Living in a Dream
Chapter 2
Author's jibberish: Sorry for the delay!
"Oh, so you were sent to protect me by my father."
"Yes. My name is Kidai Kusa."
"My name is Heiko Mianema."
"My duty is to serve you, Madam."
"Please, no need for
formalities."
"But…"
"We are of same age. And besides, I would prefer it that you call me by at least first name."
"'Tis a strange request but very well…Heiko-sama."
Meimi looked up in front of her. All her classmates were present besides one. She glanced at her watch. "A few more seconds before the bell rings…" Meimi muttered. "Asuka Jr. is usually here 10 minutes before school starts."
Soon, the bells chimed and in came Asuka Jr., running in at the speed of light. He jumped to his seat as the teacher stepped in and began to take role.
"Hey, Asuka!" one of his friend's whispered. "What's up? Why are you late?"
"I just overslept, that's all," Asuka Jr. answered. He placed his head on his desk and took a long, relieving sigh.
It was after school as St. Paulia School. Seira Mimori came out of the back quarters, dressed in a white habit. She found a man standing in front of the altar. He was tall with straight black hair and dressed in a dark-brown 3-piece suit. "Good afternoon," Seira greeted with a smile.
He turned and gave her a weak smile in return. "Oh, hello Sister."
"It looks like something is troubling you."
He rubbed the back of his head. "Uh…well…"
"It's ok to talk about it Sir. It might help."
The man took a seat in the front pew. "It's my fiancée. Well, ex-fiancée…"
"His ex-fiancée, Ms. Tsukino, has kept the engagement ring given by Mr. Rotukawa," Seira explained to her friend Meimi. "The ring is his family heirloom and now that she broke off the wedding, she refuses to give back the ring."
Meimi growled. "What a greedy, little--. She's breaking a family tradition without care! Don't worry, Saint Tail will take care of her!" Meimi jumped out of her seat in the confessional.
"So when are you going to send a calling card?" Seira asked through the wire screen.
"Right now, if that's alright."
"It's fine by me but…" the nun-in-training hesitated. "Did you see Asuka Jr. in class today? He was very tired."
"Are you saying I shouldn't send him a challenge and he should just rest?"
"I don't know what I'm saying; I guess I wanted you to be aware."
"Thanks Seira, but I promised to always send him a card. How's this! I'll steal it right after sunset," Meimi suggested. "It gives him plenty of time to sleep afterwards."
Seira smiled. "Sounds good."
Asuka Jr. lazily yawned. Oh, what a pain. He went to bed at 10pm as usual. Why didn't he wake up earlier? It's always as if his body had an automatic alarm clock, set at 6:30am every morning, including weekends. So why…
It must have been that dream. As he walked home, he tried to recall the images. It was of a girl with bright orange hair like the sunlight, blue eyes like the sea waves and a smile that was as bright as diamonds. She wore a thick pink kimono with a pale lilac obi, tied in a butterfly bow. She was talking to him but…he didn't remember what she said. If only he could think harder.
When he arrived home, he opened his bag and pulled out his history book. He sat on his bed and muttered "52" saying out loud the beginning of his 10-page reading assignment. When he reached it, his eyes widened. Inside was an index card with a pink ribbon tied in the corner. It read:
Dear Mr. Detective,
Tonight at sunset, I will take the Rotukawa ring from the Tsukino Amaya residence. –St. Tail
Of all the nights to pull a caper! Asuka Jr. tried to hold back a yawn with little effort. But he had a duty and he would not ignore it. He looked at the clock that sat on his desk. It was only 5:00; sunset wasn't for another 1 ½ hours. Maybe a little nap wouldn't hurt… He fell back, his head landing on the pillow.
A soft humming sound came into his mind and pulled him to slumber.
…to be continued -_-