Hello, once again. Before you start reading, I just wanted to warn you that this chapter is not as interesting, because Tohru explains a lot of things in this chapter. I didn't know how else to put it in, so I put it all in this one chapter. Sorry, just bear with it for a while, and then when you go to the next chapter, it'll be way better, because something actually happens. I promise. Well, enjoy the beginning part that sounds more like an introduction.
Chapter One: To Yuki's Grave
January 18th, the day had finally come. I looked out the window and saw that the sun was still shining brightly as before. Although winter didn't pass yet, the weather had been unusually warm for the past few days. It wasn't a bad thing, not at all. It was moreover, a good thing.
My bag was already packed with plenty of snacks, candies, and other belongings I needed. I picked it up from the bed and made my way to the door. As I was leaving, I noticed my calendar all marked up with red X's and huge circle on the 18th. I smiled.
I didn't hear anything as I was walked downstairs. Shockingly, nobody was home. Not that it was saddening or anything, but usually, the house was packed with people, and they were mostly Haru's friends, and only Haru's friends. It felt strange going down without having to dodge all the females and males making out in the stairway. Still, it also felt pretty good.
Even though I never left messages when I left the house, I realized today was the first day I should do so. I never really saw the point in doing it, because Haru's mother worked until pretty late at night, and Haru was home with his friends partying all day long, but today, both were gone, so when they return, they should be notified that I'm missing.
I headed for the empty kitchen. I grabbed those little handy dandy tiny notebooks and noted, "I'll be back in 5:30. –Tohru." I taped it on the refrigerator and made my way out the door.
Right when I opened the door, I felt the warm breeze. It sure felt like spring. It made me glad that it was such a beautiful day. Today is a special occasion, so how can I not be glad?
I walked to the nearest bus station that was around the corner. I only had to wait for five minutes for the bus to show up. When I entered, I got to a seat that had its window open already. The light wind felt nice as it blew against my face, but as I heard it sing, I couldn't help myself but to refresh my memories to the past.
The bus came to my stop. When I got off, I ran across the street hurriedly to get to Yuki's grave. The grass was still green, and the pink and blue flowers were still covering his territory. The place didn't change at all. It was still beautiful as ever.
"Hey, Yuki. How have you been?" I stood in front of his grave and set the new bouquet of flowers next to him. "It's already your eighteenth birthday. Happy birthday! I brought you another gift, and guess what it is this time!"
I dug into my bag and got the digital camera out. "Of course! I made you another song as always. I worked on it a lot more than last time, so it should be way better."
I pressed the play button, and the soft tune started to play. In a short while, tears started to fall to the ground one by one. How many times it dropped, countless.
To me, guys are like tomatoes. It has been like that ever since the day a boy spilled spaghetti sauce all over me. After finding out spaghetti sauces were made out of tomatoes, I started calling boys tomatoes.
Even before the spaghetti incident, I pretty much disliked boys, so calling them tomatoes made me feel better. All I had to do was say the word tomato out loud. None of the boys realized I was making fun of them from the deep down of my heart.
Then one day, I met Yuki. Yes, he was very mean to others, and he was one of those snobby superior kids because of his social class, but deep down, he was a gentle soul. I fell in love with him the moment I met him, and even though it only brings me nothing more than painful memories now, I still believe meeting him was the best thing that happened in my life.
To my surprise, I wasn't the only one secretly liking him. Later, I found out that he had feelings for me. Knowing such thing, it made me the luckiest girl in the world, but of course, I then found out… happiness doesn't last forever, especially for me.
Yuki became my first love, first tomato, the one tomato I actually approved, but his family wouldn't approve of me. I was too low compared to them. One day, they just moved and disappeared in my life.
Before he left, he gave me a teddy bear, a very cute one too. The teddy resembled him, so it made me feel like he never left me. A year later, he e-mailed me and told me to move on because he already had. "Tohru, there's this girl… she pops up in my head every time I'm lonely. Before, it used to be you, but now… I don't know. I guess this is a sign… for the both of us."
I cried and made my own swimming pool on the pillow that night. Then, I finally decided to move on. That's when I buried the teddy bear in my secret place. Yuki didn't really die. I called the teddy, Yuki. In order to move on, I believed it'd work if I just buried him and forgot about him, but obviously, it didn't. Truthfully, past cannot be buried nor can one's most cherished memories be erased, because that's what happiness is. Once you have it, you long to get more of it, but ever since I was little, every time I reached for it, I could never obtain it. I guess... things did not change.
That is why I come to this grave every time I get a chance. Even if he did move on, that didn't mean I had to. After all, he is my first tomato, my only tomato, and if he finally got the chance to hold onto Happiness, that's all I can wish for, and be happy for him.
"Beep, beep!" My cell phone's alarm started to ring. "Holy macaroni! It's already five? Ugh, I'm going to be late." I abruptly stood up and packed my stuff once again.
"Yuki, I have to go now, but I'll come back as soon as I have time. Once again, happy birthday, and talk to you soon!" I put on my bag pack and swiftly ran back to the bus station. After crossing the street, I looked back once more. The bright sun shining warmly down on the grave assured me. It was as if he was smiling back at me.
Thank you, Arigatou gozaimasu, Gamsahabneeda to:
xKeyBladeAngelx - I deeply thank you for leaving such a kind review on my last entry. It was really nice of you, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. That was the reason why I updated all too soon. Thank you again.
If you don't mind, please leave a review. At first, I didn't think I would mind, but now that I got my first review (such a nice one, too), it made me feel soooo good. So, if you have time in your hands, please do me the favor, and also review? I think it'll help me update more frequently. :)
-koko
