Chapter One

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"No! I can never let my daughter marry someone as poor as you are! If you don't have any job, what will happen to my daughter! I'm sorry, Mr. Taka Sukunami but I'm afraid I can never let you marry my daughter," Miaka's mom explained to Taka. She knew how much he loves her, but love alone can't give Miaka a good life. Taka is penniless. That's the problem—a very big problem.

"But mom," Miaka tried to insist though she knows her mother's decision is final. She looked at Taka. He looked back at her and gave her a sad smile.

"Maybe you should go now. You don't have any business here," her mother commanded Taka to go. She pointed to the door that was left ajar.

"Taka," Miaka hugged Taka, "please don't leave me."

Taka faced her and looked directly into her eyes, "I planned to go to USA and to work there. I'll come back after three years and marry you. By that time, I already have a good living and we'll have a happy family. I promise I'll come back for you. Mark my word," he said to Miaka while smiling. His face showed so much strength, but deep inside he was falling into pieces. He has to be strong for Miaka. He'll do everything for Miaka.

Miaka let him go at last. "When do you plan to leave?" she asked, looking down. She knew any minute the tears she's been holding back will fall. She doesn't want Taka to see that.

"As soon as possible," he answered, "Goodbye," he finally said.

Miaka wasn't able to move. She stared as Taka went out while hot tears rolled from her eyes. "I'll be waiting for you!" she said as she waved goodbye to Taka while following him to the nearby bus terminal…

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"Hah!" Miaka said as she woke up from her sleep, "The same dream I had last night," she said. "Taka, three years have passed since you went abroad, I hope you still remember me…and your promise," Miaka thought as she fixed her bed.

"Miaka, breakfast is ready!" Keisuke yelled from downstairs.

"Coming!" she yelled back. "Hmm… smells yummy!" Miaka exclaimed.

"Everything's delicious to you," her brother teased.

"Shut up!" Miaka answered happily. Their mother came and served some juice.

"Now, start eating and stop that non-" the telephone rang.

"I'll get it," Keisuke volunteered. Miaka didn't pay attention because she's still busy devouring her breakfast. "Hey Tetsuya, what's up?" Keisuke said, "Oh really, well that's good for Miaka… alright, we'll see you later at three… okay bye," he put the phone down.

"What's that for?" Miaka asked as she got another dish.

"Tetsuya has some good news, he'll explain later," he answered.

They came at the exact time that Keisuke set to see Tetsuya. "There you are! You came at the right time," Tetsuya greeted them, smiling.

"So, what's the good news concerning me?" Miaka asked excitedly.

"First of all, why don't we have some snacks first over that restaurant? I'm kinda hungry and you know it's hard for a hungry man to tell some stories," Tetsuya said half-jokingly.

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Keisuke ordered a cheeseburger and soft drinks, Tetsuya the same, while Miaka ordered a double cheeseburger and soft drinks. Keisuke shook his head when he heard his sister's order. Tetsuya smiled as he held back a laugh and Miaka totally ignored them.

"Miaka, you really eat like a pig," Keisuke remarked. Miaka just stick her tongue out.

"So as I was saying a while ago, Taka is coming back next Monday," Tetsuya began his story. Miaka spat the soft drinks she was drinking to her side.

"Gomen," she apologized. "By the way, are you serious? Is Taka really coming back next week?" Miaka asked.

"Yes, and you know what? That big mansion there is his," Tetsuya answered as he pointed toward the big mansion, which needs just a few finishing touches. Though the structure was still partly finished, it was evident that the mansion would be very beautiful. There were several men working on it and they looked so tired.

"I knew it!" Miaka stood up and shouted, "He'll come back for me! He'll fulfill his promise!" she said cheerfully. Her eyes twinkled like the brightest stars in the night sky. Keisuke felt happy for his sister, but he feels uncomfortable seeing the other people staring at his sister.

"Hey Miaka, will you just take your seat! People are staring at you," her brother said. Miaka sat down and apologized.

"Taka, I know you'll do your promise! I've been waiting for so long…I missed you," she thought happily.

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Next Monday, Miaka came at the airport early. She waited patiently for his plane to arrive as her thoughts danced merrily in her mind. She was so excited. She thought of how Taka would look now, after three years. Would he still look the same? Did he have his hair dyed? Is he bald? She had no idea. Still, no matter what his appearance will be now, may it be pleasant or not, she'll accept him and lock him in her arms. 6:30 was the arrival time of the airplane that Taka is in. It didn't take so long for the airplane arrived some minutes before the expected time.

"Miaka!" came a familiar voice. Miaka whirled around and saw a beautiful blonde lady with blue eyes hidden by her shades running towards her.

"Yui! I didn't know you're coming back the same time as Taka," Miaka exclaimed. She was so amazed by the coincidence.

"Hey Yui, wait for me!" Miaka heard a man's voice. Taka came smiling however, not at Miaka but at Yui. This puzzled Miaka but she just ignored it.

"Taka!" Miaka shouted with joy as she hugged Taka, "I missed you so much!" she said. To her dismay, Taka pushed her away.

"Glad to see you too," he said then held Yui's hand and walked away.

"Taka," Miaka stared as she saw Yui and Taka disappear from a distance. Her heartbeats raced. She felt dizzy and so groggy she thought she'd faint. "Something's wrong, I can feel it. Why did he do that to me?" Miaka asked herself as she went home.

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"So, how was your day?" Keisuke asked smiling. Miaka stared at him blankly, her face showed no expression. "Anything wrong?" he asked.

"He seems to…forget me…and his feelings for me…I don't know what to do…something's really wrong…" she answered, her eyes fixed on a distant object. Her brother knew there was definitely something wrong with her. All of a sudden, the sound of the doorbell disturbed their conversation. Miaka and her brother stared at the door and guessed who the visitor may be.

"Hi!" Yui's lively voice lifted Miaka's spirit. "Yui!" Miaka greeted her friend happily. They hugged each other so tightly Yui had to use her mouth to breathe. It took a moment before Miaka noticed the man standing behind her best friend.

"Taka!" Miaka exclaimed but this time, she just asked him to enter and have a seat. She sat beside him however, he always moves away. He finally stood up and sat beside Yui. Yui and Taka exchanged glances and Taka held her hand. Unexpectedly, what Taka did surprise everyone: he kissed Yui's cheek in front of Miaka and Keisuke!

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Is it bad/good? Please read/review!

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