Sovereign: So a quick explanation. This is a story idea I have in my mind for a while. And even though I like the ending I wrote for Forevermore, I feel like I can write even more stories with the main couple after that. So I thought to myself "Why not?" and just write another story. It's funny because I usually end my oneshots as if it's never meant to have a continuation. But for whatever reason, I always find myself keep coming back to Kimi No Na Wa. after I finished writing a oneshot. XD
So here's what I like to call a collection/compilation of short stories set after my two Kimi No Na Wa. oneshots. And I'm going to keep writing them until I can write a story that will serve a satisfying conclusion to my very own 'Kimi No Na Wa.' series. I hope you'll enjoy reading them!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is my third Kimi No Na Wa. story and it takes places after Happiness and Forevermore. I strongly suggest reading both stories first before jumping into this one. You might get confused otherwise.
Being With You
When Skies are Gray
Mitsuha groans in frustration as she taps her fingers on the dining table. She looks at her watch and sees that the time is now 8:30 pm.
'Where are you, Taki-kun?'
After taking a quick look at her watch, she looks up and sees a waiter walking up to her.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry but there are two patrons waiting for a table and the entire restaurant is now full-house. If you still will not make any orders, I'm afraid I would have to ask you to leave and give your table up to the two patrons."
Mitsuha lets out a sigh and regrettably nods her head. "Very well." She said.
"Thank you for your co-operation, ma'am." The waiter bowed as Mitsuha picks up her handbag and stood up from her seat. She makes her way out of the restaurant, passing by the couple who are about to take her seat in the process.
When she steps out of the place, she opens her handbag and takes out her phone. She places her phone next to her ear and a frustrated scowl appears on her face.
"Hello?" Yotsuha said on the other end of the line.
"Yotsuha, please cook dinner for me. I'm coming home." She said flatly.
"Onee-chan? What's wrong?" Yotsuha asked, sounding concerned by her big sister's emotionless tone.
"Taki did not show up."
"UUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!" Mitsuha growled as she repeatedly punches her pillow in anger. Yotsuha stood at the doorway to her sister's room, looking concerned.
"Mitsuha, I'm sure Taki had a good reason why he didn't appear." Yotsuha said, trying to calm her sister down. She watches as Mitsuha now buries her head into her pillow and muffles a scream.
When she's finally done letting out her frustration, Mitsuha looks up at her younger sister with a peeved glare.
"He better have! I wasted ninety minutes of my life sitting on a chair! He also didn't even pick up any of my calls all day!" The older sister cried. "Taki promise me that he will always be at my side at the Imperial Gardens during our first date, and now he breaks it on our second!"
"Well, if he isn't picking up your calls, then maybe try going to his place and talk to him face-to-face." Yotsuha suggested. "You know why he lives, right?"
"I know." Mitsuha said flatly.
"Mitsuha…" Yotsuha folds her arms. "You shouldn't jump to conclusions. Find out what happened to him by paying him a visit first. Maybe something bad happened to him."
Mitsuha lowers her head and calms down. "Perhaps so."
The next day, Mitsuha heads her way to Taki's apartment at the other side of Tokyo. She finds herself standing in front of the door to his home. She presses the doorbell and she sighs.
Mitsuha is feeling both frustrated and confused right now. She did try calling Taki a few more times during her journey to his apartment. But again, he never picked them up. It feels like her first trip to Tokyo all over again and she never forgot how heartbroken she was after her first official meeting with him 8 years ago.
But maybe Yotsuha is right. She shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maybe something terrible has happened to Taki and that's why he didn't pick up her calls. But what could be the problem? What is this problem that's so big it made Taki not answer her calls at all?
Then, Mitsuha gasps and her eyes snap wide open. What if he has lost his memories of her all over again? What if he isn't picking up her calls because he couldn't remember who Mitsuha Miyamizu is and every time she tries to call him, Taki ignores her because she couldn't remember her name?!
No, wait. If Taki has lost his memories of her, then she should lose her memories of him as well. Mitsuha sighs in relief for a moment. If she still remembers Taki, then he couldn't forgotten her-
She gasps and widens her eyes again. Wait. What if it's just like their meeting at Itomori 8 years ago?! What if it takes a while before she loses her memories of Taki? Just like how after she finds herself back in town right before she could write her name on Taki's hand and slowly loses her memories of him as she makes her way to her father's office?!
Mitsuha shuts her eyes and clenches both sides of her head before shaking herself frantically.
"No! It can't be! It can't be happening! I don't want this to happen again! I don't want to forget you, Taki-kun! Taki-kun, please don't forget me! I DON'T WANT US TO FORGET EACH OTHER!"
"Um, hello?"
Mitsuha looks up and sees the door to Taki's apartment is opened. She widens her eyes and lowers her arms as she sees a brown-haired man in his 50s standing at the doorway.
"Are you alright?" The man asked, looking very concerned.
Mitsuha's cheeks are reddened by extreme embarrassment. She couldn't believe she has completely embarrassed herself in front of who could possibly be Taki's father.
"A-a-are y-you Taki's f-f-father?" Mitsuha stuttered.
The man nods his head. "Yes I am." He said. "And who might you be?"
Mitsuha shakes her head for moment before staring back at him. She holds up her hand and manages to give a wan smile.
"I'm Mitsuha Miyamizu." She introduces herself.
"Mitsuha? Oh I see." Taki's father smiled. "You're Taki's girlfriend. My son told me all about you."
Mitsuha frowns and said sternly, "Speaking of Taki, where is he? He did not show up for our date last night and I tried calling him but he wouldn't answer!"
"Oh." Taki's father said grimly as he frowns. "I guess my son never informed you then."
Mitsuha widens her eyes and her jaw slightly gapes open. "What's going on?" She asked.
"My son fell ill since yesterday morning."
His answer causes Mitsuha to gasp in shock and horror. "How did it happened? And what is he suffering from?" She cried.
"Don't worry! It's nothing serious!" Taki's father reassured her as Mitsuha is giving him an expression that look as if she's going into a state of hysteria. "Don't worry. He's suffering from a fever. And since you are wondering how he got it, well, it was raining heavily two days ago. He rushed all the way to an office building in Roppongi under the heavy rain and then came back home soaking wet."
"Why would he do that and what was he doing going all the way to the office in Roppongi?" Mitsuha asked incredulously.
"I guess he didn't told you that either." His father said. "Taki finally found a job."
Mitsuha gasps again and this time, a wide smile appears on her face. "He did?!" She asked, clasping her hands together in joy.
"Yup." His father nodded. "A job in an architectural company, just like he always wanted."
"That's fantastic!" Mitsuha cried as she joyously claps her hands. But her smile soon disappears softly after. "But wait, why didn't he tell me all of that?"
Taki's father stuffs his hands into his pockets before he steps aside and gestures Mitsuha to enter the house. "I guess you'll just have to ask him yourself."
Knock, knock, knock
"C-come in…" A pathetic whimper replied.
Mitsuha opens the door and steps into Taki's room. She widens her eyes as she sees Taki lying on his bed in a pathetic state. His eyes are squinted and staring upwards at the ceiling and his entire face is reddened. There is a wet cloth gently placed above his forehead and sweat freely flows down on both sides of his face.
"Taki-kun?" Mitsuha asked. Taki's eyes slightly widen. He turns his head to the side and he couldn't believe that his girlfriend is actually here.
"Mitsuha?" Taki gasps out. He attempts to lift himself up from his bed but Mitsuha holds up her hands.
"Taki, don't…" Mitsuha said as she walks over to his side and places her hands on his shoulders. She gently pushes Taki back down on his bed.
"Mitsuha…I'm surprised you're here…" Taki said between breaths.
"Ssshhhh, just relax Taki." Mitsuha whispered soothingly as she helps Taki wipe off the sweat from his face. "Just lie down and rest." She then spots a nearby chair. She pulls the chair to the side of his bed and she sat down.
Taki stares back at the ceiling before speaking again, "Mitsuha…I'm so sorry…I set up a date with you two days ago…and I never showed up yesterday. I wanted to tell you that I wish to cancel it…but I was too weak to move around…to do anything."
"It's okay Taki. You don't have to apologize. Not anymore." Mitsuha said softly.
Taki sighed sadly. "It was supposed to be a surprise date…I wanted to tell you…that I've finally got a job when I meet you at the restaurant…"
Mitsuha smiles down at him. "I know you've finally got a job. Your father told me all about it."
Taki's eyes slightly widen again. He shifts his eyes to Mitsuha. "So you know that I finally found a job in architecture." He said with a wan smile.
"Yup! Congratulations Taki-kun!" She said.
"Thanks." Taki replied. "I'm finally one step closer…in helping you open up your dream braided cord shop."
"Yes. You're right." Mitsuha nods her head as her heart fueled up with joy over the wonderful news. "But seriously, why did you go out in the rain? Are you crazy?"
Taki chuckled. "I couldn't help it…I received the call from the company in a time when…I almost lost all hope in finding a job. But I'm so glad…that I finally did…So happy that I rush out of my house…not even thinking of taking an umbrella with me…" The two both laughed and Mitsuha gave a gentle pat on Taki's right shoulder.
When the laughter died down, Taki spoke weakly again, "Mitsuha, you should stay away from me though…I don't want you to catch a fever too."
Mitsuha shakes her head and grabs Taki's hand. "No. I won't leave you. You say to me at the Imperial Gardens that day that you'll always be at my side." A smile forms on her face. "So do I. I never want to leave your side. Ever."
Taki smiles back at her. Mitsuha uses her other hand to stroke his hair. She closes her eyes and clears her throat before she started crooning.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away…
As he listens to her singing, he shifts his vision back to the ceiling and closes his eyelids. He breathes heavily as Mitsuha now leans forward and gently places his hand on his chest.
The other night dear, when I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried…
Even as Taki falls back to sleep, Mitsuha continued singing and she doesn't care how long she is going to sit next to him. She desires to be at his side, no matter what.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away…
Later at the kitchen, Mitsuha stood next to Taki's father as she watches him cook a piece of salmon on a frying pan. She is surprised that his father is such a good cook.
"Can you pass me the garlic sauce?" His father asked Mitsuha.
"Oh, sure." Mitsuha said. She quickly grabs the bottle of garlic sauce on the counter and passes it to him.
"Thank you." He replied as he takes it from Mitsuha. He opens the bottle and pours some sauce onto the salmon.
"Sir, are you the only person who takes care of Taki?" Mitsuha inquired.
"Yes." His father nods his head as he puts down the bottle on the counter before he continues his focus on his cooking. "He used to have a mother but she died when he was little."
"I know. He told me before." She said.
"When she passed, it was a sad day for the both of us. Taki didn't just lose a mother that day, I also lost a wife."
Mitsuha sighs and turns her head away. "I know how that feels. I also lost a mother when I was 11 years old."
"Even though I lost the woman I loved, I couldn't stand around moping. I still have a son to raise after all and as a parent, it's my job to make sure Taki grows up into a mature and responsible person." Taki's father said solemnly.
"At least Taki still has you." Mitsuha turns her head back to him. "My father abandoned me and the rest of my family after my mother's death because he felt responsible for it."
His father lets out a sigh. "We fathers have to carry a huge sense of responsibility for our families. Whenever something bad and tragic happens, it's up to us to make sure our families get back on track. Such a shame your father didn't have the will to perform that task after his wife's death."
Mitsuha nods her head in agreement. She continues watching Taki's father cook dinner for his son until he's done. He carefully places the cooked fish on a plate and then places it on a tray along with a spoon, a bowl of tofu soup and a cup of water.
Taki's father carries up the tray and turns to Mitsuha. "You do it." He said.
"What?" Mitsuha said, looking bewildered.
"You're the most important person to him presently in this household. Am I correct?" His father asked with a wan smile.
Mitsuha smiles back at him and nods her head. She takes the tray of food from Taki's father and she carefully makes her way out of the kitchen and heads to Taki's room.
When she arrives at the door, she carefully carries the tray with one hand and turns the knob with the other. She slowly opens it and carries the tray with both hands again.
"Taki-kun, your dinner's here." She said soothingly as she uses the back of her body to push the door open.
Taki moans as he groggily opens his eyes and turns to the doorway to see Mitsuha coming over to him with his dinner.
"Thanks." He said weakly as Mitsuha carefully places the tray on his body. Taki grabs and holds onto the tray placed on his abdomen while Mitsuha turns on the lamp on his work desk to barely light the room up. She then grabs his chair and sits next to him. Mitsuha takes the tray from him and places it on her lap.
She takes the spoon and scoops some soup. Taki gets up into a sitting position. He removes the cloth from his forehead and puts it aside. "Open your mouth, Taki." Mitsuha said. Taki obliged as gapes his mouth open. "Now here comes the train. Choo-Choo…." Mitsuha then places the spoon into Taki's mouth and he drinks the soup.
Taki swallows the soup. "Arigatou, Mitsuha." Taki said with a weak smile. "But seriously, did you really sang 'You are my sunshine' to me?"
Mitsuha pouts at him. "And what exactly is the problem with that?"
"It's a children's song and you sang it to me, an adult." Taki laughed.
"That song isn't just for kids! Adults can enjoy listening to it too!" Mitsuha countered. "Besides, I find that song very special because my parents used to sing it to me too when I was little and fell ill." Her eyes softened. "Those were good times for me."
"Well…I think you have a very beautiful singing voice." Taki said smiling. Mitsuha stares back at him and gasps. Her eyes widened and her cheeks blushed crimson.
"Really?!" She cried.
"Yeah, I really do-ARGGGHHH!" Taki yelped as Mitsuha pinches his right cheek extremely hard and shakes it frantically. "HEY! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?! YOU'RE HURTING ME! CUT IT OUT!"
"It's your fault! You made me feel so embarrassed right now!" She cried.
"What are you talking about?! I wasn't embarrassing you! That was a compliment!" He protested. After shaking a few more times, Mitsuha releases her grip on Taki's cheek.
Taki rubs his cheek and winced in pain. "Mitsuha, I may love you but…you are so weird sometimes."
"So are you!" Mitsuha cried accusingly. "I'll never forget the times you rub my-"
"DON'T SAY IT!" Taki snapped with his eyes wide open. The two glare at each other in silence for a moment before they both burst out laughing.
Taki clears his throat after they both settle down. "There is never a dull moment between the both of us, even when I'm sick, huh?" He asked with a smirk.
"Never." Mitsuha said softly with a warm smile.
Unbeknownst to the two, Taki's father was standing nearby and intently watching the entire scene through the open doorway to his son's room. He smiles as he watches Mitsuha now rubbing Taki's head affectionately. He shakes his head and muttered to himself.
"No wonder why she is your girlfriend, Taki. She is equally weird as you are."
