Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango
AU – begins with the idea of the Silence; however takes a twist
Silence
"Have you heard a story about Lucky Star?"
"It is a place. A place called Lucky Star."
"It is also a code. When you make this hand gesture, the ones who have loved us, the ones who have left us, will learn how much we miss them. And then they will bless us."
Chapter One: Martians
Every time I look at the sky, I remember the boy, whom I can never forget. It was he, who gave me the best memories of my life. My father was Korean and died when I was little, so my mum took me to her hometown. We relied on okonomyaki – dad's favorite food, to make money. I liked to stay beside my mum and watch her expression as she made it. Sometimes I would sit beside her and ask about my dad. While listening to her stories about him, I felt very happy and fortunate.
Our neighbor, Aunt Tsubaki was my mom's old friend. She took care of us for a while, and loved me as her own. And she always yelled at her son, Tsukasa. Tsubaki would always say that if he were as obedient as I was. But the mischievous Tsukasa did not care at all, everyday he was happy and energetic. It made people think that there were no worries in his life. That was until that day…
Tsukasa had talked me into skipping class and we got into a bus accident. I was so scared at that time – I thought I was going to die. Tsukasa carried me to the hospital and I wanted to yell out for help. Yet no matter how hard I tried, I could not make a sound. At the hospital, the doctor told my mum that because I was extremely frightened I could not talk now. They did many tests and I took a lot of medicine – nothing happened. Tsubaki yelled furiously and repentantly at Tsukasa. It was the first time that I saw Tsukasa blame himself so much, that he could not say anything.
As I lay on the hospital bed, I could not believe that for the rest of my life I would probably be mute. I ran onto the hospital rooftop and I tried to scream as loud as I can – nothing happened. I suddenly felt so alone, so helpless – like an alien from outer space, unable to communicate with the humans on Earth, even though they could understand the humans.
So at a secret place, I placed a note knowing fully well that it could not happen. Yet, I still waited. For one day when an alien friend might come along and make me fell not alone again. Unexpectedly, that same afternoon there came a message from an alien. He said he was a Martian. I really wanted to meet him because I wanted to see what a Martian looked like. He was a Martian with his leg in a cast.
"It's you…" he said, "You're the one who placed the letter here. Ah!"
I looked down and a cockroach was crawling on the moldy floor. I squished it and showed it to the Martian, and then he alleged:
"Cockroaches are Martians' arch enemies."
Meeting the real Him was disappointing, he was not as I had imagined, he was completely different. He was a Martian who was scared of cockroaches! Until the day, I saw him with his headphones on – leaning against the willow with his eyes closed. He looked lonely – as he was the last person on Earth. I finally understood why he was a Martian. Because the Martians, who live on Earth, would be lonely –they were far away from home.
Emergency exit was another secret place for Martians. We would also meet unexpectedly on the emergency exit. He saw okonomyaki that my mum made. He said he wanted to swap with me. While watching him eat with delight I thought that in Mars there was no okonomyaki.
But he asked a question about a Martian would never ask:
"If we are friends, what is your name? My name is Rui"
I intentionally wrote my name in Korean.
"What are all these circles and crosses?" he asked "unless. You are the Martian. Wait – it is Korean. You are Korean. No wonder you do not like to talk. Your Japanese must sound funny."
The second day I made a new friend, my mum was on her way to the hospital with okonomyaki for me. She was in a crash with a car and was taken into emergency room. This time I felt like I had really lost everything. Even if I am able to speak again, what is the point in that? My mum would not be able to hear it. The Martian seemed to know about my sorrow. In order to make me feel better he told me a story about Lucky Star on the rooftop"
"But to Martians, there is no difference between life and death. Because the people who leave this world, will fly to that place," as he spoke he crossed his hands strangely and spoke once again "Don't understand? This is a hand gesture only Martians know, it is a place, - and Martians call it Star. You can also call it Lucky Star. The people who have left this world will all live in Lucky Star. They will hang in the sky and blink at you. Your mum is definitely lives in Lucky star. She knows that you do not like to talk. So that is why every night she will hang in the sky, always flashing. Smile while talking to you. Did you know that the people who get to live in Lucky Star are all good people? The most important thing is that their hearts and our heart are always connected. As long as you and the people of Lucky Star loved each other and miss each other then they will always live inside hear?" he pointed to my heart "Hey! Your mum wouldn't want you to cry so much" my sorrow grew lighter as he wiped away my tears "she hoped that you would live happily. Do you know that today is Christmas Eve? Do you hear singing? This singing, doesn't it seem like it's coming from Lucky Star?"
And so we followed the soft singing. We entered a small chapel, while listening to the sounds from Lucky Star, I felt like I was beside my mum, watching her make rice with roasted meat. I got a feeling of happiness when he touched my hand and as we walked down the aisle and it warmed my ice-cold heart.
Next day he shared with me his favorite song. He said the song belonged to Martians. We closed our eyes and leaned against the old tree, holding each other's hand and listening to the Martian's song.
"Do you have enough courage to follow me to a far away place of adventure?"
And so, he secretly took me out of the hospital. We rode on the Martian adventure tour. With the Martian, I had the happiest day of my life.
"Did you have fun today?" he asked.
Unable to respond I just nodded still smiling.
"Then let's take a photo for memory."
He took the photo of the both of us in the amusement park.
"Which one did you like the most? Hey, it is unfair. Why do you never talk? Fine then, I will not talk either. Talking is so tiring. We can use writing from now on. Now we will write down what we want to tell the other person. Then put the letters in this hole and close it with the brick. One year… Too uncreative. 5 years… Not exciting enough. Let us just wait until we a bit older, and then come back to uncover the mystery. Twenty-five years old is old enough, isn't it? When I will be twenty-five, it will be the year 2006. Then, at Christmas in 2006, we'll come back to uncover the mystery. Will it be too long? When that time comes, will you really come back?"
I knew that I would come so I just nodded again.
"So… do you like me? You don't have to answer that right now. You can reply tomorrow. It's late, I have to go."
It's not that I didn't want to reply. I was only thinking how does a Martian expressing what he likes. But he ran off before I could write down my answer. I wanted to tell him that he is my only friend. I wanted to tell him that I really like this friend. This person was the same as me – a friend of an alien. At the time, I did not know that it was a goodbye. It would make the late answer unable to be answered forever.
That day, I learnt of his transfer. I could not let him go like that. I had to tell him my answer. I asked Doctor Kin-san for help. He rather understood that it was important for me to find Rui. I could finally see him again – at our secret place.
"Remember to call me!"
But he just hurriedly wrote me a message, then turned around and left. I really wanted to tell him my answer. The answer I could not say in time, yet I could only watch him becoming more and more blurry, moving further and further away. I remember our 2006 Christmas promise and I remember the hand gesture he'd taught me – Lucky Star.
Not long after I left the hospital as well. I lived in Aunt's Tsubaki's house. I thought about the person called Rui the Martian friend. While looking at the phone number on the message, I gathered up my courage and dialed.
"Hello! Hello!"
But I could not say a word. I don't know why, hearing his voice made me even gloomier because I could only reply to him with silence.
It was a long winter. Aunt Tsubaki took care of me. But at school, a girl named Asai and her friends picked on me because I could not speak. No matter where I was, Tsukasa would always protect me. He also gave me a whistle and said:
"I don't know how long you're going to live. But no matter what happens. Use that to call me and I will come for sure. For sure."
Under their care, I once again felt the warm feeling of being in a family. In order to help me recover Aunt Tsubaki decided to move to Tokyo. I really wanted to tell my Martian friend. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not find that piece of paper with his number. It was not until I looked all over the place that I realized that I had lost another precious thing. I did not stop running. I did not stop unlit I would reach the big tree where we had once listened to Martian's music together. I faced the sky and I tried to find my mum's Lucky Star. I wanted to tell my mum of the sorrow I felt inside of me. But could not make a sound. Before we left to Tokyo, I visited my mum's old roast meat shop to say final goodbye. At that time, it seemed as if everything had returned to the way it was before.
Mum, do not worry, I will not blame myself, I will be strong and more courageous than anyone else will, I will be fine because I am the weed – Tsukushi.
At that time, I did not know that the Martian, under his father's wishes, was going to London to study. The first day after we left, he would also come here. We would pass each other on the road, yet we missed our chance to say goodbye. I only know that I need to wave goodbye to my painful past, so then I can happily move on when 2006 Christmas comes- when I meet the Martian again. The one who called himself, the Martian in the cast. He will see, the happy and carefree me.
12 years later
"Young master! Your car is here!" a butler addressed the person walking down the stairs, his skeletal auburn hair draping around his head like a enchanting melody crooned by the winds.
The young man just strolled past the servant and sat down in the backseat of his car.
"What are you doing? You know where to go. You're wasting company's time," Rui's calm voice send shivers down the driver's spine.
"I am sorry, sir. That won't happen again" scared driver pressed on the accelerator as the car weaved through the roads and highways of Tokyo.
Somewhere on the other end of town, young girl was preparing the spaghetti. The smell of pasta engulfed the kitchen leaving Tsukushi intoxicated by its smell.
Behind her, a tall shadow lurked and encircled his arms around her.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING OCTOPUS?
But not a word escaped her mouth, instead her hands moved, twisting, and turning while her face said that she was angry.
Tsukasa looked at her again and once again felt the same heartache throbbing in his heart. It was his fault that she could not speak, it was his entire fault, and he could not do a damn thing about it, just stay by her side, and protect her. But this supposed responsibility was not the only thing why he stayed. The true reason was that he has loved her for so long, for so many years not as a brother loved a sister, not as a friend loves a friend – a different love.
"I was trying to scare you! Dummy! And I got you," Tsukasa opened his mouth wide and smiled at her.
But instead, she just threw a silver spoon at him.
Get everything into the car. Stupid!
"You didn't say I was stupid!"
Maybe I did.
"How could you say that I Tsukasa Doumyouji is brainless?"
You are dumb. Just live with it! And go, go, we don't have all day.
"I'm going. I'm going" Tsukasa whined as Tsukushi's hands touched his broad back and started pushing him out the door.
Almost every day was like this. They would wake up, make the spaghetti, and then go sell it in the town – that's how they lived, while Tsubaki was working, too. It was how they survived and Tsukushi was very content with it… She was happy everyday but silently in her heart, she still waited the 2006 Christmas – still coming to visit the secret world putting little messages in the little gap in the wall.
"Come on Tsukushi! We don't have all day long to mess around!" Tsukasa screamed, "Are you trying to be lazy again?"
Tsukushi just rushed through the house she came back once again to see if she has turned off the oven and moved on to the truck. The colorful van was racing down the crowded highway and Tsukasa quietly spoke:
"I am sorry I didn't mean to yell at you...but it was all your fault anyways!" Tsukasa went back to his old self "You're always telling me too hurry up, but you always take forever!"
Don't yell at me octopus. I thought you were apologizing dumbass!
Tsukasa felt her angered aura sparkle around her and at these moments, he was happy she could not speak; otherwise, she would scream her throat out…
The next morning everything seemed to begin as every other morning, the sun rose as always, the birds sang their songs as usual, and Tsukushi was getting ready for work again. Her hands were carrying a pot of spaghettis, while the wind was playing gently with her russet hair. She set the pot down on the van and gently started mixing it, her palms brushed across the utensils hanging down from the shelf softly jingling as her hands brushed, creating a melody, a tune of happiness.
The red gate creaked and Tsukasa slowly sneaked out, trying to escape another tedious workday. He slowly tips toed, barely making any sound in the opposite direction of the truck. However, Tsukushi was more alert than anyone was and noticed him walking away. Her soft lips touched the silver and cold surface of the whistle; she gently blew it, creating a soft sound, which reached Tsukasa's ears.
Come here
Tsukasa turned around and ran towards her still with hope to escape this dreadful day.
Come and help
"Sorry, no can do" he shrugged his shoulders lying and tried to make a run for it "I have something to do!!! See you later!"
Tsukushi turned away and sighed there was nothing she could do about it if that octopus wanted to skip work.
"Tsukushi, could you give me a ride to work? I am running a little bit late" Tsubaki asked.
Of course.
And the yellow truck sped of the highway to the heart of Tokyo.
From another side of Tokyo a black limousine was racing towards the same location, with a new young CEO of the company Tsubaki worked for.
"I am off to work, honey." Tsubaki said.
Good luck!
As Tsukushi drove away, she noticed a nametag on Tsubaki's seat; it was drowning in the sunlight. Tsukushi quickly picked it up and ran towards the building. As the hand of fate would have it, she bumped into one of the many workers who were entering and leaving the building. The nametag dropped from her hands, and as she reached for it, a black shoe touched it before it. Her eyes rose and saw his. For some reason Rui stood mesmerized by her eyes, and her flowing hair. He slowly looked down and saw the nametag; he slowly kneeled and gave it to her, and without saying a word left.
"Tsukushi! Thank you so much – I thought I lost it" Tsubaki said after going through the winding doors.
Try not to forget it next time.
Tsukushi turned back and looked at the building she had seen so many times but it always was just a building but this time she couldn't' take her eyes of it. She slowly turned back and went back to her work to continue her work.
Rui went into his new office, thinking about his earlier encounter as his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Sir, the meeting is starting" the young secretary Ayano announced.
"I'll be right there."
Rui walked into a grand room, filled with officials from the company, they all rose and started clapping for him. However, he silently ignored them and went to the window. His hand touched the window, and brushed his fingers against it. He looked at it and saw dirt. Rui's expression remained cold and stern.
"When there are blinds to cover up the windows, you can't see the dirt. Change the cleaning company we are using immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
"Everyone has lost blood before. It is a healthy process, which eliminates the bad blood cells, so there would be more new and better blood cells. My responsibility is to create blood for this company and first we will be getting rid of the useless blood."
Everyone in the room slowly lowered their heads and nodded, but Rui just looked at his watch and calmly continued:
"Before ten o'clock, I want a report of each department's supervisor."
"Sir, isn't it a little bit rushed?"
"Before ten o'clock or you will be the useless blood."
Authors note: Rewritten and revised. The whole story is done; however, there were three possibilities that could take place, thus I wrote all three parts and found the best one. Right now, I am currently reediting them, cutting it, and pasting in new chapters. Thank you so much for reading. Please tell me what you hate or love about the story, and how I can improve it. Thank you