Chapter Eight:…Sweet Dreams…

They stopped in front of Ueda's apartment, bringing back recollections of his dream a couple nights earlier--with only a few differences. Tomaru looked at him, "You okay?"

"Oh! Yeah, I'm sorry…I just spaced out."

Her smile was warmer now, "I'm so happy that I talked to Chii."

Ueda pulled her small body against his. "Me too…now that I know you feel the same way I do," he said to the giggling girl before kissing her again. He opened the door, "Come on in."

Ueda neatly set his jacket on a nearby chair upon entering. He also courteously offered to help Tomaru out of her own jacket. She went ahead of him, sitting herself down on Ueda's creamy-hued sofa. He followed close behind, taking a seat beside her.

He complimented, "Your outfit…you wore that the first day we met."

Tomaru looked at it, tugging at the hem of her argyle-trimmed skirt, "You don't like it?"

Ueda chuckled, "I do like it. It's cute…really cute!"

She simply smiled, her cheeks becoming rosy. Ueda sighed, trying to think of what he could say.

Tomaru touched his hand, "Are you sure you're okay? For some reason, you still look upset about something."

This is killing me, I keep thinking about the past…why should I worry Tomaru with that? Plus, it might only hurt her…and I can't stand to see her cry, Ueda thought to himself.

"I-it's nothing. Don't worry about it," Ueda said softly, tossing his memories aside once again.

She looked at him--her eyes large and filled with concern. Ueda lightly brushed his hand along the side of her face, leaning in and pressing his lips tenderly against Tomaru's. He laid her on her back as he kneeled over her. Their stomachs touched gently; Ueda felt her chest rise and fall with each breath.

Tomaru slipped her hands up and down Ueda's back, feeling his fingers run through her reddish-brown hair. She was calm, seemingly happy that this was finally happening.

However, Ueda's heart was racing. Every time his lips would part, then come together with Tomaru's, he would feel sort of guilty--there was so much that she didn't know about him.

He then pulled away from her, setting his elbows on his knees and putting his head in his hands in confusion. Tomaru kneeled next to him, putting her arms around him and setting her head on his shoulder.

She was holding back her tears, feeling that she was doing something to upset him. Tomaru whispered, "Hiroyasu, I want you to tell me what's on your mind. If you don't talk to me, I can't see how we can do this…"

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want to hurt you. But…I think that this is something that you really need to know…and something that I really need to tell you."

She was silent, simply waiting for Ueda to speak. He took a deep breath, then took her hand, "Tomaru…I've been married before."

Her eyes widened, but he didn't want her to say anything yet, "Wait…let me finish. I wasn't just married…she was a persocom."

The statement struck her hard, but she managed to keep her cool, "W-what happened? I mean…why aren't you…"

"Why aren't I still married? I guess…I guess it just wasn't meant to be…" Ueda then explained everything to her:

Ueda flashback mode - -

Ueda and his persocom had just finished some shopping. It was cold outside and the rain was pouring down. She was holding onto his arm, leaning against his shoulder--exactly how they always walked together. Ueda looked down at her cheerful face, and even though his mind was swirling, he managed to show her that he was happy they were together.

Preoccupied, Ueda didn't bother to look around before stepping onto the black pavement. He felt the grip of his persocom tighten suddenly, causing him to glance up--there was an oncoming car.

The lights were blaring through the sheets of rain; the driver unable to notice the two hazy figures before him. Ueda was frozen: unable to think, unable to move…all of a sudden a petite figure moved in front of him--pushing him out of the way…

He hit the pavement, hearing a screech, then a splash. Ueda could only fear the worst. Sitting up, he saw the small, motionless body huddled up in front of him. He ran as quick as could, but he couldn't get to her fast enough.

Ueda pulled her up against him, her face torn, her body shivering. And yet--she was still smiling as she had done only minutes earlier.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he heard her cheerful voice speak for the final time, "Konnichiwa!"

Then, at that very moment, her body went limp…there was nothing left that Ueda could do to save her…

End Ueda Flashback Mode- -

"Oh, Hiroyasu," Tomaru began to cry, "…I had no idea…"

Ueda pulled her close, now knowing that there would be no more secrets between them. Suddenly, Tomaru said something that took him by surprise, "I hope she would be okay with us being together…"

His eyes widened, surprised. Tomaru reasoned, "I know she was a persocom…but I know that as long as you had feelings for her, she was always able to return them…and wouldn't that mean that she had feelings too?"

Ueda kissed her forehead. He nodded and said comfortingly, "I think that she would have wanted it this way…she made me happy, and now you make me happy…that's exactly what she would have wanted."

Tomaru cuddled up to Ueda, feeling closer than ever. She showed him one final smile before her eyes slowly shut, and she drifted off to sleep. This smile was different, somehow. It seemed to prove to Ueda that he could finally rest assured, knowing that everything was okay.

He kissed her, resting his head against hers and whispered lovingly, "Sweet dreams, my Tomaru."