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Oneshot #2

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One day, at the Church,

"Hey Maria!" Jack greeted cheerfully upon entering the church. She smiled and greeted back a 'Hello'. His heart took a leap. Her voice sounded so angelic... Feminine, but not overly high-pitched like Nina's. He shuddered at the remembrance of Nina the loud pinkhead.

"Jack," Her deep onyx eyes twinkled, "Did you stop by to praise the Higher Being today?"

The brunette's face twisted into an expression of annoyance, "Um... No, Maria. I just came by to say hi to you."

"Oh," She frowned, "Take a seat on one of the pews, if you like." Only then did Jack realized the glimmer seen in her eyes was actually just some reflection of light. Nothing magical.

Ignoring Jack, Maria continued playing her organ.

He sat on the pew, feeling disappointed. Muttering almost inaudibly under his breath, Jack said to himself (or rather, no one in particular), "It's always the Higher Being. Doesn't she ever get tired of that 'Higher Being' being tied with every single one of her conversations?" (A/N: I'm not into any religion, but I respect every one of them. So don't feel offended here, if you did.)

"In fact, Jack. The Higher Being is the reason why you're here in this world. Because He created you."

Jack looked up, his mouth gaped open.

Maria was staring down at him, her eyes were stern. "Why do you come here to the church, alternately everyday, if you do not wish to be with Him?" It was supposed to be a curious question to Maria. But it sounded so hurtful to Jack.

His lips trembled. Even though he clearly showed his feelings, she still didn't understand... "Because..."

"Because?" Maria prodded.

"Because, I wanted to see you!" - Maria widened her eyes - "I really like you, really, I do," - The blue-haired girl had blushed at this - "But I guess you're just too much obsessed with your religious thoughts." Jack glared at his own shoes, his emotions twisted between anger and frustration.

She wanted to say something; Her mouth opened, sure, but no words came out. Because she didn't know what to say. Flattered? Happy? Surprised?

"S-Sorry..." The farmer stood up abruptly to his feet, "I guess... I guess I shouldn't have harbored feelings for you in the first place. I won't bother you anymore. Bye, Maria."

He ran off, and she didn't call out for him.

Later that day,

The priest emerged from his Confession room (A/N: Was there a confession room in HM SNES?). "Maria?" He asked. Clearly he was concerned, because the girl looked so down though her tears wouldn't flow.

"Oh, good afternoon, Father," Maria politely nodded her head. "What happened?" He asked, holding the Holy Bible closer to his chest with an arm. The girl stiffled, "Jack." The priest 'ohh'-ed, "He came to see you again, didn't he?" She nodded hesistantly in response.

"He said he won't come around anymore," - She had looked hopefully into the priest's eyes, "But... he's going to come back anyway, right, Father?"

The priest didn't know what to answer. He sighed softly, "If he wants to, he will come back... Maria, why do you always persuade him to follow the Higher Being?"

"But shouldn't we all? Everything in life belongs to Him, after all. Isn't that what you said, Father?" She sounded confused.

The priest slowly heaved a sigh, "But sincerity is very important. If Jack were to 'believe' in the Higher Being because you wanted him to, then, it would be a make belief. Understand, child?"

She looked down, guility. "Okay... Oh wells... He'll be back again tomorrow."

But he didn't.

A week later,

Maria was walking back home from the church, when she suddenly remembered she wanted to buy a flower. "What a strange desire all of a sudden," she murmured to herself. She turned back, walking to the direction of the flower shop instead.

She pushed open the wooden door, and collided into Jack's chest.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" - she was still on the floor, butt first - "W-Wait. Maria?" Jack hoisted her to her feet, "What are you doing here?"

"I..." Maria blushed, "I wanted a flower."

Bewilderment etched his features.

"I don't know why I suddenly wanted a flower." He laughed, not that loudly, but nontheless, it was a laugh. "A flower? That's random." His comment made her squirm.

"Oh, sorry," Jack said, letting go of her hand gently, "Wait here."

He skipped to the counter where flowers were sold and then to the cashier counter, where Liz was witnessing and evesdropping the two youngling's conversation. "Liz, I'd like to buy a flower, please."

Liz - Nina's mother - blinked, "Okay, that will be 300G then."

Jack paid her and walked towards Maria, who was still stumped there from where she fell. "This is for you," he said, smiling shyly.

Maria thought it was cute. "Thank you."

That night,

Jack walked Maria back to her home, saying how dangerous it was for a girl to go home all by herself. She had protested that she would be fine, but he insisted and so...

"We're here," Maria breathed. Well it's unlike he didn't know where she resided.

The male chirped, "I guess I'll-"

"Um, Jack!"

He looked at her, a bit surprised, "What is it, Maria?"

"Do you..." - she played with the hem of her long sleeve - "Do you still, um, like me?"

Jack nodded, "Yeah. About that, I'm sorry that I ranaway just like that..."

"Oh, it's okay! I-In fact... I was wondering... M-Maybe, we can go out together... A picnic, maybe...?" She quickly added, "It's okay if you're buzy!"

Jack pinched his arm momentarily, "L-Like a date?"

She nodded, earning an excited cheer from him. "Of course I'd love to! ...W-Wait, you're not going to... talk about the Higher Being all throughout the session again... Are you?"

"I decided that persistency won't do. I'll let you see the true light, slowly pace by pace," she smiled sweetly.

Jack quirked an eyebrow, slightly weirded out, but then he shrugged and grin, "Okay."

A/N: Ooookay. This is a really weird chapter. Don't know what got into me. But JackxMaria from SNES fanfics are sooo underpopulated, I decided to write something about it! Since Maria is a religious girl, I decided to write a bit... okay, not really that little, about her religion. Not sure what's her religion. But I presumed it's Christianity...? And no, I'm not trying to voice my thoughts out about anything. I'm a freethinker, but I really respect other religions. Aaaanyway, tell me what you think? Just click the review button! They're love. And I need a Beta Reader. :)