I just had to bring Moon back into the story, he's a cool cat! And you gotta love wise Grandpa.

Whisper of the Heart (c) Studio Ghibli

Chapter 5: A Guiding Hand

"Seiji, is that you son?" Grandpa Nishi walks towards him with a puzzled look on his face. I wonder what has gotten him so upset?

He looks up and it take him a moment to register who is talking to him. He was so deep in thought that he hadn't been paying attention to anything around him. "Grandpa?" He then noticed the bags he was carrying and rushed over to help. "Let me help you carry them. Are you on your way home?" He took most of the bags and tried to look like his normal self, but by the look Grandpa was giving him, he wasn't succeeding.

With one last look, he decided it was best to ask his questions later. "Thank you Seiji, it's days like this when I can feel how old I am." He started to walk down the sidewalk towards home. "Yes I am, I decided to make my famous wanton ramen tonight for supper. I was hoping to surprise you and Shizuku with it, but I am glad that I ran into you. I couldn't have made it all the way home carrying those bags without stopping to rest. In fact," He suddenly changed direction and headed towards the park. "I think a rest sounds like a great idea. Let's go to the park for a short break."

Seiji followed behind him, half listening to what he was saying ,but not really caring. He had lost Shizuku and there was no way he was going to be able to find her today. From the way he was feeling, he would need that wanton ramen today and plenty of it. "The park?" He looked up to his grandpa in surprise. Did he know what happened today? But then, how could he? Just then, his eyes caught the familiar sight of the pudgy cat darting into a clump of bushes. So Moon was leading them back to the park, but why? Could it be that she was there waiting for him? With a surge of hope, he quickens his pace a bit until he is walking just a head of the older man. Please let her be there…

Nishi watched as his grandson started walking in front of him. So his suspicions were correct, something did happen between the two. Thankfully he paid attention to his intuition and of course to Moon! He planned to give them a little helpful push and to listen if they needed an ear. Those two seemed to be made for each other. He had never seen his grandson so engrossed into something besides books and the violin. But then again, all those books he checked out was to get her attention. He couldn't help but smile, ah yes, young love.

As Seiji rounded the corner, the view of the bench where he last saw her came into sight. She wasn't there. Of course not, why did he ever think that she would be there waiting for him? With sadness filling his heart, his pace slowed to an eventual stop. I need to get out of here, I can't let Grandpa know how I pushed her away forever.

Seeing his grandson struggling with his emotions, he goes to the bench and sits down. "Ahhhh, it feels good to rest my poor feet. And don't ask me why I didn't just drive to the store. Sometimes, when you get older, you believe that you can do everything by yourself. But that's not how it works. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes and no matter how stubborn a person can be, they just need to swallow their pride and do it." He glanced at Seiji out of the corner of his eye. But the poor boy was just standing there and looking at the ground. It seems that subtly wasn't going to work, he was going to have to be a bit more direct. "Seiji, why don't you sit with your old grandpa for a spell and tell him what is bothering you?" For the briefest moment, Seiji looked like he was going to drop the bags and bolt, but common sense got the better of him and he walked over and sat down.

"Grandpa, I did the worst thing I could possible do. I've chased Shizuku away." Burying his head in his hands, he just sits there. What am I going to do without her? A gentle touch on his shoulder brings him out of his thoughts. Looking up, he sees grandpa looking to him with a soft smile.

"Why don't you tell me what happened starting at the beginning." So he is taken through the whole tale, starting from the reason he checked out all those books to their meeting early that cold morning. With a gentle laugh, he just shakes his head and pats the young man's shoulder. "Oh Seiji, I don't mean to laugh at your predicament, but I don't think you have chased her away. True you may have been a bit…eager in your constant asking, but that is just natural for someone who is in love. If you just give her a little time to digest everything that has happened today, I'm sure she'll come around." Giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze, he stands up and takes one of the grocery bags. "Come on, let's go to the shop. I'm sure she'll stop by later and then you two can talk. Just remember, you've let your feelings known, now the ball is in her court."

Standing up slowly, Seiji takes a last slow look around, then with a sigh, he begins to follow the old man. He's right, I was foolish to have been so pushy, I'll just give her some space and some time to think. Still…I wish Shizuku was here right now. "Grandpa? Thanks, I really needed someone to talk to. You have been a big help." With a smile, he catches up to him as they begin to make their way to the shop.

"You are very welcome, son. Just know that if you ever need to talk, I am always available at anytime. Now how about we hurry back so I can start those noodles, I'm starving!"