Hyde/Moune (Goseiger): That One Time

I'll always remember that one time you listened even though you didn't hear what my heart was screaming all this time... --- Florence Joyce

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It was raining hard outside at the moment. True enough, it became a way for everyone to feel bored in the Institute.

Well, almost everyone.

Possibly the only ones who seemed to have an issue to that would be the two female Gosei Angels currently sitting (or rather, slouching) on the sofa while Alata and Agri were playing with Nozomu by the center table.

As for Hyde, he was sitting by the window sill with the windows closed and reading a book that he just bought the other day. Normally, he would have done this in his own room. But for some reason, he decided to do it where the rest of his teammates were.

Okay. Maybe he did know the reason for him to do so. He just wouldn't admit it, that's all.

"Does it really have to rain today, of all days? Now we can't go to that sweets festival."

Hyde looked up to see Eri who voiced out those complaints. Yes, for him, it was a complaint that he could only shake his head at. Of course, he somehow understood why she'd complain about that.

It was the last day of the sweets festival held at the plaza that day. And today was the only day that both Eri and Moune had agreed upon for them to go there together. The girls were busy during the other days and they couldn't just postpone it as they would want to.

So now that they had the free time they wanted, the rain suddenly falling ruined it for them. Hyde couldn't help smiling at the dejected look on both Eri and Moune's faces.

But that smile didn't last long, however. And once again, he found himself watching the view outside that closed window, even with the rain never showing signs of stopping.

"It looks like you're zoning out again, old man."

Though it snapped him out of his reverie, annoyance almost immediately consumed him at the way Moune called him. With that, he chose not to turn to her direction.

It didn't look like it upset her or offended her even when he did that, though.

"Are you thinking about your old partner again?" Moune asked. She already stood just a few feet beside him and looked outside the window.

Was he, really? No, he knew it wasn't for that reason that he would find himself lost in thoughts these past few days. Not just at that moment. But perhaps it was better not to let Moune know that.

"Are you done whining?" he asked back instead of answering her question. Hopefully, it would clue her in on what he did and didn't want to talk about.

Moune groaned. "Even if I whine here and complain, I don't think the rain would stop falling instantly. That's even a feat that Gosei Angels aren't capable of at the moment."

Despite the surprise Hyde had felt upon hearing those words from Moune, he chose to stay silent and keep his own reactions to himself.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, the worry in her voice was evident this time.

He looked at her for a few moments before nodding. "I don't think there's anything for you to worry about. I only remembered something. But it's nothing dangerous or sad."

For a few moments, Moune only looked at Hyde. Admit it or not, the intense way she looked at him was enough to make him feel uncomfortable.

But not for long.

There was one time she looked at him the same way before.

Come to think of it, it was almost similar to what was happening at the moment. Only that the other event happened at night and that he was at the observatory looking at the starry sky.

The nightmare he had at the time became enough to keep his drowsiness at bay. And at the time, for some reason, Moune decided to follow him. Before they knew it, they were talking and he even actually confided to her about the nightmare that disturbed his sleep.

For Hyde, it was an unusual scene between him and Moune. But it was also one of the most relieving moments of his life, as strange as it sounded.

It was the moment, as well, that an intense realization had hit him like a bolt of lightning. Until now, he was still keeping that realization to himself. Not that he could easily admit that small truth to Moune, anyway. It wasn't that easy.

"I don't think the rain will last that long, though. You and Eri can still head to the plaza as soon as it stops," Hyde stated and once again looked out the window.

True to his words, the rain was starting to show signs of stopping. It was enough to bring a smile to Moune's face before she started calling out Eri who was still slouched on the sofa. The other girl got up and started fussing about how long they would have to wait for the rain to really stop.

Those actions had only brought a smile on Hyde's face as he watched the excited Moune and Eri getting ready. It was enough to stop himself from feeling gloomy even more than he was just a while ago.

Even so...

"She still didn't realize, huh?" he muttered before sighing as silently as he could. Then again, there wasn't anything surprising about it.

Not once had he tried to even give a hint, anyway. Perhaps he wouldn't be able to do so for a long time. He was still a little unsure, though. It could be one of the reasons.

Then again, he also knew he couldn't let it stay a secret for a longer while. He was aware that it could change the dynamics once Moune caught wind of it.

Who knew what else could happen, of course. At the moment, he still wanted to enjoy these short times that he and Moune were spending together. He wanted her to continue talking to him, to continue listening to him.

Maybe that way, he could finally let him know. Maybe she could realize it. Maybe... something else could happen before any of them could put a stop to it.

xxxxxx

My first attempt to write something featuring this pairing. Then again, I guess it's a long time coming. Not sure if I managed to express the quote above with the story. But I'll do better in the next ones if I don't.

Thank you for reading! See you in the next fic!