Chapter Four Sana's Quick Return

"Sana, you're leaving for a few months, right?" Naozumi asked as Sana packed up her stuff.

"Yup! But, I will be back in about four months; the movie is just a short one that's going to air on T.V!" Sana smiled turning around from her suitcase to tell Naozumi.

"Bye Carly! I'll miss you!" Sana hugged her new American friend.

"Yeah, I'll miss you too Sana," Carly said hugging back. "See you soon!"

"Yes, of course!" Sana spoke very well in English now, as well as Naozumi.

---

"Wow, I can't believe two months passed and Sana's already coming back," Fuka and the others were now waiting at the airport in Tokyo.

"Yeah, you're totally right Fuka-chan," Mami smiled. "But, I really can't wait to see her!"

"Of course, Mami-chan, me too!" Fuka agreed with her friends.

"Tsuyoshi-kun, where is Akito-kun?" Fuka asked to Tsuyoshi who was standing next to Aya, as usual.

"Oh, I think him and Rebecca will be joining us later," Tsuyoshi grinned.

"Oh, I see," Fuka shrugged. From behind, someone was tapping Fuka's shoulder.

"Hello Fuka, long time no see. How's Tokyo been doing without me?" Sana asked her clear English just to tease her friends.

"SANA-CHAN!" Fuka shouted and hugged her friend. "C'mon girl, speak Japanese again you are in Japan!" Sana laughed, "Yeah, I am…" Sana switched languages again.

"Where is Akito-kun?" Sana asked looking among her friends.

"Late, I'm guessing," Fuka shrugged.

"I see. Well, sorry to leave you guys but, I have to…go to my movie shoot now," Sana stirred up a quick lie and told her friends.

"Movie shoot? I thought that wasn't until tomorrow?" Hisae asked Sana.

"W-Well, Rei-kun called and told me the day was switched. But, I'll walk back with you guys, 'kay?" Sana asked smiling brightly.

"Yes, do that at the least Sana-chan," Aya said.

"Okay!" Sana smiled and then bit her lip looking nervous. "Fuka-chan, Akito and this new girl, Rebecca-san, are close right?"

"Eh? Well, kind of, but NOT AS CLOSE AS YOU AND HIM ARE!" Fuka reassured her friend.

"I see," Sana said looking straight across and into Tokyo.

"She seems upset and down," Fuka told Tsuyoshi and Aya while Hisae and Mami kept talking to Sana asking about America.

"Yeah," Tsuyoshi agreed and Aya nodded her head.

---

"Kurata?" Sana turned around and Akito was standing there gripping her by the shoulder, with Rebecca by his side.

"Ah-Hayama-kun?" Sana looked just as shocked as Akito.

"Th-This is the girl, I told you about, Rebecca Souji," Akito gestured to Rebecca.

"Umm…Nice to meet you. I'm Sana Kurata!" Sana smiled and cheerfully said.

"Rebecca…as Akito-kun said," Rebecca smiled back flipping her long hair.

"You got…a haircut, Kurata?" Akito asked. "It looks…different."

"Hmph! Thanks Akito," Sana crossed her arms.

"Yeah, you did get a hair cut!" Fuka exclaimed. "I didn't even realize it! Wow, girl! It looks great!"

"Awe, thanks!" Sana played with her short reddish brown hair. Sana and Fuka giggled and everyone else smiled.

---

"Hey guys, I'm off to the bathroom," Sana told everyone. "I'll be back in a few." With that, Sana left for the girl's room in the coffee shop.

"It's so cool to have finally met Sana!" Rebecca cheerily said.

"Yeah, uh-huh! I'm glad you finally met her," Fuka grinned while saying.

"So, what're you guys getting?" Tsuyoshi asked holding up the menu for Aya.

"I'm not sure, Tsuyoshi-kun, want to share something?" Aya sweetly asked.

"Sure, Aya-chan, what do you want?" Tsuyoshi asked his girl friend.

"Sana's been in there awhile, hasn't she?" Hisae asked sighing because she wasn't spending enough time with Sana.

"Yeah, you're right," Mami shook her head and agreed.

"I'll go look for her," Akito briefly mentioned and he headed to the bathroom.

"Kurata? You here? Where are you? Everyone's worried and it's been like fifteen minutes," Akito called for Sana and opened the door to the woman's restroom. Luckily for Akito, Sana was just cradling herself on the floor.

"Hayama-kun?" Sana stretched out Akito's name.

"Kurata…what's wrong? Why are you sitting here?" Akito knelt down to hug Sana.

"Are…Are you in love with…Rebecca-san?" Sana stammered.

"N-No, why do you think that?" Akito stuttered looking into Sana's brown eyes.

"I don't know. Can I tell you something Akito-kun?" Sana said standing her ground.

"Y-yeah, sure, Sana-chan," Akito got up as well and Sana leaned her back against the door of the bathroom, closing it shut.

"Akito…-kun, I love you, very much," Sana said making some pauses in her words.

"Sana-chan, I've always loved you," Akito walked to Sana and held her tight pressing her closer against the door. "I always loved you." Akito repeated in her ear.

"Loved," Sana mimicked. "As in used to…?"

"No, as in now and the past," Akito cleared up the confession. "I love you Sana."

"Oh…Akito…I love you too! Akito…" Sana mumbled leaning on Akito's body. He was still taller than her and she only reached his shoulder, well about reaching that point. Akito wrapped his arms around Sana, holding her close.

"Do you want to be with me?" Sana asked looking up at Akito.

"Yes, I want to be with you, do you want to be with me?" Akito gently asked.

"Yes, I love you Akito-kun…I want to be with you," Sana starting crying into Akito's shirt while gripping it tightly.

"Don't cry, Sana, please don't cry," Akito added.

"I'm crying because I'm happy Akito-kun," Sana looked at Akito again smiling while her eyes were shinning her watery tears.

"Okay," Akito said rubbing Sana's head with his hand. "Okay." He repeated and then Akito kissed the top of Sana's head gently. And, there it was, a perfect moment, Akito and Sana standing there, close together, more than friends, in love.

Can you imagine it? I sure can.

Epilogue:

"What?! You're dating Sana-chan now?!" Rebecca asked astonished by this.

"Yeah," Akito draped an arm around Sana's shoulder.

"Sorry Rebecca-chan. But, Akito and I have loved each other forever," Sana sounded infantile when she said 'forever' but, it was in fact true.

"Didn't I tell ya Rebecca? Akito and Sana together! FINALLY!" Fuka cheered and nudged Rebecca with her arm lightly.

"YES FUKA-CHAN! I AGREE! IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Tsuyoshi cheered with Fuka as Sana and Akito blushed.