Okay everyone! New chapter is up! Thanks a lot for your review regarding the previous chapter. I'm sorry I couldn't reply to each and one of them personally. I'm quite busy with my work. Urgh~!

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Mai-HiME.

Chapter 10

"Think of how differently it would be if you never met the one person who changed everything..."

She stared at the luxurious interior with slightly gaping mouth. Never in my mind would I dream of being in this place… She would occasionally look around, checking out other people inside the building with amazement. She noticed the classy and expensive clothing around her while she was wearing her casuals; black tank-top, her favorite worn-out leather jacket, complemented with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and her biker boots. She glanced down at her own clothing. She swallowed a painful lump inside her throat.

Great.

She felt a slight apprehension slowly seeping in. Her confidence was already gone out the window by the moment she stepped in that restaurant. She didn't know Shizuru would take her there. It never crossed her mind at all. I should've asked… She mentally sighed.

At that moment, Shizuru had been watching how Natsuki's expression would change occasionally whilst looking around the area like a curious puppy. So cute… She just could not contain her smile when she noticed Natsuki started to get a little fidgety on her seat, a sign of her nervousness she presumed.

"Are you cold, Natsuki?" A mischievous smirk barely hidden on her lips but it was missed by the other person at that table.

Natsuki quickly shook her head, "No-no-no, I'm not. It's just—" her words stopped halfway as she glanced around the lavish restaurant again.

Shizuru raised her eyebrows in curiosity, "What is it?"

Natsuki leaned forward, her eyebrows dropped into uncomfortable look, "I've never been in this kind of place before… It feels weird…" she said it in a whisper, earning a soft chuckle from the brunette.

"It's nothing, Natsuki. Just the same like Kagutsuchi, except with—"

"Much-much more expensive set of food!" Natsuki said between gritted teeth, "You should've told me that you're taking me to this place! I don't want you to waste so much money just for a dinner!"

At that very moment, Shizuru burst into laughs but she quickly muffled them with her palm, trying not to disturb the serene atmosphere in that restaurant. Natsuki scowled at the giggling brunette. She could feel an upcoming heat towards her cheeks, slowly warming up her skin.

Shizuru shook her head slightly after her laughs subsided, "Don't worry about it, Natsuki. Actually, I got this complimentary pass for a free dinner for two."

Natsuki quirked an eyebrow, "Oh, really?"

"Yes! Our company has been such a loyal customer to this restaurant. We often hold a lot of social events and dinner parties here," Shizuru grinned brightly to Natsuki's dumbfounded face.

"I see… Okay then! As long as you don't have to pay for it, I'm all good." Natsuki smiled happily.

"I am not. It's all free…" Shizuru waved her hands as she chuckled.

Though she was all smiling, she was a tad worried if Natsuki would find out that the dinner was actually prepaid. She already had the dinner planned to be served course by course, all according to her favorite and a little knowledge about Natsuki's favorite food too. I must say that all the credit is to Tokiha-san. She suddenly came to me and said that Natsuki likes everything with mayonnaise. She's so perceptive. I'm really impressed! But I can't let Natsuki eat everything with mayonnaise, can I? It's so unwholesome! She mentally cringed at the thought.

Shizuru watched the younger girl again as the latter was fiddling with her silver cutlery. Sometimes she would skillfully spin them around her fingers, leaving the brunette watching with amazement. I hope she would never find out that I'm still paying for this dinner. Seriously, where is this complimentary dinner came from? This restaurant owner is so stingy, I never even get one.

Shizuru silently chuckled.

They were on their second course and Natsuki already felt like dying. I wonder if she eats this every day! This could not be compared with heavenly food that is Mai's cooking!

She stared at the platter, garnished with two pieces of what the hell is this? Many dots of—what is that? Ketchup? And on top of that, what the hell is this piece of leaf doing here in my plate? Does it even have a purpose in this dish? Oh my god… Let me die now…

"Those are mint leaves…"

Natsuki quickly ripped her sight from the dish and to the person right across the table. Shizuru curved up a smile at Natsuki's flabbergasted look as she took a sip of water.

"Mint? Does it taste like toothpaste?"

That was all it took to make the ever calm and elegant Fujino Conglomerate's heiress to choke on her water, multitasking between laughing and coughing at the same time. Shizuru was coughing so hard, earning quite an attention from other people in that restaurant.

"Oh my god, Shizuru! Are you okay?" Without hesitation, Natsuki instantly went for a napkin and she handed it to the brunette while patting her back to ease the coughing.

Shizuru quickly waved her hand, "I-I'm okay… I'm okay, Natsuki…" she managed to speak despite of heavy coughing she had.

Natsuki was unconvinced. She kept staring up at the brunette with a worried scowl on her face, still not moving from her spot where she was crouching next to Shizuru's seat.

"Are you sure? Your face is so red. Do you need more water or something? I can go ask the waiter—" She was about to stand up when a hand quickly wrapped around her right arm, stopping her from going.

"I'm okay… Please have seat, Natsuki…" Shizuru said pleadingly, tugging the arm with a gentle tug.

Eh? Natsuki did a double take at the soft hand around her right arm which she hadn't noticed it earlier. Another set of warmth shot up to her face again and she was sure her cheeks were shaded with bright red color. Quickly looking away, Natsuki obliged,

"O-okay! I'll take a seat…" she awkwardly staggered to her chair and looked at everywhere but Shizuru's face.

Shizuru managed a smile, more like an accomplished smile when she saw the blushing cheeks. I think it's starting to become my number one priority to make her blush everyday…

"Stop staring…"

A soft mumble quickly caught her attention. Shizuru blinked.

"Ara, what is it?"

Natsuki scowled at the brunette, "You! You've been staring at me with this weird grin on your face!"

Oh my… Am I that obvious? Shizuru could barely hold a smile, "No, I'm not staring at you. I'm staring at your cheeks. They are red. It's cute!"

"I am not! You're the same like Anh! It's so annoying!" Natsuki blew a breath, annoyed.

Shizuru giggled as she continued with her food, and with her staring. She almost choked on a small bit of the meat when Natsuki shot her a sharp glare which spoke volume of her irritation. Shizuru raised her palm in defeat and started to eat her dinner again. She occasionally would give a glance or two at the raven haired girl, smile never left her face.

Seriously, this woman is much-much worse than Anh! She decided to brush the thought away since her stomach was already grumbling, demanding for food. Natsuki picked up a fork and prodded the white meat or whatever that thing was, she just did not know.

"I'm sorry but what is this?"

Slowly munching on her share, Shizuru replied, "It's scallop."

"Scal—what?" Natsuki frowned.

"S-c-a-l-l-o-p, Natsuki…" Shizuru just couldn't handle it anymore, she chuckled, much louder this time. "Just try it. It tastes great!"

And with that, she chomped down in one huge bite. Natsuki's face contorted with each chew as she munched on the scallop, like she was chewing a failed cooking by 6 years old kid.

"How is it?"

Natsuki struggled for a smile as she swallowed, "Lovely."

Shizuru burst into laughs again.

Despite all the ridiculousness which was Shizuru's choice of food, Natsuki found the dessert was the best. It was a chocolate soufflé with coffee ice-cream and it instantly became her favorite that night.

"Oh wow! This coffee ice-cream is great too!" said Natsuki as she took another spoonful into her mouth.

Shizuru could finally breathe at ease. At last Natsuki could eat something and enjoying it. She could see how uncomfortable Natsuki was throughout the dinner and how she obviously couldn't enjoy each course. Now she regretted her decision for bringing Natsuki to that restaurant.

"I'm sorry, Natsuki…"

Her spoon halted midair towards her mouth when she heard it, "Hah? What for?"

Shizuru smiled apologetically, "For taking you here. I thought you would enjoy it… I was so full of myself when I made the decision. I did not even think twice of the possibility you might not liked it…"

Natsuki instantly put down her spoon, "No! Don't say that—" Natsuki quickly cupped her mouth when her voice came out a tad louder than she intended.

"Sorry…" she mouthed out to the curious eyes around her as she bowed her head a couple of times. Shizuru smiled sweetly, finding it cute when she saw Natsuki apologizing to the other customers.

Turning to face the brunette again, Natsuki scowled, "Anyway, back to our conversation. You don't have to be sorry. I'm glad you take me here. At least, I have tasted something I never had before."

"Like 'toothpaste' mint and scallop?" Shizuru quirked an eyebrow, smiling.

Natsuki chuckled, "Yeah. Especially those two."

And they shared laughs.

"Seriously Shizuru... Do you always eat those kinds of food every day?" Natsuki asked as they walked towards the parking lot side by side.

"Not really..." Shizuru replied with a wide smile, "But a few times a week though..."

"God..." Natsuki scratched her forehead, "I wonder how you survive with such food..."

"It's a good food." Shizuru quickly rebutted, chuckling. "And in case you want to know, what we had just now is called 'Fine Dining'."

"You called that 'Fine Dining'? It's FINE DYING, Shizuru!" Natsuki shook her head,

"Thank god it was free. If not, I would rather use that money and take you somewhere where we can have real food! I'll buy you real food like 50 pieces of chicken wings, dozens of heavenly taste BBQ ribs, 100 pizzas with 10 different toppings, 10 layers hamburgers, 50 bowls of Mai's special ramen, 20 teapots of your favorite tea... the possibilities are endless!" said Natsuki, pulling out her finger one by one as she contemplated with her list of food.

"Ara? So Natsuki did not enjoy having dinner with me?" said Shizuru, faking a sad tone. She sounded a bit mischievous but of course Natsuki missed to notice it. Shizuru mentally counted in her head as she waited for Natsuki's reaction.

1, 2... 3!

"NO! I didn't say that!" Natsuki snapped, cheeks blushing fiercely.

Shizuru instantly laughed, rejoicing her success in making Natsuki blushed for umpteenth times that night.

Natsuki watched her laughed. Her lips slowly curved upwards at the sight of that happy brunette. Am I the only person who able to make her laughs and see her like this? She just couldn't help but hope.

From being my boss... then a friend... Natsuki inhaled deeply and quickly looked away when Shizuru's laugh started to subside.

What's next...?

She could feel a sharp twinge in her stomach. Suddenly, all the feelings she had felt before came rushing in.

That sinking feeling that makes your limbs go weak and drains all your energy, and no matter what you try to distract yourself, it doesn't work for long. Doing anything is hard because it's impossible to concentrate and doing nothing is harder because you need to be distracted—

"Ara? Is Natsuki angry?"

She turned her head around, finding Shizuru smiled brightly at her. Despite the dimmed surroundings at the parking lot, Natsuki could see that Shizuru was worried with the sudden change of her face.

"Ah, no. I'm not... I was just thinking..."

"About what?"

Oh damn. She swallowed whatever that was lodged in her throat as she couldn't find a quick excuse to her mood change. Natsuki kept herself quiet as she walked a few steps ahead, leaving Shizuru behind.

"Natsuki?" Shizuru jogged to keep up with Natsuki's pace. Is she really angry? She started to worry. Her hand instinctively reached forward, grabbing at the hem of Natsuki's sleeve.

"Natsuki? I'm sorry—"

"Bbllpppttthhhh~!" Natsuki blew her tongue and laughed at Shizuru's stunned face. "Hahahaha~ Got you!" Natsuki quickly made a run towards her bike which was parked right beside Shizuru's car.

That definitely left the brunette tongue-tied. She was gaping uncharacteristically wide. Shizuru just couldn't believe Natsuki just blew a tongue at her face. She was so surprised that she forgot to laugh.

"Natsuki! What was that?" She asked the ever grinning raven haired girl when she reached at her.

"Payback." Natsuki arched one brow, chuckling as she slipped her helmet on.

Shizuru made an 'O' with her mouth as she folded her arms, "Ara, a payback for...?"

"For constantly teasing me throughout the dinner." She grinned. Though it was concealed with the helmet, Shizuru could notice it by the crescent-shape eyes behind the visor. She chuckled.

"Never thought Natsuki is so immature..."

"Takes one to know one." Flipping up her visor, Natsuki retorted with evident mirth in her voice. With that, Shizuru went into laughs again.

Natsuki watched again. Yes. She could only watch. That smile. That beautiful sound of Shizuru's laughter. She was glad knowing she was the source of that laugh. But what more could she be? She knew she need to keep a distance though she was already in too deep to be pulled out. She knew she need to get back home despite her heart spoke otherwise. She felt heavy, mentally fighting with her conscience. Seriously... what other excuses do I need to find so we could hang out with each other again—

"So, what's next?"

Natsuki blinked. "W-what?"

Shizuru was beaming, "Does Natsuki have any other plan for our next outing?"

She would dance naked on that very moment if someone dared her to when she heard Shizuru's question. Get outta my face, stupid grin!

"What do you have in mind?" Natsuki slowly took off her helmet because talking with a helmet on surely not comfortable.

Tapping her chin, Shizuru pondered, "Since Natsuki did not enjoy having dinner with me, she needs to find a way to make things enjoyable next time..."

Natsuki sighed exasperatingly, "I didn't say that!"

"Ara? So you did enjoy having dinner with me?" Shizuru asked with a mischievous grin when she saw Natsuki's face was no longer flushed.

Taking a deep breath, Natsuki started to relax, "Dinner with you was great, but the food? Hahahahahaha... NO!"

Shizuru pouted cutely, making Natsuki almost down to her desire to kiss that brunette right there. What the hell am I thinking?

"Okay! Since you insisted..." Natsuki gave a quick mental listing for a moment as she tried to list down any possible activity for her and Shizuru. Few seconds later, her eyes brightened at the sudden thought.

"Hey, I think there will be a firework festival soon!" Natsuki said excitedly.

Shizuru was ecstatic, "Really? Where? When?"

"I think it will be on Saturday night. At Fuuka River, if I'm not mistaken..." Natsuki scratched her jaw, biting her lower lips as she tried to recall.

"Fireworks... It sounds nice! I wonder what other things they have there..." Shizuru leaned against her car, smiling at the thought.

Natsuki hung her helmet on the handlebar, "What? You never been in a festival before?"

Shizuru shook her head, "We always have our own fireworks right in our backyard... My mother does not fond of crowds."

"You've got to be kidding me..." Natsuki placed a palm against her forehead, "So you never play all the games in the festival? What about the food?"

Shizuru shook her head again, slightly shrugging her shoulders with a wide grin on her face.

"Seriously...?" Natsuki sighed, shaking her head in disbelieve. "So I think it is an obligation for me to take you to the festival tomorrow night..."

"It is!" Shizuru added. Her face brightened with another smile.

Natsuki snorted at the excited face. "You seriously looked like a little girl just now, Shizuru..." she laughed again.

"It's cute."

Hearing such words came from Natsuki, something weird happened deep in her chest. It was like there was a tiny marching band, playing drums and crashing the cymbals, the reverberation rippled all over her body.

Saturday

Chie parked her car right beside the apartment/shop lot. It was still early on that Saturday morning. She decided to prepare and set all the equipment required for the photo shoot later in the afternoon. Since one of her staff was taking a day off today, she was short-staffed. And I have to do it all by myself…

Shuffling keys in her hand, she walked towards the main door. She was in the middle of unlocking the gate when she heard footsteps. Really hasty footsteps were advancing towards her way, making her intention to walk in to her studio hindered. She decided to take a look around, only to be surprised by a hug.

"Chie-chan!"

Nao drove her small compact car along the quiet road. It was early and she decided to take a little jog near the park before heading to Kagutsuchi for breakfast. It was her routine for every Saturday morning. Except when she was feeling lazy or when she had someone in her bed. I would rather do an exercise in bed instead of running around the park...

She wasn't the health-conscious type of girl. She ate whatever she wanted but despite all that, she definitely did not want to get fat. Besides, she didn't have the courage to eat every single 'slimming pills' that ever existed because she never trusted such method, or at least someone told her not to.

"No! Slimming pills are dangerous! You shouldn't eat those! You never know how it works on your body. Just take the traditional route! Exercise! Take care of what you're eating and you'll be good!"

She chuckled silently at the thought. "I can't believe it came out from someone who basically eats everything with mayonnaise…" she spoke to herself, smile never left her face.

The road took her to a neighborhood which she recognized so well. It was west from Fuuka City Centre, a quiet suburb which she had learned to love. Definitely going to move here one day… but it's far from my work place… She mentally sighed. Maybe I need to find a new job…

While she drove past the buildings, she noticed a very familiar woman was being hugged by a girl.

A small girl actually.

What the— Nao did a double take before turning the car around dangerously for a U-turn. Luckily there weren't so many cars on the road. She parked right behind a blue sedan and hastily stepped out the vehicle, surprising the young woman who was laughing along with the small girl.

"Don't tell me that she's your long, missing child, Harada Chie!" Nao exclaimed, gaining more surprised look from the short-haired woman.

Chie frowned at the statement, "What!? Don't be ridiculous, Nao! She's not my daughter!" she loosened her hold around the small girl.

"Chie-chan? Who is that?" asked the girl. Chie smiled brightly as she gestured at the red head.

"That is my friend. You can call her Nao-chan!"

Nao raised an eyebrow to the ecstatic girl before her.

"Nao-chan! It's nice to meet you! My name is Aoki!" she claimed the red head's right hand, shaking it frantically. It was her friendly way of greeting, or so to speak.

With her hand was still being shaken by the young girl, Nao shot a glare at her short haired friend.

"Seriously, Harada. You have a lot of explanations to do!"

Chie took a deep breath, placing her hands on both sides of her waist, "I know."

Both already got a cup of hot coffee in their hands. They decided to call for breakfast takeout from Kagutsuchi instead of going there. They watched the young girl strolling around the studio, looking around from one equipment to another with evident curiosity. A smile never left Chie's face as she watched the girl from the small corner in her studio.

"Seriously, since when you become such a pedobear? I didn't know you're desperate for a relationship that you're making one with a 7 years old girl!?" Nao exclaimed, watching through the corner of her eyes at the young girl who was scrutinizing a tripod.

Chie sighed for the umpteenth times that morning ever since she welcomed the red head into her studio, "For god sake, Yuuki Nao! Stop making such ridiculous assumptions! I am definitely not having any kind of relationship or whatever it is that has been crossing your mind! She's just a random girl I met the other day at the park. Actually, I didn't even really remember her!"

"So, how come she did remember you? Calling you 'Chie-chan' so lovingly, not to mention that…" Nao arched one brow questioningly, sipping her share of coffee.

In her mind, she quickly recalled the scene where she met Aoki for the first time. A thought quickly crossed her mind. Oh shit.

"Aoki!" Chie called.

"Yes?" the young girl quickly walked towards Chie with a questioning look on her face.

"Does your father know where you are right now? Did you tell him where you were going?"

Aoki made a small pout as she shook her head. Chie sighed.

"Nice. Now you have a 'daddy' who is probably searching for your doomed ass, Harada..."

"Enough with my stupid exes trailing my ass every now and then... I don't want an angry dad stops by my studio one day with a pump-gun." Chie stood up from her chair and she tugged on Aoki's arm,

"Come now. I'll take you home—"

"NO!"

Both Nao and Chie almost jumped on their feet when Aoki snapped, angrily pulling away her arm from Chie's grasp. Aoki quickly moved away from those two, cowering at the corner of the studio.

"Hey, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to—" Chie paused when she crouched right next to the girl. She saw something she didn't notice earlier. Behind that short pink skirt, Aoki's left thigh was tainted with black and blue. Though it was faded, Chie knew exactly what had caused them.

"Who did this to you!?" she instantly snapped, fingers tentatively touching the bruised skin and Aoki instinctively flinched away at the touch. The pain was still there.

Aoki bit her lower lips, rigorously shaking her head.

"Someone hit her or something?" Nao asked, leaning in as she inspected the bruises, brows furrowed in worry. Though she had just met that young girl for only a few minutes and not like she knew exactly who Aoki was, abusing little kid was not something she would tolerate. Not at all.

"I don't know..." Chie swallowed as her throat started to dry. She watched Aoki's face, learning for answer. She reached out her hand, gently brushing Aoki's brown tresses.

"Okay. Listen. I won't tell anyone. Just you, me and Nao-chan here. You don't have to be afraid." Chie inched closer when she saw Aoki was no longer afraid of her touch. Slowly, she circled her arm around the petite body, pulling her into an embrace. Just like that, Aoki burst into tears, sobbing and choking uncontrollably.

"It's okay... You are safe now. I promise." Chie tightened her embrace, resting her chin atop Aoki's head. She gave Nao a look which Nao knew so well.

Nao sighed heavily, scratching her head as she flipped open her phone. She pressed on the speed dial and she placed it on her left ear.

"I see what I can do..."

They watched her eating. Evidently hungry as she scooped more and more rice into her mouth, her cheeks started to bloat.

"Hey, slowly! Nobody's going to steal your food away!" Chie chuckled at the red tinted cheeks as Aoki slowed down her eating pace.

"I'm going to meet my friends over there. Just ask the waitress to bring them for you if you want something, okay?"

Aoki nodded, "Okay."

Chie smiled again as she patted Aoki's head. She sighed heavily as she walked over to the counter where her friends were.

"Is there anything yet?"

Nao shook her head, "We just have to wait. I've called my friend at the police station. She said she will inform me as soon as there is a report of a missing child in that neighborhood."

Chie nodded her head as she sat flop at the small stool beside Natsuki.

"You don't know where her house is?" Natsuki asked. Worry was evident on her face.

"No. I don't. Last time we were halfway to her house when her father appeared and took her home by himself." Chie sighed again, slowly rubbing her aching neck.

She felt tired. Suddenly weary and very much exhausted. Maybe doing too much thinking did cost her more than physical labor. It was already past afternoon and yet no report regarding Aoki's missing. She started to wonder if Aoki's parents were that heartless. She decided to take Aoki home by herself earlier that morning but the younger girl insisted not to. Aoki was scared, knowing that if Chie sent her home, she would have to face her furious father again.

"Was she abused?" Mai asked, leaning against the counter as she watched the young brunette eating.

"No idea. She didn't tell me anything. She only told me that her father will get angry if she told anyone about it." Chie put away her glasses, slowly closing her eyes. She massaged her temple. It was throbbing. Gently she felt a soft pat on her shoulder. She shot up her gaze, finding Natsuki smiled at her.

"Don't get it too hard on yourself. We'll figure this out together, okay?" Natsuki's grasp on her shoulder got firmer. Chie quickly understood. She smiled back.

"Yeah, thanks, Natsuki..."

"Oh, okay! Thanks a lot, Irina!" and Nao ended the conversation as she flipped off her phone. She walked back to her friends. They were looking at her intriguingly.

"Her mother made a report. She's at the police station. Her husband was nowhere to be found and when she noticed that Aoki was missing too, she instantly went to the police station."

Natsuki let out a relief sigh, "Took her long enough! What was she doing?"

"She just got back from work, mutt! She found her house was in a mess. She suspected a robbery and a possible kidnapping of her husband and her daughter..." Nao added to contradict Natsuki's assumption.

"Anyway, Chie!" Nao called.

Chie instantly raised her brows in response, "Yeah?"

"Her mother's name is Aoi..."

Chie could feel her world suddenly spinning.

They had arrived at the said police station. Nao drove them there. It was a normal ride for both Nao and Natsuki but totally nerve-wracking for one Harada Chie.

She was scared. She had been silently hoping that her fear would not coming true. Everything she had kept away suddenly cracked open and came back rushing in, flooding inside her chest with incoherent emotions. Her eyes instantly seek for Aoki. She watched the young child who had fallen asleep in her arms. Realization hit her. The resemblance was unmistakable. Though she did notice it earlier when they first met but she decided to put it aside, assuming it was a total coincidence.

How stupid of me...Why didn't I think about this earlier? Aoki... Aoi... Even the names are almost similar!

"Okay! Wakey-wakey, Aoki-chan! Your mother is right there!" Natsuki opened the car door, patting at Aoki's cheek, gently waking the young girl.

"Unh? Mommy?" Aoki yawned slightly, causing a soft chuckle from the raven haired woman as Natsuki picked her up.

"Yup! We'll take you back to your mom, okay?"

"Is that her?" Nao pointed at the brunette haired woman who was sitting outside the building, face in her palms.

Chie could feel her lungs constricted. She found it suddenly hard to breathe as she stepped out the vehicle. Not her... Please god, not her...

"Come on, Chie! You need to file for a report too. I don't want Aoki's family accuse us for kidnapping..." Nao nudged at the tensed woman. Her brows furrowed at Chie's face."Oi! What is going on with you—"

"Mommy!" Aoki already made a run towards the woman outside the building.

As they watched the scene unfold, Chie stood there frozen while her fears slowly unveiled. That brown hair, those crystal blue eyes; she could identify it even in the darkest room. The smile on that woman's face as she hugged her daughter tightly, she could recognize them in a heartbeat.

God... I miss her so much.

Suddenly the fear which had haunting her earlier dissipated. She was granted with an unknown strength which she didn't know where it came from. The urge to greet that woman was unbearable. Her hands were itching to grab that woman into her arms and never let go again.

She didn't realize while she was contemplating with her own thoughts, her legs made their own effort to walk towards the building, standing in front the woman and her daughter.

"Mommy! Here she is!"

Chie couldn't stop herself from smiling when she saw that face. The reaction she got almost made her laugh. The other woman was literally gaping as she slowly stood up eye level with Chie.

"Long time no see, Aoi..."

She was grinning. If anyone randomly saw her smiling like that, they would probably think that she was crazy. Well, actually she was indeed crazy.

She was crazy in love with somebody. Somebody who happened to text her regarding their little outing later that night, asking for details of place to meet. She texted back, couldn't help but to smile at the thought how casual it had become; phone calls and texting, setting up time and place for a meeting. Like she was on for a real date. At least that was what she thought. She didn't know how the other person might thought about it but she just settled with whatever she had right now.

"Seriously... With you grinning like that, I wonder why you're still not signing up yourself in a mental hospital?"

Natsuki shifted her eyes to the red head beside her. She flipped off her phone. Her brows furrowed as she hissed, "Shut up."

Nao scoffed at the raven haired girl as she continued filing her nails, "I heard that you got a dinner date with Fujino last night. How was it?"

Natsuki's memory quickly made a brief flashbacks, "It was awesome." She smiled.

"Awesome like she invited you back to her apartment and finished up with a 'final dessert'?"

Nao didn't have to look to know how red Natsuki's face was. And she didn't have to wait too long for Natsuki's outburst.

"NO! Why are you always concluded everything about me and Shizuru with sex!? We are definitely not heading that way!" Natsuki paused, "A-at least not yet..."

"Yeah. Keep dreaming, mutt." Nao shoved herself off the car and she walked into the police station, leaving the dumbfounded woman alone.

Natsuki frowned at the retreating figure. She was expecting more snide remarks from that red head but she received none.

"Are you done?"

Chie raised her head, staring up at Nao's concern face. She gave a weak nod.

"Yeah."

Nao walked over to sit next the short haired girl. She let out a sigh, "They left?"

"Uh huh."

Nao curved up a smirk, "You owe me an explanation about you and Aoki's mom..."

Chie sighed, "Too long to begin with..."

"Make it short."

Chie instantly snorted at Nao's insistence, "Okay! Let's go out tonight!"

Nao arched one brow questioningly, "Where to?"

"Fuuka River. They'll have a firework festival. I'll bring along Aoki and her mother too."

They had left the police station few hours ago and now she was riding back to her apartment, getting ready for the festival later that night. As she rode her bike approaching a very familiar building complex a few hundred meters ahead, her eyes lightened up. Natsuki dropped the gear, eventually came to a halt right in front a vast building which ornately built in concrete and rendered a pleasant medium gray. She smiled. This was the place where she used to go back and forth every day, working as a delivery girl. She remembered she had to climb all the way to the top floor just to send away a document because the elevator was broken. She silently snickered. Ah, I wonder if Yamazaki-ojisan is on his shift tonight... Kinda miss him...

She was about to move again when she spotted the grey metallic Pontiac Solstice which parked at the private parking lot which she recognized instantly.

"That's Anh's car..." Natsuki quickly maneuvered her bike in to park right beside the said car. She stared at the expensive exterior then she tilted up her head, stretching her sight at the 40 storey building. Natsuki frowned.

"What is she doing here?"

"Anh-sama was having a meeting here earlier, Kuga-san." said the receptionist, "By the way, haven't seen you around lately. Are you on leave?"

Natsuki smiled sheepishly as she scratched her cheek with her index finger, "Um yeah... kind of... Anyway, is she still in the boardroom?"

The receptionist gave a bright smile and a nod. Natsuki quickly thanked her and started to move towards the elevator. She pressed the 'Up' button and the metal door opened almost instantly. Natsuki stepped into the elevator, silently contemplating which floor should she go.

"If I'm not mistaken, the boardroom is on 35th floor..." She said to herself as she pressed the number. The whole ride was quiet as Natsuki tried to come out with a good reason to talk with Anh. She didn't know why she felt like seeing that brunette. The unknown reason which had brought her legs right outside the boardroom. She stared at the exclusive design of that door. Hand moved towards the knob and she turned it slightly, pushing it forward.

She saw a figure far across the boardroom, sitting facing the vast windows which had a direct sunset view. Natsuki smiled. She silently made her way towards the figure, having an intention to scare the person behind the chair only to be surprised when she saw a tilted head, closed eyes and a slightly opened mouth.

Anh was sleeping. Natsuki almost laughed.

She bended down to her knees as she watched the sleeping brunette. Natsuki found it a little fascinating when she saw such look for the first time. Sure Anh had this charming aura around her and she definitely could make men and women alike, doing a double take if she had a walk around the town. Natsuki was no exception, except she already learned Anh's playful nature and her being the constant target of Anh's teasing. Truth to be told, she kind of missed it if she didn't get her daily dose of Anh's teasing. One had to wonder how that brunette managed to cause such effect to one Kuga Natsuki.

"Watching someone sleeping is never romantic, you know?"

Natsuki's eyes widened almost instantly as she bolted up, only gotten herself stumbled on her feet and she fell on her bum. She could feel her cheeks burned at the sight of grinning brunette.

"How long have you been awake?"

Anh smiled wider, "Since you stepped into this boardroom." she opened her eyes fully and she stretched her arms up, "Actually I could sense your presence even though you're miles away, you know?"

Natsuki snorted at the comment as she slowly got up to her feet, "And you snore."

"Am not."

"You are."

Anh arched one brow playfully, "I am NOT," emphasizing her defense to Natsuki's claim.

"You were sleeping. How could you even hear yourself?"

"Because I'm that awesome."

Natsuki broke into laughs. "Anyway, I want to inform you that there will be a festival near the Fuuka River."

Anh rubbed her weary eyes slightly, "What festival?"

"Fireworks." Natsuki grinned, "I would like you to come along too..."

"Ara? Is Natsuki asking me out for a date?" Anh winked at the girl, slowly causing Natsuki's face to crunch into an annoyed look.

"No. Shizuru also will be there. My sister and my friends too. So, it's not a date." said Natsuki, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Ah, you cannot make me think the other way round, Natsuki-chan! And I expect a full treat tonight."

Natsuki frowned at the statement, "You're the one with lots of money and yet asking me to treat you! Just a candy though!"

"Aww... you're so stingy!"

So, as is obvious to you guys, I decided to make this story not only about ShizNat but also trying to develop other characters. Because if I did only ShizNat, this story would end in the next one or two chapters. So yeah, I'm that evil so I want you guys to wait a little longer for the ending. XD