It feels complete, with Kay and Valerie here. Her last few days of depression ease away. The maids were smiling while looking at how cheerful Kao face turned up after seeing her best friends. The stylist were done with the hairdo and make-up. Slipping into the Kimono prepared, she is all set. Before anything, someone appeared before her, with the warmest big smile, looking at her. Obabachan.
Obabachan: You are so pretty my granddaughter.. now that you are in my kimono, it's like I am looking at my own younger reflection. -stepping closer to Kao.
Kao: Oh.. bachan, is that your new way of complementing yourself? -chuckles.
Obabachan: Well.. -grins- I only speak the truth.. - sitting on the couch.
Kao: I am nervous.. not that kind of nervous, but a bit fidgety. Oh.. you know.. What if I mess up.. -sit down along with her.
Obabachan: Don't be silly.. you are strong enough to stand out. All nobles will not dare. Besides.. what's wrong if you mess up a little bit here and there. It's not that bad to mess up once in a while. Pfffttt..
I love her.. and this made me love her even more!! She just know how to put me at ease whenever I was out of order. I am glad she's here today. While at it, Obabachan is pulling out few strands of something handmade looking, the bracelets!! It's today, she gave them today. Kao eyes were tailing with curiosity. Reading her expression.. Obabachan explained.
Obabachan: I think it's time for you to have these. -handing out three bracelet to Kao.
Kao: Bracelet? It's preetyyy.. Three? -saja tanya, pretending not to know is hard.
Obabachan: Other two I made them for Karyn and Valerie. You girls can have these as your official friendship bracelet.. Oh you know, that teenager things and all.
Kao: Yeah right.. Thanks Obabachan! -picking them up.
Kao look up close into the details of it. It's new again. Yellow of Sun, Blood Red, and Teal of deep sea would be the color description of these three. That's how she first put them into impression in her mind. Beautifully crafted, since Obabachan is famous of her hand works, this is nothing close to her other masterpieces.
Obabachan: See there.. the Kanjis carved upon the metal plate? It's Land, Root and Tree. As I told you few days ago. This would be your symbols of friendship.. the wisdom of tree. -smile
Kao: Oh! Is it? -in thought
She forgot about it already, as the time past while streaming to the future.. those meanings and symbols carved had signify nothing less then an accessory. After they were separated by time, it means nothing anymore to her. Yes, the bracelet would be dangling around their wrists everyday from now and on, yet.. the purpose of it had lose in time. Decaying along with the memories.. until the day Valerie went into her coma, Kay throw hers and she unhooked it as looking at it only brought endless pain.
Obabachan: Put it somewhere else as for now we need to be ready for the ceremony.. your mother would go infuriated again if she find us idly chatting here. Hurry..
Obabachan getting up knocking Kao out of her thought. She puts the bracelets into her drawer beside her bed and walk off to start the day ceremony. Please be kind to me...
Most of the guests leaves after the party ends. Few close relatives decide to stay for the night, faking up the laugh, entertaining them is so tiring. Kao making up excuses to retrieve politely and set off heading to Kay and Valerie (who can't stop fighting over salmon egg theory) at the sushi bar.
Kay is in the midst of sushi galore, chomping on her bundles scattered on the tray. Gluttonous skinny monster. Hahaha.. and as expected, there on the left is Valerie, nagging. She has been telling Kay, it is inappropriate and how primitive-like her behavior is. "it's rude!, unladylike!" blablabla.. Yeah, I love this scene. Oh, Valerie.. let her be. She will never get fat. I still can't manage to understand Kay's body physic. She eats like there is no tomorrow yet able to maintain her petiteness. Not growing.
Valerie: Kay.. would you stop eating that! -slapping Kay on her left shoulder
Kay: Whaaaftss?? -stuffy mouth.
Kay: Hellwooo.. itch suchi por crayin ot lod. -stuffing in one more sushi.
Valerie: Too much of sushi pon leh gemuk lah!! -trying to win the argument
Kay: Watevooo..-continue gnawing, ignoring Valerie in her annoyance- Umaii!! >__<
Kao: Hahahaaa.. biar lah dia. Bukan selalu.. -sitting down on the high stool over the sushi bar
Valerie: Bukan selalu? -rolling eyes- at school pon kerja dia makan tau.
Kay: Howl.. Ye la ye la.. -putting down the chopstick.
Kao can't help but giggles off listening to those two silly squabble. While at it she herself is busy looking around for someone. He didn't come. He sure is mad at me. Some of the guess are having drinks with her mom and dad in the center court yard. Some have retreated to the guest suite by the west. She turns to her best friends, passing a glass of iced green tea to Kay which she later pass on to Valerie. Kay incidentally whispered on something to Kao.
Kay: Ne ne.. Kao-neesama..sake-o nomimashou.. (Kao, let's drink sake..)
Kay suggesting while letting off suspicious restrained laugh. Deserving it, Kay end up bearing the pain of a nice slap from Kao on her forearm. Ouch! It stings! Kay's eyes widen, making faces. What? You want some more?
This kid. If mom ever heard of this, I might end up grounded for the rest of my life. Kay Baka! Forging a sulky face Kay then reaches on to ready made fruit punch beyond the counter, quaffing on it in one draught. Kao holds in her laugh. She never gonna change is she? Even all dressed so up tight, she can't stop being childlike.
Valerie is busy, she is on her phone texting somebody.. and Kay fidgeting out of boredom. I know guys. This party is dull as hell. Kao is about to say something when she spotted Tabby. Breaking the silent..Tabby jumps off from the balcony down, approaching Kay, purring for her attention. What is it with cat and her? Kay instinctively looking down to Tabby who starts rubbing scents against her feet, asking affection.
Kay: Obabasama!! -excited, rubbing Tabby on it's belly.
Kay in flash turns to Kao for assurance, her eyes gleams of anticipation. Her loud excited shrieks stunt few guests closest us. Turning few heads around. Yah! Tone down girl! Behave.
Kay: Is she here?!! -standing up
Hahaha.. I almost forgot how obsess is Kay of her grams. I know you are dying to meet her, Kay. Let's go! Kao grabs Kay's and Valerie's by hands, heading to the moon viewing deck located at the outer court yard of the house.
To her surprise, Kay abruptly pulling off her wrist from Kao's grip. Distorted face. Is something wrong?
Kao: Kay? -turning back to Kay
Kay grasps on her violet bruised wrist, hiding it from both Kao's and Valerie view. Clenching teeth, holding in the pain. She's faking that smile. Something is definitely wrong.
Valerie: What happened to your hand? - worriedly snatchs Kay's hand.
Valerie examining the bruised. It looks bad. Kao stares into Kay's eyes. What is it? Is there something you are not telling us? Did you hurt yourself while we're gone? Kay tilts her head to look up, facing Kao. pretending that is nothing but her eyes keep drifting away. She can't lie.. but she had to.
Kay: I fell at school.. -grins
Valerie: Kay.. What did you do?
Kay: Nothing. It's nothing.. really - grin wider.
Are you sure it's nothing Kay? Why won't you look into my eyes then. If there's something I know about Karyn Faraday is that she won't look at people when she's avoiding the truth. Come on Kay.. I know you.
Valerie: Is it broken? Did you cut yourself somewhere else when you fall?
Kay: I fell on my wrist on the way home. Just a sprain. Nothing serious.. See? -trying to circle moves her wrist around only to end up shrieking softly.
Kao: Be careful next time. You're always so clumsy with your steps.. -patting Kay's head.
Kay: Hehe.. I will.. -smile
Valerie: Clumsy Kay.. -chuckled while pinching Kay's cheek.
You're lying, I know. But I don't want to ruin this moment with unnecessary argument. That kid knows how to keep her lips zipped. No good trying to force her to tell you something she doesn't feel like telling. Better leave it at that. Kao then leads the girls to the dim lit deck. Tabby has already arrived there before them, sitting comfortably on Obachan's lap.
Out of repulse, Kay head straight to grams, she wants to hug her from the back, it's her habit of greeting grams. Kay almost jump on her. But.... Kay no!
Kao acts fast, she quickly tugs on Kay's Obi (sash of the Kimono) pulling her backward. Kay, stop.. You forgot that this is the first time meeting my grandmother. Then the facts hits her. Oh.. right!
Kay: I'm sorry.. I'm just too excited to finally meet you, Mikasa-Sama. -bowing politely.
Valerie: Please to meet you too, Lady Mikasa. -follows Kay's bow.
Obachan welcomes them with a thin moderate smile while petting on that overweight fatso Tabby who is sleeping soundly on her lap. It's whiskers shuddered of comfort, the tail wrapped in.
Obachan: Karyn and Valerie.. Kao's treasured friends. I am Kao's grandmother. I've been waiting to meet you deary..
Kao rest down herself next to grams while looking up to Kay who's keep staring down on the floor, looking dead nervous. Hahaha.. you earned it. Who ask you to haste on like a bull.. Yes, of course in the previous past you were close to Obachan which explain why you are so excited to see her but then again, Kay.. hahaha..This kid.
Obachan: Karyn, Valerie, don't be afraid of this old woman. I'm not gonna bite..very hard.. -grin
There you go.. Grams' teasing spree has commence. Kao laughs at the tease.. I guess you know that they're nervous meeting you. Obachan softly knocks on the bench giving up signals approving of Kay and Valerie who are still standing to have their seat. Nodding, they both carefully seated side by side facing grams.
Obachan: The golden soil and the green tree.. -whispering to Kao.
The golden soil would be Valerie. She is steady, unshaken by Obachan's presence. She keeps her composure as a noble-born. She knows her root and she is supporting Kay who is acting young.. A green tree, swaying, shaking in the presence of this gust of wind. I can see it as much. I think I can understand your thought Obachan.. Maybe tiny wee bits.
Obachan: I hope you enjoy the ceremony although I must apologize for not being able to invite you to join it in person.
Yep.. Only few people is allowed to be in this tea ceremony, the rest are celebrated spectators. The guests were seated in the next hall across, watching the ceremony, parted by the center courtyard.
Valerie: Thank you for inviting us to this beautiful ceremony. It's my first.. absolutely breathtaking tradition.
Obachan: Thank you deary.. Valerie.. Let me see your hand..-reach for Valerie's hand.
Obachan softly takes Valerie's hand into her palm, caressing it gently. She smiled. Gazing through Valerie's eyes. Valerie smiled back, hiding her nervousness.
Obachan: Valerie dear.. The future is ever changing. There will be time where you have to make a choice. But remember that everything is connected. Changing fate in order to gain something would mean that you have to give up another..
Valerie: Is this about my future career?
Obachan: You will find out soon enough.. -smile while putting down Valerie hand.
Grams is elucidating her reading as calm as ever. Valerie nods, taking mental notes and looking dead serious. Obachan turns to Kay who has been frowning. I recognize that face... she has something to say but holding it in. Constipated with words. Calling the petrified girl with her eyes and her nodding. Valerie exchanges seat with Kay, pushing her closer to Obachan. I remember this scene.. It's the first time Kay met a fortune teller.. Hahaha.. that's what Kay has been calling her since. A fortune teller. You silly girl.
Obachan touches Kay's hand. Instead of taking in Kay's right hand as she did with Valerie, Obachan pull Kay's left. Softly.. She runs her finger on Kay's palm. Tracing the lines. Kao tengok dengan tekun. I don't know how she does thing like this, maybe it's something she create to play with us kids. Hahaha.. Classic Obachan and her mysterious ways of living.
Obachan: Treacherous terrain lies ahead. Karyn.. -hesitant-
Kay: What is it Mikasa-sama? -worried.
Wait.. this is a different reading. I remembered previously Obachan told Kay to let her heart free. Not to bother much about fact. Try to live a bit. I remembered how we laughed over the fact that Obachan made fun of Kay's relentless love towards knowledge that she forgot to hold any sentiment towards human. or rather saying that "Try to love people as much as you love books". I know this! We wrote it in the chronicle.
Obachan: Your fate is not sealed. Beware of who you put your trust in. And stop digging.. -serious tone.
Obachan pauses the reading as she slowly glancing up to Kay's face who is still keen to hear more from her. She looks focused, more then ever. I wonder what bother her that much about the future. I mean, we have been there.. is it Jason's death?
Obachan: Karyn.. Stop digging for knowledge that much. Try to love people like you love books.. -grins
Ahh.. You got me worried just now, Obachan. I thought something change. No, nothing can be change. It's too risky. There you go Kay..
Valerie: She's crazy about books that sometimes I think, she loves it more than us..-sulky
Kay: What are you talking about, Val. Come on.. -defending herself
Kao: It's true.. I won't be surprised if one day we both fall into a lake, she would just stay under a tree somewhere and keep reading her encyclopaedia without any thought of saving us.
Kay: Don't be ridiculous. You know I can't swim..
Kao: Silly Kay.. -flicking Kay's nose tip.
We end up lolly gagging the rest of the evening until their parents come to fetch them both home.. Oh my pride and joy.. Kay and Valerie.. How I miss this. I am glad to have this fate.. having you guys as my friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kay is enjoying the blissfulness of her morning by sitting in her study still looking through the book she borrowed from Jayden last time.
(p/s: ok, the writer is stressed out too. Kay didn't allowed us to manipulate her. She wants to read)
Speaking of Jayden, that guy is avoiding me! I want to talk about what happened in the dojo like dungeon of his. And that scary vision she had during their spiritual journey, or what ever that is.
Clapping closed the book she reaches out for her phone, flipping it open. Oh mannn.. Still no reply from him. She reads through the messages she sent these past two days. Again and again. As if trying to channel the message through air, telepathically sending it to her senior.
Senior, are you avoiding me? We need to talk.. Meet me at the club house -Kay
Senior, if you keep avoiding me I'll tell Kao about your hiding place. I'm threatening you now so please call me. Let's talk -Kay
Senior, I seriously will tell her about your bloodlust. Before that, let's have a talk. -Kay
Senior.. Please.. i need to talk to you. Sorry for the threat. Let's just have a chat. There's so many question i need to ask you.. -Kay
Seriously? I'll tell senior Jason.. -Kay
Ok, ignore my previous text. Can't we just meet? Please? -Kay
Oh my God. I am that desperate. Please please please answer me!! Argh!. Shoving her phone to side almost dropping it from the table. I hate it when people ignore my text. Arghhhh..
Putting the books down on her table, she stands up, walking closer to the window. It's raining out there. I like it when it's raining. It's calming and soothing. Feels like almost winter. Of course it's summer. Just rain makes things all better.
Kay turns to that little shriek. Karl is standing by the door, hugging his teddy bunny. Still in his pajamas. Who woke him up? Karl was having another night-terror last night. He needs to sleep. Who the hell woke him up! Kay comes running picking up Karl into her embrace.
Kay: Do you need something? -smiling at her brother
Karl: Aien..Shcary uncle is downstairs. -sucking his thumb.
Again? We haven't had visitors for over a month now. Who are those people?
Kay: Is daddy downstairs with mom?
Kay: Don't worry.. It's nothing to be afraid of. Perhaps they're daddy's friend. -caressing Karl head.
Karl: No.. Friend no shout. They shout. Ahh.. Ahh -imitating the shouts.
Kay: Come.. I'll show you.. It's nothing to be afraid of..
Kay grabs her phone, marching towards the hallway, cautiously walking down the stairs. As she steps down closer to the living room, she can almost hear clearly of that loud arguments. In between dad and some strangers. I never heard dad shout before. And he's shouting in Korean. Oh well, so dad knows Korean. Great..
Daddy: For 15 years we've been nothing but benevolent to your order. We've stayed away. What more do you need?
Ajussi 1: Yes.. we do know that. But thing's left unresolved for so many years. You know you have to go back and waive the right.
Mother: We've already signed the paper. What more do you need from us?
One of the men in suit got up, buttoning his suit, looking stern.
Ajussi 2: Upon the Young Master's 18th birthday, second part of the will will be announced. And we need you to waive your right should there any mention of your name. Now, we know that the late Prince only have one heir, which means the only contender to that claim is his other siblings. We surely hate to see a lowly peasant like you granted as much as 1 won from us.
Everyone is quiet for a moment. Kay keeps her distance, trying to pry more. Why are these people here? and why is daddy so worked up about this? Mom is sitting on the sofa, hiding her face inside her palms, stressing. Dad is standing in the middle of the room,with his hand on his waist looking at the distance beyond the wall.. The men wearing suit and tie are also standing, facing Kay's parent. Grim air accumulated. Suffocating.
Mother: Sirs.. Please leave. I don't know why you think I will get anything from this but I can assure you this. We want no part of the family inheritance so you all can stop worrying about that. And tell Minwoo he can stop fighting his father's battle. You are all dead to me..
Digging more or leaving? Kay feels the needs to know but in the same time, she is afraid of the secret. She doesn't know why she is feeling this way, but her instinct is telling her to leave. Not her normal behaviour. Kay is ready to go back to her room when Karl lose grip on his teddy bunny. It went rolling down the stairs. O..K..Someone please tell me this is not happening.
All four pairs of eyes were fixated on the siblings standing tall hidden behind the wall of the stair. Dad is shocked. Mom looks petrified. The other two guys are just looking at Kay with puzzling look. Brain! Work up something!
Kay: Emm.. I'm just taking Karl to the convenient store.. -cover up
Ajussi 1: Is that..? -stammering.
Daddy: Yes.. Karyn, please be careful. Here, take some change, buy my son his favorite snack.
Dad hands me a few crumpled notes from her pants pocket. But why is he speaking to me like that? I'm no stranger. Why is he talking to me like I'm not his child too? 'My son'?? That son is my brother! Keep calm Kay.. Keep calm.. everything has a reason.
Mother: And take the umbrella with you dear. It's raining outside. -hardly able to smile.
Kay nods lightly, stepping toward the main door with Karl in her arm, hugging her on neck, Karl closes shut his eyes avoiding eye contact with that schary uncles. Leaving the house, she still could hear some undertone argument erupting as soon as she left. And.. it's annoying! It's like having this big pile of poo shoved into my nostril but I can't get a hold of it. Argh.. Annoying annoying!This feud is suffocating. Now I really am annoyed!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The calming drizzling rain has stopped a while ago. The sun is shining brilliantly above, sending warmness to earthlings who are mingling outside, the air fills up with the Petrichor, the rain after scent. The mix of grass and dust of the dry earth.. and Kay is taking a look at the sleeping Karl on her laps.
He throws tantrum just now when she said they are going straight home, he shuts up after bribing him with some candy. Ahhh.. And now we're here, inside the penguin statue in the middle of playground. I guess he really hates the shouting just now.
Her feet gone numb, Karl has grown so much, he is pretty heavy now. 4 1/2 years old Karl Faraday. You are so adorable. How fast time past. In mere years he will be so big. I can't let you sleep in my laps by then. So maybe I'll just savour this moment for a while.
Lying her back upon her arm, shoulder up bearing her own weight, palm rested on the rough floor. I have heard those names before. Familiar names. Minwoo.. Suspicious acting by my parents. They are definitely hiding something and I hate this... the Secrecy. Kay remember all those years ahead. Dad never asked her to join the company. Not that she's complaining. But why? He was trying so hard to keep me under the radar. But from whom?
Karl moves around a lot in his nap. Wriggling and squirm like something is bothering him. Grunts few times. Kay patting on Karl to put him at rest. Comforting to keep him asleep, he needs it.
Hansol.. Why is he so important to those guys? Each visit from them, Hansol had always been the main topic. She didn't ask much about the men who frequently visit them in the past. Even when she didn't understand Korean, she heard Karl's korean name got mentioned countless time. She didn't have the gut to ask her parents in the previous past. She's just a kid. It didn't matter much to her back then. But not in this past. Everything matters. It's obvious now. My family has secret.
I am here!
What the hell?? Where does he come from?!
Stroking down her chest out of shock, Kay almost cursed. Damned you senior. If I ever have riffle with me just now, you wont be seeing tomorrow. Despite all that, there Senior Marcus is leaning against the nearest wooden fence, looking dashingly handsome in his winter clothes.
What? Winter clothes? Why?
Kay: What are you doing here, Senior Marcus? =___=*
Scratching side of his head, frowning. Looks like he is trying to figure out the answer. To Kay's terror he get in the hole of the statue to take a seat beside Kay, squeezing in.. No please.. This space is sss..small. But then again it's Marcus. Like he ever bothered to consider the size of this space. I believe, he can't even logically measured the size of his own body.
Marcus: Is that your son? - pointing to Karl on Kay's lap.
Kay: Huh? What? Why? What? -dumbstruck
Marcus: It's ok.. I don't mind..
Kay frowns, am I viewed as a mom now? Seriously senior. Care to explain your baseless assumption. Let me fathom it to sense. Please... I might gone mad.
Kay: Senior, this is my brother. Normally people would guess him to be my brother first. Son?? What?
Marcus: He doesn't look like you.. - Touching Karl's blushed check.
Kay: Of course he does.. What does that has to do with anything? -about to be furious
Marcus: No.. look.. his nose is different.. And the hair.. - now he is pulling on Karl curly hair strands.
Reacting to Marcus series of disturbance, Karl face slowly forming frowns and he twitched. I wish I could kick him on the shin. Yet, she can't move. Warding Karl, she try to brush-off Marcus hand from touching her brother all over. He's not a doll! Stop it. She strive hard to dismiss it, every times he attempts to touch on Karl chubby check.
Kay: Will you stop it, you'll wake him up.. And you're hurting him.. please..
To Kay's surprise, Marcus is suddenly picking up Karl from her lap.. jiggling him. Karl start to grimace, uncomfortable in his sleep, despite all of that.. Karl continues to sleep. I guess.. he really is tired.
Kay: Senior! - almost shouting, Kay is furious.
Marcus: See.. -still can't read the situation.
Marcus place Karl on his laps, caressing Karl's brown curls. The curls.. He takes up dad a lot. I'm taking mom's Asian gene. He is my brother never the less. It's not the first time people said we do not resemble each other. But, growing up, Karl is looking more like Kay. So hearing this from a stranger is really hurtful.
Marcus: Why are you hiding your son here? -looking around.
Kay: He is not my son! -irritated
Marcus: Shh.. You're waking him up..- hand cupping close Karl's ears.
Kay: But he is not my son.. -toning down her voice.
Marcus: Is he mine because he looks like me when I was a baby..
Kay alternately looking at both of them. Marcus, Karl, Marcus and Karl again. Is it? What? Waitt.. where are we? Huh? I can't keep up with this guy's thinking.
Kay: How would you know your face when you're just a baby? -letting out a heavy sigh, almost giving up trying to understand.
Marcus: Here.. -passing Kay a picture.
A baby picture of him. Why does he have a baby picture with him now? Does he bring along all his memoir whenever he goes out? I can't brain this. But looking at the photo, he really does look like Karl when he was a baby. Except the curl. Karl have fuller hair. Kay hands over the photo to Marcus in nods. Yet.. does it matter? Why are we having this conversation?
Kay always find herself absorbed into Marcus world in no time. Unconsciously. Before anything else. Marcus always has been that one kind of topic in her study, whom she will never ever able to figure things out. At some point, she understood everything of him, but yet again she lost in his mind puzzle.
Marcus: Are you running away because you just had a baby? -dead serious.
Kay: Senior, are we still on this topic? I've told you.. He is not my son. He is my brother. Have you seen me pregnant?
Marcus: I don't know.. - flicking on Karl's soft baby lips.
Kay: I don't know why he doesn't look like me that much. I resemble my mom and he resembles my dad. But look here.. -pointing at Karl's ears- He has my ears
Marcus: Ah yes.. That he does.
See.. I end up settling to his logic. Agreeing his silly argument. Yet.. a think this is fun. A strange silence be falls between them. Marcus wipes the sweat on his forehead. Kay is playing with Karl small fingers. Marcus grows uncomfortable. Kay hold on to her laughter. The jacket you dumb-dumb..
Kay: Would you like to take off your jacket? -blinking
Marcus is faking to be astonished. Crossing in his arms, eyes wandering around avoiding Kay's teasing eyes.
Gulping down. You silly..
Marcus: No.. we can't.. We are not married yet.. -blushing
Kay: Just take off your jacket now, Senior.. -didn't care to explain. This is my turn.
Kay grabs on Marcus' jacket, undoing the buttons. One by one..
Marcus: No Kay.. stop.. I am virgin -wiggling to break free.
Kay: Stop moving.. You're drenched in sweat.. -annoyed.
Marcus keep on wiggling his way. Stop moving you! I'm trying to help here.. or you will end up drowning in your own sweat. Tskk.. it's summer you idiot.
Marcus: No you can't. Not with the kid here.. -mouth pouting to Karl in laps.
Marcus: No.. Stop.. -close shut his eyes.
Kay suddenly stop her doing, Her hands still clamped at the buttons and jacket. Something is not right. Karl's eyes are wide open. No.. Don't you start crying Karl.. Karl looks around with tears accumulating in his eyes. What is it?
"i can't believe kids these days.."
This day is not gonna end well. This day gonna end with me kicking Marcus on his butt. I promise you that one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{Kao Mikasa P.O.V}
Kao takes off her Men (stylized mask) and resting it on her waist. In front of her, a man still equipped in his Kendo armour is breathing heavily. Kao smiles, stretching her hand out to pass her Bakuto (wooden sword). The man bows to her, quickly takes away the wooden sword.
Kao: You should really stop faking my victory every time, Jin.
The man is Jin Murakami, is slowly taking off his Men. His hair is tied up, drenching in sweat. His lips drawn with a sly grin.
Jin: I stopped making it easy for you since last year. Haven't you notice that?
Jin Murakami, 21 years old, a cousin from her mother's side. He's her loyal Kendo partner and he is really good at it. Fast and sharp with his movements. Strong strokes of the swords.Which makes it really disappointing to win over him. Especially when Kao knows it's upon her mother's order. To teach Kao the way of sword but to make sure she always win the duel. Kao walks towards the bench where refreshment is served. Jin trotted along.
Kao: So, you are leaving today? -takes a seat on the bench
Jin: Yeah.. That's the plan..
Kao: You better get packing now then.. -holding in her disappointment.
Jin: Yes.. Goodbye now, Mikasa-sama..
Kao turns open her minerals bottle in hand. Gulping it down in seconds, refreshing.. Haa.. Even family members are not really counted as family.. Why should it matter this much of who you call me? Who my father is.. What power it is in my name. You are my cousin.. for heaven sake. We were bond by blood. We shared the same gene. How long must this be practiced. I will someday, change all of this. I will someday dismantling this ridiculous hierarchy.
Kao: Jin-nee, come back soon will you? -straining her voice.
Jin stops at the exit. He doesn't turn. But Kao knows his reaction. He is smiling. Keep smiling cousin. This is not really a goodbye.
Jin: As soon as I can. And Kao.. Don't tell your mother that I tell you this. A parcel came for you. You can find it in the trashcan..It's blue..
Kao: Thank you Jin-nee..
Kao smiles, thank you for lying to me. I can't bear the thought of not seeing you in this house. And you know that, don't you? Don't worry, I am not alone.. for that I thank you. I know I can trust you.. and I know about the parcel, my presents. Even under my mother watchful eyes, I know that you're on my side.
Now, the parcel.This is no time to mope around. I must get it before the maid incinerate the trash. Woopsie.. Almost 11.. I better hurry or my precious presents burns to ashes.
Kao runs along the corridor, making a sharp turn to the backyard, discreetly pass by two guards to make her way to the incinerator by the trash collector. Hehehe. Oh mother, it's funny to see you try to keep me from getting anything you deem inappropriate. Gahh.. I bet she's gone through that parcel. Well, I'm getting what's mine.. I've done this before, I'll gladly do it again.
It's the way it is in this house. Every mail, parcel or any memo for the kids will go through mom first. She'll screen through and decide whether we should receive it. Rather selfish I think, even with her excuse to keep us from harm. What? As if anyone would send me a bomb. Come on..
Kao stops in front of the three big bin full of rubbish, waiting to loaded into the incinerator by the end of the day. Trash can? Hah right, Jin.. This is not a can. How am I supposed to find my parcel in this junk? Why is it so many? Oh yup, the tea ceremony.. lots of mail, lots of presents.. How cruel mom! It's my present..
Which bin is it? I totally forgot. Kao open the first bin. Ughh!! It's the organic waste. Second bin, letters.. Gotcha! hehehe.. I am glad we do the sorting of waste in this house.. Imagine if I ever have to go through the waste for my fucking parcels. I will then incinerate the house.
Now.. Blue parcel. I could remember 3 blue parcel in my past.. 3 blue parcels which was sent in occasion of the tea ceremony.. They should be close to the bottom of the bin since they're new. One is from my first Ochado master, Sadahara sensei.. Another one is from my sitter back during my elementary school, Kimiko-neesan and last but not least.. from my beloved knight in shining armor, mother's runaway youngest brother, my idol, Junosuke Murakami.. Jin-nee tried to smuggle the parcel. That's why he's leaving..
That's what happen when you cross my mom. Sadahara Sensei, the teacher who treated me like a daughter. Mom said he was just using me.. Kimiko-nesan.. my sitter who taught me how to have fun. Mom said she is dangerous to me. And my uncle, Junosuke-ojisan.. For loving me from afar.. Mom said he's a bad role-model. It's funny to see you 'protecting' me mother. Now my only childhood friend, my cousin Jin.. I could never see him again, not for as long as she remain in this house..
From: Kimiko Ichikawa
Congratulation on your first rite, Lady Mikasa. Joking, you are still my troublemaker.
Ok Kao.. refrain yourself from opening the parcel yet. You know what's in it already. Let's find the other two..Kao goes back to the bin, pushing through the letters and wrappers. There! Another one. Let's see whose it's from..
From:
For the lady of the house
It's from Sadahara Sensei. The lotus emblem is printed on the sheet. Oh yes.. I will savor this present, sensei. And the last one.. from my uncle, Junosuke. Kao pushes through the piles of letter, finding it right under some gas bills and tuition fee. Yes! Thank you. Thank you. And the maid didn't make it here yet. which means I'm getting faster. Thank you time travelling. Now.. shall we go through some of these letters then. Huhu. Exciting.. let see..
Trrr.. Trrr.. (phone vibrate)
Oh noo.. Who's calling? I'm busy.. Kao feels the ticklish vibration coming from her phone which she tucked under her Hakama pants just before coming here. Argh.. Who is it? Kao lazily pulling out the phone which still vibrating of a phone call. It's Kay.
Kao: Kay, what is it? I'm busy..
Kay: Come to my house. Immediately.
Kao: Just tell me now. I'm in the middle of something. And make it quick
Kay: Just come at once!
..Teeet...
Kay just cut off the line. What ever Kay. I'm on something big. I'm getting my freedom, from a trash bin. Sounds dumb but damn well dramatic. Woohoo.. I can't wait to get my hand on these letters. All mine.. Ok perhaps some.. Wait.. These are for mom and dad. Really? No letter for me? Oh wait. there's one. And another one. And a lot more.. Oh hello..
What a pretty envelope..
Someone is trying hard to get my attention.. and to think that my mother just throw it away.. Erghh.. I just can't be mad. Kao could hear steps coming closer. That's my cue to leave. I better get ready to go to Kay's now. Kao skipped through the corridor making her way to her room with hands full of loots. Nothing can make me sad today.. Not even you Okasama. Lalalala..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{Karyn Faraday POV}
Kay stops in front of the gate to her house, turning to say goodbye to her peculiar companion this morning. It's quiet, so I am guessing "mom's cousins" are gone. And I have tonnes of question to ask. So let get this done and over with. Kay stretch her hand to Karl who is hugging Marcus's leg. Now what?
Kay: Come to Aien.. Let go of that uncle.. -persuading
Marcus: Uncle? But he has to call me dad.. -frowning, hand on waist.
Kay: Stop it, will you senior. You're confusing him. - trying to pull Karl apart from Marcus.
Kay tilts her head up looking at Marcus, asking for help. Will you cooperated this time? I need your help. Karl has starts to believe the nonsense, that you are his dad. Marcus lowers down his body to get to Karl's eye level. He whispers something to Karl. I can't hear it. Karl let go of Marcus, taking Kay's hand.
Marcus: Get taller fast, Ok?
Karl: Ok.. -smiling cutely.
Marcus stroke Karl's curl, giggling. Kay just smile watching them both. It's nice to see a guy who is good with kids. Be careful Senior.. I might fall in love with you. What the hell is wrong with you Kay? Marcus is just a kid! And..an alien at that..
Kay: Good bye senior. See you at school..
Marcus: See you at school... wife..
Kay: Senior! -irritated
Marcus just turns around, and in second disappeared, running away. What a weird fella. Kay giggles as she lead Karl back into the house. Entering the house, mom is in the kitchen. Preparing lunch I guess. Dad must be in the study. Yep.. The house is empty. Good.. I need a break from people.
Mom: Karyn.. lunch will be ready in 30 minutes...
Kay: Sure mom...-halfheartedly replies.
Don't think that I won't be asking questions during lunch. I'm so gonna interrogate you both. Be prepared with all the answers. No.. no more secrets. Please.. we are family, and I am not kid any more, tell me. I might end up taking the fact in better then what you guys have been expecting and worrying.
Kay: Come Karl.. Let's catch some nap before lunch.
Karl is rubbing his eyes. He's still sleepy. Tired playing with Uncle Marcus. Hahaha. Kay turns the door knob to Karl's room, leaving Karl in his bed to sleep some more. She then proceed to her room next door after making sure Karl has falls asleep. What a long morning.
As she enters her chamber, the air feels wet. The room is lit by opened window. Did I forget to shut the window just now? Oh great.. Kay walks lazily towards the window. Annoyed by her own carelessness. The floor is wet. The rain must have got in. Great! Now mom is gonna kill me if she finds out. Mildew and stuff. Haa.. Karyn Faraday.. You're such a clutz.
Kay proceeds to her study where she finds the book opened with a scribbling. What the hell?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{Kao Mikasa POV}
This better be good Kay, I am not supposed to be here. Mom didn't know that I leave house. Kao is standing in front of Faraday's big red house door, ringing the doorbell two times, 5 seconds apart. She is about to dial up for Kay when she heard footsteps in rush, coming to the door. Mrs Faraday is smiling sweetly as she holds the door open.
Mrs. Faraday: Kao.. What a nice surprise! -welcoming smile.
Kao: Mrs Faraday, Kay asks me to come over.. I am sorry to interrupt at this time of the day.
It is past midday. I wonder what have been bothering Kay as she sound relentless. Urgently asking her to come over. It won't be too long I hope. But it's good to get out of household now and then. I need to be away from mom for a while. After sending off every guess at the house, lastly leaving the house is Obasama.. The house gonna be dull again. It is depressing! So, thank you Kay for calling me here. At least I can breathe a bit more comfortably.
Mrs. Faraday: Yes.. yes of course. Please come in.. -smiling.
Kay's mom is the most caring mother she has ever known. Kindhearted and motherly warm. I wish my mom would be more like her. Kao enters the house following Mrs. Faraday who's heading to the far end of the hall towards the dining, there Mr Faraday and Karl are having lunch. Nice smelling food.
Kao just got a sudden urge to plunge to Karl and hug that little kid. But no..Relax Kao.. his parents is around. Behave. Karl is looking at Kao from the corner of his eyes. Did he remember me? Kyahh.. Noona wish for you to never grow up. Will you remain this small forever? Hahaha.. never mind, teenage Karl is too handsome, he need to grow up or else, world would have one less handsome boy.
Mrs Faraday: Would you like to join us for lunch?
Kao: Huh? -blurry mind over Karl cuteness- Oh no, thanks.. Is Kay in her room?
Mrs Faraday: Oh yes she is. Kao dear, would you please tell her to come down for lunch. She's locking herself in.. Tell her not to skip meal-worried
Kao: Again? That kid.. I will have a talk with her.. -smile.
Mrs Faraday nodded. Kao sighs. What is it this time? A new book? Or is she working on a new comic again? Kao starts climbing the stairs to Kay's room. Climbing up, her eyes run through photos hanged on the stairs wall. Most of it are Kay's family photos. Kay in kindergarten uniform, Kay graduating from elementary, Kay playing sand at the beach.. alone. Seems like she is always alone, until Karl came into the pictures. But.. hey, no baby pictures?
Reaching upstairs, she makes a left turn heading to the second room with a "Do Not Enter" sign hung up on it's door. Kao lets out a merry chuckle, she will never change is she? Kao tapping a Morse code of "it's me" on the door before knocking a few time.
It's the rule (some kind of password) when this sign board is up. Or else.. no entry. She could hears footstep and then squeaking noises. For god sake, What? Seriously? Did she bar the door with a furniture? But why? It's not like she got many other siblings to be that concerned about who's gonna ambush into the room next, small Karl? Silly you..
Klak! -the door unlocks.
Kay: Come in, and close the door. -leaving the door open.
Kay goes back to the middle of her room, by the sofas facing the big LCD TV. Oh great Kay. Did you just renovate your whole room into your future studio? Kao looks around while her finger is pushing the lock button on the door knob. She put her bag by the bed, walking towards Kay who seems engrossed with something.
Kao notices the mess Kay surrounded herself with. Books and sketches scattering around her. Dictionaries.. Maps.. You name it. Kao is still digesting that messy surrounding, being pretty much OCD on tidying, her hand felt that familiar itch. Urging her to start the cleaning. Yet it's not hers, and she know how much Kay hates people touching her things.
She suddenly feels stuffy. She goes to the nearest window by the bed intended to open it, letting some air and lights in. Do you have to cave in like this when you need that so called "noiseless privacy", girl?
Kay: Leave it. Keep the curtain shut.. -Still focusing on her work.
Kao freezes upon Kay's order. She turns around walking back to sit on the sofa feeling annoyed, tsch! Watching Kay who is still hunching in middle of books, sketching, writing, reading, groaning, scratching her head. Kao feels bored, she takes a small cushion on her right side, picking up the TV remote control on her left. Turning it on.
Kay: Shut it down. I can't concentrate in that noise.
What? Kao let out a heavy dissatisfied grunts before shutting the TV off as instructed. As you wish, it's your room. But then..What are you doing Kay? Talk to me. I am dying of boredom here. Feels like knocking Kay's head with this pretty heavy remote.Hey brat... you are the one asking for me. Talk!
Kao: Where's Valerie? Have you call her? -trying to have a chat.
Kay: Nope..
Kao: Why?
Kay: ...
Kao: Why do you even ask me to come? -rolling eyes.
Kao can feels the exasperation beaming from Kay. She is facing the back of Kay's head whose been sitting on the carpet below, yet she is still able to guess Kay's expression at front. Her normal rolling eyes, 'do-I-have-to-do-the-explaining' look. Kay then put down her book before turning to face Kao whose behind her sitting up on the sofa.
Kay: Because....Valerie can never know this. It's about our "travel". -making a quoting marks with her hands up.
Ehh? Really.. Kao is intrigued. Why didn't you say so!
Kao: What is it now?
Kay: This..
Kay holds up an opened book, not a proper book, a photocopy. Kao is squinting hard, trying to read the page shown by Kay up front. Hmm.. So? Nothing is wrong with it. What are you trying to prove here Kay?
Kao: Err.. sorry, see nothing, What's wrong with it?
Kay: This.. my girl, is the Encyclopaedia of a Time Reaper.. -eyes brighten as the title mentioned. Waiting for Kao to be excited too.
Kao: Sooo?Ugh.. Big deal Kay.. You found a book, you read it and gave me a distress call. What? -annoyed
Kay: Tsch.. You are not observing.. - Crestfallen face.
Kay gets up, now on her knees, facing close to Kao with her whole body. She holds up the book wide open with her hands for Kao to see clearly of it. She point upon a sentence written in the book.
"To travellers who are not a clock master. Beware. The question that must never be answered. Hidden in the plain sight "
There, I read it. Does it means something? Sound more like phrases from midnight sci-fi movie. Kao frowns upon the book as she is trying to figure the sentence out. Reading it repeatedly. What this kid is trying to say here? Kay seems sullen when Kao shakes her head. Sorry girl, ain't get it.
Kao: Care to explain this to me?
Kay: It was not there before! And the ink is different from the rest, its new. Look!
Kao: Really? Maybe someone did leave in a note and you didn't notice?
Kay: I've read this countless time, do you think I would miss it? This is a new note.
Doubting, Kao takes the book from Kay to examine the written notes closer. Seriously, I can't find anything wrong with it. Kay letting out a shriek of disappointment, flopping back on to the carpet as she looks at Kao's quizzical face.
Kao: Let say some one just scribble this down -pausing- But it's not from fresh ink. It's a photocopy like the rest. Hmm..
Kay: I'm, telling you it's not.. -sigh- Read the word Kao.
Kao: Hell... can't you see? I'm reading it..
Kay: So?
Kao: Sorry.. still, could you just simply explained everything? That would be faster. Really..
Kay: Ugh.. -devastating.
Kao: Damn.. Just tell me, I'm getting annoyed here..
Kay must be thwarted as she snatches the book back from Kao while muttering something under her breath. Did I just listen Kay's cursing? I swear... I heard "thicko" there. Hahaaha.. you must be pretty much pissed off to curse like that. Fine. I don't mind... cursing is good to release stress. You need to curse more babe, concerning your lack of.. never mind.
Kay: And you call yourself a Whovian? (Doctor Who's fandom). This is a line from Doctor Who series which was aired in 2011. "Hidden in a plain sight, question which must not be answered".. ring a bell?
Kao: -side eyeing Kay with this churned up sickening irritation- And you expect me to remember every single line from Doctor Who series? Is that it? But then.. What does Doctor Who got to do with all this. Pffttt..
Kay: Kao! We are Whovian. Of course we have to remember..It's brilliant isn't it.. We are time travelling and he left us a line from Doctor Who, the Time lord. Well to be precise that line was by Dorium Maldovar.. But ehh.. Hahahaha. So clever. Can't you try to connect those into some facts?
What the hell.. What kind of twisted idea is that, Kay? Practically that was two years ago. You can't expect me to remember all of it. Come on.. can't you be any weirder then this?
Kao: Kau Chronicle kite tak leh hafal, dialogue Doctor Who ko hafal pulak. -pffttt.
Kay: What? It's not the point. Argh!! Never mind.. What I'm trying to say is, I know for sure that this sentence is not in the book before.
Kao: How can you be sure?
Kay: I've read it again this morning. Of course I'm sure. -berserk
Kao: Ok ok.. Chill.. Geez.. Relax.. -holding up hands to ward off Kay's pillow attack.
Kay: Now, we are in 2005.. And the line is from Doctor Who 2011. Which only means one thing. Someone in our situation is leaving this to us. A traveller like us
Kao: Who? Did you think it's Sebastian?
Kay: Emm, we've established that Sebastian has come back with us in time but there's something weird about it. You remember what I told you about the pocket watch Sebastian tried to get from me?
Kao: Yeah, what about it? -interested
Kay is gleaming with excitement, you are just waiting for this moment to happen right? Being a Whovian and a member of Sherlock Fandom, she really likes stuff like this doesn't she? Not like me.. (Kao isn't that obsess about Dr.Who series like Kay) This is getting serious, isn't it? I mean.. We are travelling through time, and now reading a note left from the future in a past photocopy of some ridiculous titled Encyclopaedia?
Kay: Here this.. According to this book, a time travel needs several items. One, the traveler or according to this book; Time Jumper. The number can vary but the more Time Jumpers picked up during a Time Jump a.k.a Time Travel, the more it takes to carry them. The master must be outstandingly strong to control the time ripple caused by the jumping.
Kao: Huh? Grand Clock Master? Time ripple? -confused
Kay: Yes, now let me finish. A grand clock master is a like a designated driver, well sort of. The book refers him as a Reaper too. Hence the title..Pretty eerie, right? Hahaha. Ok, back to the explanation. Our ride for this time jump is a Grand Clock. Think of it as a car. A grand clock is an enchanted time keeping mechanism which can be use to carry the soul of the time jumper into the past. The souls are the passengers. Only the souls, not the body. Now, the only one that can control the grand clock is its master. Someone who is blood worthy of the power to reap open the fabric of time. Ok, now you are allowed to be amazed -looking proud of her own explanation.
But instead, Kao face distorted in question, glazed. Does she really expects me to believe that. Kay? Karyn Faraday never believes in fictions. She only digs science related stuffs. Since when she diverted her interest? I know time travelling is enough to knock her off from her belief. But then.. yeah, maybe that's why she is trying so hard to make sense out all of this.
Kao: Kay.. -takes in Kay head into her palm, squeezing her cheeks- magic is not..real.
Kay: Mfagic ih just an unesheplained shcience. -talking through squeezed cheeks, Kao letting her go- I will get back to you once I find out the science behind the grand clock. But focus. What do we know from our encounter with Sebastian?
Kao: Do you mean, yours?
Kay: Yes yes.. My encounter. He tried to kill me over the clock and he tried to scare me in the school forest. The question is WHY?.. Why would he do that? And he did not go to you. I think even the incident with Shuwei was his doing. Originally Shuwei didn't bring weapon to the fight. Remember? But that day she did.. I'm trained to defend myself from a fist fight but she took me by surprise with the knife..
Kao: But we rule out that it's just a natural retaliation to changing history.
Kay: What if it's not? We've changed a lot of things. Things we didn't mention in Chronicle. The school assembly. The club celebration. The night we spent at Senior Jason's. Don't you see? If time is the reason behind every retaliation to the change we made, why didn't it do something during those time. Why only on the thing we had mention in our private Chronicle?
Silent filling in the gap. Kay and Kao are exchanging looks, both working up their brain, investigating silently in their head. Storing all this new facts collected. Connecting and relating from point to point. Trying to figure out more about the mystery.
Kao face reaction.
Ouhh!! Hell.. That explained a lot. Now things become clearer. Before, we have nothing to guide us through this.. and now we have that weird encyclopedia. Better then nothing. Wait.. but where she gets it? Do our library have that kind of nonsensical book? Really? Oh.. no wonder this kid really loves spending her time there.
Her eyes caught on the glimpse of her back pack lying flat on the floor beside the bed and then it hits her, the letters! I didn't get to collect the letters before. I am not fast enough. But now I do. And nothing else change to fix that.
Kay: My theory is this.. Sebastian is trying to keep us from changing the history. You might ask, how? Well it's obvious isn't it? He got our chronicle. The complete version of it. According to the encyclopedia, living things which here means us "the time jumper" only get to bring our soul, thus explain our current physical. But things without soul like book will able to retain its form as it was taken through time, thus he might used it as references. Sebastian tried to keep us from changing history but I don't know whether it's a good thing or bad because of the action and consequences thing. But I know this..If we die here, we die in the future because what dies here is our current body, not the future. Without the current body, there won't be a future body. Get it?
Kao nods, that's not good. Oh.. no. Not good. Suddenly Kao views Sebastian as a new big threat, a foe. What is he planning to do with the future? Is he merely using us for his plan to work? I think I am understanding this a bit better then before. Yup, thanks Kay for being brilliant. I hope your nerdiness will somewhat save us through this. Kao laughs as she see Kay's goofy proud looking face.
Kao: Bangga la kau dapat explained theory mengarut ni kan? -pinching Kay's nose.
Kay: Pfftt... at least I got something.
Kao: So what are you doing with all of these books? - pointing to books scattered with her eyes.
Kay: I'm deciphering this encyclopedia.
Kao: You what?
Kay: There must be something in here. I'm finding references to decipher the codes. Well you know. The whole cross coding thing. Usually its a map or a dictionary or a common text book.
Kao: I really can't help you with this. Just hearing your ideas makes my head numb.. -lying down on the sofa.
Kay gets sullen hearing that. Oh girl.. You know I hate complicated things.
Kao: But if it helps, I'll stay here with you. -wink.
Kay smiles, happy of thinking she got company for the night. Night of sci-fi reading. Better then watching movies, she thought. Kao can't help but cede to Kay wish. She is right, we need to decode this books through, or else.. we might stuck repeating the whole years ahead. Even though it is not as bad, but... I didn't want to repeat the sufferings of examination preparation parts and my big fight with mom.
Kao: But Kay, let say, just for the sake of argument that the encyclopedia is just a fiction, nothing more than just a fiction by the mind of..-pausing, glancing at the title of the book- Leofrick Carlyle.. What would you do? It does look rather far fetch don't you think? - still lying on her back
Kay: Then we got nothing to go on.. -still reading
Kao letting out a light sigh as she looks upon the room's white ceiling. Drowning in her own deduction. Time travelling.. Kay might be right about Sebastian. It fits the situation so far. But Time reaper and Jumper. Now that is something different altogether.
Kao: Does it matter that we know the method of our travel?
Kay: Jump.. -correcting Kao
Kao: -side eyeing- Ok, "our jump". Does it matter?
Kay: Of course it does. How will we get back to the future then?
Kao: I thought you don't want to go back. Don't you like being here? Now?
That question got Kay pausing. Kao waits for Kay to say something before suppressing her own view of this time travel. Watching Kay's reaction from the corner of her eyes.
Kay: I like being here but it doesn't mean that it's right to be here. We have a life in the future. Leaving it like this, don't you think that we're being a bit greedy?
Kao: I think it's a second chance..
Kay: For what?
Kao: To redeem ourselves..
Kao ponders on the facts so far. She and Kay have gone a long way since high school. Entering an engineering school for the sake of friendship and Kao's rebellion against her mother who wants her to go for Business Study. That's when everything just changed into this whole mess. Sorry Kay, you didn't abandon us. I abandoned you and Valerie was not around to keep me from drifting apart. Is that why you are so cold towards us? Maybe this is a redemption.. For all those years I held you with me but only to lead you astray. Karyn Faraday, the girl who stood for everything and let go of nothing.
Kay: Stop thinking.. -suddenly
Kao: What?
Kay turns her head around, pursed lips, stern look.
Kay: You.. You are over thinking and it's noisy..
Kao: Heyyy... -hurts
Kay: You keep thinking like we are on some sort of a salvation ark, beating all odds just to make things right. It's not as easy as that. Life is all about bad and good decisions. When you say that we are redeeming our past isn't that like trying to erase everything that makes us, us?
Kao: There must be something we can do to make the future better.. Don't you think?
Kay: I'm really not in the mood to talk about sentimental stuff right now, but I tell you what.. -pausing- We being here is not about us and our destiny. We are missing something. Something that connect this time travelling with us. Think about it.. Stop being sentimental for a while and think rationally..
Kao: Heh, says the girl who spent her 4 years going to Engineering School for a friend..
Kay: Well, I.. filled in the wrong form.. -stutter
Kao chuckled. Yeah right Kay. Like it's possible to differentiate between engineering school and architecture school. Wrong form alright. You can deny it all you want but I'll still think that the only reason you took Engineering was just to stay close to me.
Kao stands up, moving to the bed. Kay pushes her glasses higher on her nose, irritated. She's so cute when she's angry and when she knows I'm right. Well Kay, not everything in life is fact and trivia.
Kao picks up her back pack before lying on Kay's bed. She takes out five envelopes she manage to salvage from the trash previously. Kao catches Kay's curious eyes as she tears one envelope. Come on you little nerd, I know you want to know. You can't resist it. You always have to ask about everything. Hahaha. funny kid.
First letter is from Valentine?? Who's Valentine? Happy birthday and please come again next time.. We offer variety of bla bla bla.. What? A card from a boutique? Heh.. I thought it's from someone special. Kao takes another envelopes. A plain-looking one. She always save the best for last.
From Jin Murakami:
To Kao, my dearest kendo partner. I'm sorry to leave you like this. But you can always email me. Or call.. Or visit. Which ever you like. Just don't be too sad. It's your birthday after all.
Kao smiles. Thank you Jin-nee. Even without this note i knew how to reach you. You were never too far away. the next letter is from another cousin. I don't really know her but she has a very beautiful hand writing. Hmm.. I wonder if we ever met. Sorry cousin,I guess mom doesn't think that we should be friend. Putting that one aside, there is only a mustard one left. I wish I have more time to salvage more of the letters from the bins.
Who's this from? There is nothing written outside of the envelope. That mustard color envelope looks simply sad. It's is funny to think of it like that, but she is serious. The envelope really is beaming this unknown sad nostalgic vibe. Nevertheless, she takes in a breath as she holds in her curiosity not to alert Kay who's still reading the encyclopedia. As she unveils the letter inside, her heart immediately sink.
It's Roderick.. he did come, but why mom discard this one away? I know by fact that mom hates the idea of me be friend a boy who is not of her choice. Chills mom.. we are not lover. Besides, Erick is not of nobody family.
She read the letter in silence but fast, in afraid of Kay. She is not trying to hide anything, really.. but she feels uncomfortable if this ever to be discussed with anybody. She never did. Wait, but the letter dated early of last week. Never mind..
Hey Kao,
I am such a wuss, aren't I? I can't help gather myself up of the courage to tell you this face to face, hence the letter. But firstly, Happy Birthday my girl, sweet 16. I know it's too early for the wish, but hey.. At least I am the fist one to say it. I know that I am being a major prick at the party last time, but I just want you to know.. I meant nothing bad. Well.. it's me, you know that I will never hurt you. I am really is sorry that I hurt your favourite senior though. Will you forgive me? Hehehe. And here comes the news.. Kao.. I am leaving, for another school. My dad think that it is time for me to be independent. He sign me up to this private boarding school for business apprentice. It's pretty far from here. I know this will come sooner or later, it's only the matter of time. I have plenty of time to tell you of this news. But yet again... blame me for being a coward. I hope you will not be angry of this. But in case you did, you can punch me on the face when you come to sent me off. U will come... will you? I need to see you.. at least for the last time. I beg you to come.. no matter how angry. Please come.
p/s: I have a present for you. I will pass it when we met later. Yes it's a bait.. please come.
As she read by... she freeze at the words leaving. Kao's mind goes blank. She doesn't know exactly how to react. To be precise, she is left petrified by the letter. This is too sudden, caught her off guard. She just forgot.. previous two week would be the last weeks with Roderick.. and him asking me to left the party with him last time was his final straw in gathering up his courage to tell me of this... and I... betrayed.
In the previous past, she can only thought of the facts that he hates her. She never knew the reason of him leaving in secret. At least that is how Kao always think of it. She never knew of the letter. Our friendship ends like the passing wind, like none of that ever happened. She never discussed her sadness and disappointment with anybody.
None of Kay and Valerie had ever asked her of him after that.. everyone just live on like none of it matters, or maybe they just being cautious since I'm pretty sensitive of the matter. In Kao story, Roderick is like this dying character and him leaving the frame is the writer final decision to remove him from interrupting the flow. To stop him from being a dead weight to the story.
"Kao.. what's up??"
Kay suddenly plunging herself next to Kao on her bed, trying to have a peek at the current letter she is reading in her hand. Taken aback by the surprise, Kao instantly removes the letter from Kay's sight, trying to look as if nothing happened. Pretending to be busy with other letters.
Kao: It's.. nothing. -hurriedly fold the letter, shoving it back into the envelope.
Kay: Really?.. So how's the salvaged letters -frowning
Kao: Blerrrgh... bunch of nothing. No wonder mom decide to throw it away. -awkwardly trying to hide her feelings.
Kay: Never mind that... Get your thing. We're moving..
Kao: What? Moving where?
Kay: I have to prove a theory. Time for a social observation.
Kay runs to her study, grabs her back pack, proceed to her pile of books in front of the TV. Kao just stands there, in daze. She tucks the letters into her back pack, hands trembling cold. She tries to walk as she stagger to her feet, swaying before she just lost the strength to stand. Kao falls on her knees alerting Kay. In shock, Kay turns around only to find Kao on the floor, hiding her face behind her palms.
Kay: Kao.. -running to Kao.
Kao sits there stupefied. Kay starts to panic. Kao touches her own cheek. It's wet. Her eyes is blurry from the sudden gushing of tear. She doesn't weep. I am not crying am I? Why the tears? I am confused.. she can't make the tears stop. It's like there is another crying her, inside.
Kay: Babe, you're OK? Are you hurt? What is it? -worried sick.
Kao stares at Kay blankly. I don't understand. Kay, what's happening to me? Why am I crying? Her mind got memories flashes of Erick. His laugh, his smile... his jokes and concerned voice. As it spinning in her mind, the tears come out non-stop. She end up repeating the same mistake, ruining the friendship.
The letter reached her a week late. Erick is gone.
Kay: Kao, tell me. Are you ok? - grabbing Kao's shoulder.
Kao: -trying to get up only to fall again.
Kay: Kao, you're scaring me. Just tell me.. -patting Koa's back to console her down.
Kao: This is not a good time Kay.. let's just go to Valerie's. Let's finish our work.
Kay: But Kao..
Kao: JUST LISTEN TO ME!
Kao try to get up using her final ounce of strength, wiping the tears using back of her hand and run to the door leaving Kay dumbfounded. Sorry Kay, it doesn't feels right to talk about this when we have a bigger mission. Like you say, let's stop being emotional of everything...
