Saya Otonashi and the winds of change
Chapter 1, Saya's lonely past
Saya stood in the middle of the burning room. She watched as the flames costumed her home. Diva held out her hand for her older sister as the flames costumed her. "Saya-neesama," she cried out. The fire burned through the floor. Saya fell to her death. She landed onto the broken couch. She looked up at the hole from the room that she had fallen from. A figure stood over the large hole. It disappeared from view.
Saya fell to her knees. Then the room went dark and white features appeared from the darkness. She reached up and grabbed one of the features. Then a bright light appeared taking a shape of a man. "Saya," he said. "Hagi?" she gasped, "What is going on?" "The world is on fire," she cried out reaching for him. Hagi grabbed her wrist. "You need to survive," he said. He touched her forehead. A bright light flashed before her eyes.
BAN! "AH!" Saya screamed jumping up from her chair. The whole class started laughing. "Miss Otonashi!" the teacher shouted standing right in front of her. "How times do I have to tell you not to fall asleep in class!" "My apologizes," said Saya, "I didn't get enough sleep last night. I was busy working." "That's no excuse!" the teacher shouted, "Take your seat Miss Otonashi." Saya sat back into her chair.
She heard students laughing from behind her. She slipped deep into her seat. Soon the bell rang for passing period. Saya was the first to run out the classroom. No one said anything. Saya leaned against the wall. "Man," she groaned, "Why does he have to be so rude all the time?" "You fell asleep in class again, didn't you?" said a voice. Saya jumped back. "Hagi!" she cried out, "Don't scare me like that again." "Sorry," he replied, "What were you doing last night? Were you with Solomon again?" "I'm never with Solomon, why would you ask that? Hagi?" she cried out. "What you haven't heard the rumors?" he asked.
"What rumors?" she asked. "Never mind," said Hagi, "Once again, you're unaware of what goes on around you." "What does that suppose to mean?" she cried. "People are saying that you're going out with Solomon," said Hagi. "That's sick," she cried out, "Why would I go out with him? I have you, don't I?" Hagi chuckled. "You really are one very special girl," he said. Saya rolled her eyes. "Sometimes," she said, "I wonder why we even hang out." She turned and walked off. "Because, I love you," Hagi whispered to himself.
Hagi and Saya were childhood friends. Hagi was deeply in love with Saya. She was the only person who understood him. Saya was very hard on him sometimes. She always gives him a hard time some of the time. Hagi truly loved her to no end. If only Saya knew how he truly feels. Would she love him back? "Ah, Hagi," said a voice. Hagi growled. Solomon stood in the hall behind him. "What do you want Solomon?" Hagi asked coldly.
"Oh no reason just was walking to class when I saw you and Saya having your usual discussion." "Saya is a thing of beauty," said Solomon with a chuckle. "Don't you agree with me? Hagi?" Hagi growled. "Stay away from Saya," said Hagi, "She's not interested in you." "Oh?" said Solomon, "And she interested in you? Face it Hagi, you're nothing more than Saya's best friend. Do you honest think that she could love you?" Hagi punched Solomon into the stomach. Blood shot out of Solomon's mouth.
"I may not be the man that Saya desires," he said, "But, I know what my friend needs. You keep your filthy hands away from her." He turned and walked off. Solomon held his stomach and watched him walk off. "Wow, Hagi," said a voice from the corner. Saya appeared from behind the corner. "Saya," said Solomon when he saw her. Saya stick out her tongue at him. She turned to Hagi. "What did he do this time?" she asked putting her hands behind her head. "Nothing," said Hagi, "Just got annoyed by him."
"Rrrriiigggghhhhtttt," she said, "Like I'm that dumb." "So," said Hagi, "You're calling yourself dumb." "Can it," she growled. She turned her head. Hagi chuckled. Solomon made a fist. "I should be going to class now," said Hagi. "Okay," said Saya with a smile on her face. "See ya later Hagi." Hagi waved before turning the corner. Saya smiled then turned when Hagi was gone. "Sure do like to piss him out, huh Solomon?" she said. Solomon chuckled at her. "You're sense of humor amuses me, Saya," he said.
But I wasn't being funny, she thought. "So," said Solomon, "You are going anything tomorrow night?" "Back up," said Saya holding up her hand stopping him from speaking. "No way," she said. "Huh?" said Solomon, "But I didn't say anything." "You were going to ask me out," said Saya, "Well, my answer is no way Solomon." "Why no Saya?" he asked. "Because," said she turning away from him. "There's someone else that I love more than life itself." "Let me guess," said Solomon, "That's Hagi, am I right?"
"Yeah," she replied, "Ever since we were kids. I've always had a crush on him. I love him. I give him a hard time to hide how I really feel. He's always there when I need him. He may not feel the same way but I love him to death." Solomon made a fist. "But I love you, Saya," he said. "I don't love you," Saya shouted, "You're like a friend to me and Hagi is the man I'll ever love in this world. You don't come close to the man that Hagi is!" she ran off leaving Solomon heartbroken. She didn't love him, she loves Hagi not him.
"Hey," said Hagi as Saya slapped his shoulder. "What was that for Saya?" "Oh, don't be such babies," she replied, "I just felt like it that's all." "Well, you don't have to do that you know," he said, "There are other ways to get my attention." "Aw, what's the fun in that?" she asked walking aside him. "You're one special girl," he said. She giggled. "Sooo, Hagi," she said. By the way she sounded to Hagi: she was up to her usual tricks. What could it be this time? "What Saya?" he asked kindly. She giggled again making him nervous.
"Is there a girl you like?" she asked. He froze in his tracks. "What bring this on?" he asked. Saya gasped playfully. "Or are you gay?" "I'm not gay," he replied. "Oh, really?" she said giggling. "Well then, do you like a girl or not?" "What if I do?" he asked, "Would you make fun of me? Like you always do?" Saya giggled. "Maybe," she giggled. "That's why I'm not telling you," he replied walking ahead of her. "Aw come on Hagi," she said keeping up with him. "I promise not to laugh. Just tell me who it is maybe I can help you out."
"Why would you help me out?" he asked, "All you ever do is crack a joke or two toward me." "Boy," said Saya crossing her arms. "Look who's in mood all of a sudden." They fell silent then laughed. "Maybe, I'm not ready to tell anyone just yet," he said. "Even your best friend?" she asked. "Especially, my best friend," he replied. Saya groaned. "Greez, sorry I asked." Hagi chuckled at her. Saya brushed and turned her head. It's so hard to talk to him sometimes, she thought as they walked home down the sidewalk.
Saya looked out her bedroom window. "How can I get Hagi to know how I feel?" she asked herself. Then the door opened. "Hey neechan," said a voice. Saya turned and smiled at her little brother. "Hey there Riku," she replied. Riku smiled. "How was school?" Saya asked. "It was okay," Riku replied. Kai stepped into the room. "Yo," he said. "Hey there Kai-nichan," said Riku. "Hey Kai," said Saya to her big brother. "Shouldn't you be with your friends by now?" Saya asked him. "Nope," Kai replied, "They're too busy."
Riku smiled. Kai rubbed the back of his neck. "Come on it's time to eat." They made their way downstairs. George had dinner on the table. "Eat up you three," he said with a smile. "Thanks dad," said Riku sitting down. "Thanks dad," said Saya. "It wasn't just me," said George, "Kai helped too." Both Saya and Riku dropped their chopsticks and pushed their plates away. George just laughed. "Oh come on you two," said Kai, "You honest think I would poison you?" "Well," they said trying not to hurt his pride.
"You can't cook anything," said Riku. "What?" Kai shouted. "Now, now," said George, "Let's just eat our dinner with fighting, right?" "Yeah," said Saya and Riku. "Whatever," Kai replied taking his seat. They ate their dinner quietly. Riku and Saya were surprised to learn that Kai could cook. They took back what they said about him not being able to cook. Kai forgave them since they were only kidding. "So, Saya," said Kai as they ate. "How did it go telling Hagi how you felt about him?" Saya nearly coughed up her food.
"What are you talking about Kai?" she asked trying to bring herself to laugh. "Oh come on Saya," said Kai, "You haven't told him?" 'It's none of your business," Saya cried brushing. "I like Hagi," said Riku. Saya and Kai looked at him. "He's nice," Riku explained, "And would make a great boyfriend for Saya-neechan." "Riku, you too," Saya asked. "My little girl is growing up," said George. "DAD!" Saya cried out, "SEE WHAT YOU STARTED KAI?" "Hey it's not my fault, you're crushing on your best friend," Kai replied.
"Stupid Kai," Saya groaned as she made her way up the stairs. "Honestly, why doesn't he just mind his own business? He's always getting into my business. It's my life not his. Stupid Kai!" she to her room when she saw Riku leaning up against the wall to the bathroom. "Riku?" she called. Riku looked up and smiled. "Hey neechan," he said. "What are you doing outside the bathroom door?" she asked. "Waiting for Kai-nichan," Riku replied.
"I need to get into the shower and he's in there doing who knows what." Saya knocked on the door. "Kai! Hurry up Riku has to get in there!" "Mind your own damn business Saya!" Kai shouted through the door. Saya knocked the door. "Kai! You're a jerk!"She walked to her room. Riku watched his sister walk off annoyed. He knew that Saya and Kai always fought but that's how they show they care. Saya knocked the bedroom door open and stepped inside. She moaned under her breath as she slammed the door shut.
"Stupid Kai," she moaned. She fell onto her bed. Hagi appeared in her mind. "How can I get him to see how I feel?" she asked herself. She heard Kai come out from the bathroom. "Okay little bro," he said, "It's all yours." "Thanks neechan!" Riku called to her room. Kai walked into his room and slammed the door shut too. Saya felt sleepy and began to fall asleep for the night. The thoughts of Hagi filled her head as she fell asleep.
BAN! "AH!" Saya shouted jumping up to her feet. The class laughed. "AGAIN MISS OTONASHI?" the teacher shouted, "IF YOU KEEP THIS UP THEN I'LL BE FORCE TO CALL YOUR FATHER!" "I'm sorry," Saya apologized. "Sit down," the teacher demanded. The class laughed. Saya groaned and sat back down. The bell rang making Saya jump up to her feet and ran out the door. The teacher didn't notice that she was running. She saw Hagi at the corner of the hall. She sidled to a halt.
"You fall asleep again, didn't you?" he said. "So, what if I did?" she replied. He rolled his eyes. "You never change," he said. Saya grabbed his arm. "Come on let's go," she said, "We need to talk." "What about/?" he asked. "Just come on," she said, "I don't want anyone to hear us." She pulled him to the corner before he pulled his arm out of her grasp. "What is wrong with you today? Saya?" he asked. "What do you mean?" she asked. "You've been acting strange lately," he replied, "First, you ask me if there's a girl I like then you drag me like some rag doll. What is going on?" Saya took a deep breath.
Before she could speak Solomon popped up from the corner. "Hey there you two," he said. "What do you want now?" Hagi asked coldly. "Oh come on Hagi," said Solomon, "Enough with the coldness." Please just go away. Please, I want to tell him how I feel, Saya thought looking at Hagi. She brushed and turned her head. Solomon placed a hand on her shoulder. "Saya," he said, "Would you do me the honor of being my date to the dance on Friday night?" he asked. "Solomon," said Saya. "Yes?" Solomon replied with a smile of victory.
Saya grabbed Hagi's arm and pulled him away before Hagi could even land a blow on Solomon's pretty-boy face. "Take a walk," she said suddenly. Solomon's world came crushing down by her words. She pulled Hagi away from Solomon. They got to the other side of the school when they stopped. "Greez, I really hate that guy," she said. Hagi looked at her. "What?" she asked. "Nothing," said Hagi, "Why didn't you just let me punch him out? If he bothers you so much?" Saya brushed as her heartbeat picked up speed.
How could she tell him how she really feel with Solomon popping up out of nowhere? "I didn't want you to get into trouble," she replied brushing. "Saya," he said. "Yeah?" she replied. "You're a good person," he said. She brushed even harder. Hagi touched her cheek. She looked into his eyes and saw the emotions in his eyes. The emotions that he had hidden from everyone even her. She wanted to kiss him more than anything at that moment. "Get to class, Miss Otonashi, Mr. Black," a teacher said walking pass them.
"I'll see you later," said Hagi walking to his classroom. Saya reached out her hand but he was gone. She groaned and made her way to class. She sat down in her seat. "You're late," said Kai as he sat on the windowsill. Saya ignored him and laid her head onto the desk. "Hey," said Kai, "Are you listening to me?" "Shut up Kai," she groaned. Kai groaned and looked his head. "You were talking to him again, weren't you?" he said. She didn't reply. She just burled her face into her arms. Kai said nothing. Solomon came into the classroom and saw Saya. Kai quickly sat down next to his sister before Solomon could.
"Nice try rich-boy," he said to Solomon. Solomon growled and sat down a few seats away from them. Kai watched him. Kai didn't trust Solomon with Saya. To Kai: Hagi was the better man than Solomon when it came to Saya. The teacher walked in and began class. Kai looked to Saya who still wasn't looking up. Kai elbowed her to look u. she looked at him he mouthed to her. She shot up and paid attention to the teacher.
Kai rode on his motorcycle with Saya holding into his waist. Hagi had gone home early so Saya decided to ride home with Kai. She looked to the side. Her eyes widen. She was staring at the beach. "Kai?" she said turning to her brother. Kai smiled. "I figured you could use a breather or two so I decided to take the longer route," he replied. "But…." Kai shook his head. "Don't be in such a hurry to learn everything about our family and don't worry about making Hagi your boyfriend. Everything will work out for itself."
Saya placed her head onto his back. "It's been two months since the fire," she said, "I've lost so much in that fire. My sister and father all died in that fire. I don't why: I'm even living on if my family is dead." "Will you stop it!" Kai shouted, "I know that you miss them but have dad, Riku, Hagi and I by your side and nothing can change that." He grabbed her hand. "Just have a little fate in yourself and those around you. You got me?"
Saya smiled. "Thank you, Kai," she replied. "There's no need to thank me," he replied, "Everyone has a past that they wish that they can escape from but they can't. Our past makes us who we are. Hiding from the past does only make you weak. Facing the past makes you much stronger. Just remember that Saya and you'll go far." Saya looked to the ocean taking his words. "You're right, thanks Kai," she said.
The fire burned through the floor. Saya stood in the middle of the room. Bends and the ceiling collapsed to the floor. A man sat in a chair as the flames costumed his fresh. "Saya," he said reaching out a hand for her. "JOEL!" Saya shouted. "Saya-neesama," a voice called out. Saya turned around and saw the girl reaching out for her. "DIVA!" Saya cried out reaching for her sister. The flames grew higher and higher.
The rag burned into flames. Soon the fire died down and Saya stood in the middle of the remains of the mansion. Tears fell from her eyes. She picked up a silver ring that had survived the fire. It was what was left of her father Joel. She heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Hagi standing there. "I've heard what happened," he said, "Are you alright?" "Hagi," she cried running to him.
She wrapped he arms around his waist and cried into his chest. Hagi held her into his arms. "It's alright Saya," he said, "I won't let anything happen to you." She cried into his chest. "I promise, I will protect to the very end." He stroked her hair. The sound of her tears could be heard from far away. The pain of her lost was too bare for her alone. Hagi was the only one who had been there for her when she needed someone.
Hagi sat on a couch in his apartment. It had been two months since then. The Goldschmidt mansion had burned to the ground. Saya's little sister and her adaptive father were killed in the fire. Hagi had heard from the news what had happened. His heart had stopped when he heard what happened. He thought Saya was die but when the reporter had said that the eldest daughter had survived: he was relieved to hear it. He ran to where the mansion once stood and find Saya there crying over her lost.
She had no family left to care of her. She had disappeared for two months then reappeared in Omoro run by the Myagusuku family. George Myagusuku had taken Saya into his home after the fire. Hagi knew his eldest son Kai from school. Kai was a very quiet boy. He always kept to himself. He wouldn't come to school. Kai would get into fights with other boys. Hagi never really liked him since he was a fighter.
Kai usual to be on the baseball team at school but dropped out after injuring his arm. Saya had become his sister. Hagi was glad to see that she was safe. Saya wasn't the same after the fire. Kai had said that Saya didn't smile or anything but seeing Hagi again brought a smile to her face. Hagi looked out the window. Saya was his whole world and when he learned about the fire. His world stopped as the thought of seeing Saya's corpse before his eyes.
Hagi knew Joel and Diva. Diva was Saya's twin sister. She and Saya would laugh and play together all the time. Diva would tease Hagi about liking her sister. Joel was a kind man. He always laughed and enjoyed the girls company. Joel had given Hagi a home when he was a boy. That's when he met Saya and Diva. The three of them always laughed and played. Then when Hagi was fifteen: he moved out and found an apartment.
Saya and Diva wanted him to home but he would say that he would after he finished school. The memories he shared with them always in his mind. Now Saya had two brothers: Kai and Riku. Riku is a kindhearted boy. He is the youngest son but he is very smart for his age. Saya treated him like a baby. Riku loves his new big sister and his older brother. George was the same as Joel. He would laugh and enjoy his children's company.
The phone rang breaking his train of thought. Hagi picked up his cell. He really didn't have a home phone since he was out mostly with Saya and her brothers. He brought the cell to his ear after hitting talk. "Hello?" he said. "Hey Hagi," it was Saya. "What's up?" she asked. "Saya?" he said, "What is it?" "I wondering," she said, "Can you meet me at the amusement park tomorrow? I'm taking Riku and I was wondering if you would like to join us?"
Hagi thought about it. They haven't been to the amusement park in years. "Alright," he said, "I guess, we haven't been to the amusement park in years." "Yeah, I know," she said. "Riku is looking forward for you to come and so am I." he smiled. "Alright, I'll meet you two there tomorrow," he said. "That's great," she said, "See you tomorrow Hagi." "See you tomorrow Saya," he replied then hung up the cell phone.
He looked out the window again. "Looks like I have a date with Saya," he said to himself. He knew it really wasn't a date but a chance to hang out his closest friend and her little brother. Hagi likes her little brother. He was a very bright boy more so than his brother. Riku was very friendly and easy to get along with. He proper Riku over Kai any day: Saya and Riku were like children when they played together. It was like watching Saya and Diva playing once again. Saya felt like she had her little sister back when she played with Riku.
"Hey look!' Riku cried pointing to the fieriest wheel. "Big deal," said Kai who walked behind his brother. Saya giggled. She looked around for Hagi. "I thought you said that he was coming?" Kai asked. "He is," she replied. "Hey Hagi! Over here!" Riku called him over. Hagi walked toward them. "Hey Hagi," said Saya. "Hello Saya," said Hagi. He looked to Kai. "Hey," said Kai acting cool. Riku rolled his eyes and grabbed Kai's arm.
"Come on," he said pulling his brother. "Wow, hey what the hell…?" said Kai as Riku dragged him away. Saya giggled. Hagi looked at her. "Let's go," she said. "Alright," he said. She grabbed his hand. They walked behind Kai and Riku onto the fieriest wheel. "Two a cart," said the man. Kai was dragged onto a cart with Riku. Saya and Hagi climbed into another cart behind them. Saya looked out the window. "Remember, all the times we came here with Diva and Joel?" she asked. "Of course," Hagi, replied, "Diva would push us into the same cart." Saya giggled as she remembered that. Hagi smiled as the image came into his head.
"She was very amusing," he said. Saya giggled. "Hagi," she said. "Hn?" he said looking at her. "I was thinking about us," she said. "What about us?" he asked as a bad feeling washed over him. "Where do we stand in our relationship?" she replied, "Are we still friends?" "Of course we are Saya," he replied, "Why wouldn't we be?" "I want to be more than friends," she said catching him off guard. "Saya?" he said. "I love you, Hagi," she said, "For the longest time ever since we first met. I've always love you."
"Saya," he said. "I mean, I can understand if you just want to be friends. I'll just start dating Solomon. Maybe I'll grow to love him or something." Hagi placed a hand on her shoulder. "Saya," he repeated, "I love you too." "You do?" she replied with tears in her eyes. "Yes," he replied, "I've love you since the day I first appeared on Joel's doorstep. I always thought you were very beautiful. Even now, my feelings for you will never change." She smiled and hugged him. "That's makes me so happy to hear you say those words to me."
"I'm happy that you are happy Saya," he replied hugging her back. The ride came to a stop and they got off. "Let's go on the roll a roaster!" Riku cried out. "Easy little bro," said Kai. He turned to his little sister. "I'm going to take Riku on the roll a roaster. You'll be fine with Hagi?" he said. "Yeah, just go with Riku, Kai," Saya told him. Riku dragged Kai away. "Slow down, Riku," Kai called out to him. Saya giggled. Hagi stood beside her.
"What should we do?" she asked turning to him. "I'm not sure," he replied. Saya looked around then smiled. She grabbed his arm. "Let's go on the tunnel of love," she said. Hagi chuckled. "Aright," he said. They walked to the tunnel of love. Hagi stepped onto a boat and helped Saya get into the boat. The boat flowed down the water and into a dark tunnel. Heart-shaped designs all over the place, Saya placed her head onto his chest.
Hagi wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She smiled up at him. She never thought she would be here with Hagi. "I guess," she said, "This means we're dating." He chuckled. "Yes it does," he replied pulling out a beautiful ring from his pocket. He held it up to her. "In my family," he explained, "the one we love wears this ring to symbolize our love." She smiled and took the ring. "It's beautiful," she said putting it on. "I love it Hagi."
He smiled and stroked her hair. It's a symbol of my love to you, Saya," he said. She closed her eyes. Hagi looked down at her. "I'll love you forever," she said. "I'll love you for all eternity," he replied. The music that began to play in the tunnel carried them away into their own little world. A world where it was just them alone with no one to interrupt them. No Solomon, no Kai, and no fires to tear them apart.
Kai was tuning up his bike. "Man Kai," said one of his buddies. "You're cool with that Black guy dating your sister?" "So?" said Kai taking care of his bike. "If it was me," said his other buddy, "I would lay down the law. Set him straight. Ya know set some ground rules." Kai checked the chain. "Hagi and Saya were friends before she came to live with us," said Kai. "Don't you like her?" his buddy asked. "No way," said Kai, "Saya's my sister. That's all you sick minded prev." no one said anything.
Then a gray van pulled up to the gas station where Kai and his buddies would hang out. A large black man stepped out the van with a white man with blonde hair got out from the other side. Kai didn't recognize them. "You sure the news report said that Saya survived?" the large man asked. "That's what been said at headquarters," said the blonde. Kai's body froze. They were looking for his sister? They must be the men that set Saya's old home on fire two months ago. If that was the case then Kai had to protect Saya from them.
The blonde haired man walked inside while the large man was putting gas into the van. Kai got up and headed inside the store after the blonde hoping to get some answers. "You dudes look after my bike," he called to his friends. "I've got something to do!" "WHOA?" they cried out but before they could protest: Kai ran inside. He spotted the man looking through magazines and newspapers on the fire that took place two months ago.
Kai ducked down so he wouldn't be seen. "I don't get it," said the man, "How could Saya survive and Diva didn't." Kai had heard from Saya that Diva was her dead twin sister. This man knew them. Kai had to get some answers. He remembered that he had a gun in his pocket. He reached into his pocket. He jumped out from the aisle he was hiding behind. "Hold it right there!' he shouted pointing his gun at the man's torso.
The man looked up and saw the maze pointed at him. Kai noticed that he wasn't afraid of having the gun pointed at him. "What do you want?" he asked coldly. "What do you want with my sister!" Kai shouted, "What do you want with Saya?" "You know Saya?" the man asked. "I'm the one asking the questions here!" Kai cried, "Now talk are you one of those men that burned her old home or not?" the man walked toward him.
"Stay the hell!" Kai shouted. The man grabbed his gun and pulled it out from his grasp. "This pistol," said the man, "It was used by George Myagusuku during the Viet man War." "You know my dad?" Kai asked. "So Georg took Saya into his home," said the man, "You must be George's son then." "Yeah," said Kai, "I'm Kai Myagusuku. The oldest of his three kids." "I see," said the man, "I'm David, I work for Red Shield." "Red Shield?" Kai repeated. "This an organization created to protect Saya and Diva Otonashi."
"To protect Saya?" "Yes, your sister is no ordinary human being," David explained, "She and Diva are creatures that are very different from us. The Red Shield was created to protect their secret from the world." "How is that even possible?" Kai asked. "It's complicate," said David, "You need to ask Saya that question." The large man came running into the store. "We're in trouble David!" he shouted, "They're on the move!"
"We've no time to lose," said David. Just as he was about leave: Kai grabbed his shoulder. "Just wait one minute," he said, "What is going on here? You said that Saya isn't human?" "That's correct," David replied, "George knows everything. Ask what your father knows." He got out of Kai's grasp and followed the large man out the door. Kai stood there confused. "Saya's….not human?"