Chapter Seven:


Saya woke up with a start. Her chest heaved heavily and she swallowed profusely. The light was so blinding that she had to blink several times to adjust her vision. Her skin felt cold and damp. "I dreamed about it again," she muttered as she stood up.

Ukishima had already risen and was alive—she could already hear the farmer's tractor from a distance. Saya walked slowly, admiring her strong sense of hearing. The shrine was peaceful, as it always was. Her father was praying when she arrived. Bowing solemnly, Saya couldn't help but wonder what her dream was about. It's been plaguing her for quite some time now. 'You should not let what you see in your dreams bother you,' her father told her the first time she confessed about it. 'They are mere thoughts. Do not let them control you.' But the murky dream was persistent, as if it was trying to tell her something. It was beginning to trouble her—and her father.

They faced each other after their prayers.

"I dreamt about it again," she said quietly, pursing her lips. "But I really cannot understand what it is."

Tadayoshi looked at her with thoughtfully then said softly, "One day, you will understand… perhaps it has something to do with your mission as the next priestess, or none at all."

Saya nodded, holding on tight to her father's wisdom.

"If you don't hurry, you will not have time to eat next door." Tadayoshi said a moment later, startling her further more. She shot up with a sharp gasp before almost tripping on her feet as she broke into a run. It was always like this—she was always running, always forgetting, always… always… always falling—on her face, most of the time.

Birds were singing sweet songs of their kind as she stumbled out of her room, in her uniform and pig tails. Her friends loved to make fun of her pig tails. Her father always told her that her mother always did this to her hair and that she looked lovely. It was a beautiful day.

Café Guimave is always open.

Rows upon rows of hydrangeas greeted Saya upon her approach. The sweet smell of fresh pastry and coffee wafted out towards her. Her stomach growled in anticipation.

Fumito heard her approaching.

He paused from drying the dish and looked at the door, not wanting to miss the moment. The bell tinkled as she pushed the door to admit herself in. Saya stood before him wearing a high schooler's uniform and pig tails, with the brightest, most innocent smile that could ever grace a face. His heart skipped a beat at the sight. He was still not used to it… seeing Saya beaming and responsive. But it was a hundred times better than talking to an almost-corpse. The sunshine hit her skin as she moved towards him, and made her appear more delicate than she was.

"Good morning, Fumito-san!" she said brightly.

It was almost as if he'd gone to heaven and back, hearing his name leaving her soft, happy lips. Fumito returned the smile and greeting. "What happened to your nose?" he asked, upon spotting the scuff mark on her skin.

"I tripped," she answered as she took a seat at the bar. A soft, girlish laugh emanated from her next.

He laughed along. "You should watch your steps next time, Saya-chan." Fumito took out a cup and filled it with her drink. The blood of the Old Ones smelled awful, it did not appeal to him in any degree. But Saya seemed pleased as he set the cup in front of her. "I don't want you to get hurt," he said softly. "Oh, I made something new. Do you want to try it?"

A blush spread across Saya's cheeks as she looked up at him. Oh Saya, if things were truly different, I would kiss you, he thought. Fumito turned his back at her and headed to the kitchen. It was just there, stacked together and pink. It was something Fumito would never dream about making. He can create a thousand things, but this French pastry was the exception. It had been made the night before, by another person specializing in the particular area, who knew the adequate proportions of the special ingredient to be added to the candy. The idea was simply genius. Fumito picked up the plate and headed back to Saya. She was sitting there, staring at the bottom of the cup. It was adorable.

"Here you are," he said. "This is called Guimave." The sight of her eyes glistening with pleasure contested the sight of her livid ruby orbs. Fumito would have welcomed the idea of stopping time so he could just gaze at elated woman before him.

-Flashback

'Are you absolutely positive that you want to do this? The possibilities aren't really in your favor!' It was one Tower's overseas OICs. The proposition was highly ridiculous, of course. Fumito asked them why they shouldn't push through with the project, after all they had done. None of the OICs responded. Nobody wanted to stand up to Fumito. The OICs' faces however, told him otherwise. There was doubt in their usually blank, cold eyes. 'We're pushing through with this.' Fumito dismissed.

-End of Flashback

When Saya had run off to school, Fumito closed the café and headed to the headquarters. The operation was going smoothly, all of the actors were doing their parts well. It was only within the walls where the façade fell apart when the families discussed the farce with hushed voices. They thought that he didn't know how they felt scared and nervous every day, but he knew. He knew it all too well. He felt nervous too, believe it or not. Fumito always thought about Saya overcoming the barbiturates. What would happen then? Would a blood bath ensue, or would she still be a slave to the curse?

The intern of one of the scientists was playing with Akane when Fumito arrived. The intern had a rattle in her hands and a wide smile. Akane was babbling happily back. The child's eyes were bright with wonder. Fumito leaned on the doorway and watched them play a little longer. A peal of happy laughter emanated from his daughter's rosy lips. The sound was too precious. Akane was stretching out her arm, trying to reach for the rattle, but the intern withdrew her hand every time. The child laughed harder.

"Oh!" gasped the intern upon seeing him.

Fumito smiled at the young intern and asked how long they had been playing. She told him that Akane had been crying all morning and that everybody else was busy so she came down to check up on the poor thing. The girl hoped that he wouldn't take it against her. With a pleasant smile, he told her that it was definitely alright. Akane babbled for the rattle. "I guess you should play with her a little longer, miss." Fumito said, smiling at Akane. The intern nodded and he left the room.

Saya's face appeared in a hundred screens. She smiling and blushing. She was letting the flamingos banter and bully her. It was really fascinating.

It really looked like they were in another universe. A universe he'd created. He felt like a different being himself. He didn't feel like a man here. He felt like some god, being able to control this whole thing. "When are we going to release the first Older One?" he asked the person beside him. "Tonight," Fumito said. "I know that deep inside, she's feeling extremely ravenous. We've kept her waiting for far too long."


Author's Note:

Okay, so my summer vacation isn't what it usually was. I'm getting really bored and I am not getting the hang of e-books. Just thought you might want to know. (As if, really.)

I'm such an uneventful writer. :|

VC