Chapter 2: The Beginning
Hiroshima. Shining headlights greeted them in the black of the night, the only light for miles. The tires of their bus skittered over the small stones as they slowly made their way down the driveway. Rukawa and Sakuragi were already walking to the inn they were staying at.
Sakuragi: Why don't you just tell him?! We've been at the mall for a long time and you haven't chosen anything.
Rukawa: You're too loud! How can I decide?
Sakuragi: Why is it still my fault?!
Rukawa: You'll come with me when we don't have practice.
Sakuragi: Just take him with you! You're planning to buy something like that for him, but you don't know the size?!
Rukawa no longer hears Sakuragi's complaints. He entered his room to take a shower. In just two hours, they will be leaving for Kanagawa.
xxx
The trees were barely visible in the darkness, the shadows of the branches on the path as they traveled the dark road. The shadow of the branches and tall pines can be seen on the left, illuminated by the moonlight. Rukawa turned to his companion. Sendoh's eyebrows meet, lips slightly raised, sulking. He turned around and his mouth was already waiting for a question.
Rukawa: Is there a problem?
Sendoh: You didn't reply last night until noon. Then you don't want me to go to your apartment?
Rukawa: Don't complicate what isn't a problem.
Sendoh: I'm just worried.
Rukawa: Let's just talk in your apartment. I don't want to scare you.
Sendoh: Are you not happy with me?
Rukawa: Moron.
Sendoh: Hahaha! Just kidding. I know you're head over heels for me.
Whilst they were in deep conversation and not entirely paying attention to the road, Rukawa saw a pack of wolves. Headlight rays hit their eyes, bright golden amber eyes darting out in front of the car, as if they hit one. The sound of a loud crash was still ringing in his head. Sendoh got out of the car to look down at the site. He was startled to see that they had bumped into a wild boar. Fortunately, it was not badly hurt. He turned to his companion, stupefied and worried.
Sendoh: Are you okay?
Rukawa just nodded. He mustered up the courage to get out of the car. They pull over to investigate and call the police, who ask what they're doing in the area. Sendoh said they were going somewhere nearby. The officer asks to see his license and lets them go. They got into the car again.
Rukawa: What did you see pass in front of us earlier?
Sendoh: A wild boar. My fault. I wasn't focused on the road earlier. It was black, so I didn't even notice.
Rukawa: I saw a pack of wolves. You didn't see it?
Sendoh: What? Are you pregnant?
Rukawa: What the hell are you saying?
Sendoh: Pregnant women sometimes experience hallucinations.
Rukawa: You're nutty as a fruitcake!
Sendoh: Hahaha! Only one wild boar passed by. You must be sleepy.
Rukawa: Probably.
Jaw stiff, Rukawa's palms closed as he looked outside. Sendoh kissed him on the cheek to calm him down.
xxx
Mitsui and Miyagi walk together to Aota's house. The light of the moon lit up the whole area. They could see the shadows of the bushes, poles, and wires on the road as they walked.
Miyagi: When do you plan to go home?
Mitsui: I'm going home tomorrow. My mom must be thinking that I'm truant again.
Miyagi: I was just wondering if this was my first time seeing a ghost. A priest blesses our house. How else did a ghost get in?
Mitsui: When you get home tomorrow, ask her where she got in. Hahahaha!
Miyagi: Dimwit! I hope a ghost appears to you too.
Mitsui felt a presence at his side. He turned to the right. He looked out of the corner of his eye. He saw a shadow, human-shaped, not far from him. He slowed his pace, wanting to overtake the one behind. He stopped walking. The shadow next to him also stopped. Miyagi, who was walking to his left, stopped laughing. He noticed that Mitsui's face was irritated behind him.
Miyagi: Hey, did I say something bad? I'm just making fun of you.
Mitsui: What the… Just go ahead, you jackass!
Shoulders and chest raised, Miyagi was surprised by what Mitsui had done. He looked to the right; only the two of them were walking at that time.
Miyagi: Who are you talking to? Are you tripping me?
Mitsui shifted his whole body onto his back. He doesn't see anyone on the right or behind him. Eyes wide, knees shaking, he turned to Miyagi.
Mitsui: Miyagi, when I count to three, let's run.
One count, two counts, they sped up to run.
xxx
Shohoku Gym. He was troubled by his nightmare for several days. Sakuragi's back was still on the bench. He took a stiff weapon from his pocket. He looked at a trench-knuckle knife that belonged to his father. He always had no energy to get up.
Ayako: My father is inviting you to our house. Are you all free today?
Mitsui: I have something to attend to today, Ayako. Sorry.
Miyagi: Can't you just do that another day, Mitsui? Rukawa, join us.
Rukawa: I'm just going somewhere.
Miyagi: Too bad. Come with us! Genius!
Sakuragi just nodded. Mitsui and Miyagi came out of the locker late. Mitsui wonders if he should tell Miyagi what's bothering him. He rested his shoulder on him, leaning closer to hear what he had to say.
Mitsui: Miyagi, be careful with Ayako's father.
xxx
Ayako Residence. Sakuragi was quiet from the trip to Ayako's house. On the other hand, things are going well with his curly friend. Miyagi and Ayako have a deeper understanding. He'll get to meet the father when Ayako invites them for a weekend at her house with her dad. The two are so worried that Ayako tells her father about his recurring nightmare. Miyagi is pleased with his father's inviting behavior.
Miyagi: Thank you very much for the invitation, Doc.
Dr. Azuma: It's good that you came. Where are your other friends?
Ayako: They have something to attend to.
Miyagi: Mitsui is preparing a speech in front of his mother. Rukawa is busy with his love life.
Dr. Azuma gives Miyagi and Sakuragi a tour of the house and shows them old family photos. There are also photos of Ayako when she was still a child and his friends. While flipping through the album, they were surprised to see Sakuragi's father in the group photo. They couldn't believe it when they found out that Dr. Azuma and Sakuragi's father knew each other.
Ayako: My father, Dr. Azuma, is a psychiatrist. He studies and treats mental illnesses. He treats patients to determine if their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, physical and mental disorders, or psychological issues.
Miyagi: I thought he was a hypnotherapist.
Ayako: He practices therapy as a community service.
Miyagi: He is impressive. Do you also participate in his charitable programs?
Ayako: Not yet, but if I have the time, of course I would. Always busy with school and basketball.
Dr. Azuma: Take Miyagi around the house first. I will take Sakuragi to my office.
Dr. Azuma invited Sakuragi to his office while Ayako wandered with Miyagi around the house. Most of the material is made of gold. He also saw a golden statue, 6 feet high, in their yard.
Miyagi: You seem to really like gold.
Ayako: My dad likes to collect lucky charms.
Miyagi: What is your religion?
Ayako: My father does not believe in religion. He doesn't want to talk about it. But I'm Catholic.
Sakuragi agrees to join Dr. Azuma for the time being. He saw a 6-inch gold statue on the table, the head of a wolf on the body of a dragon, surrounded by gold coins at his feet. He thanked him when he received the tea. The doctor offers to cure his anxiety and his recurring nightmares will stop through hypnosis, but he doesn't like people messing with his head.
Sakuragi: I'm sorry. I have no mental problems. I think that is a bad idea.
Dr. Azuma: Ayako told me you have nightmares. You are my daughter's friend. You don't have to pay.
He sat but politely rejected the notion of hypnotism, unaware that he was slowly hypnotizing himself through the tea he was given. He takes him back to the night his father was found lifeless inside their house. He seems to be out of his mind while talking.
Sakuragi: I didn't do anything to rush my dad to the hospital. It's my fault. I didn't get home right away. I didn't help him.
He didn't realize that he was crying non-stop while talking to Dr. Azuma. His speech was not so clear due to crying so much. Speaking in a quavering voice, Dr. Azuma tells him to sleep.
Dr. Azuma: I expel you.
Sakuragi is having a hard time with his state. His palms were stiff and closed; his feet were stiff and trembling, toes curling inside his shoes. He suddenly slammed his closed hands on the table and suddenly stood up.
Sakuragi: Stop fucking with my brain!
He was very impressed with Sakuragi's mental strength. He thought he was going to pass out, but it didn't seem like he was affected by what he drank. Ayako and Ryota ran to hear Sakuragi's loud screams. They were shocked to see Sakuragi with reddened eyes. The veins on his head and arms seemed to be furious.
Sakuragi: I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I'll go home.
He bowed and hurriedly walked towards the door. Miyagi chases Sakuragi out the door. Ayako apologized to her father.
Ayako: He's been like that for days because of his nightmare. The truth is, he is a cheerful person and always energetic. He's just become like that in the past few days.
Dr. Azuma: I'll take care of him. I will go to his house to help him.
Ayako: Really?! Thank you, Dad.
Dr. Azuma: What are the names of your two friends who were with you in the past?
Ayako: Hisashi Mitsui, and Kaede Rukawa.
Dr. Azuma: If they have free time, let them stay here. I want to get to know them better.
xxx
Sakuragi stopped walking when he heard Miyagi's voice. He didn't look back; he just stood there, waiting for him to speak. Miyagi walked in front of him.
Miyagi: Bro, what happened?
Sakuragi: Go back there. I'm sure Ayako is waiting for you.
Miyagi: I will say goodbye to them. Just wait for me here.
Sakuragi: Let me go home. Don't leave just yet, so Ayako won't be sad.
Sakuragi walked home. Miyagi just looked behind him as his figure shrank in the distance. Miyagi entered the house, still worried about what Sakuragi had done earlier. He found Dr. Azuma standing on the balcony.
Miyagi: I noticed that you like Lucky Charms.
Dr. Azuma: It's not just a lucky charm. I will give you something later. Put it inside your house.
Miyagi: Thank you, but my family and I don't believe in charms, or whatever you call them. We value the gift of God, immaterial things. Money may be here today and gone tomorrow. Be rich in good deeds. That's what my family taught me.
Dr. Azuma: In your religion, followers share a belief that no one is supposed to question. Your God tried to cleanse the temple from other beliefs as they demanded and received large sums of money as donations. As long as people have a need to survive, we will always seek and need money.
Miyagi: Let's never deify material things. Giving is receiving. In a way, we divert our money from helping others to God.
Dr. Azuma: You'd rather use it for good work, for the poor? Giving to God represents the growth of the number of exploitative people and lazy people. I am a witness to a faithful faith, but it did not save my wife.
Ayako: What's going on?
They both turned to Ayako, her face confused by the heated conversation. Miyagi bowed politely and said goodbye.
Miyagi: Ayako, I'm going home.
Ayako: I thought you would stay here until dinner?
Miyagi: I'm sorry. Mom called, there's an emergency. Doc Azuma, thank you very much for the invitation.
Dr. Azuma quietly returned to his office. He went to his desk, opened the cabinet, and took out a folder. He opened it, looking for someone's profile. He labeled it, Ryota Miyagi. Not Qualified.
xxx
He couldn't believe that he would have such a conversation with Ayako's father. His voice still seemed to echo in his ears. He also couldn't believe that he could say all that. It was as if all of his grandmother's advice had come out of his mouth by accident. Mitsui's last words before they left the gym suddenly came to his mind.
Mitsui: Miyagi, be careful with Ayako's father.
xxx
Miyagi Residence. Miyagi took small steps, feeling his surroundings. When he entered his house, the first thing he noticed was the framed picture of his grandmother in the living room. Her mother came out of the kitchen, wearing a black dress and holding a box of her grandmother's personal belongings.
Mom: Where have you been? Your grandmother is gone. We will go to the province for her funeral.
xxx
Sendoh Apartment. Their bodies pressed against the bed warmly. Their breath caressed their faces, feeling their chests close together as they slept together. Rukawa's eyes were half closed. He nudged his nose against his, and their mouths fell sleepily together, already soft and open. He wanted to take a good look at Sendoh's very dark eyebrows. He was impressed by the strange streak in his hair. His index finger touched his face, witnessing every line of Sendoh's face. He suddenly opened his eyes and smiled widely, still sleepy.
Sendoh: Hey, why don't you tell me what happened in your apartment?
Rukawa: Nothing. If you don't want me here, just say so.
Sendoh: What are you talking about? I'm just asking.
Rukawa: Do you believe in ghosts?
Sendoh: Yes. When someone cuts off all communication without explanation, it's a disrespectful version of closure.
Rukawa: That's not what I meant!
Sendoh: Never ever do that to me.
Rukawa: Can you put aside your stupidity for once?
Sendoh: I'm just kidding. Why are we talking about that? Are you scaring me?
Rukawa: Because you're asking! I hear a voice in my apartment, like a whispering boy.
Sendoh: What? When? Why? How? Who is that person? You invited another man into your room?!
Rukawa couldn't hold back anymore. He hugged Sendoh, aiming to tickle his armpit. Seeing Sendoh turn red with giggles, he continued to poke his side, down above his hip to his ribcage. His fingers quickly moved to the bottom of his feet.
Sendoh: Stop! I can't breathe anymore!
Rukawa: Listen, dumbass! I think my apartment is haunted. I heard a child whispering.
Sendoh: Did you understand what he said?
Rukawa: His voice is vague. I don't know the language.
Sendoh: I know. He said, you should move here into my apartment. You know, I should thank him. I want to meet him. We will definitely get along.
Rukawa: When will I be able to talk to you sensibly?
He had come to expect this kind of conversation every time they were together. He always liked the high-pitch of his laugh and loved his beaming smile. He was thankful; his worries were relieved every time he was with him.
xxx
Mitsui scratched his head as he walked to their house. He slowed down as he looked at the neighbor, fearing that someone might be reflected in the mirror. He saw an old man, wearing a black suit, standing straight. dressed smartly, looking straight and not moving. His steps became stronger. When he reached the door, he heard his mother having a conversation with a male voice.
Mom: I will never accept anything from this man.
The Lawyer: He is your father. All his property will go to you, to both of you and your son.
Mom: For the last time I will say, I have been without a father for a long time.
Lawyer: Your father died a month ago. His only wish is that you, his own family, will bury him.
Mitsui abruptly opened the door, worried by his mother's tone. He wanted to hear the details about his grandfather, but he could barely remember what he looked like.
Mitsui: If he died long ago, where is he?
Mom: Go to your room first. Mr. Lawyer, I don't want to be disrespectful. You can leave my house.
Lawyer: Your child is of the right age. He has the right to hear his grandfather's last wish.
Mom: I said, get out.
His mother was standing by the door, waiting for the person she was talking to leave. She spoke to Mitsui, placing his hands on her hips, relaxing herself before speaking.
Mother: Avoid that person, especially if he approaches you at school.
Mitsui: Why are you so angry with Grandpa?
Mom: He committed many sins in our family. I have erased him from our lives for a long time, since your father died. Trust me, son, everything I did was for your own good.
He watched his mother, holding a big folder, climb the stairs. He was curious. He was looking at the big folder his mother was holding. He chose to avoid asking. His mother was obviously tired from work. He closed the door and windows. He noticed the reflection of the window in the other house. The old man was still standing in front of the window, and didn't leave the place. He recoiled when he saw the old man's head move, looking at him. He knocked down the closing of their sliding window and hurried to cover it with a curtain.
Mitsui: What's wrong with him?! Weird.
xxx
Sakuragi Residence. Furious, panting, in a closet, apparently rummaging. His father casually placed the various weapons in a suitcase and tossed them on the bed.
Dad: Where did you go? I told you not to leave the house!
Sakuragi: What are those? What are you going to do?
His hair was messed up. His father looked like he was furious, about to explode. Instead, he pulled Sakuragi into a hug.
Dad: Don't ever turn to evil.
xxx
Additional Characters:
Doctor Azuma - Ayako's Father
Mr. Shigure - Sakuragi's Father