Tatsuko lay on the sofa, his eyes open in sleeplessness. His gaze rested blankly upon the plain ceiling, hoping futilely for sleep to be finally blessed upon him. There's something strange about today, he thought, the strange, perhaps empty feeling? He sighed within himself as the emptiness seemed to expand within him. There's something missing, his mind seemed to whisper aloud, the imagined sound resonating with thought, but I have not a damn clue of what it was! But in reality, he knew very well what it was.

The moonlight shone faintly upon her cheeks, her fair skin glowing palely under its harmonious shine. Her chest rose and fell with steady breaths, but her eyes were open, staring in a similar fashion perhaps into the emptiness above. It must be tonight! Soundlessly Arashi slid into her clothes as she sneaked a peek through the crack of the door at the seemingly asleep figure outside. Shades of color rushed to her cheeks as the door, too, slipped open without sound. Clasping her hands behind her, the girl played nervously with her fingers as her bared feet took the first steps out on the carpeted floor, fighting against collapse. At first, it seemed unnoticeable, but it grew and seemed to echo within the room; the beating of my heart, she thought as she took another slow step. The rhythmic beating seemed to wear quickly away at the self confidence which she took much time to build; she fled with alacrity, however still soundless, closing behind her the door which shielded her from fear. Her breathing slowly steadied once more as she lay sprawled out upon the bed, exhausted from doing seemingly absolutely nothing. The rosy hue faded slowly from her cheeks as she flung blanket over herself as if it were a shield; underneath the self made barrier, she began to console herself.

Tatsuko stared at the closed door in understanding puzzlement. He knew her intent, and understood but at the same time did not. He could not find the courage in his own self to announce aloud his love, nor could he realize his love. Pushing aside the blanket, he stood up, only to sit down again a moment after. Then, he stared blankly again at the door, understanding and not at the same time.

The sun rose slowly but gloriously, as if to offer a subject of distraction to those meddling deep within their thoughts. Tatsuko, however, had not the time for the liberty of sitting and thinking. "Exams, exams!" he thought to himself, "Nonstop testing of which there is no point to any single one of them." The words in the text seemed to expand as he thought of the subjects which were to be tested on: literature analysis, art history, marine biology. "Damned seaweeds, they seem to be everywhere in that book." Stopping himself short, he looked up from the seemingly endless volumes of published text as Arashi came from her room. "Morning," he said promptly before seizing rather roughly the expansive blue book. Sadly, even the cover was decorated with random patterns of seaweed.

"Good morning," came a rather weakly response, "Cramming last minute for tests? You should know by now not to do that. Remember last time?"

Tatsuko gave a low groan as he flipped frantically at the pages, not bothering to look for the insignificant numbers written at the corners. "What is this about seaweeds and marine biology!" he began, "Its not like they cover ninety-nine percent of all the volume in the ocean, so why must they make like it does? Here, look at chapter one, Introduction to Marine Biology, and there, on page one, picture of seaweed. And there it is again, on page two, and out of the thirty-eight pages in the first chapter, I'll bet more than thirty of them has seaweed on it!" At this point Tatsuko began to point with frantic randomness at the different pictures of seaweed in the book.

Arashi managed a weak, distracted smile as she listened. "Mental breakdown now, is it? I'm sure you'll do fine (perhaps the most abused saying in the English language) you've paid attention in class haven't you?" She sighed, not waiting for an answer, "I think I'll take a little walk awhile outside."

The air seemed fresh and cool and seemed to lift her spirits a little. It gave her time to really think perhaps about her midnight adventure. The cool sea breeze blew gently, swaying her hair behind her as the smell fittingly of seaweed drifted lightly along the morning fog. The shops, which were closed as she turned the corner and strolled down the main street, made the street appear somewhat desolate. She passed along the local shops, the bookstore, and the coffee house before finally arriving on her favorite spot on the beach. Smiling a little, she sat to watch as the waves crashed against boulders below, sending up a myriad of crystal fragments, glowing vibrantly under the sun. The sun, bright with soft orange and hues of yellow began to peek its light over the horizon, its reflection glorious as well in the ever shifting foams of the sea.

"It's all so beautiful," she said inwardly, surveying the scenery with an admiring eye.

"Yes, isn't it," his voice sounded in knowing anticipation, "Very beautiful."

Arashi did not turn. Instead she just laughed and asked, "Shouldn't you be hating the beach by now, with all your studies of it," she added mockingly, "And the seaweeds."

"Field trip, since I thought an outing to the beach would actually help me learn about the things I'm supposed to be studying in the text. I've told you my reason, what's yours?"

Arashi was silent.

"Well," he said as he sat besides her, shoulder to shoulder, "Mind if I join you then?"

She shook her head.

"You're quite thoughtful today," he paused, rephrasing the question in his head, "What's wrong?"

Again, she was silent. She replied evasively that she did not have much sleep last night.

"It's not good to hide things, you know, sometimes it's better perhaps to just say the things you want to say, and get them out of your system. It's hard to keep things bottle up inside, it's unhealthy." He nodded as if to reinforce his statement. "So, come now, what's the matter? Bullies, feeling sick, love?"

She flushed slightly as she sought to hide her face. A light rose of color illuminated her cheeks as she removed hastily the clip in her hair to let her hair fall between them as a shield.

"So it is love," he said with some drama, "Well, care to share? I know I'm not one of your girlfriends or anything, but I can listen."

"Well, ok," she replied hesitantly after a pause, then with slightly more confidence, "Let's say then, I said I loved you, just as an example, what would you do? I suppose I'm asking for advice here, ."

"Are you asking my response or just guys in general? Well, I suppose there wouldn't be much different in both anyway." He paused, then resumed after a little time for thought. "I suppose I'd just accept it, but there wouldn't be much to do, would there be? It's not as if you asked me to do anything, so I really can't say much to it."

"What if then, if I or any other girl asked you to, well, take me out?" She said, trembling slightly.

Here he stopped to think again. "I suppose I would accept it, I mean, everyone deserves a chance at something don't they? Who am I to deny them of something everyone deserves? But these are all just theories," he smiled, "If it came as a real surprise to me, I probably wouldn't know what to do at all."

Arashi smiled faintly also, then turned her head away under the façade of viewing scenery. She could feel her heart beating quickly again, the rhythm steady in her chest. Behind the cascade of hair which shielded her from his view, her rosy cheeks flushed with renewed color as a sudden resolution, supported by a force which none can understand, decided her next act in the place of thought. She pushed her hair aside as she turned slightly to face him; the rhythmic beating seemed to reverberate around her, drowning out even the sound of the crashing waves. "Tatsuko." her voice was barely a whisper; her determined hands reached out slowly and grasped his.

"I.I." The wind seemed to blow her words away as she battled with herself to force the words from her lips. The timeless sea crashed again upon the rocks, sending a light mist to cloud over seated two; birds cried out in mindless bliss, soaring over the vast expanse of horizon where the sea and sky seemed to meet. "I love you."

There was silence as Tatsuko simply stared. He could not help but stare; here he was, sitting with someone he's known and taken care of nearly all his life, a person whom he cherishes and loves more so than even himself, a beautiful girl, an angel perhaps, seated before him, whom he's never regarded as anybody but a sister!

The sea breeze blew again, swaying lightly her hair so that the long strands drifted before her eyes. The birds have stopped their calling, eager to return to their homes as the wind grew stronger. The sea, the timeless yet naïve sea, continued to crash against the rocks, each time growing in force and each time wearing away the rock. The mist rose again, showering the seated two with foam and salt. Her eyes, so lively and beautiful, stared unblinkingly as well, shadowed only by fear. Afraid of unreturned love, afraid of many things, perhaps even afraid of herself and what she's said; has she offended him? He has yet to say a word. Was this all a mistake, she pondered, also with fear; but the fear couldn't shadow her love as she gazed into his eyes as she sought an answer.

Tatsuko's mind ran in circles about itself as he attempted to find an answer; doubts began to form in his mind. Fragments of questions to piece together, like a puzzle, he thought, but with the pieces which he has not yet found. He loved her as a sister, or was it more? Much more, an inner voice seemed to cry aloud as he unknowingly tried to fight it away. His gaze met with hers as more unanswered questions seemed to flood from a hidden recess within. He stared, also, into her eyes, seeking an answer.

Arashi turned away as the tears began to gather; she tried to speak but no longer has the courage to. Instead, she stood up and fled. She ran quickly, wanting to escape. She passed the main street again, the shops by now open. The flashing lights beamed happily upon her as she ran, and the smells of morning coffee and pastries drifted about, a smell of life and activity. Slamming the door behind her, she began to cry, deep, choking sobs that have been retained for what seemed to be a timeless eternity.

Tatsuko sat motionless, facing the sea. The surprise had slowly faded as he regained his ability of thought; his eyes reflected what seemed to be deep thought within his mind. Clouds began to gather as he sat; he remained unmoving even as the rain fell in cold, hard, desperate sheets. "Tears from the angels in the sky," he said quietly aloud.