AHHHH!! It's over!! The first story closed up!! Waaaah ~~ I should've posted when I had the time....there were days where I tried writing but just ended up having writer's block...

Well thank you everyone for posting in this thread. In the beginning, it ran really slow XD But thanks to you guys, we've woven an incredible good story plot. I hope you will continue and participate again! ^___^

I just wanted to post because it's been sooooo long since my last XD So it's just to tell you that I'm still alive and that I'm still following this thread! ^^ Thanks for everyone who mentioned me XDD I haven't done much though haha.
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Ohno just stared sideways at Nino, oblivious to what his friend was going to do to this girl. He glanced back at Lane. Even from the back, he thought she wasn’t the kind of person to get easily caught. She seemed to have a strong personality – she probably could be very stubborn at times. But he quickly brushed these thoughts away. Why he was analyzing that girl, he wasn’t sure. He looked at her strolling near the water, and stopping to look closer at something hidden in the wet sand.

“Shall we get more acquainted with her?” Nino pitched in.

He looked around him before setting his eyes on a dried flower stem. He picked it up and while walking towards Lane, he looked back at Ohno with a knowing smile.

Ohno couldn’t do anything but walk along and follow. Nino knew where to draw the line between doing something downright unpleasant and a harmless little prank. Surely, it couldn't turn out too bad, he thought.

Lane was still crouched above the shore, gazing at the little waves, she felt someone standing close next to her, blocking her from the sun.

"So you're from America?" Nino asked casually.

Ohno was just behind him and he then knew what that flower stem was for. Nino was holding it so that whenever Lane was going to look back at him, it would poke her into the cheek.

"Yes," she began, "I'm from -"

Right then, that little something that Nino was holding near poked her right in her left eye.

Ohno's eyes widened. 'This is bad.' he instantly thought.

"OUCH! For God's sake!" she called out in English. Under the surprise, her knees buckled under the sudden jerk, thus making her kneel in the water. "Are you guys still 10 year old kids or what?" she sighed.

"Sorry! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you! Are you okay?" Nino stammered, a bit shocked himself. Did he miscalculate something?

Ohno swiftly went up to Lane, offering his hand to help her get up.

"Please excuse my friend. He likes playing pranks and he obviously doesn't know how to avoid this kind of situation," Ohno frowned at Nino. "She's a guest!" he hissed at him in low voice, only to be answered back with an innocent shrug of shoulders.

While he kept gawking at Nino with an expression that meant something along the lines of 'Are you trying to injure our clients?', Lane got up by herself, drenched from knees to toes.

"It's really great to meet you guys," she said in an extremely sarcastic tone. "You're lucky I'm wearing a skirt today."

"We'll make it up to you. Right, Nino?" He elbowed him without any reservation.

"Uh. Yes," the culprit said slowly, his head hanging low. He paused. "Please, accept my apologies," Nino said in English, bowing before Lane.

She was a bit taken aback by such respectful manners and finally softened. She sighed, a hint of a smile in the corners of her lips.

"Apologies accepted." She paused in turn. "Just make sure you don't poke the other one with a chopstick."

***

Later on, as a make up session, Ohno and Nino suggested snacktime. And they brought Lane along with them at a restaurant.

In the middle of their "snack", they both looked at her, concerned: Because she was staring at them wolfing down what they just ordered.

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"Is there something wrong?" Ohno asked.

"Is it the food?" Nino inquired.

Lane passed a doubtful hand in her hair and then gaped at the sprawled food on the table.

"Umm...No, no. I'm just...not hungry....Thanks. Um, if you'll excuse for a moment." And she hurried to the back of the restaurant.

Ohno felt like this girl was about to alter his daily routine. For the best? He didn't know....yet. But this foreign girl was indeed intriguing.

"Hey. You full already or what? You've been silent since she got up," Nino nudged him.

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I'm sorry, Ohno and Nino ended up playing an equal role here. It's just that since it was focused on Nino's prank at the end of last post, I had to put him in there somehow. But I think all of our three characters for now are at equal level of importance. So please, do feel free to direct the story more on Ohno and Lane! ^__^

And I hope you don't mind me using a picture using Ohmiya XD

heya there, Lulish!

been biding my time posting an update since I wanted more contributors. haha! am i too demanding? (in truth, i had no idea what Nino prank to pull off. tee-hee!)

* * * * *

Ohno shook his head, smiling impishly. "Nothing." He looked at the now-empty plate before him. "I'm getting more food by that stall. You coming?"

"Aren't we waiting for your guest?"

"We'll be in plain sight, anyway." He got up and headed to the stall at the side of the restaurant. Nino bounced after him.

"Hey, how do you figure she got to speaking Nihonggo so fluently?"

"No idea," Ohno replied, feigning a flippant tone even as he was wondering the same thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Goodness, where do they pack it all in?

Lane let herself out of the cubicle and proceeded to make lame attempts to fix her hair in the mirror. Futile. Barely a day in this place and the sea air is already nudging it out of order.

She sighed, reminding herself for the nth time why she had to be here. Her father's health is not good, and he needs all the support he needs right now. Surely she cannot just leave them traipsing around Japan by themselves?

Plus she really did need to get away from everything back home. Many times she thought she'd lose it back there, and this trip presented itself at the best possible moment.

What she needed was distraction, and if these morning's events are a foreboding, then she's pretty sure she'll have her hands full. But was it really a distraction she wanted?

It was clear that Ohno guy was none too pleased acting as her tour guide. Besides, it's not like he's doing much of a job. She was actually surprised when he apologized in behalf of his imp of a friend Nino eariler. She actually thought he could not form long and coherent sentences.

But really, where do they pack it all in? At the rate they were wolfing down the food earlier...Lane shook her head. Have they been properly fed while growing up?

She stepped out of the restroom and immediately spotted Ohno and Nino at a food stall outside, no doubt still packing in even more. Now half-amused, she stepped out of the restaurant.

The view of the ocean took her breath away. Maybe it wasn't a mistake after all, leaving everything behind momentarily and coming here, halfway around the world. Maybe she could find the peace that so ruthlessly eluded her.

Lane turned to join her 'guide' and his friend at the food stall.

"Still not full?" she asked, arms crossed on her chest as she regarded the two who jumped, startled at her arrival.

"We have hearty appetites," Nino pointed out needlessly, his mouth full.

"Yeah, I can see that." Lane looked at Ohno, quiet on the side, nursing his food. "I'm just worried your stomachs might break down," she added with mild sarcasm.

Ohno looked at her with such a serious expression on his face.



"My stomach doesn't break down."

No, Lane thought, grinning in spite of herself at his solemn declaration. This wasn't a mistake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nino left afterward, saying he had some chores to do for his father. Ohno and Lane watched him sprint away to the other end of the beach, then they both headed back to the inn.

Ohno was okay with silence. He prefers not to have to talk much, anyway. And looking at Lane's profile, he thought she also preferred the silence.

So he was surprised when she asked, "You and Nino seem close."

"He's my partner in crime."

"Oh, he commits the crime and you abet it? That works." She gave him a lopsided smile that made him blink. She does look very pretty when she smiles. Why didn't he notice that before?

"He's a bit of a troublemaker," Ohno said, talking about Nino. Yes, he's gotten Ohno in more trouble than he cared to count.

Lane fell back into silence. This time it was his turn to satisfy his curiosity.

"You speak very good Japanese. Did you study?"

She seemed to think long and hard before replying. "I spent several years here when I was younger, then took some classes back home in the States...." her voice trailed, and Ohno could tell there was something more.

"You're very good," was all he could say.

Lane slid a sideward glance at him, her deep pools of dark eyes laughing. "You already said that."

"Oh," he said, not knowing quite know what to say.

Ah...why did Nino's eloquence refuse to rub itself on him?!

* * * * *

so long. Gomen!

I am so glad you guys have started a new story. Really am enjoying it.

along the way, they fell back in silence. again, he wished that nino hadnt leave early. he tried to calculate his situation. having to attend to a customer is bad enough, now a foreign customer? luckily she knows nihonggo. not that it helps very much since he's not a talkative type. if he has to speak english, there's no way he would be here.. ahhh if only kaa-chan is not persistent. he wonders why he is not as persistent like his mother?
how long would she stays here? should he ask? ah, never mind, he can look at the registry back at the inn later.

"are u still on earth?" she suddenly asked.
"huh?"
"have u landed on mars or something?" she added
"mars? eh?"
"u were spacing out, u know"
"i did?" oh, yeah. that has been his problem since a child. teachers getting impatience with him because of his spacing outs.. haha.. there were times he got punished too..

"okay, now u're freaking me out" lane said
"just now u had no expression at all then now u're laughing by urself" she continued
"ah, sorry. it's just my habit to space out. people close to me would've known that.. u must be freaked out, sorry" ohno said

"ah! look at that!" ohno half-scream. lane was quite shocked for he realised how she jumped a bit.
he rushed to a corner and squatted down

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"ah~never see a kitten around here. where can it be from?" he asked to no one in particular..

lane was still at where he left her, didnt inch even a bit. so he waved his hand at her.
"come~ look at this kitten here"
"ermm i dont think so. im afraid of cats" she said.
"u're afraid of cats? why? it wont bite you. it's a kitten anyhow, not a big cat"
"it's long story. u wouldnt want to know. and well, i can see it's a kitten, thank you. but im still not going anywhere near it"
"oh come on!" he got up and walked towards her.

tugging her clothes, he dragged her towards the kitten. the poor thing looked so lost and scared. these 2 people looked like monsters from its point of view.

the both of them squatted facing the kitten..
"try to pet it.. really2 slowly.." ohno instructed her.. lane was very hesitant. ohno didnt push her more. he didnt know why she's scared of cats so it might not be polite to push too much. heck, he didnt know much about her in general, he didnt know what's her limit. she might snap.

"u sure it's okay?" lane now looked a bit excited. like a child, she was. ohno smiled reassuringly.
"mm-hmm, i think it's as scared as u are"
"i'll try to pet it?" lane said half statement, half question.. looking from the kitten, to ohno to the kitten again.
then at last she drew out her hand and petted the kitten.. so softly for she's more scared for the kitten. scared that the kitten would be hurt by her simple act.

the kitten meowed *is there such word?* and she retreated her hand quickly. but then after a while she seems to enjoy that she's now able to pet a CAT. the kitten didnt look scared anymore and it even purred at some point. the mother came shortly after and now, seeing a big cat, lane got up and ran behind ohno. the kitten, now meowing happily ran with it's mother behind the bushes.

"it was not too bad was it?" ohno asked.
lane, realised that she was hiding behind ohno now stood up straight.
"it was not bad.. not bad at all!! ahh it's so cute isnt it?"

ohno think that it was not too bad too. this whole thing. yeah, it might even be cute

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okay.. haha.. tot i might contribute sumthing.. well, what i wrote might not develope the story.. just some random memory that they can think back later.. sorry for any mistake!

lately i am finding it too difficult to think. I mean, think properly.

* * * * *

After getting back to the inn, Lane plead exhaustion and locked herself up in her assigned room for the rest of the evening, not even coming out for dinner. It does not seem to matter to her parents, who said they should just leave her be.

There's a certain melancholy to her, something she masks with an uncaring attitude.

Ohno was mulling over this, standing at the hallway and staring at her closed bedroom door. His room happened to be one door down across the hallway from hers.

He was startled when his mother rounded the corridor and saw him there.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a whisper.

Caught, he shook his head. "N-nothing. I was just on my way to my room."

His mother pursed her lips, scrutinizing her son.

"Good night," he said and fled to his room.

This is strange, he thought as he turned off the lights to go to sleep. Why was he so intrigued with Lane?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She shouldn't be this interested. After all, she didn't come here for this. In truth, she came here to avoid something exactly like this.

What's so special about Ohno, anyway? He doesn't talk much, his mind seems to wander off even when being talked to. He is what her girl friends back home would call 'boring' with a capital B.

But he indulges his mother, and the way he looks at his mom is with tons of affection. He's soft-spoken to the point of sweet innocence. Or idiotic naivete. Whichever. Or both.

And he seems so much like a child! Even now, Lane felt a smile tug her lips.

She looked around at the deserted beach. Not a lot of people out here this early. She had slipped out early dawn for a dip in the ocean, but swimming in this temperature would be courting hypothermia. She realized that too late.

Instead she sat on the sand, watching the surf rush to shore, as the sun began its slow and steady ascent from the east. One by one, boats came to the dock, hauling off their catch as more and more people arrived for trading.

Then he saw him.

For someone who slept late last night (yes, she heard when he went to his room) he was up so early this morning, no doubt to go fishing with his father. Lane noted the look of intense concentration on his face as he helped unload their boat and load the day's catch to their waiting truck.

She had been watching him for a while that when he looked up and saw her staring, she did not have time to pretend.

Lane gave a tentative wave, and Ohno replied with a vigorous greeting, waving both his hands high in the air.

Funny, her spirits seem to have lifted.

Ohno made a sign at her to wait where she was, and she simply nodded. Anyway, where else could she go?

Resigning herself to wait, Lane looked out into the ocean, her mind wandering. Back home...She wondered if things would actually change when she got back...Not that she planned to go back anytime soon...

The pain is still much too raw. She wasn't sure she could handle it just yet.

She heard a whistle and turned around. The beach was already thinning with the morning's traders. Even Ohno's truck was gone.

"Over here!" came a voice behind her, causing her to strain to look further back.



Lane smiled and got up, brushing sand off herself while walking towards him. With the fence between them, he said, "You're early."

"Not as early as you, apparently."

"I went fishing."

"Yeah, I saw." Such a mundane conversation, she thought. But she was enjoying herself.

"We caught a big one, this big...." He spread his arms wide, excitement in his voice. Lane remembered how her ten-year-old cousin once recounted a story about seeing a giant squid in his dreams. He was exactly like Ohno right now.

"Yeah?" She leaned on the fence, throwing him a sideways glance. "And...?"

"It got away." His face fell, and Lane burst out laughing at the sudden shifts in his expression. Only fish can cause him to be this responsive and talkative?

"What's so funny?" he asked, a look of genuine confusion on his face.

"You are," Lane replied, and the confusion deepened. Sobering, she said, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making me laugh."

Ohno blinked at her, as if realizing something only now. His frown smoothed, replaced by a kind smile. "There's more where that came from."

As Lane hung her head, Ohno was sure. He was not mistaken. There was something hanging over her, something she was running away from.

And if making her laugh was the only thing he could do right now....then he would try his best.

Anyway, she looked so much lovelier when she smiles.

very sorry for being absent for soooooooooo long. tests were mad and i ahve some important ones coming up so i have to keep it short. gomen ne~

=====================================

ohno: say, would you like me take you a trip around the tourist places?

lane: that sounds fantastic!

she definitely looks lovier when she smiles.... ohno thought.

ohno and lane went to many different tourist spots but when they passed a renervastion site and red paint got accidently spilt on the pavement. ohno noticed that lane stopped dead in her tracks and slowly fainted. ohno managed to catch her before she hits the ground.....

as lane laid eyes closed on the dry spring grass in the park which ohno laid her, he could hear her soft murmuring

lane: no... no.... no.... i'm sorry...sorry...

this worried ohno , just what happened to lane in america?





========================

i alrady did sho;s and i'm starting to feel very tired but i'll try and g=do jun's . goign to his story now~ ok, until next time, the tests arre killing me. sor minna~

I'm going to try this one out. I posted this one on the new thread but Dyani said posting it here will be better, but in order to post this one here, I need to use the pic in the new thread. I hope you don't mind.

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

Next they went back to the inn. Lane wandered why the tour was so short. It's only 3 in the afternoon. She wanted to explore the place more. There was dissappointment in her face. Ohno sensed that but he already had a plan in mind. As they approached the doorsteps of the inn, Ohno said, "Wait here for a while Lane. I'll just go get something then we'll continue the tour." Then Ohno went in the door.

Lane just smiled. She was happy that she'll go to more places or maybe because of the person she's going with? She shook her head denying that idea. "It can't be..." She said to herself as she sat on the doorsteps.

Then Ohno came out with a simple yukata.

Lane felt her cheeks burning a little as she saw that ridiculous smile on his face. Ohno noticed she was staring at him so he asked, "Do I look weird?"

Lane snapped back into reality. "No..no..no...It's really looks good on you." She was surprised at her honest statement. "So what's that called again? A yu...."

"It's a yukata. Come on let's go." Ohno grabbed Lane's hand and started walking.

"Huh? Where are we going? And why are you wearing a yukata?" she pulled her hand off his.

"To the Tanabata Festival. It's a festival held in the heart of the city and there'll be a lot of booths and street food and fireworks! People usually wear yukatas going there and hang their wishes on a bamboo."

"So the Tanabata festival is about wishes and stuff?"

"Yeah...well, sorta. So what are you going to wish for?" Ohno asked her with a smirk.

"I don't have a clue yet." Lane lied. She had a lot of choices of what to wish for. She didn't want Ohno to find out what those choices are. "Oh wait! I don't have a yukata. Is it okay to go without one?"

"It's okay without one but you're going to have one."

"Huh?" Lane was confused at that statement.

"Just follow me. We're taking a detour." Ohno said smiling and thinking of the plan he had. I don't know what happened to her in America but I hope this night will make her smile all the time. The smile on her face suits her the best. With that in mind, he lead Lane into a yukata store.
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Hope you guys like it

terrific!

just to let you all know, esp jeffer, i'm going to continue sho and ohno's story and jun's too if someone would be so kind to continue my part but that has to wait at least until next week, after my 2 HUGE tests are settled.

so people, await patiently while i'm done with them and you can read my story twisters....

bye~

i'm conflicted. lolz! i started the other thread because i thought no one is picking this up, AND THEN yama_kaze followed it up with a great update! I don't have any ideas to continue the other one yet so...I think I'll go with this one for now. thanks, yama_kaze!!!

* * * * *

Lane tugged and retugged at the wide sleeves of the yukata and turned this way and that in front of the mirror. She had never actually worn one before, and it felt weird.

Weird, but nice.

The lady storekeeper poked her head through the curtain of the cubicle. Her eyes widened, pleased.

"Oh, you look lovely in that!"

Shyly, Lane smiled at the storekeeper. "I...I think I'll take this one..."

The storekeeper nodded approvingly. "Yes, yes, that is perfect. The reds and pinks bring out the gold in your eyes."

Lane was reaching for her purse to pay when the storekeeper shook her head. "It has already been paid for, don't worry."

"Already? By whom?"

"By your boyfriend."

"Oh, but he's not--"

She was pushing Lane out of the cubicle. "A pleasant young man. Does not come around here often enough, but I know his family."

"You got it wrong, he's not--"

Ohno was lounging by the door of the store, turning around at the sound of their voices. His face suddenly lit up when he saw Lane, his lips smiling appreciatively as he took in her appearance. Embarassed, Lane's hand crept up to her hair, which is totally unnecessary as the storekeeper did a marvelous job pinning her hair up in a neat bun at the back of her head.

"It suits you," Ohno said, smiling as Lane made her way to him.

"Thanks. I'll pay you."

His hand folded over hers, stopping her from taking money out of her purse. "It's a present."

Momentarily stunned at the contact, Lane stared at his hand over hers. Ohno noticed it, too, and quickly dropped his hand to his side. "A present," he repeated.

"Th-thanks...I guess," she mumbled.

"Shall we go?"

Lane nodded and followed him out of the store, feeling slightly uneasy walking in that outfit.

But five minutes later, she was enjoying herself immensely. Her first ever

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, and she's making her way to the town square with this very nice man with her.

Already dusk had crept in, and the evening air was alive with the sound of festivities from the square. Many yukata-clad young people walked side by side, laughing gaily. Beside her, Ohno was telling her briefly about the origins of the Tanabata.

Lane finally broke her silence. "That's sad..."

Ohno peered at her, surprised. "Sad? Others think it is romantic, though."

"Do you?" she asked. "Think it's romantic."

He shrugged. "I've never given much thought to love stories and folklore."

"And yet here you are, getting into the spirit," Lane mocked, and Ohno laughed.

"Why do you think it's sad?" he pressed, genuinely curious.

"It's just....I don't think there is such a kind of love...the kind that could wait forever like that...so uncertain, their fates left to the stars..." Lane shrugged. "If there is a love like that, it's sad that they would let those things control them."

"But it can't be helped. If they stayed together, others could suffer." He sighed.

"Because they were too blinded by their love for each other to even care about anything else?" A bitter smile surfaced. "I take it back. I don't think it's sad. I think it's stupid. And I don't really believe a love like that can truly exist."

Ohno was silent for a long moment. Then, in a quiet voice, he said, "But not entirely impossible."

He looked so serious that for a moment, Lane simply blinked at him. For a split second she wondered if, IF such a love exists, would she ever have that? Or would it be just like before...when....

She smiled. "It's just folklore, right?"

Almost unwillingly, Ohno smiled. "Yes. Of course." He glanced around. "Would you like some cotton candy?"



Lane laughed. "I'd love to have one."

* * * * *

Cripes. so hard to look for Ohno-in-a-yukata pic, so i settled for a dark one, pretending it's nighttime.

I'm actually thrilled Tanabata is mentioned here. Can you guys imagine what it can do to add substance to the story? *mind working overtime*

sorry for slacking..... i had something urgent ...

ok here goes nothing

==========================================

ohno handed lane her cotton candy.

lane: aren't you going to have one too?

ohno: it's ok. you -

lane: here

lane torn torn a portion of the cotton candy to ohno but some stuck on her fingers and she had no choice but to lick it.

ohno thought: kawaii~

lane: hmm, it's very nice.

ohno: umai~

ohno:let me show you around.

and so ohno led lane to every set up stall in front of the temple. indeed, the area was packed with people, couples, kids, families etc. lane enjoyed the joyful atmosphere and the games. they both trieed out almost every single snack available, though ohno was the one that ate most of it. lane was again amazed at his appeptite. when they walked passed the area with some growing bamboo that had wish tags attached to them, ohno stopped to show lane how to write their wishes. under the lantarns' light and comforting summer night breeze, the colourful tags swayed to and fro. ohno handed a tag and pen to lane and kept one for himself. they both wrote down something and tied it on the bamboo. ohno only slighty glance what lane was writing but it was in english..... he also gave up the thought of asking what she wished for since he thought it impolite to ask a girl that unless she brought up the topic. lane on the other hand was curious on what ohno wished for.

lane: let me guess, you wished your inn will have more customers, right?

ohno: well, yes that the general wishing health etc. it's what i wish for nearly every year. what about you?

lane: i wished for father getting better.

ohno: i hope he does.

lane looking distant: thank you

in fact, she wished for more than that. what she wrote on the tag was: i wish father gets better and i can forget about that

while lost in her thought, a particular captured her attention.

lane: what are they doing?

lane pointed towards a small group of children in front of a stall that had a few pools of goldfish. and floating balloons.

ohno: they're trying to catch a goldfish using a paper net or fish up one of those balloons using a delicate hook.

lane: oh i c...

ohno: come on, i'll teach you.

and he took your hand to lead you over.

ohno: would you like a goldfish or balloon?

lane: a balloon. that purple one over there looks nice.

ohno: right. let's try our best then.

he explained how it all works and then lane tried to fish up that balloon but to no avail. then ohno gently placed his hand on top of lane's to guide her and through some effort , the purple balloon was fished up.

ohno+lane: yatta! ^v^

lane: thanks

ohno: well, it was teamwork. (smile)

he checked his watch.

ohno: yabai! it's about to start!

lane: what is?

ohno: come on!

he again took lane's hand led her to the back of the temple where there was a flight of stairs that led up to a small platform overlooking the town.

lane: chotto maite! ohno kun! where are you taking me?

ohno: my secret place. it's the best place..best place to....

they both reached the platform, almost breathless when a few streams of smoke fired up in mid-air and moments later, blossomed into colourful fireworks...

ohno: to see the hannabi.

they both gazed at the colourful fireworks while sitting down side by side on the wooden bench at the rear of the platform, unmoved by the fact that their hands are still interlocked....

lane: kidei~ toteimo....

ohno nodded.

=============================================

ah~ 0334, have to sleep , would someone please post a pic on my behalf?
thanks! >v<

sorry if i'm being rude. and lacking manners...

The Ohno sotry still lives ne? I already have a idea in mind but i haven't completed the thought yet. Can't post because of exams. Probably I'll post in the weekend if someone doesn't post. I don't want the fic to die!!!

not an update. i'm pretty much idea-dead right now.

yes, yama_kaze, it still lives, IF you keep it alive. XDD. I can't wait for your update. never let the germ of an idea die on you.

good thing that germ of idea didn't die in algebra...haha..as i said, i'll post a chapter ^^
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Lane was not focusing too much on the fireworks anymore after she realized that Ohno's warm, soft hand was interlocking with hers. She didn't know how to respond. Her heart was beating fast. Please no, I don't want to make the same mistake again. Stop making me feel this way She wanted to control her heart. She silently let go of Ohno's hand while gazing at the fireworks, not noticing Ohno's disappointment as she let go.

After the fireworks, they were walking side by side through the busy crowd. They were silent for some reason. Ohno wanted Lane to tell more about herself and stories about her in America. He thought in that way Lane could tell him what was bothering her. He usually was the quiet guy and starting conversations was something he wasn't good at.

But he was dead curious about Lane, he was the one who broke the silence. "Lane, I wan--" Lane suddenly shouted, "Takoyaki!!!!!"

Ohno laughed at her. He didn't know Lane could be simple-minded and childish at times. Just like him.

"Those are Takoyaki, right? I wanna try one of those! The food that anime characters keep on fighting about." Lane ran to the crowded takoyaki stand, but then Lane suddenly tripped over her yukata causing her to fell on the ground. The fall caused her a sprain in the ankle with the straps of her wooden slippers broken. Her yukata was also dirtied in the ground.

Lane touched her ankle to see if it's alright, "Ouch!"

Ohno sat on the ground with a pouty face and asked her, "Daijyoubu?"


His voice sounded concern.

"My ankle...I sprained it..." Lane whined, "It hurts. And I broke my slipper too. You just bought the yukata for me and I ruined it. I'm sorry." Lane was sniffing. She can't handle the pain of her ankle and the pain she felt inside.

Ohno said with a smile, "Daijoubu yo! It'll be clean anyway. What matters most now is your ankle." Ohno went up to Lane's food and grabbed the broken slipper and repaired it with his handkerchief. "There the slipper's fixed!"

Lane stop sniffing and saw her slipper was like good as new. "Arigatou...gomen..."

"I already said it's okay." Ohno stood up and turned his back, bending down to offer Lane a piggy back ride. "Let's go home and get that ankle fixed."

Lane protested, "No, it's okay. I can stand up." Lane tried stood up but she fell back again as her weight was pressed on her ankle. "Ouch..."

"Come on, I'll give you a ride." Ohno said still in the piggy back position. Lane couldn't refused this time because she know fully well that she couldn't stand up. She rode on Ohno's back and then he stood up carrying her. She arms were on Ohno's shoulders and his arms were used as support for Lane's legs.

"Am I too heavy?" Lane asked worriedly.

"No, not at all." Lane was really light and easy to carry.

"Gomen..." Lane said again.

"Stop apologizing. If you keep on being guilty, then I won't forgive you." Ohno said in a stern but warm voice.

Lane smiled at his concern and said, "Hai."

After a while of walking, they reached a beautiful riverside. There were full of fireflies and the moon's reflection was glistening on the river.

"Kire~" Lane said in awe. She owe all this to Ohno. The sights, the laughter, the pretty yukata, the smile on her face all night, they wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for him. Thanks to you, I could forget... Lane thought inside her head smiling.

An idea popped out on Ohno's head, "Hey wanna hear a song?"

"You sing?"

"I sing just for fun." Really, at that time, it was just for fun. He rarely sings to people but if he's bored with himself alone, he'll sing. People who have heard his voice thought it was good, but he really didn't thought of that. He inhaled deeply, as he sings:

Itsumo sou yo.
Suneru to kimi wa.
Watashi no daiji na mono wo kakusu desho.
Sono basho wa kimatte onaji dakara.
Kyou wa saki ni itte matte miru wa.

Kisetsutachi ga yuuhi wo tsurete kite
Kage ga watashi wo mitsukete nobiru…

BIKKURI shita kao de watashi wo mitsumete wa
Kyuu ni kuchi togarase PUItto soto miru no.
Gomen ne. To iu to
Jaa kocchi ni kite yo to
Nee, hora mite mite
Kage ga kasanatta…

Kasa ga butsukari massugu arukenai.
Sonna watashi wo mite waratteiruno.

Watashi mo yatte misete ageru no.
Onaji you ni kuchi wo togarasu…

Yasashiku warau kimi ga
Kono jikan ga kuukan ga
Nakitakunaru kurai
Ichiban daiji na mono dayo.
Waza to togaraseteru…
Watashi ni gomen ne no henji wo motazuni
Yasashiku KISU shitano…

Korekara wa chotto kurai no wagamama
Itte mo ii yo.
Demo watashi ni dake yo.

Mendoukusai kara tte
Sunao ja naindakara
Nande ienai no kana?
Suki dayo.
Hitokoto yo?
Tamani wa kikitai na.
Kyou wa watashi to kimi ga
Myouji wo kasaneta hi.
Ai ga me fuita hi.

La…la…la…

Niji ga KIREI dayo.
Iya...

He stopped there as he felt Lane arms wrapped around him tighter. Her face was his shoulder so he could see it cleary. Her face, it was smiling as she sleeps. Ohno felt happy that this night made her smile. Your smiling face is definitely more beautiful than a rainbow...

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sorry if it's too long. This the result of absolute boredom after the long tests. credits to aibakaland for the lyrics