Thanks again for the reviews everyone, also the poll in my profile is still up, so please vote.
This new update was supposed to be a Tomoyo chapter but the writer hasn't finish it yet due to him being having the flu and strep throat, and I don't want you guys to be waiting so I decided to upload another Heart Chapter.
Oh yeah happy early Chinese New Year.
Clannad
In Our Early Days
Heart Chapter 2
The Day I Found Myself Alone
As everybody hearts opened chapter by chapter...
A New heart slowly begins to be born...
Within the new heart
Is a road
Towards a Miracle
The beautiful sunset shared by the two young teenagers resting themselves on the shorelines of the Kotobikihama Beach never felt anything like this before. They both have been walking together in the beach for an hour now, with no shoes or sandals, just with their bare feet. With each step they took they could hear a soft note of melody, they both play music together as they walked. The gentle breeze wraps their bodies into its warm and refreshing presence.
There was no one around them, no one to disturb there tender moment of silence, the only sounds where coming from tides of the ocean, playing its own melody. The water crept to their toes, touching them breaking down the sand stuck in between their toes. Her head was resting on his shoulder while his arm was around her waist touching the bare skin through her shirt.
Both of them held ice cream in their hands the boy hand vanilla and while the girl had green tea with mint sprinkles.
"This moment is amazing, I will never forget this day," girl whispered out, trying not to disturb the tide playing its melody.
"Yeah..." the boy drew her closer to him.
"Thanks for convincing me to join you," she smiled. "I never realize... this feeling, my own feelings towards you before, it's nice."
"I need to tell you something," his face drew close to her.
"Yes what is it," her face drew closer to his.
"I love you Kyou," he leaned in and his lips brush against her.
The kiss was very soft, gentle and most important of all, sweet, both of them wanted more of each other as they made their kiss deeper. Kyou easily tasted the Vanilla in his mouth as the boy easily tasted the green tea in hers. Even though the boy hated the taste of green tea, the added taste of Kyou made him love it and he wanted more of it, more of her, while Kyou wanted more of him.
Kyou only wish she could actually she the face of the boy kissing her.
***
Ryou eyes widen and gasped deeply as she could plainly see her older sister...making out with her own pillow in her sleep. Their second year school summer trip was today and the bus taking them to Kyoto was departing in the afternoon. Both decided to make lunches and snacks during the bus ride, so they had a plan to wake up early in the morning. However, Ryou was the only person to follow the plan as she awkwardly witnesses her own sister kissing her own pillow...with tongue.
"Onee-chan," Ryou said as she shook Kyou's shoulder.
"Umm," Kyou eyes slowly open to see Ryou embarrassing smiling down at her. Then realize where she was, she jump from her bed sitting up in front of her.
"Ryou....good morning!" she wiped the drool from her mouth, then notching the drool stain on her pillow cause from her kissing. "What is it?" she asked as she very subtlety turn her pillow over, only to notice a even bigger drool stain on that side.
"How long was I making out in my dream?" she screamed in her mind.
"We had plans to make lunch and snacks for the bus ride remember?" Ryou asked with her usual nervous smile. She been trying her best to avoid making Kyou more embarrasses than she already was, however it never worked as Kyou was now in her usual stage when she flustered...get even more flustered.
"Oh yeah," she chuckled. "The bus leaves and two in the afternoon right? We have plenty of time to prepare and cook. We can even make a lunch box for Tomoya!" she beamed.
"What about Sunohara-san?" Ryou asked politely.
Kyou frown at that single name.
"You want to make a lunch box for that weed?" she grumbled.
"Well it's unfair to just only make lunch for him, isn't he your friend as well?"
"He is more of a pest then a friend, he is always around!" Kyou yelled.
"But isn't that a good thing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if he's always around...then doesn't that mean he is there for you as a friend?"
Kyou eyes widen as she remembered how he protected her with those thugs and indirectly save Botton as well. Then after that single day, he seem to be around more often than usual, it would be nice if he didn't act like an idiot all the time.
"Fine...I will make him a share, but only the scarps and left over's," she finally caved into her sister reasoning.
***
"Yo Sunohara," Tomoya rubbed his friend back with his foot trying to wake him up, but he just kept on sleeping. There was only one thing that could wake the sleeping loser up...
"Sunohara there's a cute girl to see you!" he yelled.
"Cute girl where?" his friend asked jumping out of the bed covers only to see Tomoya in front of him holding one of his own manga with a girl displaying in front of him.
"Not is not funny Okazaki," he groaned falling back in to his bed covering him with his bed sheets. "You know how my heart can easily be swayed with a thought of a cute girl," he pathetically cried to himself. "How can my friend treat my heart with such pain?" he moaned.
"Sunohara there's a cute girl to see you!" Tomoya yelled again.
"Really where?" he asked jumping back from the covers only to see Tomoya holding the same manga in front of him this time a different girl being displayed. "Damn it, stop doing that!" he yelled even louder. Then his wall shock cause by someone hitting it from the other side, when this happen Sunohara jumped back into his covers hiding himself.
"Keep it down in there its early in the morning!" a deep voice threatens through the other side.
"Yes sir!" Sunohara cried.
Tomoya shrugged his shoulders, witnessing the pathetic lump in the bed whimpering to himself.
"You seriously afraid of the rug ball team Sunohara?" he asked sitting down beside his bed, glancing through the manga that been in his hands for the few minutes.
"There are twenty of them and only one me, it would be even if you join me," he answered. "By the way, why are you here, the bus doesn't leave until the afternoon?" he finally creped out of his covers.
"I was bored so I decided to visit you," Tomoya turned the page of the manga. "Hey Sunohara make me green tea!" Tomoya ordered.
"Screw you, besides I hate green tea, why would I have it?" he answered. "And you seem to be in high spirits," Sunohara remarked.
"Well a three day trip to get away from my father, been looking forward to it for months," he chuckled after reading a funny part. "I'm surprise you're not excited to go to Kyoto, to get away from the rugby team," he pointed out.
"Well no...I from Kyoto, so why would I enjoy taking a trip back home?" he asked grabbing another manga from his floor and began reading it.
"You're from Kyoto? I didn't know that," he looked up at Sunohara who just lay on his back reading his manga.
"I mention it a few times to you Okazaki, you just don't pay attention," he said rather harden. "Aren't Kyou and Fujibayashi-chan on the same trip as us?"
"I remember Kyou mentioning it," he answered tossing the manga away and laying on is back on the floor staring at the ceiling now.
"Don't you find it weird that she calls you by your first name?"
"Not really, these types of things don't really bother me much."
"Well it bothers me, I wish she calls me by my first name," his tone of voice change.
"What does it matter? It's not like you like her right?"
"Right...." Sunohara lied.
Sunohara had always had strong feelings for Kyou, but he never had the courage to tell her. Knowing her, she would beat him up for confessing to her, or laugh at his face and rejected him. Maybe even both, knowing how Kyou can be tactless at times, all the time, the outcome would most like be harsh.
Still it didn't stop him from hanging around her acting like an idiot all the time to time, he couldn't help it, after all it's not really him, not really Youhei. Youhei failed everybody including his best friend, but the 'Youhei' he is right now... is what he is now.
***
"Onee-chan, you will have a romantic moment this evening with a boy you truly love. When he asked you something, accept his offer and go through of it with no regrets," Ryou read the cards on the kitchen table.
"Ryou you seem to be getting better in reading cards, but still I wish the outcome is like you say it is..." Kyou sighed to herself still remembering the time when the last time she read her fortune, it said she would be rich...the outcome is obvious.
"I just want you to be happy Onee-chan, even if you hurt others," she smiled.
"Ryou...."
After the few hours or preparing food and the few hours of doing nothing both the pair met up with each other at school. It was very fortunate that both Kyou and Ryou class rooms were group together for the bus ride. However it was unfortunate that both classes were divided by two busses because of the over numbered students attending the trip. Although that each bus contain the mixture of both classes rather than each class to a single bus....Kyou couldn't feel nothing but outrage as she was within the same bus Sunohara as her sister was with Tomoya in the other bus.
It wasn't the fact that Ryou was with Tomoya, she was very happy for her, this would be the perfect opportunity for them to get close. Even though she herself had feelings for Tomoya, she needed to step aside for her sister...even if she would regret it in the future.
The bus ride to Kyoto for Kyou was much better then she expected, even though she choice to sit beside Sunohara keeping an eye on him just in case he does something stupid. Oddly enough he actually behaving himself, most of the reason was fear of getting punch in the face by the viscous girl sitting right beside him.
Now that she thought how she was stuck with him, one question popped into her mind.
"Hey Sunohara," she rose her voice getting his attention from the manga he was reading which made him jump back from his seat away from her.
"What I didn't do anything!" he shuddered in fear as he drop his manga and rose his hands in a defence position, just preparing for any onslaught she might give him.
"Would you relax," she bite her lower lip controlling her angry that suddenly jolted from seeing his stupid face. "I was going to ask you how in the hell did you manage to even make it to this trip?" she paused as he lower his guard. "When we had to pass our last test in order to do so?" she asked.
Little did the poor boy know that Kyou formed a fist behind her avoiding his eyes, just waiting to punch him from his usual idiotic answer.
"I did pass," he nodded giving out his cat smile. "I study really hard!" his smile grew blighter then the sun shining on her eyes.
"Really?" she tilted her head to the side trying to figure out if he was lying or not.
"REALLY really," he nodded giving out a victory sign.
She let go of the fist she formed behind her.
"What did you get?"
"51" he answered.
"51!" she raised her voice, this time getting some other students who was in ear shot attention.
"Yeah I passed," he winked at her whiling patting her on the shoulder.
Which was a big mistake since Sunohara already forgotten the three main rules that Kyou gave him during the somewhat friendship.
Never give a stupid response.
Never wink at her.
Never touch her.
In retrospect, although Sunohara had no idea the meaning behind retrospect, should have never forgotten these three golden rules as a fist made full contract to his boyish face.
"What the hell was that for?" he winced his pain from the attack.
"You idiot, you mean do tell me that you study hard and only pass by one point? How pathetic are you?" she gave him a cold glare.
"I really study hard," his voice hardened. "IF you going to judge me then judge me in your thoughts, you're not going to ruin the few accomplishments that I feel proud of!" he yelled this time getting some more students attention.
"Proud of what? It's not hard to read," she yelled back.
"Not for some people, okay!" he frowned at her.
"What did you mean; all you got to do is just read."
"What I mean is that when I try to read a sentence sometimes, some of the words I'm reading are backwards to me, and when I reread the sentence its gets even worse," he yelled.
Kyou eyes widen.
"Wait...Are you saying that..."
"Yes that is what I'm saying," he interrupted her not letting her even say the problem he has. "Most of the time I don't either bother studying or even attempt assignments because of you,"
"Me," her voice softens.
"Yes you, because of you little outburst of me getting a 51, just reminds me of pathetic I'm actually am!" he shrugged his shoulders.
Kyou felt terrible what she did, she didn't know why she acted like this towards him. For some reason she always abuse him, even times when he did nothing at all.
"Sunohara...I'm sorry..." she apologized sincerely.
"Don't give out empty apologises Kyou, because it won't cure me of my problem and you will still treat me like crap the next day. Besides you most likely forget this conversation any way," he scoffed turning away from her facing the window.
"Sunohara...."
"Alright that's enough you two," the teacher yelled from the front of the bus. "Fujibayashi, try to maintain peace back there, and Sunohara I'm surprised you are even on his trip, how you manage to pass my test is beyond me! SO behave yourself" he continue.
"Yes Sensei," both of them replied with a small both.
None of them said a word to each other for the rest of the bus drive.
It only took a few hours to get there and as soon as the busses stop and one of the most famous Kyoto Inns, the students dash out getting some air and stretching out their legs and running up to enjoy the scenery of the beach right beside the Inn.
After some room arrangements the four finally met up with each other in the main lobby. Of course the silence between Kyou and Sunohara came to their attention and when they ask them on it they simply had no response.
It of course created an uncomfortable environment during dinner, as neither one of the four said anything.
"I'm going for a walk," Sunohara announced as he finish up his plate and headed out the door.
The three watch him leave.
"You know what, I going for a walk to get some air," Kyou announced as he dash after him.
Tomoya and Ryou looked at each other with an awkward smile.
"Sunohara wait up," Kyou called out to him while she followed him out to the somewhat empty beach.
He stopped and turned around to see Kyou running towards him.
"Yes?" he asked as she stopped in front of him.
"Ummm...this is sure a nice beach isn't it?" she tried to lighten up the mood.
"Yeah..." he shrugged his shoulders. "I had been here a few times when I was a kid, during family vacation."
"Now that you mention it, I think I was here once when I was young as well. I don't remember it much," she replied.
"This is the place where I met this amazing girl," he nodded staring at the ocean.
"Really? When you were a kid? How old were you when you meant this amazing girl?"
"Eight, she needed my help find her lost sister so I help her."
Kyou smiled.
"That is sweet of you to do that; having a sister myself I would be completely devastated if I lost Ryou, so I could understand how grateful she could be. So was this girl cute?"
"Very..."he smiled. "We spend three wonderful days at the beach together making sand castles, eating ice cream, having some watermelon, and enjoying the sunset together. Then after the four day, we made a promise together that we never forgot each other, she even kiss me on the cheek."
"Childhood love I take it?"
"Yes, but not anymore. I had the chance to see her again, but she didn't remember me at all," he sighed deeply. "Don't blame her, I'm easily forgettable," he added. "All I am is Sunohara Youhei...butt monkey," he force out a chuckle.
"Sunohara listen...I'm sorry," she apologised sincerely again.
He frowned at her.
"What did I say about empty apologies Kyou?" he asked as his feet dug into the sand.
"Sunohara, is this something I can do to make you feel better?" she asked.
He thought for a moment.
"Watch the sunset with me," he suggested.
"What?" she blushed.
"Well there's an old legend saying that if you watch the sunset and make a wish when the sun touches the ocean, it will come true," he explained.
"Well..." she lowered her head trying to think of an answer. "Fine," she crossed her arms. "Just don't get any funny ideas, and keep your hands to yourself!" she threatens.
"You always expect the worse of me don't you?" he sighed.
"Sorry....I mean, okay its deal," she nodded. "Oh wait I was going take a bath with Ryou after supper, let me head back and tell her about the changes and plans, kay?"
He nodded.
"Umm okay I guess I meet you back here?"
He nodded.
She proceeded to run back towards the Inn, a familiar feeling of warmth enter her heart. She didn't know why she felt this way, but she welcome the feeling, in been a long time since she actually felt happiness. For the longest time since she can remember she had to be the strongest one, the brave sister to protect Ryou, the one that Ryou can always count on; those responsibilities were heavy on her shoulders. She didn't feel that Ryou was a burden, it was far from that, it was the fact that she knows that someday Ryou will be strong enough to protect herself and she wouldn't need her anymore, and their main connection as sisters will be gone.
Although there was another connection that both of them shared equally, their love for Tomoya Okazaki, ever since that day where Tomoya and Sunohara help get rid of the harsh rumours of Ryou, Ryou has been develop feelings for him.
Sunohara proceeded to the ice cream kart at the edge of the beach near the Main Entrance of the Inn. He was very familiar with this place, after all this was the place where he met Kyou when he was eight, where he finally felt needed; something he always dreamed of. However she had no memory of him at all, it was easy for her to break promises...those three days were the best days of his life.
"Hey, you still open?" he asked the vendor when he saw him sitting down on the ground reading the newspaper. The man didn't response with words; he just put his index finger up the international sign of "just give me on minute". Sunohara waited with patience slowly starting to run thin since Kyou could already be back. After one minute exactly, he put the news paper down and rose to his feet.
"Sorry about that kid, I just read an interesting article, last week there have been reports of a silver haired girl attacking thugs on the streets."
"Here in Kyoto?" Sunohara asked.
"Yeah, for only last week though, she yet to make appearance this week, must likely she already went of town or something," he answered.
"Heh such woman does not exist, this silver hair girl is most likely a man in disguise as a girl!" he cross his arms.
"Maybe...so what can I get you kid?"
"Yeah can I have a vanilla ice cream plain and a green tea ice cream with mint sprinkles on top?" he asked.
"Sure," he answered. "Green tea with mint sprinkles from top huh? That's a strange combination," he pointed out after he handed the pair cones to Sunohara after he gave him money.
"A strange combination from an amazing girl... it's her favourite," he smiled.
Sunohara headed back in the same exact place where both of them separated, she wasn't there when he got there, and he wasn't gone long enough for her to just leave. So he just sat down by himself waiting for Kyou to return.
***
"Sorry Ryou, but can we take a bath in the hot springs later on tonight?" Kyou asked her sister after she found her in the relaxing room of the Inn.
"Oh is something wrong?" she asked.
"No just I need to do something with Sunohara," she whispered to her not wanting anyone to hear that she spends time with the worst student. "Besides I left you a perfect opportunity for some alone time with Tomoya, how did it go?" she asked.
Ryou blushed.
"It didn't go well, I try my best to get his attention after you and Sunohara-san left, he simply walked off," she answered.
"What? He ignored you?" she frowned. "I'm going to kill him," she formed a fist and ran out of the relaxing room whiling snatching a book from the hands of a fellow student completely ignoring the cries of her sister to stop.
Tomoya was easy to find he was on the balcony of his room and the first thing that she did when she saw the back of his head has toss the book in her hands really hard.
Luckily for Tomoya after the months of punishment, he developed a Kyou-reflex as he perfectly dodges when he felt the sudden change of wind in his direction.
"Kyou what was that for!" he spun around to see a red demon eyes of Kyou...which some people say is her true form.
"Tomoya!" she ran up to him and grabbed the color of his shirt. "How can you ignore my sister like that? You have any idea how fragile a woman's heart is?" she hissed at him tighten her grip on him.
"What are you talking about?" he gasped for air. "I didn't ignore her, she asks me if she wanted to go to the relaxing room and I just said no my room is good enough" he yelled.
"Why would you go to your room, it's still early in the day?" she let go of him.
"It's a great view to watch the sunset," he answers quickly.
"You like watching the sun set? I didn't know you were that type of person."
Tomoya shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I'm not open about it," he sighed. "Well anyway I have no intention in leaving this room, so you can either stay of leave."
"Wait, are you asking me to watch the sunset with you Tomoya?" she asked as her heart started to beat faster.
She remembers the fortune telling that Ryou gave her earlier this morning.
"Not really asking you, I'm just saying I wouldn't mind you being here when I do that's all," he looked at her blankly.
"Go though it with no regrets"
"I just want you to be happy, even if it hurts others "
Ryou voiced echo in her mind.
Kyou felt conflicted, in one hand her sister is telling to be happy, in the other hand she would be hurting Ryou something she swore never to do.
Then she remembers her dream she just had, the one on the beach, the one of the faceless boy that kisses her so passionately. Her heart started to beat even faster as her face started to flush when she could physically feel the kiss when she picture it. But...the dream was different from Ryou fortune telling she wasn't on the beach, she was in the Inn.
"In that case sure...I will join you," she answered without even thinking, her heart sank a little with a feeling that she forgotten something.
Both of them sat on the balcony and watch as the sun setting. Neither of them said a word, neither of them was at arm length from each other. The feeling was not the same as she felt when she had the dream. The dream felt warmth and comfortable, but this...wasn't up to par.
"Hey someone told me that if you make a wish when the sun touches the ocean it will come true," Kyou said trying to remember how she got that information.
"Well in that case...I wish my senior year is going to be eventful," Tomoya wished.
"I wish for more strength for my sister," Kyou wished.
***
"I wish for Kyou to be with someone she is truly happy with," Sunohara wished to himself.
He stood alone on the beach...with only the melted ice cream in his hands...