Chapter 17- Kaori's Song
Valerie was the last person to wake up the following morning, having been roused from her slumber by Kiyoko who immediately told her that Kaneda had left already for the city. When Valerie asked her why she had not been awakened earlier so that she could at least say "see you later", Kiyoko told her that Akira had contacted the Espers with his telepathy and told them to let Valerie sleep. Apparently Akira was afraid that Valerie still was not fully recovered from her ordeal with the PMCM. Kiyoko then left the living quarters to allow Valerie some privacy while she dressed. The bandages were now removed and the only physical trace of the PMCM was a reddish star shaped scar in the middle of her forehead. This did not concern her much however, she was not the type to go into a complete frenzy just because she now had a scar. As she stepped outside she chuckled at what Kiyoko had said about how Akira was concerned about her health.
Valerie: "Heh…that's Spark, such a gentleman. Hey guys, did you all get a good sleep?"
Takashi: "I never stayed up so late before, it was lots of fun! I slept almost as long as you did Miss Valerie!"
Valerie: "This isn't like you Takashi, what's got you so excited?"
Yamagata: "Oh he's just so happy that when Kaneda comes back he'll have the chance to make some more friends."
Frost: "Ah yes, to be so young and carefree. When such a simple thing as making a few new friends can bring so much joy into your heart."
Colonel: "Ha, it's just as I said before, you scientists are a bunch of romantics!
Valerie: "Hey guys, this may be a little off topic but what's that great smell? It smells absolutely delicious!"
Kei called over from the pond near the little cabin and said that whatever it was it was probably the big surprise that Akira and Tetsuo were concocting. Kei also added that until Kaneda and the others returned they all would have plenty of time on their hands to rest and relax. When asked what she was planning to do she answered by diving into the pond that Valerie would later be told had been named Tenshi Spring. Valerie decided to occupy her mind by practicing her telepathy with Kai and Masaru over by a large cherry tree. It's petals falling gracefully to the ground like newly fallen snow. After just an hour of practice Valerie and Kai were now able to carry out complete conversations with the more experienced psychic. Simple topics such as what their favorite foods, games and even television shows were talked about but they also "chatted" about their own unique experiences and their thoughts that were going on while the Neo-Tokyo incident involving Tetsuo was occurring. Kaori however was sitting amongst a cluster of rose bushes near a dried well close to the entrance to the compound. She had always loved the sweet romantic fragrance of the flowers. They filled her with a great sense of inner peace and tranquility. The feeling was now amplified by her newfound freedom and new life with those she loved and cared for. As the peaceful feeling steadily grew stronger in her heart something began to happen all around her. A soft amber colored mist surrounded her body, causing new life to be born in the blossoms surrounding her. Her newfound aura that went unnoticed by Kaori increased in strength as a song she had once known as a child re-emerged in her memory and quietly escaped her lips…
Kaori (singing softly): "Karada juu kizutsui kara te
Mamoritai kimi no koto wo
Chi wo nagasu koto sae kitto
Ima nana seizani shikatte yuu yo.
Kimi no hitomi murasa muyou
Sono hohoemi wo kowari dakishimete.
Itsumo kokoro no doko kara de
Yon de ita sagashiteta
Meguri kagayaku hoshi no mata daki
Meguriau tame futari kitto.
Setsunakute toki sae tomaru
Mamoritai kimi no koto wo
Baki wo koru omoi wo tsugete
Kiseki wo shinjita ikuman no yume.
Futari deatta ano ki kara
Konna kimochi yokan shi teidan no ka.
Soshite kokoro no doko kara de
Ugokidasu afuredasu
Mune no kaganari kikoeru hodo ni
Shizukana sekai futari dakedo.
Itsumo kokoro no doko kara de
Yon de ita sagashiteta
Meguri kagayaku hoshi no mata daki
Meguriau tame futari kitto.
Soshite kokoro no doko kara de
Ugokidasu afuredasu
Mune no kaganari kikoeru hodo ni
Shizukana sekai futari dakedo."
Kaori felt something the minute she finished her singing, it felt like a leaf was brushing up against her arm. Opening her eyes she let out a little gasp, for through what remained of her newfound aura she saw that the rose bushes had grown to about five feet in height from their original two and a half feet. And even as her aura dissipated she could still see new flower buds growing and blossoming. That was her gift she realized. To bring both life and strength to whomever and whatever needed it the most. Standing up slowly she ran her palm over the newborn blossoms that she had helped to create. Both through the power of her mind and the power of her voice. And in the bustling kitchens where Tetsuo and Akira worked feverishly Tetsuo could have sworn he had heard a Fushigi Yuugi song in his mind. Not to mention he now felt strangely energized and peaceful.
Akira: "Is there something wrong?"
Tetsuo: "…no…just listening to the wildcat."