Paper Cranes
I watched her from the doorway, as she meticulously folded one sheet after the other. She creased each fold, putting just the right amount of pressure, and followed the written instructions to the dot. What resulted was a profusion of cranes all in different pastel shades, ingrained with just one wish.
Despite the company of her newfound friends, one is quick to notice that she is alone.
I cleared my throat. "Daidouji-san?"
She looked at me and smiled. I gave her one of my own in return.
"Hiragizawa-kun, I didn't know you were there." She nodded towards a chair adjacent to her, which I took as an invitation to sit and chat. A few strides closed the gap between our distance.
"I am not surprised you're skilled in the art of paper folding as well, Daidouji-san."
"You flatter me Hiragizawa-kun. It's something I've discovered recently, as I found a book on origami lying around back home. Now here I am, folding my days away." To prove her point, she placed a crane in a wicker basket filled with about dozen more, or so.
"For the Ancient Chinese, cranes were originally associated with the longevity of one's life."
"Similar to the tortoise, then?"
I nodded. "I believe it is from that association, the myth of making a thousand paper cranes to grant one immortality originated. We all know how fanatical those Chinese emperors were about living forever."
She looked up from a half-finished crane, "And now people believe that if they make a thousand, the Gods would grant one of their wishes."
I clicked my tongue and shook my head "It just goes to show how times have change."
"That, or how old you are Hiragizawa-kun." She winked at me before adding another crane to the basket.
"Daidouji-san, if the myth were indeed true, what would you wish for?"
Our eyes locked for some seconds, and she resumed her task. My question was left hanging.
"A couple of years back in rainy Westernized London, I did the same thing. A thousand paper cranes I made, under the instruction of Clow Reed, that is."
I reached out for her stack of papers, and picked a lilac one. I began folding a crane, as how I remember it from memory.
She looked at me, her interest being quipped. "Clow Reed? Now why would he order such a thing?"
"Despite being his reincarnation, I myself do not know. Perhaps it's one of his little eccentricities resurfacing."
"How did the people there in prim-and-proper London react? Condemn you to an asylum for such a whimsical belief?"
"They might have actually done it. Imagine, in Central London comes a lad out of nowhere, with a thousand cranes in tow, being released into the air one by one! They certainly had a fit."
Her laughter reminded me of the tinkling of wind chimes on a warm yet breezy summer's day. I felt compelled to join in.
Upon finishing, I placed my crane alongside the others she had made. "Whatever did you wish for, Hiragizawa-kun?"
I smiled, "He told me to wish for you."
FIN
March 3, 2005 2:45
a/n: This may probably happen in the third season or so. Perhaps Eriol returned to Japan after quite sometime. Haha, I wish! Oh, and if anyone is interested in making a thousand cranes, please tell me what happens! I'm on my way to make my seventh.
April 23, 2007
Edited
May 7, 2009
Edited after years of gathering dust
June 30, 2009
Fixed some problems on characterization