Episode 17

Mao opened her eyes, squinting at the sunlight coming from her window, and gave a low groan. The last images of her dream slowly seeping away from her mind. She had no complaints though; having a feeling it would be nothing but weird. Her faint recollection of someone taking her away to a Gamma Quadrant of Sector 4 only to be met by Doraemon standing before her claiming he’s her father in some ways confirmed that. Pixie dusts and moonpies serving as ninja stars were also part of the equation but her mind really wasn’t trying that hard to remember it all. Though something else was there… Something…

She placed a hand gingerly on her head, wincing slightly. She then slapped a hand on her forehead; in hopes the pain could get her mind off the throbbing headache. No use. The only way is to detach her head from her body right now. She blinked slowly up at the ceiling; the curious feeling still nagging her.

Something… There was something besides the weird feeling her dream left for her… She just couldn’t quite put her finger on it… As if her body knew just what it was, she felt herself being enveloped by a ball of warmth… Covering her from head to toe, momentarily letting her forget the pain in her head… Only one person could make her feel this way…

Kazu…

She stared at the ceiling for a second more and then understanding started dawning on her. She suddenly jerked up.

Fuse my bus-bars!

She held her head in her hands, whimpering slightly. She shouldn’t have done that. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her hair off her face and looked around, as if expecting to find someone on the floor.

Maybe hugging KazuPi to him, with his mouth hanging open in that adorable way…

But no one was there.

She tried to stifle the disappointment that was making her head twinge more. But that’s not going to work. It was as unavoidable as comic book characters having their first and last names start with the same letter. Her nose wrinkled gently. Kazu’s always in her head now….

In more ways than one…

She looked down at her clothes. Still the ones she had on last night. He was the one who had probably taken her home. Had taken care of her again…

Her ears perked up. She didn’t call him up, did she? Was she the one? She’s had one drink too many and with her emotions running amok because of her father… But there’s no way she could have said anything reallyreallyreallyreally compromising… Right? She raked a hand through her hair, trying hard to remember. But it’s as if someone’s Obliviated her memory.

Okay, Kazu should really get out of her head.

No, she didn’t mean that!

She gave a grimace at herself and then tried to focus on the problem at hand. She remembers sneaking out and then going to the bar. Tabi, the bartender… There was some sort of club… And- And-

Where is the force when you need it?

She expelled a frustrated breath. Nothing probably happened… She was just being paranoid. Her hand brushed against something soft.

Kazupi…

She took him and placed him on her lap, idly fidgeting with his one big arm and poking his big belly. The frustration from last night came back to her again. She bit her lip and collected Kazupi into her arms, hugging him tight. Feeling like she can never let go. She then gave a sigh after a while. She can’t hide in here forever… She can’t pretend that this reality isn’t really happening…

She doubled back when she went past her door, taking a look at the sheets posted. Her eyes zipping right and left. She had almost forgotten about this. If she did anything that will unleash Kazu’s ire, he’s probably already listed it. But she didn’t find any new must-follow-at-all-cost rule. (Stopping at #20: The Guitar Hero must never leave the Holy Ground a.k.a this house.) So it’s safe then. She just had to make sure… Whatever she was feeling last night…

She looked at the rules once more. All twenty of them. A lingering smile appeared. The memories they invoked in her warmed her up again. She stopped at Rule #14 (Resident Inoue shall always maintain a distance of two meters from the landlord. At all times.). She felt the blush creeping up her cheeks. They’ve broken the rules though. That night… Her eyes narrowed. Although he fell asleep! It was something that still stings… She was suddenly brought back to how she felt kissing him… Her hand involuntarily went to her lips. But just as quickly as that slight giddiness came, her smile began to wobble.

Kazu wouldn’t have to worry about any of the rules soon…

Her shoulders drooped, moving away from her door. She started for the kitchen, belatedly realizing that the house was cleaner than usual… If that was even possible. She stood there, letting her eyes roam all over the place. The curtains had been changed. The floors were practically gleaming. Not a toy, memorabilia or Star Wars candy dispenser in sight (Now she has to search for her Storm Trooper one). The Darth Vader mask could very well be glowing on the bookshelf. Laundered clothes from yesterday were piled neatly in the basket by the couch. She went towards the sliding doors; fresh laundry fluttered in the breeze. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things; her laundry was done too.

“Leprechauns…,” she muttered to herself. Kazu can’t have done this. He had told her time and again that she should do her laundry on time and stop borrowing his clothes. He said her diabolical plan of seeing if he will do it for her will never work on him. Her Sith Mind Tricks won’t work on him. Hah-hah!

She had just stared at him deadpan. She wasn’t back to her old ways! Jedis-in-training slip once in a while! It’s very hard to keep up with this whole force sensitivity thing. Shee. She just took a little break, okay?

She turned towards the kitchen once more, sniffing what seemed to be a whole can of air freshener released earlier. The kitchen was spotless. She picked up the Yoda mug, still feeling a little weirded out with everything.

She sipped her orange juice, still observing the whole house from the rim of her mug. Why would Kazu suddenly clean house? At the crack of dawn? The tiny frown was still on her; she placed her mug on the table and turned to open the refrigerator for some eggs. Her eyes fell on Kazu’s photo with Jun and Aiba. She moved the “The Truth is Out There” magnet and took the photo down, smiling at it. And then a pout appeared. Why isn’t her photo up in this house? She’s going to do something about that. She had to leave her legacy. She gave an amused smirk and put the photo back. She looked at it for a while more, a sudden pang in her heart. Maybe she’ll take this with her when- She stopped herself.

But there really is no stopping all that they have from becoming just memories in the end… She gave Kazu’s face a poke and busied herself with breakfast.

Yawning widely and stretching, she felt a shower would be good now, having fed her stomach. And then maybe she’ll go see Kazu… He’s probably still sore at her for last night. But when did she ever care? She gave a slight grin. She wants to see him… Her eyes snapped towards the basket of Kazu’s laundered clothes. She stepped towards it and took a peek inside. She has first dibs on these. Her eyes crinkled once more, already imagining his reaction. She picked up the shirt on top of the pile. His “Batteries Not Included” blue shirt. This will do. She brought it to her nose, as if imagining his scent still on it. Kazu’s warmth… She misses him… A sad smile flittered across her lips. She slowly put on the shirt, pulling the ends. She stood there looking down at it for a while. She then grabbed a pair of his shorts and headed for the bathroom; taking a deep breath, as if trying to convince herself everything will be okay…

**

“What’s up with you?”

Nino shook his head in response to Aiba. He rolled his shoulders, looking really haggard. Dark circles were under his eyes and he kept yawning every two seconds. Try cleaning house non-stop without getting any sleep and then come straight to work. That will make one feel like poodoo like he does now. Though he could have been micro sleeping having a vague image about all four of them in an Ewoks musical and then suddenly seeing Mao crop up everywhere. Like his brain was trying to tell him something… He gave a loud yawn as Aiba greeted the customers that just stepped in.

Even with his watery eyes, he could see Mao so clearly in front of him. She was the reason he had all those pent-up energy. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t really think straight and just went to work. As if he was in one of those home makeovers on television. All the adrenaline in him seemed to have come out right after she… She…

He rubbed his face, trying to stop the bit of giddiness he feels right now. Was that a confession of some sort? That he was her happy thought? He rubbed his face even harder. But… But that could mean anything… Happy thought doesn’t exactly mean… what he thinks it means… It could mean he was her friend. That he can make her problems go away; which holds true in most occasions as she points out he was her minion, Igor, Renfield, et al. To which she automatically asks if she could name the throbbing vein in his temple when he looks at her darkly. Or that he makes her laugh… He’s done that on most occasions. And he likes that feeling that comes when he hears her laugh. She has that distinct laugh that makes his ears tingle. He rubbed his face some more.

It could be nothing…

Or it could mean everything…

The way she looked at him when she said that… Though the intoxicated part is what’s leaving him so unsure right now. She was really out of it. He had given her a piggyback ride till he managed to hail a taxi. And he isn’t Superman so the sight of him almost toppling over to his left or to his right could have happened. But he held it together while she slept on. Luckily there weren’t much people around to see the uncool side of it.

Would she remember anything though? If she does… what will she say when they meet? What will he say when they meet? He rubbed his face in again.

“You look like Ghostface,” Aiba stated matter-of-factly, handing him an order slip.

Nino continued to stare at him for a second, his hands still on his face, his mouth still open. He shook himself and grabbed the slip, intending to go back in the kitchen.

“By the way, Jun said he’s coming over.”

Nino froze in his tracks. Jun did say they need to talk about Mao. He wasn’t really ready with a reaction that time so he probably looked exactly as frozen as he is now. Jun hadn’t stayed long to get an answer too because Aiba was getting his throat ready for AI. He turned to ask Aiba what time Jun said he’ll be dropping by but he had been called by a customer.

And as if on cue, the door to their shop slowly opened and a blinding light hit him directly in the eyes. He squinted trying to see who it was as the door closed. Jun stood there looking around for a second with his aviator shades on, wearing a plain white shirt, jeans, boots, capping the whole look off with a fedora. He suddenly heard an Aerosmith song starting in the background as Jun started walking towards him. It was as if the whole store was just in awe of him as he made his way. He could swear there was wind in his hair and it was as if he was walking in slow motion to the beat of the rock song. The epitome of cool.

Can he ever command that kind of attention? Wondering what his strut song will be… Probably “Crazy Frog”?

“Nino? Yo!”

He blinked, mouth slightly agape as Jun stood in front of the counter and took off his shades, a puzzled look aimed at him. He could hear Aiba in the background asking a customer kindly if he could turn down the music in his laptop as it is disturbing the other customers. He gave himself a firm mental shake.

“Your usual coffee?” He immediately turned around to get it ready. Everything should be as casual as they usually are.

“I’d rather we talk about Mao,” Jun suggested, leaning on the counter.

Nino didn’t turn around. He kept his voice neutral. “Mao? You want to see her? She’s at home right now. She’s probably still asleep though. You can go see.”

Jun gave an exasperated sigh. “Nino, you like her.”

Nino immediately whipped around, the coffee pot still in his hand. “It wasn’t me! It was Mao in the Death Star with the candlestick!”

“What are you saying?”

He honestly didn’t know.

“What are you saying?”

Jun gave him a level look. “Your sudden alien blustering is proof of that.”

Nino was spared having to react to that when Aiba sidled up to Jun, placing an empty tray on the counter. “What’s this about?”

“Nino likes Mao.”

“Son of a Pervickian dung camel!”

Two pairs of eyes stared at him.

“Mao and I may have thrown that back and forth one time,” he explained. And then seriously, “You mean he likes Mao likes Mao?”

Jun stared at him. “You’ve been watching too much ‘Vampire Diaries’.”

Aiba seemed put off. “I told you it’s not a girl’s drama!”

“There’s ‘vampire’ and ‘diaries’ in the title. You’re not fooling anyone.”

Nino gave a solemn nod at Aiba.

“So you like Mao.” He aimed this at Nino pointedly. They needed to get back on track.

Nino sputtered. They caught the words Sith, never, Moo and something Vulcan-like. “You guys like her!”

They shouldn’t pin this on him. They don’t know what they’re talking about. He doesn’t even know yet how can they know? They don’t know everything. They’re not Oracles or Professor Xavier. They- They just don’t know. Right?

“Yeah, I do.” Jun.

“Of course.” Aiba.

He stared at the both of them. They can admit it just like that? “S-So that’s that then.”

“No, it’s not. Because you like her. I mean-“ How should he put it in Nino code? “Like how Wolverine likes Jean Grey. Or Clark Kent likes Lois Lane. Or-“

“You do realize those don’t have happy endings,” Nino informed them.

“Well, we’re not exactly experts on your universe,” Jun countered with Aiba nodding profusely.

Yeah and they manage to cite the ones that don’t happen to work out. That could be a sign. “Do you guys have a point? Because people need a refill right now.”

Jun and Aiba both looked back. Nobody seemed to be drinking coffee really. Aiba quickly stepped behind the counter, preventing Nino from his great escape to the kitchen.

“Why can’t you admit you like her?” Jun challenged. “Is it because you feel like there’s no going back when you tried to exorcise her with holy water screaming ‘Devil Child, Devil Child’ at her before?”

What? He did that to her? Oh, yeah…

“Or that one time she got wet and he suddenly freaked she’d multiply in seconds or something,” Aiba added.

It was just that one time! Maybe he should ban Fright Night in their house now. Is that why he had that vague dream about seeing her everywhere? Maybe that was just it… It’s not because he-

“Just because you were awful to her before doesn’t mean it’s not possible you develop some-“

“Aren’t you supposed to be in like with her?” He avoided the question.

“I told you that there’s no chance she will ever feel the same way. The fact that I still like her shouldn’t be a factor in stopping you.”

He pretended to not hear that but it was probably imprinted in his brain already. He pointed to Aiba, “And you.”

Aiba shrugged. “We have so much fun together. We crack each other up. I like being with her. But for you… Maybe her sweet moonbeam is in every single dream you dream. Once you guys collided, you’ve decided she’s one of your kind…”

Nino and Jun stared at him for what seemed like forever. He seemed undaunted though.

“Please. Just please stop quoting song lyrics.”

“You should try it. It’s fun. It leaves a certain satisfaction.” Aiba grinned.

“You’re insane. Insane in the membrane.” Nino. He kind of understands what he means.

“See?”

Jun gave him a sharp glare and then to Nino, “Just admit it already.”

“I don’t need to do anything! Why are you so adamant I admit I like her?”

So he can really move on and see for himself that Mao is happiest with someone else. Because he sees that in her whenever she’s with Nino… No matter what he says of him not being really affected, he still needs to see this…

“Because you’re insane. Insane in the membrane.” His teeth gritted as Aiba shouted his ‘Ah-ha!’ Nino really was insane if he doesn’t sort it out soon. He was so obvious. They weren’t friends since high school for nothing. But he wasn’t going to tell him that it looks like Mao may feel the same way about him… Mao deserves more than that. He needs to face whatever he’s feeling first. He needs to get over his insecurities and finally see…

“Look, Mao needs a guy who’s got wind in his hair and can look really cool in slow motion, okay?” Nino said, getting all worked up. He’s not cool like Jun or Aiba. He doesn’t have the height, the build, the fashion sense, the cool background music. Mao’s always surrounded by them. By guys like them. How can he ever really compare? Besides, there’s Aoi…

“I’m supposed to like Aoi,” he added.

“Nino, did you hear what you just said? That’s a weird way of saying you like someone,” Aiba pointed out mildly while Jun couldn’t agree more. “Coming from you, that’s saying a lot. Knowing how much in awe you were at Aoi before.”

Nino looked alarmed. “You guys just messed me up a little, that’s all. It’s really-“

“I think Mao’s your Princess Leia now,” Aiba interjected thoughtfully.

“Of course she’s not,” Nino automatically answers.

“Then who is she in Nino-speak? Not including Darth Vader or Sith or Moo,” Aiba answers, genuinely curious.

Nino opened his mouth but somehow there was just white noise in his mind.

She is Mao…

Nino opened his mouth once more but whatever he had to say was interrupted when one of their co-workers informed him they needed him for a delivery.

“I gotta go. Just stop trying to-“

“Fine. But don’t say we didn’t try getting you to see the light,” Jun conceded. Maybe he should just leave it alone… If he can…

“Go to the light, Nino. Go to the light~” Aiba said, trying his own version of an ethereal voice.

Silent staring.

“You know, think of it as a UFO abducting you. I thought you wanted that?” Aiba shrugged.

More silent staring.

“I… gotta go,” he then said, turning right around, still feeling their eyes on his back.

He did want that, didn’t he…?

**

Didn’t he? Didn’t he?

Why couldn’t he admit it? Is there even anything to admit…? Sure, he likes her company… He could be just himself with her around… He didn’t really have to think of anything else… But that’s just because of their budding friendship/archenemy-ship… But if they’re talking about a whole different thing… About him liking her…

He felt his scalp going numb.

Okay, hypothetically. He’s just thinking hypothetically really. Really. So, if he hypothetically likes Mao… Maybe he was just hypothetically afraid she’d never see him the same way… Be it he is her happy thought… But that was just a drunken thing… It could be that… It most probably is that… She was feeling so vulnerable then she could have said that to a stray dog even…

He knows he had felt a little possessive at one time, with all the ‘My Precioussssssssss’; but that happens between friends too. Like when others get more attention than one does that’s just normal phenomenon. Right? Yeht.

His head suddenly snapped to his right and he stopped in his tracks. He backtracked and peered at a small clearing. He looked around. Where was he right now? Belatedly realizing he should have arrived at the shop already. He’s been so preoccupied after coming from his delivery he didn’t know which direction he took anymore.

He slowly made his way, looking at what he discovered. A small smile beginning to form on his lips.

**

“Kazu!”

Mao saw his head snapping to her direction as she ran towards him. She stopped beside him, placing her hands on her knees, bending to catch her breath. She held up a finger; he should give her a moment. Her pounding heart slowly evened out. She could breathe now.

“What’s this about? I was doing something really important, you know,” she said, immediately straightening up as if to cover how this may look to him.

She wasn’t that excited after receiving a text from him to check something by the door. She found a map with directions to a place he would like her to see. She’d ran as fast as she could, suddenly realizing she really misses him. Technically, she was doing something important. She had thought about going to the shop to see him earlier but was distracted by the camera she found. It held the photos of them from before and she couldn’t help looking at them again… Getting really sentimental as she reminisced, forgetting everything for a while…

“Important?”

“Yeah, I was… doing an autopsy on one of your action figures.”

Nino’s eyes bulged out. “What? Are you serious? Who?”

Mao gave an enigmatic smile then held up the map he drew. “What did you want me to see? And did you really have to draw what you think a Moo looks like?”

She pointed towards what would serve as her on the map. It was like a cross-breed between a zombie and an oompa loompa. Mao missed the way he was looking at her. He had suddenly turned his back on her and asked her to follow him. No, it wasn’t really a sign of him trying too hard to convince himself there wasn’t anything special about what he feels towards her…

“What is it-“ Her voice trailed off when she had a clear view.

She looked up at it with Kazu at her side. Her eyes then went to him, looking at her with one of his gentle smiles. The warmth washing over her so suddenly made something catch in her throat. She returned his smile, her eyes softening. She looked back to it.

An old abandoned treehouse.

“Come on. Let’s go check it out.”

She followed him; their sneakers making much noise with all the twigs and leaves on the ground. Stopping at his side, she looked at the boards nailed to the tree’s trunk. Their way up.

He indicated for her to go first.

“You go first. That way if there are any mutant monsters up there, I’ll know for sure.”

Mao grinned at the dark look he gave her and watched as he hoisted himself up. Her heart starting to race in anticipation and a bit of trepidation. She felt much like a kid right now. Wondering if she’d find anything wonderful up there this time around… She grabbed hold of one of the boards and started her way.

Kazu’s feet had disappeared inside. Her head snapped up in surprise when he heard him screaming in horror. She immediately moved faster. What? Like she can save him from any weird mutant zombie? The screaming stopped and she saw Kazu’s head poking out in the entrance, grinning down at her.

She paused for a while, rolling her eyes at him as if anyone could really fall for that. He continued to grin down at her, claiming he totally got her with that. She protested at first and then despite herself smiled back up at him in the end, saying she’ll let him win this time then.

He gave a slight scowl and then grinned again. He got her!

“Come on up.”

Mao’s eyes went to him, at his crinkled eyes and his lopsided grin. She bit her lip and gave a nod, moving again towards him.

This time around truly is much more different…

Kazu is there…

He had helped her up and they started to look around the small space. It was empty save for the leaves, twigs, a few empty boxes and dirt. Lots of it. How could they have missed this? It wasn’t really in their usual route though. It must have been some of the neighbourhood kids’ old hideout. Having outgrown it, the place was left untouched now. No one will probably mind if they borrow it for a while. And they started with their plans on what to do with the place.

“This will be where the time machine is,” Mao joked, as she gestured towards the corner.

“The command center will be here,” Nino decided, acting all serious.

“The space aquarium will be placed over there,” Mao laughed as they went around some more.

Nino gave a laugh as well as she padded towards the small back window, looking out with that big smile on her face. He carefully made his way towards her.

“I hope this helps…”

Mao turned towards him. The tender look in his eyes made her want to run to him right now and just hug him. And it looked as if he was waiting for her to do that. But that can’t be. She’s just imagining things.

She gave a smile, understanding what he meant. “It does…”

“Mao, you know you can talk to me, right…? Just don’t do anything like last night again, okay? You should take care of yourself…” He seemed to have gone a little nervous when mentioning last night.

She jammed her pockets into her or rather his shorts and nodded mutely. Her eyes on the floor, nudging some leaves with her sneakers. She could feel Kazu’s eyes on her.

“Kazu… About last night or should that be this morning…,” she started sheepishly.

Nino gave a swallow. Does she remember…?

She raised her eyes to his. “Why did you clean house all of a sudden? Everything’s almost glowing. And you even did my laundry!”

Nino tried to not let himself feel too disappointed at that. Does she not really remember anything? Or is this just her first question?

“I told you not to wear my clothes anymore, didn’t I?” He indicated to her wardrobe today, trying not to appear to be avoiding the question.

“I like your clothes!”

It was as if his heart was zooming into space only to end up burning up in the atmosphere. His clothes. She said his clothes. Get it together, soldier!

She clutched the ends of his shirt. “I just- I just like wearing them, okay?”

Was she blushing? No, his eyes must be playing tricks on him. That seems to be happening a lot these days.

“Fine,” he said, a bit weakly; his ears burning. “It’s not going to be a regular thing in case you’re hoping for it. I was just unable to sleep so I thought cleaning will help me.”

Her ears perked up. “What happened anyway? I can’t remember anything… I didn’t do anything stupid, did I? How’d you know where to find me anyway?”

Stupid…? No, maybe he did though… Actually thinking-

“You really don’t remember…?”

She shook her head, a bit confused at the expression that flitted across his face. She didn’t quite know what to make of it…

He drew himself up as if ready to give her the lecture of a lifetime.

“Well, then I’m not going to tell you what you did,” Nino said, making faces at her, mocking her.

“Oi!” Mao growled. “I really didn’t do anything, did I? You just want to make me think that I did something but I really didn’t. Ha!”

Nino had stopped mocking her. An irritatingly innocent expression appeared on his face instead.

“Maybe?”

Mao narrowed her eyes at him. He stood there with a grin on his face, enjoying this thoroughly. She pounced on him and he quickly turned around, laughing at her. She was pulling on his shirt as he pulled away, insisting he cough up everything. He gave another laugh, feeling her pull harder on his shirt. The grin on his lips faded as she ended up laughingly warning him once more.

She didn’t remember… Maybe it was just one of those drunken things… And he was naïve enough to think it could mean something… She was just having a really awful night… She just needed a friend…And he is her friend… He is…

He screwed up his courage and the grin returned to his lips. It felt like Mao was intending to pull his shirt till it tore. He suddenly pointed out excitedly that there was a makeshift balcony outside. What would the view be like?

That stopped her. She had gone past him to step out and see. He caught her arm though and instantly pulled her back. She had slammed into him; her face bumping into his chest. His arm went around her waist to support her.

Their gazes locked and they continued to stare at each other till Mao seemed to blush and looked down shyly.

He immediately let go of her and took a step back. “L-Let’s not be hasty. We have to check out if it’s stable first.”

He went ahead of her, scratching one of his burning ears. He stuck a foot out and tapped the panel of wood outside. He then tested it with his weight carefully for a bit. Looking satisfied, he then turned to her.

“It’s safe.”

She gave a sunshiny smile and stepped out. Nino took a step back, holding the wooden rail for balance. She brushed past him (She was using his Star Wars shampoo again.) and then took a seat, her legs dangling off the board. She looked up at him and patted the space at her side. He lowered himself down slowly, his hands still on the rail. Their knees brushed together; the space was a bit cramped.

“They should have thought about space, huh?” His voice sounded like it had gone a decibel higher.

“I don’t mind,” she shrugged, closing her eyes, taking in the fresh air and stretching her arm upwards, purposely hitting him on the head.

“Oi!”

She did this a couple more times, grinning widely. She decided to spare him as Nino gave her an amused smirk. A comfortable silence fell between them as they stared ahead; a few rooftops and more trees in their line of sight. They then launched into an animated conversation on what color they’ll be using to paint the walls inside. Though it struck Nino that the treehouse wasn’t theirs to mess with really. Maybe they’ll just clean up a bit but nothing too drastic.

“Don’t worry. We can bring everything back to the way they were. Like nothing ever happened!”

Her smile faded as she realized what she just said. Back to the way things were… Much like what they need to do soon, huh?

Nino noticed the sudden change in her expression. Like she wanted to cry… He wasn’t the only one that’s sort of had the end of summer in mind… But so what? So what if they get back to their lives? It doesn’t mean they can’t find time to spend with each other, right? He felt the urge bubbling inside him again. To tell her… That she can stay for as long as she likes really… The end doesn’t really mean the end… Even the world survived in 2012.

But… She doesn’t really bring that part up… If she really wanted to stay, she’d concoct one of her plans or just declare outright that he can’t do anything about it as she has decided her supremeness is needed in their house. Complete with evil wheezy laugh.

Her father probably had his hand in this somehow…

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked quietly, his eyes on her.

She gave a smile, looking down and shaking her head. “This is enough… You’re going to make me forget all about it, right?”

That was what he does best for her…

He gave a disapproving look at the bossiness of her last sentence but had that small understanding smile on his lips.

“Isn’t this or isn’t this the best summer of your life?” He asked, smugly. “It’s epic. Of course we will always have something.”

And then his voice softened, “Have we ever failed you yet?”

Mao’s eyes went to his.

He’s right; whenever they were together, it was epic.

They were epic.

“No…” She didn’t think that will ever happen.

Her eyes were bright as a soft smile graced her lips. She then held up the Vulcan salute in agreement. Their laughter carrying to the skies, where one of them went high-pitched for a second as knees brushed together once more.

**

“You’re ‘Moonbeam’!”

Jun stared incredulously at the bright smile Mao aimed at him as she christened him his new name for their fleet. The Star Wars Monopoly: The Original Trilogy Version lay forgotten in front of them (Mao: Darth Vader. Nino: Han Solo. Jun: Luke Skywalker. Aiba: Princess Leia, because that was the last piece left. The other pieces were misplaced at the house.). This sits fine with Nino because Mao clearly had been cheating as she made herself banker. The Coruscant, Death Star properties were hers. All he got was Yoda’s Hut and an Imperial coin in the end because she kept changing the rules and adding nonsensical ones. Jun at least had Jabba’s Palace and a $100 note. Aiba had the Ewok Village though; he must have turned to the Dark Side. He just knows it.

They were in their new treehouse. Or the SSSugusEnterprise for today. Sugusfleet if you will. Mao was just purposely, and successfully, trying to irk him by assuming position of Captain, which resulted to her coming up with the most ridiculous name in the history of fictional fleets. The smell of fresh paint was currently thick in the air of their new ship. DVDs, a portable DVD player, comic books, Kazupi, decks of cards, a few board games were scattered around along with a few opened cans of light blue and white paint. The bags of chips, Star Wars candy dispensers and a tray of cinnamon rolls lay close by their little circle. Of course, rootbeer were also present. They were taking a little break from their new mission.

The Star Wars Monopoly had been suggested by he and Jun when their conversation about creating a story of a team of CSJs (Crime Scene Jedis) solving crimes in Deep Space Two and a Half went slightly out of hand. And he didn’t know why they didn’t just abort mission when they got to Deep Space Two and a Half. Mao and Aiba were particularly excited about it, running away with the idea that it could make for a hit movie or at least a TV series. They had been having a delightful conversation and he didn’t know how it turned into a contest of who gets to come up with the non-existent show’s best one-liners right before they cut to the opening credits.

“The chicken did it.”

“There can be miracles when you believe.”

“Tanananan~tanan~Tanananan~tanan~” (The X-Men Theme.)

“Giant mushrooms are super.”

“I like ninjas.”

“Here we say, ‘You’ve been probed’.”

“The chicken nuggets did it.”

“What’s wrong with the world, momma?”

“Don’t I need my shades for this part?”

“Dundundundun.”

They had to end it; it looks like it wasn’t stopping anytime soon. They’ve had enough of the chickens and random sound effects. Though he had second thoughts about that when he sees her lighting up. But it would have surprised him if Monopoly was able to stop yet another invasion into madness. Their kind of madness.

“That name will make me want to ram our ship into oblivion.”

“What’s wrong with ‘Moonbeam’?” She was serious.

“Yeah, I think it suits you.” Aiba muffled a giggle. Just because he liked what Mao had given him. Space Cadet McNugget.

Mao ignored Jun, clearly thinking she’s doing him a favour here. She then turned to Nino.

“First Commander Minion!”

Nino stopped sipping his rootbeer and almost blasted her with some. He gave a scowl. “First Commander?!”

You’d think he’d mind ‘Minion’ more.

“First Commander?!” He repeated. She was really trying to rub it in his face.

“You can have ‘Moonbeam’, seriously.” Jun.

“I should be Captain! Mutiny, anyone?” He looked around, his hand raised. He doesn’t see McNugget’s hand. No surprise there. Jun had his hand raised but was suggesting to Mao if she changes his name he’ll be on her side. This earned a ‘Gar’ for him.

“I like ‘Moonbeam’! We’re two for two anyway. Mutiny-ing is not valid!” She bit into a cinnamon roll and started counting her Imperial money.

They continued bickering for a while. With occasional interjections from Jun, still concerning his name. Nino had taken to trying to swipe Mao’s hard-earned-by-cheating Imperial money and was unsuccessful. Mao had casually thrown a piece of cinnamon roll at him, as she tried to emulate a very clichéd villain laugh.

“Man, I’m going to miss this summer.”

Mao and Nino turned their heads to Aiba, who was nibbling on a piece of potato chip, searching for a bigger piece inside the bag. He seemed to notice the sudden silence and looked up, a bit perplexed. Jun too was observing them carefully.

Mao met Nino’s eyes after and quickly looked away. Aiba took the words right out of their mouths and hearts. And had also reminded them that Jun and Aiba still have no idea that this will probably be the last of a summer much like this. Though Nino still held on to that tiny sparking belief the movie 2012 brought him. Besides, they are always going to be epic. It was sort of like a motto now.

Mao gave a sudden awkward laugh. Nino had told her that she should let them know she’s going back soon. They will soon be immersed in their separate lives, that was inevitable and they should have a chance to say a sort of proper ‘prospering wishes’. He couldn’t seem to say the word ‘good-bye’. And Mao being the only one knowing what ‘good-bye’ really meant for her, it was harder than she imagined…

“Why don’t we bury a time capsule under this tree?” She suggested, her eyes shining. Nino wasn’t sure if it was from excitement at her idea or something else…

“Yeah! That will be great!” Aiba was all for it.

Jun rolled his eyes. “As if you guys won’t be digging it up right after.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen since I won’t be here. Though you guys can still go ahead and do it.”

Jun and Aiba’s eyes snapped to Mao. At the stiff grin on her lips. There really was no escape. She had to tell them sooner or later… “I-I’m moving out of Kazu’s soon… Summer’s coming to an end and well, there’s life.”

She finished sort of awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Jun and Aiba still had their eyes on her.

“Unless you’re going back to Planet Glog (Great Leechers of the Galaxy!), there really is no problem in us meeting up even if summer’s over,” Jun said, a small crease between his brow.

“Even if a whole lot of summers are over,” Aiba agreed.

Mao wanted to hug them.

So did Nino.

Mao’s warm smile seemed to seep through the three of them. They started making plans of what they could do in the future. A trip for the next summer was also in order. It was added that there will be capital punishment if someone fails to make an effort to do everything they can to see one another.

Nino observed Mao subtly. She just had that small smile on her face but she never said anything that felt like she was committing to this pact of theirs. Something that felt really wrong to him. Why wouldn’t she be happy at the prospect…?

Mao tried to keep it in. Her heart hurt like something was squeezing it and she had to make it stop. She felt the emotions threatening to surface again and she can’t let them see that. Shields up! Rrrrrrred alert!!! Or whatever they say or do whenever danger’s afoot.

“So, let’s do it then?” Mao’s bouncy old self was back.

A search for the perfect capsule then ensued. There was nothing big they can use; that can stand the test of time. Only Nino’s and her Star Wars candy dispensers could work, but then they weren’t much good at holding things. After a flick of her eyes to Nino, Mao had suggested why don’t they write a secret or whatever stood out for them about this summer in a piece of paper and put them inside the dispensers. Reading it up the next time would be interesting.

The scratching of a pencil on paper could be heard over minds working silently. Thinking of what they should write. The four had their backs to each other, a small slip of paper in front of them each. Aiba murmuring out loud what he was writing exactly distracted them. Something along the lines that he wanted to watch High School Musical on Ice. Jun pointedly told him no one is supposed to know just yet. No one should really know that, he then added. They could hear Aiba erasing the sentence, making tutting sounds.

Nino stole a glance back at Mao. She was staring at her slip of paper for a while, biting her lower lip. Her pencil hovered hesitantly and then it met paper. Nino tore his gaze away, feeling she was going to turn around now to see how they were doing. He stared at his paper much like she did.

All three of them were finished now; starting to roll the papers up. His heart flip-flopped when they asked about his. He hastily wrote in the first thing to pop in his mind.

As Aiba capped off the candy dispenser; the Storm Trooper now staring at them, his eyes slowly went to Mao at the same time hers were drawn to him.

In her eyes he saw again that look she had been giving him ever since they arrived here that morning. He basked in that gentle, grateful look.

The look that tells him once again, they didn’t fail her…

**

“What the frack?” He sputtered out as he walked past Mao’s part of the wall. She had drawn an image of him. A stick figure but nonetheless it was him. Thanks to the arrow pointing to it stating his identitiy: Kazu. The decapitated stick version of him. His head had rolled a few inches away, with his tongue sticking out.

“I had to work with what’s left,” Mao pointed matter-of-factly to the last can of white paint left. “Don’t you think this shows your heroic side? Sacrificing yourself for the sake of the universe!”

“Paint over it!” Something as morbid as that doesn’t really go well with the sky-inspired feel of the interior of their treehouse. She must be getting back at him for his Moo drawing.

“There’s no more paint.” That was that for her. She turned around as Nino scrambled to see if she’s telling the truth.

Mao shook her head in amusement, opening the box of cinnamon rolls again. There was one piece left. The sweetness of it made her giddy. Or it was just Kazu still running around unable to accept that his image will be staying up on the wall for at least a night. Or it was the fact they were the only ones left in the treehouse. It was already early evening; Jun had to go to his part-time job and Aiba’s lunch hour has already passed. Way over.

She looked around her, the small giddy smile on her lips. Her eyes went up to the ceiling. Painting it had slipped their minds. She spotted the picnic blanket Kazu had brought with him. With the cinnamon roll in her mouth, she went towards it and picked it up. Pushing away some of the boxes, she laid the blanket on the floor.

Nino had looked up at her voice. She was lying down on the blanket, chewing on a cinnamon roll; her eyes on the ceiling, saying they should paint over the ceiling too. That way it could really be like they’re watching the sky above them. It felt sort of incomplete now.

She heard Kazu moving around above her and then a burst of stars appeared before her. All around her. The whole universe surrounding her.

“I knew this would be great here.”

She propped herself up on an elbow and saw him patting his Death Star projector night light like a proud father. Mao beamed at him and she lay back down. Throwing her hands up as if wanting to hug the whole galaxy to her, still cheering. She loved this mini-planetarium of theirs and started her favourite past time: Trying to pinpoint his home planet.

“Come on, Geekus! You have to see it this way!”

There seemed to be a pause. A few movements and then she felt him beside her. She tried to quell the whooping in her heart; thankful that the blanket Kazu took with him was just big enough for two. She tried to bite back the giddiness, concentrating on the cinnamon roll instead. Something caught her eyes though.

“What’s that, Kazu?” She pointed to the box he was holding against his side.

He was trying hard to sound like it was no big deal really. “It’s just a little something I prepared. Here.”

Mao turned the unmarked box in her raised hands. She looked to Kazu, who had been casually pointing out where the Death Star is located. She set the box on her stomach and pried open the lid. Something red and shiny peeked at her.

“Hey, it’s the ViewMaster I saw in your room last time!” She started, holding it up. Her face turned a little wary, gesturing to the place, “This isn’t you trying to give a lecture about the Galactic Empire, is it? Am I going to find slide projections of Darth Vader’s early years?”

“Of course not! Just take a look!” He had the nervous-excited feel to him.

He had somehow passed that feeling to her and she immediately placed the eyepieces on her eyes. And the squeal of delight that came from her seconds later almost made him shoot towards the stars.

He was wrapped in her laughter. The sound he loved hearing best. She turned to him, eyes shining and a buzzing energy seems to be coming from her. Or maybe that was him. Well, he can’t really concentrate so it’s hard to tell.

“You’ve been working on this?” She had turned her head to him. Her wide excited eyes, the smile on her face was so close to him…

“Yeah… Had it custom-made. I wanted to give it to you when- when-“ He decided not to finish that sentence. “Well, I thought here and now will be the best time.”

Filling this treehouse up with memories was their goal in the first place. And also maybe add the fact that he really wanted to see her reaction as soon as possible… He looked at the perfect smile on her lips and felt really good about his decision. It looks like the sun, the moon, the stars, the Milky Way and a bunch of other glowing things were all shining through her as she took a peek into his gift once more.

The first photo had Aiba sitting on the floor, wrapped in a white sheet, looking like he’s complaining to her and Kazu. He was. Complaining about the fact he seems to be always playing the dead body when they started their Cluedo role playing game. Jun had taken the shot.

The next was of her and Kazu having a duel in their slankets. Each holding their own lightsabers.

Their Bioman group photo. Yamashita Pink slumped in the background.

A photo of their backs; they were on the porch, a plate of watermelons between them. The photo was skewed; Aiba had accidentally pressed the button when he was about to step out.

Another group photo. In it, they were all teaching Yamashita to show just a little expression. No luck there.

Jun had his hands over Aiba’s mouth; he was using the lightsaber again as his imaginary microphone. Kazu had raised his sacred Guitar Hero high over his head, looking like he didn’t mind using it just to put a stop to Aiba.

The last was of all four of them squished into the frame. All that can be seen of Aiba was his crinkled eyes, Jun with his forehead, but her and Kazu’s laughing faces were there. They had disrupted Jun and Aiba’s camwhoring session and had ran into them from behind the couch. The camwhoring battle had ensued.

She had been giggling all the way through, with little comments here and there. Pressing the lever countless times now; not getting enough of their 3D images. She put down her hands and turned to Kazu. Who had failed majorly to look away in time.

He gave a little awkward grin and then turned towards the galaxy once more. Asking what did she think about it? He had a hard time picking out which photos to use. But she can always go ahead and make more slides if she wanted to. He could feel her eyes on him, still not saying anything. Her silence was pressing against his ears. Somehow wishing now that the Death Star projector came with commentary to distract him from the deafening quietne-

He felt a movement then the soft kiss on his cheek.

He stared wide-eyed for a moment, unable to move. His hand slowly going up to the spot on his cheek, which had been growing warmer and warmer.

His eyes snapped to her. She was back to the viewmaster, a grin on her lips.

He rubbed the spot gently with his fingers and turned to the ceiling again, a smile slowly appearing on his lips.

Somehow everything seemed bigger, brighter; more inviting as he felt himself soaring across the all familiar galaxy…

Feeling for the first time that Death Stars aren’t so bad…

Not at all…

**

Nino rubbed his eyes and let out a yawn. Their conversations and reminiscing had trailed off into comfortable silence for a while now as they watched the stars around them. He turned towards her, wanting to ask her if she was hungry.

His lips quirked. She had fallen asleep, her head tilted a little towards him. The viewmaster lay on her other side. He stopped himself from staring some more. It will lead to awkward questions if Mao wakes up to him looking like he was quite enjoying watching her sleep.

He will not become an Edward Cullen.

He moved a bit, his hand accidentally brushing against hers. He looked down. Her right hand lay slightly open beside his.

He weirdly heard Aiba’s “Dundundundun” in his mind.

He was still looking at her hand, so close to his… His eyes slowly went to her sleeping face. He felt something jump in his chest. His hand gave a twitch. Inching a bit closer to hers still.

It just had a mind of its own!

His gaze still on her.

No…

That’s not it.

His pinky slowly hooked onto hers and then surely sliding his hand into hers… Her small hand was now in his. His fingers closed in on the softness. Something in his chest jumped again.

His head automatically tilted towards her; taking a last look at her. His eyes went to their hands. His hold tightened a bit.

This time it wasn’t just in his mind.

His lids grew heavy; he drew closer to the scent of cinnamon.

Reality had become much more interesting than imagination…

Fascinating.

==
Fascinating = Spock's favorite line.