A/N: Oh my God this is rather disappointing.. I only got a few reviews for the previous chapter Gosh! What happened??? Ha ha.. Nevermind…. I’d like to still thank those who still continue to read my story although you did not review he he and expecially to those who reviewed from time to time...

Those who gave me advice, I appreciate it very much… now I dunno who told me about my mistake on acid nitric but thanks again… You left yourself anonymous so you know who you are.. however I checked up on that matter at wikipedia and it was stated that acid nitric can be dangerous too if its very concentrated or something like that... I’ll go check up on that again.. if its really not logical I’ll change it.

I’ll stop the rambling and get on with the story.. Hope this chapt will be of favour to you guys..

“Speech”

‘Thoughts’

( Thoughts as well but under certain circumstances you’ll understand when you come across it )

Chapter 10

Lunch time is over. The customers of Venus are filing out of the café towards their own destinations while the employees sighed in defeat. It has yet become another ‘less than expectation’ afternoon. The two handsome part-timers of Venus are now shuffling behind closed doors of the changing room, getting ready for project ‘Spy the Enemy’.

“Guys be sure to have a good look at the place and gather as much information you can muster alright?”

“Yes Maam” The two ‘spies’ said in unison.

“Good. sigh It’s such a waste that I can’t go with the both of ya. I can’t bare to set foot on our enemy’s base. I will be horrible if I loose control and burn it down for causing my beloved Venus in such a state and for making my dear Mr. Pawn filled with worry and despair” Aki explained as she clutched her ‘heart’ in drama. “Well then all the best!”

“Yeah right.. you couldn’t get a date and you didn’t have the guts to ask Pawn that’s what mumble.. mumble.. ”

“I heard you Darien”

“Bye!” The two boys did a hundred meter dash and head to the direction of the small playground where Kyara had decided to be their meeting place. When the playground came to view, the boys slowed down while panting for air.

“You pant just can’t pant resist pant can you”

“Nope pant”

The boys sat down on the swings for the other three companions. “ yawn This is such a drag. Maybe we should have just refused Aki to do this shit” Kyotei earned himself a chuckle.

“Its not so bad.. well for me.. It has been a while I didn’t bring Izzy for a nice meal like this. I think the idea is quite the fun”

“Traitor” That earned him another laughter.

Kyotei looked at his watch ‘3.45’. “They are fifteen minutes late.. where the hell are they?!”

“Patience my dear friend. They may be a wee bit overexcited dressing the little guy up and got carried away”. Kyotei grunted at that.

They both waited and waited…. Twenty minutes………… “ARGH WHERE THE HELL AR….”

“We are here!!! Soory” Kyara waved vigorously.

“Sorry it was difficult to get the cab” Izzy explained while walking over to them.

“Why don’t you guys just take the train love?”

“We don’t wanna walk far and get our make up messed up in the heat hee”

“Doesn’t matter. You’ll always look beautiful to me” Darien gave her a peck on the cheek.

“That’s sweet but it’s not me that we are worried about here, its Mai”

“Hey where is he? You lost him?!” Kyotei looked around frantically in search of said person.

“I thought he was following me a moment ago!” Kyara walked towards the same path they took to come here.

“Mai…MA…..”

“Ah!” The shouts came from behind a large tree a few meters from the playground.

“Whats that?.. is that you Kyara?”

mumbles “Its okay.. Come.. you… have to.. nervous or anything ….perfectly fine” mumbles

All that could be heard by the three was bits and pieces of ramblings from behind that tree that made no sense. They went around it to inspect.

“Hey..” The rest of Kyotei’s word went back to where it came from when he locked eyes with the beautiful creature that stood opposite Kyara. The once unruly hair are now in neat curls, side partitioned and pinned with a green clip. The lithe body is now in creamy beige, knee-length dress that disguises his gender well. It has a high-neck collar that is pinned together with a clover leaf brooch, the waist tied to fit with a large ribbon, the sleeves is short and slightly puffy that adds cuteness to the whole package. But the most prominent feature that had captured Kyotei’s attention is the eyes. The mismatched eyes that were beautiful as it is are now absolutely captivating. The dark shades of the eye shadows have heightened the colours of those eyes, intensifying the pull, making the observer drowned into those wonderfully dreamy eyes.

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

‘Should I be wearing this? I don’t remember seeing any male wearing this before… but Kyara and Izzy said there are… really? What if Kyotei doesn’t like it?... But I really want to help Kyotei… he had been kind… he accepted me and allowed me to live with him.. even though it may only be a while…but I want to help him in return….well I can’t do that if I keep sitting behind a tree like this!….. I must make sure that I do what Kyara told me to do properly!’

“Ah!”

Mai got shocked out of his whirling thoughts when something heavy stumbled unto squatting figure making both of them fall flat on the ground.

“Mai! There you are!” the words strained out of the other person. A familiar person at that. Mai his face to see Kyara’s face etched with relief.

“What are you doing squatting down behind the tree? I thought we left you behind somewhere. Kyotei almost killed me”

“Kill you?!!”

“Just a matter of speech my dear”

“Huh?”

“Nevermind, I’ll explain next time. Now let’s go they’re waiting for us…. Mai?” Kyara stopped and look at the boy whose body is still etched to the same spot.

“Um.. I don’t know if I can do this… but I want to” Mai said quietly.

“It’s okay kiddo. Come. You don’t have to be nervous or anything. We practiced right? You will be perfectly fine” Kyara gave a reassuring smile.

“Okay. I wi..” Mai’s sentence cut short when I met eye to eye with sparkling blue. ‘So beautiful’ was all that run in the boy’s head right now. His saviour and current caretaker certainly looked different than usual. Most of the time it would have been a worn out t-shirt and a pair of equally worn out jeans but today… oh yeah… he has a slim-fit black collared shirt along with a dark loose-fit denim. His hair was not gelled in spikes but worn down, longer strands framing his face just below the ear. On his neck hung a clover pattern pendant on leather strings, courtesy of his sister who had bought it along with the one Mai wore as a brooch. The so-called ‘couple items’.

It was a ‘cool’ look as how Kyara had put it. She insisted that Kyotei should dress up for once. Although it was just some made up ‘date’, Kyara said he should take the opportunity to indulge himself a little. Wear something nice, look good, go out and have a great time.

Well all was silent for a few good seconds until Izzy decided to break the staring competition. “Ahem”. Everyone turned to the girl. “Are we ready?”.

“Y-yeah lets go” Kyotei immediately turn and head towards their destination.

“Bro…. here” With that, Kyara gave a gentle shove and have Mai stumble into Kyotei’s arms. “You both might as well put up the act now and get use to it by the time you reach the café. Well my work here is done so see ya back at the apartment later neh? Have fun. Bye”

“You sure you don’t wanna join us?” Izzy asked.

“Nah, I’d feel left out LOL. Don’t worry I’ll have fun at the mall.. shopping. Ciao”

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At the enemy’s lair…..

“Table for 2?”

“Ah y-yes”

“This way please. Will the table nearby the little pond be alright?”

“Perfect. Thank you”

“You are most welcome. Here are the menus, a waiter or waitress will be here shortly to take your orders. Enjoy!”

‘That is some service and the place is fucking beautiful’

Kyotei looked at the surroundings in awe. The place is pretty spacious and the interiors are beautiful. Well it may not look like it from the outside, simple looking exterior and all but damn, they have a pond in the centre of the bloody café! With large carps! Dozens of them! The two sides of the seats are hung like swings, made comfy with cotton filled cushions. The dinning tables in between them are modern looking. The surroundings are floral themed but somehow not overly so. It was just right. The hosts and hostesses are at least decent looking but however majority of them are considered handsome or pretty. Their uniforms are creamy beige in colour, the waitresses wears long sleeves, knee-length dress and a dark brown apron over them while the guys will wear long sleeves shirt, dark brown slacks and also the apron. A dark brown scarf tied in a bow completes the uniform. The whole place just radiates romance somehow. Of course any individual can dine here, but it will not feel right without a partner ya know…. Man this is one tough cookie! The varieties of a la carte dishes are extensive too.

Now Kyotei is browsing at the menu. Somehow this task was made difficult due to a certain distraction. Mai who is currently seated across him is the culprit. Mai, though entirely unknowledgeable of the items in the menu, it was best to keep up the act as practiced. He looked, looked, and looked all over the menu for God knows how long. It’s okay. Kyotei will help make the orders when the time comes as planned. The slim brows knitted together in a frown made his small face even smaller. It looked funny but in a cute way. Kyotei is having difficulty in dragging his sights away from this figure across him. The surrounding dim lights have given a glowing effect on Mai somehow. His hair looked shinier; his features looked slim and angular, his eyes richer in colours.

Kyotei’s thoughts begin to flow back in time to when they were walking their way here. To when Izzy and Darien are walking ahead while Kyotei and Mai followed behind them. To the time when he decided they should put up the act when nearing the café. To the time when he toughens his guts and grab the smaller and oh-so-nice-and-soft-to-touch hands into his grasp. He continued to do so until they were seated, despite Darien’s and Izzy’s taunting. Damn lights.

“Would you like to order now sir?”

“Yes. I’d like a set of Thai Green Curry Prawn and a glass of Long Island Tea please. For hi.. uh her is a serving of Butter Fish and Chips as well as a glass of freshly squeezed orange”

“Will that be all sir? Or would you be interested in trying today’s special dessert which would be the Berry Shortcake? The gorgeous lady would certainly love it. Many female customers have come to complement this dessert very well so far”

“Maybe later, (no) thanks (you twit! And if you look at Mai like that again I am gonna sock your fucking eyes!)”

“Your welcome sir” The handsome waiter left to place their orders.

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“Hey this Creamy Crab Croquettes are so Delicious! Here open up…”

“Ahumm” chew chew chew

“Here try mine. The pie filling is so juicy and the meat is tender too” Darien spooned a good amount and stretched over so Izzy can reach.

“Gosh the stuff here is good. No wonder the crowd seems to flood here. I wonder how the other two is doing though”

“They’ll be fine”

“Yeah. So what do you think of our effort in transforming Mai into a pretty girl?”

“A job well done”

“Well it should be. That was my old dress from when I was younger. The boy is petite. He couldn’t fit into the other clothes from my closet until mom came in. She looked at the boy for a few seconds, left the room and then came back with the old dress that I had insisted to give away after I outgrown it. I couldn’t stop laughing when he could actually fit the bloody thing”

“He is rather small for someone his age. He’s what? 16? But I think it kinda suite him somehow”

“Yeah. He so adorable. Gosh I never actually like someone this much from the first meeting” Izzy said in disbelieve.

“Now now, am I getting the feeling that my girlfriend is going to give more attention to another kid now?”

“Oh shut up” Izzy smack her lover playfully. “Don’t you think he’s like a little brother that you would like to protect and care for? He’s like the innocent and gullible type. Bastards will take advantage of him”

“You don’t have to worry bout that. I think that problem is taken care of” Darien chuckled.

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Glare. Glare .Glare

‘Jerk, go look at your own girlfriend’

“Kyotei? Are you not feeling well?”

“Ah ha ha ha. It’s nothing. How is the drink?” Kyotei asked as he notices Mai scrunch his face after taking a sip of the orange juice.

“It is sour”

“Well that’s fresh juice for you” Kyotei couldn’t help but smile in endearment at Mai Pier’s directness.

Mai returned the smile and could not help but to allow his sights to linger upon the other male’s feature a little while longer. The transgenic had not really looked.. as in really looked at his face and notice the little details like how the curve of his slim and wide mouth seemed to suite him so well, the straight nose, the almond shape eyes and its colour that is so very blue. ‘He looked serious most of the time. But he looks better when he smile’

“You look nice when you smile. I think you should smile more”

Kyotei snapped out of his reverie and looked slightly baffled. He didn’t expect the boy to compliment him like that out of the blue. Well come to think of it no one had really complimented him like that. So this has caused a rather light shade of blush to colour his cheeks.

“Really? Thank you” Kyotei chuckled. “ Well I think yo..”

“Excuse me sir, your Thai Green Curry Prawn and rice”

Stupid waiter. “Thank you”

“Your welcome, Butter Fish and chips for you miss”. Mai shifted to allow the waiter serve ‘her’ dish.

“Thank you”

.Glare

“Ahem. ” Kyotei emphasized.

“A-ah you’re most welcome” The waiter finally stopped is ogling and left to do his chores.

The two ‘couple’ ate and held conversations, one trying to make the atmosphere more comfortable for the both of them. Despite Kyotei’s many unanswered questions running around his head regarding his ‘unique’ companion, the moment was too comfortable and enjoyable to be starting an ‘answer and question’ session that could lead to unwanted or unpleasant memories for the small boy. Kyotei thought that it would be best to let Mai tell him when he is ready because Mai is TALKING! As In T.A.L.K.I.N.G! Not just a “Yes” or “No” or a nod!

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Almost an hour had past, dinner had been nice and Mai seemed satisfied with his new dish. Well cats should like fish right? However, now is the time. Kyotei fish around the leather sling bag he brought along. ‘Now where the hell is it? Don’t tell me I didn’t bring it! Ah here. Aki should have bought a silver coloured one. No she should have gotten a larger one!’

“Come on Mai let take picture” Kyotei suggested with a wink as he held up a small sleek black camera.

“Take pictures?” Mai looked at the gadget. Kyotei noticed Mai’s questioning look at the thing he’s holding.

“It’s a camera. Here..” Kyotei pressed the ON switch and the lens cover shifts to the side and the digital screen behind lights up.

“It’s a camera? I never saw one like this. It’s so.. big”

“Big?”

“Well the one I saw was.. smaller, like this” Mai made a sign, showing the item to be as small as a pen. “and this part is really really small” Mai pointed at the part where the flash is.

( O.o how small can it be?)

“Really.. well lets say we don’t have one like that here.. yet” Kyotei chuckled. “So shall we?” Kyotei got up and held out an offering hand. Mai took accepted it and they both walked to the pond.

“Why are we taking photos?” Mai asked.

“Well Aki, another friend of mine wants to know how this place looks like”

“Aki? Oh.. is it the friend who works at the same place as you and who forced you to come here today because she doesn’t a boyfriend to come with?”

“… Darien told you huh?”

Nod

“Well yeah.. she made us come here but we were willing to help so its okay. Alright go over there and pose for me”

“Pose?”

“Stand however you feel comfortable with… and smile”

Flash

“Mai, smile naturally. You are forcing your smile. It’s not as nice, see” Kyotei shifts the camera to let Mai look at the result.

“Relax your face don’t tense. Lets try again”

Flash

“Nope not good either, again”

Flash

“Hn”

“Not good?” Mai looked worriedly at Kyotei.

“…come over here” Kyotei made a hand gesture.

Mai walked towards Kyotei and stood in front of him. Doe eyes looked at the taller boy with a questioning look. In a split second, wonderful; sweet laughter can be heard as Kyotei reached out his hand and tickled the lithe figure around the ribs. Tears were brimming at the corner of Mai’s eyes and the boy writhed within the much taller one’s grasp to escape. The nightingale-like voice has attracted attention, giving the cue to stop the act. The cue was even more apparent when the vigorously moving body had apparently been rubbing against someone’s nether region that began to feel ‘alive’.

Okie time to let him go.

Kyotei let go of the boy and allow him to catch his breath while steadying his laughter.

Flash

Mai opened his eyes to see the camera directed at him.

“See, you look much better when you smile naturally”

Kyotei showed Mai the picture on the camera screen. The picture showed Mai’s laughing face in an adorable way. His curls framed his face; his eyes shut close and upturned slightly, his slightly pouty lips are opened decently. ‘I do huh’

“Well then lets take more pictures shall we?”

“Hai!”

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“Good night sweety” Izzy wished her boyfriend through her cell phone.

“Night”

“Do you think Mai and Kyotei has left the place yet?”

“I suppose so. It’s already almost three hours since we left the place and it’s nearing nine o’clock. I sure hope they are done”

“Yeah. They make such a cute couple don’t you think?”

“Sure I guess”

“You are no romantic”

“Only for you”

“Silly giggle go sleep already you have work in the morning”

“Well you have class”

“Yeah. Ugh… Night”

“Sweet dreams”

click

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After the taking some shots around the café, Kyotei had decided to take a walk at the park before heading home. Mai is now on a swing while Kyotei stood behind, giving gentle pushes. The breeze blew softly caressing smooth skin causing shivers throughout the little body.

“Cold?”

“A little”

“Well let’s get home then, its getting late”. Kyotei offered a hand and pulled the boy up. Not wanting to loose the warmth the other hand brings, the catboy tightened his hold. Kyotei was surprised. That little gesture shows that the catboy has given some if not a little trust to Kyotei, and it sure made his day a little brighter at the thought of it. Kyotei returned the pressure and secured the smaller hand as they made their way to the train station.

After a few minutes of waiting both the boys took the train and continued their way home on foot, waving to the Akatsui couple on the way who had closed their bakery shop and was heading home as well. Upon reaching their apartment Kyotei pulled out his key and open the lock despite his inner refusal to loose contact with the other’s hand.

“We’re back” Kyotei spoke loud enough to be heard from the living room.

“Heya! So how was your date?!” Kyara trotted excited over to them.

“It not a date” Kyotei took of his shoes and placed them on the shoe rack.

“Tch, can’t take a joke huh” Kyara stuck out her tougue at her brother and turned to give Mai a hug.

“So how is everything? I presumed that everything went as planned”

“You can say that”

“Lemme see the pictures!”

“Tomorrow”

“…Y?”

“It’s Aki’s and she might not want other people to see her previously taken pictures unless approved of…Look I’ll download it into my laptop and you can see it tomorrow alright?”

“….Fine” Kyara pouted and looked at the boy in her arm to give him smile. “So how was it for you Mai?”

“It was nice” Mai returned the smile.

“What did you eat” Kyara asked as she led them over to the couch while Kyotei left for his room.

“I had Butter Fish and Ships”

“Butter Fish and Chips” Kyara chuckled at the innocent mistake.

“Chips”

“That’s right, it is also known as French Fries”

“French Fries?”

“Yup…hey, I think you should go bathe its getting late. Here, let me help you loosen up the ribbon…….. there”

“Thank you” Mai smiled appreciatively before making his way to Kyotei’s and his room (well.. for now) to undress.

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Mai was done bathing and is now in front of the television watching a comedy with Kyara. Kyotei came out of the room and made his way to the bathroom to bathe. Kyara sneaked a look at her brother. Once sure that he is in the toilet and the sound of the shower is on, she turned to Mai and asked.

“Mai, where did Kyotei keep the camera when you last saw it?”

“The camera? It’s on the table. He connected it to the computer just now. He said he wanted to transfer the pictures and delete some that are not nice”

“Hee hee hee…Mai keep an eye at bro for me. If you hear the shower turned off call for me alright?”

Mai wondered why but didn’t ask. “Okay”

Kyara walked briskly to her brother’s room and immediately spotted the camera next to the computer. She sat on the chair and took the camera, scrolled over the pictures happily; not bothering to see the old pictures that are most likely taken by Aki. It was filled with the same pictures of one guy. ‘Is she obsessed with the guy or somethin?... ah here are the pictures… aw Mai looked so nice… my brother could look so charming but why on earth is he so ignorant bout it’ Kyara viewed and viewed and…

“Kyara!”

“Shit!” Kyara fumbled and dropped the camera. She tried to grab hold of it but Kyotei got to it first.

“I told you to tomorrow didn’t I?” Kyotei half glared at his sister in amusement.

“Damn. MaI why didn’t you call me”

“Oh he did alright, many times too”

“Come on, there’s only a few more pictures what different does it make if I were to look at them now” Kyara whined.

“Tomorrow. Now out and let me get dressed.” Kyotei placed the camera back beside the laptop and held his towel on his waist from slipping.

“…are you hiding something from me?”

“To-mor-row”

“I hate you”

“I hate you too”

At that Kyara turned and mumbled on her way out. Kyotei sighed and slumped on the chair in relief. Yes in relief. Kyotei certainly did not want his sister. Thank God he returned to the room in time. Hearing Mai repeatedly calling for Kyara since before he came out from the bathroom had him feeling suspicious. It was confirmed when he noticed the door slightly ajar. A beeping sound from the computer demanded his attention. All the pictures are finally transferred into the laptop. He opened ‘My Documents’ and proceeded on opening ‘My Pictures’. He viewed the pictures in filmstrips and stopped scrolling when he found the on he was looking for. The picture is one of the last few pictures taken before they left.

Flash back

“Okay” Mai handed the camera back to Kyotei

“Not bad” Kyotei commented as he inspected the picture taken of him by Mai. He had insisted that Kyotei should have his picture taken too since they took many of Mai’s already. Within a minute of explanation on how to operate the camera along with some tips of photography, Mai became an instant photographer and a good at that too.

“Alri..”

“Excuse me sir please let me help you take a picture for he both of you”

“O-oh alright, thank you miss” Kyotei handed the camera over to the waitress and stood beside Mai.

“How bout posing some sweet posses?”

“Hah?” Kyotei felt his heart stopped for a second.

“It will be romantic with a background like this… Go on you don’t have to be shy”

“Yeah! Hug her closer” a voice cheered nearby.

“Give her a kiss” another echoed and followed by another few cheers, each one making Kyotei more nervous. Apparently they have an audience and they all are cheering with suggestions. So what should he do? He and Mai came posing as a couple. It is normal that he should pose with Mai in a little more intimately eh? What should he do? Mismatched doe eyes are now looking straight at him, waiting for him to make a decision. He really thinks he shouldn’t do this. He might put Mai into a shock. Cat calls and encouragements are thrown at him even more now. Damn them. Can’t they leave us alone! ‘Fine’

Kyotei grabbed Mai by the waist and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. The pond area seemed silent for a moment until the click of the camera button can be heard and its flash glare through closed eye lids. His vision is filled with beautiful forest green and golden brown eyes as he opened them gradually. He wanted to lean in and..

Whistles

“Whohooo”

“You’re da man”

Kyotei straightened immediately. His heart still pounded wildly… but he felt good.

Flashback end

Kyotei smilled at the thought. Mai looked so blur when that happened. Did he actually understood what took place? “Hachoo!”

“I better get dressed” Kyotei grab a pair of shorts and a worn out T-shirt.

Creak

“Kyotei?”

Kyotei turn to see a sleepy face.

“Sleepy?”

He received a nod and chuckled at the look on Mai’s face. Well they had a long day.

“Come on lets get to bed”

Mai got under the covers and adjust into a comfortable condition. Kyotei shut is computer off and proceeded to off the lights as well.

“Good night Mai”

“Good night Kyotei”

Kyotei turn of the light and got under the covers as well. Seconds turn into minutes and the minutes adds on to almost an hour of tossing. Sighing, Kyotei looked to the side to see Mai’s back at him. The easy breathing from the small boy indicated that he had fallen asleep. After countless hesitation, temptation won over. Kyotei stretched across the bed to pull the boy close against his body, spooning the lithe figure. The body shifted and made Kyotei freeze for a second. Mai turn over facing him and shifted even closer unconsciously to the comfy warmth and settled with a gentle sigh. Kyotei smiled. The boy looked so relaxed; the nervous frown that is usually on his face is gone. He lay down, breathing in the comfortable scent of strawberry courtesy of his sister’s shower gel and something else that he just couldn’t place, but he liked it. Not soon after, sleep envelopes his senses.