After being granted permission to plant the tree, Kana only had to pick a tree to plant. Mr Hanabusa wanted to build some benches so that people could sit under it. Mika built what looks like a little birdhouse with Mayuko's picture in it, saying it was a shrine where people could say their goodbyes. There was no word from Ikari, yet.
I sat in the bookstore wondering what i should do. Everyone had picked out something sentimental. I didn't know Mayuko too personally like everyone else.
The bell to the door rings.
"Hello?" Ms. Suzuki asks, stepping in. She held a book in her hand a small bookmark hanging out of it.
"Um...Hi." i greet.
"Oh, Ainu! Long time no see!"
"Indeed." i look at her. She looked a bit run down. "Are you alright?"
"Oh yes, i'm fine. Finally got done with my paperwork so i can relax for the summer!"
"Oh, i see."
"Is Reimu home? She lent me this book, i just want to give it back."
The book was a poetry book, it's cover having a floral design on it. There was a excerpt on the back, a poem. Taking the book in hand, i recognize the poem immediately. She walks in Beauty, by Lord Byron.
"Ah, a magnificent poem. It's a shame we don't get a true description of the woman he speaks of. She must've been really something." Ms Suzuki says.
I notice the bookmark sticking out of it, pulling it out to find a detailed drawing on it. It showed a woman on it, asleep and laying in the flowers.
"Oh, that's mine. Each book always comes with a blank one, and i draw on it after i'm done to show my thanks. You can keep it if you want."
"Actually...if you don't mind. I want to give it to Mayuko."
Ms Suzuki blinks before smiling. It seems that she had forgotten about Mayuko.
"That sound like a good idea."
"Ms Suzuki… do you remember her?"
"Only bits and pieces to be honest. Mr Hanabusa thinks the world of her, always having her around. She was head of the student council, and she made a delightful cup of tea."
"Oh...i see."
"I'm sorry if that is discomforting."
"No!" i stammer. "It's fine...it more then most remember."
"I wish it wasn't that way." she says, turning away. "I'm glad we had this chat, Ainu. Please excuse me."
I show up to find the tree already planted and everything nicely put together. An apple tree was planted, purple rocks around the base along with Mika's shrine. The benches sat a little further out, large vases of flowers on each side. And in a really pretty handwriting was a sign reading: In Memory of Amari Mayuko, friend, daughter, and beloved.
Somebody had poured her a cup of tea and a blanket was sprawled out, a small tea party settled. Ikari's jeans were soiled with dirt, everyone else looking relatively clean.
"Ikari, the whole point was for everyone to chip in!"
"Is this the reason you got up early?" Mika giggled.
"Shut up, Mika."
"Oh...is everyone not here?" I ask.
"Mr Hanabusa said that he had to get someone." Mika says, sitting on one of the benches.
"It's hard to believe that she is gone." Ikari sighs.
"Yeah." Mika, KAna, and i agree. We sit silently.
"This is bullshit!" Ikari growls, turning away. "Why did it have to be her. There are other out there who deserves...she didn't…"
"That's enough!" Kana yells. "Do you honestly wish this upon someone else? Do you think Mayuko would've want that?"
"Do you really want my answer?"
"Big bro…" Mika warns.
"Shut up, Mika!"
"No...i miss her too! It's not fair that you get to throw a hissy fit and i don't!"
"Life's not fair, Mika! Something Mayuko doesn't have anymore. It's not fair… It's not fair."
"Ikari…" i say.
"I loved her too." Mayu says, holding Mr Hanabusa guiding her. "There isn't a single day that i don't miss her. Sometimes i wake up and call for her…and other times my husband forgets her altogether."
Mayu sits on a bench, holding a small box.
"On days like those, i want to scream, wishing i had someone to talk to. Sometimes, i wonder if she need one. I'm glad she had someone like you Ikari."
She holds up the windchime from her porch, it ringing gentilly. A tear streams down her cheek.
"I wish you were here, Mayuko. I wish i could hold you and tell you that i love you."
I stand up, tying the bookmark on the windchime and handing a cup of tea to Mayu.
"May i?" Mr Hanabusa asks, holding out his hand. MAyu nods, handing him the windchime.
Ikari stood firm, refusing to move from in front of the shrine, but Mr Hanabusa didn't seem to mind. He hangs it up before patting the redhead on the shoulder.
"There are so many things that i wanted to tell her." Mr Hanabusa says. "She was an amazing student and a great friend. It too brings me pain knowing is gone, but my admiration for her will reign on."
I think this is the perfect time.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.
There wasn't a single dry eye after i finished reading the poem, the wind blowing and ringing the windchime. Mayu openly wept into Ikari's shoulder, him holding her. M Hanabusa pulled out tissues, handing them to Kana and Mika.
We stayed and ate by the tree, everyone exchanging stories about Mayuko. I'm not sure how long we were out there for exactly… but i could feel the love that was shared by everyone.
"Thank you for this, Ainu." Mayu says, squeezing my hand. "I needed this."
"So what now?"
"I'm not sure, but i will figure it out." she says. "Come by to see me sometime. It would be nice to have tea with someone."
"I'd like that."
A strange voice goes of in my head.
I am thou, thou art I.
Thou hast required a new bond
This will light the course of loss
Guiding your lamp of remorse and repentance
With the birth of the Death persona
You have obtained a new flame
That lights a flame of new power
A card lights off in Mayu's chest before fading back into reality.
We all part our ways,returning home.
All the light were off when i returned home, it seeming that no one else was here. I sigh, going into the house. I start running the water for a bath when i hear a noise from the bookstore. I was cautious, going to see what it was.
"Greetings." Aeson says.
"Aeson?"
"Pardon my intrusion, you walked past me."
My cheeks dusted with a flush of embarrassment
"I'm sorry."
"There is nothing to worry about. You had put the girl's shadow at ease, and created a new bond. I am impressed."
"Yeah...i guess."
"I again have come to warn you. The virus has manifested itself in another victim. It is not my place to say whom but i feel no harm in letting you know."
"Okay...thank you."
In this lighting, Aeson looked exceptionally handsome. His skin was of a porcelain color, his physique portraying that a fragile but solid look. His hair flawlessly fell over his golden eyes, giving me a pleasant chill as they glowed in the dark.
"You are quite unique, Ainu." Aeson steps closer, cupping my cheek.
LEVEL UP! Justice LV. 2
Private chats
You can now ask Aeson out to socialize with him
The card in Aeson's chest before fading back into reality.
The light flicks on.
"Ainu, what are you doing in the dark?" Kaito asks. My face burns as Kaito's eyes zigzag from me to Aeson to me.
"Quite." Aeson says, moving the hair out of my face. He must've picked up the awkward tension. "Please be careful. The next time you will see me, i'm sure my master will like to have a word with you. Good day."
Aeson bows to Kaito before leaving.
"Did you read that pamplet i gave you."
"It's not like that! I swear!"
