03: Indigo

I went home one late afternoon wearily, in mind was my killer assignment in trigonometry. I sighed, hoping that I had passed by Shigure's house so I can ask Yuki's help with it. He was very good in Math. In fact, he was also good in Science, Japanese, English…almost all the subjects we have, save for Home Economics.

The assignment was due tomorrow, and as I busily ran through my mind some possible excuses I can give to my teacher when I face her tomorrow homework-less.

I lost my notebook?

Or someone stole it?

Or Shigure ate my homework?

My musings were interrupted when I arrived in the Sohma main house. It was dark, meaning Hatori or Momiji weren't home yet. I decided to go to the front yard instead of going directly to my room. No use pretending to be a good student.

However, I noticed that I wasn't the first one to arrive in the yard. Someone else was seated in the antique rocking chair I bought a few months ago. I drew nearer to see who it was.

And found myself looking at the sleeping face of Kisa. On top of her chest was a blue clothbound bible that I gave her as a gift for her sixteenth birthday. She must have fallen asleep reading it.

I took out my white coat from my bag and laid it on her sleeping body gently so I wouldn't wake her up. For a few minutes, I was just gazing at her quietly, admiring the beautiful serenity of her face.

I then heard a throat being cleared behind me. I turned around and saw my other cousin, Sohma Hiro.

I didn't know why I suddenly felt embarrassed, getting caught by him staring like that at his fiancée. All I knew was that I suddenly stood up and stepped away from the slumbering girl.

"S-She fell asleep outside so…" I said meekly.

"No need to explain actually," he said, voice blank. "I just want to ask you something, and I hope you answer it with all honesty."

"It's about what?" I asked, forehead creasing.

"About her." He gestured towards Kisa.

"Sure."

"You do care about her, don't you?" he asked.

I was taken aback by his unexpected question. "Y-Yes, of course. "

"I mean, really care for her?"

Where is this interrogation leading to? I merely gaped at my cousin.

"Haru, I'm leaving tomorrow," announced my cousin.

"Huh?" Shock registered in my face.

"Akito…sent me to Tokyo. I will continue my studies there," explained Hiro, his gaze now on his fiancée.

"You're going to leave Kisa here?" I asked, bewildered.

The boy's fists clenched. "I know Akito's intention why he suddenly decided that."

I exhaled shakily. The entire Sohma family knew the grave news – the clan head had suddenly decided that no wedding will take place, dashing the hopes of the engaged Hiro and Kisa.

"It's better that Kisa and I start forgetting each other anyway," he said.

"You're going to give her up just like that?" I asked, incredulous.

He looked surprised. "It has been decided by the clan head. What can I do?"

I couldn't believe how calmly he accepted the matter. I suspect something else. "May I ask if there is no third party involved here?"

Hiro laughed bitterly, but said nothing.

I looked at Kisa pityingly. How could her fiancé give her up that easily? Where was the you-and-me-against-the-world love that poets for generations had talked so proudly about?

"Anyway, I know that Kisa is very close to you," continued Hiro. "I trust that you will take over my job to protect her at all times."

"I would do that, alright," I said, not meaning to be sarcastic, but that is how I sounded. "But because I care for Kisa, and not because you said so."

He nodded comprehendingly. "I understand your anger, but trust me, you'll understand someday why I did this." He turned to leave. "I'll be gone by dawn tomorrow. I hope you can handle things for me."

Then he disappeared into the darkness of the house, and I was left alone with the sleeping girl.

"I'm sorry everything had to end this way," I told her softly, running my fingers to her hair. "But you didn't deserve him anyway. He didn't have the guts to fight for you. You'll meet someone much more worthy of your love someday."

Above us, the indigo afternoon sky had given way to the velvety-black darkness of the night.

04: Orange

"Haru-kun!" greeted Kisa brightly. "Good morning!"

I smiled. "Hello!"

"I'm glad you're back!" she said, walking with me as I park my bike in the garage. "It's been four days since you left to buy us some new fertilizers."

I sweatdropped. "Um…"

She laughed. "Anyway, you surely are tired by now. Why don't you rest first while I fix you some nice breakfast for you, huh?"

I was delighted. Kisa was a very good cook, and she could impress even Hatori with her dishes.

"Tomorrow afternoon, I will gather the oranges of our tree," she said excitedly. "It's its first time to bear fruits, and I can't wait to pick them all!"

I nodded. I knew how much Kisa loved the plants in our garden. I was a witness to her affectionate mothering of the plants – her everyday visits to the garden just to water them all, her Saturday morning sessions to add new plants…

"I'll send Nee-san a basket of them!" she continued excitedly.

"Sure, but you have to save some for me too," I said.

"Of course!" She then remembered something. "Ah, Haru-kun?"

"Yes?"

She looked down, blushing. "Next week…um.."

I blinked.

"I-It's our class reunion…and…" Her cheeks were more flushed than usual. "…I'm hoping, if you want that is…to be my escort."

I grinned. "Sure, but I won't drive you there though. I might get us lost, you know."

"Really, you will?" she squealed. "Thanks!"

Her laughter reminded me of tinkling bells, and somehow, it made me feel good.

It had been six months since that fateful night in the Sohma yard. It had been quite a hard work for me to cheer Kisa up. She was clearly devastated when she learned that Hiro left without so much a goodbye. And all through those difficult times, I stayed by her side, making sure that she wouldn't be alone.

I did not want her to feel again what we both felt back then. Crying alone, with no one to dry your tears when your hands are too numb to move.

Momiji arrived in the kitchen, holding his backpack. "Oh, Haru, you're finally home! Welcome back! How are you?"

I grinned. "I wasn't away that long."

"Kisa sure thought you were gone for years. She wouldn't stop looking out at the window a few days ago, hoping that you come home already-"

"That's not true!" cried Kisa, blushing hotly.

The rabbit turned to the window, sighing. "Oh look! There's going to be a heavy rain this afternoon."

"The weather forecaster strikes again," I kidded. I started to climb the stairs.

Obviously, even the weather gods obey Momiji. I looked out at the window and sighed as the skies darkened. At least Kisa didn't have to go out this afternoon to water the plants.

I then noticed that the wind was growing harsher. I then remembered the orange tree planted in the backyard.

I remembered too that Kisa wanted to gather its fruits tomorrow, but by the feel of the gust of wind now, I doubt if there would be any left for her tomorrow.

I sprang into action. I quickly went down to the garden, holding a basin. Bringing anything to protect me from the rain slipped my mind. My thoughts were on the tree, and I was praying that the fruits had not fallen off the branches yet.

I sighed, relieved, when I got there. None of the fruits had fallen to the ground yet. However, they were hanging precariously in the branches of the tree. One more strong blow of wind, and they would fall down the ground, all its earthly goodness smashed.

I wasted no time. I started to climb the trees and gathered all the fruits as quickly as I could. I ignored the rain that was continuously beating on my back, or the biting chill of the wind. All I had in mind was to protect the fruits that I know Kisa loved very much.

After some fifteen minutes, I was done. I was also very, very drenched. Sighing, I went into the house, and found Kisa sewing by the kitchen window. When she saw me, she quickly sprang up her seat and went to me. "Where have you been, Haru-kun? It's pouring cats and dogs outside!"

"It was?" I echoed. "Good thing that I decided to go out and save these." I gestured to the basin of oranges.

"H-Huh?" She looked at the fruits then back at me.

"I…know how much you care for these…and I don't want to see you disappointed when you see some of these fruits on the ground wasted because of the strong rain, so I gathered them already," I explained.

"E-Eh?" Kisa's eyes widened.

"I don't want all your efforts to care for these go to waste…so…"

"But…you could have contacted fever for staying out too long out in the rain," she whispered.

"A little rain can't hurt me, but a drop of tear from my girl certainly would," I said, smiling tenderly at her. "I don't ever want to see her disappointed or sad."

"You…you.." Kisa hugged me tightly. "You will make me cry with worry if you do this again. The plants are important to me…but Haru-kun, you are the most precious thing that I have."

My heart skipped a beat.

She looked up, smiling through her tears. "I cannot afford to lose you."

"Hey, don't cry!" I said. "Why is it that when we always talk, you cry?"

"B-Because you make me so happy," she said.

Then I guess…I should cry too.

Because she also makes me very happy.

tsuzuku