Chapter 14

Back To America

'What are you doing here James?' asked Kanata bewildered.

'You are the one who wanted me to be her to take you away' said James.

The two were talking in the Saionji Kitchen.

'But…' started Kanata searching for something to say and finally said, 'you're supposed to be here only on the New Year's Day!'

'Well… I thought of giving you a birthday present…' said James.

Kanata stared at him, thinking.

'Don't you like it?' asked James.

'Then, why is Nanami with you?' he asked.

'Oh! Yeah, I forgot to tell you…' stammered James.

'What?' asked Kanata, 'Tell me what?'

'Tell you that...' started James and the sentence was completed by Nanami who just came into the kitchen.

'That we're gonna get engaged'

'WHAT!'

'Surprised me too…' said Miyu smiling, 'She told me just now…'

'And we are here early cause of this…' said James and blushed a little.

Kanata started to laugh in spite of the fact that he completely hated the arrival of his friends.

'Congratulations!' he said.

'Thanks!' said Nanami tilting her head sideways.

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THE NEW YEAR (Oh yeah! That's when James and Nanami are getting engaged)

It was nearly mid-night. All of the friends, Kanata, Miyu, Nanami, James, Aya, Santa, Nozomu, and Chris were seated at the Saionji Main hall. James' family and Nanami's family were both at Nanami's place. The friends decided to kip in Kanata's place for the night.

'Hey Guys!' started Nozomu, 'Do you remember, that on one of the new years' eve, all of us were here at the Saionji Temple and weird things started to happen…'

'Yeah… I remember, Chris getting all dressed up for a moustache man…'

Chris giggled, 'It still brings tears of laughter to my eyes'

Miyu remembered too. She had been wearing Hitomi Saionji's Kimono—Kanata's favorite kimono—the one that he had given her when she had to leave Heiomachi nearly eight years back… That was when he had given her another most precious thing…

'Miyu!' exclaimed Santa, 'you're face is all red! Are you sick?'

'No!' said Miyu and shook her head vigorously.

'Umm… Guys!' called Kanata.

'Huh?'

'I've got something very important to tell you all…' he said.

James smiled.

'What is it?' asked Christine.

'Well… you see…' he started thinking for the best way to tell them.

There was silence. Miyu felt cold inside somehow. She didn't know why, but she dreaded whatever Kanata was about to say.

'James and I have to go back to America tomorrow morning' he said, yet this wasn't the thing that he wanted to say. Everybody knew that too.

'We know that!' said Santa.

'What is it Kanata?' asked Aya.

'You know… you can tell us anything…' said Nozomu.

'Ok! Then here goes' said Kanata and took a deep breath.

There was a momentary silence.

'I'm going to write my exam for the Master's degree in Philosophy for Aerospace Engineering in Colorado University' he said.

GASP.

'And… after this exam, I'd be back in Japan for only a few weeks' he said.

Miyu finally regaining control asked, 'Why—why is that?'

Unable to see into those emerald eyes, Kanata answered to the floor, 'I got a job as a Research Scientist at the Overset Methods Inc. But my appointment depends on my exams though'

A deeper and lonelier silence followed this pronouncement.

'Kanata' started Chris, 'but what about Mi—'

'All the Best, Kanata!' said Miyu suddenly to everyone's surprise.

'Huh?' gaped Kanata.

'All the best!' she said, smiling

Kanata, even to his surprise, smiled.

"Stop making me smile, Miyu. I just can't help smiling even in my deepest despair, when you smile" was what crossed Kanata's mind over and over again.

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There was a small group at the Tokyo International Airport.

'C'mon Santa,' said Kanata smiling, 'It's not like we're never gonna see each other again, is it?'

'But still,' he sobbed.

'We'll miss you!' said Chris, smiling.

'Ditto!' said Kanata.

There was more silence which was broken by James, who said, 'Let's go Kanata!'

'Yeah!' said Kanata, 'Bye guys!'

James waved and planted a kiss on his fiancé's cheek. Nanami smiled.

They started to leave. All the friends were leaving, for Kanata and James had disappeared around a corridor.

'You coming, Miyu?' asked Chris leaving.

'Yeah' replied Miyu, still stiff, 'in a minute'

Miyu stood for a while staring at the spot where he had stood earlier. Then suddenly—

Kanata rushed through the corridor, stopped in front of Miyu and started panting.

'Kanata?' just escaped Miyu's mouth when Kanata got hold of her and hugged her tight.

It felt like heaven and hell together for Miyu. Without much to say, she started to cry hard.

'Kanata!' she said, 'Kanata! Kanata!'

He suddenly kissed her on her right cheek and while withdrawing his lips from her cheek, whispered into her ear, 'I'll be back! Be back for you, Miyu!'

And before Miyu could actually respond to that, Kanata left. Miyu stood in there, drawn between happiness and sorrow.

Despite all of her despair, Miyu felt that everything was going to be fine.

'I'll be waiting, so come back soon'

Sorry about the late posting guys!!!

Had examzzzzz!

This chapter is a birthday gift to Kanata,

And a Christmas Gift to all!!

Merry Christmas.

Kanata Saionji

P.S. The Last chapter of this series will be up and about on the New Year-2008. Don't miss it!!!