EVEN WHEN TRIED BY SORROW (2)

EVEN WHEN TRIED BY SORROW (2)

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Kanashimi ni tamesarete mo 
Watashi de ireru anata ga ireba 
Tatoe, musubarenai to 
Shiru hi ga kite mo sore wa eien 
Even when tried by sorrow 
If you are here 
When the day it cannot be bound 
Comes That is everlasting 

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Clef stopped in front of the water fountain, in the middle of the castle garden. There she is… he thought sadly, referring to the petite figure sitting by the fountain, still crying.

He stepped slowly towards the heartbreaking sight. He sat down beside her. Without thinking, he reached for her frail body and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He drowned in the sweet scent of hair, which smelled like the cherry blossoms of spring. Her body was warm too, and fit quite snugly to his stature.

Umi's cries stopped in surprise. She didn't expect Clef to respond this way. His strong arms entwined around her brought a new sense of contentment and security she had never felt with anyone before.

Clef's face broke into a peaceful smile, realizing that she has stopped crying. A much as he regretted doing so, he released her and held Umi at arm's length. "Better?"

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Umi wo watatte yuku chou no you na 
Tsuyosa hoshii 
I long for strength 
Like that of a butterfly crossing the sea 
Tatakau koto dake ga tsuyosa naraba 
Sore wa kanashii 
If battle alone is strength 
That is a pity 
Anata no oku ni aru itami wo iyaseru nara 
Subete wo ushinatte mo 
 Ii to omou no ni yasashisa wa 
 Mayou bakari 
Despite thinking it is all right 
Even if all is gone 
As long as the ache inside you heals 
Kindness just meets 

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Umi snapped out of her peaceful reverie as Clef released her. Her face became downcast, realizing that no, she didn't feel better. His embrace may have stopped the flow of her tears, but him doing that vented even more pain into her heart. But she knew she had to be strong. She remembered Clef calling out her name before they returned to Tokyo that second time. She also remembered her lonely days back home, brought about by her fear of rejection.

Umi looked up at Clef's loving face. She hesitated, her insides twisting in anxiety and fear. No… I have to tell him, even if he does not love me. But he has always been there for me, and he has never hurt me before. I at least owe him my honesty.

"Clef… I always had feelings for you. Memories of you never slip out of my mind, ever since returning to Tokyo." She looked down at her feet, again avoiding Clef's looks. "Remember that… thing I was supposed to tell you? I wanted to express my love for you… but I never got around to say it out loud. And then I left Cephiro with my feelings for you hanging. Clef, I do l-l-l…," she sputtered, her voice slightly wavering with a hint of embarrassment.

Clef was taken aback by her words. "Umi…." That was all he said.

There I said it. I made a fool out of myself and now I'm more confused than ever. I'd better go… She started for the castle.

Umi had already started to disappear from sight, when Clef suddenly felt light-hearted, relieved… and happy. Umi…loves me? The truth hit him painfully. But… I love her too… I always did… I was also afraid to say it out loud… just like she was…

I was always a coward for revealing my emotions. I was also afraid… because Umi was the first girl to ever make me feel like this. And… he chuckled softly. I was too short then. Even that small issue became a burden… But now, he mused as he looked at his new, taller self.

He sighed as his wandering mind got the best of him. Umi… her warm smile and pleasant laughter… her hair and eyes the color of the ocean… her caring and bright nature… he smiled to himself in dreams of her. But then, he stopped himself short amidst his day (er, night?) dreaming. What are you doing? She's slipping right out of your fingers again!

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Kanashimi ni tamesarete mo 
Watashi de ireru anata no soba de 
Itsu ka yakusoku no hi ga 
Ude wo hirogete otozureru kara 
Even when tried by sorrow 
Beside you 
Someday the promised day 
With arms spread out visits 

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Clef ran after her, refusing to fall into cowardice again.

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Chapter 3

Author's notes:

J Notice how every chapter ends with Clef running after Umi? That's the way I like it! Hope you don't mind, but that's the exact image I want to project into everyone's minds… Umi does not run after Clef, it's the other way around, okay?