Eight Months Later..
The headline in the New York Times that had been delivered to my front step that rainy Monday morning immediately caught my attention:
"JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CHURCH OF SERENITY"
I snatched up the newspaper and quickly devoured the entire two page article.
"Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi held a press conference Friday to publicly speak out against an organization called The Church of Serenity, calling it 'a radical cult.'
'The Church of Serenity was formed a year ago by Mrs. Yuko Harada after having a vision that she says was 'a message from the Gods.' She went on to call herself a prophet, sent by the Gods to spread 'a message of universal love.'
'However, along with the message of love, the Church of Serenity deals with an end times prophecy that says there will be a new world order..."
I cursed out loud when I finished reading the article and immediately went to the phone, calling Serena. She was still in bed and I could hear Darien moving around in the background.
"Hello," she slurred sleepily into the phone.
"I have news."
Serena yawned loudly. "Raye? God, it's only 7:30 a.m. Can't it wait? Go back to bed and call me in a couple of hours."
"Serena, just because you don't start your day until 10 doesn't mean the rest of the world sleeps late too. Besides, it's important."
The tone of my voice caught her attention and she seemed to wake up instantly. I heard a beep and the sound of the phone going back in the cradle. I could also hear Serena and Darien shuffling around the bedroom.
"Okay, Raye, you're on speakerphone," Darien said. "What's up?"
"Trouble. Or well, more like possible trouble. Article on the front page of this morning's 'New York Times' : 'Japanese Prime Minister Speaks Out Against Church of Serenity,'" I read. "It talks about the founder and how she had 'a vision of a beautiful lady in white and three other beautiful women standing behind her, as if they were protecting her.' Apparently the main woman in the vision - described as having golden blonde hair worn in two buns and two long strands trailing behind her - told her that her name was Serenity and spoke of love and peace and then mentioned 'a great global city' that would appear after a great sleep and would be made entirely out of crystal." I paused. "Sound familiar?"
"How on Earth could she know?" Serena asked.
"That's not all. It goes on to say that the Church of Serenity is based here in Tokyo. It's an actual church here in the city where they pray to the women in the vision as Goddesses. They believe that the vision is a revelation of the end of the world as we know it - I assume because of the great sleep and global city references. At first I thought this was just a lucky guess by some freak fortune teller or something but the more I thought about it, the less coincidental it became. I think that the way things are going now with us getting Crystal Tokyo started, the press is going to connect us to this. My father is already probably chomping at the bit to accuse me of something else. We've got to stop it, Darien, before it gets out of hand and our credibility is ruined - again."
"You're right, " Darien replied. "No doubt Mina and Ami will soon find out; it's in the Tokyo Times and Japan Times* this morning, too. Call Mina; give her a heads up about it so she won't have to worry about calling us. We'll call Ami and tell her what's going on. Let's meet at the office at say...9:15."
I glanced at my watch, taking note that I had almost 2 full hours. "Sounds good. I'll see you then."
I hung up with Serena and Darien and wasted no time in calling Mina, explaining everything and having to hold while she ran to get a copy of the paper. We talked for about 15 minutes, both speculating about the vision and what it meant. After, I did a few chores and decided to do a fire reading on Matchiko Yetaka, making sure there was nothing supernatural about her. And, as far as the sacred fire could show me, there was nothing out of the ordinary about her at all. There was absolutely nothing on the vision she had, either. It was weird that I couldn't get a single bit of information and it worried me. But I shrugged the feeling off as I changed from my temple robes into something more appropriate for the meeting.
Because Ami had moved into a large apartment when her husband Adam and son Greg came to Japan, I decided to walk with her to the bus stop. Adam had gotten the job promised to him by his cousin and was popular. Little Greg, the spirited two and a half year old he was, adapted easily to his new life in Japan and he spoke Japanese fluently, thanks to Ami raising him to be bilingual. Ami worked part time as a pediatrician, working only three days a week - just enough to keep her passion for children alive and enabling her to keep the rest of the time devoted to our business.
Mina had also moved out as soon as she could find a place that best suited her celebrity sensibilities. She'd stayed in contact with her manager in L.A. but switched agents for one better suited for handling Japanese business customs, also hiring a go-between*. She modeled locally and traveled overseas for movie roles and interviews, although she traveled considerably less than she used to. We occasionally enjoyed the perks of being friends with a celebrity by going to movie premiers and being able to eat in the best restaurants around town and we also figured Mina's power over the media could help us when we would need it and having an international celebrity in our cause couldn't hurt our image either.
The office we were meeting at was on the 24th story of a building in downtown Tokyo. Darien and Serena had made countless contacts during the eight years we were separated. Our mystery men who had anonymously gotten us from one place to another before coming back to Japan to stay and provided our every need before we knew we needed it suddenly had names. The group was larger than I could have ever imagined. My temple was so small that we used it only for meeting with our inner group. Total there were 30, including us, all with a variety of skills. Darien was working with Adam and a few trusted architects on plans for the Crystal Palace as well as chemists and metallurgists to find new materials to be used in the building. There were financiers who raised and handled every penny we spent. Mina worked with a journalist from the Tokyo Times and other publicity geniuses; Ami and Andrew worked with the lawyers to make sure everything we did was legal. My official role was spiritual leader but I was also a jack-of-all-trades, working with whomever it was who needed me at the time. It kept me busy and I loved every second of it.
Everything that happened went through us first. There were no details that weren't run by all of us for consideration. We were a democracy and Serena and Darien were the President and Vice-President.
Darien called the room to order and it was time to get down to business.
"As you all know," he began, "there was an article in the New York Times and both the Japan Times and Tokyo Times. Raye caught it first this morning. There is an organization called The Church of Serenity. A woman named Yuko Harada runs it. She claims to have had a vision of Serenity and that she was told of a great city that would appear after a great sleep. The Prime Minister has spoken out against Mrs. Harada and her organization. He thinks it's just a crazy cult. What do you guys think?"
"The woman's crazy," said Masako Nahoko, one of the architects working with Darien. "It's obviously a lucky guess."
Shuichi Ninagawa, a journalist at the Japan Times shook his head. "No, don't count on it. The guy who wrote the article is a friend of mine. He talked to Matchiko Yetaka in person and he said that the details she described were too in-depth for just a dream or hallucination. She really saw what she says she saw."
"What about the media," Darien asked.
"They're on it, Darien. And as long as Yuko Harada keeps making waves, they're always going to be on it. Especially when heads of state have press conferences on her."
"What about the chance we'll be connected?"
"Pretty slim, I'd say," Shuichi replied, "unless she gets another vision or something For the most part, I think she's harmless."
Darien turned to me. "Is she? Is Matchiko Yetaka harmless?"
I took a deep breath before replying. "I did a fire reading this morning before I came. I wanted to be sure that there isn't anything supernatural about her. The sacred fire had nothing on her. Absolutely nothing. I don't know what it means, exactly, but I suspect that Serenity may very well have sent the vision but it was up to Mrs. Harada to handle it. Harada simply assumed that Serenity was a goddess and naturally saw herself as a prophet. I agree with Ninagawa-san. I think she's harmless to a point but if she has another vision and goes to the press with it, it might do some damage."
"So what do we do in the meantime," Mina asked. "Do we leave her alone so she can continue to draw attention to herself or do we make her cease and desist?"
Darien nodded. "Good question, Mina. What do we do about this?"
"We stop it. Now. Before 'crazy lady' does something drastic," an anonymous voice said. The room grew loud with the sound of people agreeing.
Andrew stood and the room quieted again. "No. If we do that, she'll go on the offensive and the media will be sure to get involved and we WILL be connected to it. I say we leave her and her worshippers alone for the time being. The media will quiet down eventually! If she does something else in the name of Serenity, then and only then will we step in."
"Andrew's got a good point. Yetaka is too hot right now to accept a cease and desist quietly. The second she gets wind of it, she'll be off to the press. Here's what I think we should do. Ninagawa-san, I want you to find out everything you can on Yuko Harada and the Church of Serenity and report back to me and Ami when you get the info. Raye, Mina, Andrew. I want you three to do a little inside investigating of your own. Go to the Church of Serenity, pretend like you're worshipers or people interested in the message. Ask questions, find out every little thing you can. I want you up close and personal with Mrs. Harada. Oh, and this will be a good chance to get a better feel for exactly who she is, Raye. The rest of you, you're doing great! keep doing what you're doing and everything should be fine. Meeting adjourned."
******
Andrew caught up with me outside and wrapped his arm around me as we walked, not saying anything at the moment. I grinned, knowing that he knew I needed to think about what Darien wanted us to do.
During a time of eight months or so, Andrew and I had gotten very close. We talked every day and saw each other almost as often. At first it was just a friendly thing where we found comfort and peace in each other's company. But it was soon obvious to everyone but us that behind the friendship was something deeper. Soon, the more we were around each other, the less we could ignore the obvious chemistry we had. Andrew, I know, was ready for it to happen. I guess in a way so was I. I just had concerns. I didn't mind the age difference - Serena and Darien had the same age difference as Andrew and I and both loved each other as equals. Every time we were together, though, I had a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. I worried that our relationship would jeopardize the great friendship we had and I worried that if he and I did fall in love, would something in the process of building Crystal Tokyo tear us apart? I cared too much for Andrew to risk either of those things.
It happened anyway. After months of resisting the feelings I had for him, I suddenly forgot what it was that was stopping me from loving him. I fell. Andrew was more than happy the first time I told him and I have to say that the feeling was very mutual. In fact, I cried. It felt damn good.
"What's up, Andrew?"
"Dinner, actually. I thought it might be nice to go out tonight. I've got reservations at 'Blue'."
" 'Blue'? Oh, that new restaurant that everyone's been raving about lately."
"Is that okay with you? Figure you could use a nice night out; you know, really dress up and have a nice time."
I looked at him, puzzled with his over-enthusiastic attitude. "Is there an anniversary I'm forgetting?"
"No," he grinned. "Can't I just treat my girlfriend to a nice meal?"
"That's the fourth time you've used the word 'nice' in the last five minutes. Is something going on?"
"No. Really. I just thought it would be -"
"Nice," I said interrupting him. "I get it. Now, really, tell me the truth or I'm going to get upset."
He sighed and reached into his pocket. "I wanted to do this tonight. At the restaurant. But if you're so insistent.." Andrew took my hand and kneeled, right there on the sidewalk.
I blushed bright red. "What are you doing," I hissed at him through clenched teeth.
"You wanted to know what's going on, I'm trying to tell you."
"You idiot, people are beginning to stare!"
Andrew shook his head and grinned mischievously. "I don't care." He paused and opened the little black box that he held in his hand. "Raye, I love you. It's been eight months since we started dating, first as friends, then seriously. And during that time, I've never been happier. Nothing would give me more pleasure in the world than to have you for my wife."
I said nothing, unable to say any more for fear of being overcome with emotion. Instead, I nodded my head yes.
My left hand had flown to my mouth when Andrew asked me to marry him but he couldn't put the ring on with it still there. So he gently took it into his own and slipped on my engagement ring. The few people who had been staring applauded and I blushed and buried my face in Andrew's neck.
*****
The next day, I was still reeling from the proposal when Mina, Andrew and I walked into the Church of Serenity. My right hand held Andrew's hand while my left, holding loosely onto the strap of my purse, twinkled with my engagement ring. We had made an appointment to meet with Yuko Harada and we were early. I was surprised by my first impression of what was being called a church. In my past experiences, churches had been meeting halls, usually with a main room in which the group leader spoke to the masses. This was less of a church and more of a business, set up in a small office space in a strip mall outside of Tokyo.
I took a deep breath and let go of Andrew's hand. I was tired of the eerie quiet that filled the church and I was eager to get this over with.
Mrs. Yuko Harada was a short, slightly overweight woman in her early forties. She had messy medium length hair with strands of gray all over, a pair of reading glasses rested carelessly on top of her head. She wore professional but loose fitting gray and black clothes, finished with a pair of Mary Jane shoes. To me, she looked older than her 41 years. She must have been beautiful, I found myself thinking, once in her life. But because of hardships she'd been forced to face, the line and wrinkles had settled in her face to make her look much older.
"Can I help you?" Her voice was rough and deep, and I could tell she had smoked for most, if not all, of her adult life. Mrs. Yetaka opened her mouth to say more but stopped, studying Mina and I very closely.
I nodded politely and introduced myself, using my alias Claire Akeda, and Andrew and Mina . "We have an appointment with you at two. I'm sorry, we're a bit early but "
"Come in, come in! How can I help you?" Yuko's frown lines deepened with her smile, and she ushered us into her office, a small, cramped space.
Mina and I sat down in the two chairs in front of her desk. I winced; the seats were painfully uncomfortable as they had appeared. Andrew stood behind us, patiently. Mina crossed her legs, revealing long svelte limbs Yuko would be envious of. In her business suit and heels, Mina looked less like a celebrity than a businesswoman.
With her presence firmly established, Mina leaned in toward Yuko's desk, a small grin on her face.
"As Claire just said, my name is Mina Aino, Mrs. Harada. I'm here for a very specific reason and I'm hoping you'll be able to oblige my request. I am making a movie about a very powerful woman such as yourself and I need to do a little research into what it takes to operate such a well run organization such as this."
Yuko Harada looked at Mina as though she were speaking a foreign language. "Well"
"My film begins shooting in less than three weeks and it's vital to the accuracy of my role that I learn as much as I can. Surely you will help me out? My assistant here," Mina gestured to me, "will ensure that you and the Church of Serenity get a credit in the film"
I nodded, afraid to speak.
"A woman such as yourself," Yuko began, almost as if speaking to herself, "could bring much needed attention to this small organization. It's rare to have a celebrity of your calibre in our midst.. Yes, I'll be glad to help you where I can, Miss Aino."
"Can you tell us about the vision, Mrs. Harada?" Andrew asked.
Matchiko sat at the desk before us and put her head on her hands. She stared at Mina and I again but longer this time. "I'm glad to help you in any way possible. Now the vision began with..."
*
One Month later..
Thursday. I had chosen to sleep in a few more hours and was sleeping soundly when I was roused unhappily by Andrew. He smiled down at me and touched my cheek. Then his expression changed.
"I hate to wake you up, kid, but I have something to show you. You're not going to believe this."
I sat up in bed and smoothed out my hair. "I don't like the sound of that. What now?"
Andrew waved the morning newspaper in front of me. "Our friend is back in the news."
"What?!" I jerked the paper from his hands and proceeded to read the front page article.
" 'Yuko Harada, of the Church of Serenity, says she was astonished when two women looking exactly like two goddesses from her vision walked into the Church a month ago. These two women, recognized as Raye Hino, of Cherry Hill Temple, and actress Mina Aino, are frauds, Mrs. Harada claims. Hino and Aino work for an organization called Crescent Moon Enterprises, run by married couple Darien and Serena Chiba. Harada says that the women were sent by Crescent Moon Enterprises to quote 'shut her down.' She went on to say that she never trusted them and knew of the past events that they were connected to. These events, Mrs. Harada referred to occured over eight years ago...' Blah, Blah, Blah.." I skimmed over the article. "What?! 'In light of this information, the Prime Minister had decided to launch a full investigation of Crescent Moon Enterprises?'"
My face was red by the time I finished reading and Andrew looked worried. "How dare she? How dare she even think that she could do this?" I ranted as I jumped out of bed and threw some clothes on, disappearing into the bathroom for a couple of minutes.
"Raye? What are you doing?"
"I'm going to tell that woman where she can go and what she can do when she gets there, that's what I'm doing!"
Andrew put his arm on my hand. "No, don't. You'll just make things worse."
I pointed to the newspaper lying on my bed. "And you don't think this already worse? Andrew, we're just now starting to get our reputation back together and here comes this..this..woman who has now ruined everything"
Andrew leaned in close, taking my hand in his. "I KNOW you're mad. I know that all you can think of doing right now is marching down right to Harada's office and telling her what-for! Believe me, I WANT you to, and I want to be there to see it when you do, but it's not the right time to go storming in and causing more trouble! The inquiry has been called and the government is involved, whether we like it or not! The best thing you can do, Raye, is BEHAVE yourself"
I jerked my hand from his, and flopped down on the bed with a sigh. Andrew, the voice of reason to my firey temper, was right. I would wait and see what the investigation would bring.
Continued in Chapter 12: Queen of the World...
(AN: * Japan Times and Tokyo Times are both the major national newspapers in Japan. I am not sure exactly what is published in them but I would like to assume that a story like that would indeed be in both publications. As with the New York Times, I get no profit from the mention of these publications.
* A Go-between: Webster's Dictionary: one person who deals with each of two sides in making arrangements between them. This practice is common in Japan business arrangements. Mina, being involved in so many deals, would have a go-between to make sure she got the deal she wanted.