3: Heartbreak
Series*
Shiine·etc*
General*
AftertheWedding*
My alarm clock seemed to ring earlier than usual. I really didn't use one before, but knowing that a big day awaited me, I knew I did not want to be late.
6:00 AM. Too early, but I've got to get a good shower and change. The party was an hour and a half away, but we promised one another to be there thirty minutes earlier to fix everything in case an emergency occurs.
6:27. Twenty-seven minutes just to take a bath? This isn't me, I swear. I ran my finger across my garments inside the closet, dissatisfied with each and everything I glanced at. No... no... not that...no... I can't be choosy now...but everyone has to wear something special...and these are, well, not.
I know!
I cast a spell the first time today, and standing in front of the mirror, a brown-haired boy, in the smaller version of Teacher Seravi's tuxedo during the wedding, jumped back, and followed every action of mine. I looked closer, the tip of my nose in contact with the other one painted on a smooth, cold surface, and frowning and shaking my head in incredulity. This can't be me...
The clock at my bedside table flashed a red 6:58 like crazy. Already? But I still don't understand why girls take so long to change.
Taking one last look at my new friend in the mirror, I hopped on my broom and zoomed up into the sky, with only two minutes of travel time, make that teleport time, towards Teacher Seravi's house, to spare.
Everyone's here, I see. Literally everyone.
A multitude of spectators gathered that day, from the simplest of villagers we met when we bought noodles, to the hideous monsters of Daimarou who were now looking more affable than ever. They, however, were still wearing the same funny clothes I remember, sometimes so funny or weird looking they startled innocent civilians they attempted to make friends with. In spite of which, Daimarou was more pitiful, for he wouldn't be able to enjoy the great things our gang had in store for the guests. He doesn't deserve it, anyway, convinced that if I thought that way, he would somehow hear it and feel sorry for ever causing any grief to everyone one time before.
I scanned the whole scenery quickly, hoping to find any one of my friends and inquire about the progress of the party, when Teacher Dorothy greeted me. She was wearing a long-sleeved lavender gown and a necklace with an amethyst as pendant.
"I went into your room at around seven a while ago, and you were gone," She explained. "Where did you get that tuxedo, dear?"
"You look splendid, Shiine!" a voice from behind sang. It was Cha-cha!
I turned around to acknowledge her presence, but I was too astonished to say anything. Before me was a princess in a pink gown, a crown of pink roses on her golden hair, and a sweet smile across her face.
"No, you're gorgeous, Cha-cha..." I said dreamily, almost drooling. "What were you saying, Teacher?"
"Never mind, dear," She said distractedly. "I'll look for Seravi and your parents instead."
Seeing that nothing was of any problem so far, we split up and agreed to meet behind the stage in case anything happens. I strolled behind the trees, and heard hushed voices a few meters away. Can't seem to understand what they're talking about.
Have to get closer...
...Closer...
There. I knew it wasn't like me, nor was it honorable at all, to eavesdrop, but as soon as I cautiously cleared the bushes away and saw to whom those voices belonged to, I felt a force that pushed me find out what was going on. Why did they have to hide here just to talk? They're definitely hiding something from us.
"...And maybe tomorrow we shall have to leave," my father announced. "The weather is one of the things we cannot be sure of, nor have authority over. It is best to leave as soon as possible to be able to prepare for the baby's coming."
I froze completely. I'm leaving this place? No...
The King put his hand around my father's shoulder. "My friend, you have served the Royal family and your land for as long as I can remember. Let me give you a token of my gratitude by building a house for you. Just say you won't leave Mochi-Mochi Mountain."
Why not? That way, no one would have to leave.
"Consider your child's feelings, Access," Cha-cha's mother elaborated. "He is too young to endure all sorts of emotions."
You don't realize what I've gone through when you and father weren't around.
"Your Majesty, however, must consider that Shiine must get used to living with his real family as soon as possible," Mother voiced out.
"But aren't we his family, too?" Teacher Dorothy argued as graceful as possible, careful not to offend anyone. "Everything would be so much better if all of us would live together, right?"
Of course! Why can't my parents live here, anyway?
No one could answer.
"I'm sorry," she weakly said.
After much thought, my Father gave a response to the King. "It is a good idea, but Your Majesty, we have to raise a family without anybody else's help."
This is so unfair! For once, why can't they be reasonable?
My heart was being ripped apart at that very instant. I couldn't restrain myself anymore. I pushed the bushes I were hiding from my way and stood up to direct their attention to me. They expectantly looked at me in awe and confusion.
"Why didn't you bear in mind the person who would feel the most dejected by this?" I cried out.
"...Why didn't you ask me?"
When nobody could respond, I turned away and ran as fast as I could, tears streamed down my cheeks, blinding my eyes.
Breathless and too baffled by the abrupt turn of events, I stopped to get a hold of what was going on. I almost went insane, but fortunately, Cha-cha and my friends spotted me and came over, forcing me to forget everything for the meantime.
"Is everything alright, Shiine?" Cha-cha asked anxiously. "You've been crying!"
"No, I'm fine..." I lied, wiping away the tears with the sleeve of my tuxedo and sniffed. "I-I...j-just don't feel well."
"But how about the party?"
"He'll be all right, won't you, Shiine?" a voice from behind asked. Teacher Dorothy? Oh no! "But I'll have to speak to him first. Run along, now. The party is about to start, if I'm not mistaken."
She turned to me, not with an upset face, but one full of care and motherly love. "In behalf of your parents, who do not know how to deal with such situations, since they never experienced living with a child before, and everyone you scolded..."
"A-a-are you making me feel sorry for what I did?" I asked her softly.
"Not at all, dear," she answered truthfully. "But anyway...we're sorry for not considering your feelings. I guess we grown-ups take all problems into our own hands."
"I'm sorry everything went wrong," I croaked, now softer than a whisper.
"No, we're the ones who should say sorry. Can you forgive us?"
"Can you forgive me?"
Laughing, we hugged each other, knowing that we were at peace with each other once more.
"Gather around, children," Teacher Dorothy called out behind the stage to the waiting group of five. "Now listen carefully, for there is something I have to tell you. You must know that this party is really dedicated to Shiine."
They suddenly fell silent and listened closely.
"You must all realize that because his mother is going to have a baby, they would have to go home, and take Shiine with him."
"Shiine's l-leaving?" Cha-cha asked in disbelief and disappointment.
Teacher Dorothy nodded. "This will be very difficult for all of us, but mostly for Shiine, because he's the one in the middle and is confused of what he should do...whether to stay with his friends...or follow his mother and father."
"When will he come back?"
"In a year, more or less, but it isn't likely for him to visit, according to his parents."
Amazingly, all of them groaned. I could almost hear a sad song playing to accompany the look on all of their faces...
"That is why I want you to make this party a very special one...for him. This does not seem to be a celebration anymore, but instead, a good-bye party for Shiine. Do me a favor, and be the emcees, or for at least the first part of the party. I'm sure Shiine would really appreciate it."
"Sure!" Cha-cha agreed.
Teacher Dorothy led me to the front, and cast a spell. At the left side of the stage was a long table, with the same tablecloth, vase, and chairs. Six invitations lay on top of the table, each in front of a more beautiful seat, having designs more intricate and elaborate than what I originally made. My invitation was at the very center.
"Go on, the guest of honor is required to sit here, you know," she remarked, pulling the chair for me to sit in.
As soon as I felt the thickly cushioned, velvet-covered chair, I forgot all my worries and sorrows, and believed that this was the start of living in heaven.
"You're the best, Teacher!"
Everybody was talking all at the same time, but as Cha-cha and my friends went up the stage, their voices dropped into hushes, murmurs, or whispers. The audience straightened their faces and attentively listened.
"Isn't that the Princess Cha-cha?" a young man's voice a few tables away from me asked.
"That's her alright," an old lady answered flatly.
"She's so pretty. Do you know if she has any suitors already?"
"There's a strong boy named Riiya who can transform into a wolf, and Shiine, a skilled magician...hey...don't you ever get me into your silly gossips again, young man!"
I blushed, and heard a whack moments later.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN," the loudspeaker nearby, covered with numerous decorations, danced, seeming to have a life of its own. Daimarou's former servants raised their eyebrows, and so Cha-cha blushed. "...and uh...Monsters..."
"We are gathered here today in this feast to pay tribute to a fellow magician...and a wonderful friend..." she declared, and her eyes darted towards me.
The audience followed her. Soon, everyone's eyes were on me. Everyone started clapping. It felt so uncomfortable to be the center of attention! I tried hard not to shake, not to turn red, and not to squiggle in my seat.
"...SHIINE!!!"
The applause got louder, obliging me to stand up and be recognized fully by everyone. I was trembling all over, and I was thankful nobody noticed.
She went a few paces backward to give way to the next speaker...Riiya!
"I don't really know what to say...but I have to admit Shiine's a great cook as well as a friend!"
The audience laughed heartily. The nicest thing I heard from him, so far.
He followed to Cha-cha's place and Marin took over the microphone. "A very understanding and thoughtful person, if you ask me..."
I never knew Marin compliments people like that.
Yakko went nexô ÏÈÃÒ