Eternally Yours - Prologue


A woman, perhaps in her early twenties, sat delicately atop a hospital bed, sweat decorating her good-natured face. Raven hair flowed down over her shoulders, limp and in desperate need of a trim. Despite her ragged appearance, Miss Asuka Shindou couldn't have been happier. A large smile decorated her face as she looked at her newborn son, whom she and her fiancee had already decided to call Shuichi, in honor of Asuka's recently deceased father. Carefully, Asuka touched her son's sleeping face, and he stirred slightly, reaching a tiny hand out to nothing in particular.

"Miss Shindou?" The nurse's light voice made Asuka jump slightly, startling Shuichi and making him cry loudly.

"What's the matter?"

"A man outside asked me to give this to you. He said you were his fiancee.... is this true?" The nurse, whose name tag read Yoko, described the man, and Asuka's face broke into another smile.

"Yes, that's him." She said, over the sound of Shuichi's wails. "He's here? Can't he come in and see me?"

Yoko winced. "He just gave me an envelope and told me to give it to you. He said he had something important to attend to....although I personally couldn't see what would be more important then his own newborn..." Shaking her head, the nurse gave the envelope to Asuka, who stared at it in confusion.

"I don't understand... he said he'd be here..."

"I'm sorry, Miss. I'll be back in about ten minutes, so you can read the letter in private." Softly, Yoko closed the door behind her. Asuka waited until she heard her soft footsteps; then she opened the white envelope. A couple of dollar bills and a folded piece of notebook paper fell out. She picked up the paper and unfolded it, Shuichi's cries growing softer as he once again grew tired. The radio next to the bed crackled with static, but Asuka ignored it, her eyes focused on the paper in her hand.


My Dear Asuka-chan,

I'm sorry I couldn't be there to give you this in person, but I have to catch the earliest flight I can to America, and the hospital is quite out of my way. I gave this to a nurse yesterday when I drove you here, and told her to give it to you after our son was born. I hope this finds you and little Shuichi well.

As you have probably already guessed, our engagement is off. I'm traveling to the United States, probably as you read this, and I have no intention of returning to Tokyo. I'm sorry to do this to you, but it's for the best.

I can practically see your face as you read this, but don't try to place the blame on me. We were both drunk that night Shuichi was conceived, and I never wanted a kid. I suggested you get an abortion, but you nearly bit my head off. So it's in your hands now.

I know your parents didn't want you marrying me, and I know they won't support you and Shuichi. However, I didn't have any money when I wrote this letter, so enclosed is about seven dollars. Buy what you need with it.

I'm very sorry, Asuka-chan. I'd like you to remember that I am eternally yours, and will have you in my thoughts. It wasn't your fault, it was completely mine. I love you, and will miss you. I have to go now. My flight leaves in about thirty minutes, and the beer I had with dinner isn't agreeing with me. Best wishes.

Eternally yours.


"Eternally yours?" Asuka asked softly, tears welling up in her purplish eyes. "H-He said that the night he asked me to marry him..."


Asuka, I love you, and I want to be with you the rest of my life. Please accept this ring as a token of my love, and know that I will be yours, eternally. Will you marry me?


"You damn liar." She said, her voice hoarse and scratched. "How are you mine when you're out in America?" Angrily, she bent her head and began to cry. Shuichi stared up at his mother, his own eyes red and rimmed with tears. The untuned radio next to the hospital bed flickered to a random station and began to play rock music. Soon enough, the station fizzed out, and was replaced with a Japanese techno station, the music soft and catchy. Angrily, Asuka smacked the radio until it sullenly shut off.

But the music notes would remain in Shuichi Shindou's head.