And here we are, the last chapter of my tale! Don't worry though, I am already working on a sequel...for anyone who cares. "

Thank you all who have read my first story and for sticking with me.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Whisper of the Heart, that honor goes to Studio Ghibli.

Chapter 7: Follow Your Heart

I have to hurry, I don't want Seiji to be sad anymore! She runs quickly to the train station and is just in time to catch the it. Slipping through the closing doors, she locates an open seats and sits with a sigh.

"Excuse me Miss, is that your cat?" A woman with two young children looked to her.

It can't be Moon, I just left him at the park! She turned quickly to where the woman was pointing and was surprised to see a skinny black cat near the doors. Sighing in relief that it wasn't him, she shook her head. "No ma'am." Shizuku then settled back into her seat and gave into the thoughts that filled her brain. What was she going to do after she went home? Would Seiji want to see her right now or should she give him some time to calm down? Part of her wanted to see him as soon as possible and the other half wanted to give him some space. Which was the right answer? As she debated, her glance kept going over to the cat. What was he doing here? It reminded her of the day she first saw Moon and how that day had changed her life. Part of her wanted to follow this cat, to see where it would take her, but she knew that she had other things to do and that adventure would have to wait for another day.

Her mind continued to race as she got off at her stop and started to run for her house. She didn't care about anything except getting home before anyone else arrived. She didn't want to have to explain everything when time was short. Quickly she ran up the stairs to her home, throwing open the door, she pauses briefly to listen for life. Nothing, she had beaten them. Grabbing the closest piece of paper, she scribbled a note stating that she wouldn't be home for supper but will be back later. Setting it on the table, she was ready to run again when she stopped and looked in the mirror. She couldn't see Seiji like this! After a quick trip to her room, she brushed her hair and changed her clothes. A simple red skirt and white shirt. She also grabbed her yellow sweater and headed for the door. Part of her felt bad, she promised her parents that she'd start to study and here she is, going out. Once she got things settled with Seiji, with a clear mind she could begin to concentrate.

Once again, she ran out the door and onto the street. I have to hurry, I want to make sure to catch him before he goes home! As the sky slowly began to turn dark, she ran the now familiar path to the train station. If she kept this up, they might start to recognize her. Taking the same seat, she looked out the window as she felt her heart beginning to beat faster in her chest. Many worries swam through her mind as the train brought her closer and closer to him. What am I going to say to him when I just show up at Grandpa's uninvited? Her fingers played with the hem of her skirt as she began to become more nervous. The sound of the doors opening caused her to jump slightly, she was almost there. Slowly, she walked out of the train car and without thinking about it, began the trek to Grandpa's. What started as a snails pace soon escalated to a jog and then a run. She knew what she had to do and she didn't want to put it off any longer. The sight of the large tree in front of the shop caused her heart to feel like it was about to burst out of her chest.

She could see that the door was shut and the curtain pulled along with the familiar "closed" sign. What to do now? Knocking on the door was the obvious choice, but…what if they didn't hear her or were downstairs in the workshop? There really wasn't any other option. Taking a deep breath, she approached the door and raised her hand to knock. But before she could do so, it opened and out sauntered Moon. After a quick glance up to her, he rubbed along her legs as he continued to walk past her.

"Shizuku. Please come in, you're just in time for dinner." Grandpa stood at the door and looked to her with his friendly smile.

Behind him sat Seiji and his large bowl of steaming ramen. With chopsticks raised and noodles dangling from his lips, he looked to her in surprise. With a quick slurp, he finished what he had on his chopsticks and then stood up. "Shizuku! What are you doing here?" He took a step towards her, but then stopped. It still hurt that she didn't feel the same way he did for her. But just the sight of her caused his heart to beat faster. No matter how much she hurt him, he would always love her.

Grandpa just smiled as he walked inside further to the kitchen. "Let me go and grab you a bowl, please have a seat."

All she could do is watch as her source of comfort walked away. Slowly, she turned to face Seiji and after talking a deep breath, she walked over to him. "Seiji, I know that it is not enough for all the pain I put you through, but I want to say that I am sorry." As the words left her mouth, tears began to stream down her cheeks. The thought of hurting him was unbearable to her. She now knew that she loved him with the same passion as he did for her. Perhaps it was her stubbornness that held her back from seeing her true feelings for him. Lowering her head, she let the tears fall. She was ashamed of herself for being so immature. She didn't deserve someone as wonderful as Seiji.

"Please don't cry, Shizuku." He wanted to walk over to her, to hold her and dry her tears, but he didn't want to push her away again. So instead, he pulled out a chair next to his and held out his hand to her. "Why don't you sit."

Raising her head, she nodded as she wiped away her tears. Taking the seat, she folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. What do I say to him? How do I covey my thoughts to him? She could hear him sitting back down and knew that he was looking at her, but she didn't dare look up.

"Shizuku…" There was so much he wanted to say, to ask. But all he could do is sigh. Perhaps it was time he realized that this might be a one sided relationship. "Shizuku, I don't want to pressure you into a relationship you aren't ready for. If you want us to just be friends…I understand."

Hearing his words, she lifted her head quickly and reached out to him, recognizing the familiar speech that was similar to the one she gave Sugimura. "No Seiji, that's not it at all! I don't want to be friends…I mean, yes I do want to be friends with you but I want more then that. I was stupid to push you away and give the impression that I didn't want to be near you. I-I love you Seiji!" Pulling back her hand, she gripped the table tight as she fumbled through the feelings she wanted to convey to him. It wasn't the perfect speech it could have been, but she hoped he understood what was in her heart.

When she looked up, he braced himself to hear the words that would break his heart. But instead, her words caused him to smile, a smile that widened and filled his face. She loves me! "Shizuku…" Unable to sit still, he jumped up and went over to her. Kneeling down beside her, he pulled her into a hug, murmuring words of affection.

Powerless to hold back the tears anymore, she wrapped her arms around him and cried as she listened to his words of love. "Forgive me Seiji and please give me another chance to be by your side." Her words were soft and light as she whispered them, promising to herself that never again would she give him any reason to doubt her love.

"Shizuku, I will give you a thousand chances, anything to have your love." Raising his head, he looked deep into her eyes as he smiled and leaned his forehead to hers.

Grandpa peeked through the kitchen door and smiled as he watched the tale unfold. Yes, things are as they should be. Closing the door quietly, he chuckled softly to himself…true love is wonderful.

The End