Yukisaki sae mo mitsukerarenakute
Kaze ni kiesou na kioku o
Hosoi it de yukkuri to hikiyoseru
Zawameku kokoro no koe ni mimi o sumashi
"Ittai nanno tame ni
Umaretekita no ka."
Sou, toikaketa
Tsuki wa kawarazu boku o mitsume
Ima wa mada kotaete wa kurenai
Kikasete okure yo
Sono koe o.
Misete okure yo
Sono yume o.
Samenu nemuri ni ochite mo
Obieru koto wa nai kara
Oshiete okure yo
Shinjitsu o.
Sagete okure yo
Sono tsumi o.
Akai namida ni nureteiru
Kakusareta kono sugata o.
Tada itoshisa dake ga ookiku naru
Kako no namae sae
Omoidasenai mama na no ni
Mou dou ni mo dekinakute
Tsuki wa kawarazu shizuka na mama de
Ame o furasetsuzuketa.
The Looking-Glass Chapter 2 Fragrance
"Chi! Chi!" A small voice yelled to Chihiro. She swatted it away, hoping it would stop. Chimes of 'Chi!' could be heard over and over again. Chihiro groaned in frustration.
"'Kari! If you don't leave me alone this second, I am going to lock you out!" Chihiro yelled. The little girl laughed. She was sitting on Chihiro's bed, her long brown hair falling into her deep chestnut eyes. Chihiro couldn't help but smile. Hikari, her little sister, was essentially her best friend. They did a lot of things together because their parents were always out working or socializing with other adults.
"Happy to you, Chi!" Hikari said and hugged her sister. So that's what this was about, Chihiro thought. Hikari was wishing her a happy birthday. April 19. Chihiro was sixteen years old. That would make Hikari six. She was growing older faster than Chihiro could imagine, and she was sorry to see it happen. She was sorry that her parents were missing it.
She thought of the day Hikari was born.
Chihiro was sleeping in her bed, as she always was. She was snuggled up into her blankets, and perfectly content, dreaming of magic bathhouses, and giant six armed men. That man was leaning over her with a worried look on his face. Chihiro looked down and saw a boy, lying bloody on the floor. She looked at her hands. They were covered in blood as well. She gasped in horror. She couldn't breathe. Something was choking her!
She sat up in her bed and gasped for breath. She heard the insane giggling of Mika coming from her floor. She pulled the tissue paper out of her nose and glared at her friend, "What is the meaning of this, Yatsuda?" Chihiro said in a voice that would make even her schoolteacher blush. Mika giggled.
"Happy eleventh birthday, Chihiro." She said. Chihiro smiled. At least Mika woke her up for a valid reason.
"Thanks, Mika." She said, "But how did you get in here? Don't tell me you climbed in through the window again." Mika smiled and shook her head.
"No silly, I came in through the front door. Rei's here, too, although he wouldn't come up into your room. He's waiting in the kitchen." Mika took Chihiro's hand and dragged her out of her bed and down the stairs to the kitchen table. Rei smiled and looked up from rather thick novel.
"Where're my mom and dad? Have you seen them?" Chihiro asked, looking through the first floor for them. At this time in her pregnancy, her mother was hard to miss.
"Yes, we saw them when they left." Rei replied. Chihiro's face flushed.
"You mean they didn't have the decency to wish me a happy birthday? What kind of parents are they?"
"The kind that are at the hospital having a baby right now." Mika said, "They left you a note over on the counter. It says, 'Chihiro, have a happy eleventh birthday. Have fun with your friends, and we'll see you when we bring home the baby. Love you, Mom and Dad.' You know, Chihiro, they may neglect you, but they're still your parents. You can't choose your family." Mika said. Chihiro calmed down a little and grabbed the note from Mika. Some birthday present, she thought. Her parents would definitely think it was so.
Chihiro slumped into the oversized kitchen chair and rested her head in her arms. The thought about all that had happened today. Her parents were having a baby, she was home alone, and then there were the dreams-The dreams! She had completely forgotten about that dream. It wasn't the first time that she had had one with that boy in it. What had happened to him that he was bleeding so much? He must have been hurt badly. Chihiro unconsciously tugged at the pendant around her neck.
Mika had taken it upon herself to send a message of sorts to the Mahou no Sekai. She wrote letters, and sent candies and trinkets to the spirits. Once, however, one of them left something for her. They were three small stones, shaped like guitar picks. They were periwinkle in color, and cool to the touch. Mika loved them so much that she had her father put them on chains.
Later on, after the necklaces were already made, and Chihiro, Rei, and Mika each had one, Mika showed her friends the letter that came with it.
"See here? It says, 'Given in kindness, and for your protection. Keep them with you always, and harm shall never befall you.' It was signed by Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. Hmm. weird name."
"Sounds like a name of a god." Rei said. Chihiro was the only one feeling apprehensive about these gifts. They were lovely stones, and they seemed harmless, but this Nigihayami character seemed a little shifty to her. Nevertheless, she took the pendant for her friend and swore to wear it always as a token of friendship.
* * * * * * * * Chihiro was pulled from her reverie with a slap to her face. She glared at her little sister, but smiled slightly when Hikari giggled. Chihiro remembered when her parents named their daughter. Hikari. It means light. Hikari was their little ray of sunshine. Chihiro thought that they were right. She was sunshine. She was happy, and pretty, and smart.
"Alright, 'Kari. I have to go to school now. I'll be at your school to pick you up at three-thirty okay? Then we'll go to singing lessons together." Hikari nodded enthusiastically. Chihiro quickly readied herself for school and headed over to Mika's house.
Mika had grown taller and filled out, as every sixteen-year-old girl does. She changed her hair color every so often, and at this point in time it was a light brown. Chihiro, however, stayed shorter, but she had a woman's body. Her hair was dark as ever, and her eyes had changed to be an almost black color. They were beautiful, they were popular, and they could sing. It was always a dream of theirs to grow old and sing music together, although they had very different music tastes. Mika was very into pop music, while Chihiro couldn't resist the throbbing pulse of an electric guitar.
Rei and Mika had been dating for over two years now. Chihiro was happy for them, but couldn't help but feel depressed when she was alone. She had no one herself, and it was upsetting to her that she didn't feel comfortable with any of the boys at her school. She had been asked out on dates before, of course, but she never accepted. She had the strangest feeling that she was supposed to wait for someone.
The three friends were in their third year of middle school and were constantly kept busy with club activities. Chihiro and Mika were involved in the school choir, and Rei was the student body president. Even with all of their duties, they always found time for each other, and they usually spent it at the entrance to the Mahou no Sekai.
"Happy birthday, Chi!" Rei and Mika chimed when they entered their classroom. Chihiro went red when people wishing her well bombarded her. Eventually she made her way to the back of the classroom where Mika was grinning from ear to ear.
"It's not funny, Mika." Chihiro grumbled.
"Of course it is. This is the one day of the year in which I get to torment you, and I will take the chance every time. Oh! Hey, you do remember that today is the day that agent comes in to the Choir class today, right? You ready?"
"That was today? I had no idea. Now I'm nervous. Good job!" Chihiro said and them threw up her hands in defeat. Rei joined them in their desks and the class began.
The day went by slowly for Chihiro, and her apprehension mounted throughout. This was the day she had been waiting for. Today she would see if she had the talent to make it big. She was sixteen now, in her third year of Middle School. High School was optional. If she, by some odd chance, pleased the agent, he might sign her and she would be a star. She'd be like all of the people on TV. She wouldn't be ignored, she wouldn't be put in the shadows, and her parents would love her for it.
When the time came, she dragged herself into the music room and slouched in a chair. She was ready to vomit, but she wouldn't admit that to anyone else. Mika popped up behind her. She looked perfectly composed, and Chihiro hated that. All of the other students soon flowed in, and it was in no time that they were underway. The girls and boys went into the adjoining office one by one, alphabetically. Chihiro prepared herself for the worst.
"Ogino Chihiro." Her music direction called. She stood up quickly and rigidly. Her face paled. She walked in with as much composure as she could muster and sat down as gently as she could. The agent looked at her and smiled.
"That nervous, are you? Well, this must be a big deal for you, then. My name is Furuhata Koji; I represent the largest record label in Japan. We're here to pick the best artist this school has to offer. Please, show me you stuff." He said. Chihiro smiled weakly. She stood up, and sang with as much strength as she could muster
"Yukisaki sae mo mitsukerarenakute Kaze ni kiesou na kioku o Hosoi ito de yukkuri to hikiyoseru
Zawameku kokoro no koe ni mimi o sumashi 'Ittai nanno tame ni Umaretekita no ka.'"
She stopped. She was only to sing a few lines, because there were so many students. Her voice was clear and full of passion. Koji was smiling slightly and Chihiro hoped it was a good sign.
"Thank you, Miss Ogino. That was a pleasant experience. Now, please excuse me, I have other students to attend to. We will call you if you are chosen. Thank you." Chihiro gulped. He seemed so interested before, why did he all of the sudden change his mind? She got up and walked out.
"So, how did it go, Chi?" Mika asked impatiently. Chihiro shrugged. The director bustled up to the two girls.
"Ogino. You stay after class with me." She said sternly. Chihiro swallowed hard. What had she done? Mika looked at Chihiro and smiled halfway, her face full of pity. Chihiro brushed it off and leaned back in her chair. Mika was called into the room. She was the last student. Chihiro silently wished that Mika were luckier than she was.
Mika came out smiling brightly, exclaiming about how the man loved her, and how she was sure to be the one picked. Chihiro smiled and congratulated her friend, secretly feeling her dreams shatter to a thousand pieces. She excused herself and knocked on the door to her teacher's office.
"You wanted to see me?" She asked.
"Ogino Chihiro." Koji said, his voice full of mirth, "Have a seat, please."
"Chihiro, Koji here has something to talk to you about. I've got another meeting, but I'm sure you'll be pleased with what he has to say." With that said the teacher was gone.
"Miss Ogino, your voice is magnificent. I would be honored if you would please consider signing a contract with my record company." The man said, producing a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. Chihiro was stunned. He was so rude before, so eager to get rid of her. She didn't understand.
"I'd like to take it home with me, sir, if you don't mind." She said. He nodded and handed the paper to her. She smiled and took it from him. He also included a business card for her to reach him at, "Thank you very much for this opportunity." Chihiro said, bowed and left.
She had to sprint to make it to Hikari's school on time. The little girl was sitting on the front steps staring ants when her elder sister showed up, red and out of breath.
"Am I late?" Chihiro asked.
"No. I left my classroom early. I think that Rei's a better teacher, anyway." Hikari said.
"So, 'Kari, how was your very first day being a six year old?" Chihiro asked. Hikari shrugged.
"It would be better with ice cream." She said. Chihiro laughed.
"Why don't we skip voice lessons today and go and get some snacks? We're older today after all, and we've go t to celebrate." Chihiro and Hikari walked along the roads of their small town until they came to a small ice cream shop. Hikari was happy, and Chihiro was ecstatic. It was the best sixteenth birthday that any girl could have asked for.
* * * * * * * *
Chihiro was sitting at the table with her parents, the contract between them. They were fighting again, and Chihiro had to clear her throat to get their attention. Yuuko and Akio looked at their daughter and said at the same time, "No." Chihiro dropped her jaw.
"Honey, we know this means a lot to you, and we know you've been taking all of those lessons, but your education comes first. You have to think about your future." Her mother said.
"Mom, if you just sign this contract, I'm worth more than both of you combined! All four of us could survive forever on my salary! It is my future I'm thinking of!" She yelled.
"Dear, you have to go to high school, and you have to go to college. You must get your doctorate, and then we'll talk about singing." Her father said. Chihiro had had enough. She snatched up her contract and ran up the stairs. She didn't want her parents to see her upset over something such as this. She forced herself to lie down in bed, and sleep it off.
* * * * * * * * * It had been weeks since Chihiro had fought with her parents, and her choir professor kept asking her when she was going to turn it in. Chihiro didn't have the heart to tell her that she didn't get to have it signed, and she wasn't too keen on the idea that she was passing up such an awesome opportunity. She was in denial, yes, and she knew it.
Mika was still sure that she was going to get a call everyday, and Chihiro hadn't told anyone that she was already offered the position. She didn't have the heart to burst Mika's bubble. Chihiro wasn't the best student, and she wasn't the prettiest girl in school. Mika was. Chihiro was glad that she had beaten her friend at something, but she felt upset that she couldn't even tell Mika the truth.
One bright, cheerful and yet cold Sunday morning, Chihiro got out of bed, pulled off her clothing and slipped into the shower. She dried herself off with a towel and then walked back into her room wearing her favorite sweats. She stopped. Mika was reading the contract. She looked at Chihiro, shock written all over her pretty face.
"What's this, Chihiro?" She asked.
"It's a contract, you know, for the record label." Chihiro said, trying to stand her ground. Mika was twirling her stone necklace around her finger impatiently.
"Why didn't you tell me? You let me ramble on and on and on about that! You could have told me that you already got it! Now I look like a fool!" Mika yelled standing up and pointing angrily at Chihiro.
"I didn't tell you because I'm not using it! My parents won't let me! I have to be their stupid drone, I have to be perfect." Mika threw her necklace to the floor.
"I just don't understand how you could lie to me like that. We've been friends for six years, and you've probably lied to me the whole time. Have you really been through that tunnel, Chihiro? Have you really lost all of that time, or were you just trying to make up a story to make friends."
"You have no right to ask me those questions, Yatsuda. Leave. I don't want to talk to you any longer!" Chihiro yelled. Mika ran out of the house.
If only Chihiro knew that this would be the last time she saw her friend alive.
Later that night she was walking to the entrance of the Mahou no Sekai, when she found the cold body of her best friend.
Things would never be the same again.
Chihiro, for the first time in a long time, broke down and cried.
A/N: Wow. What a lovely chapter, eh? I'm so sorry that it took so long to get it up. I accidentally thought that the next chapter was going to go here, but, hey, I was wrong, so I had to fill in the hole.
I'd like to thank the... er. two people who review, I really appreciate it. IF I could get more, it would be lovely. I always love constructive criticism. And, if you all were wondering, yes, I do have the entire story planned out, and yes, I do plan on finishing it, so your reading is not in vain, trust me.
A few disclaimers: The name Hikari I stole from the Fushigi Yuugi OVA Eikoden. A must see for all you Miaka/Tamahome fans out there.
The song comes from Gackt (Man I love him!). It is called Fragrance, and its on him Moon album. The melody probably wouldn't fit in the audition scene, but the translation does so I used it. In fact, from now on I'll be using Gackt-san's songs for my poem at the beginning of chapters.
Translation goes as follows:
Fragrance
I can't even figure out where I'm headed
Fading memory is slowly drawn
Towards the wind by a slender thread
I listen closely to the voice of my troubled heart
"What in the world
Was I born to do."
Yes, it's asking
The moon is always gazing at me
Even now, the answer had yet to come
Please let me hear
The voice.
Please show me
The dream.
Because even if I fall into unending sleep
There's nothing to be afraid of
Please teach me
The truth.
Please tell me
The crime.
As my hidden self is
Wet with red tears.
Only affection is becoming greater
I can't remember anything
Not even the name of the past
I can't do anything anymore
The moon is always, quietly,
Letting the rain keep falling.
I suggest you read the lyrics; they tie in with the story and chapter very well. They explain some of what Chihiro's thinking.
I also don't own Spirited Away. Remember that always, okay?
Until next time,
SLA
Kaze ni kiesou na kioku o
Hosoi it de yukkuri to hikiyoseru
Zawameku kokoro no koe ni mimi o sumashi
"Ittai nanno tame ni
Umaretekita no ka."
Sou, toikaketa
Tsuki wa kawarazu boku o mitsume
Ima wa mada kotaete wa kurenai
Kikasete okure yo
Sono koe o.
Misete okure yo
Sono yume o.
Samenu nemuri ni ochite mo
Obieru koto wa nai kara
Oshiete okure yo
Shinjitsu o.
Sagete okure yo
Sono tsumi o.
Akai namida ni nureteiru
Kakusareta kono sugata o.
Tada itoshisa dake ga ookiku naru
Kako no namae sae
Omoidasenai mama na no ni
Mou dou ni mo dekinakute
Tsuki wa kawarazu shizuka na mama de
Ame o furasetsuzuketa.
The Looking-Glass Chapter 2 Fragrance
"Chi! Chi!" A small voice yelled to Chihiro. She swatted it away, hoping it would stop. Chimes of 'Chi!' could be heard over and over again. Chihiro groaned in frustration.
"'Kari! If you don't leave me alone this second, I am going to lock you out!" Chihiro yelled. The little girl laughed. She was sitting on Chihiro's bed, her long brown hair falling into her deep chestnut eyes. Chihiro couldn't help but smile. Hikari, her little sister, was essentially her best friend. They did a lot of things together because their parents were always out working or socializing with other adults.
"Happy to you, Chi!" Hikari said and hugged her sister. So that's what this was about, Chihiro thought. Hikari was wishing her a happy birthday. April 19. Chihiro was sixteen years old. That would make Hikari six. She was growing older faster than Chihiro could imagine, and she was sorry to see it happen. She was sorry that her parents were missing it.
She thought of the day Hikari was born.
Chihiro was sleeping in her bed, as she always was. She was snuggled up into her blankets, and perfectly content, dreaming of magic bathhouses, and giant six armed men. That man was leaning over her with a worried look on his face. Chihiro looked down and saw a boy, lying bloody on the floor. She looked at her hands. They were covered in blood as well. She gasped in horror. She couldn't breathe. Something was choking her!
She sat up in her bed and gasped for breath. She heard the insane giggling of Mika coming from her floor. She pulled the tissue paper out of her nose and glared at her friend, "What is the meaning of this, Yatsuda?" Chihiro said in a voice that would make even her schoolteacher blush. Mika giggled.
"Happy eleventh birthday, Chihiro." She said. Chihiro smiled. At least Mika woke her up for a valid reason.
"Thanks, Mika." She said, "But how did you get in here? Don't tell me you climbed in through the window again." Mika smiled and shook her head.
"No silly, I came in through the front door. Rei's here, too, although he wouldn't come up into your room. He's waiting in the kitchen." Mika took Chihiro's hand and dragged her out of her bed and down the stairs to the kitchen table. Rei smiled and looked up from rather thick novel.
"Where're my mom and dad? Have you seen them?" Chihiro asked, looking through the first floor for them. At this time in her pregnancy, her mother was hard to miss.
"Yes, we saw them when they left." Rei replied. Chihiro's face flushed.
"You mean they didn't have the decency to wish me a happy birthday? What kind of parents are they?"
"The kind that are at the hospital having a baby right now." Mika said, "They left you a note over on the counter. It says, 'Chihiro, have a happy eleventh birthday. Have fun with your friends, and we'll see you when we bring home the baby. Love you, Mom and Dad.' You know, Chihiro, they may neglect you, but they're still your parents. You can't choose your family." Mika said. Chihiro calmed down a little and grabbed the note from Mika. Some birthday present, she thought. Her parents would definitely think it was so.
Chihiro slumped into the oversized kitchen chair and rested her head in her arms. The thought about all that had happened today. Her parents were having a baby, she was home alone, and then there were the dreams-The dreams! She had completely forgotten about that dream. It wasn't the first time that she had had one with that boy in it. What had happened to him that he was bleeding so much? He must have been hurt badly. Chihiro unconsciously tugged at the pendant around her neck.
Mika had taken it upon herself to send a message of sorts to the Mahou no Sekai. She wrote letters, and sent candies and trinkets to the spirits. Once, however, one of them left something for her. They were three small stones, shaped like guitar picks. They were periwinkle in color, and cool to the touch. Mika loved them so much that she had her father put them on chains.
Later on, after the necklaces were already made, and Chihiro, Rei, and Mika each had one, Mika showed her friends the letter that came with it.
"See here? It says, 'Given in kindness, and for your protection. Keep them with you always, and harm shall never befall you.' It was signed by Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. Hmm. weird name."
"Sounds like a name of a god." Rei said. Chihiro was the only one feeling apprehensive about these gifts. They were lovely stones, and they seemed harmless, but this Nigihayami character seemed a little shifty to her. Nevertheless, she took the pendant for her friend and swore to wear it always as a token of friendship.
* * * * * * * * Chihiro was pulled from her reverie with a slap to her face. She glared at her little sister, but smiled slightly when Hikari giggled. Chihiro remembered when her parents named their daughter. Hikari. It means light. Hikari was their little ray of sunshine. Chihiro thought that they were right. She was sunshine. She was happy, and pretty, and smart.
"Alright, 'Kari. I have to go to school now. I'll be at your school to pick you up at three-thirty okay? Then we'll go to singing lessons together." Hikari nodded enthusiastically. Chihiro quickly readied herself for school and headed over to Mika's house.
Mika had grown taller and filled out, as every sixteen-year-old girl does. She changed her hair color every so often, and at this point in time it was a light brown. Chihiro, however, stayed shorter, but she had a woman's body. Her hair was dark as ever, and her eyes had changed to be an almost black color. They were beautiful, they were popular, and they could sing. It was always a dream of theirs to grow old and sing music together, although they had very different music tastes. Mika was very into pop music, while Chihiro couldn't resist the throbbing pulse of an electric guitar.
Rei and Mika had been dating for over two years now. Chihiro was happy for them, but couldn't help but feel depressed when she was alone. She had no one herself, and it was upsetting to her that she didn't feel comfortable with any of the boys at her school. She had been asked out on dates before, of course, but she never accepted. She had the strangest feeling that she was supposed to wait for someone.
The three friends were in their third year of middle school and were constantly kept busy with club activities. Chihiro and Mika were involved in the school choir, and Rei was the student body president. Even with all of their duties, they always found time for each other, and they usually spent it at the entrance to the Mahou no Sekai.
"Happy birthday, Chi!" Rei and Mika chimed when they entered their classroom. Chihiro went red when people wishing her well bombarded her. Eventually she made her way to the back of the classroom where Mika was grinning from ear to ear.
"It's not funny, Mika." Chihiro grumbled.
"Of course it is. This is the one day of the year in which I get to torment you, and I will take the chance every time. Oh! Hey, you do remember that today is the day that agent comes in to the Choir class today, right? You ready?"
"That was today? I had no idea. Now I'm nervous. Good job!" Chihiro said and them threw up her hands in defeat. Rei joined them in their desks and the class began.
The day went by slowly for Chihiro, and her apprehension mounted throughout. This was the day she had been waiting for. Today she would see if she had the talent to make it big. She was sixteen now, in her third year of Middle School. High School was optional. If she, by some odd chance, pleased the agent, he might sign her and she would be a star. She'd be like all of the people on TV. She wouldn't be ignored, she wouldn't be put in the shadows, and her parents would love her for it.
When the time came, she dragged herself into the music room and slouched in a chair. She was ready to vomit, but she wouldn't admit that to anyone else. Mika popped up behind her. She looked perfectly composed, and Chihiro hated that. All of the other students soon flowed in, and it was in no time that they were underway. The girls and boys went into the adjoining office one by one, alphabetically. Chihiro prepared herself for the worst.
"Ogino Chihiro." Her music direction called. She stood up quickly and rigidly. Her face paled. She walked in with as much composure as she could muster and sat down as gently as she could. The agent looked at her and smiled.
"That nervous, are you? Well, this must be a big deal for you, then. My name is Furuhata Koji; I represent the largest record label in Japan. We're here to pick the best artist this school has to offer. Please, show me you stuff." He said. Chihiro smiled weakly. She stood up, and sang with as much strength as she could muster
"Yukisaki sae mo mitsukerarenakute Kaze ni kiesou na kioku o Hosoi ito de yukkuri to hikiyoseru
Zawameku kokoro no koe ni mimi o sumashi 'Ittai nanno tame ni Umaretekita no ka.'"
She stopped. She was only to sing a few lines, because there were so many students. Her voice was clear and full of passion. Koji was smiling slightly and Chihiro hoped it was a good sign.
"Thank you, Miss Ogino. That was a pleasant experience. Now, please excuse me, I have other students to attend to. We will call you if you are chosen. Thank you." Chihiro gulped. He seemed so interested before, why did he all of the sudden change his mind? She got up and walked out.
"So, how did it go, Chi?" Mika asked impatiently. Chihiro shrugged. The director bustled up to the two girls.
"Ogino. You stay after class with me." She said sternly. Chihiro swallowed hard. What had she done? Mika looked at Chihiro and smiled halfway, her face full of pity. Chihiro brushed it off and leaned back in her chair. Mika was called into the room. She was the last student. Chihiro silently wished that Mika were luckier than she was.
Mika came out smiling brightly, exclaiming about how the man loved her, and how she was sure to be the one picked. Chihiro smiled and congratulated her friend, secretly feeling her dreams shatter to a thousand pieces. She excused herself and knocked on the door to her teacher's office.
"You wanted to see me?" She asked.
"Ogino Chihiro." Koji said, his voice full of mirth, "Have a seat, please."
"Chihiro, Koji here has something to talk to you about. I've got another meeting, but I'm sure you'll be pleased with what he has to say." With that said the teacher was gone.
"Miss Ogino, your voice is magnificent. I would be honored if you would please consider signing a contract with my record company." The man said, producing a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. Chihiro was stunned. He was so rude before, so eager to get rid of her. She didn't understand.
"I'd like to take it home with me, sir, if you don't mind." She said. He nodded and handed the paper to her. She smiled and took it from him. He also included a business card for her to reach him at, "Thank you very much for this opportunity." Chihiro said, bowed and left.
She had to sprint to make it to Hikari's school on time. The little girl was sitting on the front steps staring ants when her elder sister showed up, red and out of breath.
"Am I late?" Chihiro asked.
"No. I left my classroom early. I think that Rei's a better teacher, anyway." Hikari said.
"So, 'Kari, how was your very first day being a six year old?" Chihiro asked. Hikari shrugged.
"It would be better with ice cream." She said. Chihiro laughed.
"Why don't we skip voice lessons today and go and get some snacks? We're older today after all, and we've go t to celebrate." Chihiro and Hikari walked along the roads of their small town until they came to a small ice cream shop. Hikari was happy, and Chihiro was ecstatic. It was the best sixteenth birthday that any girl could have asked for.
* * * * * * * *
Chihiro was sitting at the table with her parents, the contract between them. They were fighting again, and Chihiro had to clear her throat to get their attention. Yuuko and Akio looked at their daughter and said at the same time, "No." Chihiro dropped her jaw.
"Honey, we know this means a lot to you, and we know you've been taking all of those lessons, but your education comes first. You have to think about your future." Her mother said.
"Mom, if you just sign this contract, I'm worth more than both of you combined! All four of us could survive forever on my salary! It is my future I'm thinking of!" She yelled.
"Dear, you have to go to high school, and you have to go to college. You must get your doctorate, and then we'll talk about singing." Her father said. Chihiro had had enough. She snatched up her contract and ran up the stairs. She didn't want her parents to see her upset over something such as this. She forced herself to lie down in bed, and sleep it off.
* * * * * * * * * It had been weeks since Chihiro had fought with her parents, and her choir professor kept asking her when she was going to turn it in. Chihiro didn't have the heart to tell her that she didn't get to have it signed, and she wasn't too keen on the idea that she was passing up such an awesome opportunity. She was in denial, yes, and she knew it.
Mika was still sure that she was going to get a call everyday, and Chihiro hadn't told anyone that she was already offered the position. She didn't have the heart to burst Mika's bubble. Chihiro wasn't the best student, and she wasn't the prettiest girl in school. Mika was. Chihiro was glad that she had beaten her friend at something, but she felt upset that she couldn't even tell Mika the truth.
One bright, cheerful and yet cold Sunday morning, Chihiro got out of bed, pulled off her clothing and slipped into the shower. She dried herself off with a towel and then walked back into her room wearing her favorite sweats. She stopped. Mika was reading the contract. She looked at Chihiro, shock written all over her pretty face.
"What's this, Chihiro?" She asked.
"It's a contract, you know, for the record label." Chihiro said, trying to stand her ground. Mika was twirling her stone necklace around her finger impatiently.
"Why didn't you tell me? You let me ramble on and on and on about that! You could have told me that you already got it! Now I look like a fool!" Mika yelled standing up and pointing angrily at Chihiro.
"I didn't tell you because I'm not using it! My parents won't let me! I have to be their stupid drone, I have to be perfect." Mika threw her necklace to the floor.
"I just don't understand how you could lie to me like that. We've been friends for six years, and you've probably lied to me the whole time. Have you really been through that tunnel, Chihiro? Have you really lost all of that time, or were you just trying to make up a story to make friends."
"You have no right to ask me those questions, Yatsuda. Leave. I don't want to talk to you any longer!" Chihiro yelled. Mika ran out of the house.
If only Chihiro knew that this would be the last time she saw her friend alive.
Later that night she was walking to the entrance of the Mahou no Sekai, when she found the cold body of her best friend.
Things would never be the same again.
Chihiro, for the first time in a long time, broke down and cried.
A/N: Wow. What a lovely chapter, eh? I'm so sorry that it took so long to get it up. I accidentally thought that the next chapter was going to go here, but, hey, I was wrong, so I had to fill in the hole.
I'd like to thank the... er. two people who review, I really appreciate it. IF I could get more, it would be lovely. I always love constructive criticism. And, if you all were wondering, yes, I do have the entire story planned out, and yes, I do plan on finishing it, so your reading is not in vain, trust me.
A few disclaimers: The name Hikari I stole from the Fushigi Yuugi OVA Eikoden. A must see for all you Miaka/Tamahome fans out there.
The song comes from Gackt (Man I love him!). It is called Fragrance, and its on him Moon album. The melody probably wouldn't fit in the audition scene, but the translation does so I used it. In fact, from now on I'll be using Gackt-san's songs for my poem at the beginning of chapters.
Translation goes as follows:
Fragrance
I can't even figure out where I'm headed
Fading memory is slowly drawn
Towards the wind by a slender thread
I listen closely to the voice of my troubled heart
"What in the world
Was I born to do."
Yes, it's asking
The moon is always gazing at me
Even now, the answer had yet to come
Please let me hear
The voice.
Please show me
The dream.
Because even if I fall into unending sleep
There's nothing to be afraid of
Please teach me
The truth.
Please tell me
The crime.
As my hidden self is
Wet with red tears.
Only affection is becoming greater
I can't remember anything
Not even the name of the past
I can't do anything anymore
The moon is always, quietly,
Letting the rain keep falling.
I suggest you read the lyrics; they tie in with the story and chapter very well. They explain some of what Chihiro's thinking.
I also don't own Spirited Away. Remember that always, okay?
Until next time,
SLA