Taro's first memory dated back when he was two years old. His mother was sitting on her rocking chair. His mother used that rocking chair when she wanted moments for herself. That cedar chair was a wedding gift that her mother received from her father. He had it shipped from Singapore where he was stationed during World War II. He remembered how his mother would rest her eyes and move with the rocking of the chair. With each stroke of the shifts, it became a rhythm that even Taro made a beat with his hands to match the rhythm. Beside the rocking chair was a mantle where she had her record player. The record player she brought while she was a student in America came along with a treasure trove of music from various of genres.
Taro's mother had a precocious taste in music, which she stated that her mother and her mother's mother had. Whenever she had free time or wanted a stress reliever, she would put on a record. Taro remembered one particular record that caught his interest once he heard the sound of the needle drop onto the record.
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper, I love you
Birds singin' in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
With his inability of understanding English at the time, he, however, became entranced to the woman's vocal. The way she sang he thought came from the heart. Like a classical lullaby, he swinged his head and went along with the tune. He crawled to the record player and sat beside it as he was caught in the serenade of the gifted musical siren.
'Oh, I see that my little one is loving my Ella Fitzgerald record,' said his mother as she patted her hand on her lap. The young Taro knew that it was their signal to have their mother and son bonding. He climbed onto her lap to where he and his mother sat together and enjoyed the soothing sounds of Ella Fitzgerald.
Taro's newly found passion for poetry and books doesn't compare to his first love, music. Since the early days of Ella Fitzgerald, Taro took a great interest in American music. His mother had a record collection stored in the attic. Her versatility of music gave Taro an opportunity to expand his musical interest. He became more adapted to the music of the sixties. He always imagined living in an era of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or the Beatles. Although his mother wasn't raised in that era, she collected through second hand record shop during her vacation to New York's Greenwich Square and Chelsea.
Blowing the dust off of the records became alive as Taro sat in his bedroom listening to the records. Any time he felt stress, excitement, anger, love, or embarrassment, he would be in his bedroom listening to music. It was more apparent when he was in middle school. It was around that time when he accepted his personality was atypical to his peers and became a loner. However, in a way, he was not lonely. He had his music and begrudgingly, he had Osana.
Osana Najimi was born and raised in this town. Her family had lived here for many generations. Her father stated that allegedly his family were the original pioneers of the town after relocating from the colony of Edo. Her father worked in a large brokerage firm and was also involved in politics. He had unsuccessfully ran for mayor on multiple occasions before settling for being a neighborhood representative. Her mother was a typical housewife. She was the kind that was modeled after the wives of the Showa era. She was devoted to her husband and her family. She was the individual who knew her place without contesting it.
Taro and Osana met when he transferred to her school in the third grade. Since she was a few months older than Taro and according to her rules in determining seniority, that made her the boss and his senpai. Not only were they classmates, they were also neighbors; living next door to each other in neat little rows that faced south of the town's business district and about a half a mile away from the river. Although some row houses were bigger than others, it had the similar distinction of entranceways, pine trees in the garden, and the single car driveway. Taro distinctly remembered how old-fashioned Osana's house was due to having a large fish pond and some old stone lanterns.
Osana was a large girl, who was taller than Taro, with striking features. Even Taro knew when Osana grew up, she would become a gorgeous woman. However, her striking outer features contrasted her inner qualities. It gave her an unbalance because of her hostile attitude toward others, especially to Taro. Adopted as the school beauty, she had taken the role seriously and felt invincible; needing no one to confirm her beauty. She was quite desirable and quite untouchable, using the latter euphemistically.
After a while, especially at the beginning of fifth grade, the role of school beauty soon faded away when an equally attracted girl entered the school. With the new girl's inner qualities matched her outer as a beautiful and honest girl, the days of popularity for Osana were now an aberration.
Nevertheless, Taro was the only person and friend who had stuck around her. Taro has yet to answer on why did he stay friends with her for as long as he did. She was very rude and acted harsh around Taro at any moment's notice. Many of their classmates had criticized her on how poorly she treated Taro. But, each and every time, Taro came to her defense. He believed that they were friends for so long because they knew how empty they both were. He thought about her unbalance and understood it because he as well know the feeling.
Taro had yet to find his spot in the world as he felt the void opening further and further each day. Although he had his music, but it wasn't enough to suffice it until he could figure out his purpose.
As they were neighbors, they both walked home together every day after school. As a natural conversationalist, Osana would talk about everything. Honestly, they were more of complaints than the usual topic of a typical preteen. Taro, as always, stayed quiet and played the role of the traveling therapist about whatever went on Osana's mind. As much he wanted to express his true feelings to Osana, he remained silent and hid behind his bangs as they made it to their homes. She would wave goodbye and the whole process repeat all over again.
Their relationship grew as they entered middle school. They have different homerooms, but she ordered Taro to wait for her at the school's entrance before departing for the day. As they walked home, she talked about the subjects she liked or hated; what boy had a crush on her; the dislike of her teachers; trying out for the student council; and the like. Like always, Taro remained quiet and let her talk until they made their way to their homes. She would wave goodbye and the whole process repeated the next day.
It wasn't until they were in the eighth grade while Taro and Osana walked the three mile stretch of dirt road home until she just stopped. As Taro kept walking, she pulled him by the hand. Taro would never forget how flushed she was; red like a tomato. Her eyes were glazed and her hands were wrapped in a fist. Taro knew she had a rough personality, but never once had she displayed any other emotion.
'If you want to stop being friends with me, then just say,' said Osana as she looked away from him.
'What are you talking about,' asked Taro as he was confused in her questioning.
'If you are friends with me because you feel sorry for me, then just stop it,' she said. Her face was flushed a deep beet red. Her eyes were watering. Taro could feel the heat from where he wa standing. 'I don't have to be around people if all they do is just let me talk. I can be fine by myself.'
Taro was silent. He honestly did not know what to say. Although he wish that Osana complained less, he never looked at their friendship as conditional.
'You don't have to feel sorry for me. You don't have to stay friends with me,' said Osana as tears stemmed from her eyes. Why so much repetition of words, Taro thought. As he saw her tear-stained face and it dripped to her uniform. It was the first time that he had witnessed Osana having another emotion-sadness.
Taro cautiously walked up to her. He took her by the hand, but it was quickly snatched away. She turned around so that she didn't have to look at him. 'Just go away, you baka. Go away and let me be.'
'No,' said Taro very firmly and sternly. Surprised by his sense of sternness and assertiveness, he went behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Taro pressed his forehead against her back as he continued to wrap his arms tightly around her waist.
'Let me go, you baka, let me go,' she said as she struggled. She repeatedly protested and struggled to get off of Taro, but he refused to let her go. She managed as much as she could before going to her knees and begin sobbing. 'Let me go, you baka,' she said in between sobs. 'Leave me like everybody else.'
Taro discovered something that day about Osana. Osana consciously wrapped herself in a protective shell. She shielded herself from others by acting the way she did. If there something she did not like, she quickly alert it. If there was food she didn't like, she report it to the headmaster. Overall, if it was something that Taro did or just being in the room, she quickly became hostile. Those were the details that Taro discovered and decided not to go any further. Because just like Osana, he had a protective shell as well. That explained on why he stuck around with Osana. They were lost souls who have yet find a host. They were lost spirits that were looking for purpose. Until they were able to find what they were looking for, they were going to remain lost.
At least as they were embraced on the dusty road along the river, they were going to remain lost, together.
"Baka, are you there. Hello? Earth to baka. Are you there," said the rough, but gentle voice.
Taro blinked his eyes to look at his surroundings. He was not in his mother's lap or engaged in a dusty hug with Osana. He was in the classroom. It was empty. He saw the clock as he realized that school had ended for the day. He saw that Marcus Joseph and Osana were beside, awaiting his response.
"Caught up in dreamland, my friend," asked Marcus with a smirk.
"Something like that," said Taro.
"Did the dream involved you being such a idiot," asked Osana.
"No, but at least my dream was Osana-free," said Taro. "An Osana-free dream is better than having an Osana-filled nightmare." Taro kind of chuckled as Marcus laughed and Osana looked angry.
"Screw you, you baka," she said. "If you don't want to be friends with me, then say so."
"No," said Taro simply as he gathered his books and placed them into his backpack. For a second, he thought he was her eyes quickly glared. Maybe it was a figment of his imagination.
Taro looked outside to see the sun waning down as the orange clouds were in the background. He saw his watch and realized that he had to get ready for his date with Takahashi-sensei. He had just about an hour to go home and take a shower. Just in case if the dinner was going to be a poetry session, he had set aside a book of poems for conversation starters. Until this encounter, Taro was very indifferent about events. However, this was the first time in awhile that it was something he was looking forward to.
He, Marcus, and Osana were by the lockers as they exchanged their school shoes for their outdoor shoes. A group of cheerleaders passed by them as they heading to practice. From Taro's peripheral, one of the cheerleaders caught sight of Marcus and winked at him as he passed, causing Marcus to blush.
Taro turned and smiled at Marcus. "Not a word," said Marcus as he was flushed. Taro started to grin. "I told you not a word, dude," said Marcus. "I didn't say a word," said Taro, "But you never mention about having a laugh."
"As much I love this baka moment," said Osana with her hands on her hips, "What do you guys want to do?"
"I hear that there is a mixer with some of the other schools tonight at the drink bar," said Marcus as he put on his shoes. "Since there is no school tomorrow, we can hang out and mingle. We can also catch a movie or something afterwards, if no one can find a date at the mixer."
"Mixers bore me," said Osana, "But I don't mind if you and Taro go."
"Sounds like a plan," said Marcus, "Sounds good, Taro?"
"I actually can't go with you guys, sorry," said Taro as finished putting his shoes on and grabbing his backpack. "I have plans tonight and it is best to head home before I miss the train."
There was a moment of silence. Taro looked at Marcus as he could tell that he was fine. However, as he saw the look on Osana's eyes, he knew that she was going to pester him with questions. He swallowed nothing as he prepared for her bombardment.
"Hey, that's cool, man," said Marcus. "Looks like it will be me and Osana."
"Like hell I am, you baka," screamed Osana. Her eyes then set on Taro. "Where are you going that is very important?"
Taro actually did not tell Osana that he was having a dinner date with their teacher. Although the pair were usually open about their activities, but it was something that he did not want her to know. Just like the day on the road when they were in junior high, he also had a protective shell. There were some things he wanted Osana to know and some things, not so much. Having the dinner date with Takahashi-sensei was just the latter.
"It is important and I won't say much," said Taro as he walked into the square of the school. Marcus and Osana proceeded to follow him as he made it to the exit of the school.
"At least explain on where you are going," asked Osana as she followed Taro.
"I am not saying," said Taro. "Just very important."
"Osana, if it is our none of our business, then it is none of our concern," said Marcus.
"The fuck you mean it is not my business," screamed Osana. "Everything about him is business."
As she turned around, Taro was across the street on his way to the train station. Taro turned around and saw how she was screaming at Marcus. He was grateful that rush hour traffic was upon him or else he would have heard her ranting.
Taro reached the train station with a few minutes to spare. The train station was actually a subway. Nestled in the underground, it was erected a couple of years ago after the mayor's decision to convert the old train station into a new bus station.
The subway station was a seething mass of humanity. Everyone from every walk of life was shoulder to shoulder, in each other's faces, no personal space, no exceptions. When it's crowded no information could be taken about anyone, they are just things in the way. Moving, smelling, awkward, rude things. Taro loved how he was no different than the crowd. Like a pack of sardines, he watched them made their way into the tightly packed commuter train. He saw the train attendants with their whistles and white gloves displaying which line do commuters need to go.
The Akamatsu line is now boarding and departing in five minutes.
He looked at the platform and on the screen, he saw his train line was boarding. He did not have much time and he made haste to get to his train. He wanted to make sure that he was able to get on time for his meeting with Takahashi-sensei.
Suddenly he heard a voice. "Where are you baka? We have not finished our conversation yet."
Hearing Osana's voice irritated him as it was not the time for talk. With much urgency, he careful hid behind a crowd of office ladies as he tried to make it to his train. However, his backpack snag on the handle of the phone booth. As he struggled to manage to get backpack from the handle, he became exposed, leaving Osana to see him from a distance.
"There you are. We are not finished yet," screamed Osana as she began walking into his direction.
"I don't have time, Osana," he said as he began running. As he ran, she followed suit. His running turned into sprinting as he maneuvered through the crowd. He was in a bidding pursuit with the time running out for his train and to get away from Osana Najimi.
"Slow down, you dummy," said Osana, "Can you at least tell me where you are going?"
"Not now," said Taro as he ran down another flight of stairs to get to his train. Taro was getting exhausted. Not an athlete, opting for watching the others to work out, he regrettably desired to work out more if he knew that this was going to be a task.
The Akamatsu line has now boarded and departing.
Whatever strength Taro garnered, he sprinted to the platform of the station as he saw the attendants getting the last of the commuters into the subway.
I have to make this train. I have to make this damn train, he thought as he continue running. He was getting tired, his throat was getting dry. It was already difficult to run in an uniform, let alone his inactivity in sports. When he managed to get close to the train doors, a figure emerged, blind-siding him. He collide with the figure and was heading straight for the ground.
He watched in frustration and agony as the train departed without him. Instead of making the train, he made contact with the ground face first. He felt the force of the cold concrete hitting him in full force. He tried to catch his fall with his hands, but it made no avail, as those appendages too were among the causalities.
"Ouch," he said aloud. He silently cursed himself that he missed the train for his dinner date with Takahashi-sensei. He tried to rationalize his reasoning for not making it in time. If I didn't daydreamed in class, I could have gotten there earlier or If I would have cut my time short with Marcus and Osana, then I could have made it. No matter what kind of scenarios, it didn't suffice to the fact that he did not make it.
As he managed to get up, he realized that he was atop of the figure. He quickly got up. He dusted himself off, still feeling his tender red hands from the fall. He looked over and saw that the figure was a girl.
When he realized he crashed into a girl, he bowed for an apology. "Please accept my apologies. Are you okay?"
The girl did not say a word. It appeared that she was in a trance. Her long black hair hid in front of her eyes. When she opened her eyes, it was a dark shade of gray. Once their eyes met each other, her face turned red. He, in return, became red also; mostly from embarrassment.
"I am sorry. I should have watched where I was going," said Taro as he bowed once again.
"No, it's okay." The girl said as she sat up from the platform. Taro was able to get a good look at the girl. She was very beautiful, not in a way of goddess, but the old-fashioned girl-next-door type of beautiful. He saw her uniform and realized that she attended the same high school as he did.
"Would you like a hand," said Taro as he stretched out his hand to the girl in distress. Without a word, she took his hand and managed to stand. However, she never let go of his hand. When Taro saw her eyes, he noticed how gray they were. It was very alluring and soft of macabre. Then, he also notice a red sparkle coming from her eye. It was similar to what he saw from Takahashi-sensei on the first day she arrived to class.
"Thank you so much for helping me, Taro," said the girl.
His heart was beating. He felt his eyelids twitching. He started to feel sweat vacating his pores and onto his uniform.
"How do you know my name," he asked.
The girl looked and just smiled. Her smile spread from ear to ear. Her face looked like she was a predator who had caught her prey. His hands were shaking, his heart was beating faster, and he felt a nosebleed coming. He knew they were the tell-tale symptoms of the "attack."
"Taro Yamada, get over here this instant," screamed the loud and familiar voice of Osana. Upon hearing her voice, it stopped. It was as if the "attack" did not happen. He put his finger on his nose. No presence of a nosebleed. His hands still sting from his fall. Aside from that, it was as if the pending attack did not occured.
Osana came from behind and wrapped her arms around him. "How many this do I have to tell you, baka," she screamed. "Stop where you going when you hear me." She then face the mysterious girl. " Because of your stupidity, you ran into this girl. Know where you are going next time."
Taro did not say word. He, first, was not going to apologize to Osana for his running away from her. However, his mind was still wrapped around the mysterious girl who knew his name.
"I knew your name because we go to the same school," answered the girl. She bowed as she introduce herself. "My name is Ayano Aishi."
"Hi, Ayano. Nice to meet you," said Taro as he bowed in return. "Sorry that I have bumped into you. And sorry for freaking out earlier."
"It is no problem," said Ayano as her eyes were still on his. He then realized that he had yet to let go of her hand. He took his hand away from her.
"As much as I love baka moments like this, but we have to go," said Osana as she began grabbing Taro.
"Where are we going," said Taro as he protested to Osana.
"Going to have a talk on why you are being such a dummy," said Osana.
"Last time I check, I am 18 and don't need assistance," said Taro. "You don't always have to follow me."
"The hell I can't," protested Osana. "It isn't like I have to follow you or have you around. It is just that I don't want you to get lost or hurt someone else like her."
"Osana, I am okay, honest," said Taro.
"We are leaving now," said Osana.
Taro felt the strong grip of Osana's arm as they left the platform leaving Ayano behind. As he was leaving, he saw how her beautiful smile faded away.
As he walked away, his thoughts wrapped around his now later dinner plans with Takahashi-sensei, the encounter with the mysterious Ayano Aishi, and the usual conundrums of Osana Najimi.
The presence he felt in the classroom loomed around him again. Something was in the air other than fall and its plans were looking more absolute. Then the song by Ella Fitzgerald entered his mind.
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper, I love you
Birds singin' in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
It's okay. Just relax. It's only natural. You do these things when you love someone.
"Something is going on and it is becoming weird. It is starting to freak me out. Please God, be with me," murmured Taro as he departed with Osana out of the train station.
