Pretear
Chapter 4 : Confession
"Hurry! Hurry!" Himeno shouted through a roll of paper, standing up on the table, commanding the rest of the people in the mansion to get the party set up. The maids scurried around the house gathering the party decorations and hurrying to each corner of the large living room. The 6 knights were busy as well. All of them hurried to help prepare for the big welcoming party for Sasame and Takako.
Himeno received a call from Takako that they will be arriving shortly that day. Himeno, then was very surprised that it was all of a sudden and she did not finish planning the party. That's why the Awayuki Estate is now is total chaos.
People rushing everywhere loaded with boxes upon boxes full of decoration. Some were in the kitchen preparing a feast, some in the rooms cleaning up, the rest were dressing the huge room with party ornaments.
Hayate was doing some trimming of the plants in the garden outside and Kei was helping with the technical work. The 3 youngest knights helped out in the decoration while Gou helped in the kitchen.
"Why is it all so sudden?" Kei grumbled.
"Ouch! Hajime! Stand still or you'll hurt my shoulders!" said Mannen, who was supporting Hajime and Shin on his shoulders for them to hang the balloons.
"Sorry! Mannen!" Hajime apologized at once.
Out of a sudden, the doorbell rang. All at once the house went silent. The helpers stood still and dared not move. "Ding dong!" the doorbell rang again.
All looked at each other with surprised face. They immediately moved their limbs to get everything ready as fast as they could. Himeno climbed down from the table and ran to the door and took a peek at the peephole.
She gasped.
Sasame and Takako were standing at her doorstep. 'Oh no! They.are here!" she screamed in her thoughts.
She signaled everybody that it was they at the doorstep. Everybody worked faster than usual. She opened the door, just enough to have her eye peeking out.
Both of them smiled. Himeno gave a fake guffaw and greeted them. "Uh.Himeno. We cannot see your face." Sasame said.
"Oh.uh.that's because." she looked back again to see if the preparation was completed. Hayate gave her a nod.
Himeno swung open the door and greeted, "Welcome!"
Everybody in the house greeted and cheered as the couple stepped into the household.
There the welcoming party begins.
Mannen's life.
He lay down on his bed fiddling with the object he was supposed to give Shimizu but failed to do so. He polished the object till he could see his own reflection on it. He placed it back into the small box (something like a box fit to put a ring).
He, in his quiet room, had his hands supporting his head, with a mind filled with thoughts.
'.'
He stared blankly at the ceiling. Suddenly he could picture a girl with a familiar face and sparkly eyes and smooth hair.
'Shimizu.'
He blinked again and the picture of the girl was gone. He shook his head vigorously. He sat up, curled his body and buried his head between his legs.
'What is happening to me? I've become so dreamy and inattentive all of a sudden. I don't know why I'm having this same feeling over and over again. I just want to see her again.' he thought.
He turned to the phone on his desk. He hesitated to pick up the phone; he shakily picked it up and held it to his ear. He dialed several numbers and waited.
'Please pick up," he prayed hard.
'Hello?' a gentle voice appeared.
Mannen tensed up and opened his mouth, "Uh.hi Shimizu! I'm Mannen! Um.are you free this afternoon?"
"Yes."
Mannen smiled slightly, "Um, mind if I ask you to meet me at the park cause' I.have something really urgent to give you."
"Oh ok! Sure! I'm quite bored at home actually. I'll meet you there right away!" she hung up, saying in a joyful voice.
Mannen put down the phone and grinned. He was so happy, really happy. He could not believe it. He held the small box and put it in his pocket. He grabbed his jacket and sprinted out of the house.
After a few minutes, he arrived at the park and saw Shimizu sitting on one of the benches. He ran towards her and greeted her. She smiled.
He panted for oxygen; Shimizu sat next beside him, still smiling. He returned the same expression. "What is it that's so urgent?" she asked.
He reached for the box in his pocket and slowly pulled it out. He held it both hands. "I wanted to give it to you a few days ago but I didn't have a chance to. I really hope you like it."
She took it and opened the box. She blinked. Mannen's eyes were fixed on her. The puzzled expression on her face suddenly changed to a surprised and extremely joyful face. Shimizu gasped in amazement as she stared at the piece of identical ice-glass earrings in the box that Mannen has on his ear.
"This was the earring that I loved so much!"
Mannen suddenly felt something threw itself on him. His face flushed with red when he found Shimizu hugging him. He didn't know what to do next. "Thank you!" she said softly. She carefully held the precious earring and clipped on her left ear. "There! We have the same earring now!" she said excitedly.
Mannen looked down wanting to say something that he has been hiding all the while from her. "What's wrong?" she tilted her head in confusion. His hands were shaking and cold; his heart thumping so loud Shimizu could hear the rapid beats. He clutched his hands tightly.
'Should I say it? But I'm too afraid to do it. What should I do.?'
"I.I."
He said softly with a slight crack in his voice. Shimizu was still very puzzled by his expression and actions. He gulped down his saliva and got ready to say the most important phrase of his life. He was still looking down.
"I.I.really."
".?"
"I really like you, Shimizu!" Mannen said with all of his courage and strength. He shut his eyes, waiting for a response. There was complete silence between the two of them. Then, Mannen felt that the back of his hands was wet. He looked up and saw Shimizu crying softly. He handed her his handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Please don't cry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! I'm sorry!" he panicked.
Shimizu smiled her sweetest smile and said, still crying a little, "Thank you."
Mannen felt light after that; all his burdens had just suddenly disappeared. Shimizu kept silent; she did not reply. Mannen didn't expect of any answer from her. He just wanted her to know it and even is she didn't accept it, he is still satisfied. He wanted to protect her because she IS the Pretear and because she is special to him.
'The problem now is that should I tell Hayate that I've found the new Pretear?'
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End of chapter! Another heart throbbing chapter will be up next! Pls R&R! Thanks! =^o^=