Yay! An update!

Thank you for the reviews! I love you guys so much and I'll miss Indicium too once it ends but though the end is near, it is not quite so near. Maybe, 5 more chapters? Lol, we shall see.

Enjoy!

"Tadaima!"

Chiharu heard Megumi shout as they entered. She sighed, flipping her hair when some obstructed her view. She wore her house slippers in silence, her mind lost in thought. Megumi glanced at her, her eyes filled with concern. She reached for Chiharu, her arms enveloping the girl. Along the way back here, not once did Chiharu utter a thing. She was quiet, her silence the kind that speaks of conflicting emotions, a cry of an aching heart.

Some may not be able to differentiate the varying moods of her friend, her almost emotionless visage but for Megumi, it is always Chiharu's eyes that verbalize what she won't say. The way they sparkle when something catches her interest, those brown-green orbs darkening when she's pissed, and when they cloud with suppressed pain.

"Why don't you give-" Megumi started to say.

"Don't," Chiharu's clear voice, devoid of any sign of distress, interrupted. "Not now, Gumi," Chiharu's barely heard whisper followed. She untangled Megumi's hold on her shoulders, gave her best friend a small smile, and proceeded to her room. Megumi felt her eyes burn and she let the tears converge before she turned and walked in a different direction.

This is why Megumi dislikes sports. Bonds, friendships, aren't they the foundations of which it is built? Yet, instead of personal growth, it only brings pain to her friend. Instead of giving Chiharu an arena to soar, it only caged her and stripped her of her wings. The path of the strong is not paved with glory. No, not at all, as long as human interest continues to play its hand, those who are at the top will suffer until nothing is left but a husk of their former selves.

"Hey, remember to clean up after you finish practicing," Hajime called out at the entrance of the gym, wearing his white jacket and pants. Tooru waved a hand while drinking his bottled water.

"And also, two hours tops. Any more than that and I'll drag you out of the gym," Hajime threatened. Tooru wiped the excess water from his mouth and gave his vice-captain a victory sign, "Hai, hai, okaa-san."

"Tch," Hajime clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned his back.

Tooru glanced at the clock situated at the second floor of the gym, saw the time past six, and counted. Two hours is plenty of time to practice the new serve. He rotated his serving arm and found it to be in good condition. Tooru inhaled and exhaled, closing his eyes and letting his concentration descend. His senses sharpened, and his eyes, when they opened, were clear. Tooru walked up to the basket full of balls, took one in his hands and eyed the empty bottle on the other side of the court. He dribbled the ball three times, his chest heaving, and he served.

Bam!

The empty bottle remained standing.

Tooru frowned in annoyance, "Tsk." He clenched his pinkish hand, the previous control of which he is proud of no longer seen with this move. It doesn't matter, continuous practice will drill the move into his mind and body. One day, for sure, he will be able to use it in any way he wished.

One more time.

He crumpled his towel and threw it carelessly.

One more time.

He panted, sweat dripping down to his lashes, momentarily blurring Tooru's vision.

One more t—

Ring. Ring.

Tooru froze in the middle of running, the ball high up in the air landed on the floor. He glanced at the clock and saw the time past the hours Hajime had set.

"Waah!, Iwa-chan is going to kill me," he cried in fear, jogging to his bag. He searched for his phone all the while dreading the incoming scolding.

"Oh?" Tooru blinked in surprise as he read the caller ID. His mouth turned up so he covered it, trying to stop the slowly growing grin.

"Chi-chi! You called?" Tooru answered, full of energy. He sat on the floor while leaning on the wall, his feet spreading. He drummed his fingers on his thigh as he waited for Chiharu's response. When it came, he sat with his back straight. He raised his knees and pressed it to his stomach before laying his head and isolating the phone within his arms.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly. Tooru heard her breathe on the other side. Even amidst the occasional static, her environment is silent. No background noise whatsoever.

"What does it feel like," Chiharu's voice asked again, "To play volleyball?"

Tooru parted his mouth to reply then he paused. He doesn't know what to say to that.

"I know what emotions it produces but I…"

Tooru's heart wrenches when he heard the sudden hitch, saw the pain even though he couldn't see her face.

"I can't remember the feelings. The exhilaration, the fear, the expectancy. I cannot remember them at all," Chiharu said, her voice turning monotone. It's as if she's reciting a text from a book.

"I can picture the play, hear their cries of happiness, and taste the sweat on my tongue but I find it hard to remember how it feels like," Chiharu admitted, "It's quite sad, I guess this is what happens when you turn your back to volleyball, huh?"

"Chiharu," Tooru started, his eyes closing. With the darkness, Tooru can almost visualize Chiharu's expression. "It will always be there. That feeling."

"Treasures like that don't disappear easily," he continued, "It's just that, it is buried so deep it's like it is embedded in memory."

Tooru heard Chiharu swallow. She sounded like a lump has been stuck in her throat and Tooru bit his lips, his guts telling him she's crying but she's withholding the whimpers. Enduring silently even though she's not facing him. She wouldn't show the slightest bit of her distress, wouldn't let herself become a bother. Tooru hates it. He wants to hear her cry. He wants her to tell him her feelings. He wants her to vent her frustrations. He wants her, no, he needs her to need him as much as he needs her. It's always like this. Even at the train station, she waited at the last minute. She couldn't even say the words out loud. He was elated but he hurt too, still, he will wait.

"Chiharu," Tooru filled the silence with her name, "Every time I run, my heartbeat always sounded so loud. My eyes would widen like saucers, afraid I'm going to miss the ball, sometimes, even the light is blinding. But when I hit the ball in midair, the slap would ring in my ears and I'd want to hear it repeatedly. When the path I desired is put into motion, it is my opponents' dread of which I would witness. As I land and the umpire's whistle resounds, the euphoria is unimaginable. Then, I'd thank them silently because they gave me a chance to do it, again and again, and again." Tooru narrated, smirking slightly. Chiharu softly chuckled when he quieted and Tooru smiled, glad he had lifted her spirits somehow.

"It's funny too," Chiharu shared, "When they thought they had gained an upper hand. When that happens, I always make sure every quick, every spike, and every move they pull will be up in the air. I'd hear them curse my name on the other side, see them give me an evil eye. But what they didn't know was, they had fanned the flames even more. That satisfaction, yes, it was unforgettable," Chiharu said, her voice which was chuckling a minute ago, softened.

"I remember now…that feeling," Chiharu's soft voice pierced Tooru's heart. "I miss it." She once again muttered, and she didn't utter any words anymore.

Tooru didn't know how long it was, the silence that reigned, and he doesn't care. The only thing his mind is telling him is to wait. Wait for her voice on the other side.

Sniff.

Tooru froze, his throat bubbling.

"T-Tooru, I m-miss it," Chiharu's broken voice said and then, she gasped.

"I-I m-miss volleyball."

Chiharu cried.

Tooru raised his head, swallowing the lump that formed in his throat. It was painful. Chiharu continued to cry in the background. When Tooru opened his eyes, the light from the ceiling blinded him for a second, still, it's fine. The view is blurry, anyway.

He felt the tears falling down his cheeks, felt the drops on his thighs.

"Then," Yet, as he opened his mouth, his voice was clear, "Come back home."

"I'll play with you," he said amidst the crying, "We'll play volleyball until our arms are sore, our muscles aching, and sweat drenching our shirt."

"We'll play until you feel it again," his voice started becoming hoarse; "We'll play until missing volleyball is a thing in the past."

"We'll play for as long as you want, I promise."

Megumi stood at the front door of Chiharu's room the next day. She raised her hand to knock but it paused. She heard Chiharu cry last night. It was not loud and Megumi was able to hear it purely by accident.

"I guess I'll leave her alone," she thought. Since Chiharu cried so much last night, Megumi decided to let her sleep the day and so, she went to Nekoma's practice alone.

"Ne, tou-san," Megumi started, her arms full of balls to be cleaned. Tetsurou sent Megumi an incredulous look, carrying a basket of nets. This is the first time Megumi addressed him without him cajoling her. He recovered in a flash, saying "Yes, kaa-san?"

"Are there horrible teams out there? Not in terms of skills but in personality?" Megumi stopped in front of the washing area and she put the balls down. She touched the towel hanging, found it dry, and started scrubbing the balls. Tetsurou stood beside her; he too started soaping the nets.

"Well, volleyball is famous so there's bound to be diverse teams," Tetsurou explained, "Some of them don't care whether they win or lose but there are some who will do anything, be that legal or illegal, in order to be champions."

"If I'm going to cite an example, I guess it would be Nohebi," Tetsurou washed the nets, "Those snakes are good at buttering up with the umpires." Megumi glanced at him before continuing her scrubbing, "What's really annoying though is their verbal attacks. If you don't know how to ignore their taunts, chances are you're going to lose your temper."

"And when you lose it, you'd be seen in a bad light," Megumi concluded, giving the balls one final washing.

"Yep," Tetsurou dried the nets and hung them while Megumi used the towel to wipe away the water from the balls.

"Now then," he said, hiding his hands in his pants pockets, "What made you ask all of a sudden?"

Megumi smiled, sad, "Nothing."

Tetsurou raised a brow at the melancholic expression so he pinched her cheek.

"Ow!" Megumi cried, slapping his hand away and glaring at him. Tetsurou smirked, "Now, that's more like it."

Chiharu's eyes fluttered open and she yawned. She started rubbing her eyes but she stopped, feeling the rawness and not liking it one bit. She turned her head to the side and saw her phone. She lay flat on her back again and stared at the ceiling. She closed her eyes.

She cried.

While calling Tooru.

And he cried.

They both cried.

"We really are idiots," she said out loud. Chiharu grasped her cover and pulled it over her body. She curled, hiding everything under the cover. Her shoulders shake and she bit her lip. In the end, she couldn't stop it. She laughed.

Thank goodness it was muffled by the sheets.

Tooru sighed as he put on his clothes. He peeked at his mirror again, then sighed. No matter how he looked at it, the puffy circles under his eyes made him unattractive. He's almost embarrassed to go out of his house and face the team. At least Chiharu couldn't see him. With that small comfort, he went out of his room.

"Tooru, don't forget to thank Iwaizumi-kun, okay?"

"Yes, mom," Tooru replied and he sighed again. Hajime is also another thing he's worried about. According to his mother, Iwa-chan carried Tooru back home with the latter being fast asleep. No doubt, Tooru will be scolded when he arrives at the gym, being irresponsible and all that.

As he entered the gym in his practice attire, the whole team abruptly quieted. Tooru glanced around and saw the lower years' solemn expression.

"What's up with everyone?" Tooru asked when he neared Issei and Takahiro. The two shared a look.

"It's fine, Oikawa, everyone understands," Issei said, patting Tooru on his right shoulder.

"What?" Tooru gaped, clueless at his teammate's actions.

"Ah, brutal. So brutal, and on the day of your birthday too," Takahiro shook his head, patting Tooru on his left shoulder.

"What is brutal? What?"

"Aiya, aiya. Don't force yourself. Go home and rest," Takahiro replied, "We absolutely understand."

"What the heck is going on here?" Tooru thought in confusion. "Where is Iwa-chan?"

"Oikawa," Hajime called, walking to their group. He grasped Tooru's shoulder and bowed his head, "I never knew this day would come. As I thought, Aikawa-san is too much for you to handle."

Tooru stared at the group blankly then, he turned his head. He saw all his teammates nodding sadly. As if someone died.

"Di-did Chiharu…" Tooru couldn't finish his sentence, his mind coming up with scenarios bloodier than the other. She wouldn't attempt suicide, would she? Is her despair that deep that she'd leave him behind? Tooru's eyes watered.

"Chiharu, why?" Tooru's tears started falling and the Seijoh team watched in shock as their sometimes cheerful, sometimes childish, but overall, energetic captain cried in front of them, unashamed.

"Iwa-chan!" Tooru cried loudly, plastering himself to Hajime. "Chi-Chiharu is..is…" Tooru stuttered. Meanwhile, Hajime grimaced yet remembering the tragedy that happened to Tooru, he endured. He rubbed Tooru's back, trying to comfort him however awkwardly the situation looked. This is the depth of Tooru's feelings to Chiharu, Hajime should be proud that his best friend could feel this way.

"It's okay, Oikawa. Sometimes, we have to accept that there are people who will reject our love," Hajime said with Takahiro and Issei nodding along the way. Yes, we have to accept that some will not fancy us the way we fancy them. Some of the team turned their backs to their grieving captain, sympathizing with his pain. They too had experienced that heartbreaking moment once upon a time in their childhood and, in recent years of pubescence.

"Oikawa-senpai, you're not invincible after all. Don't worry, Yahaba still idolizes you," Shigeru thought, his eyes watering as well.

"Yep, being rejected once is not the end of the world," Issei comforted.

"Aikawa-san is not the only girl out there. I'm sure there is someone destined for you," Takahiro added.

Upon hearing those words, the tears stopped, and Tooru rubbed his eyes, "What?" Did he hear it right?

"Did you just said Chiharu rejected me?" Tooru asked with a sniffle, completely dumbfounded. Hajime's eyebrow furrowed, "Isn't that why you were crying last night?" he asked, pushing Tooru away. He frowned at his wet shoulders.

"And look at your eye bags, those are clear signs of rejection," Takahiro pointed out, he too becoming confused.

Issei tilted his head and blinked, "You weren't rejected, were you?"

Tooru's temper flared and he shouted, peeved, "Of course not! Chiharu will never reject me!"

Bastards, making him cry in public.

"Eh?"

"Oh!"

"That's…..disappointing."

"Who said that?" Tooru growled, marching towards the thicker crowd.

"So."

Tooru froze in his steps when he felt the menacing aura behind him. He turned slowly, "I-Iwa-chan?"

Hajime stared at him wide-eyed, his aura blazing with hell's fire, "I sacrificed my shirt for nothing?"

"Th-that's-"

"I carried you last night for nothing?"

"Today is my birth-"

Whap. Bam.

"Um, Gumi.."

"Yeah?"

"Can you take a picture of….me?"

Megumi blinked, the magazine she was reading falling to her face. This is why her mother advises her not to read while lying down. Good thing it's just a magazine.

"What was it again?" Megumi asked, the information not processing inside her mind. Chiharu is not vain so she rarely takes a picture of herself and she definitely does not allow other people to take her pictures. If she does, then it's only limited to her immediate family and very close friends.

"Take a picture of me, please."

Megumi slowly raised her body, the magazine falling to her lap. What she saw when her eyes landed on Chiharu was shocking. She stared, her mouth hanging open.

"Are you wearing make-up?" Megumi asked offhandedly.

Chiharu touched her hair, "Is it not…good?"

"It's effing great. Will you be my girlfriend?" Megumi proposed. Chiharu crinkled her nose, "No, thank you. I already have someone troubling me."

Megumi laughed, relieved that Chiharu is happy.

Tooru groaned as his body hit the bed. Today was a taxing day. He rubbed his nose on his pillow, sighing contentedly. After all the misunderstandings, one good thing did happen and that was the celebration. The team surprised him with cakes later that afternoon. According to Issei, they nearly canceled the gathering when the news that he was rejected had spread but since it was not, the party went by as planned.

Cakes, confetti, and gifts. It was fun, even the coach was there to give a birthday message before leaving and letting the team off for the afternoon. Some girls also arrived to give their gifts, and although Tooru accepted them in good spirit, only one person's gift is what he's looking forward to. Unfortunately, the said person is not around.

He sighed again, the longing in his heart growing as he remembered what happened last night. Tooru smiled at the teary interaction, suddenly missing her voice. His hand clenched and he closed his eyes tight. After a half's hour of shut-eye, Tooru awakened from his nap by a vibration coming from his pants pocket. He blinked at his darkened room and he stood, turning on the light near his door while yawning. Thinking nothing of the message, Tooru casually leaned and opened his phone.

Thump. Thump.

"Tooru! It's evening, don't make a lot of ruckuses up there," his mother's scolding prompted Tooru to open his eyes.

"S-sorry, mom," Tooru apologized, his forehead aching at the force he used previously when he had hit it twice on his door. He slowly returned his gaze back to his phone, then he closed his eyes again. He bit his lower lip, the corners of his mouth turning up as he tried to rein in the wide grin.

"Damn, my heart," Tooru muttered, swaying lightly on his feet. He hurried back to his table and turned on his computer. After that, he sent the newly attached file to a folder dedicated to this type of messages only. When he opened the folder, images appeared, each with a corresponding number of day it was taken.

Tooru renamed the attached file: July 20, and he double-clicked, enlarging the photo. He sighed again, propping his chin on his hand, and his eyes caressing the image that took the entirety of his screen.

"I miss you," Tooru confessed, smiling ever so softly. Chiharu stared at him back, in a pose forever frozen. She was smiling at him, her lips dyed in the most tempting shade of red, her lashes curled up, the eyeliner popping the unique beauty of her eyes. Her face glowed, reflecting the light coming from a candle topped in a cake of white with strawberry details. There is only one message on the cake, and it was "Happy Birthday, Bakatooki!"

"Come back home soon," He said, bending his head and kissing her nose.

"Tooru, how yucky can you get?"

He froze.

"Grandma says dinner will be served soon." Small patters faded, and then, "Mom! Tooru's smooching Chi-nee-san's picture!"

A vein popped in Tooru's forehead.

"Takeru!"

"Tooru! Don't use that tone with my child!"

Shinzen High looked like every bit a high school should look like. Chiharu stared in boredom, letting the majority of the team get out of the bus. Megumi squirmed beside her.

"What's wrong?" she asked, then her eyes caught Tetsurou walking up to their side of the bus. Chiharu hid her smile, already knowing what will happen next.

"Kaa-san!" Tetsurou called loudly. By this time, all the Nekoma members are used to the sudden change between their captain and manager. They didn't miss a step as they carried their bags out while the Shinzen captain, Daiki Ogano, who was beside Tetsurou, widened his eyes and he stared, incredulous.

"Woah, you moved fast man," he thought. Being a member of the Fukurodani Group and a captain, Ogano had plenty of time to get to know all captains of the team. This one, in particular, is as shady as Bokuto being shiny. He pities the woman Tetsurou will be interested in.

"Otaki-san is looking for you, said she needs help if you don't mind," Tetsurou continued without missing a beat.

"Ha-hai, in a moment, t-tou-san," Megumi's embarrassment is evident in her voice as she replied. Ogani's mouth dropped open.

"Damn skills," Ogano praised inside his head, glancing at a calm-looking Tetsurou. Then, he noticed another girl stand up and stepped out of the bus.

"Woah," Ogano thought in amazement, watching as the dark-haired girl carried Megumi's bag while the latter followed closely behind. He frowned, narrowing his eyes and scuttling closer to Tetsurou.

"What the heck kind of advertisement have you been doing?" He whispered, "To get two pretty ladies on your team," he nodded inconspicuously at the disappearing pair. Tetsurou smiled, his background bathe in golden light, and he grasped Ogano's shoulders, "My friend, it is an omen."

"An omen for what?" Ogano asked, furrowing his brows. Tetsurou smirked.

"Victory."

"Tsk. Don't be full of shit, you bed-haired neko."

"Karasuno?" Chiharu's surprise made Megumi pause from cutting down cabbages. Tonight they are making dinner for the present teams in the school. They are Shinzen, Ubugawa, and Nekoma. Fukurodani will arrive tomorrow while the farthest team to participate in this training camp, Karasuno, will be arriving the day after.

"Yep, Karasuno..like crows," Otaki Mako, Shinzen's manager supplied, "Now, that team is quite a unique bunch. Crazy, I tell you," Mako laughed and Megumi shook her head, remembering the said group's antics.

"One of their middle blockers is a chibi but his jump is way higher than his height," Megumi added, her voice laced in awe.

"Yeah, yeah. The boy can jump so high that I think Aikawa-chan will be amazed too," Mako paused, "Eh, come to think of it, aren't you living in Miyagi Prefecture as well, Aikawa-san?" she asked. Megumi blinked. She hadn't thought of that.

"Yeah, Aichi-chan, I completely forgot the connection," Megumi said, glancing at the quiet Chiharu. She grinned, "They also have an amazing libero. I think you'd like him very much."

"Well, I taught him once," Chiharu's casual remark shocked the two managers.

"Y-you mean, he's t-the Yuu?" Megumi stuttered, eyes widening. Mako muttered a "Woah," beside Megumi, the spatula she's using suspended in the air.

"Eh? Nani, nani?" Miyanoshita Eri chimed in as she entered the kitchen, carrying two empty trays. Mako and Megumi simultaneously turn to face her and shook their head. Mako smiled, sending a look to Chiharu.

"Nothing, Miyanoshita-chan. Well then, please cut the carrots," Mako pointed the untouched carrots on the other side of the table. Chiharu watched the girl under her lashes. Mako, it seems, is sensible enough to know when to stop and what to pursue. Chiharu's eyes slid to Eri.

The manager of Ubugawa seems to be level-headed as well. Opting to ignore the topic and continue in her task. Chiharu smiled, her bowed head hiding the reaction from the girls. She likes people like them, those who know not to wedge themselves in a situation they are not welcome. Although Chiharu wasn't aggressive as she answered a moment ago, Mako was able to detect Chiharu's desire to not pursue the subject. Eri, on the other hand, is not yet familiar with Chiharu and is still wary of her. She doesn't want to do something that will earn Chiharu's ire.

The night deepened and soon, dawn peeked at the horizon. Hues of pink, orange, and violet dominated the sky. The twinkling stars faded as the bright rays of the sun overpowered their shine. This transition from night to day is one of nature's greatest masterpiece.

"An art not frozen in a canvas of cloth but moves with the whims of the earth," Chiharu whispered, her eyes absorbing the colors of every day. Not even the highest quality camera or the keen sense of an artist can emulate the beauty of the moment.

Fleeting.

One can watch sunrises and sunsets every day, yet will only find that the beauty of yesterday is not the same of today and tomorrow.

Chiharu blew a breath, the forming puffs an indication of the early morning's cold temperature. She pocketed her hands inside her jacket. Took another breath of fresh air, sighed, and resumed her run back to the school.

"I hope I'm seeing the same sky as you," Chiharu thought and smiled. She closed her eyes as she raised her head up to the sky, welcoming a gust of wind. Her smile widened and she stopped. She opened her eyes, her vision focusing to the lightening sky. Her mouth parted and she said, "Baka, you're turning me into a romantic."

She sighed, "You'll be my ruin, I just know it."

"Eh? The sky is that powerful?"

Chiharu almost jumped at the sudden question behind her. When she turned, she saw Tetsurou's curious expression, his hand rubbing his chin.

"Yo!" He greeted, waving a hand and wearing a grin. "I didn't know you run this early, Aikawa-san."

"It's a habit," Chiharu replied. Tetsurou nodded then he glanced behind her, "Sato-san's not with you?"

Chiharu raised a brow when she detected the disappointment in his voice. "Why are you calling her so formally now?" she asked, causing Tetsurou to chuckle and rub his neck.

"I only address her as kaa-san when she's acting all stoic and shy in front of me," Tetsurou answered. "Not to mention 'kaa-san' is not as mouthy as 'fake manager-chan."'

"So you're telling me you decided to call Gumi 'kaa-san' because you're too lazy to say fake manager-chan?" Chiharu stared at him blankly. He scratched his cheek.

"Well, calling her 'manager' will only make her insist she's not and addressing her as 'Sato-san' is just too formal considering her contribution to the team," Tetsurou explained. "Besides," he smirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "Seeing her flustered than shy is much more enjoyable. It's fun teasing her this way."

"But I'd really love to see her temper first hand," Tetsurou added, "I think she'd be attractive."

Chiharu observed him, "You want to see the headstrong her, huh?" She smiled, "But you know, Gumi's not to be taken lightly when she gets going." Chiharu turned, planning to return. "You might even discover she's not the cute kitten you think she is nor an overprotective mother cat."

She glanced behind her, "If she wants, she can even break your bones."

Tetsurou watched Chiharu's fading figure, his smirk widening.

"Oho? How exciting."

Tooru paused, his surprise showed in his face when he saw Sumiye waiting for him with a paper bag in hand. She waved a hand and gestured for him to near her.

"I'm glad you passed by today. The other day was your birthday, right?" At Tooru's nod, Sumiye smiled and gave him the bag. "This is late but do accept this."

"My daughter left it behind and told me to give it to you for your birthday," Sumiye explained when she received a confused look from Tooru.

"Chi-Chiharu did?" Tooru's smile spoke volumes of his appreciation. Sumiye smiled again, "She started and finished it the day she's scheduled to leave."

Tooru's eyes widened. He remembered that day. It was the first day she sent him her photo at midnight.

"Don't tell me she started it after she sent the picture?" Tooru felt his heart ache and then a warm feeling traveled and nestled at the core of his heart.

Sumiye observed him, "Chiharu is a complicated person. Most of the time, she hates explaining herself. She rarely opens herself to other people and her circle of friends only numbered a few. For those whom she values, what you give will be returned twice-full. She spares no effort when she decides on something."

"That," Sumiye pointed at the bag in Tooru's hand, "Is an evidence of her perseverance." Sumiye's gaze softened, remembering the contents of the gifts. She raised her eyes and looked at Tooru.

"I hope whatever it is between you two will last and I hope that both of you will continue to support each other's growth," Sumiye added, "Be that with each other or with someone else."

Tooru heard the seriousness in Sumiye's voice. His heart flinching at the mention of someone else. He nodded then his lips set in a determined line, he said with utmost confidence, "Auntie, I love Chiharu."

Sumiye blinked at the sudden confession. Tooru continued, "I don't know how deep Chiharu's feelings for me. I'm even afraid of thinking she doesn't feel the same way at all. Every time my confidence of her loving me too wavered, she always does something that makes me ignore the doubt. Being separated like this is torture," Tooru hugged the bag, his eyes filled with emotions. He smiled at Sumiye, his eyes glinting with unshed tears, "But I guess, this is what it feels like to endure for the ones you love, huh?"

Sumiye hugged Tooru like she does when she comforts the twins, "Staying in love is the hardest trial for every person. Wait…wait and endure. That's the only thing I can advise." She glanced at the bag in his clutch, "I know Chiharu will not disappoint."

Sumiye smiled. "Kazuhiko, this is real," she thought when her husband came to mind.

"Let Chiharu show you her feelings because for her, actions speak louder than words," Sumiye's eyes once again strayed to the bag. Her heart filled with joy.

To know a person is to know the road she traveled, experience events that shaped her. To understand a person, one must learn her reasons, see more than what the surface implies. And to earn her love, one must be patient, be the support for her softening heart, the water to grow the bud of her affection, and the hand that will protect her as she blooms.

When the mood strikes, you've got to get going. So, what do you think? Don't hesitate to let me know, I'd love to read it.

Thank you for the support!