A Guardian"s Promise

Chapter 3

"Hey… what's with the long face, Yaya

"Hey… what's with the long face, Yaya?" Amu called her. Yaya was sitting in the other end of the table where she was far away from the three.

"You're going to graduate soon… you should be happy, Yuiki-san" Tadase tried to cheer her up since she wasn't like this even after Kukai's departure from the guardians.

Amu moved closer and sat beside her with gentleness in her every move. "Are you half-hearted right now?" she asked.

"Mm…" Yaya answered with a nod. She didn't quite hear it all but she got the idea of the question.

"What happened? Is it because of your parents that you're not yourself? You can't seem to understand every word we say…" The latter concluded her observation on behalf of their two other friends.

"What?" it took Yaya another second to react. She was listening but she hardly understood the statement. She was, really half-hearted and something pre-occupied her.

Amu smiled with kindness on her lips. "No… You can't be…" she wrapped her arm on her young friend. "Are you broken-hearted…? Because of a boy?"

"Huh?!" Yaya came to her senses and looked at her smile again. She was sincere and she wasn't even joking, why did that question wake her up? She was nervous by that question and couldn't help it but blush.

"Oh… I know… did you just found out he already has a girlfriend?" Amu knew what she was saying and her tone sounded like she knew everything that has happened. Yaya didn't answer and instead looked at her hand, with her face still feeling hot.

"Yaya, you shouldn't act like that! Show that guy that he's not worth your heart! Or if you don't want to, tell me and I'll beat him up…" Amu raised her hand up with a peace-sign showing the guarantee of that statement. "Ja ne!" she winked and left her.

Somehow I know I will find a way to a brighter day in the sun
somewhere I know that he waits for me
someday soon he'll see I'm the one

He told me he'll wait until I grow up and get to high school… I'm already about to graduate… but then I… heard he already has a girlfriend. Yaya walked in the corridor of her class. It's already late in the afternoon and the rooms are empty as well as the spaces between each class. The only thing she saw when she looked at the end of that path was a wall—a wall which was empty and cold.

She stopped walking and looked down at the floor. Her footsteps echoed in the whole corridor. No! What the hell am I thinking?! I always get so emotional because of him! Of course he won't mind! He didn't really mean that promise! Not ever! But he… The voice on her head sounded hesitant with what she was thinking of. No. I can show him… I can be everything. I won't lose to him. I'll definitely be "that".

I won't give up on this feeling
and nothing could keep me away

She ran towards that empty wall with tears flowing down her cheeks. Eyes closed, she bumped onto someone and was thrown down to her side, with her books scattering on the floor.

"Itai…" she murmured, touching her behind in where she felt so hurt.

"Hey... why're you still here?" a familiar voice asked.

She looked up and realized who it was. "Ku—Kukai…?" she became puzzled. He wasn't supposed to be here. It's the building for elementary—and he's a second year high school—what else? It was wrong.

"You okay?" Kukai pulled her up and grinned widely.

She suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, with her toes supporting her weight. He was shocked and was speechless for a moment. "Kuuu-kaii!" she has her childishness on her voice.

And so I thought it would be serious… He sighed heavily. Yaya released her grip and stood in front of him happily.

"And so I heard you have a girlfriend!" there wasn't a mark of pain in her face. She's just like the ordinary, happy-go-lucky girl he used to know.

"What…?" Kukai sounded clueless as ever in topics like this.

"And you even broke your promise, you humbug" She was still smiling, not minding the word she said.

"Humbug…? To say that, did I really…?"

"Yes, you did! But don't worry it's okay, I'll get you!" Yaya warned for future revenge. And Kukai can be sure it was nothing to be ignored.

She picked up her things and left quickly, not turning back to see his face.

Because I still believe in Destiny
That you and I were meant to be.
I still wish on the stars as they fall from above
Cause I still believe, believe in love

Maybe fate's just testing us… all love— she stopped from her thoughts and repeated what she has said in her mind. Love…? That's stupid. No… no!! what I meant was… all relationship has… its problems… and ours has just arrived… but I'm wondering… does she really have a girlfriend? I mean… of course, he didn't mention that in our… promise… Yaya gave out a sigh and faced her pillow. She tucked in her pillow and closed her eyes.

I can be "that"…! And I'll prove it… because that promise which the stars blessed… will come true… our miracle will come true… "Just looking at the stars can make you feel so solemn and complete inside…" She whispered and dozed off to sleep.

I know what's real can not be denied
All though it may hide for a while…
With just one touch love can calm your fears
Turning all your tears into smiles

Kukai sat up and placed his hand on the paper, he was playing the pencil between his fingers. Now what…? That rumor has spread out even reaching to her… I don't have any girl… at all. Now I know what Hinamori feels when someone builds up her personality… it's hard, impossible and very idiotic. I wish I could talk to her and say the truth… everything seems bad… And worse, I'm stuck with this teacher speaking his brain out…

"Wrong!! Why did you have to make a be equal to a negative number?!" he didn't notice that his teacher was already beside him.

Yeah, right, whatever…

Suddenly, the bell rang, suggesting end for the classes that day.

"Woohoo! Yes! Here sensei, take this paper, I'll finish it tomorrow!" Kukai grabbed his bag and gave his teacher the paper he was answering. He ran towards the door and left the classroom.

"Mr. Souma!!" his sensei called, but he didn't hear it because his mind drifted somewhere else, altogether, leading him somewhere. He passed the people, the corridors… and even the hall. The afternoon sun shone brightly, though not as good as it does in the morning.

Meanwhile, Yaya was on the building's rooftop, looking at the trees which surrounded the school's backyard. There was no one except her and the wind. All she heard was her breathing and the voice that bothered her all the time.

I didn't notice that days had passed since that rumor came out… I'm still thinking about it… This is not me at all… I used to be so talkative and react to things quickly… but why? I felt that my world has stopped. He was a star after all… so near but yet so far away… I can never… ever reach him… It was what she feared—to be the planet. The planet who contents herself by just viewing the star from afar.

Yaya looked back at the past. She held herself together for almost two years. Not wanting to break the promise. But now, she understands. That the stars can never last forever and that they'll die, and become a mere hole in an empty space—a mere memory in her life that she may forget when she gets old.

"But… no…" suddenly, Kukai appeared behind her. "No… don't let the star die, Yaya… give it some more time to prove himself… I might say I'm afraid that you'll become my moon…"

"Leave me alone… I don't understand you" She replied, with a slightly angry voice.

"A star… who stays with his moon even though he knows he's not the only one… there are many stars in the 'empty space' that is with the 'moon'… don't let 'that star' die" Kukai tapped her shoulder and left.

Her eyes widened but she didn't look back at him. Yaya heard his footsteps getting weaker, he was leaving already. But then, it stopped. "The rumors are not true… because I've learned to live on to be bound by this promise…"

It… wasn't…? She analyzed it for some seconds and looked back at the space behind her. "Is it—" He has gone away already. No one was there except her. Her thoughts went away, leaving only a smile for that moment.

It's such a wondrous feeling
I know that my heart can't be wrong

Yaya stood up quickly and followed the path which the star took. She almost tripped but it doesn't matter. She wants to follow him… that's what is in her mind.

She opened the door and quickly revealed that Kukai hasn't gone his way yet. He was waiting for her. She thought of nothing else and clung onto him. He hugged her back and exchanged their warmth.

"I can't stop now… I…" she said, tightening her grip, laying her head on his shoulder. "love you…" she whispered weakly that it almost sounded like she was just breathing.

"Hn?" he said back, he didn't hear what she had said.


"I will be that moon… that has only one special star… and we'll illuminate the sky together… and would leave each other never" Yaya leaned back and removed her grip from him. He leaned back too, but they were still looking at each other.

Oh, I still believe in destiny
That you and I were meant to be
I still wish on the stars as they fall from above...
Cause I still believe... believe in love
Yes I still believe… Believe in love
I still believe in love

"May I court you?" Kukai said with a determined voice as he grinned.

Yaya sighed heavily and smiled. He was sure she was going to say yes, with that nice smile of her in her lips. "Kukai, you humbug… I hate you… go to hell!" she pointed at his nose and giggled.

"What?!"

"Ja ne, Kukai… kun" she said, passing by his side, and leaving.

Kukai stood there with an expressionless face, still putting into mind what she last said. "Didn't I just see her smile…?" He thought, leaving him more questioned than before. Maybe fate was actually playing around… it's just that… they still believe in it.