IX - Ceremony

An explanation.

Yes, one was due. Shuusuki and Shuri Wakatsuki, missing. Ran off during their close friend's funeral, no less.

Obviously, something was going on.

Wakatsuki-san had accepted the blame. He had been too hard on them, he admitted. Nonstop fights at home. Shuri's drug arrest, and her sentence – she had been lucky to avoid expulsion and reform school; Wakatsuki-san had fought like crazy to reduce it to probation and community service. And lately, the Sakuranomori Events Center and the bond issue. He had invested his sweat and blood to try to make this happen – and when he heard that Shuri was trying to mount an opposition campaign, he had snapped. He couldn't take it anymore – and threatened her with all kinds of things. In light of that, it wasn't too surprising that she would run away from home; especially since she had threatened to do it several times in the past. As for Shuusuke, he had always taken his sister's side, and this would be no exception.

Of course, they had been caught.

Saeko was like a bloodhound. And thanks to her help, the twins were stopped just a few stations away from Sakuranomori.

Yet, they would not be coming home.

That's what they had agreed on, in the ensuing family meeting. Their wish would be granted – they would be allowed to leave home, and they would not be separated. And their living expenses would be paid for, until Shuusuke and Shuri graduated from high school. Of course, there was a catch somewhere – but it would remain a private matter, even to their closest friends.

"I'm not sure whether you'll ever see them again," Wakatsuki-san had said. "We've had – some issues. And I tried my best, but it wasn't enough. Maybe this is something that will never be overcome. It was their decision to leave – and all we can do is to respect their choice."

Somewhat skimpy on the details; this must have been classified information as well. But Sana and Nanaka knew better than to pry further – some things were just meant to remain private.

* * *

So it was now just him and Nanaka.

She was doing her best to comfort him – even now, she was rubbing up against his arm, as he opened his bento. But he was in no mood to eat.

It wasn't the food; his aunt had prepared it herself. And there were no Shuri's in the family, in any case. As for Nanaka, her presence was barely felt, even as she rested her head on his shoulder. Finally, Nanaka gave up and let go – and started eating her own lunch.

"Sana. I got to talk to the violin teacher at the funeral. He said he'd be willing to take me on as a student. I'll have to talk to my uncle and aunt – but hopefully I can start taking lessons in the next week or two."

He lacked the energy to give a response.

"This weekend – I think I can free up a couple of hours on Saturday evening. Would that be a good time? How about the karaoke place? Or shopping?"

A weak groan.

"If you don't want to go out, you can come visit the shrine and hang around. There're a few things I'd like to show you. And you can play the piano if you want. I'm still working on the violin – but maybe we can play a few simple songs."

A slight movement, and that was all.

"Sana, say something. Please. Look at me. I'm here, right in front of you. Aren't we together, in body and soul? Let me know what I can do for you. I've already given you everything… but if you want, I'll find a way give you even more."

A sulk, and slight signs of a tremor.

Nanaka held Sana in her arms. "It'll be OK, Sana. I know it hurts. I know you miss them. But I'm still here. I'll always be here. Please, cheer up, Sana."

Somehow, it just wasn't having an impact.

* * *

"Aoi."

She remained calm and silent – she had long since figured that her usual cheerfulness would only make Sana feel worse.

"Aoi-san, what's going on?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Is there something – you know? You can tell me. About Shuri and Shuu. And Nanaka. And Asami. I want to know. I need to know what happened, while I was gone. Because I didn't know. And I couldn't see. And this whole thing became messed up…"

A small smile – and she told Sana to wait, while going to her room to get her album.

She opened the album to the part where Shuu and Shuri made their first appearance. "It was a long time ago. I think it was in elementary school when we first met them. Don't you remember? Shuu and Shuri were always getting into scrapes and getting in trouble. It seemed like their parents were being called in every other week. Sure, they told us that it wasn't their fault, but still…"

Aoi pointed to the picture taken at the farewell party. "And Nanaka, she was only part of the group for a short time. She came just before you left, I think. After you left, everyone went their separate ways. I was going to a different school. And the twins didn't know Nanaka that well, and besides, she was starting to act really strange."

"You've probably heard the rest of the story – Nanaka lost her parents in the fire, and Shuri was arrested for using drugs. By that time, we'd already been apart for years, and I had my own friends from school. So I thought – it was best to let it go."

"But – weren't they your friends? Why?"

"You just said it. They used to be my friends. But by then, I hardly saw or talked to them. And even if I did – there was only so much I could do. Isn't that right, otouto-kun? How many times have you wished that you could do something for your friends – but just couldn't?"

She had a good point.

"It's hard. There's always that voice that tells you that things will get better. That everything will be OK, as long as you work at it. And I used to believe in that voice. But the problem is that it's simply not true. Not everything gets better. Sometimes it gets worse. And sometimes, a LOT worse."

Indeed, they had.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you this earlier. I – didn't know what to do. I thought the easiest thing to do was to leave everything in the past, and I thought you'd do the same."

Well, he hadn't, and now it was too late.

"About Nanaka. I guess she's your girlfriend now. All I can tell you is – be careful. You can't push her too far. I haven't seen her too often, but I've heard the rumors. And she almost got sent back to the mental hospital a couple of times. People are afraid of her for a good reason, otouto-kun. Remember that."

He would.

* * *

Had she been sent back to the mental hospital?

He was being paranoid, he reasoned. Nanaka had been perfectly fine the last time he had seen her. Most likely, she had come down with something.

Still, this was the second day she missed school, so Sana figured he owed her a call. Alas, her cell phone had been turned off, so he would have to try her at home:

"Could I speak to Nanaka?"

"Sana."

Ah, so it was Nanaka after all.

"Are you all right? I haven't seen you at school the last couple of days."

"Come over right now."

My, she was being rather demanding; that was a luxury that he simply didn't have. By now, she should have understood what his schedule was like –

"I've already told your aunt. Come here as soon as possible."

A confirmatory phone call – and a similar response from his aunt. He was ordered to pay Nanaka a visit, immediately.

Now this was downright bizarre.

And the streak would continue as he arrived at the shrine, where Nanaka lived with her uncle and aunt. Nanaka didn't come out to greet him; the honor was done by Nanaka's uncle. Nanaka had remained inside, as Sana found her in the living room – kneeling in front of a small foldable table, examining several documents. Her aunt was sitting next to her.

"What is going on?" Sana finally managed to ask.

"Take a look," Nanaka's uncle answered. Nanaka handed over some of the documents. Medical exams, and their results. Bills. And an official document with his and Nanaka's name on it –

My goodness.

"Sign and date there, and put the seal underneath it when you're done," Nanaka remarked. "We'll be having the ceremony tomorrow."

"What – what is this?"

"You should have figured that out by now," Nanaka's uncle cut in. "The test results should tell you everything you need to know."

"But – how?"

"Do you need me to tell you? You need to take responsibility for what you've done. You got my niece into trouble – now make her into an honest woman."

"But – how do you know it was me?"

The words were met with revulsion from all sides, and Sana immediately wished he could have them back.

"We'll have them run a DNA test as soon as possible," Nanaka's uncle confirmed. "But I think we all know what the result will be. I've already talked to your mother, and she will be coming down later tonight. We'll be performing the ceremony tomorrow, then turn in the paperwork – "

Did he even have a say in any of this?

"I – I can't do this! I'm still in high school. It's too early – "

"Oh, really? You didn't say that while you were getting Nanaka into trouble. And this isn't the first time you've gotten a girl into trouble, is it?"

The secret was out.

Nanaka rushed to her room, in tears. Her aunt followed, in an effort to comfort her – only to be locked out. And her uncle – there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"It's time for you to be a man. And do the right thing. Look at what you've done to Nanaka. You're the only one who can clean up this mess. You have to take responsibility. We'll help you two, the best we can – but you have to take the first step."

"But – I don't know – "

"Hidaka-san, do you love Nanaka?"

He was cornered now. There was only one answer he could give – if he wanted to live to see tomorrow.

So he nodded his head.

"Think. When a man and a woman love each other, they get married and have children. I think you know that much, Hidaka-san."

"But I'm not ready – "

"I think you said you were ready when you did what you did. If you really love Nanaka, you will do this."

"But – but – isn't there another way?"

"Haven't you learned from what happened the first time? Nanaka says she's going to do the same thing. I'm against it, but I know that she will find a way. You have a choice, Hidaka-san. If you do the right thing, you will have a wife, a child, and two families that are willing to support you. But if you don't, there will be no wife, no child, and your own family will turn their backs on you."

Silence.

"Hidaka-san, don't you have something to say?"

"I should've been more careful… It was an accident; I didn't mean to… I know, none of this would've happened if I had used protection… why did things have to turn out this way? I don't know what to do… Why did she have to turn out that way? Why couldn't it just – disappear? I can't do this – I can't! What am I supposed to do? I don't know. I just don't know…"

"SANA!"

That got his attention.

"Go to her room right now. And apologize."

He complied.

"Nanaka?"

Followed by a gentle knock, but no response.

"I'll do my best, Nanaka. I promise. We'll get married tomorrow – "

"Get lost."

"I'll work hard. I'll do anything, to keep our promise – "

"Oh, really? How long did you keep it the first time?"

She wasn't making this any easier for him.

"I guess in the end, I wasn't any good. That's why you ran off and did it with some other girl as soon as you got the chance. Isn't that right?"

"Nanaka, please listen!"

"I heard you loud and clear. You want to get rid of – it – don't you? It's our child, and that's all you can say! Like it's something you can use once and throw away."

"But Nanaka – "

"And now you want to do the same thing with me. I know. I'm used. Second-hand. Spoiled. And you're the one who made me this way. Now you're going to throw me away and look for someone different. Someone fresh. Just like you did with that other girl."

"No, Nanaka. Please! Let me explain."

"Why should I? I've had enough of your explanations. You explained things just fine behind my back. I'm sick of all this. Just leave me alone!"

"It'll be different this time. I'll try my best. Please, give me a chance…"

"I used to hear that line all the time from my dad. But things never changed. They never got better. He was always running off somewhere. With someone. But mom was always giving him another chance. I asked her why she was doing this, when he never kept his promise. But she always told me that I didn't understand. And maybe I didn't. But I understand now, Sana. You're not going to put me through all that."

"I won't. I promise."

"I don't know what to believe anymore. Maybe it's not your fault. Maybe all guys are like that. Maybe they never bother to screw their heads on. Maybe mom finally figured it out at some point, because she couldn't take it anymore, and decided to unscrew it all the way!"

"Wha – "

"You never knew that part, did you? Sure, that was another accident. I'm tired of that word. It's a word that cowards use when they feel like running away. Lies. They were all lies. I don't want to hear any more lies! Just tell me the truth. Just once. Whether I'm 'ready to hear it' or not. Even if it hurts my feelings. Would it kill you to tell me the truth? Anyone? I don't care how bad it is; tell – me – the – truth!"

"Nanaka. I don't know. I'm scared, too. And I don't know what will happen. But please, give me just one more chance. Let's get married. Let's do our best to raise our child. I promise to love you, Nanaka. Even when things go wrong. Even when it's hard. Because that hasn't changed. We still have the promise. And I still want to live up to it. Maybe things won't be perfect, but I'll always try. And so will you. And maybe it'll happen, maybe we'll always be there for each other, and become one in body and soul. Because I'll remember. We'll remember. And we'll both work hard to make that happen…"

"I'm going to take a bath. I'll think about it," Nanaka announced. And that was the sign for Sana to make his way back to the living room – from one lion's den to another.

Only, the pack had grown.

Aoi and his aunt were also there. And soon, his mother would be there to join them.

Sana knew when he was trapped.

This was rather unnecessary, really. He had already agreed. And he signed and stamped the documents; all that was remaining was his mother's signature. He didn't need any more lectures at this point. He couldn't undo what was already done, and he had accepted responsibility and done everything he could.

Alas, he was outvoted four to one; and so, the lectures continued. Shame and humiliation. Warnings and threats. And only occasionally, a (slight) show of support. How long would this go on? How long could this go on? Somehow, he was getting the feeling that they were biding time until his mother arrived, or Nanaka, or both – at which point, he would be subjected to a fresh set of lectures.

Speaking of Nanaka, where was she?

It had been a couple hours since she went into the bath – she must be holed up in her room by now. So Sana knocked on the door, only receive no response, so he opened the door –

Empty.

Did this mean she was still in the bath? She'd been in there way too long; she could easily pass out from the heat. There was only one way to find out –

A brownish tinge. A butcher knife. A body. It had passed out, all right, but not from the heat. And when he took a closer look –

The location. If her goal had been to get rid of – it – she could not have chosen a better spot.

* * *

There would be a ceremony after all.

The location and the audience would remain unchanged. The reason – would not.

And this time, he would not be playing the piano.

What was there to say? Or do? A senseless death. A life, snuffed out prematurely.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

A day of great joy. Promise. Maybe the circumstances were less than ideal, but the possibility was still there. And just for one day, all disagreements would be set aside, and it would be a time filled with love, a cause for celebration.

Or at the very least, they would make the attempt.

Now, it simply would not be necessary. The document would remain unsigned – after all, his mother reasoned, you couldn't marry a dead person.

The rare sign of logic, in the face of chaos. Nothing made sense anymore. Random tears. Broken speech. And finally, silence. The ceremony would be kept mercifully short, and for that, everyone was thankful.

Only, it wasn't short enough for Aoi.

She fell sick, and had to be taken home. Yet another casualty; there seemed to be a lot of those lately – Sana wondered who was going to be next.

"Sana."

Ah, his mother. Was he next?

"It looks like I was wrong."

A rare event, but no one was perfect.

"After last time, I didn't think it was possible for things to get any worse. I'm still trying to figure out how this happened."

So was he.

"If you're wondering about Riko, she's out of the hospital. She's going to school again."

At least her life had been spared. For a while, even that had been in doubt – she was hospitalized for a long time. It was supposed to be safe. Quick. Easy. A few minutes, and it would be over. Only it wasn't, as she collapsed in a pool of red –

He wasn't supposed to be there. He was going against her wishes, and probably breaking several laws while he was at it. But he had to try. Wasn't it his child as well? Why couldn't he have any say as to whether it lived or died?

In the end, he didn't. A mass of tissue was all that was left – how much of it came from the would-be child, no one knew. One life had disappeared, and a second one was in danger. And all he could do was stand by and watch – and soon, even that would be denied him. Security. Doctors. Riko's parents. The judgment was unanimous and swift; he would be cast off, away from Riko's side…

"I wouldn't try to contact her, though. I don't think she wants to see you again."

He had already made that mistake. Apologies. Declaration of love and support. Gifts, and wishes for her to get well soon.

For that, he had been repaid with a hard slap. Wasn't she supposed to be recovering? Where did she find the strength? She followed up with several kicks, yet he remained frozen, taking blow after blow…

After that ordeal, he had promised himself that he would get it right next time. And it was with Nanaka, his first love; and she still loved him, even after years of separation… it had to be better, didn't it? It couldn't possibly be worse, right? Yet… how did this happen? How could it happen? Then again… at least this meant he was off the hook.

"Oh, Sana. Pick yourself back up. You're not the one who's dead. So, is there any place you want to go for lunch?"

Was she trying to cheer him up?

"There's no catch – I think you've been punished enough. We can talk about whatever you want."

Trouble was, there wasn't anything to talk about. Correction; there wasn't anything good to talk about.

But he figured he might as well take his mother up on her offer. She was in a good mood, after all – at least by her standards.

* * *

It was back to the apartment.

The lunch had been strangely uneventful. His mother spent most of the time talking about work, while Sana scrambled to find a topic before finally commenting on the new Sakuranomori Events Center – and the upcoming election.

His mother had some interesting things to say. If the bond measure passed – which was a huge favorite at this point – a lot of things would be changing. The timing couldn't have been better conceived; it was right at the point of recovery, while property values and labor costs were still low. The bonds would sell like hotcakes; the local banks were looking for more capital, and the bonds would surely give them more ammunition. And with property values skyrocketing and tax rates going up, city revenues would explode as well – more than enough to make the interest payments. Now as long as the Events Center proved to be a hit – and there was no sign that it wouldn't be – Sakuranomori would be the place to be, for some time to come.

"I'm thinking of moving back," his mother confided. "There will be a lot of places looking for new workers, and there's a good chance that I can find a better job here. And I'm sure Sis will give me a good deal on the rent."

"And Sis, she should do well. The value of the complex could double in the next five years. Hopefully she can hire someone full-time instead of having everyone work day and night."

That would be a relief. Still, the elections were a few months away, and it would be some time before any of these things happened. In the meantime, he was still on the hook; and he doubted that even a devastating, life-shattering event would be enough to change that. See? The note was still there, with the usual list of tasks for the day –

Only, the note was not for him.

Sachiko,

I had to take Aoi to the hospital. Please give me a call, and come down as soon as you can.

– Kaori