Kuya q c micchy: I knew it… The last chapter is really slow. I really think so too… I don't know about this onw, though. I've been trying to write a shorter chapter, BUT I CAN'T /wails in a corner/ hehe… I'll try, I'll really try… Ehehe..
Santeira: It's okay… I've been very busy as well… Not to mention I had a weird sleeping disorder (insomnia) as well… Hehehe… kuya q c micchy knows about that… Hehehe…
Chapter 12
It has been a month since Mitsui heard from Miyuki. The last time he did, Miyuki called him up and said that she would be spending her New Year with her mom and brother in Tokyo. He paced back and forth in his bedroom. She won't be back until school starts. He thought as he sighed. School will start next week. Everyone is going to be busy, especially himself. They are going to practice even harder since the Inter High Tournament is drawing near. They will be away from Kanagawa for a month so he has to do something about his academics. It seems that his grades is not that good, but it's not bad either. He has to be careful not to screw up or else his teacher will abstain him from competing in the Inter High tournament. But he gives less importance to how his short "vacation" away from Kanagawa could affect his studies. He's more worried about what he would feel like when he's away from Miyuki.
Oh come on! Think of this as practice already Hisashi! If you can't bear this one, what makes you think you wouldn't go insane while in the Inter High? He sighed as he leaned on the chair and looked up the ceiling.
"Hisashi…" Hisashi's mother said in a low tone. "Breakfast is ready, come down now…"
Hisashi was somewhat surprised as he nodded. Oh yeah, I almost forgot.. Mom and dad came home for the New Year get together. I'm so used being alone already…He sighed as he went downstairs. As he entered the dining room, he saw his father reading the morning paper and his mother setting the table. He greeted them as he seated on a chair beside his father.
"So, how's school going, Hisashi?" his father asked as he sipped his tea.
"It's okay, I guess… It's not good, but it's not bad either…" he replied as he stared at the food in front of him.
"I dropped by your school on our way here. I had a little chat with your homeroom teacher. He said you're prioritizing basketball than your academics. He said your grades are on the decline since you're usually asleep after practice games and the likes."
Mitsui shrugged as he ate his food. "I can manage… You know that basketball is the only thing I'm good at…" he simply replied.
Mitsui's father took a deep breath and let it all out. Mitsui's mother looked at her husband and shook her head lightly. But he just looked away and coughed lightly.
"Hisashi, if you don't do well in your academics this semester, I'll talk to your coach to bail you out of the Inter High Tournament." Mitsui's father said in a stern voice.
Mitsui stopped for a while and looked at his father. "Darn! You of all people should know that the Inter High is the most important match for me! For crying out loud don't take that away from me!" he exclaimed as he suddenly stood up. He glared as his father as his mother tried to stop him.
"I'm doing this for your sake! If your grades can't even pass the standards, then they're going to keep you from entering college! I'm not doing this just because I like it!" his father shot back. "All I'm asking is for you to pass your graduating year. I have to do some drastic measures!"
"Darn those drastic bullshit!" Mitsui stood up and walked out of the room. He climbed back to his room and locked the door. He threw the first thing that he laid his hands on and slumped on the chair. After a while, a soft knock is heard from the door. Mitsui ignored the continuous knocking as he stared out the window. Someone then opened the door.
"Hisashi, we need to have a composed talk with each other." Mitsui's mother said in a calm and soothing voice. Mitsui smirked as he seated beside his mother.
"Look, please understand your father. He just wants the best for you… You have to make sacrifices in order for you to reach something more meaningful…" Mitsui's mother narrated. Mitsui stayed silent as he looked at the floor.
His mother smiled as he faced him. "You are a good basketball player, Hisashi. Your father is aware of that… But you have to understand that you can't play basketball for the rest of your life…You have to organize yourself." She continued.
"Okasan, I can manage. If I screw up then my homeroom teacher will sure bail me out. Don't think that I'm not paying attention to my grades. It's going to keep my away from the Inter High if I flunk." Mitsui said in a low tone. His mother nodded as she smiled. She left Hisashi for a while to think about what happened earlier.
Meanwhile, Miyuki was stirred from her sleep. The rays of sunlight shone in her face from the window. She was sleeping on a chair beside the window. Hmm… It's spring already. I better get used to the emission of sunlight on my face again…She looked at her mother who is reading a novel while in bed. "Okasan! Ohayou gozaimas…" she greeted cheerfully.
"Oh, you're awake already?" Minaku replied as she closed the book in her hands. Miyuki nodded with a smile on her face. "Do you want breakfast Yuki-chan? I have some bread and hot chocolate by the table."
Miyuki nodded as she walked towards the table. "Okasan, you're going to be discharged from the hospital today, right? So that means we celebrate New Year at our house right?" she asked as she prepared breakfast. Minaku nodded as she looked out the window. Miyuki stared at the bread and hot chocolate for a while. She simply shook her head and ate breakfast. I just remembered, Mitsui didn't say anything about his New Year plans. Does that mean he's going to be alone tonight? Hmm… Maybe I ought to visit him… But how am I going to do that when I'm here in Tokyo?
"Yuki-chan… Do you want to celebrate New Year in Kanagawa?" Minaku said in a soft and soothing voice. Miyuki looked at her mother and examined her expression carefully.
"Okasan, what makes you say that?" Miyuki said a calm voice. Minaku shrugged as she looked out the window. "I want to spend my New Year with you and onichan…"
Minaku smiled as she faced her daughter. "Yuki-chan… I know you want to spend New Year with us… But, I can sense that you want to go back to Kanagawa… Well, it's normal since you've been there for quite a while now." Miyuki is silent as she looked down. "Look, we can work this out. Let's just celebrate New Year in Kanagawa, okay? I'll have my recuperation period there… That way, you'll be with us and with your friends at the same time."
Miyuki's eyes widened as she smiled and hugged her mother. "Hontouni! Arigatou gozaimas okasan!" Miyuki exclaimed as she giggled. Minaku nodded as he looked outside. "Well then, I'll be going back to Kanagawa ahead of you, okasan… I have to make sure my house is presentable for your arrival!" Miyuki added as she arranged her bag and speeded out of the room. "Ja ne okasan! See you later!"
Minaku smiled as she stared at the door for a while. That's it, Yuki-chan… And I hope you'll forget about that time for now… Demo… What about your friends… How will they live with that fact when they find out? Especially Hisashi-kun. I couldn't even bear to think about that.
Meanwhile, Miyuki hurried back to Kanagawa and did some grocery shopping on her way. Hmm… If I hurry, I can make some New Year cakes for Aya-chan, Ryo-chan, Kiminobu-san and sempai! Hmm.. I hope I can pull this off.. Okay! Let's start! Miyuki scurried back to her house and baked fruitcakes. She finished the cakes just after sunset. As she was about to go out, her mother and brother arrived.
"Hmm… where are you going at this time?" Kaname asked with a confused look on his face. Miyuki smiled as she showed him boxes of fruitcakes in a paper bag. "I made one for our New Year celebration too! And I've finished cooking dinner! So, I'll be going to give these to my friends. Ja ne!" Miyuki explained as she bowed to her mother and brother and walked away.
Minaku smiled as she pulled her son inside. "Let's wait for her inside. At least she has friends already whom she can give fruitcakes now, ne?" Minaku said in a soothing voice. Kaname can't help but smile and agree.
Hmm… I have to finish this as soon as possible. Miyuki thought as she picked up her pace. She gave the cakes to Kogure, Ayako and Haruko. After she stopped by Haruko's house, she happened to pass by Mitsui's house. Hmm… I have to give this to him… I wonder If he's alone right now… Maybe I could invite him over to our place… She walked towards the front porch and hesitated to ring the doorbell. Taking deep breaths, she rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door. After a while, a woman emerged from the open door. Miyuki was caught off-guard as she looked at the woman for a while.
"Konbawa… How may I help you?" the woman said in a nice and soothing tone. Miyuki is silent for a while.
"Ah… Anou. Konbawa. Is Mitsui-sempai around? I… have something to give to him," Miyuki said as she showed the woman the paper bag. "I'm a friend of his…"
The woman looked confused. But she soon got the idea and smiled sweetly. "Oh, you have something for my son, ne? Why don't you give it to him personally? Come inside… He's in his room right now." Mitsui's mother said as she gave way. Miyuki took small, hesitated steps inside.
So, that's sempai's mother… So that means, he'll have company for the New Year celebration… Miyuki thought with a disappointed look on her face. She sighed as she looked at the floor. After a while, Mitsui came down from the stairs.
"Miyuki? Well, what brings you here? I thought you're in Tokyo…" Mitsui said with a confused look on his face. Miyuki smiled as she stood up.
"Gomen nasai for disturbing you, sempai… You see, I made fruitcakes for the New Year dinner and I was also wondering if you're spending New Year alone. But it seems you're not so, I'll just give this to you…" Miyuki replied as she handed him the paper bag. "I hope you like it… I'm not that good in baking fruitcakes but I tried my best."
Mitsui looked at her for while. He smiled as she took the bag from her hands. "Arigatou… I'm sure going to like this… But, why wonder if I'm alone for the New Year?" Mitsui asked as he eyed on Miyuki whose face turned to a hot pink as soon as she heard the question.
"Err.. Gomen nasai… It's just that you didn't tell me that your parents would be home… I was planning to invite you at my house later on. Sumimasen." Miyuki said as she bowed down. "Ne, I'll be going now… my mother's waiting for me at home." She added.
Mitsui nodded as she walked Miyuki to the door. He watched her walk away from the door. He sighed as he closed the door. Aww… This sucks. He sighed again as he went back to his room. Then, he saw his mother by his bedroom door. She smiled sweetly and opened the door for him.
"Ne, Hisashi… Who was that girl? She's really nice. Is she a friend of yours?" Mitsui's mother asked as Mitsui entered the room. Mitsui stood there for a while and looked down. "Hai… She is just a friend of mine, okasan."
His mother smiled as she approached him. "Why do you sound so disappointed? Don't you want her to be your friend?" she chuckled and added, "Or, you want to be more than just friends?" Mitsui was surprised at what her mother said. But she guessed the right thing, so he decided not to react anymore. He sat by the window and sighed. Her mother chucked as she followed Mitsui, "So, I was right!" Mitsui just chuckled lightly and shrugged off the idea.
"I like her… She's nice and not to mention, pretty… I think she suits you." His mother said as she chuckled. Mitsui chuckled as well as she shook his head. "Yeah, she is really something…" His mother sighed as she placed her chin on her face. "Eh? Why haven't you made a move on her? That's unlikely of you, Hisashi…" her mother asked sarcastically. Mitsui coughed out as he shook his head. His mother is the one who understands him. His father is too busy with work since he was a kid. His mother is a housewife before, but later on became his father's business adviser. But in spite of her busy schedule, she still has time to check up on Mitsui from time to time.
"I'm just saying she's a nice girl and I wouldn't mind having her around the house… You know." His mother said as she winked. Mitsui cringed at the thought as he again shook his head. "Okasan! Onegai… This talk is making me embarrassed! I just have to go with the flow… To tell you the truth, I'm not ready to tell her yet."
His mother smiled as she looked at Mitsui. "Just take your time, Hisashi. I felt something different from her… But I won't tell you what it is…"
Mtsui looked at her in surprise. "Nani! What is it? Is it something bad or what?"
"Iie… I'm not telling!"
"Aww! Unfair!"
Mitsui's mother laughed as she faced Mitsui. "Just be yourself, ne?" she said as she smiled. "Well, I'll be preparing dinner for tonight… I want you to talk to your father, okay? I don't want spoilers for the New Year dinner…" she said as she walked out of the room. Mitsui nodded as he sighed and looked out the window. Everything that his mother tells him is for is own good. And all of them got him out of trouble. He has no choice but to follow whatever she says. I am being myself now. I juts don't have the guts to tell in her face…
Meanwhile, Miyuki hurriedly went back to her house. As soon as she entered the living room, she saw her mother drinking tea. Miyuki tried to hide the disappointment in her eyes, but her mother saw it already. Miyuki sighed as she sat in front of her mother and prepared her tea.
"What happened, it looks like someone rejected your gift or something…" Minaku said in as she sipped her tea. Miyuki shook her head as she poured tea into her cup. "It's nothing okasan… It's just that sempai won't be joining us since his parents are with him." Minaku smiled as she cleared her throat. "Well, New Year is a special occasion. Even Hisashi-kun's parents tend to go back here…" Miyuki nodded as she finished her tea without any word.
Later that evening, the families held their New Year dinner and celebration together. After the New Year dinner, Miyuki and her family went outside and lighted Roman candles. After a while, Miyagi and his family also went out to light fireworks. As soon as Miyagi saw Miyuki, he waved and approached her.
"Konbawa Miyu-chan… Happy New Year to you… By the way, thanks for the fruitcake! It was delicious as always!" Miyagi said as he gave Miyuki a thumbs-up. Miyuki smiled as she looked up the fireworks. Miyagi scratched his head as he looked up too. "Hmm.. Weird isn't it… It seems like you've been around for a long time… But the truth is that you only moved here months ago!" Miyagi said as he chuckled. Miyuki nodded as she looked at the Roman candle in her hand.
After a few hours, everyone went to their own houses. They have to wake up early to see the First Sunrise of the year. It is said that you can make a wish while you're watching the sunrise. Miyuki looked out the window and sighed. She can't sleep very much. I'm excited to make a wish… I don't think our beliefs is any logical… but it wouldn't hurt to believe, right! I have this one wish… At the other side of Kanagawa, Mitsui lay on his bed as he stared into the ceiling. The New Year dinner went smoothly. He and his father talked things through and enjoyed the New Year celebration. Now, he has to wait for that first sunrise. It's kind of weird for me to believe in this wishing stuff… But it wouldn't hurt… I have this one wish… He tossed and turned as he kept looking at his drawer. Then, he opened the drawer and took out a turquoise silver bracelet. He saved up some of his allowance just to buy that. This New Year is the perfect time to give it to Miyuki. 5:00… The forecast said sunrise would be at 5:20… I… I think I need to go somewhere… What the heck, I'll make it… I need to give this to Miyuki! Mitsui jumped out of his bed and took a quick shower. He dashed out of his room and grabbed his coat by the front door.
"Hisashi? Where you going at this time of day?" his mother asked as she stepped out of the kitchen.
"Okasan… I… I'll pay her a visit… ja ne! I'll be back later…" Mitsui said as he stepped out of the house and closed the door. His mother smiled as she gazed at Mitsui from the window. He's so charming… Although a bit odd with his style… But he's still a charmer… She chuckled. Mitsui walked as fast as he could. The sun will be rising soon so he has to make it to Miyuki before it does. He ran as fast as he could and looked up the sky. He picked up his pace and took a breath of relief, as he took sight of Miyuki's house.
Meanwhile, Miyuki looked at her clock. She smiled as she stood up and went upstairs to their attic. She climbed up to the roof and looked at the horizon. The sun will be rising any time soon. She smiled as she patiently waited for the sunrise. Mitsui looked at the windows to see if Miyuki is in there. He then noticed someone on the roof. Miyuki… He looked up the sky and saw a faint light coming from the rising sun.
Miyuki smiled as she looked at the sun slowly rising from the mountains far away. She closed her eyes and made a wish. Please… I want to stay here for a while. Please don't make me leave… I think I don't want to leave everyone, especially… sempai…
"Miyuki!" someone called out from the ground. Miyuki opened her eyes in surprise and looked around. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Mitsui by the gate. She stared at him for a while as the cold wind brushed against her face. Sempai… Mitsui smiled as he looked at the horizon too. He climbed up the fence and looked up at Miyuki. He got a ladder and climbed up to the rooftop.
"Hey… Did I surprise you by any chance? Excuse me but I have to make a wish first…" Mitsui said as he looked at the rising sun by the horizon. I only have this one wish… I wish Miyuki would be happy for the rest of her life. It doesn't matter whether she likes me back or not… Just as long as she's happy, then I would be okay… Mitsui faced Miyuki and sat next to her. The both of them were silent for a while.
Miyuki coughed out as she blushed lightly. "Wha.. What brings you here, sempai! Aren't you supposed to watch the First Sunrise with your family?" she asked.
"Eh? What about you? Why aren't you with your okasan and onichan? Hmm…" Mitsui asked as he eyed on Miyuki.
"Eh? Okasan can't climb the roof since she's still weak. Onichan is with her. Okasan said I should get a clearer view of the sunrise since I'm the one who is wishing for something this year…"
"Hmm.. Soreska… Well, what did you wish for then?"
"If I tell you then it wouldn't be a secret… If I tell you it might not come true…"
Mitsui chuckled as he looked at the sun. "I can't believe a philosophical genius like you is even believing in such superstition and tradition…" Miyuki smiled as she looked at the sky. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to believe, right!" she replied. Mitsui nodded as she looked at Miyuki. Both of them were silent as they avoided looking at each other. Mitsui coughed out as he clutched the bracelet in his hand. He took a deep breath and caught Miyuki's attention.
"Eh? Sempai… what's wrong with you?" Miyuki said as she eyed on Mitsui.
Mitsui shook his head and clutched the bracelet even harder. "Look, I have something to give you." He faced Miyuki and handed her a small black box. Miyuki stared at the box on Mitsui's palm. She smiled as she gently took the box and smiled. She opened the box carefully and saw the bracelet.
"Oh, sempai… It's beautiful… Thank you…" Miyuki muttered in a low tone as she took out the bracelet from the box. "How did it occur to you that I like turquoise?"
Mitsui shrugged as he looked away. "Wild guess… I suppose…" he replied as he chuckled.
Miyuki smiled as she looked at the bracelet on her palm. "Well, let's put in on. Mind if you do the honors?" she asked as she showed Mitsui the bracelet.
"Uhh... Iie... not at all.." Mitsui stammered as he took the bracelet from Miyuki's palm and worn it around Miyuki's wrist. Miyuki smiled as she looked at the bracelet. "Arigatou sempai… Hmm… It's really cute…" Miyuki said as she examined the bracelet around her wrist. "I'll take good care of it…"
Mitsui smiled as he nodded. The two of them decided to get off the roof. He watched Miyuki as she went down the ladder. "Hey, wait a sec…" Mitsui muttered under his breath. Miyuki stopped and looked up to Mitsui. "I know this is really a weird question, but… how are you feeling towards Miyagi now? Do you still like him?" Mitsui continued
Miyuki looked up to him as she smiled. "Iie… He's my only my friend now… However, there is this someone that's been bothering my mind for a while…" she replied as she looked at Mitsui.
"Oh yeah? Who is it?" Mitsui asked as he folded his arms. Miyuki smiled as she pointed her finger in the air. "Iie… I'm not telling… You'll find it out someday…" Miyuki said as she winked. Mitsui chuckled as he scratched his head. Miyuki carefully went down the ladder as Mitsui followed her. Miyuki walked Mitsui to the front porch. She watched Mitsui walk away and smiled. Oh well, he's such a nice guy… Maybe I should tell Aya-chan… Just to get this off my chest… I like him… I… like him… I really do… She looked at the bracelet and smiled. Meanwhile, Minaku peeked out of the window and smiled. Watashi no Yuki-chan… I hope she likes the guy too… He's good enough to finish of all her miseries in the past.
Ermm...
I'm not really sure about the New Year celebration in Japan. Although I
read somewhere that they usually wait for the First Sunrise and wish
for something... Hehehe... This story is about to end soon... (i.e. 3
chaps to go...) Please drop a review on your way out... Thanks and take
care! )