A normal routine found itself back at the Tsugoyaki residence after final
exams. Caomei had returned a little over a month earlier when Yi-Xue left
for China, and had found her belongings in the guest room... and the guest
sleeping with Eiri. Every morning, Eiri and Caomei woke up early to start
breakfast. Caomei and Eiri took turns reading the newspaper to the Japanese-
illiterate Adam. At night, they would recount their days in Mandarin
Chinese over mugs of Chai tea while sitting in the living room. Every other
night, there were Japanese reading lessons for Adam taught by Eiri.
One night during the talking time, Caomei exclaimed how tired she was and went up to her room. Adam and Eiri sat in silence for a few moments, sipping the Chai.
"I've... been lying to you, Eiri," he said, half-reluctantly.
Eiri put her mug down. "What do you mean, dear?"
Adam shuddered at her last word. "I've been lying the entire time that I've been here. The reason I know Iwakura Nakita is that we belong to the same company. We both work in a psychology group. My... my name isn't even Adam Langley... it's Noah Bradford."
Eiri stared at him with wide eyes. "Psychology... but..."
"Your... sister hired me to come here. But... you haven't done many things worth mentioning. You seem to have cured yourself..." Noah lied, not knowing how to tell her that her reality was a lie.
He almost smiled at her, but one look into her eyes showed that this was not a time for smiles.
"What about us? Has that all been part of the lie too? Telling me that you would be here for the baby and me?" tears were running down her face as she lightly placed her hands on her stomach.
"No! No... that's all real, darling." Noah held her hand. "That I can promise."
Her eyes softened when she saw the mounting fear in his eyes. "At least you have brought the truth into the light." Eiri said, half-smiling at him.
"Are you sure about that? I think we need to talk a bit more..." Noah said. "About your family."
"My family...?" Eiri said. "I've already told you everything."
"Everything you think you know. I want to tell you the truth," he said lightly to her, then took her left hand in his. "Your mother didn't die soon after you were born. Your father didn't die in a car accident... your father killed your mother then killed himself. He tried to kill you, but you called the medics before you passed out. Yi-Xue hasn't ever been a teacher. She's a highly-acclaimed psychiatrist... and your father was her partner. You've never had any siblings besides the one that your mother was carrying when she was killed. Natalia and Aeli don't exist... they are just figments of your imagination."
He looked into her eyes. They were clear with horror. She took her hand out of his and folded both hands in her lap.
"How do you feel about this?" he said in a psychiatrist's plying tone.
"I..." her voice was soft and scratchy. "I'm tired... I'm going to go to bed."
"Maybe we should talk about this, Eiri..." he said. "I want to be sure that you're okay. I was called here by Yi-Xue because she was having problems with you, but I haven't seen anything but your false reality to hint to me that anything is wrong. There's been nothing worthy of mention."
She stood quietly and walked to their room, not speaking. He watched her regretfully as the door closed. After a few minutes, he gathered the three mugs on the table and took them into the kitchen before heading to bed. When he got into bed, Eiri was asleep, her pillow damp with tears. He kissed her eyes lightly then fell asleep.
***
A few nights later, the confused Eiri laid in her bed looking up at the canopy listlessly. Noah was beside Eiri snoring with his back to her. Several of the cats had crawled into bed during the night, but most of them crowded around Noah and his warmth rather than fight Eiri in her lust to get out from under the blankets. She turned her head and looked out of the window to the sliver of the moon falling under the horizon and accidently caught the glow of her NAVI with its digital clock and the most recent Kojirou-message flashing fondly. Whenever she received a message from Kojirou, she kept it until a new one arrived for it made her feel that there was an unbreaking string holding them together in the digital world. An idea flashing in her head, she slipped quietly out of bed and out of the room. Quickly putting on some slippers and a long black hooded cloak, Eiri went into the garage and got into Noah's new car, a BMW CS1. Although his confessions had unnerved her, at least she knew now that he got his money for these cars from a reputable source and not the Mafia as she previously thought. Although she didn't have a license, she decided to drive. It was too cold for the Vespa and it would take too long to walk.
The Friday night Tokyo was a lively place. Eiri took a detour through downtown to see the foolish people in platform boots and watch the Dance Dance Revolution players who actually knew what they were doing. The lights of Tokyo were fabulous and the music pulsing through the streets was a rush. Once she left the downtown, however, the sounds grew progressively quieter until she reached the Mansion. She parked on the street in front of the house and walked up slowly. As she got to the front door, she could hear the sounds of people walking around and enjoying themselves inside, so she rang the doorbell hoping that maybe Hime or Kojirou would answer. She heard the door click open and was pleased when Kojirou was the one who answered.
"Kojirou..." she said, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. "Do you mind if I stay the night here?"
"Ah, Eiri, my dear... I was just thinking about you!" Kojirou said with a smile. Of course it was a bit awkward to hear that from a leather clad, blood stained, soaked in sweat kid... but Eiri was adapting.
She smiled broadly at him and pulled him into a tight hug. "I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd come here. Perhaps I will be more comfortable here with you..."
Kojirou was lost in Eiri's arms. His eyes closed, he felt her soft scent, her warm body so gently over his... "Well I know I'll sleep like a cat tonight..."
"Oh, of course. Please." He stepped sideways and indicated her the way in.
She walked in, looking around as she always did. "How's business tonight?"
Kojirou closed the door, then walked up to Eiri, putting his arm around her waist. "Heh... normal I guess, with the difference that I don't think I've ever seen so many people around the twins."
Eiri began running her fingers through Kojirou's hair without realizing it. She stared blankly down the corridor and then spoke. "What are they doing tonight that makes them such an attraction?"
The boy purred at Eiri's caress." Well, it's not what they are doing as much as who. Tonight they are doing none other than my sis." Kojirou answered with a wink. "If you want to watch, I can take you there. My treat."
"I'd love to..." Eiri said deeply.
"Then come here." He said taking Eiri's hand and dragging her down a stair. In the way, they crossed many people that looked with envy at Eiri. Kojirou just smiled at them all.
"From the looks I'm getting, some of these people have fetishes for pregnant red-haired teenagers..." Eiri whispered into Kojirou's ear.
Kojirou giggled at that. "I wouldn't be surprised..." he whispered back, and took the opportunity to lick Eiri's earlobe. She rubbed against his face and giggled at the sensation of the lick.
And there it went, Kojirou's mind into overdrive...
He felt numb, weak, but not too out of control to wrap his arms around Eiri's neck. The kid closed his eyes, his lips longing for Eiri's.
Eiri looked down at Kojirou, her eyes half-closed. Suddenly, she leaned in and harshly clamped her lips on his. Kojirou was now locked, both physically and mentally. He hugged Eiri closer as his hands slipped down to caress her body.
Her tongue danced with his, the sound of the leather whipping in the background almost a push for her to go deeper.
Kojirou was determined to go one step further. He wanted a heavenly kiss with a touch of pain. Eiri barely realized when his teeth rubbed her lower lip... then...
She gasped and pushed back from him suddenly, bringing her hand up to her lip. She'd never been bitten by anyone else and it was a surprise to her, but she could not determine whether it was pleasant or not.
A thin stream of blood trickled out of the side of her mouth and she stood transfixed for a moment before rubbing it off with the back of her hand.
She looked at the back of her hand, then rubbed the side of his face with it before leaning back into the kiss.
Kojirou stopped her by putting his index finger on her lips. He closed his eyes parted his lips softly. It was obvious he wanted her to bite him back.
She licked her bloody teeth and nodded just slightly. She nibbled on his finger and after he moved it, she continued.
Her first bites were simple nibbles to arouse him, but once she had him completely relaxed, she bit his lower lip with everything in her.
Kojirou moaned... purred... or something in between. Whatever it was, it was a sign of sheer pleasure. With a broad smile, he put his hand on Eiri's cheek and locked his lips with hers.
This was a new sensation for Eiri, and a well known, treasured sensation for Kojirou. The pressure of their lips together was making their blood overflow.
Eiri felt a bit of blood run down her chin, but it just added to the sensation of the moment. She noticed in the back of her mind that they were being watched, but it was a rush for her to have people watching her doing something that seemed so randomly odd to her.
In response to the onlookers, Eiri put her hand on Kojirou's back and pulled him in closer, then used the other hand to comb her fingers lustfully through his hair.
Kojirou took the cue... he wrapped his arms around Eiri's shoulders, clawing her left one, and her waist, lowering his hand to fondle her legs.
Eiri decided to be the one to break the kiss. She slowly parted her lips from his, keeping her teeth on his lip and slowly pulling his lip out before letting go and licking her lips whilst looking at him.
/I love you.../
Kojirou always thought that when he kissed Eiri. But still, he couldn't bring himself to say it. But at that moment, he didn't care. He just opened his eyes and smiled.
***
Darkness.
The girl awakens for reasons unknown. Downstairs
she
walks. OBLIVIOUS.
"Kyou wa watashi no tanjoubi desu yo~!" Singsongy. "Jyuu-shi sai desu!"
Runs to her parents' room.
[Oblivious CHILD. Not SAFE in your world?]
Parents not in bed. Giggling, red curls boun cing.
Races to the bathroom,
bathtub.
"Mama! Watashi no tanjoubi desu! Atashi..." she stops.
Red, her mother's hair.
Red, the stream from her mother's mouth.
Red, the water in the bathtub.
Red, the HOLE in her mother's forehead.
"Mummy...?" she backs up slowly, her eyes wide and hand clasped over the mouth.
She runs
out of the bedroom, living room blindly. [oblivious girl]
Kitchen,
father chopping.
Girl,
eyes full of tears.
"Papa... mama wa... mama wa..." Grabs father, tight hug... opens eyes.
Red, her father's clothes.
Red, her father's hands.
"Boku no adeyaka na musume..." her father's eyes INSANE behind his glasses.
Dark brown hair falls wet in his face.
He rubs the side of her pale soft delicate sensitive tear-stained
face. Fondly. Then.
The knife falls. Searing hot pain in her side.
Large hands GRAB her. Knife slices bluish-pale skin on slender wrists.
She falls, father falls... mother fell. [oblivious little eiri, our daughter, our love, die with us. Jyuu-shi. Shi.]
Bang.
Red, the wall.
Eiri's face contorted in mental agony and she tossed and turned before finally awaking and screaming, grabbing the closest thing near her closer. She held Kojirou as close as she possibly could, panting heavily and her eyes wide, sweat beading on her brow. She squeezed her eyes closed tightly and began sobbing loudly.
Kojirou had his breath stolen. In pure instinct, he hugged Eiri softly, running his hands through her hair.
"Eiri... calm down... it's alright... it's alright now..." he murmured gently... "... I won't let anything hurt you..."
"Noah was right... he didn't lie to me..." she murmured almost incoherently. "Papa killed Mama... he... tried to kill me... I... didn't try... to kill myself... these scars aren't mine..."
She was rocking lightly, staring blankly at nothing in particular. Kojirou held her shoulders, trying to look directly into Eiri's eyes. He breathed deeply.
"Eiri, are you listening?"
She tipped her head slightly to look in his direction but kept the same blank look. "Did you know...?"
Kojirou shook his head slowly. He was completely lost.
"I thought... that he was lying to me. My father didn't kill my mother..." her voice was a rough yet singsongy whisper. "But I saw it all... what... I hadn't seen for years... forgotten, hidden... he said it was all over the news... but... no one has ever told me... and it was only three years ago... how did everyone forget in three years..." she grabbed one of his arms and looked him straight in the eyes. "How did everyone forget, Kojirou...?"
"I don't know, dear... I feel like I don't know anything..." Kojirou refused to lower his eyes.
Eiri looked at the people around them who were still watching Hime and the twins. She sat up straight.
"Can you walk?"
"I think so..." she said softly.
"Then come with me. You need to rest, alright?" Kojirou embraced her gently, then he let go and gestured for them to leave the room.
She nodded barely and slowly left the room with Kojirou.
The people inside felt a mix of curiosity and envy... but nobody dared stand in their way.
***
Only minutes later, Eiri sat spooned in Kojirou's lap on the roof of the Mansion. Although close to the city, they could see the stars. They both looked at them quietly, Eiri leaning back onto Kojirou in an effort to achieve perfect comfort. It was a bit brisk outside, but neither seemed to care, as they were both absorbed in the moment. The silence was broken by Kojirou as his curiosity overtook him.
"Now... can you tell me what happened in detail?"
"It was my 14th birthday... I ran downstairs to see Mama and Papa because we would always have my birthday breakfast with each other... but they weren't in bed..." she closed her eyes. "I went into the bathroom and I saw Mama... the water in the bathtub was crimson. There was a hole in her head... I thought that someone had murdered her... I went to find Papa to see if he was all right..."
"I thought your mother had died when you were a kid..."
"I... thought she did..." Eiri said in quiet awe. "Noah said... I created my own world so that I didn't have to face the real one..."
Kojirou scratched his head. "Eh? Who's Noah?"
She opened her eyes half-way then looked down. "He lied to me about that... Adam isn't Adam Langley... his name is Noah Bradford... a psychiatrist. He was sent to... spy on me."
"What about... your sister? Is she the one who hired him?" Kojirou was already afraid of the answer.
"I don't have a sister..." she said quite softly. "Caomei's mother pretended she was my sister to pull Noah here."
The sudden realization brought tears to Kojirou's eyes. "Then... you're... all alone..."
She fell silent. Her eyes closed once again, but she did not cry. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I suppose I am..."
Kojirou wrapped his arms around Eiri and hugged her tightly. "No, you're not." he looked up and tried to smile.
She leaned back against Kojirou fondly. "You're right... I have you, the baby, the cats... ah, and Noah."
"Hm, and what about Caomei? I haven't seen her in a while, come to think of it."
"She's one back to Beijing for a bit."
"And... is she also for you?"
"When she's not in China." She looked up at the sky. "I don't understand... why they just didn't tell me the truth from the beginning... making me live a lie... it's not like the illusion could last forever."
"True, no illusion lasts forever... still... they probably thought the truth would be too much for you."
"And it's not too much for me now?" she sat up. "If I've been lulled into this... false sense of security... and then find out that my parents died because one killed the other and then tried to kill me.... then it shall alarm me even more! I'm confused... I don't know where the lies end and where the truth begins...."
"How are you gonna ask Yi-Xue... that's her name, right? ... about this?"
"I don't want to..." she said. "I don't think I can trust her anymore."
"I know, I know.. still... I think you should. You have the right to know the truth, and she can't lie anymore. I think she'll realize that. Besides... that's your only way to know the truth."
"I don't... want to..." she put her hands on either side of her head, then stood.
"Wait... Eiri..." Kojirou reached out in vain.
She stepped away from him. Her eyes closed tightly. "I'm... going to go..." Suddenly, her hands dropped from the sides of her head. She stood up straight and looked right at Kojirou. She smiled at him. "I should be getting home. It is late, and I am sure that someone is worried about me, ne?" she held her hand out to him. "Will you lead me out?" She laughed a bit.
Kojirou was unable to force a smile. "Sleep here, Eiri... I don't feel like letting you stay at home right now."
She shook her head vigorously, the same random grin across her face. "No, I'm sure that Mr. Langley is waiting. He does worry so about me. I don't know why... he's just so overprotective. So... where is the door? I always get lost."
"Eiri?" Kojirou widened his eyes. "No... bloody hell no... please, Eiri. Stay here with me." Kojirou asked with pleading eyes.
"Please, Kojirou-kun... I want to go home," she said. "What if Natsumi has come home and I don't know it? Her visits are ever so short... fleeting."
"Natsumi..." Kojirou echoed.
"Come on! I don't even know what time it is! It must be so late!" she held out her hands again. "Please, show me the way out."
He walked up to Eiri and hugged her. "Alright... this way."
She smiled broadly and took his hand. "Thank you."
He led her slowly to the exit. His steps weak, his mind weak... his heart being thorn... still, he smiled.
Once they reached the exit, Eiri turned to Kojirou. "How did I get here?" She pulled a set of keys from her pocket and then looked at them. "Oh..."
Kojirou was in the verge of crying. "You came here cause you said you couldn't sleep... don't you remember? Anything?"
"I couldn't sleep? Really?" she smiled more and looked down, laughing softly.
"That's what you told me, at least... maybe you just wanted to see me." Kojirou winked at her.
She grinned at him. "You're a feisty one, Kojirou-kun." she reached out. "Oi... you should put something on that lip. I think you bit it." She opened the door with the keys in her hand. "I'll see you later, Kojirou- kun."
"Alright... good night, then, dear."
Eiri looked down at the keys as she walked away, finding the car and then driving away.
Kojirou closed the gates behind him. He didn't bother locking them. Instead, he just walked to the kitchen. He needed to injure himself. Badly.
One night during the talking time, Caomei exclaimed how tired she was and went up to her room. Adam and Eiri sat in silence for a few moments, sipping the Chai.
"I've... been lying to you, Eiri," he said, half-reluctantly.
Eiri put her mug down. "What do you mean, dear?"
Adam shuddered at her last word. "I've been lying the entire time that I've been here. The reason I know Iwakura Nakita is that we belong to the same company. We both work in a psychology group. My... my name isn't even Adam Langley... it's Noah Bradford."
Eiri stared at him with wide eyes. "Psychology... but..."
"Your... sister hired me to come here. But... you haven't done many things worth mentioning. You seem to have cured yourself..." Noah lied, not knowing how to tell her that her reality was a lie.
He almost smiled at her, but one look into her eyes showed that this was not a time for smiles.
"What about us? Has that all been part of the lie too? Telling me that you would be here for the baby and me?" tears were running down her face as she lightly placed her hands on her stomach.
"No! No... that's all real, darling." Noah held her hand. "That I can promise."
Her eyes softened when she saw the mounting fear in his eyes. "At least you have brought the truth into the light." Eiri said, half-smiling at him.
"Are you sure about that? I think we need to talk a bit more..." Noah said. "About your family."
"My family...?" Eiri said. "I've already told you everything."
"Everything you think you know. I want to tell you the truth," he said lightly to her, then took her left hand in his. "Your mother didn't die soon after you were born. Your father didn't die in a car accident... your father killed your mother then killed himself. He tried to kill you, but you called the medics before you passed out. Yi-Xue hasn't ever been a teacher. She's a highly-acclaimed psychiatrist... and your father was her partner. You've never had any siblings besides the one that your mother was carrying when she was killed. Natalia and Aeli don't exist... they are just figments of your imagination."
He looked into her eyes. They were clear with horror. She took her hand out of his and folded both hands in her lap.
"How do you feel about this?" he said in a psychiatrist's plying tone.
"I..." her voice was soft and scratchy. "I'm tired... I'm going to go to bed."
"Maybe we should talk about this, Eiri..." he said. "I want to be sure that you're okay. I was called here by Yi-Xue because she was having problems with you, but I haven't seen anything but your false reality to hint to me that anything is wrong. There's been nothing worthy of mention."
She stood quietly and walked to their room, not speaking. He watched her regretfully as the door closed. After a few minutes, he gathered the three mugs on the table and took them into the kitchen before heading to bed. When he got into bed, Eiri was asleep, her pillow damp with tears. He kissed her eyes lightly then fell asleep.
***
A few nights later, the confused Eiri laid in her bed looking up at the canopy listlessly. Noah was beside Eiri snoring with his back to her. Several of the cats had crawled into bed during the night, but most of them crowded around Noah and his warmth rather than fight Eiri in her lust to get out from under the blankets. She turned her head and looked out of the window to the sliver of the moon falling under the horizon and accidently caught the glow of her NAVI with its digital clock and the most recent Kojirou-message flashing fondly. Whenever she received a message from Kojirou, she kept it until a new one arrived for it made her feel that there was an unbreaking string holding them together in the digital world. An idea flashing in her head, she slipped quietly out of bed and out of the room. Quickly putting on some slippers and a long black hooded cloak, Eiri went into the garage and got into Noah's new car, a BMW CS1. Although his confessions had unnerved her, at least she knew now that he got his money for these cars from a reputable source and not the Mafia as she previously thought. Although she didn't have a license, she decided to drive. It was too cold for the Vespa and it would take too long to walk.
The Friday night Tokyo was a lively place. Eiri took a detour through downtown to see the foolish people in platform boots and watch the Dance Dance Revolution players who actually knew what they were doing. The lights of Tokyo were fabulous and the music pulsing through the streets was a rush. Once she left the downtown, however, the sounds grew progressively quieter until she reached the Mansion. She parked on the street in front of the house and walked up slowly. As she got to the front door, she could hear the sounds of people walking around and enjoying themselves inside, so she rang the doorbell hoping that maybe Hime or Kojirou would answer. She heard the door click open and was pleased when Kojirou was the one who answered.
"Kojirou..." she said, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. "Do you mind if I stay the night here?"
"Ah, Eiri, my dear... I was just thinking about you!" Kojirou said with a smile. Of course it was a bit awkward to hear that from a leather clad, blood stained, soaked in sweat kid... but Eiri was adapting.
She smiled broadly at him and pulled him into a tight hug. "I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd come here. Perhaps I will be more comfortable here with you..."
Kojirou was lost in Eiri's arms. His eyes closed, he felt her soft scent, her warm body so gently over his... "Well I know I'll sleep like a cat tonight..."
"Oh, of course. Please." He stepped sideways and indicated her the way in.
She walked in, looking around as she always did. "How's business tonight?"
Kojirou closed the door, then walked up to Eiri, putting his arm around her waist. "Heh... normal I guess, with the difference that I don't think I've ever seen so many people around the twins."
Eiri began running her fingers through Kojirou's hair without realizing it. She stared blankly down the corridor and then spoke. "What are they doing tonight that makes them such an attraction?"
The boy purred at Eiri's caress." Well, it's not what they are doing as much as who. Tonight they are doing none other than my sis." Kojirou answered with a wink. "If you want to watch, I can take you there. My treat."
"I'd love to..." Eiri said deeply.
"Then come here." He said taking Eiri's hand and dragging her down a stair. In the way, they crossed many people that looked with envy at Eiri. Kojirou just smiled at them all.
"From the looks I'm getting, some of these people have fetishes for pregnant red-haired teenagers..." Eiri whispered into Kojirou's ear.
Kojirou giggled at that. "I wouldn't be surprised..." he whispered back, and took the opportunity to lick Eiri's earlobe. She rubbed against his face and giggled at the sensation of the lick.
And there it went, Kojirou's mind into overdrive...
He felt numb, weak, but not too out of control to wrap his arms around Eiri's neck. The kid closed his eyes, his lips longing for Eiri's.
Eiri looked down at Kojirou, her eyes half-closed. Suddenly, she leaned in and harshly clamped her lips on his. Kojirou was now locked, both physically and mentally. He hugged Eiri closer as his hands slipped down to caress her body.
Her tongue danced with his, the sound of the leather whipping in the background almost a push for her to go deeper.
Kojirou was determined to go one step further. He wanted a heavenly kiss with a touch of pain. Eiri barely realized when his teeth rubbed her lower lip... then...
She gasped and pushed back from him suddenly, bringing her hand up to her lip. She'd never been bitten by anyone else and it was a surprise to her, but she could not determine whether it was pleasant or not.
A thin stream of blood trickled out of the side of her mouth and she stood transfixed for a moment before rubbing it off with the back of her hand.
She looked at the back of her hand, then rubbed the side of his face with it before leaning back into the kiss.
Kojirou stopped her by putting his index finger on her lips. He closed his eyes parted his lips softly. It was obvious he wanted her to bite him back.
She licked her bloody teeth and nodded just slightly. She nibbled on his finger and after he moved it, she continued.
Her first bites were simple nibbles to arouse him, but once she had him completely relaxed, she bit his lower lip with everything in her.
Kojirou moaned... purred... or something in between. Whatever it was, it was a sign of sheer pleasure. With a broad smile, he put his hand on Eiri's cheek and locked his lips with hers.
This was a new sensation for Eiri, and a well known, treasured sensation for Kojirou. The pressure of their lips together was making their blood overflow.
Eiri felt a bit of blood run down her chin, but it just added to the sensation of the moment. She noticed in the back of her mind that they were being watched, but it was a rush for her to have people watching her doing something that seemed so randomly odd to her.
In response to the onlookers, Eiri put her hand on Kojirou's back and pulled him in closer, then used the other hand to comb her fingers lustfully through his hair.
Kojirou took the cue... he wrapped his arms around Eiri's shoulders, clawing her left one, and her waist, lowering his hand to fondle her legs.
Eiri decided to be the one to break the kiss. She slowly parted her lips from his, keeping her teeth on his lip and slowly pulling his lip out before letting go and licking her lips whilst looking at him.
/I love you.../
Kojirou always thought that when he kissed Eiri. But still, he couldn't bring himself to say it. But at that moment, he didn't care. He just opened his eyes and smiled.
***
Darkness.
The girl awakens for reasons unknown. Downstairs
she
walks. OBLIVIOUS.
"Kyou wa watashi no tanjoubi desu yo~!" Singsongy. "Jyuu-shi sai desu!"
Runs to her parents' room.
[Oblivious CHILD. Not SAFE in your world?]
Parents not in bed. Giggling, red curls boun cing.
Races to the bathroom,
bathtub.
"Mama! Watashi no tanjoubi desu! Atashi..." she stops.
Red, her mother's hair.
Red, the stream from her mother's mouth.
Red, the water in the bathtub.
Red, the HOLE in her mother's forehead.
"Mummy...?" she backs up slowly, her eyes wide and hand clasped over the mouth.
She runs
out of the bedroom, living room blindly. [oblivious girl]
Kitchen,
father chopping.
Girl,
eyes full of tears.
"Papa... mama wa... mama wa..." Grabs father, tight hug... opens eyes.
Red, her father's clothes.
Red, her father's hands.
"Boku no adeyaka na musume..." her father's eyes INSANE behind his glasses.
Dark brown hair falls wet in his face.
He rubs the side of her pale soft delicate sensitive tear-stained
face. Fondly. Then.
The knife falls. Searing hot pain in her side.
Large hands GRAB her. Knife slices bluish-pale skin on slender wrists.
She falls, father falls... mother fell. [oblivious little eiri, our daughter, our love, die with us. Jyuu-shi. Shi.]
Bang.
Red, the wall.
Eiri's face contorted in mental agony and she tossed and turned before finally awaking and screaming, grabbing the closest thing near her closer. She held Kojirou as close as she possibly could, panting heavily and her eyes wide, sweat beading on her brow. She squeezed her eyes closed tightly and began sobbing loudly.
Kojirou had his breath stolen. In pure instinct, he hugged Eiri softly, running his hands through her hair.
"Eiri... calm down... it's alright... it's alright now..." he murmured gently... "... I won't let anything hurt you..."
"Noah was right... he didn't lie to me..." she murmured almost incoherently. "Papa killed Mama... he... tried to kill me... I... didn't try... to kill myself... these scars aren't mine..."
She was rocking lightly, staring blankly at nothing in particular. Kojirou held her shoulders, trying to look directly into Eiri's eyes. He breathed deeply.
"Eiri, are you listening?"
She tipped her head slightly to look in his direction but kept the same blank look. "Did you know...?"
Kojirou shook his head slowly. He was completely lost.
"I thought... that he was lying to me. My father didn't kill my mother..." her voice was a rough yet singsongy whisper. "But I saw it all... what... I hadn't seen for years... forgotten, hidden... he said it was all over the news... but... no one has ever told me... and it was only three years ago... how did everyone forget in three years..." she grabbed one of his arms and looked him straight in the eyes. "How did everyone forget, Kojirou...?"
"I don't know, dear... I feel like I don't know anything..." Kojirou refused to lower his eyes.
Eiri looked at the people around them who were still watching Hime and the twins. She sat up straight.
"Can you walk?"
"I think so..." she said softly.
"Then come with me. You need to rest, alright?" Kojirou embraced her gently, then he let go and gestured for them to leave the room.
She nodded barely and slowly left the room with Kojirou.
The people inside felt a mix of curiosity and envy... but nobody dared stand in their way.
***
Only minutes later, Eiri sat spooned in Kojirou's lap on the roof of the Mansion. Although close to the city, they could see the stars. They both looked at them quietly, Eiri leaning back onto Kojirou in an effort to achieve perfect comfort. It was a bit brisk outside, but neither seemed to care, as they were both absorbed in the moment. The silence was broken by Kojirou as his curiosity overtook him.
"Now... can you tell me what happened in detail?"
"It was my 14th birthday... I ran downstairs to see Mama and Papa because we would always have my birthday breakfast with each other... but they weren't in bed..." she closed her eyes. "I went into the bathroom and I saw Mama... the water in the bathtub was crimson. There was a hole in her head... I thought that someone had murdered her... I went to find Papa to see if he was all right..."
"I thought your mother had died when you were a kid..."
"I... thought she did..." Eiri said in quiet awe. "Noah said... I created my own world so that I didn't have to face the real one..."
Kojirou scratched his head. "Eh? Who's Noah?"
She opened her eyes half-way then looked down. "He lied to me about that... Adam isn't Adam Langley... his name is Noah Bradford... a psychiatrist. He was sent to... spy on me."
"What about... your sister? Is she the one who hired him?" Kojirou was already afraid of the answer.
"I don't have a sister..." she said quite softly. "Caomei's mother pretended she was my sister to pull Noah here."
The sudden realization brought tears to Kojirou's eyes. "Then... you're... all alone..."
She fell silent. Her eyes closed once again, but she did not cry. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I suppose I am..."
Kojirou wrapped his arms around Eiri and hugged her tightly. "No, you're not." he looked up and tried to smile.
She leaned back against Kojirou fondly. "You're right... I have you, the baby, the cats... ah, and Noah."
"Hm, and what about Caomei? I haven't seen her in a while, come to think of it."
"She's one back to Beijing for a bit."
"And... is she also for you?"
"When she's not in China." She looked up at the sky. "I don't understand... why they just didn't tell me the truth from the beginning... making me live a lie... it's not like the illusion could last forever."
"True, no illusion lasts forever... still... they probably thought the truth would be too much for you."
"And it's not too much for me now?" she sat up. "If I've been lulled into this... false sense of security... and then find out that my parents died because one killed the other and then tried to kill me.... then it shall alarm me even more! I'm confused... I don't know where the lies end and where the truth begins...."
"How are you gonna ask Yi-Xue... that's her name, right? ... about this?"
"I don't want to..." she said. "I don't think I can trust her anymore."
"I know, I know.. still... I think you should. You have the right to know the truth, and she can't lie anymore. I think she'll realize that. Besides... that's your only way to know the truth."
"I don't... want to..." she put her hands on either side of her head, then stood.
"Wait... Eiri..." Kojirou reached out in vain.
She stepped away from him. Her eyes closed tightly. "I'm... going to go..." Suddenly, her hands dropped from the sides of her head. She stood up straight and looked right at Kojirou. She smiled at him. "I should be getting home. It is late, and I am sure that someone is worried about me, ne?" she held her hand out to him. "Will you lead me out?" She laughed a bit.
Kojirou was unable to force a smile. "Sleep here, Eiri... I don't feel like letting you stay at home right now."
She shook her head vigorously, the same random grin across her face. "No, I'm sure that Mr. Langley is waiting. He does worry so about me. I don't know why... he's just so overprotective. So... where is the door? I always get lost."
"Eiri?" Kojirou widened his eyes. "No... bloody hell no... please, Eiri. Stay here with me." Kojirou asked with pleading eyes.
"Please, Kojirou-kun... I want to go home," she said. "What if Natsumi has come home and I don't know it? Her visits are ever so short... fleeting."
"Natsumi..." Kojirou echoed.
"Come on! I don't even know what time it is! It must be so late!" she held out her hands again. "Please, show me the way out."
He walked up to Eiri and hugged her. "Alright... this way."
She smiled broadly and took his hand. "Thank you."
He led her slowly to the exit. His steps weak, his mind weak... his heart being thorn... still, he smiled.
Once they reached the exit, Eiri turned to Kojirou. "How did I get here?" She pulled a set of keys from her pocket and then looked at them. "Oh..."
Kojirou was in the verge of crying. "You came here cause you said you couldn't sleep... don't you remember? Anything?"
"I couldn't sleep? Really?" she smiled more and looked down, laughing softly.
"That's what you told me, at least... maybe you just wanted to see me." Kojirou winked at her.
She grinned at him. "You're a feisty one, Kojirou-kun." she reached out. "Oi... you should put something on that lip. I think you bit it." She opened the door with the keys in her hand. "I'll see you later, Kojirou- kun."
"Alright... good night, then, dear."
Eiri looked down at the keys as she walked away, finding the car and then driving away.
Kojirou closed the gates behind him. He didn't bother locking them. Instead, he just walked to the kitchen. He needed to injure himself. Badly.