| The next day was just as busy as the first. Erica wasn’t even able to have more than a five-minute break. Everyone that didn’t get a check-up the day before was there. When three o’clock finally came, she helped organize the mess and then left. She stopped at the restaurant to get something to eat, which wasn’t an easy task. The place was packed with the fighters and their families. When she was finally finished eating, she walked to the garden she had been to the day before. She thought of the purple fighter she had met the day before, but she tried not to. She knew that he wasn’t from around here, and getting involved would probably end up in heartbreak when he had to leave once the tournament was over. She walked through the gated entrance and looked around. No one but herself was there. She walked around the different paths a bit and eventually found herself viewing the ocean. She sat down on the grass, spread out her legs, and leaned back on her arms. The cold breeze felt good on her face. It was so quiet and peaceful that Erica didn’t notice that someone was in the garden with her. Her arm fell asleep and she was repositioning herself when she noticed a figure sitting on a bench nearby. The person saw her look in their direction and they got up and walked to Erica. She saw that it was Shin. He walked up next to her, and looked down with a smile. “May I join you?” He asked politely. “Of course you could,” Erica said. She was excited to be able to see him again. She had figured out the night before after he left that she had a small crush on him. She watched him sit down next to her, and couldn’t help but stare at his purple face. “What brings you here?” “I came for a walk. I knew I’d find you here,” he replied. “Was today as tiring as yesterday was?” “Oh yeah. I think more people showed up today than yesterday. There’s something like 180 people that are going to try to enter the tournament. What do you think your chances are?” “Very good.” “You must be pretty strong to think that. I’ve seen a couple of people and they were strong.” “I know. I’m quite certain that I’ll qualify.” Shin turned his head to the ocean. However, Erica still watched him. It was so hard not to stare at him. His yellow earrings sparkled in the sunlight. “Those are pretty,” she commented pointing to the earrings. “Thank-you. I’ve had them my whole life.” “Really? That’s cool.” They sat in silence for a while. Little did they know that they were being watched. One person Shin was aware of, for it was his friend that he had arrived with. The other, however, was someone that he knew; only he didn’t know they were watching him. Shin could sense his friend questioning his actions. The tall fighter didn’t understand why Shin was taking time to spend with a mere mortal. In a sense, Shin didn’t know why either, but he enjoyed being around this particular human. “Shin, could I ask you something?” Erica asked breaking the silence they had been in. “What is it?” “Do you have a girlfriend?” Shin raised his eyebrows then laughed. “No. I’m really not supposed to have a girlfriend.” “Why not? You’re parents don’t want you to?” “Well, in a way yes. I’m sorry, Erica, but it’s very hard for me to tell you my past. For now, I need that information to be kept a secret.” Erica nodded and looked at her feet. She couldn’t believe she had just asked such a question. It made her feel good when he said no to having a girlfriend, but when he said he wasn’t supposed to have one shattered her thoughts. Shin knew what she was feeling. He was aware of her crush on him. He wanted to make her happy, yet he didn’t know how without eventually hurting her in the long run. A thought passed through his mind, and he questioned himself if it was a good idea or not. He glanced over to her innocent face. She couldn’t pose any harm. If I did…she would be the happiest person alive right now. Should I? I know what I’ll hear if I do so, but what the heck. Shin stood up and looked down at Erica. She looked up at him with a questioning look. He offered his hand to her and she accepted. He pulled her up, but didn’t let go of her hand. “Erica,” he said, “you have a crush on me, am I right?” Erica couldn’t believe what she just heard him ask. How could he possibly know? I gave him too many hints. He must think I’m really strange. When she didn’t answer, and he saw her blushing, he just smiled. He leaned over and gave her a small kiss on her cheek. He didn’t back away at first; instead he waited to see if she would jump away from him. He loosened his grip on her hand, but she didn’t take it away. Shin slowly stood straight up again and looked at her red face. “I…uh…oh gosh,” Erica didn’t know what to say. “How did you know…” “I just knew. Trust me.” Before he knew it, Shin was being embraced in a hug. She had thrown her free arm around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. He placed his free hand on her shoulder blade and stood there, waiting for her to make another move. “I’m sorry,” Erica said embarrassedly. She started backing away, but he held her against him. “Don’t be embarrassed. If I did mind, I wouldn’t have done what I did. I’ll hold you like this as long as you want me too.” Erica didn’t argue with him. She watched the trees blowing gently in the wind. Shin’s white hair blew over her head. She closed her eyes and prayed that this moment would last forever. She felt so safe and warm in his arms. Like he was someone that nobody could match up against. Shin’s tall companion peered from behind the gate. He shook his head in disapproval and walked away. Shin was aware of this, but he ignored it. He found pleasure in holding her. The two must have been in the same position for at least five minutes if not more. Erica caught herself before she started dozing off to sleep. She was so tired, but she just didn’t want to let go of him. She tightened her grip around his hand and he did the same. Then she decided that she had been a nuisance long enough. She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked at his face. He backed away as well and waited. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m acting like a child,” she said. “Not at all. Don’t be sorry for something you didn’t do wrong. Whenever you need someone, I’ll be there for you.” Erica smiled and could feel her face blushing again. He smiled that cute smile once again. “I think I’ve been away long enough. I need to go for now, but I will see you tomorrow at the tournament,” he said taking a step back, but not letting go of her hand. “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Erica loosened her grip on his hand and pulled it away. She let her hand fall slowly to her side. Shin took a few more steps backwards then turned to leave. “Shin,” Erica stopped him, and he turned around. “Thank-you…” she finished. Shin smiled and continued on. Erica watched him walk away. Shin turned the corner and found his friend standing a few feet away. He stood in his normal position and his arms behind his back. He watched Shin walk over to where he stood with disapproval on his face. Shin looked up and laughed quietly. “What’s wrong, Kibito? I can tell you don’t approve with the past ten minutes.” “I don’t approve. Master Kaioshin, you know very well you’re not supposed to interfere with the lives of mortals,” Kibito said sternly. “I’m aware of that Kibito. However, I see nothing wrong with what I’ve just done.” “You have developed feelings for this human girl and now it’ll interfere with the real reason why we are here.” “Kibito, the reason we’re here has nothing to do with her. We’re here for the Majins, which of whom haven’t been seen. We won’t see them until the tournament tomorrow. I merely…” “You merely were hugging that girl,” Kibito interrupted. “I will not argue with you further. You’re too stubborn.” Kaioshin smiled and the two left the tournament grounds. Tomorrow they and the other fighters would meet. The fight that everyone has been preparing for was about to begin. And Kaioshin unknowingly made things more difficult for himself. |