"…Paradise, there is no Paradise, always wanting what you can't have, and always searching for things that aren't there. Paradise, there is no such thing, living a million lies, and feeling a million pains, a pain so corrupt that one so young
and pure should never taste. A pain so excruciating that one would willing except demise instead of endure it. Paradise is a lie; A fabrication that I will not longer search for or live for. Truth is misfortune, it is no longer running from your problems of desolation. Truth is hate and love. Truth is good and evil. And paradise only exist outside of such things… which in turn is
truth… and that is why it is a lie. Paradise, there is no Paradise… "
Spoke Zaki as she read her poem to the class she read it with much emotion and feeling, her spirit was in these lines and her classmates saw this and felt this as well as her teacher Mr. Yoshida as he watched her read this in front of everyone as he stood in the back of the class with a smile on his face. Mr. Yoshida always loved her work and by this being the last day of school this was no exception. Her work was beautiful and full of
fire. And he stood there in the back of the class watching her read her work he felt a lump in his throat. He was really going to miss Zaki. He felt like he watched her grow up from a young rough tomboy that fought a lot to the intelligent beautiful young woman with a
love for literature and the arts that she is today.
"Very good Hemizaki" spoke Mr. Yoshida after Zaki finished and he began to appalude her as did her classmates. Zaki only
bowed and went back to her seat.
After class Mr. Yoshida walked to the back of the class where Zaki sat. She was collecting her books and papers and putting them in
her bag when he walked up to her. All the other girls had already left by this time.
"Well I guess this is it huh Hemizaki" spoke Mr. Yoshida as he stood in front of her with a smirk on his face. He was so proud of her he could burst.
"Yeah it looks that way" answered Zaki as she looked up at him with a smile on her face, (she was not wearing her mask because she had just finished reading her poem).
"Well I'm a miss you. You know, you have come a long way, when you first came to Sejjun you were a very troubled girl, and
look at you now, your respectful…well most of the time anyway" laughed Mr. Yoshida
"Oh shut up you worthless teacher" laughed and joked Zaki right back because she was mocking one of the first things that she
said to him when she first came to Sejjun. Back then she was very troubled and disrespectful, she said what ever she wanted to the teachers and that was one of the thing that said to him when they first met.
"Aoi-chan I want you to know that I am very proud of you. I always knew that you had it in you. And seeing a student like you evolve into what you are now reminds me of why I became a teacher to began with. With your mind and talent I know that you will go far."
"Thank you Mr. Yoshida, that means a lot to me"
"I also want you to know that I think that you have a gift. A gift that will enlighten many. You see you have great wisdom, now how someone so young as yourself achieved such wisdom is beyond my comprehension, but it's the truth, and I really feel like you are destine for great things."
"Thank you so much Mr. Yoshida, now I want you to know that I have learned so much from you and this class. It was you that allowed me to unleash my creativity to begin with. You allowed me to channel all my anger, bitterness and frustration into my
writings, you introduced so much to me including Art and philosophy and I just want to thank you. Thank you for believing in me and giving me a chance to prove everyone wrong."
"Anytime kid, you take care okay, and don't be a stranger okay"
" I wont be, you best believe that you will be seeing me again" spoke Zaki with a smile on her face.And when she said that Mr.Yoshida walked closer to her and pulled her in the most loving embrace.
I can see that graduating will give me enough hugs to last a life time. Thought Zaki to herself as she reluctantly hugged Mr. Yoshida back.
After her talk with Mr. Yoshida Zaki walked back to her dorm room to finish her packing because in the morning her and Akira were getting picked up by Daigo. Akira and Daigo were allow Zaki to stay with them for the summer or until she found apartment in the city
near the University that she would be attending in the fall. So she had to hurry up and finish her packing. As Zaki walked threw the empty hall of her dormitory she couldn't help but to notice how empty and vacant it seemed. A lot of the girls had already left the day before for the summer, so there weren't that many students staying in the dorms this last night.
Zaki then quickly got to her dorm door and took the key out of her bag and opened the door. As soon as she walked into the room she went strait for her phone to check her voicemail. And just like she hoped she had a message from her boyfriend Edge."…Hey um…is this thing on?…wait did it beep yet…shit…anyway Zaki I just um…wanted to say that I was thinking
about you…and I can't wait to see you when you get here tomorrow…um let me know what you want to do when you get here, I just got paid so we can go out or something if you like. Anyway call me when you get in bye…" Spoke Edge's voice
over the voice mail and as she listen to his voice she had a content smile on her face. Zaki always loved to get voicemail messages from him because she knows that he hates to give them, she thought that it was cute the way he would stumble and stammer over his
words.
"You are so cute Eiji" spoke Zaki to herself as she sat on the edge of her bed and began to put her belongings in a box that was right next to her, when she heard a knock at the door.
"Yeah come in it's open" spoke Zaki
and when she said that her two best friends walk in the door, Akira and Yurika.
"Yo baby we did it!" shouted a excited Akira with Yurika right behind her laughing.
"Yeah we did, this is it ladies we graduated" spoke Zaki calmly with a small smile on her face.
"I still can't believe that four years went by that fast" spoke Yurika
"yeah I know what you mean…so what are you ladies doing here? don't you have your own packing to do?" stated Zaki
"Well I finished last night and I just helped Yurika finish a few minutes ago so we thought we'd come and see you were doing."
"Oh really so you guys have come to help me" asked Zaki
"Yes that is correct" spoke Yurika in a very proper tone
"Great , well then dig in girlfriends" spoke Zaki and with that she sat back down on the bed and continued to pack while Akira
and Yurika sat on the ground by her bed and grabbed a near by box of there own and began to pack the rest of Zaki's things.
"So Zaki why are you staying with Akira this summer anyway?" asked Yurika as all three girls continued to pack up Zaki's
things in separte boxes.
"Well the thing is Yurika, my grandparents live in the country, and I don't want to spen my whole summer there, and away from everything. I mean think about it Yurika, the college that I will be attending this fall is in the city, and plus I need to start looking for a apartment now so I can have a place to live by this fall, because the dormitories are really expensive. And then there is…" Zaki began
to trail off.
"There is what Zaki?" asked Akira
"…Nothing don't worry about it it's not important"
"No Zaki really tell us. There is one more reason you want to stay in the city this summer, so what is it?" encouraged Yurika
"Okay fine I'll tell you…" spoke Zaki a bit softer and her face became a little red with a blush. Akira and Yurika only looked at her
very much so confused.
"…I..um would miss him too much" continued Zaki
Akira and Yurika only blinked blankly toward Zaki , because they had no idea who this
"him" was that she was referring to.
"Um Zaki who is "him" " Stated Akira
"Yeah what are you talking about " added Yurika " and why are you blushing" she continued.
When they both said that Zaki became slightly annoyed and her right eye began to twitch ."Edge! Yeah you guys remember him don't you? He's only been my boyfriend for the past two years now, and one of Akira's closest friends! I was trying to say that I would miss him way too much if I went back to the country…oh and by the way if this ever
gets back to him you two are dead! And that is promise!"
When Zaki blurted that out both Akira and Yurika looked at each other for a moment and then began to hysterically laugh at her.
Zaki didn't see anything funny what so ever however.
"I don't see what's so funny?" spoke Zaki in a annoyed tone
"Yeah you know what… your right it's not funny…Ri..right Yurika…" spoke Akira between giggles.
But Yurika didn't say anything she just continued to laugh.
"Oh give me a break" spoke Zaki getting even more so upset by the minute. "Damn it grow up you two!" yelled Zaki. But
Akira and Yurika still contued to laugh.
Yurika stopped laughing when she picked up something off of the floor to pack. It was a photo album, with a picture of hello kitty on it.
"Hey Zaki, what's this" spoke Yurika as she begain to look threw the album.
"That would be called a photo album Yurika, you put pictures in it" spoke Zaki in a sarcastic tone
"Yeah , but come on Zaki it has Hello Kitty on it" stated Akira in a teasing tone.
"Okay you are really starting to get on my nerves now Akira" stated Zaki dryly
"Okay..okay I'm a stop now" spoke Akira in a laughing tone.
Yurika and Akira then began to look threw the photo album as Zaki just ignored it and continued to pack. They went threw so many pictures of past memories there were pictures from when the three of them just met to pictures of just Zaki and her grandparents, to pictures of just Zaki and Edge. There was one picture in particular that caught there eye. It was a picture that was somewhat recent.
It had to have taken place a few months ago in the spring. It was a picture of Akira, Edge, and Gan, that Zaki took of them when they were in the mall one day and they just so happen to run into Edge and Gan, who were also there. The picture was of the three friends
sitting in a booth at the food court, and Edge and Akira were arguing while Gan stuffed his face with food, it was a true Kodak moment that's why Zaki took the picture without them even aware of it.
At seeing this picture Akira began to laugh to herself. This caught Zaki's attention.
"What's so funny?" asked Zaki in a interested tone
"This picture…I don't think I have ever seen it before?" laughed Akira
When she said that Zaki then got on the floor with her two friends and looked at the picture that she was referring to. Zaki then begain
to laugh.
"Yeah that was a classic alright…" laughed Zaki
"Akira you looked so mad, why are you and Edge arguing anyway" asked Yurika
"You know I can't really remember , I just know that he pissed me off because he said something smart, and I wasn't really in a good mood that day anyway"
"I think he said something about your camouflage shirt…" added Zaki
"Oh yeah now I remember …your right Zaki, he said something like, why are you still wearing that? It's all faded and last time I
checked when your clothes get faded that means it's time to buy some new ones…" spoke Akira in her best Edge impersonation.
And when she did that all three of them began to laugh .
"Yeah that's right he did say that…and then Akira goes who the hell died and made you a fashion consultant! You can't talk about nobody Edge with that little young ass jacket you always wear.." stated Zaki tryin to sound like Akria. And when she said
that the three girls begain to laugh evenmore.
"What? You really said that Akira?" asked Yurika and she brushed a tear form her eye from laughing so hard.
"I sure did… I get tired of him sometimes…I mean that's my friend and we go way back, but sometimes he just needs to shut up"
"Yeah I know what you mean…" simply spoke Zaki.
all three continued to laugh and talked and reminisced while continuing to pack…
The next morning Daigo came to Pick up Akira and Zaki . He came early that morning around 7:00 just like he said and quickly helped both of the girls load there things that they packed the night before into his car, and they went on there way. Akira sat in the front passenger seat with her brother while Zaki sat in the back seat and just stared quietly out her window as Daigo drove. The ride was a pleasant 45 minutes full of Akira telling Daigo about all the fun that her Zaki and Yurika had this year. Threw out the entire ride Zaki begain to noticed that Akira was different some how, now that she is around her older brother once again. she seemed happier and more talkative. It really amazed Zaki how Daigo would bring out this joyful aura in Akira. Zaki only smiled quietly to herself while witnessing this. Akira hadn't stopped talkin since Daigo picked them up. Zaki then turned her attention from Akira and looked at Daigo's reaction to the things that Akira was telling him and what she saw was Daigo being genuinely amused with his little's sister's stories ,he would would laugh at the things that Akira would be sayin and nodding his head as he listened and drove at the same time. In no time all three of them made it back to Daigo and Akira's house. It was a simple two story house and they haven't been living there long, in fact Daigo and Akira moved into it a year ago. Ever since Daigo graduated from high school 2 years ago he
was able to go to night school to become a mechanic and work full time at a near by garage he was able to save up the money to get this house. Akira loved the house even though it was simple, and it was not too far from the 2 bedroom apartment that they used to live in. Akira was just excited about living in a house with a front and backyard and everything as she would put it. Akira never lived in a house before, by her and Daigo being orphans they both had to work extremely hard for the small crapy apartments that they had in the past. Akira was extremely proud of the house that her brother was able to get .
"Well here we are Zaki" spoke Akira as Daigo parked into the driveway, and all three of them got out of the car, and began to
take there things into the house.
Later that evening Zaki was settling in, when Akira came and knocked on the door to the room that Zaki would be staying in.
"Yeah come on in" spoke Zaki while putting her clothes away.
"Well Zaki I just want to say , to just make yourself at home okay, and if you need me for anything my room is right across the
hall from yours, okay" spoke Akira
"Yeah okay, and Akira thanks again for letting me stay here"
"No problem"
"Are you sure? I mean is this okay with Daigo and all?"
"Zaki I said it's not a problem, my brother doesn't care, all of our friends are welcome here…"
Zaki only smiled at her and then continued to put her things away. And Akira sat on her bed.
"This is a nice place you and Daigo got here Akira" spoke Zaki
"Thanks, it's so much larger then the apartment we used to live in…but um Zaki…can I ask you something?" spoke Akira
softly as she changed the subject.
"Huh..? um…yeah sure. What' s on you mind Akira?" asked Zaki as she put down what she was doing and took a seat right
next to Akira on the bed.
"Well I was just wondering…it's kind of a personal question…you don't have to answer it if you don't want okay"
"Believe me Akira if I don't won't to answer your question I'll let you know" spoke Zaki dryly.
"Well okay…Um…how can I put this….Zaki I was just wondering…you and Edge have been going out for two years now, and well…?"
"What?"
"Well you never talk about your relationship with him, you never tell me and Yurika anything, and I was just wondering how are things? I mean what's it like?"
When Akira said that there was a brief moment of silence and she contemplated on what Akira was saying.
"I'm not sure I understand what you're asking Akira." Spoke Zaki as she looked directly into Akira's eyes, when she did that
Akira fidgeted a little because the conversation was already uncomfortable enough without Zaki giving her that intimidating stare.
"Well I guess what I am trying to say or ask is, well why are you with him to began with…I am not tryin to be rude or anything but I am just curious to know what it is that you like about him and what do you guys have in common? I mean on the outside looking in it just don't seem like you guys don't have anything in common…" spoke Akira as she trailed off.
There was a moment of silence as Zaki just stared blankly at Akira.
"What? Will you stop staring at me like that …if you don't want to answer that's fine it's none of my business anyway…"
"…No Akira it's okay I was just thinking about what you were saying, and to tell the truth Edge and I have a lot more in common then people think."
When Zaki said that Akira titled her head in confusion.
"Huh? Well what do you mean Zaki?"
"I mean… that in many ways Edge is…he's …well put it this way; he has many layers to him. I mean just use his art for an example it's not only breathtaking to look at, but it also expresses so much power and emotion. Everything that Edge is unable to say
vocally, he expresses it in his work."
Akira didn't say anything just looked at Zaki blankly.
"You don't understand; do you? " spoke Zaki dryly
"Well no…I mean, he can draw …so what's the big deal?"
When Akira said that Zaki looked at her strangely. It just seemed odd that someone that was so close to Edge could say that about his work. How can one say such a thing about a person's self-expression? It just didn't make any sense to her, and by listening to Akira's answer and how she looked at things she can now see and understand why Edge is not that confident in his work. Even though
his work is remarkably exquisite, it would be really hard for him to see it that way; if the people that are so close to him don't seem to
give a damn about it, so in return he won't give a damn. It all started to make sense to Zaki now. She knew what it was like to pour
out her soul into her poetry. She knew and understood what type of artistic frustration Edge must have gone threw, because of the lack
of concern that his peers and family must have given him concerning his art.
"Um…no Akira it's more than that…have you even really seen his art?" spoke Zaki still a bit taken back by Akira's early
comment.
"Well…no, I mean I have seen him doodle on a napkin from time to time but nothing really big"
"Doodles? You mean to tell me all the time that you have known him that you have never seen his work? I mean haven't you seen any of his murals that are around town?"
"Murals? What murals?" spoke Akira kind of confused
"Akira …there is a mural of a dragon that he did a few years back in this very neighborhood on the back of a liquor
store…and you mean to tell me that you haven't noticed it?" spoke Zaki dryly and a little annoyed .
Oh yeah you mean his graffiti…well yeah it's pretty cool but he's is vandalizing other's people's property….and I don't really see the
depth or the meaning in that Zaki"
"Well then Akira you don't really know him then"
Akira gets extremely confused by this comment.
"What do you mean I don't know him? I've known him much longer than you !"
"Look Akira, Edge has many layers...I just can't explain it okay" spoke Zaki softly in deep thought.
"Oh…o…kay?" spoke Akira in a not so sure what just happened type of voice.
"oh and Akira there is one more thing…" starts Zaki "he is the best I ever had in bed...so anyway what's new with you?"
and as soon and Zaki said that Akira falls off the bed in classic anime style, Zaki on the other hand acts as if she hadn't said anything shocking at all. Akira then quickly picks herself up and gets back on the bed as if nothing has happen.
"Okay I think that's a little too much information Zaki!"
"Oh whatever, don't act like you weren't dying to know" Spoke Zaki in a nonchalant tone with her arms crossed.
"What? That's not true at all!" protested Akira as she blushed uncontrollably
Zaki only rolled her eye and then look at Akira strait in the eye, Zaki's facial expression was full of disbelief.
"okay okay… maybe I did want to know… just a little " whispered Akira as she blushed even more than before.
The two friends began to laugh.
"He's the best huh?" spoke Akira
"That's right, he's knows how to keep me satisfied inside and outside the bedroom" spoke Zaki calmly as she stood up and
began to put her thing away once again.
"So Zaki….Are you in love with him?" Asked Akira as she just sits on the bed watching her friend unpack. And as soon as
Akira asked that Question she saw Zaki stiffen and freeze in her tracks. Zaki didn't know what to say to this and she didn't expect
Akira to ask such a question.
"Zaki are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"
"Um…no…but…um" just then there was a knock at the door and Zaki jumped , when she did that Akira look at her
strangely.
"Um yes Daigo?" spoke Akira toward the door.
"This ain't Daigo, open up" spoke that familiar male voice on the other side of the door.
When Akira and Zaki heard the voice they looked at each other for a sec. Zaki then smirked.
"Well it looks like we spoke him into existence"
"Yeah I know" Spoke Akira as she got up and walked toward the door, and opened it.
"Hey Edge" spoke Akira
"Hey faded shirt" answered Edge as he addressed Akira and walked into the room.
"Oh don't even start with me Eiji" spoke Akira sternly and a bit annoyed
Edge only laughed at Akria's reaction and Zaki just stood there looking at them with her arms crossed, Akira on the other hand left the
room to get away from his annoying high pitch laughter and his constant teasing.
"So…did you come to see me or are you gonna bicker with her all day" finally spoke Zaki
"Both" answered Edge slyly with a smirk on his face and with his hands in his pockets. "but nah I'm just playin. Did you miss me? " he then became silent for a moment and looked at her. "You look good" he then continued with a even more arrogant smirk on his face as he walked closer to Zaki.
"flattery will get you nowhere"
"Are you sure?"
"Quite… now a little begging might work"
"Nah I'm not the one that begs… you are. Or you will be tonight..."
"What? Why you presumptuous little asshole!…"
"Whatever, I don't even know what presumptuous means, and you still didn't answer my question…I said did you miss me?"
When he said that Zaki calmed down a little and punched him lightly and playfully on his shoulder.
"I don't know, I have to think about that" spoke Zaki with a small smile on her face. Edge only smirked even more and walked closer and closer to her until they were only inches apart. Zaki's back was pressed up against the four-drawer dresser that was in the corner of the room and Edge pressed himself up against her body, he then began to slowly and softly kiss her on her neck as he pulled her even closer to him with his arms wrapped around her waist in a loving and yet lustful embrace.
"So are you tellin me that you didn't miss me at all?…that you didn't miss this?" spoke Edge in a seductive amorous tone as he continued to kiss her softly on the neck as both of their bodies rubbed up against each other and grew hotter. Zaki felt his hard arousal pressed against her, their bodies ached for each other. Zaki then wrapped her arms around his neck and they stood there for a few moments staring into each others eyes , trying to read what the other wanted and knowing what they themselves desired.
Zaki then slowly moved closer to him until finally their lips softly touched and indulged into each other in a slow and sultry kiss. Zaki then broke from the embrace and moved from under him and began to laugh softly to herself as she began to finish up her
unpacking once again.
"Okay, so maybe I missed you a little" spoke Zaki with a smirk on her face as she continued to unpack. Edge on the other
hand just stood where he was a watched her in complete shock.
"Your such a tease" finally spoke Edge
"I am not a tease"
"Whatever" stated Edge as he sucked his teeth and leaned up against the wall with his hands in his pockets and just watched
Zaki walk back in forth from her clothes on the bed to the dresser that she placed them in. Zaki just ignored him.
"Hey! And you never called me back last night woman!" spoke Edge as this just dawned on him.
"I was busy" stated Zaki in a matter fact tone as she continued her task at hand.
"WHAT!...wait I get it, your tryin to act like you don't sweat me..."
When he said that Zaki froze in her tracks and began to quiver with frustration.
"Stop showin off and lets just get the hell out of here, just you and me, what do ya say?" continued Edge as he walked behind her and wrapped
his arms around her waist. He then rested his chin on her slender shoulder and began delicately nibbled on her ear causing her to moan. Zaki then
pushes him away and crosses her arms.
"I do not sweat you! Mr. I call seven times a day!"
"Oh you don't? Miss 'Eiji just one more time please, oh please' " spoke Edge as he began to laugh. After that Zaki couldn't help but to laugh as
well.
"I hate you, you always make me laugh when I'm supposed to me mad at you" spoke Zaki as she kissed Edge on the cheek.
"You hate me? Aw man that hurts" Joked Edge as he then pulled her into another kiss, when they broke the kiss he placed one of his hands softly on her face, and caressed her cheek lightly. "I missed you Aoi…and a month was way too long for me to be without you" continued Edge.
Edge and Zaki hadn't seen each other in three and a half weeks, because Zaki was so busy with studying for finals and applying to colleges,
and because of this she was not able to see him on the weekend, like she normally would. So the only thing that they could do was to keep in contact
with each other with a weekly phone call that they would have at the end of the week, they called this there phone date. They would set a side one-day
that they would call and talk to each other over the phone. When they did this they talked for hours into the night.
They did this because they were
unable to see each other. The phone date was comforting and yet frustrating to Edge at the same time because he didn't just want to hear her voice
during those times, he wish he could touch her and feel her. There month apart was really hard on him. He found himself thinking about her many nights
as he laid in the bed alone, he wondered what she was doing, wondering if he should call her, but felt like if he did call he would just be a burden and
that was the last thing that he wanted to be to her.
"Hey, there is no need to get sentimental" Spoke Zaki as she slowly moved from his embrace. Seeing this side of Edge always made
her a bit uncomfortable. There was a brief moment of silence and Edge instantly felt like he said something wrong.
"S…so …um…what do you have in mind for this evening, I um got your message last night about going out and…" started Zaki as she tried to
break the uncomfortable silence between the two.
"…Oh so you got my message, but you couldn't call me back?" spoke Edge with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Look I told you I was busy"
"Whatever" spoke Edge as he sucked his teeth out of disbelief
"What is that supposed to mean!"
"I don't know! You fuckin tell me!" yelled Edge
There was another moment of silence between the two lovers.
"Look Eiji! did you come over here to fight with me? or to take me out, I want to know! because if you came over here to fight, you can leave!"
stated Zaki sternly
When she said that Edge took a deep breath and tried to calm back down. The whole time Zaki just stood there and stared at him with her arms crossed.
"Okay look, your right I didn't come over here to pick a fight. I apologize for that okay…" started Edge as his composer began to come back to
him. Zaki said nothing and just continued to watch him. "Zaki…I'm just a little frustrated it has nothing to do with you, I just have a lot on my mind"
continued Edge.
"I see" was all Zaki said
"So ..um …if your ready we can go"
"Sure" spoke Zaki and she grabbed her jacket "so where are we going ?"
"A spot uptown I really think you'll like"
And with that said the two headed on their way. When they got down stairs they saw Daigo and Akira in the living room watching Tv.
"Alright boss, I'll see you later" spoke Edge as he reached out his hand and gave Daigo dap.
"Alright man, you two have a good time" answered Daigo
"We'll try, and thanks again Daigo, later Akira" spoke Zaki as she and Edge headed out the front door.
"Bye…oh wait Zaki…" started Akira as she walked to the couple as they stood by the front door.
"What's wrong Akira" asked Zaki
"Nothing, it's just that I almost forgot to give you this key, so you can get in the house"
"Oh thanks" answered Zaki
"Don't wait up" added Edge
And with that Edge and Zaki left.