Edge 1: Unexpected Meeting
One rainy night at a park full of flowers…
"Wait! Wait!" The girl wearingly shouted as she stretched her hand towards a boy's dark figure that's walking away from her. She tried to run, but he was moving too fast… she could not catch up…
"Can you just tell me… Why? Why are you leaving?" Unexpectedly, she stumbled on the ground. Cold raindrops embraced her whole body.
She tried to reach for him once again, his shadowed form slowly disappearing in front of her… the words "I'm sorry…" echoing through the still night's silence.
"Please… don't leave…" she uttered, in an effort to make him stay, one last time … then everything went black…
She opened her eyes and looked around. She's still stretching her hand, but she was reaching the moon in front of her window. With her thick-page elementary trigonometry book as her pillow, she realized…
"A dream…?" she uttered. She rose up and remembered she fell asleep while studying. She looked at the clock. "Three in the morning…" she sighed and looked at her hand, "Time flies so fast… yet the wound hasn't been healed."
A girl dressed in uniform goes downstairs for breakfast. With long, brownish ebony hair, styled in single braid, and fair, rosy white skin topped off with almond, violet eyes, she resembles the typical Japanese female senior high school student, though her attitude may make one say otherwise.
"Morning," she greeted her parents as she takes a seat in front of the dining table. Her dad was busy reading the newspaper, so she is thinking of a plan to get his attention. She stands up and pats her dad's shoulders. "Dad, can I have a raise?" she grinned.
Her dad stops reading and looks at her for a while, then smiled at her and resumes reading, "Not until you win the match this coming Saturday, Hikarou."
She jokingly complained, "But dad, I got a high score on my trigonometry test a day ago. I deserve a raise." Giving him a pouted-lip look, she presents her palm, like a beggar asking for alms. "Please?" she said, showing off her ever-killer-smile.
"Taka, just give her what she wants. She deserves it." Miaka tells her husband, Taka, who's a part-time coach at Yotsubadai High School. "Hikarou, did your brother call you?" She asks as she finishes serving the food on the table.
"Not yet but I did received an SMS message from him, saying that we'll meet today. He's going to pick me up after school and he's going to spend the night here," she stared at her dad, doing the puppy dog eyes, "Dad, pretty please?"
Taka folds the newspaper, then gets his wallet from his pocket and hands some money to his daughter's begging palm. "Here's ¥2000."
"Can you raise another ¥1000?"
"Or you want me to deduct the half of that?" He jokingly tries to get that amount from her but Hikarou moves it away from him. She counts the money paper by her fingers.
"Thanks a lot. Exactly ¥2000. Enough to buy another complete drama series and books to read for this day... But dad, give big bills next time. My wallet is already full and thick." She shows her wallet to him as she is seated down to eat breakfast.
Slightly pissed off, Taka tells her, "Alright princess, point taken…" Mumbling, he resumes reading, "Why did you have a personality of a money-grubber?"
"Look who's talking. Who has the money-grubber-minded personality in the first place, dear?" Miaka seriously replies. Taka just kept quiet and feels a little ashamed. Hikarou just smiles as she eats her breakfast. "I love watching these two…" she says to herself.
Later, Hikarou bids goodbye to her parents as she rides on her bicycle, which served as her mode of transportation ever since kindergarten. "Bye Mom! Bye Dad! Oh, I forgot to tell you that nii-chan and I won't eat dinner here. He's gonna treat me tonight. See ya!" she waves back as she leaves the house.
Miaka and Taka were standing in front of the house as they wave back… and are left behind.
"Time flies so fast, right Miaka? They're already grown-up. Hikari's already studying at Toudai while Ah Rou is graduating, hoping to get the scholarship prize in the Golden Bell Quiz Bee Championship to study abroad at any university."
"Have faith in her, Taka. I believe she'll get it. She spent sleepless nights reviewing for the contest so I know that she can do it. I'm worried because she's going to get sick if she continues that kind of habit, but I can't do anything about that. She's too stubborn." Miaka sighs.
"She changed a lot in the past three years. She isn't like that before. She became so concentrated on her studies… She shows she's happy in the outside, but the truth is…" Miaka suddenly puts her index finger on Taka's lips.
"Remember the three of us talked about that already three years ago. We promised her that we'll not open up that "topic" again, right?" Miaka smiled, "You're gonna be late. Since the kids won't be coming to dinner, I'll prepare a special dinner for us." She gives him a quick peck on the lips. "Come home, early, dear?"
"I will." He kisses her back and bids goodbye as he goes off to work. Miaka watches him leave, as she thinks to herself, "I hope everything is fine. We've been living in peace for the past 23 years since the story of the Universe of the Four Gods had ended, for real. I wonder… how was everyone doing back then?" She looked up to the sky, "Somewhere inside me feels that I want to go back but I can't because everything is over."
Meanwhile, inside the Tokyo National Library, employees are preparing for a two-day ancient scripture exhibit. Ancient scrolls that have been excavated from China are displayed, protected by some glass box, so that students who love ancient Chinese history can see it. Two employees in-charge of placing the scrolls in display, are chitchatting on one odd scroll. It is yellow gold in color but sealed.
"Iyosuke, this scroll is odd. I can't open it."
"If you can't open it, leave it. Simple as that. It must be included in the display." The woman looks suspiciously at the golden scroll. "Hmmm… This scroll hasn't any title at all. Weird."
"Have you heard about the Universe of the Four Gods, the mythical scroll that was translated by Einosuke Okuda many years ago?"
"Yeah, he's the one who murdered his own daughter, then committed suicide. He finished translated that mythical book but it is nowhere to be found. It disappeared. Why did you ask, Natsumi?"
The woman placed the golden scrolled aside and worked on the other scrolls as she continues telling the story,
"Some archaeologists told us during the excavation that this scroll was the other half of the well-known mythical book. You see, there has been this Ancient Chinese legend of creation that Nu Kwa, a mythical empress of China, was reputed to have become a goddess after she had passed to the celestial regions.
Her trusted adviser, Seimitsu, plotted to kill her.
He was aided by some rebel generals of her empire, set out to destroy the world. Nu Kwa waged war against them. Her campaign was successful, but not until a gigantic warrior had partly destroyed the heavens by upsetting one of its pillars and the flood that ensued covered a great portion of the earth.
The empress stemmed the rising waters by means of charred reeds, and afterwards rebuilt the broken pillar. As for her disloyal followers, she sealed them away using her powers.
Thereafter, she created the guardians of the four quarters, placing the Black Tortoise in the north (Genbu), and giving it control over winter; the Blue Dragon in the east, who was given control over spring (Seiryuu); the White Tiger in the west, who was given control over autumn (Byakko); and the Red Bird in the south, who was given control over summer (Suzaku).
Nu Kwa, being the creator, holds the power of both the Sun and the Moon. As the broken pillar was fixed, she broke the gem that repaired it and scattered it all over the world, then she created the two legendary scrolls. She predicts that the seal is temporary and darkness shall fall once again as the four gods completed calling of the four maidens. When that time comes, a savior shall be called to battle her former foes once more, together with her eight guardians. In reward, she'll be granted three wishes by Nu Kwa, just like what the guardian gods did to their priestesses." she sighs as she finishes displaying all the scrolls and locks the glass case up.
Iyosuke claps his hands, "Wow, you're a wonderful storyteller, I should say. What happened to the goddess anyway after?"
"Nu Kwa put herself into deep sleep and locked herself in a cave, where only the golden scroll with her seal will serve as the key to enter."
"Too bad. Say, why don't we get some coffee? We've been working here for hours." Iyosuke tells her.
"Sure." She opens the door and they leave the exhibit room.
Unknown to them, they forgot to place the golden scroll inside the glass case. Suddenly, it glowed, as if it is alive.
Hikarou suddenly sensed a presence… someone was calling her...
"Hey, onee-chan, what's the matter? Looks like you've seen a ghost or something." Taisho told her as they walk along as they go toward the school's exit.
"Oh… nothing," She chuckles. "What are your plans tomorrow, Taisho?"
"Well, we don't have any assignments so I'm going to sleep all-day long tomorrow. This week has been pretty tough for me." He sighs. "Onee-chan Yuri will pick me up today, you, what are your plans?"
"Bury myself studying again?" She sticks out her tongue. Taisho just sighs in disappointment. "Man, I can't imagine how can you take all of that? YOU concentrated three years of your life studying and you don't have a love life! You almost dumped all of your suitors! Look at you, you're the dream girl of any Asian guy yet you pick your studies over them!"
"I have no plans for the heart life. Period. Speak of the devil…" Her eyes widened as she sees her brother and Yuri, approaching the gate, walking together hand-in-hand and smiling at each other.
"Taisho, I've heard some rumors inside Toudai that these two are officially dating, and look, they're so sweet, as if I want to bring black ants to their direction." She said that in a pissed off mood.
"They are just ONLY FRIENDS. That's an act of jealously, sista. Look at you, you're seductive, smart and cool, yet you don't use those gifts. You only use only your brainy powers which make you a cute geek. I'm seeing you to be an old maid or an ordained nun in the future, right?"
She sighed, "Taisho, take a pick, I'm going to smash you with this or shut the hell up," She shows him her thick physics book. Taisho gulps and keeps quiet. He waves at his sister. Hikari and Yuri approached them. "Hi, onee-chan. Hi brother." Hikarou says to the two of them.
"Hi. Still busy studying? Don't pressure yourself too much, even though the match is getting closer day by day." Yuri tells Hikarou.
"Well, everyone is counting on me. Three days later, I'm going to compete for the Golden Bell Scholarship. It's a part for being the representative of Tokyo Science High. So, I'm trying my very best not to disappoint everyone." Then a lady behind her pats her shoulder and said,
"Just don't overwork your body. You know, your mother is worried about your condition. She told me that you've not been sleeping well." Then another hand touches her shoulder, this time it's a man's hand and says,
"And you look like a zombie. You have pretty big eyebags for an almond-eyed person." She looks back and gets shocked. "Uncle Tetsuya, Aunt Yui."
"We know you've been doing this for your family. Since you were in high school you've been a scholar, maintaining your high grades so that your parents won't worry in paying the school expenses. You're a good person, Ah Rou. You're just like your brother." Yui tells Hikarou.
"Only the fact that she is a lover of money, a tomboy, an expert liar, and good at snatching things." Her brother joked but suddenly stops as Hikarou stomps on his foot and whispers.
"Be careful on your words, or I might tell your little secret in front of these people. So be quiet."
"Alright… point taken."
"What are you guys whispering at?" Yuri asked as she raises a brow.
Both of the siblings sweatdropped, "Nothing. Nothing at all." Hikarou asked her brother, "How did you get here, by what means of transportation?"
He sweatdrops, "I rode on their car, sis," Hikarou raises a brow with arms folded. "You rode on their car not thinking that your sister is wasting her energy biking two kilometers to and from school, huh?"
"Stop with that mind-boggling-and-conscience-wrecking technique of yours. I'm already numb." He looks at her in a straight, serious way.
"Okay guys, enough with that. We'll now be going. See ya later." Taisho and Yuri bid their goodbyes.
"Hikarou, give my regards to your parents." Yui tells her as they bid goodbye to the siblings. They rode on the car and left. "So, who's gonna drive the bike?" She asked her brother. They played rock, paper and scissors for one round. Hikarou being the winner and Hikari understood that he will drive the bike.
As they were on the road, Hikari asks his sister, "Say, do you want to visit Keiko? You haven't visited her for a while because you're so busy with your study schedule."
"Yeah. I almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me, big brother."
"That's what big brothers do. They remind their forgetful sisters and I forget that you're old and you'll end up an old maid if you didn't get a boyfriend when you reached college." He laughs, and then shouts in pain when Hikarou pinched some skin on his ribs. "Alright! I'll stop!"
"Turn left, moron! You're getting us in the wrong path!" Then he turns left, in the direction of the Tokyo Memorial Park.
Upon arriving, Hikarou lighted incense and paid respect to the grave of her best friend. She prayed and started speaking to Keiko.
"Sis, sorry if I didn't pass by on the past few weeks. I was busy lately studying for the competition. Well, this is your dream for me right? I'm studying really hard. Don't worry about me; I'm okay and still breathing well. Haha, just kidding. I hope I could win the prize and be a famous writer soon. Here, I brought you some mandarin oranges, your sole favorite fruit," she offers the fruit on the epitome. "Just shower me your blessings that I would win. Whether I win or lose, it's good that I experienced competing and be a sport. Don't get upset, okay? I'll promise I'll take care of myself. Wish me luck… I miss you badly… sis" Then a tear falls on her cheek. Her brother wipes it with his hanky.
"Still okay?"
Hikarou nods. "Don't get worried too much if you saw a tear fall on my cheek. It's a tear of happiness, not sorrow. In fact, a cold breeze just passed by, maybe she knew that I visited her, so she came down to smell these mandarin oranges."
"DON'T KID LIKE THAT. IT GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS, YOU KNOW" Hikari sounded like a scared little kid.
She looks at her brother again, with a straight face. "Actually, I'm seeing something. She looks as beautiful as Sadako when she stands beside you brother. Oh well, I need to go to the library, keep her company." She smirks back and leaves the tombstone first.
Hikari gulps and cold sweat drips simultaneously on his forehead as he slowly turns around. He found nothing and gets pissed off. "Hikarou, YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"
His sister points to a quiet sign, "You'll wake up the other souls if you continue like that. See ya around." She rides off on her bike, leaving her brother. Hikari tried to chase her until they reach the end of the cemetery.
Later, they are at the metropolitan area of Tokyo, heading towards the National Tokyo Library. As usual, they are fighting again, but in a low tone of voice.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to kid like that? You know I have a weak heart!"
"Just admit the fact that you're afraid of ghosts."
"Excuse me? Men like me aren't afraid of those. I am a man of dignity and pride." He brags.
"And why are you looking so pale if you weren't afraid of anything. By the way, there's a cockroach on your shoulder."
Hikari hurriedly clings on Rou, "Where!" She pushes him off. "You call yourself a man of pride and dignity? Stupid excuse." She, then, shakes her head. "You always get fooled all the time..."
"Because fooling others and lying are some of your unique talents."
"Precisely, but I use it only if there is a proper reason to do it." She walks very fast, going in the direction of the library. "You're too slow, brother!"
"Just wait up! I'm not as energetic as you are!" He was just only two feet away from his sister.
Hikarou just smiled. "Hurry up! I want to see the upcoming exhibit at the National Library! They say that Uncle Keisuke lead the excavation of those scriptures. Come on!" As she turns back, she stops and is shocked. She feels like time stopped on that moment.
A tall, almond-eyed handsome young man, in his early twenties, stands before her, about a foot away.
"Ah… Shin?" she utters…
Edge 1 Guidelines (for clarifications):
Taka Sukunami – He's Tamahome's reincarnation in Miaka's world and Hikari and Hikarou's dad.
Youtsubadai High School – It is the school where Miaka studied during her highschool days. FIC TRIVIA: Hikari used to study here for High School
Nii-chan – short for "onii-chan". It means elder brother in Japanese
Toudai University – Japanese term for Tokyo National University.
Einosuke Okuda – He translated the "Universe of the Four Gods". His daughter, Takiko, end up as the Priestess of Genbu, but due to the lack of strong will, she got devoured by the beast god. He decided to kill her to save his daughter then kill himself after.
Onee-chan – Japanese term for "elder sis". FIC TRIVIA: Hikarou and Yuri are so close 'coz: 1) both of their mom's are friends and 2) Yuri is her brother's girlfriend so that makes her think she'll be her sister-in-law in the future
Tokyo Science High School – Hikarou studies here. Only the BEST ones are admitted in here.
Tetsuya Kajiwara – Keisuke's friend and Yui's husband (The guy in shades during the FY series anyone?)
Sadako – lead character in the Japanese hit movie, "The Ring"
Keisuke Yuuki – Miaka's older brother and Taka's brother-in-law.
