AN: Hi everybody! Here's chappie two! I hope you all enjoy! Thank you so much to all my readers who've reviewed my story! It really means a lot to me! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I own every single thing in this story. –smiles-- So please, no copying. Thank you!
"So…Yori…tell me about yourself." Asked Aunt Kura.
"Umm…I…I draw." Started Yori.
"That's good. Here, the tea's ready." Said Aunt Kura as Yori politely sipped her tea.
"S-She doesn't find me unusual…" thought Yori. Suddenly, soft thumping sounds were heard as a tall figure appeared at the doorway.
" What did you want to show me mom?" asked a calm voice.
"Oh Kiyoshi! Good, this here is Yori. She's your Aunt Goldenfield's daughter. She's the same age as you and is applying for APETW as well." Explained Aunt Kura. Kiyoshi had medium length black hair and soft brown eyes. He wasn't fat and wasn't skinny; he was tall and wore his school shirt with the buttons opened up. He leaned against the door as Aunt Kura continued introducing Yori. "She'll be living with us from now on. You see…her mother past away a few days ago and her father died when she was but a baby…she has no where else to go."
"…Fine with me. I'm Kiyoshi. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish my art project for APETW." Said Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi quickly walked back upstairs; Aunt Kura sighed.
"Umm…nice to meet you…" Yori said too late.
"There's just no way getting through to that boy. He's so quiet; please excuse his rudeness, all he cares about is his art. But truly, he's a very sweet and generous boy. He wouldn't hurt a fly unless he had to." Sighed Aunt Kura. Yori had her hands cupped together as she forced a few words out of her mouth.
"Umm…I-If you don't mind telling me…umm…what did he mean by art project?" asked Yori.
" Oh it's just a project that you must do in order to apply for APETW. That's the only way to get in. You go to this fair and display your project. All the teachers of APETW will judge them and a few days later, they send you a letter telling you whether you're accepted in or not." Explained Aunt Kura. "So Yori, what are you planning to do for your project?"
"I…uh…don't know." Replied Yori. Yori truly didn't know…but if Jess were at APETW then maybe…just maybe she'd get to see him.
"Well, it's getting late. Get some shut eye okay hon?" smiled Aunt Kura.
"All right. Thank you Aunt Kura." Bowed Yori.
"No problem!" replied Aunt Kura. "Tomorrow you should start on your project though. Maybe I'll ask Kiyoshi to take you out for a walk. What do you say? I'm sure he'd love to and it'd be a great way for you both to learn more about each other."
"Oh umm…really you don't have to." Blushed Yori.
While in bed, Yori thought to herself. What would she do for a project? What would her mom do? Then thinking about the project made her think about Jess. How long it had been since she had seen him last and if she were to be accepted into APETW then she'd be able to see him everyday. The thought made her smile. She gasped. She hadn't smiled ever since Jess left but yet, tonight right in this new house, she smiled for the very first time in a while. Tonight she made a decision. She would try and be her old self as if Jess had never left, as if her old classmates hadn't picked on her and as if her mother hadn't past away. But she knew that this path would take a while. She would have to get used to having people around her again and to smile like she did. But she wouldn't give up, mommy and daddy wouldn't want her to.
Yori decided she couldn't get any sleep, jet lag got to her. After dozens of tries she got up and walked through the halls. It was quiet and dark, there were no sounds and the silence spooked her. She glanced at an open door and noticed a shining light. She crept closer to the door and peeked in. There in a wooden chair was Kiyoshi fallen asleep on his canvas. It seems he had just finished his project. Yori gasped at the finished painting. It was so perfected that she had never seen anything like it! The painting was almost similar to her mother's style…Kiyoshi suddenly stirred and Yori quickly fled back to her room as quietly as she could. She had no idea that students applying for APETW were so artistic! Surely she wouldn't get in she thought; her art pieces were not as well put together, nor did they have a true meaning like Kiyoshi's.
--The Next Morning--
Yori awoke with a small yawn, took a shower and then slipped on a yellow flower sundress.
"Guess what Yori, I've convinced Kiyoshi to take you to the park! Yay! I'm so proud of myself! I hope you guys have fun. Oh, here's Kiyoshi now." Laughed Aunt Kura.
"Mom, stop making a fool of yourself. Please excuse my mother, she can go overboard sometimes. Ready to go?" asked Kiyoshi.
"Umm…sure." Replied Yori. Yori tried not to stare but couldn't help side glancing at Kiyoshi as they walked. He must catch a lot of attention around here thought Yori. Today he was wearing a tight white sleeveless shirt, blue jeans, and three long necklaces dangling down. He had two piercings on his right ear and a silver ring on his middle finger. He stuck his hands in his pockets and just kept looking forward. Suddenly, he broke the long silence.
"So, I hear you're from America. You sure look like you are." Stated Kiyoshi.
"Umm…thanks… I think". Replied Yori.
"You're the quiet type aren't you? Sigh what a shame. You're pretty cute too. I don't mind quiet girls though. S-So don't feel awkward around me because you're making it harder for me to get to know you." Said Kiyoshi. Yori blushed but kept looking down.
"I'm sorry…I-I wasn't originally like this… it all started out when my closest friend and first love moved away, to here in Japan and I thought my world had ended." Started Yori. Kiyoshi stopped in his tracks stunned and looked down. He asked her to politely continue. "The day before he left, he confessed his love for me. Now can't you just imagine how I felt? He says he loves me and then he leaves me the next morning. The thought of never seeing him again, shut half my mind away. I couldn't find words to express myself. That's how I was drawn to become an artist. It helped me to express my feelings and inner emotions. But that's not all. Soon after my friend left, the kids at school started picking on me. They said I looked different, that I wasn't anything at all. Do you have any idea how it feels to be called nothing? No, I don't think you would. Then my mother died. The only person I had left in my life that actually cared about me; the person that always encouraged me had died right before my eyes. That's why…that's why this concluded me to never smile again. I mean why would I anyway… my life is so horrible." Exclaimed Yori.
"…You have a beautiful voice you know." Said Kiyoshi randomly.
"Umm…thanks…but I don't even know why I told you this…I've never told anyone and I just met you too. You wouldn't care anyhow…you know, I haven't talked this long since before Jess left…" exclaimed Yori.
"Jess huh? So I guess that was his name. Well, you have family here so cheer up." Smiled Kiyoshi. That was the first time Yori had seen him smile and it reminded her of Jess. That bright smile that assured you were safe; how she had missed it. Without thinking, she smiled back. Kiyoshi's eye's widened. "Y-You smiled. It's pretty, you shouldn't try to hide it."
"Uh-
"Hey aren't we suppose to go to the park. Come on or my mom will bug me about not taking you tomorrow." Chuckled Kiyoshi as he grabbed Yori's hand and guided her into the park. Yori was shocked but chuckled. How relaxed it felt to laugh, to let it all out.
--Afterwards—
"Hey mom! We're home!" shouted Kiyoshi.
"Kiyoshi dear! Yori honey! Oh how I missed you today! I was so lonely! So very lonely without you two!" sobbed Aunt Kura as she hugged the two of them.
"Over dramatic aren't you? Are you drunk again?" asked Kiyoshi.
"Umm...uh…drunk?" started Yori.
"Well, how was the park? Was my little Kiyoshi nice? He didn't do anything inappropriate did he?" chuckled Aunt Kura.
"Mom… you should try and relax a little…you're scaring the shit out of me," said Kiyoshi.
"Aw Kiyoshi! Don't be so cruel to me!" fussed Aunt Kura.
"Okay…I'm starting to think Aunt Kura is a little awkward. But she drinks? She doesn't look like she'd be that type of woman…" Thought Yori.
"I mean seriously Kiyoshi, didn't you bother to at least offer and buy something for her? Jeez and you call yourself a gentlemen! I thought I taught you better!" Snickered Aunt Kura.
"All right mom, you can quit it now…" said Kiyoshi annoyed as he walked up the stairs to his room.
"So…Yori. What did you think." Smiled Aunt Kura.
"Wow…what a sudden change of face." Thought Yori. "It was fun."
"Good. You best better start on your art project tonight –hiccup—okay?" suggested Aunt Kura.
"Umm okay." Yori tried to force a fake smile. Aunt Kura really was drunk.
--That night in her Bedroom—
" Wow…I have an Aunt that drinks and a cousin that's too energetic –sigh—Oh well…now what should I do about my project? I guess I could paint a picture…but what would I paint? –sighs—Everything's so difficult to create…oh I know! Maybe I'll try and get to know Kiyoshi a little bit more. He's definitely not what Aunt Kura said he would be like. He's way too active and joyful. He's not quiet at all, but maybe he used to be... Say, maybe I'll try talking to him tonight." Thought Yori as she crawled off her bed and made way to Kiyoshi's bedroom. When she reached the door, she heard a cry from behind it and she hesitated but peeked through a crack. Her eyes widened. Kiyoshi was clutching a picture and crying! She quickly drew back but then his voice rang through her head.
"Yori? I heard you walking, you don't have to be afraid. Come on in. I was just…just yawning." Lied Kiyoshi.
"Umm…okay." Replied Yori. She tried to play along so that she would be able to communicate with him a little easier.
"Why did you come to my room? Is something wrong or something?" asked Kiyoshi.
"Umm no I just…just needed an idea for a project. Have any suggestions?" asked Yori.
"You know I'm competing with you for APETW so why should I help you…" started Kiyoshi.
"Oh umm…well umm…I was just thinking that you could help me as family…you know when someone in the family needs help you help them." Yori tried convincing Kiyoshi.
"Uh-huh…I see. But that still doesn't make a difference…whether we're family or not. I can't help you. I need to get into APETW. I can't allow someone even if it is a family member to prevent me from winning. Only twenty students out of eighty are picked. I'm sorry Yori." Said Kiyoshi.
"Oh…I umm…see." Replied Yori disappointed. "Well, at least can I get to know you? I mean… today you told me that you were trying to get to know me right? –leans up to his face—can I?" asked Yori. Kiyoshi was shocked at how close she was to his lips. He tried to scoot back but he couldn't move; his body wouldn't let him. A small sweat drop fell from his face as he tried to move his face as far from hers as he could.
"So can I?" asked Yori.
"Uh-…okay, okay! Just scoot back okay?" said Kiyoshi as he scratched his head; he blushed.
" –Chuckles—Oh sorry. –sweat drop—I didn't realize I was so close up to your face. Sorry!" Apologized Yori.
"No really…it's ok." Blushed Kiyoshi. Yori apologized once more before asking him a few questions.
"Umm, Kiyoshi? W-Why do you want to get into APETW so much?" Yori forced out, she was curious.
"…I-I almost have story as you…The girl I had a crush on got in to APETW so now I don't get to see her anymore. She used to go to my school. She was in last year's group. That's why…" confessed Kiyoshi. Yori gasped at how sad he looked. It was the first time she had ever seen him look down in the dumps.
"Oh…I-I'm sorry if you didn't want to tell me." Blushed Yori. Kiyoshi chuckled.
"No it's okay. After all, you're family." Kiyoshi tried to force a smile.
"Thanks…umm Kiyoshi…a few nights ago I made a decision. I'm going to try and be my old self again and to try and be stronger. I have to admit I'm pretty weak." Exclaimed Yori. Kiyoshi only stared into her eyes and at that moment, he noticed how beautiful she actually was. Her gold hair was let out and wavy, her brown eyes looked so sad but sparkled in the moonlight. Her nightgown was silky and shining; she looked like an angel. "W-What is it?"
"…Nothing." Lied Kiyoshi.
"Well, I'm getting some shut eye. I'm glad we could talk tonight. Thank you." Bowed Yori as she quietly walked back to her room. Kiyoshi took one last glance at her before going to bed. Maybe it was time to get over his past crush. She never noticed him before anyway. Maybe it was time to find someone new…someone like Yori. But then he shook the thought away. She was her cousin for crying out loud! He couldn't fall in love with her, or could he? The rest of the night was silent as the moon shined on the little house.
AN: Well that was chappie 2! I hope you all enjoyed it and please remember to please review like always! LoL! Thank you for reading "Tear's of Led"! I'm sorry if it's a little boring right now, I promise it'll be better once we go deeper into the actual plot.