Heaven's Tears --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part One "Ahhhhhhh!" Hitomi stretched, exiting the bathtub. She put on her underwear and reached for her kimono-gown. "Hitomi!" A voice called from downstairs, "Dinner's almost ready. Come down, I have a favor to ask of you." "Coming mother!" Hitomi slipped into the gown. She looped the belt around her waist. "I wonder what Van is doing now?" She thought, as she made a holding knot. It had been almost seven months since she was sent into the sky for the last time, homeward bound. Hitomi left the bathroom, and descended the staircase. "Hitomi, can you get the soy sauce on your way into the kitchen? There should be a bottle in the pantry." "Shure thing, mom!" Hitomi slid open the door, and reached for the soy sauce. Looking at the bottle, she noticed something. "Mom! We're all out!" "If it's not too much, can you go and get some ate the corner store." "Sure! Just a sec. I'll be back." She did not bother to change into real clothes, since the corner store was only houses down, and she knew the family that ran the shop. Hitomi slipped on her slippers, opened the door, and began to run in the direction of the store. She could hear her feet pat against the ground as she ran. It was dark out, and the sound echoed through the distance. Hitomi heard thunder rumbling in the distance and she quickened her pace. The kimono fluttered in the wind. "Hey! Hitomi-chan!" Hitomi turned to look at who was calling her. It was Amano Susumu, her upperclassman, who she had a crush on. "Sempai? Is that you?" "Of course it is!" "But I thought you were in America, studying abroad!" "Yeah, but I came back for a while. It is spring break over there, and it gave me a chance to visit with people." "Well, it's good to see you. I have been wanting to see you. It has been a while." "Of course! I was on the way to your house to drop by. Why are you out, especially in that kimono of yours? This isn't exactly the safest part of town...." ::Hentai Look:: ::Silly Grin:: "I'm on my way to the corner store. My mom ran out of soy sauce, and I have to go get some." "Well, you needn't walk alone anymore- I'll come with you." Hitomi and Amano walked the rest of the way to the store, chatting as they went. "Oh, do you know, I broke the 13 second mark!" "You did! That's wonderful!" "Here we are, Amano-chan. Let me go inside and get the sauce." "Fine." Hitomi walked in. "Ah, there it is!" She took the soy sauce in her hands and turned to the checkout, where she rang a bell, calling Mr. Owikawa, the store owner. "Just the soy scauce?" "Yes, please, that will be all." "300 Yen, please." "Here," she said, sliding out a 3 hundred yen coins. Mr. Owikawa took the money, and handed her the soy scauce, in a sack made of rice paper. "Thank you, please come again." Hitomi returned a few minutes later, holding her bottle of soy sauce in her hands. "Ready to go?" Amano said. "Yeah. How bout this, I'll race you back home. You can stay for dinner if you like." "Sure. Besides, I need to go somewhere private with you to talk anyway..." They set themselves ready to run back, just as the rain began to rumble. "GO!!!!!" Hitomi yelled. They began to run. The thunder became louder and little drops of rain began to fall. As Hitomi and Amano ran, rain splattered off their clothes, and their feet sprayed the contents of forming puddles in all directions. Near the Kanzaki house, both runners stopped, panting slightly in exhaustion. "Well, you certainly broke the 13 second mark, Kanzaki." "Yes, I have." "Well, then you deserve this..." Amano said softly, leaning over her and wrapping his arms around her. Hitomi, surprised by his sudden move, almost fell away from him, but realizing what she was about to receive, leaned forward in anticipation. Her sempai's lips fell upon hers, and she met them with passion. They kissed in the rain, and later, drenched, parted and headed, quietly, into the Kanzaki Residence. * * * "Hey Hitomi, did you get the scauce?" her mother's voice questioned from the kitchen as the two stood in the hall. "Yes, mother." Hitomi answered. "Do you have enough for another person?" As Hitomi and Amano removed their shoes and walked down the hall toward the kitchen her mother replied, "Yes, your father called- he needs to work late, and your brother is at a freind's house. Why, though? Is someone else joining us?" "Mom, a freind of mine, Susumu Amano, is going to be joining us." "Allright- She served up the steamed rice, and put some honey almond chicken to top off the mound. After they both had finished eating their chicken and rice, she heaped Calamari Fried Rice, a Kanzaki specialty, on their plates. They devoured this food, and then had some chocolate rice balls for dessert. "I hope you had a good meal," Hitomi's mother asked Amano. "Oh, it was delicious!" he responded. "Well, I'm happy for you!" Well, I guess you will be leaving pretty soon." "Yes, I have to go now. But I will be around this district for a few weeks, so I should se you again, Mrs. Kanzaki." "I'll walk with you," Hitomi suggested, not wanting him to leave her side so soon. Hitomi and Amano left her house. By now it had stopped raining, and they walked towards his house, with occasional bursts of chatter. "Kanzaki, I have something I want to tell you. Let's stop by the park so we can sit, alone and discuss." "Allright." Hitomi answered him. The two changed directions to go to the park, and sat on a bench, looking out for a while. Hitomi looked forward for a while, and then, turned to look at him, her eyes asking 'what?'. Amano was looking away, but after a few seconds, slowly turned and gazed gently into her eyes. "Well, Kanzaki, the thing is, I'd like for you to marry me." End, Part One.