"Relax, it's just a wig," Michelle laughed, pulling off her short black wig, revealing her long white/blond hair. With her action, Hagi's tension released.
"Why do you wear a wig?" he asked.
She shrugged and plopped down next to him on the couch.
"Not all Japanese are willing to accept me so when I'm traveling around it's easier just to blend in as much as I can. It's not like we're in Tokyo, Okinawa is more serious," she explained.
It had been 4 years for Michelle since she met Hagi and befriended him. For the years she'd known him, he'd gotten to loosen up around her more but still his natural personality was serious.
"Not to mention, if anyone were to recognize me as MdivaC, opera star, all hell would break loose. Sometimes it's easier to not be me," she chuckled uncomfortably.
With Hagi's more open personality, Michelle's had become more closed off and serious. She used to be the type of person to laugh at anything, now it seemed as if she was too busy to do much of anything anymore.
"How long are you staying this time?" Hagi asked.
"Well, this is partly vacation but I'm in Japan for performing too... just not in the right part of it. I have to be in Tokyo in three weeks, then back to the states for me," she sighed and leaned back.
Hagi nodded understandingly and stared off into the distance of her new apartment with her.
The new place she had moved into since acquiring so much money for her opera performances was gigantic, for Okinawa that is. It was about 3 times the size of her old place and it was still just a second home. Her real home was in Alaska.
"Wanna come with me?" she asked. "I wouldn't ask you normally but it is still in Japan so you wouldn't be so far away from Saya."
Hagi looked at the new 20 year old girl deeply. Her words weren't spontaneous, in her eyes he could tell she had been thinking about it.
"I understand if you don't want to," she said with a frown.
"I will go if that is what you wish," he said honestly.
An old goofy smile came across her face as she jumped up and hugged him the way she used to.
"Thank you, Hagi," she said softly.
At that moment he didn't care that he'd be leaving Saya for however long, he only cared that he had his Michelle back.
"You're welcome," he said, hugging her back.
When she let go she looked into his eyes and said, "for everything."
Hagi's eyes widened when she finished her cello song. She had absolutely perfected it.
"Good?" she asked, not taking any unnecessary stretches like she used to. She was more mature now, more professional.
"Very," he said. "It's perfect."
Michelle let herself smile for a moment as she stared into the now setting sun.
There they were on their hill, but something was different between them. Of course Hagi wouldn't change, he didn't age or go through life-changing events anymore. He wasn't human, but Michelle was. She'd gone through so much within the past 4 years it had changed her personality to be more like his.
"How are Kai and the twins?" she asked, not looking back at the gorgeous man. "I haven't seen them since I last came here."
"They're good," Hagi said.
"That's good," Michelle said, looking down.
They sat in silence until Hagi spoke.
"They miss you," he said softly.
"I should see them then," she said, getting up.
Hagi copied her moment and picked up his cello case as she handed him the cello.
"Do we have time to make it to Omoros?" she asked while fixing her dress. Her gothic style hadn't changed over the years, but had only improved to be more elegant and expensive.
"Are you sure you're up to it? Hagi asked thoughtfully. "You look so tired."
"I am tired," she said with a yawn. "For the past 3 years I've been doing non-stop performances. People don't understand how thin they're spreading me," as she talked her body began to sway until her legs buckled under her, Hagi caught her without hesitation.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Everything about the way she was now reminded Hagi of Saya. Her sleepy behavior, her apologies, her faded smile. His Michelle was beginning to turn into someone else.
Hagi then picked the weak girl up in his arms and began walking to her apartment.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered as she held on.
When they arrived back at her apartment, Hagi carefully lied her onto her king sized bed. Her eyes were glazed over, indicating she wasn't asleep yet, but conscious enough to know what was going on.
"Michelle," Hagi whispered as he pushed a long white hair out of her face.
Her lips moved slightly as she tried to talk.
"No," he said, putting a finger to her lips. "Rest."
Of course, as she always had done before, she listened to her protector and fell asleep.
Hagi watched her as she slept. She had become a different person when awake but asleep she was still his dreamy Michelle. When he made sure she was asleep, he walked into the other room.
When he walked by her table, he noticed an open letter from France. He glanced at it to see if it was written in English, then picked it up.
The letter was a performance offer asking if she would take a performance in Paris before she'd go to Tokyo. They offered her over 8 thousand dollars to do it.
'But, that performance date was today,' he thought to himself as he put down the letter and headed back to her bedroom.
When Michelle finally came to, she noticed Hagi was sitting on the corner of her bed.
"Hagi?" she breathed.
"You're finally awake," he said, looking at her.
"Yeah," she said, stretching. "how long have I been out?"
"2 days," he said.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, jumping out of her bed. "2 days?!"
Hagi nodded and she ran to her closet in search for something.
"There you are," she said, grabbing a pill bottle then rushing into the kitchen.
Hagi followed her so that she wouldn't trip and hurt herself in the frantic running.
"Are you all right?" he asked as she swallowed the pills with a glass of water.
"Yeah," she said, spinning around. Just then, Hagi realized her eyes were bloodshot and her hands shaking. "just needed my medication. Doctor said they help me to stay awake so I can do all these shows."
Hagi's stare became shocked as he realized how completely she was falling apart. She was only 20 and the world was on her shoulders.
"Why didn't you go to Paris?" he asked.
She shrugged as the medication kicked in, giving her a grip on herself.
"Didn't need the money," she said.
Hagi shook his head and took 2 steps towards her.
"What?" she asked defensively.
Hagi didn't stop walking, when he made it to her, he wrapped his arms around her. She tried to fight it at first but then fell to his comfort and began crying in his chest. Hagi held her tight.
"It's so hard," she cried. "it's so hard and I-I can't... do this! I don't wanna keep pushing myself like this! I wanna stay here, with you, like we used to."
"It's your life," he said, resting his head on hers. "you can do what you want with it."
"I want to stay here with you," she said as her voice finally broke.