All right people, this is my first ever Captain Tsubasa story.
Blame it on Euro in my country ;) Blame it on TF1 (French TV) that graciously offered free replay/streaming of the entire Captain Tsubasa anime series !
So yeah … This plot has been in my head for a couple days now and I knew I had to write it down. Unfortunately, I have no proper knowledge of Japanese way of life to make it more realistic, so sorry if this isn't that good.
It's a one shot guys.
Oh and I hope I haven't messed too much with the canon story. From what I think I understood, Tsubasa told her he loved her before leaving (the incident with the violent guy who wanted to date Sanaé). They were like 15 at the moment. Tsubasa stayed 3 years in Brazil while Sanaé ended Senior High School. He also told her not to wait for him when she gave him the soccer shoes and he left his ball in her care.
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He was coming back ! This had been going through her head for days now. The good news had come from Natsuko herself so this was for sure. She was surprised he hadn't told her so in his latest letter but maybe he felt shy about it? Maybe he wondered how she would great him? He shouldn't though.
They had exchanged letters during the two and a half years he spent in Brazil. She knew how difficult it had been for him at the beginning. Being the foreigner. Having to prove himself in the nation of football. Getting used to the very warm weather. Being far away from his family and friends. Never had he implied that it was difficult to be away from her though. But all in all, she knew he had the time of his life once accustomed and accepted. Obviously it had been tough for her as well. During the first few months she didn't dare write to him. Their brief talk before he left rolling through her head. Had it even been for real? Had he said those words? Then he asked her not to wait for him. As if she could even look at another man after what he said!
This got her thinking. What did he mean by that? Was he implying that she shouldn't waste three years waiting? Was he implying that he wouldn't wait for his come back and date in Brazil? This was SO frustrating! Why wasn't he writing?
It was thanks to Ryo that she wrote her first letter. He told her Tsubasa asked about her in one letter he sent him. Her first letter, and truth be told, the following ones were all about fun facts, news about the team and asking about his progress. She smiled remembering she had evaluated the number of days the letter would travel to get to him and how long it would take to get an answer. She got one within the following month. Getting that letter in her mailbox made her day; possibly her month actually. One would have thought she would tear it open and avidly read it. No Sir. She took her time. Religiously looked at it and put it in her bag to get to the park. There she would be alone and able to savor it.
"Dear Sanae" it began. "Dear Sanae ! I'm Dear Sanae to him!" she joyfully giggled to herself. Please take care of yourself. Tsubaba"
"I was really happy to receive your letter, I was worried about you. Thank you for letting me know about the team. I was really waiting for your perspective as the guys are not the most objective. They have been telling me the team is weak without me for weeks now. But surely our Dear Anego would be there to take care of them and solve the problem. You did great there Sanae, I have to thank you on behalf of the team. See I'm not there anymore but I still feel part of the team.
So enough about the team, what about you? Are you ok? Have you chosen the classes you want to attend when school starts again?
Well that's something I don't have to worry about. Sometimes I fear that I will be so dumb when we'll all be adults … Maybe you should try a career in teaching? That way you'll teach me everything I need to know ? Ah ah. I'm kidding, I do have classes here. Portuguese obviously, but marketing as well. Roberto explained that we already have to think about what we want to do besides football. That some of us won't succeed in having a professional career. Or that those of us who will know success have to take into account that it won't last forever.
All right, gotta go. Practice starts in about 10 minutes and if I'm late I'll have extra exercises. Let me tell you that the usual practice is really painful so no one wants any extra.
He told her about life in Brazil. About his joy to be trained by Roberto again. Funny things that happened there. He told her about his progress and plans regarding his career. What got straight to her heart though was that he asked about her. What were her plans once school would be finished? How was she doing? What could she answer? As far as she was concerned, her only plan has always been following him. Just like that she realized she had never really thought about it. This got her thinking. What did she want to do in the near future? What was she going to answer?
"Dear Tsubasa, (yeah if he can, there was no point in pretending and not use it as well ;) )
Thank you for your letter I was really happy when I saw it in my mailbox.
Well you know the guys, even when you were here they thought you were some kind of Football God that was winning a game all by himself. I just had to knock some sense into them, what's Anego for anyways uh?
I'm still wondering what I can do at school. I've never really took time to think about it. Somehow my life seemed stuck with football. Basic questions but such important answers though.
I thought I had the answer the other day when Ryo told me I should consider a medical career. But if I take this path, I want to be a medical doctor, not a nurse like he thought. A specialization in sports medicine maybe? But geez … do you have any idea how long it takes to achieve that? I have to admit it's titillating. The thing is, as much as I try thinking about it, it always goes back to sports. This is a huge part of my life even though I've stopped practicing years ago. Obviously I don't have the required level to do it professionally as you do.
So painful practice then uh? I hope you're not slaving yourself or else Roberto will have to answer to Anego's fury ;) Please, promise me you'll be reasonable. Do you guys have managers there just like you had it here?
Someone has to take care of you because I know you; you won't do it by yourself. Just think that you're about to reach your dream and that a bad injury could make you lose it.
The guys are here waiting for me. For some reason they seem to think I'm some kind of fragile little thing that needs them to survive … I'll mail my letter on our way to the stadium
Take ACTUAL care "
In the end, this is what she told him. She just didn't know. From his next letter he got her thinking again, asking her precise questions. Would she like to travel? What was she thinking about long studies? Was there something she liked studying or doing more than another?
This was getting quite interesting. This Tsubasa was different. More mature in a way. The summer was over and she was going back to Senior High School. These were questions she would have to get answers to in the 2 following years because her third and final year will see her applying for universities. So yeah, that wasn't a bad thing at all. Plus, it was a pleasant feeling to see he was concerned about her future. Maybe was he implying he wanted to share it with her?
This was how their first year apart took place. Letters and projects exchanged. On her second year, his absence was getting heavy on her spirits. She decided she would try and go to Brazil to see him again. So she worked after school and during the week-ends to get enough money.
Natsuko learned about it through her mother and requested her to babysit Daichi. This was her way to help Sanae to get enough money soon enough. Those two had to see each other again. She could see Sanae getting more and more depressed. Only when she was with Daichi she could see her smiling. She even took a couple pictures of them together to send them to Tsubasa. And she had a good hope that one day those will become family picture. They still were teens but surely heading to the adult world, especially her son. She knew things will get serious between those two as soon as he'll get back to Japan.
"Dear Sanae, Things are great here. I had a great game the other day; we're on our way to win the Brazilian championship. I can't wait to get my hands on that Cup ;) And I swear I'm taking care of my shoulder. Tsubasa"
So … I know I told you not to wait for me and we tacitly decided we won't speak about it again, but seeing you with another guy hurts!
Ok I feel I got you scared here. I'm talking about my little brother; my mom sent me pictures ;) You guys look so cute together, I so glad he has you. We were able to talk the other day on the phone and he told me you're teaching him football. He likes you. Like a lot. I think I might be jealous here.
So how about your quest to find your future career? Any news about it? I still think you'd make an awesome doctor. I would trust you with my life. Hey … I already do actually. But journalism is a great idea as well. Your writing is pretty awesome. I remember some presentation you made at school, you were, ARE brilliant. And yeah if you can specialize in football, who am I to complain?
Anything planned for your holidays? The guys are heading to a training camp so you'll be all by yourself. Probably working at your parents' store? Well it's time for me to return the favor: don't slave yourself ;)
Ok gotta go again, the guys are coming over and we're heading to the beach. Beach soccer is great by the way ;)
Take care.
They were still writing back and forth and her future seemed brighter each time. She had thought at the beginning that a medical career could be a great option since she had been taking care of the guys (ok better be honest here ...) HIS injuries for a long time now. But the long years of studies made her rethink this option. Then she realized that if she wanted to go to Brazil, alone, she would have to speak Portugese. And she didn't know a word of it. Taking lessons would be great but it would also have a certain cost she could not afford if she wanted to afford her plane tickets.
She had bought herself a book to learn the basics and she thought she was doing good. Maybe she'll try a few words in her next letter? Speaking it, on the other hand would be another challenge.
Tsubasa's progress in football seemed terrific. She had the opportunity to watch one of his games once. He seemed to be a huge part of the team. She even saw Roberto on the coach area. She wondered what they would both think if they knew she had taken a liking in playing in the female team. Obviously she had no particular talent but she liked it. Somehow it managed the paradox wonder of taking him out of her mind and feeling close to him at the same time.
"Girl you're losing it!" She thought to herself once.
When finally she got her tickets to Sao Paulo, she nearly lost her nerves. She wanted it to be a surprise so she had never told him about it. The fact that he failed to mention he had moved bothered her. They were exchanging letters! Where was she supposed to send her letters now? How on earth was she going to find him? Oh … right … obviously to the stadium. And she was right.
Looking for him had been another challenge. The training center seemed to be overcrowded by fans. Some very attractive Brazilian women even. Dear Lord, how was she going to be able to compete? She was about to turn around when a man stopped in front of her, surprised.
"Você Sanae de Tsubasa não são?" He asked.
All right. Point taken. She couldn't understand fluent Portuguese.
"Aren't you Tsubasa's Sanae?" he asked again in English.
She blushed like she had never blushed in her life. "His Sanae?" where was this coming from?
"Eu sou Sanae." She tried in Portuguese. "He doesn't know I'm here, it's a surprise." she answered in English. "Eu sinto muito, eu não falo bem de portugêse". She explained.
"It's ok, we all speak English here. Part of our training ;)" he joked. "Follow me, I'll show you where he is."
They entered the stadium and she followed him through the halls and when they passed the changing rooms, she knew they were heading towards the field.
"Sanae?" exclaimed someone in her back. She turned around and recognized Roberto. This made her smile. He might have taken Tsubasa away from her, but he was the one making his dream come true.
"Hello coach." She greeted him.
"It's great to see you. He needs it right now." Roberto started. This made her worried. "Nothing bad I swear. He's homesick at the moment. He's taking a nap on the field. Tell him he DOES have to take his 2 weeks off." He said winking at her.
They left her alone, still in the dark and freshness of the tunnel leading to the field. He was just there, meters away from her. She had crossed to world to see him again, she just had hours left and she was like paralyzed. Just as if sensing something was off, Roberto came back and gave her a little push towards the light.
"Nothing bad Sanae, I assure you, but he really needs you."
And in the light she was. She needed a little time to adjust and then she started to look for him. Ah. There he was, lying on the grass in a shadowed corner of the field. She took a deep breath and made her way towards him, avoiding crossing the field, walking all around it.
When she was about to reach him, she took her time to stare at him. God how she had missed him. Surviving two years without seeing him was a wonder. Then seeing he was starting to wake up, she smirked.
"So this is how painful your training is uh? Could have fooled me" she teased.
He opened his eyes right away and turned around to meet her smiling eyes.
"Sanae?" He closed his eyes again and opened them to find her with a bright smile on her beautiful face. Nope. Not a dream. She's her for real. He hesitated for a few seconds. What to do? Follow his heart and hug her like there was no tomorrow and then kiss her senseless? Oh to hell with his brain. He stood up and took her in his arms, only refraining from kissing her.
"You're here!" he said making her turn around in his arms. "Yes I'm here and I'm going to get sick if you go on like this!" she laughed.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you," he started while letting her back on the field again.
"Homesick?" she asked. "Yeah a little bit. Two years is long. And Brazil is really different I have not a lot of things reminding me of Japan here." He answered her linking his hand with hers. "And SO Sanae-sick" he thought to himself.
"Yeah well Anego is here now,"she teased again. "I'm going to take care of you".
"How long can you stay?" he asked. When he saw her face he knew they had a few days at best. "My plane leaved tomorrow," She answered, her face falling. "I had to work a lot to afford these tickets and they were the best I could have." Ok it was official, she was pathetic.
Tomor …. Oh no. No no no NO ! Absolutely not, he won't have any of that! Oh, how he hated her sad face at that moment. He took her face between his hands to let her look at him while talking. "Listen. Don't take this wrong or anything." He started. "Do you have any obligation to go back except for what's printed on your ticket?"
Ok, time to stop staring. He asked a question. Hello brain, care to get back to work? "Er. No, I'm off work for the rest of the summer and I was looking for an internship for the senior year at school."
"Sanae, let me change your trip back home. How about in a week instead of tomorrow?" he offered. That left her speechless for a few seconds before she came back to life.
"Tsubasa, really I just can't accept that, plus I have to find a hotel room, mine is only booked for tonight." She tried to explain, but he stopped her. "Nonsense. I'll take care of it. I owe you a couple birthdays anyways" he winked at her. "But…" she tried again. "Ah ah ! No buts." He was final with his proposition.
"Ok just one last question, well two actually. Are you really sure you can afford this? And how can I get this information to my parents since they are supposed to wait for me at the airport tomorrow?"
"Absolutely sure, I should let you know a couple things or two about the income of a professional football player miss journalism," he chuckled. "Then we'll just call your parents, and "voilà" we're done getting you an all-inclusive one week holiday with me, er … in Brazil" he was the one blushing now. "What a nice change" she thought.
She was calculating what time it could be in Japan but he was quicker than her, being used to this. Her parents were happy about this change. So there she was. About to spend a real one week holiday with him.
Alone.
Alone with him.
Dear Lord.
He got permission from Roberto to skip then end of practice and took her to his apartment to make a few calls. He got a call while there that intrigued her. He was speaking in Portuguese and profusely blushing. Once again, she regretted that her level of Portuguese was so poor. He sighed and hung up the phone.
"Ok, that was my roommate. He insists that I take his room while leaving mine to you instead of letting you stay at the hotel." He said. "Uhm … that would explain the blushing" she thought. "I've got to say that he has pretty good points though," he continued, "One being that Brazil could be dangerous for you." He started, "the other one being that we could spend the money in another way. Like sightseeing and such." He finished.
"What do you mean by dangerous?" she asked? "I didn't feel quite in danger before finding you." She was curious. Ah, the blushing was back. "Well, he said that beautiful ladies are often bothered by men." He couldn't meet her eyes saying that. That was cute. Plus she felt bad he had to spend so much money on her.
"All right, you got yourself a new roommate for a week", she smiled. He looked up at her and smiled as well. "Although from what I saw in your refrigerator, I'd say that grocery shopping is needed!" she reprimanded him. "Ah, Anego is never far away, let's do that tomorrow morning," he chuckled "tonight we're going to have dinner in a nice restaurant I know by the beach" he said looking at her with the same air he had two years ago when he confessed to her. It gave her goose bombs all over her body.
They took a taxi to Santos to find a nice restaurant. She had a blush all evening long and was shy at the beginning. Truth is, because of their letters they never really were apart. They had a great time. He still couldn't believe she had spent that much money just for two potential days with him. He never said the words but this touched his heart. During the evening, he found himself staring at her lips several times. He was dying to kiss her. He was 17 for Christ's Sake! But to think about yet another goodbye to say made him reconsider. How could he let her go away if he knows what it is like to kiss her?
Sanae was really happy. They had never really talk about it in their letters even though it always was underlying. They had a walk after their diner and he held her hand again. Could he feel it shaking?
"So are you set on journalism then?" he asked her out of the blue.
"Yes, it seems pretty logical actually. Although I do believe that I should start and develop my knowledge of foreign languages if I do want to specialize in football. Plus it's not that common for a woman to specialize in this." She mused.
"Nothing's common about you Sanae," he tenderly told her. God he could kill to kiss her right there and then. The look she was giving him was so adorable. They had to go home; he would never be able to resist her if they stayed here. She was shaking again.
"Time to go home, you're going to catch a cold," he told her. "Going home" with her. What he could give to make it a permanent situation! Seriously, at this rate she would stay here and become her wife before the end of the week. Was this because they had been apart for so long? Was it just because they were perfect for each other?
Sanae was on cloud nine all night long but now she was faced with the prospect of sleeping in his bed. Alone obviously. But surrounded by him. Would she be able to sleep at all? It was all too much too quick, her heart would never manage that much.
Truth is, she was still so tired because of the time difference and the myriad of emotions she had to go that day that she fall asleep as soon as her head touched his pillow.
She was awakened by a delicious smell and his voice on the phone. Again she couldn't understand anything as he spoke in Portuguese but he seemed bothered.
She quickly got her things ready and went to the bathroom to get ready and then she joined him in his living room, smiling.
"Hey there Sleepy Head", he greated her with a huge smile. "I made breakfast, Brazilian breakfast that is", he explained. "Although I remembered that you don't like coffee so I made tea", he proudly said.
"Aww thank you, you're taking good care of me," she beamed at him. I guess I'm going to discover new fruits and vegetables while we're grocery shopping." She was going to love this! "Oh and by the way, I'll have to get new clothes as well, these are the ones I was supposed to wear in the plane, I have nothing else. Unless you have a washing machine?" she enquired.
"Actually I wanted to talk to you about a phone call I had from Roberto this morning." He started. Uh oh. He was getting serious there.
"I know I'm supposed to be on holidays but he called to remind me that I have a charity function to attend tonight."
"Oh. Well don't you worry, I'll stay here and struggle with Portuguese on TV," she joked.
"Actually Roberto thinks it would be a good idea if you come. With me." He said matter of factly.
"At the charity?" she asked. Ok she was not getting this. There was something he was not telling her. She studied him for a few seconds. He was thinking as if trying to find the best way to drop the bomb. He sighed. "Here goes nothing," he thought.
"Ok, just let me give you some info about this first, and then you'll decide what you really want." He offered.
"So this charity is a big deal for me. We are raising money for an orphanage here in Sao Paulo. Those kids desperately need the money and I feel it's a duty as a privileged to help them." Then he stopped. He sighed again. "You've got to understand that there's a huge publicity with this event. Famous people will be there. Over the football sphere, there will be actors, actresses, and even American famous people." He stopped again.
"So this is like a great thing right?" she asked when she saw he could not speak again. He looked up at her. "I mean these famous rich people, if they're here then you guys will raise lots of money so that's a great thing," she elaborated. That made him smile. Sweet Sanae, she really was adorable.
"The thing is coming WITH me," he emphasized the "with". She suddenly blushed. Ah. She got it.
"You mean … like your date for the evening?" she said with a little voice.
"I mean as my girlfriend rather." There he said it. Her eyes were so big when he said it, that it would have nearly made him laugh. He sighed again. "Sanae … the truth is that I had no intention of anything official happening here with you." Her eyes were now full of tears. Damnit! He quickly took her hands in his. "Don't get me wrong. This is the hardest thing ever. I thought leaving you in Japan was it before. But having to let you go back there again, it's killing me. If I ever get a taste of actually being your boyfriend I don't think I'll be strong enough to let you go. I couldn't even let you take your plane yesterday." He elaborated never leaving her eyes. She blinked as if absorbing all that he had just told her. Then she smiled and she was now the one taking his hand into hers.
"Ok. And so what if I'm the one strong enough for the both of us and do take that plane in a couple days? … Would something official potentially happen under that condition?" she asked.
He was the one smiling now. This girl was amazing. "Well there's also the thing with journalists and paparazzi." He told here, "Are you ready for this? As soon as I'm going to introduce you as my girlfriend they're not going to let you a free minute, you'll be showered with embarrassing questions. They'll want our picture, your picture. You're going to be all over the newspapers here and maybe in Japan." He continued. This didn't seem to bother her though. She rolled her eyes even.
"Well first of all, too bad for them I don't speak Portuguese so I guess if they want to ask questions they'll have to be inventive or try in English." She chuckled. "Then, do you honestly think I haven't thought of that? My whole life I've been thinking about what it would be to be with you, to share your life. So ok I've got to admit that up until recently this was not a part of it I had envisioned. But I've seen your games here Tsubasa. I've seen people interviewing you. Even though I could not understand it all I knew they were quite bothering you. I've seen the newspapers; I even have some in Portuguese. I knew this would come with being with you. I'm not saying that I'm going to love it but if this is something I have to endure to be with you, to officially be with you then so be it, I'm ready."
"So you don't know some of them asked me to make my coming out then?" he teased. "Whaaaaat?" she exclaimed, shocked. "Ah! Told you they could be very annoying." He said. "They really have asked you that?"
"Absolutely, it seems they had doubts because I've never picked up one of the women throwing themselves at me," he elaborated. "Well I'm glad you didn't," she said punching his arm. "I could have never done that knowing whatever I had said you were waiting for me," he seriously said. "So are you officially my girlfriend now?" He had a bright smile. "Yes, I guess I am," her smile mirrored his. He cleared his throat, suddenly unsure. "Soooo … I can do that now, right?" he said capturing her lips. Oh Dear Lord why had he waited so long? This was so great!
Sanae was living a dream. He finally made the move. She was his girlfriend! Unfortunately the phone rang, interrupting them. "Oh for crying out loud!" he swore. Never letting go of her hand he answered. He then smiled and greeted Roberto in Japanese so that she could understand what he was saying. "Yes she'll be there. Yes, officially." He then laughed. "Thank you Roberto." And he hung up.
"So, ready for shopping?" he asked. "Sure, let me get my purse. Then she came back from his bedroom empty handed. "What's going on?" he could tell she was bothered.
"Uhm … how formal is this event tonight?" Oh. Right, evening gown and so on. "We have the whole day to get ready," he reassured her. "And I don't want to hear any more nonsense about how much I spend. You deserve it, actually, WE deserve it!" Right, that was final then.
He usually was renting a tuxedo but Sanae convinced him to buy a new one while she was choosing her gown. That way both would be surprised on the evening. She just couldn't wait. Paparazzi be damned. They want to a restaurant to have lunch and he then showed her the Japanese area of Sao Paulo, that way they could find everything they needed to cook for the day after.
It was then time to go back home and get ready. The foundation hosting the charity diner would get a limousine to pick them up so they just had to get ready. They were surprised to see a woman waiting for them. She approached Tsubasa explaining something to him. Damnit, understanding Portuguese really was needed now; she should have taken that book more seriously! She saw Tsubasa laugh and let the girl in with them in the apartment. "That's a gift from Roberto for you" he laughed again. "She's an esthetician; she'll take care of your hair and make-up." Oh. OH! This was not something she had seen coming. But whatever, that would be nice; Roberto was really thoughtful she would have to thank him later.
She was ready. The girl was very proud of her work as she smiled and gave her a thumb up. She signaled she would be leaving and let her all alone. The driver was supposed to be here in ten minutes. She tried to have a look at herself but couldn't find a mirror for the life of her. She then heard a knock on the door and he was there. She turned around and looked at him, speechless. He was staring at her, with his mouth opened. She took that as a good sign. She was about to tease him when the bell rang, signaling the limousine was here waiting for them. She made her way towards him and he finally snapped out of it. He took her hand to bring it to his mouth gently kissing it.
"You're absolutely stunning", he said making her blush. "Well I had to make extra efforts to match you," she complimented him as well. Her gown was spectacular. A deep carmin red silk gown with an asymmetrical bodice leaving a bare shoulder. The gown in itself was a sheath dress but it had a huge train. Her hair ware long and wavy.
They were quite the sensation when they arrived. As Tsubasa had expected the journalists were crowding them and were asking question after question. Sanae didn't get anything but she only had eyes for him. At some point a woman directly asked her questions but she soon realize she could not understand her and gave up. They then stopped for a photo call and finally were able to enter the huge dining room.
The evening was magical for her. They found his teammates and they had diner and danced the whole night. When they could finally call it a night it already was early morning. Tsubasa requested the limousine driver to make a detour so that they could see the sunset from a gorgeous sight. As the exited the car, he took her hand to help her out and they found themselves on a hill overtaking the Atlantic Ocean.
"It's breathtaking!" she said, spying the first ray of the new day.
"You are breathtaking,"he answered hugging her from behind and putting his head on her bare shoulder. "Wrong move here Tsubasa", he said to himself. He was dying to kiss it and feel her skin against his mouth. "Veryyyyy wrong move" he thought again when she fully let herself against him.
"Are you cold?" he asked. "A little bit, but so worth it", as she was bathed with the first rays of light. "Definitely worth it," he said giving in to his desire and kissing her shoulder. She shivered. "We should go home," she reasoned. "Most definitely." They made their way to the limousine hand in hand and she even fall asleep her head on his shoulder on the way back to his apartment. He started to wonder how on earth he would be able to get her inside without waking her up but he was more than annoyed with her gown. Luckily for him she woke up when the car stopped as if she had been rocked by it. Tsubasa gave the driver a consequent tip and they left for his apartment.
There was a slight moment of embarrassment as both of them wanted the same thing but daren't ask for it. They got ready for bed and Tsubasa want into his room to access his bathroom. She already was in his bed when he got out. He was going to exit his bedroom when he heard her. "Please stay." None of them was ready to act on it; they just wanted to share the same bed and rest together. He switched off the light and joined her.
Unfortunately for them, the days went by very quickly and soon they found themselves at the airport. He was feeling really bad and was reconsidering his decision to let her go public with him. He was pretty sure paparazzi would have followed them. The only thing he wanted was to kiss her like there was no tomorrow and find a way to make the following months go by quicker. True to her words, she was a rock that day and as the hugged tightly waiting for the very last call for her flight she told him "This time I'm the one leaving and I will wait for you. We went through the two first years and we'll manage the next couple months. Give the best you can on the field so that you come back to me soon." He then kissed her again.
"Last call for flight JP403 for Tokyo" the hostess said in the microphone.
"I love you," he said kissing her one last time. That made her smile. "Eu te amo", she answered with a wink. Quick she had to leave and take that plane or else she would stay here until he comes back to Japan.
"See! You perfected Portuguese," he teased thankful for her little scheme to make him laugh.
And then she was gone. He stayed until he saw her plane take off. He stayed even a little bit longer. Wondering how he could have imposed that on her two years ago. What an egoistic git he had been! He felt a hand on his shoulder and wasn't surprised to see Roberto there.
"Come on Tsubasa, go to practice that would help you think about something else." He offered.
And to practice he went. His progresses were phenomenal as if he had never had the slightest homesickness. He had a goal now, getting noticed and offered a professional contract. That was the only way he could get back to her.
When Sanae landed in Japan she was greeted by her parents. She was sad obviously but really thankful that their situation was now official. She couldn't wait to write a new letter to him. Their letters exchange started again but they were much more personal and honest. They knew where they stood now, everything was so much easier. Finally, 6 months after she came back to Japan he told her he had been offered a professional contract. She was over the moon for him. He even called her one day.
"I missed your voice," he said.
And finally, FINALLY, she heard the news from Natsuko. He was coming back to Japan! She told her one day when she had asked her to babysit Daichi. She had an errand to run in Tokyo and Sanae was more than happy to help her. She knew they had worked out their issues and was very happy for the young couple.
Sanae was playing football with Daichi in the backyard. He was talking to her about a girl he had met in the kindergarten. She was laughing because he told her that little girl wanted to be his girlfriend.
"But I don't want to!" he said outraged.
"Well you just have to tell her then Daichi," Sanae explained smiling. "But I don't want to make her sad," he whined.
"I want you to be my girlfriend," he said seriously, while taking her hand.
"Oh Daichi, sweety, I can't be your girlfriend, you're way too young," she gently said.
"So I can't marry you either then?" he realized, saddened. "Oh sweetheart, I'm sorry but no, you can't." she stroked his head, hoping it was just a kid thing. He seemed to be thinking really hard and then he looked at her smiling. "I know what you can do! You can be my older brother's girlfriend and marry him. Then you'll be my older sister!".
"Well I've got to say that's a mighty idea Daichi," said an amused voice in their backs. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
"Tsubasaaaaaaa!" screamed the youngster running to hug his brother. Sanae turned around and saw them together. He was holding his little brother tightly against him but had his eyes focusing on her, and her only. Natsuko was beaming at them, gesturing Sanae to come closer.
"Some errand you had," Sanae joked.