Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Ichiban ❯ Takashi and the memories of smiles ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Disclaimer: CCS is not owned by me but by the lovely ladies of CLAMP.

Takashi's Story...


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Author's Notes: Finally my Yamazaki-kun story. Hmmm... I hope it doesn't sound
too OOC. Yamazaki is such a nice boy and so polite. But when he starts those lies
he just cracks me up. Well, hope you enjoy. Seems.. like every chapter I write
keeps getting longer and longer.

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~Ichiban~

I think everything started when I was about five. It was May. Close to my birthday.
Otousan and I were at the park watching the ducks wading in the pond, when all of
a sudden he said something to me just out of the blue.

Now, my Otousan was always such a serious person. Much like Li-kun sometimes. It
wasn't like him to joke around. Everything he said to me, I believed.

"Takashi-kun," he said looking up at the blue sky. "Why do you think the sky is
blue?"

"Isn't it because of the reflection of the sun, Otousan?"

Otousan looked at me with closed eyes and a smiling face, which left me confused.
"Am I wrong, Otousan? That's what I read from those books you gave me."

"Ahh... Yes, yes... Takashi-kun," he said, holding up his pointer finger as if to make
a point. "But there's another story to it. Do you want to hear it?"

I nodded with enthusiasm. Otousan was one of the smartest people I knew so I
knew he couldn't be wrong at these things.

And so he continued. "You see, a long time ago, the gods in heaven were all great
painters. And they would paint and paint all day and all night long. And the paint
was always blue because back then that was the only color. And when they were
done painting, they would throw the paint away high up in the colorless sky and
soon the paint mixed with the clouds and the sky eventually turned blue."

Back then, I was amazed. Wow! The sky became blue because all the gods were
painters.

When Otousan saw my face full of wide amazement he started to laugh... One of
those hearty laughs that only fathers can do when they are truly amused.
"Takashi-kun," he finally said, catching his breath. "I hope you always make
everyone laugh."

For my birthday that year, he gave me a thick book full of facts about everything
you can possibly imagine. Like why do trees exist, why we have hair, why we
breath. I was mesmerized by it. Me being six, was supposed to be interested in
baseball and kendo and watching the latest anime on lazy Sunday afternoons.... but
no... I was so into the book. Facts were a lot better. "Use it well, Takashi-kun."
Otousan said.

For most of my life, that book became one of my precious pocessions. Anything
Otousan gave me was special. Otousan was the only person I had. The most
important person in my life. And though he was always so serious, once in awhile,
his eyes would close and his lips would form a smile and he would always start out
the same way. "You know, about...." Ahhh! I knew I was in for it.

By the time I entered Kindergarten, Otousan became really sick. I was so worried
about him. "Don't worry Takashi-kun, it's all right. It's just me getting old...."

Every Sunday, we take trips to the park close to our house. Even though Otousan
wasn't feeling well, he would always take my hand in his, buy some suama and sit
on our bench and feed the ducks. He would tell me all kinds of far-fetched stories.
"No matter what Takashi-kun, we will always come here, ne? It's a nice, peaceful
place."

Then, one bright sunny day when Otousan and I were watching the ducks, he said
something to me that I'll never forget. "Remember that I'll always love you,
Takashi-kun. Don't ever be sad, ne? Because even though you may think that I'm
not with you, I really am. Always be happy, ne?"

"But Otousan, you'll be better right? I don't want you to go. I don't want you to
leave me." I started to cry but Otousan... he wiped my tears away....

He was smiling his always happy smile. "Now, now, didn't I tell you not to be sad?
I'll always be with you even when I'm gone. Just always smile. When I was your
age, I was always so serious. And I'm glad that you're not that way. You always find
a way to make me laugh Takashi-kun. You always make me happy. I hate it when
you look sad. Smile for me always." Otousan took a suama candy from my paper
bag then and continued to watch the ducks.

When the afternoon sun came, I remembered feeling like my whole world came
crashing down on me. I found Otousan looking up at the sky with a peaceful smile
on his face. Even though my father was always so serious, he always had a smile.
And I knew that he was gone. And I cried. I never cried so hard in my life. And
unlike the past, my Otousan wasn't there to wipe my tears away.

Even when my Obasan eventually came for me and to comfort me I couldn't stop
crying. The most important person to me was gone. Otousan was the only one I
had. But I knew that Otousan was right with what he said. I should be happy. I'll
smile for him and remember the happy times. I'll remember the stories he told me.
He'll always be with me.

When I moved in with Obasan to live with her in this little place called Tomoeda, I
was reluctant. I didn't want to leave my house and my friends and most of all, I
didn't want to leave the park and my memories of Otousan. I was old enough
though, to know that he would have wanted it this way...

"Don't worry Takashi-kun," said my Obasan ruffling my hair. The two of us were in
front of Tomoeda Elementary School, getting ready to step inside the special
Kindergarten room. "I was told that all the kinds here are very kind. Just like you.
I'm sure you'll find many new friends. Are you nervous?"

I shook my head. No, I was never nervous. Even back then. I was just afraid that I
wasn't going to be accepted.

"Class, I have great news!" Announced the Sensei. "We have a new transfer
student. He's from Hiroshima. Please make him feel welcome... Please come in.
Come in, Yamazaki-kun."

That was the beginning of my life in Tomoeda. I felt odd not knowing anyone but
eventually, I got to meet Yanagisawa-san and Sasaki-san and even Kinomoto-san
too. And most importantly, I got to meet a nice but sometimes serious girl, named
Mihara-san. My best friend.

"Yamazaki-kun, you should just call me Chiharu-chan like everyone else," she said
while we were playing together in the sandbox. "We're friends now right? Best
friends."

"You know Chiharu-chan, a long time ago, sand was made by day old bread."

Chiharu-chan gave me a questioning look. "Eh?"

"Yes, yes... That's why it's named 'sand' because a long time ago people would pick
the grains of the bread to make sand. It took years and years and years to fill up a
sandbox."

She sighed. "That's not true Yamazaki-kun. That's a lie."

"It is true." I argued.

Even then, Chiharu-chan was aware of my stories but she never once became angry
with me about it. Maybe choke me a couple of times but it's all just for fun. I don't
mind at all.

"Yamazaki-kun, you know, you're always so happy," Chiharu-chan pointed out.
"Aren't you ever sad? Do you ever miss your Otousan?"

"Of course I miss him. I miss him a lot. He's the only one I had. But he told me that
it's better to smile and remember instead of being sad forever. Those were his last
words to me."

"You shouldn't say that your Otousan was the only one you have because you have
everyone here. You have your Obasan. And there's Naoko-chan tachi... and...
and..." Chiharu-chan blushed but tried to hide it by looking down at the sandbox.
"And well, you have me. And we'll always stay together. Best friends. You do want
to be best friends right?"

I smiled. "Chiharu-chan, of course I want to."

From that day on, I guess I already knew that Chiharu-chan and I will always be
together. She became the one that's most important to me. And now that I'm older
and in Jr. High, I know that it will never change. She's the one that always makes
me happy and sometimes I do make her aggravated but I think it's all right. Well, I
hope it's all right.

As we were walking home from school, Chiharu-chan slipped her arm through mine.
"You know, there's that dance on Friday. That fairy-tale dance. I think it'll be fun.
What do you think?"

"If I am to go with you, then of course, it'll be fun."

Chiharu-chan smiled then. She let go of my arm and stood in front of me. We were
at the Penguin Park. It seems everytime we walked home together, we always
ended up there. I like it when Chiharu-chan smiles. She's always so full of life that
it kills me sometimes. If I see her sad, I would do anything to make her eyes light
up again. I always want to make her happy.

I tend to make her aggravated sometimes because of my telling of various facts.
She's always so serious about those things. Like that one time she made that bear
for me. What was that story Daidouji-san told them? That if you gave a bear to the
one you love and if the one you love will name that bear after you, you and the one
you love will be in love forever.

I didn't even realize she gave that bear to me because of that. And there I was,
making her angry because I named it "Suama" instead. I didn't know. I was
completely clueless and I felt bad that I didn't see through her clue.

"Don't you want to fall in love with me?" she asked angrily.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" I asked after awhile. I held the bear in my arms.
"No, I don't want to fall in love with you Chiharu-chan because I am already in love
with you."

Chiharu-chan blushed. "You really mean that, Yamazaki-kun?"

"Of course. I wouldn't lie about that. I'll name it Chiharu then. That's a nice name.
My favorite." I turned to Chiharu-chan with a smile. "And you know about love...
You see, a long time ago.."

"Hai... Hai... it's time to go inside. Let's go..." She said taking my hand, leading me
back to the classroom.

----------

"Well, it's all set then," she continued. "Rika-chan offered to make the perfect
costume for us."

"What costumes did she make?" I wondered. "Shrek and Fiona-hime? That would be
nice. Ogres are like onions you know... and that reminds me, about onions you
know. A long time ago they we..."

"Yamazaki-kun, it's not going to be Shrek and Fiona-hime."

"Then Superman and Lois Lane? Batman and Robin? Belldandy and Keichii-san? Suoh and Nagisa?"

Chiharu-chan shook her head. "No, no, no. It's supposed to be a FAIRY TALE. A
character that lived happily every after."

"Superman and Lois lived happily every after."

"But you know what I mean. It has to be a 'fairy tale'"

"Ah! Contraire, Chiharu-chan. You know about, fairy tales..."

"Yamazaki-kun, we'll be Snow White and Prince Charming," said Chiharu-chan,
cutting me off. "And since... and since..." She began to look sheepish. "And since I
don't have short black hair like Snow White and all and since you...." Chiharu-chan
seemed like she was squirming.

"What are you trying to say? You don't mean you want ME to be Snow White do
you?"

She looked up at me with hopeful eyes. "Well you do have short black hair. And
well, you did dress up as the evil witch in 5th grade and you were great and
Rika-chan already made the costumes..."

Now, ever since I was little it was always hard for me to say no. Especially to
Chiharu-chan. But there always has to be a first time for everything. "Chiharu-chan,
are you crazy? You have to be Snow White. You can wear a black wig. I don't know.
But I am not wearing a dress. Why can't you be Snow White?"

"Well because the dress is too big for me."

"Well... Sasaki-san can make it smaller."

"But the dance is only two days away!"

I sighed. I didn't ever want to argue with Chiharu-chan. But me in a dress again?
With all of the first year students of Tomoeda Jr. High as witnesses along with the
guys of Student Body?" Iiieee!

Before I can say anything more though, Daidouji-san was there watching us in her
usual observant manner. She looked like she was in a hurry. Carrying a large gift
bag with her.

"Tomoyo-chan, what do you think?" Chiharu-chan asked. "Yamazaki-kun, he won't
dress up as Snow White."

I told Chiharu-chan again that it was ridiculous but Daidouji-san, after awhile,
suggested we should make a bet for it. Have a race to see who's faster. Have a
race to see you can eat the most suama or who can eat the most ice cream or
who'll get the better prize from the UFO machine. "Maybe toss a coin. Then it'll be
settled easily," she said in that all knowing soft voice of hers.

"Ahhh! That was it! Toss a coin. I had a special coin in my pocket for occasions such
as these. Daidouji-san excused herself for intruding after that. She said something
about her bodyguards waiting for her because she might not mail the package in
time at the postoffice if she walked.

When Daidouji-san said that, Chiharu-chan had this gleam in her eye. "Ahhh! That
would be so romantic!" She said with a sigh. It was obvious she knew more than me
about this package and this so called "romantic" thing. Maybe it had something to
do with those costumes that was inside her bag.

Chiharu-chan crossed her arms at me. "If only you can be that romantic,
Yamazaki-kun."

I had no idea what she was talking about. Why did this "romantic" thing pop up
anyway? "What do you mean romantic? How did that pop up all of a sudden?"

Her brows furrowed and she shook her head slowly like she was frustrated. "Ah...
Nevermind."

I hate it when Chiharu-chan gets like this. I hate it even more when I am the
reason why she's like this. "Chiharu-chan, let's just toss a coin, OK?" I took the coin
out of my pocket Hiiragizawa-kun gave me before he left for England.

"You'll need it someday," he said with a smile.

"There's a plus side and a minus side to this coin. If it lands on the plus side, I'll be
Snow White. If it lands on the minus side you'll be Snow White."

"How do I know it's not a trick?"

"Would I really play tricks here when it concerns me dressing up as a girl?"

Chiharu-chan thought it over and pursed her lips. "All right then, toss it."

I tossed it high in the air, wishing that it would never land. It seemed like an
eternity when it finally landed near the foot of the Penguin slide. We both ran to it
and to no surprise to me, it landed on the plus side.

Chiharu-chan cheered. "Oh! Yatttaaa! I won! You're going to be Snow White!"

I tried to defend myself. Telling her that the wind and the sakura were distractions
to that coin toss and that's why it landed on the plus side. "We should do the toss
again. It's not fair. The wind got in the way. We have to do it somewhere else."

"No way, Yamazaki-kun. You're Snow White. You'll be the perfect Snow White."

She smiled. An always beautiful Chiharu-chan smile. And that was enough for me.
"Then you'll be a perfect Prince too. It'll be the first time ever that the Prince will be
much better looking than the Princess."

Otousan once said that sometimes a smile is enough to make someone happy. That
sometimes the greatest feeling in the world is for someone to smile at you and just
be with you.

Dressing up as Snow White wasn't so bad, as I thought it would be. And the dance
wasn't so bad either. Daidouji-san was there, dressed as 'Clara' from the
Nutcracker. Yanagisawa-san was dressed as Cinderella and Kinomoto-san was
dressed as Aurora-hime. She looked quite better in the Aurora-hime costume than
Li-kun did in our infamous play, Ahh... Li-kun, I miss teasing him. He'll come back
one day. That's what Chiharu-chan said.

"That's romantic isn't it?" she asked, when we were walking home together from
the dance. We were waiting for Yanagisawa-san to walk home with us but I think
that night, it was Tsukada-kun who walked her home instead.

"What's romantic?" I asked. Really, I'm not great with this romantic thing.

"That Li-kun will be back just because of Sakura-chan. It's just like a fairytale."

I agreed. Chiharu-chan is always into "romantic" things. That, and maybe stuffed
animals... She took my hand and we continued to walk silently home. Her house
was two more blocks away and mine was just three.

"Chiharu-chan?" I asked without looking at her. I squeezed her hand. Her house
was only a block away now.

"Nani?" came her soft reply.

"You know about this romantic business..."

"Yamazaki-kun, this isn't another lie is it?" She stopped walking. "You're starting
with your 'You know abouts...' again and everytime you start out with that line, it's
always a lie or 'stories' as you call them.

"No, no it's not going to be a lie. I just wanted to tell you that even though I don't
know much about being anything you call 'romantic'... I just wanted to tell you that
you are my best friend... And that I... I... love you. And I know saying 'I love you'
isn't enough because I love you more than all those I love yous... Out of everything
in this world, I love you the best of all." I let go of her hand, looking down at the
ground. "Iiee... you see, I can never do this right."

Romance is never my thing. Math? I love math. Facts? My other favorite subject.
Cooking? I was good at that. But romance? I can't do it. To my surprise though,
Chiharu-chan hugged me tightly putting her head on my shoulder. "I love you too,
Yamazaki-kun."

To hear her say that made me so happy. I wouldn't know what I would ever do if
Chiharu-chan wasn't with me. I think I would be the loneliest person in the whole
world.

When we finally parted and continued to walk home again, the coin Hiiragizawa-kun
gave me fell on the sidewalk. I didn't even notice that it had fallen until
Chiharu-chan picked it up.

"Yamazaki-kun, you dropped your coin."

All I can think then was that out of all the things that had to fall out of my pocket,
it just had to be that coin. It tried to take it quickly but Chiharu-chan examined it
and she examined it somemore. She knew...It's because I love you best,
Chiharu-chan....

"Yamazaki-kun?"

"Huh?" I was discovered.... It's because I always want to make you happy.

"This coin... Both sides are plus signs."

END....

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So who's next?

What's Chiharu's side of the story?
And Rika-chan's too.
What was the package that Tomoyo was carrying?
What's Eriol's role in all this?
And Syaoran? where is he?
And will Meiling-chan come out of animeland and visit the manga world?


Til next time.