Video Girl Ai:
Wanting Memories
by
John Shearen
Based on Video Girl Ai
Created by Masakazu Katsura/Shueisha
Right after they returned from the video world, Ai carefully
led him to the bath. She washed the blood from his cuts and
carefully wrapped bandages around his wounds. "You look like a
mummy, Yota," Ai said jokingly when she finished.
"It was worth it. I do not know what I would have done
without you Ai," Yota countered. "When I thought I lost you, I
realized that I loved you more than Moemi. You have given me so
much joy and happiness."
"What about Moemi?"
"Moemi and I would be miserable. I could not take the place
of her only love in her heart. She loves Takashi so much. And I
love you just as much."
"Oh Yota," Ai said as tears of happiness rolled down her
cheeks.
Yota wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. The
pain from the cuts did not bother him as long as he had her by his
side. He whispered, "I love you Ai," in her ear.
In response, she countered, "Let's call this one, fourth
saving grace. You went out of your way to rescue me even though
you did not have to."
Without thinking, Yota looked at Ai and kissed her gently
on the lips. Normally, Ai would start throwing a tantrum, but
this time she accepted the kiss. Together, hand in hand, they
went up to his room and for the second time since her arrival,
they fell asleep on his bed.
Upon waking up, Yota realized that he was too sore to even
get out of bed. Looking around, he did not see Ai anywhere in the
room. Just as he was about to call her name out, Ai came in
bearing breakfast.
"Good morning Yota. How did you sleep?" Ai asked as she placed
the tray on the desk.
"Fine thank you," he replied as he tried to sit up. The dull
ache of pain radiated from every cut and scrape he received the
night before.
Seeing his discomfort, Ai commented, "Here let me help you."
When he was in an upright position, she placed the tray on his lap
and added, "When you are finished, I will come back and check your
bandages." With that, she headed out the door.
"Wait Ai," Yota called out. "Please stay. I missed you so
much last week. I did not know how much you meant to me until you
were gone. Now that you are back, I just want to spent time with
you."
"Oh Yota," Ai exclaimed as she sat down at his desk. "How
is your art coming along?"
"I haven't had time to work on it. I spent all my time
looking for you," he replied between mouthfuls.
They sat without saying a word while Yota ate. Each knew
how the other felt just by the silence between them. There was so
much that they wanted to tell each other and yet, they felt that
they did not have to. After Yota set the fork down for the last
time, they said in unison, "I love you." Each turned several
shades of red and looked at something different in the room.
Looking at him, Ai explained what happened. "On the way back
from the art store, I knew that my time was up. Also I knew that I
had to get back to you. Everything happened the way it did was
because, I fell in love with the client. Video Girls are not
allowed to feel that. I broke the rules and you had to suffer for
that."
"Ai, I would gladly go through all the pain again if that was
the only way to win you back. You gave me so much joy and
happiness for a month than I felt in years."
"Oh Yota," she said as she picked up the tray. "I will be
right back and then I am going to check your bandages. In the
meantime, try and relax."
As Ai walked out of the room, Yota sat there and thought
about the first and only date he had with her. Yota realized that
Ai was fun to be with. In the span of a few hours, Yota fell in
love with Ai. Even though he never told her how he felt about her
until he went and rescued her, he loved her more than he could love
Moemi. "Moemi," he said out loud. "I should call her and let her
know that I am all right. I know she is worried."
Just as he was reaching for the phone, Ai came back into the
room with Moemi in tow. "Look who came to see you?" Ai asked.
"I came to see what happened to you. Takashi and I were
worried about you. Ai told me everything that happened and invited
me in."
"I appreciate the concern Moemi. I really do," Yota said
sincerely. "So, you are not mad at me?"
"Mad, no. Disappointed, somewhat," Moemi answered. You
could have come to me with your problem. It is only fair since I
have come to you with mine. You were kind enough to listen and
help. I know how much she means to you and how much you mean to
her. I want you to be happy, Yota"
Yota looked at Moemi then to Ai. Ai stood there with a smile
on her face. "Moemi, for the past year, I thought I was in love
with you. When you said that you loved Takashi, I knew that I
could not compete with him. I did not realize that Ai had fallen
in love with me while she was trying to help me win your heart.
After she left, I spent the entire week looking for her. What I
realized was that I had fallen in love with Ai and did not even
know that until she was gone. Now that she is back, I want to make
her as happy as she has made me."
"Let's call this, fifth saving grace," Ai said out loud. Both
Yota and Moemi looked at her. "Yota, you have finally realized who
you love and even though you did not have to say so, you explained
anyway." Ai came over and placed the clean bandages on the bed.
"Now, let me look at your bandages."
With the help of Moemi, Ai changed the bandages. This time,
there were less of them than the night before. When they finished,
the two girls left the sore Yota alone and headed down to the
kitchen.
The two girls sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of
coffee. "You know, Yota was in love even after you told him that
you loved Takashi. I even tried to get the two of you together."
"Ai, why would you do that?" Moemi asked.
"Because I was only a Video Girl and Video Girls are not
allowed to fall in love with their clients. Unfortunately for Yota
and myself, I did. Yota paid a heavy price for that. I knew that
when he came into the video world to rescue me, he was in love with
me."
"I never wanted Yota to be hurt when I told him that day. I
can see now that he tried his best not to let me know. I should
have listened to him when he blurted out that he loved me. Instead,
I laughed. I thought he was still playing. Now I know that he
really loved me."
"Yes, Moemi, in fact I think he still loves you very much."
Ai looked down at her coffee cup and sighed.
Moemi looked across the table at her friend. "You know, I do
love Yota. But only as a friend. He has been there for me so many
times that I cannot think of him in any other way." The clock in
the living room struck four. "I have to get going. Tell Yota that
I will be back soon."
"I will. Take care of yourself," Ai answered as they walked
to the front door.
Ai headed back up to check on Yota. When she opened the
door to his room, he was sitting at his desk working on his art.
Walking up to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and peered
down at his drawing. "If you keep going the way you are, you are
sure to win the contest."
"I missed the deadline while I was out looking for you,"
Yota replied as he leaned his head back.
"I am sorry Yota. The contest was important to you."
"That is ok Ai. Besides, there will be another contest in a
couple of months. I would rather have you by my side than winning
the contest."
"-"
As the days passed, Yota's cuts and bruises healed without
leaving scars. "Well Yota, I think we should go out today," Ai said
as she removed the last bandage. "The weather is nice and the fresh
air would do you good."
"Where would you like to go?"
"We can decide that once we are outside. Now get dressed
and I'll meet you downstairs," Ai said as she gave him a light kiss
on his left cheek.
Walking down the street, holding hands, the two looked at
the window displays. Yota realized that Ai was right, the fresh
air was lifting his spirits with each step. _What would I do
without her?_ He thought as they stopped in front of the jewelry
store.
"Come on, let's go inside," Ai said as she pulled Yota
along.
When they entered, they went separate ways. Ai was busy
looking at necklaces and ear rings while Yota was looking at rings.
Finding several that he liked, he made a mental note to return here
when he was alone after he managed to get her size. He was called
back to the present by a gleeful cry, "Yota, come take a look."
Walking over to her, he smiled at the happiness she felt.
"What do you think of this?" Ai asked as she displayed a
silver chain with a medallion of rubies and diamonds.
"That looks wonderful on you," Yota answered.
"But we can not afford it," Ai said dejectedly as she sat
the necklace back down.
Yota looked at the price tag and remarked with a smile on his
face, "Well, if we don't eat for a month we can afford it."
"Oh Yota," Ai said as she wrapped her arms around his neck
and gave him a kiss.
Picking up the necklace, they walked over to the counter. A
young lady in her early twenties wearing a pale blue business suit
came over to them. "Good afternoon, will that be all?"
"For today," Yota said making sure that Ai did not catch the
meaning behind the answer.
"Would you like it wrapped?" the salesperson asked as she
removed the price tag.
"No thank you."
After ringing up the item, the salesperson added, "That will
be ¥53,680."
Yota handed over the money and was handed the necklace.
Turning to Ai, "Turn around." When her back was to him, he placed
the necklace around her neck and attached the clasp.
Ai turned around and kissed him again. Happiness filled her
eyes as she looked into his. "Thank you Yota."
"Anything for my love."
Hand in hand they walked out of the store. As they walked
down the street, neither said a word since they were so enraptured
by the other. By the time they arrived back at home, they could not
tell where they went after the jewelry store.
When the door closed, Ai turned and faced Yota. "Thank you
for such a wonderful day."
"I should be thanking you, Ai. Seeing you happy is more
enough thanks."
"Let's call this, sixth saving grace. You always put others
ahead of yourself." With that said, Ai kissed him once again.
Later that night, as Ai lay sleeping, Yota snuck into her room
and wrapped a piece of string around her finger. After marking the
string, he gently kissed her forehead. "Oh Yota," Ai said as he
slipped out of her room.
The next day, Yota called Moemi. "Moemi, I need a favor. I
want to get a gift for Ai and I would like your help."
"Sure thing, Yota. I'll meet you at the coffee shop around
noon."
"Thanks Moemi," Yota said as he replaced the receiver.
As Yota stepped out of his room, he could hear Ai whistling
a lively tune. He knew that she was happy and he wanted to make
her even more happier this evening. Heading down the stairs, he
stopped in the living room and watched the most beautiful girl he
knew. The love he felt for her poured out and somehow she felt it.
Without turning around, Ai said, "Good morning Yota. How
are you feeling?"
Coming up to her, he wrapped his arms around her and replied,
"Wonderful."
In the space of a heartbeat, Ai turned around and placed her
arms around his waist. "I am glad." Getting up on her toes, she
kissed him and added, "I love you Yota."
"And I love you Ai. You have made me the most happiest man
in the world."
At the predetermined time and place, Yota met up with Moemi.
"So what kind of gift are you looking for?"
"Well, yesterday while we were walking around, Ai found a
jewelry store. She was looking at necklaces and such while I was
looking at rings. I could use your help in picking out the right
one."
"Then let's go," Moemi said as she stood up.
A few minutes later, they were back at the store. Yota
pointed out the ones that he thought she would like. Moemi looked
at each one and together they decided on a diamond-studded heart
shaped engagement ring. Moemi looked at the price and let out a
slight gasp. The price was well out of her range and she wondered
if he could afford such a ring. Yota, never noticed the tag. He
was too busy seeing Ai's reaction to such a gift.
The same salesperson from the day before was behind the
counter. This time she was wearing a maroon colored blazer and
skirt with a white blouse. "Would you like it gift-wrapped?" she
asked as she rang up the sales.
"Yes please," Yota replied.
"The sale come to ¥278,460," she said.
Yota handed over the money and a few minutes later, they
walked out of the store.
"Yota, don't take this wrong, but how could you afford such
an expensive ring?
"My parents provide me with money so I can buy everything I
need. Since I had some extra sitting in the bank, I thought I
would spend some on the one person that makes me really happy,"
Yota replied. "I hope Takashi can make you as happy as Ai has made
me."
"Takashi makes me very happy."
"I am glad Moemi."
After dinner, Yota handed the little gift box to Ai. "Ai,
you have made me very happy and this is the only way I can even
come close in paying you back." As she opened the box, he got
down on his knee and asked, "Ai will you marry me?"
"Oh Yota," was all she could say as tears welled up in her
eyes.
"-"
Over the next several months, Yota resumed his art with the
help of Ai. She would encourage him to succeed and even going to
the art store for supplies. He submitted his art to contest and
won second prize. Instead of giving up, he tried all that much
harder.
"-"
Yota could not believe his luck. After finding the perfect
girl of his dream, he thought that they were going to spend the
rest of their lives together. Plans were made for the first Friday
of December when the two were going to say their wedding vows.
Nothing in his life prepared him for what he saw three blocks
from his home.
Looking back, he thought of what he should have said to Ai
before she left on that errand to the store.
"Yota, I am heading to the store. I should be back in about
thirty minutes," Ai said as she headed out the door.
"Be careful," he called out as the door closed.
Thirty minutes turned into forty, Yota was getting worried. The
store was only six blocks from where they lived. It should not
have taken this long for her to return. Then forty minutes turned
into fifty. Yota could not sit still another minute. Getting up,
he grabbed his coat and headed out the door.
From a distance, he could tell that there was an accident.
It was in the direction of the store. As he neared the scene,
something caught his attention and he ran for a closer look. His
dreams came crashing down on him when he realized that Ai was the
victim.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he held her lifeless hand in
his. "My dearest Ai." Gently, he brushed her hair from her eyes
and kissed her before lowering his head to her chest. Between the
paramedics and the police, they were able to pull Yota from Ai's
body so that they could transport her to the morgue.
Ai's wake was held a week later. At Yota's request,
"Wanting Memories" was played over and over again. For him, it
was a fitting tribute to Ai. He did not even notice the others
that came. He sat and stared at the picture of his beloved.
Tears of sadness rolled down his cheek as he sat there.
Across the room, Moemi and Takashi kept glancing over at
their friend. Each felt the loss of Ai as well. "I hope he is
going to be ok," Moemi said as she leaned on her husband's
shoulder. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I hope so too," Takashi said as he wrapped his arm around
her.
Ai was Moemi's bridesmaid and Yota was Takashi's best man at
their wedding three months ago. The roles were to be switched
next Friday. Unfortunately, that was not going to take place.
One friend was dead and the other was dying inside. Neither of
them knew how to prevent Yota from joining his love of his life.
_Oh, Ai, why did you have to leave?_ Yota thought as he
sighed. _I almost lost you once before. I fought so hard to get
you back. Now there is no way that is going to happen this time.
Ai, I miss you so much. There is no joy in that empty house.
You brought happiness into my life. You gave me the strength I
needed to succeed as an artist._
Yota remained after everyone left. He walked up to the
picture of Ai and said, "My love, I love you more than life
itself. I vowed last year not to lose you again. This time I
lost you forever." Before getting up, he kissed her picture.
Without looking back, he walked away with tears in his eyes.
Author's Notes:
This story is in memory of a friend of mine that I knew for
a little over thirty years. Mary used to live down the block from
where I lived. We became friends shortly after she moved in. We
remained friends through the trials and tribulations of childhood.
As we grew into our teens, we would sit and talk about the boys she
thought were cute and I would talk about the girls. We were closer
than any brother and sister could be. Our friends always thought
that we were perfect for each other. To us, we were such dear
close friends that we did not want to ruin what we had.
There have been times when we would sit and cry. Many times
we went through two boxes of tissues. The worst times were when
either of us broke up with our current boyfriend/girlfriend. Also
there were times we would just sit next to each other and not say
a word. Just knowing that the other was close was all the comfort
we needed.
We remained friends even after we graduated from high school.
She stayed in the neighborhood and went on to college. I joined
the military and moved to several places around the world and
still we remained friends.
Then on Thanksgiving Day, 1998 she was leaving her parents
house and was headed home, a drunk driver killed her. He walked
away with a couple of scratches. Personally, I think drunk drivers
should be shot, hung, burned, and quartered. Not necessarily in
that order but all at once. I was on vacation during the holiday
week. When I returned to my duty station, a letter was waiting
from her mother. The letter devastated me to the core.
On the second Saturday of December she was supposed to be
married to another friend of mine. He was so badly shaken that he
has spent the last year and a half in the psychiatric ward. That
fateful day, I lost two friends.
Also I would like to thank Keali'i Reichel. His song
"Wanting Memories" holds a special meaning. I dedicate the song
to Mary, my dearest friend in the entire world.
Special thanks go to Libby and Rob for believing in me.
Without them, this would not have been written. Thank you both.
Wanting Memories
by
John Shearen
Based on Video Girl Ai
Created by Masakazu Katsura/Shueisha
Right after they returned from the video world, Ai carefully
led him to the bath. She washed the blood from his cuts and
carefully wrapped bandages around his wounds. "You look like a
mummy, Yota," Ai said jokingly when she finished.
"It was worth it. I do not know what I would have done
without you Ai," Yota countered. "When I thought I lost you, I
realized that I loved you more than Moemi. You have given me so
much joy and happiness."
"What about Moemi?"
"Moemi and I would be miserable. I could not take the place
of her only love in her heart. She loves Takashi so much. And I
love you just as much."
"Oh Yota," Ai said as tears of happiness rolled down her
cheeks.
Yota wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. The
pain from the cuts did not bother him as long as he had her by his
side. He whispered, "I love you Ai," in her ear.
In response, she countered, "Let's call this one, fourth
saving grace. You went out of your way to rescue me even though
you did not have to."
Without thinking, Yota looked at Ai and kissed her gently
on the lips. Normally, Ai would start throwing a tantrum, but
this time she accepted the kiss. Together, hand in hand, they
went up to his room and for the second time since her arrival,
they fell asleep on his bed.
Upon waking up, Yota realized that he was too sore to even
get out of bed. Looking around, he did not see Ai anywhere in the
room. Just as he was about to call her name out, Ai came in
bearing breakfast.
"Good morning Yota. How did you sleep?" Ai asked as she placed
the tray on the desk.
"Fine thank you," he replied as he tried to sit up. The dull
ache of pain radiated from every cut and scrape he received the
night before.
Seeing his discomfort, Ai commented, "Here let me help you."
When he was in an upright position, she placed the tray on his lap
and added, "When you are finished, I will come back and check your
bandages." With that, she headed out the door.
"Wait Ai," Yota called out. "Please stay. I missed you so
much last week. I did not know how much you meant to me until you
were gone. Now that you are back, I just want to spent time with
you."
"Oh Yota," Ai exclaimed as she sat down at his desk. "How
is your art coming along?"
"I haven't had time to work on it. I spent all my time
looking for you," he replied between mouthfuls.
They sat without saying a word while Yota ate. Each knew
how the other felt just by the silence between them. There was so
much that they wanted to tell each other and yet, they felt that
they did not have to. After Yota set the fork down for the last
time, they said in unison, "I love you." Each turned several
shades of red and looked at something different in the room.
Looking at him, Ai explained what happened. "On the way back
from the art store, I knew that my time was up. Also I knew that I
had to get back to you. Everything happened the way it did was
because, I fell in love with the client. Video Girls are not
allowed to feel that. I broke the rules and you had to suffer for
that."
"Ai, I would gladly go through all the pain again if that was
the only way to win you back. You gave me so much joy and
happiness for a month than I felt in years."
"Oh Yota," she said as she picked up the tray. "I will be
right back and then I am going to check your bandages. In the
meantime, try and relax."
As Ai walked out of the room, Yota sat there and thought
about the first and only date he had with her. Yota realized that
Ai was fun to be with. In the span of a few hours, Yota fell in
love with Ai. Even though he never told her how he felt about her
until he went and rescued her, he loved her more than he could love
Moemi. "Moemi," he said out loud. "I should call her and let her
know that I am all right. I know she is worried."
Just as he was reaching for the phone, Ai came back into the
room with Moemi in tow. "Look who came to see you?" Ai asked.
"I came to see what happened to you. Takashi and I were
worried about you. Ai told me everything that happened and invited
me in."
"I appreciate the concern Moemi. I really do," Yota said
sincerely. "So, you are not mad at me?"
"Mad, no. Disappointed, somewhat," Moemi answered. You
could have come to me with your problem. It is only fair since I
have come to you with mine. You were kind enough to listen and
help. I know how much she means to you and how much you mean to
her. I want you to be happy, Yota"
Yota looked at Moemi then to Ai. Ai stood there with a smile
on her face. "Moemi, for the past year, I thought I was in love
with you. When you said that you loved Takashi, I knew that I
could not compete with him. I did not realize that Ai had fallen
in love with me while she was trying to help me win your heart.
After she left, I spent the entire week looking for her. What I
realized was that I had fallen in love with Ai and did not even
know that until she was gone. Now that she is back, I want to make
her as happy as she has made me."
"Let's call this, fifth saving grace," Ai said out loud. Both
Yota and Moemi looked at her. "Yota, you have finally realized who
you love and even though you did not have to say so, you explained
anyway." Ai came over and placed the clean bandages on the bed.
"Now, let me look at your bandages."
With the help of Moemi, Ai changed the bandages. This time,
there were less of them than the night before. When they finished,
the two girls left the sore Yota alone and headed down to the
kitchen.
The two girls sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of
coffee. "You know, Yota was in love even after you told him that
you loved Takashi. I even tried to get the two of you together."
"Ai, why would you do that?" Moemi asked.
"Because I was only a Video Girl and Video Girls are not
allowed to fall in love with their clients. Unfortunately for Yota
and myself, I did. Yota paid a heavy price for that. I knew that
when he came into the video world to rescue me, he was in love with
me."
"I never wanted Yota to be hurt when I told him that day. I
can see now that he tried his best not to let me know. I should
have listened to him when he blurted out that he loved me. Instead,
I laughed. I thought he was still playing. Now I know that he
really loved me."
"Yes, Moemi, in fact I think he still loves you very much."
Ai looked down at her coffee cup and sighed.
Moemi looked across the table at her friend. "You know, I do
love Yota. But only as a friend. He has been there for me so many
times that I cannot think of him in any other way." The clock in
the living room struck four. "I have to get going. Tell Yota that
I will be back soon."
"I will. Take care of yourself," Ai answered as they walked
to the front door.
Ai headed back up to check on Yota. When she opened the
door to his room, he was sitting at his desk working on his art.
Walking up to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and peered
down at his drawing. "If you keep going the way you are, you are
sure to win the contest."
"I missed the deadline while I was out looking for you,"
Yota replied as he leaned his head back.
"I am sorry Yota. The contest was important to you."
"That is ok Ai. Besides, there will be another contest in a
couple of months. I would rather have you by my side than winning
the contest."
"-"
As the days passed, Yota's cuts and bruises healed without
leaving scars. "Well Yota, I think we should go out today," Ai said
as she removed the last bandage. "The weather is nice and the fresh
air would do you good."
"Where would you like to go?"
"We can decide that once we are outside. Now get dressed
and I'll meet you downstairs," Ai said as she gave him a light kiss
on his left cheek.
Walking down the street, holding hands, the two looked at
the window displays. Yota realized that Ai was right, the fresh
air was lifting his spirits with each step. _What would I do
without her?_ He thought as they stopped in front of the jewelry
store.
"Come on, let's go inside," Ai said as she pulled Yota
along.
When they entered, they went separate ways. Ai was busy
looking at necklaces and ear rings while Yota was looking at rings.
Finding several that he liked, he made a mental note to return here
when he was alone after he managed to get her size. He was called
back to the present by a gleeful cry, "Yota, come take a look."
Walking over to her, he smiled at the happiness she felt.
"What do you think of this?" Ai asked as she displayed a
silver chain with a medallion of rubies and diamonds.
"That looks wonderful on you," Yota answered.
"But we can not afford it," Ai said dejectedly as she sat
the necklace back down.
Yota looked at the price tag and remarked with a smile on his
face, "Well, if we don't eat for a month we can afford it."
"Oh Yota," Ai said as she wrapped her arms around his neck
and gave him a kiss.
Picking up the necklace, they walked over to the counter. A
young lady in her early twenties wearing a pale blue business suit
came over to them. "Good afternoon, will that be all?"
"For today," Yota said making sure that Ai did not catch the
meaning behind the answer.
"Would you like it wrapped?" the salesperson asked as she
removed the price tag.
"No thank you."
After ringing up the item, the salesperson added, "That will
be ¥53,680."
Yota handed over the money and was handed the necklace.
Turning to Ai, "Turn around." When her back was to him, he placed
the necklace around her neck and attached the clasp.
Ai turned around and kissed him again. Happiness filled her
eyes as she looked into his. "Thank you Yota."
"Anything for my love."
Hand in hand they walked out of the store. As they walked
down the street, neither said a word since they were so enraptured
by the other. By the time they arrived back at home, they could not
tell where they went after the jewelry store.
When the door closed, Ai turned and faced Yota. "Thank you
for such a wonderful day."
"I should be thanking you, Ai. Seeing you happy is more
enough thanks."
"Let's call this, sixth saving grace. You always put others
ahead of yourself." With that said, Ai kissed him once again.
Later that night, as Ai lay sleeping, Yota snuck into her room
and wrapped a piece of string around her finger. After marking the
string, he gently kissed her forehead. "Oh Yota," Ai said as he
slipped out of her room.
The next day, Yota called Moemi. "Moemi, I need a favor. I
want to get a gift for Ai and I would like your help."
"Sure thing, Yota. I'll meet you at the coffee shop around
noon."
"Thanks Moemi," Yota said as he replaced the receiver.
As Yota stepped out of his room, he could hear Ai whistling
a lively tune. He knew that she was happy and he wanted to make
her even more happier this evening. Heading down the stairs, he
stopped in the living room and watched the most beautiful girl he
knew. The love he felt for her poured out and somehow she felt it.
Without turning around, Ai said, "Good morning Yota. How
are you feeling?"
Coming up to her, he wrapped his arms around her and replied,
"Wonderful."
In the space of a heartbeat, Ai turned around and placed her
arms around his waist. "I am glad." Getting up on her toes, she
kissed him and added, "I love you Yota."
"And I love you Ai. You have made me the most happiest man
in the world."
At the predetermined time and place, Yota met up with Moemi.
"So what kind of gift are you looking for?"
"Well, yesterday while we were walking around, Ai found a
jewelry store. She was looking at necklaces and such while I was
looking at rings. I could use your help in picking out the right
one."
"Then let's go," Moemi said as she stood up.
A few minutes later, they were back at the store. Yota
pointed out the ones that he thought she would like. Moemi looked
at each one and together they decided on a diamond-studded heart
shaped engagement ring. Moemi looked at the price and let out a
slight gasp. The price was well out of her range and she wondered
if he could afford such a ring. Yota, never noticed the tag. He
was too busy seeing Ai's reaction to such a gift.
The same salesperson from the day before was behind the
counter. This time she was wearing a maroon colored blazer and
skirt with a white blouse. "Would you like it gift-wrapped?" she
asked as she rang up the sales.
"Yes please," Yota replied.
"The sale come to ¥278,460," she said.
Yota handed over the money and a few minutes later, they
walked out of the store.
"Yota, don't take this wrong, but how could you afford such
an expensive ring?
"My parents provide me with money so I can buy everything I
need. Since I had some extra sitting in the bank, I thought I
would spend some on the one person that makes me really happy,"
Yota replied. "I hope Takashi can make you as happy as Ai has made
me."
"Takashi makes me very happy."
"I am glad Moemi."
After dinner, Yota handed the little gift box to Ai. "Ai,
you have made me very happy and this is the only way I can even
come close in paying you back." As she opened the box, he got
down on his knee and asked, "Ai will you marry me?"
"Oh Yota," was all she could say as tears welled up in her
eyes.
"-"
Over the next several months, Yota resumed his art with the
help of Ai. She would encourage him to succeed and even going to
the art store for supplies. He submitted his art to contest and
won second prize. Instead of giving up, he tried all that much
harder.
"-"
Yota could not believe his luck. After finding the perfect
girl of his dream, he thought that they were going to spend the
rest of their lives together. Plans were made for the first Friday
of December when the two were going to say their wedding vows.
Nothing in his life prepared him for what he saw three blocks
from his home.
Looking back, he thought of what he should have said to Ai
before she left on that errand to the store.
"Yota, I am heading to the store. I should be back in about
thirty minutes," Ai said as she headed out the door.
"Be careful," he called out as the door closed.
Thirty minutes turned into forty, Yota was getting worried. The
store was only six blocks from where they lived. It should not
have taken this long for her to return. Then forty minutes turned
into fifty. Yota could not sit still another minute. Getting up,
he grabbed his coat and headed out the door.
From a distance, he could tell that there was an accident.
It was in the direction of the store. As he neared the scene,
something caught his attention and he ran for a closer look. His
dreams came crashing down on him when he realized that Ai was the
victim.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he held her lifeless hand in
his. "My dearest Ai." Gently, he brushed her hair from her eyes
and kissed her before lowering his head to her chest. Between the
paramedics and the police, they were able to pull Yota from Ai's
body so that they could transport her to the morgue.
Ai's wake was held a week later. At Yota's request,
"Wanting Memories" was played over and over again. For him, it
was a fitting tribute to Ai. He did not even notice the others
that came. He sat and stared at the picture of his beloved.
Tears of sadness rolled down his cheek as he sat there.
Across the room, Moemi and Takashi kept glancing over at
their friend. Each felt the loss of Ai as well. "I hope he is
going to be ok," Moemi said as she leaned on her husband's
shoulder. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I hope so too," Takashi said as he wrapped his arm around
her.
Ai was Moemi's bridesmaid and Yota was Takashi's best man at
their wedding three months ago. The roles were to be switched
next Friday. Unfortunately, that was not going to take place.
One friend was dead and the other was dying inside. Neither of
them knew how to prevent Yota from joining his love of his life.
_Oh, Ai, why did you have to leave?_ Yota thought as he
sighed. _I almost lost you once before. I fought so hard to get
you back. Now there is no way that is going to happen this time.
Ai, I miss you so much. There is no joy in that empty house.
You brought happiness into my life. You gave me the strength I
needed to succeed as an artist._
Yota remained after everyone left. He walked up to the
picture of Ai and said, "My love, I love you more than life
itself. I vowed last year not to lose you again. This time I
lost you forever." Before getting up, he kissed her picture.
Without looking back, he walked away with tears in his eyes.
Author's Notes:
This story is in memory of a friend of mine that I knew for
a little over thirty years. Mary used to live down the block from
where I lived. We became friends shortly after she moved in. We
remained friends through the trials and tribulations of childhood.
As we grew into our teens, we would sit and talk about the boys she
thought were cute and I would talk about the girls. We were closer
than any brother and sister could be. Our friends always thought
that we were perfect for each other. To us, we were such dear
close friends that we did not want to ruin what we had.
There have been times when we would sit and cry. Many times
we went through two boxes of tissues. The worst times were when
either of us broke up with our current boyfriend/girlfriend. Also
there were times we would just sit next to each other and not say
a word. Just knowing that the other was close was all the comfort
we needed.
We remained friends even after we graduated from high school.
She stayed in the neighborhood and went on to college. I joined
the military and moved to several places around the world and
still we remained friends.
Then on Thanksgiving Day, 1998 she was leaving her parents
house and was headed home, a drunk driver killed her. He walked
away with a couple of scratches. Personally, I think drunk drivers
should be shot, hung, burned, and quartered. Not necessarily in
that order but all at once. I was on vacation during the holiday
week. When I returned to my duty station, a letter was waiting
from her mother. The letter devastated me to the core.
On the second Saturday of December she was supposed to be
married to another friend of mine. He was so badly shaken that he
has spent the last year and a half in the psychiatric ward. That
fateful day, I lost two friends.
Also I would like to thank Keali'i Reichel. His song
"Wanting Memories" holds a special meaning. I dedicate the song
to Mary, my dearest friend in the entire world.
Special thanks go to Libby and Rob for believing in me.
Without them, this would not have been written. Thank you both.