Remember Me
Chapter 3
They are?
Inori brushed hair gently infront of the mirror. Her hair had been messed up since the previous fight and she had washed it right after she got back. She was lucky she and Io were not hurt too badly. Though they escaped the kidnappers and were back at the house her mind was still focused on the event that happened. As she brushed her hair the wind form the wind gently swayed her light blue night gown. She then gently set down the brush down and faced herself in the mirror. She had a serious look in her face. Her hair hung by her left shoulder. It was still wet she did not feel like drying it. She slowly faced Io who was now fast asleep on the couch. She smiled slightly and walked over towards Io. When she reached her she slowly took the blanket on the couch handle, unfolded it, and then gently placed it on Io. Io re-acted by turning a little bit which Inori smiled in response. Inori still remembered the painful words from Io. Words filled with sadness and despair almost like she did not want to be forgiven for something, but Inori no longer cared. She was determined to stay Io's friend and help her find out who she really is because there is no way Io was a bad person.
Inori then slowly walked to the door and opened it firmly. She slowly walked out and closed the door behind her. She then found beside her a woman, one of the maids. Inori by the look on her face was not surprised to see her. The maid slowly raised her am, "Your parents are waiting for you down the stairs." She said doing a bit bow.
"Thank you." Inori said and headed to the stairs. She could see from above her father and mother sitting at the couch. She showed no sign of happiness but instead kept a straight face as she looked down. She then slowly placed her hand on the railing and went down the stairs, step by step while keeping her eyes fixed on her parents. As she reached the bottom of the steps she quietly and firmly said, "I'm here."
Her parents did not turn around to see their daughter but simply responded with a cold voice saying "Come Here."
Inori slowly stepped forwarded until she reached the couch. She sat down and faced her parents who had concerned looks on their faces. There was a long period of silence and eye glares before her father spoke.
"Why were you with a mental model?" he asked. "And also why are you letting her stay here."
"She's my friend. Is there a problem with me letting a friend stay over?" Inori replied sharply and with no hesitation.
"There is a problem if she is a mental model of the fog." Her mother replied. "How could you be friends with such a monster?"
Without a second Inori stood up and slammed her hands on the table. "Don't you dare call Io a monster." She said harshly. "She protected me from people that tried to kidnap me and she never hurt me. To me she likes any other ordinary girl. Also no one can tell she's a mental model anyway. You guys only found out because you sent those people to kidnap me didn't you?" Inori questioned. "It was to prove to me that the outside world is dangerous. But luckily I figured it out; those guys were the people you brought in last week. I caught you guys talking to them in the garden to stop and ambush and kidnap me."
There was a long silence before anyone spoke. "Looks like you caught us red-handed." He laughed. Inori only starred at her father. In which her father responded by shrugging his shoulders. "I guess you can let your friend stay since she has proven her use to this house hold and serve as your bodyguard."
"Io doesn't have to prove anything and don't treat her like that. She's not my bodyguard. She's my friend, we'll protect each other." Inori said.
"It's ok Inori." Inori heard. She shot her head up to the top of the stairs where she saw Io standing.
"I'd be happy to protect Inori and this house hold." Io said.
"Io, hold on." Inori said,
"Ok, then it's settled. Io will be your bodyguard and of this house hold. Don't disappoint us." Her mother said.
"Mother!" Inori shouted.
"Now go to bed." Her father said in a commanding voice.
"Fine." Inori said and marched to the stairs. She ran up quickly and grabbed Io by the hand. Inori dragged Io until they reached her room.
"Why did you agree to that?" Inori asked.
"Because I don't mind, I want to protect to you and your home." Io said. "Since you are my friend."
Inori was a bit surprised to hear this answer none the less she smiled and patted Io on the head. "Ok but please be careful and remember that I will protect Io too."
Io smiled in response and nodded happily. They both then drifted to sleep while watching another movie on the couch.
(Elsewhere)
Gunzou slowly pushed himself up and looked to the window. He brushed the blinds aside and saw that the sun was rising. Another day huh?
He then heard a loud knock on his door.
"Gunzou, wake up" he heard his friend Sou shouting. "We're approaching land." He informed.
Gunzou still had an emotionless expression. "So?" he responded. "Just reload on food and water and materials as well as water and we can leave." He said. "For all I care" he whispered.
"Gunzou, as a team we all thought you should go out on enjoy yourself in the town." Sou said. "I think you should go too. You can't stay in there forever anyway. And also Iona would not want to see you like this." Sou continued. With this Gunzou froze. He stood by the window for a long time, thinking about what Sou said. He knew Iona would not want to see him like this but his heart still felt heavy. He slowly walked to his door and opened it slowly. He slowly looked at his friend who stood there.
"Fine, just for a while though." Gunzou said pushing his friend aside and continued his path to the door. While walking to the door he made no eye contact with anyone but simply kept his eyes straight at the door. He walked out coldly and without even saying goodbye to anyone.
He down the steps slowly seeing the town decorated with lights and ribbons. 'There must be a festival today.' He thought to himself, 'but why do I care…' he thought to himself. As he reached the town he passed by a shop in which he stopped suddenly and turned to the item displayed at the stand. It was a little starfish necklace. A small starfish on a thin piece of rope decorated with a few aqua blue and turquoise beads. He smiled and turned to look at the necklace.
"The necklace caught your eye." The clerk said to him.
"A…yes, it's a beautiful necklace." Gunzou said. 'I would look great on Iona. Iona…'
"Would you like it? You can give to someone as a present." The man said to him.
"No it's fine really besides I…" Gunzou said trying to maintain himself while his memories of Iona continued to flow into his head. He started to shake a little but tried to maintain calm at the same time. The man only smiled sadly looking at Gunzou. The man picked up the necklace and handed it to Gunzou.
Gunzou looked at him surprised, "but I.." he started but was only cut off my the clerk.
"You're from that battle ship, aren't you? I saw you get off a while ago. I'm not sure what happened on your journey here but regardless whoever it is your thinking of I want you to take this." The man said. "My daughter was the one who made it but as you can see…" the man said sadly slowly turning to the picture behind him. Gunzou looked a saw the picture behind him, by seeing the white flowers Gunzou understood what happened.
"Forgive me for asking was it the Mist?" Gunzou asked. The man nodded. "Then we're the same."
The man smiled and placed the necklace in Gunzou's hands. "My daughter was hoping someone would be able to buy this necklace cheer up."
Gunzou smiled a little and held the necklace in both his hands. He thanked the man and then asked for the price but the man only shook his head and told Gunzou to be off and explore. Gunzou still offered to pay a little but the man only refused again and told Gunzou to be off. Gunzou finally backed down and stated to walk off while waving goodbye to the man.
Gunzou continued to walk around the joyful town. He then looked at the necklace in his hands. All he could think about was Iona. He stood there and let the memories in. He then placed the necklace in his pocket, thinking of dropping in the ocean later in order to give it to Iona. Suddenly his phone rang. He picked it up, "Hello?" he answered.
"Gunzou, here to your left then right!" was all he heard.
"Wait why?" he asked confused.
"We're picking up immense energy and it's similar to Iona's!" with this Gunzou started to run. 'Left then right!' he thought 'Could it be could you still be alive!' When he reached the place he saw a crowd of people. "Guys where? Which way?"
"Don't move it's approaching you." Gunzou stood still and looked around him, but he did not see Iona. He could not see Iona anywhere. "Guys where?"
"Excuse me." He felt a tap on the shoulder. He spun around happily to face the person he longed to see; "Iona?" he said, but to his disappointment it was not Iona. It was a girl with pretty black hair wearing jean shorts and a white T-shirt. It was Inori.
"Iona?" Inori asked.
"Sorry I thought you were someone else." Gunzou said sadly.
"Gunzou? Is it Iona?" he heard on his phone. "No it's not."
"But that doesn't make sense it shows Iona's energy on our monitor."
"Just stop guys there's no way Iona survived that attack." Gunzou then hung up.
"Um…is everything alright?" Inori asked the man. Gunzou looked at her and smiled
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." He said averting his eyes from her. Inori only reached her hand out and placed it on Gunzou's cheek. She gently pushed cheek until he was looking at her in the eye.
"You have the same eyes." She said. "You look just as lost as he was." She said sadly.
Gunzou stared at her confused by what she had just said. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to do that just now." She pulled her hand back. "How about I treat you to something to eat? You might cheer up if you eat something nice. My mother used to tell me if you eat something delicious it might cheer up your mood."
Gunzou still looked at the girl, astonished. He then let out a sigh and smiled. "I guess I can't refuse a lady's offer." He said brushing his hair.
"Great!" she said. "Wait by the tree just a sec." Gunzou did what she told him to. He walked and sat down under the tree where a bench was. Gunzou was still staring at the girl who was now lining up infront of a stand. He was starting to wonder about what his friends told him. About Iona being in this town and somehow and in some way this girl was shown to be Iona in their screen. What could that all mean? Could she be Iona is disguise? No there is no way Iona could just change her mental model or could she? What if this person is one of the Mist or the Fog? Does she know Iona?
"Here you go." The voice suddenly entered into Gunzou's head. He looked up and saw Inori holding out a sandwich. "The sandwich's here are really good. Eat before it gets cold."
"Yes thank you." Gunzou said taking the sandwich from her hand.
"Mistress Inori." Gunzou suddenly heard. "You forgot this." A lady ran up to them and handed Inori a bag of candy shaped like stars.
"Mistress Inori?" Gunzou asked curiously.
"Yes this girl here is the daughter of our town leader." The lady replied. So, she's been hear all her life than I guess my friends were just making fun of me. That's right even for a mental model there is no way in the history of the universe would they revive from an attack from someone as strong as the Mist. I have to admit it. Iona is already no longer here.
"Umm…are you ok? You're making that sad face again." Inori tugged him on the shirt to snap him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Gunzou apologized and turned away.
"You seem more troubled than I thought you were." Inori said.
"Sorry about that I do have a lot on my mind actually." Gunzou said sadly.
"Anyway nice to meet you my name is Inori and you are?" Inori started the introduction stretching out her hand.
"My name is Gunzou. Chihaiya Gunzou, captain of the Blue Steel." He said shaking her hand.
"The Blue Steel?" Inori asked tilting head with her finger on the tiled side of her cheek.
"We are a group of people who are currently fighting the Mist. We aren't respected that much since we have the belief that the Fog and humans can live together in peace."
"Well you got a fan right here and now. I respect anyone who tries to co-exist with others rather than to fight because after all Mental Models are just as human as anyone." Inori said gently.
"I'm happy to hear there is another that thinks like us." Gunzou said. "After getting to know you a bit I think you would get along very well with my crew especially one of my members." Gunzou said suddenly showing a sad expression. "Sadly she's not here anymore. We lost her in a battle weeks back."
Inori reached out her hand and placed it on Gunzou's. "I'm sorry to hear that, but all you have to do is keep going. Don't let her sacrifice be for nothing." Inori said strongly. "Besides she would not want to see you like this. I'm sure she'd be really sad if she were. Actually she might even be watching you right now since you know the saying. The pasted ones never really leave us they are always right here." Inori said placing her hand over her heart. She then gave Gunzou a warm smile which left him silent.
Gunzou looked at the girl before him with astonished eyes. His friends had been saying the same things to him but he was never convinced. Yet just after hearing this girl he felt better than he ever was before. He looked down and smiled. That's right Iona would definitely not want to see me like this.
"Thank you, Inori." He said taking a bite out of his sandwich. "It's delicious." He said smiling
The sound of a bell suddenly traveled through the town. Hearing this sound Inori jumped up realizing the time. "Oh no! I forgot I promised Io I'd be back by this time."
"Io?" Gunzou asked.
"My friend, she's currently living with me she just showed up recently out of nowhere. I promised her I'd be back to watch anime and read manga together." Inori said quickly trying to finish her sandwich.
"I have to get going too." Gunzou said. "Thanks for the food. Is there anything I can do to repay you?"
"No it's fine. It is just a sandwich." Inori said finishing her sandwich. She then handed Gunzou the bag of star candies. "Here this is for your crew." She said. "I was originally buying it just for you but since you have a big crew please do share it with them. It's delicious."
"Thanks again." Gunzou said taking the bag.
"Oh, and please stay in the town until nightfall today. There will be fireworks and the night sky will be very clear. I'll meet you somewhere. I'll bring my friend too."
"Sure I guess I have a day to spare. Where should we meet?" Gunzou asked.
"Just head to those big rocks on the beach." Inori pointed to the side. Gunzou looked to side two big rocks side by side at the far side from where they were standing.
"Sure…see you guys there tonight." Gunzou said.
"Ok then, bye for now." Inori said before running away.
Gunzou watched her run until he could no longer see her anymore. He turned and began to head for his ship. He stared at the bag of candy Inori gave him. Inori…what a strange girl?
(At the mansion)
"I'm back Io." Inori said opening her room door happily. However to her surprise Io was not there.
"Io?" Inori called again but no answer.
Inori suddenly heard the door open behind her. Inori turned around to see Io. However before Inori could call out to Io she froze at the sight of Io wearing the bodyguard uniform of her family.
"Io, why are you wearing the bodyguard uniform?" Inori asked surprised.
"I spoke to your father." Io said. "He told me I had to wear this uniform."
There my step father goes again. Why does he always try to take control of things.
"Io…you don't have to wear that it feels weird as your friend." Inori asked kneeling down.
"But your father said it is more respectful to wear this even as your friend. It is my job to protect you." Io said.
I really hate my father sometimes who does he think he is treating Io like this. "Well then as your mistress and friend I order you to stop treating yourself like this and be the Io I know already." Inori said.
Io looked down for a bit before responding. "But is that ok?" Io asked.
"Of course." Inori said taking Io's hand, "So please stop with this bodyguard stuff. You are my friend." She said. "You're reminding me of him." She then quietly mumbled.
Io looked at Inori concerned. "If I'm worrying you like this I'll be myself then." Io said reverting back to her normal clothes. Inori smiled and got back up.
"Ok now that we got that cleared up I have to find you a yukata to wear." Inori said running to her closest. She looked through her closest trying to find a yukata for Io that would be the right size. She looked through her drawers trying to find one that she wore when she was younger. Finally she found the right one. It was light blue with dark blue trims at the sides. And the ribbon was orange with light colored starfish patterns. 'I wonder if I used to like starfishes too.' Inori wondered.
"Here, Io. How about this one?" Inori said peering over the stairs. Io did not say anything but smile happily. I think she likes it, Inori thought.
"What about Inori?" Io asked.
"I have one that my real parents got for me. Technically it was my mom's when she was younger but she let me have it." Inori said.
"What does it look like?" Io asked.
"It's white with cherry blossoms on it." Inori said smiling. "She wore it on her date with Dad. My Dad was so amazed by her beauty he couldn't even greet her properly. Really they were so cute together." Inori laughed. "Any way Io come here pick a hair style so I can do it up for you later."
Io walked over and sat down by the mirror as Inori started to flip over the hair styles in her magazine. "Oh yeah. We're meeting someone for the festival too." Inori said remembering her promise to Gunzou.
"Someone?" Io asked.
"Yeah his name is Gunzou, Chihaya Gunzou." Inori said. "He's the Captain of the Blue Steel."
"Blue steel…" Io mumbled. "Gunzou…"
"Io?" Inori asked confused.
"Who are they?" Io asked.