A lone figure sat in a quiet house, in a quiet room...fingers absently twisting the gem around her neck in something that was quickly becoming habit. Even, thoughtful eyes of deep brown remained pinned on the window and stared at nothing. Her mind was a buzz with so many thoughts that held questions and meanings to the gifts she still faithfully wore since Christmas Eve. Days passed since that glorious incident, but she had yet to be able to see much of Sage. She was getting the feeling that he was avoiding her, if not for Mia's admission that his family made him practice Kendo a lot and there were many things he had to do in a daily basis.
She finally blinked and looked to her bed, her eyes strained. A hand rubbed them as she leaned against the wall, sitting on the loaned bed. It was all quiet in the Koji estate...and not much to do. Mia was around somewhere and giving her the privacy and freedom to do whatever she wished. A sigh rang through the air. This wasn't exactly how she imagined most of her time back in Toyama. Sure, she knew it was unfair to make them cast aside ALL their plans and lives at home for two straight weeks, but the five hadn't called since Christmas Eve. Fingers twisting the Topaz stone slowed as melancholy set in.
She didn't know how long she'd been sitting here, wondering and thinking...and maybe doing a little bit of wistful wishing. But it was high time to get off her lazy duff and find something to do, some of her mind said. Thinking and wishing things she KNEW Sage Date probably didn't feel back wasn't going to get her anywhere but an anxious, nervous WRECK.
She sighed again and flopped on her bed, staring at the ceiling and twisting the necklace yet. She wondered what they were doing right now. Jobs perhaps? Schoolwork? She betted it would be okay to call one of them and talk for a little bit...since she had all their numbers now. But she didn't want to disturb them if it was something important they were doing. ...She didn't want to disturb SAGE if he was doing something important.
The night he gave her the necklace was the night everyone else melted from her vision. All she wanted to do after mumbling a few hasty excuses for hugging him so long was revel in that moment and be near him to keep it alive. She was too scared and chicken to tell him that she still loved him, loved him even MORE with the passage of time and their letters. Teeth savagely bit her lip, the pain a welcome over the emotional torrent. She didn't know what to do about telling him, and did a pretty good job of keeping quiet through her letters the past two years. Part of her thought she was getting over it and thinking it was just a severe crush. But seeing him again after so long, seeing his handsome persona and strong character...she knew it was no fleeting crush. Her face tinged as a sheepish smile broke her solemn mask. She was so pathetic...loving a man oceans away, who she didn't stand a CHANCE with.
That latter thought gained a dark scowl. She knew keeping quiet about her feelings was a good thing, because nothing would come of such a severe long distance relationship, but BY keeping quiet...she'd NEVER know if she stood a chance with Sage. She could admit to herself now, and to HIM, that she loved him wholeheartedly. Nitpicking and wondering over it after leaving Toyama so long ago finally came to that conclusion. Since then, she'd never been able to date anyone else...never been able to LOVE anyone else. What she felt toward Sage felt so RIGHT and STRONG...it would be a shame to let go of it.
She suddenly sat up as an idea suddenly came from her mind. There was a song she always listened to when she got this way. It was one she grabbed off the computer long ago with all her other Japanese songs. She shuffled off the bed and grabbed a hand to the kimono she wore to keep from stepping on it. She had to smile again at Kento's gift, wondering if Sage gave a little advice on this. She wouldn't put it past him...since she often gushed in her letters how much she loved the culture and everything about it.
Kneeling in front of the borrowed device, she ruffled through the disks she kept safely next to it and popped one in. She put the song on repeat and turned the volume up. Times like these...one just had to sing what was in their hearts.
I've waited all of my life
For the day when love appears
Like a fairytale in days gone by
He will rescue me from my fears
She stood and swayed to the slow beat of the electronic keyboard, her gracefulness keeping time. Never did she let go of dancing and always practiced when she could to whatever she could. She had to admit, hearing her inexperienced voice with the lyrics, that she was a better dancer than singer. Her voice was too nasally and wispy. But it did for now.
And now I feel him standing next to me
And how can I tell him what he means to me?
My heart stands still as he comes
Oh starry night
Is this the moment I dream of?
Oh starry night
Tell me is he my own true love?
It was totally ironic that the afternoon was late and the sun started setting. Night would be upon her soon; another end to another day of vacation. She'd be leaving soon. She stood in front of the window and lightly pressed her fingers against the cold pane.
Every night I think of him here in my lonely room
Waiting for my prince to come
Wondering if he'll be here soon
And I sit patiently waiting for a sign
And I hope that his heart longs for mine
He calls my name, is he the one?
Oh starry night
Is this the moment I dream of?
Oh starry night
Tell me is he my own true love?
Oh starry night
Is he the one that I dream of?
Oh starry night
How will I know?
Will his love show?
Is he my own true love?
Her head dully thudded on the pane as the song repeated again. She rapidly blinked against the tears of gloom; feeling like her love was stupid and hopeless. This was Sage Date she was in love with...he probably had women fawning all OVER him. Who was she? She wasn't even the same nationality. She was just learning his language, to feel like she was closer to him somehow...
"You look utterly depressed."
Her head shot up with a yelp, also banging it on some of the overhead wood trim in the glass. "ITAI!!" OW!! She grimaced and clutched at her head, doing her best to ignore the small giggling.
"Hehehe...gomen nasai. I still stand by my comment though. What, or who, are you thinking about?"
"Ah...nan demo nai Mia-chan." She muttered, gently rubbing her head on her way back to the bed. She plopped down and flopped on the mattress, mindful of her bruised noggin.
"Nothing...uh huh." The elder wisely mused. She pushed away from the open archway and took a place on the bed. "I think you're going about this the wrong way." She cited, scooting back to lean against the headboard.
"How?" She sourly mused, one hand still rubbing the throbbing in her skull. Who knew a few inches could make such an impact??
Mia absently stared at the ceiling with a smirk and ignored the Hispanic's sudden mood. "You think I don't know what's going on in that head of yours?" Her eyes went to the song still going in the player and her smirk widened. She listened to the first half of the song before giving a pointed stare to purposely averted eyes. "You call something like that NOTHING?" She was silent as she listened to the rest of the song, chuckling after a while. "You two are cute...but you're also sad."
A brow shot up. "NANI??" She nearly screeched, giving an odd look across the bed.
Mia chuckled again and shook her head at the girl's naivety. "We ALL know about you and Sage, you know." Her foot leaned down and playfully nudged the girl in her side. "It's so obvious. They knew how you felt even before you LEFT. I even saw the look in your eyes when we picked you up. You think I hadn't looked at him that same way in the past??" An almost evil smile lit her face. "And you're still playing with that necklace he gave you!"
Her fingers dropped it and froze as a blush overtook her face. She rolled to face her friend and scowled. "I can't tell him anything..." She whined. "I live in Spain and he lives HERE. That's EIGHT HOURS difference! How am I going to confess my feelings if nothing will COME from it??"
"How do YOU know??" The two locked eyes. "You know about Sage, but not THAT much I bet. If you've learned ANYTHING from your Japanese history texts back home, you'll know that we marry only once. Sage comes from a very traditional family and acts accordingly in public as he was brought up. He's not the type of person to backstab any girl...if he was ever COMFORTABLE enough on that level to go out with them." She giggled at the thought of Sage DATING. His last name was an ironic situation...and a person so afraid of girls because of his sister. Life was cruel sometimes.
"Have YOU ever told him how you felt?" She shot back, mildly glaring at being picked on over this.
Mia's gaze humbly averted to the spread. "No. I didn't have the guts to say anything. And at that time, it was the wrong thing to say for a few good reasons." Her head shook. Yes...telling Halo how she felt during the war, and even AFTER, was the wrong time. But by then, she realized it wasn't love, but just a strong crush and forced herself over it. "Which is why I'm telling you to DO something about it before you lose whatever it is you feel and move on. And Sage actually FINDS someone in the future."
A small stab of panic speared her brain. She never THOUGHT of it like that!... To think that she'd forever remain friends with Sage Date while he was committed to one woman for the rest of his life? She'd waste the only chance she ever had! And something of this magnitude might not reach him through a simple letter. No...telling him EXACTLY how she felt had to be face to face...as hard as that would be! Her eyes hardened a bit as she looked to Mia. "Mia-chan...can you do me a big favor?"
Mia smiled, her brain knowingly churning. "Hai."
"Take me to Sage-kun's and drop me off?"
Both brows shot up. "DROP you off?? I figured you'd want to go, but why leave you there?"
Epiphany smiled. "That way I can't back out." Her grin widened as Mia laughed.
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She slammed the door with the promise that should anything happen, she'd call immediately. Smiling at the motherly affection, she jogged to the front door and gave a quick look as Mia drove away. She minutely shivered at the temperature and huddled in her coat for a second. Her mind was trying to process just HOW to edge her foot inside without sounding too forward. What if Sage wasn't even HOME??
It was in that moment of indecision that her ears picked up the faint sound of a high-pitched flute. Intrigued, she slowly took a step in the direction, walking around the house. Not thinking that she was trespassing for not announcing her arrival, she tiptoed across the immense area the house was located on. Teeth bit her lip at the closed doors, light spilling out from underneath. Feeling like a curious child, she slowly headed for what looked like a studio. She stopped outside the door, wondering if she should knock, but didn't want to disturb such a beautiful melody. It sounded lighthearted, but almost sad somehow.
Her hand pulled the door open, eyes peeking in. She blinked in shock at seeing that thick, blond hair. Her mouth dropped open as she took in the back of his lotus position. She didn't know Sage played the flute! She squeezed past the opening, not wanting to open the door any further, and crept inside. The melody kept going as though he hadn't heard and with a sudden sneaky urge, she quickly took off her shoes in courtesy and tiptoed across the wood floor in socks. Nothing squeaked to her glee and an evil smile spread the closer she got. Only a few more feet!...
Not even five foot away, her toes to the edge of the mat, a blur moved and suddenly she was airborne. A clack sounded as her eyes caught the split second movement of the flute rolling off the mat. The arm previously extended to tap him on the shoulder was in a vice-like grip that propelled her over that poofy hair. She landed hard on her back and felt the breath go out of her. She stared at the ceiling in a daze, her head pounding, wide eyes unable to focus.
"EPIPHANY-CHAN!?" Sage gasped, blinking. The hand keeping her arm twisted at an odd angle and the foot keeping her pinned to the mat hastily let go as he kneeled. A hand gently went to her shoulder and nudged. "Ne...daijoubu?!"
She barely heard his voice over the buzzing in her ears. "Ugh..." She moaned, squeezing her eyes shut. "Stop bouncing that basketball Kevin-kun...my head hurts."
Despite the serious situation that Epiphany might be hurt by the way she landed, Sage's lips twitched. "Oi...Epiphany-chan. Come on...work with me here." He leaned over as one hand went behind her neck, the other gripping her forearm to help pull her.
She slowly sat up and grimaced at the shift, wishing her head would stop pounding. "Itai, itai, itai...aye, aye, aye...mi cabesa..." One hand went to her head, as if holding it would help lessen the pain.
Sage dumbly remained kneeled next to her as she went off in Spanish, not understanding a word. He felt a little guilty, even though he was wondering what she was doing here. "Ah Epiphany-chan...gomen nasai..." He met her eyes when she finally looked his way and gave a small, apologetic smile. "You should've announced your presence. I...didn't expect you here."
She gave a small smile and suddenly realized how close they were sitting. With an intense blush, she slowly moved a few inches away and rubbed the abused arm. "It was SUPPOSED to be a surprise. At least I know never to sneak up on you again."
He gave an amused snort and sat back in the meditative stance he assumed before the commotion. "So...what're you doing here?"
She dodged the question and looked to the flute that got tossed aside. "I didn't know you played. I INTENDED on knocking on the front door when I heard you." She gave a demure smile and looked away from those eyes. "You play rather well. It was a nice song."
His lips turned and felt a small heat in his face. He quickly went to retrieve his flute and let her hold it. "I've played for a long time. Ojisan taught me to play when I was young to help keep me calm."
Her eyes quickly shot to his, but went back to looking at the intricately designed flute. "It's very beautiful." She murmured, nervously putting her hands over the holes. "Bamboo I see. Nice design." She handed it back and hoped her hands weren't shaking as she held it out. Now that the silence returned and the embarrassment over with, she was reminded of why she was here. And her courage caved like a sack of bricks.
He took the flute back and put it aside, giving another small smile. "You're wearing that AGAIN?" He queried, taking in her delicate sitting position. She was almost mimicking his, but her legs were cast to the side.
Self-consciously, she picked at the folds over her knees and moved to copy his stance as her knees started bugging her. "Hai... I like this gift very much." She gave a small smile and looked to the mat. Her throat quietly cleared as she ran out of small talk, unable to get the words out. Every bit of her mind felt like it was cowering down. She couldn't even get the courage to look him in the eyes!
He continued to stare at her with a mix of curiosity, concern, and wonder. Her fingers toyed with the cotton of the kimono, which he had to admit made her look like a native. Her submissive stance caught him off guard and he wondered why she was acting this way. "Epi-chan?" He softly queried, breaking the awkward quiet. Why was it he felt it hard to say something to her, even after the years of friendship they had together? There was obviously something on her mind, so why couldn't she tell him?? "Doushita?"
Her mind mentally translated the words to understand, even as her eyes shot to his like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. She harshly swallowed and forced a bright smile to cover up her anxiety. She locked eyes with his and lost the nerve to tell him. She couldn't DO this!! "Ah...hehehehe...nada mucho... It's just...you hadn't called me in a while, or stopped over, so I had Mia drop me off so I could see you." Her smile softened a little as she looked away again. "We...we hadn't been given much time to be together just us since I arrived..." Her lips pressed together and she had to fight not to cough at the tension she felt she put in the air.
A brow rose. Mia dropped her off and left?? Well...that put a curveball on the evening. Nonetheless, he smiled at her and a hand extended to lightly cover the one toying with her kimono to gain her attention. "Then how about I show you around my house? Since I have pictures of your aunt's already."
Wide eyes looked to his hand and she felt a blush spread throughout her face. She gave a dumb nod and felt both relieved yet longing as his hand pulled away. "H...Hai. I'd like that." She shakily answered, giving a meek smile.
"Alright. Let me go change into some normal clothes and I'll be right back." He answered, easily standing from the stance.
Feeling the mood broken as he walked away, she forced her eyes not to look at him as he left. "By the way...nice gi." She wryly answered, grinning. She gained another snort before the door closed behind him and flopped on the mat with a groan, ignoring the pain in her head. "ATASHI NO BAKKKAAAA!!!" She moaned. I'M AN IDIIIOOOT! Hands instantly clamped over her mouth, afraid someone heard.
With a long-suffering sigh at her lack of forwardness, she stood up and took the brief solo time to examine the dojo. A smile crept onto her face as she lightly touched some of the weapons, seeing the light glint off the edges. They were all SHARP, she realized. She gently took a short, samurai sword from its holder and thoroughly stared at it. While the sword was beautiful in itself, she couldn't believe students practiced with these sharp objects. Didn't anyone get seriously injured??
"Be careful you don't CUT yourself."
She jumped a mile for the second time in such a short while and dropped the sword. "Ack! Gomen, gomen!" She hastily grabbed it and put it where it belonged. "My-" The words left her mouth as she dumbly stared at him oh so CASUALLY leaning against the closed door to the dojo. How HANDSOME he was! Her eyes were able to take in his whole form in the distance, racking over his choice of clothes. A baggy, detailed collared shirt lay underneath what looked like a dark green smoking jacket. His wore his usual khakis and over the jacket was a floor-length, snow white trench coat, complete with hood. It had to be the coat that added to the sex appeal...or maybe it was the way it complimented his blond hair that fell so CARELESSLY over his eye...but she suddenly found herself drooling.
Sage looked down to his attire as if she found something wrong with it. He gave a small shrug and moved his arms from their crossed stance to his coat pockets. "It's getting pretty cold out there...I figured I should grab a coat..." He explained, looking to her. A brow rose in mirth. "I see you weren't as smart to grab one before you left Mia's." Seeing she wasn't going to move, he heaved a sigh and took off his loafers before crossing the wood floor. "Since I assume I'm taking you home, I figured we could go walk around or go somewhere before it gets TOO dark." He offered, giving another indifferent shrug. "If you want to that is."
Wide brown met violet as she lost herself in his eyes. Not a good sign. Her mouth opened and closed without getting a word past. Realizing she was acting like a bumbling idiot, but unable to get past it, the most she could get out was a whispery, "Yosh." Alright. Merciful father PLEASE don't let her knees collapse!!
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Stars winked from their positions in the sky as the sun finished setting. She huddled in one of Sage's extra trench coats, looking out at the landscape of the park from the bridge. She almost insisted they walk here if they were to go anywhere...since this was very special to her. This place was where Sage made a first attempt at extending a hand of friendship. After meeting his family and taking the grand tour, Sage tossed her one of his extra coats, saying she wouldn't stay warm for long in her kimono. She looked down with a silly grin, idly staring at the water.
Breath puffed in the air from both of them, showing that it was cold and not exactly a good idea to WALK to the park. He offered to take the car, but she said that the evening was so beautiful and brisk that it would do them both good to get that fresh air and exercise. How could he resist her when she unknowingly looked at him with those puppy dog eyes? Leaning on the railing with Epiphany, Sage peeked through his hair at her profile. This was all a sudden mystery thrust into his face and he couldn't figure out all the puzzles. Why was she here, no explanations; no phone calls to say she was arriving? If it WAS a surprise, it certainly didn't go the way she PLANNED. He smirked behind the safety of his hair and tried not to laugh at their folly. She didn't know what an expert he was and he should've been skillful enough to see BEFORE he threw her over his head.
Her eyes subtly snuck peeks at those lithe, ungloved hands hanging over the railing. Teeth bit her inner lip. How she wanted to take his hand...even to give it a small squeeze! Let him interpret it as he wanted; she just wanted to make it up to herself for being a coward earlier and to touch him. She'd NEVER been that crass, save for accidents in the past and that hug those few days ago. Her muscles were trying to move her arm to act, but she restrained it. It was a battle of heart and will, not knowing how Sage would react.
"It's getting colder...we should head back for now."
Her eyes jerked to his, wondering if he knew she'd been sneaking glances. She hoped not, but the thought of getting caught made her cheeks flame. She was lucky it was night. "Okay." She murmured, nodding. They silently walked off the bridge and started ambling back the way they came. She took more time to look around, wishing it were spring and not winter, and that she had a camera and it was not nighttime. Lyrics from the song popped to her head and she blinked. And now I feel him standing next to me. And how can I tell him what he means to me?
She blushed and pressed her lips together. Her head craned up to see the stars. Oh starry night... Is this the moment I dream of? There was no question that Sage Date was the man of her dreams, in both looks AND personality. He was strong in character, wise, handsome, caring...and plenty of other things she couldn't think of off the top of her head. This would be no better opportunity than now to say or do something. The weather was crisp, but not TOO cold for winter; she was wearing a jacket loaned by him; they were in the park where he first instigated their friendship; and she felt calmer being outside. There felt like a mysterious, romantic air about.
Just after they left the park borders and headed for the sidewalks back to his home, she felt enough courage to reach out and take his hand like she wanted to at the park. With a racing heart, her hand left the deep pockets and paused just outside the fabric. She cast a quick look down, seeing her fingers shake. Was it from cold, or nerves, she wondered. She quickly looked to his arm and found his hand stuck in the pocket of his other coat. Teeth harshly bit her lip, though she didn't notice, as she wondered whether or not to even touch him now. All her courage was sinking faster than a rock in air as her hand slowly pressed back into her pocket.
It was a bad idea. She didn't want to impose. Even throughout her halted actions, Sage seemed oblivious to it all. His gaze still rested ahead on the road in front of them. She blinked and almost shyly looked up to him. Did he even know what was going on in her head??
Feeling eyes, Sage blinked from his reverie, thinking how nice this was, and looked to shadowed brown. The sky was almost down and the streetlights cast highlights to her hair. Feeling his heart thump, a soft smile cast down to her. He gained a small, almost meek smile in return, and looked back to the empty road.
That small smile melted her fear a lot. With another impulse to touch him, she finally gave into it and inched a little closer, tentatively wrapping her arm through his. Her heart beat even faster upon feeling his body startle, but looked back up with an almost unsure glance. He gave a blank look, almost unbelieving, before it softened again with a half smile. His arm pulled from the pocket as he held her arm with his, matching their strides.
She barely felt the concrete under her feet, or the cold air on her face. Was THIS what cloud nine felt like? A happy smile graced her face and refused to leave, as if she'd WANT it to... So Sage DIDN'T mind her touching him...that gave her hopes for...
Harshly swallowing, she cast a quick glance at the position of their arms and, not giving her mind a chance to doubt, twisted her hand until it touched his and entwined their fingers. Her lips pressed together in tension as she shyly looked at him again with the smile on her face. He looked to her again with the same expression, melting again to the second, and gave her fingers a brief squeeze before dropping their hands to dangle in the air.
She was wrong about being on cloud nine. That wasn't it...THIS was. Even though she was unable to confess how she felt, how she TRULY felt toward this man, this step was more than they'd ever taken. She was ecstatic they were able to do such a simple thing, even if they had to be alone to do it. She knew Sage wasn't an open person, but she'd have to take whatever she could right now.
It made her even happier to know that they made it back to his place and Sage didn't let go of her hand until he opened the front door.