Disclaimer:Honey and Clover ain't mine. Sniffle…

A.N.: First and foremost, thank you for all the reviews and such. They're a big help.

Thank you, so, so much.

And, sorry I haven't replied to any of your comments! heehee.

Truly sorry! bows repeatedly


Four Seasons: Summer Showers

By StarrYsTarRysKy

Please…please tell me what I should do.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

III. In the stillness of the night

It was the sixth cigarette he had lit within ten minutes.

He took the stick from his now-dry lips and held it between his fingers. A cloud of white smoke escaped from his mouth. Once again, he attempted to bring the cigarette close to his lips. However, he decided against it. That sixth cigarette met the same fate as the other five before it: huffed once, and crushed on the ashtray.

By this time, the metal ashtray on top of the table was a crooked mountain of white sticks.

His eyebrows were tightly knit; his right hand held up his cheek. His mouth curled downwards in a visible display of distaste. He glared at nothing in particular, and his expression changed from annoyance, to anger, to exasperation. He closed his eyes, in an effort to calm down, and heaved out his anxieties with a sigh.

Miwako looked up from her desk, and smiled to herself. Who would have known that Nomiya would ever be flustered like this?

And over a twenty-something girl as well.

"What's the matter now, Nomiya?" she called out from her place.

Nomiya looked up from his reverie, eyebrows still intricately woven. "Huh? Oh, nothing. Just Yamada, that's all."

She managed a sigh. "Oh, well, what else is new?" She leaned back on her chair and stared at Nomiya.

He didn't answer. Just as before, he let the almost-deafening silence of the room answer Miwako's question—that and the dejected sigh that managed to crawl up from his throat.

"She's coming over this afternoon, right?" she asked, standing up to stretch.

"Yes, she is," he said as he attempted to light another cigarette.

"So, why the worried look?"

Again, he sighed, and laid the stick down on the table.

"I called up last night; just to check on her."

"Well?"

"She sounded so—forlorn, you know; as though the world had been against her for the past two days or so. I figured it had something to do with Mayama."

Miwako sat across Nomiya and looked him straight in the eye.

"Wait," she motioned to Nomiya. "Let me take care of the rest of the story. After that, you hurriedly drove over to her house and spent the night in your car, right?"

He grimly nodded. "With an overprotective father, you think I'd be able to come within an inch of her without being stared at like a fucking maniac? And at that time of the night, too? He didn't even allow a glimpse of her. I was coerced to sleep outside."

"Just admit it. You can't bear to leave her in that sort of condition," she almost laughed out.

Nomiya leaned back on his chair. "Isn't that already apparent?"

She chuckled. "I remember the time you travelled all the way from Tottori just to see her."

"Don't remind me," he all but groaned. "I drove for nine hours straight, late at night. I arrived here in the morning. I waltz over here, and what do I get? You telling me that she's on board a train bound for Tottori. Damn it. How nice was that?"

And for the umpteenth time within that hour, he heaved out a sigh.

"The thing is, though," Miwako started as she eased back into her chair. "You didn't really mind any of that. You were too preoccupied with her. You wouldn't even mind being caught up in the worst of storms.

"As long as it's for her."

He regarded her at the corner of his eye, and smiled to himself.

Yes, he thought. I wouldn't mind doing any of those for her. Even if you should decide to cry in your little corner, I'll follow you. Even if that means seeking you out blindly. Even if that means I'd only have the sound of your shattering heart to guide me. I have to make you see.

I have to make you see that you never were alone.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

"So you think this vermilion would do nicely?" Yamada asked as she laid down the sample tile in the palette.

"Well, Mr. Honda said the motif was earth-based colours," Miwako said as she gave it a thought. "But he did say that we could throw in other colours that would enhance the pieces."

Yamada nodded in understanding. "Hmm, what about this ochre, then?" she said as she picked up another tile. "It's still in the motif, but it's bright enough to nicely complement the browns that we picked out earlier."

"You think so?" Miwako asked.

Yamada smiled. "Mm-hmm. I think picking out vermilion is a bit on the extreme. It's too loud, I guess."

Miwako eyed the two tiles carefully, and placed each beside the coffee-coloured tile a number of times.

"You're right. Ochre is a better match for it."

Yamada smiled. "Okay. I'll note that down."

She scribbled down the colour combinations on a piece of paper. Having done that, she placed the pen on top of that paper and smiled happily.

"Thank you so much for agreeing to do this," Miwako said as she stood up. "Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee would be nice, thank you," she said. "Actually, you don't need to thank me, Miwako. I should be thanking you: you, Nomiya, Yamazaki, everyone who's been helping me."

Miwako smiled as she set down two mugs of steaming coffee on the table.

"I know you've been hearing this from me quite a number of times, but, really, I can't thank you enough for giving me something to work on and…

"…and I can't thank you enough for just looking out for me. So I'll say it again. Thank you. Thank you so, so much."

Miwako can't help but feel happy and grateful: happy to know that everything they've done has helped Yamada, and grateful that she was able to meet someone such as her…

…that most of all.

"Hey," Yamada said as she looked around. "Where's Nomiya?"

"Oh, he's just taking care of some business. He should be back in no time."

"Oh…okay."

Miwako stood up. "Well, excuse me a bit. I'll just go and finish something."

"Well, in that case, I'll get going then," Yamada said, posing to stand up.

"No, it's okay. Don't go yet," she said. "I mean, you just got here a little while ago. Travelling here from your house isn't exactly a walk in the park, so why don't you catch your breath for a while?"

Yamada eased herself back into her seat. "Okay, thanks."

Miwako beamed at her. "Just relax there, okay? Besides, I think you should also go over the plans with Nomiya."

"Mm," she nodded. "It's thanks to Nomiya that I can work like this. You know, if I hadn't met him, I wouldn't be able to find work as easily as I could now. I'd probably be bored out of my wits right now."

"What would you have done if you hadn't come and work for us?"

"Hmm, as I've said before, part of my time I'd spend making sake cup sets: as complements to the liquor that we sell at the store. When I'm done with that, I'd probably have to look for work on my own."

"I don't think you'd have much problem looking for work on your own, Yamada," Miwako said, her fingers dancing on the keyboard. "You're a very talented potter."

A faint blush crept up her cheeks. "Thanks, Miwako. You're too nice. But still, it's thanks to Nomiya that I can work like this. I can't quite describe how I feel when I do something for you all. I don't know. I just feel…happy—in the simplest and truest sense of the word.

"And it's thanks to him, thanks to Nomiya, that I can stand strong—stand strong even when the world pressures me to fall.

"I can stand strong even when Mayama urges me to sink deeper into him."

These last few words, she had murmured to herself, and yet Miwako heard every word, as crisp as moonshine in the darkness. She heard, for the kind afternoon breeze had wafted those words towards her.

And she knew: she knew that if anyone can make Yamada truly happy, that one would be Nomiya.

It would be Nomiya and no one else.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Once again, snow fell on the bustling night streets. Outside, the clouds bathed in the glow of the moon. Yet, that was barely noticeable, for the blazing car lamps and the blinding street lamps all but drowned that out.

She intently watched the scenery below, unconsciously taking note of what was happening below.

People littered about the streets; crowds of them crawled across the sidewalks. From where she was situated, the crowds below looked like a big blur of ink. From up there, everything looked the same. Everyone looked the same.

Everyone was the same.

And from there, she wondered: from here, would it make any difference in my life? Would it matter that I am up here, staring out the window, and not down there, crawling along with them?

Am I the same as those people down there are?

And if I am, am I simply living the same life as everyone else's?

Isn't there anything at all that I can do to make my life just a little bit different?

Sensing her dejection rising up the surface, she tore her eyes away from the scene and plopped down the sofa. She scooped up Leader in her arms and stroked his caramel-coloured fur.

Leader's eyes sparkled. "Ahhh, that feels good, Yamada," he seemed to say, his tail wagging furiously.

Yamada passed a glance at the wall clock and sighed. It was already seven-thirty, and Nomiya still wasn't anywhere near the vicinity.

She stood up, dog still in her arms, and sauntered towards Miwako's station. "Hey, Miwako," she said. "You think Nomiya's okay? I'm getting a bit worried about him. He might be stuck somewhere."

Miwako continued to tap away on her keyboard. "Don't worry too much about him. He's a big boy. He can take care of himself," she said as she vigorously hit the last few keys. "Okay, this is done!"

She stretched out on and slumped into her chair. "Hah, I finally finished it." She turned towards Yamada and grinned. "Don't worry too much about him. Sooner or later, he's going to waltz in that door, and greet us as if he'd been gone for just a few minutes."

She nodded in agreement. "He does tend to do that, doesn't he?"

"You like Nomiya a lot, don't you, Yamada?"

"Mm. He's done so much for me. He's like an older brother, but something more. He's like an old friend who never gets tired of looking out for me."

"That's good to hear."

Just then, the door opened, and in came Nomiya.

Miwako giggled. "Well, speaking of."

"I'm back," he said, closing the door behind him.

Yamada lowered Leader to the ground. "Mm. Welcome back," Yamada smiled as she strolled towards him. "Hey, Nomiya, I have to discuss some things about the pottery I made for you. You see, I was thinking that maybe the colour could be—"

Her train of thought was cut off, and truthfully, she found it hard to continue.

She found two arms tightly knit behind her, and herself crushed into Nomiya.

His arms tightened around her. "I'm glad. I'm so glad," he whispered hoarsely.

She stared, wide-eyed, at his left sleeve. She was so surprised. This encounter, this embrace—everything was all so unprecedented; surreal, even.

Yet, it was all so natural, as if everything that had happened up to that moment was a preparation for that contact between them.

She wasn't aware of it at that moment, but there was something in her, something akin to a voice that urged her, wanted her to melt into him. And yet, a firm grasp held on to her; that hindered her from doing so.

He knew that he had taken her by surprise; but still, he held on to her. He held on to her as though that would be the last time that he'd be able to do that: as though that moment would be forever lost.

He removed his arms from behind her, and held her at arms' length. He slowly examined her physique. "Are you feeling okay, Yamada?"

She nodded quizzically, still in shock. "I'm okay," was her feeble reply.

He sighed, apparently glad for that reply. "Okay then," he said as he clutched her wrist. "Are you up for a ride?"

Again, she nodded. "I'm not really busy anymore, anyway. Oh, by the way, the pieces I made are already here. Why don't you take a look at them for a while?" she said, remembering her purpose.

"It's okay. We'll go now. I can take care of that at a later time." By this time, he was practically dragging her by the wrist. "Do you have your coat with you?"

"Y-yes, I do, but…"

Miwako walked up to them, arms crossed in front of her. "So, when will you guys be back?" she inquired, a playful smile hinting by the corner of her lips.

"Hello, there, Miwako," he said. "We'll be going now."

"So I heard," as she put her hands on her hips. "Be careful, then. Have a nice trip. I'll take care of things from here on."

Nomiya grinned. "Thanks a bunch, sis. I know I could depend on you."

"Well, bye, Miwako. Thanks for everything," Yamada said, awkwardly bowing down.

"Don't mention it, Yamada. I'm always happy to see you around."

Nomiya gently pulled at her wrist and whispered a "Let's go."

She was a little befuddled, but she complied. "I'll be seeing you soon, Miwako!"

Miwako stood by the doorway and gazed at Nomiya's and Yamada's receding figures. She smiled to herself and whispered, "Good job, Miwako. Good job!"

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

She quietly boarded the passenger seat and clicked on her seatbelt. She stared long and hard at Nomiya, trying to stare the answers out of him. Yet, her attempts had been in vain. Apparently, he had been too busy setting up the car.

Once he had settled down, he took her hand and put his phone on it.

She was still quite puzzled. She knew enough to trust Nomiya, but still she can't seem to comprehend what was happening.

"Nomiya, I, uh," she started. "Is something th—"

He looked at her and smiled. "Why don't you call your dad? Tell him we'll be going out for a drive, and that we'll be back the day after tomorrow."

"Okay. I can do that. But why? Where are we going anyway?"

Again, he smiled at her. "To Tottori."

He revved up his car and drove out of the parking lot.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

They drove along the highway smoothly. It was a miracle that the streets weren't crowded, especially at that time of night.

"Yes, dad, I'm okay. Don't be too overprotective," she practically yelled. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. Yes. Uh-huh. I'll be back the day after tomorrow, okay? I promise I won't do anything to humiliate myself. Yes. Okay. Bye. Take care there."

She pressed a button on the phone, and stared at it for a moment. And then, she handed it back to Nomiya, a mumbled "Thank you" escaping her lips.

He took it from her and slid it inside his pocket. He regarded her at the corner of his eye and then fixed his eyes on the open road.

She looked out the window, fixated by the blurred scenery outside. She smiled faintly, happy that she could get away from her lonely disposition in Tokyo, even for a while. But even as she tried to empty her mind of her loneliness, she felt Mayama tapping against the walls of her mind. Once again, she felt the enormity of Mayama weigh down upon her.

She wanted to break down at that moment, but she couldn't afford to.

No, it wasn't that she can't. It was because she won't.

Just for once, she didn't want to cry over Mayama.

"Hey," Nomiya's voice broke in. "Just a moment ago, you were quite cheerful. What happened? Is something the matter?"

She defiantly shook her head. "No, nothing's wrong. I think I'm just tired, that's all."

He knew that something was bothering her, and that something was Mayama. However, he didn't exert any effort to pursue or peruse the subject.

"Well, you better sleep, then," he said instead. "It's nine hours to Tottori."

She knew that he had wanted to ask something else. What hindered him from doing so was beyond her, however.

She nodded in reply to his suggestion. "Mm. Okay then. Thank you, Nomiya."

She propped her head against the side of the car and in a few moments, sunk into slumber.

He watched her from the corner of his eye. He was aware that she still loved Mayama, and painfully so. He knew that he couldn't do anything to completely relieve her of her pain, at least at the moment he couldn't. But there is that something, that one little thing he could do to help her.

"I have to make you believe, Yamada. I have to show you that you'll never be alone. Not as long as I'm here."

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

It was nearly five in the morning when they arrived at Tottori. The sun was almost out, almost ready to greet everyone with its sparkling arms.

He stared at the girl seated beside him. At that moment, her head lolled to her side; her lips curved up to a smile. She must have been having a good dream. A few hints of light played at her face, giving her an almost celestial glow.

He gently pushed the wisps of hair away from her face and tucked them behind her ear. He let his fingertips rest at her cheek, and let them revel at its smoothness.

He smiled at himself. Only recently, he had told her that he loved her, and now, more than ever, he was sure of how he felt.

And he was happy to know that what he felt was real.

He removed his hand from her cheek and gently tapped her shoulder.

"Hey, Yamada, wake up."

She stirred, and sat up, eyes still half lidded. She rubbed her yes childishly, and looked around her. "Hmmm…good morning, Nomiya. Are we already in Tottori?"

He smiled. "Good morning. And yes, we're already in Tottori."

She opened the car door and stepped outside. He did the same.

"Ahh, it's so beautiful here," she said as she stretched her limbs. "I've never seen the sea at this time of day. It's really something."

"You're right. It is quite a sight," he said as he approached her. "Hey," he said as he clutched her hand. "C'mon. Let's go and eat."

"Okay."

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

After having a sumptuous breakfast at a quaint café, the pair strolled off to sight-see.

"You've been here before, right?" Nomiya inquired. "It was that time when Miwako asked you to deliver that bento."

"Yes, I have been in Tottori," she replied. "It was Yamazaki who greeted me when I arrived at the station. I distinctly remember that."

"So what exactly did you do here while I was away?"

"W-ell, Yamazaki gave me a brief tour of Tottori. I can't specifically remember any of the places he showed me, though." A childish giggle broke from her lips.

"Ah, I see," he said. "Why don't we do a little tour of our own, huh?" He grinned from ear to ear.

Her eyes lit up. "Sure! Let's do that."

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

They had spent twelve whole hours just walking around Tottori. What might have been a tiring day to others became something of purpose for them. Those twelve hours were spent in know each of themselves better.

No, they didn't spend that whole time talking to one another. Yes, they did talk, but not in the way they used to. Nomiya didn't prattle, Yamada never bawled once.

No, those twelve hours were spent in unconsciously watching each other. Those twelve hours were spent in liking each other better.

Those twelve hours were spent in making their friendship shine even more.

And maybe, just maybe, their friendship could rival even the very existence of the sun.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

It was already sunset when they finished their pseudo-tour. They walked back to the car, the orange glow of the sun beating against their faces.

"You know, I vaguely remember visiting all those places we visited today," she offered.

"When Yamazaki gave you that 'tour?'" he asked, his index fingers posed as quotation marks.

She nodded. "Yup. I guess I was just too out of it to remember. I must have looked like a tramp at that time. I was completely spaced out."

"Yes, I remember you did. I almost didn't recognize you," he said jokingly.

"But you know Yamazaki was kind enough to cheer me up. Well, maybe he did have the intention of just keeping me from boarding the train, but, deep inside I felt happy."

"You know him. He may look like a klutz but underneath that visage is a heart of gold."

"As with you, Nomiya," she said stopping. "You're quite like that."

He stopped and faced her. "You mean I look like a klutz?"

"No, not that part," she giggled. "What I meant is that you always try to cheer me up as well, Nomiya. Just like now."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he waited for it to continue.

"I know I always use you as an excuse to get away from Mayama. Still, you always helped me out whenever I'm stuck in a fix. You're always there to push me on, and you always cheer me up. And you always help me when it comes to jobs, and I'm happy for all of that.

"I know it sounds very unoriginal, but, thank you. I'm very grateful for all you've done for me," she said, bowing.

It came as a surprise to him that she'd thank him now, and yet, knowing Yamada, part of him wasn't surprised as much. He knew deep inside that Yamada was happy. Even though she cried, he found comfort in the knowledge that he could make at least part of her happy.

And that made everything he did worthwhile.

He smiled, and offered his hand to her. "C'mon. It's almost nightfall."

She took his hand and they walked, hand in hand, underneath the setting sun.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

"Shouldn't we look for a place to spend the night?" she said, her eyes grazing through several inns along the way.

"No. We won't need it anyway," he said, eyes fixed on the road.

They travelled in silence for a few minutes. Nothing but the hypnotising hum of the air conditioning unit filled the gaps in between those silent moments. It wasn't uncomfortable for the two of them—just natural.

He turned the car's engine off. "Okay, we're here. Remove your shoes okay?" he said, alighting from the car.

"Where are we anyway?" she asked.

As she got out of the car, she looked around her and a realization came upon her.

He smiled at her. "You do remember this place, right?"

She nodded. "The sand dunes," she whispered.

"Get your coat. We'll be staying here for a while."

"Sure, but why?"

Nomiya only grinned and pointed towards the sky.

She looked up and saw little bits of crystal floating downwards—snow. Once again, she looked around her and held her breath at that amazing sight. The sand dunes, once tanned, were now being covered in a thin sheet of falling crystals.

"Snow falling on sand dunes," she said, delighted.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

They sat beside each other, both wrapped up in their coats. The two of them stared at the dunes, now a field of sparkling snow. It was truly a sight to beheld, something rare. And it was in its rarity that it became even more beautiful.

"You know, some people may find this sight boring," she started. "But for me, it's something very romantic."

He turned to look at her. "Why is that?"

"I guess you could say that it signifies something romantic. At least for me it does."

"Is that so?"

"Mm. When something deemed almost impossible, such as this, is exemplified right before you, you just have that urge to defy almost anything, follow solely your heart, even.

"When you deem everything hapless and futile, and you see something as beautiful as this, you're just filled with hope and you say to yourself, 'Hey, nothing is impossible, after all.'"

"Not even the fact that I could get over Mayama," she thought to herself.

He turned his gaze towards the sand dunes. "You're right, you know. It is beautiful."

"Hey, Nomiya, you know what, Mayama came back. He just arrived a few days ago," she mumbled, embracing her knees to her chest.

He tensed up. As he had suspected, Mayama bothered her. "What happened then?"

"Nothing really happened," she said, half-smiling. "It was the usual thing. He just came over to see how we were doing, and stuff.

"It was quite funny, you know, how Morita and Takemoto reacted once they saw him," she giggled. "They were practically bawling."

She kept on talking, to at least hide the fact that she had wanted to cry, and to at least hide the fact that her eyes were brimming with tears.

And that they'd fall any minute.

But Nomiya knew, he knew right from the name Mayama escaped from her lips—he knew that she'd end up crying again.

He took her into his arms and embraced her tightly. "Now, why don't you tell me how you truly feel, huh?"

Her tears slid from her cerulean eyes. She felt her reserve slip away from her, and there, she cried her heart out.

She buried her head deeper into his chest. "Why did he have to come back? Can't he see? Can't he see that I'm slowly getting over him?

"I know I shouldn't blame him. It wasn't his fault. None of it was. But I'm just so damn frustrated.

"I'm so frustrated because I can't do anything to stop myself from loving him. I want to hate him so much. But every time I start to forget him, he just keeps on crawling back in.

"And I feel my heart shatter a little more.

"I can't do anything to keep my heart from breaking."

She hung on to him, like a child would to her mother. She had promised herself countless times that she wouldn't cry anymore, especially not in front of Nomiya. However, she found that promise a little too hard to keep.

Just like she found out how hard it was to completely forget Mayama.

He loosened his hold on her and gently tilted up her chin. He looked into her eyes and smiled.

"It's hard as of now, but this might just be the way for you to deal with it. Even if it hurts now, eventually, you'll be able to get over all of this. When that time comes, you'll come out a stronger and better person.

"Until that time comes, I'll be beside you. I'll watch over you. It pains me to see you cry, but it hurts me even more to know that you're crying alone, somewhere, someplace I can't reach or find you.

"I won't stop you from crying," he said, cupping her face. "I just want you to know that you'll never be alone."

She stared at him with earnest eyes. She was smiling now. "Thank you. Thank you very much," she whispered.

It was almost instantaneous—so much so that she wouldn't have noticed if it didn't last a few seconds.

He had kissed her: a light contact upon her lips.

In that single, chaste kiss, he had told her more than what his lacklustre words could ever hope to convey.

He showed her far more than his words could ever do so.

She was shocked, yes, but inside, she felt an unnerving tranquillity. She felt strangely calm—as if she had finally found what it was she was looking for, as if everything that had happened was the most natural of things in the world.

And maybe, just maybe, she had already gotten over Mayama, even without her awareness.

Again he embraced her, more tightly than before—more tightly than anyone could.

"I love you."

---End Chapter 3---


Sorry this took quite a while. Hehe. :D School and Stuff. XD

Thank you so, so much for spending time on reading this. You people are the greatest!

hugs y'all

To everyone who reviewed, annstar5647, marikoluvsanime, haikei, hanadanforever, modernfawn, silvermistcloud, HoneyBee1, Dernier Cri, aliene99, tsujeai, Lildivagirlz, Desolatedking, and GoGothGirl, thank you so, very much. bows

There are only a few more chapters, methinks.

Stay happy, you lovely people:D