CHAPTER 22
THE END
NEW YORK CITY, USA
15 YEARS LATER
It was considered one of the largest annual fashion shows in the world. Designers, corporations, celebrities, and even politicians flocked from all over the world to this spectacular event to gaze at the wondrous new designs of clothes that were modeled by the most beautiful women and handsomest men. Even traffic in the busiest city in the world was brought to an even worse standstill by the show while the streets were packed with limousines and luxurious sports cars. All of the madness centered itself around the infamous Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue and the epicenter of the fashion show was in The Grand Ballroom.
The walls were draped with priceless tapestries while hundreds of photographers huddled around the catwalk as pulsing and vibrant music filled the massive room. The luxurious chandeliers sparkled and glowed with every flash of light from the cameras, creating new and scenic colors in their diamonds. Women began to waltz down the catwalk showing off the newest designs from a renowned designer from Japan. The first was an American model wearing the first wardrobe as the camera bulbs burned.
The enthusiastic hostess of the event sat at a table overlooking the event as the applause and flashing cameras filled the room. "Next up is the newest seasonal dress wardrobes by Japan's very own Tsukasa Shiraishi! This is Mrs. Shiraishi's third show here in New York City and twelfth overall as her designs continue to take the world by storm! Now you can see model Amber Cartwright sporting this breathtaking gold silk dress with blue and green feather patterns across the neck and trim. The golden belt is also part of the wardrobe so you hotshots, get your checkbooks ready!"
As the festive show continued to go on, a woman in her early thirties stood backstage and watched the event unfold. She held her folded hands under her chin and nervously watched the female models wear the ensembles she painstakingly worked on for countless months in preparation for this event. She was wearing a beautiful red dress while diamond earrings hung from her ears and a diamond necklace also rested around her flawless swan-like neck. A single yellow ribbon was tied not in her hair, but around her right wrist.
Watching keenly, a voice behind her said, "Tsukasa, Tsukasa!"
The woman in red slowly turned and the former Tsukasa Hiiragi, now thirty-two years old, watched her assistant rush over to her. Fifteen years. It has been fifteen years since the dreaded New Years that changed Tsukasa Hiiragi and her family forever and so much had changed. Externally, Tsukasa was dressed from head to toe in absolute luxury and beauty. Her hair now reaching the back of her shoulders, she graced the world in her red dress, black high-heels, jewelry, and ruby lipstick. One of those pieces of jewelry was a diamond ring wrapped around her left ring finger, symbolizing her marriage to a man.
Internally, Tsukasa continued to think of the events that led her to where she stood. The first few weeks at White Mountain Psychiatric Hospital were the worst. She suffered crying episode one right after another as she had to undergo the psychological transformation by becoming an open book of what happened to her and what she did. Her therapist, Dr. Hirukawa's daughter-in-law, suggested that as a constant stress relief, Tsukasa should draw things or write about things that made her happy. Still feeling the trauma from the infamous diary, Tsukasa took to drawing. It started out with animals, landscapes, the family shrine, and eventually to clothes. Her sketches became more detailed and better with each one and it soon caught the attention of one of the orderlies in the hospital. His aunt was a designer and he asked if Tsukasa would allow her to see some of them, which she reluctantly agreed to. The aunt saw natural talent instantly.
"Yes, Yutaka?" Tsukasa asked her assistant as the short girl stopped to catch her breath, who was also dressed luxuriously.
Yutaka Kobayakawa pumped fresh air into her frail lungs and looked up at Tsukasa as she held a notebook. "I just got off the phone with your driver and he says he was able to pick up your family at JFK airport and he's taking them on a tour of the city just as you asked him to."
Tsukasa nodded passively, her mind still on the fashion show.
"And they'll be here at the hotel in a few hours." Yutaka added.
"Did you hear anything from Kagami yet?" Tsukasa asked.
Yutaka flipped through the pages of her notebook and said. "Yes, she called a few minutes ago and said she was going to be late. She landed a few hours ago."
Tsukasa formed a small grin. "She went to visit your cousin and Hiyori at that convention across the city."
Yutaka nodded happily. "I can't wait to see Konata again. So do you want me to go over your schedule again?"
Tsukasa nodded.
"Okay, after the show you have dinner with your family, along with the requested alone time with Kagami afterward. Tomorrow, you have your speech to deliver at Columbia University to the psychology department, then after that we need to hurry to the airport to catch your 2:00 flight to London where you're to keep promoting your designs." Yutaka struggled to keep up and arrived at her final appointment. "Then the next day we make our flight to Finland where the ICC's committee on sex crimes is meeting in Helsinki for you to give your second speech against sex slavery."
Tsukasa was as exhausted listening to her next few days as Yutaka was reading them. It had all changed so fast when Tsukasa left White Mountain and was allowed to return home after successfully completing the program. She barely started college until fame found her with her unique fashion designs that became an overnight hit. Tsukasa couldn't finish college in the amount of time it took Kagami, but little by little she chipped away until she finally received her degree in marketing. By the time Tsukasa was twenty-five years old, she was in the fast lane. It was not only her designs, but also her story that caught the attention of every agent and publicist in Japan.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Yutaka." Tsukasa said and slowly turned away.
Yutaka tilted her head and approached her boss and friend. "Tsukasa, are you okay? You seem a little tense."
Tsukasa nodded as she watched the next model wear one of her designs move onto the catwalk. "I'm fine…I'm just thinking. Minoru and I have been having some…problems lately."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Yutaka asked in her still pure and sweet voice. "You know you can talk to me about anything. We've been through a lot, you know."
She was right. Tsukasa and Yutaka have been through a lot together. As Tsukasa's career got better and better, Yutaka was able to graduate college with a degree in public relations, though she only had one problem. No job offerings. Despite her mental growth, Yutaka remained short and frail with her own list of medical problems and she couldn't find a business that would hire someone to represent them who constantly fell ill every season. When no one else was there, Tsukasa was. She took Yutaka under her wing and taught her about the world of fashion and hired her as her assistant and new publicist. Her innocent appearance charmed all who met her and with Tsukasa's natural talent in design, they made for an unstoppable team.
"I would like that, Yutaka. Better than staying here and trying to keep my heart from breaking out of my chest." Tsukasa replied and was led by Yutaka out of the fashion frenzy
The two friends graced the infamous and spacious lobby of the Plaza Hotel as they walked above the golden floors. Priceless art and decorations breathed life into the hotel as the two friends made their way to a place in the building called The Champagne Bar, a place that they enjoyed going to and relaxing at. This was their third day and night in New York City staying at the Plaza Hotel and the third time they would drink at this exquisite bar.
After ordering two white chardonnays, Yutaka placed her hands under her chin and said, "So talk to me, Tsukasa. What's going on?"
"I'm just so nervous. I heard that scouts from Chanel, Gucci, and Prada were at this show looking for possible new designs." Tsukasa whimpered. "My agent says that if even just one of those corporations picked my designs, I would never have to worry about money ever again."
Yutaka was slightly confused by Tsukasa's concern. "You're worried about money? But you're already financially secure, Tsukasa. Your children are already enrolled in that private school Miyuki suggested to you and their college funds are already taken care of. The best part about that is that your children are only seven and five years old."
"It's not that kind of worriment." Tsukasa responded quickly. "It's just that…I don't know. I guess I just worry about what so much money can do to a family. You and I travel a lot and it's hard for me to schedule some time to stay home with Minoru and the kids, and when it gets to the point where I can only see my husband and children on a computer screen via Skype, I want to start crying. I guess I'm just trying to find that thin line between being a good mother and being a good provider without spoiling them or something."
"Oh I see now." Yutaka replied. "Yes I do remember you saying you wanted to schedule some time off to stay at home in Tokyo. But I've known Minoru for a long time too and I think that he understands that you're a hard worker and you know he's a great father."
The waiter quickly returned with two glasses of chardonnay sitting on a tray and gently placed them in front of the two women, following it up by leaving them to their privacy. Tsukasa abruptly took the glass and began to swallow the liquid at a hastened pace, showing the level of her stress in the process.
"He is a great father and a great man." Tsukasa looked away as she sat the glass down. "I just wish I could've been a better wife in the beginning. There were a few times when I really thought we were going to split. Because of…my past…I still don't know if I'm going to be a good enough mother for my children when they grow up and start having questions about…adult issues. My sex life has to be…different after all."
Yutaka outstretched her hand and forcefully took Tsukasa's, surprising the fashion designer. She cupped Tsukasa's hand in hers and said, "Tsukasa, I want you to stop all of this nonsense right now. I know you had some marital problems in the beginning and believe it or not, you will in the future, too. I understand how you feel about your abilities as a mother but I don't want you for one second to think that you're not good enough. You are the most incredible person and woman I've ever had the pleasure to be friends with and work with. Minoru is a lucky man to have you and those kids of yours will grow up and also do incredible things just like their mother and do you know why they will do that Tsukasa? Because you are their mother."
Tsukasa was deeply touched by her friend's and assistant's words. She took Yutaka's other hand and the two ladies held each other's hands over the table in the booth and smiled to each other. Tsukasa thanked her deeply for always being there for her and for always pushing her when she needed it. Tsukasa and Yutaka fed off each other in that way. Yutaka looked up to Tsukasa as a role model for all that she was able to accomplish since she was raped and used that as her reason to wake up every day and do her best.
Tsukasa on the other hand needed someone like Yutaka around who had a soothing personality and give her reassurance every now and then. Despite all that Tsukasa was able to achieve in her career and life, she still doubted herself; a remnant of the New Years that changed her forever. Whenever she and her husband would have a fight, she would become very depressed and even contemplate quitting the fashion world. That's one of the many reasons why she kept Yutaka around.
"Thanks for all that, Yutaka. Now that I know what being a mother feels like…I wonder what being an aunt will be like. Inori will help me in that department in a few more weeks."
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This was her very first time visiting New York City and only second time visiting the United States of America. The only time she spent in America was her semester at Harvard University for her graduate internship in Law. She wanted to think that she was a mature and level-headed woman and her credentials in the academic world would testify to that, but still she felt like a kid in a candy store as she sat in the backseat of her arranged ride and looked out the window. Unable to take her eyes off the towering buildings and exotic culture, Kagami Hiiragi was already having the time of her life.
She was able to unglue her eyes from the surroundings momentarily to check herself one final time. Dressed in an expensive work suit, Kagami reached into her handbag and pulled out a small mirror with a makeup kit attached to it and examined herself in the mirror. Her hair once again dangled majestically behind her and reached as far as her lower back in a professional style. She packed her makeup away and breathed a deep sigh as she sat in the back of the luxurious sedan that her younger sister arranged for her.
It had been a long haul for her as well these past fifteen years. Kagami was almost certain that she was going to have to repeat her final year of high school, but when her sister slipped into the coma, she picked herself up and rose to the challenge. For Tsukasa. That was her reasoning behind Kagami working night and day through sweat, tears, and blood to make up the work she lost due to mental or physical health at the hands of Tsukasa. She never held a grudge against her fraternal twin for it and always and still saw her as the victim in the hellish storm that found the Hiiragi family. Kagami graduated with her class at the end of the school year as if nothing happened, but that was just the beginning for her.
It was the happiest day of Kagami's life when she received her acceptance letter into Tokyo University and was immediately admitted to their law program. Taking an example from the reborn Tsukasa post-hospital, she distinguished herself as a dedicated academic and quickly became a law prodigy. Her undergrad years flew by in an instant and before she knew it, she was already in graduate school. Even going abroad for a semester seemed to come and go too fast when she eventually returned to Japan and once she became a lawyer, she continued forward. With the friends and colleagues she won over in Tokyo University and the people skills she mastered in America as an intern, Kagami learned firsthand how hard it was to open her own firm. Nevertheless, her skills and perseverance enabled her to establish one of the most influential corporate law firms in Japan.
Every now and then, Kagami still felt lonely and lacking in some areas as a result of her constant work effort, but her job still kept her going. She admitted to herself that she was a woman and had certain desires that needed to be satisfied, but her strict dedication to work put them on hold. She was envious of some of her old friends and even two of her sisters that were able to find respectful men to marry them and begin a family with. Maybe one day for Kagami too.
Unbelievable. I'm the only one who's going to be dressed like a human at this thing…and yet I'm the one who's going to stick out like a sore thumb.
Kagami thought this to herself as she spotted the first person dressed as Kyon and was accompanied by a vibrant female dressed as Haruhi. Kagami rolled her eyes as her car kept approaching the annual event known as AniMiniCon and her eyes suddenly caught the whole seven member cast of Highschool of the Dead. When the car finally stopped outside of the building where the convention was and she saw the other people cosplaying, all she could say to herself was, "So many Sailor Moon's, so little time."
When the car came to a stop, she informed the driver that she would be awhile and allowed him to leave her. Feeling the effects of the wardrobe irony, Kagami's face burned red when all the cosplayers and otakus locked their eyes on her and some even giggled, making her frustration rise. Still, she walked with pride in her expensive suit and into the convention center. Showing the pass she acquired from an old blue-haired friend to the front desk, she was allowed access into the otaku paradise where stands of manga artists were pushing their latest work. Some of the more famous voice actors also made appearances and graced their fans while signing autographs and doing panels.
After trying to paddle her way through the treacherous ocean of otakus, her heart suddenly pounded when she saw the flash of long blue hair sitting at a table with a large stock of manga stacked next to her. There was a long line of fans at her table waiting anxiously for an autograph and the latest issue written by her and sketched by her partner, who was sitting next to her.
Nervously, Kagami inadvertently ran her hands over her suit in one last attempt to push any dust or dirt off and slowly approached. Seeing Konata again for the first time in years made her heart race faster as she looked at her friend. She hadn't changed a bit physically, but had one addition to her face: glasses. They weren't as big as Miyuki's were, but still noticeable and Kagami sighed with a slight smile on her face. She wondered if those glasses were ever prescribed or if it was just for the fan base.
When her presence was known, Konata quickly turned her head and her reaction was surprisingly complacent when she saw Kagami for the first time in years. She simply closed her eyes and formed her infamous cat-like grin and slowly stood, though Kagami still hovered over top of her.
"You are hands down the worst cosplayer I've ever seen, Kagamin." Konata said smugly.
Kagami rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Konata, but I still win in school. Even in college, the only A's you got are the two that are still sitting on the front of your chest."
Konata scrunched her face and a red vein popped over her head, but it quickly disappeared and the blue-haired woman quickly hugged Kagami, who hugged her back.
"Hey Kagami, long time no see!" Konata's career partner exclaimed as she finished another autograph.
Kagami looked up and saw Hiyori Tamura sitting next to Konata's seat. Her appearance too remained unchanged over the past fifteen years. The biggest thing that changed was her relationship with Konata. After they worked as a team all those years ago to fight for Kagami and Tsukasa, the two otakus realized they could do so much more. They immediately began working on their own manga and storylines together. It was nearly a perfect setup. Konata comes up with the storylines, plots, and characters, and Hiyori brings them all to life. Konata's unique stories and her unwillingness to compromise any established laws of anime made her an instant hit, as did Hiyori's sharp skills at the art.
"It's great to see you too, Hiyori." Kagami added and released her old friend.
Konata invited Kagami to sit with them as the two manga professionals resumed their duties of signing autographs and accepting the money people were paying for their books. Kagami had to admit that she was impressed with their setup and it seemed that they were doing very well for themselves. Konata admitted that business was booming and that their names were famous at every Comiket and festival in Japan, as well as elsewhere in the world whether it was America or all of Europe.
"I swear Konata, I never thought you would turn this kind of stuff into a career." Kagami huffed. "Why didn't you become vet or a lawyer like in your old journals from when you were younger?"
Konata's mischievous grin returned and she quickly reached under the table. She gripped a custom sketch she did all on her own and held it in her lap while replying, "Well if I did pursue a law degree, I wouldn't be able to draw this!"
She dropped the picture in Kagami's lap and the distinguished, long-haired lawyer instantly became enraged like the old days. It was a spoof drawing of Kagami herself dressed in a suit though her mouth was large with many rows of razor teeth, eyes of an angry animal, and a large butt.
"What the hell is this, Konata?!" Kagami yelled, a vein now popping in her head.
"It's your senior portrait from college, Kagamin." Konata said happily.
"And why is my butt so big…and in the shape of a choco-cornet?!" Kagami snapped as she looked at the drawn posterior, with the imitated pastry edged in and making it look much bigger.
"Don't sweat about your big butt, Kagamin. I just used a couple of ass-spects. Get it? Ass-spects!"
"I also see my razor teeth are made of pocky sticks!"
"You are what you eat after all!" Konata happily proclaimed.
"Fine, then when you and Hiyori come to dinner tonight, I'll order you the short-stack!" Kagami retorted, to which Konata giggled too.
It felt just like old times and that's exactly what the group of friends wanted. They didn't want to think about the reason why they were all gathering in New York aside from incredible coincidence and perfect timing. Tsukasa however was going to turn it into fate later in the evening when the rest of her guests would arrive from Japan.
"I was wondering Hiyori, when's your wedding?" Kagami asked when she saw the reflective ring on her finger as she signed another book.
The female otaku smiled and replied, "Two weeks after we get back. Konata and I head home after the convention and from there, I'll still live with my fiancé until the wedding. And they say that male and female otakus never find each other."
Kagami nodded with a smile. "Congratulations again."
"So when are you getting married, Kagami?" Konata asked with an inflexion in her voice.
Rolling her eyes, Kagami replied, "Don't start with that, Konata. I get enough of that from my parents."
"Hey it's cool. I was just surprised that it was Tsukasa who got married first." Konata said. "I always thought that it would either be Inori or Matsuri."
Kagami looked away. "I think you're right about Inori…but that Matsuri. I swear…she surprised all of us with what she's doing."
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Tsukasa returned to her hotel suite after her discussion with Yutaka. She didn't want to be there for the rest of the show and needed some alone time to relax and build her happy persona back up for her guests of honor when they arrived. Her hotel room was nearly the size of an entire house but the interior design was state of the art and was nothing less than lavishing. Opening the door, she stepped onto a red velvet carpet covering a white tile floor that was her foyer and bypassed all the expensive goods in it. Past the leather furniture, seventy-three inch flat screen television, and dining room with a large finished cherry table and chairs, she went into her bedroom.
Sitting at a table that held her jewelry boxes, she slipped the diamond earrings off and placed them away, as well as her diamond necklace. The hot water of a relaxing shower felt incredible to Tsukasa and her exhausted body but she knew that her day was still far from over. She worked relentlessly to beautify herself yet again, though because of her natural appearance, it was nothing short of redundant.
"I wonder if Miyuki ever got my email…" Tsukasa said to herself and walked over to her bedside table that held her laptop computer.
Sitting on the massive king-sized bed, Tsukasa powered up the computer and when it was ready, she opened her email. She checked her email at 7:00 am before the show started and allowed eight hours to pass that day.
Eighty-two new messages sat in Tsukasa's inbox, much to her annoyance. Emails from her publisher who was responsible for her tell-all book that chronicled her story from the depths of despair to the glowing pillars of success, as well as her books on fashion or cooking. Emails from news corporations and renowned anchors begging for television interviews. Emails from charities thanking her for her continuous contributions that saved the lives of so many homeless and starving children not just in Japan, but across the world. Emails from medical corporations, who thanked her for funding their research and it was there that Tsukasa finally found the email she was looking for from Miyuki Takara, now known as Miyuki Broden.
Quickly, Tsukasa opened the email and began to read the message from her old friend.
Dear Tsukasa,
Thank you so much for sending me all your pictures of New York City. I have always dreamed of visiting it one day and my husband and I plan to do so in the near future. I can see that you and Yutaka are having a great time there and I saw some of your designs in a magazine not too long ago in Stockholm. Jakob sends his deepest and warmest wishes to you and thank you for wishing us a happy anniversary. It has been five wonderful years and with many more to come. To answer your question, yes I am in Africa again and this time I'm in Uganda. Jakob and I are still continuing our research on curing AIDS and we have several theories the medical review is examining now and we believe we may have found a possible link to a cure in the human genome. My cancer research is still going strong and I'm pleased to say that the medical review has approved my formula for the cure to colon cancer and are still testing my theory on lung cancer. I know I say this a lot, but thank you again for giving my name to your old doctor in Saitama. If I never met him, he never would've been able to mentor me and I don't know if I ever would've met my husband. I've included a few pictures of our latest trip to Uganda in this email so I hope you enjoy. I also wish to express my deepest regret again that I will not be able to see you in either London or Helsinki but duty calls, as I'm sure you know by now. If you ever find yourself in Stockholm, please don't hesitate to call and I'll meet you for tea. You make sure to do the same the next time I visit my parents in Tokyo. Until we talk again.
Love,
Miyuki Broden
Tsukasa was touched by the email. It washed away the depression she was feeling a little bit ago as she remembered Miyuki's incredible journey. When Tsukasa was finally able to leave White Mountain and found that Miyuki was already taking pre-med classes, Tsukasa asked Dr. Hirukawa to meet with her and see if there were any mentoring programs he could find for her. Dr. Hirukawa did Tsukasa one better. He took Miyuki under his wing personally and trained her while she still studied, though her training was still limited due to ethical concerns. When she became a doctor, Dr. Hirukawa put her on a plane to a medical conference in Stockholm, Sweden to address a medical council on her theories of curing diseases, which is where she met Dr. Jakob Broden. He was a very handsome man with golden hair, masculine facial stubble, tall, and very well toned. Broden was a leading researcher in infectious diseases and immediately took a shine to the Japanese doctor. One date led to another, and eventually to a marriage proposal. Miyuki became fluent in her English and Swedish and eventually received dual citizenship between Japan and Sweden. Miyuki, like many other people across the globe, owed Tsukasa a lot in their minds.
Tsukasa spent the next hour looking at the wonderful pictures of her with her husband in Uganda. Pictures included them holding each other as the sun was setting behind them, and also ones that showed them working hard. They included Miyuki giving a shot to a crying child as the mother held him, Dr. Broden listening to a child's heartbeat with his stethoscope, Miyuki talking with the locals of a village, among others. Tsukasa's favorite was of Miyuki on her knees and her arms wrapped around the shoulders of several smiling African children as they posed happily for the picture while giving the peace sign with their fingers.
Tsukasa sat back in her large chair and continued to reflect back on her life. She was happy for Miyuki and her husband as they continued to make the world a better place and that Dr. Hirukawa helped her do it. It was a sad day for not only Miyuki, but for the entire Hiiragi family when they got the news that Dr. Aito Hirukawa passed away at the age of eighty-eight, though peacefully in his sleep.
As stated before, Tsukasa was still prone to stages of deep depression, which was a permanent trait inflicted on her by the rape. She wondered if she truly made a difference and helped people, even though that was a stupid question. Tsukasa felt rollercoaster rides of emotions and guilt after she was released from White Mountain and learned of two fates.
She remembered she felt waves of relief when Ryosuke's trial was over. Guilty. That was the verdict handed down by the jury and the judge, who wept like a baby, as did the jury when they saw the infamous recorded video on the phone, sentenced him to no less than thirty years to life in prison. Anyone could've imagined the Hiiragi family's shock when he didn't even serve two years until he left prison. However, he didn't leave the prison in a conventional sense. Free men walk out the front doors. Dead men however leave through the back doors in body bags, and that's exactly how Ryosuke left…in a body bag.
As fate would have it, Ryosuke's cellmate was a father of two girls who was doing five years for robbery and assault on a police officer. He didn't take too kindly to rapists and one morning, the guards found Ryosuke's body in the jail cell and to their horror, he was nearly beheaded with an improvised knife made out of a toothbrush, meaning it was a very slow and painful death for the rapist at the hands of his cellmate. Tsukasa, to everyone's surprise, cried for Ryosuke when he died…but why? Not even she knew why. The only explanation they could come up with was that Tsukasa was just sick and tired of seeing so much meaningless violence in the world, whether it was against her or even against all four of her rapists, who were now dead.
She cried even longer and harder when she opened a newspaper one morning and found that a local Saitama girl was found dead in her place of business, The Black Window. Yuka Miyakawa's body was found naked in the store and the cause of death was established to be a drug overdose. Tsukasa cried relentlessly when she saw it and she blamed herself for Yuka's death because she felt she didn't do all that was necessary to try and help her as well. But that was Tsukasa's true personality. She felt emotions and attachments to all living things, even the one who nearly enabled her to be raped a second time. In the back of her mind though, Tsukasa knew that could've easily have been her if she stayed on her destructive path.
It was this character trait that attracted a young man to Tsukasa in the first place named Minoru. Whether it was a strange coincidence or an act of fate is anybody's guess, but Minoru met Tsukasa with her friends at their usual karaoke bar, which was their ongoing process to keep Tsukasa happy and loved. He thought she was amazing and though it took a long time to open up, Tsukasa eventually agreed to a date with him, though it was limited and even scary for the youngest Hiiragi twin.
After their first date though, Tsukasa didn't plan on seeing him again. Being in a relationship and being close to a man was still too much for her, which Minoru understood completely. That didn't stop him however from always being there as a friend who knew his limitations and his support and admiration for Tsukasa only grew with time. Tsukasa eventually began to develop feelings for Minoru as well and to everyone's surprise, took the initiative and asked him on another date one day. They dated for nearly an entire year until Tsukasa happily accepted his marriage proposal, thinking that her old fears were gone.
It was on their wedding night that Tsukasa realized she still struggled with everything that had happened to her. This was an issue Tsukasa wanted to talk to Kagami about when the time came later tonight, as they still had problems every now and then. One thing Tsukasa knew for sure though was that Minoru was crazy about her and would do anything for her, even when she wasn't around, and that was one of the many reasons why they still stayed together and defied the stigma of celebrity marriages. One day however, Tsukasa felt sick and instead of seeing a doctor, she went to a pharmacy and bought a specific test that married couples usually get after doing certain things.
Tsukasa snapped herself out of her memories and retrospective trip when her cell phone began ringing. She picked it up and when she saw it was her personal driver's number, she opened it and verbally greeted him. He informed her that the tour he took them on was over and that they were half an hour away from the hotel. She thanked him and readied herself for another public appearance, though she looked forward to this one more.
As she put herself back together and looked in the mirror, she suddenly noticed her uncovered right wrist. It was always covered with an old yellow ribbon that she used to wear in her hair, but now wore it around her wrist in an attempt to display it as a fashion trait. Instead, it was meant to cover something. Tsukasa looked at her wrist and saw the deep scar across her wrist and shuddered at the sight while covering it up again with the ribbon.
It's all in the past…it's all in the past.
Waiting in the grand lobby of the Plaza Hotel, Tsukasa and Yutaka stood side-by-side. Staring at the large front doors, Yutaka could tell that her boss was nervous by the way she trembled.
"You need to relax, Tsukasa. This is your own family after all." Yutaka stated.
Tsukasa nodded. "I know…it's just that I want them to have a good time. That's all."
"They're spending time with you. Of course it'll be a good time." Yutaka replied and wanted to add more but felt her cell phone ringing and excused herself to answer it.
The nervous fashion designer took her assistant's words to heart. Her family was just going to be happy to see her and that was it. It didn't matter if they were in New York, Japan, or even on the moon. All that mattered was that they were together but either way, Tsukasa was sparing no expense to make sure her family was shown a good time.
When Yutaka returned, she grabbed Tsukasa's attention and the fashion designer missed seeing her limousine pull up to the front of the Plaza Hotel. "I have some interesting news for you, Tsukasa. I just got off the phone with representatives from Gucci and they want to meet with us and negotiate a contract."
Hearing the news brought a smile to Tsukasa's mouth. She had really hit the big times now but all the ideas of further fame and fortune and security for her family were suddenly washed away when she heard two childish voices scream "mommy" across the lobby. Tsukasa turned her head back and saw two children running towards her with their backpacks hanging behind them and their smiles as wide as they could make them. Tsukasa's children. Her seven year old son, Aito, named after the doctor that saved both the lives of Kagami and Tsukasa. Her five year old daughter, Kiyora, named after the current Prime Minister of Japan…and good friend of the Hiiragi family.
Tsukasa fell to her knees and opened her arms with a loving smile and reeled her children into her chest as they hugged their mother back. Their laughter was an avalanche of white noise that Tsukasa gobbled up and couldn't get enough as she held her children tighter and tighter. She looked up and saw everybody. The whole support system that gave her strength every day. Her loving husband Minoru Shiraishi walked over carrying most of the suitcases with a smile on his face.
Behind him, she saw her aged though still gracious parents with their arms wrapped around each other's arms as they walked slowly. They were accompanied by Tsukasa's oldest sister Inori, who hadn't changed a bit, aside from her enlarged stomach that was due to deliver a new life in a few weeks. Helping carrying more bags for her parents and pregnant sister was Matsuri, who also didn't change her appearance in so long, though her current career dedicated as a permanent Miko and future heir of the Hiiragi family shrine didn't match her tough personality. It was one of the quirks Matsuri acquired after watching all the miracles surrounding Kagami and especially Tsukasa unfold that renewed the religious faith in her.
Inori Hideyoshi was her name now. Married to a physics professor at Tokyo University, Kenji Hideyoshi was beloved by the family because of his love and support for Inori. It was their religious faiths though that clashed every now and then but one thing they could agree on was that they loved each other.
After a teary reunion in the lobby, and after several more hours of adjusting in the luxurious hotel rooms, it was time for dinner…and time for three more guests. Kagami arrived with Konata and Hiyori later that night at 7:00 pm and all were treated to a spectacular five-star feast at the Plaza Hotel, all bought and paid for by Tsukasa. It was a special dinner that she orchestrated by herself as a thanks to all her friends and family for always being there for her, though her children's innocent minds were far from the heartfelt speech as they flung food at each other while no one looked.
It was the event after that Tsukasa was looking forward to the most. When everyone else went to their rooms for the night, Tsukasa stayed up with Kagami as they sat alone at The Champagne Bar as the night wore on. So much to talk about, yet so little time. They couldn't help but remember the time they laid in the same hospital bed when Tsukasa awoke from her coma and they were fine with the perfect silence between them knowing that just the company of the other was enough. As they drank though, Tsukasa still consulted her sister on personal issues.
"So you've been saying you've had some problems with Minoru?" Kagami asked as she sat in her classy suit and drank her wine.
Tsukasa nodded. "I remember we had a fight before I left to come here. He's growing tired of all my traveling and he feels he's becoming a single parent."
Kagami narrowed her eyes. "That's kind of harsh, don't you think?"
To her surprise, Tsukasa shook her head. "I can see his argument though. Aito and Kiyora are growing up and I'm starting to worry that maybe Minoru is right. Am I missing out on my children growing up?"
"You're working very hard and you're an excellent provider, Tsukasa. Minoru is like my brother now and I also know that he knows that as well. He's just a little frustrated because he wants you to be around more often, and not just for your kids." Kagami said as she crossed her legs. "He loves you with all his heart and he's a wonderful father. When you're travelling, I always visit and when I see him with Aito and Kiyora, he's like a superhero to them. He also can't go one whole visit without saying how much he cherishes you."
Tsukasa smiled. "Thanks, sis. I always like to hear that. But there was another issue I've been having with Minoru that I only trust talking with you about."
Nodding with a smile, Kagami said, "I'm all ears, Tsukasa."
When Tsukasa blushed, Kagami knew she was going to hear more intimate details. "Well…we've been having trouble…in the bedroom lately.
Kagami felt a blush paint itself across her face as well. "I…I see. Tell me then…if you want to."
Tsukasa gulped slightly. "Well, the nightmares returned again."
Kagami's blush disappeared and her heart raced. This was an issue Tsukasa still struggled with to this day, though it had grown more infrequent as the years progressed. She still had nightmares about being raped in the Kagura-den. Some of those nightmares ended with those monsters murdering her, making her scream herself awake.
"How bad are they?" Kagami asked.
"Still very few and far between, but whenever I have them…Minoru and I have trouble…expressing our love to each other for awhile, if you know what I mean." Tsukasa said and her sister could see it was taking a lot for her younger sister to admit this.
Kagami slowly nodded. "I see. Well you know this by now but marriage isn't all about sex and that he needs to keep in mind that you will only be comfortable with certain things."
Tsukasa's emotions lit up. "Oh sis, please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Minoru isn't like other men. He always was and always will be a perfect gentleman in that area and he's very sensitive to my needs and limits. In fact, I need to tell you something about our wedding night. When we got to our hotel and we were about to make love for the first time, I wanted to do it so badly…but I just couldn't. I was so scared and when I couldn't, I started crying. Do you know what he did?"
Kagami shook her head.
"He hugged me close and whispered, 'everything will be okay. You're my treasure and I love you with everything I've got. I'm not going anywhere…now rest yourself and let me fix you some tea. I'll even throw in a foot massage.'" Tsukasa recited their rough wedding night.
Kagami couldn't help but smile. "Well…like I said, he loves you with all his heart. So are you afraid you're going to split or something?"
"It's not even that. I was talking about this with Yutaka earlier and my concern is not for me and Minoru…but for our children." Tsukasa said and drank a bit of her wine. "I've accepted the fact that I was raped a long time ago and I've worked as an activist on the side and have spoken at many political events condemning sex crimes across the world, but I worry about the kids. They won't be young forever and they will inevitably ask questions about sex and adult relationships. What do I do when that time comes? Do I tell them about…what happened to me, or do I try and hide it from them? I don't want them to lose their innocence like I did. Or worse…think differently about me."
This was a head-scratcher as far as Kagami was concerned. Telling children that their mother was a victim of rape must be a herculean task and how do you exactly go about doing that? Kagami could see her sister's concerns, as well as the concerns Tsukasa didn't vocalize. Tsukasa may not have said it, but how would this affect their thoughts on relationships when they grew up? Kiyora took directly after Tsukasa at that age and was very timid and looked up to her older brother as her hero. Would knowing about the rape change her mind about him or her perspective on the male gender in the future? Aito however took after Kagami and Matsuri in his vibrant enthusiasm, energy, and bull-headedness, but he loved his sister and always vowed to protect her.
"There's no need to tell them any time soon. When the time comes, you'll know it, Tsukasa. I have all the confidence in the world in your abilities as a mother and a strong woman." Kagami proclaimed for Tsukasa with pride. "In fact, I would keep them away from your speech at Columbia University tomorrow. Let Minoru take them to see the city again or take them somewhere else that they'll have fun."
Tsukasa smiled and nodded. "Thank you Kagami. You know I love you very much, right?"
Kagami stood from her side of the booth and sat next to Tsukasa and pulled her tight. "I know, Tsukasa, I know. You're my little sister and you will always be. Now go sleep with your husband."
Tsukasa giggled at the blunt and comedic comment to calm her nerves. The two sisters said goodnight to each other and Tsukasa returned to her suite, where her husband was sleeping. When she slipped into her nightgown and crawled into bed, it woke Minoru and he looked at Tsukasa.
"How was Kagami?" He yawned.
To his sudden surprise, Tsukasa rolled herself on top of him and kissed him deeply. When their kiss was complete, she looked down at him. "I'm going to order Yutaka to schedule a long vacation for just us and the kids. As soon as my visit to Helsinki is over, it'll be just the four of us for a very long time."
It all came as such a sudden shock. "But…but what about the next series of shows?"
"I can always send someone else in my place." Tsukasa said as she sat on her husband's lap. "I just don't want to keep missing more milestones for the kids. Now…do you want me to take this nightgown off…or do you want to take it off me?"
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Tsukasa was very nervous now. She sat backstage with a bottle of water trembling in her hands as she heard the auditorium fill with psychology students all anxious to hear her story and how she bounced back from such darkness. Nearly two hundred students were going to be at this speech, all of whom were already big fans of either her story, her fashion, her activism, or her culinary skills.
As she sat, her heart suddenly raced when she heard the professor overseeing the speech say over the microphone, "Okay let me have your attention please. As you know, we have a very special guest speaker today. We have the unprecedented pleasure to meet Tsukasa Shiraishi today, as you all know is not only an international superstar in the fashion world, but is one of the greatest living activists for persecuting sex crimes across the globe. What makes her story even more incredible is that Mrs. Shiraishi is also a victim of rape, and also how she fell into a dark abyss that threatened to keep her forever, but she wouldn't let that happen…"
The professor's voice trailed off when Tsukasa heard her children approach the backstage and Aito was leading the charge. He rushed over and hugged his mother as Minoru also walked in and carrying Kiyora, who was clearly shy and unsure of her foreign surroundings.
"Good luck, mommy!" He announced.
Tsukasa smiled and kissed him on the head. "Thank you dear, but I'm afraid you won't be able to see mommy speak."
This disappointed the young boy. "But why not?!"
Minoru took it from there. "Hey little buddy, what do you say we go on a little adventure in the city?"
"But I don't want to, daddy! I want to stay with mommy and watch her speak!" He protested.
Minoru smiled and said, "Well, okay. I guess your sister and I will just have to go to the world's biggest toy store alone then."
His ears suddenly perked up and all his previous interest in his mother's speech disappeared. He quickly snatched his father's hand and began to drag him to the exit door while chanting about the toy store. Kiyora on the other hand didn't want to go. She readied herself to cry and said, "I want to stay with mommy."
Tsukasa stood and walked over to her daughter and took her from Minoru's grasp and held her. "Now, now, don't make such a fuss, Kiyora. Your father and big brother will be there with you and you can have a new toy. What part about that doesn't sound fun?"
Drying her eyes, Kiyora looked at her mother and said, "I don't want to leave you, mommy."
Why does this seem so familiar?
Tsukasa shook the intuitive question out of her mind and sat her daughter down, allowing her to stand on her own. "I'll tell you what. I'm going to let you have this."
Tsukasa began to unfasten the yellow ribbon that hid the deep scar across her wrist.
"What's that, mommy?" Kiyora asked as Tsukasa began to tie it in her daughter's hair.
"I always wore this for good luck but on you, this ribbon automatically makes you ten times cuter than any other kid in the world." Tsukasa said and finished tying the ribbon in the familiar style with the two yellow tails sticking up above her daughter's head. When everyone sees your ribbon, they will be so jealous and they'll want to be your friend. You'll make new friends in no time."
"Really?" Kiyora asked as she lifted her eyes towards the ribbon.
"Absolutely, in fact I think I will need that after all for my speech. I changed my mind. Give it back." Tsukasa commanded and quickly tickled her daughter's stomach, making her laugh enthusiastically.
Minoru picked his once again happy daughter up and let his son lead the charge towards the limousine that would take them to FAO Schwarz Toy Store. Tsukasa sighed happily and heard the professor end the introduction and she readied herself.
"And without further adieu, please welcome to Columbia University…Tsukasa Shiraishi." She said and suddenly, the whole auditorium erupted in relentless applause.
Tsukasa stepped out from behind the corner and walked into the shining lights beaming down on her and looked at the people staring at her. They were on their feet and clapping loudly as she approached the podium. Looking in the audience, she saw her parents sitting in the front row, each one wiping tears from their eyes already as they watched her stand before the packed house. Kagami sat next to them, as did Inori and Matsuri. Konata and Hiyori also sat nearby and also applauded as Tsukasa looked before them and cleared her throat.
When the applause subsided and everyone sat down again, Tsukasa thought again. She was happy. Her life was a success and she didn't let one tragic event in her life slow her down or keep her from fulfilling her promise of making everyone proud. As she stared into the audience, for a quick second, she thought she saw a woman with blue hair, green eyes, and in a white dress in the aisle and looking at her with a smile. She blinked and the figure was suddenly gone.
She shook it off and saw everything as she looked into the audience again. She saw Tadao and Miki still holding onto each other and still married and as happy as ever. Her friends and family surrounded her and Tsukasa looked up into the glowing lights shining down on her. It was as if the heavens were watching her as well and she felt blessed. She was in the light. She was dealt one of the darkest and daunting hands the horrors of life could ever concoct, and yet she never gave up. Her war against the evil was over. She had won.
"My name is Tsukasa Shiraishi…and fifteen years ago, my innocence was stolen from me. What came next though, was only the beginning…"
THE END