Sorry all for another short chapter, but I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far!

Whisper of the Heart characters (c) Studio Ghibli

Chapter 3: I love him, I love him not…

She looks at his wistful face for a long moment, unsure of what to say. She didn't want to say one thing when she was unsure of her feelings for him. But at the same moment, she couldn't bear to see him sad. "Seiji…I…don't know what to say."

A look of utter sadness mars his features before he covers it quickly with a forced smile. "I shouldn't be pressing you for an answer, I am sure you want to think things over. I just want you to know that I do care for you, so please, think long and hard before giving me an answer."

Shizuku nods slowly, trying to keep her tears from falling. I upset him…he's mad at me. Why is nothing going right today!!

At that strain filled moment, Moon walks up to them as if nothing has happened and jumps up on bench between them. Brushing up against Seiji's hand as if in comfort, Moon uncharacteristically begins to purr. Taking it as to mean that Seiji is more upset that he is letting on, Shizuku jumps up and runs off with tears in her eyes, not caring where she is going or how she gets there.

"Shizuku!! Where are you going? Please wait, don't run away!" He tries to get up to follow, but Moon has climbed onto his lap and refuses to move. Looking down to the cat with surprise and anger, he tries to lift him off. "Moon, you need to move, I have to go after her!" But he doesn't move and Seiji is forced to stay where he is as he watches her running away. Shizuku, I didn't mean to chase you away with my questions, please forgive me!

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she barely looks before crossing the street. The sounds of horns resonating in her ears, she continues to an unknown destination. What should I do? Why did I run away from him? He's going to think that I don't care for him. Tripping, she falls onto her hands and knees, trying to catch her breath and hold back tears. Oh Seiji, what have I done….

"Shizuku? Are you okay?" Sugimura runs up and kneels down beside her. "I saw you from inside the café, come one, let's go inside and get you some water." He helps her up and leads her inside to where he was sitting.

Trying not to look directly at him so he wouldn't notice her tears, she sits down with her hands folded in her lap. I feel like a fool. I run away from Seiji and right into Sugimura, what a day.

"You're bleeding. Here, take my napkin. It looks like it really hurts." He moistens his napkin with water and hands it to her. She absentmindedly holds it to her knee, wincing as she applies pressure.

"Here is your water, sir. Anything else I can get you?" The waitress stands beside the table and waits. He looks to Shizuku and her bleeding knee before answering. "Yes, could she get a cup of ice please?"

With a nod, the waitress leaves to fill the order. He wets another napkin and gingerly holds it out to her, unsure on how to proceed. "Shizuku?" He says softly, "Here, use this one to try and clean the scrape. It doesn't look too bad, but you don't want it to get infected."

Without thinking, she does as he says; wincing every time she rubs too hard. With her mind else where, she doesn't even notice the tears falling, but Sugimura does. He can't help but wonder what she is thinking about and for a brief moment, he believes that she is crying about her lost relationship with him.

Just then, the server returns. "Here is your glass of ice and I also brought a few band aids. That scrape doesn't look too bad, but it's always best to keep them clean." And with that, she sets the things on the table and walks away.

He takes the ice and wraps it in a napkin, but seeing that her mind is elsewhere, he reaches out and places it on her knee. With a start, she looks up quickly to him and moves her leg. "What are you doing?"

Sitting back, he looks to her confused. "What do you mean? I was just trying to help out since it seems that your mind has wandered." Setting down the napkin, he stares at her and tries to figure out what to do next. "Listen, I know that I said I wouldn't bring it back up, but have you given any thought to what I said the other day?"

Oh no, not him too! And this day had started out so well and full of promise. She stands up quickly, dropping the napkin from her knee and starts to head for the door. "I need to go home." She mumbles, unable to believe how this day is turning out.

"Wait, don't go! I shouldn't have said anything, but I couldn't help it. I've had these feelings for you ever since that day you said hello to me. Why won't you give me a chance Shizuku?" Hearing his words stops her dead in her tracks. She just stands there with her back to him and listens, holding back the tears that threaten to expose her emotions. Sugimura turns around in his chair and stares at her back with a look of complete despair. He wants to get up and hold her, sensing the flood of emotions that have engulfed her, but he doesn't. He also sees the anger in her posture and doesn't want to push her away any more then he already has. With a soft sigh, her turns back to the table and just shakes his head. "I did it again, I'm sorry for my outburst but you have me so frustrated that I don't know what to do. If you want to just be friends, I will try my hardest to be the best friend to you I can."

Tears slide down her cheeks as she listens to him. Why am I crying? Seiji is the one I love, isn't he? But then, why does Sugimura's words make me sad? Wiping away the tears roughly, she turns back to him and lightly rests her hand on his shoulder. "I may not be able to return the affections you have for me, but please don't give up on love because if you do, I know someone who will be very disappointed. I'll see you in school Monday." With a light squeeze, she smiles a bit before walking to the door and leaving. I hope Yuko talks to him soon, and then maybe he'll forget about me.