Episode 7

**

Mao sat on the porch and fanned herself vehemently. The weather was really sticky and humid today. But that wasn’t all that’s irritating her.

“Can’t you do anything about it?” she asked the person on the other line.

“He’s pretty much decided on it. I’ve tried but seems to me you running away made him more determined about it.”

“Just help me out of this!”

“Why? I thought you really didn’t care.”

“W-Well, I changed my mind,” she said, as an image of Nino came to her.

“Seems to me you’re really enjoying that place, huh?”

“Just try everything, okay?” Although she knew it would be no use…

“Hmm… Are you coming to Mirai’s sweet sixteen?”

“Do you really have to ask that?” she said, rolling her eyes.

“I know she won’t insist on you coming but… it is her birthday. I think she would want you there.”

Mao smirked. “Really? Or does she just want to throw it in my face that I never had my sweet sixteen?”

“You know that’s not the case.”

“Anyway, do whatever it takes, okay? I’m hanging up.”

She closed her phone with a snap as Nino stepped out.

“Do whatever it takes? Did you just hire an assassin?” Nino joked as he sipped on juice.

“Maybe… Guess who the target is?”

Nino made a face at her. “I heard something about a sweet sixteen.”

Mao’s eyes snapped to him. You didn’t lower down your voice, he protested.

“Someone was just pestering me to go to a sweet sixteen party.”

“So you’re not going because you never had one?” Nino said carefully.

Mao narrowed her eyes dangerously at him. He was trying to see of she would talk to him about it. Wondering who she had been talking to. Why is he being so nosy all of a sudden?

“I wanted flamethrowers and unicorns,” she said flippantly. “Naturally, that’s never going to happen.”

Nino stared at her.

“Besides, I realized I didn’t have much friends to invite- “ she stopped herself and scowled at the way things just slipped out of her mouth. “It’s too damn hot!”

Nino jumped when she suddenly yelled. She raked her hand through her hair. “You should build a pool out here!”

She then jumped out onto the backyard and walked to the hose nearby. Nino stared after her for a while and then offered ice cream. That would get the heat off. He came back holding two pints of ice cream and suddenly sputtered as water hit his face. He heard Mao laughing on the porch, holding the hose in front of her. He spit some of the water out and turned back inside without the slightest reaction.

Mao’s laugh faded away at that, frowning. She started playing with the water, occasionally glancing back. Was he mad? Suddenly she heard him give a yell and when she turned around, he was holding a big water gun in his hand, giving her face a full blast of water. Mao yelped and demanded for him to stop as he laughed. Victory was his!

She turned the hose on him again as they battled it out. Both laughing, enjoying themselves as the heat melted away. Mao had grabbed the water gun and tried to pry it off his hands as he struggled. She hit him square in the face with more water, laughing, as he gurgled.

Thunder suddenly roared overhead. Mao jumped and dropped the hose. Nino wiped the water off his face and looked at her, standing there frightened.

“What’s wrong?”

Another clap of thunder. Mao yelped and suddenly hugged him tight. Nino froze for a second.

“It’s alright. It’s alright,” he reassured as he patted her back.

The rain suddenly fell as they stood there. Mao gripping tighter as another roar occurred. Nino hesitated and then slowly wrapped her in a tight embrace as she had her face buried in his chest. He rocked her slowly. She had her vulnerable moments too… The thunder seemed to have stopped as the rain fell harder.

After a while, Mao carefully peeked out. Thankful for that. Suddenly realizing she was still holding on to Nino, her heart beat faster. She tried to move away slightly but Nino still had her in his hold. Mao frowned a bit at that and then her lips turned into a slow smile. She carefully buried her face back in him and stood there, letting the rain wash over them.

Nino knew he had to let go now... There was no more thunder. They can pull away already. But for some reason, he wanted to stay with her… why though? Because he wanted to comfort her? Because of that warmth that’s slowly creeping up on him? He doesn’t really know… He involuntarily held on tighter…

**

“What do you guys think of a pool party?” Nino asked Jun and Aiba the next day.

“Let’s do it! Go! Go! Go!” Aiba.

“Wait. We don’t have a pool,” he then added as an afterthought.

“I’ve got an idea,” Nino said, rubbing his chin. “It will be a surprise for Inoue.”

The two blinked at him.

“Wait. Did I just hear right? You’re planning a surprise party for Mao? Your ‘mortal enemy’? The Darth Vader of your life?” Jun asked incredulous. “Why though?”

“She wanted to make the summer memorable. I just thought I could help,” Nino tried to explain.

“Again, the reason escapes me,” Jun said, looking at him in disbelief.

“Did you know she never had her sweet sixteen? This could serve as that. We’ll invite Eita and Asami!”

“Is she starting to grow on you?” Aiba then said.

“Are you staring to like her?” Jun asked thoughtfully.

Nino’s thoughts went back to yesterday when they had stood in the rain in each other’s arms. He had snapped to it and quickly pulled away, catching Mao’s gaze. They both stood there kinda awkwardly as the rain got into their eyes. He had suddenly thumped her repeatedly on the back, like a comrade.

“Ha-Ha! The thunder’s gone now. You did great!” What?

Mao almost toppled over. She grinned at him and returned the slaps on his back. Hard.

“Yeah! There was nothing to be afraid of, right?”

Ha-Ha-Ha! They stood there and then stopped. They quickly went inside the house. The awkwardness… Gar. What was happening?

He shook his head mentally and saw that Jun and Aiba were waiting for his answer. He can’t exactly say the real reason he was doing this. It had nothing to do with liking her!

“I like Aoi!” he said defensively. “But you know, Inoue’s become a friend so…”

“Yeah… can’t blame you. She is one heavenly body eh?” Aiba said, nodding to himself.

Nino and Jun stared at him. (What? Aiba.) Nino then cleared his throat , avoided Jun’s eyes and went back to work.

“Are you starting to like her?” Jun’s question suddenly came back to him.

**

Mao stepped onto the porch, a confused look on her face. She saw Nino filling a kiddie pool with water. Jun was lounging around on a lawn chair, a rootbeer in hand. She heard Eita asking Nino if he can have the lightsaber again. Aiba was chatting up Asami on the side. (But he still likes Mao best!)

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Nino looked around. Gar. “Aiba! You’re supposed to be the lookout!”

“Oops.”

There goes his plan of surprising her as they shout out um… SURPRISE! Nino explained it to her as Mao walked towards him, a wide smile on her face. She stopped in front of him and looked up.

“Well, surprise! It’s a pool party!” he then said lamely, grinning sheepishly.

Why are you doing this, Kazu? She had wanted to ask. Is it because of what she thinks it is…? She suddenly pushed Nino, causing him to fall into the kiddie pool as she laughed. He is so cheesy.

“What the-,” he sputtered.

Mao then jumped inside with him; Eita joining them. Nino laughed in defeat as Mao and Eita started splashing him with water.

“Hey guys! Sorry I’m late,” Aoi’s voice came.

Nino then quickly jumped up and out and ran to her. Leaving Mao sitting there, as Eita continued to splash water around, enjoying himself. She watched as Nino led Aoi to the food. Jun suddenly came into view as he gave her forehead a flick.

“I was talking to you. Want a rootbeer?” he asked.

“Woo-hoo!” Eita continued in the background as they walked away. She had wrapped herself with a large towel and sat with Jun on the lawn chairs. Her eyes involuntarily went to Nino and Aoi again as she took a swig of rootbeer. Her thoughts then went back to how Nino had held her in the rain. Was she just…

“Jun, how do you know if someone likes you? Like likes you likes you,” she suddenly blurted out, feeling a blush later.

Jun looked taken aback, his hand stopping when he was about to take a sip of his drink.

“Why? Are you noticing something from me?”

Mao’s eyes snapped to him from Nino. “Heh?”

He then reached out and pulled the towel up to her hair and started to rub it dry silently. His eyes then went to Nino… Somehow he had a feeling…

**

Nino plopped down on the back porch, heaving a sigh. He tied up the garbage bag in his hand. Hearing someone come out, he glanced back. Jun.

“Have come to help me out finally?” he said. “Even though I organized this, you guys could have at least helped me in cleaning up.”

He gave a chuckle. Thankfully, he was in a good mood. It had been quite a success. His first party. Mao had totally enjoyed herself. Happy with himself he had thought of this. Jun seemed a bit preoccupied. He gave him a glance.

“How did you feel about your kiss with Mao?” he suddenly asked, his tone serious.

Nino looked taken aback. They didn’t hear the small noise that came from inside.

“W-Why are you suddenly asking that? That was nothing,” he said with a nervous chuckle.

Jun regarded him silently. He didn’t look satisfied with his answer.

“It was just… watermelony… I found out that was because of her lip balm.” He gave another nervous chuckle.

“Do you like her?” Jun asked.

“I-I already told you. The answer is no,” Nino said. And then carefully, “W-Why? Do you like her?”

“It’s just that your actions-“

Suddenly feeling a little restless, Nino gave a sigh. Honestly, he didn’t know the answer to Jun’s questions. Which was making him frustrated. It was too complicated.

“If you’re really wondering about this, I just- I just sort of feel bad for her…”

Jun frowned. “Bad? Why?”

“I found out some things from her sister. Some things that I don’t think I should share with you. But believe me, that is it.”

Yeah. That definitely is.

“I don’t like her. Why would you even think that?” Nervous laugh.

Jun seemed to be deep in thought. “Maybe you can tell me-“

Nino shook his head firmly, feeling like he should protect Mao. At the least.

“Until she herself opens up to us, I can’t tell you.”

They fell silent. Both of them somehow feeling particularly unsure about the things they’ve heard. Nino then stood up and announced loudly he needs to throw the garbage out now, trying to let out his nervousness. Mao then quickly stepped away from near the door.

**

She quietly closed the door to her room behind her. Hearing a pounding in her ears. She tried to walk towards her bed but then slid down on the floor, leaning against the door. So that was it. He found out the truth about her…. He was just feeling bad for her… Feeling sorry for her…. She felt a burning behind her eyes. And here she thought that he… He likes her… Like likes her likes her…. Stupid. Stupid. She felt so stupid actually thinking that! That thought shouldn’t even graze her mind. He already likes Aoi. What makes her think he’d look at her?

She quickly wiped away the tears that fell down. Pity. Sorry. She didn’t need that from him. She didn’t need that from anyone. And here she thought that somehow… he actually had truly give a damn about her. Was he just forcing himself all along? Or he just thought she was so sad…?

She then buried her head in her arms. But… she likes him… Likes him likes him… And she found herself on the losing end again… That’s how it’s always going to be, huh?

**

Nino took off his shirt as he stepped into the shower. Inoue hadn’t come out today. Must be wanting to sleep in. Hmm, maybe he should buy watermelon today. They can eat it out on the back porch. He smiled at that and took off his shorts. Two flashes suddenly appeared. What in Wookiees-

“My, my, Kazu. You need to work out more,” Mao’s voice then came from the other side.

He quickly pulled up his shorts and threw open the shower door. Mao was standing there with a camera in her hand, grinning mischievously. Enough is enough. He was not going to let this go.

“What the hell are you doing?! How did you get in?!”

Mao gazed at him, her face suddenly turning dark. “Traitor.” She then turned around and walked out. “I’ll be sending these off into cyberspace.”

Nino quickly put on his shirt and angrily followed her into her room. He whirled her around, eyes flashing. “What are you on about? Is this one of your stupid tantrums again?”

Stupid?

“You’ve talked to my sister!” she shouted, stopping Nino as a hurt look flashed across her eyes. “You’ve been taking pity on me all along!”

Nino stood there dumbstruck and then recovered himself. “Wait. No. That’s not it...” he started, suddenly feeling the crazy urge to make her see.

“I heard you last night. You feel bad for me right?” she said bitterly. “I told you not to think about anything else!”

“Don’t mind those stupid words.” He had the tendency to say stupid things. “I know what you said. But I was really concerned-“

“Really concerned?” she smirked. “Or just trying to find a way to send me back home?”

She was twisting things again. Nino glared at her. “Yeah, that’s it! I just want you out of the house as soon as possible! I’ve had it with you! You already know that so why don’t you just leave!”

“Then why are you still doing all those things? Trying to be nice, trying to make me feel better if you want me to leave so bad!” she shrieked at him, not really intending to say it out loud. She wasn’t making sense anymore.

Nino blinked at her.

“Look, it’s a fact that I’m really concerned. Mirai is really concerned-“

“I don’t want your pity. You’re just-“

“Will you get over yourself?” Nino suddenly yelled as Mao stared back. “Don’t twist people’s genuine concern for you!”

Mao had stayed silent and he continued on. “I will never ever know what you’re going through but you have to believe that I-“

“Get out.”

Nino gave a frustrated sigh. “We can’t leave it like thi-“

“Get out!” she yelled and pushed him out as he tried to stop her. The door slammed in his face as he raked his hand through his hair, scowling at it.

**

Nino sat inside his bedroom on the floor by the door. He took a peek outside and settled back in. He had gotten off from work extra early trying to see if Mao had come out of her room. She still hadn’t; staying inside the whole day. She’s bound to come out some time. He took a peek again at the walkie-talkie he had placed outside her door. After a while, he heard her bedroom door open. Fumbling for the other walkie-talkie, he left his door slightly ajar.

“Come in, Moogie! This is JediGeekus speaking. Come in. Over!”

He waited for an answer. He didn’t really know what he was doing. But he knew it would definitely catch her attention. His heart sank. She wasn’t-

The walkie-talkie crackled. “What the hell? Moogie?”

“You have to say ‘Over’ at the end of each message. Over.”

Nothing.

“Okay, you don’t have to do that,” he conceded. “A-Are you okay? Over.”

“No thanks to you,” came her reply.

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have gone behind your back like that. But I really am concerned. You were just so worked up… Over.”

She sighed. “Maybe I overreacted…”

“Maybe?” he quipped. “Over.”

“Don’t push it.”

“Okay,” he squeaked. And continued, “I admit. At first, I was feeling sorry for you… I thought I should make life easier for you. But in the end, it was never really about that. I just wanted to see you happy… Over.”

“Why?” came her quiet question.

Why? He frowned. Yeah… Why…?

“B-Because we’re friends! We’ve become close at some point, right? Not something I would have liked but meh…,” he teased, smiling. “Over.”

He heard her chuckle softly. “Yeah…”

“But still, I really wanted to zap you for the most times. Over.”

“That’s just the way it should be. Nothing should change.”

A comfortable silence fell.

And then, “Would you like to come out and have some watermelon? They’re juicy!” he asked. “Over.”

“I would like that.”

She could never really stay mad at him for long.

**

Mao sighed as she placed down her half-eaten watermelon and looked up to the night sky. Nino looked at her as he bit into his watermelon.

“Thanks for not telling Jun about things…,” she then said.

Nino nodded. “It’s not my place anyway…”

“You know, when you told me to get over myself-“

“I didn’t mean it like that. I know it’s an insensitive thing to say-“

“But I need to get over it. My dad’s never going to suddenly just change. Not for all these times. I should accept that already.”

Nino stayed silent as he waited for her next words.

“But somehow, it just stays there… No matter what. It’s there and I can’t help it…,” her voice trailed off.

And she hates it when everytime she thinks about it, a lump forms in her throat. She just wanted to become numb to the hurt… but…

“It’s not really something you can forget… and no one expects you to. Just that… don’t block out the other people that truly want to be there for you…,” he offered.

Mao gave a shaky smile. “I think it’s better for me. To think that people don’t really care. Than to think they do, when in reality… it could be the exact opposite.”

Her eyes went to Nino. She blinked hard, feeling the tears form. She gave a laugh. “My own dad doesn’t even want to love me. Who else would want to, right?”

“That’s not true,” he said seriously.

She met Nino’s gaze. She really hoped so… That someone would want her too… and she really hoped it was… She gave herself a mental shake. Enough about that. A silence came over them.

“You can show it to him, you know? That you’ll be okay,” Nino then said.

She inclined her head to the side, not understanding.

“Shout it out! Just shout ‘I’ll be okay!’” Nino grinned at her. “Don’t let him get to you!”

“You have Eita, Asami, Jun, me,” he continued. “And, fine, Aiba.”

They both chuckled out loud at that. Mao gave him a sideways look.

“I won’t even complain about you being noisy,” he joked.

Mao laughed and then took a deep breath.

“I’ll be okay! I’ll be okay!” she kept shouting to the sky. Feeling slightly silly but for a moment, she really believed that.

Nino smiled softly at her side. I’ll be okay! Maybe she will be... She blinked again. Oh-bi Wan. She couldn’t hold the tears any longer. Why did he have to make her cry?

“Turn around,” she then said to him.

“Heh? Why?”

“Just turn around,” she pushed him as she tried to wipe the tears away. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

Nino smiled at that and then obliged. He suddenly stiffened. Mao had suddenly hugged him from behind. Her face buried in his back. He could feel the warm tears soak into his shirt.

“Thank you…,” she then said, her voice muffled. “For putting up with my craziness…”

Nino gave a gentle smile. “So, will the craziness end now?”

“Not a chance,” came her answer, a grin in her voice.

“Why did I even have to ask?” he joked, as he looked up the sky.

Mao grinned and tightened her hold on him. Loving the feel of his warm back. She could stay this way forever… If only… They stayed that way a while…. Contentment filling them… And then Nino heard her blow her nose.

On his shirt.

“Sithspit! You got moogers on me!” he yelled, disgusted as Mao laughed out loud amidst his exasperated cries.

**

Nino opened his door and stood there, stretching and yawning; Mao doing the exact same thing. It’s been a while since they had slept in. Their eyes met… And then made that familiar snap to the bathroom. This time he was going all out. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

Well, he ended up on the floor today as Mao’s triumphant laugh came from the bathroom before it closed. Chuckling, he pried himself from the floor then heard the doorbell. Who could it be? Yawning again and scratching his head, he opened it. A guy dressed smartly stood there. Pretty cool-looking guy. Never seen him before…

“Yes?” he asked him.

“Is Inoue Mao here?”

Nino gave a frown. “Oh. Who-“

“My name is Ikuta Toma,” the guy cut him off, taking a look inside. “Her fiancé.”

Nino stood there dumbstruck, just staring at him as the guy frowned at him. Fiancé? She had a fiancé? Well, so what if she has one? What’s it to him?

He then felt something in his heart. Suddenly, a certain monster alien was rearing up its ugly head. A certain green-eyed monster alien. Well, hello…

Hoooooly Sith…