Disclaimer: Characters & the original story belong to Studio Ghibli, I'm just letting my imagination mingle with theirs….

"I have something for you, Shizuku."

The old man rose from his chair and walked to his bookshelf. He picked up something and walked back to the young girl.

"Hold out your hands."

The girl did as she was told. The old man reached out and placed something heavy in her hands. As he pulled away, it revealed a blackened rock, which held small green gemstones within a large crack.

The girl blinked in surprise. "The stone…Mr. Nishi…"

The old man nodded. "That stone resembles you more than it does an old man like me. That's why I'm giving it to you. Please do a good job and polish your gems."

The girl smiled and nodded. "I will, Mr. Nishi. Thank you."

This is what Shizuku found herself reflecting on as she stood on this cliff-like area, looking over a good portion of West Tokyo. As the sun rose, it created a dazzling picture; Shizuku found herself staring in awe as the city became a beautiful, shining blue gem.

She snuggled against Seiji's chest. Now she could see her future spread out before her, bright as the sun rising over the misty fog in the city. She would work hard; she would find the gems within herself and polish them until they shined so bright you needed to look at them through smoked glass.

She felt Seiji's breath on her forehead just before his lips replaced it. The touch made her shiver more than the cold wind did.

" I love you, too, Seiji…"