2. First Confrontation
Aya twirled down the streets, in awe of all the autumn colors and the preparation of Christmas on the busy streets of Shibuya. As she leaned against Hachi, who was covered in orange leaves, she swiped them off clean, and gave him a friendly pat.
After a year long visit in the mountains of Switzerland, it felt wonderful to be back in the city. Aya was carrying crepes, munching as she passed by the mall and the café. It brought back memories of her teenage life.
Aya took a bite on one of the sour gummie worms that she had bought at Momo's Candy Shop, also receiving a tearful hug from the owner herself. Momo didn't look a day over 20, and yet her old self was vibrating with liveliness.
She bought extra candies to restock her duffel bag back at home, along with some squishie pink and orange flip flops Momo was also selling. They were on sale.
Her well used duffel bag was like her dear old friend. It faced many disasters alongside with her when she was working in the Red Cross, Colorado as their trauma psychologist, carrying odd things to light the smiles of traumatized children.
People would call it an emergency kit, only instead of band aids and medicines, Aya carried buttons with all sorts of animals on it, from huskies to platypuses, nail polish, stamps, stickers, and cute envelopes that had silly encouraging cards inside, deck of cards, her special penny, Rugsby the rubber duck, candy, her special coin, and of course, her mini Bible.
Aya walked by the police box and waved at a policeman on duty. It wasn't Yamato.
The blue haired woman did not see her best friends when she had gone browsing through the many stores, and was relieved. She just wasn't ready to face Ran and Miyu again, after the pain she gave them for, simply put, abandoning them.
Aya reached a deserted park, and she idly sat on the swings, slowly pushing forwards and backwards.
Even now, Aya couldn't decide if her decision to leave without a single word was the right thing to do. At night, she used to cry thinking about the shock and loneliness her friends would feel, and sullenly dream about their future without her.
It was usually about Rei and Ran.
After that rumor incident 8 years, things have changed. Aya began cherishing.
Aya's passion for baseball blossomed, she created awesome bonds with the Meisho Number 1's baseball team, and the most important of all, her past scars resurfaced and her friendship with her friends grew much stronger because of it.
But she would've never gotten through it all without Rei.
Her strong and steady rock, immovable despite the cruel storm, Rei was the one who supported her through all her troubles, someone whom she was not afraid to dump all her tears and agony to, and receive an embrace that made her feel safe.
She was so fragile at the time, and she trusted Rei enough to turn to him. Aya didn't hold back this time, unlike before. And in return, Rei carried her explosive grief, bore it, and was able to let her sleep peacefully at night.
He had made her smile when she desperately wanted to run away.
She loved him so much, with all her heart and soul, and she knew the pity Rei gave her faltered, and they became true friends.
All those dates that still made her toes curl and her heart melt just by reminiscing were true bliss and one of the most happiest moments in Aya's life.
However, 17 year old Aya then discovered she had a tumor in her throat.
She loved Rei, and wanted to tell him so badlythat she was sick, and wanted to hear his reassuring words just like before, "You've worked hard Aya."
Her parents asked for the finest doctors in the country, and one of the kind doctors had a brilliant friend in Switzerland who might be able to cure her along with his colleagues.
But… what if the surgery wasn't successful? Despite all the encouragement, the success rate would only be up to 55 percent.
She was not going to let her precious friends believe in false hope and that if she goes to Switzerland, she might not come back. She didn't want them to face the fear of waiting.
No, instead, she was going to leave her wish for their happiness behind. No matter how close she and Rei was, his heart would always belong to the number one hyperactive, crazy gal of Shibuya.
She wanted to be with Rei, but if his smile was going to be found in her best friend, whom she believed with her life and valued her friendship more than her love, then Aya was going to die happily.
Before she left, she gave Miyu an early wedding gift: a set of espresso mugs that Miyu was yearning for awhile. It was so small and cute, black with white stripes and a red heart in the center.
And Ran… she gave her the most random biggest hug in the world, nearly squeezing the living daylights out of her. While Rei was raising his eyebrows behind them, she gave him a small smile, and winked at him, stirring his curiosity even more.
And then, Aya was gone.
In Switzerland, before the surgery, she prayed every single day. She enjoyed the simple life of living with her uncle in the mountains where she helped raise wooly sheep. Aya also had to be in bed constantly, but she didn't mind. Hanni would always visit, bringing new books to read.
She prayed for Ran, Miyu, Rei, Yuya, and everyone else at night, where the stars were clear and bright.
Aya never thought she cried so much after she woke up a day after the surgery.
She was alive, alive and well.
She thanked the doctors over and over, danced and floated on air. She then realized that here in Switzerland, her dreams and everything else can began to grow. So she stayed with a full heart, much to Hanni and the children's joy.
Aya then transferred to Harvard for college. Her parents respected her wish to become a trauma psychologist. It was decision she made on her own, and they admired her sincerity and determination to save others.
Aya sighed softly as she remembered the days of the Red Cross. So many tears, so many smiles, it was all apart of her. And now she was back in Japan. Would they be glad to see her? Should she tell them the truth of her leaving?
All the questions screeched to a halt when she noticed a gray cloud rising in the sky.
That is not steam, Aya thought and she ran.
She threw away the remaining crumbs and wrapper of her crepes without pausing, and with the wind blowing fiercely in her face, she ran as fast as she can nearly tripping over her flip flops.
She fell to her knees, panting, but Aya spotted the familiar caution tapes, and stood up. Excusing herself to the crowd as she shoved through, ignoring the police officer's warnings, Aya leaped over the borders towards the one person she was looking for.
Blocking off the whistles and protests, Aya knelt down in front of the crying boy who was desperately trying to hold back his tears. Then, without a word, Aya embraced Tachibana Kamiya, whispering, "It's okay. It's over now."
Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya watched silently in astonishment as their little boy froze, but then hiccupped his final sob and clutch onto Aya quietly as Aya rocked the boy gently on her lap. Aya looked up behind the boy's tangle of hair and gave the parent's a warm smile.
"You have an adorable son. My name is Aya Hoshino and I'm a trauma psychologist. Well, actually, I'm not legally one here, but I was one in America. I worked for the Red Cross," Aya explained as she shook hands.
"Y-you're Aya Hoshino?" Mrs. Kamiya asked puzzled.
Aya nodded.
"I've read about you in the magazines. You traveled to so many places for the Red Cross. Goodness knows how many children been saved because of you!" The mother grasped Aya's hands eagerly with admiration.
Aya blushed. "W-well, I wouldn't put it that way…"
Mr. Kamiya patted his son's back. "You're a remarkable trauma psychologist indeed Aya Hoshino. And to show how much we trust you, my wife and I will be with the paramedics. These burns are itching like crazy." He tussled Tachibana's hair, and the boy childishly dug his face closer to Aya in embarrassment.
As Mrs. Kamiya teasingly rubbed her husband's injury, the two walking to the ambulance, Aya lifted the boy off her lap onto the ground. "You know what? I think I like your parents."
Tachibana lightly smiled, and Aya could still see the downcast look in his green eyes.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"T-Tachibana Kamiya," he whispered.
"Tachibana? What was one of the things you lost in the fire? Something that you would miss the most?"
Tachibana bit his bottom lip, and Aya soothingly held his hand. "M-my stuffed penguin. It was a present from Granny."
Aya clapped her hands cheerfully, Tachibana looking at her strangely. "That's perfect!" Aya chirped, and opened her messenger back, scrimmaging around.
"Let's see… I should have one…hmm, well that's strange… it's not here." Tachibana curiously crept closer, peering down to see what exactly this strange lady was searching for.
He yelped in surprise when Aya suddenly lifted her head. He rubbed his nose and Aya gasped. "Tachibana! I'm sorry, I didn't see you! OH! But I have a band aide somewhere." Aya, once again, rummaged around, but this time, she located what she was looking for. Her messenger bag may not contain all the things her duffel bag did, but it was handy all the same.
"TADA!" She plastered a Sponge Bob onto Tachibana's nose, and giggled. "You look so cute!" She hugged Tachibana again, and slowly, Tachibana grinned. She was strange alright, but she made him feel happy.
When Aya pulled away, she scrunched her nose in deep thought. "Tachibana, I don't have any penguin buttons. I'm sorry."
Tachibana looked crestfallen, but good mannerly replied, "It's okay."
But then Aya's eyes drew distant. "What's this?" she asked, and she leaned toward his ear. Tachibana's eyes grew wide as Aya magically conjured a penguin button from thin air.
"WHOA!"
Aya grinned at his bright eyes shining with awe. She pinned the button onto his shirt, and dusted off the lingering ashes on his shoulders. Noticing Tachibana's flush cheeks that wasn't partly because of the gift, Aya shrugged off her grey sweater, and wrapped it around the boy. This was what she loved about her job.
However, something didn't feel right. Aya couldn't place what it was, but her heart was slightly aching. She turned around…
And was met by a pair of piercing eyes leveling right at hers. Aya gulped. "T-the chief I presume?" She was caught.
"You presume right, ma'am. I'm the Captain of Company 92, Haru Kuroboshi," the man introduced. Aya tentatively shook his hand, and tried not to quiver at his intimidating appearance. His hand overlapped hers entirely, and he pulled her up.
"Ma'am, I appreciate your concern, but civilians are not allowed in a closed area-"
"NO Mr. Fireman! Aya's a trauma psycho… um… psychic?" Tachibana interrupted, standing between the two adults. "Well… she's a trauma something, and even though I don't know what that is, she's famous, she's really pretty, and she makes me feel nice! So don't send her away!" Tachibana then gasped and covered his mouth. "Please," he sheepishly asked.
Aya ruffled Tachibana's hair affectionately, and the boy clung onto her pants.
Haru raised his eyebrows at the Kamiya heir. "This is the victim of a fire?" He then smiled at Aya, with such charm that it made her blink. His entire, edging demeanor softened by that pleasant twinkle in his eyes. Aya would've expected nothing more from a chief fireman.
"A trauma psychologist?" he asked, winking at Tachibana, who turned red. "Well, you seem to be doing your job well Miss…?"
"Hoshino. Aya Hoshino." She beamed at the friendly Dalmatian that came to greet her. She massaged its floppy ears.
"Hoshino?" Haru asked with familiarity, and then he grinned. "Well then, I appreciate everything you've done for us Miss Hoshino. Although, next time, I would prefer if you didn't make such a grand entrance." Aya laughed.
"It's a habit, but I'll keep that in mind." Aya shivered as a gust of wind blew. Tachibana sneezed, and so did Aya. Haru chuckled.
"I would offer you hot cocoa for this chilly weather, but first, lets get this boy treated."
And as Aya picked up Tachibana, the captain placed his hand behind Aya's back and steered them towards the paramedics, the dog trotting energetically beside them. Tachibana waved at his mom and dad, and his parents waved back, a cup of hot cocoa and apple cider ready in their hands.
Rei felt suffocated as he saw the woman's kind smile. His heart pounded as he saw the bashful blush. He caught his breath as the woman's long midnight blue tresses flew freely. He clenched his fists when the woman embraced the boy, and brought joy to him, just like a mother. Everything about her was tender, everything was… Aya.
Miyu covered her mouth with her hands, trying to contain her incredulity. There were tears threatening to fall.
Ran slapped herself out of her trance, and succumbing with so much emotion, she yelled, "OI! AY-" Rei covered her mouth with his glove.
"Don't." Ran was about to punch him, when she realized his darkened eyes were filled with pain, agony, and hatred all mixed together.
"She's … busy. Let's not disturb her." His words came out strangled from his throat, bitter.
"Bear, she's trespassing in a disaster zone-"
"Captain can handle it," he harshly said, and without a word, he strode back to the fire truck, needing a cool bottle of water.
The two gals sympathetically looked back at the retreating figure, until Miyu's legs gave out. Ran instantly caught her.
"T-that can't be Aya right Ran? She would've told us if she came back, right? She's our best friend, she would've told us…" Tears dribbled down her face, and Ran stared at the ambulance, where Aya was sitting at the edge, sipping the warm beverage while chatting with Rei's captain. She couldn't see most of Aya at all, because of the vehicle's back doors.
"I don't know Miyu. I don't know." She didn't tell us that she left. She abandoned us. What happened to you Aya?
Ran held Miyu's face. "Listen to me Miyu. Now's not the time. Get yourself together, and we'll get through this alright? You and I both now that Aya loves us, so whatever reason she had, it's a good one!"
Miyu shook away her last tears and smiled. "Yeah… and I love Aya too, so I'll believe in her!" Ran gave her a thumbs up. That's right Aya. We have faith in you, you little goody two shoes. Ran grunted as she helped Miyunback to her car. It was time for lunch and they had a date to eat at WacDonalds.
"Miyu, you sure you aren't pregnant yet? You're heavy!"
POKA!
"Hmph, how rude of you Ran!
"Whoa Miyu! Calm down, it's not healthy for the baby!"
"Miyu's not pregnant, and she's not fat Ran!"
Despite the laughter of the two friends, deep down, they couldn't help but be concerned about Rei, who's trust in Aya had been shattered seven years ago.
Hm… I don't know about this chapter. Oh well! I promise the next one is going to be… well… deep. See ya!