Author's Note: (Please Read)
This chapter is a flashback with a series of broken events. I just thought you should know before anything else to avoid confusion.
Chapter 8
Desperate Sacrifice Part I
Kai Miyanaga
"Now remember Ai." Kai looked at his side for a moment before turning his head towards the road once again, "We're just visiting mom, don't get caught up that we're going in a mahjong parlor."
Ai was about to say something, to dispute what Kai had said but she stopped herself before she did so. She took a deep breath to calm herself before replying simply with a half-smile. "Sure."
"Are we there yet?" A seven-year-old Saki pushed herself from the large seat behind her mother and father, asked.
"I think so…" Teru answered her sisters question, "But we're still a few minutes away, I guess."
"I'm getting bored…" Saki pouted while looking over the window, staring at the scenery or the lack thereof that they pass by.
They've been driving through grass fields for almost half an hour now. The occasional livestock being pointed out by Saki providing them entertainment previously is getting quite old.
"Well, would you like to play a game?" Teru asked Saki in turn. Truth be told, she is also getting quite bored. They're in this car for almost an hour now.
"A game? Not really…" Saki dragged her words, thinking about it already tiring her out.
"Well…" Teru hummed in turn, thinking of what they should do. "I brought a book with me, would you like to read it together?"
"Oh okay!" Saki smiled at Teru, she leaned in against her sister and the two began to read.
Kai and Ai looked at the rearview mirror to see the sisters interaction, it made them happy that Teru, even though she's only ten, is growing up to be such a good older sister.
Usually, when it comes to mahjong, Kai had nothing to worry about, he grew up in a mahjong parlor for God's sake.
Growing up, his mother and father have always managed their business, being a fan of the sport that they grew up in, they decided to build a mahjong parlor when he was younger then. They provide different kinds of things related to mahjong. Whether it's selling something as simple as a mahjong tile that someone lost from their set or even the whole set itself.
Over time, his parents started providing lessons for those who are interested and wanted to learn. It didn't take long for him to get roped into it. Of course, he helps out now and then, and he supposes he should be thankful for it. He met his wife because of it after all.
It was just an ordinary day, or at least he thought so when a woman with dark magenta hair reaching her waist walked into their parlor. Of course, he thought that she was a customer at first, but surprisingly, she was applying for the part-time job.
She was new in town back then and she's wandering about, familiarizing herself when she noticed the signage posted outside just by the door and was hoping to get it.
His mother gave her the job immediately right after playing a match with her. It was the standard of their business that they should know how to play mahjong after all.
Not a long time has passed when He and Ai got into their relationship after that and they got married later on. The only person attending from his wife's side is her sister, Airi. Ai was never really fond of talking about her mother when he asked her before. And her father died a long time ago.
Two years later their eldest daughter, Teru, was born. They lived happily and content and three years after that, their youngest daughter Saki was born.
The years after that had been blissful, that is until Airi visited them along with her daughter. They're not the problem, no. But along their arrival comes Ai's mother after.
Kai and his wife have been having trouble because of that. The news that Ai's mother is going to their home for a visit was met with a series of reactions. In his part, it was a surprise, Ai never really talked about her mother and for her to suddenly visit was surprisingly so. For Teru and Saki's part, they have never really paid attention to it. It wasn't a big deal, was it? But it turns out that it is to Ai. It made her anxious, and in turn, left their household frantic and anxious too.
This started the trouble between Kai and his wife, with Ai constantly sharpening their daughter's mahjong skills every chance that she gets, it eventually leads to an argument between the two of them.
And now, it leads them to this, Kai driving towards his parents for some much-needed vacation or a much-needed training as his wife puts it; they still can't agree on which is which.
They've just arrived and his family immediately went straight to play a mahjong game with his niece, Hikari. Airi and her daughter have arrived the night prior for them to get settled.
It left Kai and Airi watching in the background, Kai expressing his discontent while Airi telling him to loosen up a bit.
"But they're just kids Airi-san. Don't they deserve the chance to have a proper childhood?" He sighed slowly, how can he ignore the fact that his kids are basically being groomed to become a professional player in mahjong at such an early age. But still, it's a good thing that his children are great at it and he wants them to excel but a part of him thinks that they should have time for other things.
"Try to understand why Ai onee-san is that way. We grew up in an environment where you have to excel in where you're good at. And that is mahjong for Ai for one." Airi shrugged in her seat, drinking the tea that his mother gave them before. "Making her under our parents' scrutiny more, because of you know..."
"Yeah... Airi, I know..." He leaned on his chair and turned to his family once more, they looked like they're having fun playing mahjong. "I just wished that Ai would tell me everything about," Kai paused unsure of his words. "Whatever this is between her and her mom so I could understand."
"I..." Airi hesitated before shaking her head with a sad smile. "Have you tried to ask her?"
"No," He shook his head in turn. "Not really. I don't want to force her if she doesn't want to..." He looked at Airi before asking her, "is it something I should know?"
"I think so." Airi nodded at her sister and nudged Kai to go to her. "You're her husband after all."
The blaring of the siren was the only thing that Kai could hear while on the way to the hospital. His wife and youngest daughter are seated beside him overlooking his eldest who's laying on the stretcher in the vehicle. They've just been in an accident and Teru got the worst of it. The glass on her door side was shattered upon the impact of the car in front of them, slicing her leg up and resulting in a deep gash in the process.
He didn't know how it happened, but no matter what the authorities told him that it was all just an unfortunate accident that involved an irresponsible inebriated driver and their family, he knows deep down that he's also at fault here. His constant arguments with his wife led them to this… waiting at the hospital waiting room with nothing to do but just wait…
After talking to the local authorities about the incident there was nothing else that they could do… except comfort their youngest that her sister will be just fine.
It made him feel guilty that he caused this… if only he was paying attention to the road and not his arguments with his wife… if only he slowed down the car for just a little bit… maybe they would have avoided this mess.
He knew that driving while raining is a risk in itself but he ignored it. Not only that, but he went on and got into an argument with his wife.
To think that this is all happening because of mahjong… Kai sometimes wonders if the game was something to worry about just like his wife had told him so.
"Otou-san?" Saki's voice brought him out from his thoughts.
"Ah hai Saki?"
"Teru onee-chan will be alright…" His daughter trailed off, she turned to Ai to ask the same thing. "Right?"
"Of course." He tried for a smile but it ended up in a grimace. Saki's words reminding him how irresponsible he had been. What if they got out worse than this? He couldn't bear to think of it.
"There's nothing to worry about Saki." Ai brushed her daughter's hair to the side and smiled at her in comfort before continuing, "They just needed to stitch her up and she'll be good to go."
After the accident, the Miyanaga household and their usual antics have been more subdued. Specifically, the arguments between him and Ai. But still, he noticed that his wife is still anxious about her mother. Kai couldn't figure it out and so he told himself that he'll just have to ask her later on.
He wanted to tell his wife that it'll be okay. That everything is fine and she shouldn't worry about anything. But telling her that and making her understand are two different things. How can he make his wife understand that she shouldn't worry because there's nothing to worry about? After all, it's just her mother, right?
But as it turns out they have. They had an unexpected and somewhat unpleasant visit from Ai's mother.
Almost a year has passed since the accident and Kai was glad that their lives are now free from their fights from before. However, he noticed something different when he arrived at their house. It was surprisingly quiet, he then went into the living room to find that Ai and her mother, is engaged in a conversation. He took a look around the room and found out that Saki and Teru are nowhere to be found. He figured that they're just outside by the clearing again. But he wondered why though considering that it's snowing. Still, he wouldn't fault them for trying to enjoy it.
When he found his wife and her mother in the living room, he expected a fight to happen, given how Ai was actually left with a sour mood every time someone mentions her mother, but surprisingly, it was... civil. He couldn't think of anything better to describe it, albeit it is a bit uncomfortable. It seems clear to him that his mother-in-law doesn't really like him. She rebuffed all his attempts in making polite conversations with her and treated him as if he's not even in the room.
Still, it couldn't be worse. Ai herself isn't really fond of her mother after all. If she is, she could just convince her daughter to leave him and take the children with her.
Well, that's what he thought at first, but he learned then and there that Ai's so-called mother never really played fair.
He didn't know how or why it happened but after her visit that night, a fire started in their house.
It was just after midnight when Ai jolted him out of his sleep. Her panic-stricken face woke him up swiftly.
That's when he realizes that there is a fire… it didn't take him long enough to know that their house is slowly being engulfed in flames.
"The kids!" Ai called out to him in panic while running for the door. Kai didn't waste any time following her.
When they got to their daughter's room, they couldn't find Teru and Saki in there.
'Where the hell are they? We have to get out of here!' Kai could only think of this amidst the panic, while they're looking around for the two. He checked their room and they're not there, he went for the bathroom upstairs while his wife took some towels and damped them. Once she's done she handed one to Kai to protect himself from the smoke while they're looking for their children.
When they got down, they realized then they had nowhere to get out. The front door is already burning and they couldn't get anywhere near it without getting themselves burned. Kai couldn't see straight anymore, the smoke is slowly getting to him. With the last of his strength he pulled his wife towards the backdoor to the kitchen, seeing that the fire is not that big yet, he went for it while pulling his wife out.
His wife resisted for a bit, trying to get back inside the house, but he ignored her attempts to free herself from him.
"Kai, the children!" Ai wept, still looking back to where they just came from which is now being burned by large flames. If they haven't got out from there they would surely be trapped.
"Let's just hope that they got out Ai! We can't find them anywhere and the fire is about to-" Kai tried to comfort his wife but she wouldn't hear it.
"No!" Ai wailed while still trying to get past him.
"Don't be stupid Ai! Don't go back! You'll die in there!" Kai pulled his wife away from the door, and when they have enough distance from it, turned her towards him. He wiped his tears away and pulled her towards him, when she got into his embrace, she wept without care.
"Let's go around towards the front, maybe they're in there," Kai said to her softly while coaxing her to walk. All the while hoping that he's right. If not, he himself will go back in there.
The relief in his wife's face could be seen when she heard her older daughter's voice, but it became short-lived when he saw that she's hovering over their youngest shaking her awake.
"Teru!" Ai called out to their daughter in relief, letting her husband go in favor of running towards their children.
"Oka-san!" Upon hearing her name being called, she looked up and immediately run up to them. "Oka-san, Oto-san," she immediately took each of their hand and began pulling towards their youngest daughter whose laying still on the ground. "S-saki! She-she-"
Teru couldn't finish a word because of her sobbing. "-I-I don't know what to do!"
"Relax Teru, we're here." Ai hugged her daughter as she comforts her, but it could also be seen that her hands were shaking as she hugged her daughter.
"But Saki, she-" Teru started, "She's not waking up! Is she- is she…" Teru couldn't finish what she's saying, the thought alone that Saki could be dead is eating at her.
Ai turned towards his youngest in worry, immediately fearing for the worst "Saki… No!"
Kai immediately knelt down and turned her daughter to the side, feeling for a pulse and trying to see if she's breathing. When he felt her exhale a breath he sighed in relief.
He looked up to them and immediately eased their worries. "Don't worry, she's not. Our girl is too strong for that. She just lost her consciousness. Maybe she inhaled a lot of the smoke."
"O-okay…" Teru sniffled while wiping her tears and went back to her sister to hold her hand tightly.
Kai looked towards his daughters for a moment before turning to his wife, "I'll call for an ambulance and some firemen Ai, look out for Saki and Teru. We'll get out of here in no time."
Ai Miyanaga
"What you did is great Teru," Ai ran her hands through her daughter's hair in comfort. "You saved your little sister. You should be proud of it."
Teru sat up straight to look at her mom, her guilty expression could be seen clearly, "But I didn't come back for you and Otou-san…"
"That doesn't make you a bad daughter Teru." Kai was the one who answered her this time. "It's not your fault."
"But still... I'm sorry." Teru joined her hands together and looked at it.
"Stop worrying about that Teru, let's just focus on Saki for now. Would you like that?" Ai asked her while wiping her tears away.
Teru looked at her parents and offered them a smile, giving her thanks. "Okay. Do you think she'd like a flower when she wakes up?"
"Of course." Ai felt her heart get a bit lighter when she saw her daughter smile for the first time that night. "She'd like that very much."
Kai gave his daughter a small smile, happy now that his eldest is feeling better. "If it came from you, I'm sure she'd like it."
Ever since she could remember, when it comes to mahjong, Ai hated playing it. She's good at it don't get her wrong, she grew up playing it after all.
Growing up, all she's ever known is that she's meant to play it, at least that's what her mother tells her. She was sheltered all her life…. home-schooled and rarely left their house. She spent all her time playing mahjong, she hardly remembers anything that she did besides playing the damn game. Some might even think that she'll grow up to hate it… what with all the training that her mother put her through…
Well, they're not wrong. If she could only leave behind everything and forget….
Her mother most of all…
However…
Ai doesn't really know anything besides mahjong… at least this way, she knows that she's useful. That she has a purpose.
At 18, she became a professional player, and it made her realize that she had grown to hate playing it even more… mahjong… the game had become rather dull for her.
It didn't make her feel anything at all.
But still, her mother wouldn't lead her wrong right?
She's meant to play it right?
Her mother is strict when it comes to mahjong but she wouldn't be wrong is she?
Two years came to pass and she still didn't realize then that she was actually wrong after all this time. She didn't realize that everything that she did… all of it… it was all a lie…
That is until that damn game.
It wasn't even a professional game, it was an informal game between her and the other players, who she doesn't really know. The other two players with her aren't really notable, however, she remembered that the player sitting at her left her works there.
It was just a game in someplace. She can't remember. It could be a restaurant but she's not really sure. A parlor? Whatever…. it's not important right now. But all she knows is this…
During that game, no… even before that. When she arrived at the establishment while following behind her mother, she knew right then and there that something is wrong.
It was just like before. She's winning every round that they played but it made her notice the player sitting in her left… the worker…
The more she wins the round, the more she became tense.
She looked back over her shoulder to look at her mother. A bit unsure, should she keep going?
There's something wrong here…
"What's your name?" Ai realizes that she's actually the one asking her.
The woman looked at her in surprise, a bit unsure. "Are you asking me?"
Ai didn't say anything she just nodded. She's curious as to why this woman is scared. It's just a game, what could she be scared for? It's a bit disconcerting.
"Nana…" The woman glanced at the others at the table, as if asking for permission.
"Nana?" Ai prompted her to continue.
"-Shiratsuki… Nana Shiratsuki." she gave Ai a shaky smile.
Ai gave her a smile which is rare. She hardly smiles anymore, but somehow she did. The woman is a good player compared to the others she played with after all. However, it's time to end this. What with her mother giving her a hard look signaling her to end the game as soon as possible.
She let out a sigh and drew a tile and immediately knew she won the game before she even looks at the tile, "Well Shiratsuki-san, thanks for the game." she told her.
"But… but the game hasn't ended yet?" the woman asked her as she drew a tile and discarded one she didn't need.
She just shrugged and said nothing and waited for the player in front of her to discard a tile. If she's right, he has the tile she needed to win.
When she saw the tile that she needed to be discarded, she smirked and looked to her left. "Now it is." she turned back to the player in front of her, "Ron. Tsuuiisou." She declared while letting her tiles fall down, showing them to the other players. "That's 32,000 from you."
"Well," She turned at the other player, "I hope to play with you again one of these days, you're quite good."
The woman only nodded while looking down. "I hope so too…" she whispered shakily in reply.
Ai didn't really understand why, but she figured that maybe its because she lost.
She didn't get to play with her after that.
She was reported missing the next day. She heard on the news that her family couldn't contact her and reported it to the local authorities. However, it was said that her so-called disappearance was too clean.
Too perfect.
That there's no foul play. And it seemed impossible that she was in any danger by the time she disappeared. It was treated as just another runaway case and it was old news a week after.
But Ai couldn't just forget about it. She couldn't let it go. There's clearly something wrong… and it bothered her. And it made her wonder if her mother was actually involved.
She was one of the game organizers after all…
But she couldn't have done that… could she?
Ai knew the answer to her question deep down.
Her mother's just using her all this time and she should have known better… she should have asked the woman if there's something wrong going on, she should have stopped the game to start the moment she entered the room, she should have let herself lose that game… that damn game.
She could have done something but she ended up doing nothing…
Three days after that, she packed her bags and went on a random train with no particular destination in mind. She watched the scenery as the train goes by and that's where it led her to a place she figured her mother won't reach her.
She doesn't know why, but she ended up applying for a job at a local mahjong parlor. She thought that she left that life behind, but somehow, for a reason that she herself can't explain, she still misses the game.
It was… different after all.
It made her feel something…
There's no camera's to record her mistakes, no players who glared at her for losing, no overbearing mother who watches her every move, no money at stake… Nothing. Just the game in its simplest form.
And she liked it…
Because she's having fun…
That never used to happen before.
She can't help to think that maybe mahjong isn't that bad after all.
Of course, it would be that easy. It didn't take long for everything to turn downhill.
"Ai, I don't understand why you insist on improving the kids," Kai told her as she prepares the mahjong table outside. "They should do other things besides mahjong. They're good enough already."
"I'm not like-" Ai looked at him before stopping herself. "They're not playing mahjong all the time Kai. I just wanted to train them whenever they want to."
"Which happens to be every day?"
"How can I deny Teru her wish?" she leaned down and started to set up the table.
"Does she really want that?"
"Stop insinuating that I'm insisting her to train every time. She wanted to play with me and Saki." she stood up properly to look at her husband. Of course, she wouldn't do anything her daughter wouldn't want. She's not like her mother. She refuses to.
She didn't say anything else. He just doesn't understand…
Kai let out a sigh and shook his head while walking away from her. "If you say so."
"Are you sure you're doing this?" Kai looked at her, fist clenched to the side, shaking and trying to hold back emotions. She couldn't tell if its anger or something else. But knowing Kai its probably the first one.
She's currently making sure that the last of her things along with Teru's are all packed. Kai is by the door looking at her, while Saki is nowhere to be found.
She ran off when she told her that they're leaving and it made Teru run after her.
"It's not a divorce Kai-" She started to explain, he doesn't want to involve him further than he is…
"It feels like it is." Kai turned his head to the side, avoiding her gaze.
"I'm sorry." Ai let out quietly, her lips starting to tremble.
"Say that to the kids." Kai looked at her, his voice growing louder not really caring for the others to hear whatever he's saying at that time. "Especially Saki!"
Her tears fell with that, the guilt eating at her. "We- we'll be back. It's not like we're leaving you and Saki for good." Ai told him softly, taking a step towards him to reach for his hand. "I just needed to do something first before-"
"I don't care! Just leave us!" Kai stepped back further, slapping her hand away, not letting her near him. "I don't need you!"
Ai let her hand down and stopped herself from reaching him, she just nodded and gave him a sad smile. "I-I understand." she walked towards the movers but paused for a bit, "Tell Saki that I love her and I'm sorry." With that, she walked away from him.
She just hopes that someday, she'll find it in herself to make him understand and he'll forgive her.
Author's Note:
First off, I've contemplated very hard if I should post All of it (By that, I mean the back story and everything) but I figured that it's too much and too soon. It wouldn't make my story exciting and that it wouldn't really take my story further just by dumping everything like a grenade and get back to the main story as if nothing happened. So I came up with dividing it into 4 or 5? chapters. I'm not really sure... it was over 20,000 words in total.
Second, if some of you are put out that this isn't the main story and it's just a flashback, I apologize. In my defense, I'm setting my groundwork and building my way up to the climax of this one. :)
Third, I used Nana Shiratsuki as one of my plot devices and everything will be explained as the story continues further.
Also, one thing, the chapter title is deliberate and in time you'll understand. :D Although, I feel like some of you may already have an idea of what is happening.
So what do you think about this one?
See you next week!
EDIT:
Announcement:
I haven't updated yesterday because I'm currently in the process of finishing the last few chapters of Wither and Bloom, so please give me time to finish it. I'll be able to finish it within this week and everything should be READY within the next 2 weeks. I don't have the final chapter count right now but it will be around 20 plus chapters, depending on the word count since I limit every chapter within 4000 words at the minimum and 6000 words max :)
I'm finishing the story because of my work and its ever-increasing workload but rest assured that it wouldn't be rushed! :) Thank you for reading and appreciating my story.
I'm sorry again for not updating yesterday, but starting Monday updates will be daily! :)