Note: Oh my! It has been such a long time since I wrote the next chapter for Lavender! Sorry you guys for the long wait! Anyway, we last left off when Ken and Miyako finally had their first kiss. Now- more problems will come in the way!
Chapter 9 - Farewell Hanako
That perfect night brought joy in her heart. She clasped her hands tightly on the gift he had given her, wrapped inside a beautiful, shimmering blue gift wrapper and given to her on their special day- their first anniversary of being together. She looked up and smiled at him with her large brown eyes behind her thick glasses.
"Arigatou, Ken-kun," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him on the lips and pressed her head against his chest, almost dropping the gift.
The young man placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, enough so he could bend down and kiss her back in a passionate kiss. They were like that for a few seconds, until they heard someone step inside the room.
"OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH! You guys are SOOO KAWAII!" a voice spoke, loud enough so the people in the hallway could hear. One young man peeked his head inside, wondering what was going on, but Hanako had already closed the door at his face. The red head made her way on her own bed, glancing at the sight before her with an envious sigh.
Miyako and Ken stared at her, both blushing.
Hanako waved her hand at them and decided to lie down on her bed. "Go on! As you were."
The lavender haired girl rolled her eyes. "Do you mind, Hanako?"
The red head stared at her friend. For months now, the two have been close friends, but never has Hanako felt so away from her. Ever since the two got together and ever since Miyako started inviting Ken over at their dorm room, Hanako felt shunned by her long time friend. Hanako frowned, stood up from bed and stared at her, hurtfully. "All right," she mumbled. Without another word, Hanako stepped out of the room and left the two to be alone. Miyako stared at the door, feeling guilty for what she did. She saw the look in Hanako's eyes.
Ken glanced at her. "What is it, Miyako-chan?"
Miyako turned her head back at him. "I should never have told her that, Ken-kun...She's my friend..."
The young man nodded. "Then go talk to her. I'll go back to my room, all right?" He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. He took both her hands and squeezed them gently and lovingly. "Besides, I have to go study for my entrance exam in two days."
Miyako sighed. "You are so understanding, Ken-kun..." she whispered.
Ken smiled and released her hand, before leaving the room, followed by Miyako. They walked together down the hall, until at the end and said their last good bye, before separating; Ken for his room and Miyako for Hanako.
Miyako found her best friend sitting near the fountain located in one of the famous study halls. Many art students that have graduated from University created the fountain and since it became extremely popular, the school board decided to keep the fountain as a memory of those days. She watched her friend carefully from a distance as Hanako watched in a trance at the flowing water. The blue, clear water looked as if it was radiating light from somewhere, but it was only just the light built underneath the water to make effect. From out of nowhere, Miyako could see Hanako's tears falling from her face and into the water below. The lavender haired girl felt her heart being pulled away from her body, as if part of her was part of Hanako. How could she have done such a thing to her friend? Hanako was always there for her, protecting her, defending her when she needed to be and all she gave her friend in return was sorrow and pain. Slowly, she approached her friend from behind, making her footsteps loud enough so Hanako can hear her approaching. Miyako stepped in beside her, and then glanced at her friend, staring at the water.
Shamefully, the lavender haired girl looked down. "I'm sorry, Hanako," she murmured. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Hanako frowned and sighed. "I know you didn't mean it, Miyako, but I'm disappointed how you never noticed that I've been feeling this way ever since you and Ken got together. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to lose Ken, but I feel like I'm..." She looked up with tearful eyes. "I'm losing my best friend."
Miyako sat down beside her, placing a hand on Hanako's shoulder. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I'm sorry if you have felt that way, Hanako. I- I was too naïve to even notice that you were hurting. I'm sorry... I- I didn't mean to ignore you like that."
The red head tried to smile, but couldn't. First she was accepted to University, which happened to be all the way in America and if she accepted, she might lose her best friend in the process and second... Ken was in her best friend's life so she couldn't be her number one priority. Either way, she was losing her best friend. She was about to say something about her acceptance in the University, when Miyako's voice interrupted her.
"You are NEVER EVER going to lose me, Hanako, you hear me? You will always be my best friend." She grabbed her friend's hand and wiped her tears away with the other hand.
Hanako took a deep breath, moving her head away from her. "Miyako, you were the only friend I have ever known, my only true friend. I was a shy girl... I never had any friends and sometimes I wished I was never born and just stayed that way so I didn't have to worry about anything else. My parents were divorced, my stepbrothers and sisters were cruel and my dad died after my birthday. I had to live with my Aunt for a long time and she, along with me, moved to this place a few summers ago and applied for high college here. Before I met you Miyako, before I even thought about entering college, I wanted to relieve myself from this pain I had for years. However, when I met you, you changed me a whole lot. You made me feel loved again like a true friend you are and made me forget about my past. I can never forget that day when you invited me over for my first sleepover and my first pancakes for breakfast."
"Yes and I can never forget about how you had a huge crush on one of my older brothers, Shinbo," Miyako replied.
Hanako smiled since that night. "Yes and I still do like Shinbo..." She paused, and then turned to face her, now in a more serious expression. "Miyako, I was accepted at a University in America and I'm leaving this coming fall."
Miyako's eyes widened. She was stunned. When was she planning on telling this to her? Before she left for America? The lavender haired girl looked down and sighed. "Hanako... I know I've been neglecting you for the past couple of days, but- is it really necessary for you to run away from this?"
Hanako shook her head. "I thought about that Miya-chan and it's not about that anymore. When I was watching you two, I felt something heavy pulled away from my shoulders. That's when I realized that I should move on too."
The lavender haired girl wrapped her arms around her friend and cried in her shoulders. "Hanako, please don't go. I didn't mean to hurt you like that... I-"
"Miya, don't..." she spoke, interrupting her friend. "Why do you have to feel sorry when I'm not sorry at all? I probably would have done the same thing in your shoes." She released her friend's arm from around her and looked into her eyes. "Miyako, just because I'm moving, doesn't mean we shouldn't be friends." Like her friend, Hanako wiped Miyako's tears from her eyes. "I'll call you when I get there, okay?" She smiled, feeling good about herself now. She had no reason to be angry with Miyako. She would have done the same thing if she were in love with someone.
"When are you leaving?" Miyako asked, in a broken voice.
Hanako smiled. "I'm leaving on Friday, but I'll make sure that you and Ken drop me off at the airport." She giggled. "Is Ken cranky in the mornings?"
The lavender haired girl laughed back, her sadness fading. "Not really, which surprises me. He's an early bird. I even see him jogging pass my window at four o'clock in the morning. I'm sure he won't mind dropping you off." Miyako looked down on the floor. "Hana-chan?"
Hanako stared worriedly at her friend. "Hai?"
"You're not angry with me anymore?" She looked up and stared at her friend's eyes. To her relief, Hanako just smiled back and wrapped her arms around her. The red head had to lift her shoulders up a little to hug the taller girl.
"Of course I'm not," she whispered in her ear. "Best friends don't stay mad at each other long." She smiled and took a deep breath. Hanako pulled away from her friend and looked at her. "But you have to remember to call me back or I WILL get mad!"
Miyako laughed. "Of course I will." She pulled her friend back against her for another embrace and they stayed like that for a couple of seconds, before Miyako suddenly pulled herself away from her. "Friday? But that's only two days away!"
Hanako nodded. "I guess we have to spend time as much as we can, ne?"
Miyako nodded back. "Hai! Tomorrow, we can go to the carnival!" She pondered for a moment and realized that she planned something with Ken tomorrow, but.. I'm sure Ken wouldn't mind, she thought.
Hanako glanced at her, noticing her disappointment.. "Don't forget to bring Ken and Akira too!" she spoke, startling Miyako. "I want to spend my days with you all!"
"But I thought you said-"
"It doesn't matter what I said anymore! I wasn't thinking! Besides... Ken and Akira are good people and are fun to hang out with!"
Miyako smiled. "Hai!" she retorted.
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Hours had gone by and the day before Hanako's departure finally arrived. Miyako gave Ken a quick kiss on cheeks before she said goodbye to him. She met with her best friend by 'The Pier,' Hanako's favourite restaurant in Japan and there, they spent good two hours together. The two embarked on a journey to the pier, riding a boat to get to one of the gulf islands of Japan and spent the rest of the hours basking in the sun. Ken, was getting worried that Miyako came back almost at midnight. He was ready to go look for her with Akira, but Akira assured him that there was nothing for him to worry about. And that there were plenty of other things he should be thinking more of.
"Have you told her yet?" his cousin had asked that same day. Ken never chose to bring up that topic, but since she was curious, Ken could not help but answer.
Ken shook his head. "I told Watabe-sensei that I would think about it before making my decision."
Akira placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "I know this is not my place to get in your nerves, Ken-kun, but your sensei did give you at least a day or two to make this decision. You should tell Miyako now before actually making it."
Ken sighed. "I know," he replied. "Demo... I don't know what to tell her."
The older girl frowned. "The same what you always tell her... the truth."
To his relief, Miyako returned from the islands a quarter pass eleven and Ken couldn't have been happier. He promised Akira that he would tell her, but he was unable too. He made a decision to let Miyako remember all the good memories she was having with Hanako before she would leave her life forever.
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The next morning, exactly three hours before Hanako's flight, Miyako asked Ken if he could drive the two of them to the airport. The blue haired man agreed and helped Hanako put all her suitcase at the back of his car. Akira was still fast asleep by the time all Hanako's belongings were put inside. It was decided that four hours before the flight would be perfect, since there would be rush hour on a Friday morning, what with people going to work and such. With so much packing to do, it would take at least half an hour and an extra hour to get there too. By the time they were finished, Akira was seen stepping out of the apartment for the first time, with tired eyes, yawning and stretching her arms up. She rubbed her eyes with her hands and looked up to notice Hanako staring at her with open arms.
"Aren't you going to give me a hug, Akira-chan?" Hanako spoke, smiling.
Akira smiled back and went over to her to give her friend a long hug, before taking a step back to watch the work done on the small vehicle. She was surprised at the amount of the three of them on putting all the suitcases inside the tiny car. It wasn't all that tiny. It was more decent than a Mazda Miata. She wondered how all of them are going to fit in there. Akira chose to erase that thought away from her mind and glanced over at Miyako, who had placed herself in front of her best friend and wrapped her arms around her with a tight embrace.
"Miyako-chan, you do know that you're coming with me to the airport right? We can always hug there before I step inside the airplane." Hanako giggled and unwrapped her arms from her friend.
Miyako sniffed. A tear crept from her eyes and fell in Hanako's shoulder, leaving a small, dark dot on her green sundress. "I know, but... I just wanted to hug my best friend that's all! I can't stand it if one of my friends leave me behind!!!"
Hanako, this time, couldn't help but cry. "Ohhh, Miyako now you made me cry!!!" She glanced at the two standing awkwardly, Ken behind Miyako and Akira behind her and smiled. She urged them to join them into a hug. "Come on you two! I won't be here long so it's best that we have a group hug!!!"
Ken was reluctant, but Akira wasn't as she wrapped her long, slender arms around the two. Between the three of them, Hanako was the shortest and the smallest, while Miyako was the tallest and the skinniest. Akira glanced at the hesitating young man and waved her hand at him to join them. Ken sighed. He had no problem wrapping his arms around Miyako and Akira, but with Hanako... it was different. He barely talked to her, but he knew she was the nicest and the bounciest person he has ever met. He was just about to reject the offer, when Akira pulled him with them, almost toppling the ladies down with his tall form. However, he was able to control himself from falling, but taking his arms around the three young women. It was rather awkward, but it felt good and warm. Miyako's body was certainly warm against his body. He wondered if Miyako would also feel this way towards him if he told her that he had made his decision upon the offer of schooling in Harvard. He wasn't quite sure HOW she would react. Since her best friend was leaving, it would be likely that she would feel neglected if he left too. Akira would soon have to go back to New York as well, leaving Miyako alone. How long could she last without breaking down? He knew Miyako too well.
It took another few minutes before the three finally broke from their embrace. Ken regarded Akira's face, red and swollen from all the crying and he couldn't help but sympathize. Hanako seemed to be the only close friend of Akira. Miyako was her close friend too, but none as she was close to Hanako. There were times that he spotted the two plotting something to keep him and Miyako together, which he thought was pretty cute.
"Hey you! Are you going to drive us now or are you just going to stand there and stare at the car all day?" a voice spoke, interrupting his thoughts.
Ken blinked, feeling rather awkward being watched by the three women around him. He hadn't noticed that Miyako and Hanako were already inside the car, ready to leave. The blue haired boy cleared his throat, bid his cousin farewell and went around the driver side of the car and hopped in. Miyako giggled, placing a hand on her boyfriend's arm. Ken smiled slightly, embarrassed and started the engine.
Akira waved farewell, blowing a kiss to the only close friend she has ever had. Too many months have passed and that was all she had with Hanako. Yet, despite the lack of time, she has never felt so close to her, especially when plotting with her to keep his cousin and her girlfriend together. "Sayonara, Hanako-chan!!!" she yelped as the car pulled out of the driveway. By that time, she could see Hanako rolling down the window and putting her head out, waving her hand with tears in her eyes.
"SAYONARA!!!!!!! I'll write to you!!!" Hanako yelled back.
Akira smiled and watched as Hanako went back inside the car. It turned a corner and disappeared, but she could still hear the roaring of the engine. The girl smiled, feeling sad and happy at the same time.
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The ride to the airport didn't take that long at all. He thought it was at least an hour or so, but to his surprise, there was no rush hour. To add to his already shocked expression, there were less people than he expected to be going in and out of the airport.
"I guess you're in luck, Hanako," Ken spoke, as they entered the terminal. Hanako glanced behind her quickly and smiled, with a barely audible response of 'hai.' He was carrying the heaviest load of all in arms, which, to his guess, were Hanako's lamps, a round clock and anything heavy she had in her arm. Miyako carried one of her backpacks and was pulling a roll on one, while Hanako carried a shoulder bag and two rolling luggages.
Miyako gazed into Ken's eyes and smiled. Despite the grin on her face, Ken knew she was sad inside. He was afraid now of adding more sadness within her if he told her, but he had to tell her soon. He was once again interrupted by Hanako's excited voice as they made it to the main terminal. She plopped down on one of the chairs and rolled her luggages in beside her, as Miyako and Ken each took their own seats across from her.
"Well, this is it! Only two hours left until my flight gets here." She watched as Miyako sat uncomfortably on her seat, her hands on her lap, while fidgeting with her fingers. Hanako hated it when Miyako did that. When she fidgeted, there was something Miyako wanted to say, but couldn't say it. She sighed. "Miya, if you got something to say, please tell me."
Miyako looked up and smiled. "What are you talking about? There's nothing to say."
Ken gazed at her girlfriend and frowned. Hanako could read her like a book and Ken could do just as well. Miyako was good at hiding, but never this good. The optimistic girl, who was not afraid to express her feelings, grew up into someone reserved, bottling all her emotions inside without hesitation. Ken placed a hand over hers and sighed. "Miyako, please tell us what's wrong. You were always the type of girl to tell us her feelings."
Hanako smiled. He so understands. She glanced towards her friend and watched as she hesitated, then opened her mouth, and then closed it again. The red head was ready to talk again, when she heard Miyako's voice.
"I'm just sad, Hanako, that's all." Hanako looked at her straight in the eye. "I knew that sooner or later that one of us had to leave and one of us had to stay, but I never thought it could be this soon, just a few more months before you graduate from college."
Hanako leaned over and reached out a hand to touch hers. "Miyako, we all have to go on now, even though we have to separate, but it doesn't mean we'll stop calling each other friends. You'll always be right here..." Leaning a little farther, she placed Miyako's hand to her heart and smiled. "You'll always be in my heart and I'll always be in yours."
Ken watched silently at the two. The closeness they had was rather overwhelming and he almost felt himself crying, but chose to erase the thoughts with a silent gulp. He turned away, standing up to stare out the window at the on coming planes. He could feel the two girls staring at him with utmost curiosity.
"Ken-kun? Are you all right?" Ken felt nervous about that question. He was all right, but not all that great with thoughts clouding his mind. How is he going to tell Miyako that he had absent-mindedly accepted the offer at Harvard?
The boy turned and smiled. "Oh, just fine. Just a little tired, because I didn't have enough sleep last night."
Hanako frowned. "What? You mean you stayed up all night to study for the entrance exam? Yet, you even chose to drop me off at the airport?"
Ken couldn't help but answer with a nod. "Yeah." He noticed the way Hanako was staring at him, as if she was rather upset about his choice to drop her off with only half opened eyes. "But, I'm okay now though. All the caffeine kept me awake the whole night and I think it's just kicking in right now." Half of what he said was true.
Hanako could tell he was lying, but she also wanted to hug him for being so kind. She glanced at Miyako and smiled. "Speaking of caffeine, you guys want to go to the coffee shop here and get breakfast?"
Miyako nodded. "Sure!" She glanced at Ken and stood up. "Let's go Ken!"
Ken nodded and followed suit at the two girls lead the way to the coffee shop, just a few seconds away from the terminal. They ordered English food mostly, since the airport was international. Miyako and Hanako each ordered the same thing, cheese cake Danish and mocha cappuccino, while Ken ordered only coffee. Miyako was quite surprised with his choice of breakfast.
"Don't you eat apple strudel every morning?" Miyako spoke, as she bit into her Danish.
Ken nodded quietly. "Yeah, but I wanted more coffee to keep me awake this morning." He winked at his girlfriend, receiving a flush from her in return.
Hanako couldn't help but feel kindness to the man who made her best friend happy. She liked Ken, but sometimes she hated him for being so quiet and acting like such a gentleman. She told herself most of the time that such men don't exist, but since she met Ken, she decided to change her thoughts on it. Maybe she'll find one like him too! Without a second thought, she opened her mouth to speak about the most personal subject she could ever come up with. She told herself last night that she would bring it up since there was no other time to ask it.
"Ken, since you and Miya-chan have been together for months now, when are you going to ask her to marry you?" It was hilarious watching their reaction. Ken swallowed his coffee hard down his throat, almost falling off his chair backwards, while Miyako almost choked at her Danish, as her face turned red in embarrassment. The two glanced at each other, before finally taking a look towards Hanako.
"Why... what are you talking about?" Miyako turned her attention back at her Danish, the redness never leaving her cheeks.
Ken cleared his throat uncomfortably and turned his head away from her, his cheeks also coloured in crimson. He said nothing as he found something more amusing at the menu posted on the wall than Hanako's giggling face.
"Oh, you don't need to answer it. I'm sure I'll get an answer once I call you! Don't forget to make me your bridesmaid, Miya!!!"
The two said nothing more after that, leaving a giggling Hanako eating her Danish and mocha.
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Two hours briefly passed like seconds. The stewards took the luggages that Ken and Miyako carried inside the airplane, because the luggage carrier was broken. There was no problem taking it all in by hands at the bottom of the plane as Ken and Miyako observed. The two girls exchanged a few more tears before Hanako finally took her first step inside the airplane. Ken watched as Miyako wiped tears from her eyes. He placed a hand on her shoulder and rubbed the pain with his thumbs. They watched Hanako bored the plane with more tears falling from her eyes when the door finally closed. Miyako took a step and waved again. It took another few minutes for them to wait, until they could see her inside the plane. Hanako blew a kiss towards them as the plane began to move away from the terminal. That was the last time they ever saw of her until it finally flew into the skies. Miyako couldn't help but feel sad for the only friend she has ever had. Ken wrapped her arms around him and let her cry in his arms until it was appropriate to leave the terminal forever. It wouldn't be long until he would come back to ride on one of them. He can just imagine Miyako with tears in her eyes as the plane began to fly away into the skies, never to be seen again.
GoodGurl: I suck at developing characters. Hanako wasn't all that developed, but I hope you had a good idea of what she was like from here! Anyway, please review! I'll give you guys lollipops!!!!!!
Chapter 9 - Farewell Hanako
That perfect night brought joy in her heart. She clasped her hands tightly on the gift he had given her, wrapped inside a beautiful, shimmering blue gift wrapper and given to her on their special day- their first anniversary of being together. She looked up and smiled at him with her large brown eyes behind her thick glasses.
"Arigatou, Ken-kun," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him on the lips and pressed her head against his chest, almost dropping the gift.
The young man placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, enough so he could bend down and kiss her back in a passionate kiss. They were like that for a few seconds, until they heard someone step inside the room.
"OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH! You guys are SOOO KAWAII!" a voice spoke, loud enough so the people in the hallway could hear. One young man peeked his head inside, wondering what was going on, but Hanako had already closed the door at his face. The red head made her way on her own bed, glancing at the sight before her with an envious sigh.
Miyako and Ken stared at her, both blushing.
Hanako waved her hand at them and decided to lie down on her bed. "Go on! As you were."
The lavender haired girl rolled her eyes. "Do you mind, Hanako?"
The red head stared at her friend. For months now, the two have been close friends, but never has Hanako felt so away from her. Ever since the two got together and ever since Miyako started inviting Ken over at their dorm room, Hanako felt shunned by her long time friend. Hanako frowned, stood up from bed and stared at her, hurtfully. "All right," she mumbled. Without another word, Hanako stepped out of the room and left the two to be alone. Miyako stared at the door, feeling guilty for what she did. She saw the look in Hanako's eyes.
Ken glanced at her. "What is it, Miyako-chan?"
Miyako turned her head back at him. "I should never have told her that, Ken-kun...She's my friend..."
The young man nodded. "Then go talk to her. I'll go back to my room, all right?" He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. He took both her hands and squeezed them gently and lovingly. "Besides, I have to go study for my entrance exam in two days."
Miyako sighed. "You are so understanding, Ken-kun..." she whispered.
Ken smiled and released her hand, before leaving the room, followed by Miyako. They walked together down the hall, until at the end and said their last good bye, before separating; Ken for his room and Miyako for Hanako.
Miyako found her best friend sitting near the fountain located in one of the famous study halls. Many art students that have graduated from University created the fountain and since it became extremely popular, the school board decided to keep the fountain as a memory of those days. She watched her friend carefully from a distance as Hanako watched in a trance at the flowing water. The blue, clear water looked as if it was radiating light from somewhere, but it was only just the light built underneath the water to make effect. From out of nowhere, Miyako could see Hanako's tears falling from her face and into the water below. The lavender haired girl felt her heart being pulled away from her body, as if part of her was part of Hanako. How could she have done such a thing to her friend? Hanako was always there for her, protecting her, defending her when she needed to be and all she gave her friend in return was sorrow and pain. Slowly, she approached her friend from behind, making her footsteps loud enough so Hanako can hear her approaching. Miyako stepped in beside her, and then glanced at her friend, staring at the water.
Shamefully, the lavender haired girl looked down. "I'm sorry, Hanako," she murmured. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Hanako frowned and sighed. "I know you didn't mean it, Miyako, but I'm disappointed how you never noticed that I've been feeling this way ever since you and Ken got together. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to lose Ken, but I feel like I'm..." She looked up with tearful eyes. "I'm losing my best friend."
Miyako sat down beside her, placing a hand on Hanako's shoulder. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I'm sorry if you have felt that way, Hanako. I- I was too naïve to even notice that you were hurting. I'm sorry... I- I didn't mean to ignore you like that."
The red head tried to smile, but couldn't. First she was accepted to University, which happened to be all the way in America and if she accepted, she might lose her best friend in the process and second... Ken was in her best friend's life so she couldn't be her number one priority. Either way, she was losing her best friend. She was about to say something about her acceptance in the University, when Miyako's voice interrupted her.
"You are NEVER EVER going to lose me, Hanako, you hear me? You will always be my best friend." She grabbed her friend's hand and wiped her tears away with the other hand.
Hanako took a deep breath, moving her head away from her. "Miyako, you were the only friend I have ever known, my only true friend. I was a shy girl... I never had any friends and sometimes I wished I was never born and just stayed that way so I didn't have to worry about anything else. My parents were divorced, my stepbrothers and sisters were cruel and my dad died after my birthday. I had to live with my Aunt for a long time and she, along with me, moved to this place a few summers ago and applied for high college here. Before I met you Miyako, before I even thought about entering college, I wanted to relieve myself from this pain I had for years. However, when I met you, you changed me a whole lot. You made me feel loved again like a true friend you are and made me forget about my past. I can never forget that day when you invited me over for my first sleepover and my first pancakes for breakfast."
"Yes and I can never forget about how you had a huge crush on one of my older brothers, Shinbo," Miyako replied.
Hanako smiled since that night. "Yes and I still do like Shinbo..." She paused, and then turned to face her, now in a more serious expression. "Miyako, I was accepted at a University in America and I'm leaving this coming fall."
Miyako's eyes widened. She was stunned. When was she planning on telling this to her? Before she left for America? The lavender haired girl looked down and sighed. "Hanako... I know I've been neglecting you for the past couple of days, but- is it really necessary for you to run away from this?"
Hanako shook her head. "I thought about that Miya-chan and it's not about that anymore. When I was watching you two, I felt something heavy pulled away from my shoulders. That's when I realized that I should move on too."
The lavender haired girl wrapped her arms around her friend and cried in her shoulders. "Hanako, please don't go. I didn't mean to hurt you like that... I-"
"Miya, don't..." she spoke, interrupting her friend. "Why do you have to feel sorry when I'm not sorry at all? I probably would have done the same thing in your shoes." She released her friend's arm from around her and looked into her eyes. "Miyako, just because I'm moving, doesn't mean we shouldn't be friends." Like her friend, Hanako wiped Miyako's tears from her eyes. "I'll call you when I get there, okay?" She smiled, feeling good about herself now. She had no reason to be angry with Miyako. She would have done the same thing if she were in love with someone.
"When are you leaving?" Miyako asked, in a broken voice.
Hanako smiled. "I'm leaving on Friday, but I'll make sure that you and Ken drop me off at the airport." She giggled. "Is Ken cranky in the mornings?"
The lavender haired girl laughed back, her sadness fading. "Not really, which surprises me. He's an early bird. I even see him jogging pass my window at four o'clock in the morning. I'm sure he won't mind dropping you off." Miyako looked down on the floor. "Hana-chan?"
Hanako stared worriedly at her friend. "Hai?"
"You're not angry with me anymore?" She looked up and stared at her friend's eyes. To her relief, Hanako just smiled back and wrapped her arms around her. The red head had to lift her shoulders up a little to hug the taller girl.
"Of course I'm not," she whispered in her ear. "Best friends don't stay mad at each other long." She smiled and took a deep breath. Hanako pulled away from her friend and looked at her. "But you have to remember to call me back or I WILL get mad!"
Miyako laughed. "Of course I will." She pulled her friend back against her for another embrace and they stayed like that for a couple of seconds, before Miyako suddenly pulled herself away from her. "Friday? But that's only two days away!"
Hanako nodded. "I guess we have to spend time as much as we can, ne?"
Miyako nodded back. "Hai! Tomorrow, we can go to the carnival!" She pondered for a moment and realized that she planned something with Ken tomorrow, but.. I'm sure Ken wouldn't mind, she thought.
Hanako glanced at her, noticing her disappointment.. "Don't forget to bring Ken and Akira too!" she spoke, startling Miyako. "I want to spend my days with you all!"
"But I thought you said-"
"It doesn't matter what I said anymore! I wasn't thinking! Besides... Ken and Akira are good people and are fun to hang out with!"
Miyako smiled. "Hai!" she retorted.
****************
Hours had gone by and the day before Hanako's departure finally arrived. Miyako gave Ken a quick kiss on cheeks before she said goodbye to him. She met with her best friend by 'The Pier,' Hanako's favourite restaurant in Japan and there, they spent good two hours together. The two embarked on a journey to the pier, riding a boat to get to one of the gulf islands of Japan and spent the rest of the hours basking in the sun. Ken, was getting worried that Miyako came back almost at midnight. He was ready to go look for her with Akira, but Akira assured him that there was nothing for him to worry about. And that there were plenty of other things he should be thinking more of.
"Have you told her yet?" his cousin had asked that same day. Ken never chose to bring up that topic, but since she was curious, Ken could not help but answer.
Ken shook his head. "I told Watabe-sensei that I would think about it before making my decision."
Akira placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "I know this is not my place to get in your nerves, Ken-kun, but your sensei did give you at least a day or two to make this decision. You should tell Miyako now before actually making it."
Ken sighed. "I know," he replied. "Demo... I don't know what to tell her."
The older girl frowned. "The same what you always tell her... the truth."
To his relief, Miyako returned from the islands a quarter pass eleven and Ken couldn't have been happier. He promised Akira that he would tell her, but he was unable too. He made a decision to let Miyako remember all the good memories she was having with Hanako before she would leave her life forever.
****************
The next morning, exactly three hours before Hanako's flight, Miyako asked Ken if he could drive the two of them to the airport. The blue haired man agreed and helped Hanako put all her suitcase at the back of his car. Akira was still fast asleep by the time all Hanako's belongings were put inside. It was decided that four hours before the flight would be perfect, since there would be rush hour on a Friday morning, what with people going to work and such. With so much packing to do, it would take at least half an hour and an extra hour to get there too. By the time they were finished, Akira was seen stepping out of the apartment for the first time, with tired eyes, yawning and stretching her arms up. She rubbed her eyes with her hands and looked up to notice Hanako staring at her with open arms.
"Aren't you going to give me a hug, Akira-chan?" Hanako spoke, smiling.
Akira smiled back and went over to her to give her friend a long hug, before taking a step back to watch the work done on the small vehicle. She was surprised at the amount of the three of them on putting all the suitcases inside the tiny car. It wasn't all that tiny. It was more decent than a Mazda Miata. She wondered how all of them are going to fit in there. Akira chose to erase that thought away from her mind and glanced over at Miyako, who had placed herself in front of her best friend and wrapped her arms around her with a tight embrace.
"Miyako-chan, you do know that you're coming with me to the airport right? We can always hug there before I step inside the airplane." Hanako giggled and unwrapped her arms from her friend.
Miyako sniffed. A tear crept from her eyes and fell in Hanako's shoulder, leaving a small, dark dot on her green sundress. "I know, but... I just wanted to hug my best friend that's all! I can't stand it if one of my friends leave me behind!!!"
Hanako, this time, couldn't help but cry. "Ohhh, Miyako now you made me cry!!!" She glanced at the two standing awkwardly, Ken behind Miyako and Akira behind her and smiled. She urged them to join them into a hug. "Come on you two! I won't be here long so it's best that we have a group hug!!!"
Ken was reluctant, but Akira wasn't as she wrapped her long, slender arms around the two. Between the three of them, Hanako was the shortest and the smallest, while Miyako was the tallest and the skinniest. Akira glanced at the hesitating young man and waved her hand at him to join them. Ken sighed. He had no problem wrapping his arms around Miyako and Akira, but with Hanako... it was different. He barely talked to her, but he knew she was the nicest and the bounciest person he has ever met. He was just about to reject the offer, when Akira pulled him with them, almost toppling the ladies down with his tall form. However, he was able to control himself from falling, but taking his arms around the three young women. It was rather awkward, but it felt good and warm. Miyako's body was certainly warm against his body. He wondered if Miyako would also feel this way towards him if he told her that he had made his decision upon the offer of schooling in Harvard. He wasn't quite sure HOW she would react. Since her best friend was leaving, it would be likely that she would feel neglected if he left too. Akira would soon have to go back to New York as well, leaving Miyako alone. How long could she last without breaking down? He knew Miyako too well.
It took another few minutes before the three finally broke from their embrace. Ken regarded Akira's face, red and swollen from all the crying and he couldn't help but sympathize. Hanako seemed to be the only close friend of Akira. Miyako was her close friend too, but none as she was close to Hanako. There were times that he spotted the two plotting something to keep him and Miyako together, which he thought was pretty cute.
"Hey you! Are you going to drive us now or are you just going to stand there and stare at the car all day?" a voice spoke, interrupting his thoughts.
Ken blinked, feeling rather awkward being watched by the three women around him. He hadn't noticed that Miyako and Hanako were already inside the car, ready to leave. The blue haired boy cleared his throat, bid his cousin farewell and went around the driver side of the car and hopped in. Miyako giggled, placing a hand on her boyfriend's arm. Ken smiled slightly, embarrassed and started the engine.
Akira waved farewell, blowing a kiss to the only close friend she has ever had. Too many months have passed and that was all she had with Hanako. Yet, despite the lack of time, she has never felt so close to her, especially when plotting with her to keep his cousin and her girlfriend together. "Sayonara, Hanako-chan!!!" she yelped as the car pulled out of the driveway. By that time, she could see Hanako rolling down the window and putting her head out, waving her hand with tears in her eyes.
"SAYONARA!!!!!!! I'll write to you!!!" Hanako yelled back.
Akira smiled and watched as Hanako went back inside the car. It turned a corner and disappeared, but she could still hear the roaring of the engine. The girl smiled, feeling sad and happy at the same time.
****************
The ride to the airport didn't take that long at all. He thought it was at least an hour or so, but to his surprise, there was no rush hour. To add to his already shocked expression, there were less people than he expected to be going in and out of the airport.
"I guess you're in luck, Hanako," Ken spoke, as they entered the terminal. Hanako glanced behind her quickly and smiled, with a barely audible response of 'hai.' He was carrying the heaviest load of all in arms, which, to his guess, were Hanako's lamps, a round clock and anything heavy she had in her arm. Miyako carried one of her backpacks and was pulling a roll on one, while Hanako carried a shoulder bag and two rolling luggages.
Miyako gazed into Ken's eyes and smiled. Despite the grin on her face, Ken knew she was sad inside. He was afraid now of adding more sadness within her if he told her, but he had to tell her soon. He was once again interrupted by Hanako's excited voice as they made it to the main terminal. She plopped down on one of the chairs and rolled her luggages in beside her, as Miyako and Ken each took their own seats across from her.
"Well, this is it! Only two hours left until my flight gets here." She watched as Miyako sat uncomfortably on her seat, her hands on her lap, while fidgeting with her fingers. Hanako hated it when Miyako did that. When she fidgeted, there was something Miyako wanted to say, but couldn't say it. She sighed. "Miya, if you got something to say, please tell me."
Miyako looked up and smiled. "What are you talking about? There's nothing to say."
Ken gazed at her girlfriend and frowned. Hanako could read her like a book and Ken could do just as well. Miyako was good at hiding, but never this good. The optimistic girl, who was not afraid to express her feelings, grew up into someone reserved, bottling all her emotions inside without hesitation. Ken placed a hand over hers and sighed. "Miyako, please tell us what's wrong. You were always the type of girl to tell us her feelings."
Hanako smiled. He so understands. She glanced towards her friend and watched as she hesitated, then opened her mouth, and then closed it again. The red head was ready to talk again, when she heard Miyako's voice.
"I'm just sad, Hanako, that's all." Hanako looked at her straight in the eye. "I knew that sooner or later that one of us had to leave and one of us had to stay, but I never thought it could be this soon, just a few more months before you graduate from college."
Hanako leaned over and reached out a hand to touch hers. "Miyako, we all have to go on now, even though we have to separate, but it doesn't mean we'll stop calling each other friends. You'll always be right here..." Leaning a little farther, she placed Miyako's hand to her heart and smiled. "You'll always be in my heart and I'll always be in yours."
Ken watched silently at the two. The closeness they had was rather overwhelming and he almost felt himself crying, but chose to erase the thoughts with a silent gulp. He turned away, standing up to stare out the window at the on coming planes. He could feel the two girls staring at him with utmost curiosity.
"Ken-kun? Are you all right?" Ken felt nervous about that question. He was all right, but not all that great with thoughts clouding his mind. How is he going to tell Miyako that he had absent-mindedly accepted the offer at Harvard?
The boy turned and smiled. "Oh, just fine. Just a little tired, because I didn't have enough sleep last night."
Hanako frowned. "What? You mean you stayed up all night to study for the entrance exam? Yet, you even chose to drop me off at the airport?"
Ken couldn't help but answer with a nod. "Yeah." He noticed the way Hanako was staring at him, as if she was rather upset about his choice to drop her off with only half opened eyes. "But, I'm okay now though. All the caffeine kept me awake the whole night and I think it's just kicking in right now." Half of what he said was true.
Hanako could tell he was lying, but she also wanted to hug him for being so kind. She glanced at Miyako and smiled. "Speaking of caffeine, you guys want to go to the coffee shop here and get breakfast?"
Miyako nodded. "Sure!" She glanced at Ken and stood up. "Let's go Ken!"
Ken nodded and followed suit at the two girls lead the way to the coffee shop, just a few seconds away from the terminal. They ordered English food mostly, since the airport was international. Miyako and Hanako each ordered the same thing, cheese cake Danish and mocha cappuccino, while Ken ordered only coffee. Miyako was quite surprised with his choice of breakfast.
"Don't you eat apple strudel every morning?" Miyako spoke, as she bit into her Danish.
Ken nodded quietly. "Yeah, but I wanted more coffee to keep me awake this morning." He winked at his girlfriend, receiving a flush from her in return.
Hanako couldn't help but feel kindness to the man who made her best friend happy. She liked Ken, but sometimes she hated him for being so quiet and acting like such a gentleman. She told herself most of the time that such men don't exist, but since she met Ken, she decided to change her thoughts on it. Maybe she'll find one like him too! Without a second thought, she opened her mouth to speak about the most personal subject she could ever come up with. She told herself last night that she would bring it up since there was no other time to ask it.
"Ken, since you and Miya-chan have been together for months now, when are you going to ask her to marry you?" It was hilarious watching their reaction. Ken swallowed his coffee hard down his throat, almost falling off his chair backwards, while Miyako almost choked at her Danish, as her face turned red in embarrassment. The two glanced at each other, before finally taking a look towards Hanako.
"Why... what are you talking about?" Miyako turned her attention back at her Danish, the redness never leaving her cheeks.
Ken cleared his throat uncomfortably and turned his head away from her, his cheeks also coloured in crimson. He said nothing as he found something more amusing at the menu posted on the wall than Hanako's giggling face.
"Oh, you don't need to answer it. I'm sure I'll get an answer once I call you! Don't forget to make me your bridesmaid, Miya!!!"
The two said nothing more after that, leaving a giggling Hanako eating her Danish and mocha.
****************
Two hours briefly passed like seconds. The stewards took the luggages that Ken and Miyako carried inside the airplane, because the luggage carrier was broken. There was no problem taking it all in by hands at the bottom of the plane as Ken and Miyako observed. The two girls exchanged a few more tears before Hanako finally took her first step inside the airplane. Ken watched as Miyako wiped tears from her eyes. He placed a hand on her shoulder and rubbed the pain with his thumbs. They watched Hanako bored the plane with more tears falling from her eyes when the door finally closed. Miyako took a step and waved again. It took another few minutes for them to wait, until they could see her inside the plane. Hanako blew a kiss towards them as the plane began to move away from the terminal. That was the last time they ever saw of her until it finally flew into the skies. Miyako couldn't help but feel sad for the only friend she has ever had. Ken wrapped her arms around him and let her cry in his arms until it was appropriate to leave the terminal forever. It wouldn't be long until he would come back to ride on one of them. He can just imagine Miyako with tears in her eyes as the plane began to fly away into the skies, never to be seen again.
GoodGurl: I suck at developing characters. Hanako wasn't all that developed, but I hope you had a good idea of what she was like from here! Anyway, please review! I'll give you guys lollipops!!!!!!