Glass Mask Fiction: TWIN SOULS

Genre: Drama, Tragedy

ALERT: this fan fiction is the continuation after vol 42 of the manga. I used some idea of the author from the later 4 chapters published in Hanayume magazine

The words in *   * are the self thoughts of the characters

Summary: Masumi had no idea that Maya had found out his true identity. While he was still hesitating, Shiori found out the truth and came to see Maya. Heartbroken, Maya ran away and disappeared..what would Koji and Masumi do now that the girl they loved was nowhere to be found

…………………

CHAP 1: THE END OF IT

Mizuki now startled at the sight of Masumi’ office: a shattered coffee cup on the floor, pictures of Maya and Koji lying all around the room, and her seem-to-be-invincible cold hearted director now faced his back towards her, obviously distressed. She sighed heavily and softly asked him

Mizuki: Director, would you like me to clean this place up and get you another cup of coffee?

Masumi: No, thanks, just leave me alone for a moment

Mizuki: uhm..sir can I say something?

Masumi: what is it?

Mizuki: as I said before, the sign is not always red, why can’t you just tell her your feelings?

Masumi: I can’t, now is the crucial time for her I can’t distract her with my feelings. It’s just not the right time ..yet besides it is obvious that she is happier with another man

He said, still turned his backs towards the secretary

Mizuki: Then when is the time sir? In life, sometimes things happen only at a particular moment,  you may miss the last train to Maya’s heart if you still hesitate. You never let anyone win you, yet you let someone takes away the woman you love that easily?

Masumi turned his back and faced Mizuki, his face is a mixture of pain and anger: GET OUT !

Mizuki: the please excuse me sir. I’m sorry for intruding into your personal life.

Mizuki left the room, left Masumi alone with thousand question puzzled in his head

*Why do I get angry? Am I angry at Mizuki’s comment..or at myself I wonder??*

…..

Next day, Shiori wanted to give Masumi a surprise visit. She happily waited for him inside his office. Suddenly Shiori saw one of Masumi drawer was half-opened, Shiori bent down to close it, but she noticed something:

* Why Masumi san has so many pictures of Maya and Koji, it is reasonable for him to keep an eye on The Crimson Goddess candidate, but why Maya alone, shouldn’t he keep an eye on Ayumi as well? Could it be….???*

She was startled by Masumi’s sudden voice: “ Shiori, sorry for keeping you waiting, let’s go. Hang on, why do you look so pale, are you sick”

Shiori: “ yes, I feel a little tired”

Masu: ” Come, I will drive you home”

SHiori: “ Never mind, I can go home myself, continue with your work”

Masumi…hey..Shiori

Shiori hurriedly left..* he did not hold me back, he has never hold me back why? Hayami san?*……She rushed to his house and searched his room, not long after, Shiori discovered the album which is full of Maya’s pictures. “ What! It can’t be…”

“Excuse me, miss here is your tea” Shiori is startled and dropped the album, the old maid quickly helped picked the album and exclaimed in surprise: “ Oh my,  is this the little girl that director Masumi brought back before?”

Mizuki: “ What? Sorry, you said Hayami san brought her here before?”

Old maid: “ Yes, there was that rainy night when he brought her home, she ran a terribly high fever. Director stayed up the whole night to take care of her and only left the room before she woke up. Haha, I know director is a workaholic, but to go that far taking care of one actress is rare, don’t you think so? “

Shiori softly said: “yes..yes, very rare, too rare that it becomes odd” her eyes starred aimlessly at the door and she walked out, her face has a painful and worried expression, she did not hear the old maid’s calling for her:

Old maid: “ er…miss…you don’t want to wait for master?”

………..

Shiori rushed to Kid Studio, just at the time when the purple roses delivered, she figured out from Rei ( who also came to visit Maya on set that day ) that This Mr Purple Rose always played as a knight to help Maya out in her desperate moment.

Shiori wandered on the street, thinking:* I feel so secure whenever Hayami san is next to me..please..please Maya..please do not take Hayami san away from me. I don’t know what I will do without him *

……………

At Ayumi’s practice place, admirers flock there to see her:

“ Wow, so pretty, that is Ayumi for you!”

“ Of course, nothing out of expectation eh? There is no doubt she can do that since her parents are both talented and beautiful”

“ Maya should give up already, why even bother? Hahahah”

“Haha you are right!”

Ayumi walked by and heard those words, there is a slight discomfort rose in her heart, she stepped out to get some fresh air. While starring at the blue sky, one by one the flash back of her childhood rushed back, reminding her how hard she had try to be first but yet not recognized by others, she smiled bitterly: * That’s right! People always say how lucky I am, how irony! Do they even know how much sweat and pain I went through to achieve what I have today? I must get this role, to prove to them that Ayumi does not need her parents in order to succeed *

Later, people at her practiced place freaked out when they saw Ayumi practiced even harder than usual.

“More…more.., more precise, more perfect…Look Maya, you better tried harder, because I will surely become the perfect Crimson Goddess, I must succeed in order to surpass my parent’s shadows”

She did not know that from far away, the reporter Hamil was gazing at her, he said to himself: “ No, this won’t do!”.

The next day, Maya say Shiori waiting for her in front of Kid Studio, Maya wondered * why is Shiori san here? And”..she gasped..” Purple rose, no, it can’t be*

Shiori greeted Maya, she handed the purple roses and said very quickly: “ Maya san, Hayami san asked me to give these to you. He wished you luck from now on and hoped that you will perform the best Crimson Goddess ever...for..for Daito Art’s sake”

Maya “ Did..did he say anything else?”

Shiori: “ uhm…no…I’m really sorry Maya san..”

Maya looked dumb-founded, tears started to roll down her cheeks, she looed at her Shiori but her eyes cannot see anything at all, they were clouded by her tears “ no..nothing..why should you feel sorry. I understood what he meant. Please tell him I thank him for everything he had done to me till now and as he wished I would not bother him any longer”

Shiori started to cry as well she kept saying : “ I am sorry Maya san..I am really sorry” but Maya could not hear anything, she turned her head and walked to the opposite direction, left Shiori crying while unceasingly said to herself “ will I regret this, what did I just do?”

Koji saw Maya walked past him crying, Koji turned around and saw Shiori standing

Koji * Shiori san? Why is she here?*

He immediately chased after Maya

Koji: Maya, Maya, wait for me

He caught Maya’s hand and turned her around. Seeing her tear-stained face, Koji felt an acute pain in his heart

“ Maya, what’s wrong, tell me? Someone bullied you?  What did Shiori san say?”

But Maya kept crying, all the words she could utter were “ Hayami san..My Mr Purple Rose, it all ended now”

Koji: what? What is the problem with Hayami san, did he threaten you or something? And what’s with your Mr Purple Rose? Maya, I don’t understand anything”

Silence…..

Koji *I feel so helpless, I cannot do anything for her. My heart hurts..why Maya, why must it always Mr Purple Rose, why don’t you give me a chance to support you? Maya?”

Koji: Look like you cannot practice today do you want me to take you home?

Maya shook head

Koji: Alright, then you go home by yourself, but you must head home straight way ok? I will visit you later after I tell director.

He  gently kissed Maya forehead but her teary eyes did not even blink. Watching Maya’s small figure from far away, Koji thought “ why do I feel so uneasy?”

……………

The rain kept pouring down. To Maya, the rain tasted salty, her tears kept falling..thousands thoughts running through her head

*  Why? Hayami san, why did you send Shiori san over to tell me such cruel things, why did you not tell me yourself? Is it because you are about to get married that you cannot support me any longer. That I understand, but I cannot bear the fact that you let Shiori san bring me those purple roses that I depend on solely as mental support, the last farewell, it should be from you…I lost my strongest support..where should I go now? Hayami san? *

Pitter…patter ( the sound of the rain falls down)

Pitter patter…

* Before, no matter how hard life is, I always had Mr Purple rose besides to support me, but now even he left me, how am I supposed to stand up. I know I have to be strong but… it hurts*

Pitter…patter

* The rain… it’s cold but somehow so warm…is it trying to console me? I wonder whether Crimson Goddess’s pain when she had to separate from Isshin also torturing like this, what would she do? Where would she go? *

Maya seems to understand the pain of Crimson Goddess now, the rain keeps pouring down, caressing her face..

* so warm…the rain is so gentle like a mother… it helps dilute my tears, my pain.. I am so tired,  I need  a place to rest and think a little. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will be strong, just for today I want to rest”

A voice echoed from the back of her head “ Go home..go home now”

Maya: * That’s right, let’s go home! But where is my home ..Where..where..where…?*

Unconsciously, Maya let her heart lead her to “home” …and… she boarded the train to Cherry Blossom Valley.

END OF CHAP 1

CHAP 2: THE TRUTH

Back to Masumi’s office, he kept thinking about what Mizuki told him..*flash back*  “  In life, sometimes things happen only at a particular moment,  you may miss the last train to Maya’s heart if you still hesitate”

* What should I do, I wonder how Maya will react when she knows that I am her Mr Purple Rose, will she run away? Chibi chan what should I do? *

“ BOOM!!!!!”

The lightning struck so loudly that it nearly tore the sky apart, cut off all Masumi’s thought, suddenly his phone rang

“Director, Sakurakoji wants to talk to you, something relating to Maya”

“Okay, connect the line”

Masumi:  * he is the last person I want to talk to right now, what is it about Maya now?* he sighed heavily

Koji: “ Hello Hayami san? Sakurakoji’s speaking. I have something urgent to ask you. Do you know where Maya has gone to? I thought she returned home in the morning but Rei said she did not come  from early morning since she left the house”

Masumi * what? Maya?*

“ She did not come for practice today?”

Koji: “ No, this morning when I met her she was crying a lot, but she did not tell me what happened, she just kept crying, so I asked her to go home and rest”

Masumi: “ WHAT? Why did she cry?”

Koji: “ She did not  tell me, but she uttered something about you then Mr Purple Rose and she said it all ended now. I thought you know something that’s why I call you. Masumi, what happened between you and Maya, you have anything related to her Mr Purple Rose ?”

Masumi * she knew?*

“BBBOOOMMMMMMMMM” another lightning tore the sky…

Koji: “ Hello Hayami san can you still hear me? Hello? Hello? Hayami san….”

Tu tu tu…………. ( sound  of phone hung up)

Masumi stood dumb-founded, his mind went blank, it was as if the lightning struck directly at his heart. * Cried…You…Mr Purple Rose….anything related…SHE KNEW??? *

Masumi  stormed out of the room, ignored Mizuki’s surprised face “ Director, where are you going?”

Masumi ran towards the playground but Maya was not at the swing like usual. He desperately drove through the city while Koji was also searching for Maya. Both men, soaking wet, searched every place Maya could be, there was a burning worry in their hearts, it kept growing after every “ no” they got when they asked other people about Maya’s whereabouts.

Masumi * where have you gone to? Maya please be safe or else  or else…no I don’t even want to think about it*

Koji * Maya, Maya, where are you? Why was I so stupid? I sensed something weird in my heart this morning, why didn’t I grab your hand and hold you close then? I let you endure the pain alone.  Please be safe, this time I will not let you go if I find you. I promise myself that”

The lightning kept striking, rain still poured  down nonstop. In their lives, both men never felt that panicky and helpless before.

Cherry Blossom Valley

There was a heavy fog today, everything was soaked in the sparkle red color. A small figure staggered towards that red cloud. Two villagers called out to her: “ hey little girl, don’t go to that direction, there is a heavy fog today, we could not see anything within 10m so we went back, it’s dangerous, head back home”

She kept walking

“ Hey, are you listening?” –one man grabbed her shoulder to turn her around

She slowly said: “ Let go of me. I must return home now”

Two men were stunned..they could not even utter a word, in front of them was a little girl, but something so powerful was transmitting from her, something so divine that made them shiver

Not until the girl walked quite a distance away did they snapped back to reality. One man said

“ Oh my God, that girl just now, is she human? I feel so strange, her eyes just mesmerized me”

The other man nodded in agreement “ Yes, that’s right..she is like..like”. Both of them exclaimed at the same time: “ Crimson Goddess!!”

But they were terrified when they remembered that the path that little girl was heading to lead to Cherry Blossom Valley, and the bridge that was burnt last time was not built again yet..SHE MIGHT FALL INTO THE ABYSS!!! The villagers quickly rushed into the fog to call her to come back but strangely, the fog suddenly became so thick now that they can’t even see their own hands: “ so weird, just a moment ago it was not that thick” they called out to her but there was no respond. Not knowing what to do, two villagers returned home but they tell other villagers to go searching for the little girl together when the fog dispersed a little more.

Back in Tokyo, although Masumi and Koji searched for the whole night they could not find Maya. Masumi returned back to his office totally exhausted next morning but there was something urgent he must do, he could not give up so easily like this:

“ Hello, Hijiri, this is Masumi, tell the police that Maya Kitajima is missing, that’s right! Urgent search right now. Hijiri, you did not let slip that I am Maya’s Mr Purple Rose, right? Nothing, it seemed that she somehow found out my true identity. You take care of that, find out by all means who let Maya know”

Hijiri: “ I will take care of that, then recently did Miss Kitajima react differently to you from before?”

Masumi * that’s right! *flashback* of Maya crying when he teased her in the forest, their night spent together in the cottage, the branch of cherry blossom she picked for him, their encounter across the river*

Hijiri: Mr Masumi? Are you still there

Masumi: oh sorry, now that I think about it, it was before or after her departure for the special training together with Ayumi, since then she was not that defiant to me anymore and she usually said many  ambiguous things to me

Hijiri: I understand sir, I will investigate that.

Masumi fell back to his armed chair, and closed his eyes. Mizuki wanted to ask Masumi whether he was okay, but she stopped when she was about to open the door; she painfully realized that  there was nothing she could do for the director now to save him from falling further into this deep pit.

Accidentally, both Koji and Masumi met at Maya’s house. They hoped that Maya had returned home, to their disappointment Rei told them that there is still no news of Maya. Rei worried asked

“ What happened? Koji told me Maya was crying and then she disappeared till now? What on earth made her so distressed that she had to run away?”

Masumi frown his eyebrows in despair * it was because of me right?*

Rei: “ Hayami san, what happened? Do you know something what was that expression just now?”

Koji: “ Quickly, tell me what happened  Hayami san”

Masumi: “ No I can’t, this is something between me and Maya”

Koji: “ WHAT? WHAT IS THIS THAT YOU CANNOT TELL US? WHAT DID YOU DO TO MAYA?”

( Author ‘s note: image the tension ppl, image ^^ )

Koji started to lose his temper, he grabbed Masumi’s collar

Koji: “ what did you do that she cried mentioning you, what do you have to do with that Mr Purple Man? “

“Hold on, I remembered Maya was crying after her talk to Shiori san- your fiancée”

Masumi quickly turned around : “ What did you say? Shiori talked to Maya, about what?”

Rei also added in : “ That’s right, the day before yesterday, she came to Kid Studio. I thought she was looking for Maya but after I told her about Maya’s Mr Purple Rose she left immediately. I did not know what happen”

Masumi snapped out of Koji’s grab and quickly excuse to leave. However, Koji did not let him go, he grabbed Masumi’s vest again “ Hold on, I am NOT letting you go until you tell me what was going on”

Masumi: “ I can’t, this is something private”

Koji punched him !

Koji:  Cut out that arrogance, this is something relating to Maya so I will not let you go. Not until you tell me. Unless I know what happen how can I find Maya, how can I protect her? I vow to protect her from now on. I….”

Koji stopped in the middle of his talk when Masumi glared at him.

Masumi: “ Let me go, rest assured, you are not the only person who wants to protect Maya”.

Masumi drove away, left Koji and Rei speechless not knowing what to do.

END OF CHAP 2

CHAP 3: THE FALLEN GODDESS

Masumi quickly drove home, when he arrived Shiori was already there. She looked lost and scared at the same time

Shiori : Hayami san, you ..are back. I heard from secretary Mizuki you went searching for Maya

Masumi: Shiori, I was about to call you as well. I have something to ask you

Shiori: ….Hayami san * He looked so scary, I never see this expression of him before*

Masumi: what did you come to see Maya for?

Shiori: ………………* how did he know?*

Masumi: Shiori?

Masumi totally lost it, his fingers gripped tightly around Shiori’s slender shoulders. SHiori was scared, no one has ever treated her so harshly before, and Hayami san is the last person she would think of. He was always so gentle towards her…the thought that Maya alone can bring this emotional side out of Masumi hurt Shiori badly

Shiori broke down in tears “ I am…am sorry, I just don’t want to lose you Hayami san. I did not want to admit it, but you always care for Maya in a special way, I tried to deny it and forced myself to think that everything is still okay. But when I saw her album in your house and those purple roses you sent to Maya , listened to how much you care for Maya as her Mr Purple Rose, I know I cannot lie to myself any longer. I did not expect Maya to react so recklessly. I was stupid “

Masumi: what, you ..you know that I am Maya’s secret Mr Purple Rose. How?

Shiori: from the album in your house, and your special attention to Maya, and so many things else..I have been noticing for  a long time Hayami san

Masumi: then did you come to tell Maya that I am her Mr Purple Rose? No wonder she ran away when she found out that her supporter was her most hated man on earth

Shiori quickly said: No no, I did not come to tell her you were her Mr Purple Rose. I think she knew that you are her Mr Secret already?

Masumi ( shocked) : what do you mean by that? Then what did you come to see her for. Quickly tell me

However, Shiori kept sobbing nonstop. Masumi realized he had lost it. So he apologized to Shiori and gently tap on her shoulder until she calmed down

Masumi: I’m sorry Shiori, I was harsh…I am just..too worried.

Shiori: I swear..I did not tell her you are her secret fan. What I did was to bid her farewell in the place of Mr Purple Rose. I brought her purple roses and said that they were from you.

Masumi: You.!..He gasped in shock and anger, but he quickly calmed himself down “then what did she say?”

Shiori ( still sobbing): she said she understood and thanked you for everything you have done for her till now , also she promised not to bother you any longer.

Those words struck Masumi like a lightning! He wanted to believe it yet didn’t want to believe it.

Masumi:….*Maya..you knew long before? Then why didn’t you run away from me till now, why now?*

Shiori: Hayami san, you must hate me now right?

Masumi: No, I know you are a meek girl who has no intention of harming anyone. It was partly my fault…..Suddenly he lowered his voice..” actually I hate myself more”.

Shiori: Hayami san?

However, Masumi drifted into silence, there was a dead atmosphere around them. Neither of them spoke for a while. Finally, Shiori stood up and excused to leave. She realized it was too early…or too late to say anything about this matter now.

Masumi did not realize Shiori had left. Too many things had happened to him, it was the first time the invincible director of Daito Art felt this lost…He immersed himself in thinking. Time slowly passed by

……………………………………………………

Ririririir ( sound of the cicadas echoing )

Riririri…….

It was quiet, only the sound of the cicadas could be heard. The breeze blew gently through the trees, the shade on the ground moved a little. Standing here, anyone cannot help but feel peaceful and consoled. This was definitely the place to have a good rest, especially for people who are too tired to go on.

The old monk took a peek in to see if the little girl is better. She had been badly injured and barely alive when he found her. He shook his head : “ Poor little girl, I hope she get over this crucial moment. Dear Buddha ( God ), please save her.”

He looked at the little girl once more before gently closed the door “ I wonder why she is still crying in her sleep”

…………………………………..

The sun light slowly fade away…how many hours had it been? He did not know; he stood by the window , the emotionless eyes looked far away. He kept standing there until someone knocked on the door

“ Young Master, it begins to get dark. Shall I turn on the light? Do you want to eat anything sir, since the morning you have not…..”

Masumi: No, I don’t want to eat anything, I just want to stand like this for a little bit more. Don’t turn on the light either

The maid: Yes, sir. Ah… a while ago there was a young man called himself Sakurakoji wanted to see you, but I told him that you do not wish to talk to anyone today but…

Masumi: but?

The maid: but he refused to leave and kept waiting. It has been 3 hours already so I think I should inform you, he said he would not leave until he talks to you

Masumi sighed heavily and thought for a moment and then said “ alright, let him in”.

Koji stepped in; he looked worn out as if he had travelled a really long journey and yet to find the way out.

Masumi: what is it that you want to talk to me? He asked Koji.

Koji: I want to apologize to you personally about what I said this morning. I was rude, I am sorry

Masumi: uhm..I do not mind, don’t worry. You are an honest man, I understand that

Koji:To tell the truth, there hardly is any excuse I can pull off for acting so rude, I know you really treasures Maya ( author’s note: he meant as “ the golden egg” – the candidate for Crimson Goddess) so there is no way you would do something to make her run away, but I was crazily worried for Maya  and also I was angry when I heard Mr Purple Rose is involved again.

Masumi: What? Masumi was surprised when he heard Koji said so.

Koji: Actually, I am jealous of Mr Purple Rose, no matter how much I tried to cheer Maya up, she remained sad but the moment she saw those roses she picked herself up again and tried even harder. I felt so helpless, how can I fight for Maya’s love against a man whom I do not even know

Masumi accidentally spilt some wine “ What do you mean be saying “ fight for Maya’s love”? “

Koji: I think Maya loves Mr Purple Rose

There was a long silence between them. Masumi snapped back to his sense, tried his best to remain composed, he asked Koji.

Masumi: I have heard about her secret admirer before. But she has never met him right?

Koji: True, but it is possible for two people who never met each other to fall in love. Do you know anything about him Hayami san. It still troubles me since you and that man were all Maya mentioned about before she disappeared

Masumi:  No..I don’t.

Suddenly Masumi stood up

Masumi: Look, let’s stop discussing the problem here.

He turned his back against Koji and looked out the window. He was obviously troubled by something

Koji:Hayami san Did I say something bad?

Masumi: No, don’t worry. Koji, I feel sorry for worrying you but honestly, I do not know anything more than you do about this matter. We have no way but to wait until Maya is found, I informed the police, I hope we have news soon

Koji: the police has not called you yet?

Masumi: No, I…

He was interrupted by a phone call from Hijiri

Masumi: Yes, Hijiri?

Hijiri: Hayami san I got news about Maya san

Masumi stood up immediately.

“ Hayami san, you must remain calm and prepare yourself for what I am about to tell you”

Masumi started to feel worried. Hijiri never said anything like that before, he knew that Masumi could remain calm under any circumstances, unless that circumstance involves…

Masumi: Quickly tell me? Did something happen to Maya?

Hearing this, Koji stood up as well. Like Masumi, he wanted to hear about Maya yet he did not want to.

Hijiri continued “ The police was reported by the villagers at Crimson Goddess  Valley that they saw a small girl who looked like Miss Kitajima…she was heading towards the valley in  a daze. Two villagers tried to stop her but it was too late. They could not find her body, but there was one of her shoes was stuck at the branch grew from the cliff…so there is  a big chance that she fell down the abyss and was swept down the waterfall…. I am really sorry Hayami san ( Hijiri sighed). I will report you the details later”

Tu tu tu tu ( sound of phone hung up)

Masumi * what..what is he talking about Why can’t I understand anything? Who fell down the abyss?

Koji impatiently shook Masumi: “ What happened to Maya? Where is she now Hayami san?”

But Masumi did not respond. His whole body was shaking and his eyes pictured an extremely complex emotion: pain, shock, fear, disbelief, those emotions were great enough to drown him . He replied in an emotionless tone, not hearing his own voice: “ The Cherry Blossom Valley…Maya might have fallen down the abyss”

Koji gasped: No it can’t be…..

His mouth felt dry, he could not believe in what he just heard

Flashback rushed to Masumi’s mind *In life, sometimes things happen only at a particular moment*

Masumi * Maya…Did I…miss my train?*

END OF CHAP 3

CHAP 4: LOST

When the girl woke up, it was dark. The air is a bit chilly, she shivered. However, a rush of pain came immediately. She realized she was badly injured, and all of her body was bandaged. Suddenly, she realized she felt the chilly wind because her face was all wet. Her tears kept falling. She was terrified “ Why am I crying? “

She was startled when the door slide open. An old monk walked in, he looked at her gently : “ I see, you are awake already? Haha, you had been sleeping for 3 days 2 nights straight. How do you feel? No, no that’s okay, you don’t have to sit up now. Look, why are you still crying?”

The girl: Still crying? Have I been crying? I don’t know! Sir, what is this place?

Old monk: this is my pagoda and here is Cherry Blossom Valley, I found you at the stream, you were barely alive. Actually you were very lucky you know? Anyone falls from such high place would die. The Crimson Goddess must have saved you

The girl: The Crimson Goddess?

Old Monk: yes, I think so because you were stuck at some big rocks in the middle of the stream, the water is supposed to be very fierce there, but it did not sweep you down to the waterfall. It was like Crimson Goddess told the water not to harm you. Hahaha.

He laughed, his laugh was so free and kind.

He asked: “ Pretty girl, why did you fall down from the abyss? Where did you intend to go?”

The girl frowned, she tried to remember, but everything in her head was dark, and swirling, it was like she was being sucked into a fierce whirlpool. “ I…I can’t remember..my head hurts”

The monk started to feel worried when he saw she going through such pain, he soothed her “ there there, that’s okay, you just rest for now, you will remember later “ But she still panicked “ I ..I..why did I fall down? And more importantly, WHO AM I ? “

The monk starred at her in astonishment  “ you …lost your memory?”

…………………………………………

The morning at the pagoda was so pleasant. The breeze blew day and night nonstop. It gave you a chill down your spine but it was refreshing at the same time. Rays of sunlight danced on the shades of centuries-old trees. Sitting at the porch and enjoying the breeze, the little girl felt consoled and was able to relax a bit. Since last night, she had been trying hard to remember but when she seemed to remember something, when she caught the  glimpse of a face…a man’s face… suddenly everything turned dark and her head hurt so much as if someone hit her with a big cane.

She heard sound of footsteps * Someone comes to visit the monk? It must be a woman* she thought, since the sound was so delicate. It really was a woman. The monk smiled and greeted her but the woman did not greet him back, she was busy looking around the garden. When the woman saw the little girl, she immediately rushed forward. Surprised, the little moved back but then she saw a gust of pain on the woman’s face, though it was very fleeting, * Maybe she felt offended* the girl thought and so she quickly apologized  “ I’m sorry. I was surprised so I moved back, not that I think you are scary madam” The woman looked at her, she gently smiled “ I am a friend of the old monk here, pretty girl, what is your name? “. The little girl did not know how to respond, she looked at the ground, answered in a low voice “ I..I don’t know, I guess I lost my memory. Sorry madam”.

“ That’s okay, don’t force yourself too much now. You will remember eventually” the woman smiled

* wow, she is so kind* the little girl smiled back at her. Just at that moment, the monk came “ The tea is ready, come” he said. The monk told the little girl“ Dear, there is an injured rabbit I picked up yesterday, she was at the warehouse, I bet she is hungry now, do you want feed her?” The little girl understood that the monk wanted to talk to the woman privately so she excused herself. From far away she caught a few words between the monk and the woman

The monk : She reminds me of you. I bet my place is an exclusive place for broken hearts ( he laughed). It was so long ago

The woman chuckled, she spoke in a dreamy voice: Yes, time flies, it seems like it was yesterday…

Ririririririr ….. ( sound of cicadas)

…………………………

Tokyo, Daito Art Building

Mizuki: Director, this is the document you asked for

Masumi: thank you, just leave it here

Mizuki was about to say something but when she looked at Masumi, she just sighed and stepped out * he has been working nonstop for a few days already, he is even a worse workaholic than before*

When she looked up Shiori  was standing in front of her. Mizuki could not help but felt uneasy, she was afraid now was not the right time for her director to meet Shiori san, in his state right now that is…

“ I am sorry Shiori san, the director is working now. Maybe you come back another time? “

Shiori: he has been working nonstop, hasn’t he?

She started crying “ It was all my fault”. Mizuki felt troubled, she did not know how to console Shiori.

Shiori said “ Please just let me see him for a moment, when I see that he is okay I will leave”

Mizuki  sighed: alright please come in, but I cannot guarantee you the director will talk. Besides work related  matters, he did not talk to anyone”

Shiori stepped in, she looked at Masumi painfully, “ he looked so haggard and tired” she thought

Shiori: Hayami san

Masumi did not look up, he continued to read his documents as if he did not hear her calling.

Shiori: Hayami san. She called him again, still no respond

Shiori was at the verge of her tears, she broke down besides his chair  “ scream at me, Hayami san, throw your temper at me, I know it was my fault. But I beg you please do not be like this”

Still Masumi did not look at her, he kept working. It looked as if  he was trying his best to keep himself occupied every second

*FLASH BACK * A few days ago

Hijiri: Mr Masumi, as you told me, I investigated the period that you suspected Miss KItajima acting strangely towards you. The truth is: it might be true that she knew your identity long ago

Masumi could not believe it, he demanded Hijiri hoarsely

“What did you say? Tell me again?”

Hijiri: I said Miss Kitajima might know your identity long ago sir

Masumi: since when?

Hijiri: Just before her departure for special training, she visited her mother’s grave. It was the same day that you visit Mrs. Kitajima’s grave. I think she saw you because the gatekeeper said there was a girl who asked about the man that just visited her mother’s grave… Besides, you brought purple roses right?

Masumi: That…. But that could be a coincidence

Hijiri: Right, there are still ambiguous details but..right after that event, her friend Rei told me she was very depressed so it is possible that she found out. Can you try to remember sir? Besides the purple roses, did you leave any trace of you at the grave?

Masumi was cracking his head. Actually he just wanted to forget everything about Maya since the day...but he could not help it, if she knew he was Mr Purple Rose that would mean..

Hijiri: Hayami san?

Masumi: yes, I am trying… After I visited the grave, I remember missing my pen. I remembered that because Mizuki just gave me that pen for birthday present a few days back. After that a man gave me back that pen

( Author’s note: you guys might think that a cold hearted man like Masumi will not remember a pen unless it is a present from Maya ( laugh ) however, I think he is at least a polite high class man, and thus losing the present his secretary, who is with him nearly 24/7 ( because our workaholic works nearly 24/7), gave him is quite rude. She might notice it, rite? ^^)

Hijiri: you did not ask him where did he find it?

Masumi: No, I was busy at that moment.

Hijiri thought for a moment and then said:  Hayami san, what  if you dropped that pen at the grave, that means the person who picked up the pen must be someone who came right after you left . Miss Kitajima must have suspected that you are her Mr Purple Rose, and she asked the man to return you that pen to confirm it, don’t you think so?

Masumi * Now when I think about it.It was the most possible scenario.So it’s true that she knew I am her Mr Purple Rose long ago?*

*Flash back*

Koji : Maya…I think she loves her Mr Purple Rose

* End of flash back*

And she loves Mr Purple Rose..that means she loves…ME?

*But it is impossible ..she hates me so much and…*but he remembered Mizuki’s words * the sign is not always red*. Maya’s images flooded through his mind

* their night together * Maya: Just hold me like you did under the rain*, her branch of cherry blossom * Maya: this is my feelings*, their encounter across the river *Maya: Please throw everything away , your status your past, and be only mine* , She ran away from his engagement ceremony *Maya: I wish you happiness*

Masumi looked at Hijiri, but his eyes were emotionless like he could not see anything at all : Hijiri, I don’t understand, why didn’t she tell me earlier?

Hijiri: I think …Hayami san, maybe she was waiting for you to tell her.

END OF CHAP 4

CHAP 5: AKOYA

The pagoda…

The old monk rubbed the girl’s head gently. He asked “how do you feel today, my dear?”.

“A lot better, Oji-chan ” she smiled. During this past week, the old monk treated her extremely well and since that night, he did not ask even once again about her past. Somehow it made her feel relieved and thankful because whenever much she tried to remember, her head hurt a lot when that glimpse of the man appeared

“ Hey, you did not ask for my name, you keep calling me Ojichan” he smiled gently at her

“ Then what is your name Oji-chan?”

“Right, call me Ozaki OJI CHAN. How about you, you have yet to have a new name? How about Akoya? ”

“ Wow, that’s a really pretty name. Thank you Ozaki OJI CHAN, but why did you pick that name for me?”

Ozaki: well, that’s a really special name you know. That’s the name of Crimson Goddess, the guardian of this Valley.

Akoya: Crimson Goddess?

Ozaki OJI CHAN: yes, have you heard of her before?

Akoya: “Her name rang a bell to my ear but I could not remember. But why do you choose the Crimson Goddess’s name OJI CHAN?, that is a sacred name, isn’t it?”

Ozaki OJI CHAN: Uhm, but that name suits you most. Because as I said, the first time I found you, I believed the Crimson Goddess saved you, it was a miracle for you to survive. The Crimson Goddess was with you for sure.

Akoya was surprised to hear that the beautiful goddess saved her, yet she wanted to believe in it, she wanted to believe the fact that she was alive was a good thing; “for if my fall from the cliff was deliberate, I would have suffered from something so terrible that I wanted to die so desperately, if that is the case I do not wish to regain my memory at all” .

Akoya inhaled the fresh smell of plum in the air. She clutched Ozaki OJI CHAN’s arm “ Now I have OJI CHAN, I want to start a new life, with this new name. Maybe I will regain my memory someday, for now, I want to enjoy my present life to the fullest. OJI CHAN, tell me about the beautiful Crimson Goddess, will you?”

Ozaki OJI CHAN smiled. They continued their walk in the garden as Akoya listening to Ozaki OJI CHAN about the Goddess  “ Ah..you see..long time ago…”

……………

Next morning

Ozaki OJI CHAN: Akoya, are you around ?

Akoya: yes, what is it OJI CHAN?

Ozaki OJI CHAN: Akoya can you help OJI CHAN get some old boxes in the warehouse please? OJI CHAN needs to rearrange some books.

Akoya: Right away, OJI CHAN

The boxes Akoya brought was really old and dusty. Inside those boxes, Ozaki OJI CHAN put a lot of books and documents. Akoya was surprised, all of them were about Crimson Goddess.

Somehow Akoya felt very close to Crimson Goddess as well. It was like she knew this Goddess long ago. Maybe because Akoya felt thankful that this Goddess might really have saved her, or maybe because she was influenced by Ozaki OJI CHAN who had so many wonderful stories about Crimson Goddess?

She asked: OJI CHAN, how come you have so many documents and books relating to Crimson Goddess.

OJI CHAN: oh that…I was fascinated by the legend of this beautiful goddess. As I told you, Crimson Goddess is the goddess of all nature,Wind, Fire, Earth and Water all obey her and she understands them more than anyone else. There is a legendary play about this Goddess. It was a blessing from Buddha that I was able to see that play while I am still alive.

Akoya: wow..OJI CHAN…Akoya thought you said you have not left the mountain for a long long time?

Ozaki OJI CHAN: That’s true, but I never said I left this mountain to see the play

Akoya:  you mean..the actors and actress came here?

Ozaki OJI CHAN: the director and the actress, yes. They used this place as the practice place for acting out the four elements: wind, fire, earth and water.

Akoya: OJI CHAN..the actress must really understand those four elements thoroughly in order to act them out right? ( OJI CHAN nodded) but that was impossible, only Crimson Goddess can understand them.

Ozaki oji chan laughed : No no Akoya my dear, you really do not need to be Goddess in order to understand those four elements. You use your heart, Akoya, love the world around you, and it will love you back. Then you can hear and understand it fully. Do you want to?

Akoya: sure sure OJI CHAN. She was full of excitement

Suddenly OJI CHAN’s expression became more serious. He gently hold Akoya’s shoulders:

Akoya, do you really mean it? To understand fully those four elements with your heart is not easy. There will be time when you cannot hear nor understand them at all, there will be time when you feel lost and frustrated but when you succeed, it will be the greatest gift one can ask for in life. You will see, nature will teach you a whole lot things if you listen carefully.

Akoya was surprised when she saw OJI CHAN become serious like that. She asked Ozaki OJI CHAN what was wrong. He just smiled and said: “ Akoya, to see the role  Crimson Goddess being acted out again was two other persons and OJI CHAN’s dream. I can die as long as I can see that. The moment I rescued you from the stream, I find something very special about you and I have the idea that * who knows, may be Buddha sends this girl to me from heaven to fulfill this dream?* 

Akoya: OJI CHAN, Akoya is not sure Akoya can do it but if that’s what OJI CHAN felt about Akoya then I really wanted to fulfill OJI CHAN’s dream. OJI CHAN saved and love Akoya so Akoya want to do something too

Akoya looked at Ozaki OJI CHAN sincerely. Her big eyes did not blink and her lips tightened, her willpower lightened her whole face.

Ozaki OJI CHAN: I am thankful for that, Akoya but I do not wish to impose my wish on you. In order to act out Goddess, you must really understand the heart of nature, that will be tough, as OJI CHAN told you.

Akoya: No, OJI CHAN did not impose anything on Akoya. Akoya wants to be able to act as Crimson Goddess at my own will too, Akoya feel like knowing her a long time ago …maybe she is related to my past? What if I can remember something from this? Moreover…

Akoya held Ozaki OJI CHAN’s hand tightly: “Moreover I lost my past, OJI CHAN give Akoya a new name, a new life, from now on, OJI CHAN’s dream will be Akoya’s dream”.

Oji san smiled and gently rubbed Akoya’s head, like he usually did to show his affection.

Akoya: but OJI CHAN…who are the other two that you said also wanted to see Crimson Goddess play?

Ozaki Oji san smiled mysteriously: it’s a secret.

………………………………………..

Tokyo , Hamasaki house

“Ayumi what are you thinking about?”

Ayumi turned around, her nanny was looking at her worriedly.

Ayumi: Nanny, they said Maya fell down the abyss and died, but I don’t want to believe it. They have not found her body yet, right?

Nanny: miss Ayumi, they gave up finding already, the truth is…nanny paused and then continued difficultly “ it’s hard for her to stay in piece, falling from such a high place she might have hit on the rock. And the waterfall is very fierce as well. The police did not think they could find her body

Ayumi covered her ears: Nanny, say no more! I..

She started crying “Nanny, you know before there was a moment I lost my mind due to jealousy, I wanted Maya to die. But now she may be dead..I feel so lost, I do not only lose my only rival, I lose my friend.

Nanny sighed, she hugged Ayumi: Miss Ayumi, I know you are distressed, you can mourn for Maya but you must go on. Now you are the only candidate for Crimson Goddess , you must try even harder.

Ayumi: I know…nanny do not worry, I have walked this far, there is no turning back, I do not want to turn back either. Nanny, I know this is crazy but my intuition tells me that Maya is still alive, so I will not give up, I will practice even harder to become a perfect Crimson Goddess so that if Maya returns someday, I am ready to challenge her again.

Moreover…..

Nanny: Moreover?

Ayumi: Moreover…even if Maya if really dead, I still have to try, I have another important mission in my life. Ayumi looked straight forward, there was a fire in her eyes “ I have to surpass my parent’s shadows”

………………………………………..

Daito Art Company….two workers talked to each other while waiting for the elevator

Worker A : Director Masumi, he is even scarier than usual.

Worker B: Yes, since the news of that actress’s death, he has been like that. He did not even smile

Worker A: Why? Now that she is dead, Crimson Goddess role will belong to Ayumi, and thus belongs to Daito Art right? He should be relieved

Worker B: How can you say that? Don’t you think it is cruel

Worker A: I just reason based on Director Masumi’s character. He is the man who can do anything to gain what he wants, no? I heard the rumored boyfriend of actress Maya, Sakurakoji, came to find him to ask for help but director refused him straight away.

Worker B: what did he asked for?

Worker A: he hoped that with Director’s influence he can ask the police to start searching  for her body again since they did not find it. He refused to believe that actress Maya is dead unless he sees her body.

Worker B: it is impossible for her to be alive! So the director refused?

Worker A: Yes, straight away. He told Sakurakoji not to ever talk to him about that again.

Worker B: How cruel! He could have at least said it in a more gently way. Once an actress is no longer of use to him, he does not care anymore, right?

They both shook their heads but when they saw secretary Mizuki starred at them, she looked really annoyed the two immediately shut up . Lucky for them, the elevator came… * What do you people know?* Mizuki thought as she let out a heavy sigh.

END OF CHAP 5

CHAP 6: LEARN FORM THE NATURE, AKOYA!

At a café, Mai sat across the table, sobbing nonstop. Koji looked really wretched and troubled

Koji: I am really sorry,Mai I know I have hurt you a lot, so you can scream at me or hit me, do whatever you want to me if it makes you feel a bit better. I will not protest.

Mai: No..I just want you to take back what you said, tell me that you will not break up with me.

Koji just bent his head down: I am sorry..

Mai exclaimed: do not say sorry, say that we can be together like before.

But Koji just sadly shook his head: both you and I know that is impossible

Mai: but why? Koji san, Maya is dead now. I know I cannot force you to get over her immediately now, but time can mend any heart’s pain, right? I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes.

Koji looked at Mai really sadly: I really cannot continue our relationship, Mai, even if I pretend, I know I cannot get over this pain that was inculcated too deeply in my heart. Please do not wait for me, you are a nice girl, you will find a better guy who can love you wholeheartedly. I don’t think I can love anyone else again.

Mai sobbed heavily: Koji san..is there really no other way?

……………………………………………….. 

At Kid Studio

The whole atmosphere is extremely grey. Everyone in Director Koronuma’s crew was obviously upset. The lead actress had been dead. After all the mourning was over, they were horrified to realize that without Maya, this project could no longer continue. They came to say goodbye to Director Kuronuma

Actor A: We are sorry about this Director, but obviously Ayumi is the only candidate for Crimson Goddess now, we have no choice but to leave. We wish you all the best.

Director Kuronuma said nothing. He just nodded and tapped the actor on the actor to show his understanding. Inside, the man was devastated * must my dream play end here?* He thought.” Although, Ayumi asked for an extension of 3 months to wait for Maya and Tsukikage san also approved but can Maya still possibly be alive somewhere, like Ayumi said? But Maya is a responsible actress, she would return if she were alive. It had been one month already” he sighed as he squeezed his forehead.

Someone asked “ Koji is not here?”.

The other people explained that since Koji knew about Maya’s death, no one had seen him coming here ever again and no one knew where he had gone to either. Director Kuronuma sighed: “ I understand, he must feel hurt than anyone of us can imagine”…

Director Kuronuma: * Koji, what are you going to do now?*

…………………………………

Meanwhile, at Cherry Blossom Valley

Akoya was being taught by Ozaki OJI CHAN how to understand fully Wind, Fire, Earth and Water. He led her to the waterfall. Ozaki Oji chan said

“ Akoya, my dear, in order to hear and understand nature, you have to be able to silence those disturbance inside you, only when your mind is calm then you can hear what nature wants to tell you.”

Akoya: yes, OJI CHAN. OJI CHAN: Okay, now OJI CHAN will leave you at this water fall. You will sit at this big rock, Oji chan will not tell you until when, so you can practice patience. You sit here, close your eyes and try to listen to all the sound around you, every little sound…

Akoya tilted her head in surprise: but OJI CHAN. There sound of waterfall is too loud how can Akoya hear anything, it is already hard to hear your voice.

OJI CHAN just smiled: That’s why, that’s why you have to be really patient, focus your mind and listen. Once you can hear, those sounds will fascinate you until the point you don’t want to open your eyes. Mother Nature saves the gift for those who really care to hear by showing  patience. And do not leave this rock until OJI CHAN tell you to do so, no matter how uncomfortable you feel, alright? This will be tough at first. Are you ready?

Akoya tightened her lips, she looked straightly at Ozaki OJI CHAN: Akoya understand, Akoya will not turn back once I decided.* Ozaki OJI CHAN saw her innocent determination and laughed “ alright, since you are so determined, OJI CHAN will not delay you any further;… but here is the most important advice in order to succeed Akoya…”

He took Akoya’s hand at put it on her left chest “ You must truly believe in your heart that you can do it. When you feel lost, look in here”

He smiled as he rubbed Akoya chan’s head. After that, he left Akoya at the waterfall. Akoya sat down, and tried to focus her mind; the waterfall sound was too loud thus it was hard to hear anything at first. But when Akoya calmed herself down, only focused on hearing. She started to realize other sounds as well: the birds were chirping, and the sound of the wind blew through the tree…

Akoya sat there and enjoyed the colorful sounds around her. However, after a while, the sun was scorching above her head. Akoya felt really thirsty and tired, thus she wanted to go find some water. But she stopped herself as she thought *Akoya must remain sitting until OJI CHAN tell me to stop*. After a while, the heat made her suffer worse* how much longer do I have to wait for Oji chan, I feel tired, when will OJI CHAN come back? I cannot endure this any longer* As soon as she lost her patience, Akoya could not focus her mind anymore, all former sounds disappeared and the loud waterfall sound became more unbearable than ever.

For a moment, Akoya felt panicked and lost, but she remembered OJI CHAN’s father-like smile, and she put her hand on her left chest, where her heart was * That’s right, I have to believe in myself. I can do it, now calm down Akoya, you can fulfill OJI CHAN’s dream. Let’s try one more time”. As she listened with her mind opened freely and her heart is full of anticipation, the loud sound of the waterfall slowly fade away and became less disturbing, she can hear the murmur of the stream flowed through the rocks.

“ tock..tack… tock… tack..* ( murmur of the stream).

And then suddenly Akoya felt refreshing, as if the cool fresh water was flowing through her body, washed away all tiresome and disturbance, * I felt so fresh, so transparent* Akoya thought. Her soul was now able to perceive all sounds of the nature around her. Unknowingly, a smile was formed on her lips “ Just like OJI CHAN said, this is fascinating…* Akoya thought.

The sky slowly  turned red, and then darker, and darker. OJI CHAN came to pick Akoya up. Akoya opened her eyes, and smiled at OJI CHAN.

“ How do you feel?” Ozaki OJI CHAN asked “ you must be worried when you close your eyes for such a long time and thus has no sense of time right?”

Not at all OJI CHAN, Akoya said “ Akoya heard the Tucki bird. So Akoya knows it must be around 6 o’clock now, right  OJI CHAN?” OJI CHAN nodded “That’s right, look at the sunset, it must be exactly 6 o’clock, but Akoya...”

OJI CHAN was surprised “ you heard the Tucki bird? But he lived in deep jungle which is quite far from the waterfall. You heard him?”

Akoya was surprised too: “ Really Oji chan? I heard him clearly.”. Ozaki was moved, he embraced Akoya and patted her head: “ Akoya, you did well, thank you..thank you…thank you”. They embraced for a long time, Akoya felt really happy not only because she was coming nearer to OJI CHAN’s dream but also because she had such a wonderful experience.

From then on, everyday Akoya came to the rock and practice hearing, it became easier and easier for her as she practiced. Simply because now Akoya does not consider that as practice, she had started to fall in love with the nature!

………………….

Akoya got adapted to the life here with OJI CHAN better and better each day. Akoya and OJI CHAN lived at a reclusive remote pagoda, quite far away from the nearest village, thus most of the things they had were from nature: food, water, even medicine. Every morning, Akoya woke up from 4 o clock in the morning and went to the stream to carry water back, by a shoulder pole. It was extremely difficult as first, she fell into the stream many time, but if Akoya managed not to trip, by the time she got home, the water had spilt out about half already, so she had to carry many times. It was tough, but Akoya did not want Oji chan to carry the water back anymore, “ OJI CHAN should stay at home, now OJI CHAN has Akoya, let Akoya do it, what if OJI CHAN tripped, it would be dangerous!” she said. OJI CHAN laughed: “ really? Look here Akoya” and he jumped on the rocks to get to the other side of the stream , what’s more, he were carrying 2 water buckets by the shoulder pole, and not a drop fell out of the buckets. Akoya could not believe in her eyes however she immediately said

Akoya: by the end of this week, Akoya would master this, Akoya wants to let you rest. Please allow Akoya to learn on my own from the nature, Oji chan

OJI CHAN hugged her lovingly.

Akoya went to the forest thinking “ how to be  able to move so smoothly and yet maintain a good balance?”.Akoya kept walking until she was startled by a rustling from the bush, that was an antelope. “Antelope is the Goddess of lissomness” OJI CHAN once said. Akoya quietly observing the antelope, “ OJI CHAN was right” she thought. Akoya decided to follow the antelope to watch it. Antelopes got scarred easily so Akoya had to be very careful not to cause any sound. She followed the antelope to the stream. She saw him jumping over the rocks elegantly. Akoya realized:

“Ah, he did not exert too much force on the rocks, he barely touched it and moved very fast. What else? His body looked very neat and nice when he jumped, and as he landed down, his forelegs touched the ground first and he crouched a little bit”.

Now she knew that exerting the right force was her problem, and in order to exert the right force, she had to feel the surfaces “right”. Akoya diligently practice jumping over different kind of surfaces, rocks, soft soil, hard soil, moss. Every day during the week, she would return home, drenched ( be sweat and water as she fell down the stream) and exhausted, Akoya slept soundly as a child, so she did not know Ozaki Oji chan always gazed at her lovingly and gently stroke her hair.

“You were right, this little angel got guts” he smiled as he thought.

Akoya kept her promise, by the end of the week, she was able to carry water back without tripping or spilling it. Her hard work got paid!

In the process of training and learning to adapt to her new life, Akoya had come to love the nature deeply. She was fascinated with every sound of the bird,  every fragrance of the wild flowers, and every move of the wild animal. Just as OJI CHAN said “ when you learn to love the world around you, it will love you back” she and Ozaki OJI CHAN usually brought injured or orphaned animal back home and took great care of them until they got better and so, the animal love Akoya and Oji chan dearly, they did not fringe or run away like they did at first. One time, when Akoya accidentally fell down a shallow pit in the forest since she did not notice it due to thick bushes covering it. Her ankle was sprained so she could not move. “Will OJI CHAN be able to find me?” Akoya thought and started to cry a little, but  she was startled to feel something cool on her face, a deer was licking her tears, she recognized he was the one whom she picked up last month when he broke his leg ( maybe due to a trap?) Akoya was moved, she hugged the deer and they stayed together until OJI CHAN found her. 

In the past, she would have asked OJI CHAN how to be able to do this and that, but now Akoya no longer posed questions like that. Since Akoya knew Oji’chan answer would always be  “ learn from the nature Akoya, OJI CHAN learned everything from the nature, so you can too” , besides, Akoya knew that OJI CHAN was giving her special training through everyday life, so no matter how impossible the task seemed sometimes, Akoya always tried her best. Living with OJI CHAN had taught Akoya that “ nothing is really impossible”. For example, when OJI CHAN first taught her about medicine, he blind folded Akoya and asked her to use her nose to distinguish 200 different kinds of medicine, from dried to fresh, from extremely strong smell to very faint smell. A normal person would have given up, but that is not the case for Akoya, she diligently practice. Today, Akoya were able to distinguish 200 different types of medicine from the nature; once every 2 weeks, Akoya would go pick the plant in the forest together with Oji chan, they dried and grinded them into medicine and Akoya would bring them down to the poor villagers who had no money to go to the doctor.

As Akoya went through  the process of “ hearing, observing and feeling” training of OJI CHAN and learning from nature to adapt to her new life, unconsciously, Akoya came to understand four elements Wind, Fire, Earth and Water more and more personally. She understand those four elements as if they were human and she saw their presence in any creature she encountered, be it plant, animal or human:  Earth is like a   gentle mother who gave the love to the plants, faithfully nurtures them. Water can has thousand demonstration, it can be fierce or meek , gentle or roaring, like different emotions human has. Fire is the life source for everything, it is like a father, warm and protective, every time Akoya enjoyed the first sun rays of the day or sat next to OJI CHAN besides the fireplace on cold rainy day, she felt extremely thankful and warm. Wind is Akoya’s closest friend, he is with her anywhere, when she hanged the clothes outside, when she sat at the porch, and he always he brought Akoya’s the sweet fragrance of the first blooming blossom flowers as a greeting in the morning.

Akoya smiled “ I was very troubled at first when I could not remember anything, but now I am so thankful that I met OJI CHAN. It is okay even if I cannot remember my past”

……………………

Time slowly passed by. One day, Akoya was surprised to find OJI CHAN had already waken up and was waiting for her in the main hall.

Akoya: OJI CHAN why did you wake up so early ? Is anything the matter

Ozaki OJI CHAN: Akoya, sit down. He said “ I have something to tell you”

Looking at OJI CHAN’s serious nuance, Akoya felt nervous, OJI CHAN looked only like this when he was about to tell her something really important

Ozaki OJI CHAN: Akoya, from tomorrow onward, you need not to practice “hearing, observing and feeling” anymore, you also have to share more house chore with me.

“ But OJI CHAN…Akoya…” Akoya protested, she did not want OJI CHAN to do house chore since his health had worsened due to the cold last week. But OJI CHAN put his hand up, as a sign to stop Akoya from going on.

Ozaki OJI CHAN: listen to me Akoya, now is the right time, I think you are ready

Akoya: ready for what OJI CHAN?

Ozaki OJI CHAN: ready to start acting Crimson Goddess. We will start real practice tomorrow. I have nothing more to teach you Akoya, now you have to create your own complete Crimson Goddess

End of chap 6

…………………….

Chap 7: Isshin 

Cherry Blossom Valley,

A handsome young man was approaching. It was obvious that he had travelled a long distance, his face was haggard and tired. His face drew an extremely complex expression: half devastated, half hopeful. Indeed, he went there to search for one person whom had been rumored to be dead.

In order to get to the village, he needed to pass through the forest. This was really a challenge for the city boy, he could not see clearly since the trees and bushes were too thick, and there was little light in the forest since the tree’s shades were very large, they blocked the sunlight. He heard the sound of the nearby stream, so he decided to go there and washed his face in order to refresh. But the poor city boy did not notice the mound so he tripped and fell really bad. His head hit hard against the ground, after that..everything turned dark

…………………

When Koji woke up, a kind-looking old monk was gazing at him. He smiled gently at Koji,his smile was as meek as a smile of Buddha

Ozaki OJI CHAN: you are up, I found you while taking my stroll in the forest, you hit your head so you were unconscious for a moment, besides, you seems to lack of sleep and eating, your face looks very haggard. I cook you something, come.

Koji thanked him, he was about to stand up to follow OJI CHAN, but he remembered why he went here

Koji: uhm…excuse me

Ozaki OJI CHAN: just call me Ozaki OJI CHAN

Koji: uhm..Ozaki OJI CHAN…actually I came here to look for this person, have you ever seen anyone who looks like this?

On Koji’s hand was the picture of a young girl

Ozaki OJI CHAN was stunned:” you are her friend?” He asked

…………………………

When Akoya was back, she looked for OJI CHAN in the garden but she did not find him “ Strange! OJI CHAN usually waters the flowers at this time”. Then she heard OJI CHAN talking to someone,  she listened to the stranger’s voice and commented ” uhm.. a man, he is quite young, around 22, but he seems to be very troubled by something, his voice sounds so sad?” Akoya thought, she felt pity for the young man .She decided eavesdropping on conversation ( though she was standing quite far, remember, Akoya went through training for hearing) was rude so she haltingly called to Ozaki OJI CHAN

Akoya: OJI CHAN, Akoya is back.

OJI CHAN slide the door open

Ozaki OJI CHAN: You are back, my dear. Come, I want to introduce someone to you.

Akoya smiled at the young man OJI CHAN was pointing her to. “ Hello, nice to meet you, I am Akoya” she said.

Koji was obviously shaken. He was about to stand up but OJI CHAN, secretly ( Akoya did not see this) but firmly hold his hand down. Koji tried his best to calm down and forced a smile on his lips “ Hi Akoya, I am Koji, Yuu Sakurakoji”. His heart was nearly broken when he saw that she did not remember him at all.

Ozaki OJI CHAN looked at Akoya: Akoya, you really really want to have a friend, right?

Akoya: OJI CHAN I have many many friends. Akoya said in a surprised tone

OJI CHAN laughed: No no dear, not animals.. I mean…a human friend.

Akoya opened her eyes widely “ huh?”

OJI CHAN: from now on, Koji will stay here with us, while waiting for one person.

* Flash back*

Koji: OJI CHAN, what do you mean, Maya lost her memory?

OJI CHAN: yes..when I found her at the stream near the waterfall, she was badly injured, and so I took care of her. She could not remember her past or would not want to..I would say..

OJI CHAN lowered his voice

Koji: what do you mean by would not want to.

OJI CHAN: when I brought her here, she slept for 3 days and 2 nights, but even in her sleep, her tears kept falling. The poor little girl must have suffered from an tremendous emotional pain when she fell down

Koji was horrified: you mean Maya committed suicide. It is impossible, she is the most strong willed girl I’ve ever met

Oji chan nodded in agreement: you are right, I also do not think she committed suicide. However, even strong people have moments they felt tired, so perhaps Akoya just wanted to forget some painful memory for a moment , and so even after she woke up, her unconscious mind prevented her from remembering since it did not want to go through such pain again..

They were both silent for a while, finally Koji asked OJI CHAN

Koji: OJI CHAN, what should I do now?

OJI CHAN thought for a moment and said: If you want to help Akoya remember her past. Do so with discreet. When is the right time and how much you should let her know, is for you to decide, but remember to take into consideration what is best for Akoya.

Koji:………….OJI CHAN

OJI CHAN:  yes?

Koji: is Maya happy now? The Maya I know could not feel happy unless she is able to act on stage, she was born to be an actress

OJI CHAN smiled: I know what you mean, tomorrow let’s take a peek at our Crimson Goddess

Koji: Crimson Goddess?

OJI CHAN: yes, Akoya is practicing acting Crimson Goddess right now. She had finished basics training and now I asked her to practice the real Crimson Goddess play.

Koji was completely taken aback: So Maya remembers that she was chosen to act Crimson Goddess

OJI CHAN: No, I’m afraid she has yet to remember anything. Akoya is trying to act out Crimson Goddess for this old man’s sake. It’s is my dream to see that play again

OJI CHAN smiled and whispered to himself : I am still waiting for her to realize her own though!

OJI CHAN: I was blessed to see Crimson Goddess’s play once, and I would happy going to Buddha ( he meant to die) if I can see that masterpiece once again. I felt that Akoya might just be the right person to recreate Crimson Goddess once more.

Koji: OJI CHAN is there really little chance for Maya to regain her memory?

OJI CHAN: Do not lose hope. It’s hard to tell. Actually I think heart’s sickness must be cured by the one who caused it, no other doctor can do it, but you might very well succeed too, Koji.

Koji: you mean Maya’s emotional pain is…heart’s sickness?

OJI CHAN: you said before she disappeared she uttered the names of two men right? ( Masumi, Mr Purple Rose). She probably fell in love with one among those two.

Koji was awed by OJI CHAN’s wisdom: how do you know OJI CHAN?

OJI CHAN just smiled sadly: my past was rather painful, dear.

Koji looked at Oji chan. When he talked to this wise old monk, he felt so strangely serene, so calm. It was like Oji chan had the heart of Buddah. 

“ Oji chan” Koji said, “I would like to stay here, is that possible? Koji looked at Oji chan, he eyes were as bright as the stars, reflecting a tremendous determination “ even if Maya cannot remember, if she wants to stay as Akoya forever, I, too want to stay as Isshin for her forever. Please allow me to stay here Oji chan”.

Koji bowed his head really low

Oji chan held Koji’s shoulder: “ Akoya is really blessed to have someone who loves her so much”

Koji heard that and blushed, making Oji chan laughed out loud  “ I was sincere when I said that” OJI CHAN said.

*End of Flash back*

……………………..

Next morning, Akoya woke up early to bring water from the stream back as usual. To her surprise, Koji was already up as well. “ Good morning Ma…,ah no, good morning Akoya”.

Akoya: good morning Koji-san.

Akoya smiled back at him “ why are you up so early? Oji chan and I are used to this but you can sleep some more”

“ No, since OJI CHAN and Akoya let me stay here, I must learn to adapt to the life here as well, I will wake up early too”

Akoya: if you are from the city like me, it will be a lot difficult as first, but when you get used to the forest, it will be fine. I am really happy to have you here with us Koji san.

Akoya said. * Why? Maya, your smile still makes my heart skip a beat. It hurts me a lot. What pain did you suffered that you do not even recognize me?* Koji thought * regardless, now you are alive, I cannot ask for more, for you to be alive is more than enough for me*.

Koji: Akoya, can I go with you to bring the water back? I want to take a look around today?

Akoya: sure.

And she smiled the smile that made him skip a heartbeat.

……………………………….

At the stream…

Koji: Akoya, let me help you carry the water

Akoya: No, no, I am fine, I am used to it. This was part of the training Oji chan gave me.

Koji: for what?

Akoya: I do not know. Sometimes, Oji chan seems to be really mysterious, there were times I posed questions, he just simply said one of his 3 magic phrases, but eventually they really did helped me out every time

Koji: his three magic phrases? What are they?

Akoya smiled as she recited: “ Learn from the nature Akoya”, “ when you feel lost, look into your heart” and “ trust that you can do it”. When OJI CHAN says that, I will ask no more, since I trust OJI CHAN, whatever he says, whatever he does, he has a reason behind it. Thanks to OJI CHAN, I can come to love this life and understand Crimson Goddess more personally.

Akoya said proudly as she beamed, “ I think Oji chan might be the wisest person on earth” *she obviously loved OJI CHAN a lot* Koji thought.

Koji: Anyway, let me carry the water, a guy should do this

Akoya said: Okay, if Koji san insists.

Koji did not know she was smiling mischievously at him.

“ Plashhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” Koji fell down the stream.

AKoya laughed out loud, but she immediately apologized “ I am sorry Koji san ( still giggling)”..” See, I told you to let me do it, I needed to go through practice in order to bring back the water… I fell a lot last time, too, so it’s okay, you do not need to feel embarrassed” Akoya said as she saw Koji blushing.

Koji was shocked when he saw Akoya carry water back by a shoulder pole without falling into the stream, she was as lissome as a squirrel, her movement was smooth and beautiful enough to leave him in awe. “ What a contrasting image compared to the clumsy Maya I know “ he chucked as he imaged how “Maya” would be drenched if she was to carry water like this.

“ How could you do that?” Koji curiously asked

“ I learned from the antelope” she answered.

* I understand why Oji chan made her bring water back like this, her movement just now was dream-like, very smooth and gentle….yes, that’s right, that was Crimson Goddess’s move*

……………………….

On the way back, when they went through the forest, Koji saw some mushrooms so he wanted to pick it back for breakfast.

“ Oh no no, Koji san do not pick that” Akoya quickly stopped him

“ Why?”

“ These are poisonous mushrooms”

“ Huh? I thought they are edible”

“ No, you mistake them for these” Akoya showed him other mushrooms that looked exactly the same as those just now

“ they are the same!” Koji exclaimed

“ No, they are not, there is some “ evil” aura around the mushrooms you were about to pick”

“ evil aura?” “ wow, that is a very amusing way to describe poisonous mushrooms” Koji smiled

Akoya blushed…” I..I don’t know, I just feel that way. There is really no reasoning to it”

“But” she continued “ you can know distinguish by smell them. Here!” . She picked up two mushrooms and handed them to Koji.

“ They smelled exactly the same to me” Koji said, disappointed. Akoya consoled him “ Don’t worry, you can distinguish once you get used to it”

As they continue their walk, Koji looked at Akoya, he silently thought * Maya, you have become really sensitive to the nature now. You are really able to be “Akoya” ( crimson goddess human form) *

……………………………..

Akoya and Koji prepared breakfast together, they had a good time. Akoya easily saw that Koji was a genuine and kind person “ Why do I get along so well with him when we only meet for the first time?” Akoya wondered.

* I feel like we are a newlywed couple, preparing breakfast together like this. This is the life I have always wanted, having Maya by my side* Koji thought, and then he blushed vigorously.

Akoya saw that, she said “ that’s okay, I can manage by myself Koji san, you feel hot here ,don’t you? Your face is all red, step out to take a break”

Koji: No, nothing of the sort, I was just thinking of something.

Koji: Uhm….Akoya, can I ask you something?

Akoya: yes?

Koji: Are you happy now?

Akoya was surprised for a moment but immediately smiled and answered: Yes, very , Koji san. Why do you ask?

Koji: ah, it’s nothing. If you are happy. It’s good then.

…………………

After breakfast, Akoya excused herself to go practice for Crimson Goddess’s play. But Oji chan told her : Take Koji with you for today Akoya, he really wants to see your Crimson Goddess.

Akoya: okay, Oji chan, but Koji san you must not laugh even if you find my performance  not good okay?

Koji smiled: I promise.

They arrived at the large rock near the waterfall where Akoya practiced her Crimson Goddess every day. Koji sat at another rock from afar to watch Akoya. She started her performance, today Akoya practiced the scene where Crimson Goddess showed Isshin around the Cherry Blossom Valley for the first time after he had lost his memory.

“Akoya” ( in the play): Look Isshin, isn’t that beautiful. The cherry blossom flowers bloom here all year round.

“Akoya” turned around and smiled at Koji, as if she was smiling at Isshin.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew for a moment and from the sky cherry blossom petals fell like rain, in the middle of that “ flower rain” stood Akoya with her Crimson Goddess’s smile, a dazzling and peaceful smile. The scene was really spectacular

Koji could not believe in his eyes * Maya..was it you? Or did I just see Crimson Goddess? Maybe you do not realize this, but you have really grown up and became pretty. What can I do? Your smile, your voice, your pure heart , they cast a magic spell on me and I cannot escape. Before I was jealous of your passion for stage, it makes you seem so unattainable to me…but this time…this  time…maybe it’s fate for us to meet again…this time maybe it is for real. I don’t know what happened to you in the past, but this smile is real, the happiness you feel now is real ..So I*

* I have decided….*

Koji : “May..ah no… Akoya!!” He called out, interrupted her performance

Akoya: hm? What is it Koji san? Is there a problem with my performance?

Koji:……ah no…just that…let me help you! I want to be Isshin

Akoya was surprised “ what do you mean ? “

Koji stammered: ah ah…no no…actually I am an actor..so I can help you by playing Isshin’s part. It’s easier than practicing alone, right?

Akoya beamed: Really? Oh my, thank you so much Koji san, really thank you for helping me, I hope we can become perfect Isshin and Akoya on stage.

She smiled and jokingly gave him her hand for a handshake

Koji took Akoya’s small hand in his

* No…not only your Isshin on stage, Maya*

End of chap 7

CHAP 8: REUNION

Tokyo, Ayumi’s practice place

She was practicing jumping up and down on a elastic net, she was still on the way to perfect her Crimson Goddess’s moves, as she practiced, she thought “ Maya, I believe you are still alive, so I asked sensei for an extension, but why are you still not back yet?”

When Ayumi took a break, she sat down at the corner. Later, Hamil joined her

Hamil: may I sit here

Ayumi: I have no problem with that. But why are you here?

Hamil: I told you I want to take pictures of you not when you are shiningly pretty, but when you sweat for practice, didn’t I?

But Ayumi did not answer, she was still thinking about Maya. Hamil asked her

Hamil: Ayumi, can I ask you something?

Ayumi: okay, as long as that’s not an interview question

Hamil laughed: no, no…nothing of the sort. Do you feel happy when you practice?

Ayumi looked at him in surprise: what are you asking, I do not practice for fun, I practice to perfect my moves. I will create a perfect Crimson Goddess.

She looked at the clock

“Now.. I have to practice again, please excuse me Hamil”

But as Ayumi walked away, she glanced back at him and wondered: what did he mean by asking me such question?

……………………………………………………….

Daito Art, Director’s office

Masumi was on the phone: Hijiri, this is me, so where should we meet?

They met at a building. Hijiri was waiting for him

Masumi: Sorry, were you waiting for long?

Hijiri: no Hayami san, I just arrived a moment ago. This is the secret document you asked for, it contains pictures that are evidences that Director K bribed the Head of M council in order to have the rights for that play, they met secretly at a crowded festival so no one would notice them.

Masumi: thank you, you have worked hard.

While Masumi was reading documents, Hijiri took a look at him * He had become so thin and haggard…it is no surprise when he overworked himself*

Hijiri asked Masumi: Hayami san..please forgive me if I ask you this

Masumi: what is it?

Hijiri: are you really not going to search for Kitajima san? ( in case you don’t remember: Kitajima is Maya’s last name) and you refused to help Sakurakoji search for her body. Is it because you are afraid?

Immediately Masumi’s nuance changed, his eyes depicted a tremendous pain that one can hardly imagines..” right, you saw through me, Hijiri, I am afraid, I am really afraid”

Masumi: I am afraid that…if I send the police to search for her body. What if they find it? What if they really confirm that she is indeed dead. I would not be able to bear it. I rather do nothing, and so, I still have hope that she is alive somewhere, that one day she would come back to me. I still have not asked her whether she was really in love with me, I have to wait for her…I..

Masumi choked on his emotions, he could not continue for a moment, finally he said

“ I don’t care, even if I am lying to myself, I need to keep my hope that she is alive, if not, I don’t think I can get through a day.”

Hijiri could not say anything, actually there was nothing he could do now although he knew that Masumi could not go on like this forever, so he excused himself and left.

……………..

Back at Masumi’s office

He was looking at the documentary pictures Hijiri gave him. In the picture, two men were talking to each other at a corner in secret, behind them, a festival was going on, there were a lot of people.

Masumi was about to put the picture aside but something caught his eyes, he immediately looked at the picture closely,

Masumi was totally shocked, he could not believe in his eyes: “ No…no..this can’t be …or is  it possible that..”

He immediately made a phone call: “ Hijiri, quickly tell me, where were the pictures you gave me taken?”

Hijiri: I believe it was a festival at Nara last month, the End of Autumn Festival.

Masumi: Nara?

Hijiri: Yes…Nara is the place where..” Hijiri hesitated

Masumi was getting impatient: Where what?

Hijiri: where the Cherry Blossom Valley is nearby. But what is wrong Hayami san? You seem to be very shocked by something

Masumi: Hijiri…Maya..Maya might really be alive. She was at that festival, I saw her in the picture

  Hijiri was shocked too * What?* but he got back his calmness fast “ Director you have to decide fast. You do not want to lose this chance, right? Hayami san, allow me to say this not as an employee but as a person who has been besides you for a long time :be brave Hayami san, go there and confirm for yourself, once and for all, what if it was really her, do not lose her again”. Hjiri said good luck to Masumi and hung up

Tu tu tu….( sound of phone hung up)

Masumi was standing still for a moment , but he realized what he had to do now, so he rushed to Mizuki and said “ Mizuki, prepare the car for me, I will leave for Cherry Blossom Valley immediately”

Mizuki: yes, Director, when are you going to be back? I need to rearrange the schedule

Masumi: I don’t know yet so cancel all the work today, do not arrange anything else.

Mizuki was shocked, she had never seen her calm cool collected director in such a rush, but she remembered: “ but director, chair man has just come to see you. He is waiting for you in the main room. Since you are not sure when you are going to be back, maybe you should meet him first before you leave? I think he said he had something very important to tell you”

……………………………….

Masumi: father, you are looking for me?

Eisuke: ah Masumi, sit down, I have something to tell you.

Masumi: yes father…

Eisuke: you seem to be impatient, what’s wrong Masumi? Where are you going to

Masumi: I am going to Nara, I have some urgent business there

Eisuke: alright, but you have to be back before Sunday

Masumi: what’s the matter father?

Eisuke: ah this is the matter I want to talk to you. On Monday, 2 families will meet and have a press conference, we will announce the official day for you and Shiori san’s wedding

Masumi * Father?*

Eisuke: why are you so shocked Masumi? You already know that our company is going through a crisis. And we need to merge with Falcon Group immediately if we want to get through this period. Actually this is all this marriage is about.

Masumi:……………

Eisuke: so return on Saturday, now you can leave

Masumi: No father, I will not return for Saturday

Eisuke: what did you say?

Masumi: I said I will not return on Saturday father, in fact, I do not know when I will return and even if I return, I will not marry Shiori san

Eisuke was totally shocked and angry, this was the first time Masumi had ever turned against him

Eisuke: what do you mean you will not marry SHiori ? You were engaged with her, weren’t you. You accepted your fate, why are you trying to run away from it? Besides, the girl you love is no longer alive

Masumi: Father…..?

Eisuke: You thought I would not know? That’s why I put you through this marriage, it’s good for Daito Art, good for you. This merge is extremely important to Daito Art, what if we go  bankrupt even before we get the rights for Crimson Goddess. It is your dream to have Crimson Goddess right? To steal it from me? I knew all along Masumi. So do you give up your dream now?

Masumi was still for a moment. But as he spoke  he clenched his hand; it showed a strong determination

Masumi: Father, I will apologize to Shiori later and accept all the temper she will throw at me but right now nothing really matters to me now except for one thing. I missed my chance once, I would not let the same thing happen again.

Eisuke: I don’t care about that thing whatever it is. You have to be at the press conference on Sunday

Masumi just bowed his head: please excuse me Father.

Eisuke shouted: Masumi, if you dare to get out of that door, you are no longer my son, you heard me? You are no longer my son, you have no chance of taking Crimson Goddess from me.

Masumi was shocked…Father and son looked in each other’s eyes for a long time. Finally, Masumi bowed his head ( means to goodbye, in a very polite mode) and closed the door behind him

……………………………………………………….

Cherry Blossom Valley

Village

Akoya and Oji chan were distributing the medicine among the villagers like they  usually did. After they had done, they were packing up to leave. Akoya said: “Oji chan thank you for going with me to the End of Autumn Festival last week. Oji chan rarely leaves the Valley, but you agreed to go for me, I really had fun, the festival was great.”

Oji chan smiled and rubbed her head gently. Suddenly, someone  called Oji chan “ Ozaki sama…please come here for a moment”

Oji chan : Akoya, you wait here for a moment okay? I will be right back”

Akoya: alright!

From far away, a tall, handsome man was approaching. The girls around were giggling and whispering to each to each other “ wow, he is really handsome, but he looks so cold” . But he did not have time to look around to notice that, he was busy looking around to find some people he could ask about….

Suddenly, the time seemed to stop, his heart beat seemed to stop, and everything else faded away. From afar was standing a young girl, her back faced him so he could not see her face..but that figure..it was so familiar..that back was so familiar..he had watched it a thousand times when he had to watch her run away from him. That image was right in front of his eyes, yet it was so fragile, as if , if he stretched out his arm to turn her back around, that image will be shattered like glass. So when he nearly reached her, he stopped, and he just stood silently there. He did not know what to do * should I call out? What if…* but Akoya felt that someone was starring at her, so she turned around.

“Ma..ya? Maya?”

Akoya starred at the stranger . Suddenly it was as if a current ran through her spine, she was totally shocked but she did not know why.

Akoya: Sorry sir I think you…..

Before she could finish the sentence, Akoya was being tugged forward. The next thing she knew, he was embracing her! He kept repeating in an obviously emotional voice “ Maya, Maya, Maya…”

His voice made her surprised, scarred and moved at the same time, it was very strange to have so many complicated feelings towards a stranger’s voice, but again, Akoya could not explain why. Maybe because his voice portrayed such complex feeling: it was partly painful, partly overjoyed, and partly unsure.

But she immediately realized the situation, so Akoya quickly pulled herself out of the man’s arm.

Akoya: Sir, I think you get the wrong person. My name is not Maya.

Masumi could not respond, he did not expect this * what’s on earth…*. But it was her eyes that pierced through his heart like bullets : those eyes were not for people whom she hated, nor for people whom she loved, they were for strangers!

Suddenly, “ Akoya” Oji chan called out. He had been observing for a while, and now he looked at Masumi with his bright eyes. Oji chan seemed to understand immedidately the awkward situation

Masumi was stunned. The glass was shattered! Could it be that he get the wrong person, did fate play this trick on him again?

Akoya turned to Masumi, she said: Uhm..sir, I think you have mistaken me for somone else, my name is Akoya, not Maya.

Masumi was still shocked, so he said nothing. Suddenly Oji chan stepped up and patted Masumi on the shoulder

“ Ah, It has been a while. I never expected to see you here. Let’s so home and have a little talk okay?

Masumi looked at Oji chan in surprise, but Oji chan just gave him a quick wink,implying Masumi should not say anything now and just follow him.

…………………………………………….

The three of them headed home.On the way home, they were silent. Inside Masumi’s head there were thousands of questions swirling around “ Is this really the girl that I had been searching for? Or this is an ironic coincidence fate gives me? And who is this monk?........ “ . Akoya also did not say anything, she was still embarassed by the incident ealier, although she knew that it was a mistake but * why does my heart beat so fast” she blushed as she thought. And Oji chan kept looking at two young people, Masumi did not know all his emotion had been seen through by Oji chan.

When they arrived at the pagoda. AKoya ran inside first and greeted loudly “ Koji san, we are backkkk”…

Koji popped out his head behind the slide door and smiled at Akoya, but when he looked behind her, his smile immediately froze. Akoya saw Koji’s expression and she was surprised:

Akoya: Koji san, what’s wrong?

She turned around. “ah, that is Oji chan’s acquantance. We met him by chance at the village” She explained to Koji.

Still, Koji did not respond, he was still in a shock, he never expected this reunion. Before things could become awkward, Oji chan gently asked Akoya: Akoya , my dear, can you help Oji chan prepare tea for our guest here?”

Akoya nodded her head: sure, Oji chan, in just a moment

Oji chan: ah, just take your time, don’t rush okay?

Oji chan turned to Masumi: sorry for acting on my own just now. I am Ozaki, head monk of this pagoda

Masumi bowed his head: I am Masumi, I am…( he actually did not know how to explain his relationship with the girl called Akoya  ). Oji chan realized Masumi’s difficult situation so he tactfully continued to introduce “… and this is Koji san, he just joined us last week”

He paused for a moment and smiled at Masumi: May I assume that you come here having the same reason as Koji? To look for Maya?

Masumi: so..so it was really her?

Masumi  * but she did not recognize me at all, can it be that....?* suddenly Masumi felt a cold wind blew in his heart at the thought that Maya had lost her memory. Oji chan noticed the way Koji was looking at Masumi, so he said: Ah, I see, I guess you two know each other, so how about I leave you guys talk alone for a moment?

And so Oji chan politely excused himself, left alone Koji and Masumi. Koji haltingly asked Masumi

Koji: Hayami san, why are you here?

Masumi: for the same reason as your.

Koji: but how did you know Maya is here?

Masumi: someone accidentally took her picture and so I realized she is still alive and come here

Koji was shocked: you mean…Everybody knows Maya is here?

Masumi: no, that was a secret picture I have for a business case but…why do you look so alarmed, Koji? Why didn’t you tell anyone Maya is here and most importantly, why didn’t you tell Maya anything about her past?

Bombarded with questions from Masumi, and more importantly those questions are questions that Koji had been trying to avoid to ask himself, Koji felt really uneasy, but he managed to calm down a moment later, Koji said:

Koji: Maya is living an extremely happy life here. She lost her memory, but seeing her so happy I seriously do not think the past matters that much anymore, she can start a new life here as Akoya.

Masumi: Maya was born to be an actress. She is a genius, that’s her destiny. I thought you knew that? If you do not want to make Maya remember, then I will take up the task myself.

Koji: we are not talking about Maya here, but Akoya, she is not ready to remember her past yet, why should we force it upon her?

Masumi: how do you know she is not ready when you did  not even try?

Koji: I do not find any reason why I should push her back into agony.

Masumi was surprised: push her back into agony? What do you mean by that?

Koji explained that Maya probably could not remember her past due to some emotional problem, most likely heartbreak. Masumi was totally shocked, he stood still for a long time. But finally he managed to speak:

However, Maya’s life does not belong here. She belongs to the stage. Maya’s life is meaningless without acting, a fact we both know, and that is a fact that cannot be changed, even she lost her memory.

Koji started to lose impatience: Hayami san, I understand that you really treasure Maya’s talent as an actress . But she is enjoying her life the way it is now, that’s her personal life isn’t it? And she got to practice and act Crimson Goddess here.

Koji explained to masumi the reason why Maya was acting Crimson Goddess here

Masumi: I see, so this actually backs up my reason earlier, that Maya was born to be an actress, even when she lost her memory, fate led her to act again, no? But, Koji, it is not enough for Maya. Will she be satisfied with Crimson Goddess as the last role of her life? I really don’t think so

The atmosphere became more tense. At first, both men tried to be level headed and polite but when it came to what was best for the girl they both love, they got impatient.

Koji : Hayami san, I understand that you really want Maya to remember her passion for stage, but Maya IS NOT  a golden egg, she is a sensitive girl whom you cannot treat like a merchandise

Koji: I am sorry Hayami san, but I will not let Akoya suffer any pain. I will do everything for her own sake

Masumi: If it is really for her own sake, then I have no complaint.

Koji was taken aback: what do you mean by that?

“ uhm..excuse me” someone cleared his throat, interrupting Masumi and Koji’s conversation

Koji: Oji chan!

Oji chan: May I have a word  with you two? If you don’t mind.

Masumi: please do so sir!

Oji chan: Koji, I think you have protected Akoya long enough

Koji: but Oji chan…

Oji chan put his hand up as a sign to tell Koji not to interrupt.

Oji chan: There is a time for anything, Koji. If the time has come for Akoya to remember, let it be. I know both you and Hayami san care very much for Akoya in your own way, or else who would have come this far to search for her when she is said to be dead? So, let Hayami san do what he thinks is good for Akoya, and you do what you think is good for her but you two have to let Akoya be the one who decides what is best for her, alright? Take into consideration her feelings, that is all I ask for.

Both Masumi and Koji agreed to that.

…………………..

“Oji chan” Koji chased after Oji chan after his talk with Masumi

Koji: Oji chan…uhm..actually I wonder why you let Hayami san make Akoya regain her memory? He is the director of a very big art company and he had been trying to make Maya work for his company but did not succeed… so I am afraid that…I would not say he is a bad person but all he thinks about is business.

Oji smiled his gentle smile: you are afraid that he is trying to make Akoya remember so that he can take her back to act for his company, am I right?

Koji:………….uhm..that’s right Oji chan.

Oji chan: Don’t worry Koji, if you do not trust him, trust Oji chan, okay? I am sure he would do no harm to Akoya

Koji: but how do you know Oji chan?

An image of Masumi hugging Akoya passed through Oji’s chan mind.

Oji chan smiled* yes, that’s right…*

Then he looked at Koji: I just feel that way Koji, don’t worry too much. Akoya will have to remember her psat eventually, whatever will come, let it be.

Since Koji remembered Oji chan said that Oji chan always had a reason for everything he does or says, Koji asked no more.

………………………………………..

Akoya was sitting at the porch, the wind blew gently on her hair. Suddenly Akoya felt that someone was sitting next  to her.

Masumi: young lady, may I sit here?

Akoya: oh sure…please do so sir

They sat silently for a while, none of them knew what to say. Finally, Akoya decided to break the silence by saying: it sure is windy today, ne?

But Masumi did not answer. After a while, he called out gently

Masumi: Maya.

Akoya smiled : I am sorry sir but as I said my name is not Maya, I am Akoya, do I resemble her that much?

Masumi: you do not resemble her, you are Maya…

Akoya: huh?

Masumi continued: that is your real name, before you lost your memory.

END OF CHAP 8

CHAP 9 : THE WHEEL HAS MOVED

Masumi: that is your real name, before you lost your memory

Akoya:………so..you know my past? You are not Oji chan’s acquaintance?

Masumi: No, it was because Oji chan realized we were stuck in an awkward situation so he said that. All thanks to him

Akoya: you came here to find me? Masumi nodded

Akoya was really confused, she had never expected this situation: then..then.. you are here to bring me back?

Seeing Akoya so scarred by the idea of going back, Masumi felt hurt

Masumi: No, I will not force you, I will leave the choice to you, but can you give me a chance, Maya?

Akoya: a chance ?

Masumi : yes, can we try for one week? I will try to make you remember your past in one week, if after one week, you still don’t have any intention of remembering your past and wish to stay as Akoya forever, I will stop immediately and ask no more of you. But can we give a try? I know it is difficult for you, can please consider it.

Masumi looked at Akoya with so much sincerity and pain in his eyes that Akoya did not know how to respond

Akoya: but…why did you want me to remember my past so much? No one had ever come here to find me.

Masumi: it’s not their fault Maya, you fell down an abyss, nobody would have thought that you could be still alive.

Akoya: then ..you?

Masumi: that’s what they call fate, I found out you are alive due to fate, but it’s not important, you have not answered my question, do you accept my suggestion.

Akoya looked down, after a while, she said: I actually don’t know, if my past is full of painful memory, I do not wish to remember.

Masumi: I heard about why you cannot or do not wish to remember your past but Maya, that’s not true

Akoya: huh?

Masumi: your past is not always full of happy memory, but I’ve known you for a long time and you had always lived the life that I could not help but felt envious. You were an actress, a genius actress with a great passion for stage, I was enchanted by that passion of you since the very first time I saw you acting…

When Masumi was speaking, his eyes were shinning like stars, and he somehow forgot everything else, his mind was flooded with images of Maya of the old days..

“ The first time I saw you was when you acted in the play Little women, you had a 40-degree-fever, yet you insisted on going on stage nevertheless , then at the National Play Competition, you were acting all by yourself throughout the whole play..at that moment I was really awed, it was the first time I had ever seen someone like you so I…”

Suddenly Masumi heard the sound of giggle, he looked at Akoya, she was still smiling. Masumi asked, he was a bit embarrassed

“ hey, why do you giggle?”

Akoya: No, I am sorry, just that, you said as if you are my ardent fan.

Masumi: what if I say I am?

Akoya: huh?

Masumi: I am your fan, that’s why I hope you go back to the stage so much.

Akoya blushed when she saw the look Masumi was giving her. Finally she said:

Alright, let’s give it a try in one week. But why in one week, Hayami san?

Masumi smiled: you will have a competition with a very talented actress for a legendary play in 10 more days , if I was right, that your destiny is to be an actress, then fate would never let you miss that competition. If by the end of one week, you agree to try to find out your complete past, we will go to that competition, maybe the moment you step on the real stage, you can remember something since stage had been a part of you for so long.

Akoya: but Hayami san..how can I compete if I did not even practice.

Masumi: Do not worry, that legendary play I talked about is Crimson Goddess, the one you are practicing right now.

Akoya opened her mouth widely in shock, making Masumi chuckled “ I know, what a coincidence right? That’s why I told you I believe your destiny is to be an actress.”

Akoya :  I don’t know what lie ahead of me but maybe I should be courageous and give it a try.

Masumi said “ thank you” while he thought * No, Maya, I do not only want you to remember the past as a fan, I have another selfish motive as well, I want to ask you one very important question if you ever get back your memory, I really want to*

…………………………….

Koji was staying alone in his room. He still tried to calm down, everything happened so fast, just when he thought he could spend the rest of his life here with Akoya then…but * why do I feel so insecure when Hayami san is here?* Koji wondered

Koji: * I can never imagine that the cold hearted director of Daito Art would go this far to chase after a “ golden egg” who does not even remember she is “ golden egg”. No, this does not make sense at all, if Maya disappears until the competition for Crimson Goddess ends, Ayumi will naturally become the only actress chosen to act Crimson Goddess and thus Daito Art will have the rights for the play, just exactly like what he has always wanted. So why does he forsake everything now to come here?

* Flashback

Koji: Hayami san, why are you here?

Masumi: for the same reason as your

End of flashback*

* no, it can’t be…not in the wildest dream* Koji shook his head and chuckled at himself but that annoying uneasy feeling still lingered in his heart

That night, none of the three young people got a wink of sleep.

……………………………………………………………………………………

The next morning Akoya woke up earlier than usual , since she could not sleep yesterday she took a stroll in the forest.

Cherry blossom Valley was surrounded in the thin red fog, a bird sang a melody to welcome the sun. Everything was pure and pleasant, standing in the middle of this picturesque scenery, one cannot help but feels calm and peaceful. Once again, Akoya was reminded the blissful life she had here. Then, she remembered that within one week from today, Hayami san would help her remember her past. Akoya sighed and sat down at a trunk, suddenly she felt something wet licking her hand, she turned her head to see

Akoya exclaimed happily : Ah! RED BUN, good morning, how are you today?

She hugged the white rabbit lovingly and fed him some fresh tender grass, as Akoya stroke the rabbit’s hair, she talked to the rabbit ( or rather at to herself)

Akoya: RED BUN, what should Akoya do? I am so scarred, today I will start the “ special one week”, the past that I have always been trying to avoid finally came up, and I have to confront it, I could not reject Hayami san, he seemed to be so sincere. Besides, I don’t think I can run away from this forever, but still…

Suddenly Akoya heard footsteps, RED BUN tried to jump away but Akoya calmed him down “ hush, hush, it’s okay RED BUN, he is  a friend”

She smiled: good morning Hayami san

Masumi was struck dumbfounded by Akoya’s angel-like smile.

Masumi: good…good morning. I could not sleep so I decided to take a stroll, you too?

Akoya: uhm…that’s right?

Masumi: is it because of what we discussed yesterday?

Akoya: uhm…but since we decided to try out for one week, I do not want to back off now or reconsider my decision. After one week we will see.

Masumi smiled * thank you, Maya*

He noticed the rabbit on Akoya’s hand: wow, he is not scarred of you?

“Why should he feel afraid of me?” Akoya was puzzled.

Masumi: ah..normally..animal is scarred of human and…

Akoya: and…?

Masumi: and you were a fierce girl.

“What? Really?” she pouted and Masumi laughed out loud “ No no, just joking, why do you get tricked so easily? You were not fierce, you were very blunt and honest, that’s what I like the most about you”.

Suddenly the rabbit jumped to Masumi’side. He was surprised at first, but then he gently stroke the rabbit’s hair like Akoya did, the rabbit closed half closed his eyes in satisfaction.

Akoya  jokingly said: Hayami san, you scarred me, since I do not remember anything about my past, you better not trick me okay?

Masumi’s nuance became more serious, he asked Akoya

Masumi: uhm..Maya…why did you trust your past to me? Aren’t you afraid that I will manipulate your past for my own good? You do not remember who I am right what if I am a bad person?

Akoya : No, I trust you. I could sense the sincerity in your heart yesterday, I trust my intuition, I don’t remember who you are, but I know for sure you are not a bad person. Besides, RED BUN will not let you hold him if he you are a bad person , animal has great intuition.

Masumi seemed to be very moved by what Akoya said, but he managed to hide it.

Masumi: RED BUN? That’s the name of this rabbit?

Akoya smiled: yes, I named almost all the animals in this forest

Masumi laughed : really? Then I guess we have DANGO and MOCHI as well?

Akoya exclaimed: How do you know?

Masumi laughed a lot * Maya, you are still as cute*. He looked at Akoya gently *I feel so calm, so serene whenever I am with you, do you know that Maya? Your pureness washed away all the pains I harbor in my heart. I start to understand the reason why you love this life so much and I also start to understand how Koji feels. I, too, want to spend a life like this with you forever…if only we can throw away the past, but that’s too unfair to you, so Maya, I will pray that you will agree to remember again and then..if I can still spend happy time like this with you…I have nothing else I wish for*

Unknown to them, there was also another person who could not sleep last night, and he accidentally witnessed the scene. Koji could not believe in his eyes “ Is that really the cold hearted director of Daito Art that everyone knows? Now he is laughing so freely with Maya…this is just so strange!”

And once again the uneasy feeling surged in his heart more strongly than ever.

…………………………………………….

At the pagoda, Yano san, an old man who lived in the village came to find Oji chan, he looked very anxious :

Yano san: Ozaki sama, Ozaki sama, are you here?

Oji chan: Yano san, calm down, I am here, what’s wrong?

Yano san: My wife…she…

Oji chan: ah..calm down here..what is wrong with Mrs Yano?

Yano san: Mizuki ( his wife’s name)…her stomach hurts a lot..I did not know what to do

Oji chan: alright, calm down Yano san,did she eat anything weird yesterday?

Yano san: she said when she went picked some mushrooms in the forest, she ate Mozokan fruit ..then her stomach hurt right away and she had to tried her best to get him without fainting on the way back..Ozaki sama, what went wrong?, Mozokan fruit is not poisonous right?

Oji chan: normally Mozokan fruit is not poisonous, but especially at this season of the year, it becomes poisonous, maybe your wife did not know that and ate it. Don’t worry, this is not too serious . I will go with you right away!

Oji chan rushed to the medicine room to take medicine with him, he called “ Akoya, Akoya can you go down to the village with Oji chan? There is a patient”

But there was no respond. Koji went out of his room and told Oji chan:

Koji: Oji chan, Akoya went to get some more mushrooms for lunch. Is there anything I can help?

Koji looked quite troubled when he said this, Oji chan noticed his expression but he commented nothing about it

Oji chan: oh…there is a case of Mozokan fruit –poisoning so I need to go to the village now.

Koji chan: I can go Oji chan, I can assist you, Akoya told me about this case once since last time I nearly ate it before Akoya stopped me.

Oji chan: Thank you Koji. Maybe we can finish fast and return before your practice ( Crimson Goddess play practice)with Akoya. Let’s go.

And so, Yano san, Oji chan and Koji left for the village. Koji left a note on the table telling Akoya the situation.

Before they left, Oji chan suddenly remembered: Oh, I also did not see Hayami san at home, is he around?

Koji: Akoya asked him to go pick the mushrooms together with her.

Oji chan: together with Akoya?

Koji: yes, she wanted to hear more about her past since she has not made any noticeable progress in a last few days already so….

Looking at Koji’s facial expression when he said that, Oji asked “ Koji, dear, are you being annoyed or troubled by something?”

Koji was startles when he heard Oji chan asked that: No, nothing of the sort, Oji chan, why do you ask?

Oji chan: nothing, let’s go.

Koji did not see that Oji chan let out a small sad sigh.

…………………………………………………..

When Akoya and Masumi got home, there was no one at home.

Akoya: Oji chan, Koji san?

But there was no response, so Akoya went to the main prayer room, she found a note on the table

Oji chan “ Dear Akoya, there was a case of food poisoning so Oji chan and Koji went down to the village. We will try to go back early but in case we are late, just proceed with your practice, okay?”

Masumi stepped in , he asked Akoya

Masumi: Maya, what’s wrong?

Akoya: ah…there was a patient so Oji chan and Koji left, they will be back soon. But then maybe I have to practice alone today since it’s time and Oji chan and Koji san have not been back yet. I hope everything is okay. It will be a bit difficult…

She sighed

Masumi: Difficult? Why?

Akoya: before Koji san came, I always practiced alone, but since he came, we have been praticed Akoya and Isshin’ scenes together.

Hearing this, Masumi’s nuance changed, as if there was a slight shadow in his eyes but Akoya did not notice this, she continued

Akoya:..so it is kind of difficult to switch back to acting alone

Suddenly, Akoya thought of something

Akoya: ah, Hayami san, why don’t you help me practice today? Is that okay?

Masumi was surprised: me? But I am not an actor

Akoya: no, don’t worry even if you are not an actor, you can just read Isshin’s lines, that’s should be enough already

Masumi thought for a moment, and then he shook his head: no, Chibi-chan, I do not want to be Koji substitute.

Akoya: why do you call me Chibi chan? I am not Chibi chan. And, who said you are Koji’s substitute? I just ask for a little of your help for today.

Masumi: sorry Chibi chan..I do not feel like to.

And he smiled a teasing smile

Akoya: I am not Chibi chan, and Hayami san, why are you so stingy? I picked you some fruit in the forest just now, didn’t I?

She pouted. Masumi could not help laughing whenever he saw this expression of her

Masumi: ah, the fruit. Okay, this is to return the favor , alright? I will practice with you. Let’s go

Akoya was relieved, she beamed: Thank you. Let’s go.

…………………………………………….

On their way to the water fall, Masumi asked her

Masumi: Akoya, do you know if Ozaki sama had any relative?

Akoya: I don’ think so. Oji chan told me he had been alone since his youth. Why do you ask so Hayami san?

Masumi: ah..no..just that I know someone who had the same last name, he was Ichiren Ozaki. He was the one who wrote Crimson Goddess and Ozaki sama’s knowledge and understanding of Crimson Goddess is almost unbelievable. However, I heard that by the time Ichiren Ozaki wrote Crimson Goddess, he was alone, none of his family members was with him, even his wife and daughter deserted him. So I doubt Oji chan is blood related to Ichiren Ozaki. Maybe this is just a coincidence. Anyway, Oji chan is full of mystery and his wisdom is far beyond our grasp, so there is nothing we can be sure about him but he is surely is kind monk, no doubt about that.

Maya beamed: that’s right. She sure was very proud of Oji chan. Masumi asked her something else

Masumi: Maya, all the things I told you about your past for the past few days, you do not remember anything of them?

Akoya :uhm…no…I’m sorry. They sound very familiar and rang a bell to me, but still I cannot remember.

Masumi: that’s okay, we can try harder…

They were quiet for a while, finally Akoya spoke:

Akoya: uhm..maybe when I remember, I will remember all at once, since I believe my memory is blocked by something.

Masumi: blocked by something?

Akoya: yes…I remembered when I first woke up after I had been unconscious for a few days after the fall, I tried to remember and I caught a glimpse of a face in my mind, but immediately after that my head hurt a lot and I could not remember anything anymore, so I guess that the painful memory relating to the person whose face appeared in my mind actually blocked all other memory.

Masumi was very concerned: a face? a man or a woman’s face?

Akoya: I don’t remember, since it was a very faint image so I am not too sure, and I have not dreamt of that face for a while so I forgot the details.

Masumi was very perplexed * painful memory right before the fall? Can it be…?* He squeezed his forehead  as he was thinking. Seeing Masumi so troubled, Akoya quickly said : Do not worry Hayami san, on the bright side, once I can remember the memory relating to that person, I can remember everything else.

Seeing Akoya’s smile made Masumi feel better a little.

………………………………………………………………………………

Oji chan and Koji were on the way home

Oji chan: I am sorry Koji, the case was a bit more difficult than I thought, we ended up returning late for your practice.

Koji smiled: That’s okay Oji chan, before I came Akoya had always practiced by herself, right?

Oji chan: true, but once she had practiced with a partner, practice alone might be difficult. Shall we drop the waterfall and check out how she is doing?

Koji nodded in agreement.

When they reached the waterfall, Koji and Oji chan saw 2 people practicing. Oji exclaimed amusedly:

Ah, so Akoya asked Hayami san to help her with the practice. We should not disturb them. Shall we take a look, Koji?

And Oji chan sat down a rock, Koji had no other way but to sit down as well, although he felt quite uncomfortable without knowing why.

“Akoya”: That day, when I met you for the first time in the valley... I understood immediately that you were my soul mate [...] There is no age, appearance, social status... When they meet, those two souls attract each other, looking for the other half of themselves, eager to be one, madly desiring the other half... This is falling in love... Please... Leave your name, your past, be only mine, my love...

Isshin: Akoya….

They looked deeply into each other. Both did not feel they were Akoya and Masumi, but as Crimson Goddess and Isshin. Unconsciously, Masumi lifted his hand up, he was about to touch Akoya’s face.

From afar, Oji chan and Koji were watching that scene, each had their own thought.

Oji chan had that mysterious smile on his face as he whispered to himself “ Ah, I see, just as I guessed”. However, Koji did not smile at all, he was shocked and troubled by what he had seen * what’s on earth was that look?”. Suddenly he stood up and left, startled Oji chan.

Oji chan immediately ran after Koji, he pulled Koji’s arm: Koji, Koji, calm down, wait up.

Koji realized what he was doing, so he stopped right away. Koji bowed his head to apologize to Oji chan: I am really sorry Oji chan, I suddenly felt so troubled that I could not bear it and I ran away recklessly.

Oji chan just sighed as he patted Koji’s shouder “ Koji, come with me, I will show you something”

……………………..

Back at the waterfall, both Masumi and Akoya did not notice Ojichan and Koji’s arrival nor their’ leave. They were still looking in each other’s eyes without moving. However, suddendly, Akoya  was struck by something appearing in her mind: she saw herself running after a figure, the image was so blur, but the voice was echoed clearly “ Chibi chan? Maya..Maya…Maya…” , she was about to catch up with that figure, that figure was a man, he was about to turn his head around….

Suddenly, Akoya felt an extreme headache, she fell down and clutched her head with both hands. Masumi was extremely worried “ Chibi chan? Are you alright? Did you not hear me calling you just now?”

Akoya still clutched her head: so it was you? I thought I heard someone calling me in my mind just now. Argh!

Akoya groaned loudly, the pain was so sharp that she felt as if her head were a nut and someone was trying to crack it.

Masumi nearly went panicky when he saw Akoya in such pain. He immediately picked her up in his arms “ Alright, we will end the practice here, let’s go home and rest”.

……………………………………………………….

In the forest, Koji was following Oji chan, Oji chan was walking quite fast

Koji: where are we going Oji chan?

But Oji chan did not answer, finally, Oji chan stopped by a tree laden with  strange-looking fruits. It was the first time Koji had seen those fruits

Oji chan smiled: I wanted to treat you some fruit

Koji also smiled in relief: I thought Oji chan intended to tell me something.

Oji chan picked 2 fruits, he gave one to Koji. Koji was about to bite the fruit but Oji chan stopped him

Oji chan: wait, you cannot eat this like that. You have to soften it by squeezing it gently in your hand like this.

Koji followed Oji chan doing tha same thing. Suddenly, Koji heard the sound of fruit juice gushed. Koji was surprised:

Oji chan, you squeezed too hard, the fruit was crushed a little.

Oji chan smiled: ah, my bad. So you see, Koji, we have to be careful what what we hold to tightly in our hands.

Koji:………..Oji chan? Are you trying to tell me something?

Oji chan: yes..Koji, my dear, I think you realized it vaguely just now but…can Oji chan asked you one question

Suddenly Koji felt quite uncomfortable when Oji chan looked at him with his bright, clever eyes like this. Those eyes made Koji feel as if they almost saw through him. After a while, Koji managed to speak: yes, what is it, Oji chan?

Oji chan: you do not want Akoya to remember, is it because you purely you do not want her to suffer from pain, or is it because of something else?.

Koji was shocked:……Oji chan?

Oji chan put up a hand to stop Koji: you don’t have to answer right now. Think about it, my dear, not until you find the answer for yourself will your soul feel peace.

Koji did not know how to respond because Oji chan just asked him the very question he had been avoiding when it popped out sometimes in his mind. Now that Oji chan asked him wisely like this, Koji knew that it was time to face the question.

Oji chan smiled as he took Koji’s hand: let’s go home. Akoya and Masumi must have been back by now.

…………………………………………………………

When they reached home, Oji chan and Koji did not see Akoya nor Masumi. Suddenly, they heard the sound of door slided and saw Masumi stepping out from Akoya’s room.

Koji immediately rushed forward: Hayami san, what’s wrong? Why were you in Akoya’s room? Is there somehting wrong with Akoya?

Masumi: I helped Akoya with her practice today since you returned late, while we were practicing, suddenly Maya felt a sharp pain, she nearly fainted so I carried home.

Koji immediately rushed in but Masumi stopped him: She just fell asleep so maybe we should leave her alone.

Koji: but….

At that moment Oji chan stepped up: what’s wrong Hayami san?

Masumi told Oji chan what happened. Oji chan nodded, as he sighed he thought * so, it started..* He asked Masumi

Oji chan: Hayami san ,you did not tell Akoya any of her painful memory yet, right?

Masumi: ah yes, it is still too early to do so. I did not tell her anything.

Oji chan nodded: alright, you guys must be tired, I will take care of Akoya. Don’t worry about this, she will be fine soon.

So Koji and Masumi excused themselves. Each of them was following their won thoughts.

Koji sat at the porch, he wondered why he felt so troubled just now when he saw Masumi stepping out from Akoya’s room, suddenly, Oji chan’s question rushed back to his mind

*FLASH BACK:

Oji chan: you do not want Akoya to remember, is it because you purely you do not want her to suffer from pain, or is it because of something else?

ENF OD FLASH BACK*

* Is it because of something else?* Koji sighed as he thought.

Masumi was wandering around the garden, he had another question that puzzled him * who was the one who blocked Maya’s memory? Can it be that….?*

Inside Akoya’ s room, Oji chan was sitting next to her, he sighed sadly as he stroke her hair gently “ my dear Akoya, I wish I could do something for you”

The day slowly passed by, but no one noticed that, all of them were immersed by thousands questions. What was ahead of them was still unknown.

END OF CHAP 9

…………………………………………….

CHAP 10 : IMPASSE

When Akoya woke up, it was still early evening. Nonetheless, the whole sky was full of stars. Akoya still felt a little dizzy, but she wanted to breath the fresh air * maybe it will make me feel a bit better* she thought, and so, Akoya creeped out of the blanket. She walked out alone, the cool autumn breeze had turned a bit chillier recently * the winter is coming near* Akoya thought as she sneezed, but still, she wanted to enjoy the weather.

Akoya sat at a not-so-steep slope covered with soft grass. She lied down and looked at the sky…the sky was so vast, and full of twinkling stars. It made Akoya forget about the pain earlier, even just for a moment. Suddenly she heard footsteps. When she looked up, Masumi was standing next to her

Masumi: May I sit here Chibi chan?

Akoya frowned: wait, I told you I am not Chibi chan

Masumi laughed: you just recovered from your headache, if you frown like that it may come again.

Akoya chuckled at what Masumi said. They silently looked at the sky, suddenly Akoya clutched her head and groaned: “Argh”

Masumi was alert: What’s wrong you have a headache again?

Akoya: uhm….a bit..I am still feel a little dizzy…

Masumi: then you should rest some more.

Akoya: ah..no..I want to breath fresh air and enjoy this starry night, maybe they will make me feel better, since the night is too beautiful…

Masumi looked up at the sky, he agreed with Akoya: true, when I was young I used to go to watch stars in the planetarium, since we cannot see stars in big cities. When I looked at how vast the universe is, my pains and troubles somehow disappeared for that moment.

Masumi: Maya? He called her when he heard no response

Akoya: ah..nothing..sorry ..I just felt that someone had told me the same thing before, so I was trying to remember.

Masumi smiled, to tell the truth, he felt happy because what he told her left an impression. Masumi showed her some stars

Masumi: you see? That is Scorpion Constellation and over there is Virgo Constellation…

Akoya: wow..you sure know a lot Hayami san

Masumi: I told you I often went to Planetarium, didn’t I?

Masumi: I heard each one of us has our own star. A star of fate, that is.

Akoya: really? Then can we pick any star we like to be our own?

Masumi laughed: ah..then that’s no longer call “ fate star” but you might as well do so if you want to, which one do you want to be your own star

Akoya: oh..that’s one. She pointed her finger towards the little but brightly twinkling star at the far left.

Masumi: ah..that one? That suits you well…

Masumi * as for me…I wish to be the star next to yours, it did not shine that much, like someone who is protecting your star secretly, just like me*

Suddenly, Masumi remembered something, he haltingly asked her “ uhm…Maya…about the face you saw in you dream …”

But he heard a sound, “ thud” ( sound of body falling)

Masumi felt Akoya’s head softly landed on his shoulder, he bent down to see and found her sleeping soundly. Masumi was blushing * and I told you to rest some more* he thought; but Masumi did not move , he sat still and gently hold Akoya so that her body would not fall.

Akoya was having a strange dream again, thousands of faces were hauting here, one after another appeared

Akoya: *  Maya, I will not lose to you. I will be Crimson Goddess*

*Maya, now we can act together, this is too good!*

* Maya…Maya ..Maya*

In her dream, Akoya kept running and running, but she did not know where she was heading to, the fog surrounded her and everything was too blur. Then, suddenly, a voice echoed from far away, it was small at first, but it got bigger and bigger, the same familiar voice…”Maya..Maya”…and then, she saw that figure..the same figure that she had dreamt of before. It was a man’s back, she was about to touch his back then suddenly a beautiful long haired girl appeared from nowhere and grabbed his left arm, both of them faced their backs towards her.

Akoya felt dizzy and she accidentally fell forward ( she was still in her dream) so she instinctively clutched the man’s suit. He said sadly: I am sorry Chibi chan…but I cannot support you any longer. And he turned around to jerk himself free from her grab. Maya was shocked * This face…..* . Ignoring her shocked and confused look, the man turned around to walk away with the beautiful woman.

Akoya did not understand why she felt hurt tremendously by his rejection, the pain she felt in her heart kept growing stronger, and stronger, and finally became so real that she suddenly wokep up realizing she was clutching her head . It was in pain again!

Masumi was alarmed, he panickily called her name: Maya, Maya, are you okay? Are you in pain again?

Akoya looked up, Masumi’s face was too close. Suddenly, Akoya panickily backed away from Masumi, as if she was scarred of him. Needless to say, Masumi was totally shocked by Akoya’ reaction, he looked at her closely but was carefully remained a decent distance from her “ What’s wrong?”

However, AKoya did not answer, she cried and ran away, left Masumi alone puzzled and shocked by what just happened

…………………………………………..

Tokyo, Hayami house

Assistant: Chairman, this is the document you asked for 
Eisuke: Good! Put it on the table

Eisuke Hayami read the document contained in side, his lips curved into an evil smirk: “ I guessed correctly”

He turned to his assistant “ you need to go to some place tomorrow”

…………………………………………

Next morning, Masumi and Koji heard footsteps running in the corridor. Oji chan called out anxiously

Oji chan: Akoya, Akoya! Where are you?

Koji and Masumi immediately got out of their rooms “ What’s wrong Oji chan?” Koji asked

Oji chan: do you two see Akoya? I have not seen her from early morning.

Koji and Masumi shook their heads. “ She had not returned from her route to the stream?” Masumi asked and Oji chan shook his head.

Oji chan: uhm..last night our poor girl did not sleep a lot, I saw light coming out from her room nearly the whole night, and this morning I have not seen her till now. I am afraid she is silently suffering from something.

Oji chan sighed.

Hearing this, Masumi and Koji were shocked and worried. They immediately rushed out to find her

Koji: Akoya, where are you?

Masumi: Maya, where are you?

They ran searching for her frantically. Masumi was especially worried when he remembered Akoya’s painful expression last night . Suddenly, something came to both two men’s mind at the same time * Maybe she is at…*

When Koji ran to the waterfall, he saw a small figure sitting there; that figure looked so lonely and lost that it made his heart ache. Koji came and sat down “ I guessed you were here” he said

Akoya:…………………….

Koji: you came here so that the waterfall sound will help you hind your sobbing right?

Akoya nodded her head. Koji gently asked: now what is it? Tell me Akoya, is there anything I can help you?

But she just kept silent and still sobbing nonstop. Koji tactfully asked no more, he leaned forward and gently embraced Akoya, let her cry on his shoulder until she calmed down.

Koji: it’s okay, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. But if telling me makes you feel a little better, I will be here and listen to you whenever you want.

After a while, Akoay calmed down a little, Koji’s gentleness made her feel better

Akoya”..Ko..Koji san..what should I do now?”

Koji: what’s wrong Akoya?

Akoya: Koji san, recently I’ve had really strange dreams…In my dreams. I saw very bright lights, and then one by one my past roles came to my mind, I looked very happy when I acted ..and then…and then….I don’t know, a lot of faces that I did not remember appeared in my dream. It was like I was on a roller coaster .

Koji: calm down Akoya…* so you started to remember your past?*

Akoya: but everynight in my dream I will always see a man’s face, my dream always ended the same way.

Koji: a man’s face?

Akoya: yes…actually..it’s Hayami san’s face.

Koji gasped * what? Why on earth*

Akoya: Hayami san appeared in my dream every night and…

Akoya started to speak nonstop, as if she was haunted by something and if she stopped, that darkness would catch her.

“… and everytime in my dream he appeared with a bouquet of purple roses with a very sad smile on his face. I ran towards him and call” Mr Purple Rose, please stay here, don’t go” but the more I run the further away he seemed to me; then he turned his back to go with a beautiful long-haired girl…then I tried to run after them but thousands of purple petals blocked my eye sights, I could not see anything and after that everything turned dark..then..then I woke up, my head hurt like someone was cracking it and my tears kept falling”

Koji was struck by what he had just heard * Hayami san?purple roses?*

Akoya: everytime I woke up, I found myself crying. It was too similar to…

She bursted out in tears “ too similar to the time when I woke up after Oji chan brought me back here, I kept crying without knowing why. And the worst thing is that…”

Koji: the worst thing is that?

Akoya: the worst thing is that, you remember I told you? At first I could not remember because everytime I saw  glimpse of a person’s face in my mind, my head hurt and things turn dark, it was as if that man blocked my memory…like that person was the pain that I wanted to forget

Koji: and…?

Akoya: and..now I realized that man’s face is Hayami’s san face, it became clearer now…that’s why the first time I saw him I found him familiar to me without knowing why.

Akoya was still sobbing: Koji san, I’m scarred, tomorrow is the end of one week, but I do not know how to answer hayami san…

Koji did not know how to respond..he just silently hold the trembling Akoya in his hand …

Unknown to them, behind a big tree, a man had listened all of their conversation. The girl who was sobbing non stop, the young man who felt helpless and heart-wrenched when the girl he loved was hurt tremendously by memory of another man, and the man who realized he was the one who hurt the one he loved the most so much that she wanted to forget her past. Which one of them was hurt the most? But again..that’s a meaningless question.

………………………………………………………………………………

At the pagoda,

Koji was sitting at the porch. The bird’s singing, the brezze, the nice smell of blossoming plum flowers filled the air. However, all that pleasant things could not ease even a little bit his pain. There was sound of footsteps, after that, Oji chan sat down next to him

Koji: is Akoya better Oji chan?

Oji chan: uhm..yes…she is sleeping soundly after crying too much, but maybe it’s better if she coud cry her heart out like that.Thank you very much.

Koji: Oji chan..what should I do now? I feel so helpless seeing Maya hurt like that; but I know there is really nothing I can do to stop the wheel that had already started to move.

Oji chan: so Akoya has started to remember her past,right?

Koji nodded his head

Oji chan: I see..no wonder she is going through such pain

Koji: Oji chan, you already knew that in order to remember her past, Akoya has to go through such pain, didn’t you? Then why do you still let that happen?

Oji chan was silent for a while, finally he spoke: it is exactly as you said Koji, however, pains and mistakes in the past plus what you are experiencing right now at the present shaped the “you” in the future, if you deny the past or the present, you will be stuck forever and not able to move forward. Just as you said, the wheel had already moved, there is nothing we can do to stop it, we can only be there for Akoya when she needs a shoulder to lean on.

Koji smiled sadly, none of them said anything for a while, then…

Koji: Oji chan, you remember the first day I came here to look for Akoya? You told me heart’s pain can only be healed by the one who caused it right?

Oji nodded

Koji: you were right after all.

Oji chan smiled: so you found out huh? The true relationship between Akoya and Hayami san.

Koji was surprised: so you knew, Oji chan? Is that’s why you let Hayami san help Akoya remember in the first place without doubt?

Oji chan: true, when Hayami san met Akoya again for the first time, I was standing and watching from far. I realized right away that those eyes of his that looked at Akoya that moment, are simply the eyes of someone who was so deeply in love and had been hurt a lot. And out dear Akoya…

Oji chan chuckled “ maybe she did not notice it but she was unexpectedly conscious of him even when they first met. And so I thought...”

Koji: I had been thinking about the question you asked me

Oji chan: ah that..I am sorry for causing you any discomfort.

Koji: no..not at all Oji chan, I was very thankful that you asked me that question, you were right. I thought I did not want Akoya to remember her past because I wanted to save her from pain, however, I saw the eyes Akoya and Hayami san gave each other when they practiced Crimson Goddess, I felt an unexplainable fury inside me, I was very jealous. I realized how selfish I was when I think about that, I simply did not want her to remember because I want to keep her forever by my side…maybe if I had helped Akoya remember little by little, even just a little bit, she would not have been hurt so much like now when every piece of memory is rushing back at once.

Koji buried his head in his hands in remorse.

Oji chan gently rubbed Koji’ head as he consoled him: “ Koji, being selfish is actually a natural part of loving, human is born like that. However, we can purpass  that “ natural part” and make it into something better”

Koji: what do you mean Oji chan?

Oji chan: It is undeniably painful to kill your love, but if you kill your love for a greater thing to be born, that love becomes even more beautiful. This is Isshin’s heart, Koji. Can you feel that? This is the love of Isshin, the moment you are willing to let Akoya go, you will understand fully Isshin’s heart.

Koji was very moved : “ Oji chan….”

Suddenly Koji realized something “ Hayami san..where is Hayami san Oji chan? I have not seen him since I brought Akoya back.

Oji chan: uhm..that’s right,I have not seen him either…but we should leave him alone for now..maybe he has something he has to think about

Oji chan sighed healily

……………………………………..

Back in the forest

Masumi was wandering around. What he overheard at the water fall still echoed in his head *

Flash back:

“the more I run the further away he seemed to me; then he turned his back to go with a beautiful long-haired girl…then I tried to run after them but thousands of purple petals blocked my eye sights, I could not see anything and after that everything turned dark..then..then I woke up, my head hurt like someone was cracking it and my tears kept falling”

“it was as if that man blocked my memory…like he was the pain that I wanted to forget”

“now I realized that man’s face is Hayami’s san face, it became clearer now…that’s why the first time I saw him I found him familiar to me without knowing why”

END OF FLASH BACK

Masumi could not bear it. The truth hit him hard, his heart hurt as if someone was bangging it with a cane when he realized that he, who had walways wanted to help Maya remember, was also the one who made her heart break.

Masumi: * Maya, how ironic, I have always been your fan but I also have been the one who make you leave the stage. I made you leave the stage once due to your mother’s death and now because I was stupid enough to ignore the signs you were trying to show me, I pushed you down this even deeper pit*

* How I wish the one who held you and consoled you at the water fall had been me. But I have no right to do that, no right at all. Can’t I never be the shoulder for you to lean on when you cry, Maya?”

…………………………………………………………..

Pitter patter…

Pitter patter ( sound of the rain)

Akoya was looking at the rain from her room’s window, she just had the same nightmare again, pieces of memory, fragmented and colorful,  varied from happy time to painful time kept rushing to her mind at the same time with no order, threw her into an endless darkpit  that made her wanted to scream out loud.

Koji was also looking at the rain from the porch; he ignored the raindrops falling on his face, he was still thinking about what Oji had told him * the heart of Isshin? When Isshin had to cut down the tree that contained the soul of the one he loved, did he feel as painful as I do now?*

Masumi remained standing. He did not know how long he had standing nor did he cared about that. He just knew that he did not want to return to the pagoda now. Why whould he want to return when he had to face the one he loved there without knowing what to do for her? No, not until he found an answer

No one knew how long it had been raining, they just knew that when they looked up the sky was red, and the rain was red as well. It was so surprising how the weather matched perfectly with three people’s hearts. The sky and the rain..they painted an unspeakable pain. 

………………………………………

Pitter patter…

Pitter patter

Masumi heard sound of footsteps stepping on falling leaves. Startled, he turned around…a man in black suit bowed to him “ Good evening, director Hayami”

Masumi opened his eyes widely in shock, immediately there was a shadow in his eyes “ Chairman sent you?”

The man nodded “ Yes, Hayami sama. I told the head monk I was sent by your father and he told me you are not at home so I searched for you in forest.

Masumi asked with cold voice : Chairman had something to give me?

The man in the suit nodded and handed Masumi an envelope sent by his father. There was a note inside, it read

Everything has been prepared, I asked Takamiya family to pospone the press conference by one week. Daito needs this marriage. Be home by tommorow 10 am for the press conference unless you want me to tell Maya..or should I say Akoya…that you were the one who killed her mother. That would not be a pleasant truth for the girl who lost her memory. Don’t you think so? You underestimated me Masumi”

Masumi opened his eyes widely in shock; of course, his father would never up that easily . Masumi kept standing still for a long time, his eyes were emotionless; he did not even care the rain that now had become heavier and drenched him; even though the assistant of his father offered him the umbrella, he refused. Eventually, Masumi clenched his hand tightl * there is only a way to settle this..*

Masumi * Maya, if I cannot protect you by staying by your side to console you when you are in pain. I will protect you in my own way. I do not wish to see you getting hurt like that again, nor do I allow it to happen*

He turned around and tell the man in suit: “ I will meet you at the village by early tomorrow morning, we will return to Tokyo”

END OF CHAP 10

CHAP 11: LET’S FALL DOWN TOGETHER.

Early morning, very early morning indeed, evertyhing was still asleep, the thin pink layer of fog painted a miracle on the pagoda’s yard scene, making it look like a perfect still life picture. There was a faint sound of cracked falling leaves, Masumi looked melanchoky as he turned his head around to look at this picteresque scenery for the last time, or so it seemed.

Masumi: * Goodbye, Maya. Live happily so I do not regret leaving you.*

A person watched him leaving from far away, but that person carefully made no sound at all.

…………………………………………………………………….

Akoya woke up early. As usual, she went to the stream to carry water back. But today, the water buckets somehow felt strangely heavier, or was it because her heart felt so heavy. Today she had to give Masumi her answer whether she wanted to dive deeper in her past or not. Actually, what she had in store for him today was not an answer but a question “ what did you have to do with my past, besides being my fan?” but asking him that question was the same as answering “yes” to his question. But she was too scarred, too confused. She remembered the feeling of pain from her headache vividly, as well as the pain in her heart she felt after each and every nightmare. Akoya was not sure whether she was ready for the truth, was the pain from reality manifested in her dream, or it hurted just the same? Akoya covered her face with her hands in aguish, and she just sat there for who knew for how  long, with thousands of questions whirling in her mind. She just knew that when she looked up, Oji chan was sitting next to her.

Akoya was startled: Oji chan, when did you come? I did not realize

Oji chan smiled mildly: uhm..for a while, dear. You seemed to be very deep in thought.

Akoya:uhm….actually today I have to give Hayami san my answer.

Oji chan: and..?

Akoya: and I am scarred, I am sure he played a big role in my life, I dreamed about him the most often, but then..every single dream about him hurt me badly so I…

Oji chan: I understand..you are afraid right?

Oji chan embraced Akoya gently as he patted her head like he patted a little child.

Oji chan: The Akoya I know is brave and able to confront anything. I am so proud of her. But now she is afraid to confront her past?

Akoya: Oji chan…what if my past is horrible, why do my heart hurt so much when I am with that man, why do I feel attracted to him without reason, thousands of questions swirling in my head since that man came and called me Maya, can’t I just live happily with Ojichan as I always did?

Oji chan: It is understandable when we tend to run away from pains however…Akoya, why do you think Crimson Goddess and Isshin’s love was legendary?

Akoya: because though they loved each other deeply and it was very painful to separate, they accepted their fate for a greater cause.

Oji chan: Right, the pain will bring forth something even prettier.It is a part of life. You cannot act Crimson Goddess if you refused to undergo the same pain she did, Akoya.

“ Oji chan…” Akoya started to cry.

“There, there…I understand” Oji chan consoled her.” You probably have felt that Hayami san is the man you loved in the past before you lost your memory, havent’t you? And now when you encounter him again, you are afraid to confront your feelings since you are afraid to get hurt again, right?”

“ Oji chan…”

“ Akoya, Oji chan will ask you one more thing, you have to be honest with Oji chan”

“Yes, I promise”

“ Why did you start practicing to become Crimson Goddess in the first place?”

“ Because I wanted to fulfill Ojichan’s dream, and also…I found an unexplainable bond with Crimson Goddess”

“ And now?”

“ Now Crimson Goddess has become my dream, a part of me, I feel her in every breath I take, every step I take. When I am able to practice acting Crimson Goddess, I feel  an immense bliss, at that moment, I really wish for nothing else”

Oji chan smiled” As expected, passion for stage is flowing in your blood. No matter where you are or what you do! Now, Maya, Oji chan return you your name, you know what Oji chan means?”

“ Oji chan…” she cried and hugged Oji chan

“ I understand, say no more, now, you have to be quick, or someone might leave here very soon. Be brave and go catch your love before it’s too late.”

Maya gasped: NO..Oji chan you mean?

She immediately ran away, but suddenly she stopped, turned around and gave Oji chan a kiss on the cheek “ Thank you for everything you have done for me Oji chan, I really cannot thank you enough. When I found out who I was, I would come back and perform the best Crimson Goddess for you, I promise you that.”

Oji chan: I know.. now, quick, run!

Watching Maya’s small figure fading away, Ojichan smiled sadly “ That’s right, Maya, spread your wings and fly high, perform the best Crimson Goddess ever. My task ends here. Meeting you by fate, letting you go by fate. What’s more could I ask for?”

A woman stepped besides him “ She just ran away for a second and you started to miss her already?”

He smiled “ Tsukikage, so you received my letter, how long have you been standing here?”

Tsukiakage: for a while already. I wonder what we should do now?

Oji chan: you ask that, but you know that we should step aside now and let thing fall into its own place, no?

Tsukikage: true, I never expected the one Maya loved was Masumi, and don’t you think it’s fate that he found out she was still alive and came here…

Oji chan: Yes..it was fate, so there is nothing we need to do now. How they solve their problem I cannot know nor plan. From now on, Maya will have to sort out her feelings. Whether she is able to perform the love of Crimson Goddess or not, it all depends on her , we cannot intefere any longer.

Oji chan:Tsukikage, you are confident! How would you know that she would accept to practice and perform Crimson Goddess when I suggested that to her?and what if Masumi had not come here, then there might be a chance that Maya would lose her memory forever? What would you do?

Tsukikage: I bet on it, Ozaki. I bet on Maya even if the chance is 1%. I believed form the first time I saw her that she was born to succeed Crimson Goddess, I believe no matter what path she took, it will eventually lead her back to Crimson Goddess. Fate proved me right, Ozaki san, who would think she would still be alive and the one who saved her was you.

Oji chan: how about the other actress that you chose, Ayumi Himekawa?

“ Ah that girl” Tsukikage smiled” she is also a very special girl. Her determination, her talent and her look made other people cannot help but admire her. I am sure she can perform the most perfect Crimson Goddess that an actress can be capable of…however Maya…”

“….Maya will not perform Crimson Goddess as an actress but as the real Crimson Goddess” Ozaki oji chan continued

Tsukikage * Ozaki ( Ichiren Ozaki) this time, I leave it all to you, help Maya if you want her to be your successor. I did all I could, I would join you soon*

Tsukikage remembered something:ah..Ozaki san..  why didn’t you stop Hayami san this morning when you saw him leaving? You saw him right?

Oji chan:uhm…Tsukikage..you know that too well..even the love between 2 twin souls cannot happen automatically, each of them has to be brave and determine enough to be with their love one no matter what happen. I want  Maya to learn this…and I am sure my little girl will figure it out somehow, she has shown me she can fend for herself pretty well.

Tsukikage smiled, both of them stood in silence, enjoyed the chill wind. Their minds were full of memory about one same person.

Oji chan: you are thinking about Ichiren?

Tsukikage: Yes, you are aslo thinking about him right?

Oji chan: Yes, why is it that suddenly I miss my younger brother so much?

Tsukikage smiled, she knew why, it was because they feft that the day for the dream of three people to come true was drawing near.

…………………………………………..

( Okay, from now on I will call her Maya, because Ozaki Oji chan gave her name back to her)

Maya rushed back home. She called out loud from the gate

Maya: Hayami san…Hayami san…….

She rushed to his room, it was empty! Maya felt really lost, and she was on the verge of tears. But she decided to be strong * I promised I would give you my answer today. Why did you leave without saying anything. No, I will not give up unless I tell you my answer, and receive the asnwer for my question from you*.

She ran outside and bumped into Koji, Koji was very surprised seeing Maya like that: where are you going Akoya? Why are you in such a rush

Maya bowed to him: I am sorry Koji san…but I am in a hurry I need to chase after Hayami san.

Koji was shocked: he left? Why?

Maya: uhm..i don’t know..that’s why I am going to chase after him now…and..Koji san..

She turned around and gave him the smile that made him skip one heartbeat: please call me Maya, and not Akoya, from now on

Koji: you…?

Maya smiled: yes, I will not be a coward anymore, I decided to find out who I am.

She bowed to Koji once again and ran at her full speed down the village, leaving Koji in shock.

…………………….

When Akoya rushed down to the village. She desperately looked around to search for Masumi. Her heart was beating fast as she silently prayed “ Kami sama ( God) please let me meet him, please let me meet him.”

………………………

Far away from where Maya was standing, Masumi’s car was parking across a railway

Assistant: Director Hayami, I am very sorry about the delay due to the flat tire. I have called chairman to tell him about the incident, he understands that we will arrive a bit later than expected.

Masumi: never mind. Let’s go

Suddenly he heard a voice calling him “ Hayami san”

Masumi instinctively turned around. No one was there. Masumi shook his head and smiled sadly * that’s impossible*

Assistant: is there something Director?

Masumi: No..nothing..it must be my hallucination.

Maya saw Masumi’s back. She immediately rushed forward but…..

“ tu tu tu” ( sound of the train)

The train passed by her…fast…swept away the left tears on her face…* Hayami san…?*

The train seemed to be endlessly long. By the time it passed, Masumi’s car was nowhere to be seen anymore.

Maya * wha..at?*

She broke down in tears. This was too much! Maya hated herself for crying too much over the last few days; but everything happened too much within one week. A handsome man, stirred her peaceful world, she was afraid, but when she decided to confront it, he left without saying anything.

Maya * Hayami san, how can you do this to me?*

Maya felt a hand putting on her trembling shoulder. She turned around “ Koji san?”

Koji: I chased after you…so..you missed him? Koji asked, lowered his voice

Maya just nodded, she did not even have the strength to speak.

Koji: will you let him go just like that Maya?

Maya: Koji san….

Koji looked at Maya’s falling tears sadly. * maya, why do you always have to make it difficult for me to let you go? Seeing you like this I…but I don’t want to regret this love Maya, when I look back..I want to feel that I have loved you the right way.*

Koji took Maya’s hand and put it on her left chest “ what did Oji chan always tell you? When you are confused, look in here…what do you feel..what your heart tells you to do?”

Maya looked up at Koji with her teary eyes……..

She closed her eyes……….

1…2…3…4…5…6..7..8..9…10…* what my heart is telling me?*

Inside Maya’s head, the voice had been calling her name echoed * maya…maya..maya* that was Hayami san’s voice.

Maya * that’s right*

She smiled as she opened her eyes: I heard it.

Koji: then…?

Maya: I will go to Tokyo

Koji smiled: I knew you would say that, you are the brave girl I know after all. Let’s go.

Maya was surprised: huh…?

Koji chuckled: why do you look at me with those eyes? Like I would leave you alone unprotected, besides, you decided to go back as actress Maya, I will return as actor Koji, too.

He smiled sweetly at her and took her hand” hurry, we have to hurry if we want to catch the train to Tokyo”

And so, Maya and Koji ran to the station to head for Tokyo.

………………………………………………………………

Back at Tokyo

Hayami house

Masumi bowed to his father: I’m back

Eisuke: ha, I know it, you cannot bear seeing that girl suffer, can you?

Masumi:……………………..

Eisuke: so you know what to do in the press conference?

Masumi: yes, I know very well

Eisuke: good, contact your secretary for the press conference schedule.

Eisuke coldly turned his chairwheel away, leaving Masumi alone in the silent room. Masumi was surprised at how much he still hated this room’s coldness despite the years passing by. It reminded him of his bitter childhood, of his mother’s tears…that’s right…she had been crying over this unhappy marriage..a marriage without love…*but ain’t I heading to the same thing if I accept this marriage?* he thought

He sighed as he took out his phone to make a phone call

Masumi: Mizuki? Please fax the press conference schedule to my house now. Thank you

Mizuki:uhm……Director Hayami, did you really leave Cherry Blossom Valley for this press conference

Masumi: yes, this is the only way.

Mizuki: so you will really forget and stop waiting for Maya even when her death is still not confirmed yet?

Masumi: you asked too many questions.

Mizuki: I am sorry Director.

Masumi sighed softly over the phone:* my star of fate is to be the knight in the dark anyway* Now if there is nothing else, I will hang up, okay?

“tu tu tuuuuuuuuuu” ( sound of phone hung up)

Masumi leaned backward agaisnt his chair and put a hand over his forehand. * Maya…to know that you loved me is the greatest thing that ever happened to me, but I was stupid enough to lose it, it’s all my fault. However, I still want to protect you ..this is the only way Maya….so do not feel sad for me, okay? I am fine..as long as you are happy.*

………………………………………

Tokyo,  Koji and Maya arrived at the station. Maya was awed upon seeing the city. Although she had lived in the city before she lost her memory , a few months staying with Oji chan had made her so used to the peaceful enviroment of the moutain and now…it’s so different. Maya covered her ears since the noise of the city startled her.

Koji looked at her, suddenly, he put his cap on her head

Maya: Koji san, this is too big for me. She used one finger to hold up the cap

Maya: see? She said as she removed the finger, the cap was too big that it covered half her face!

Koji laughed: I know..but..listen to me…put this on Maya

Maya: why?

Koji: do not let other people, especially the reporters know that you are still alive and back. It will cause a ruckus and that will scare you, since you have yet to regain your memory

Mya was puzzled: the reporters?

Koji smiled:  that’s right, you are a famous and talented actress Maya, you have a competition in 2 days time, remember? not for any random play, but Crimson Goddess, only you and Ayumi Himekawa were chosen as candidates.

Maya was still perplexed..but she asked no more

Koji: Maya, hold my hand tightly okay? It is very crowded in Tokyo and you will get lost easily. It will be dangerous.

Maya smiled: okay 

……………………………………………………..

Meanwhile, at Tokyo Hotel

Outside, there is a board “ Press Conference: Masumi Hayami and Shiori Takamiya official wedding day announcement”

Mizuki: Director Hayami, it’s 10 minutes to the press conference. Please be ready.

Masumi: alright

Mizuki: are you sure you will not regret this director?

Masumi: stop asking unecessary questions Mizuki. I know what I am doing.

Mizuki sighed sadly.

Masumi: * that’s right! There is no turning back now. Thinking about Maya’s love once was for me, I have all the courage I need..though I have no right to deserve that love for breaking her heart*

Masumi: Mizuki, where is Shiori san?

………………

Masumi knocked on Shiori’s room door “ Shiori, may I have a private talk with you”

Shiori opened the door, she beamed : what is it Hayami san?

Masumi was a silent for a moment : I need to discuss about our marriage.

Shiori felt a bit uneasy when she looked at Masumi’s serious expression but she opened the door more widely regardless: uhm…please come in.

Shiori: what is it about our marriage Hayami san? Last minute change?

Masumi looked very troubled as he frowned and twisted his fingers, he was trying hard to tell her something: Shiori, later can you renunciate  our marriage at the press conference?

Shiori was overwhelmly shocked: what?

Masumi: I am very sorry Shiori. It was all my fault, I shouldn’t have proposed to you when my heart already belonged to someone else.

Shiori was on the verge of her tears: but Maya is dead. Can’t you forgive me Hayami san?

Masumi was speechless for a moment: I am not angry at you Shiori..that’s true, I will never meet Maya again..but my heart is not with me..she took it with her a long time ago.

Shiori: why now? Why didn’t you reject me in the first place?

Masumi: That’s why I am sorry Shiori. I thought that if I kept closing my eyes and accepted this marriage, everything will be okay. But it was because I was diffident enough to deny my own love, I lost Maya forever and now my heart can never be the same. I hurt the person I love tremendously Shiori, and I am horrified to think that I would hurt yet another who loves me like that.

Masumi inhaled a deep breath :…today..I think of my mother…about her unhappy marriage with my father…a marriage without love is no good for both of us Shiori. I will hurt you and I don’t want that at all. I really do not want to hurt yet another person again.

Shiori: but you are hurting me now. She sobbed

Masumi: but it will be worse later. I do this to protect someone who is precious to me and also to protect you from pains later. You can hate me for asking you that now, but there is really no other way.

Shiori cried: no..I don’t care if I don’t have your love, my love for you is enough for both of us, right?

Masumi just sadly shook his head as he held Shiori’s shoulders: Shiori, I will bear every consequences for my action, all you need to do is rejecting me, I will explain to everybody that I am the one is to blame for this broken engagement.

He stood up and bowed to Shiori as he turned his back to leave. Shiori was alone in the big room crying

…………………………………………

“Knock Knock Knock”

Someone was knocking on Shiori’s door again * Did he change his decision* she thought hopefully.

“Shiori, this is Oji chan here. Are you ready, can I come in?” ( note: not Maya’s Oji chan but the chaiman of Falcon group)

Before she could stop him, her grandfather opened the door and step in, he gasped “ Oh my, why is my pretty grandaughter crying?”

Shiori stammered: no…nothing Oji chan. I was just thinking.

Shiori’s oji chan laughed: what a child, and this is not even your wedding yet. Shiori, this marriage is very important for both companies, so do not worry. Let me handle it

Shiori: Oji chan?

Shiori’s Oji chan: uhm..although Daito Art is in a financial crisis now and can go bankrupt anytime, no one has known that yet, and so they still have big reputation and influence, so if we merge together, this will be beneficial not only for Daito Art but also for us, of course Daito Art needs this more than us but…anyway.

He smiled at his grandaughter:  so..you just need to smile really prettily at the press conference, you don’t have to answer any question, I arranged that since I know you are shy. You have always listened to me since you were young and behaved as a good child. Now I am about to let you go..i feel so sad.

He rubbed his grandaughter’s head one last time before he left.

Shiori: *what should I do?* she thought as she clutched her head in agony.

………………………………….

On Tokyo’s streets.

Maya: wow…this IS crowded..just as you said.

Koji smiled: see? I told you. Hang on, you stay here and wait for me okay? I will grab you something to eat, we haven’t eaten anything yet since morning. And do not remove your cap okay? Do not let anyone see you

Maya smiled: okay.

Koji ran to the fast food store. Maya watched people passing her by. She accidentally bumped unto someone  “ where are your eyes? Are you blind?” the man shouted at her. Maya tumbled and landed on the crowded street

Maya quickly bowed her head: “ I am sorry”. But when she looked up, she bumped onto another, and another. Tokyo’s street was so crowded that Maya was a little scarred. No one cared about the little girl who was trying to keep her cap on with difficulty and at the same time being carried away by the stream of city people who kept walking too fast to give her a glance or asked her if she was okay. Suddenly, Maya felt self-pity, she missed Oji chan, her animal friends, and the nice villagers * it’s so different here* she thought * why is Koji san taking so long?*

When Maya looked up, she was horrified to find herself standing at a completely strange place. She was carried too far away by the crowd. Maya was running frantically to the opposite direction to look for Koji * he must be worrying now* she thought. But of course it was not easy, there were too many people, so Maya decided to step on the pavement to take a breath and to ask for direction.

She wandered around asking people to find way back to the place where Koji told her to wait for him . She was awed by the magnificence of the tall buildings in Tokyo * so strange, I lived here before, how come this city now seems so unfamiliar to me? * she thought. As Maya passed by a big, beautiful hotel, she stopped * wow….this hotel is so beautiful..it must be the biggest here*

Suddenly, something caught Maya’s eyes, it was a board in front of the big stair leading to the main hall “ Press Conference: Masumi Hayami and Shiori Takamiya official wedding day announcement”

Maya used one hand to cover her mouth in shock: what? So is this why he had to leave in such hurry?

The reality hit her hard * I thought I had all the courage I need when I decided to go to Tokyo but why is my heart wreched so much now? Was I really in love with Hayami san? Why would I fall in love with a man who already has a fiancee…Is my love one-sided?*.

Hurt, Maya really wanted to run away but she did not know why she kept walking up the stair leading to the main hall. She kept walking, not noticing someone was coming from the opposite direction and she might bump straightly unto him

……………………………………………………..

Inside, the press conference has already begun

Reporter A: and so, now the wedding date is coming near. Do the couple have anything to say? Takamiya san? What do you think?

Shiori was deep in thought. She did not hear the question. Her grandfather quickly stood up and grabbed the microphone from her : ah… I am very sorry dear journalists. My grandaughter is extremely shy and mild, she is not used to big meeting like this. So please skip all the questions for her. Why don’t we ask the groom-to-be right there?

He smiled mischiveously as he pointed to Masumi’s direction.

Masumi was not answering…he was looking worriedly at Shiori * Shiori..please say something…I do not want to hurt you in fornt of these people.*

But Shiori was still, no one knew what was going inside her head , the reporters were completely puzzled by the couple’s strange, awkward silence.

Shiori: * why? Why does everything become so inextricable like this? I ‘m scarred…since I was young, it had always been grandfather who took care of everything for me. Why they all expect me to annouce such shocking news now? I do not want to lose Hayami san…maybe if I just keep silent as I always do, everything will be okay..maybe..Hayami san will not denounce this wedding because Daito Art is in danger ...maybe…*

Chairman of the Falcon group and Eisuke Hayami looked at each other worriedly. Having quick reflexes, Eisuke immediately grabbed the microphone: “ Okay dear journalists, maybe the couple is still shy being asked too directly. About the official date for the wedding..it will be on…”

“It will not take place” Masumi stood up and said…

There was a moment of silence and then like a hive of bees was busted, the murmurs spreaded all over the room.

Eisuke: Masumi, you..!

Everything was a mess inside the hall, and the situation became worse when someone exclaimed loudly : Actress Maya, are you actress Maya?.. you are still alive?

Masumi * What?*

The murmurs became even louder. Some reporters immediately rushed outside to see. There standing Maya, completely scarred and lost to see too many reporters rushing towards her. She turned to the person who exclaimed loudly just now “ I am sorry for bumping unto you, please return me my cap..I need to leave now”. But that person did not return her cap, he still looked at her with both surprise and amusement . Maya had no other way, she snatched the cap from the person’s hand and ran, but some reporter held her hand “ wait! Oh my..you are really actress Maya..so you are not dead yet…is your death a rumor spreaded by you so that Ayumi will let her guard down? “ another repoter asked “ So you came back with a secret weapon Maya?”.

They surrounded her, pointed recorders at and took photos of her, asked her mountless questions she totally had no clue about. Maya felt really dizzy by all the noise and flashes.

More and more reporters rushed outside while some still lingered inside to take picture of Masumi’s broken engagement incident.

Reporter B: what should I do? Why so many big events happen at the same time? Which one will chief editor like the most?

Look like the reporters had a real “ dilemma” here. They were so caught up with their own “ dilemma”  that they did not notice how scarred and confused the little girl was. Maya tumbled and fell backwards. Someone caught her in his arms “ Maya, are you okay? Why are you here?”

Maya opened her eyes widely: Hayami san?

Masumi: okay, leave the explaination for later, we have to get out of here quick before they make you have a headache again

He took her hand and they ran together outside. Maya felt the warmth of Masumi’s hand. Strangely enough, almost instantly she felt safe and stopped panicking over the pack of reporters who were chasing after them desperately behind.

END OF CHAP 11

CHAP 12: I WILL PROTECT YOU!

Two people kept running to get rid of the reporters. Masumi lead Maya running to a dark narrow alley; the flashes and the noises tailed away.Masumi did not know where they had ru nto, but for now it was good enough because finally, no more reporters followed them.

Masumi and Maya leaned against the wall, catching their breath. After a while, Masumi turned to Maya “ Chibi chan, are you okay?”

Maya nodded: yes…I’m fine..thank you very much Hayami san. If you were not there for me, I don’t know what would have happened. Really, thank you very much.

Masumi did not respond. He was busy looking at Maya. Was he dreaming or something? the girl he had been thinking about all the way from Cherry Blossom Valley till here, there was not a single second he did not see her smile in his dream; and his heart was stung when he thought that he had separated from her forever and yet…here she was, right in fornt of his eyes.

Masumi: why..why are you here? He asked her.

Maya: huh? …ah ..uhm…she looked down at her hands, trying hard to gain courage to answer his question but then suddenly Maya rememberred something important: wait Hayami san,why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the press conference for you upcoming wedding?

Masumi: chibi chan. I asked you first, didn’t I?

Maya: ah…but I would like you to answer me first, I would feel very bad if I ran away with you while you were in the midst of your press conference.

Masumi chuckled: well..at that moment..I did not think straightly when I saw you being cornered by the reporters, I just felt like taking you to run away.

Maya blushed when she heard that. She felt happy but she thought she shoud not have felt that way.

Maya: but…Hayami san, how about your fiancee, and other people? They will be very worried when you just ran off like that.

Masumi was shocked for a moment but he understood what she meant: ah..you mean Shiori? No, I broke our engagement with her at that press conference..about other people…

Masumi smiled a carefree smile but some how Maya felt faint sadness in it “ Other people will not care about me, now that I am a man who has nothing…if they still talk about me, it is because they are curious..that’s all.”

Maya felt very sad when she heard Masumi say that. At first, Maya was curious and she wanted to ask Masumi the reason why he said that. But looking at Masumi’s sad smile, immediately, she felt a strange urge to embrace and console him. * What’s wrong with me?* she thought as she tried to restrain herself fromthat urge.

They were silent for a moment. Suddenly Masumi remembered

Masumi: ah…Chibi chan. Let’s not talk about me. You still have not answered my question. Why are you here?

Maya: ah…that..that is because…

But suddenly, they heard a hiss, followed by hoarse laughter “ Look at that, here is not the right place to date, idiots”

Masumi and Maya turned around, in front of them were standing a pack of dishevelled youngsters. Their faces looked very bellicose and they had many fierce-looking tatoos on the arms and back. Masumi understood the situation immediately, he let Maya stay behind his back “ what do you guys want?” he asked the youngsters

The biggest and aslo the most aggressive-looking boy among them said: “ very simple, you look like you are a rich guy so all I want is money, and your girlfriend”

Another one protested: just money, Yoshida san, his girlfriend looks so plain.

Yoshida walked around to take alook at Maya, she turned her face away and tried her best to make herself disappear behind Masumi’s back

Yoshida: you idiot! Take a closer look, she is actually pretty and….he narrowed his eyes as he said “ I like her innocent look, city girls do not have this look”

Masumi felt a roaring fury surging inside him, he clenched his hand into a fist “ Back off, do not even dream about touching her”

Yoshida: what if I do?

Maya whispered behind Masum’ back: Hayami san, pleased don’t aggravate them further. Let’s find a way to get out of here, there are so many of them.

But Masumi ignored her words, he just knew he had to protect her from those gangsters:  If you dare  touch her. I will beat you up.

Yoshida snorted: flashy talk of the rich.

He jumped to Masumi and started hitting him on the face. Immediately, his fellow gangsters followed him to do the same. Masumi turned around telling Maya: “ Maya! Run, quick”

But Maya was so scarred that she could not move at first. However, seconds later she realized what she needed to do. She started to throw empty cans, trash, even soil towards the gangsters to stop them.

One gangster got soil in his eyes, he growled “ You little…!” And he rushed towards Maya. Seeing that, Masumi was startled, he tried his best to get out of the mess and ran towards her. Just when Maya was about to be slapped by that gangster, Masumi barged in between them as he wanted to cover Maya. The gangster shouted: want to act heroic? Fine, I will let you be one. Guys!

The rest of the gang started throwing punches on Masumi’s back and head, Masumi protested, however, he did not move an inch from his position, he was leaning over Maya to shadow her.

She screamed: Hayami san..Hayami san..please back off, I will help you hit them.

Masumi: no, stay still, I cannot let you get hurt. Listen to me!

Maya was on the verge of tears when she saw Masumi being hit, she felt worried and hurt as if she had been the one hit. Suddenly something wet dropped on her faced, Mya touched it * Blood?!*

She cried and tried very hard to get out of Masumi’s protection “ Hayami san…you are bleeding! Let me go, let me help you..I…I” but she choked on her tears when she saw Masumi stubbornly kept her safe in his arm. Suddenly, she felt his body landing heavily on her * Hayami san?*

Maya called and shook him: Hayami san?

But there was no respond. Masumi had lost his consciousness.

Maya glared at the gangster angrily: You!

She was about to stand up, but she was weighed down by Masumi. He still had not let go of her!

One of the guys slapped Maya: don’t you dare look at me with those eyes.

She was hit quite badly, her head bang hard agaisnt the wall.

Maya’s mind was undergoing such panic and shock that the headache came again “ Argh”. She screamed. Seeing Maya was so in pain, the gang got a little worried “ did I hit her too hard?” they told Maya “ hey hey, I do not know any of this okay? Don’t  exaggerate like we hit you so hard”and they fled right away in fear of responsibility, leaving Maya and Masumi alone. Inside Maya’s head, every piece of memory rushed back like a storm, swirling, colorful…

* Ayumi: Maya, I will not lose to you

Tsukikage: You have to create your own mask of Crimson Goddess

Koji ( after he rescued her from drowning): are you okay?

Shiori: he wished you luck and hope that you can perform the best Crimson Goddess ever..for the Daito Arts sake…

Maya clutched her head tightly: Argh!!!

The memory kept rushing back, however, this time, they came back one by one to her in chronological order.

Everything went dimmer…dimmer…and then…it went black.

…………………………………………………….

Tokyo Hospital

“Ah….” Maya sat up. She had a strange dream. She lost her memory, and she stayed with a kind old monk, then…Crimson Goddess..then Koji san came… and then…Masumi came.. Tokyo..press conference..the gangsters….so many things happened in her dream, the dream was so real that she felt like she was really hit by some gangster. Even the pain was….

“ Wait! This is no dreaming..this is real” Maya gasped as she touched her head…* I really lost my memory.

Suddenly she remebered * Hayami san…*

She immediately  pushed the blanket back and rushed out. She bumped unto a doctor at the door “ Wow..hold on young lady…why are you in such a rush?” he smiled kindly at her.

Maya: oh..I am sorry doctor…I am looking for Hayami san

The doctor smiled happily: Ah…right? Your boyfriend?

Maya blushed: “ Ah no..he is not my boyfriend…”

“Really?” the doctor asked surprisedly “ I thought he is since when you two were brought here by the ambulance, he was still holding your hand although he was unconscious. It took us a while to separate you two” he chuckled” he was really protective of you”.

Maya blushed even more: ah..that…

The doctor looked at her and he tactfully asked no more: you wanted to visit him right? He was injured much worse than you so he is still resting now. He is in room 302.

Maya bowed to the doctor: thank you very much doctor.

She immediately ran out to find Masumi. When Maya passed by the hospital’s lobby. She heard two nurses gossiping

Nurse A: hey…he is staying at room 302 right? The director they talked about in this newspaper?

Nurse B: ah..right? I recognized him. Director Hayami of Daito Art right?

Nurse A: uhm…because of him Daito Art went bankrupt. No one exprected such big company to go bankrupt in just half day

Nurse B: that’s impossible. They must have been hiding it all along. This broken engagement is the last push, that’s all

Nurse A: uhm..poor the young lady of Falcon Group. It must have been very embrassing being rejected in a press conference like that.

Nurse B concured: exactly..what a cruel man. He deserved this…

At that moment, the head nurse walked by and scolded them for slacking off. They immediately left the newspaper on the table to continue with their work. Maya waited until they disappear behind the corner, she picked up the newspaper they left on the table. Its head title read “ Falcon Group and Daito Art ‘s merge failed. A revenge for the broken marriage promise?”

Maya was shaken when she read the news * So Hayami san indeed broke the engagement and now his company…*

She remembered what Masumi said

FLASHBACK

“ Other people will not care about me, now that I am a man who has nothing…if they still talk about me, it is because they are curious..that’s all.”

END OF FLASHBACK

Maya felt her heart sink as she remembered the nurse’s spiteful attitude towards Masumi. *Hayami san* Maya silently called his name.

She gently opened the door. Masumi was still sleeping. Maya sat down, she brushed the hair on Masumi’s forehead even in his sleep, he still knitted his eyesbrows as if he was worrying about something. Maya’s heart shrunk for a heartbeat. Masumi was really hit badly, he had bruises all over his face and body. Maya raised her hand, she hestitated for a moment , but eventually, she used her hand to gently caress Masum’s face. Upon this point, Maya started to cry

Maya: Hayami san, why did you that? I told you not to cover for me. Why you let yourself be beatened up by them to this point ? You are like that, always protect me, why are you doing this? Didn’t you decide to stop being my Mr Purple Rose?

Maya cried even harder “It hurts me when I have to hear people talking bad things behind your back. Hayami san, I did not know what happen, but I really don’t like the way other people talk about you, I know you are not like that. There gotta be a reason for all of this”

Maya still sobbed: Hayami san, it’s not like you said at all, there is still someone outhere who cares for you, at least there is one person. It’s me..I will take care of you . Even if you are no longer my Mr Purple Rose, I will still care for you, I cannot help it because I…I..( Maya lowered her voice a little)…love you.

And she put a gentle kiss on Masumi’s forehead.

Maya tried to stop crying because she was afraid she her sobbing would wake him up. When she had calmed down, she heard someone knocking on the door

“Knock…knock..knock..”. Maya snapped back to reality

“Who is that?” Maya asked, she quickly wiped her tear-stained face

“Kitajima san, it’s me, Hijiri, Hayami san’ employee”

* Hijiri san?*

Maya openned the door to let Hijiri in

“ How is the director Kitajima san?” Hijiri asked, he was obviously worried about his employer.

“The doctor said he is fine, but he was hit very badly plus the stress he had been enduring till now make him very tired, so he needs to rest a lot until he can wake up and recover”

Hijiri: I am glad…

Hijiri paused for a long moment: Kitajima san…uhm….tomorrow is your competition right?

Maya : ah..that’s right

Hijiri: uhm..there will be a lot of repoters at that event. Are you sure you going to be okay?

Maya: Hijiri san, what do you mean?

Hijiri: ah..that…since Hayami san ran off with you today right after he broke his angagement with Shiori ran, there is a rumour circulating around that…

Maya nodded sadly: ah, I understand what you mean…People misunderstand easily.

Hijiri: so..what are you going to do now? About Director Hayami? Maybe you should not visit him since it will affect your future career.

Maya was half surprised and half annoyed when she heard Hijiri said that: Hijiri san, how can you say so? I would never leave him alone. It was because of me that he arrived at this state so I…

Hijiri nodded: ah..so you do this because you feel guilty towards Hayami san? If it is really so, there is really no need for you to be bothered about that, Hayami san will understand your current situation.

Maya quickly denied: ah no..it’s nothing like that..I want to take care of him despite the rumours because I…

Suddenly Maya blushed vigorously, she stammered and her eyes looked away from Hijiri so she did not see Hijiri’s secret smile.

“…because you have feelings for director?” Hijiri continued

Maya startled : ah..huh? oh no…did you overheard me just now?

Hjiri: I am really sorry Kitajima san. I did not mean to eavesdrop on you. I arrived when you were crying, so I could not knock on the door and so I waited outside…I am really sorry if you feel offended.

Maya shook her head: no..I do not feel offended. Just that..uhm…I am embrassed.

Hijiri: even if I did not overheard you, I somehow guessed that. Thank God I was right. I just wanted to hear it from your own mouth.

Maya: why?

Hijiri pulled Maya down to make her sit on a chair: Because I have something important to tell you.

Hijiri looked straight at Maya in the eyes: Have you heard the news about Hayami san’s broken engagement?

Maya nodded: I did overheard the nurses talking about that, but I had no idea why would Hayami san broke his engagement with Shiori san.

Hijiri: Director understood that a marriage without love is not good for both parties, so he stopped it before it was too late

Maya was shocked: A marriage without love? That’s impossible. Hayami san had always treated Shiori san very gently. Her voice suddenly sounded heavily when she said this.

Hijiri gently shook his head: No, the only one he has loved till now is you. Not a single moment he directed his affection away to any other girl, he tried, but he could not

Now Maya was really, really puzzled: but then..i thought he asked Shiori san to bid me farewell in place of Mr Purple Rose?

Hijiri interrupted “ that was a misunderstanding, I think Shiori san did so because she was afraid to lose Hayami san”

He took out something else and hand it over to Maya “ this is the photo album you sent to him, your Mr Purple Rose. He kept it as a treasure. I am completely sure Hayami san would do anything but to stop sending you purple roses, because that is the only for him to show his affection.”

Maya: what?

She started to tremble.Hijiri wated for Maya to calm down from her shock and then continued “ Kitajima san, he was afraid to reveal his identity to you because he was afraid you would reject his purple roses, reject his affection, if you knew he was the one whom you hated the most”

Maya cried: Hayami san….I am sorry, I am really sorry.

She kept apologizing and held Masumi’s hand tightly.

Maya asked: Hijiri san, why did you decide to tell me all these things? Surely Hayami san wouldn’t have told you to do so and I know you are completely loyal to Hayami san. Or else he would not entrust you with his secret as Mr Purple Rose.

Hijiri smiled: When Hayami san decided to go to Cherry Blossom Valley to look for you, he even threw away his dream of winning his father. When he returned form Cherry Blossom Valley, it was also because he wanted to protect you that he accepted losing his company and his reputation. He indeed gave away all he has for your sake. And now you too, decided to protect him with everything you’ve got. Two people are so devoted to each other in love. I think they deserve a happy ending so I decided to act on my own without his order for the first time in my life.

“ Besides…….” Hijiri paused for a moment, his facial expression suddenly became melancholy “ I do not wish for Director to end up in regret for the rest of his life like I do”

Maya: Hijiri san, you were in love?

Hijiri: yes, but I was floolish enough to let her go.

Maya felt thankful and sorry for Hijiri at the same time * he must have loved her a lot* she thought.

Maya sighed: Hayami san  could have at least left me a note, I was really devastated when he left without saying anything

Hijiri smiled: No matter how smart and how cool Director seems towards other people, he is very sensitive and does not have enough confidence in his love for you. He thought you wanted to stay as Akoya forever and did not want him to bother you anymore.

Maya looked at Masumi’s sleeping face lovingly * why was I so stupid? Everything you had done was for my own good, why didn’t I realize it ealier *

Maya looked straightly at Hijiri : Hijiri san. I had always said I would trust my Mr Purple Rose completely, but I ran away from him so easily last time. I am glad this time I decided to board to train to Tokyo to chase after him. From now on, I will never leave him again, no matter what happens

Hijiri could not help but to look at Maya in awe *This is the same old brave, genuine, talented actress Maya I know, but somehow she is different now. She has more confidence in herself, she had that aura of determination that make people cannot help but respect her. Hayami san, the one you love has really grown up.*

He smiled, contended: “ Well then, Kitajima san, about Director, I will count on you from now on”

………………………………………………………………

Maya carefully adjusted the blanket, making sure that Masumi was kept warm well. She gazed at his sleeping face for the last time before closing the door gently behind him.

When she returned to her room, someone was waiting for her

“Ah, Koji san?” maya exclaimed.

Koji looked up, he immediately rushed to Maya’s side. His facial expression showed his worry and concern for her clearly

Koji: Maya, do you know how worried I was when I heard the police called me? Are you alright? Do you get hurt anywhere?

Maya smiled gently: I am alright, Koji san, really.

He pointed at the bandage on her head: then what is it?

Maya: ah..this? I got hit by one gangster so my head got bang agaisnt the wall. But I am okay, don’t worry. She reassured him.

Koji got angry, he clenched his hand tightly: those bastards…

Maya quickly put a hand on his arm to calm him down: It’s over Koji san..besides, thanks to them, I have recovered my memory.

Koji gasped * what? *

After a while, he stammered: Con..Congratulations to you, Maya…

But Koji was looking away from Maya.Koji felt very awkward and guilty when he had to face Maya now since he did not tell Maya about her past when he found her at the pagoda.

Looked at Koji’s wretched expression, Maya understood immediately: Koji san, if you are worried that I would feel angry because of the incident at the pagoda in Cherry Blossom Valley, don’t worry I’m not.

Koji: Maya?

Maya: I can never thank you enough for going there to find me when everybody said that I was dead. Why would have you done so if you did not care a lot for me, right?

Koji was very moved  by what Maya said: Maya…but I..

Maya: ah..that? I believe you did so because you do not want me to get hurt right?

She smiled.

Koji put a hand over his overhead as a sign of surrender, he chuckled: you really…Maya ..you are really pure and innocent, aren’t you? I can be selfish you know?

Maya beamed: even so..I know Koji san is after all the good person I know. He would harm no one.

“Thank you very much Maya..for trusting me” Koji said.

Koji asked Maya: Are you ready for the comepetition tomorrow?

Maya: yes.

Koji: that’s right, you should not let any distraction affect you.

Maya: so Koji san heard the rumour too?

Koji nodded his head sadly. He was concerned about Maya’s feelings more than the pain in his heart right now.

Maya smiled: I am okay. Those rumours cannot distract me. Besides, I decided to stay next to Hayami san no matter what.

Koji smiled although inside he felt devastated: You have becomer eally strong now. Even stronger than the Maya I knew.

Maya was surprised: Koji san, you do not ask me why?

Koji: no..I understand because I can see that no matter whether you are Maya, or Akoya, no matter you lost your memory or not, he is your true love.

His smile was very sad but it was truly genuine, he had decided in his heart to turn his bittersweet love into a devoted friendship.

Koji jokingly sighed: guess I need to take care of princess Maya tomorrow when your prince is till unconscious ne?

Maya pouted: why are you sighing?

Koji laughed: because I can only be a part-time knight.

After a while, Koji’s expression became more serious: What are you going to do now? Staying besides Hayami san is easier said than done, you know?

Maya nodded: that I know very well but I want to protect him this time

Koji was very surprised: how? what do you intend to do?

Maya: I still have the stage, I believe if I win tomorrow I can help Hayami san. Before, all I could do was waiting for his support from the purple roses, I was blind to his support in real life. Hayami san has done a lot of things to protect me. Now, for the sake of my love for him, it’s my turn to protect him.

Maya bit her lips: *although in order to do this thing I need someone’s approval*

Seeing Maya’ worried expression, Koji put his hands on her shoulders to reassure her: I don’t know what you have in mind, but Maya, you are a good girl, heaven will look after you. And you have my support, whenever you need.

“Thank you very much for staying close to me at a time like this Koji san” Maya said

Koji: no big deal, at least I am your Isshin on stage. Let’s try our best tomorrow, ne?

“uhm, sure” Maya beamed.

……………………………………………………………………………..

Next morning, Habayashi station,

When Maya and Koji arrived at the scene, they immediately caused a commotion. The reporters quickly surrounded them and threw questions at them

Reporter A: Sakurakoji san, you returned back at the same time with actress Maya. Could it be that you two hid at a secret place to practice Crimson Goddess?

Reporter B: Actress Maya, are you confident that after 3 months of absence you still hold a chance of winning Ayumi?

Reporter C: Actress Maya, about the incident at the press conference yesterday. You and Hayami san ran away together. Could it be that you are the third party who caused the “broken engagement” incident?

That question was rude enough. Koji turned around to glare angrily at that reporter “You!...” he really wanted to give him a good punch. However, Maya put a hand on Koji’s arm to stop him.

She smiled as she turned around to face the reporter directly: Both you and I are here today for Crimson Goddess, aren’t we? Let’s just focus on the play only. I will show you my Crimson Goddess later, I hope it will be good enough to make you forget about other things.

Reporter C was really shocked but he did not know why. He stood speechless until Maya went away quite far. His photographer asked him “ Senior, what’s wrong, are you okay”

Reporter C stammered:…ye..yeah.

His photographer: was she that scary? She did not say anything harsh right?

Reporter C: No..I am not scarred..this feeling..why? it’s more like…( he opened his eyes widely as he realized)..it’s reverence!

His phottographer: what? Reverence?

Reporter C: uhm..that’s right. She emitted some strange power I could not understand nor explain, something about her is very high and mighty and yet very beautiful. Something is very…not human! He said in a daze, obviously was still stricken by the encounter with Maya just now .

His photographer gulped * that girl must be special..to make senior become like that*

………………………………………………………………

Backstage. Ayumi ran to search for Maya, she was very happy because Maya was still alive, at the same time she felt quite nervous and excited when she thought about Maya’s coming performance * how will her performance be if she had not practiced for such a long time? Other people could not perform but for Maya, nothing can be sure…*

Ayumi: Maya?

Maya turned around, she smiled: long time no see, Ayumi!

Ayumi beamed: I am glad that you are alive. I was really worried.

Maya: Thank you very much. I heard that you asked for this extension for my sake, really, thank you very much.

Ayumi smiled: I did that for my sake too, I wanted to bet on you. I could not receive Crimson Goddess with ease when I thought you might be still alive somewhere. I have always wanted to compete with you, you know that. Why didn’t you come back earlier?

Maya: I could not, I lost my memory for a while

Ayumi gasped: really? So that’s why..but you have regained your memory back now right?

Maya: yes!

Ayumi smiled contendedly, she gave her hand to Maya for a handshake: Thanks Goodness, I am looking forward to see what you have in store after three months. Let’s do our best! But remmber, I will not lose to you.What do you say?

Maya beamed as she took Ayumi’s hand: Sure, let’s do our best! More importantly, let’s enjoy this together

Ayumi was surprised * what? Enjoy?*

Suddenly someone called Maya “ Maya”. Maya turned around , she exclaimed happily “ Director Kuronuma?!”

She ran towards him and hugged him tightly, making his glasses fall off!

Director Kuronuma laughed: Can’t believe I have not seen you for three months, you are still the same . You did not slack off and still practiced diligent you, right? But then why..ar..nevermind..leave the explaination for later. We need to get ready, Ayumi is going to perform soon.

Maya stammered: but..director?

Director Kuronuma: haha…I could not get Crimson Goddess out of my mind. I wanted to immitate Tsukikage sensei and Ayumi, held my hope that you were still alive. Look!

Maya followed director’s finger, her mouth opened widely in shock and happiness: Rei, Sayaka? And friends from Harakuji Theatre Group? And…( Maya gasped)You guys! Why are you here?

Her friends waved happily at her

She turned to director Kuronuma, eagerly waiting for an explanation: “I gathered them to practice for Crimson Goddess, they are you best friends and they too, wanted to believe you are still alive and so they practiced in order to be ready when you come back . You and Koji are the last two pieces of the this jigsaw puzzle picture”. He smiled “Many, many of us loved you and wanted to bet on you Maya, so you have to try your best today”

Maya was so moved that she nearly cried: I understand! I will not dissapoint you all

END OF CHAP 12

CHAP 13: CRIMSON GODDESS

CHAP 13: HỒNG THIÊN NỮ

Tokyo Hospital, room 302

Bệnh viện Tokyo, phòng 302

Masumi slowly opened his eyes when the rays of sunlights radiated directly at his face. He woke up and found himself in a white room. * Where is this place?* he thought as he tried to sit up, however, the pain struck him immediately which made him groaned loudly. Masumi recalled what happened in his mind * so this is hospital, some people brought me here. Wait! Maya…* He immediately sat up, he was very worried when he remembered he lost consciousness after being hit too hard * I wonder if those bastards did something to her* that thought made him panic. He was ready to run out of the room but as he put one of his foot down he groaned loudly again, it was still very painful. Regardless, Masumi reached for the crutches the doctor left next to his bed in an enormous attempt to stand up. However, he notices something lying on the small table; it was a letter. Masumi reached for it and opened to read. It wa a letter form Maya

“ Dear Masumi san. This letter is for you to read in case you wake up when I am still in the midst of my Crimson Goddess competition ( Masumi was surprised at first but his lips curved into a smile * so you decided to go for the competition eventhough you do not remember*). How do you feel now? Do your injuries still hurt?

Masumi san, I am really sorry that because of me you have become like this. I do not mean only this physical pains, I apologize for all physical and emotional pains that I have caused you until now. Being ignorant, I never realized that you had always stayed by my side to support me, I resented you, I screamed at you and even bit you. But now I know, how much you have sacrificed for me, Masumi san, Hijiri san told me all about the misunderstanding between us. Do not get angry with him, I will explain to you later, okay?

All the things I want to tell you, this mere letter cannot contain them all. So I am going to say the utmost important thing that I have always wanted to tell you, but I did not find the courage so I asked this letter to trasmit my feelings to you.Masumi san,  I have silently whispered those words in my heart a thousand times…” I love you”. I really do love you Masumi san, not because you are Mr Purple Rose whom I fantasized , I love you just because you are Masumi Hayami. That’s right, the same old Masumi Hayami whom I have known for such a long time, the one who was called the cold hearted devil of Daito Art, the one who always teased and humiliated me in front of other people, the one who turned my life upside down once because of my mother’s death, but…you are also the Masumi Hayami who had always silently supported me through those purple roses, without them I do not know if I could get through the most difficult time in my life. The one who suffered alone, and sacrificed everything for my sake. That is the Masumi Hayami whom I haved loved so much without even realizing it. Masumi san, I have loved you even before I found out that you were my Mr Purple Rose. As long as you want me to stay by your side, I will never ever leave you, no matter what happens.

That’s why, I will perform the best Crimson Goddess today for you as I promised, even though you cannot watch me, rest assured that I will really really try my best. After my competition, shall we go visit my mother’s grave? I want to introduce you to her, as the one I love, I believe mother will understand and forgive us.

And you must rest well okay? I bought you breakfast already.

P/S: please don’t tease me about this letter when we meet, alright? >.<

                                                                                                                  Love

Maya”

Masumi folded the letter. He could not find the word to describe the strange feelings surging in his body right now. “ Happy” or “blissful” were not even close to that feeling. He thought he was dreaming, but when he tried to move, the pain reminded him this was reality. Masumi read the letter again, and again and again (!). * So she has recovered her memory and now she tells me that…* “ she  really loved… ah no…loves me?!” he repeated, disbelieving his own voice.

Suddenly, Masumi glanced at the clock on the wall, and immediately he reached for the clutches again, tried his best to walk out of the room, despite his pain. When the nurses saw him, they rushed to stop him “ Hayami san, please come back inside, your injuries are still bad and your health has not fully recovered yet, please return back to your bed”

Masumi: No, there is a place I definitely must go now, no matter what.

Nurses: but Hayami san…

“What is happening?” A voice came up.

One nurse turned around: Ah, Doctor Kitashima, Hayami san said he has some place he must go, but I am trying to stop him, it is abviously he is not well enough to leave the hospital.

Doctor Kitashima: ah..Hayami san, you were the one who was brought here together with a young girl yesterday right? I am the doctor who took care of you two yesterday.

Masumi bowed to the doctor: thank you very much, Kitashima sama but please, I really must go to this place.

Doctor Kitashimi looked at Masumi closely, finally he nodded: alright, you may go as you wish, but please return as soon as you can for the evening check up routine.

Masumi smiled: thank you very much Kitashima sama

The nurses did not feel very happy, they asked Kitashima sensei after Masumi had left: doctor, why did you let him go like that?

Doctor Kitashima: didn’t you guys see his eyes? It is futile to stop him. It must be something very important just as he said

He shook his head and chuckled as he walked away * it sure is nice to be young ne? and to be in love that much*.

…………………………………………………………..

Shuttle X

Shuttle X

The whole place was fully packed with people. Everybody was eager to watch the competition between Ayumi-the genius and Maya-the mysterious girl who just appeared after three months of amissing, everyone was anticipating to see what Maya had in store after 3 long months.

Because Ayumi’s crew was more well prepared, they started to perform first.

After the narration, Ayumi stepped out in the roll of drum calling urgently and powerfully.

“Akoya”: Who, who is calling me? Is that the echo of deep forest? Or the silence of the night?

Ayumi stepped out, immediately, the crowd became silent, they were awed by her beauty and the magnificient, mysterious ambience surrounded her.

There were whispered among the audience * wow…she looked like a real Goddess.*

“Akoya”: No, that is the smell of blood…..People are destroying each other…maybe that’s their business..but they are destroying the nature too

Audience: that..that’s scary…I can feel her fury, I can feel the fire in her eyes…So mighty, Crimson Goddess.

Director Kuronuma * uhm…she just appeared and she has left a very strong impression already. The power of Crimson Goddess….very magnificent…

“Akoya” : I can feel two whirlwinds heading into collision, one is read and one is white, anywhere they go, they bring destruction…..

Ayumi started to spin with a red silk long band …she was spinning very fast..eventually the audience could only see the red  and white color whirling…her interpretation of the war was so beautiful that it captivated every single spectator at the scene.

Sayaka: * Ayumi’s Crimson Goddess is mighty and ethereal at the same time…her performance is a perfect epitome of the beauty and holiness Crimson Goddess*

“Being mesmerized” was not even the word to describe what the audience felt when they watched Ayumi.

…………………………………….

Every morning, “Akoya” went to the forest to pick herbs for making medicine. She never missed a chance to admire and adore the nature around her. The blissful feelings shimmered in her eyes

“Akoya”: How I love this life! I just want to be like the birds, live a life in peace and freedom, spread my wings wide and fly high.

Ayumi raised her hand as if she was reaching to the birds. A spectator rubbed his eyes. “What’s wrong?” his friend asked

“ Didn’t you see just now? When Ayumi raised her hand, I had the halluciation that a butterfly was flapping its wings”

“Yeah, true. She is amazing!” his friend nodded in agreement.

Ayumi performed a perfect Crimson Goddess, which moved both the audience and the jury greatly. There were many old people came today as well, they had watched Tsukikage sensei’s Crimson Goddess before and now they were crying as they watched Ayumi performance “ this is it” one old grandma sobbed “ this is exactly the same feeling I got twenty years ago when I watched Crimson Goddess. I thought I would not not being able to see this great performance again.”

……………………………………

It was the festival time of the village, everyone gathered at the village’s temple to pray to Crimson Goddess. “Akoya” was to perform a dance according to the tradition. Everybody at the village always looked forward to her wonderful performance.

“Akoya” breathed in the fresh air as she closed her eyes and danced…Needless to say, Ayumi’s dance was perfect: one moment she became a small silver fish flipping its fins smoothly as it made its ways through the rocks, the next moment people saw a beautiful white butterfly landing on a flower. Each and every movement of her became dream-like, so fleeting, so gentle.  It was as if the ground where Ayumi stepped on became cloud.

For a moment, people thought they were watching a real goddess dancing, not Ayumi

Koji was worried for Maya * Maya..how would you fight agaisnt such a beautiful performance? It was nothing near human’s movement. Ayumi’s acting techniques has reached the highest peak in acting Crimson Goddess, it is not easy at all to surpass her..the only way to win Ayumi is to become Crimson Goddess herself ,only real Crimson Goddess can win Ayumi !*

But he was astonished when he looked at Maya. It was not worry countenance that was expressed on her face, instead, it was  that of some one who is simply fascinated; her eyes twinkled with excitement as she whispered “so beautiful…Ayumi is so beautiful” …

Koji smiled* what a disinterested girl…Maya, I cannot help but feel serene whenever I am with you..*

The jury was very contended . Each of them admitted that Ayumi’s performance could even match Tsukikage’s very own interpretation of Crimson Goddess. However, both the jury and Tsukikage sensei was looking forward to the last scene which Ayumi and Maya had to create their own because Tsukikage sensei did not show them that scene at Cherry Blossom Valley. That very scene was the scene in which Akoya had to bid Isshin goodbye and merge into the cheery blossom tree -the most intriguing scene of the whole play. All of them were very curious how Ayumi and Maya interpret that scene. It would be purely their own creation, that was what made it so interesting.

And then the moment had come, Ayumi was going to perform her last scene

……………………………

Backstage

Director Onodera: was it you or Crimson Goddess that I saw. Maya is no match for you, Ayumi, now only one last scene left, you will make it become legend, won’t you?

Ayumi said nothing, she took out some thing and put it into the sleeve of the costume.

Director Onodera gasped: *what? Why would she bring that thing along?*

Ayumi: * Maya, this is my Crimson Goddess’s love. Please watch closely*

………………..

Ayumi’s performance continued for the last scene

“Akoya”: Isshin, my love, this is the path I choose for myself, do not feel sad for me. This body, this soul will vanish like the water vapour but my love for you remains immortal. This is my love, please receive it…

And she took out from her sleeve…

The jury was shocked, the audience gasped, Tsukiakge sensei smiled

…….a knife!

Maya * Ayumi..will you really?* she thought worriedly.

Ayumi raised the knife a little. Her eyes still did not leave Isshin, they showed a pain that was too great that it nearly broke each and every person who watched that since, from the jury to the audience. With her head held high elegantly and proudly, Ayumi slitted her finger!

“ Ah….” The crowd gasped nervously. Even her partner was shocked, Ayumi really did slit her finger for the sake of a play? And the cut was very deep. She was bleeding a lot.

Ayumi tore a piece of silk from her costume and used her bleeding finger to draw a twig of cherry blossom on it,

She handed that piece of cloth with the picture drawn with her own blood to Isshin.

“Akoya”: this is my love..this is my love Isshin..do not forget…this is my love…

And she slowly dissapeared after the red curtain…Crimson Goddess had returned to the tree.

1 second passed by

2 second

3 second

And then a round of applause exploded. Everyone was extremely impressed by Ayumi’s performance. Each of them knew that that scene where Akoya slitted her finger to bid isshin goodbye would follow them for the rest of their life. That very scene, it was woeful and majestic at the same time. The audience could feel what the love of an all mighty goddess was like, be it profound, tragic, majestic or divine, Ayumi painted those “colours” well in her last scene. A love like that, it made other people could not help but bow down to it, too great, too unattainable…the love between Goddess and Buddah.

The head of the art council commented satisfiedly: very intriguing..very creative…and very deep intepretation, the love Crimson Goddess had for Isshin was in her blood, the only way to bid goodbye to that love is to die…also..blood was the thing we need in order to live on, for Akoya, being without Isshin was the same as dying…I understand now..Ayumi has helped us understand the love of Crimsson Goddess.

Even director Kuronuma was very worried * Maya..you have to compete against a very strong rival..what are you going to do now?*

……………………………………

Backstage

Maya ran towards Ayumi, worriedly asked: Ayumi, is your finger okay? Does it hurt a lot?

Ayumi: no I am fine, it will stop bleeding if I apply the medicine now.

Maya smiled: I am glad..I was enthralled by your performance..it was truly wonderful.

Ayumi: thank you..you have to try your best too, it’s your turn now. Good luck

Maya: thanks

She beamed happily, Ayumi was perplexed by Maya warm and carefree smile * why is she so happy? I was so nervous over this competition. She is not worried at all?*

Maya: ah..Ayumi..I gotta go, Koji san is calling me. I hope you can enjoy my Crimson Goddess later

Maya smiled for the last time and ran away

…………………………..

Maya: Koji san

Koji: ah Maya..it’s out turn now..are you ready?

Maya nodded firmly: yes, I am

Koji : wow..you are amazing, you are not nervous at all, after such performance?

Maya: oh no..when I watched Ayumi’s performance, I was very nervous as well. But then, I looked in here. Maya pointed at her heart “ I see my own Crimson Goddess. I am who I am, and my performance will be different from Ayumi, whether my performance is better than Ayumi’s or not, I did not think much about that, I just want to act, to portray what lies in my heart, that’s all”.

“Besides…” Maya held Koji’s hand, smiled as she continued “ I have Koji san, Masumi san, Oji chan, Tsukikage sensei, director Kuronuma and my friends, and many people who love and support me so I am not afraid at all”

Koji was very moved, he looked at the little girl standing in front of her, was it his illusion or did he really see a warm glow covered her? Her determination, her smile, her cheerful spirit…those thing s belonged to Maya, the one he had always loved.

Koji smiled: alright! Your confidence had tranferred to me already. I will interpret the best Isshin ever.

Koji: Let’s go. It’s our turn now.

Maya nodded: alright.

…………………………………………..

Looking from behind the curtain, Maya gazed at the audience * that’s right, he cannot be here today. He must be still in bed* She smiled as she closed her eyes * even though you are not here, Masumi san, you are still in my heart, when I look inside my heart, I find my courage. I will do my best today, and then…”

“Maya” director Kuronuma called her, Maya snapped back to reality “ Are you okay?” ( Maya nodded) “ Good, get ready, here is your costume”

Maya could not help but admired the Crimson Goddess’s costume, she gently slided into it, felt the satin-like softness of the fabric sweeping across her skin. * I am Akoya, Crimson Goddess* she thought.

………………………………………………

It was time for Maya’s performance. She slowly stepped out from the red curtain. Her eyes was starring aimlessly,  as if she was still her slumber..yet to be awaken.

“Akoya”: Who, who is calling me? Is that the echo of deep forest? Or the silence of the night?

“Akoya”: No, that is the smell of blood…..People are destroying each other…maybe that’s their business..but they are destroying the nature too…

When “Akoya” said that,her voice trembled with anger but her eyes showed a very painful , loving expression at the same time. It was totally different from Ayumi’s expression just now. Instead of pure fury Ayumi’s Crimson Goddess had towards human, it was deep compassion, heart-wrenching pain that Maya’s Crimson Goddess showed

Director Kuronuma smiled* uhm..I got it…in  Crimson Goddess’s eyes, human is also part of nature, that’s why she is angry with them, but at the same time she is hurt when she see them destroying each other and other creatures of nature. This is like the love of a mother towards her children. A very touching performance*

Step by step, slowly “Akoya” walked …but it was not a normal walk. Her feet gently landded on the ground, and she only landed fleetingly with her tip toes…very gently ..very smoothly…it was as if she was walking on…

Spectator C exclaimed: water!

His friend was surprised: huh?

Spectator C:  She was walking on water ! I can feel that…Amazing…

Director Onodera sweated:* Strange! When did Maya learn this technique, she was extremely clumsy, when did her movement become so subtle? And this is not only technique, her understanding of Crimson Goddess is very profound. To Crimson Goddess,  the thick darkness surrounded her feels like still water*.

Then  “Akoya” slowly knelt down on her knees, she leaned her body forward a bit, and starred at something below deeply for a long moment

Audience murmured: what is it? What is she doing?

Someone said: I know it, she was looking at the water, she saw some reflection in it.

Suddenly, “Akoya”’s eyes opened widely, maybe she saw something very shocking? And then she started to move both of her hands in circular motion as if she was stirring the water..slowly at first..and then faster… faster…and faster…

“Akoya” : I can feel two whirlwinds heading into collision, one is read and one is white, anywhere they go, they bring destruction…..

Head of the Jury * she stirred the “water” to create maelstrom to illustrate the war. Very interesting, this is how Crimson Goddess understands the word “war”. Ayumi made us understand what  “war” is but Maya made us understand what Crimson Goddess thinks “war” is..this is a big difference *

Ayumi  knitted her eyebrows, she was obviously troubled by Maya’s performance* Maya….what exactly did you do in those three months?*

…………………………………………………………

“Akoya” took a stroll in the forest. She was taking a break from her herb-picking work. She gazed at the nature around her lovingly

“Akoya” : How I love this life! I just want to be like the birds, live a life in peace and freedom, spread my wings wide and fly high.

Maya raised her arm as if she was waiting for something from the sky as she let out a small, quick whistle.

The spectators was surprised: she whistled? That is not very “goddess-like” eh. They whispered “ why did she do that?”

Suddenly, to everyone’s astonishment, a little sparrow flied down from the sky and landed on Maya’s awaiting finger! He chirped a happy tune and “Akoya” improvised her own song to sing along with it.

* Wow…* everybody was speechless. They could feel the simple happiness of “Akoya” immediately, inside their minds, they were humming that happy song along with her.

Ayumi was shocked and terrified * what is this acting technique? No…this is not technique..she can…can call birds?* The thought seemed to be very odd, but it was exactly what happened in front of everyone’s eyes. Maya indeed called that bird.

Tsukikage just smiled secretly * so she can call the birds in the city too*

………………………………………………….

Next scene

“Akoya”: Isshin, isn’t the breeze nice today? Can you feel it?

She turned around to smile at Isshin ( Koji) but suddenly ….

Masumi stepped in the theatre. Immediately the whisper started to spread out

“ Hey, isn’t that Masumi Hayami? Why was he injured so badly?”

Maya was on stage. She was stunned to see Masumi, but fortunately, she managed to keep her mask on.

Their eyes met for a very brieft moment, but they actually talked, by their souls!

*Masumi san..eventhough you have not fully recovered, you managed to come her to see my Crimson Goddess… *

* Of course I have to come here even if my condition is worse than this to see the Crimson Goddess you promised me*

No one knew about what just happened, except two people who were involved. No one would believe it either, that twin souls really existed in real life. But both Maya and Masumi knew, they had met their other half.

Unknown to Masumi, Shiori, who was also watching the show, had realized that he came and now she was looking at him, her look painted a pain that could not be expressed when she saw him being injured that much.

Shiori: * Masumi san, who caused him to arrive at this state? Look at him, even though he is badly injured, he tried his best to watch Maya’s play, because of her, he forsook his right of inherritance, because of her, he surpressed his feelings all this time and just silently supported her with his purple roses….a love like that…a love like that…even if they cannot be together, even if she had been dead,there really is no place for me in his heart. Why was I so foolish ? Masumi san…I am sorry to put you through all this, forgive me.” And she cried…

…………………………………………..

Maya was performing her dance scene at the festival. At first, people felt pity for Maya when they thought she had to compete against Ayumi in this dance scene because Ayumi’s performance just now was too great, too Goddess-like, it was almost impossible to surpass her. However, after they saw Maya’s lithe and subtle “walk on the water” at the beginning, they began to think that maybe Maya’s dance could be even more ethereal, more beautiful than Ayumi’s moves.

However, when she started,the audience were dissapointed and puzzled because…Maya did not dance at all, she stood still in the posture of the plum tree for a long time…

Audience murmured : her posture really looks like a beautiful plum tree, but isn’t this supposed to be a dance? She cannot just stand still like that.

When everyone started to get impatient, suddenly Maya started to move her fingers…very subtly

Spectator E: oh..that..wind..her fingers move exactly like the wind

Spectator F: what do you mean?

Spectator E: you notice the leaves on the real tree over there? The movement of those leaves blew by the wind is exactly like the movement of her fingers

Spectator F noticed like his friend said and he gasped: Oh my goodness…this actress …she can even feel the wind’s slightest movement?

Maya’s  fingers, arms, hands moved back and forth in perfect coherence with the wind. One moment they moved strongly, the next moment the move was very subtle. As time passed by, viewers totally forgot that Maya was human, she was indeed a plum tree. A beautiful plum tree is dancing with the wind! Everyone was fascinated by her “dance”...as she moved they felt as if they could smell the sweet fragance of plum flowers scattering in the air.

Suddenly, Maya moved her arm to a different direction

“Ah” someone exclaimed “ the wind has changed direction!”

Another spectator: ah, you are right..

“but hey!” she gasped “ look at the real tree over there, its leaves stand still!”

And they said at the same time “ but she made me feel like the wind really changed its direction by her hand’s movement”. They were mesmerized and awed at the same time “ this actress is scary!”

Head of the Art council was deeply affected by Maya’s dance too “ Amazing..she changed from a plum tree moving in the wind  to the goddess of the plum tree, who controls the wind ! I wonder what special traning this girl received within 3 months”

Tsukikage sensei heard what he said, she just secretly smiled * very special training indeed*

………………………………………………………..

“Isshin” expressed the problem which had been bugging him for a few days to “Akoya”. He wanted to know who he was, what was his purpose in this life. “Akoya” was really afraid and hurt, she did not want Isshin to remember his past, maybe when he remembered, he would leave her to a far away place?

“Akoya” : Isshin, is your past that important? Don’t you love this life here with me? Everything here mesmerizes me . Look at this place? Isn’t this lovely.

“Isshin”: yes..but

But before Koji could finish his line he was very surprised to see Maya walked straight to the audience

Koji: * Maya..what are you doing? This is not in the script*. Some of the audience were startled, they did not know what she intended to do. Maya bent down and gently pick a wild, small dandelion near one spectator’s seat.

Director Kuronuma: * what? She could see that small dandelion? No one would have noticed it, it is too small and plain*

Maya’s lips curved into a radiantly happy and charming smile. Everyone was mesmerized by Maya’s smile, they felt very blissful and serene as they looked at her smile but they did not know why.

Ayumi * that’s smile..its genuiness and the pure happiness wrapped in it are what mesmerize people. Maya was really  happy and appreciative when she picked that flower, there was not even an ounce of pretence in that smile…I can feel that happiness seeping inside me. What’s happening?*

“Akoya”: Isshin, look at this dandelion, don’t you find it pretty? The small, delicate petals flutter in the wind, bringing forth such faint , pure fragance.

She handed the dandelion to “Isshin” with such eager anticipation, as if she was showing him the most precious and beautiful thing on this earth.

A spectator told her friend: hey, it’s so strange, that dandelion is just a wild flower, I never noticed it, but now when I look closely as she said, it is indeed very beautiful.

Masumi smiled as he thought * The audience slowly find themselves in your Crimson Goddess, Maya. . .They are experiencing what Crimson Goddess experiences*

“Isshin” took the dandelion from “Akoya”’s hand: it is very beautiful indeed. You are right, why does my past matter so much when I can spend a blissful life here?…together with you

He smiled and held her hand tightly, together they blowed the dandelion flower. The breeze carried white petals away… genuine beauty…genuine happiness…

Although the place where they were performing at, Shuttle X, was full of debris thus it almost allowed no place for romantic feelings, suddenly at that moment, it was like the audience were travelling to Cherry Blossom Valley, witnessing the beautiful love story between Akoya and Isshin.

……………………………………

Maya’s last scene: the goodbye scene between Akoya and Isshin. Everyone was eagerly anticipating for it.

Director Kuronuma *The audience had been mesmerized by her performance up till now, no, actually no one thought that was a performance, Akoya the village girl really lived among them, but the last scene is a very difficult scene for Maya, since Ayumi’s performance left a very strong impression on everyone. What are you going to do, Maya?*

.........................................

Maya appeared on stage for the last scene in the effulgently blood-red costume. She looked so heavenly beautiful that everyone was enthralled by her, even though her face looked haggard and wretched, because this scene is the goodbye scene between “Akoya” and “Isshin”

Both Masumi and Koji were completely dazzled by the appearance of the girl they loved * Maya..you truly has grown up into such an attractive young woman*

“Akoya”: Isshin, my love, this is the path I choose for myself, do not feel sad for me. This body, this soul will vanish like the water vapour but my love for you remains immortal. This is my love, please receive it…

Her voice trembled…and then…”Akoya” started to cry, her tears just flowed silently at first, however, slowly, it turned into heavy sobbing. She just stood there and cried, no one really knew what was happening, even Koji was puzzled and did not know what to do.

Director Onodera snorted, he told director Kuronuma: what? She is crying, that’s all? That’s how she portrayed Crimson Goddess’s love-the love of the Goddess of all creature? ( he laughed) I was expecting something more  magnificent, this performance cannot compare to Ayumi’s

Director Kuronuma: wait…alright, now you look at the audience.

Among the audience, more and more audience started to cry

Spectator B: oh my..I can understand Akoya’s pain. When I had to break up with my boyfriend, I was crying a lot like that too

Spectator C: that’s right…I would also cry like that if I lost someone  whom I love so much..I can relate my feelings to hers…

Director Onodera stammered:that…..but still this is Crimsson Goddess, right? Not a normal person.

Director Kuronuma looked thoughtful*uhm…true…this is not enough Maya*

“Akoya”: this is my love..this is my love Isshin..do not forget…this is my love…

Suddenly, “Akoya” turned her back away to leave. Koji was startled, followed his reflexes, he called out loud : “Akoya?”

“Akoya” stopped and slowly turned around. On her face was….

Koji could not believe what he was seeing * what…?*

Ayumi used one hand to cover her mouth* what is it? No..it’s impossible*

Director Onodera  was extremely shocked* this is….*

Masumi gasped* Maya…*

The audience  * what?....blood tears? Tears of Crimson Goddess?*

The head of Art Council opened his eyes widely in astonishment and admiration: * this is it…this is Crimson Goddess’s love, common yet extraordinary, simple yet magnificent. From the heart wrenching tears of Akoya the village girl to the blood tears of Crimson Goddess. This is indeed when Akoya coverted back to Goddess, this is the moment her love for Isshin became immortal, the moment she was willing to kill herself and crucify her love for Isshin for the sake of other people, she turned from a normal village girl to Crimson Goddess *

Even Tsukikage sensei, who remained calm from the beginning, was shaken with excitement, she kept calling silently in her head * Ozaki..this is it…Ozaki…*

…………………..

Maya’s performance had ended for a long time but no one was able to move or speak. It seemed like each and every one of them was going through emotional turbulence after seeing the play. They smiled and cried with “Akoya”, they related to her love and her pains. And finally they were strucken by the magnificence of Crimson Goddess, it was fair enough to say that there had never been any play could create such impact on its audience.

Eventually, the jury was able to hold a conference, and the head of Art Council stood up, his voice was trembling :” Today I was blessed to see two greatest perfomance in my entire life. Till now complex feelings I had when I was watching the play still stir my heart. We have decided the winner of this Crimson Goddess competiton. I will let Tsukikage sensei announce the result to you”

END OF CHAP 13

CHAP 14: A NEW START FOR EVERYONE

Shuttle X

Tsukikage sensei: Firstly, I want to congratulate two competitors for their wonderful interpretation of Crimson Goddess. I was so happy I chose two candidates correctly. No matter what the result is, remember that you two really did your best. All of us thank you two for giving us all an experience of a life time

I will analyze two candidate’s interpretation of Crimsson Goddess now: First was Ayumi’s performance, she truly gave us a once of a life time performance. Her Crimson Goddess was very ethereal, at the same time almighty, maginificent and beautiful. We cannot help but feel reverence as if we were watching a real goddess. Her dance at the temple was an epitome of Crimson Goddess’s beauty. Obviously there is not any more perfect, successful interpretation of Crimson Goddess expected of an actress

Hearing this, Maya closed her eyes tightly as she put her hand over her heart * the most perfect and successful? So I lost then?*

Tsukikage saw what Maya was doing and she smiled as she continued * However, Maya did not act as Crimson Goddess, she became Crimson Goddess*

The crowd gasped

Tsukikage: …or else, can anyone help me explain why she could call that bird? Why she could see such a plain, small dandelion flower? And how could she appreciate it with such genuine feelings?

There was complete silence…everyone had accepted what Tsukikage said was right.

Tsukikage waited for a while, and then she continued : but the most important thing is that Maya was able to portray the human part of Crimson Goddess. Many of us think that only Crimson Goddess can understand the nature, can fully perceive and appreciate the nature, but today Maya proves to us that as long as we are sincere, we human can perceive the nature  with the very pure, simple way Crimson Goddess does.

Moreover , when we think about Crimsson Goddess, the first image comes to our mind will be that charming, majestic, powerful Goddess of Ayumi. However, Crimson Goddess was born into this world as a human. Before being a goddess, she is a human. What human feels, she feels. Like any human, she loves, she is hurt by love, she misses her lover, and she cries when she has to be separated from him, but what makes her a goddess is her self sacrifice. The moment she sacrificed herself, she turned into a goddess.

Today, Crimson Goddess play will become immortal, it will never die. Because it is not just an illusion on stage, each and every of us here today finds a part of Crimson Goddess inside of ouselves. If we love with all our heart, and will to sacrifice everything we have for a greater cause, we can have Crimson Goddess’s heart-the most beautiful thing on this earth.”

There was a very loud round of applause after Tsukikage’s sensei speech. Everyone clapped their hands heartily. Even Ayumi was clapping her hands, although the teardrops were lingering on her eyelashes, those tears were tears of sadness? Maybe not, they might have been tears of joy.

Tsukikage waited for the applause to tail away: and so…I choose actress Maya Kitajima as the legal successor of Crimson Goddess’s royalty. The jury has also acquiesced to this decision.

Another round of applause exploded. Koji held Maya’s trembling shouders tightly. He did not know he should smile or cry, however Maya had already been crying * Mother…do you hear that? I was chosen to act Crimson Goddess..you are watching from heaven, aren’ you?*. Maya’s friends and director  Kuronuma rushed to her and hugged her tightly, they were extremely happy for her as well

That was an unforgettable day for everyone.

……………………………………………………..

Backstage

After the show ended, Maya was still in a daze, the power of Crimson Goddess still flowed within her body. Suddenly, she was snapped back to reality by Ayumi’s call “ Maya”

Ayumi: thank you for letting me watch such a wonderful performance. Your Crimson Goddess will follow me for the rest of my life, I know that. Congratulate!

Maya: Ayumi, your performance was great too. Congratulate!

Ayumi laughed: what? Are you making fun of me, I already feel bad enough.

Maya: No, I really meant it when I congratulated you. Your Crimson Goddess was really gorgeous.

Ayumi smiled: Maya, losing to a rival like you, I really have no regret since I am able to learn a lot of things from you.

Maya: From me?

Ayumi: yes, today I was captured by your Crimson Goddess, you did not perform Crimson Goddess, you became her. That was something I have always envied you, the ability to become one with your character. I wonder why and why. Today I found the answer.

Ayumi: you love acting with all your heart, when you act, you forget everything, even yourself. Your passion on stage make people fascinated without knowing why. I wonder…in my life till now..have I ever enjoyed acting so much? …..

“……... I wanted to become the best actress to prove to other people that Ayumi Himekawa does not exploit her parent’s fame for anything, I think they are obsessed with my parent’s shadows  too much, but finally I realize, the one who has always been obsessed with my parent’s shadows is… me, I thought when I became the best I could stop being compared to them. Because I wanted to be the best I distanced myself from my family, because I wanted to be the best I forgot the joy of being immerse in the character, instead I became distracted by the determination to win.”

Maya: Ayumi…

Ayumi smiled and straight her hand out: This is the new beginning for me, I will learn to enjoy the stage from now on. The next time we meet, I will be a new independent Ayumi who is no longer bounded by anything,who enjoys acting to the fullest. Until then, Maya you have to constantly improve as well, since I will not let you win easily again.

Maya shook Ayumi’s hand: “I accept the challenge”. She smiled.

………….

Outside, Ayumi looked up at the sky, she inhaled the cold air, smiled and walked on. Suddenly,

“Himekawa san”. Somebody called her.

She turned around “ ah, Hamil, what are doing here?”

Hamil: I don’t know, I guess I will keep following an actress.

Ayumi: Hamil, I will stop acting for a while to search for the real meaning of being an actress. So there really is nothing you can write about me anymore

Hamil: I did not mean that I will follow you as a reporter.

Ayumi was surprised for a moment, but then she understood what he meant, she said

Ayumi: I am sorry Hamil, but I really do not have any romantic feeling towards you right now.

Hamil: that I understand very well.

Ayumi: but I am really grateful to you. Now I understand why you asked me those questions before. You are not like other people who were blinded by my performance, you saw through me. I really want to thank you for that.

Hamil: well, a thank from you is not bad for a beginning. I take this as I still have a chance, I will wait and support you no matter what, Ayumi

The snow started to fall gently. It was the beginning of a new winter, maybe it was a sign that a new love story could be born as well?

Inside the theatre

Maya heard sound of footsteps, she turned around

Maya: Masumi san ….

She ran to him“ How did you manage to come to the backstage?” she asked

Masumi: Director Kuronuma led me here.

As he said he gently took her arm and pulled her into a loving embrace. Maya was surprised at first, but then she smiled blissfully

They kept standing and hugging each other for a long time. Masumi stroke Maya’s hair gently “ Thank you Maya, thank you for letting me watch such a wonderful performance…and..I read the letter you left on the table..that’s why I rushed here”

Maya was about to say something but Masumi stopped her “ Hush, no, don’t say anything for now, just let me embrace you like this”.

Maya: Masumi san…

She cried and hugged him more tightly.

Unknown to them, a young man was watching you from afar. He smiled sadly

“ Are you regretting now, Koji kun, that you let her go?” a woman’s voice suddenly came up.

“ Shiori san. You were here?...ah well, you see”…he continued in a sad tone “ I would never let Maya go if her heart had feelings for me, even jut a little bit, but she found her other half, long time ago. Looking at them now…I cannot help but admiring their love. It’s rare to have a love so strong like that”

Shiori: I know what you mean. Their love makes other selfish desires on this earth seem so fleeting and inferior, right?

They stayed quiet for a while. Finally Shiori asked Koji

“What are you going to do now Koji?”

Koji: After “Crimson Goddess” finished its performance in public, I would go travel for a while to relax and think about things that happened. It will take me a long time to get over Maya, but I believe I can do that. This is a new start for me. And you?”

Shiori: Ah I have something I must do. Crimson Goddess’s love and Maya’s love in real life have taught me a lot of things and so I figured out there is something I must do by myself, for the first time in my life, instead of letting grandfather protect me as always. This is a new start for me as well

Narrator: learning to love someone is already a very brave thing to do, but to learn to let go of love for the one you love’s sake is even more admiring…Koji and Shiori were able to do that, I believe their lives will turn over a new page..That’s for sure, since the journey is still long…….

………………

Masumi was starring at the falling snow outside the windows from his bed.

“What are you looking at?” Maya stepped in and smiled at him as she asked

Masumi smiled back at her: “Just the snow…”

Maya sat down next to his bed: the first snow of the season is surely beautiful huh?

Masumi simply nodded…he was silent for a moment, finally he asked her: Maya, you told me that you would explain everything to me about the letter…I am ready to hear that.

Maya was surprised and she started to blush vigorously: ah…that…uhm…

Even though she her explanation was short and she had to halt several times due to her embarassment, Masumi finally understood what happened when he was unconcscious

Masumi asked : ah…your explanation was too short but I can vaguely understood that Hijiri overheard you so he wanted to confirm it, and once he had confirmed your feelings, he decided to tell you everything

Maya shyly nodded: uhm…

He asked her in a teasing tone: ah..but you have not told me what he overheard …

Maya blushed: ah..that..there is no need for that, right? As smart as you are you should have guessed it correctly by now already

Masumi stubbornly shook his head: no, when it comes to feelings, I am rather dumb, you should know that very well by now.

Maya looked at him in disbelief: Masumi san, you are unbeliveable! I asked you not to tease me about the letter, didn’t I?

Masumi chuckled: I am really sorry but…I really want to hear.

His eyes reflected anticipation with such earnest sincerity, although there was a bit of amusement in them as well.

Maya sighed: alright..because I promised I would tell you everything. Ah …uhm…she bent her head real low so he could not see her face “ When you were unconscious, I told you that what you said earlier was not right, that even though you were a man with nothing, there was still someone who earnestly cared for you, who was me. I wanted to take care of  you even if you were no longer my Mr Purple Rose …because..I..I ..I ( she stammered and lowered her voice)..loved you”.

Maya closed her eyes tightly “ You are not going to tease me, aren’t you? Are you smiling?”

But Masumi was not smiling. His countenance is a mixture of bliss and pain. He was obviously very moved by what she had said. But as he held her face in his hand to make her look straight into his eyes, he said with a sad tone

“Maya…you must understand that I am really a man with nothing now, Hijiri even helped to take care of my hospital fee, you see…You are a very talented actress and you have a bright future waiting for you ahead. Are you sure you want to stay with me ?

Maya was surprised at first, but later she said, her voive trembled with emotion:  Masumi san,in my letter I told you already, didn’t I? that as long as you want me to stay by your side, I will never ever leave you, no matter what happen.Don’t you believe in me? You don’t want me to be by your side any more?

She started to cry.Seeing Maya crying, Masumi could not help but feel heart broken, he quickly hugged her tightly as he soothed her sobbing: alright…please don’t cry..I am very sorry I said that. I understand, we will stick together and get through this. With you next to my side, although I am not quite sure where to start right now, I know I will try my best to start everything afresh again, okay?

Maya smiled as she nodded

Masumi said: ah..I will start to to make plan for future from today. Let’s figure out what we can do.

Maya looked thoughtful as she heard Masumi saying that.

……………………………………………………………… 

Takamiya house

A young girl sat next to the window, she was starring at the falling snow. Her grandfather stood next to her, he was stroking his granddaughter’s head

“Shiori, I did what you asked of me. But if you look sad like this, I will change my decision”

Shiori: I am sorry oji chan, don’t worry, I am fine, really. Thank you for accepting my request.

Her grandfather: I had no other way. Though I was so angry with that man who broke my precious grandaughter’s heart, but it was the first time you asked for something from Oji chan, and with such sincerity, I simply could not refuse you. But are you sure you will not regret this?

SHiori: yes…actually Hayami san did so because he was thoughtful of me, he did not want to hurt me, I was the one who was at fault…also I asked you to do that because althoughI lost something , I also gained something grandfather. I was so weak and passive and I let you protect and decide everything for me until now.But Hayami san and Maya taught me something, no matter what obstacle was thrown in their way, they managed to get over it somehow, their love was so strong. Oji chan, this is not only for Hayami san, this is for me as well, by letting go of my love for him, I can become stronger in the future, just like they are.

Her grandfather gently kissed her forehead “ My dear Shiori, you already are”

………………………………………………………..

Sunday morning,

Maya was returning back to Masumi’s ( hospital) room then a nurse called her

“Miss Kitajima”

Maya received a note from the nurse “ A lady in black asked me to give this to you” the nurse explained.

Maya: * A lady in black? Sensei!*

The note read “ Meet me at the bench near the lake in the park at 7 am tomorrow, we will talk about what you wanted to ask me.”

Maya: *sensei…*

……………………………………..

When Masumi woke up, he did not see Maya, but there was a note on the table

“ Dear Masumi san

I went out to buy some oranges for you, so you just go ahead with your therapy okay? I will be back soon.

                                                                                               Love,

                                                                                              Maya”

Masumi smiled blissfully. He closed his eyes and felt the warm rays of sunshine dancing on his skin. For the first time in his entire life till now, he could feel this brimful happiness in his heart.

……………………………………..

When Maya arrived at the park, Tsukikage sensei was waiting for her

Maya ran towards her: Sensei, I am sorry, were you waiting long for me?

Tsukikage shook her head: no, I came early. Sit down Maya, I heard you were looking for me after the play?

Maya nodded: yes, sensei, I wanted to thank you but I could not find you at all

Tsukikage smiled: thank me? No, I have to thank you for bringing out such a wonderful performance, now I can die happily knowing Crimson Goddess has found a worthy successor.

Maya immediately stood up and bowed lowly to her sensei: sensei please don’t say that. If I had not met you, I don’tknow whether I would have ever achieved anything in my entire life. You opened a new door for me and brought me to Crimson Goddess. It is like I owe this life to you, sensei.

Tsukikage : because you felt that way, it is even more difficult for you to ask me this right?

Maya: sensei?

Tsukikage: I understand very well Maya, I am your sensei after all, aren’t I? You want to ask me whether you can use the right of Crimson Goddess to help Masumi Hayami right?

Maya gasped ; she was so surprised that her sensei could see through her. 

She stammered:uhm…that..that’s right sensei.

Somehow Maya felt relieved because  sensei understood her even before she could speak of the favor she wanted to ask. Maya was troubled by it because she herself knew clearly how much her sensei resented Eisuke Hayami and Daito Art, and Masumi indeed had the intention of stealing Crimson Goddess away from her before too.

Tsukikage said: Maya….my only wish when I left you royalty of Crimson Goddess is to see you develop and reserve the quintessence of that legendary play, about how you would do it, I left it to you to decide

Maya: but..sensei..even if you say that…

Tsukikage interrupted: I understand..you are worried that I still hold grudges against the Hayami family right?

She chuckled “ true, for my whole life I have resented Eisuke Hayami,it was because I wanted to protect Crimson Goddess from his evil hands that I found the will to live on up to this point.

However, Masumi Hayami is not like his father. I do not know why he wanted to have Crimson Goddess so much, but I was pretty sure it was not for the same reason as Eisuke. He had gone through the education of Eisuke, but he maintained a kind heart although he feigned coldness and cruelty. I could see that he cared a lot for you, Maya, in his own way, and he cared for me, too. So I do not hate him”

She inhaled a long breath, continued “ about his father, Eisuke is man with nothing now. That was his retribution, now he will understand fully the feelings of those people whom he had driven into a tight corner “ Sensei’s eyes showed a painful countenance, it was quick and fleeting, but that was a deep pain, she must have been reminiscing about Ichiren Ozaki.

“ Now he has got his punishment, I have nothing else to say. Besides, I cannot live long, I will go with Ozaki soon, I do not want to bring my grudge with me to the next world.” She sighed

Tsukikage sensei turned to Maya and smiled: that’s why Maya, you can use the royalty I  give you to build a create new life together with Masumi, give life again for Crimson Goddess , that’s the only thing I ask of you.

She stood up to leave “ that’s all, Maya. Live well, thank you for everthing” sensei smiled at Maya.

“Ah..Sensei..” Maya called her, she was startled to see her sensei bidding her goodbye “ Are you really leaving? Where are you going? Will we ever meet again?”

Tsukikage chuckled: you asked too many questions at the same time. I will return to Cherry Blossom Valley to live the rest of my life there”

Maya beamed “ really? Oh my..then we can meet again..sensei…I am about to return there to meet someone, I will introduce him to you..he is a kind monk who was like a grandfather to me when I lost my memory and lived with him. He has amazing knowledge about Crimson Goddess”

Tsukikage smiled mysteriously” hm? Really? That’s interesting. I also have someone I want to introduce to you at Cherry Blossom Valley. See you again there”

And she turned her back to leave before Maya could say anything else. Maya looked at her sensei’s tall figure slowly faded away on the long road, suddenly, the tears rushed to her eyes * sensei..really..thank you so much for all the things you have done for me* in Maya’s mind, the flash back of her time with Tsukikage sensei came back one by one. The first time she met her, sensei helped her practice for her plays, sensei’s collapse, sensei’s performance of Crimson Goddess. Each memory came back, as vividly as they just happened yesterday * sensei….* Maya bowed to her sensei for the last time.

………………………….

In the hospital, Masumi was trying to walk without crutches.

Suddenly Masumi chuckled “ She has gone just for a moment and I miss her already. You are really hopeless Masumi”

As he was thinking, someone hugged him from behind “ Tadaima” ( means I am back)

Masumi smiled: you are quick. Is it because you missed me so much that you rushed back?

Maya pouted “ Who said so?” and Masumi laughed loudly.

Maya: are you done with your therapy?

Masumi: yes…why?

Maya smiled: I have something I need to discuss with you.

Masumi look at her, puzzled

……………………………

In Masumi’s ( hospital) room

Maya was peeling the oranges

Masumi: what is the important thing that you wanted to tell me. It has something to do with these oranges?

Maya laughed: indeed, actually the main reason I went out is to meet Tsukikage sensei, not to buy oranges. I am sorry I did not tell you, but I did not know how thing would turn out, so I waited first.

Masumi: Tsukikage sensei? What did you meet her for?

Maya: I ask her for the use of Crimson Goddess’s royalty

Masumi was surprised: I thought she already gave you?

“…the use of Crimson Goddess’s royalty for our sake.Sensei has given me her permission” Maya smiled as she continued

Masumi: huh?..for “our sake”?

Maya nodded, she held Masumi’s hand: Masumi san , I want us to build a theatre together, and you will be the director of that theatre. I believe Crimson Goddess will attract a lot of audience, and so together we can build your business again.

Masumi was shocked and moved at the same time: Maya…but…

Maya smiled sweetly at him: I knew how much you had sacrificed for me, Masumi san, so this time, can you let me do something for you? I know there are a lot of difficulties waiting ahead of us. But we can get through them together, right? Like we always did. This is my dream as well, I want to build a big theatre so I can reserve and develop Crimson Goddess, I want to spread the quinessence of this legendary play to as many audience as possible

Masumi gently took Maya’s hand and pulled her into his bossom for a warm, loving embrace: You are right, together we can make our dream come true, although it is not easy, we can get pass them if we stick together.

Maya stayed in Masumi’s arms for a while, smiling.

Later, she asked him: Masumi san, what is the biggest challenge we have to face if we want to build a brandnew theatre?

Masumi: uhm..I think it is to get sponsors…

Maya: is it very difficult?

Masumi sighed: uhm…actually…I think normally  a lot of companies would be more than willing to sponsor Crimson Goddess, but since they are afraid of Falcon Group, it will be more difficult than usual.

Maya: Falcon Group?

Masumi nodded: that’s right..that is Shiori’s grandfather’s company, one of the biggest in Japan and in the world as well.

Masumi was silent as he looked out the window.

Maya used both of her hands to hold Masumi’s face and looked straightly in his eyes, asked him with a feigned stern voice: you are not discouraged, arent’t you?

Masumi chuckled: no…but just now I felt sorry when I thought about how much I had hurt Shiori.

Maya sighed: uhm..I understand…I hope that as time goes by she can forgive us.

Masumi: how about Koji?

Maya: hm? ...ah…Koji, I felt bad as well when I hurt a good friend like him but he said he is happy as long as I am happy, and he will always be my part time knight when I am in trouble

Masumi: what? Part time knight?

Maya laughed: yes, when my full time knight is on bed like this, for example.

Masumi pinched Maya’s nose gently: I am eligible to be your knight even when I am on bed like this, whenever you are in danger, I will rush to you, no matter where you are, and where I am.

Maya smiled really sweetly : That I know very well.

Masumi caressed Maya’s face as he called her name gently: Maya…

He leaned forward, and Maya closed her eyes, anticipating…

Suddenly “ knock…knock …knock” (!)

Masumi immediately retreated, he slightly blushed: ah..please come in

A man in suit appeared in front of Masumi and Maya. He bowed : Good morning Hayami san. Good morning Kitajima san

Masumi: you are….?

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tamaki, personal secretary of Takamiya san, chairman of Falcon Group.”

Masumi and Maya opened their eyes in shock. * what?!*

Tamaki: I have business matter to discuss with you Hayami san.

Masumi: bussiness matter?

Tamaki: yes.

He pulled put an envelope of documents: Chairman Takamiya expressed his wish to sponsor for Miss Kitajima’s performance of Crimson Goddess. He wants to pay for all the expenses.

Maya and Masumi looked at each other in surprise. After a while, Maya said

Maya: Tamaki san, I understand Takamiya chairman’s good will. But I will not perform Crimson Goddess at anyone’s theatre ( Note: Falcon Group was involved in art industry as well, they had theatres), I want to build my own theatre together with Hayami san and perform Crimson Goddess there.

Tamaki: Kitajima san, Takamiya chairman understands that you and Hayami san are together now. But he still wants to sponsor Crimson Goddess. Besides his wish to see such a wonderful play to live on and be widespread, he also helps you two because this is Shiori san’s wish.

Masumi was shocked: Shiori?

Tamaki nodded: That’s right, Hayami san. Besides, it was clearly explained to the reporters that the broken engagement was a misunderstanding and that was not your fault. Takamiya chairman also intervened to make sure no more gossip is written about the broken engagement matter or about the matter between you and Kitajima san, this is also Shiori san’s wish

Masumi: but why would she do that?

Tamaki: The details I do not know. But here are the orchid flowers Shiori sent to you and Kitajima san, there is a card inside. Maybe she would explain the reason in that.

He handed Masumi a card, inside it read:

“ Hayami san… I believe you have already known the news, take that as my apology gift for you and Maya for making you two go through all that thing. Do not bother about the past between us, I did felt bitter towards you for breaking up the engagement, but now I know it is futile to get in between you two. Live happily from now on Hayami san, that is my only wish. Sayonara ( means goodbye)

                                                                                                           Shiori”

Masumi: * Shiori…thank you, really..*

Maya looked at Masumi as she smiled, she understood what he was feeling right now.

END OF CHAP 14

FINAL CHAP: TIES THAT CANNOT BE BROKEN

At Haru’s grave ( Haru was Maya’s mother)

Masumi and Maya were offering prayers to her.

As Maya closed her eyes, she silently talked to her mother

Maya * Mother…you have been looking after me all this time, haven’t you? Thank you very much…Mother, this is Hayami san, but today I want to introduce him to you not as the cold hearted director..but as the man I love, whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. I know he did wrong things but he had been sufering from great compunction all this while and he is truly a good person. So, can you forgive us mother? Can this selfish, unfilial daughter beseech your forgiveness, and if possible, your blessing? I really really love him very much. *

Masumi was also earnestly praying to Maya’s mother…his facial expression was really sincere and serious..he must have been telling her something very important

After they finished sweeping Haru’s grave, Masumi and Maya returned home.

Maya asked Masumi: Masumi  san, what did you tell my mother?

He smiled as he put one finger on his lips: it’s a secret.

Maya:..hah..you are being stingy again..can you tell me just a bit, please?

She looked at him eagerly

Masumi:uhm…you see…actually…ah no, it is really a secret, I cannot tell you.

Maya exclaimed: you are teasing me again!

And Masumi laughed loudly. In the back, Haru’s voice echoed but of course Masumi and Maya could not hear it * Hayami san, please love and take care of Maya from now on*

………………………………………………………..

On their way back, the snow was falling more heavily, Masumi took Maya’s arm and wraped it around his to bring her closer: it’s getting colder…he explained.

They silently walked, Maya looked at Masumi, she asked: Masumi san..are you thinking about your father?

Masumi was surprised: how do you know?

Maya smiled: you look troubled..so I guess ..

Masumi sighed: uhm…that’s right. I don’t know what I should do now.

Masumi: my father is staying with Hijiri.

Maya: Hijiri san?

Masumi nodded: that’s right. My father helped Hijiri’s family before so now he decided to take care of us.

Maya: have you come to meet him?

Masumi: I asked about him but Hijiri said that my father does not want to see meet me at all. He was extremely furious after I broke the engagement.

Maya:………………………..

Masumi: I really don’t know..in the past, the reason I was able to live on strongly after my mother’s death was because I dreamt of the day I would defeat my father. I even traded my heart for it, I wanted to take away everything he had to revenge for my mother. I thought that I would be happy by then but…..

Maya continued: now that your father is really a desperate man…you are still not happy at all, right?

Masumi just kept silent

Maya: but why suddenly after visiting my mother’s grave you became so troubled by this matter?

Masumi: I always thought that my father killed my mother..I had sworn that I would never ever forgive him for what he had done to my mother. But if I think about it, in a way I killed your mother too, I am no different from him. I can never forgive myself for doing that, either.

Maya looked at Masumi. Now she had fully understood the reason why he kept his identity a secret for so long, he could not forgive himself for causing her mother’s death so he thought that she would never forgive him as well.

Maya sighed sadly, she clutched his arm more tightly: the past remains as the past, Masumi san, I forgave you already…why can’t you forgive yourself? Only then can you forgive your father

Masumi: but why should I forgive him?

But Maya interrupted him: obviously you are not happy now even when your father business is ruined right? I know you feel even more miserable than before.

Masumi gulped nervously, this was surely the least thing he wanted to discuss.

Masumi: it’s getting colder. Let’s just go home fast.

He walked on very fast before Maya could see the deep shadow in his eyes but Maya blocked him, she did not want to see him running away from his past like that. However Maya was shocked when she looked straight into his eyes * oh my..Masumi san…what kind of expression is this..it is too grievous..*

Maya reached out with both of her hands to hug him: I am sorry..I am really sorry..I should not have pushed you like that… but I do not want you to be tortured by the hatred you hold against your father. I know your heart Masumi san, it is not cold at all…we just have to open it little by little..alright?

Masumi gently touched her face: Maya….

Masumi smiled: alright..you forgave me, why can’t I forgive my father? It would be difficult as first, but I promise I will try.

Maya smiled: I am sure you can do it. If you ever need my help. I’ll be by your side.

Masumi: okay, then I entrust my heart to you, doctor, mend it anyhow you like.

They looked at each other deeply, trust and love shimmered in their eyes

Masumi * you are the gift heaven sent to me, Maya….if the ice in my heart is melting, it is because your light is too bright*.

Maya did not understand what Masumi was thinking, he kept smiling as he looked at her with his gentle smile

Maya looked at way to hide her red face, she stammered: ah..uhm..what exactly happened between you and your father in the past Masumi san?

Suddenly she realized her question was rather direct, so she quickly said: ah..was my question too harsh? you are not ready for it right?

Masumi shook his head: no, nothing of the sort…of course it will be difficult but I must try to do this..telling you the past that had been inculcated too deeply in my heart is the first step of letting it go

On the way home, Masumi told Maya all about his bitter past. Sometimes the emotional pains halted him but he tried his best to tell her all the details, at such moments, he squeezed Maya’s hand a little more tightly to search for her support . Maya also tactfully said nothing to let Masumi speak at his own space. She could not help but felt horrified hearing Masumi’s past * how can he treat his son that way? Hayami san, even I cannot help but feel angry at you..No wonder Masumi san grew up to become such a cold-hearted workaholic *

Her love for Masumi grew even stronger, she wanted to warm his heart, to make up for his painful past.

As Masumi told her the part how he was kidnapped and abandoned, although he had tried to feign coolness, his hand was still trembling. Maya felt a pain piercing through her heart. She waited until Masumi to finish reciting, then Maya put Masumi’s cold hand against her warm cheek

Maya: Now I understand why you eyes were always so sad. I know we cannot change the past, but tell me, what kind of present will make your past pale in comparison? We can create that present together, I will try my best.

Maya was shaken with emotion, her eyes were teary and heartfelt sincerity could be seen clearly as she said so

Masumi was very moved by what Maya said, he lift up the other hand and cupped her face in his palms “ the present scenario in which you are here next to my side”

He used his thumb to stroke her lips gently. No one said a word, but why was there a need for word when two hearts were beating at the same beat?

He whispered her name: Maya….

Maya smiled as she closed her eyes…

The moment their lips touched, a glow was lit in each person’s heart, and the warmness immediately pervaded, pushing away the coldness of the coming winter.

Narration: there was a famous saying like this “ to the world, you may only be a person, but to a person, you can be the world”. That quote sounds like a cliché, but in Masumi and Maya’s case, it applies in a beautifully correct way.  

…………………………………………………………………

Hijiri house

Eisuke was sitting on his wheelchair, he looked outside the window but it was as if he could see nothing. He just starred aimlessly. Never in his life before, except the time when Tsukikage disappeared from the stage, had he felt so empty inside his heart.

When he was the powerful and rich, sycophants surrounded him, feared and served him. But no one loved him, he thought bitterly * that’s right! Even if Hijiri helps me now, it was because I helped his family before...since when have you become so miserable Eisuke Hayami?” he sneered at himself, suddenly his smirk turned into laughter, he laughed hysterically like he had never laughed before. But his laugh was cut abruptly by the cough coming right after that.

“cough…cough….cough…” ( sound of coughing)

Hijiri immediately rushed in: Hayami san, are you alright?

He quickly gave Eisuke his medicine. After taking the medicine, Eisuke felt better.

Eisuke: Thank you, Hijiri

Hijiri: please don’t say so, it’s my honor to help you Hayami san.

Eisuke knitted his eye brows: Hijiri do you feel indebted that much that you treat me this well even though I am no longer your boss.

Hijiri: Hayami san, I can never forget what you have done for my family.

Eisuke sighed: you are not my son and you take care of me, but that boy abandoned me. How ironic!

Hijiri reminded Eisuke: Hayami san, Masumi san and Kitajima san have been here to find you several times within this week.

Eisuke angrily smirked: what is he plotting now? He has ruined my life, and he is still not satisfied?

Hijiri calmly said: please don’t misunderstand Hayami sama. Hayami san did so because he did not want to hurt Shiori san and also to protect Kitajima san.

Eisuke stubbornly insisted: no you are wrong..he ruined my business in order to revenge for his mother. That’s all!

Hijiri: can you allow me to say something Hayami sama?

Eisuke sighed as he tilted his head backwards : go ahead, I am not in the position where you need to ask for my permission anyway.

Hijiri: perhaps Hayami san indeed had the intention of ruining you, but slowly he changed, he might have not even recognized it himself, that the darkness in his heart was gradually being pushed away. If he wanted to revenge you that much, he would have forced himself to marry Shiori san and take over Daito Art company one day. But Kitajima san has changed him

Eisuke snorted: being changed by a girl is a despicable thing.

Hijiri: you may think so, Hayami sama, but the last time I came to visit Hayami san. He was smiling a lot, I believe in the entire time I served him I had never seen such happy smile.

Eisuke was shocked when he heard that * happy? Smiling? …why those words sound so alien to me?*

Hijiri handed a letter to Eisuke “ This is a letter Hayami san sent to you”

Eisuke: a letter? Why would he sent me a letter.

Hijiri: I believe he has some place to go with Kitajima san.

Eisuke said indignantly: hah..you see? So finally he gave up on me and ran away with that girl.

Hijiri: no that’s not it Hayami sama, they have some urgent thing to do and will return back in a few days. He has not given up on you, he told me that before he left.

Eisuke thought he would feel annoyed but surprisingly he found himself feeling relieved when he heard that Masumi had not given up on him.

Hijiri saw Eisuke’s nuance, he tacitly smiled: I will go out to buy something for our breakfast Hayami sama, I put the letter on the table here, you may read it if you want.

And he turned to leave, leaving Eisuke alone.

At first Eisuke insisted on looking out of the window, but he could not help glancing back at the table, where the letter laid.

Finally he decided to read it * why should I feel afraid?* he pondered arrogantly

The letter read

“ Father,

It has been a week already and you still refuses to see me. I know you are very angry when I flouted and ruined your business like that.

I do not intend to say sorry for what I have done and said at the press conference. I would choose to do the same even if we could go back ( Eisuke was furious when he read this part !) but please remember that the reason I did that was not out of my hatred for you. The only thing I regret is that I have kept my acrimony toward you for too long. I traded my heart and my smile away for that hatred. That price was far too high.

I do not want to be a puppet controlled by that hatred any longer, father, I want to live happily from now on. You too, should not be bounded by anything, be it the past with Tsukikage sensei or Kurenai Tenyo. We were both foolish to let the dream of possessing that play control our lives. You might think that I am plotting something when I come to find you ( Eisuke * how did he know?*) but the truth is not like that , I truly want to reconcile with you. I know this sounds not right but somehow in my heart I feel that we are not only father and son related by work. When you were missing, I was really very worried.

Can we give each other a chance father? You, Maya, and I, three of us can live happily together, don’t you think so? I will definitely not give up on you. I will come to Hijiri’s house again after  I return, I will keep on coming back until you are willing to see me.

Masumi “

Eisuke put the letter down, he clutched the arm of his wheelchair tightly to restrain the emotion. He did not know how and why, but Masumi’s words struck him severely. He was the cold, cruel man who had always had his own way with other people, who accepted any means, no matter how despicable is was, to get what he wanted, and so he became the man who had never been truly loved by anyone ,  but now, that very same man was told that there was someone who was waiting for him, who was willing to live happily with him? And what’s more, the person who told him that was the son whom he had hardly treated with any love.

*It is insane!*

* I should not feel this way, this is not right* he thought to himself. But despite that, a tear rolled down his face. It could be the tear of happiness or the tear of regret, or the tear of both happiness and regret.

Suddenly “ Hayami sama, the breakfast is ready” Hijiri called him.

Eisuke was startle to he turned around, he quickly wiped his face “ you should have knocked Hijiri”

Hijiri: I did ,Hayami sama but there was no respond so I had to open the door and let myself in.

Eisuke: how embarrassing, I let you see such a weakling.

Hijiri smiled: I don’t think so Hayami sama. It is perfectly normal to feel that way. After all, we are all born with the need to love and to be loved by nature.

Narration: Eisuke did not respond. He was busy starring at the falling snowflakes outside. Somehow his heart had strangely softened, was it because he was a vulnerable, old man now who had nothing or it was because for the first time in his life, he had tasted the sweet taste of unconditional forgiveness?

After a while, Eisuke smiled as he whispered to himself “ Maybe it is not too late..”

…………………………………………….

On the train back to Cherry Blossom valley

Maya: Masumi san, I told you it was okay even if you let me go alone, you should have stayed and continue to pursue your father.

Masumi smiled: no, I want to go with you. I know my father, if we leave some time for him to think alone, he might change his mind. He always hides his weakness so it is not easy for him to confront his feelings, we still have to wait.

Maya put her head on Masumi’s shoulder: I am glad that you  are persistent  in reconciling with your father.

Masumi: I just think that..you remember..I told you about the incident when I was ten? If I say that I have totally got over it, I am lying, but with time I am sure it will get better. However, if I forsake my father now, wouldn’t I do the same thing he did back then…”cutting the telephone line”?…so I have to persist even though I don’t know will he ever accept this.

Masumi sighed

Maya consoled him: Don’t worry, every parent wants to be loved by their children. He will give in soon.

Masumi: maybe you are right.

They held each other’s hand tightly.

………………………………………………….

Pagoda

Maya ran ahead, calling out loud from the gate: Oji chan, I am back…..

There were sound of footsteps running, and there standing was Oji chan, with his mild smile as always, he opened his arms widely “ welcome back, my dear”

“Oji chan” Maya exclaimed loudly as she rushed into his bosom, hugging him tightly “ I missed you so so much!”

Oji chan smiled as he stroke her hair gently “ What a child! Oji chan missed you a lot too”

Seeing Masumi coming in, he smiled “ Ah, Hayami san, it is so nice to see you again, so…” Oji chan smiled a mischievous smile “ you found your Maya huh?”

Masumi blushed “ uhm…she got back her memory indeed”

He bowed to apologize Oji chan “ I am really sorry for leaving without any notice last time. Please pardon my rudeness”

Oji chan: do not feel bothered about it, I understand you have your own reasons.

Turning to Maya, Oji chan said “ you return here to perform  the best Crimson Goddess for me as you promised  right? Congratulations on getting the role, Maya”

Maya was astonished: how do you know I got the role Oji chan?

Oji chan: ah …that..come inside..when you meet this person you will understand.

Both Maya and Masumi was perplexed, not knowing what Oji chan meant.

……………………………….

Inside the main prayer room

Maya and Masumi were stupefied when they saw the person Oji chan was referring to

“ Tsukikage sensei ?” they both exclaimed at the same time

Looking at their faces, she chuckled: I felt really guilty if I surprised you guys that much. Maya, I told you I would introduce someone to you when we meet again at this Valley, didn’t I?

Maya stammered: so…you..and Oji chan know each other?

Tsukikage sensei: more than knowing…he is Ichiya Ozaki, older brother related by blood of Ichiren Ozaki, my late sensei. Don’t you remember Maya?  when you first lost your memory, I came to this pagoda to visit you once, but you did not recognize me back then.

Maya gasped as she reminisced: ah….

Maya: so you mean Oji chan had known all along that I am Maya?

Oji chan smiled gently: I am very sorry I did not tell you earlier Maya, I had my own reasons, let me explain to you.

……………………………………………………..

They had tea together, Oji chan began to tell Maya and Masumi the mystery behind all this

Oji chan: you see? The first moment I saw you, I recognized you as one of the two candidates whom Tsukikage chose to act Crimson Goddess. So I immediately write a letter to Tsukikage, but even after seeing her, you could not remember your past and you suffered from pain too much. So we decided to wait a little longer.

Moreover, we did  not want you to act Crimson Goddess just because you felt obligated to, because you were chosen as a candidate. Both Tsukikage and I wanted to bet on your passion for stage, and let you find the love you have for Crimson Goddess once again. Well, after all,  I am glad that we were right.

Maya was shocked: so..my practice for Crimson Goddess was planned before hand?

Oji chan: ah..do not misunderstand me my dear, I did not lie to you when I said that was my dream to see Crimson Goddess again, and it was not a lie either when I said I found something special when I first saw you. That’s why I accepted Tsukikage’s  request to help you train for Crimson Goddess.

Tsukikage sensei smiled: that’s right Maya, Ozaki san must have found you really special or else he wouldn’t have trained you to become Crimson Goddess, he was determine to let me choose and train the candidates, but you are his special case.

Oji chan: I am very sorry Maya,  for hiding this from you all along. Are you angry with Oji chan?

Maya quickly said: no no..how could I ? you and Tsukikage sensei have trusted me, how can I be angry. Besides, Oji chan was more than a teacher, you were like a real grandfather to me.

Oji chan was moved: you were like real granddaughter to me as well, besides Ichiren and Tsukikage, I do not have any family, but you came to me and let me taste that warm feeling again. Oji chan is really grateful to you.

Maya hugged him tightly: Oji chan…

Tsukikage sensei and Masumi looked at Oji chan and Maya, smiling but Masumi remembered something, he asked Oji chan: uhm..Ozaki sama..if you don’t mind can I ask you something ?

Oji chan: what is it, Hayami san?

Masumi: I was told that Ichiren Ozaki was the only son, I had never heard that he had a brother related by blood.

Oji chan smiled really sadly, that smile was so sad that it wrenched Maya’s heart, she had never seen him like that before

Oji chan: ah..you see....

Oji chan was about to start his story…

Tsukikage sensei stopped him: Ozaki san, is it okay for you to..

But Oji chan assured her: it is okay…that past seemed so fleeting now, it was like a sad dream to me..I am fine, do not worry Tsukikage.

Ojichan continued with his story: I was born as the first son of the rich, honorable Ozaki family . The moment I was born, fate gave me a perfect life, I was the heir of one of the richest and most successful theatre at that time. But I had an unhappy childhood , my mother died early so my father remarried. I was pretty sure my step mother did not like me at all, she was always trying to find a chance to get rid of me. Since she came into the house, the relationship between my father and me kept getting worse.

One day, my father announced that he had chosen my future wife for me, a rich, beautiful girl from a high class family. But at that time I had already fell in love with another girl. She was not rich, neither was she charming, but her heart was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She was a lot like you, Maya, both of you had very pure hearts..

Oji chan rubbed Maya’s head as he said so

Oji chan continued:  our feelings were mutual and I decided that if I could not marry her, I rather stayed single for the rest of my life. Of course my father was really angry, he banned me from meeting the girl I loved and said that if I ever met her again, he would disown me.

I felt no interest in the huge fortune my father wanted me to inherit. Desperately, I planned to run away together with her. But, on the night we promised to run away together…

Oji chan’s eyes turned red and his voice trembled: …I ran to her house just to find her dead! I was told my father hired some men to force her to hang herself.

Maya gasped ..Tsukikage turned her red eyes away and Masumi could not believe in what he was hearing. Who would have expected the old kind monk with that mild, peaceful smile to have such a tragic past?  

Masumi: I am really sorry Ozaki sama, I should not have asked you that question.

Oji chan smiled: do not worry, I told you guys, I am okay, it was so long ago, my pain was heal completely already, but I could not help feeling a bit emotional recalling my past.

Oji chan inhaled a long breath as he continued: after that, you can guess what happened right? I had a big fight with my father , I swore not to bear the name Ozaki any longer.  Like a wounded animal, I nearly went crazy. At that time, my step mother was pregnant with Ichiren , so she tried her best to convince my father to disown me for her and the child’s safety. And so my father, in his fist of anger, agreed…I  was no longer considered son of Ozaki family.

I ran to this hometown place with a broken heart, wanting to end my life here. However, I accidentally met a kind monk , he brought me back and gave me a new life, taught me about Buddhism. Slowly, the more I learned about the boundless  clemency of Buddha, the more the wound in my heart healed.

Then one day, I was told about the legend of this Valley, the legend about Crimson Goddess. I was fascinated by the beauty of it, so I did my research on this legendary goddess. Suddenly I felt consoled when I learnt that even Crimson Goddess had suffered great pain from love, no one can escape that, even the goddess of nature. Regardless, to be able to love and to be loved is the greatest thing can ever happen to one person, the moment I understood that,  I decided to let go of my bitterness totally, and find peace for my soul.

By fate, I met Ichiren, by that time he was fleeing from the war, his family abandoned him and he came with a broken heart, he was the same as me! At first I wondered why I felt such a strong connection with this man, as  I listened to his story, I realized he was my half brother. I was amazed to find that despite being born into Ozaki family and went through harsh education of his mother, Ichiren remained kind and affectionate. Even though we had not met each other for 35 years, we united and found an unexplainable bond between us, maybe it was because we were so alike.

Oji chan smiled sweetly as he reminiscing his brother.

“More than that, we were connected by the same love for the legend of Crimson Goddess. I told Ozaki all about the footnotes, books, and stories I collected. And so, Ichiren with his talent, started to write the play, at that time, Tsukikage came to find him…the rest of the story you all know…

Oji chan had finished his story but Maya and Masumi were still sitting still for a while. The truth about Oji chan past was so tragic and strange. How could this man find the courage to walk through the pain of losing someone who was dear to him twice? First was his love, and then his brother.

Masumi asked Oji chan: do you hate my father, Ozaki sama, for driving your brother to such state?

Oji chan just shook his head as he smiled: no, Hayami san, I do not hate him,  I am an old monk who had been through a lot of ups and downs in life, so I understand how fleeting hatred is. Besides, one person who inflicts other people hurts himself too, it is always like that, his soul will not find peace. Even if he succeeds in running away from that guilty feeling in his youth, when he is old, the loneliness and remorseful feelings will come back and haunt him.

I was told by Ichiren that after I left, my father drowned himself in sorrow and guilt, so he found his comfort in wine and ended up being an alcoholic. He died in loneliness, my step mother did not even give him a decent funeral.

Oji chan sighed sadly as he said so.

“So I am honest when I said I do not hate your father, instead, I pity him”

He held Masumi’s hand: and so..if you ever have any grudge against you father, try to forgive him, for his sake, and for your sake as well. Family tie is one of those ties that cannot be broken, like a boomerang, it will eventually come back to you. I thought I had cut all ties with my family, but I met Ichiren again, you see?

Masumi smiled: I understand, Ozaki sama. Thank you very much

Narration:

The wind scattered the fragrance of blooming flower in the air. Even in the winter, those red flowers still bloomed. They lit little red fires in the white valley covered by snow. What a breathtaking picture!

Despite the cold winter, plum flowers still bloom…….

Despite unhappy things happened in the past, one can always choose to live on happily…

…………………………………………………………………..

Cherry blossom valley

Masumi and Maya lied on the grass-covered slope to stare at the twinkling stars.

Masumi: are you tired?

Maya: hm?

Masumi: you performed Crimson Goddess play this evening for Oji chan without stopping to take a break, so you must be tired right?

Maya shook her head: no, when I saw Oji chan’s happy and contended smile, I do not feel tired at all. I was so glad he liked it. I cried when he hugged me tightly and kept on thanking me.

Masumi smiled: uhm…I know you love Oji chan very much, and he loves you too. Even if we have to return back to the city, we will visit Oji chan whenever we have chance, alright?

Maya nodded happily: sure…

They silently looked at the star, suddenly Maya exclaimed: Masumi san, my little star, the star of fate, it disappeared..

Masumi: ah..right…it’s strange..are you sad ?

Maya: no problem, I can always pick another one.

Masumi: what..?

He laughed amusedly.

Maya pouted: don’t laughed like that

Masumi: ah..sorry…but when you call a star your star of fate, it means you cannot change it right?

Maya smiled: no, I don’t think so, I believe we can choose our own fate and so I can pick any star of fate I like.

Masumi looked at Maya in surprise , then he smiled as he lifted her head to put it on his outstretched arm “ you are right! My Chibi chan has really grown up indeed, she can say wise things”

Maya: huh…you cannot seriously mean I was not wise before…

And Masumi laughed loudly again, his laughter sounded as purely as the sound of wind chime resounding in the wind, it reflected a complete happiness.

Masumi asked: then which one will you choose now?

Maya thought for a moment, then she pointed at a star far away: that one

Masumi said: why don’t you pick this one? He pointed at another star “ it is brighter”

Maya: no, it is brighter, but it is alone..don’t you know why I picked that star from far away even though it is not as bright?

Maya smiled as she continued: because it was a pair. Can you see the star next to it, it will be your start. I want our stars to be together.

Masumi was very touched by what Maya said, but he pretended to tease her again: you pick your own star and now you pick for others as well…

Maya pouted: so you don’t like it?

Masumi smiled as he lovingly stroke her hair: I was joking, of course I like it.

Maya closed her eyes as she immersed herself in the bliss washing through her, she asked him with her eyes still closing: ne, Masumi san, when I watched the stars with you from here for the first time, we saw shooting star, you remember? Back then you said you have a wish that would never come true. How about now ? is there any way we can make it come true?

Masumi smiled: no..there is nothing we can do about that….

Maya sat up: really? But we can at least try..how do we know if we do not even try? You have always told me to keep trying, no?

Masumi chuckled: let me finish my sentence ….

Suddenly Masumi leaned forward and put his hands on Maya’s shoulders to draw her closer.

He whispered as he pressed his lips against hers“ there is nothing we can do about it because…it already came true”

THE END

FOR THOSE WHO WANT A SWEETER, MORE COMPLETE ENDING..THERE U GO ^_^ :

EPILOGUE:

7 YEARS LATER

Morning news television newscasters:

Yuna: good morning everyone. I am Yuna

Takahashi: and I am Takahashi

Yuna: we are here to bring you the morning news, as always. Head line news today is about the premiere of actress Maya’s newest play: Purple Rose. It will take place at Gekko Theatre at 9 p.m on Thursday. But if you have not fetched your ticket now, it is too late because the tickets have been sold out 2 days ago already.

Takahashi: it is no surprise when the main actress is Maya Kitajima. She has just received another Grand Award last week together with Actress Ayumi Himekawa, her best friend , right?

Yuna smiled: That’s right. Both of them lead a life that lot of us women would dream of: a successful career and a loving husband. It is alleged that this play was written based on actress Maya’s real life love story with her husband, director Masumi Hayami, who is so well known to us as the most successful director ever in art industry.

Takahashi: actually the next news is about him. Today, Minister of Culture has awarded Director Hayami the “ Cultural Contribution Award” for his endless effort in introducing  the quintessence of Japanese culture to the world  by bringing the legendary play Crimson Goddess abroad. The play was a cultural phenomenon wherever it goes.

Yuna: that is truly a pride for our country. The next news is……

Maya stepped in, carrying a bunch of purple roses freshly cut from the garden, she smiled sweetly as she hugged her husband from behind: You are on the news again?

Masumi turned around: you are up early.

Maya pouted: I don’t like this..the more you are on the news..the more fans you have..even though you are already married women still stare at you whenever you pass by.

She sighed.

Masumi laughed: oh my…what is it? Don’t tell me you are jealous? Chibi chan, you are 27 years old already.

Maya still sulked: but….

He held her face in his palms: everybody knows how much I love you, rest assured!

They looked at each other deeply, as they leaned closer forward, suddenly

“ mama and papa kiss again! Hahaha”

Maya turned around, her face was all red: Mi chan ! I told you not to peek on us, didn’t I?

Mi chan: Mi chan knocked already, but Mama and papa were too busy so you guys did not hear me at all

Even Masumi blushed vigorously: ah..that…we are sorry.

Maya tried to change the topic: Mi chan, you are going fishing with Grandpa today right?

Mi chan: that’s right, mama.

Maya: come, I will prepare things for you.

Mi chan: tomorrow can I go play with John kun at Ayumi aunt’s house , mama?

Maya smiled: sure.

Mi chan: and this summer holiday I can go visit Great Grandpa too right? ( She meant Ozaki Oji chan)

Maya rubbed her daughter’s head: that’s’ right! Our Mi chan is so well loved ne?

Masumi looked at his daughter lovingly, her cheerful, vivacious, passionate personality was inherited directly from Maya, but she took after his brain, his eyes, his nose, his hair, even his lips. She was a perfect combination of them both, the sweet evidence of their love, 

Eisuke appeared at the door: Mi chan, are you ready? Let’s go!

Mi chan: in just a minute, grandpa

Masumi and Maya smiled: good morning, father.

Mi chan: Granpa, I tell you, this morning mama and papa…..

Maya was startled: Mi channnn…

Mi chan whispered to Eisuke’s ear: Mi chan will tell grandpa later.

Eisuke laughed: alright, alright!

Eisuke never felt so blissful in his entire life. He had been living happily with Maya and Masumi, the birth of the cute granddaughter whom he doted on so much four years ago had brightened his life even more. * Thank God I did the right thing. I could never thank Masumi enough* He looked at Masumi, father and son said nothing, but looked at Eisuke’s eyes, Masumi understood it all

Finally, it was a happy ending for everyone.