"A Clockwork Romance"

One day, Kaorin was walking to her school. She saw Sakaki lying down on a tree sleeping. She was all motionless.

"Wow… Miss Sakaki looks beautiful when she's sleeping," She thought, "But I should wake her up, before she gets scolded for being late."

But as soon as she approached her, the bell rang.

"Oh, shoot, I'm late for class," Kaorin panicked, "There's no time."

She ran to the building, hoping she won't be late for school.

XXXXX

Kaorin arrived at her classroom. She found that Sakaki hasn't shown up yet.

"Oh, no," She thought aloud, "Miss Sakaki hasn't shown up! What's going on? What should I do?"

"Okay, girls!" Yukari called out, "Sit down and shut up! Homeroom is about to begin!"

Just then, Sakaki appeared in the front door and bowed to her teacher.

"I'm sorry that I'm late, Miss Yukari," Sakaki apologized, "I overslept at home. I couldn't make it in time."

"No excuses!" Miss Yukari snapped, "Sit down!"

Sakaki sat down and looked out her window.

"That was fast," Kaorin thought, as she looked at Sakaki.

She suddenly got nicked by a piece of chalk thrown at her.

"PAY ATTENTION!" She screamed.

"Yes, ma'am," Kaorin said.

XXXXX

After school, Sakaki left to go home, but Kaorin followed. She walked along the road to her house.

"I hope Sakaki is okay," She thought.

Sakaki later spotted Kamineko and tried to pet him, but got bitten again by a loud clang.

"A clang? I heard a clang?" She thought.

Sakaki rubbed her hand and walked home.

Kaorin continued to follow her. Sakaki stopped and looked up in the sky. She saw the sun going down in the bright yellow sky.

"It's so pretty…" Sakaki said.

Kaorin then smiled, until Sakaki dropped her schoolbag. She was standing still, still looking at the sky. Suddenly, she dropped face-down onto the floor. Her eyes remained open and her body was still frozen.

"Miss Sakaki!" Kaorin shrieked, as she ran to her.

She grabbed her and carried her over to a bench close by. She placed her on the bench in a sitting formation. She turned her head towards her and said, "Miss Sakaki, is there something wrong with you?"

Sakaki said and did nothing. She was motionless.

"Oh, why couldn't you answer me?" She cried.

She suddenly cried on her shoulder. She wept for Sakaki to be awakened from her trance. Kaorin grabbed onto her shoulders and approached her face. She tried to kiss her, but Sakaki started to move again.

"Miss Sakaki? Are you okay?" She asked, in a stammering mood.

"Oh…"

"Is something wrong?"

"Uh… sorry," Sakaki said, "I was lost in the moment. I started to become embraced by the sun."

"Really?" Kaorin asked.

"I haven't been myself since I was like this."

"What? What are you talking about?"

Sakaki got up and walked home.

"Miss Sakaki, are you okay?" Kaorin asked again.

Sakaki ignored her and walked home.

XXXXX

Later that night, Kaorin arrived at Sakaki's house. She entered her house and sat down on the couch. Sakaki went to make some tea for her.

"Miss Sakaki, I was wondering if I could sleepover with you today," She remarked, "I thought maybe I should help you be on time."

"Oh, thank you," Sakaki answered.

"Look, Miss Sakaki, I know you have been tough on it today, but…"

Just then, Sakaki covered her mouth and whispered, "I'm not. I just have a… secret."

"A secret?" Kaorin questioned.

"Hmm… I, uh, well, why don't we have some tea?" Sakaki rambled.

"Oh, okay," Kaorin replied.

They drank tea together, and then they went to Sakaki's room.

XXXXXX

As they went to her bedroom, Sakaki then gave her a pair of pajamas. Kaorin was grateful that she decided to do something for her.

"Miss Sakaki, would you mind if I do something for you?"

"Oh… uh, sure… but I don't think you'll like me now."

"Why?"

"Because… well, I feel uncomfortable about someone changing my clothes for me."

"Huh? Why not?"

"I, uh, well, I feel so embarrassed by it."

She went in the closet and changed into her pajamas. Kaorin then flopped in bed and was worried.

"Miss Sakaki, is there anything I can do for you?" She asked.

"Yes." Sakaki replied, "Wind my spring for me?"

"Sure," Kaorin said.

She grabbed the alarm clock and wound it up for the alarm to go off at 6am.

"Miss Sakaki, I thank you for the hospitality."

"Um, Kaorin, I am afraid I must correct you for this one," Sakaki responded.

Kaorin then said, "Uh… I don't get it."

Sakaki then took off her top pajamas, showing her bra. She then blushed in embarrassment.

"Miss Sakaki! What are you doing?" Kaorin gasped.

"I'm afraid I should show you something…" Sakaki quietly said.

She turned around a showed a small key on her back. Kaorin let out a gasp and cried out, "MISS SAKAKI! What is THAT?"

Sakaki let out a sad look and said, "I'm sorry. That's the spring I want you to wind for me."

"Huh? But why?"

"Because… I'm what you call a wind-up student."

"Wind-up Student? Miss Sakaki, you mean you're a-?"

"A doll? You could say that… but I hide it from my fellow students and homeroom teacher. And even you, but you were worried about me…"

"Miss Sakaki, I don't care about you! I just want to know if you are okay. I never knew you were such a doll… uh, literally."

"Even if I'm a doll, I still act as your student," Sakaki said, "But, I fear that you would tell on me. If word gets out, I'll become a freak."

Kaorin shook her head and said, "No! I won't! I cannot let everyone know that you're a doll, or a freak! I'll be with you all the way!"

"Thank you, Kao-."

CLANG!

"Kao…rin…" Sakaki's voice wound down. She fell to the bed face-first.

"MISS SAKAKI! OH, NO!" Kaorin screamed.

She approached her and tried to wind her spring.

"Uh… how do I do it?" She thought.

Kaorin wound Sakaki's key up clockwise. She got up and smiled at Kaorin.

"Miss Sakaki! Don't scare me like that again!"

"It's okay. It's not the first time my spring unwound. It happens every morning…"

"Now that you mention it, I did find you lying by the tree. I thought you overslept."

"I did, but my spring unwound already."

Kaorin then hugged Sakaki and said to her that she'll be okay.

"Kaorin…"

They started to hug for 20 minutes. She was happy that Sakaki was okay, even if she is a wind-up doll.

Kaorin and Sakaki went to sleep, after that embrace.

XXXXXX

The next morning, they got dressed and went to school. Kaorin remembered to keep her promise, since Sakaki cannot be seen with a key behind her back. It just feels awful that she's being so secretive all of a sudden.

"Miss Sakaki, there's something I must ask," She said, "Why do you get up all by yourself?"

"I sometimes remember to set myself on automatic," she responded, "Whenever my spring unwinds, I sometimes recover a little."

"Oh… well, the other day when… I mean, it was nothing, but… Oh, what am I doing?"

Kaorin turned beet red; Sakaki understood what she said.

"I know how you feel… but, you see, I am not into such romantic types yet," she said, "But, if you want to, one day, I'll give you my permission."

"I'll think about it, but you and I better hurry," Kaorin answered.

They ran off, knowing that they are running late.

XXXXXX

At Gym class, Kaorin comforted Sakaki, as they are getting ready for track. They hid behind the tree and started to keep themselves hidden. To make sure she wasn't tired out, Kaorin wound her up and was suddenly energetic.

Sakaki started to enter the track. She ran at least for 10 seconds. She was very fast.

"Miss Sakaki, you're pretty fast!" Kaorin cried.

"Thank you," Sakaki said.

They left to the bleachers and sat with each other.

XXXXXX

After school, Sakaki & Kaorin decided to stay together for the weekend. They went home and started to pack up. Sakaki then noticed a fair glance at her; she suddenly felt worried about Kaorin.

"She & I together… it might not be great," She thought.

Sakaki held Kaorin tight and started to blush.

"Miss Sakaki?"

"I'm sorry… I just had a moment."

They arrived at Sakaki's home together. They began to sit together by the table. She then started to grow weary. Kaorin was shocked. Sakaki slept on the table, and closed her eyes.

"Poor Miss Sakaki, she must be exhausted," Kaorin thought, "I'll wind her up later. I need to help make dinner for her."

She left to the kitchen, as Sakaki was still sleeping.

XXXXXX

Kaorin made some rice and served to it her. She then tried to feed it to her, but Sakaki then set it aside.

"Sorry, I tend to feed myself," she said, "But thanks for the dinner."

"It's all right," Kaorin responded, "And just because you're a doll… literally… I still admire you, Miss Sakaki!"

"You mean it? People still say I am a freak, even with a tall height," Sakaki said.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous!" Kaorin snuffed, "Lots of girls, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, can be so awesome, especially since you & I are friends and classmates."

Kaorin started to blush and said, "I think… I think you're so… pretty."

Sakaki replied, "Thank you. I think that you are so pretty as well."

But she then asked, "Define pretty."

"It means like you are attractive," Kaorin replied, "But, I find you very pretty and attractive."

Sakaki approached her and asked, "You find me attractive?"

She nodded and turned beet red. Sakaki then turned away.

"I'm sorry, but no girl will admire me just because I am a doll."

"But that's not true! I admire you! And what matters most is that you are a cutie, even if you're not real!"

"I know… but, I feel like I know you from somewhere. I cannot be ashamed by it."

Sakaki held onto Kaorin and started to whimper a bit.

"But, if they found out about me, and you starting to go out with me… then I have no meaning… to live."

Kaorin then shouted, "Never say that! I cannot let you become such an outcast! The girls in your class find you as an inspiration; but they have yet to see the real you."

She then held Sakaki's hand and said, "But I see the real you, all right. I find you to be very scared about your future, but I am here to make you very happy."

Sakaki smiled a bit and kissed Kaorin.

"Kaorin… thank you," she said to her as she pecked her cheek with a kiss.

"Miss Sakaki, I'll never leave you," Kaorin smiled.

Sakaki & Kaorin shared a laugh together as night began to fall.

XXXXXX

The next day, Sakaki & Kaorin began to go together for certain events. On Saturday, they went to the beach. They began to splash around, though Sakaki is grown scared of the water going into her.

"Uh… Kaorin, you wanna go easy on the water at me?" Sakaki asked.

"Oh, right," she said, "You must be aware of the sea salt in the water, right?"

"Exactly…"

Kaorin smiled and said, "It's all right; this water is safe for you."

"Really?" Sakaki asked.

Kaorin said nothing; she splashed her in the face. Sakaki started to fight back. They both let out a laugh.

XXXXXX

On Sunday, Sakaki & Kaorin went to the café for some tea and cake. They had the strawberry cake. Sakaki felt a bit uncomfortable about the cake.

"Miss Sakaki, did you like it?" Kaorin asked.

"Well, I like it, but it's a bit sweet for my clockwork," Sakaki replied, "I don't think I can take it, with this flavor."

"Oh, it's okay," Kaorin replied, "It's a very delicate recipe here."

Kaorin looked on in a steady heartbeat and infatuated eyes and thought to herself, "Wow… even as a life-size wind-up doll, Miss Sakaki is sure striking."

Sakaki was bewildered about Kaorin staring at her. She said to her, "Uh… what are you looking at?"

She turned beet-red and sat back down.

"Oh! Nothing! I'm, uh, sorry…"

Sakaki & Kaorin began to continue eating, but Sakaki started to shake a bit.

"Miss Sakaki?"

"Kaorin… I feel… dizzy. Maybe the… strawberries got… me…" She spoke very lightheaded.

Kaorin grew worried; she placed the money for the bill and carried Sakaki by the shoulder.

"I'm sorry! My friend suddenly had become lightheaded! Thank you for the service!" Kaorin cried to the clerk, as she ran off in panic.

"Kao… rin…" Sakaki weakly said, as they left the café.

XXXXXX

Kaorin rested Sakaki by the bench and said, "Miss Sakaki, you should watch yourself when you eat such tasty foods."

"I'm sorry…" Sakaki said, as she came to.

Kaorin then hugged her and said, "That's all right. I know it was a mistake, but ease yourself when you decide to eat."

Sakaki then got up and left. Kaorin looked on and was sad by her leaving.

"Kaorin, I should leave now," she said, "We don't need to continue; I need to go home and rewind my spring for tomorrow."

She ran towards Sakaki and pleaded to come back. She promised to watch her over.

"Kaorin… no… I want to leave. I feel like I'm damaging my own body."

"You body is somewhat like a clock."

"I know… but I'm not indestructible."

Kaorin tried to grab her arm, but she pulled away from her.

"Miss Sakaki?"

Sakaki ran off, as Kaorin chased after her. However, Sakaki ran into the middle of the street. A car was about to drive towards Sakaki. When she saw the car coming to her, Sakaki froze in fear. Kaorin dashed after her.

"MISS SAKAKI!"

She shoved Sakaki out of the way and was hit by the car. Kaorin fell on the ground, motionless. She got up and turned to Kaorin.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss." The driver said, "I didn't see you there."

Sakaki staggered a bit and saw Kaorin was out cold. However, she was unscathed.

"Kaorin…" She whimpered.

She picked her up and carried her on her back.

"Oh, Miss, are you okay?" He called to her.

"She's fine! I'll take her with me!" She screamed.

Sakaki carried an unconscious Kaorin all the way home.

XXXXXX

Later that night, Sakaki was by the bedside with Kaorin, who was out cold. She let out a tear and began to cry.

"Kaorin saved me after one matter of danger. I feel sorry for what I did. Please don't die on me! Never… (Sob) Never…" She sobbed.

Sakaki held her tight and started to cry on her shoulder. Kaorin then opened her eyes and saw Sakaki crying on her shoulders.

"Miss… Sakaki…" Kaorin let out a weak voice, "You… care for me?"

Sakaki saw Kaorin alive. She let out a laugh with tears in her eyes.

Kaorin wiped her tears and laughed, "Aw, don't rust on me…"

"Kaorin… you… you saved me…" She sobbed.

"Miss Sakaki… I feel sorry about you," she said, "From now on, I'll watch over you. I don't want to see you hurt again."

Sakaki hugged and agreed to stay by her side.

She then held her hand and asked, "Marry me, please?"

"M-M-M-M-M-Miss Sakaki?" She gasped.

Sakaki held her hand and said, "Please? I cannot lose you…"

"HEY! I'm supposed to say that!" She shouted.

Kaorin looked down and smiled, "Oh… I don't know…"

"Say that you'll live with me… my friendly doll," Sakaki teared up.

"Doll?" Kaorin cried, "Wait… are you saying… that I'm…?"

"Oh, no, silly…" Sakaki smiled, "I think you're a real doll…"

Kaorin and Sakaki exchanged a kiss and agreed to stay together.

"I love you, Kaorin…"

"I love you, too, Sakaki..."

They kissed again, until…

CLANG!

Sakaki's spring unwound again.

XXXXXX

Years later, Sakaki and Kaorin departed to a far away city in Japan and lived together. Sakaki then told Kaorin to meet in the other room. She entered and saw Sakaki inside a small bed, with her body all weakened.

"Miss Sakaki… what's wrong?"

"Lock the door…" Sakaki said.

Kaorin locked the bedroom door.

Sakaki then showed her what she had when she was married to her. She took off Kaorin's blouse and saw what was on her back: Kaorin had a key behind her back.

"I… I'm a doll now?"

"Actually, you were one from before. I wanted to hide it from you until graduation… but, I think I should tell you now," Sakaki whimpered, "Kaorin… you and I are dolls. We don't deserve to be outside this world anymore. I just wanted to stay with you forever."

"But, Miss Sakaki, why tell it now? This is ridiculous!" Kaorin snapped.

Sakaki responded, "Kaorin… when you got hit by that car, I realized that I understand who you are now. And that is why… I want… to stay with…. with you."

Kaorin then hyperventilate and gasped, "It's not true! I cannot be a doll!"

"Don't you remember when we first met?" Sakaki asked.

"No…" Kaorin replied, "I'll never understand it at all. I… I…"

She suddenly remembered how she was with a doll that looked like Sakaki. They were all alone in a toy shelf.

"No! It cannot be!" She cried.

"It's true… you see… we were all alone in that toy shelf. No man would ever love us, since we were life-size dolls; plus, we were somewhat a bit uninviting."

Kaorin sat in bed.

"Miss Sakaki…" she sobbed, "I don't recall ever being not beautiful…"

Sakaki held Kaorin tight and wound her key, "Maybe this will make you remember again…"

She kissed Kaorin and embraced it very heavily. Kaorin was all doe-eyed and held her tight. They embraced the kiss, until…

"Kaorin… this is where we say goodbye…" Sakaki then held her by the shoulders and kissed her again.

"Miss Sakaki…"

"Kaorin…" Her voice began to warble a bit, "I'll always love you, Kao-."

CLANG!

"Riiiiiiin…"

Sakaki stood frozen in place, with her eyes open and her arms still holding onto Kaorin. She started to cry.

"No… Miss Sakaki! I'll never lose you again!" She cried.

She brushed up Sakaki's hair and let out a smile. However, without noticing it, her key suddenly fell off her back. Kaorin kissed her continuously with tears flowing down her cheek. Sakaki's key fell off her back and dropped by Kaorin's key. She suddenly began to feel faint. Her spring began to unwind.

"Goodbye, Sakaki," she said, "Let's be… together forever."

Her lips were placed onto Sakaki's lips.

CLANG!

"I… love… you… Miss… Sa… ka… ki…" Her voice wound down and her eyes closed.

She remained frozen in place with her lips touching Sakaki.

XXXXXX

Sakaki and Kaorin remained as they were; however, no one was able to find them. In the end, Sakaki & Kaorin loved each other, even if their clock stopped ticking. Their love lasted forever, even when they are worn out dolls. They never moved from their frozen state again, but their beauty lasts forever…

Sakaki & Kaorin will forever remember their moment… as the dolls they are.

XXXXXX

But this story has more to it. While this may be the end, it was just the beginning…
Beginning in the next chapter, we take a look at their long past.