Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the rightful property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purpose.
Chapter 3: A New LifeI sit silently at a desk, wearing one of the outfits that I had found in the room set aside for me. The previous evening, I had had my first meal at this house. I started eating alone, trying my best to use the objects I figured were meant to help me. Rikudoh Shougo appeared soon after, and demonstrated for me how to use the devices. Although the table where I sat was long, he sat at the chair next to mine, and we ate together silently.
I squirm in the uncomfortable seat accompanying the desk, feeling restless. I would rather stay with Sister, maybe she will wake up today.
"Good morning, Maya."
I hear what he says, and, figuring I should be polite, I respond, "Good morning, Rikudoh Shougo."
He laughs and answers, "You don't need to call me that."
Confused, I say, "But that's what you said your name was."
"You can call me Oji-san."
"O-ji-sunn," I respond, wondering what that strange word is.
"That is a word from my language."
"Your language?"
He nods his head yes and says, "I and the others have been speaking in your language during the time that you and Quon have been here."
I am at first startled to hear this, but then I remember that he had said I am in a different time and place.
"I learned the Mulian language from studies of texts and artifacts, and from Lord Bähbem."
"Mulian, Narcal used that word. He said 'a Mulian cannot survive in this world without a Dolem.' Is that what I am, a Mulian?"
"You are what you know yourself as. People here call the inhabitants of your world the MU. The term comes from a text written by Churchward about an advanced civilization in the past."
I am confused and somewhat angered by his response. What right do they have here to say that, we're as much human as they are.
More quietly he continues, "But we're all people, after all, aren't we, Maya?"
My anger subsides and I answer by nodding my head yes.
He smiles in return and moves towards my desk. Curious, I watch his movements as he walks and places a book on my desk.
"We'll start today with learning some more of my language, Japanese."
He moves back to where he had been standing before, picks up a white stick, and writes something on a board.
He turns towards me and points and says, "This is pronounced onee-san."
"O-nee-sunn."
"It is one way we say sister. It is less formal to say 'nee-san.'"
"Nee-san."
I smile, full of excitement to tell Sister about this new word.
"Very good, Maya. Shall we continue?"
I nod my head yes with a slight smile.
For months, my days follow a similar routine. I wake in the morning, get ready, eat breakfast, have my lessons during the day, visit Sister in the afternoon, eat dinner, and complete assignments. Some days, I have fewer or no classes, and spend my time in the gardens of the estate and reading to Sister. Although my belief is not as strong as it once was that Sister will wake up, I still enter her room every time with hope.
One day, after breakfast, I enter the classroom, and notice that Oji-san is not there. Deciding that he must be late for one reason or another, I walk towards the window and open it. I lean out slightly and close my eyes as I feel the breeze cross my face.
After a few minutes of silence, I hear the door open and turn to see Oji-san entering. I move away from the window and then close it. He does not walk to the front of the classroom like usual, but towards me.
I am surprised to see an anxious look upon his face.
"Oji-san, is something wrong?"
He bends down and places his hands on my shoulders before saying, "Do you know what month it is, Maya?"
"Why, it's March of course. Near the end, too."
"Did I ever tell you that the school years in Japan begin in April?"
I think about his question for a moment and answer him, "No, I don't think you've ever told me that."
"Have you – have you ever wanted to meet children your own age?"
"Well, it might be nice, but I'm happy to stay here."
He moves his hands away and places them at his side.
"Maya, it's been decided that you'll need to adjust to living in our society. The lessons I've been giving you were to prepare you for this time."
Confused, I say, "I don't understand."
"You're to move to my home and enter the school system."
I step back slightly and I know my anger shows on my face.
"I'm not leaving Sister. She's going to wake up, and I'm going to be there for her when she does, she'll need me."
He places his hand on my desk as if to steady himself.
"Maya, I'd be honored – and happy – if you came to stay with me, not as a student, but as a daughter."
I almost lose my balance at his comment. Oji-san thinks of me that way? Sister has always been the only one I've had in this world, how could things change so suddenly and without notice, or is this some sort of trick?
My eyes looking toward the floor, I say, "Do you really mean that, that you want us to be – like a family?"
He bends down so that his face is at the same level as mine and answers, "I've never been more sincere about anything."
I lift my head and he continues, "Do you remember what I told you the first day we met? For as long as you want, we could be together."
Believing him, I think about what could be. Wouldn't it be good to learn more about this place, to help when Sister and I tune the world, and because of my own curiosity? And, Oji-san has been kind to me and has helped me very much.
"Would I still be able to see Sister?"
He smiles and says, "Of course, you'd see her as often as possible."
Receiving hope from his words, I answer, "I'll try it, to be a family with you."
"Thank you, Maya."
"You're welcome – Otou-san."