A few days later, I woke and Jin wasn't there. Michelle came to get me up, as Jin always does. "Jin went out on business. He didn't say where." I knew where. He didn't say anything about it but I knew.

I followed Michelle into the other room. She left me sitting on a chair as she went to make tea for the both of us. While she was gone, I walked over to Jin's room. Letters lay on his bed where he'd read them. They weren't addressed or signed but I knew he knew. They were mine. And I knew who'd written them.

I pulled the letter from the top of the stack, the one he'd been reading. I knew what it said but I reread it anyway.

I'm sorry for what I did. Please don't tell him. He will be angered if he knows. I'm sorry I left. I didn't want him to know me. He won't like what I am. Fifteen years I've spent thinking. And all I can think about is our son.

Jin was gone. Gone to find his father. I could hear him yelling, "What did you do to my mother? What is it that you don't want me to know?" His father didn't even know his name. I didn't want Jin to know what he did to me. Not yet. Even if I wanted him to know, I don't know how I'd tell him. It would be better if Kazuya did. But he wouldn't and if he does, he won't give all the details. "That wasn't where Jin went."

I walked back into the room and Michelle had already brought the tea. "I was just about to look for you." She smiled her warm smile as she patted the chair next to hers, motioning for me to sit down.

"He went to get away from you. You're too much responsibility for him. He hates you. Michelle wants to leave, too. And she will, when she feels she can get away."

"Onegai, shut up!" This time I said it out loud, for the first time. Michelle looked at me in confusion and concern. "Gomen nasai, Michelle." I felt my face go red. 'Onegai, leave me alone!' Causing me so much trouble! It won't go away!

"What happened?" Michelle asked.

I could only utter two words. "The Voice." Michelle nodded her head and leaned over to hug my shoulder. "Michelle? Do you think I will be like this forever?"

"I don't know. I'm not the one to say. But I hope with all my heart that you won't have to. I pray it to the spirits every night."

I didn't like the sound of spirits. They reminded me of the dark. But she made them sound good.

I waited patiently all day for Jin to come home. But he didn't come.

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Onegai------ Please

Gomen Nasai---- I'm sorry

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