Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 5: Kamina Shirou"Otou-san, I've decided to take the exam for your university."
"That's wonderful, Maya."
"I'll stay here with you if I pass."
"I'm sure that you'll be accepted."
I walk slowly by the lecture hall where Otou-san instructs, pausing for a moment. I look up and am surprised to see someone standing less than a meter away, looking in the same direction as I was.
He notices that I am watching him and turns to me with a smile as he says, "I was wondering what you were looking at."
Thinking this is somewhat odd, I answer, "This is the building where my father instructs, he's a professor of archeology."
"Really? That's what I'm studying."
My disbelief must show on my face because he laughs and says, "Really, I am. My advisor is Professor Rikudoh."
Surprised by his response, my eyes widen.
"You seem to recognize the name."
"I'm his daughter, Rikudoh Maya."
"What a coincidence, Rikudoh-san. I'm Kamina, Kamina Shirou."
Wanting to be polite, I bow and then say, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kamina-san."
Although he seems uncomfortable doing so, he bows as well and says, "The pleasure is all mine, Rikudoh-san."
Unsure what to do next, I decide that I will say good bye and continue on my way.
But, before I can do so, he speaks, "I was pleased when I found out who my advisor was going to be."
"Really?"
He nods his head and says, "Have you ever read anything by Churchward?"
"…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."
"There's a civilization that actually existed that people in modern times named after one in a book by Churchward. I've read about Professor's Rikudoh's archaeological digs, there's some fascinating evidence remaining."
Despite the years that I have spent here, I sadden at the thought that the world I had known now exists only in relics.
He looks again towards the building and says, "I wish I could meet a Mulian."
I can't help but laugh, and he looks to me with a confused expression and then blushes.
"It must sound ridiculous to you, Rikudoh-san."
I smile and say, "No, not at all, Kamina-san."
There is silence for a moment before he says, "You have a nice smile."
Surprised, I blush at his comment, which makes him smile.
"I'm sure we'll see each other again, Rikudoh-san."
Before I can respond, he turns, and waves as he walks away.
After our initial meeting, I am surprised by the number of instances in which Kamina-san's and my paths cross. Sometimes I find these meetings intrusive, but find myself more often wondering if we will see each other on that particular day. Near the end of the semester, I stand atop of a hill to watch the sunset, and can sense his presence. He says nothing but stands beside me as we watch silently.
As the sunlight sensitive lights flicker on, he turns his face towards me and says, "Rikudoh-san, your father will be gone this summer on a dig."
Consternating the meaning of his statement, I turn my face towards him, but only nod my head yes in response.
"I'll be going, too. This is the opportunity I've been waiting for."
"I see," I answer simply.
Startling me, he takes hold of my hand and pulls me into an embrace.
"Kamina-san, what…"
"I'll miss you while I'm gone, Rikudoh-san. How could I not miss the one I love?"
Love? But, couldn't that explain his actions - and my own? What I thought was simple curiosity was really hope. I am about to speak, to tell him my feelings, when I realize that he does not know who I really am.
I pull away slowly and carefully from his brace and say, "Kamina-san?"
"Yes?"
I avert my eyes, but gather the courage to continue.
"Do you recall our first meeting?"
He chuckles quietly and says, "I'd never forget."
"You said, 'I wish I could meet a Mulian.'"
"Yes, and you laughed, what a fool I must have seemed."
"You're – looking at one right now."
I look up at him and see his face display shock.
"It's the truth. My sister and I left from there, and arrived in a forest. Rikudoh Shougo was there; he rescued us, and I've lived with him for a long time as his daughter."
I scratch the top of my left hand with the nail of the index finger of my right hand, and a drop of my blue blood seeps through onto my skin.
I move apart from him and turn away.
"I'm not like you, Kamina-san. When I was younger, I believed I had one destiny, but I have since realized I have another. I will dedicate my life to that."
"I'll support you."
I look back at him, surprised.
"It's not important, who you are. What I care about is you. Whatever it takes, I'll be with you."
"Kamina-san…"
Before I can finish my response, he approaches and kisses me, and I know that I believe him.