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* Circles of Time: A Sailormoon Fanfic Series *
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* Visit the Web site at: *
* http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/9897/ct.htm *
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THE INFAMOUS DISCLAIMER:
Sailormoon and the characters of "Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon" were
created and belong to Takeuchi Naoko. Other companies such as Kodansha,
Toei Animation, Bandai, CWI, and Mixx Entertainment hold rights to the
show and/or manga. In other words, I do not. My stories and the
characters I create belong to me. And if you use any of my characters
or stories without my permission I will send Tuxedo Kamen after you with
his cane! I mean it! (Anybody got a peanut?)
========================================================================
It's Valentine's Day again. You know what that means. Matchmakers!
Hanako is the best thing that has ever happened to me, but there are
times when she can wear you ragged. When she and Setsuko got the
impression they could hook my best friend up with Megumi-chan, I told
them time and time again - it's not your place to be playing matchmaker.
You simply can't play Cupid, or whatever, with people's lives and expect
them to not mind. But what did I get when I said that? Hanako
threatened me by saying I'll be sleeping with our oldest daughter's
hamster for a week - in his cage. (That would be a little crowded, ne?)
So I am going to keep my butt out of the enemies line of fire and let
this all blow up in their faces. Hanako and Setsuko will learn somehow.
Hit Man and Megumi-chan are complete opposites. They're like day and
night, and in that order. But if it does work, then rest assure I will
get a huge "I told you so" from my loving wife.
Ah... isn't love grand?
~ Oosaka Mamoru
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Circles of Time: The Letter
By: Masked Maiden
Chapter Three: Great Unexpectations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
February 14, 1970
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
It became a battle for sleep as rays of morning sunlight sneaked in
through the cracks of the window blinds in her bedroom. The jagged
slits of light shone on her face, making her eyes react to their
presence. She rolled over and pulled the covers over her head, blocking
the sunlight. She still had a few minutes of sleep and would not be
awaken by mere rays of sun.
Her few minutes of slumber were virtually nonexistent. Just as the five
and nine on her alarm clock metamorphosed into double zeros, her radio
came on. It was six o'clock. The radio station was in the middle of a
popular John Lennon song, and its soft melody carried her back to the
sleep she was robbed of. Why did her classes at the university have to
be so early anyway?
Her "roommate" knew that it was time for her to wake up. For the year
her roomie had lived with her, she knew that when the radio came on the
mornings it was time for Megumi to wake up. It was also when she could
curl up in that nice, warm spot. So she jumped onto the bed and began
to walk all over Megumi, pressing each of her four paws ever so gently
on her owner's body. When she came to the head, she only used one paw
and poked at her repeatedly.
"Kitai," Megumi mumbled, "be a good kitty and leave your mama alone..."
The blue-gray cat persisted until she tumbled to the other side of the
bed with covers flying above her. Megumi got out of bed and hunted
through the thrown bed covers for Kitai. She found her, picked her up,
and carried her to the kitchen.
Guess that nice, warm spot would have to wait.
Megumi placed Kitai on the kitchen counter and picked her food bowl up
from the floor. She got a can of cat food from the cabinet, opened it,
and raked it into the bowl with a fork. Kitai sniffed at it and then
immediately started eating.
She smiled as she rubbed behind her cat's soft ears. "At least one of
us likes the mornings..." The cat purred, seeming to agree.
Megumi left Kitai to her breakfast and headed to the bathroom for a
shower. A shower always woke her up in the mornings, especially on a
day such as that one. There was something exquisite about steaming, hot
water pouring onto tired flesh. The therapeutic steam eased a fogged
mind, and the early morning grogginess was beaten away and went down the
drain along with the water and soap.
When she was finished with her shower, she got dressed and grabbed a
breakfast bar from the cookie jar. Kitai was fed and all appliances
that were supposed to be off were. There was nothing else to do but
leave for her classes. She picked up her keys and her pocket book,
grabbed her back pack, opened the door, and...
...Was suddenly scared out of her wits by Setsuko, whose fist had been
ready to knock on the door. Megumi gasped and put a hand over her heart
to keep it from flying away. "Don't ever do that again!" she exulted,
winded.
"How was I supposed to know you were going to open the door!" Setsuko
retorted.
"Setsuko, I have classes this morning... shouldn't you be on your way as
well?"
Her friend leaned onto Megumi with her elbow on her shoulder. "I need
to ask you a favor. See, Kosaku already left for work and my car is
still in the shop..."
Megumi rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'll take you."
"Thank you! And I have something else to ask you. How would you like
to go out on a date?"
"With you? I'm not that kind of woman."
"No, baka. With a guy!"
"Oh... Who then?"
Setsuko mimicked the devil's grin and said, "It's a surprise."
Megumi had seen that smile before, and she had heard those same three
words come from Setsuko's mouth in the exact same volume and tone. "A
blind date? Setsuko, please..."
Megumi kept her eyes on her best friend and followed her inside the
apartment. Setsuko walked to the bedroom, opened the closet door and
started to rummage through Megumi's clothes. She glanced at each
article of clothing without the slightest movement from her eyes and
pushed them to the other side. It was as if she already had an outfit
in mind. She did. In less than a minute Setsuko got out Megumi's
favorite shirt and a pair of jeans.
"How about this?" Setsuko asked.
"I didn't even say I'd go on this blind date. I haven't even had a
chance to think about it. You just barged into my home and said 'how
'bout a date' like it was a choice on at a buffet platter!"
"What's to think? I know you'll like him!"
"Setsuko, I *hate* blind dates! And we'll be late for class!"
"Megumi-chan, please consider it. Trust me, he's a really nice guy."
She laid the clothes on Megumi's bed as if she expected her to do
something with them... like put them on. Megumi just started at them -
it was better than staring at her friend, whom she was mad at. The first
piece of clothing was a cheerful canary yellow, peasant style shirt with
white daisies adorned all around it. The other piece of clothing was
the pair of dark blue, bell-bottomed jeans.
"Who is this so-called 'nice guy?'" Megumi asked.
Setsuko grinned once again. "Now if I told you who he is it wouldn't be
a blind date!"
Her nostrils flared, as she became enraged. "You mean you won't even
tell me his name?"
"Don't worry, he doesn't know yours either."
Instead of taking her anger out physically on her best friend Megumi
fell back onto her bed and hollered in frustration through clenched
teeth. She put her hands on her head to keep it from exploding. What
did Setsuko expect her to do? Try out every single guy living in Tokyo
until she found the right one?
"You mad at me?" Setsuko asked.
"Answer that question yourself!"
"I take it you are."
"Yes! Setsuko, I am livid! You come in here every time expecting me to
say 'yes' to every guy you try to hook me up with! I've lost track of
how many times I've said 'no' to you! Have you ever considered that I
might want to pick out my own dates? Or that I might be busy tonight?"
"But you're not busy tonight. You said you were going to stay home and
do nothing."
"I am *trying* to make a point here."
"I know that, but, Megumi-chan, believe me, you will like this guy."
Megumi sighed and threw her hands up in surrender. The bed squeaked as
she sat up. She stared at Setsuko and shook her head, for she couldn't
believe she was actually going to go through with it. She had to - it
was the only way she could get her and Setsuko out of her apartment so
they could get to class.
"Answer these questions for me and I'll comply. All right?"
Setsuko puffed up like a proud hen, ecstatic that her friend decided to
go on the date. "Sure thing! What would you like to know?"
"Does he go to the university?"
"He never went to college as far as I know."
Megumi's eyebrows went up like arrows, as they did when she was
surprised. "Okay... what does he do for a living?"
"He's a police detective."
"Oh..." Hearing that perked her interest. "And how old is he?"
Setsuko was hesitant in answering that question. She gave a goofy grin
and shrugged. "Age - shmage. Does it really matter?"
Megumi was not amused. "Setsuko, " she flatly said, "how old is he?"
"Well... he's ten years older than you."
Megumi bolted to her feet. "HE'S THIRTY?!" Setsuko was almost knocked
down by the sudden release of raging energy. "You're expecting *me* to
go out with a guy that's ten years older than I am?! A guy that when he
became an adult I was in elementary school?!"
"It's Valentine's Day! You need to go out! And what's so wrong with
going out with an older man? You're an adult. He's an adult. It's not
like he's going to be consorting with a minor."
Megumi pointed to the door. "Get out! You're walking to school!"
"What did I do?!"
She repeated her order and kept pointing to the door. "Get out, get
out, get out!"
"I will if you go on the date."
Megumi almost agreed to that just do to get her friend out of her
apartment, yet she quickly realized what Setsuko asked her to do. She
opened her mouth to speak to her, hesitated, and then closed it. I
don't want to regret anything, Megumi thought. She folded her arms and
looked down as she thought the situation over for a moment. Every
second that slipped away made Setsuko antsy and uneasily nervous - she
expected Megumi to blow up in her face again. She was the only person
she had to blow up at. Karei was still in Kobe until her biweekly
visit Saturday afternoon, and Megumi simply didn't speak to her mother
anymore.
Finally, Megumi looked up and said, "Fine, I'll go." It sounded as if
she had to force the words out. Before Setsuko could say anything, she
added, "And it better be the last blind date you ever set me up on!"
Setsuko held her hand up in a sign of pledging an oath. "I promise. No
more blind dates." Behind her back her fingers were crossed.
"Okay. Now let's go." She pointed to her alarm clock. They had twenty
minutes to get to the university - which usually took them thirty
minutes.
The two best friends dashed out the apartment and took the stairway to
get to the lobby. It would take them longer if they waited for the
elevator - it was constantly breaking down. The stairs took them to the
ground floor where the parking lot was. They got into the car, Megumi
in the driver's seat and Setsuko right beside her, and drove off.
"What time is the date tonight?" Megumi asked.
"The date is at eight-thirty at Shinobu Ai. You know, that diner on
First Street."
"And how will I know him?"
"He's about six feet tall, short dark hair, blue eyes, and a mustache.
I told him that if you decided to go you would wear that outfit I took
out so he could spot you."
"It sounds like you told him I would go before I ever gave you an
answer. Did you?"
"Now would I ever do something like that?"
"Do you have to ask?"
Setsuko didn't answer the question. "Will you wear it?"
"I don't have much choice, I suppose."
There was an unsettling pause between the two friends. Megumi kept her
eyes on the road and concentrated on driving. Setsuko couldn't take the
silence. She turned the radio on, knowing Megumi usually never cared.
It didn't help any. She turned her attention to Megumi and started to
speak.
"Look, I'm sorry I barged in there and expected you to go along with the
date," she said. "But you're always busy. You never go out and have
any fun these days."
"I do so have fun!"
"No, you don't. If you're not at the university you're at the library
studying. When you're not at the library you're working at the floral
shop for Hanako-san, and when you're not at the shop you're singing at
the nightclub. You're always working. And at night when you have
nothing to do you stay home. Not that I blame you, but when's the last
night we've gone on a girls' night out? Or the last time you went out
with a handsome face?"
Megumi sighed. "I know... you made your point. You win. I'll try to
have a good time tonight."
"That's my girl!" She laughed as Megumi rolled her eyes at her again.
"You know you are kind of like a mother," Megumi joked. "You tell me
what to wear, who I can date, and tell me to have a good time!"
"That's what mother's are for."
~*~*~
For the past several months, members of a secret group of smugglers have
been importing illegal weaponry from European countries and distributing
the merchandise to their customers in Japan. Since first knowing about
their existence, the Bunkyo-ku Police Department, with assistance from
an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, had been on the case.
During those several months everyone involved with the case were
literally at square one. There had been numerous of murders in
connection with the secret group. Three of those murders were also
rapes. At each site bullets from the illegal weaponry had been found.
If no bullets were at the crime scene, they were found inside the
deceased victim. There was, however, no weapon left behind, and hardly
enough evidence to pinpoint a suspect.
It was as if the perfect crime had been created.
That is, until two weeks ago.
A boy barely the age of eighteen went to the precinct and turned himself
in, saying he was one of the people behind the smuggling. He could no
longer work for the smugglers with his conscience nagging him. The boy
told the police everything in an hour and half confession - from how the
weaponry had been smuggled into Japan (through trusted channels at Tokyo
Harbor) to the names of the customers that were sold a weapon. He even
gave them the leader's name and his "business" phone number.
The secret group became not so secretive.
The boy had one request - one odd, but understandable request. While
most would ask for a phone call or a lawyer, he asked for a priest,
preferably Shinto, but "I'll take a Catholic priest."
"How 'bout a Baptist?" a detective joked.
A plan was devised to stop the smuggling. A week ago a member of the
Yakuza, which was Japan's version of the infamous Mafia, called the
leader of the secret group and ordered two of the most expensive, most
deadly machine guns they were able to find. A meeting was set on
February 14th at an old warehouse ten kilometers away from Tokyo Harbor.
During the meeting the Yakuza would pay for the weaponry and soon be two
guns richer.
That day happened to be February 14th.
Ironically, the day of love.
The so-called member of the Yakuza was really one of the detectives. He
would change into his disguise at the precinct and be wired. Hopefully
with his partner and the FBI agent, the smuggling ring would be stopped.
(There was a minor problem, however. When a young man joined the
Yakuza, their initiation was cutting a part of the pinkie finger. He'd
have to do his best to cover his hands as often as he could.)
With his expensive (rented) suit, his hair combed back and a slick
mustache that would make the infamous Snidely Whiplash proud, the young
"businessman" was ready to crash the meeting.
A man in his early forties emerged from the veiling shadows of the
condemned warehouse and met the businessman at the designated area - a
hundred-year-old desk with two high-back chairs on each side in the
center of the ground floor. He bowed respectably before sitting down.
"Koyasu-san, what an honor it is for you to grace us with our presence,"
he said. "We don't get too many order from a man your...high station in
life. Doing business with you is an honor."
The businessman laughed inwardly at the phony serenity and eloquence or
the man's greeting. It was the most formal greeting he was ever given.
However, he had been in the business for twelve years. He knew that he
had to live up to the expected expectations the man had for him, even if
it meant to embellish his speech to where it "shined" like his.
He bowed in return as he sat down and said. "The honor is all mine,
Shiozawa-san. I know that this business will be prosperous for the both
of us."
"Most assuredly. Now, if I may ask, do you have the money with you?"
Koyasu tapped his finger on the briefcase in his lap. "Of course I do.
It's all there... twenty million yen at your request. But you must know
that it was rather hard to my client to part with such a large amount of
money. So if you don't mind, I'd like to see the merchandise before I
trade with you."
"Fair enough."
Shiozawa snapped his fingers and out from the shadows came one of his
assistants. The assistant held a heavy, wide, black case. He laid the
case on the desk and then stood by his boss' side.
Koyasu took that brief moment to survey his surroundings. There was
nothing much of importance that he could see, mostly old and crumbling
wooden crates and rusted equipment that probably didn't work anymore.
He could, however, spy forms in the shadows. His confidant was indeed a
smart man. He had taken the precautions to have protection if the deal
proved to be false, or if it were suddenly bombarded by the police.
How surprised Shiozawa would be when both happened!
"I think you will find everything in place," said Shiozawa. He opened
the case and revealed an illegal model of a semi-automatic machine gun
that had been imported from Europe less than twenty-four hours ago.
It was all the evidence he needed.
But it wasn't all he was supposed to receive.
Koyasu nodded, but wasn't satisfied. "You promised my client two
machine guns." He held up two fingers to get his point across. "You
wouldn't want to gyp my client, now would you? As excellent a
businessman as you are, I know you would like to keep your position and
occupation."
The "confession" from the leader of the smuggling ring was being
recorded as they negotiated. No tangible evidence was needed, but he
wanted to make sure this man was put behind bars. He did not want to
see this man before him again unless he was in a cage and handcuffed.
The people listening in on the conversation knew exactly what he was
thinking.
Hidden in one of the few alleys along the harbor area was an unmarked,
gray van. Inside the van were the chief of detectives, the other police
detective, and the FBI agent. They were contently listening to the
conversation between the two men a short distance away.
"He's pretty good, ne?" the agent commented.
The FBI agent was twenty-seven-year-old Asanuma Eisuke. He was a young
man with the face of an innocent boy, but with the determination and
willpower not found in most people. That expression of determination on
his face, it was almost hilarious. His face was adorned with dark brown
freckles that were the only pigments of skin to tan during the summer
heat. His large round eyes were a bright grass green. His short,
untamable hair was the color of the evening sky during a sunset,
oftentimes hidden under his New York Yankees baseball cap - it looked
out of place with his white shirt and tie, but right at home with his
sneakers. At first, the two detectives were jealous of him. Eisuke was
younger than they were, although not by much, and had a better job than
they did. But as they got to know him, they weren't surprised by the
success he had in his career.
"You kidding?" retorted the detective. "He could sweet talk a
politician into telling the truth."
"I wouldn't be surprised."
In the agent's honest opinion, this certain detective was over qualified
for the police department he worked for. He wondered why he wasn't
working for "his" side of the law. The FBI could use a man like him.
The superior in the van shushed at them. They continued to listen.
Shiozawa furrowed his brow and took a good look at the young man sitting
in front of him. A Yakuza businessman, ne? Most of the business they
did involved murders and conspiracy. This man was different. He looked
like a businessman, talked like a businessman, but was he really a
businessman?
"You obviously have little faith in me, hmm?" he asked.
"I just want my end of the deal."
"Apparently, you do..." He motioned with his hand for his assistant to
retrieve the second machine gun. When the assistant came back with
another case, Shiozawa opened it and revealed a machine gun identical to
the one before. "I hope you are now satisfied, Koyasu-san. And now that
I've shown you your packages, would you be so kind as to hand me your
end of the bargain?"
"A deal's a deal," said Koyasu. He handed Shiozawa the briefcase that
contained the twenty million yen and watched him open it. Shiozawa
looked like a small boy opening a bag of delicious sweets.
But the gleam dwindled away as he fanned through a stack of bills. The
first several bills were the real things, but after that it was nothing
but pieces of white paper that only looked like a bill in size and
shape.
"What the hell is this?" he asked, seething. "Do you take me for a
fool?"
The man going by the name Koyasu snapped his fingers like he had just
remembered something he forgot. "Dang it, I knew there was something I
was supposed to do."
Detective Chiba Hitori dug into the inside pocket of his jacket and
pulled out his badge.
"You're under arrest," he said. A wide, cheesy grin appeared on his
face as the busted criminal stared in disgust.
Shiozawa produced a displeased smirk. "Quite excellent acting. I'll
admit you had me fooled. But you should have known better."
"People say that to me all the time."
The assistant pulled out a handgun from its hidden holster and pointed
it at the unarmed police detective. At that moment Hitori could hear
every single gun in the warehouse being loaded. If one person fired
their gun, it would cause a chain reaction, and he would become their
practice target.
It was the only reason why Hitori hated undercover work - he could never
have a gun on his person. It was an unwritten law for the lawbreakers
to frisk their clients before meetings. A gun could be hidden easily,
but it was even easier to feel.
Don't even ask where they had to place the microphone system.
Hitori pointed at the assistant's gun. "Didn't your mother tell you not
to play with guns?"
"Didn't yours?" Shiozawa asked.
"Yeah, but I never listened."
The assistant straightened his arm out even more. If the gun was only
an inch closer Hitori could snatch it quickly and easily, but he wasn't
going to take the risk at being shot at, and at such a minimal
distance...
Not when there were policemen outside trying to get in.
Shiozawa asked, "Any last words?"
Hitori nodded. "Actually, yes. I just want to say that it was a
pleasure working with you and that my *clients* would like to express
their gratitude."
"Clients?"
Right on cue the doors to the warehouse were opened, creating a loud and
echoing boom throughout the building as they hit the cement walls. The
thunderous noise created a dramatic entrance for FBI Agent Asanuma
Eisuke and the first group of law enforcers as they crowded the doorway.
"Freeze!"
The so-called watchmen were caught off-guard.
How ironic for men who were supposed to expect such an outcome.
Just as the front doors were opened, the back doors were as well,
creating the same thunderous noise and the same dramatic entrance.
Detective Oosaka Mamoru and his group of officers blocked the only other
doorway of escape. Their chief of detectives, Yamamoto Nobuyuki was
standing next to Mamoru.
"Everyone drop your weapons and put your hands behind you head! NOW!"
All of the watchmen were hesitant to begin with. They saw the look on
the tall and gruff-appearing detective's face. Then they saw their boss
with the expression on his face that read, "Don't listen to him. Listen
to me!"
The detective with the looks that could kill won. They dropped their
guns and placed their hands behind their heads as they surrendered to
the law. Even Shiozawa's faithful assistant gave in by dropping his gun
on the desk and mimicking his comrades. Mamoru, Eisuke, and Yamamoto
entered the warehouse as the officers apprehended each of the now
unarmed criminals.
Hitori stood and picked up the gun the assistant had lay on the desk.
He aimed it at Shiozawa as one of the officers handcuffed him.
"So how do *you* like it?" he asked.
Shiozawa said nothing. He only stared in rage as he was taken away.
~*~*~
<"Well... he's ten years older than you.">
The encounter with her best friend earlier that morning came back to
Megumi as she walked through the campus parking lot to her car. She
groaned inwardly. Friends were there to pick you up when you fell. A
friend was a shoulder to cry on in times of despair. Yet a friend could
also be a major pain in the rear when all you wanted was a night alone,
by yourself, after a grueling week of school, studies, and work. Going
out and painting the town was fine and enjoyable, but Megumi wasn't in
the mood. Still, she agreed to go on that blind date, and therefore she
felt obligated.
<"He's about six feet tall, short dark hair, blue eyes, and a
mustache... Trust me, I know you'll like him.">
Does she even realize how many men there are in the world that fit that
same description, Megumi thought. With my luck every one of those men
will be at Shinobu Ai tonight.
Megumi just didn't know if Setsuko was right. The man was ten years
older than she was. He was more experienced that she was with life, the
real world and love - especially the love involving two members of the
opposite sex. If Setsuko knew for certain that she would like him, why
was she being so secretive about the whole ordeal? She wouldn't even
give Megumi his name.
Of course, Megumi knew she was talking about Nihoyomu (soon-to-be
Hoshino) Setsuko - a woman who thought Mozart was deaf and Beethoven was
related to Chopsticks.
Mozart...
<"I'll be so famous, people will forget the name Mozart.">
Megumi walked a little faster.
Setsuko bumped into her around noontime and told her someone from one of
her classes would take her home. Megumi couldn't have been more
thankful. She didn't need anyone around her. At those times when
something so simple, and rather stupid, would make her think of her past,
she wanted to be alone.
She got into her car and cranked the engine. When two cars in front of
her finished passing, she pulled out of her parking space and drove far
away from the university, heading for the floral shop.
Her car radio was softly humming in the background. It soothed her
some, but it wasn't much help.
It just wasn't enough that he ruined her life. Now she had to live with
the memories of his existence. Megumi got to the point where she just
didn't care anymore. She would just worry about herself and keep the
strangers - the people that when they smiled at her made her feel a
heart-racing panic - away from her. Perhaps that was the reason she
didn't date much, why she wasn't as sociable as she once was, and why
she loathed blind dates.
Blind dates were the worst. They were with the faceless people she
didn't know. Megumi had thought she had known Masoto well enough. She
didn't. What would she see in the face of her faceless man?
Megumi knew her friend meant well. Setsuko just wanted her to get out
more. She allowed her friend to feel sorry for herself and comforted
when she wanted, or needed, it. But she felt it was time for her to
move on. Megumi thought that was an admirable ambition her friend had
for her, but she knew it wasn't worth it. When and if she ever found a
man she wanted to date, it would be on her own time. She would not be
forced into it... like she was this date.
I could just call Setsuko and tell her to call it all off, Megumi
thought. If Setsuko asks why I'll just tell her I don't feel
comfortable with it. Still, it the man is as nice as Setsuko says he
is, maybe it won't be such a bad night after all.
Megumi pondered over the blind date scenario during the whole
thirty-minute drive to the floral shop.
Originally it was an old warehouse put up for sale after the company who
previously owned it went out of business. But with a hefty loan from a
bank willing take a risk on two dreamers (Hanako and her husband),
Mamoru bought the warehouse some eight years ago and renovated it with a
vision in mind. That vision took over and exploded. In the six years
since its grand opening, Oosaka's Floral Shop had become one of the most
successful businesses in the Bunkyo-ku district Tokyo. Never did a day
pass where Hanako, Mamoru, or Megumi didn't attend to a customer.
During the holidays, especially Valentine's Day and Mother Day's the
place was a mad house. And every August, the most popular month for
weddings, the shop became more of a zoo.
The renovation and redecoration of the warehouse was well planned.
There was no doubt that Hanako and Mamoru were thinking about the future
when they planned everything out. For while the floral shop was
downstairs, they lived in their own apartment upstairs. It proved to be
the best feature in the entire three-story building. Not only did
their business "flourish" since its opening, so did their family. They
were the proud parents of two daughters - Nozomi, who was four years
old, and Namie, who just turned six months old. Another little one was
on the way.
Megumi owed a lot to the Oosaka Family. Hanako was the first and only
person to offer her a job when she needed one the most after moving to
Tokyo. Mamoru had helped her many times in the past, from fixing a
clogged kitchen sink drain to driving her to and from her apartment the
time her car broke down. There were like her older siblings while she
was away from her sister, who still lived in Kobe for another month.
She was grateful to have found them, and would forever be in their debt.
Hanako greeted her with her usual warm smile as she came in. "Konnichi
wa, Megumi-chan," she said.
Megumi nodded in return, no sign of a smile in sight. "Hey, Hanako-san.
The maternal instincts inside of Hanako started to churn when she saw
the look of depression on Megumi's face. She knew Megumi thought of her
as a sister, but at times Megumi was like a daughter to her. Hanako
didn't know everything about Megumi's past, only enough to know why she
left Kobe. She felt a certain pity for her, for it seemed to her that
the only parental love she ever was given died years ago.
"Is something wrong, dearie?" Hanako asked.
Megumi grabbed an apron from behind the counter and tied it around her
waist and neck. She shook her head, answering Hanako's question with a
white lie. "No, nothing's wrong. Just in a down mood."
"Well, cheep up. I hear you have a big date tonight."
The downcast aura emanating from her became a childish sulking, both in
body language and in emotions. Hanako noticed it immediately. "I take
it that's the reason you're down," she said.
"Setsuko told you, didn't she?" Megumi asked.
"Well, actually... we both set it up."
After hearing those words, Megumi couldn't explain what she felt. The
emotions coursing through her body was a combination of astonishment,
anger, and disappointed. They flowed so fast she didn't have the time
to decipher which emotion was the strongest.
Possibly disappointment.
She said nothing as she went to the back room and found a broom. The
floor looked like it needed to be swept.
Hanako said, "I swept just a few minutes ago."
"You missed a spot then."
"Megumi-chan, why are you so upset about this? I know you are."
Megumi stood in front of the counter. She propped the broom on the edge
of the counter and stood there with folded arms. "Because I feel
everyone is making my decisions. What if I don't want to go on this
date and I am going just because it'll get everyone off my back?"
Hanako was taken back. "Do you feel that way?"
She shrugged, not really wanting to answer the question. "I don't
know... Maybe... Yeah, I do. Hanako, I know everyone means well, but
I'm not interested in this date! One of the reasons I'm going along is
to get you and Setsuko off my back. But I also wonder if... maybe the
guy is as nice as Setsuko said he is."
"Well, if you're thinking that then perhaps you are more interested in
this date than you think you are."
"Maybe. But Hanako, it's a blind date! A blind date is the same exact
thing as a job interview. You ask each other these stupid questions
that don't really amount to anything in the end and you try so hard to
impress the other person. And most of the time when you impress someone
you give them the wrong impression, so you have to go on another date
and show the person the real you. Then they don't like the real you and
they fire, or dump you, which is not what I want to go through. I
rather cancel the meeting than be given the brush off."
Hanako couldn't help but smile at Megumi's metaphor. "I hired you and
you never gave me the wrong impression. What's the difference with the
blind date? If you can show the real you to your employer then surely
you can to a handsome face."
"You're different. You're not like a lot of bosses."
"Is that a compliment."
"Yes, it is."
"Why, thank you. But I still think you would have a nice time tonight.
I have known this man since my husband and I were in high school. He's
grown to be a gentleman. I don't think you'll be on an 'interview'
tonight, as you so put it."
"Do you know the one difference between a date and an interview is?"
"No, but I think I'm about to."
"The only difference between a date and an interview is that at the end
of a date you can wind up with no clothes on and in the sack with
someone that is basically a complete stranger."
"Megumi-chan, you're over-exaggerating."
"I don't think I am."
"Is that what you're worried about? Because I can guarantee that won't
happen."
"No, I'm not worried about that really... I just don't want to end up
with another jerk."
Mamoru walked up behind her and placed his firm hands on her shoulders.
"Gotcha!" He laughed joyfully as she jumped in fright.
"You baka!" Megumi exclaimed. She hit him on the back with the broom.
He continued to laugh over his own amusement.
Hanako shook her head. "Don't worry, I think I married the last jerk on
Earth."
"Jerk?" Mamoru asked. "What jerk? Oh, you two are talking about
Megumi-chan's date for tonight." He turned to Megumi. "He's the
biggest jerk you'll ever meet. One time he got a fork stuck in the
toaster and forgot to unplug it when he tried to pull it out. Best
fireworks I ever saw in my life! Of course, he didn't think that at the
moment..."
"That's not a jerk," said Megumi, "that's an idiot."
"Hit Man's that too."
Megumi suddenly became lost. "Hit Man?" Her doubts about the date that
night were growing. What kind of man had that kind of nickname?
"That's his old nickname from high school, though I still call him that.
Ask him about it if you want. You'll get an interesting story."
Hanako tugged her husband's sleeve and brought him closer to her.
"And what are you doing here, jerk?" she asked.
"I'm on my lunch break."
"Are you expecting me to cook?"
"No, I just wanted some dessert." He stooped down and kissed her.
Megumi smiled at the happy couple.
There was no doubt they were happy... and there was no doubt they were
an odd pair.
Hanako was a woman of ambition, stubbornness, and determination. She
could be described as a spark ready to ignite and grow to become a
brushfire. Ironically, that was the color of her short, wavy hair - an
orange-red that would camouflage perfectly against the flames of a
steady fire. Her eyes were sparkling emeralds. Her skin had a tanned
complexion, a darker olive that was more commonly found in people along
the shoreline. All those were well and normal, but the factor that
contributed to the fact of the oddity in the relationship with her
husband was the gap in height. Hanako was only five feet and three
inches tall. Whenever she wanted to kiss her husband, who proudly stood
at six feet and six inches, she had to stand on a stool or he had to
either pick her up or stoop down to her level. She was also on a
different scale of weight. For her age and height she was considered
overweight. It did show, but Megumi thought she looked great for a
woman who gave birth twice and expected a third little one in another
seven months. Mamoru was the tall and lanky type. Looks were deceiving
as always, but no one would guess they were married.
Megumi heard a car horn sound off outside. She looked out the window
and saw a young man - she guessed it was a man, for his face was hidden
by the sun's glare on the window - in the driver's seat of a black 1965
Chevrolet convertible.
Now, imports were more expensive than the national brands sold at the
dealerships. A middleclass man had to work hard to save up the money to
buy one if they desired to own one. Megumi assumed the driver was one
of Mamoru's friends from the precinct. If he was from the precinct that
meant he and Mamoru probably had similar incomes. So how could someone
on a police detective's paycheck afford a car such as that one without
saving? There was no other way!
I bet it took him years to save all that money to pay for that thing,
she thought. I wouldn't invest that much money in a car. My little
Honda is fine enough. Why on Earth a lot of men spend all that money
for metal is something I'll never understand other than that male ego
thing.
Mamoru knew that car horn was his cue to exit.
"I have to go," he said to Hanako. "I'll try to be home around seven
tonight, but I wouldn't expect it."
"Another long day, is it?" she asked.
"Yeah."
The horn blew again.
Mamoru kissed her again and headed for the door. "Good day, ladies!"
The little silver bell on the door jingled as the door closed behind
him.
"Hanako, can I ask you a question?" Megumi said.
"Of course, what is it?"
"Is your so-called friend anything like Mamoru-san?"
"Well, they do have some similarities."
"I was afraid of that."
"Megumi-chan, it's Valentine's Day. You shouldn't be by yourself on the
most romantic day of the year. And if you don't help me with the mob
that will soon come, you won't get your paycheck."
Megumi groaned. "I hate Valentine's Day..."
"You sound like you hate everything."
"Right now... I think I do."
It wasn't far from the truth, especially since that day happened to be
the most sickening sweet, most romantic day all throughout the year.
Valentine's Day was not her favorite holiday. The only kick she got out
of it was her over-time pay.
Megumi kept herself busy for a reason. She didn't want to fall in love
again too soon.
Love was never her best friend.
If there came a time when she and love met face to face again, it would
be too soon.
A customer walked into the floral shop. It was a young man, undoubtedly
there to buy a dozen roses for his sweetheart.
Megumi sighed. It was going to be a long afternoon.
~*~*~
Valentine's Day... in his opinion is was the second most commercialized
holiday that was ever celebrated. But it would be nice to have a
girlfriend, although his ex-girlfriend often commented that his first
love was his work.
No one would ever know the amount of fear that coursed through his
body every time he masked his true identity and battled with the enemy,
like he did earlier that morning. It was hardly ever a battle of
strength, but of cleverness. He had to depend on his brain to get him
through. But he loved his job, the adrenaline rush he got from it, and
the knowledge of knowing he was making the world a safer place. It was
all worth it.
So perhaps he was in love with his job. What was wrong with that?
It put a strain on his love life... as if he ever had a real love life.
Sometimes he wondered if women were going to be the end of him. At
first he thought he would die on the job during a hold up like that
morning or maybe even during a car chase, but now he was certain he
would be killed somehow by a woman.
And it wouldn't surprise him if her name were Doi Akane, his
ex-girlfriend.
Hitori hadn't dated much since he moved to Tokyo, but until recently he
had been going out with an attractive young brunette by the name of Doi
Akane. He liked her a lot, but he knew she wasn't the one. Something
inside of him had told him that.
Something about Akane told him that as well.
Akane quickly came to the conclusion Hitori was an official workaholic.
Hitori thought otherwise. He knew he was in love with his job, but
never had he allowed his work to invade his personal life. Akane didn't
realize, or perhaps didn't appreciate the times he had taken off of work
to go out with her. He once switched shifts with Mamoru. Nor could she
see how hard he had tried to keep their relationship from falling apart.
He tried to explain to her countless of times the importance of his job,
and if she couldn't understand, there was no need for a stronger
commitment.
Akane couldn't, or wouldn't understand. Sticking to her false
conclusions, Akane became cold towards him. She wouldn't talk to him
unless he buttered her up with sweet words or endearment.
In short, she wanted things her way.
It was not Hitori's style to butter a woman up just to get a simple
hello from her. So he threw in the towel.
Mamoru finally got back in the car. "Let's hit the road, Hit Man!" he
said. He slapped the dashboard for visual effect.
"Took you long enough," Hitori muttered. "What were you doing in there?
Inspecting her tonsils?"
"Hit Man... there are some things I leave for the bedroom."
"That's more than I wanted to know!"
"Well, you did ask."
He took the car out of park and drove away.
"Hey, Hit Man, can I ask you something?"
"Do you have to?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Hanako wants to know if you're free tonight."
Hitori looked over at his friend with a suspicious expression. "I
thought you two had plans."
"We do. But she wants to make some plans for you. So before I
continue, let me just say it was her idea and not mine. If you want to
be mad at anyone, be mad at her."
"She's set up a blind date, hasn't she?"
"Bingo! You won big jackpot!"
There was a long pause as Hitori thought it over. Now, Hanako was a
friend of his. Not a close friend, but a good friend he had known since
high school. During that time Hitori knew he had dropped the hint that
he hated blind dates, or anything remotely similar to one. But it
didn't surprise him that Hanako set him up with one of her friends...
After all, it was Valentine's Day.
"Who is she?" Hitori finally asked.
Mamoru sunk deeper into the car seat. He hated asking Hitori as much as
Hitori hated being asked. "I'm not at liberty to give names on behalf
of the 'Husbands Who Don't Want to be in the Doghouse on Valentine's Day
Association'. But I can tell you a little about her."
"Then, please, at least do that for me."
"All right. Let's see... she works at the floral shop on weekdays and
sometimes on Saturdays if we need her to. She's twenty, goes to
Bunkyo-ku University, majoring in music education... and I think she
sings at that nightclub on the other side of town a few times a week."
Hitori was thankful there was a stoplight ahead. He had to stop driving
for a moment.
"Twenty?" he asked, although it sounded more like a flat statement.
"That's what I said."
"Yes, I know what you said. I'm just trying to let it sink in..."
"Age is only a number."
"So is the speed limit, but you don't see me going 55 kilometers an
hour!"
Mamoru shrugged. "True. Look, if you don't want to do it you don't
have to. I'll just tell Hanako that you raised Cain about the whole
ordeal, and knowing your temper at times she'll believe me. But in my
honest opinion, although I wouldn't make any bets, you probably would
have a good time tonight. You two might not hit it off, but it would
beat staying home alone tonight."
Hitori thought it over for a moment. His friend's an opinion made his
mind up, as it usually did from time to time. He respected Mamoru's
opinion. It was hardly ever proven wrong.
"What the heck, I'll do it," Hitori said. "When and where?"
"At eight-thirty tonight at Shinobu Ai."
Shinobu Ai.
True Love.
How appropriate for a date on Valentine's Day.
~*~*~
Megumi returned to her apartment roughly around seven o'clock. That
gave her an hour to get ready for her no-so-welcomed blind date. Right
now, all she wanted to do was sit back and do nothing. She threw her
books and purse to the floor next to the sofa and plopped into is soft
cushions. Kitai mewed softly and pounced onto the sofa next to her.
Megumi picked up her feline friend and hugged her lightly as she stroked
her soft her. The cat quietly purred.
"So, Kitai," she said, "what do you think about your old lady going out
on a date tonight?"
Megumi gave a lopsided smile. She never understood why owners talked to
their pets. She always thought it was abnormal for people to talk to
their pets. Only recently did she begin to understand. A person wasn't
really talking to their pet; it was only a way to sort out problems that
weighed heavily upon her shoulders. It was therapy.
Besides, telling Kitai her secrets was comforting in a sense. Who would
she tell?
"I don't know about it myself," Megumi continued. "It sounds like it's
going to be a waste of time. You know the last day I went on was
about... I think it was about six months ago, and it was another one of
Setsuko's ideas. Hmm, not a sociable person, am I? I guess I have a
fear of men..."
Megumi was surprised to hear she admitting the truth.
She hugged her cat more tightly.
"I don't think it started after... before school let out. I think I've
always had that fear inside of me. When Papa died when I was little, I
lost the only man in my life. I haven't had another one. If I find
another one who loves me just as much as Papa did, I'm sure he'll leave
me too..."
Kitai looked up, as if she understood every word her owner spoke.
"And this whole Valentine's Day thing... It's not one of my favorite
holidays. Sometimes I wish they would ban the holiday all together.
You know, I overheard a conversation today. One of the girls at the
university was almost in tears because she didn't have a boyfriend. I
despise that. Why do women have to have a man?" Megumi hung her head.
"Great, I'm beginning to sound like those crazy feminists on
television...
"But then... I caught myself sulking over the same thing the girl was.
"The truth is, I do want a man. I want a husband, a family of my own.
There's nothing wrong with that at all. I've always wanted that. I
just don't know if I can overcome my fear. Maybe... maybe this date
will be the first step for me. I just wonder how many more steps I'll
have to take afterwards..."
Kitai curled up into a furry ball in Megumi's lap, her tail curling so
perfectly around her feet. Megumi smiled down upon her and continued to
stroke her.
"You think I'm crazy, ne?"
The cat didn't answer.
~*~*~
In another apartment in the same part of town...
Hitori returned to his apartment at seven-fifteen, barely a few minutes
before his usual time. He went to his bedroom, switched his alarm clock
to the radio mode, and turned up the volume. It was a ritual of his to
listen to music. It helped him wind down.
And as part of his ritual, Hitori also sang along if one of *his* songs
came on the radio, even though his singing abilities were extremely
poor.
His "audience" was never happy to hear him. He showed it in every way
he could.
Conway, a brown and white Akita dog (named after the singer) plopped on
his tail and sat at his owner's feet, howling as his singing. Hitori
looked down at him as he unbuttoned his shirt. He said, "I know I can't
sing, but neither can you."
He took off his shirt and tossed it to the floor, not caring where it
landed. He placed his gun back under the pile of stored winter clothes
in the bottom drawer of his dresser. (When his niece and nephew came
over to visit Hitori moved the gun to a cabinet above the refrigerator
in the kitchen. The rest of the time he kept it within easy access.)
His badge and wallet were tossed onto the top of the dresser.
With that he fell back onto his bed. Conway climbed on beside him and
rested his head on Hitori's stomach.
Hitori hadn't realized how tired he was until he lay down. Because of
the early morning meeting with the smugglers, he had set his alarm clock
to wake him up at three a.m.
He had been up ever since.
"Forty winks couldn't hurt," he said to himself. "Don't want to fall
asleep on the date tonight..."
He was asleep before he could realize it.
~*~*~
The next day...
The events of last night were fresh in Hitori's mind as he retold them
to Mamoru.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Have you seen a young woman here? Around
twenty, yellow shirt on?"
The waitress nodded and said, "I think she left about ten minutes
ago. Sorry, sir."
Hitori thanked her, although he didn't want to. He swore under
his breath and walked out to his car.
"I can't believe she left!" he exulted, slamming his car down
shut. "Well... yeah, I can. She probably thinks I stood her up,
which is technically what I did." He groaned inwardly and pounded
his fist on the dashboard. "What's next, Hit Man? Are you going
to unscrew your head and leave it in the car?"
"So you stood her up."
Hitori scowled. "I didn't do it on purpose."
Mamoru shrugged. "Yeah, but over sleeping isn't a good excuse. That's
like saying your dog ate your homework. Hey, didn't that actually
happen once?"
"Listen, I was up yesterday at three a.m. Your wife had the crazy idea
to hook me up with one of her friends. As far as I'm concerned, it's no
one's fault but hers."
"Well, I'll give you that... but Hanako was only trying to do something
nice."
"Oh, side with her!"
"I have to. If I don't I don't get any lovin' at night."
Hitori rolled his eyes. Something caught his eye... someone in the
floral shop...
Now, perhaps it was the mood Hitori was in. Perhaps it was the presence
of the soon coming full moon that would be visible that night. Perhaps
it was only his curiosity. Whatever it was, it made Hitori look up to
see the moving figure behind the walls of glass.
He was glad he did.
Hitori had never seen a more beautiful woman in his entire life. She
stood out from all the rest, as if a heavenly radiance surrounded her,
an angel with hidden wings. He was instantly enraptured by her
presence.
Mamoru waved his hand in front of Hitori's face to catch his attention.
It was like starting a conversation with a brick wall.
"Earth to Hit Man, hello..."
"Who's that?" Hitori asked.
Mamoru half-smiled. "That was your blind date last night."
"Uh-huh..."
"Aren't you ashamed you stood her up?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Do you realize your drooling?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Oyagaoyuniyukutoyaoyanonioi."
"Uh-huh..."
"The aliens have landed. Yep, and the Queen wants you as her sex slave.
What do you think? She's ugly as sin, but it might be nice to try
something different."
Hitori looked at Mamoru with a raised eyebrow. "Huh? Did you say
something?"
Mamoru's head hung. "No... I didn't say a word!" He looked up as he
watched Hitori climb out of the car. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to ask her out."
Now it was Mamoru's turn to say, "Huh?"
"Obviously she wouldn't want to go out with me if she knew who I was and
what I did to her last night. So I'm not going to tell her who I am and
ask her out so she can see who I am before I tell her who I really am."
"Repeat that, please."
"I'm not going to tell her I was the one who stood her up. Later on, I
might. But I'd like to start on a clean slate so she won't clobber me."
"Hit Man, you don't have to worry about that... She'll clobber you no
matter when you tell her."
"Chance I gotta take."
Mamoru shook his head. "There goes a brave man..."
As Hitori stepped inside the quaint floral shop, the sweet, pungent
smell of a jungle of flowers overwhelmed him. The wafting sweetness
almost knocked him down, like the ocean wind use to do when he was a
child living in Osaka. He remembered in the heart of the town an old
lady spent all her time in her gardens. The smells were similar. It
was like a bit of country in the city.
Not a bad place to work if you liked flowers.
"Can I help you?"
The voice was even sweeter than the flowers. Hitori turned his
attention away from the displays and onto the owner of captivating
voice. The young woman he saw earlier than morning stood behind the
cash register on the counter in the front of the shop. She looked at
him were her soft brown eyes, and with a polite, yet friendly smile on
her face. He told tell, however, she used that smile on everyone that
walked into the store.
"Maybe," he said. Hitori casually walked over to the counter and leaned
over with his elbows supporting him. He looked directly at the beauty
with his deep blue eyes, catching every bit of her attention.
Megumi noted the smile on his face had a hint of mischief hidden in the
corners. So did his eyes. The man had what her sister would call
"laughing eyes," due to the crinkle in the corners and something that
danced inside of them. She had to force herself to suppress a smirk.
"You see," he began, reciting his little story, "I met this really
beautiful, *gorgeous* lady earlier today, and I have got to know her. I
found out from a friend the place she works at. So, I thought about
surprising her with flowers and asking her out tonight."
Megumi found herself envying the woman Hitori talked about. Obviously,
it wasn't her. Megumi knew she would never have such luck in life. And
there, right in front of her, was a young man that was probably one of
the "few good and available men" left in the world. From only a second
of knowing him, she could tell he was caring person, easy going, but not
quite laid back. By the way he dressed, she figured he was a country
boy - she didn't see too men in the city wearing jeans, a denim jacket,
and work boots. His dialect also told her he was not a native of Tokyo.
Obviously he had lived in the country some point in his life. None of
that mattered to Megumi. She wished someone like him would be
interested in her. If he were interested in her, she would readily
accept his offer for a date.
"There's the one flower that says it all," she said. "You could try
roses. They will always get the point across."
"I knew you were going to say that. See, I'm looking for a more subtle
flower. Roses to me are for serious lovers."
Megumi could feel her jaw dropping to the floor. That was a first.
Most of the men that walked through those doors wanted to buy a bouquet
of roses for their girlfriend, wife, a woman that caught their eye, and
sometimes for their mother or daughter. Either this man was crazy,
wanted to be original, or...
"In other words you're cheap," she said.
Hitori put a finger to his lips and said, "Shh! Don't tell her that!"
"Oh? Is this woman in this room?"
"I'm not saying."
Boy, is he a flirt, Megumi thought. You'd think he was trying to hit on
me. "Why don't I list a few flowers and you stop me when one catches
your attention."
"All right."
"We have carnations, but I wouldn't recommend them. Those are for
junior high schools students... Then we have lilies, orchids, and
tulips... now a bouquet of spring flowers would be lovely, but since
you're cheap... "
Hitori rolled his eyes at that remark. He interrupted her and said,
"Haha. Might I ask you what your favorite flower is?"
"My favorite? Well, I'm rather partial to daisies. I've always thought
they were pretty. And if a guy ever gave me daisies it would certainly
catch my attention."
His smile broadened. "You've sold me on the idea. I'll buy a bouquet
of daisies."
She excused herself, bowed, and went to the back room. When she came
back she held a fresh bouquet of white daisies, wrapped in layers of
yellow tissue paper and tied together with a wide white ribbon. He
thanked her for the flowers and paid for them. Then Hitori just stood
there. Megumi wondered if something was wrong with the flowers, or if
he had changed his mind.
"Something wrong, sir?" she asked.
Hitori shook his head. "Nope. See, I have these flowers here, and
there's a very lovely lady standing right in front of me. Would you
care to go out with me tonight?" He handed her the daisies, finding it
a joy to see the perplexed (but ever so cute) look on her face.
Megumi felt her cheeks turn a bright red. She didn't know if she was
more embarrassed than flattered. "Me?" she asked. "Well, I uh..." She
smiled, not even knowing why she was smiling. His man *was* different.
"I don't even know your name."
He extended his hand out in an American gesture of hello, waiting for
her to place her hand into his. "The name's Chiba Hitori. And you
are?"
Her smile grew as she shook his hand. "Meiou Megumi."
"So, how about it? I can pick you up at wherever you live tonight at
around seven or eight o'clock. Or whenever it's comfortable for you."
"Make it eight thirty at Shady Green Apartment Housing and you've got
yourself a date."
"Deal..." Hitori reeled that information several times in his head. He
raised an eyebrow in curiosity, or confusion. "Did you say Shady
Green?"
"Yes... why?"
"I live there."
"You what?"
Since houses were expensive and somewhat scarce in Japan, most citizens
lived in apartments. One block in the heart of Tokyo could have up to
three different apartment buildings, each holding a fair amount of
residents.
With all those buildings in a vast city such as Tokyo, Hitori happened
to live in the same apartment building as Megumi. He lived two floors
above her on the top level. Not once in the two years Megumi had lived
there did they ever cross paths. They were two entirely different
people on different schedules, coming and going at different times. It
would be impossible for them to ever bump into each other.
Until now.
"Well," she said, "then you don't have a reason to be late. My
apartment number is 204. If you're late I'll meet you up the elevator."
"I'll be sure to be on time."
Hitori said goodbye to Megumi and left the floral shop. As the door
closed behind him the tiny bell tied to the handle chimed. Through the
window walls, Megumi watched him. He got into his car and drove off, in
the same direction she would be headed in another hour.
In the transparency of the window Megumi saw the reflection of a woman
smiling back at her. Was that her? Surely it wasn't. The smile on
that woman's face was a smile Megumi could never possess... but then
again, it was always nice to have something new.
"I haven't actually smiled today," Megumi said to herself.
What a great unexpectation.
======
End of Chapter of Three
Author's Notes: (You knew they were coming!)
a) Kitai means, "hope." Also, doesn't it sound very similar to the word
kitty?"
b) The Yakuza, as I've mentioned in the story, is Japan's version of the
Mafia. It's a true fact that as part of their initiation, they must cut
off a bit of their pinkie. So if you go to Japan and someone missing
the tip of their pinkie... run like the wind!
c) If you don't know who Snidely Whiplash is, you have lived a very
sheltered life. He was the archenemy of Dudely Do-Right. The cartoon
was part of the Bulwinkle and Friends show. A couple of years ago a
movie was made starring Brendan Fraiser. (The only reason you need to
see this movie. He is so foine! ^_^)
d) The names Koyasu and Shiozawa are puns. Koyasu Takehito is a famous
seiyuu and would be perfect (in my opinion) to play the role of Hitori.
Shiozawa Kaneto was THE most famous male seiyuu. He was simply known in
the business as "The Voice." Sadly, he died a few months ago. In most
of his famous roles he played the villain, which is why I used his name
for the villain in this story. (He also did the voice for Prince
Demando in Sailormoon R.)
e) The interview and dating analogy was inspired by a joke on Jerry
Seinfield's comedy record "I'm Telling You for the Last Time..." Funny
how the craziest things inspire you...
f) The 1965 model of the Chevrolet convertible is my favorite car. I'm
not a car buff, but I love this car! If I had the money I would buy
one! ^^;
g) 55 kilometers per hour is actually 88 miles per hour.
h) The Akita is a breed of dog that is very prominent in Japan. In
fact, that's where it originated. To me, they look like a cross between
a Great Dane and a German Shepherd. Course, that's just me...
personally I love collies. :)
i) If you don't know, the singer Conway is named after is Conway
Twitty.
j) What Mamoru tells to Hitori is a tongue twister. It translates to
"when parents go to bathhouse, it smell of greengrocer."
(
geocities.com/tokyo)