Denial

Kyoto: Series of vignettes. Not quite chronological/related.


You've never liked 3-D. it's a fact you don't bother to deny. In fact, it's something you often enjoy rubbing in their faces on a daily basis – trash, that's what they are, the scum of society.

That opinion of yours hasn't changed, and probably never will.

But maybe, just maybe, they are recyclable rubbish, as Kawashima said, not that anyone will ever catch you spouting that horribly trite and uncharacteristic phrase.


You've never liked Yamaguchi. It's a fact you don't bother to deny. In fact, it's something you often enjoy rubbing in her face on a daily basis – she is as unwomanly as one can get, and incapable of pulling 3-D's abhorrent grades up to an acceptable level.

That opinion of yours hasn't changed, and probably never will.

But maybe, just maybe, she is a good teacher, as the slight change in 3-D's attitudes show, not that anyone will ever catch you admitting that.


Some days (usually those that feature 3-D, Yamaguchi, and a beaten-up group of gangsters), you wonder what sort of upbringing Yamaguchi had. Even an obsession with Yakuza movies can only explain so much. It's not normal. She's not normal.

When you are feeling particularly imaginative, you convince yourself she has secrets, a closet full of skeletons.

Of course, reality sets in soon after, and you chuckle at your flights of fancy. Everyone has lapses, even you.


It is after yet another one of Sachiko's omiai efforts in Yamaguchi's favour, and Sachiko has sent you to observe and report the results. Yamaguchi is thus far her only candidate who has failed. Repeatedly.

And no wonder.

Even from your partially-blocked vantage point in an inconspicuous corner, her appearance is… striking, to say the least.

Yamaguchi is decked out in what you can only assume is a Yakuza cosplay ensemble. From the dragon-emblazoned kimono to the blood-red lipstick, she's dressed for a fight. The only appropriate accessory is the single rose she clutches in her fist (a pair of kodachi would be more in keeping with her outfit).

Now you know why her students stalk their teacher's omiai – they're hilariously cringeworthy.

You motion the waitress over and order a parfait. If you're going to be watching this train wreck, you might as well get comfortable.


You stare, goggle-eyed, at the bold kanji characters emblazoned on the wooden plate.

Oedo Family.

You feel the blood gradually leaving your face, and your legs go soft for just a moment, long enough that you stumble backwards and almost lose your balance.

You slowly back away, only vaguely aware that your mouth is still wide open (normally you are very conscious of the fact that your face looks even longer than a horse's like that – or so Sachiko has told you).

When you are a satisfactory ten feet away from the ominous-looking compound, you somehow manage to tear your eyes away from the terrible nameplate, and run away as fast as you can.


You struggle with your newfound knowledge; a vindictive desire to see Yamaguchi get her uppcommance wars with the knowledge that the school will suffer backlash from a fallout of this magnitude (also: Yakuza aren't to be messed with).

Still, the former almost wins.

But then the memory of Yamaguchi whispering "Paradise's Satsuki-chan" pops into your head, and an uneasy smile stretches your lips, as if to cover the chill that runs down your spine.

Everyone has the right to their secrets, you decide.


Wow. This document is dated 2009. Was looking through my archives and found this kiddo so I thought I'd just dust it off a bit and straighten it up, for anyone who still cares to read my stuff.