The sun reached its zenith as the train left the mountains, on its speedy way back to Tokyo. Inside the locomotive, the conductor finished reporting Sagakin's disappearance to the Japanese authorities. Much to their shock, after having checked satellite view, it was indeed true: the coastal city had vanished off the face of the planet and there was no sign of life in the space where it should have been. As per their instructions, the conductor was to take no other passengers and he was to bring the two survivors back to the capital in safety. Thus the train would not linger in any other stations and it would only stop directly at its destination.
Inside their compartment, Sayo and Hajime both sat at the window and enjoyed the countryside view. The priestess fetched an electric boiler from her travel bag and plugged it in the wall, much to her companion's surprise, who remarked, "I didn't expect you to have so many things in that bag..."
"What can I say? When you travel all over the country, you need to carry a mini-house with you." She pulled out a handful of tea leaves and a small bottle of water. "I'll prepare us some tea, it will be good for our strength."
"Speaking of houses, I should check on my folks," Hajime said and checked his phone, relieved to finally have signal on it. He dialed his mother's number and waited for an answer.
"Good morning, sweetheart! Has the train arrived in Tokyo yet? We've been waiting all morning!"
"Not yet, mom. There has been... a delay while crossing the mountains. There was no signal up there, so I couldn't get to you. I'm sorry if I got you or dad worried."
"Don't worry, Hajime, as long as you arrive safely, that's all that matters."
"Thanks, mom. Say, where should I take the bus? To our apartment near the university, to our villa near the main warehouse or to our mansion in the outskirts?"
"The latter, darling. But don't worry, we will come to pick you up in our limo. You must have been through a lot, it's the least we can do for you."
"That won't really be necessary, but if you insist..."
"Due to our business trips in the United States, we haven't even seen each other face to face for almost six months. You deserve a warm welcome more than anything else!"
"I understand. Thanks a lot, mom; love you!" Hajime hung up and began dialing Jack's number.
"Your parents must be very busy if you've been apart for that long," Sayo commented as she stirred the leaves in the boiling water.
"My family owns a large range of clothes, started by my grandmother. My parents took over the reins from her when she retired ten years ago. Since then, they have been busy with interviews, designing new products for our lines, advertising and plenty of business trips overseas. Needless to say, whenever I go to the capital, I prefer to spend most of my time at our private apartment near the University of Tokyo. Both our mansion and villa have housemaids, cooks and butlers, whose presence I don't quite tolerate. I'm an introvert, I need my own space and alone time."
"If you have a place to live in Tokyo, then why did you choose to attend the University of Sagakin? I don't suppose money was an issue, was it?"
"Oh no, it's just that Sagakin was a far quieter city. And besides, grandma Tsugumi lived all by herself in that mansion of hers. If I wanted both comfort and silence, living with her seemed like the best choice. I used to spend each summer at her place. Then when I began attending college, her city seemed like the best alternative. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case..."
With that said, he pressed the call button and waited for an answer on the other line.
"Yes, Hajime, what happened?" asked a familiar voice with a Texan accent.
"Jack, you won't believe it, but last night I was chased by Shishima's forces and I barely managed to evade them. Now I'm on my way to Tokyo. If you want, my offer still stands. We can meet up and work together to solve this case."
"Sorry, but no can do, partner. Me and Lori have already gotten our approval for the transfer back into the US. We're having our flight tonight. I'm sure that we'll be much safer there. If you're so desperate for my help, I guess we could keep in touch over Facebook."
"For how long will you two run away from your problems? Listen, if Shishima is not dealt with now, sooner or later he will get to America as well. Then it will be too late for you to run and hide."
Only silence followed from Jack's end. It seemed that the blond's words may have gotten to him, but suddenly, Lori took the phone and angrily replied, "Listen here, blondie, we'll deal with that freak on our terms if we have to! For now, don't drag us through your bullshit, because we're having none of it!" Then she hung up.
Sayo shook her head in disappointment and said, "Those two seemed very stubborn and rude. Are you sure they are your friends?"
"Forgive them, they tend to become a bit hotheaded when they're scared."
The boiler gave off a short jingle, announcing that the tea was finished. Sayo fetched two porcelain cups from her bag and poured the warm liquid for both of them. Hajime noticed that it was green tea, not one of his favorites, but it was still better than nothing. He blew a bit to make sure it would not burn his tongue, then he took a sip and immediately licked his lips.
"I've never had green tea that tasted this good. I'm more of a black tea and ice tea person myself, but this is actually great, congrats!"
Sayo blushed after hearing his compliment and looked away, saying, "I simply followed an old recipe which I had learned at my temple. The priests claimed that this tea is supposed to calm one down and help them clear their thoughts. I'm not sure myself if that is true, but I believe we needed this after last night's events."
The blond nodded, set his cup aside after another sip and laid back in his seat, staring pensively at the countryside sights: villages, rice fields and plains passing by in a matter of seconds. The priestess sighed and packed up the boiler, after which she joined him in contemplation. Silence reigned upon the compartment as they both admired the natural landscapes from outside. Hajime recalled everything which he had lost over the course of that week: his best friend, his grandmother and his peaceful life in Sagakin. All because of him. Unfortunately, he could no longer rely on Jack and Lori due to their cowardice. There was once a saying that a true friend came when one needed them most, and in that case the only one who did so was Sayo... Maybe she was right, maybe he needed to train together with her in order to become stronger. But if he was sure of one thing, that was the fact that Shishima's conquest had to be halted at any cost. The mere thought of all those lives that would be ruined by that lowly demon in the same way his was chilled him to the bone.
Snapping back to reality, he peeked at Sayo and noticed how in the sunlight, her priestess garments stood out more. With her long black hair tied in a ponytail and her two thick locks which fell down on her shoulders, she looked as if she came from the past, a romanticized past where tradition and art overruled corruption and war. Her brown eyes suddenly locked with his blue eyes for a few moments, causing him to quickly look away.
Sayo smiled to herself as she analyzed Hajime. His clothes were fairly modest, despite his parents working in the fashion industry, although she adored his turquoise-colored turtleneck sweater and his matching scarf. Somehow his garments still betrayed the bohemian intellectual attitude he displayed. Coupled with the melancholic and yet fierce look in his eyes, she was certain that he had more to offer than what his seemingly frail exterior suggested. Still, she was unsure as to why Shishima kept targeting him. Although he had the blood of one of the demon's enemies coursing through his veins, said enemy had been dealt with. Was it merely petty revenge? Either way, she was sure that together, they would find a way to overcome that fiend and rid the world of his accursed existence. Pushed by a tingle in her heart, she opened her travel bag yet again and pulled out a notebook and a pen to write down a poem.
Time's passage became irrelevant to her as she kept jotting down her creation. The one thing that broke her concentration was Hajime's voice, who asked out of curiosity, "What are you writing there?"
"Oh..." Sayo shyly looked up at him. "I was just having a moment of inspiration."
"Said moment lasted half an hour already. Do you mind if I had a look?"
"Sure..." She leaned in forward and offered him her notebook. "I am not used to sharing my literary works with others. I hope you won't find my writings as too sappy or corny, I am really trying to express everything I am feeling."
"There's no need to worry, I may be an avid reader, but I'm far from a critic. Just like most people write for escapism, I do the same with reading."
A pink pearl
Shines deep in the sun,
Its priceless aura
Is but next to none.
Waking me up,
Catching my sight,
Squealing like a pup,
I sought its precious light.
Beyond the ash clouds
I'll dash high like an arrow,
For my desire crowds
And the path is so narrow,
Like its bright light.
Beneath is the sapphire world we know,
I fly close, close, up to the sun.
Like a noble bird my wings now grow,
Lost in miracle, I can only keep going on.
I still recall
How you buzzed my heart
Back when you had the gall
To laugh at me oh so hard.
I'm so silly,
A simple childish girl,
Just another lily,
In fate's winds I twirl.
And so this was why
I seek the treasure of my life,
I don't want to dry
The flowers for which I strived
And the pink light.
Beneath is the sapphire world we know,
I fly close, close, up to the sun.
Seeking the pearl that is my love for you,
Lost in miracle, towards my new goal I now run.
Beyond all these stars
The pink shine is hiding from me.
From Venus to Mars
I am searching for it so free,
The pearl of destiny.
But even if I fear there is no glow
And all was for nothing, the search is done...
I'll keep flying above the world we know,
I fly close, close, up to the sun.
Like a noble bird my wings now grow,
Lost in miracle, I can only keep going on.
"That was actually pretty good, quite catchy too!" Hajime confessed.
"You really think so?" a nervous Sayo asked, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Yes, I was impressed by the imagery and romantic overtones, you don't see this kind of style in present day books anymore. You know, I always hoped I would find a good girl." The priestess looked him in the eye upon hearing that remark, her cheeks turned red. "What I meant to say was 'good writer', sorry!" the young man quickly corrected himself.
"I will take both as compliments," she replied in a lower voice, more to herself.
Both shared an awkward laugh as Hajime returned the notebook to its rightful owner. Trying to ease the situation they were in, the blond changed the subject by saying,"I personally have always enjoyed reading detective novels. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, just to name a few of the classic authors. What fascinates me most about these stories are the constant mind games that the protagonist engages in to catch the criminal. It's part of the reason why I'm now studying to become a lawyer, although I'm also tempted to work part time as a detective as well."
"Am I correct to assume that bringing justice is one of your passions, Hajime?"
"You can say that. But going back to literature, one of the things that fascinated me are the inspirations which certain authors have. Do you have anything that you find particularly inspiring?"
Sayo looked away as she pensively replied, "I guess that my main inspiration would be nature's beauty. That is mostly due to me seeking escapism from my own troubles. You prefer to pick up the book, while I prefer to pick up the pen. Since I am a highly-trained priestess, I am not allowed to show any weakness to those around, and yes, that means intense emotions. Writing had become a coping mechanism for me, it was the only way I could deal with my jealousy of those around who could have normal lives. I don't know, sometimes I wish I could just tear off my robes and scream at the world that I've had enough... But I know better, this is now my path in life, hence why I lay it all out on paper." She sighed deeply and turned back to the boy facing her. "In the end, suffering will always be the strongest muse."
Hajime reached out his hand and grabbed hers, much to her shock. "Listen, I am sorry if I brought up any bad memories. I didn't intend to hurt you in any way."
"It's alright, I know you wouldn't." Sayo smiled back at him, clenching her hand around his. "You have a good heart. I can easily tell that beneath your cold detached exterior lies someone who cares deeply about his close ones."
"That's the reason why I will do my damnedest to make sure that Shishima will not take anyone else from me. The next time he comes, I swear I'll be prepared!"
"We will face him together. I promise that I will be by your side until the very end of this war!"
"Thank you, Sayo. I needed that assurance more than you could possibly imagine."
Just then, shadows fell upon them, causing the two to look outside the window. Tall and imposing buildings filled the view, gone were the picturesque countryside sights. They had arrived in Tokyo. Hajime let go of his companion's hand and the two of them began picking up their luggage.
