Might I suggest listening to Sicilienne in G Minor for flute and piano by Gabriel Fauré for this first part? It's a song that one should be able to recognize fairly quickly!

I couldn't sleep. With the invitation the day before to come to lunch I couldn't stop thinking about what it would be like. Of course I had been to Chitanda's house many times before, but this would be different. I would be eating with her entire family. I began to over think the event; why I over think such simple activities which involved Chitanda is still being debated in my mind to this day. I turned restlessly in my bed.

I was again staying at my own house, but I was by myself this time. There wasn't a sound to be heard in the darkness. The room's only light was provided by the strips of moonlight that slid through the curtains. Contrary to my usual system of ideas to get to sleep, I decided to take a walk. I felt as if I had too much energy bound up and that it needed to be released.

Slipping on a light jacket, I stepped outside and took a deep breath. Kamiyama City definitely lacked the smell of industry that Tokyo always had drifting around. The air was clean and every night mild in it's own way. People weren't out during this time of night in this city, but when walking the streets at twilight, one can experience the serene feeling that this place certainly posses.

I crested the top of a hill and looked over the city and beyond it. The direction that I faced was towards Chitanda's house, which even from here could be seen surrounded by rice paddies. I looked up at the stars and closed my eyes, taking in the peace that had been so lacking in my life ever since I had left. Coming home was always refreshing and nostalgic. Maybe, quietly, I had missed this place; maybe I left a piece of my heart back in Kamiyama City, only to regain it when I returned. This piece did not reside simply in my house or wandering about the city in general, but with that particular person.

Ahh, that novel I'm reading is getting to my head. I sighed and deciding that I had walked enough, turned my feet towards my house.

I changed out of my clothes and laid back in my bed, with my arms behind my head. What would tomorrow be like? Would her family like me? What if I say something to anger them? Would they ever accept me? I had made a firm decision in my mind about tomorrow. I just hoped I could find the right words...

I decided to ride my bike out to Chitanda's place like I had done with Satoshi ten years ago. The day was fresh like the night had been and helped to waken me from my sleepiness as I rode. I finally reached the front gate and walked my bike inside. I was warmly greeted by Chitanda herself as I moved towards the front door. Many people were talking with each other, waiting for their food in the dinning room. I was given a seat next to Chitanda and her grandfather. While Chitanda wasn't available because she was finishing up preparations for lunch with some other women and girls, Chitanda's grandfather talked to me.

"You have a large family," I commented once again looking around.

"Yes, many cousins and out-of-town family members have come to town for Chitanda-san's birthday." Her birthday? I didn't know that...or maybe I just didn't remember... "She wanted to thank everyone for coming by preparing lunch herself." Then why would she invite me? I didn't even know it was her birthday. Why didn't she invite Satoshi or Ibara if that was the case?

The old man seemed to read my confusion. "Chitanda-san wanted to invite you even though the celebration was a family affair. I suppose she considers you part of the family." He smiled at me. I felt a little embarrassed that she would invite me specifically, I should probably thank her for it.

Lunch was soon served, but the chattering rose even from before as they all ate. It was a ways into the meal that Chitanda actually sat down to eat, which was insisted by the other women. She turned to face me with a happy look.

"How does it taste?"

I nodded, as I had a mouthful of the delicious food in my mouth; after swallowing I replied, "It's delicious. Some of the best I've had in a long time." This was true because I wasn't much of a cook myself so store-bought lunches and ramen were the foods of choice.

"I'm glad!" she beamed. She took up her chopsticks and scooped some food into her mouth then turned to her other neighbor and began chatting with him.

I turned back to my meal and noticed her grandfather looking at me. I didn't want to be rude and reply with my normal irritation so I ignored him and went back to my meal. He soon returned to his.

Towards the end of the meal everything began to quiet down. I was relaxing after that very fine meal, then the cake was brought out. I didn't think I could eat any cake with how satisfied I was, but I thought 'why not? I didn't get to have cake at the wedding yesterday' so I took a small slice. I'm not much of a sweets person, but it was a very good cake; it topped off the meal quite well.

"Oreki-san." I started slightly at hearing my name. I turned to Chitanda's grandfather. "care to go for a walk?"

"S-sure." I stood after the older man then followed him, excusing myself as I left. We walked out into the garden where only the crunch of the gravel sounded. Then he stopped and turned to me.

"Chitanda asked me to bring you to see him. He wasn't able to be at the lunch, but if it isn't too much trouble, could you bring his lunch to him?" Oh! Chitanda's father? He wants so see me?

"It isn't trouble at all!" I replied hastily. "I'd be glad to bring it to him!"

He smiled, "You're just as I remember." We've met? "You've certainly got your act together still." I mentally took a step back them remembered. My eyes widened. You were her grandfather?

He ignored my surprise and continued walking. "Sorry to be taking up your time with this," he said a step ahead of me. He turned and waited in front of a door which promptly opened; a woman gave him a tray of food. From the glimpse I caught of her she looked sad and tired, but she tried to give a smile as she saw me, this leading me to conclude that she was Chitanda's mother. "We don't like to burden outsiders with tasks like this, but since he requested to see you..."

"It's not a problem at all, sir, I assure you!" I insisted. I stretched out my hands to take the tray from him. He led me the rest of the way without speaking then came up on the porch and sat on his legs.

"This is his room." I followed his lead and sat on my legs. He opened the door and nodded towards me.

"Um, please pardon the intrusion, sir. I have your lunch," I said slowly, a little afraid of waking him up.

"Come in," I heard a faint voice call. I stood and went into the room; the door closed behind me.

The room was dark expect for the bright sunlight that came through the paper doors. I noticed a person laying on the bed and approached him.

"Oreki-san, I presume?"

"Yessir. I'm Oreki."

"Good. You have lunch for me?"

"Yessir." I placed the tray on his lap and he sat up slowly.

"Sorry for troubling you like this, but could you turn on the light?" I nodded and found the switch. "very good, now let's look at you..."

He seemed to size me up then a smile crossed his countenance. "You're not half-bad," he said quietly with a shrug. "Not as handsome as I was at your age, but still not bad." I was a little surprised by this man. Aside from the pale skin and weak voice he didn't look that sick, neither did he act sick. "I wanted to see you on behalf of Eru," he began, catching me a little off-guard.

"Sir?"

"I believe you know that she's engaged?" upon hearing those words irritation boiled up inside of me, I forced myself to suppress it.

"Yes, I have been told of it."

He still seemed to examine me and my reactions. "I see. Well, I've heard that you were a good friend of hers."

"I don't know if good friend is the way to describe it..."

He smiled. "I know she can be a handful, she was always a curious one. Asking about what I was doing and such. But Oreki-san, I have a request." I looked at him expectantly. "This is not to burden you, but if you could..."

Suddenly he fell into a massive coughing fit, almost spilling the tray of food onto the bed. I grabbed it just in time to save it then handed him the water. He took it then pointed to a dresser. I went to it and opened it, pulling out a bottle. He gestured through his coughs to bring it back to him. During a short lull in the fit he dumped something into his hand then popped it into his mouth and drank the full glass of water. I waited on his instruction; a little frightened at this turn of events. Slowly his coughing stopped and he sank back into his pillows. He looked exhausted from the fit which had lasted quite a while. He finally caught his breath and let out a little sigh.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," he said in an even softer voice than before. "If I may ask of you to do a favor..."

"Anything; whatever you need."

"Then I ask of you, please..."

I closed the door behind me and was met by the grandfather again. He had a sad smile on his face. "It's heartbreaking to see your own son dying before his parents are gone," he said partly to himself. He raised is voice, "On his behalf and on my own, I thank you for going along with our petty demands." he bowed deeply with his hands placed on the wooden floor.

"Not at all! It's my pleasure!" I replied mimicking his bow in reply.

"Chitanda-san wishes to see you off when you leave today," her grandfather told me as we walked back to the dinning room. I nodded my comprehension. People were gathered inside and outside around the dinning room once again talking and conversing about various topics and catching up on news.

"Thank you for accompanying me earlier." I nodded then turned to leave, but hesitated as I heard him whisper something behind me:

"We're counting on you."

Next chapter is the last one! T.T (I might write an epilogue if people don't feel satisfied). Thanks so much for reading this story! Don't forget to comment!