Kiyoko was lain out in the grass, Kokoro on her left and Mikomi on her right. The river slowly ran by at their feet and the large boulder was only a few feet from them. While the sun was caressing their cheeks, their clothes were warm and the grass cool. It was serene.
“Hey Kiyoko?” Mikomi’s quiet voice carried on the wind.
“Hmm...” Kiyoko’s eyes were closed as she spoke incoherently.
“Do you think surprises are good?”
“Depends. Why do you ask?”
Kiyoko looked to Mikomi; Kokoro was snoring quietly behind her.
“Well, Ronin’s been acting strangely the past few days.”
“How so?”
“He seems to be thinking a lot, pausing while he’s talking for no reason and mumbling to himself.”
“You think he’s planning something for you?”
“I don’t know! It makes me so nervous!”
Her arms were stretched out against her body, her hands in small fists. Kiyoko sat up and placed a composed hand over Mikomi’s trembling ones.
“Calm down. I’m sure it’s nothing bad, he’s probably just anxious about telling you something. I mean you are his longest lasting girlfriend.”
“Yeah…ok.” Mikomi inhaled slowly with her eyes shut.
“Better?”
“Yeah, I think.”
A loud snort came from behind them, they both turned to see Kokoro turn over in the grass.
“We should probably wake her.”
“We should.”
Kiyoko stood and crept over to the stream. She cupped her hands, dipped them in and pulled up some water. It was rather cold despite the sun’s rays. She snuck up to Kokoro’s legs and dropped the liquid.
“AHH!” Kokoro sat up quickly, a blade of grass fixed to her face; Kiyoko and Mikomi laughed hysterically.
“What was that for!?”
“Oh, you were snoring,” Mikomi said, while leaning her cheek against her hand, her feet up in the air behind her. Kiyoko sat back down between the two and looked at Kokoro’s face.
“What?” Kokoro pulled back, suspecting something bad may happen.
Kiyoko put her hand out, reaching for Kokoro’s face-“you have grass stuck to your face”-she pulled the blade off and they laughed. She flicked it away and fell back in the grass, followed by Kokoro.
“So Kiyoko, what are you gonna do for the dance stuff?” Mikomi turned to Kiyoko, her legs going back and forth.
“Yeah, do you even know what you’re supposed to do?” Kokoro faced her as well.
“Oh I finished all that yesterday afternoon.”
“What!?” the two shouted.
“Yeah, I turned my information into the student council office this morning.”
“You were just nominated yesterday!” Mikomi leaned forward on her arms in the grass.
“So?”
Mikomi and Kokoro looked at each other then back at Kiyoko who was reclined in the grass, eyes closed.
“So who’s the entertainment!?” Mikomi blurted.
Kiyoko cracked an eye open to look at Mikomi, who was leaning on her elbows even more with her usual sanguine expression.
“You’ll have to find out for yourself.”
“But that’s not for two and a half months!” Kokoro shouted.
“However will you survive?” She sarcastically sighed then started laughing, followed by the others.
“So, if you turned it in this morning, I’m sure the President and Leader have it by now.” Mikomi said quietly as they all laid back down.
“Probably.” Kiyoko sighed.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
It was seven a.m., two hours before school, Kayo and a fast asleep Tatoya on his corner desk were already there, as Ronin was coming in.
“Hey Ronin,”-Kayo called from her desk as he walked in.-“There’s a folder for you on your desk.”
“Who from?” He stopped before her.
She shrugged her shoulders.-“Don’t know. Tatoya fell asleep here; he said when he woke up around five there was a folder in the inbox outside the room.”
“That’s weird…”
“Yeah.” She was fiddling with her pencil a little while watching his handsome face contemplate who knows what. He looked over at her.
“What?”
She jerked back, looked down at her notepad, and started writing various scribbles to hide herself and change the subject.
“Whatever.” He walked on and into his little office, as he sat down he picked up the folder. A taped down post-it with ‘President’ written very neatly on it was on the front cover.
“Strange.”
He opened the folder; small clear tabs came from beneath the sides of the papers. There was a blank page in front, he turned it, and a small note was printed on the next page.
To the Second Year President and Third Year Leader of the Student Council:
This folder contains all the information I gave to the planner and entertainment performer, as well as any other facts and details concerning the dance and preparations. Please don’t come to me with anymore meaningless tasks.
Sincerely,
The Vice President
“That’s…so bizarre.”
He kept going through the folder; everything was neat and organized; complete and perfect. It was shocking, the Vice President was only just elected yesterday! He closed the folder, stood up from the desk and headed out the door.
“Kayo,”- she looked up from writing something-“is Sateko here yet?
“Yeah, he came in a couple minutes ago. He’s in his office.”
Ronin turned from her and headed to a closed door and knocked lightly.
“Yeah?”
“Sateko, it’s Ronin, I have something you may want to see.”
“Come in.”
Ronin opened the door and closed it behind him. Sateko stood in place, his chair behind him; only a small dim light in the room and the curtains were drawn. He was very tall, lean but with muscle, his hair was short, coming a little over his ears and a brush of bangs to the right.
“What is it?”
“Look at this.”- he handed Sateko the folder- “This morning around five, Tatoya, who fell asleep here again”-Sateko rolled his eyes-“said when he woke up there was this folder outside the door. It’s from the Vice President.
“And who’s that?”
“I don’t know. Whoever he is, he never came to meet me about the job, though I don’t think he would’ve needed to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Open the folder.”
Sateko opened the folder and turned to the page with the note.
“Wow…”
“Yeah. Whoever this is, he’s obviously smart, but I have no idea who.”
Sateko flipped through the pages, astounded by how well the work was done.
“Ronin, can you figure out who this guy is?”
“Sure.” Ronin turned to leave.
“Ronin.”
Ronin stopped and looked back at Sateko. “What?”
“Can you ask your girlfriend to hook me up with one of her friends? I don’t have a date for the dance.”
“Of course, I’ll ask her later.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Ronin turned back and left the room.
“Now to find out who the vice president is.”
“What?”
Ronin looked up; Tatoya was standing in front of him with a big donut in hand.
“Huh? Oh, nothing. Just mumbling to myself.”
Tatoya lifted his eyebrow at him.
“You’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
“Really?”-he started walking away, toward the door to leave the council office-“I hadn’t noticed.”
Kayo and Tatoya exchanged a concerned look after he left.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Ronin had been asking around for a few days, but not many people knew or remembered who had won. A group of girls thought it was ‘H’ something, which was a huge help. He sighed.
“Darn. This is becoming way too difficult!” He fell back against a window in a now quiet hallway, his head titled to the ceiling. How could nobody remember the name of who won just a few days ago! This is just not making sense.
“Ronin? The Student Council President?”
“Yeah”- he looked toward the voice; a guy was there…a familiar one- “what do you want?”
“Hmm, must not remember me.”
“Not exactly.”
“I told you to keep away from my friend once?”
“Uh…going blank, sorry.”
“Never mind”- Kihaku rolled his eyes and held out a hand, there was a small note in it addressed to Ronin.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a note from the Vice President. I was asked to give it to you.”
“O…k…?” He took the note.
“Who’s it from specifically?”
Ronin looked up and Kihaku was gone.
“Thanks a lot”- he said to himself-“Well, this is getting creepier by the second.”
Ronin opened the note.
I know you’re trying to discover who I am. If you’re really so curious, come to the large rock by the river after school.
I’ll be waiting.
“Scratch that. Now it’s creepier.”
Ronin folded the paper and placed it in his pocket. He looked at his watch, 10 minutes before the bell.
“Not long now.”
He walked down the hall and turned into the student council office to grab a few things.
The bell rang; crowds flooded the halls with noisy chatter bouncing off the walls. Ronin had been lucky enough to escape five minutes early; he wanted to be at the river before this ‘mysterious vice president.’
He was leaning against the rock, watching the gentle rush of the river. A cool breeze rustled his hair and blew through the trees.
“Hello.”
“AHH!” Ronin jumped back, hitting the rock and almost falling into the river.
“Sorry, did I startle you?”
Gentle eyes looked at him with concern as black silken hair fell around the delicate face of a very pretty girl.
“Y…yeah, I’m fine.” He stuttered, and then gave a thin smile. “You’re the girl who fell in the hall.”
She chuckled a little. “Yes, that’s me.”
“So, why are you here?”
She stepped back and stood tall.
“You came to meet me didn’t you?”
“I came…? Oh! Wait, what?”
He stepped towards her.
“You’re the mysterious Vice President?”
She nodded.
“How…?”
He scratched his head, an enormously puzzled expression on his face.
“Unexpected?”
He sat down and murmured a quiet ‘yeah’. She sat down beside him.
“It was shocking for me too.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked over to see her and jerked back a little at her close proximity to his face.
“Well, I don’t remember ever volunteering to be nominated. So when I was told I won, it was a little strange.”
“But how did that happen? Every person nominated must consent to it. It’s how we make sure these things don’t happen.”
“It’s alright. I finished the most time consuming project for this semester, so it’s not that bad now. Although, I preferred being anonymous; it gave me a mystifying edge.” She laughed a little, and he chuckled along nervously.
“Sorry about the confusion.” He muttered.
“Don’t worry; it’s not your fault.” She patted his shoulder, making him blush a little, then she stood; he followed.
“I hope you’re satisfied in solving this suspenseful mystery.”
She gave a small giggle then waved and left through the trees, her hair blowing in the wind.
“An ending with a twist.”
He laughed to himself and looked at his watch.
“Oh shoot! I have to meet Mikomi in five minutes!”
He grabbed his bag and ran the same way Kiyoko left.
“She’ll kill me if I’m late!”
As he ran, attempting to avoid the possibility of impaling himself on a tree, he heard a gentle and clear male voice. Being curious, he stopped to find the source. He stepped carefully through the trees and bushes until he saw a tall, handsome man with short-ish white hair, wearing a long black coat with peculiar aqua colored designs.
He was talking to the girl with black hair and aqua eyes; the very one he was JUST talking too! …his face fell into a frown; this was the second time he failed to ask for her name. He tried to listen but it was mostly mumbles to him, so he opted to attempt lip reading…everyone needs to try once in their life, or he was just stranger than he thought.
“The time draws closer.”
“For what?”
“I cannot say.”
“Why?”
“A promise.”
“Ok…who are you?”
“I can’t tell you that either.”
“So you came to tell me the ‘time’ draws closer…again?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” She persisted.
“I wish you to be ready.”
“But what for?”
He smiled. “We’re going in circles.”
She huffed, crossing her arms. “Yeah, I can see that.”
His smile was gentle, but sad. He seemed to be hurt about something or someone; however his warm pale blue eyes and smooth looking light tan skin drew her away from that. She stepped toward him.
“This may sound uncanny, but I feel as though I know you and this is only the second time I’ve met you.”
Ronin may not have had a lot of luck with the lip reading; he managed a few words here and there, though not much else. But when she stepped forward, he simply watched with an uncertain look taking over his face.
She had started to place her hand on the man’s face, when her eyes grew wide and her other hand clutched her chest. She breathed deeply and her legs gave way, but before she collided with the dirty ground, the good looking young man caught her up in his arms.
“He’s here already.”
Ronin watched her fall, that must have been what happened that day at school when he found her collapsed in the hallway. He saw the man scoop her up so easily, and look down lovingly at her sleeping face, before his expression changed and he mumbled something to himself. For some reason, Ronin felt anger boil inside him as he watched the man stroke her cheek and then walk away with her in his arms.
Ronin came back from his hiding place, itching to follow them, but checked his watch. He was already ten minutes late! He moved to run away, looked back at where she was taken, and then ran off.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Ronin lay sprawled in a chair across from Mikomi at a small table outside a little café in town; breathing hard to catch his breath. He calmed himself then sat up to face her.
“Are you ok?” Mikomi questioned as thoughtfully as one devouring an icy dessert could.
“Yeah”-breath-“sure.”
“Ok then.” She grinned happily and took another bite of her ice cream.
“Oh, hey Mikomi?”
“Mmm?”
“Sateko asked me if you knew anyone interested in going with him to the dance.”
“Hmm…well Kokoro has a date already. Kiyoko doesn’t, but I don’t know if she’s the blind date type.”
“Oh come on”- He leaned forward on the table-“he needs someone. You know you love playing matchmaker.”
“Well…alright. I’ll ask her.” She smiled.
“Thanks!”
He grabbed his own ice cream and began eating. The recent events on his mind gave his eyes a worried look, the strange anger still there. Mikomi beamed brightly at him after a big bite of her frozen yogurt, and he returned it with a weak smile.
“Mikomi?”
“What?”
“Is there a new student at school? Tall, white hair, light tan skin, a white mark beneath one of his eyes?”
“Nope. Never seen anyone like that.”
“Ok. Never mind.”
“Are you sure everything’s ok?”
“Perfectly.”
He smiled sweetly and placed his hand over Mikomi’s; she turned deep red.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Kiyoko felt like she was warm and relaxed, but oddly bouncing up and down, with a faint shout all around her.
“Kiyoko!” –Akina hit the bed-“Get up!”-she fell back again.
“What…do you want?”
“You gotta get up! You said you needed to be up by nine!”
Kiyoko opened her eyes.
“Right, I forgot. Sorry.”
“That’s ok; you seemed a little out of it last night.”
“I did…I don’t remember.”
She stared at the ceiling.
“Come on, I made breakfast!”
“I’ll be right there”-she shouted while Akina skipped down the stairs, humming loudly.
Kiyoko put her hand to her head, trying to remember how she got home.
A handsome, gentle face crossed her mind.
“Right, the tall guy came again…he said something about time…”
“Kiyoko! Come on!”
“I’m coming!”
She grabbed a pair of faded jeans and a tan shirt, quickly put a little of her hair in a small pony tail in the back and jogged down the steps.
“I’m here.”-She buckled into a chair-“What did you make?”
“Your favorite.”
“Toast and omelettes?”
“Yup!” She smiled and placed the food before her wide eyed sister.
“Eat up!” Akina beamed again and sat down to eat as well.
Kiyoko ate quickly, thanked Akina for the meal, and bolted out the door. Mikomi wanted to meet her by the river, and she was most defiantly late by now. Kiyoko ran across town, dodging bushes and avoiding noisy pedestrians.
When she spotted the woods, the white haired man crossed her mind again. She ignored it and continued through the trees. As soon as she was a few feet from the clearing, she noticed a figure standing there. She called for Mikomi, and then stopped when she saw it was not Mikomi, or even a girl for that matter.
“Oh I’m sorry; I was looking for a friend.”
“Mikomi, right?”
“Yeah, she asked me to meet her here.”
“She asked me too.”
“Well, this was certainly underhanded of her.”
“Indeed.”
“So who are you?”
“Oh, I’m Sateko, Leader of the student council.”
“Really? That’s you?”
“Disappointed?”
“Why would I be?”
“A friend of mine said he’d ask his girlfriend if one of her friends would go to the dance with me. I guess this is her way of getting us together.”
He laughed a little and Kiyoko smiled.
“No.”
He looked puzzled-“No what?”
“I’m not disappointed.”
“Well then, will you go to the dance with me?”
His brown eyes were warm to look at; her fingers twitched, wanting to run though his dark brown hair.
“Of course.”
“Umm…since we’ve both been tricked into a long day of nothing, would you like to see a movie then get some lunch?”
“Sure.”
His expression lifted and he walked forward, she turned and they both left the clearing. Two pale blue eyes with an angry look shimmered in the trees then vanished. The time was much closer than previously calculated. This was bad.
“Today we are choosing your student council 1st year rep. Usually, the councils are different per class, in each grade. This year, however, a proposal has been made to try something new. We will have a council rep from each grade that will govern the entire student body, as well as the other few parts, such as treasurer and secretary.
“There will be a Leader, President, and Vice President; the Leader will be a third year, the President a second year, and the Vice President a third year. Does everyone understand so far?”
The young man asked the class, who all nodded with the exception of one. Kiyoko had fallen asleep. All the weird dreams she had been having were keeping her awake at night, plus class was always so boring.
“Good. Now, the Leader has already been chosen, as has the President. You are the last first year class to vote. The two nominees are Tanoya Kimishi and Kiyoko Hatoma. You have all been given a ballot to write your choice on, and when you have done that, put your vote into the box at the back of the room. We will announce your student council tomorrow morning.”
The young man left the class and every student began whispering excitedly.
“Who are you choosing?” a student asked her friend.
“I don’t know. Tanoya is cute, but also kinda rude and narcissistic. Kiyoko is quiet and doesn’t appear to do much, but she’s very nice and really smart.” The girl recited the facts to her friend.
“Yeah, …I think I’ll vote for Kiyoko.”
“Me too.”
The next morning the students were almost giddy, laughing and gossiping as they headed to class. Kiyoko had yet another sleepless night and prayed for some rest while shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare. As she walked through the hall a couple of rowdy boys went rushing past, knocking Kiyoko backwards.
Oh crap. Kiyoko shut her eyes tight and held her body still to prevent any abnormal impact. Suddenly she stopped. Her feet where up, her body slanted…but there was no SMACK, no pain, no shock, no ‘oh my gosh I’m gonna die!’
Kiyoko opened one eye to find two staring down at her. She realized someone had thankfully caught her mid fall, then scrambled out of his arms and straightened her uniform.
“You ok?” The boy asked.
“Huh? Oh yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” She replied still not looking up and continuing to wipe away imaginary debris from her skirt.
“Alright, then I guess I’ll go.” He turned and walked away.
Kiyoko just stood there; face hidden, hand held to her chest. That boy, there was something about him…something nostalgic. She breathed hard, trying to calm herself. This was so strange and anomalous; she didn’t know what to do.
A sharp pain shot through to her brain, flashes of images past her eyes and Kiyoko fell to the floor of the vacant hall, unconscious.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
“OOKAWA!” Roiyaru yelled, popping up into sitting position, fighting to take a breath.
The past fifty years Roiyaru had been having odd dreams. They always had Ookawa there; it was almost like he was watching her new life. But this one was so strange; it felt even more real then most and caused him immense panic.
One, Ookawa had suddenly passed out in the middle of an empty hall and two, she was speaking to a guy and he held her…well sort of. Just thinking about this made his blood boil; Roiyaru began tightly gripping the covers of his bed. He had already ruined seven bed sheets by screwing up the fibers with his constant worry on them.
“Ookawa.”
He whispered her name and remembered her. Roiyaru looked over at his nightstand, where a lovely white ribbon rested peacefully. He smiled and reached for the silky fabric, his long loose blonde hair falling around him. The texture was smooth and calming, and reminded him of one outfit she wore often.
A white collared shirt with a black vest-like jacket over it with intricate white designs in the top left and bottom right. Her white skirt ruffled out and fell gracefully at mid-thigh; a pair of high socks with black ribbons at the top ends covered most of her legs. She also had black boots that came up mid calf with the same white designs on the outer top rim.
Then the white ribbons; they held two small bits of her long black hair. Ookawa always looked so very pretty; Roiyaru smiled and placed the ribbon back on the stand. She would be ok, Ookawa was smart…she knew what she was doing.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
So warm, Kiyoko was so very warm. She felt like she was floating, it was such a weird sensation. Kiyoko slowly opened her eyes and came face to neck. It wasn’t hers though, well obviously.
She opened her eyes wider to view her surroundings, she found she was apparently being carried, and by a guy. The thought made the fact his hand was on her bare thigh a little embarrassing. She twitched lightly in his arms.
“Good, you’re awake.”
“…um…what happened?”
“I don’t know, after I left, I heard something in your direction and decided to go back and see what happened. You were on the floor, as though you passed out. So I’m taking you to the infirmary.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“So, what happened to you?”
“Uh…I don’t really remember. After you left I just stood there, and then…”
She paused and he looked down into her face, but her eyes were averted and uncertain.
“And then…?”
“Oh, uh…I…there was this feeling, or maybe pain. I don’t know; it just hit me…and I felt unsure…I think. Then I just…fell? I-I don’t really remember.”
“Hmm, that’s strange…”
“…yeah.”
There was a small awkward pause.
“May I put you down now? You’re sort of heavy.”
Kiyoko blushed a little and nodded. He stopped in the hall, put down her legs and slowly pushed her up with his hand on her back.
“Thank you.”
“Sure.”
“So…I’ll go then.”
“Are you gonna be ok?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Alright, bye.”
“Bye.”
Kiyoko began walking down the hall; her left hand was held to her collar, a habit that was becoming even more evident.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
“I never got your name.”
She turned her head slightly to the side, eyes hidden.
“Neither did I.”
She turned back and continued walking around the corner. He watched her go, faintly shocked, but smiled and placed his hands in his pockets as he turned to leave. She really was very mysterious.
“…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again?”
He whispered to himself as he entered the student council office.
“Tatoya, how are the ballots coming along?”
“They’re good.”
“So have we gotten the 1st year leader yet?”
“Almost. One seems to be winning by a landslide.”
“Fine. After you announce it, please send him or her to me here. I’ll prepare them for their future position.”
“Will do.” Tatoya said without even looking to Ronin. Tatoya was the best treasurer they had; he was fast, smart, responsible, and efficient.
“Kayo, do you have the papers I asked for?”
“Sure do Ronin!”
She opened a drawer in her desk and handed him a thick red folder.
“Thank you.” He said as he began shuffling through the contents of the file.
“You’re welcome.”
She smiled at him. Every council member knew she had a crush on him; however she was a third year and would leave once this term was over. She continued to watch him as he entered the room, dubbed to be his office.
Ronin read intently over the papers as he sat down at his desk.
The students voted for some sort of social event, similar to a dance. It was a lot to plan, but Ronin had been diligently working on the event. He had fortunately been able to arrange a beautiful old garden for the dance…thing; Sateko, the Leader, had already begun preparations for catering.
These things generally took most of the two and a half months they had, and now they just needed the Vice President to work with decorations and entertainment. Hopefully, everything would be done on time. Kayo had told Ronin that the new member would be announced today.
Ronin sighed. “This is going to be a long day.”
He held his hand to his head, eyes shut in frustration, his mind wondering. That girl. “I know I met her somewhere before, but…there’s like a hole in my memory.” The only part of remembrance he could remove from the empty space was cold rain and a kiss.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Tatoya had to, yet again, go around to every class and announce the news. It was really very boring, but it got him out of his other projects and obligations.
Each class was unsurprised by the news, except the one containing the losing candidate. He continued down the hall, his pace increasing when the last door finally appeared and he slid it back loudly to get the awaiting classes attention. Heads turned, that is, all expect one. A thick head of black hair draped around the sleeping Kiyoko as Tatoya came to the front of the class.
“The votes have been counted and it seems one nominee won by an unpredictably massive amount.”
All the students were eager to know who would be their class rep.
“Your class representative is Hatoma.”
Most everyone cheered, though a couple looked annoyed.
“Kiyoko! ...Kiyoko, hey Hatoma?’
The girl in front of Kiyoko started to poke the black mass as it slowly awoke.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“You won!”
“What did I win?”
“Huh…”- she looked annoyed at Kiyoko’s responses, she didn’t like being asked stupid questions-“You’re our class Rep. of course!”
“What!” Kiyoko shot straight up in her seat, startling the girl in front of her.
“Aren’t you excited?”
“Why should I be pleased to win something I never entered?”
“Of course you entered. They can’t elect you unless you agree.”
“But I didn’t.”
“Well you must have. Every class nominated and Tatoya took every denial and acception. No one would be considered if they said no.”
“Which day was this?”
“About…”-she paused to think for a few minutes, evidently not showing superior intellect by holding her chin while she did so-“two weeks ago, a Monday.”
“I slept through most of the classes that day. I never saw any ‘Tatoya’.”
“Maybe you ‘sleep accepted’.”
She laughed a little at her lame pun as she turned in her seat to face the front of the room, but left a very confused and tired Kiyoko behind.
“Great.” She whispered under her breath as her head fell back onto the desk.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Kiyoko walked down the fast moving hall as the students hurried to leave. She would have stayed in the room to wait out the panic and excitement, but the drama club kicked her out for play practice. Which they always needed.
“Yeah, I hear the 1st year rep. is in charge of the decorations and entertainment, the hardest job.”
“Really? Last year the 3rd year did that.”
“I think it rotates every year, depending on what we’re doing.”
“Well, as long as it’s as good as last year.”
“Defiantly.”
“Who won anyway?”
“I don’t remember, some guy.”
The two girls giggled and started walking away. Kiyoko, though, had been listening to the entire conversation.
“Decorations and entertainment…”
Kiyoko pondered briefly then continued walking through the hall to get her shoes and left. She sinuously walked on the pavement in front of the school, her eyes concentrating on nothing.
“Hmmm….They could have at least remembered my gender correctly.”
She lifted her head up in full view and began walking faster. Kiyoko wanted a quiet place to consider recent events and she knew exactly where to go. There was a small clearing by the river, she had been there once or twice before, it was quiet and peaceful, an easy place to think.
When she arrived the river was rushing gently and the sun bore into the green grass. She kept on until she was in the middle of the meadow and went over to sit on the large rock near the edge of the water, bathed in light. She removed her boots and neatly set them along side the rock, then turned to face the ripples.
“Decorations, simple. Entertainment, mild.”
Kiyoko ran through a list of popular artists in her head. Most she didn’t care for, though the few she did not mind pilled up for further contemplation. She unconsciously began to hum as she filed though the names; each had some flaw to her, but eventually she found one. Satome Kitoyi, not wonderful but he would have to do.
Kiyoko turned in her seat and began putting her shoes back on, tightening the lace as she went. Once she was satisfied that each boot was secure and comfortable, she left the open area and headed out.
First, she would acquire the decorations, then the entertainment. Each were considerably easy tasks, Kiyoko had no idea why so many thought it was the hardest.
She entered a large store as she came around the corner of the road. All she really required was to pick a planner and have them hold everything until it was needed. Kiyoko spotted a young woman putting away packages of streamers and came over to speak with her.
“Excuse me.”
“Huh, oh yes.” The woman looked down from the small ladder she was on.
“Hi, I was wondering, would you mind organizing decorations for my school’s dance?”
“Why?”
“Well, you want to be a planner don’t you?”
“How could you tell?”
“I’m good at those sorts of things.”
“You’re a smart girl.”
“Thank you.”-She nodded at the woman- “So, will you accept?”
“Perhaps…”
“You will be paid fairly.”
“How fairly?”
“22000 yen for the selections and 890 an hour for setting it up.”
“Wow, that’s very fair.”
“Then you agree?”
“Alright. What should I do?”
“Select the decorations. The dance is formal and the entertainment is pending, there is nothing specific for style or colors, so you have plenty of room for creativity. And I will need you to hold everything until the council calls you.”
Kiyoko took a clear folder out of her bag and handed it to her.
“This has everything we discussed. There are also pictures of the place chosen to host the dance and any measurements I was able to get. The address and other various phone numbers pertaining to the dance is there as well, incase you need to be at the site in person or have any questions. You have two and a half months.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
Kiyoko smiled at the young woman and turned to leave, her black hair swinging behind her with every evenly placed step she made. The young woman watched Kiyoko silently leave.
“…Interesting girl.”
She went back to her work, already thinking of new ideas; an anxious feeling inside her.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
“You called earlier?”
“I did.”
Kiyoko had arrived at the record company only just a few minutes ago. She had been led to a large room with a small coffee table and two padded chairs; a large window brought light into the huge space. The man sitting before her was a little stout, but not in a grotesque manner. He had rather large eyes behind a small pair of black rimmed glasses and a small black ponytail streaked with grey resting low on his head of thinning hair.
He sat in one seat, Kiyoko in the other; the coffee table between them.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how were you even able to get this number, let alone arrange a meeting?”
“I don’t mind you asking, but I also won’t answer.”
“Right…well then”-he cleared his throat-“what is it you wish to discuss?”
“I would like Satome Kitoyi to be the entertainment for my school’s dance.”
He chuckled. “Do you realize how common a question that is?”
“I do, but I have little choice. I was involuntarily made the student council rep for my class year. This is the job I was given.”
“Ah, I see.”
“So might we discuss my proposal?”
“I may agree, but Satome needs to as well. And he doesn’t really do these types of jobs very often.”
“Then I suppose I should speak with him.”
“That may be difficult. You see…”
“Taiyo, did you get my…”
“Oh Satome,”-Taiyo cut him off- “we were just discussing you.”
“About something good I hope.”
“Yes, this young lady has requested you for the entertainment at her school’s dance.”
“Really? And what did you say?”
“Well, I didn’t technically say anything about it either way, but I did explain that if it was ok with me, it would have to be approved by you.”
“Ok then. May I speak with her now, Taiyo?”
“Of course, I’ll be in the other room.”
Taiyo left through the same door Satome entered. During all this, Kiyoko felt very invisible, but materialized a little as Satome sat down in front of her, his wild orange-red hair spiked up on his head, but led you to his dark blue eyes.
“So, why me?”
“That’s obvious. You’re one of the most popular singers, and I don’t mind your music.”
“Why should that matter?”
“I would like to do well with this, so a top performer is best. Plus since I was forced into this job, I believe I’m entitled to a little opinion with my choice.”
“I see. And what is this job of yours?”
He had leaned back in the chair, showing he was relaxed.
“The 1st year student council class representative or the Vice President, whichever you prefer. To be honest, I think the whole idea to be stupid, despite its organization.”
“Really? I was on the student council my first year as well.”
“Interesting. And what year would or are you now?”
“Third year, but I can’t believe you’re a first year. You look older and seem very smart.”
“I am a first year by age, however not by intelligence. I have been offered many applications to various prestigious colleges and universities. Once I was even offered a job at the large medical lab that oversees most hospitals here.”
“Why didn’t you accept?”
“There is no reason to push through life.”
“Right. So then, what? You’re some sort of genius.”
“Yes, I am.”
Satome had tilted forward in his chair towards her, an interested expression on his face.
“Hmm…I’m satisfied.”
Kiyoko’s eyebrows drew down into a perplexed expression.
“With what, exactly?”
Satome started to stand.
“Oh, nothing. Anyway, I’ll be there.”
“But I’ve said nothing about it.”
“Just leave the information with Taiyo.”
“…Ok.”
“Just make sure you’re there.”
“I will be there whether I like it or not.”
“A student council thing?”
“Afraid so.”
“Ok, see you then.”
“Yeah…you too.”
He left the room.
Kiyoko smiled, he was a sly flirt, but one nonetheless. She removed another clear folder from her bag and placed it on the table, near Taiyo’s forgotten coffee.
“At least he’s cute.”
Kiyoko turned to the door, as she was heading to leave the window blew open. She quickly looked back and came face to chest with a very tall man. She wondered why she kept running into awkward situations like this recently.
“Who are you?”
“Who I am is not important, but who you are is.”
“Me? How am I relevant?”
“You are far more important that you realize.”
“And how is that?”
“I’m not to tell you anything, only that the time for you is approaching. Be aware.”
“What do you mean?”
“I cannot say.”
“What can you say?” She put her hands on her hips, an annoyed pout started to appear at the edge of her mouth.
The man already turned for the window, nearly ready to leap out. He looked back, showing a slightly half downcast profile.
“You are missed.”
Then he was gone, vanishing with a flash, almost like he dissolved into light. Kiyoko just stood there.
“I’m…missed?”
A tear escaped her as she pondered the words the strange man had spoken. She didn’t know why, but it seemed familiar and loving, while also a little sad. Kiyoko enjoyed it.
The sun shone brightly overhead as the thin wisps of clouds inched slowly through the blue morning sky. The grass bended with the breeze and the trees rustled lightly.
Roiyaru had been sitting under the large cherry blossom tree in the courtyard garden for hours, the letter clutched in his fist, his other hand resolutely resting in his lap.
This wasn’t right, she was supposed to be there….to be with him…to be smiling.
Roiyaru’s grasp tightened marginally before he released the wrinkled paper. He opened the letter again, possibly the thirtieth time he had done so. He squinted from the glare of the white stationary as the sun reached its zenith.
There they were, the cruel letters, the articulate style, everything he wanted to see and read was etched there…mocking him. Roiyaru knew the letter was simply saying she would be gone for an extended period of time and be back someday. But this felt like a goodbye and goodbye was so permanent and out of reach.
Roiyaru leaned his head against the tree and shut his eyes. The Forgotten Charm. Only one has ever been able to return from it and he was incredibly powerful. Ookawa knew the risks, right? Of course she did. She had too.
Roiyaru held the paper tightly under his shaking fingers. The distracting glare had vanished and the letters shown clearly, still brilliant and delicate despite being furrowed. He smoothed the paper and began reading the letter again.
~Rio…
I am sure you are quite uncertain as to my whereabouts and have many questions regarding my sudden absence. I will tell you everything I can in this letter and hopefully you will understand, if not then please accept my apologies in advance.
First, I must state with dire importance, how much I love you. I almost did not go on with my plans because of how much I do and my heart will always ache from this very difficult decision. Sadly though, due to my choice, our planned marriage is no more. However, I am sure I will be back someday. But until then I shall eagerly await your comforting smile.
To begin with the explanation of my actions and situation, you should know that I am technically in this room. I have concealed myself and my few belongings, to initiate the process. By such words, I mean to say I have begun performing The Forgotten Charm.
You, being of royal blood and a high education, should know what this entails. I will tell you my plans in association with the charm, as well as why I was led to perform it at such a time within the current events.
The trials have been grueling and are steadily exhausting me, body and mind. Because of this deterioration, I decided, after much thought, to begin preparations for the charm. During my few peaceful weeks of freedom, I started arranging my new life and everyone else’s. This, of course, means that after the fifty year period in which the re-construction occurs, I shall awaken on Earth as someone else. That, I am sure, you know. Yet, you do not and will not know where I have gone.
While I know you will want to see me, I fear your presence may untangle the traps on my mind and cause me to remember. I can not recall anything until I am needed. So, in preparation for this, I have set up a plan a head of time. These steps will be activated once I appear on Earth and set in motion when the time comes. If you have any further questions, Myto has been instructed to answer, nonetheless, only certain ones.
Wait for me, remember me. I may have left, but I don’t want to be forgotten.
Love Forever,
Ookawa
Roiyaru ran his finger lightly over her name. How could he go on without her? Why did she think she could ask him not to find her?
He brought his hand to his head, eyes shut in frustration. How could he find her? Ookawa must have done something cunning and complicated to keep herself hidden. Roiyaru ran through dozens of possible options and ideas, anything she may have thought of.
“Wait. If she did do some type of un-breachable blockade, then surely Myto knows it.”
Roiyaru sat up straight, coming off the trunk of the tree.
“Yes. He would have helped her with the set up. Now I just have to access him…”
Roiyaru slouched, his forehead resting on his knee. He just needed to remember, back when Ookawa was designing him…what did she say?
“There was something. She used, like a new technology she had created. What was it?”
Roiyaru shut his eyes again and tried to remember.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
“What are you showing me?” Rio asked with a confused expression across his features.
“Remember? I have been designing myself a bodyguard for the past year.”
“Oh, right.”
Ookawa led Roiyaru over to a large bed with what appeared to be a sleeping man. He looked young, maybe 17 or 18 in human years. His hair was white and his skin a smooth tan.
Ookawa noticed the sudden change from shock to uncertainty in Rio’s eyes.
“Strange is it not? His hair is white, as expected; however his skin is tan instead of pale. That is, with the exception of that small pale mark under his left eye. There should be very little pigment, other than what I gave him. He also has pale blue eyes. I worked tirelessly on them for a month alone; I do believe they came out rather well, as has everything else.”
She smiled down at the man and back up at Roiyaru.
“Would you like to see some of the devices for his internal functions?”
Roiyaru didn’t really want to, but smiled at her and nodded. She smiled back and directed him to a key pad on a wall in the back of the room. Ookawa raised her hand and placed it over the key pad and closed her eyes. It was like she was scanning her hand, not entering a code.
Suddenly, her hand blazed with various elements coming and going, displaying an arrangement of soft glows and bright flashes. A clear light and wind shot up beneath her, her black hair flaring rapidly in every direction, and then everything slowed. Her hair waved and swirled as it did before only not nearly as fast. Quickly her eyes opened, they were white and lustrous and she began speaking some sort of incantation.
Everything continued moving slowly as she spoke, then burst. Her hand was brought out to her side; the mixture of colors that surrounded her blew out through the room.
Roiyaru instinctively lifted his arms in front of his face. Nothing hit him, so he looked out. There were objects moving unhurried through the air until they started flying about again, hitting walls and other items. A type of barrier was surrounding him and the bed with the man on it. She was protecting them. Roiyaru felt bad for making her waste energy to keep his well being, but it was amazing to watch her.
As she continued reciting, even faster than earlier, markings were weaving there way over her body, dark blue and pulsing. Another spark of light hit her, blowing around her hair and everything dropped back to normal. Anything that had been broken or dented was fixed and replaced in its original location.
The barricade around Roiyaru was now gone, but Ookawa’s eyes had closed once more and she was still moving her lips. Small colored sparks came out from her hands and began forming the door. It almost appeared to be a painting, until it fell to the floor like water.
Ookawa lifted her hand and turned to him with a smile. The intricate designs on her skin were still luminescent and continued to radiate some strange warmth. He could feel her body pulsing lightly; it was as though he were caught in a trance.
She looked very beautiful; her hair sustained a little hovering motion, despite her ritual being over. Gazing upon her was so soothing. He had never really noticed before, how strong and delicate she was.
“Come on.”
Rio shook his head, trying to dislodge any nonsense, so he could answer without her noticing his abnormal thought pattern.
“I can’t believe that took so long.” Rio said as the once holed wall built itself back up with clumps of earth. Thankfully, his voice didn’t reveal his secret.
“It may have taken long, but it is impossible to break into this room. The code alone is complex enough, it also deactivates if the hand is lifted before the entire sequence is entered. So, to put it simply, one must have an incredible memory as well as elemental power to even have a chance to perform the ceremony accurately.
“Plus, every element must be channeled from the same host. The entire system will deactivate and shut down temporarily if the hand is even lifted one millionth of an inch off the key pad. Meaning, no dead or living being can enter this room. Only I can. Plus most would assume, because I used a keypad, that there was a specific numeric order or cryptogram.” She giggled.
“That was simple?”
Ookawa stopped her little laugh and shot him a gentle glare. Roiyaru coughed nervously in a misguided attempt to veer away from his recent response. The further he pursued, the more likely it was for him never to return, at least not alive or mentally sound. This thought gave him a somewhat devious inner humor as he prepared to retort.
“Well, what about your bodyguard?” Roiyaru spoke mockingly as he asked. Her comforting warmth and throbbing body patterns now began dispersing while they stood in the dimly lit room.
Ookawa bypassed his rude and childish gesture, before rolling her eyes and answering.
“Myto cannot channel any element since he is artificial, although he does have abnormal strength and skill.”
“Myto…?”
“Yes. That is his name.”
“It’s weird.”
“I think it is unique.”
“Oh, yeah. Unique…”
Ookawa ignored the sarcasm in his voice and began leading Roiyaru over to a small wooden desk with a lamp set on the corner of the carven structure. The room seemed small and black, only containing the desk, back against what must be a wall. However considering Ookawa was, by nature, a secretive and private person, everything was most likely hidden and only appeared as she wished.
Roiyaru thought he could almost see a gleeful bounce in her step as she walked and stopped before the cherry stained desk.
“Here, this is my best and favorite part of Myto’s repair devices.”
She picked up a little black box sitting a top some papers. Gently, she held the box while opening the lid. There was a small flash before Roiyaru was able to see the contents.
“Are those…contacts?” Rio asked once the cover had been removed, revealing a pair of clear contacts resting on a piece of…something.
“What’re they put on?” He asked somewhat stupidly.
“Oh, it is a special type of metal I created. Basically it helps keep the contacts clean and in check. I am afraid I cannot tell you anymore. This, as well as most everything in this room, is confidential.”
She smiled proudly, then placed a delicate finger against one lens and brought it to her eye.
“You see, these contacts allow me to view Myto’s internal structure, like an X-ray, only I can zoom in and out and the room around is not present at all. This way, I can make repairs using my tools, which are specially made for the technology. I suppose it’s similar to virtual reality, but real.”
Roiyaru nodded. He understood how she described their purpose, but not their function. She’d probably talk circles around him if he asked.
Roiyaru’s smile waned slightly at the thought of her explanations constantly swarming his mind and stabbing every little bit of comprehension ability he had.
Roiyaru twitched.
“Rio, is something wrong?” Ookawa sincerely directed towards him, with her right eye glazed over as if she were blind.
“Nothing. Hey Ookawa, since…Myto is artificial, will he act strangely?”
Ookawa blinked at the rapid change of subject. Sighing, she removed the contact and placed it back on the metal within the box.
“I am not entirely sure. He should be as natural as you or I. The difference between living and artificial, in his case, will be nearly impossible, if not entirely, to detect. Although, since I have obviously not activated him and cannot predict the future, there is no way to say for certain.”
“Hmmm…” Roiyaru looked away from Ookawa, his eyes downcast.
“Rio? Are you sure nothing is bothering you? I am your friend, you can tell me.” She placed her hand on Roiyaru’s shoulder.
“I’m fine. I should leave though.” Roiyaru seemed upset, it was not necessarily anger, but similar to an uncomfortable frustration.
“Oh right, you have classes. I am sorry for keeping you.” Ookawa walked over to the wall and placed her hands apart evenly. She closed her eyes and began mouthing words; the code was different; not nearly as elaborate as the first and much shorter. Her hands shone fiercely again, with flashes of color and even temperature.
Small sparks came away from her hands and hit the wall in various places, creating small slits where ever they landed. The slits soon became a door that dissolved away, behind it, the room appeared. Roiyaru stepped out after Ookawa and headed to leave, waving somewhat with a small fake smile. Ookawa stood by Myto and waved back half-heartedly as the door of the room closed, followed by the one to her apartment.
She sighed. Rio had been acting somewhat ‘off’ lately, especially when she discussed Myto or their friendship.
“Myto…” she said while turning toward the sleeping android and sat down on the bed near his shoulders.
“When you wake up, will you always be my friend?”
A tear slide down her cheek, as she pushed back a strand of his bangs and smiled down at him; giving her a better look at his kind face. The stray tear fell and landed on the young man lips, slipping down his chin.
“Oh, I am sorry. Let me clean that off.”
Ookawa started to stand and grab a tissue, when she felt something warm over her hand. She looked back over to find two pale blue eyes opened and watching her.
“How are you…?” Ookawa couldn’t even finish her sentence. Myto smiled at her with caring eyes and held her hand tighter, pulling her into an embrace.
“Of course I’ll be your friend, as long as you are always mine.” He held her close, stroking her long black hair as she clung even closer in reply.
She pulled back, running her hand through his hair and against the side of his handsome face. He was so warm; she could hardly believe he wasn’t real.
“But how are you awake? I have not even activated your systems nor completed your circulatory programming. Your motor skills are not set up either, so you cannot walk yet. You should not even be able to move or talk at all. This is all so strange.”
He continued smiling at her.
“That’s all right, I can wait.”
“I will do it now. It may take me all night, but you shall be finished and able to walk tomorrow. I promise.”
“Alright, then I will keep you company as you work.”
“But I gave you the ability to recognize sensation and emotion…this could be painful in many ways.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
Ookawa stroked his face again and smiled.
“Then I will prepare.”
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
Roiyaru remembered the strange contacts Ookawa had shown him.
“I may remember them, but I left before she said how they worked. Besides, I can’t enter that room.” Roiyaru lifted his head; eyes open to the vivid sky.
“And there’s no way I could access Myto anyway.” Sighing inwardly, Roiyaru stood up, the letter still in his hand and began walking back to Ookawa’s home.
“Maybe Myto can help me with my sanity.”
He had been talking to himself a lot lately, even more after reading Ookawa’s letter.
Roiyaru continued down the path when a white glare caught his eye. Myto was standing by the gate of the courtyard. His black jacket’s aqua lining glimmered as the wind blew the fabric. Roiyaru stopped next to Myto, who was at least a good two or three inches taller and the two caught each others glance.
“Roiyaru, do you have any questions now?”
“Not really. Any I have, you can’t answer.”
Myto looked away from Roiyaru and over at the top of the cherry blossom tree protruding over the hill in the courtyard. It was Ookawa’s favorite place to go. Sometimes he thought he could still hear her sing as her hair flowed with the breeze.
“Don’t worry, she will come back someday.”
Roiyaru drew his gaze away from Myto and over to the tree and smiled.
“Yes, I think she will.”
The two men stared at the tree in the cool wind. Each wore something Ookawa had made them. Myto had a long black coat with aqua lining on the edges of the collar, cuffs, and bottom, and then on the back there was a symbol. It was similar to the main design on Ookawa when she worked with elements. Two curving lines swirled around each other in the center and broke out into weaving patterns; the mark was almost her way of saying Myto was hers. He had worn it ever since she gave it to him, nearly 200 years ago.
Roiyaru also had a jacket, but not exactly the same. It was long, though not as long as Myto’s and had the same lining; there was also a design related to the one on the back of Myto’s coat, but it was a little smaller and on his left shoulder. She purposely had it put over his scar, however she never told him why.
The design was also aqua colored, but the two curving lines that swirled around each other, came back together after coming out into its woven pattern. Both articles reminded them of her, the black was of her silken hair and the aqua, her mesmerizing eyes. The inside of each had a white silk lining; they later assumed it was to remind them of her usual white clothing and ribbons.
Ookawa left so much behind, without even doing so.
Roiyaru folded the note and placed it in his right pocket, and felt something smooth. He pulled out a ribbon; it was one of Ookawa’s. He remembered she had lost it earlier that week and he was going to return it to her when they saw each other.
Roiyaru reached for the end of his long braid and removed the old hair tie, replacing it with her ribbon. Myto watched as he did so from the corner of his eye and smiled.
Everything was working out well, if only she could see just how well. If only she knew how much she would be remembered...if only.
The wind blew the cherry blossom petals about and flew past the black fabric and long hair.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
“AH-CHOO!” Kiyoko covered her mouth for the fifteenth time today.
“Kiyoko, are you sick?” Mikomi asked her friend as they were leaving school.
“No. I feel fine…I don’t even have allergies!” Kiyoko gestured widely, trying to express her frustration.
“Maybe someone’s talking about you?” Kokoro stuck in her opinion after hurriedly catching up to them in time to hear the conversation.
“Yeah right!” Kiyoko rolled her eyes and laughed.
“Well, you never know. Somewhere there could be two guys talking about you.” Kokoro smiled at the thought.
Kiyoko looked up at the clear sky, entertaining the idea, then, briefly shoving it aside, starting a new conversation. The three girls continued on from school, laughing as they walked. Kiyoko, although laughing, still thought. She felt like she had been on the verge of remembering something. Nothing necessarily important, but it felt nice and she couldn’t help but smile as the wind blew her long black hair with her white ribbons dancing along with the shining tresses.
The bell rang, signaling the students to head to class.
Everything was loud and yet quite, polished floors and gleaming windows allowing the morning’s sun to shine through and bathe the walls brilliantly. The trees outside wavered slightly in the breeze and the sky, vivid and clear, had not a cloud to be seen. Everyone inside shuffled along exchanging last minute words with their friends, then heading to their class. No one even took notice of the radiant nature beyond the confines of the building. Yes, it was another normal day.
Leaning against the cool wall, Ronin would calmly observe the outer world bustle by and see then, the relaxed environment take it and move on without a care. Watching this soothed him and prepared him for the day and whatever may bother him within it.
Ronin sighed; people never seemed to understand that life wasn’t meant to move quickly, but to be slowly enjoyed. He just wished he could meet a girl who thought the same way…however every girl he met just wanted to speak of the future and what would come.
“Ronin?”
Ronin turned his head to see his somewhat good friend standing there.
“What?”
“Class has started, you’d better hurry.”
He really wished he didn’t have to hurry. Class was so dull and predictable, though that’s not entirely unexpected since he was a genius. This isn’t one of those self proclaimed geniuses either, he really was one.
Ronin had already transferred to his second year of high school despite the fact that he should be in his first, age-wise. He could excel, he had even been offered to go to one of the most prestigious colleges, but declined. Life was too short to hurry along, so he wanted to move where he was…slow and steady. Like a river. He liked rivers, they were still and peaceful. After school he often went to the river down in the park. No one ever went there; it seemed to him that no one ever cared.
Ronin lifted himself from the comfort of the wall he had been leaning against and began heading to class. Looking down at his feet as he walked, he kept thinking of things, of people, of two days ago. He remembered the girl, the beautiful woman he had saved and left. Supposedly she went here and was a first year, meaning he probably wouldn’t see her often. However he kept thinking of what she said ‘Tatsujan’ …he had never heard that name before, it sounded old and foreign. Bounding through his mind and bothering things that were better left untouched. Wait, does that mean she thought he was someone else….was that why she kissed him??
“Grr…” Ronin scowled slightly, bringing his hand to his head.
Why was this bothering him so much?? She was probably just another girl who wanted the future, who talked of boys and clothes. She was nothing, no one….he didn’t even know her! But why did she keep disturbing his thoughts and bombarding his dreams?
He arrived at his class and slid back the door, only to be greeted by his angry teacher and surprisingly un-stunned classmates. Ronin was often late to class, especially the last two days, this has earned him cleaning duty every day after school...keeping him from going to the river.
So, knowing this would happen, he trudged to his seat and slumped into his usual position of staring out the window, which was relatively easy considering that his seat was in the very back next to it.
“Ronin? Hey…Ronin?”
“Huh…?”
“Come on, wake up! You said we could go eat together. I’ve been waiting so patiently!”
“Uhn...yeah, alright...”
Apparently Ronin had dozed off during class, yet another thing that was common for him, though, like being late, had recently increased within the last two days. He gathered his few things and shoved them into his bag, the girl taking his arm and looping hers though it.
She leaned on him as they walked out; he had actually been with her for a week, an abnormally long time for him and a girl. It wasn’t that she was unlike any of the other girls he had been pushed into dating, he had just been so busy lately that he hadn’t really had the time to bother breaking up with her. Her name was Mikomi; she was a little short, with long brown hair and bright violet eyes. She was a first year, and he had to admit she was rather cute and cheerful; actually she was one of the few girls that had ever caught his attention. Ronin had begun thinking of late that if he never could find that girl who shared his feelings, she would be good.
Once outside the building, Ronin had to squint due to the sun’s intense blaze today, although he wanted to appreciate its beauty; Mikomi proceeded to tug him forward.
“So, where do you want to go Ronin? ...Ronin?” She was staring up at him with her usual confused look, it was very cute on her and he looked back.
“Sorry, I’ve been very out of it recently.”
“I’ve noticed. Everyone has! Is something wrong? You can tell me if there is, maybe I can help.”
“No, I’m fine. It’s nothing, really. I’m just tired that’s all.”
“Ok then!”
She was really way too gullible. But its better that she didn’t know, he didn’t really want anyone to know what he was thinking.
“So, where do you want to go then Ronin?”
“Uhh...let’s just go to MacDonald’s.”
“Ok! But I want dessert too!”
“Sure.”
She giggled and clung tighter to his arm. He smiled down at her and they kept walking on. That girl before was nothing, he shouldn’t worry about her…he’d probably never see her again anyway. So there was nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
“Mommy take a picture!”
“Ok, honey, hold still now.-click- There all done.” The woman smiled down at her daughter who enthusiastically grabbed the camera to see.
“Oh yes this is a very good one, mommy!”
“Why don’t you go show your father, he’s over there on the towel.”
“Ok! Daddy!! Look, mommy took my picture in the ocean!” The young girl ran over to where her father was seated reading a particularly large book. She flopped down onto the sand right next to her father, shoving the camera in his face.
“See! It’s me!”
“Yes it is. Don’t you look cute.” He smiled warmly at her, and the young girl beamed back at him.
“Why don’t you go back and play with your mother and let me finish this chapter?”
“Ok! Hurry daddy or you’ll miss all the fun!”
“Alright.” He chuckled as the girl shot up and started for her mother, who was still in the shallows of the ocean waves.
“Mommy! Daddy said he’ll come soon, and then we can all play together!”
“Alright honey. Ohh…”
“What’s wrong mommy?”
“Nothing. Your sister was kicking again, that’s all.” The young girl’s eyes fell on her mother’s swollen belly.
“Can I feel?”
“Yes, put your hand here.” She did as her mother asked, and then smiled, looking up at her mom.
“She moved mommy! When will my sister be here?”
“Very soon honey, very soon.”
“Yeah!” she shouted throwing her small arms up and pushing her silky black hair back over her shoulders. Her mother smiled sweetly, watching her daughter dance around in the water as her husband arrived, placing his hand on her shoulder.
- - - ------- - - -
Kiyoko’s large aqua eyes broken open yet again. She had been experiencing the strangest dreams, no they more were like memories. It was weird and she was confused, this phenomenon had been going on for two days now. They told her that she had been found in the middle of the street after being lost for two days and ever since then she has been having these ‘memory dreams’.
*knock*
“Come in.”
“Good, you’re awake. Mom asked me to bring you some food.”
“Thank you Akina.”
“Kiyoko…did you have another weird dream?”
“Yeah, is it that easy to tell?”
“Kinda. But you look better than yesterday!”
“Thanks…I think?”
“Do you think you’re ready to go back to school yet?
“I don’t know…I guess. I just hope I remember everything.” Kiyoko laughed a little and poked at her rice sadly.
“Sis, are you sure you’re ok?”
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine.” Her face smiled but her eyes looked tired and unsure.
“Ok, I’ll come by later to check on you.”
“Yeah, alright.”
Akina closed the door gently. Kiyoko’s smiling face fell and for some reason a tear escaped her. She had been secretly crying for hours lately and the worst part was she had no idea why.
Kiyoko finished her rice, and set the bowl and tray aside on a nearby chair and leaned back on her bed. She closed her eyes and replayed her recent dreams, and thought of school and her friends there. While thinking she drifted back into sleep.
- - - ------- - - -
“Sis...Kiyoko? Hey get up already! …Uhhh!!” Akina pushed the ignorant lump on the bed clear to the edge before it hobbled slightly and feel with a slam on the wood floor.
“HEY! What the heck did you do that for?!” She shouted after being awoken from a well needed peaceful sleep, with a crash to the very chilly floor.
“You said you were going to school today, right? Well then you better get up! It’s almost seven.”
“WHAT! Why didn’t you get me earlier, I didn’t make any lunch!” She shouted while scrambling to her clothes before thrusting them on and doing what she could with all her hair.
“Don’t worry I made some for you, THIS TIME. However you have to do it yourself tomorrow.”
“Really?! Oh thanks, you’re a life saver! What would I do without you Nina!?”
“I really don’t know…” Akina muttered under her breath as Kiyoko grabbed her things and headed for the door, a piece of cold toast hanging from her mouth.
“Wha wa at?” She asked quickly, sounding muffled, before bolting with a shouted farewell.
“Oh nothing…” Akina replied to herself before getting ready to leave as well.
- - - ------- - - -
“Kokoro, Mikomi, wait up!” Kiyoko yelled as she saw her friends beginning to head inside the school building.
“Kiyoko! You came today!” Mikomi replied, while waving enthusiastically.
By the time Kiyoko reached the steps she had to stop and take a deep breath. She hadn’t really done much since she had been in bed for days, and too much physical exertion really wore her down.
“Yeah, I’m alright now. So what have I missed?”
The two girls glanced at their winded friend then to each other and chuckled.
“Typical Kiyoko, always worrying about school.” Mikomi laughed again.
“I do not! I just want to make sure I do well.”
“You always do well! You’re like a genius, you could move up a grade you know?” Kokoro suddenly popped into the conversation.
“Well…so what? I can’t just go and leave my friends just to move on in life. I’ll always be with you guys.” Kiyoko smiled at them, looping her arms though her girlfriends and leaded them into the building just before the bell rang.
“Hey Kiyoko, did you know I have a boyfriend now?” Mikomi asked her friend with a near bursting expression.
“What, really? Good for you Mikomi! So who is the lucky guy? I’ll have to ascertain him for myself you know. Can’t have any jerks taking you away from us, right Kokoro.”
“Yes! Though I have seen him and he’s gorgeous.” Kokoro added in reply.
“Ok, ok. Just don’t hurt him, he’s a nice guy.”
“I would never. I just think we should meet him too, we are your best friends after all.”
“Well, I for one can’t promise anything.” Kokoro added.
“Kokoro!” The two said in unison, stopping in front of Kokoro and Mikomi’s class.
“Ahh…don’t worry I won’t do anything to the guy. He seems nice, pretty smart too, maybe even smarter than you Kiyoko.”
“Yeah right. Who would be smarter than her! She was even offered to go to college!”
“Well I hear he was too...but decided to stay for some weird reason.”
“Hmm, strange. Maybe I’ll ask him later. He said he would take me to eat again! Did you know we’ve been together longer than any of the other girls he’s dated?!”
“No way, really?”
“Yeah!” the two chuckled during their spirited conversation until realizing Kiyoko had said nothing at all and looked rather bizarre, almost distant.
“Kiyoko? Are you all right?” Mikomi asked.
She didn’t know. For some reason this guy seemed familiar, but there’s no way she could know having never met or even seen him before. However…she then registered that someone was calling her.
“Huh, what?”
“You were spacing…are you sure you’re ok to be here?” Kokoro inquired with that stupid eyebrow shot up into her bangs.
“Yes I’m fine. I’ll just head over to class now. See you later.”
“Ok, bye then.”
“Yeah, bye.”
The two girls watched their dazed friend head down the hall before turning to slide back the door to their own classroom.
While walking, Kiyoko continued to ponder about the past and present. Everything had been so odd lately, and it was very frustrating. The outlandish dreams were increasing in frequency and her head seemed to be filled with strange things that she knew and understood, but didn’t.
Knowing people, she figured if she told anyone of how she felt they would ask her if she was having boy problems or that this was a typical teenager thing. But she wasn’t stupid, this was most defiantly not a boy problem seeing as there was no boy to have a problem with and yes, she was a teenager but this strange occurrence had nothing to do with her current age.
Everything she saw in her mind but never knew or understood was becoming blurry and out of place, yet at the same time, things were falling into those empty spaces…things she felt were real, but not.
Kiyoko raised her fingers to massage her temples hoping it would push and sooth back any annoyances waiting to pester her already busy mind.
Being so smart could be so exasperating! If she hadn’t been she could just ignore this as some stupid ‘growing up’ problem…but no, she knew better.
Kiyoko stopped in the middle of the hall, she knew her class had already started and she would be late, but she just needed to think. This guy Mikomi talked of just burst open all the tightly closed doors of her mind for some unknown explanation and closing them was becoming a far more difficult task then expected.
Glancing up, Kiyoko saw a bird flutter past the window and land on a gently stirring tree. She loved to watch things go by, to see the sky inch slowly as the world rotated, moving the weather along; to watch the sun hang in that sky and show her what was to be seen. Everything was so peaceful and it helped her feel serene and regain her control.
Although classes were going on, she didn’t care…she didn’t seem to care a lot lately and she wondered why. The days weren’t any different, life wasn’t any farther or further behind…it was just normal while begin abnormal, calm and yet busy. Kiyoko felt so…hallow and bland…like she was living life but watching it, like a play. She was acting the part but never felt the character. No, stop.
Kiyoko stopped staring at the beauty and shook her head trying to clear her sense away. Now was not the time to think, there was no reason to. She lived and did and keeps things moving.
Satisfied with her decision, Kiyoko nodded approvingly to herself and turned heading down the corridor leading to her class with a smile planted nicely on her pretty face.
Everything was good and so was she. Nothing was wrong it was just life playing tricks, and she never fell to tricks…she was smarter than that! Sliding back the door of her class, Kiyoko continued smiling and repeating the same phrase to herself.
“Everything is fine and so am I. Everything is fine and so am I. Everything, everything, everything…”
Class was finally over but Kiyoko stayed until every person left the room. She was a very quite girl, never speaking to anyone unless necessary. She had her friends and they were all she needed…friends and family.
After being certain everyone was gone, Kiyoko stood from her desk and stretched. Even though she had been late, class seemed to be longer than usual today.
Following the well needed stretch, Kiyoko headed out of the room; she really liked it when the school was quiet and empty, then she could think. She did enjoy thinking, in fact most of her time was spent thinking…there were just certain things she didn’t want to think about, certain things that were locked up and hidden.
When she came upon the window she had stared out of earlier she stopped and watched. Watched things pass by…and smiled.
She raised her hand to the glass and felt the nice warmth of the sun blazing through and the cool surface of the glass, combined it was a nice sensation to feel. Kiyoko closed her eyes and took in the feeling, spreading it throughout her body and thinking…no, clearing. Clearing all the frustration and sadness, all the unneeded worry…everything that threatened to break her locks and to find the problems that were so carefully hidden.
Just to be empty.
- - - ------- - - -
Ronin had unfortunately needed to cancel his date with Mikomi since he had to yet again stay late to clean. The building appeared to be empty, which he liked…it was quiet and wide.
Now that he had finished cleaning, Ronin had begun heading out. Right as he was turning the corner he stopped and turned back quickly. There was a girl there…he didn’t know anyone stayed this late of their own accord? He peered back around to watch her. She seemed to be…being…well he couldn’t quite tell what she was doing. Her hand was on the glass of the window and her eyes closed, almost as if she were talking to the window…no, to the world beyond it. Then she smiled, it looked very pretty on her…and very familiar. Why was that smile familiar?
She continued to stand their and Ronin continued to watch.
“I’m glad to be empty now. Thank you.”
The girl suddenly spoke to the window or whatever it was she was ‘connecting to’.
She opened her eyes…those eyes, Ronin knew those eyes. They were large and deep; those mesmerizing aqua eyes that had starred at him in the rain. She was the girl he saved…Kiyoko, was it? Though she seemed different now…almost glowing and peaceful. Then the strangest thing, Kiyoko turned to the window and placed a small kiss upon it, relaying her previous thank you a second time. Oh...and Ronin really remembered those lips…he had dreams about those lips.
She lightly caressed the window, her soft eyes watching as she did and left down the hall, her hair swinging behind her with the white ribbons waving along with it.
Ronin was shocked and puzzled…she seemed so very familiar, and light. As though if he touched her he may fall through; something about this girl was warm, he felt it coming off her in waves. Though there was also something else, but he couldn’t place it.
He walked out from behind the wall after the door had closed behind Kiyoko and walked to stand where she had been.
The spot had a perfect view, a large cherry blossom tree was to the right and the sun was coming in warmly on the left, plus there was a wonderful view of the flower filled field that settled its roots next to the school.
She was…was she thanking the plants? He thought that sounded strange, but then again she did seem rather strange as it was. He looked away to the door she had exited from, was she the one for him? She seemed to have the same feelings as him and she was very familiar…was it because of the emotions they supposedly shared? This complicated train of thought was beginning to bother him so he decided to stop and worry about it later.
Ronin glanced back outside then left the same way he came, for fear she may see him had he gone the way she did.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
The trial was finally over and had been just as ‘abhorrent’ as Roiyaru expected. It had all been so very tiring, but today he was going to see Ookawa and she always smiled for him, erasing all his woes. He would get her out soon enough and was really so close to doing so.
While walking the dirt covered path that weaved through the garden, Roiyaru thought of her and all they had been through, but soon they could be married and everything would be just as it should. He confidently smiled and even blushed a tad as some rather inappropriate thoughts crossed his mind, but he quickly smashed them.
The building that now housed Ookawa was in view and he unconsciously began to pick up the pace.
The large metal and wood door that sealed the structure was just as Roiyaru remembered, large and impregnable. Luckily he remembered the incantation he learned from a few of the elder Kouken-Tamira. He placed his hands onto the small indents in the doors build, one made of metal the other wood. Technically only a Kouken-Tamira accomplished in both metal and wood capabilities could open the door, but seeing as he was a royal he was quite sure he could enter. Research has yet to fail him, so why would it now?
Roiyaru closed his eyes and began speaking the dead language, it sounded so weird and the flow was almost pushing itself. He was glad he never had to do this often or he may have had trouble later on in life.
The two indents began to glow, the wood more than metal, this meaning Roiyaru was better suited to wooden materials then metal ones. It was hot and he felt his hands burn a little as the doors attempted to reject him. He spoke loud and drove the words into the small slit between each indent, the doors grew hotter and the smell of burnt flesh was reaching his nose. But he could not give up, this would work…it would just be a little painful. However he knew the spell to heal, even if it was definitely his least favorite to use.
His hands fell further into the solid doors and Roiyaru pushed and spoke, the two combined heaved the doors slightly forward, and he knew what was next.
When the doors begin to pull you in, push and speak then shout the word.
He remembered the passage. So he pushed and spoke and…
“KAIHOU!”
The doors vibrated drastically and slowly with large creaks and bangs the two doors were thrown open. Roiyaru almost fell forward from the thrust, but the thought of falling on his burnt hands did not really please him.
Roiyaru looked at his roasted limbs and healed them, he really hated healing spells they were slippery and rough, and they even had a strong smell making him gag.
Once happy with his healed hands, Roiyaru headed for the third floor, the stairs in this place were far too large and far apart. Not unlike everything in this place. As soon as he reached the correct floor, Roiyaru speedily went to the gate that led to her home in this terrible prison. Just before he knocked, the door opened and out stepped Myto, Ookawa’s bodyguard and close friend.
“Oh, hello Myto. Awful trial today wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was indeed.”
“Ummm…can I please come in? I came to see Ookawa.”
“As you wish.”
Myto held the door open further to reveal the small quarters. Ookawa was generally held in a room in the back of the apartment. Myto lead Roiyaru to the door and opened it slowly.
“Be prepared.” Myto warned.
“What for?”
“You will see.”
Myto opened the door completely to reveal that there was nothing, no things, no her. Roiyaru was stunned and perplexed. Where was she?
“Myto…where is Ookawa?”
“She is here…but she is not.”
“What are you talking about?! I don’t see anything, where is she!? What’s going on?!”
“I think it’s best for you to read this before asking anymore questions.”
Myto handed Roiyaru an envelope with “Rio” neatly written on its front, it was most defiantly her hand writing. Roiyaru took the envelope and turned it over to open the seal.
As he began to open it, Myto headed out of the room.
“Where are you going?”
“She wished me to leave after giving you the letter.”
‘Wished’. Roiyaru was getting very upset suddenly. Things weren’t right and she wasn’t here and she had ‘wished’ and wasn’t here… What’s going on?
Hands shaking a little, Roiyaru continued to open the seal and removed its contents. Tenderly he unfolded the letter and yet again found her delicate hand writing; it soothed him just looking at the winding loops and intricate styles of the letters. Then reluctantly Roiyaru began to read.
~Rio…
