Episode 6

“B-But I don’t want you to go…,” he said.

“I know,” Mao gave a cheeky grin.

DanDanDaDan~ Darth Vader’s theme woke him up from his dream. With his eyes still closed, he fumbled for his phone and shut it off. He slowly opened his eyes and got up, trying to remember what his dream had been about. But it wasn’t that hard. The dream had been too… interesting.

“Freeeeeedoooooom!” Aiba had yelled as he held up two blasters and was zapping anything that got in the way. You could tell he was one trigger happy guy.

As Aiba came running into the evil lair, he himself in the meantime was held captive on the other side of the room. With a force shield that no weapon can blast through and could only be deactivated with a very secret unbreakable secret code. Jun and Mao had followed Aiba as he laughed triumphantly; everything blasting off around them. He then saw Jun start throwing something to the enemies.

“Choke on these kryptonites! (which really didn’t make sense),” he sneered at them and the enemies started melting into puddles of chocolate-looking goo.

His eyes caught something coming towards him. It was Inoue on a hover board, flying over the epic battle below. (TSEEW! TSEEW! ZAP! ZAP! And the occasional KAPOW!) She had given an impressive kick at her attackers (A move that could make every fanboy giggle) and continued towards him. She then jumped off and grinned at him.

“Glad to see your choobies are still intact.”

“Stop looking at my choobies,” he pouted. “Look out!”

Mao turned around but Jun had zapped the one sneaking up on her. He and Aiba then joined Mao as they tried to ward off more enemies pouring in.

“I think we need to hurry, don’t you?” Aiba then asked.

Mao turned towards the control panel. The code. If they got it wrong, Nino would be disintegrated by laser beams. Her fingers hovered, uncertain.

“Didn’t you say you had the code?” Jun said as he threw more kryptonites.

“I did!” Mao said, frustrated. “But it’s kinda hard to concentrate with all these explosion around! Gar… The hell with it!”

“Whoa! Whoa!” he then stopped her and laughed nervously. “If you’re not so sure, just come back next time. Plan another rescue mission. Please?”

Mao shook her head and then punched in a number. 7. The force shield flickered out. He had turned a ghostly white as Mao smiled at him.

“That was it? And you said you can’t remember? A single digit?!”

“I was just messing around. Geez! Can’t you take a joke?” Mao rolled her eyes at him.

Nino sputtered as Jun and Aiba stared. This wasn’t the time for jokes! Gar. Suddenly, Nino was pulled away by the Super Evil Emperor. He held a blaster against his head. Jun and Aiba automatically pointed theirs at him.

“Give up. Or he dies,” he breathed wheezily.

Jun and Aiba were torn. Mao then quietly stepped up. “It’s me you want.”

The Super Evil Emperor regarded her silently as Nino mouthed “What are you doing?”

“I will let him go. On one condition. You shall go back to Planet Glog (Great Leechers of the Galaxy!).” Wheezy breathing.

Mao sighed solemnly and looked at Nino, whose eyes were widening. She then nodded mutely. In the blink of an eye, the Super Evil Emperor had thrown Nino towards Jun and Aiba making them topple over and then pulled Mao to him. He then turned to some controls and got ready to send her away.

“Wait!” Nino cried, getting up quickly.

“This is the only way, Kazu. I need to go back. Or else I’ll destroy the space time continumumum,” Mao explained sadly.

“The what?”

“The space time continumumum.”

The Super Evil Emperor then pulled her close towards the portal. With her head hanging, her heavy steps moved towards it.

“B-But I don’t want you to go…”

She then turned to him.” I know,” she gave a cheeky grin.

What was that about? As crazy as it seems, the part where he did not want her going anywhere could very well be the craziest part. Was that what he was really feeling…? Or maybe he’s been re-watching too much Star Wars. He shook his head. He shouldn’t think too much into it.

He stepped out of his room and then stopped as his eyes fell on Mao’s closed door. Inoue… His heart involuntarily went out to her. Her dominance, her demands, her penchant for having her way whatever it takes… somehow made more sense after talking to Inoue Mirai. Her…

“Half-sister,’ she had amended when they had both sat down yesterday in the coffee shop. “We have the same dad.”

“Oh,” Nino offered, surprised, still trying to figure out how to put into words his next question.

“I-Is she doing okay? I was really surprised when she contacted me that time,” Mirai continued. “Dad must have cut her off after she ran away…”

“Yeah, she’s okay. Why did she run away though…?” Nino started carefully.

“She and Dad never really got along,” she explained sadly. “But she had never ran away for so long. I don’t really even know what they were fighting about…”

She then regarded Nino for a while. “I know you’re probably having a hard time with her, right?”

Nino gave a grimace. That was an understatement. But it hadn’t been all that bad…. They had their fun moments too…

“She made things… interesting… I was just a bit concerned though. Coz she got a bit sensitive when I tried to ask about things…”

“She’d probably freak out if she saw you talking to me.”

Nino gave a shudder at the thought. “Definitely.”

But nevertheless, he truly wanted to know… To at least understand her a bit somehow... Mirai observed him. Somehow seeing his sincerity towards her sister. Mao was really lucky to have found someone like him. And she had a feeling Mao is in good hands.

“It’s a bit complicated though…,” she then started as Nino prepared to listen.

Mirai had learned most of the things from her own mom. Their dad had married Mao’s mom after she accidentally got pregnant. But that hadn’t been part of his plans. Their grandfather almost disowned him because of it. What’s worse, she had been only after his money all along. After a nasty divorce, she had dumped Mao on him and disappeared.

He resented too much the mistake that almost ruined his life. He considered Mao as that mistake. And he never attempted to accept her. Yes, he gave her a place, a good life but never his love…

After that he had met Mirai mom and fell in love with her. Mao had been five years old when her mom was pregnant with her. Mirai’s mom had treated her like her own daughter but Mao… she had always wanted her father’s love. And at such a young age, she never really understood why he never once showed that to her. Always being shunned and treated coldly, she still hang on to the hope that maybe one day he would truly look at her and would give her the hug she never got from him…

But one incident had changed everything. Mao suddenly became hard-headed and difficult. She grew more and more demanding and learned to manipulate those around her. She had somehow realized that to get what she wants; she has to resort to anything. She went to do whatever she wants and got into more trouble; most of them deliberate. It was her way of getting back at their dad somehow. Or it could be a scream for attention. Something that their dad still did not give her.

“Did you know she even planned a fake kidnapping once?” Mirai said as Nino raised his eyebrows. “But her friend Eita somehow botched up the plan…”

“Eita? I’ve met him. Along with Asami,” Nino said. Somehow it wasn’t surprising Mao would come up with something like that. Or that Eita could screw it up.

“I think she proclaimed Eita to be her slave just coz she felt like it. And Asami was once her mortal enemy,” Mirai mused. “They, along with my dad’s assistant are the only people she considers her friends.”

“And maybe… you,” she then added as an afterthought.

“Me?” Nino said as he laughed awkwardly. Somehow wishing that really was the case. “But she doesn’t even tell me about these things…”

But it was really a difficult matter to tell anyone. How do you admit to someone about the fact your own father doesn’t want to love you…? It was something no one should ever really go through…

“At least she lets you get close to some parts of her… My mom and I… We try but she never lets us… She thinks we’re doing it out of pity for her… And she hates that the most…”

“I really think we would have so much fun,’ she added, giving an embarrassed chuckle.

But the deep resentment in Mao’s heart towards them was truly hard to fight… Their dad had showered his love on them… They had tried talking to him about it… It wasn’t right… But it was always no use… Leaving Mao feeling like she’s all alone on her own.

“But that truly isn’t the case…”

Nino noted the sadness in her eyes. She truly wanted a sister. A silence fell over them as they were left to their own thoughts. Mirai then glanced at her watch. It was already late. She needed to be going home.

“Take care of her in the meantime , okay?” she then requested as she slowly stood up. She knew Mao will come back in her own time.

“Of course,” he answered, not realizing how serious he was.

Mirai had smiled at him gratefully and he had watched as she went out while his thoughts filled with Inoue. She had a deep hurt in her. Something she probably would never forget… and she’s just trying to mask it all up… Just living her life the way she wants to… He would try to be more understanding and more patient from now on…

He was then startled from his thoughts when Mao’s door suddenly swung open and there she stood, stretching. She saw him and gave a sleepy smile which he returned. Suddenly their eyes snapped to the bathroom.

Here they go again. Nino was about to pull her back when something stopped him. He felt it was better if he made way for her then. She hadn’t gotten it easy, so maybe he’ll try to make her happy in some small way. What was it with him wanting to see her smiling? He then gave a loud exaggerated cry and pretended to have tripped.

“Wookiees! I fell down,” he said in a not-so-convincing voice on the floor.

Mao had reached the bathroom door and turned around, a perplexed frown on her face. That was a bit weird, she thought as she looked at him.

He needed to make it look real. “Curse you, Moo!” he then added with a shaking fist.

Mao laughed, rolled her eyes and stepped into the bathroom. Did she suspect anything? Even as they ate breakfast, Mao had gotten his Froot Loops and started pouring herself a bowl along with his milk. It’s just Froot Loops, he reminded himself.

“Wow, you’re totally not complaining about this,” she commented, her mouth full.

“What’s the use anyway?”

“You’re learning! That’s great!” she teased. “And also because you’re mine anyway.”

“I am not yours,” he gritted, as he poured himself Froot Loops.

“I called dibs on you.”

He growled. “About that… Did I really…”

His voice trailed off as Mao waited. He suddenly became too shy to say it out loud. So he just used his eyes to convey the message. Mao regarded him silently.

“Do you like me, Kazu?”

Nino stared at her. Wait, is this a trick question?

“O-Of course not!” he said hotly.

She didn’t think so… Ignoring the slight twinge in her heart….

“Then why did you tell Jun and Amoeba about our little kiss?” she grinned. “They’ve called me up demanding to know what’s really up.”

“I was just trying to tell them how crazy you can get. That’s all!” Not because he can’t get her off his mind.

“Enough about that!” he continued, as Mao pursed her lips thoughtfully. ‘Last night, was there a-“ he still can’t finish it. Why?

A kiss? Yes, there was but he fell asleep in the middle of it! That was a bit embarrassing. Although she knows he’s had a lot to drink… Still! And he doesn’t even remember it! Her eyes narrowed at him, wanting to get back at him.

She leaned forward as if to share a secret. “How about we do it again? It might jog your memory.”

Nino sat there wide-eyed and unable to move as Mao, laughing at his expression, picked up her bowl and went to watch TV. His heart… DokidokiDOKI. Where did that third doki come from??

**

Nino had his arms crossed as he stared grudgingly at the TV. He should be playing Space Invaders or Super Mario Bros. on his old Nintendo right now. But noooo… she wanted to watch a movie. My Sassy Girl. He watched as the lead girl was smacking the poor guy’s face repeatedly after a bet. He sure feels for the guy. But at least he doesn’t live with her. He slanted his eyes towards his side. Mao had the lightsaber in her hand.

“Ohhhhhmmm,” she went as she slowly swung the lightsaber in front of her.

“What was that?’

“Don’t the lightsabers have that sound when it lights up?”

Nino rolled his eyes. “Of course not. It goes ‘psss-tseew’.”

“I like ‘oooohmmm’ better.”

“Geek,” he mumbled, shaking his head.

Mao looked at the lightsaber. “Why is it red? I always thought the good guys had the green ones?”

“I have the green one inside my room. I don’t want anything to happen to it,” Nino explained distractedly as he felt something sticky behind him.

Mao snorted. “Wow, you’ve just reached a new level of geekiness.”

Nino made a face at her as she continued to ‘oooohhhhm’ and reached out behind him. What was that? He pulled out a half-eaten cinnamon roll and turned to Mao, his face not amused.

“So that’s where it went!” she then said, sticking her tongue out.

Gar. Yes, he wanted to be more understanding and patient…. But he was close to his limit. At first, he thought he could handle it. How hard can it be? But seems to it the more he made way for her, the more she got worse. Thinking she can get away with anything now.

Once she had bullied him into allowing her to put nail polish on him coz she was bored. He had protested but gave in in the end. She can remove it later. She had been ecstatic when she saw the result of her work, she looked really cute when her face lit up. But not him, because the next day Aiba had asked why his nails were pink, yellow, orange, red… She had no nail polish remover! And she failed to tell him beforehand.

And that one time she took home a huge stray golden retriever. His head still throbbed at the memory. He had demanded she take him out but they, she and the golden retriever (She named him Captain Pluto.) had looked at him with those doe-eyes of theirs…. He didn’t have a home, she pleaded. Ah, who can say no to that?

But Captain Pluto had almost destroyed his house. His couch, his toys (some were now missing heads and limbs), his slippers; all in a span of one night. And he made the house smell. But when they had taken him out in the backyard for a bath, it was… fun…. It always ends up fun with her… Mao had squealed in delight as Captain Pluto shook off the shampoo on his fur and got them all wet.

“Where did you even find him?” Nino grumbled. It was just his luck.

“He looked so lost, wandering around. And he kinda reminded me of you.”

“Heh?”

“Doesn’t he look like you?” she laughed, as she cupped Captain Pluto’s face, his tongue lolling out looking comical.

Nino resented that and blasted her with the hose. She gave a yelp and threw the shampoo at him, laughing. Mao then continued to scrub Captain Pluto’s fur and gave his nose a light kiss, smiling happily. Nino gave his head a shake, then feeling his thoughts steering into a different direction…

Captain Pluto had stayed with them for two nights. He had posted up an ad around and his owners had come to pick him up. Mao had planned to hide him forever but knew his family are really missing him. When they had watched Captain Pluto ride away with his family, Mao glanced at him, and then suddenly gave him a hug.

“W-What?” he stammered as she grinned up at him.

Mao shook her head, just feeling the sudden impulse. “I just wanted to thank you. So does Captain Pluto! I know you didn’t like him at first but you gave him a place to stay…”

Nino looked down at her. Was she talking about Captain Pluto or herself as well? It was the first time she’s ever really thanked him… albeit indirectly. They continued to gaze at each other for a moment and then snapping to it, quickly pulled away, laughing. An unfamiliar awkwardness ensued.

“W-Would you like to play Space Invaders?” he had asked to wave that away.

He then snapped back to the present. His mind seems to be drifting off a lot… She’s just had it hard. She’s just had it hard, he kept repeating to himself. He wrapped the half-eaten cinnamon roll in tissue and placed it on the table.

Mao observed him as he just sat back without a fight. He was really acting differently recently. What changed? Why is it he’s always making sure she gets what she wants in some way? Or was it just her? Like their bathroom battles… It almost feels like he’s always letting her win… Why? That doesn’t make sense… Does it mean he is sorta feeling something for her so he is- She shook herself hard. What is she saying?!

Nino continued to stare at the TV, still a little sore. Mao bit back a smile. Her eyes went towards the two cinnamon rolls (He’s always brought two for her home now.) She should cheer him up.

“Kazu!”

Nino’s eyes turned to her and then stared. She had stuck two cinnamon rolls to a plastic headband, wore it so now she looked like she had headphones on. But it also looked like Princess Leia’s hair. She gave a wide grin and snickered as his eyes twinkled. He shook his head at her, amused and chuckling as she stuck her tongue out.

He continued to chuckle as he gazed at her. She was striking poses. A thought suddenly bubbled up. Is feeling sorry for her all that he’s feeling right now? Did he just want her to have it easier? Or does he, like right now, just had that desire to always see that smile? And he was just making excuses for the things he’s done for her? He gave himself a swift mental kick. He suddenly stood up as Mao looked at him, startled.

“I just remembered I haven’t returned Aoi’s pot. I should go there right now. Yeah,” he said, almost to himself. “And maybe invite her for some ice cream.”

Mao’s face fell. She had deliberately stayed home (Something she’s been doing quite a lot.) so they’d be doing whatever together. But he- Gar. She watched as he went to the front door with the pot. She pulled down one of the cinnamon rolls and bit into it, frustrated.

“That reminds me. I was going to go out with Shin and Ryu too!” she suddenly blurted out. She can’t help it!

“You mean Shun and Ryo?”

She shrugged.

“Yeah, I was kinda curious how come you haven’t been going out lately…,” he mused.

“Maybe I should invite Frogman!” she exclaimed.

“Frogman?” Nino frowned. Oh yeah. Yamashita. She had told him once.

“I have like this small crush on him. Have I told you?” she giggled. What in Darth’s name is she doing? Is she trying to make him jealous. Oh- bi Wan! She is?!

“No… You haven’t told me that,” Nino said. “Have fun then!” he waved good-bye and turned to the door. Mao had missed the small frown on his face.

The door closed. Mao stared absently at the TV as she chewed. The frustration bubbling up inside her. She then saw the two frog dolls he’s won for her. Putting down the cinnamon rolls, she picked the dolls up and started to play with them.

“I’m going to Aoi’s to invite her for some ice cream while I leave you here all alone. Hahaha!” she held up on of the frogs, imitating Nino’s voice.

“Who cares, Geekus?” she held up the other frog and gave Nino frog a kick in the head.

“You kicked me!” she said in her Nino voice. “But no matter, I will feel better with Aoi and ice cream by my side. Hahaha!”

“Take this! And this! Bssssh! Pow!” Mao frog had started kicking and punching Nino frog again.

Frustrated, she threw Nino frog and it hit its head on the TV with a THUNK. Maybe going out isn’t such a bad idea. She was going crazy. She took out her cellphone and dialled.

**

Mao stumbled clumsily through the front door. A little tipsy. She had met up with Shin and Ryu and went for drinks. (Yamashita didn’t come. She’ll get him.) Thinking she’s finally has her mind off Kazu…. But definitely not the case as images of he and Aoi together added more to her frustration. She had said good-bye to the two earlier than expected.

Voices seem to be coming from the back porch. She carefully walked towards it and felt her heart drop. Kazu and Aoi were sitting there just talking softly and looking up at the sky. Mao peeked up. What’s there to look at? Is he planning on taking her to Planet Ziplock? Hmph.

“Aoi! You’re here!” she then exclaimed as she stepped out, noticing Kazu and Aoi were sitting pretty close together.

They had both looked back surprised. Nino’s face wasn’t really amused at seeing her. She narrowed her eyes at that.

“Mao! I was just about to go home. It’s getting late,” she smiled up at her. “Are you alright?”

Mao grinned and squeezed in between them then placed her arms over their shoulders, as she looked up to the sky. Nino had his face in his hands as mild amusement was on Aoi’s face.

“So what are we looking at?” Mao then hiccupped. “Are they beaming you back up, Kazu?”

Aoi smiled, amused, as Nino stared at her exasperated. Aoi then excused herself. It was time to go home. Nino quickly stood up to walk her to her house. Mao made a face and pouted. After a while, she heard Nino come back out. He plopped down beside her and grabbed the rootbeer. He looked at Mao who had her knees brought up to her and was resting her chin on them.

“I’m glad you’re not puking right now. So did you have fun with the Frogman?” he asked. What was that?

Mao then turned to him. “Didn’t I say you were mine?”

Nino scoffed at that. “I am not!”

“You’re mine so they can’t beam you back up ever!” she then cheered and suddenly hugged him close.

Nino tried to push her away, protesting. But she held on. He could smell the alcohol on her. She gave a giggle and started squeezing his face and playing with his hair.

“Mineminemine,” she gave another giggle and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes.

If only that were true though… That he was hers… Maybe she can pretend for tonight? She settled more deeply into him, enjoying his warmth. Kazu had always been so warm…

Nino gave a sigh, feeling like she was treating him like a stuffed doll. He felt her nuzzle him and his heart jumped to his throat. He tried to keep his stare straight ahead but then his eyes settled onto her instead. He gaze down at her. She looked so contented which made him glad.

He then relaxed his body. No harm in staying like this for a while… not really realizing how quickly thoughts of Aoi were beamed out of his mind…

Mineminemine?