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Author of 10 Stories |
"Let's see, 872, 872." Keitaro walked down the halls, looking for Su's room. "868. 870. Ah, 872!"
He knocked on the door and a voice called from inside. "It's unlocked! C'mon in!"
Keitaro walked inside and took his shoes off. The lights were dimmed. Su sat on the couch, her legs curled up close to her body. She had changed since their meeting. Now she wore loose fitting jeans and a white tank top. The TV was on, a music channel belting out an '80's tune. She turned down the volume and greeted him. "Hey, Keitaro."
"Hi, Su-chan."
Keitaro brought a bottle out from behind his back. "Here, I brought this. It's just some wine. Thought we could have a glass or two while we talked."
"Oh! I'll grab some glasses." She grabbed the bottle took it over to the cupboard in the room's kitchenette.
Keitaro strolled around nervously. "Nice room," her commented. "Do you always rent suites when you go to conventions?"
She laughed. "Not always. I just wanted to splurge on this trip."
He walked to the window and looked out over the city. It was beautiful. The thousands of lights made the city look like a swarm of fireflies. Keitaro saw a reflection in the window. Turning, he saw Su standing next to him. 'God, she's pretty,' he thought. She handed a glass of wine to him.
"Beautiful, huh?" she commented, taking a sip.
Keitaro blushed deeply, and then realized what she was talking about.
"Oh, the view! Yeah, it is."
They both stood there silently, enjoying the lights.
"So," asked Su, "what happened after you and Naru left the Inn, Keitaro?"
He swallowed a mouthful of wine and stared out across the city.
"Well," he began, "we moved into an apartment in the Nerima district of Tokyo and finished university. But it got trashed by this redheaded girl and a guy with an umbrella, so we moved into Naru's family's house. We lived there for about half a year and then we had a fight about our relationship. I was travelling lots and she wanted to get married. But I couldn't let her do that; marry a guy on the road eight months out of the year." He shifted uncomfortably and swallowed a sob. "It was horrible. She cried the whole time and," he sniffled, "and we broke up just over seven months ago."
Su gingerly placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Keitaro."
He pulled off his glasses and wiped a tear away with the back of his hand. "It's ok. It's just hard to talk about, even now."
Su glanced down, a sad look on her face. "I know what you mean. The same thing happened between Shinobu and I."
Keitaro placed his glasses back on. "What? You two were together?"
Su smiled. "Yeah, just after you guys left."
"So, are you, uh-"
"What? A lesbian? No, bisexual. Shinobu was too, I think. Maybe she was just confused. I don't know. Either way, she met a guy from work and left me for him. Last I knew, they'd gotten married and moved to Osaka." She took a long drink of wine. "Want to go sit down now? I'm getting chilly."
"Sure. Let's go."
They both walked over to the couch and sat down. Su curled back up and Keitaro sat, facing straight ahead. He cradled his glass in his hands. Some time passed before Su asked a question.
"Do you miss her?"
Keitaro looked over. "What?"
"Naru. Do you miss her?"
He smiled sadly. "Every day."
She crawled over closer to him. "I always thought you two would wind up together. She really liked you, you know. Everyone at the Inn did, actually. Even me," she said. The same song from earlier came on and slowly began to play. Su leaned over and put her head on his shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her "Yeah? Well, I always thought you were kinda cute, Su-chan."
She looked up at him. "Really?"
He smiled. "Yeah. There was someth-"
She surprised Keitaro by lifting her head and kissing him. Their tongues intertwined and he closed his eyes. As quickly as it started, it ended. Their lips parted and Keitaro was left sitting there, wonderstruck. He slowly opened his eyes. She was sitting there, eyes shining, with a hopeful smile on her face. He smiled back and leaned forward. Their lips met again. Su grabbed his collar and pulled him on top of her. They explored each other's mouths as the song slowly played on.
Su opened her eyes. Darkness flooded her vision. She blinked several times. Slowly, she was able to see the various shapes around the room. She quietly rolled out of bed, wearing nothing. She quickly walked to her suitcase and took out clothes. She pulled on some panties and shorts. She heard Keitaro snoring lightly. She grabbed a blouse and walked over to where he lay. He was sprawled out, the covers covering the lower half of his body. She put the shirt on and began doing up the buttons. She whispered softly.
"You were always so cute, Keitaro. That's why I liked you." She sighed. "That's why I loved you."
She finished putting on the blouse and went to get her suitcase. She walked back to where she had stood before.
"But I'm not meant to be with you. Naru is. I hope you find her again one day."
She bent down and kissed him on both eyelids and then on the cheek. "I'll never forget this night we had, Kei-kun. Goodbye." She walked silently out of the room and took an elevator to the lobby, tears in her eyes the whole time. She went outside and hailed a cab. She opened the door and sat down.
"Where to, miss?" asked the cabbie.
"Shorewood Apartments down on Fifth Street, please."
The cabbie sensed the approaching sob in Su's voice. "Are you alright, miss?"
She sniffed. "Yes. I just need to go home. Thanks."
The cab drove off, leaving a trail of exhaust. In a nearby alley, a cat meowed softly into the night. Far up in the hotel, Keitaro looked out over the balcony. He watched the cab drive off slowly, until it became just another one of the fireflies of the city. He crossed his arms over his chest, trying to keep away the cold breeze. A tear slowly worked its way down his cheek.
"Goodbye, Su-chan."
So, how'd you like it? *laughs* Like how I added Ranma and Ryoga destroying the apartment? But it was kinda sad, huh? Well, I think so at least. Anyway, read it, review, flame it or frame it. I don't care. Thanks for reading, though.