at it apprehensively. It looked like something the Lochness Monster would live in. He carefully stirred it. Somehow imagining a tentacle would suddenly burst out and grab him. Vienna sausages and something that looked like meat (He hoped it really was) appeared. He glanced at her. She was waiting, anticipation in her eyes. He closed his and quickly sipped the soup.
“It tastes like soap!” he whined.
“Of course, I had to clean the meat!”
Nino looked up at her gaping. She rolled her eyes.
“I wasn’t serious! I must not have washed the bowl clean…,” she mused. “Drink it all though. It took so much time to make it.”
She then happily sat down across him. HIS ice cream in front of her.
“That’s mine!” he pouted.
Mao took a huge mouthful of the ice cream as he continued to rant about how she should stop taking his food. Didn’t she buy hers already? She regarded him thoughtfully.
“Do you remember what you did to me last night?”
“You have your own- What? What did I do?” Nino asked, looking slightly panicked.
“You kissed me.”
His mouth dropped. He did? So it all really happened? But wait, does this still mean he likes kissing her? Not really! He can’t like kissing her! It’s just coz he was drunk that time, right? That was it. Beer is evil.
“W-Wait a minute! How would I know you’re not making it up?” he asked as she got up and went to get something.
She came back scribbling something on a post-it and then unceremoniously slapped it onto his forehead. Nino’s eyes went up to it. He then took it down and looked at it. One word was written. ‘Mao’.
“As punishment for taking advantage of me, you are now mine!” Mao exclaimed excitedly. “So whatever is yours, it’s mine too!”
Nino gaped down at the post-it in his hand. He watched as she took HIS ice cream and went over to the couch. He blinked twice. And then despite himself, shook his head, amused. He was hers, huh? Somehow… That felt…
This really isn’t the time to be thinking that…
Wookiees…
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