Fool's Corner

'I promise.'

His piercing green gaze broke through my defenses, crumbling all coherent thoughts into dust, making me smile as I held onto his hand. He had that effect on me, making my lips curve every time I looked at him. It was as though the world was so much brighter and happier just because he was there. And it was. It always is if he's there.

That's why I didn't want to let go. I gripped his hand a little tighter than I normally did, just looking at him, memorizing his features. Memorizing the way his emerald eyes seem to sparkle in the sunlight and the way his hair gently shifts with the movement of the wind. Who knows when I'll have such pleasure once more?

I turn away, running down the path that I once trod unwillingly. Once more, I tread on them, equally, if not more, unwilling than before. Last time, I had childish fears and petty apprehension pulling me back. This time, there was friendship, experiences, lessons weighing on me as I resist the urge to look back once more.

Reaching that old, worn amusement park, I allowed myself once last sigh as I walked through the gate back home.

"Sayonara, minna."

I'm passing through the doorway now,
Everything is upside down

"Ogina-san! Can you please pay attention!"

The teacher shouted at me for the umpteenth time amidst the wave of giggles that accompanied her outburst. I know that it's time I settled down and give her some attention, but it really wasn't my fault that the view outside was so distracting, right? If the school didn't want the students' thoughts to wander, why did they have a koi pond right outside the classroom anyway?

I suppose the teacher knew that I was a lost cause, but she tried nonetheless, to divert my attention from the pond. It was a simple pond, not much ornaments or flora, but as a habitat housing just under 10 kois, it was sufficient. Every lunch hour, I would bring some bread to feed them, enjoying the tranquil moment that would be broken once I returned to class.

It was strange, however, as I was never one to enjoy peace and quiet before, very much abhorring the idea of being alone and bored. But somehow, after I returned, many things changed. Whether for the better or not, I cannot say. However, I now loved that pond even secretly naming it after him, but no one knows. It makes me feel close to him, like he's back here with me one again. Like nothing has changed. Still, I know that we now have 7 years, many experiences and a world separating us. But I believe that once we meet again, all these would just melt away like it was nothing. Because we have something more than 7 years, more than those experiences, more than a world. We have each other.

"We'll meet again, I don't know how, but we will."

The one that I am leaving
Is the one I'm really trying to find

Looking at the purple hair tie in my hand, I held it up to the sky, enjoying the way the light shone on it, making sparkle. It was my favorite accessory. The only one that did not wear on with time, but somehow shone even brighter than before.

Like love.

Love does not disintegrate, it does not wear or tear, does not weaken with time. The longer you love, the stronger it grows, the deeper you feel. The hair tie was more than just a proof of that world. It was my proof that as I live my life everyday, making choices that may be right, or may be wrong, there are people who would support me and love me nonetheless. And that is all that I need to know.

Maybe one day I'll meet them again, maybe not. Who knows? But that emotion buried in the deep recesses of our hearts would never change.

The colors sparkled once more in the rising sun.

I'm drifting through the morning breeze,
Colors blurring in my eyes

I woke up. Sitting up, I cradled my head in my hands.

I saw him again... in my dream.

I see him all the time. In my mind when I wake up, in my thoughts as I walk to school, reflected on the pond when I feed the kois, standing beside me as I strolled home, late at night, when I wake from nightmares, comforting me. I miss him. That much I know, but I also know that he's inside of me. He's where all my secrets hide, where all my thoughts go to. The feeling of loneliness never encumbered me with him there.

I smiled.

The one that I am missing,
Is the one drifting by my side
It's so stupid and it's tearing me down,
But a lack of self-confidence is keeping me down
tonight, all night

I switched on my table lamp and sat at my desk enjoying the night breeze blowing in from the window next to me. This was not the first time I did this. Ever since I left, I have been dreaming about that world. After which I would wake up and ponder or reminisce until daybreak.

Snitches of conversation and events replayed in my dream scape, allowing me to relive those moments I cherished so dearly. But these past few days, the dreams have been coming more rapidly and with more ferocity than before. Dreams filled with -him-. I was nearly convinced it was a sign. As that thought flitted through my mind, I smiled. Was he coming to me? I looked out my window, as if someone was there, waiting, watching. Was it him?

Suddenly, a sound reached my ears. Someone was there. My gaze swept the perimeter outside my window, but no one was in sight. Was it just the wind? I shook my head. Never mind. There would be another dream, another chance that we will meet once more tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

I tried, telling you every thing's not broken

A voice reached my ears. Although muffled by the sobs he was trying to hold back, and masked by immense sorrow I have never heard before, I immediately knew who he was. He called my name, crying it out, repeating it over and over again like a mantra, like it could bring me to him.

I bolted up from my chair. He was in pain, and I must get to him. I must soothe that hurt, and be a balm to his soul, like he was to mine so many years ago. I must not let him down. I must take that sorrow away.

Somehow, I know that I was the only one who could.

But you cried, when telling me all we had is gone

I ran.

'Cos I feel that deep down inside you,
I'm still there, I'm still there

"Haku!"

Tsuzuku


Author's note:

I'm seriously crazy. Two fics in two nights! Took me less than 2 hours to write each – yup! That was the extent of my inspiration. This is written from Chihiro's POV, and happens concurrently to all that has been going on in 'Name'. If you've noticed, I wasn't very keen on using both their names in this fic, making Chihiro's teacher call her by her surname instead. This is mainly because of how important names are in Spirited Away. I cannot emphasise this enough. Hence, Chihiro only called Haku once to emphasise on the seriousness of the situation. Anyway, this idea has been bugging me for the whole of today, after I've finished writing 'Name'. I was very dissatisfied by 'Name' as I was a sucker for happy endings. So, I wanted to add something that would not contradict 'Name', but at least be closer to that 'happy ending' that I wanted.

However, now I suppose I'll have to write a sequel to -this- songfic, to explain what the heck is going to happen next. -buries head in hands- what have I done to myself???? Please please PLEASE review – mom reviewed and sorta said in a nice way that it sucked, so my morale has been given a huge blow T_T. Onegaishimasu!

A great big thanks to Obsessed who spurred me on to write this. No, this is not the ending, but I hope it is somewhat what you have in mind. ^_^ Arigato!

Btw, the song is 'Fool's Corner' by Saybia. Highly recommended!

Sayonara, Minna - Goodbye everybody
Koi - (in case you don't know what they are) japanese carps
Ogino-san - Miss. Ogino (I -think- this is her surname, please correct me if I'm wrong!)