Das Konzert version eins
Part Two: Das Ewige Dasein
Chapter Twenty-five:
Small Sun in the Water
~--------Why are people such distant phantoms?~
The building housing the Koneko no Sumu ie and it's employees was a two story building that had, in the past, been a wide variety of stores. The last incarnation before becoming a flower shop it had been an antique shop. It had three levels, including one below ground. The basement was a bit of a common area for the live-in employees, and an ideal place for them to receive orders and work on their missions. What occurred downstairs couldn't be heard upstairs, even with the door open. Those kind of acoustics had been looked for initially when choosing a location for the Weiß Project. The basement had Omi's computer, a large screen television, couches, and plenty of space.
The main floor was, of course, the shop itself. There were essentially two parts to it; the front and the back. At the front it was bright and open, being more windows than walls. On the left side the bulk of the flowers and potted plants stood in rows, and on the right it was divided equally between pre-made arrangements and a unit for the flowers that required better temperature regulation. There was a table in the middle of the room, a bit of a conversation piece... as the edges were curved at odd angles. In the back corner behind the cooling unit was a shelf with supplies, and the counter with the cash register formed a barrier between the front and the back. In the back there was ample storage space, a small washroom in which the light bulb had been burnt out for at least three months, the kitchen, and the stairs to the top floor.
The top floor was divided into four apartments, as well as a bath at the back of the main hall. The apartments were plain, and furnished simply with a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser for each. All four had a little balcony.
Upon moving into the Koneko no Sumu ie, Omi had chosen his apartment to be one of the back rooms, and Youji had chosen one at the front. Omi considered this a good thing, as they weren't monopolizing either the front or the back when the other two arrived. Youji thought it would be easier when he returned from his night excursions to keep from waking the others up.
The first day in the new home, and they'd spent most of it with Momoe setting up shop and getting a crash course in flowers. Flower names, care information, arrangement, the first day was spent more on learning his cover than the actual reason why he was there. As it were, there would be no excursions that first night; he was too tired. Youji wandered into his unfamiliar apartment late that night and flopped down on the bed.
Sometime later, Omi dredged himself upstairs from where he'd been setting up his computer in the basement. As he slipped into his room he sat on the bed and looked around. It was different, and he didn't know how he felt about that yet. He could understand why he couldn't stay with Manx anymore... and yet...
Sighing, he eyed his suitcase and the bag with all his schoolbooks. The thought crossed his mind to unpack, but in the end, he too flopped down on the bed and went to sleep.
(@)
Ouka blinked. She stared at the men before her, lips parted in shock.
" Omikun ga... watashi no... " her eyes widened slightly, shimmering as she digested the information and tried to reject it. " ... masaka... "
" Oh? " Schuldich smirked. " What reason do I have for lying to you? You know in your heart it's true. Why is it he avoided meeting your father? " He tilted his head back and looked down on her, eyes narrowed like a satisfied cat's. " Why is it all he ever does is lead you on? " The smile bared teeth, " Ask him. You know he won't be able to lie to you. "
Ouka's shoes scraped the pavement as she suddenly drew her bag up to her chest and turned, running down the sidewalk and away from that knowing leer as fast as she could go. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Cousins? It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be true. Omikun... tell me it isn't true!
(@)
" KKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
Youji was jarred out of an exhaustive sleep by a drawn out wail. He sat up with a start and eyed his watch. It was 4:30 in the morning, and the light creeping across the walls in a mockery of twilight shadows confirmed this. The scream repeated itself, and Youji's brain blearily registered that it was a) in the house and b) there was only one other person in the house that it could be. Youji got to his feet, snatching his jeans from the previous day in a mindful gesture of decency. Manx had mentioned nightmares, but he had failed to equate nightmares with unpleasant late night awakenings in a lapse of logic.
Fumbling for the door, he intruded in upon the small frame screaming and thrashing on the bed. How did one handle a kid in a nightmare anyway? Youji reached out and caught one of Omi's flailing arms by the wrist, and sat on the bed. " O-oi! " He caught the other wrist and tried to still the boy. " Oi! Wake up! "
" Papa! " Omi wailed, voice cracking between syllables. " Papa!! "
" Wake up, Omi! " Youji said gruffly, getting impatient with himself for handling the situation so clumsily. Damn that Manx, why'd she stick him with a kid for a partner? He didn't want to act like a big brother. " Wake up! " He couldn't be expected to take care of anything. She knew that! Manx knew that godammit! Youji smacked Omi across the face with a resounding clap. " Oi! Wake up Omi! "
" Papa! "
He'd calmed down by now, a little. He'd stopped trying to beat the stuffing out of his mattress in any case.
" Papa! "
Tears were seeping out of his tightly shut eyes, caressing his face to drop and darken the pristine white sheets. Youji felt his whole body shudder.
" Tasukete! "
" Dammit Omi, wake up! " Youji smacked him again, and the wide blue eyes snapped open. Omi's shudder quieted to a quiver, while his body wound down and woke up. " Just... wake up. " Youji breathed, only then realizing that he'd been holding it between shouts.
" Youjikun? "
Youji lifted his head and looked Omi in the eyes. " You were having a nightmare. "
" Oh, " Omi said smally. " Gomen. "
" Hehh, " Youji sighed, releasing his grip on Omi's arm and standing. He pushed back his hair and looked off to the side. " Don't apologize. I'm sure you'd change it if you could, kid. "
" But-- "
" It's alright, I said. " Youji headed for the door. " Think of it this way, at least you can escape it when you wake up. "
" Do you think it's that easy? " Omi responded quietly, hunched over now with his hands curled in his lap. Youji turned back and watched him. The hair around his ears had fallen forward to obscure his eyes, the small shadows of tears cascading from within. " Do you? " he repeated, hunching down farther. " The nightmares are just when I can't control it anymore. Every moment, I'm- I just can't remember. It hurts, the fact that there's a memory just beyond my reach for as long as I remember... and the more I try to reach it the more it stays away. "
" Memory...? " Youji said, resigned.
" Yeah. "
" Well then, how about this? Memories fade, kid. Soon there'll come a time when you'll barely recall ever having nightmares. " Youji offered him a wan, almost insecure smile.
" You're not cut out for this, are you? "
" Hn? " His smile turned wry. " No, not at all. " He inhaled deeply and started closing the door behind him.
" Oyasumi, Youjikun. "
" Ja. "
(@)
" 'Memories fade...?' " He quoted himself once he was back in his room, shaking his head at his own hypocritical statement. I guess... for him it might be true.
" His father abandoned him, to kidnappers of all things. "
Youji jerked in surprise, getting to his feet and striking a defensive stance. From the shadows in the corner of the room, Manx emerged. She stopped by the window, arms wrapped around her middle and her lips held firm.
" Manx? " Youji scowled at her. " Oi! How long have you been in here? "
" All night. "
" Did you like what you saw? " he asked.
" I've seen better. "
" Ouch. "
Manx looked out the window, immediately dropping the smile she's taken on for the joking exchange.
Youji slipped his sunglasses on his face and reached for a cigarette. " Abandoned, huh? " he prompted. He sat back against the headboard and lit the cigarette, settling in for what looked to be a long story.
(@)
" Do you know, Farfarello, the best way to break someone? And don't go answering with something stupid. I don't mean literally break, I mean... " Schuldich tipped his head, " the way God broke you, say?
" Do you know? First, you attack what's important, family's always a good one, friends if they don't have any family. Everyone's got a mental weakness, Farfarello, everyone. "
Farfarello listened patiently, hearing out Schuldich's rationale before the order he knew was coming. He endured it even as the first trickling bits of ran drizzled down from the sky.
" Crawford says to break Fujimiya. Fair enough, but why stop there? Let's break them all in the process. " For the first time in the game with Weiß, Schuldich's trademark grin took on a rare tone that was gleefully malicious; a bloodlust, if you will. Cruelty roughened his voice as he gave the order waited on, " Do it. "
(@)
" Sure you're okay? " Aya asked disinterestedly.
" I'm fine! " Omi replied cheerfully.
" It's not like you to ask for time off. "
" Hehh gomen, I've had a lot on my mind lately. " Omi watched Aya methodically tend to the plants. What would he do... if he knew I was really a Takatori? I don't think he knows. Ayakun, I wish I knew what you had against my family.
The door opened, admitting into the store someone from the rain outside. Omi pulled one of the towels from behind the counter and ran to greet her.
" Ouka! " He handed the towel to her and asked, concerned, " What happened to you? "
" Omikun, " she whimpered, resting her head on his shoulder. " Omikun, tell me it isn't true. "
Omi looked sideways at her. " Eh? Tell you what isn't true? "
She pushed back, meeting his eyes frantically, searching them for the truth. " Tell me he was lying Omikun! Tell me we're not related! We're not... we couldn't be... not that. " She faltered as he didn't do as she'd hoped. He didn't deny it, he couldn't. She could tell from the firm way he held his chin and the way his eyes went suddenly regretful and cold. " Son... na.... " Ouka let go of him and backed away. " Sonna! " The other half of what she'd been told hit her and froze her in place before the rain drenched door. " Then... then... Omikun you... you helped kill my father?! You helped kill your own family?! You, Omikun? " Hurt and disbelief etched itself across her face. " How could you? How could you?! "
Omi dropped his head, casting his eyes to the side.
" Don't you look away from me! " Ouka commanded, putting the rest of her conviction into her voice. After that she merely broke down and ran from the store back out into the rain.
Omi remained where he was, hands fisted and shaking at his sides. He didn't look up until a shadow covered him, and he found Aya to be standing over him. Omi met Aya's gaze and the room suddenly went cold.
" Get out, " Aya hissed at him, eyes narrowed and unforgiving.
" Ayakun. "
" Get out, " the other man reiterated. Hatred filled the harsh, low voice. " Make sure you never let me see you again. "
(@)
Youji took a long drag of his cigarette after Manx finished telling him everything and exhaled in one long stream of smoke. He watched it dissipate before commenting.
" That Takatori and Persia... they're related, aren't they? "
The surprise on Manx's face was answer enough for him. " How... "
" Nn, only brothers would have a conflict this out of hand. So... you want Omi to get revenge on his father for abandoning him, but you don't want him to know that's what he's doing. " He looked away from her, out the window as the morning grew with each second that crept silently past. " Can't be helped, I guess. I can't prove to you there'll come a day when you won't have any choice but to let him know the truth. "
Manx stood in silence for a long moment. " Saa. "
" You expect me to keep the secret. I'll keep it. " Youji shrugged and put out the cigarette in the ashtray on the stand. " I could never deny a good woman. Now, unless you're planning on joining me here, it's morning so I'm going to sleep. "
(@)
" Nani?! "
Youji pulled back a fist, about ready to let loose on Aya. " After all that kid's done for you? All you've gone through together and you just throw him out? And over what? A name?! What did Omi have to do with any of whatever shit happened to you? Aho. "
Ken shrugged on his coat, refusing to make eye contact with Aya. " Oi, Youji, let's just go find Omi, okay? "
" Che, don't tell me you're gonna forgive this bastard so easily. Ken, even you've been a victim of his moronic revenge. That's what it is, ain't it? Who was it Aya? Lover? Family? Makes me sick, letting vendettas get to your head and you think attacking anyone and anything related helps.
" Takatori is dead, and you know what? That Crawford told me you would kill him, and that it was exactly what he wanted. Are you going to keep reacting like this and play us right into Schwartz' hands? You've gotten your revenge, now at least act like you've moved on. Ikou, Ken. " Youji stalked out of the store.
(@)
" No, it can't be helped, " Manx agreed, heading for the door. " Nor can it be helped that, despite your own reservations, you've already taken it upon yourself to be good to him. "
She was right of course. He hated them both for it.
(@)
" Omi! " Youji shouted, looking up and down the street. If he was following Ouka, then her apartment was the best bet. They'd made enough deliveries that her address was memorized, and he headed in that direction with Ken on his heels.
Aya shifted position, turning slightly to watch through the window panes as they disappeared into the rain. His face was impassive, eyes dulled.
" Ayasan, " Momoe approached him, a tray of food in her hands. " Please, take this upstairs to our unknown guest; he must be hungry. "
" Momoe...? "
" He's a good boy, Ayasan: good just like you. "
Aya smiled wistfully. " I'm not a good person. I don't deserve your kindness. "
" That's for me to decide, isn't it? " Momoe sat herself behind the register. " Good does not mean perfect, dear. Your heart has been soft to both our guest and Omisan. I'm sure your imouto would be proud. "
Aya looked at her. " How did you...? "
" I'm more than just a funny old woman who sits around and pets her cat all day, you know, " she pointed out cheerily. " Just as you are more than you seem to be, Fujimiya Aya. "
Aya looked down at the food she'd handed to him. " Aah. Watch the store for me, please. "
(@)
Break them all
Farfarello reached out and grabbed Ouka as she passed. He drew her in by the face and trapped her by twining his arm about her neck. She stifled a scream, struggling and kicking her assailant. In the thick rain her attempts only succeeded in taking away her traction. As Omi came into view she slipped and choked as her neck strained against Farfarello's arm.
Omi skid to a stop. " Ouka! " He grit his teeth and his gaze hardened. " Let her go! "
" God cries when young girls die, " Farfarello leered. " Do you think he cried over that Shreiyant girl, Weiß? She gave a pretty sentiment before she died. "
" Let her go! " Omi repeated.
Farfarello leaned in close to Ouka's face. " Will you pray for your life? "
" We kinda implied the truth about you, Tsukiyonokun, " Schuldich commented, standing against the wall beneath an awning. " Can you let her live, knowing all of the truth? Doesn't that go against what Persia and Manx taught you? Doesn't it go against Kritiker standards? "
" Omi! " Youji and Ken caught up to them. Youji stopped short, but Ken kept running.
" Kono--! " Ken pulled a fist and punched Schuldich across the face. He watched, teeth bared and seething, as the other man hit the ground hard and skid into the rain. " Quit joking around! Make him let her go! "
Schuldich laughed, sitting up and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. " Interesting! " he declared, grinning at Ken as he got to his feet. " You want a fight, gaki? Ain't my specialty. But once Farfarello's done with the girl, I'm sure he'll be glad to accommodate you. "
" Not you're specialty? " Ken repeated, matching Schuldich's grin and dipping his chin so the shadows covered his eyes. " Don't make me laugh. " He snapped, rushing forward and catching the Schwartz member off guard in a rare moment with another fist to the face. He followed it quickly, tackling Schuldich to the ground and punching him again. " You fuck with my mind, turn me against my comrades with your tricks-- " he punctuated his words with blows, releasing all the anger he held towards the telepath, all the revenge for the fear, the hurt over Hitomi, the... " Now you say facing up to it isn't your godamned specialty?! "
Schuldich's rain-slicked hand snapped up and clutched Ken by the chin. His face had lost the smiling mask. " You forget Hidaka, I didn't tell you anything you hadn't already thought of. "
Youji's hand flew to his watch, and he flicked out a bit of wire.
" No! Youjikun, if you strangle him, that leaves him time to strangle her, " Omi protested.
" What do you want me to do, then? "
Schuldich bared his teeth as Ken shoved him into the wall. He gripped his attacker by the forearms to stay him and shouted, " Do it, Farfarello! "
" Ou-- " Omi started forward.
Before he could finish uttering her name Farfarello's free hand reached up and with a deft twist snapped her neck. As Omi finished her name, he let the body drop to the ground.
Omi stood in shock, the world dimming around him.
" O- " his voice caught in this throat, recycling itself into a wail, " OUKA!! "
~(@)~
~--------tsuzuku~
Translation notes:
Omikun ga, watashi no - Omi's my...
Masaka - Impossible, 'can't be'
Tasukete - help
Gomen - sorry
Oyasumi - good night
Ja - 'bye'
Sonna - 'no way'
Saa - just an agreement
Nani - what
Che - damn
Ikou - Let's go
Imouto - younger sister
Kono - 'why you!'
Gaki - derogatory term for 'kid'
[Written by Inseiko, 2002]