Aw, a step back in lengthwise, but I promise if you stay on board, the next chapter will be better...and interesting too!

Whisper of the Heart characters (c) Studio Ghibli


Chapter 7: If Wishes Were Diamonds…

Scratching the back of his head, he looked back to where Shizuku had run off to. He wanted to chase her…he wanted to know what was going on…but he stayed put. I feel like I'm losing her and I don't know why. Slowly he left the school grounds and took the familiar path to the one source of comfort. As he walked along, his mind wandered to the last few months and the stress their relationship had been in. Between the talks of what to do after school and their future, it seemed like they never really had time for fun. It was always about making plans and even arguing over them. Sighing, he paused on the corner and waited for the light to change. The sound of someone stopping beside him and whistling drew his attention. But when he didn't recognize the long, black haired kid, he turned his attention back to the light. Once it changed, he crossed the street and headed for the shop while the other guy went in the direction of the library. Maybe I should go see Shizuku first. But the way she was acting, he thought it best to speak with Grandpa first. Gladly, the shop wasn't too far from the school, because if it had been, he would've made himself sick with worry.

As usual, the closed sign was up and Moon was laying down beside the flower pot. "Grandpa was never good at remembering what times you visit us. Let's go inside." Going around the side, he held the door open for the slow walking chubby feline. When he finally made it past the threshold, Seiji walked down the stairs with a heavy heart. The breathtaking view that she loved so much just brought him heartache now. After staring at the scenery for a moment, he turned around and unlocked the back door to enter. Leaving it open a crack for Moon, he walked slowly past the hanging violins and to the stairs. It was quiet and he wondered if his grandfather had forgotten he was coming in today.

"Ah Seiji my boy, I was starting to wonder if you had forgot. Please come up, I have some tea ready." His voice floated down the stairs like a friendly disembodied spirit.

Looking to the stairs, he sighed. "Coming Grandpa." Slowly he climbed the stairs to a room that was glowing faintly from the cozy flames in the fireplace. A quick glance around showed nothing unusual as the sight of the old man in the chair was common. Why did he want me to come over?

"Come have a seat, your old grandpa has a favor to ask of you." As he spoke, he carefully poured a second cup of tea. "But there will be plenty of time to talk about that. How was school today?"

Nodding his head, he made his way to the chair and sat down, gratefully taking the cup that was handed to him. Taking a small sip, he looked over the cups rim at the seemingly innocent question. "School was fine. Just a normal day." Keeping that cup in his hands, he lowed it to his lap.

The old man kept his eyes on his grandson as he walked over and sat. It wasn't hard to see that something big was bothering the young man, but he would wait until the right moment to speak on it. Setting back in the plush chair, he gave a smile and nodded. "That's good to hear. Say, my friends have been asking for another music session. Would you and Shizuku be interested in joining us? I know they would love to have you two there." His bright dark eyes watched him carefully as he waited for his answer.

A bit of panic flashed across his face but it was quickly replaced with a sadness that just wouldn't leave no matter how hard he tried. "I don't think that's a good idea…" He wanted to brush it all aside, move on to something else…but he knew his grandfather. They were going to talk about this sooner or later. Without being prodded any further, he started in the tale of how things had been going between them lately. The stress and strain when they were together, the arguments and the frustrations. "It's like the longer we're together, the further apart we seem to be getting. Time together is no longer fun. It's filled with stress."

He just leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes as he listened. It wasn't too surprising they had fights, all couples did, but the frequency and what about did. After his grandson finished, he was quiet for a short while. With his eyes still closed, he finally spoke. "Do you love her?"

Seiji looked up quickly in surprise at the strange question. "Of course I do, you know that Grandpa. I love her with all my heart." His eyes were filled with hurt that he would be asked such a question. Does he think I stopped caring for her? Never!

The older man kept his eyes closed despite the outrage in his grandson's voice. "Yes, I know that but yet you can't speak to her about these things? Why is you come to me when it is her you should be talking to? Are you afraid that her love has waned? What is it that is holding you back?" Normally, he would've been trying to comfort his grandson, helping him through this tough time but now was different. In matters concerning love, he would do his best to stay out of it. This was their lives and he didn't have a right to make decisions.

The slew of questions threw him for a loop and for a long moment he was silent. He's right. Why can't I talk to her? The excuses were on his lips, 'They were busy, the times weren't right, they were always fighting…'but he knew deep down he was just scared. What if she really didn't love him anymore, could he handle it? "I…I guess I'm just scared." With an ashamed look, he lowered his gaze to his tea cup.

Slowly opening his eyes, he gazed at the young man and lightly nodded his head. Even if he wouldn't help directly, he would do what he could to get the boy to think. "My boy, anyone in your position would be. It's no reason to feel ashamed. But if you don't do anything about it, you'll only have yourself to blame if the relationship falls through." He wasn't trying to scare the poor boy any more, just give him a warning. More then anything, he wished nothing but happiness for Seiji and nothing like he had to go through with missing Louise.

With his head lowered, he listened to what his grandpa had to say. And even though he didn't tell him what to do, he sort of did. That coupled with the dream he had about the Baron, it was clear that he needed to speak with Shizuku and soon. "I understand Grandpa. Thank you for listening." Raising his eyes, he looked to the older man with determination.

Seeing the look, a small smile spread across his wrinkled face. "I am always here when you need an ear, Seiji…always." The heavy atmosphere that had been hanging in the room slowly dissipated, though it was by far a happy environment left behind. "Now, the reason I asked you to come. I'm going to be leaving town on a business trip Sunday and I'll be gone a week. I wanted to know if you'd look after the shop for me? You don't have to be open for business but I would feel better knowing there was someone here while I was gone." Truth be told, he was going to ask both Seiji and Shizuku but considering everything that had been talked about, he thought it best not to mention her. Even though this would give them the perfect opportunity for their long overdue chat, he would leave it to Seiji to decide if that's what he wanted to do with his alone time. "Of course, if you'd like to stay here as well I would be even happier. Then our Moon wouldn't be left alone outside." He had heard from his daughter about the tension going on in her house between Seiji and her husband. And even though it wasn't his place to step in, he did his best to give his grandson every opportunity to escape and now was no different.

The determination slowly melded into surprise for a brief moment and he simply nodded. With everything going on with his dad, he would jump at any chance to get away. He always seems to know when I need an escape. "Sure Grandpa, I'll mention it to Mom when I get home. And I don't mind opening the store while you're gone." Already he was debating with himself on whether or not to tell Shizuku. It would be nice to have some time to think about it all and try to organize a plan…but it would be doubly as nice to have time alone with her.

With an amused look on his face, the old man just sat back and watched as his grandson got lost in his own thoughts.