Chapter 52
She was nervous. It had never occurred to her that she would actually be nervous. Mai was embarrassed to admit she'd even watched a few movies and even practiced a few times. In the privacy of her room of course.
Currently, her crutches were across the room and she was struggling to work her way into her a kimono for her graduation. After fussing for 10 minutes straight, her clothes were wrinkled and loose. The boot on her foot made the entire garment look ridiculous. She exhaled loudly and fell backward onto her bed. She needed help.
Fortunately, a knock came at the door, and Mai mumbled come in recognizing the voice. Brilliant red locks and a skin-tight purple dress walked into the room. Normally, Ayako's footfalls would echo throughout a room with her choice of heels that day, but the carpeted chamber muted those noises. That gesture was not extended to the sounds of Mai's frustration.
"I'm here Mai. I told you I'd help you get ready, and yet here you are. Can you stand for a few minutes while I fix your yukata?" Ayako asked placing down her makeup bag loudly. Mai nodded and eased herself upwards, careful not to place all the pressure onto her injured leg.
Today she was graduating high school. All the members of SPR arrived in town to attend and celebrate at the Ayako's family shrine later. Her teacher had called her this morning, as she had every day since she'd dialed the dojo on Naru's cellphone finally breaking her hiatus from outside communication. Mai had temporarily disconnected her own cell phone because of the onslaught of phone calls from the media and classmates trying to get in contact with her. Monk promised to take her to get a new phone number before she left for England in a few days.
Sango Sensei couldn't make it, but a bouquet of flowers arrived that morning in her teacher's stead. As well as, a box with a beautiful red and gold kimono embroidered with riches tones of purple, green, and blue flowers. The fabric and details were breathtaking.
...but completely ruined by the huge grey monstrosity on her leg.
"I wanted to at least be partially ready when you arrived. Every time you do my makeup I'm always late because it takes so long." Mai complained as Ayako skillfully tighten the finished tightening the yukata and scoffed.
"Beauty takes time Mai. True patience comes when bearing what is unbearable, as my harsh old grandmother used to say." Ayako continued her ministrations until the obi was good and tight.
"Not too tight Ayako, I haven't been out of the hospital for more than two weeks!" Mai whined and Ayako merely sighed.
"Alright, now sit while I start your makeup. Don't worry the canvas is already gorgeous so this won't take too long." Ayako said as she began to pull out her enormous makeup collection. In the meantime, another rap sounded at the door.
"Are you decent?" Monk called from the other side.
"Yes, but what do you want idiot. I'm busy." Ayako called back as Monk entered in.
"Well, I have something special for a special young lady." Monk sang as he entered the room. He was dressed quite dapper himself, and Mai couldn't help but notice how his purple tie was an exact match for Ayako's dress.
He rushed in and kissed them both on the cheek before sitting on the plush carpet in front of the duo.
Monk presented a neatly wrapped blue box in front of the brunette and her eye widened.
"Monk! I told you about this already. You guys do enough for me. I don't need any presents." Mai whined but still took the box gingerly in her hands. Under the wrapping paper was the latest model of a very high-end cellphone brand.
"Oh. My goodness. Monk this is too expensive! I- " Mai began to protest but Monk tutted his hands.
"No no Mai, you were due for an upgrade anyway. Not to mention we added some features for you. With the latest plan, you can text for free and call for much less while you're in England. There's also a tracking feature that you can share with the rest of us if you ever feel like you're in trouble. Here's the pamphlet but it basically is a quick dial for local authorities and a button to notify us once you reach a safe location. I know Naru will have your safety covered, but even when you come back we will be able to look out for you too." Monk explained, tone serious, but hints of his usual affection remained. Mai could feel her chest warm as she reached out and he rose to hug her.
"Hey! I just finished her hair don't mess it up!" Ayako complained loudly.
"Thank you both. I love you guys so much! I'm so lucky to have you in my life." Mai recited nearly choking up.
"We love you too darling, but no crying today or your makeup will run. Now, hold still while I finish you up. Run along now Monk. Or you'll ruin my masterpiece." Ayako shooed, but not before they shared another kiss.
Ayako worked wonders switching from curling iron, to makeup brush, to hair spray, and alternated between her arsenal of tools while Mai tried not to fidget in her seat.
"This might be my best work yet." Ayako stood back and admired the girl. Mai turned to the mirror and was surprised herself. She was never a fan of makeup probably because her mother never wore any, except for certain occasions, like funerals. Her teacher was usually in the dojo, but once in a while, if she could find a babysitter for Mai and her sons, her and her husband would go out on a date night. Those were times where she'd seen her with makeup. Other than that she'd never had any real-life experiences with it until all her friends were using it in high school. After she'd moved out on her own, it was never an expensive she could afford.
"Oh my goodness. I l-look so.." Mai started to explain before Ayako cut in.
"Amazing. Beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking? All as a result of my hard work and expertise. Your welcome." Ayako preached unabashedly.
Mai stood in front of her full-length mirror and smiled. She'd grown too accustomed to her bruised and battered body and unkempt appearance that she nearly forgot what she could look like.
"Yes. Ayako. Thank you." Mai responded graciously. She paced over to her crutches and made sure she was able to walk with the garment that restricted her movements.
Ayako made quick work of cleaning up her things while Mai grabbed her cap and gown, and exited her bedroom to the sounds of the apartment. Normally, their apartment was extremely quiet, with occasional sounds of the television or the latest pop song, but hardly any noise from her roommate.
Today was the exception.
Monk was loudly sharing some story about a coworker of Ayako's who thought they were siblings to John, who politely listened but was never one for gossip. Lin and Naru spoke in hushed tones on the kitchen counter, most likely about the testing she'd narrowly agreed to at SPR. Masako stood by the window observing the traffic below but was more likely daydreaming. Masako was the first to see her walking in and medium smiled. The hairpieces she was wearing were gifts from Masako herself.
"Alright. I'm ready." Mai announced hobbling into the dining room.
"Look at my little princess." Monk squealed walking up to grab her cap and gown. Masako approached as well to analyze, how the kimono and obi were tied and fashioned.
"Well done Ayako. This is better than what I expected from you." Masako commented and Ayako sucked her teeth.
"I grew up on a shrine you little hussy. This is least of my skill set. I'm not a pampered princess like you who can't do anything but faint at the first sign of trouble." Ayako bit back.
"Ah yes. Being an actual spiritualist does have its woes now and again. Not that you could relate." Masako dug back effortlessly.
"Alright, ladies. Put the claws away!" Monk laughed only for their venomous glares to be turned on him.
"Yes. If anyone is without skill it's me. It wouldn't be possible to look anything close to this without your help. So thank you all for your support." Mai admitted and bowed as low as she could while still holding onto her crutch.
"That's what friends are for. " John added with her heartwarming smile. The young priest had always been a beacon of light to all of them. Mai always wondered about his past and what sort of upbringing could fashion such a kind and graceful man.
Mai noticed another member of their ragtag gang was missing.
"Where's Yasu?" Mai asked.
"He'll be meeting us there. He said he had some business to handle this morning." Monk replied but could fight the shiver that racked his body.
'Whatever business a mischievous boy his age is handling so early in the morning; I have no idea. Something tells me I don't want to know either.' Monk thought in passing.
"We need to leave if Mai wants to make it on time," Naru announced ruefully. The group made quick work of exiting the apartment and filing into their three separate vehicles.
The ceremony was filled with victorious outcries, saddened separations, and humbling remembrances. The principal had given Keiko an honorary degree, which her parents gratefully accepted. Most surprising to all was Mai Taniyama's announcement as class valedictorian.
The exit speech was done by Hojo, and Mai couldn't help but roll her eyes as Gigi leaned in with rose-colored eyes. Before Mai knew it they were all lined up for the moment of truth, and for reasons she couldn't explain, she still couldn't shake her nerves.
'Please Gods of grace and beauty! Grant me more elegance in the next five minutes than I've had in my entire life.' Mai prayed silently. She left her crutch behind since holding her awards and diploma would be impossible to do without it. This was the moment she'd been praying and practicing for in secret.
Once the principal called her name Mai could feel her palms start sweating as she scaled the stairs onto the stage. The lights were so bright she couldn't really make out where her makeshift family was seated. Nevertheless, she smiled out to the crowd and approached the staff members. In a moment of surreal elation, it was over and Mai made her way down the stairs slowly.
However, in the center of the row of seats at the base of the stairs Mai's gaze caught a terrifyingly familiar face. Though she was sure she was a blur in her actual memory; Kasai's mother was a fresh face from her dreams. She had aged from her vision, but her hair and scowling expression were the same from the playground they'd first encountered each other.
Mai was immediately on high alert as she noted the recognition that passed over her face. She raked her brain for reasons why the woman would be in attendance to the event.
'Either she is here to give her condolences to Keiko's family or with some sort of message from me.' Mai eyed the police officer who stood by her seat and gave a weak smile.
While there were still members of the press lingering around, their numbers decreased by the day as other headlines took precedence over her jarring tale of survival. However, the principal and the local police still prepared measures to keep her safe. These measures included extra security and ticket check outside the school auditorium, and the back exit for her and the other members of SPR. There were likely other measures that she was not privy to being taken. With all these things considered Mai wondered if she had anything to fear from the woman.
'Perhaps I should stop trying to solve everything alone in my head.' Mai considered as she waved over the officer.
"Could you please call Mr. Shibuya to me ?" Mai whispered to the guard who appeared to be conflicted at her request. Most likely debating if leaving his post, even to deliver a message, would be a wise decision. The officer nodded and made quick movements at her behest. Mai let her eyes find Kasai's mother again and wasn't surprised to be met with the woman's unwavering gaze from across the room. She tried to distract herself with the ceremony, but she could feel hot embers of panic bubbling inside of her. Mai silently cursed the fact that Michuru's last name so far from her own, so they were unable to sit together. Then began some of the ticks she'd become so accustomed to.
First, it was her leg bouncing.
Then her nervous gaze behind her and around the auditorium.
Topped off by her picking her nails insentient.
"Mai." Naru called from beside her, lifting her out of her mental hysteria.
"His mother. Kasai's mother is here." Mai said aloud to him. A few of the students who around began to erupt into whispers, but Mai could care less since she was positive she wouldn't see most of them again after the ceremony.
Naru peered into the crowd with eyes narrowed as if trying to sense lethal intent itself. Before Mai could beckon him back down his eyes met with the undeterred woman in the front row.
"I think she wants to talk to me. I didn't mean to call you over in such a hurry. I just started to freak out a bit." Mai admitted disconcertedly. Like the stiff stoic he could be he said nothing. However, he did reach forward to take hold of her hand and rub his thumb over her knuckles in a brief act of reassurance. Then he paced back to the wall and stood next to the officer. The ceremony was nearly over. It made little sense for him to return to the others now.
Mai couldn't help but feel a bit bitter that the first moment of peace and happiness after the entire ordeal was marred by the presence of one woman. There she was with her diploma in hand spiraling into a breakdown at her high school graduation. However, she tried her best to enjoy the rest of the ceremony, after all, it was her last day at her high school. Even after all that insanity transpired, she would always treasure her fond memories of her time as a student.
After all, it was in these halls that she first met Naru.
That she loved and lost one of her best friends.
Grew and learned so much with the help of her patient and forgiving professors.
Not to mention that the words of her late mother. Mai remembered how fervently her mom stressed that she finish school when she was alive. Reminding her that her father, despite their lengthy differences, was an educated man and would want the same for her.
These years, however tumulus, was so precious to her.
"All rise! Now for the first time, I'd like to present this year's graduating class." The principal announced and the hall was filled this thunderous applause. Some people were crying, others threw up their caps, and some sighed with relief. Mai just sat and smiled the best she could as the students began their exit to their awaiting families.
Naru motioned her over and held her diploma while they were ushered out the back door with the officer.
"Wait! Please wait!" A voice called over the crowd desperately. Mai knew before she even turned her head that it was Kasai's mother. She recalled the raspy quality and pitch of her voice from her dream.
She felt a hand on the small of her back urging her forward.
"No. I want to hear her out." Mai said, but Naru only narrowed his eyes as the woman stepped forward.
"Don't come any closer. This woman is under the protection of the Shibuya police department. Please use the designated exit like the rest of the guests in attendance." Their supervising officer relayed. She seemed somewhat deterred when she noted how close his hand was to the gun on his waist but persisted.
"Taniyama. I'd like to speak with you. I'm sorry to disturb you, but this was the only place I knew you'd be." The woman relayed desperately.
"You're quite skilled at finding out those sort of details about people, just like your son." Naru jeered. His mother looked as though she wanted to respond, but ignored him.
"I know you must not think anything good about me. Honestly, if you knew how long I'd known of you, you might dislike me even more." She began. Mai was tempted to interject but remained patiently silent.
"I just wanted to apologize to you. This...entire mess is of my own creation. Marrying and having a child with a man with a terrible addiction, having an affair with another with a family of his own, and raising my only child to be as jealous and bitter as myself. No matter how you look at it is my own terrible decisions spilling into your life. Every terrible thing that has ever happened to you is my fault. Right now I'm not sure what to do with this information, but I just wanted to at least apologize to you, in person. To at least let you know that if what they say my son did is true, I'm sorry that my failure as a mother has manifested into this catastrophe. So again. I'm very sorry." She said bowing low her eyes slowly rimming with tear unshed.
Mai pondered for a moment with the realization of just how true this woman's words were. When she was younger Mai always considered there was some unforeseen force that was cursing her from the shadows. An entity that aimed for her slow and excruciating destruction. She could have never imagined it was true, and more importantly that when she finally faced the creature it would come to her in the form of a remorseful mother.
Mai wasn't sure she'd ever want to face this woman again after this encounter. So she chose her words carefully.
"What's your name?" Mai questioned.
"Sakura Budonoki." She responded dutifully.
"Well Budonoki, I've had my fill of pounding my fists and cursing the Gods. Truthfully, I'm not sure I know what to do with this information either. It changes very little. I'm not under the impression that all my life I've been a victim of circumstances beyond my control. The path I choose is of my own crafting and volition. Regardless of impediments, I continue to forge my own destiny. I say all of this to tell you that I accept your apology, but know I don't spend my time blaming others for my misfortune. That's something I want you and your son to learn. Goodbye." Mai responded eloquently and left as gracefully as her crutch would allow.
Sakura stood there dumbfounded for a moment, watching as they filed out of the back exit of the auditorium. Flashes of her own childhood came rushing forward. Her parents arguing viciously, her older classmate forcing himself on her, not getting into the college of her dreams, failed relationships, settling on her husband who was kind but suffered from chemical dependence, her son, the affairs, kicking out her husband, financial struggles, and all of the most traumatic events of her life. When did she start blaming others for her misfortune? How had she become such a twisted and grotesque version of herself? When had the hate in her heart spread to her son?
Had she truly never reflected on her own actions or claimed her own destiny instead of being whipped around by the brutal typhoon of life.
Sakura felt eyes on her back; the whispers escalating around her were enough to bring her from her momentary stupor. Fishing her hands into her purse anxiously, but could only find the empty plastic where the tissues should have been. She'd gone through so many lately, it wasn't surprising she'd run out again.
Giving up she wiped her eyes the best she could with her hands and held her head high. Strutting out the bustling auditorium, sparks igniting in her gut.
Sakura already felt different.
Yasuhara heard from John that the office would be closed for Mai's graduation party, but half expected the dark duos to be holed up behind closed doors. He was pleasantly surprised to see the two of them, albeit reservedly, participating in the festivities.
'This is the perfect chance to tease the big boss.' Yasu pondered mischievously as he sat across from his companion. Naru met his gaze with narrowed eyes as if he could read the university student's mind.
Ayako was serving as the master of ceremonies for the day and naturally made the event extremely decadent. She reserved a large room at her families' shrine which also served as a seasonal flower viewing party. Cherry blossoms exploded over grass, rock gardens, and fountains; floating on the wind and creating a peaceful atmosphere.
"Monk, don't drop the food!" Ayako yelled.
Well, almost peaceful.
By now Mai was surrounded by a brilliant array of wrapping paper, candy, and gifts from her beloved family. The table was adorned with a mickle of cake, sushi, yakitori, takoyaki, ikayaki, fried soba, and all of Mai's favorites. There were candles lit and many of the photos gifted to the members of SPR from Mai's teacher were blown up or hung around the room. Low classical music played and kept the entire space feeling jovial and fun. When Mai exclaimed over how gorgeous the decorations were; naturally Ayako brushed off the comment and replied…
"Of course it is, I planned it." Ayako smirked and helped the girl sit and leaned her crutch against the wall.
Now the entire gang was separately enjoying the space, mostly walking and stretching after the large dinner they'd all enjoyed. Mai wandered over to a picture of her parents when they were young smiling and holding hands on a bridge. It was illuminated with electronic lights, and pinned onto one of the larger trees in the yard. Lost in thought she hadn't heard anyone moving behind her.
"You favor your mother much more." Masako declared surprising Mai enough to make her lean dangerously on her crutch.
"How the heck do you move so quietly on these uncomfortable wooden sandals?" Mai asked incredulously.
"I am the product of impeccable breeding, so of course grace comes naturally to me." Masako rolled her eyes and replied. Mai snorted at her comment.
"Oh? There was nothing graceful about you downing that cheesecake in five seconds flat. Don't think I didn't notice." Mai laughed and Masako struck her arm playfully.
"Anyways, I was curious about your trip to England. It seems rather sudden don't you think?" Masako inquired moving her eyes about the garden.
"Ah yes. Well, I'm sure that this trip had been mulling around in Naru's head for a while since he's done so much preparation for it. It's sudden to us humans who aren't privy to the inner workings of his mind." Mai reported still making light and feeling playful.
"That goes without saying, but Yasuhara informed me that you'll be testing your abilities while your abroad. That is why I took this opportunity to speak with you away from the others. I saw fit to warn you about what you're getting into." Masako lowered her voice and stole a glance back toward the others.
"W-warn me? Warn me about what exactly?" Mai furrowed her brows in confusion.
"I don't mean to alarm you, especially after everything you've been through lately. Perhaps you won't have anything to worry about either, after all, you'll be with Naru. However, on the off chance, you encounter any trouble; I'd rather you be prepared." Masako continued cryptically.
"Is this about Kasai's disappearance overseas?" Mai postulated.
"No, I wish it were so simple." Masako scoffed.
"Then what it is? You're being so ambiguous I don't know whether I should laugh or scream." Mai announced nervously.
"Yes, well it's not a topic I'm all together comfortable with myself. Mai. The world of parapsychology has been presented to you as fanciful and mysterious, but it has a sinister angle. "Masako began looking over her shoulder once more before meeting her companion's anxious eyes.
"You are an extremely gifted person, and there will be people who will seek to profit and gain from those abilities. The more people who know about your gifts the more you'll have to hide from the world. This entire ordeal had given you a taste of what a media storm can be like, but trust me when I say much worse can happen. Some the scientist you'll met work on government funded research quotas. Meaning higher powers may take an interest in what you can do and how they would benefit. Psychic Research has a horrendous macabre history and you'd do well to look into it. I don't say these things to scare you, but only to make you aware. I'm sure Naru will do his best to shield you and keep your information private, but even his influence can only go so far. Be careful who you trust at SPR Mai." Masako revealed sending Mai into a mental tailspin.
In school, she had read about the kinds of awful tests on human subjects that took place during the planets deadliest wars, but the reality of its relationship to her next journey was nerve-wracking, to say the least.
"Thank you. I will heed your warning." Mai responded slowly and Masako nodded and made her way back towards the table. Mai let her eyes wander over to Naru who was frowning at something Yasuhara was telling him. She felt her gaze and nodded his head and Mai smiled faintly before following the medium back inside.
Thank you for all the kind words readers. Hope you enjoyed.
