This is something new that I have recently picked up. I was reading A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith. And yes, it is an actual book. I feel bad that she isn't a widely known author. It's a good book. So if you want to read something, look for it. Yeah, I know it's summer and reading is ONLY for school, but you're reading this fic, right? Got ya there.
Anyway, it gave me an idea of an interlude. This interlude is based on the years Mimi has "disappeared" and years before she "reappeared". Basically, it's an in-between thing.
Ah yes, Mr. Blondie...The words in bold and italics are lyrics from the song HEAVEN'S NOT ENOUGH sung by Steve Conte from an anime Wolf's Rain. Enjoy... (04/27/05-Removed the lyrics. Sorry about that. I hope you can follow, somehow (argh). Try listening to the song while reading this...sort of like a background music to set the mood and tone.)
INTERLUDE: Life's Gift of Abuse, Pain and Security
13
Thirteen year-old Yamato opened the door to his apartment, which he shared with his father. It was about six in the afternoon as Yamato rested his school bag on a nearby chair. "Tadaima! (1)" Yamato's call echoed through the apartment. No response was made. There was only one logical answer. "Beautiful, he's not home." He spoke to himself, looking over the mail, "Like the bastard he is, he's probably getting drunk in a nearby bar." He continued to scans the mail.
Bills, bills, bills, a letter? Nope, bills. Sigh. Bills, bills, more bills. "Jeez," Yamato growled, "Doesn't anyone like to write letters nowadays?" His hand shifted to the last letter to see his name on it.
A returned address was in America. "America?" Yamato scratched his head. He sat down on the small kitchen table and opened it. It read:
Dearest Yamato,
It's been a while, ne? I bet you don't remember who it is and I could understand. It's been, I think, three years since I last spoke or even wrote to you. It's Mimi Tachikawa. Remember now? Probably. I think last time I wrote to you was when I was in Tokyo with Otou-san (2). It felt better when I was in the same country as you were.
I miss you and Odaiba a lot! Now Otou-san said we had to move to America. America isn't the same as Japan. It's not enough seeing some people that don't understand the simplest greetings like Konichiwa. They're so weird. They don't take off their shoes when they enter another's house. It's really crazy. Another thing here, they dub our anime into English. It's so funny hearing the voices they dub them with.
Luckily, I was able to meet a new friend. His name is Michael. He lives across the street from us. Another good thing is that he goes to the same school and classes as me. What a relief. I wish the three of us can talk and probably hang out, like how we used to do when we were younger, remember? The two of us would go to the park and use the swings. You would always make sure I had my favorite swing all the way in the right side because that one lets me reach the floor so you didn't have to push.
I really hope we can actually talk together. Otou-san has a service that allows me to call Japan for a good price. When you get this mail, call me. So we can probably catch up on old times. Ja ne!
Your Best Friend, Mimi
"Mimi..." The name rolled off of Yamato's tongue. A smile curled upon his lips remembering the really stupid yet funny moments they had shared together. All thanks to her. But then he remembered why, why they had to leave before.
Her father said that the job he had required traveling. He was still young. He didn't understand, until now. Now he fully understood what Mimi was intentionally doing to him.
6
No one bothered to be with me...
I never bothered to be with them
She was five and he was six. They were in the same preschool together. She was always so peppy and happy with other kids. While Yamato usually played a plastic guitar in the corner by himself. Even though it was a plastic guitar without any sentimental sound to it. His strum medley showed potential for talent. The teachers noticed this and tried to allow him to be more open towards the other kids.
"Yamato-kun," One teacher called Katakana-sensei would whisper, "Yamato-kun, why don't you show the other kids your song?"
"Iie..." He whispered still strumming the guitar.
"Eh?" Sensei-sensei questioned, "You-you don't want to show the others?"
"Hai." Yamato retorted softly still strumming the strings. Katakana gave up and walked up to the other two teachers who were currently watching the other children.
"Kouya-san, Kira-san," Katakana spoke softly approaching the other teachers, "Yamato doesn't want to interact with the other kids. All he wants to do is stay in that corner and play that plastic guitar all by himself." All three teachers gazed at the blonde boy in the corner with his eyes closed, playing a harmonic tune.
"Well, you can't really blame him," Kouya commented as she caught the attention of the others.
"What do you mean?" Kira asked looking at Kouya with concern "Is there something wrong with Yamato?"
"Iie, it's not that..." Her voice drifted, "It's just... Yamato's family-"
"Kouya-sensei!" Five year-old Mimi tugged Kouya's smock. The elder woman looked down at the waist-high girl. Her chestnut brown hair was loose and silky and had a specific smell to it. Her eyes would usually gleam with hope, as her face would bring a smile in any face.
"Oh, what is it Mimi-chan?" Kouya stopped her story and bent down to Mimi's eye-level. "Is there a problem?"
"Iie." Mimi shook her head, "When's our shing (3) -along time?"
"Not for a while at least..." Kouya petted her little student's head, "In fact, why don't you go with Yamato-kun there. He's been playing the guitar for a while, you know? Why don't ask him if you can sing him the songs he's playing."
"Hai!" Mimi replied in a cheery matter as she skipped towards Yamato's direction.
"Kouya, what are you doing?" Kira raised her eyebrow, "Why are you sending Mimi to Yamato?"
"Let it be," She smiled, "it's part of my plan."
"YAMATO-KUN!" Mimi cried kneeling beside him, "Can you play a tsune (4) while I shing (5)?"
"Iie."
"Doushite? (6)"
"Iie."
"Is that the only word you know Ihe?"
"Do you have speaking problem?" Yamato retorted without looking at Mimi. Mimi grunted as her eyes narrowed down.
She hmphed, "You need to stalk (7) to pleeple (8) more."
"Excuse me?"
"HERE!" She grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the other side of the room where the other children play.
"Wha-what are you doing!"
"You're going to stalk to pleeple." She introduced. She placed him in front of everyone and exclaimed, "Yama-kun can play a tsune on the guatar (9)!"
Soon Yamato became over whelmed with the attention he had from the other students. Especially since he was often alone in these types of places.
That's a load of bull...
No one gives a damn.
Only one person did...
Just one.
7
It was after one month of the next school year. Yamato and Mimi were both in the same elementary school. They still met together and were introduced to another friend named Juri. Yup, even though Mimi was rough around the edges, she was able to show Yamato that he was worthwhile. He was able to smile, to laugh, and to be Yamato.
Several days later, Mimi had said she was moving to another city. "Iie! You can't! You can't leave tomorrow!" He yelled at her.
"I can't change it, Yama-kun." Mimi replied quietly, "I can't do anything about it. It's all because of Otou-san's job."
"Can't he just quit and find another one?!" Mimi shook her head to Yamato's prososal, "Why can't he?"
"I can't ask him to do that, Yama-kun..."
"Then you'll stay in Odaiba with me!" Yamato grabbed Mimi's wrist tightly and walked away with her.
"Yama-kun! YAMA-KUN!" Mimi squealed trying to keep up with Yamato's speed, "Where are we going?!"
"I don't want Mi-chan to leave!" He yelled back.
"Na-nani?"
Yamato stopped and turned, "I don't want Mi-chan to leave me!" He shouted to her. He came into tears, "I don't want Mi-chan...to...leave." He said softer than the last response, "Mi-chan can't leave. I...I-I can't let her go! I need Mi-chan!" His tears poured down slowly, "Do whatever you want. Just don't leave..."
"Yama-kun..." Mimi whispered as she approached the crying boy, "I won't ever leave Yama-kun..." She drew out a hug, "Yama-kun is my best friend and nothing can change that!"
I believed her...
I actually did...
"Mi-chan?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you sing one last time?"
"Hai,"
I love those words
(10)
13
I believed she was coming back.
I never doubted her words for a moment
Probably till now...
Every month I received a letter from her.
They were more of an 'I'm fine; how are you?'
Nothing special, nothing unique
When I became 10
She stopped writing
I don't know why
I'm not so sure...
The only thing I knew was that...sigh...I'm missed those damn letters
13
School sucks and we all know it
I hate the teachers
I hate the bitches
I hate the bastards
I hate people that piss me off
I especially hate people that try to win my heart
They're just wasting their time
Yamato stood on top of the school roof. He allowed the warm breeze to hit his face. The smell of the salty waters could not shake off something on his mind. Mimi. That's a word that can't be neglected.
Ima hirogaru sukuriin (I'm with you together)
Saa doko mademo tsuzuku (Hold me and let's fly)
Sunahama far away (To a far away beach)
Dakishimete tonde (That continues on forever)
SHIT! Where the hell is that song coming from?
Yamato turned around and saw no one there. It's been an hour since school has been dismissed. Probably that's why. There might be glee club. Yeah, that's it... just glee club. But glee club doesn't meet on Tuesday. CRAP!
"Get a hold of yourself, Yamato." He repeated to himself as he made small deep breathing exercises. "It's just a song. A lot of people might have known that song..."
Yama-kun...
"AHHH DAMMIT!" Yamato screamed as he was about to pull his hair, "Why are you in my head! Get the hell away from me! Shut up! Shut UP! SHUT THE HELL UP!"
WHY CAN'T SHE MY FREAKIN' HEAD!
14
A year has passed since my last drama.
I never heard from Mimi
She didn't even write a letter
I was truly free
Free of Mimi Tachikawa
A month later, while I was home finishing dinner
The phone rang
I picked up the phone and asked,
"Moshi Moshi?"
"Good Evening, sir. We have a call from New York, America, from Mimi Tachikawa. Would you like to accept the charges?"
Mimi Tachikawa? What the?
"Hai," Yamato replied forcefully.
"I'll connect you right away."
Silence.
"Hello?" That wasn't Mimi's voice. It was more like... like... a man? Wait-a-minute, a man?
"Is this Mimi?" Yamato replied now confused.
"No, um... this is Michael. Is this Yamato from Odaiba?"
"Hai- I mean, yeah."
"Okay, I was worried I got the wrong number. Mimi had always wanted us to talk together for some time," He said with a chuckle. He, then, coughed a bit and changed to a serious tone, "Um...You see, we have a problem."
Tachikawa Mimi
You always left in questions of your actions
Strange, though
Out of all the years that I've known you
You never once called me by my real name
A month later
I remember the promise I made between Michael and I
While I'm still here is Japan
He would protect her for me in America
I asked for nothing more
Nothing Less
Just to protect her
At least till she comes back to Japan
I had nothing else except her
Probably one person
But I don't think he even knows I exist
Just in his hidden memory
And that's my brother, Takaishi Takeru
I was three when I last saw him
He was around one
I don't think he knows that he even has me
And if he did,
He has a funny way of showing it.
Now that I'm fourteen,
I haven't spoken to him in a decade
But I still try to keep track off him
Silently congratulating him
Don't worry, Takeru
You're brother is here for you
At any rate, you don't make me suffer as much as Mimi did
She made me suffer
And that's what I'll do...
I leave Mimi behind
She's safe with 'Michael' around
I doubt she'll come back to Japan ever again
So I'll forget her
There is no such person as Tachikawa Mimi
15
Haven't heard from her still and thank God
Life got harder
I still had my problems
I saw Takeru in High School
I got into a fight with him because of his classmates
Those bastards
Thanks to him I was hospitalized for a week
And my guitar is thrashed
Since he smashed it to pieces
There goes my band
Well...
Nice to hear that he's in shape at least
I don't want a coward for a brother
But only now I realize it
It didn't hurt him as much as I did when I hit him
That's because he didn't even know who I was
That opened my eyes to a whole new level
If I didn't want to feel any pain
Or abuse of my parents
Then I must forget everything
And everyone I've been holding on to
I know what to do now
I must remain emotionless
Senseless
Loveless
In order to get what I what from life
And I want...
My Happiness
When I returned to school
It was really strange
Everyone started taking notice of the fight
I'm not so sure why
But everyone started idolizing me
Strange
But not everyone did
Some felt that Takeru should have won
It was more odd that his 'worshipers' would fight with mine
It was pointless really
But I left it alone
It was their problem, not mine
Soon after they claimed me as their leader
Even the upper classmen did the same
The others claimed Takeru as their leader
No surprise in that
That's when it started
Since I was older than Takeru they named us WHITE as superior to others
While Takeru's group became BLACK
That's how all hell broke loose
16
A year later
Our groups had progressively grown larger
We were declared as rulers in our school
Superior to everything
Even the teachers and the Principle
That's not a real shock
That's what happens to majority rules
Especially in a student body
I really don't deserve it though
The only thing we did to each other was beat each other up
Nothing much
But if this is what they want
Might as well live with it
It was still during the year
I had to fight Takeru again
I don't want to
We never had to fight before
Why now?
We meet in the parking lot
"Yamato," Takeru taunted, "Is this the man I should fear?"
"Don't you even use senpai?" Yamato retorted sarcastically.
"Nope!" Takeru spat in English. He rolled up his sleeves and taunted Yamato to make the first move. Yamato stood still. He didn't even prepare for a fight. He planned on letting Takeru giving his hits.
I don't plan to fight you
The first time
I was planning on hitting your friends in the crotch
"Com'on YAMATO!" He jeered as he punches Yamato right on his right cheek. Yet, Yamato never moved. Takeru threw another on in his stomach, which made him cough out a mix of blood and saliva, "GET UP, YOU DAMN BASTARD? I WANT A FAIR FIGHT!" Takeru made a triple punch combo on Yamato's face and a kick in his stomach.
Yamato fell to the floor with his knees and palms adjacent from each other. His head facing down as he coughed out more blood. His face glared at Takeru as he noticed the blood that dripped in the corner of his mouth and various places in his cheeks.
Yamato made one last breath before falling flat on the floor.
"Someone take Ishida-kun to the medics!"
"Move it!"
"WHOO! Takaishi-kun won!"
Takeru looked at Yamato with grief, "He didn't use any of his strength..."
16
"Wake up, ya' bastard," Takeru laughed as Yamato's eyes slowly opened his eyes, "Good Morning, Sleeping Beauty..."
"Cut the crap," Yamato retorted as he looked at his surroundings, "Where am I?"
"The nurse's office," Takeru replied nonchalant, "You didn't fight me."
"Were you blind, boy?" Yamato grunted as he slowly picked up his swollen body from the bed, "You were beating the shit out of me." He grunted again trying to straighten his back.
Takeru didn't look at him, "You didn't even hit me back." Takeru's eyes narrowed as his eyes fumed Yamato, "You didn't even look at me in the eye!"
"Your beauty was too blinding for me." Yamato laughed.
"I'm fuckin' serious!" Takeru exclaimed looking at Yamato, "I don't like fighting like that! That's dirty and I don't fight dirty!"
Yamato paused. He studied Takeru's facial expression, "You're a good kid. I'm glad she raised you well..." He finished as he ruffled Takeru's hair through his Kangol Hat.
"What the freak is that supposed to mean?" Takeru slapped Yamato's hand off his head, "Get your mother freakin' hands off of my head. You don't know me."
"You really shouldn't insult your mother that way."
"I said yours!"
"Which makes it the same person,"
Silence.
Takeru stood from the chair and started to leave the room, "You got problems."
"Yeah, that and dad. While you got mom and moved." Takeru stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Do you ever ask your mom whether you had a dad or where he was?"
"Hai, so?"
"Did she ever tell you about him?"
Takeru made a serious face and said in a monotone, "My dad was a good for nothing bastard that didn't give a shit whether what happened to me or my mom! He didn't even attending to anything I've been in."
"What about your brother?"
"Nani?" Takeru face stiffened, "I never had a brother."
"Too bad, you did." Yamato reached for his wallet. He dug in his pocket for his wallet. He eyes widened when he found nothing there, "Shit! Now's not the time to lose it."
"You mean this?" Takeru held out the leather pouch.
"Oh thank, God." Yamato sighed, "Give it to me and I'll prove to you that you do have a brother."
"Yeah right,"
"Just open the damn thing!"
Takeru laughed as he unveiled the thing, "Like I'll find something imp..." His voice trailed off seeing the first picture appeared. It seemed to be a family picture of a dad, a mom, and two brothers, "This is important to me?"
"Look at the mother," Yamato smiled, "Does she look familiar?" Takeru gasped realizing who Yamato was now, "Strange I was the only one from your family that ever when to your elementary school basketball games. I always wondered why you wore a strange big hat..."
"And I hit you that bad?" Takeru gasped.
"You didn't know that I was brother," Yamato sighed, "Do you?"
"Like hell I didn't know..." Takeru hugged his brother, "Damn!"
"One question," Yamato hugged his brother back, "What were you planning on doing with my wallet?"
My brother and I were reunited
We promised to still remain as leaders of the Black and Whites
Just as long as no one knew our relation
Yeah,
It was easy for the next several years
19
Life had been okay for the next 3 years
Nothing special had happened
Until one day...
"Gomen, (11) gomen." This brown-haired-brown-haired girl said nervously picking up the papers that had fallen. "I wasn't paying attention! Here you go!" As she hand the papers, as Yamato stared at very hard. With his blue eyes staring at her like that, it made the girl uncomfortable.
"Mimi?" Yamato asked.
The girl stood in amazement asking, "Wha...how do you know my name?"
'How do you know my name?'
What the hell does that supposed to mean?
You said that we were going to be best friends
It's been about six years!
What the hell are you doing here?
19
I thought I was really free from you
And you reappeared again
What the hell is wrong with you?
Why are you still here?
I can't believe it.
You're Tachikawa Mimi
When I saw you
I felt the same
The same feeling when you made me more social
When I got closer to you
Later on that day
Takeru called me
"That's the girl you talking about, right?"
"Hai," Yamato sighed as she walked home from her tour of the school, "That's her."
"I should make her pay for making you wait for six years!" Takeru growled.
"There's not point in it. She doesn't remember a thing..."
"Nani? That bitch..."Takeru exclaimed softly, "I'll make her pay, Aniki-kun. (12) Just watch me."
She made me suffer
I thought I was free
I guess I wasn't
Sigh...
I wasn't free after all
And I know why,
I'm still in love with, Tachikawa Mimi.
heaven goodbye
(1) I'm home
(2) Dad
(3) sing...since she's five she should have something cute like a lisp. Third-person speaking can get annoying
(4) tune
(5) sing
(6) Why?
(7) talk
(8) people
(9) guitar
(10) removed lyrics-- it may be found in Digimon Adventure Soundtrack entitled: Itsudemo aeru kara
(11) Big Brother in a masculine tone
Was it worth it? I knew it wasn't necessary but adds a little background for people that want to know more about Yamato in this fic. I read this while the song was playing. Man...;; it had the mood... Got any questions about this format, include your review. Sorry for my terrible grammer and misspellings everyone had to suffer with.Thanks for reading!