(S2 Finale) Chapter 22 Dreaming Forward

No one's POV

Currently within his apartment , Nhazul was in the middle cleaning up and throwing out things he didn't need. As he did, he would come across a bin full off that would seem to be scripts of some sort, surprising him.

Nhazul: Huh, I wonder where I had put these.

As Nhazul has begun to go through the bin, his mind would wander to Chizuru and her grandmother.

Nhazul's thoughts: I wander how she's doing.

Suddenly, something would hit his back door and he already knew who it was.

Nhazul: Speak of the Devil.

As Nhazul would walk out to be met by Chizuru who was doing laundry.

Chizuru: Sorry, I'll make this quick. I know I called you out here, but... Sumi wants you to help her practice again. Saturday, 10 AM, at the stairs by the Shingawa Princess entrance. Are you free?

Upon hearing this, Nhazul would raise a brow confused.

Nhazul: Sumi?

Nhazul's thoughts: She wants to practice again? Why didn't she just text me like last time?

Chizuru: Were you listening?

Nhazul: Yeah, I was. And sure. I'm not doing anything. But 10 AM is pretty early.

Chizuru: Seems she has something scheduled planned out. She said you couldn't miss 11:30.

Nhazul: And that's about?

Chizuru: Beats me. Anyway, I'll let her know.

As Chizuru began to walk away, Nhazul would speak up, getting her attention.

Nhazul: Are you doing alright?

Chizuru: That question again? Like I said, I do everything I can for my grandma. Only fools look back on the past with regret.

Nhazul's thoughts: Still putting up a brave face, huh?

Chizuru: What about you? Thing's alright with Ruka?

Nhazul: Ruka?

Chizuru: Yes. You two suddenly started acting weird at the party.

Hearing this, Nhazul would think back to their kiss and what she said, before sighing.

Nhazul: You, the usual with her.

Chizuru: Really? Good to hear. Anyway, have fun.

As Chizuru would go back into her apartment, Nhazul would grow a bit curious.

Nhazul's thoughts: She sure was in a rush. Guess she has a lot to deal with given her grandmother's condition. You wouldn't think she have time to look after Ruka or Sumi, but there she goes.

(Timeskip)

It's now the next day and after taking the train, Nhazul would make his way towards Shingawa Princess entrance where he would find Sumi waiting for him.

Nhazul: Yo.

Seeing Nhazul walk to her, Sumi would simply smile at him, before pointing in the direction she wanted to go, before heading there.

Nhazul's thoughts: She's definitely in a hurry. What does she have planned?

Nhazul: So, why did you ask Chizuru to text me? Did you lose my number?

Sumi would shake her head, before typing on her phone and showing Nhazul.

Sumi: "I wanted to surprise you".

Nhazul's thoughts: Surprise me? What's there to be surprised about?

As the two would continue to walk, they would arrive at the Aqua Wonderful World aquarium, surprising Nhazul.

Nhazul's thoughts: The aquarium? Is this where she wanted to go?

Sumi: I wanted to...

Nhazul: Hmm?

Sumi: I wanted to guide you today, Nhazul...

Hearing this, Nhazul would look at Sumi surprised.

Nhazul's thoughts: Guide me? A guide plan drawn up by Sumi? That's not something I was expecting...

As the two would enter the aquarium together, Sumi would sit down in the open, confusing Nhazul.

Nhazul: Huh? Sumi? What are you doing?

Sumi would simply shake her head no, confusing Nhazul. However, he sees other people coming and realizes he needs to sit to. Moments later, a penguin comes out and puts a small show for the people. Afterwards, Sumi would begin to lead Nhazul to their next destination, where ever that may be.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Geez, talk about my way or the highway... Due to her lack of communication skills, she's extremely difficult to predict... And Sumi's Express has already left the station... Definitely a far cry from the first time we practiced...

As their date would continue, the two would end up visiting various attractions in rapid succession, causing Nhazul to feel tired. Seeing Sumi also getting tired, he wonders if the date will end well. Their next stop would be the underwater tunnel, where Nhazul sees a sawfish and starts saying trivia about it. Upon hearing his knowledge about it, Sumi would ended up enjoying it, clapping impressed, causing him to sheepishly rub his head.

Nhazul: Sorry, I got a bit carried away. My little brother is really into fish and I learned a lot of that from him.

Nhazul's thoughts: Her eyes are sparkling. She's may be a natural at this job. Definitely a hard worker and she's trying to help me have a good time. Undeniable progress.

Next, the two would go to the dolphin show, and Nhazul notes he always wanted to see it, before noticing it was 11:30.

Nhazul's thoughts: Wait...

(Flashback)

Nhazul: Yeah, I was. And sure. I'm not doing anything. But 10 AM is pretty early.

Chizuru: Seems she has something scheduled planned out. She said you couldn't miss 11:30.

(Present)

Nhazul's thoughts: Ah, so that's why she wanted to come out so early. It was for the Dolphin show. Guess she's prepared really hard for today.

As Nhazul would go to sit, Sumi would stop him and ask him to move back, pointing that the front rolls get splashed by water.

Nhazul'a thoughts: Ah, she doesn't want to get splashed. The water reaches pretty far, so we should sit in the higher row.

As the two would sit in a higher row, the shoe would begin. As it did, both Nhazul and ends up enjoying the show. As final part of the show, the dolphins start splashing people.

However, the dolphins still end up splashing both of them.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Dolphins are unnecessarily smart, so why does it feel like that was pre meditated cause we're on the higher row...?

Looking over, Nhazul would see that Sumi is even more soaked than him.

Nhazul's thoughts: How is she more soaked then me...?!

As Nhazul would notice her clothes were beginning become see through, he would take off his hoodie, giving it to her to cover up with, however she would softly speak up.

Sumi: Sorry...

Nhazul: Huh?

Sumi: I'm sorry...

Nhazul: Sorry?

As Nhazul looked at Sumi confused, he quickly realizes that she thinks she failed as a guide. However soon, he would begin to chuckle.

Nhazul: You really have a habit of saying sorry, huh? Getting splashed is a part of the experience. So don't worry, I'm having a good time. You've been doing great as a guide.

Upon hearing this, Sumi would look at Nhazul surprised, as he would begin to make his way to the stairs.

Nhazul: Let's head to the gift shop, I'm sure they have t shirts we can buy.

As Nhazul would went to walk up, Sumi would speak extremely low, barely even addable.

Sumi: I've been crushing on you...

Barely having heard her, Nhazul would look back at her confused.

Nhazul: Huh? Did you say something?

Sumi: A-Ah... W-We're crushing it...

As Nhazul would continue to look at Sumi confused, she then states they should go to the next event. After buying some shirts, they head out to the next event.

(Timeskip)

As its getting dark and the aquarium events are over, both Nhazul and Sumi head to a spot in Odaiba where they observe the Rainbow Bridge. As all the lights are lit.

Nhazul: Wow, these lights never cease to amaze me when they're lit up. It's really beautiful.

Looking over, Nhazul had noticed Sumi had taken a seat, as she invites him to sit with her. As the two would sit and enjoy the atmosphere, Sumi would scoot closer to Nhazul and after finally gathering more courage, Sumi brings out a present and gives it to Nhazul for his birthday.

Sumi: H-Happy... birthday, Nhazul...

Seeing this, Nhazul would look at Sumi surprised, before remembering her asking when his birthday was months ago.

Nhazul's thoughts: She remembered that?

Nhazul: For me? Thank you.

As Nhazul would open it, he a summer knit hat that he really enjoys.

Nhazul: Wow, this is a really nice hat. Thanks, Sumi.

Nhazul's thoughts: I get it. She took the lead for my birthday. Her way of helping me celebrate all while practicing. Like I said before, definitely a far cry from before.

Soon, Nhazul would look over behind Sumi and noticed what appeared to be a grandfather with his grandson watching the boats together. Seeing this, Nhazul couldn't help but think of Chizuru and her grandmother with a saddened look.

Noticing this, along with seeing his face, Sumi asks him if something is wrong. Nhazul wonders if he should tell her, but decides to not talk about Chizuru and tells Sumi its nothing. However much to his surprise, Sumi would grab his hand and look at him with a determined look.

Sumi: Please talk to me...It's my turn to play the role of the wall.

Still surprised by her boldness and courage, Nhazul would simply sigh, deciding to indirectly tell her.

Nhazul: It's about a friend of mine. He went to America to go to school, but he just found out his grandfather is really ill. He's been sick for awhile, however it's gotten worse. His parents are gone and he's all he has left. He's gotta a habit of putting on a strong face, but I know he's hurting.

Soon, Nhazul would look down saddened and a bit afraid.

Nhazul: Just the thought of losing my parents or my little brother terrifies me... So I know the same can be said for him, despite not openly saying it. It's a pain I wouldn't wish upon anyone. But he has no one to share that burden with. It has to be lonely and unbearable... We didn't start out as friends, but we eventually got pretty close. He has a dream. To show his grandfather that they were successful and is working his ass of to make it happen. But if he dies, it'll be all for nought...

Soon, Nhazul would finally realize that he's been unknowingly crying, surprising him.

Nhazul's thoughts: Huh? I've been crying..?

As Nhazul apologizes, he would notice that Sumi is also crying,

who tells him that she understands how he feels and she is here for him. Upon hearing this, Nhazul would simply smile at her.

Nhazul: Thank you, Sumi...

After the date, Nhazul escorts Sumi to the station and thanks her for today and that sharing with someone, made him feel better. Sumi gets happy and then leaves. Once she did, Nhazul would simply sigh, before noticing a poster on the wall. A poster that was advertising something he received an email about before.

(Flashback)

Nhazul: Hmm?

Opening the email, Nhazul would see it's for an upcoming event. An event he hasn't seen in awhile, surprising him.

Nhazul: Huh? They're having it here this year?

(Present)

As Nhazul would continue to look at the poster, he would be reminded of Chizuru's dream.

Nhazul: I see... I guess this is the only option, huh?

(Timeskip)

Elsewhere, back within the Apartment Complex, after Chizuru spends her day at the acting school, rehearsing as much as possible, going to auditions and visiting her grandpa twice a day. Chizuru knows that she won't be able to star in a film before her grandma passes away. She at least hopes to be able to tell her she passed the audition, even if Sayuri won't be able to make it to the release, however, she fails to pass another audition. She looks at her grandfather Katsuhito's picture and wonders what else she can do.

Chizuru looks at Katsuhito's picture and wonders if he lied to her when he told her that dreams come true. She is fine if he lied, and knows that dreams don't come true,

but wants him to stop telling her they do. As she cries, the door bell rings and Nhazul tells her to open.

Chizuru: Huh?!

As Chizuru would contemplate, she would reluctantly open the door, however as she does,  he would try to enter, quickly trying to stop him.

Chizuru: H-Hey..! You can't come inside!

After forcing his way in, Nhazul would simply show her the poster from before, surprising her.

Chizuru: Film... Festival...?

Nhazul: Yeah. This Film Festival is the most famous one in Japan. There will be over 100 people entering each year with famous film producers coming to watch. They rent out a theater, with over 500 plus people coming to watch. Which means your grandmother would definitely be able to see it.

Chizuru would just continue to look at the poster surprised before speaking up.

Chizuru: H-How would you-

Nhazul: My dream is to be a Movie Director one day. So I entered this festival when I was in high school and ranked 19 out of 35 films that made it into the festival.

Upon hearing this, Chizuru's eyes would widen in surprise.

(Flashback)

Nhazul: Anywho...I still thought you were great.

Chizuru: Don't change the-Huh?

Chizuru said, looking at Nhazul surprised.

Nhazul: All pettiness aside, I thought your performance was great. The entire show as a whole wasn't all that great, but you still gave it your best performance and it clearly showed. You were easily the highlight.

Chizuru surprised just looked at Nhazul, before putting her hands on her hips and giving him a look.

Chizuru: What would you know about acting?

To this, Nhazul would just look away, making Chizuru a brow before speaking.

Nhazul: I know a thing or too, that's all.

(Present)

Chizuru's thoughts: So that's how...

Nhazul: We can start a crowdfunding to get the money to produce the film. So... If I direct, would you be my Star Actress? Win or lose, your grandmother would see you preform.

As Chizuru would just look at Nhazul shocked and speechless, she would begin to look down, contemplating.

Chizuru: ...

As Nhazul saw her do this, he would just sigh.

Nhazul: I'm sorry. I know this is a lot to drop on you, but it's your decision alone. I won't force-

Chizuru: Can you really do it...? I don't want to waste what ever time I have left... I want s definitive answer... So please... Tell me... Can you-

Nhazul: I can. I swear.

Hearing this, Chizuru would look at Nhazul shocked, before tears would begin streaming down her face.

Chizuru: Then... Please... Let me star in your movie... So my grandma can see it...

Hearing her say this, Nhazul would smile before placing his hand on Chizuru's head.

Nhazul: Of course.

As Chizuru would look at Nhazul, her mind would begin to play back all of her memories with him, before feeling her heart begin to race, along with a blush on her face intensifying.

Chizuru's thoughts: This feeling... Is... Is this what love is...?