Destined to be - Chapter 1 Hontokoi sat alone on a cliff overlooking the beach and blew a soft sad melody with her flute she had since she was six. It was her favourite song. It was the last song she and her mother sang together. She could still remember that night in her mind very clearly as if it had happened just yesterday. She closed her eyes tightly trying to shake that memory away and pictured how beautiful her mother actually was. The ocean looked so serene and the sound of wave cleared Hontokoi’s mind. She liked this spot a lot and it was very often she came. The wind blew strongly making havoc to Hontokoi’s brownish red shoulder length wavy hair and carried her song along with it. Rukawa walked down the shore alone. He liked to walk along the shore in this weather. The wind was blowing strongly towards him and that was when he heard the faint sound of a sad melody. He never heard a song like that before. He looked around the place and it looked empty. Usually nothing would interest him but somehow that song intrigued him. So he walked towards the sound. The song actually touched him and made him curious as to who would be the one that was playing this song. Rukawa came to the cliff where Hontokoi sat. He stood below looking around still couldn’t detect where that song came from. Hontokoi who sat on top of the cliff was unaware Rukawa stood below. She blew the last note and lowered the flute from her mouth. She stared out the beach for another minute or so and then put her flute into her Nike sports bag and then got up to her feet. She swung her bag over her shoulders and walked away. Rukawa who still stood at the foot of the cliff waited there for a moment before he walked away too the both of them walking away the opposite directions. In school Hontokoi realized that Kozue had not returned to school for a couple of days after that match after Sports Day. Hontokoi felt a little worried that something might have happened to him and made up her mind that she must go see him after school. Like she had planned, she went off alone after school after she told Haruko she had something to do and did not tell her what. She dashed down the street nearly crashing into a person on a bike. She dodged away in a nick of time. “Sorry!” She yelled back still running on and also without turning back to see who he was. Rukawa sat on the bike with his head turned to her direction. He knew she was that girl he met during that morning of his practice and during Sports Day. Without much thought about it he cycled on. Hontokoi ran all the way to Kozue’s house. She was quite out of breath when she reached his front gate. She took a deep breath and then went into the garden. Slowly she pressed the bell and waited. When nobody answered she pressed the bell again. When she thought nobody was in she turned away to leave when the door flew opened. She turned back and saw Kozue standing by the door. “What do you want?” He snapped. “Haven’t you embarrassed me enough yet?” “Look, you don’t have to jump down my throat everytime you see me, Kozue,” Hontokoi said trying to keep her temper in control. “I only came to see if you are all right. It had been sometime you didn’t come to school and I was just... never mind, forget it.” “You were just what?” Kozue asked curiously. “Nothing, it’s just that you might get into trouble if you keep skipping school!” “Since when do you care?” Kozue retorted. “All you are good at is making my life miserable since I met you!” “What!” Hontokoi cried. “Since when? You are the one that started first!” Hontokoi would soon lose her temper if she stayed longer with Kozue. She knew she had to get quickly to the point and leave or she was afraid she would do something she will regret later. She took a deep breath trying her best to stay in control. She hardly ever loss her temper but when she was with Kozue she did it really frequently. She never lost her temper for silly little things. “Look here, Kozue!” Hontokoi started, her voice neutral. “I just came here just to tell you not to be so silly to keep skipping school and get yourself into trouble, all right? I didn’t come here to quarrel with you. So it up to you to take this piece of advise or not. I don’t care and I’m leaving now”. Quickly Hontokoi turned away and walked off after she made her speech. When she was nearly out the garden Kozue called her and she turned her head around slightly giving him a stern look. “Thank you,” Kozue said with a slight smile. “For caring.” “Anytime,” Hontokoi returned his smile. “Just make sure you come to school tomorrow.” Kozue found himself gazing at her smile. She hardly ever smiled in front of him and it was the first time he ever saw Hontokoi’s famous smile. She turned away and made her way to Itaka University to see her father. Coach Yatsunaga’s students really like Hontokoi and treat her really nice. There were even times when they weren’t practicing they will play basketball with Hontokoi for fun. During her visits Coach Yatsunaga usually told her how he coached and how to catch someone else’s mistakes. Hontokoi usually liked her visits to Itaka University and she always made sure she went there as often as she could. After school before Hontokoi and Haruko’s extracurricular activity started, they both stayed back in class flipping through a teenage magazine ‘Kawaii’. Most of the students in class had left except for a few other students who stayed behind to chat and clean the class. “It is amazing how the time has flown by so quickly,” Haruko said. “When we met one another we were only five that time but it seems like it was only a few days ago. I can still remember it so clearly. When this semester ends we will both be going to Shiratuo Secondary School.” Hontokoi looked up at Haruko when she realized that she still hadn’t told her about the school problem. Haruko however could see the sudden change of Hontokoi looked at her worriedly. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Did I say something?” “No, it is just that I realized I didn’t tell you something that I’m afraid you might not like to hear,” Hontokoi said softly. “I had been putting it away for so long, but I guess you ought to know now.” “What is it?” Haruko asked her eyes widen shock. “It isn’t at all that bad whatever it is.” “I was told to go to Tomigaoka end of this semester, Haruko,” Hontokoi said slowly. “The school my cousin Ayoko is in.” “What?” Haruko cried. “That means I have to Shiratuo alone?” “I’m sorry, Haruko. I should have told you earlier. It’s just that I didn’t know how to tell you and you brought up the subject about school so I thought I should tell you then.” Haruko looked so upset all of a sudden Hontokoi regretted telling her. “Haruko, don’t look so sad,” Hontokoi said desperately. “You are making me feel bad!” “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help it,” Haruko said softly, her head bowed. “Just to think, a new start without you, it will be so weird.” “I know, but with your attitude I’m sure you will make new friends in no time at all.” Hontokoi said trying to sound happy. “You won’t come out at all that bad you, know.” “I hope so,” Haruko mumbled. “Well I just hope that we...” “Haruko, it is not end of the world yet,” Hontokoi said cheerfully. “What are the weekends for? We can meet up and besides, there is always the phone nearby where we can call one another.” “Yeah, you are right,” Haruko said with a slight smile. “Well, you are right, it is not at all that bad. But will you be all right in a new school?” Hontokoi looked at Haruko her eyes wide. She knew what Haruko actually meant by asking that question. She usually had a hard time trying to fit into new groups. She shrugged in a carefree manner to show Haruko she didn’t really care. They went back reading their magazine but Hontokoi’s mind wasn’t on the magazine anymore. She felt a little dread going on to something new without Haruko for she had always been with her since she came to Japan. But Hontokoi was a strong person she won’t bother small matters like this. Hontokoi’s was over at Haruko’s place in her room studying for her last semester examination that would come in another three weeks. Suddenly Haruko broke the silence by speaking about Kozue. “It is a good thing Kozue isn’t disturbing us again,” she said. “Thanks to you.” “Don’t thank me,” Hontokoi said still had her head buried on her book. “Thank him for keeping his words.” “Many students said he likes you.” “Says who?” Hontokoi said in a bored voice her face still lowered reading her book. “They must be out of their minds.” “No!” Haruko insisted. "It is the truth, the whole standard is talking about it.” “Yeah, right,” Hontokoi looked up for the first time during this conversation and rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you get on with our studying instead of talking about him? The last person on earth I want to hear about.” Haruko said no more and they both went on with her studying. Soon Haruko’s room was again quiet as the two girls buried their heads in the books. Hontokoi took no further thought about what Haruko had said. In more correct words she had already forgotten what Haruko had said as she study for her finals. After their examination ended, it was Haruko and Hontokoi’s last few weeks in primary school. As usual Hontokoi was the top student in the whole form. Haruko passed everything with flying colours and they both went around the school packing their things together. They both were at the girl’s basketball team locker room cleaning out their lockers. “I can’t believe that the time flew by so quickly,” Haruko said fishing out a pair of sports shoes in her locker. “And to think that this will be the last few weeks I will be in the same school as you will be. I just hope that I will get use to the fact that we are in the different secondary school.” “Don’t worry Haruko,” Hontokoi smiled zipping up her bag. “You will. So, you ready?” “Just one more sec!” Haruko said zipping her bag up as well. “All right. So you are moving away to that house end of this month?” “I’m not very sure,” Hontokoi said. “It’s up to my father.” “Your new house is quite far from mine,” Haruko groaned. “We used to be able to walk to one another’s house but now we have to catch a train.” “It is not at all that bad, Haruko,” Hontokoi said. “Besides, it's not like I’m leaving Kanagawa or anything.” “You are right.” They both entered their class together and found many students crowded around the blackboard. Hontokoi and Haruko looked at one another curiously and then walked closer to have a better look and what was one the board nearly made Hontokoi faint to the floor. Haruko’s mouth dropped opened nearly a mile then. One the board was a love poem written by Kozue and specially dedicated to Hontokoi. Angrily Hontokoi pushed her way through the crowd and quickly rubbed the board up. After she did she spun around and found herself face to face with Kozue. “Why you?” Hontokoi said softly her voice quivering from anger. “Why can’t you just leave me alone! It is already my last few weeks of school here! Can’t you at least let me go in peace?” “I really mean it,” Kozue said holding her hand. “Please believe me.” “The last thing I would ever do is to trust you, Kozue!” Hontokoi said snatching her hand away from him. “Out of my way!” She pushed her way out of the class and ran down the corridor and hid herself in the toilet. She sat in one of the stalls when she heard the door opened and shut back itself when someone came into the toilet. “Hontokoi?” She heard Haruko’s voice. “It's only me. Please come out.” Slowly, Hontokoi opened the door and came out. Haruko looked at her worriedly. All Hontokoi could do was smile to assure her she was fine. She didn’t trust herself to speak right now. They then both walked out of the bathroom together and went back to class. Hontokoi and Kozue was the first gossip column after that incident. After school Hontokoi walked home with Haruko. “I can’t believe that actually happened!” Haruko said. “Well, I don’t mean to sound really bad or anything but I just can’t help myself but say I told you so. I told you and you didn’t believe me. See, now you can see it with your own two eyes.” “How could I actually believe it when he is my worst enemy.” “I can’t wait to tell brother,” Haruko said laughing. “He is sure to laugh his head off.” “Don’t you dare!” Hontokoi cut in quickly. “It would be the last thing I ever want is to have Akagi laughing at me.” Haruko laughed all the way back home with the fuming Hontokoi beside her. Hontokoi sighed for things were going to change when the new semester began in secondary school in Tomigaoka. There won’t be Haruko next to her laughing after school walking home together and when they were in class or during break. It was nice to hear her laugh maybe for the last time, even if it was directed at her. She thought silently with a smile. “Hey, Hontokoi!” Kumiko shouted running into Haruko and her class the next morning. “Have you heard? It’s about Kozue!” Hontokoi frown when she heard his name. She and Haruko were alone in class when Kumiko came in. Hontokoi was reading a ghost story by Phantom Valley when Haruko was flipping through a fashion magazine. Hontokoi buried her head into the book again. “What is it?” Haruko asked when she realized that Hontokoi wasn’t going to say a thing. “Did something happen?” “When it is Kozue, he must have fallen off the cliff or something,” Hontokoi mumbled. “Like I would care!” “He’s leaving Japan!” Kumiko cried. “His whole family is migrating to Europe.” Hontokoi’s frown disappeared and she looked up from her book. She stared at Kumiko wide eyes and then she and Haruko looked at one another. They then turned back to Kumiko. “Europe?” They both said together. “That’s right!” Kumiko said. “Today is his last day here in Japan and he didn’t even come to school to attend his last day.” “I think that explained his desperate move confessing how he actually felt for you.” Haruko said. “And in front of everyone too. So when is he leaving?” “Tonight!” Kumiko said. “Their belongings are already shipped there this afternoon. I think he is really romantic to write that poem to you. You are so lucky! He is also so good looking, how I wish I was the one he sent that poem to.” “You had already forgotten the things he did to us?” Hontokoi asked not believing what Kumiko had just said. “For me I wouldn’t!” “Don’t be insensitive, Hontokoi!” Kumiko said. “If I were you I would have forgiven him. He is such a great basketball player too, in case you haven't noticed. Our final inter school match he scored the winning point at the last minute. He is unbelievable!” Hontokoi and Haruko watched Kumiko walked the class and Hontokoi turned to Haruko angrily. “Of course she would say that,” she cried. “She wasn’t the one competing with him! Those horrible tricks he played on me when I challenged him. I was so afraid that I couldn’t get to the top first and so many girls were counting on me to win this match. That pressure was horrible.” “It’s over now and you won!” Haruko said trying to sound cheerful. “Now forget about it all right and get on with your reading.” Hontokoi picked her book up again and started to read but her mind wasn’t in the story as she thought about Kozue. She wondered if she should go see him one last time before he left for Europe tonight. Maybe she should she thought. After all Kozue had treated her so much better after that day she went over to her house to talk to him. So after school she went off alone after she bit goodbye to Haruko and told she will go over to her house later. She made her way to Kozue’s house. She stood by the front gate for a minute before she had enough nerve to go inside. She rang the doorbell and Kozue’s mother opened the door.” “Konichiwa, Mrs. Sashiko,” Hontokoi greeted with a slight bow. “I came to look for Kozue. May I see him?” “Just a moment please,” she disappeared into the house for a minute before coming out again. “Kozue will be out in a minute to see you, please wait for a moment.” She went into the house again and that was when Kozue came out the house and shut the door when he stepped outside. He stared at Hontokoi like he couldn’t believe he was looking at her. “Hontokoi,” he said finally after an awkward silence. “I thought I would never see you again. I’m so happy you came. Did you know I’m leaving tonight?” Hontokoi nodded. They both stared at one another speechless after that. Kozue tried his best to think of something to say but unsuccessful. “Well, I guess I should wish you all the best when you reach Europe,” Hontokoi finally said after a minute of silence and she held up her hand to shake his. “Good luck.” Kozue looked down at Hontokoi’s hand before he took her hand into his. After their handshake he didn’t want to let it go. Hontokoi could feel herself turning red and she felt so uncomfortable. She tried to pull her hand away as politely as she could so she wouldn’t hurt him. “Well, if there is a chance again,” Hontokoi said after she managed to get her hand away from his. “It would be nice if we do meet again. I have to go now. Safe traveling and I guess it is sayonara now.” “Sayonara,” Kozue whispered Hontokoi turned away and walked away. When she reached the gate she turned back to look at him for the last time. He was still watching her so she gave him a gentle smile and then turned away and ran down the street. To be Continued... **Previous ** Next**