The mind can forget... but the heart never!

Chapter 25

Seiya abruptly stopped when he heard her voice. His heart skipped a beat as he felt her warm hand on his arm. "I will always wait for you," he whispered as he turned to face her. "Why are you here?" she whispered to him as her hand glided downward and lingered on his fingers. He gently held her hand in his.

"You left so quickly earlier, I wanted to see how you were doing," he replied with concern evident in his eyes. He was like a coin with two sides - one arrogant, conceited, and with his overbearing macho attitude that both infuriated and excited her. The other side, however, he showed rarely - he could be very empathetic and understanding, even though she didn't remember much about it, his face often showed pain when he talked about her past.

"I... I'm fine. I don't know what happened earlier..." she stammered, feeling embarrassed.

Tenderly, he brushed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Darling, I had envisioned it differently too. But I think we both couldn't control ourselves."

She tried to avoid his gaze. "How will this continue now? I love Mamoru, but whenever I see you... It's like you shut off my brain." Tears glistened in her eyes, and Seiya quickly pulled her into his arms, stroking her back. "I know exactly what you mean. It's been like that from the beginning for me too."

"And how do you endure it?" Bunny sniffed as she leaned her head against his chest. Seiya wiped the tears from her cheek and searched her gaze. "Hope gives me strength," he whispered barely audible and slowly inclined his head. Bunny felt a pleasant flutter in her stomach as his lips met hers. It was quite different from before; usually, his kisses were assertive and demanding, but now he was almost hesitant and shy.

Sadly, she looked into his eyes. "I'm not ready to break up with Mamoru yet. I don't even know if I'll ever be. We have to stop this until I figure out what I want. Please, don't make it any harder for me."

Seiya forced a smile. "I won't make it easy for you. Why should I help you decide against me?" There she was again, his macho side with that cheeky grin. He gave her one last kiss on the forehead. "Take care, darling. See you tomorrow at school." He released the embrace and started to walk home, and she watched him as he walked down the street. Everything inside her screamed for him to come back, but she just stood there and watched him leave.

In a trance, Bunny made her way back to her room, grabbing the phone on the way. She glanced at the clock; it was too late to call Minako now; she would already be asleep. Then she looked at the picture next to the alarm clock. Her and Mamoru smiling back at her. Thoughtfully, she ran her finger over the glass. Mamoru. What was he doing right now? Did he miss her too? Slowly, she dialed his number.

"Chiba," he answered after a few rings.

"Mamoru, it's me." There was a brief silence.

"Bunny, are you okay?" She could hear the concern in his voice; of course, if she was calling him at this hour.

"Yes, I just wanted to hear your voice. I can't sleep, and I miss you."

Mamoru didn't know how to respond; he held the receiver tightly and waited. Celeste was still provocatively sitting on his sofa, observing him as he nervously ran his free hand through his hair.

"You were the one who wanted distance," he hissed through his teeth, feeling hurt.

"I know... but..."

"Mamo! Are you coming back to bed?" Celeste suddenly screamed from the sofa and burst into laughter.

Mamoru shot her a angry look over his shoulder.

Then he heard Bunny sharply inhale. It was as if someone had stabbed a dagger into her heart. Who was that? Who was the woman with him? Did she just tell him to come back to bed? Had he replaced her so quickly with someone else?

"Bunny?"

"I... I don't want to disturb you any longer," she stammered absentmindedly.

"Bunny, you're not a bother. That was just an old friend playing a joke. There's only you for me," Mamoru tried to explain.

Bunny sobbed briefly. "Mhh..." then she hung up quickly. So, there really was someone else with him. A gnawing jealousy spread within her. But it was her own fault, hadn't she told him just yesterday that she needed time for herself, that she didn't even know if she loved someone else? An old friend, yeah right, she had heard exactly what that woman had called out. Hot tears made their way down her cheeks, and sadly, she looked at the picture from happier days. Mamoru.

Mamoru still held the receiver tightly when it suddenly started ringing. She had just hung up on him. Angrily, he turned to Celeste, who was still laughing on the sofa. "Did that have to happen?! Who knows what she thinks of me now! It's already complicated enough!" he shouted at her.

"Oh, Mamo, you should thank me. A little healthy jealousy won't hurt. At least she realized that you're a desirable man. Believe me, it'll increase your value. Women often want what they can't have. Besides, your expression was priceless," she said.

"That wasn't funny," he grumbled, still annoyed.

"Let me have some fun too. It also makes you a bit more interesting, and you have a reason to go to her to explain the situation."

He hadn't considered it from that perspective; Celeste was not entirely wrong. He now had a reason to visit her. He walked determinedly toward Celeste and pressed her shoulders deeply into the sofa. "Next time, I'd like to be informed about your plans if they concern me. You know I hate being caught off guard like this," he scolded her. A meaningful smile appeared on her face, and she glared at him.

"I knew your dark side was still hidden somewhere. Don't pretend it's not there," her eyes sparkled.

"I'm out of this, don't even try," he growled as he let her go. A suggestive grin appeared on her face, and she glared back at him.