Himeno and Kira agreed to sing at Mayune's wedding and so they went ot practice their song in front of everyone: Without you
I remember the first day that we met
It was like yesterday
The day was nice and beautiful
And from that day on, we've been together
We've always known that we would be in love for good
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Himeno nodded to Kira walked walked to the front of the stage. Her part was first and she watched Kira turn her head away.
Those times I remember your face
So handsome and so cute
I knew that I would be in love with you
from this day on
There was nothing to drag me from you
I knew that I would always love you
And then from that day on
I would stay with you
I know that I can't go on without you
You've made me so happy and I can't
live on without you
I feel empty without you
I feel lonely without you
Without you I'm confused and incomplete
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Kira walked ahead of Himeno for her part in the song. Himeno looked at Kira with annoyance. She hated when Kira was like this. She would become withdrawn from everyone, just like Mawata used to. Kira bracd herself and sung with her heart.
I've always had some sleepless nights
Without you by me
I always looked up in the sky
thinking about you
I knew that I wanted to see you
I wanted to always be with you
I realize that I can't live without you
There's a voice inside my head
That's why at night I can't get to bed
I'm always up at night
thinking about you
I steadily dream about you
I always want to see you
Cause I'm in love with you
And that's the truth
Himeno and Kira stood together and started singing their last part. By that time everyone had noticed how strange Kira was acting.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Without you by me I feel so incomplete
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The song ended and everyone clapped their hands. Himeno and Kira bowed. Mawata stood and cheered. Kira put the microphone to her side and looked at Himeno.
'I don't know how to tell Sasame. I don't know what to do. This is so confusing. I wish Mom could tell me what to do in a situation like this.'
"That was my favorite song!" screamed Mawata.
Kaoru grinned at his daughters. "You girls were terrific."
There was another clap when everyone was finished. They turned around and saw Hayate standing there, smiling at Himeno.
"The rumors about you two are true."
Himeno jumped off stage and ran toward Hayate. He accepted her with open arms and a kiss. Kira strecthed her arms and walked off stage. She knew she couldn't see them like that. Not if she was going to get over having feelings about Hayate.
"I'm gonna go upstairs. I-um-I gotta do some work on the song," she lied.
Hayate broke the kiss and looked at Himeno. She looked at Kira.
'Liar. There isn't any work to be done on the song. It's already finished. Why do you keep running away, Kira?'
"What the problem with Kira?"
Himeno looked back at him. "She's having man trouble."
Hayate let her go, "I think you shoud go talk to her or something."
Himeno nodded. "Yeah, you're right, but I don't think even I could cheer her up. Have you seen Sasame by any chance?"
Hayate pointed outside. "He was outside when I last saw him."
"Can you go get him for me? I want to ask him something."
He nodded. "Sure. I'll be back."
"Thanks."
Himeno smiled at him and he went out the door. A couple minutes later, he came back with Sasame.
"You wanted to talk to me, Himeno?"
Himeno grinned and took him by the arm. Hayate didn't mind, in fact, he knew the reason why she wanted to talk to Sasame.
"Sasame, we're friends right?" Himeno asked
Sasame nodded. "Of course, Himeno."
"Good then. Go talk to Kira, she wants to ask you something."
Sasame smiled and walked in the direction of Kira's room.
"Sure thing Himeno."
Himeno turned back to Hayate. "Come on, let's follow him."
Hayate blinked. "What?"
Himeno whispered in his ear and he looked at her.
"You can't be serious. Himeno you know that's wrong and childish."
Himeno giggled and grabbed his arm. "This will only happen once. I promise."
He sighed and looked at her. There was no way he could resist her childish nature and her sweet smile. He let her pull him by the arm and drag him inside. They followed Sasame into the house and up to Kira's room. Hayate and Himeno went into her room and closed the door. They listened in on Sasame and Kira's conversation.
Kira sat on her bed wiping tears away. 'The truth hurts so much. Mom, tell me what to do. I don't want to suffer anymore. I don't want to be Sasame's friend anymore. I love him.'
She heard a knock on her door and stood up. She quickly wiped the tears in her eyes.
"Who is it?"
"Sasame."
Kira dried her eyes and went to her door. She opened it and there stood Sasame.
"Can I come in?"
Kira nodded. "Sure, whatever."
Sasame walked in and Kira closed the door behind him. He sat down on the chair and rested his face in the palm of his hand. Kira sat down on the bed and looked at him. She was still sniffling and Sasame noticed.
"Have you been crying?" he asked.
"Kira shook her head and lied. "No, of course not. I've got a stuffy nose, that's all."
Sasame got out of his seat and sat on the bed with her.
"Why do you run, Kira?"
Kira looked puzzled. "What are you talking about, Sasame?"
He inched his way closer to her. "Don't lie to me, Kira," he said.
Kira could feel the tears swell up in her eyes but she held them back.
"Sasame, we've been best friends since we were young. How come you're still single?" She asked.
Sasame sighed. "I don't know. I'm in love but I don't know how the girl feels about me. What about you? Why are you still single?"
Kira turned away from him, "I've been so busy with concerts and writing music that I haven't had time to look for love."
Sasame turned her head so that she was facing him. He saw her getting ready to cry again. He moved her hair and whispered in her ear.
"What's wrong? Although you're a singer, you still have time to look for some love," he said. "No matter what, I'll always be here if you need me. Stop crying now, it'll be okay."
All of a sudden, Kira cried uncontrollably into his shirt. She couldn't hold them back any longer. Sasame ran his fingers through her hair.
"Why are you crying? What's wrong Kira?"
"Sasame I am in-well I-you see-I love you! Okay there I said it!" Kira mumbled in his shirt so that only he could hear.
Sasame smiled and whispered in her ear. "I felt the same way about you. Don't cry anymore, I'll be with you. I still have a question: What do you want?"
Kira looked up at him with a tear-stained face. "I want to be with you, Sasame. I don't wanna be alone anymore."
He looked at her and held her face in his palm. She closed her eyes and he kissed her. She smiled after the kiss, "Sasame."
Sasame looked confused. "What?"
Kira kept smiling. "It's nothing. I'm just happy, that's all."
"Kira!" Himeno called.
Sasame stopped, and sighed. "I think Himeno's getting upset now. You should open your door. However, you should pull your sleeve back up and put your hair the way it was. You have a mark on your neck and I don't think you want Himeno to see that."
Kira nodded and she went to the door. Himeno stood there with a glare on her face.
"What the hell took you so long?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing , I was just talking to Sasame."
Himeno smirked. "Yeah, sure. Come on downstairs with us."
Kira nodded. "Okay, I'll be down in a minute."
Himeno walked away. "All right."
She closed the door and turned to Sasame. He smiled and stood up. "Come on, let's go."
They walked out the door hand in hand and downstairs to the living room where everyone was. Kira let Sasame's hand go and she sat next to Himeno. Himeno looked at her and Kira didn't notice her hair moved and showed the mark on her neck. Himeno looked at her sister and then to the ground.
'Well, at least Kira won't be alone next Tuesday. Wait a minute! Next Tuesday?! Today's Thursday and we still haven't gotten Mom and Dad anything! Dammit!'
Himeno sat there pondering what to get their parents. She looked around and heard her mother talking about a necklace she saw in the store. Her father talked about a laptop and Himeno suddenly knew what to get them. The only problem was that they wouldn't get out of the house with their parents there. She and the girls would have to sneak out in the morning.
