Misao-chan [Misao suddenly pops up behind Aoshi, greeting him in a way that would startle a less self-controlled man.] Misao-chan... [Misao sits next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder as she asks coquettishly:] Do you like [Aoshi's manner suddenly becomes more alert... what's she leading up to?] I do like you [Smiling brightly, she lets her voice drop to a whisper and snuggles even closer.] Demo, if you kiss me [Aoshi's eyes widen, and he sits back abruptly, shaking his head.] I will not kiss you [He rises to his feet, and pauses at the door on his way out.] I do like you [Misao follows close on his heels as he strides down the stairs of the temple. She catches his sleeve as they reach the bottom.] Could you kiss me [Gesturing around them.] Could you kiss me [She points at a secluded bower at the base of the temple stairs, and a startled couple looks up, blushing. Aoshi merely shakes his head again, pulling away to continue down the street to the Aoiya.] I could not kiss you [Leaving Misao standing in the Aoiya's courtyard, he makes his way to his room. His eyes close and his shoulders slump in relaxation as he closes the door behind him... then snap open again at the sound of her voice.] Would you kiss me [She slides the door on the opposite side of the room closed with an emphatic snap. Aoshi swallows nervously.] Or if I were that [Her expression takes on a jealous cast as she remembers Megumi. How much time did Aoshi and the lady doctor spend together, anyway? Aoshi hastens to disagree:] Not even if the door were locked, [Abandoning the Aoiya, Aoshi heads toward the police station. After all, Saitoh's office is one place he can be sure she won't go. He hires a carriage, and leans back against the cushions.] Would you? Could you? [Once again his eyelids snap open to find Misao seated across from him, her expression hopeful, her lips pursed and ready.] I would not, [He states quietly, even as he bangs rather hurriedly on the roof to signal the driver to stop. Choosing a direction at random, he strides off only to come to a stop when she appears in front of him, leaning casually against a large oak tree.] You may like it, [Beginning to lose more of his composure, he grates out:] I would not, could not beneath this tree. [Turning on his heel, he stalks back down the street, tossing further objections over his shoulder.] I would not if the door were locked. [Raising his eyes as his diatribe comes to an end, he finds himself at the train station. A few feet away, Misao stands at the ticket counter.] A train! A train! [Aoshi has begun to look decidedly frazzled.] Not on a train! Not under a tree! [He punctuates each statement with a backwards step, easing as far away from this mysteriously appearing Misao as he can.] I would not, could not, if the door were locked. [Ducking into a nearby restaurant, he requests a table in the back. Head bent, weary, cradled in his hands, he doesn't notice when the already dim light fades to almost-black as the candle on the table is extinguished.] Ne, Aoshi-sama... [Her voice is a warm breath of air against his cheek, and he sits straight up in near-terror.] I would not, could not, [They leave the restaurant to find a light shower has begun. Misao trails behind him as they hurry back toward the Aoiya.] Would you, could you, I would not, could not, in the rain. [Misao stops in the road, and Aoshi continues on a few paces before he realizes her splashing footsteps are no longer following him. He turns to find her standing with an incredibly dejected look on her face, and tears pooling in her eyes.] You do not like [Hastily, he protests:] I do! [Just that quickly, her spirits are restored, and she rushes forward to take his arm.] Then... could you, would you, [His own expression now bordering on panic, he attempts to pull his arm away.] I would not, [Not to be discouraged so easily a second time, Misao refuses to let go, and points at a boat waiting nearby.] Would you, could you, [Now tugging harder, no longer trying to disguise his desire to get away, Aoshi answer is emphatic.] I could not, would not, in a fune. I do like you [Everything stops for a moment as the two of them stare at each other, then Misao quietly urges:] You're too old for me, [Aoshi throws his hands up in exasperation, then reaches out to clasp her shoulders.] Misao... [The kiss lasts... and lasts... and lasts... and when they finally come up for air, Aoshi's attitude is much changed.] Oi. And I will kiss you in the rain. So I will kiss you if the door is locked. I do love you
Note: For anyone who didn't catch it, this is a parody of sorts of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham. No, nothing is sacred. :-P Index of Japanese Terms
Sekihara Tae
Sukiyaki || Awards || Spoiler Warning || Disclaimer || Mind Your Manners! || E-mail Tae |